February 26 & 27

Both Jay and Sierra home from school on Tuesday and they lay around and watched movies all day. Tutu and I got a yoga class in and Papa took Misty for a quick walk. I had to coach in the afternoon so dad came straight home to take care of the sickies while I was on the pool deck at Punahou. On Wednesday, both kids got themselves to school. Jay wasn't in the best shape but handled and came home right away after school to rest. Sisi's teacher's thought she might still have a fever but she was fever free, just tired so she had a full school day but wasn't very active. I had dropped the van off at the Nissan dealership and rode my bike home via Kahala Mall where I returned my new bad phone and replaced it with the samsung that was like the one that got stolen. It's already so much easier to text so I'm happy with it. The car wasn't fixed in time for me to ride back to Kakaako before coaching at Oahu Club so I had to walk (which was fine) and I "picked up" Isabel and Cole on the way because I was supposed to drive them but we all walked. It was fun and simple. Dad brought Sierra to me at the Club and he went surfing. There's a south swell and it was a beautiful day. Sisi and walked home and took our time... it was a beautiful day. Dad stopped at Safeway for cheese and a tomato for our tacos. We watched American Idol for the first time and it was the "girls night" so we only saw the 10 girls- I thought it was pretty good. Mb sent me a picture of the wahine on a "hike" to a water hole near Sandi's house. Check out Sandi on the left with her really short hair-- she looks great!

February 25th

Woke up at 2am to Jay barfing in his room. Then for the next 12 hours he threw up consistently and repeatedly. Then, dad brought Sierra home and she has a fever. I really hope she's not going to throw up. Then Yui came home with a major tooth ache. It looks like both your sibs and your Japanese exchange student will be staying home from school tomorrow. Can't wait to read your journal... you've had some interesting challenges that will undoubtedly help you grow. It's an adventure. Miss you so much and can't wait to send dad off to see you. (I'm jealous but happy that at least one of your parents will get to hang with you in your new country.) xoxoxoxoxox

February 24th

Very slow morning hanging around the house reading the paper, books, and listening to the rain. Jay and I had water polo at UH in the afternoon. I'll write more later.

February 23rd

It's been two years to the day since you got your license and we got our van. It's my friend Jocelyn's birthday-- that's how I remember. Dad went to the North Shore for a dawn patrol and after walking Misty and doing a little work around the house/yard, I took Sierra to ceramics. She glazed some of her things that she'd made last time. I made some tiles that I'm going to try to use to make the mosaic. We ate lunch and napped and read books and the newspaper in the afternoon and then took a trip to the Oahu Club for a swim and hot tub. Jay rode his bike to Koko Marina to hang out and eat and he's supposed to be getting a hair cut. I don't know if he did that. He's on his way home on his bike right now. I'm going to watch the boys h.s. basketball champs-- maybe on the downstairs T.V. because dad and Sierra are watching Wallace and Gromet right now on the upstairs t.v. Got your text about your swim and your telemundo thingy. How much is 5 soles? Did you go to the sand sliding? Punahou swept the boys and girls High School swimming championships today-- they blew away the competition. Here's a link to the results:
http://www.sportshigh.com/sports/swimming_diving/schedule_results/2007-2008/HHSAA-Final

Love, love, love you!!xoxoxoxoxo

February 22nd

Friday and I subbed for Mrs. Ko in basketball and racquetball. It was fun because in each class of racquetball there was someone absent and they were in their doubles tournament so I had to play. I had played in the morning with Mrs. Shoji so I had lots of racquetball today. Fun. I'll be sore tomorrow. After school dad took Sisi home and Jay and I had water polo. Jay played in a girls scrimmage after practice and we went to Subway for sandwiches on our way home. Then we watched the girls high school basketball state championships. It was a good game and Punahou beat Iolani at the end of the game. You probably know some of the girls on the team. The boys championships is tomorrow, Punahou vs. Kamehameha Big Island. Did you settle the money thing?

February 21st

I spent the day working on the new locks for the car, the autopayments for many of our household items, and other ramifications of the loss of my stuff. I did some minor yard work and hosed the sidewalks, folded laundry and did some clean up and other household chores. I made a quick stop at Koko Head school to pick up some paperwork and took Misty for a short walk. Sisi had ballet after school and then dad took her and Jay home early. I had my Elements of Movement class and then coached water polo. Sitting in traffic on the way home. Dad made pizza and asparagus for dinner. Been thinking about you a lot and hope you got that money thing sorted out. It's LOST night and Jay watched it already but I'm a week behind so I'm going to wait to watch it in order. LOOOOVVVVVEE You!

February 20th

Happy Birthday Whale Pipeline (Cathy Neushul.) I just saw her this weekend and we had fun. Home now and trying to catch up on the stolen purse thing. Lots to do but I'm grateful for happy kids and our good health (no brain surgery scares) so a little stolen wallet is an inconvenience but really not that big a deal in the big picture. Loved your new blog and looks like an awesome trip to the island and the beach. You really look great. Try to make sure you're in some of the pictures because I love to see you doing your thing. Your taxes have been filed so send me whatever it is that you have.... hopefully we don't have to amend the return. High school swimming champs are this weekend. Go Puns! Go Obama!

February 16-19th

I was in California visiting the Whales and especially Crusty who's recovering well from her brain surgery. Dad, Sierra and Jay went to Molokai. If I get any pictures from Mb, I'll post one.

February 15th

I'm off to California today to see Sandi (Crusty-head) and the whales. We had a chocolatey Valentine's Day with a nice dinner and some "Lost." Tutu is here to go to Kapuna Day with Sierra and then she's going to take her back to Molokai with her and dad and Jay will join them on Saturday. Jay's two friends will join them on Sunday because Monday is a holiday and Tuesday is a curriculum day. You went to SF with Tutu this time last year for your audition. Wow, how times have changed!! The loss of my purse, cell phone and car/house keys have been all consuming. I've already had to get a new driver's license, new locks for the house front and back door, a new (very basic) cell phone, contacted the Nissan dealer about new locks for the cars, cancelled all credit cards, ATM cards, bank accounts, contacted companies who automatically deduct our bills from our checking account, ie. sewer, electric, cable, water, gas, your USAA credit card and more. It's been a huge hassle and I'm really mad and disappointed in myself for allowing it to happen in the first place. I've got to finish the Punahou financial aid stuff and hand deliver that today, as well as hand deliver a new check to the Nissan dealer so they can order the parts for the new locks and keys. I may not get a chance to write on the blog from Ojai but once I figure out how to use my new phone, I can text you. I'll take the time on the plane to read my phone manual and try to get that figured out. I love you! Dad made me a cool "New Year's messages" DVD so I watched it last night and can't believe how you've grown!! In two different messages you mention your love of foreign language (Latin and Spanish) so it's cool to see you're still following your passion! Miss you tons.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

February 13th

Wednesday, got your text but won't be able to reply for awhile because my purse, cell phone, cars keys were stolen out of our van today while it was parked in our driveway at home. Very distressing, and all consuming. I need a new phone, we need new locks on cars and house, and new checking accounts, visa cards, etc. Even the library card will be a hassle to deal with. I'm very mad at myself for leaving my stuff in the car and for leaving the car unlocked, etc. but the bottom line is that the bad guys are the guys who stole my stuff! I'll be going to T-Mobile tomorrow after trying to replace my driver's license. Lot's to do. You can still send texts, cuz I'll get a new phone soon! Love you so much. Think about you every day all the time.

February 11th & 12th

On Monday I worked at Koko Head and then Punahou coaching. Dad took Sisi to piano and then the O.club. Jay's started a weight training and leg work in the pool program for boys water polo. They might be going to Australia in the summer so they're starting to work hard right now. I am sick with a fever and sore throat. Today (Tues) I spent the morning working on tax stuff so I can get the financial aid stuff turned in by Friday. We got a preliminary offer from Vassar and it's MUCH better than last year. Looks like you're going to get at least $18,000 in grant money for the school year. I would have liked about $6000 more, but we'll see. It's good news. Love you so much. I think you should work in teaching english for the beginning of March because that's a long time to bum around. Do you want me to try to get ahold of Jenny??

February 10th

Really enjoy getting your text messages. Does that phone with the chip in it work? I'd like to hear your voice sometime this week. You can try us at home if possible, but if the texting is the best choice, that's okay. It's like we really get to talk so it's a good alternative. Today, (Sunday) I went to yoga in the morning while dad and Sierra and Jay hung around at home. In the afternoon Jay and I had to go to UH for our first day of our water polo clinic. It was crazy. We had almost 70 boys (and a couple of girls) come out to play for a couple of hours. Jay's playing with the high school group and I think he had a fun time. As soon as we got home, dad and Jay went to Sandy's for a little swim and Sierra and I went to the club to hang around the hot tub and have pupu with the Fitters and Pat and Takako (swim team parents... you've met them, they have little Erin who is a little older than Sierra and Matt who is 9.) Sierra played so hard that she fell right to sleep when we got home.

February 9th

Saturday morning, Sierra and I went to our new ceramics class at Koko Head district park while Dad went to Makaha to surf and Jay did a few chores. We ran some errands, including a trip to Costco for a new microwave because ours was acting wierd. We ate lunch at the new Taco Del Mar and then came home for a nap. It was like the napping house because everyone was laying down. After some yard work we had the Fitters and the McKibbins come over for a bbq and brownies. We looked at your pictures and blog.

February 8th

I subbed in Mrs. Ching's 6th grade class today, which was a little wierd to be subbing as dad's switch partner. After school we went to have pupu with the 6th grade teachers at this nice house in Wailupe. Very beautiful. We miss you so so so so much. Thinking maybe you should consider the teaching in Cusco. What do you think?

February 7th

Kung Hee Fat Choy!
Here's what I think today is going to be like:
Dad, Sierra and Jay are at school now and will have a regular day, except that Sierra's class will celebrate Chinese New Year this afternoon. I am puttering around home getting laundry done, tax stuff ready, and misc. yard work, etc. Then I plan on going to yoga and then drop the tax stuff off and then I sub for the second half of the day in 8th grade PE. I teach Elements of Movement right after school and then straight to the pool for Intermediate girls water polo try-outs. Jay will probably get in the water and throw the ball around with the girls and dad is thinking of going surfing. Tutu, Papa, and Herbert are coming to town and the Weaver's and Cheri Woods will come over for dinner to see Herbert. I'm putting a roast in the crock pot right now!

February 6th

Loved your blog entry. I had a sub day at Koko Head and everyone else had a normal work/school day. Jay's swim season is over so he's going to jump in the water in the afternoons with the girls who will begin their try-outs this week. Sierra had Elements of Movement today. She loves it. I coached at the Oahu Club and had a swim there today. Just a normal day at the Smart's except that you're not here.

February 4th

"Piper's" holiday at school. The clean up day after carnival, so no one has school/work today. Dad and Jay went to Makapuu and I took Sierra to Koko Head to glaze a ceramic piece that I had made there when I subbed a few weeks ago. Then we went to Long's and Safeway and finally picked up your medicine. I'll pack it with dad when he comes. I got your text and I'm sorry to hear that you don't think you'll last 6 weeks. Give it a couple of weeks and then if you need to change, find out if you can move on. Maybe you'd prefer the care programs-- Bolivia?? Peru?? I'm sure that you're doing very valuable work. I'll bet the conditions are harsh. I guess that's the real world. We're so lucky just to be born in this country. We watched Groundhog Day- the movie, last night after the Super Bowl. The NY Giants upset the New England Patriots and ruined their perfect season. It was a fun game and since you'll be living in NY by the end of the year, we cheered for the Giants. Lars is a big Giants fan, but Curt and some of the Ai's wanted the Patriots to go 19-0 and make history. It was a close game, and came down to the wire so it was quite entertaining. I'm including some pictures of carnival and of Sierra's Thursday ballet class-- she loves it! We really miss you and hope that you can find meaning in this part of your trip. How's the journal?

February 3rd

Dad, Jay and Ai boys went to Makapuu while I did some yard work and Sisi played with Isabel and Cole who came over while Kelli and Lars went to yoga. We're going to all go to the Ai's to watch the SuperBowl on their new t.v. Thanks for the text. Buy some shorts!

February 2nd

Happy Groundhog Day. Sierra learned about groundhog day so we watched the movie this morning. Dad went to Makapuu, Jay slept in and then I worked a carnival shift in the Prize Exchange booth from 10:45-2pm. Dad took Jay to work his shift in "Strong Man" and he and Sisi went to the aquarium for about an hour. We're going out to dinner to celebrate both Kelli and Lars' birthdays. Thanks for the text about the market. Hope you get a good sleep before heading to Pisco! I'm baking a cake for Kelli--it's time to frost it. Miss you!

February 1st

Carnival! Dad, Jay and Sierra left for school super early because Jay had morning practice at 6:30am and dad needed to park early to get his parking place. I biked in at 11am to do carnival stuff with Sierra and dad before biking home and to work at the Oahu Club. After practice I drove back to carnival and parked in the Lanzas' stall. Dad's "Puna Rock" band played in the cafeteria at 6pm. It was a good gig! There were tons of people there to hear them play-- partly because of their reputation but partly because of the pouring rain!! It's a muddy mess there! I'll post some pictures asap. Thanks for the text messages-- that's a good way to keep us informed! Love you!

January 30th & 31st

I subbed for Mr. Martinson while he took the girls to the state soccer championships. Sierra had her new "Elements of Movement" class on Wednesday and Jay stayed home from school on Thursday with a bad cold. We tried to go to bed really early on Thursday because of carnival weekend coming!