Day care stories...

Some days are definitely harder than others when working in daycare. Today was one of those days where I wonder what in the world the kids are thinking and if they ever are going to behave. But, in these days, how you get through is looking for the humor in whatever they're doing. And so I present 2 stories:

Story 1:
I have a Starbucks tumbler where you create your own design (thanks Jenny - it's from the vacation house last year). Basically, I took a decorated sheet of paper and put on a cute picture of DH & I on our honeymoon.

One child looks at it and says to me. "That's you, Miss Julie. Is that your daddy?"

Lol. DH is older than me. He's not THAT much older.


Story 2:
Setting: on the playground, next to the "tree house/slide"
Child comes up to me and says, "Miss Julie, my booty itches."
Um... how do you respond to that?

Aloha! Pehea 'oe?

Maika'i au :)

One of the parents of a girl who goes to my halau here in Tennessee told me about Kamehameha School's Distance Learning Program. I checked it out, and found they have Hawaiian language classes online! For free! (What fits better with a grad school budget?)

So far, I've just done the first lesson and am letting it sink in. DH thinks it's funny hearing me say the same phrases over and over, asking myself questions and then replying back to myself. It's so good to "be around" Hawaiian things again! Hau'oli au.

Funny video :)

So, this video was made by some students at Duke's Fuqua school of Business, and it makes fun of people who go to Owen for their MBA (which my lovely husband is doing currently). It's kind of funny. (but we're not that rich, nor were dh's grandparents. and I don't own any pearls.)

Homesick

Yup, I think it'd be fair to say that DH and I are both homesick for Hawai'i. I know we didn't live there long (but then again , we don't live anywhere for too long), but it certainly had a hold on our hearts that I'm not sure we'll ever let go of.

There's so much to miss - Elevate, my halau (and hula sisters), friends, the scenery, the weather (I miss the rain a lot now), the ocean, the food (Spam musubi and fruit especially!)... I could go on.

I have the cd from hula in our car and I almost can't listen to it sometimes because it makes me want to cry. We were so blessed by people there. I can't wait to go back.

Vacation House!

Rich and Jenny rented a house in South Haven for the week. DH and I could only go for the weekend due to his school schedule. We drove up on Friday morning (early!) and then drove back Sunday morning (early!). We had a lot of fun hanging out with my family!

Hanging out on the beach with their favorite Uncle!

The girls <3>

Beach time!

Tia Katie made a fish. Or was it a turtle?

Baked chicken... and Jack Handy

Tonight we had baked garlic chicken with sautéed garlic asparagus... yummy!

I love Jack Handy. He cracks me up.

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver." ~ Jack Handy

Makemake au mahi mahi

It's true. I do want mahi mahi. And tonight I got it! Yay! Mahi mahi was one of my favorite fishes to eat in Hawai'i, and I thought I'd try some from our local supermarket here in a landlocked state. While not as fresh as Hawai'i, it was pretty good!

I used a recipe from Epicurious and it was pretty good. DH didn't like the breadcrumbs, but I did. I didn't have any potatoes, so I just did the fish and it was pretty good!

Mmmm... sorry, Junior

We tried this recipe for Sautéed Garlic Asparagus tonight and really liked it. We had really skinny asparagus, so I only cooked it 5-6 minutes, and it was delicious!

No news is... no news...

Hmm... this week really hasn't been that eventful.

I got rejected as an applicant for several jobs. For several, I was notified by email. For one I was notified by postcard. That's weird. I got hired by one place, but I rejected it. Who wants to earn $8.50 an hour selling stuff, when you can only work 4 hour shifts? Anyway, I did interview for one job and they asked me to come back later that same day to work. So I did. I have worked two days at a local church's preschool - they have 2, 3, 4, and 5 year olds. It's not a ton of money, but I can at least walk there. I have an understanding with the principal that if I find something that can offer me the hours I need at the salary I need, I can leave. Otherwise, I'll stay. The kids are so cute. Even when they're crying and you don't speak their language, they're adorable.

I need to learn how to say, "It'll be ok" in Korean and Chinese.

Before I got the preschool job, I spent one whole day waiting for our car to be serviced. Seven hours of my life that I cannot live again were carelessly discarded by people who demanded way too much money for their services. But, I did get some rockin' Thai food at one of my favorite restaurants in the area. So, I guess I did win.

DH and I are slowly unpacking more boxes. Hopefully in the next few weeks, we'll have our second bedroom live-able. That's good news.

A hui hou...