Yikes... Looks like my premium membership is ending soon... I hope that all my nifty journal skins and features for all my groups and what-not won't get affected by this. Q.Q I'm also not looking forward to all the advertisements again.  

Aside from that, YIKES! I've been away so long... I'm so sorry... 

My job has been okay. Leaves me super tired at night though so I haven't done much besides work and sleep. 

So many bills! Being old sucks.. Living paycheck to paycheck is killing me. >.<

I've been doing a lot of soul searching while I'm back in Hawaii actually. 

1) I've been going to church and praying every day. I've been asking the Lord what my calling is... What my purpose in life is as a profession and as a daughter of Christ. 
Yeah, I know, complete 180 from what I used to be like a few years ago. I'm glad I'm back in God's grace. But this has lead me to find that I know I want to be in a profession that helps and serves people. Unfortunately, as the bible says in Mathew 6:24

<quote>"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."</quote>

So... If I want to live a life pleasing to the Lord, I don't think I'm going to make millions... XD And if I do, I'll need to donate that to a good cause otherwise will be plagued and constantly tempted by the Devil. That being said, what kind of profession is out there that can please God but help me live within my means and provide for my family? That's currently the biggest question I'm facing now.

2) Sadly, I'm trying to find an affordable place to live in Hawaii... That, my friends, is near IMPOSSIBLE, unless you are wealthy. Hence why so many families live with their parents or friends share bedrooms. If I had a friend I could just pay for a room with near school, I'd totally do that. Too bad the ones who wouldn't mind are all guys... XD No need for drama or awkwardness in my life right now. Q.Q Or the rooms available will be with strangers and I just pray they aren't sketchy. >.< Fuuu...

Aside from that, I've also been trying to refocus my priorities. Online art and whatnot has always been for fun. This means that it's been put on the back burner... I'm so sorry for projects left undone because of my being away and hope you all understand. Please don't stop having fun on my account. As soon as I am back on track with my life I know that I can find the time to return to my hobbies again. 

Artwork hasn't completely left my life though. I do face painting for parties on the side and it's fun and fast. Fantastic stuff actually. I'll post my art later when I have the time. ^^ I also started making invitations for parties. Simple things that I'm sure everyone on here could do. Lol. Oh man though... This isn't often... 

So in order to get my creative juices fulfilled without having to spend hours drawing or being online, I've been taking a lot of pictures of Hawaii with my phone. Just to be able to see the natural beauty around me and have it on my phone has been a blessing. Only when you are taken from your art do you really appreciate it. So I'm grateful that those little snapshots of my beautiful sunsets and sunrises, clouds over mountains, and flora within forests, and waves along beaches have been keeping me calm, focused, and fills my need for art. 

...Sorry for the randomness of this journal, but there was a lot of things on my mind... XD 

I'll end this journal with this: 

No matter what is happening in your life, be sure to find the happiness, love, art, and beauty in your life. It will keep you focused and strong. 

God bless!



by by

by by

Hey everyone! 

I'm stuck at home because I'm sick.. so if anyone wants to chat, I'm online in my group's OOC chatroom: 

us19.chatzy.com/84351667271809

Peace!



by by

OMG! This trip was AMAZING! 

It was an honor and a blessing to be able to represent my island with my sister, hula brothers, and Aunty Michiru. 

I learned that Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan is our sister city to the island of Kauai. One of the water buoys from Japan was cast off during a ceremony in dedication to the recent tsunami disaster in Fukushima and miraculously was received in Kauai's beach. If that isn't a sign from God that our bond between cities isn't meant to be, I don't know what is. It took the buoy almost a year to travel across the ocean, naturally ride the currents, and reach our beaches. It's amazing. 

---

 Buoy memorial in hanapepe, kauai [News Article] 

---

To further strengthen our bond with Iwaki, our hula halau visited various dignitaries to exchange our cultures as ambassadors and entertainers. We danced for the Mayor of Iwaki, attended dinners with the dignitaries, and performed at the Spa Resort Hawaiians during their 25th Annual Hula Girl Festival. 

They enjoyed having us, thought our performances were beautiful, and that we were well-behaved and pleasant guests.

In turn, Iwaki was very welcoming and hospitable. Our hotel room was very cute, they escorted us where ever we needed to go, and the people we met were so much fun to chat with. All the accommodations were covered and we were considered honored guests of the hotel and of the city. It was a humbling experience and am glad we were able to strengthen the relationships we have between Iwaki and Kauai.

---

 spa resort hawaiians hotel room [video] 

Kauai's boys dancing with Japan's girls [VIDEO] 

---

I would absolutely love to return to Iwaki someday. Even if it isn't as an honorary guest, Iwaki has restored many of their buildings and it is a very green and beautiful city. They encourage visitors to help strengthen the economy during this important time of restoration. One of the ways is to visit Spa Resort Hawaiians. They have an inside water park, hot springs, furos, and lovely dining areas. The hotel itself helps with the restoration effort economically as a tourism area. They used to have three, I believe, until the earthquakes and tsunami destroyed the other hotels. Spa Resort Hawaiians in Iwaki is the only one rebuilt. They were able to save this unique Hawaiian cultural experience for Japan and continue to put Iwaki on the map as a must-see tourism area.

---

 fukushima earthquake restoration effort [news article] 

---

As promised, I took many photos and some fun videos. If you'd like to check them out, please do!  

---

 Facebook photo album of Iwaki, Japan! [photos] 

---

ALOHA!

by by