Love for our oceans and shores

It only took a few weeks until I found the time in my schedule to enjoy my morning walk at the beach instead of my treadmill. Last Friday was one of our recently rare days of sunshine for the windward side as its been our normal winter rainy weather.

I was so happy to be able to watch the sun rise higher over the water with every step. A few moments of peace in my day just for me. It is always wonderful to feel the sand under my feet and the splash of the ocean on my legs as I walked towards the sun, my starting point was Kalama beach and I walked toward Kailua beach.

Unfortunately the sand was still littered with plastic from the garbage trail. It was only a few weeks ago when Diane Ako and I went out to try and make a difference and clean as much as we could. Her efforts with press releases to the media and awareness to the situation may have brought light to the issue, but still more has to be done.

On my return back, I hand carried a water bottle I found on the sand until I could dispose of it at the trash can at the Kalama beach park entrance.

As I was walking back though, I had an idea, what if there were sifters or clean up bags easily accessible at the parks and a sign to let people feel free to help with clean up efforts. Seriously who would take that home? Since there were businesses that offered items to help with clean up, maybe they could get permission to leave some of these tools there, somewhere near the trash cans.

I wasn't expecting to see any debris on the sand on this trip and hadn't planned to do clean up, but if I had the time and there were available tools to make it easier, I just might have.

Hoping to bring more awareness and maybe more help towards future clean up efforts. If everyone who went to the beach just picked up a little something here and there, I'm sure it wouldn't take long until we finally got it all removed permanently from our beautiful coastlines and never have to worry about it in our oceans.

Please check out Diane's blog, she has great links to organizations and more info on clean up if you are interested. If you can't make it to the beach, you can still help. All it takes is one Facebook post, a tweet, or sending a message or making a call. We don't always have the time to volunteer, but we all have a voice and we all can show in our own way our concern. Sometimes just being a messenger to get the word out to those that have the time and resources to help, can make a tremendous difference.

http://smalltalk.staradvertiserblogs.com/2012/12/21/microplastic-debris-pollutes-kailua-beach/

My other posts about the beach debris and clean up.
Living Pono http://goo.gl/JhUNh
Kailua Beach Invaded http://goo.gl/L9I2E

Mahalo for your kokua.
Me me aloha pumehana,
Maile

Sweet Dreams ;)

I Hope your weekend was amazing! As its almost bedtime, because its a school night, and everyone needs to get to bed early. I'm not complaining, I'm actually more excited than everyone in my family to get to bed early, Beauty sleep, I love every hour or minute I can get!

Another fun weekend with my family. I can't help but reflect on all the smiles and laughs I shared with them this weekend. My friends who I bruefly got to catch up with, every precious moment I am grateful!

Sending out lots if love and happy wishes for a wonderful week ahead!

Sweet dreams,
Maile

P.S. I do mean sweet :) mom made her yummy fruit tart again from scratch and dad grilled up ribs with the best bbq sauce! OMG! I'm going to be up early for my run in the morning! Night.

No sleeping until Sunday!

I am finally calling it the end of my day! I was dreaming of an easy Saturday, but having to get my boys up early for THEIR dentist appointment, make their breakfast, nag them to brush their teeth before we leave, beg them to wear something clean smelling and not wrinkled, and please just look nice and not like you woke up 10 minutes ago. Sigh!

A few minutes later we were cruising over the Pali, at least the drive was wonderful. It relaxes me when I can just zone out and drive. I love when there are barely any cars on the road and I have miles of black asphalt all to myself. Alright, I admit it, sometimes I don't want to share ;) ha ha.

Great news at the dentist, No Cavities! I am so grateful! Since we were so close to Ala Moana Shopping Center, I thought I could just stop bye and do a quick exchange. Everything was going miraculously well. I found nice shady parking immediately, we walked straight to the store and made my exchange, we were done in 10 minutes.

Then it started, those voices, "I'm hungry." I somehow didn't escape the mall fast enough and now my boys had me trapped with their cute faces guilting me with the news of perfect dental exams and apparently following all my instructions this morning, even though it was for their benefit. They had me trapped and I fell for it. So I bought us all a nice lunch.

On our way back to the car, which was now on the opposite side of Ala Moana shopping center, we just so happened to walk past a store my older son liked and before I knew it, they had guided me right to it, and even talked me into buying them a couple things.

My total for the day...
Dentist co-pay $44.50
Lunch $25.00
Their shopping for things they apparently needed for school, at least that was part of the story, anyway $38.00

Here it comes, tissue ready...a day with my boys, yummy lunch, shopping, laughing, talking, and hanging out at the mall PRICELESS - of course!

Back at home...An hour of sort of rest, then I was out the door again. This time it was just me. Invitation to a friends event in Waikiki. Thank goodness there are lots of leftovers for the family in the fridge. Now its late and I'm home and so happy to finally crawl back into my bed that I left a little too early this morning.

I think I would really like to just lock my door, turn off my phone and any other electronic device that might even dare to wake me and sleep until Monday.

Relaxing wishes for as many weekend hours as you have left to enjoy! Sweet dreams.

Aloha,
Maile

Live Your Journey!

Aloha Friday! We all love it, because it really means goodbye to the hard week and welcome to the rewards of the weekend.

I'm looking forward to seeing my baby, who really isn't so little anymore, but a big 6th grader. My son has been away at camp with his classmates for an adventure filled three days of non-stop fun. Well hopefully it was more fun than he could dream of. I can't wait to hear all about it and see all the amazing photos he took.

My older son is not looking forward to his little brother's return as eagerly as the rest of us. He has been enjoying life as the only child, and basking in all the unnecessary attention he has been able to ascertain. Although his dreams of being spoiled like a little prince and wined and dined at a few Oahu restaurants for a couple nights wasn't completely out of the question, it just wasn't as doable on a week night/school night/work day. Oh we'll, maybe next time.

I remember my first overnight adventures away from home. Sleepovers at friends houses, school field trips to camp as well (the same camp), and mainland school excursions. The life lessons of finding your independence and realizing how capable you are to survive away from the security of home (as you knew it) was definitely a growing experience. Sometimes you can't learn everything in a classroom or from your parents, or even peers, sometimes you have to just risk the journey and see where it leads.

A well lived life is what we all want. Take chances, make mistakes, and enjoy your journey! Only you can make the decisions for you, it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, and you only start to realize that when you decide to live your own life on your own terms!

Happy trails and many blessings always!

Aloha,
Maile

Angel Message Poem

Messages come to us for different reasons. Sometimes they are for us, and sometimes we are the messengers entrusted to send the message out to the world. I can't add much more to these beautiful words and hope you find answers and blessings always.


What if an angel took hold of your hand
And whispered sweet, "I understand"
Embraced you close and stroked your brow
And murmured soft, "I've got you now."

What if this angel soothed your soul,
Nursed your wounds and scars of old
Polished your heartstrings until they glistened
And gentle said, "Tell me all, I'll listen."

Would you drop your walls, set loose your tears
Could you finally face your darkest fears?
Would you sink into surrender fair
And allow yourself some comfort there?
Can you still the chatter, quell the din,
Seek that silent spot that dwells within?

What if an angel said, "I'll give you the choice --
You can speak your truth now, in your quivering voice,
There's no need anymore upon others to lean
You can make direct connection without a go-between."

With the question echoed below, above
How fast, how tall will you stand for Love?
How soon are you able to shed, to peel
To say less I think, and more I feel?
Surrounded by angels, would you dare to swoon
To dance, to sing, by the light of the moon?

What if the angel vowed to stay near
And promised fast, "We are always here"
And shared with you the words you yearned for
The knowings that your heart returned for --

What if an angel, divinely wrought,
Reminded you of everything you once were taught
And what if, as the veil was lifted,
You remembered you are worthy and abundantly gifted.

If every rose in the garden suddenly flowered
Would that presence alone leave you touched and empowered?
What if the angel was the person beside you -
Could you trust enough for your own heart to guide you?
Angels are walking among us wearing quite human faces
Be aware! You will find them in the most unlikely places.

And miracle of miracles, I swear to you this is true:
The most glorious angel you ever meet may turn out to be YOU.

Authur-Rachel Snyde

Each time I read this, I found different meaning for my own life. In this new year, make each moment count, time is precious and we can never get those moments back. Its time to live our very best life now.

Me ke aloha pumehana,
Maile

I am grateful for all that I have :)

I have been cleaning and cleaning and I know I'm making my family crazy, but the new year energy is coursing right through my very being and I absolutely can't stop myself!

In the end, everything will be clean and and I will be calm and definitely ready to tackle all the opportunities of the new year!

As I have gone through piles of photos and so many other things, I am reminded of so many wonderful memories and reflect on the wonderful life and amazing people in my life. I am truly blessed just to know you all and although time flies and we all get caught up in our day to day lives, we will reconnect again soon.

There is always a perfect time and place for everything. When that moment arrives we will find each other again. Many blessings until then.

Me ke aloha pumehana,
Maile

Math is never funny.

As its only Tuesday and dreams of the weekend linger and hopes of the next weekend seem a little far out out of reach, I thought I needed to send a smile out today.

Although, a side note, Math is never funny, especially now that I realize I can no longer understand algebra. I stopped using it after college. Just because I didn't need to use it in my profession, I'm sure there was some other math genius with a fancy title who did. So to my kids, you still need to learn it. But I don't have to ever again! Yeah!!!! Ok that makes me smile :)

Happy Tuesday!

Aloha,
Maile