April 2-6th

You won't get to see this until next weekend, but I thought I'd give a brief summary of the past few days. Aloha shutting down is no joke and now ATA has also shut down, and so we have thousands of stranded passengers. As for the family Smart, we're still busy with school and water polo and piano and dance class and weight lifting, etc. The 3rd quarter has come to and end and Jay has a new homeroom teacher because Mr. Wolfe has health problems and will be out the rest of the school year. Hopefully, he'll be back next year. We've had water polo games, and all three Punahou teams (Intermediate, Vars2 and Vars 1) are undefeated. Jay is taking his drivers ed. classroom part at Sacred Hearts (like you did.) This was his first weekend. He says it's boring, but he's 1/3 done as of now. We went to CPK for lunch today and also hung out at Barnes and Noble for a little while. It's raining and kinda cold... weird.

I'll try to post regularly and probably won't use the texting too often. Love ya!

March 31st and April 1st

Back to school and work! The big news is that Aloha Airlines is bankrupt and without any notice it stopped flying yesterday. 1,900 employees are out of a job and it's going to strand a ton of people, including Tutu and Papa who have already bought tickets to go to Calif. this summer. Oh, and last week, I didn't tell you but Molokai Ranch is also closing down all operations so a few hundred ranch employees are out a job on Molokai and there will be no lodge, or golf course, etc. Scary time in our economy, I guess. The news is totally about the Aloha thing right now, as they don't even have any employees answering phones as of today, so no one knows what to do about prior reservations, etc. Luckily, we don't have any plans to fly Aloha right now, but it will definitely make inter-island travel more expensive now. I'm going to be early today because I'm taking Yui to the airport at 5:30am tomorrow. She's moving to L.A. for a few months and then back to Japan. We don't have any other student's lined up yet.... I'll let you know. Hope all is well and that you're healthy and enjoying your new project. Luuurrrrve you!!!

March 27-30th

Our last few days of spring break have been fun and slow. Sisi and I have taken a lot of trips to the pool and watched a lot of "Princess" movies, ie. Princess Bride, Princess Diaries 2, and also watched the original Freaky Friday and the new "The Last Mimzy." Sierra had a play date with her good friend Emma and we had dinner at the Crowell's with the UCLA water polo team. UCLA beat UH 9-5 but it was a pretty good game. UCLA is undefeated and have won the last 3 national championships. They're good. It's Sunday afternoon and dad and Sierra are napping. He just got home. We're really lucky that he got on the flight last night. It was sketchy for awhile there. He's got his 500 photos loaded onto this (your)computer already and they're AWESOME. I can't believe Macchu Picchu. I just looks stunning. I'm so bummed that you got sick. Do you know what happened? Are you okay now? I'm really excited for you to have a great adventure in the rainforest. I'm hoping you'll get a chance to write on your blog soon and I'm REALLY hoping that you're healthy. We pick Jay up in a couple of hours and we all go back to school tomorrow. Miss you so much and it looks like you had the most amazing trip with dad!!! Loove yooooou!

March 20-26th

Took dad and Jay to the airport on my birthday and then it was a mom and Sierra girls week. You're with dad, so I didn't feel the need to write, but I'll briefly summarize our week so far. We colored Easter eggs on Saturday with Yui. We've had dinner and swimming at the Fitter's, including Easter dinner. The Easter bunny came to our house for a quick egg hunt but mostly hid tons of eggs at uncle Jimmy's and we had a big egg hunt over there with Helen and Bobbi. We've seen "Horton Hear's a Who" at the theater and "Enchanted" at home on DVD. We've swam at the Oahu club quite a bit and on Tuesday we took Izzy and Cole and went skating at Ice Palace. Sierra went to the Lost beach with the Fitter's while I got a few things ready for my girls night party on Tuesday night. We've gone to the UH vs. SJSU game and the UH vs. Stanford game... both which I announced. UH went into overtime against Stanford (for only the second time in history- the first time being 10 years ago when we lost 10-9- with me coaching.) The outcome was the same, unfortunately, a 10-9 loss. It would have been the first time in history that we'd beaten Stanford and they're currently 2nd ranked. Kim Hall was here but she didn't play. She has played in 8 games so far.... check out the Stanford web site to see some cool pictures of her in her Stanford uniform. She was great and said to tell you she missed you, etc. We've also had Punahou practice and games. Our intermediates played last weekend at Iolani and won easily and then we scrimmaged Kahuku on Monday. It was good experience for the teams. Talked to Jay and G'ma yesterday and they're having a blast in Mammoth. I love Mammoth. Jay skied with Madison Guss on Tuesday... or rather hung out with her while she tried to snowboard. G'ma says Jay's skiing really well. Sisi and I have been having fun and have talked to lots of people about your trip and your blog. I saw Chris McLaughlin at the Stanford game and he was thrilled to hear about your adventures.

March 15-19th

Soooo sorry that I haven't posted on the blog in a long time.... I've been subbing a lot and I have no internet access because I can't get a password at Punahou. With waterpolo practice in the late afternoon and evening I'm out of time and can't get to the blog. Excuses, excuses, I know. Sorry. We've been doing the school polo, games, piano, dad's gig type thing. Tuesday night V2 played LeJardin and won 5-2. Dad and Jay leave tomorrow and we have a game vs. Kamehameha at 5pm. I'll drive them straight to the airport from the game. Lots of the V2 girls are traveling during spring break but our Intermediates have games on both Saturdays. SanJose state plays UH on Saturday and I will announce the game. Stanford will play UH on Monday, and UCLA will be here on Friday. I'll announce both those games. Kim will be here with Stanford and her parents are having a party that Sisi and I will go to. I'm SO jealous that dad will be seeing you soon!! I love and miss you sosososososo much!!

March 14th

After school the V2 and V1 girls both won their games vs. Pac-5. Just getting home. Dad took Sisi on an excursion to the Humane Society to see the kitties. She love it. We love you. Hope lake Titicaca is great! Can't wait to see the photos. How's the spanish?

March 13th

Loved your photos! It's almost time for LOST so I'm putting Sisi to bed. More later.

March 11th

I just returned from coaching noon masters at the Oahu Club. It was good because I got to swim with the adults and they got a change from their regular coaches. We had a "cupcake" swim. I made cupcakes to take to OSF tonight but I brought some to the club as incentive for a swim that was kinda hard. After we finished I told them they'd just earned a cupcake and they thought it was great. You got a check from Teddy's in the mail yesterday. I'll deposit it for you into your ASB account. Tutu and Papa will pick Sierra up from school today and bring her home so she can play with Helen and Bobbi and then they'll bring all the cousins to OSF where we will celebrate Susie and my birthday.... and maybe Ingrid's too. Your hike sounds hard but awesome! Dad forwarded the email you sent to him and I forwarded the one to him that you had sent to me, so we're all in the loop. I can't wait to see pictures. How's the journal? So glad you're getting to do cool stuff. Miss you so much and now I can't make a cake without thinking of you.... I promise to make you one in June!

March 6th-10th

Wow, I've gotten so far behind on this blog but I feel like I've been sort of keeping in touch with the text messaging. Highlights from the last few days: Girls water polo beat Iolani in V1 and Intermediate. V2 will not play Iolani because they didn't have enough players to field a team. Really ashame. Sisi and I saw the movie Penelope with Isabel. (Funny and cute.) Jay, Sisi and I went to the Fitter's for pizza and swimming (and wine) while dad had a gig at the Hilton. I've been coaching morning master's workouts at the O.club and Jay and I have finished the most recent water polo clinics at UH. Misty had another bath and dad's been working on the backyard hillside. Dad and Sierra went to ceramics and did some glazing. Dad is getting ready to travel and I ordered you some meds for dad to bring to you. Dad saw cousin John on the N.Shore many days this week, including getting him on Sunday and bringing him to our house where we all had dinner together at Thai Valley Cuisine in Kalama Valley. I'm making cupcakes to take to OSF tomorrow night so we can celebrate Susie and Ingrid's birthday (and mine too.) Love you so much and hope you're doing great. I'm about to look up some of the places you're visiting on the web. I want to have a vision of where you are and what you're doing.

March 5th

I started my day coaching masters swimming at the O.club from 6-7am and then played in the traffic to get to Punahou. Dad and Sierra went to breakfast while Jay slept in the car because his first class was 9:30am. After school I went back to O.club to coach while Jay went to the weight room and Sisi had Elements and then after school care. Dad went to the N.Shore to see John and catch some waves. We've just come home and we're having chili and rice for dinner. I talked to Cathy Goto and she said to say hi. Where are you? Where are you going? How long will you be there? Miss you and I'm a worried mom. I want you to have adventures, but I want you to avoid danger and stay safe.

March 4th

Great post on your blog. Love those Nasca lines. Today Tutu and I went to yoga early and then had an acai cup at Jamba. I worked in the yard and did some stuff around the house before heading to the Oahu Club to coach noon masters swim. Then some banking, including withdrawing from your account the project fees for both VV and PA, so we could pay back our visa. You still have plenty to have a great rest of your trip, but don't freak out if you see your balance has been depleted significantly. It has. Dad took Sisi and Jay to Sandy's and then to the club for hot tubbing after school. We watched a little of the election stuff but not that much. The race has tightened. Go Obama!

Keep your valuables in your pouch and on your body while you travel. Especially your passport and money cards. Do not leave those things in a hotel room, they are vulnerable there, unless there's a safe or something. Keep your camera safe too. Have a good time but remember you're obviously a tourist so you don't want to let your guard down too much because you're a target simply because you're a tourist. Any good food adventures? How's the journal? Keep that thing safe because I'm very excited to see it. Can you give us any contact info for Haydee's family- just in case. Also, I'd like a detailed summary of your itinerary. For example, where do you go first, how long will you be there and then what's next? It would be prudent for us to have an idea of what cities you'll be in for how long and how you intend to get to the next place. Please just write a summary. It's okay if it's not exact, but approximate. Make sure we get an email and/or text when you arrive and leave each place. And your expected arrival at the new destination. Can you do that for me? I trust you, I just want to cover our bases, plus I like to have a visual of where you are in the world. Remember, "where in the world is Carmen San Diego?" That's the game I play about you. BE SAFE AND KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU!

March 3rd

Happy Girls Day! It's Kiley Neushul's birthday and girls day. School/work and piano and water polo after school. I made a deposit of $118 into your Am.Svs. Bank account. That's your refund from the Federal govt. and the state for your tax returns. Speaking of money, GET CASH BEFORE you leave Pisco and of course carry your ATM card with you (safely in the pouch on your body.) What's your itinerary for your trip? Have you booked places to stay? Use your intuition and DON't do anything that's dangerous or in a dangerous areas. Will you be traveling until you see dad?

February 28 & 29th and March 1st

Busy work/school days. Friday night I had our pre-season V2 water polo season up at Kamehameha. Dad worked late at school on his report cards.

Saturday, March 1st we got to talk to you in the a.m.!!! Yipee. Your weekend sounds great. I hope you had enough money to do the fun stuff you wanted to do. How were the mummies (sp?) Get yourself some cash and carry your ATM card and plan ahead on any travel. March 1st is Kehau's birthday. We had a busy day that included water polo practice in the a.m. at Punahou while dad worked in the yard. Jay rode his bike part way and took the bus part way to ward to see the movie Semi-pro with a couple of his buddies. I took Sierra to ceramics while dad did report cards. Then Sisi and I went to Iolani for our first intermediate water polo game vs. Pac-5. We won easily and everybody got to play lots. Jay got himself to Iolani and we loaded his bike in van and we came home briefly to wrap a present for Zachary's birthday party. We gave his the book "Great Expectations" since now that he's a man there's great expectations for his life. I also got and wrapped a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for midnight snacks (he's having a sleep-over.) The three of us went over there for an afternoon at the pool, the bowling alley and then back to the Guss house for ice cream sundae party to celebrate Zach's 18th. Dad joined us after picking up John Smart at the airport and taking him to the n.shore and having some beach time. John will be here for a few weeks. Dad's coming in 3 short weeks! Miss you much! Write on your blog asap. I want to see your face!!

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!