Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year!

Last night, I had such a memorable New Year's eve! 

D, J, and I hung out at a friend's house and watched "Horrible Bosses," while pigging out on junk food.  I love simple pleasures.

Afterward, we went to the Yard House in Waikiki.  We got such awesome seating and some fun New Year's props. 

Right before midnight, we headed to Waikiki beach to watch fireworks.  People were cheering and enjoying the moment.  I loved the energy.

We headed home, driving through roads filled with smoke from fireworks. 

On New Years, we headed to my parents house to enjoy a nice New Year's meal with traditional Japanese food and of course, steak and potatoes to feed my American side.

I have a feeling that this year will be the beginning of a great, exciting, fun-filled year!  I want to make the most of every minute.

I Love China Town Festival - Honolulu, Hawaii

On Saturday, I spent time with some friends at the I Love China Town Festival.  The event is held in China Town in celebration of Chinese New Year.  

The festival began on Friday and ended Saturday night.  There was entertainment, food, a parade, and more to ring in 2011 -The Year of the Rabbit.  It was my first time at the festival and I'm so glad I went.  It was a great opportunity to experience a Chinese New Year celebration in the heart of China Town. 

One of the best parts of the festival was the food.  I over indulged.  It was hard not to with all of the delicious fried food around.  The price of each item was also very reasonable.  I have been to many other festivals and the food booths at the I Love China Town Festival were unbelievable. 

I had a chance to try many new foods too.  I now know exactly what I want to eat the next time I visit China Town, which will be very soon.

Although the food was good, I can't say I loved the drink I purchased.  It was $3.00 and tasted like a seaweed syrup concoction.  I had to carry it around the entire time since my friend said she would drink it later, although it is currently sitting in my fridge. 

I got a lot of questions about the drink as I walked around.  People wanted to know what type of drink it was since it looked like an aquarium inside.  It is a drink I would not recommend (for most people at least).

The crowds were insane at the festival. I  love people, but not when we are smashed together like sardines and everyone becomes pushy.

The parade was beautiful to watch, although it was challenging to see anything from behind the crowds.  There were people everywhere! Fortunately, a nice police officer let me take photos in front of the crowds, in one of the most perfect spots.

Isn't this cute?  These girls were watching the lion dancers perform at the festival.

Happy New Year!

Lantern Floating Ceremony - Ala Moana Beach Park, Hawaii

For the last 12 years, the Lantern Floating Ceremony has been a tradition at Ala Moana Beach Park, where friends and family honor loved one's who have passed. It's a humbling, if not touching event that will move you. 

Nearly 40,000 people attended the event on Memorial Day, as friends and family gathered along the shore line to set lanterns a float on the calm waters at Ala Moana Beach Park, as the sun slowly set. On every lantern, there is a message, prayer, or wish being "sent" to loved ones, as friends and family write personal messages to honor those who have passed.  

As I stood knee-deep in water at the shore line with other photographers, desperately searching for the best spot to take photos, I started to observe the people around me.  I quickly noticed, men, women, and children weeping throughout the crowd, as they remembered their own loved ones.  Although I had only come to take photos and observe the event, it began to move me, as I began to appreciate the significance of the Lantern Floating Ceremony, an event that promotes peace among human beings.

As friends and family gathered around the shoreline ready to set their lanterns a float, I noticed a young boy, crying as he held his. You could feel the emotion in the air, as hundreds and thousands of people at Ala Moana Beach park silently waited for the moment they could finally release their lanterns into the water.

Before the event took a place, there was an elegantly presented Buddhist style ceremony, while there also had been entertainment, to include the lighting of an "enternal fire," prayer, and singing.

Hundreds began to set foot in water as they began releasing their lanterns.  One by one, the amount of lanterns began to grow, softly floating a top the water, illuminating the sea.

Happy Memorial Day!

National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific - Punchbowl, Hawaii

Today, I attended a ceremoy at the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific at Punchbowl, commemorating the fallen US service members, past and present, who endured the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom.

It was my first time at the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific and I wouldn't have chosen a better day than Memorial Day to spend my time, attending such a meaningful event.

I had a chance to not only see Senator Daniel Inouye and Mayor Mufi Hanneman speak, but I also met a number of war veterans, including a purple heart recipient.  The speeches I heard today were also touching and would quickly soften the hardest of hearts.  As I was snapping a man's photo, he commented, "Wow, this is some really heavy stuff."  I agreed with him.

I can't say that I didn't shed a tear when Mufi Hanneman read a poem about the pain a mother of a soldier endures, as her son pays the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

I asked to take his photo and he was extremely gracious.  I said "Thank you.  Thank you so much!" and he responded, "Thank you!"

When I had first entered the cemetary, I noticed US flags and flowers everywhere. The boy scouts placed flags and flower leis at each grave, while the girl scouts also did the same at the State Veteran's Cemetary. When a flower shortage was announced recently, many throughout Hawaii also purchased leis and helped string flowers together to place leis on the graves of each fallen service member, so that there would be enough.  It was touching to hear and a beautiful sight to see.

During the event, wreaths are also layed.

Before the commemoration ceremony ended, the Hickam Air Force Honor Guard did the 21-Rifle Salute.   Afterward, the thundering sound of four Hawaii Air National Guard F-15s came from behind, shooting through the sky, as on-lookers gazed upward to view the Missing Man Formation.

 
There was singing from the Pearl City High School Choir, the Honolulu Boy Choir, while the Royal Hawaiian Band also played during the event. 

Once the colors were retired, the ceremony came to an end.   Group photos began among many of the foreign military and dignitaries who were present.  Senator Daniel Inouye and Mayor Mufi Hanneman both took photos for photographers and/or attendees wanting a picture.

I wish I did my hair and dressed a little nicer because I had no idea I would be asked to be in a photo or two! Instead, I am now in two photos wearing shorts and a T-shirt with crazy wind blown hair. I'm just a random girl, holding a camera, standing next to a Laotion military man, so I hope these photos never resurface because I look terrible.

There were also a number of news stations filming the event and interviewing veterans.  If only I had a television hooked up, I could watch the news. 

After seeing the ceremony today, I strongly feel that more people should support the Memorial Day events throughout the islands. If there's anything to be learned, a service member should always be welcomed home. The scars will never heal for some, but by attending a Memorial Day event, I am sure it will truly mean a lot to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It's the least we can do to show our support, especially on Memorial Day.