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!

January 29th

I was glad to see you posted on your blog already! Here's some photos from the last couple of days in the life of the Smart(est) Family. We're really going to miss you! I made your bed with clean sheets so if I get real lonely for you, I can sleep in your room. I'm also in the process of stealing your computer.

January 28th

You've just sent us a text that you've arrived in Lima. I was waiting up for it because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep without knowing. I'm so glad to hear you're there. I know you're still emotionally fragile, but remember you've had no real sleep in a long time so you'll feel better when you can catch up on your sleep. Plus, make sure you try to eat healthily and drink lots of fluids to help with your adjustment. I've been practicing my texting but I'm not really used to it. I'd prefer to use this blog. Today we all went to Punahou for work and school. Then, I coached at the club while Sierra had piano and Jay froze his butt off at swim practice. We had pasta and red sauce for dinner and played a few games of Blokus before putting Sisi to bed and waiting to hear from you. Tutu and Papa have just walked in the door. They've just returned from their trip and wanted to spend the night here so Tutu could go to yoga and they could shop tomorrow to stock up for their return to Molokai tomorrow. I might have to sleep in your bed tonight because I miss you so. KNOW that we love you and that we're so proud of you. You are really an inspiration!