My Father, the Hero

2008 ~ Mililani Band Fest

Yes, it's been a while (about a week) since I've last posted. The main reason is because intersession has ended and I've been trying to get back in the swing of things at work. It's been an interesting process. All I have to say is that I completely, 100% L-O-V-E my team! I don't think that I'll ever be this lucky again! Usually there is one person that I want to strangle but this year my team makes me gush with love and happiness!

Color guard is FINALLY over and it's a relief. I'll miss these girls (+2 guys) a lot but I'll be happy reclaiming my Saturdays. At the last tournament (Mililani Band Festival) I was standing at the back of the stadium watching them perform and I felt a sudden jolt of pain... not a pain of loss (the end of a season) but a pain of FIRE radiating form the area between my crotch and my thigh. I grabbed the affected area of my jeans and squeezed and mashed in case it was something horrible like an ant. Then, I'd remembered my senior year in high school the night before prom when I was sleeping and I suddenly felt a similar jolt of pain. I had a dream that I was on fire. I woke up, turned the light on and searched my abdomen for a clue. There is was... as though Edward himself (think Twilight) had sucked blood out of my midsection, a vampire-like bite. I called urgently to my father for help. He came in and for an hour and a half (approximately 12:00-1:30am) he searched furiously for the offending insect. It was hidden cleverly between the mattress and box spring but MY dad had found it. He was my hero. We hit it again and again but it still managed to travel with alarming quickness. I remember cutting it in half and watching to the ends wriggle in desperate panic until it finally died. In any case, when I got home from the tournament I took my jeans off and sure enough there was a juicy centipede mashed up in the fabric. The entire next week I alternated sleeping with a bag of peas and a "Foodsaver" preserved bag of frozen pork between my legs to keep the swelling and pain away. The affected area, once the size of a quarter, had increased to the size of a dollar bill. I went to see a doctor where he prescribed some great medicine and after a single dose it has all but gone away! The miracle of drugs, I tell ya!

This was so hilarious! Joseph wanted his father to read a book to him. Unfortunately, it was a musical book where you had to sing along with the tune. It was so funny to hear Joe "singing" and trying to keep up with the melody. I probably couldn't have done any better but it was just SO funny! Joseph couldn't tell the difference, anyway. He loved it!

The "Incredible" Guard

Last night was our first marching band competition.  Stupidly, I waited until the very last minute to add the bling to the two guy's shirts.  I broke 2 needles in the process!  It was an event-filled evening.  It was nice to see all the other bands perform.

Count the pins! 

 

Hefty, Kat, Kyle, Ali, & Chelsea

Daisy, Woori, Lili, & Kelly

Julie, Katie, & Nick

Taryn and I with the Incredible Punahou Color Guard.

A Zoo-per Time!

Today we went to the Honolulu Zoo.  I'd been hearing some great things about it lately and it's been a few months since we've been there.  Here's why it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be: First, it was a H-O-T day!  I found myself in the shade, drinking cold water, fanning myself and still dripping with sweat.  Second, Joseph was kind of restless.  We had already been to our swim lesson earlier so he was a tad on the tired side.  Initially, he was excited to see everything but as soon as we caught a glimpse of it he was like, "Okay!  Vroooom, vrooooom (his way of pretending he's driving a car instead of sitting in a stroller)  Let's go Daddy! What's next?" Third, the animals were all on strike or something!  Joe and I snickered thinking about how the Zoo could actually not have any animals and be watching us looking for tigers and rhinos laughing to themselves, "Oh, those trusting fools!"  In the end, I suppose it was a great day because we got to do something a little different and spend time together.  Joseph was a little sad that there wasn't any school today, however.  I assured him that tomorrow, we would certainly be going to school!  That cheered him up.

The only animal that wasn't on strike- The giraffes!  

We may have been spent more time at the playground than the entire Zoo altogether!  He does love a good slide, though.  There were SO many kids!  I was like, "C'mon people!  Get out and vote or something!"  It felt like everyone and their dentist's family was there!
Joseph asked me to hand the coins to him as he was feeding the meter.  As I handed him the last nickel, he looked over at me, smiled, and said, "You my special helper, ya mommy!?"  Poor thing was almost completely smooshed when I collapsed in hearty laughter and pulled him tight to my chest.  Moments like these are just priceless!  I really have no idea how I got SO lucky!  I'm scared to have another child because I don't know how I could possibly have two angels!  I feel like he's one in a ooga-mega-gazillion.  What if the next one were... normal?  How terribly disappointing!  Hopefully, I'd love it just the same, though.

After the Zoo, we HAD to cool off with some shave ice!  Yummy!  We went to Waiola Shave Ice store.  I have been going there since I was a little baby.  I think I've decided that Matsumoto's better.  The mochi balls are not sweet enough and the syrup is a little watered down.  :(  It was still very refreshing.