Beach Time

The sun shined brightly today, we decided to take a ride out to the beach. My cousin, Ikaika, came by to pick all of us up and we rode in the back of his pickup (this is something people always do in Hawaii). It has been quite awhile since I last rode in the back so I will admit I was a bit nervous. While riding alongside the beaches, my cousin Jonah continuously exclaimed, "Hooo...the waves are pumpin", he was right indeed, the waves were great and the water was nice and warm. The boys caught a lot of waves while body boarding and body surfing, while I walked around and searched for Portuguese Man-of-wars along the beach, these are tiny blue jellyfish that linger around the ocean on windy days. As we left Sherwood Forest beach for another beach along the Waimanalo coast, we stopped by the well-known Keneke's Grill for Teriyaki burgers and Mahimahi. I had a fab day!



Amir, Jonah, and Ikaika await the next big wave...



Ikaika and Jadie wait outside of Keneke's, we all ordered shaved ice.

Mele Kalikimaka!

Christmas Eve: The grandchildren smile during dinner (left), My Grandma and Papa smile for the camera (right)


Last night I went to a Christmas Party. We played tons of games; from grab bag trading to testing our knowledge of holiday music. Hawaiian hymns filled the party room as well as our favorite song, "Maka dang dang soyot billy goat bang gala gala boot boot..." the night was exciting and everyone seemed to have a great time. A basketball game was played, leaving everybody sweaty and commanding an immediate bath!



Sweaty basketball players at night.


Today was Christmas day, My brother was at the edge of his seat just waiting to open everything. My brother, Omar, delivered a multitude of movies for everyone. It seems as if the most popular gift of the year was the Nintendo DS gaming system which allows everyone to battle one and other, just as long as you have the handheld machine. Later that night 8 people proved the versatility of the DS by competing in an eight car race on Mario Kart.


Later in the evening the four of us headed out to my grandparent's house for dinner, we enjoyed leftovers from the night before and Hawaiian music filled the house. I have been playing Pictionary all night and I've really been having a great time. It's so nice to finally get a break from the cold weather and a busy semester, lounging around has been nothing short of wonderful!



Pictionary laughter...



...MELE KALIKIMAKA!

Taste of Hawaii

My family gets together every Sunday for dinner at my Grandparents home on the Eastern side of the Island. Our Christmas activities have just begun and it seems that everyone is constantly shopping for more and more Christmas gifts and planning games and activities for the holidays. I chose to tag along with my Mom and her sisters, and spent a girls day out visiting tons of stores and malls in Hawaii (this is something I never do in Chicago). The stores were packed of course, but I was not interested in the shopping, instead I was craving all the wonderful foods the island has to offer. From start to finish, I was spoiled by all members of my family who knew what I had been missing. My grandparents have already cooked some delicious Hawaiian food and my grandfather made sure to mix poi today! One can be assured that my taste buds are content, and remembering all the tastes of Hawaii.


I have so far enjoyed sushi, sashimi, Zippy's Saimin, L&L Plate Lunch (an island Classic) and my favorite dish: Korean bbq and bubble tea at Pearl's bbq in Kunia, Oahu!



Pearl's BBQ



My two cousins, Jadie and Sadie smile beside me after a long day of roaming Kahala Mall and still finding very little interest in anything.



After a delicious lunch at Assagios Italiano Ristorante, in Ala Moana Shopping Center, my two younger brothers and I smile for my dad behind the camera.



A view of the sunset from the ONLY monorail on the island.


Unlike Chicago, Hawaii has just one transit system on the island, and that is The Bus. The bus system in Hawaii seems to have declined in it's efficiency over the past two years and there has been much talk about building a monorail and/or train system on the island. This has brought about many mixed feelings as to how islanders are reacting in regards to the creation of a transit system that will further westernize the natural beauties and landscape of the island. There is however, one monorail that does exist on the island to connect two hemispheres of a gigantic mall in Pearl City, Oahu. My youngest brother, Amir, enjoys his visits to Chicago because he has the opportunity to travel in new ways by riding the Amtrak, Metra, or CTA. The Pearl City monorail is Amir's favorite thing to do while at that mall. In a way, that one monorail gives Islanders a peek into what the mainland has running throughout much of it's vast and spacious land, and the experience of riding the monorail gives a glimpse into a larger world of mass transit but at a much smaller and stress-free scale. It is almost an amusement ride rather than a transit system. Nonetheless it does make children smile.


Aloha Oe.

Bye Bye Chicago...Aloha Hawaii!

I am originally from Honolulu located on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. When I decided to attend SAIC I had to take into consideration the distance I would be from home as well as all the cultural and climate changes I would experience. Since being here I have returned home during the holidays just once, that was during my first year. I have however, visited during the summers. This is due to the expensive price of a plane ticket for someone flying from a freezer to paradise! Since moving to Chicago, I have always crossed my fingers for a Kama'aina rate to fly home. Kama'aina rates are often offered in Hawaii and are basically low rates for the people/residents of Hawaii and are available everywhere throughout the island since our high cost of living is due to the fact that our economy highly depends on tourism. I got lucky this year though, because despite the non-existing Kama'aina airfare rate, I still managed to make it home to see my family. It has been just under two years since I have returned home and I have been missing everything about my family and the beautiful island I am from.


The travel from Chicago to Honolulu took quite some time since I flew out at the start of a mini snowstorm our plane had to be de-iced before starting it's journey. Despite the bad weather and the bumpy ride, I crossed a number of different landscapes from white capped mountains, the Vegas desert, and then finally the blue Pacific Ocean of which I have missed for years now. When I finally arrived home, I was greeted as in the past, with a beautiful orchid lei, tropical Hawaiian music, and my youngest brother, Amir, who embraced me with the biggest hug and the brightest smile!



De-icing of the plane in Chicago, it was much like a car wash.



Approaching the island of Oahu after 9 hours of air time.


I am finally home!


I will keep you updated with all that I am doing on my two and a half week vacation before returning to Chicago for my winter semester course. Enjoy!

Wish List- An Exhibition

I just returned from the opening of a group exhibition that I am a part of at Koscielak Gallery Chicago . The exhibition entitled, Wish List, consists of work from artists in the Advanced Sculptural Practices Studio class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Our final critique was scheduled for last tuesday and we had to install the show and THEN critique all the work in the show. Installation was frustrating because some people took up more space than others while some students didn't even show up for installation day! But I guess it was a good opportunity for me to work with such a large group and understand the good and the bad things about doing so.


My schedule has been so crazy though, because now I must pack for a loooong voyage back home to Hawaii. My flight is scheduled to leave tomorrow morning, I apologize if this entry is so short, I will write when I land!!!!


For more information in regards to Koscielak Gallery Chicago please visit the site below:
http://www.gosiakoscielak.com/upcomingExhibitions.php


or feel free to stop by the gallery located at:
1646 N. Bosworth Ave, Chicago IL 60622
773.252.9921



A sculpture by artist, Elizabeth Jaeger.



A sculpture by artist, Justin Swinburne.



A sculpture of mine entitled "Drop your legs and lay on me said the Meecha to the Macha"


A review of the show can be found at the following site: http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/7283.html