Wise Words

"Do no dissect things too much.  By the time you have dissected a thing you have killed it, and you no longer have the thing that it began with.  Take a rose out of the bowl, pull its petals apart, count them, weigh them, measure them and then, while you will have certain interesting information, you no longer have a rose."


This is something that I'm trying to be better at lately...I tend to analyze EVERYTHING and I'm trying to just live in the moment and enjoy and be happy without over thinking ever situation. 

ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT

I took this test on the New York Times website: http://bit.ly/mW40CC
Basically, they give you different questions about your preferences and you pick from a bunch of pictures to indicate your interests and then it generates a description about you....I like mine and think it definitely captures me well...
"I'm an ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT~You are a hands-on type of person who will throw them self into the most gutsy of challenges feet-first and without fear. It's this positive can-do attitude that makes you the successful fun-lover that people enjoy spending time with. There's a strong, thoughtful element to your character that means you love anything with a sense of intrigue to really get your heart racing.

You're a fast-mover and feel energized about anything that gets your pulse racing! You're enthusiastic about life and an upbeat spirit who knows how to have fun and tends to value all which is fresh and new in the world. You tire quickly of old conventions and outdated ideas, wishing to experience new methods with youthful innocence and vigor. It's all about big thrills and exciting antics that take you out of your comfort zone. You want to feel connected to the world around you and actively seek out opportunities to get closer to nature. For you, it is all about broadening your horizons and living life to the fullest!"

Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad

Good story about life lessons and survival.  This is an autobiography about the survival of Norman Ollestad after his plane crashed in the mountains east of LA.  He attempted to rescue his father, who did not make it, but throughout the account of the events that lead Norman to his rescue, he intertwines to story of his childhood memories growing up at the beach with his father, who always pushed him to try harder and conquer the unthinkable in terms of adventure sports- mainly surfing and skiing.  If nothing else, this book inspired me to charge ahead with my sports and realize that 99% of achievement in life is dependent on mental strength, determination, and a thirst for adventure.

South Shore Camera

This camera is so cool... get to check out all the good spots on the south shore.  On the bottom right corner there is a panel that allows you to take control of the camera and zoom in/out and even be directed to specific surf spots.  Although I'm only a 5 minute walk from the beach, its cool to be able to check it out from the convenience of your computer :)


http://www.obrhi.com/hawaii/diamond-head-beach-hawaii-webcam/

Tree Pods

Wouldn't it be great to have a tree pod / mini fort to relax in sometimes :)

The Green Kitchen

MMMM, the recipes in this blog look amazing and the pictures are even better than the food.... I'm not a huge "foodie" but I love the creativity that people put into their cooking and I like the side of cooking that is more of an artistic skill than anything... makes me want to cook better for myself and be more creative/artistic in the kitchen...

http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/

I'll have to make some of these recipes and post pictures later...

Change the World!

If a young girl can be this articulate and thought provoking - why can't I do more... this motivates me to get off my butt and be more proactive and outspoken about things I believe in :)

Be the change you want to see in the world.

SUrF LodGe

Found this little spot and fell in love... someday I a) want to stay there and b) want to open up our very own cafe/craft shop/lounge/sweet as hang out spot with the same type of theme - ocean feel mixed with Aloha!

oh its love, sweet love..
http://www.thesurflodge.com/

Muffins!

For my roommate's birthday I decided to make some MUFFINS!  and for the special occasion I decided to add a Hawaiian twist to the mix!

So here is my recipe for some delicious Hawaiian Banana Coconut Macadamia Nut Muffins!

Ingredients:

• 2  eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped Macadamia nuts

Cooking Directions:

Break eggs into a mixing bowl and beat until light and frothy. Add sugar and melted butter. Beat well. Stir in mashed banana and vanilla flavoring. Measure remaining ingredients into another bowl and stir until well mixed. Pour over batter and stir just to combine. Place into greased or lines muffin tins. Bake in 350 deg. F. oven for 15 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool and enjoy...

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUAA

Yesterday at the beach I saw a bunch of these fish swimming around and found out that they are the Hawaii state fish and they are also the mascot of the stormwater program that we are managing for the state (we even have a costume :) haha).  So i'm trying to memorize the name because it is a lonnnggg word, but they are also commonly called trigger fish, so thats a bit easier than the hawaiian name...

Best Kareoke Song!

so I'm sitting in bed waiting for the tsunami to hit hawaii, and guess what I decide to do... practice my favorite karaoke song, "Jack and Diane!" I've been meaning to practice this for a while, because for some reason I keep finding myself in karaoke bars and this is my go-to song which I am tragically terrible at singing. so I'm going to practice and blow everyone away next time with my awesome rendition of one of Mellencamps best!.... more to come on the ensuing tsunami!...

Whenever life hits us hard, we will eventually bounce back again- just like Malibu...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGDwScgb_Y0

Whenever you are feeling like life has given you a strong kick in the torso, just think of the dreamy hunk, Malibu, and learn from him that no matter what, you can recover from any blow by soaking up some cosmic rays...