Me, your Mama May 2011

Thank You for my lei on Mother's Day

Quality Heart You Are

mama May 2011

Hello My Love,

The past 6 months has not been easy for either of us. Moreso, YOU. I'm not even sure what to say exactly except that "we're still here". My cup runneth over with you, Ani. I'll have you know that each day that passes by, I thank God for you. I wish I had a poem for you but somehow I'm all out of words. Amazing huh? I'm just kidding. I want you to know something else. So listen up. I, your mother, come from a very strong background of very strong women. That's right! Very strong women. And if you ever find yourself falling short of strength, you look deep into me. Yes, that woman in the picture above. And know that I am giving you all the strength within me and passing it on to you. Each time you come looking for answers, look to me, and then look within yourself. Because I'll tell you a little secret. Your very name carries unbelievable, unimaginable strength and power, it's INCREDIBLE. Don't you ever allow yourself to think otherwise. Don't do it Anna. You must believe me, because I would never lead you astray. Others may, but I am your mother. Like I've told you many times, God would never give me you unless He knew I was strong enough to teach you valuable lessons to last your entire lifetime and beyond! So listen carefully.... because there will come many o times in your life where you think you can't do things. Or people may say hurtful things like "so what makes you think you're so special" or "you can't do this, or you can't do that" YADDA YADDA SCHMADDA... Ani, you can take all that ho hum and toss it up in the air for the wind to grab hold of and let it go. Say goodbye to it. And then you look within you, because that's where I'll always be. And all of my sisters, your aunties, and grandma Pola, and your greatgrandma Anna (yes, the very one Uncle James, and all the towns people remembers and speak so highly of even after death), geez Anna, you need to know the strength and power you possess. Don't go looking for it in far away places, just stop and feel your heart beating. That's all of us who LOVE you. All the power we possess lives and thrives within you. On the full moon of each Chinese calendar month, all our beautiful ancestors love and wisdom is renewed within you. Recharge yourself my love. Embrace your ancestors. Give thanks and acknowledge them. And then know that as long as you think of them, of me, we give EVERYTHING to you. Ani, some things in life, cannot be taught. Must be born that way. Some people go for the finer things in life, stepping over others just to obtain those things. You on the other hand, you're cautious. You see Le'a going on the road, and you see a car approaching, you run out and stop her. Because you have quality heart. Must be born that way. I see you Ani. Because you are mine. You know what "Character" is? Character is what you do when nobody is watching. I see you all the time when you aren't aware of it. And I must say I am very pleased at what I see. Nobody can teach this. You have quality heart. Must be born that way.

So if you find yourself in a jam. Or low on life. Cry if you must. But don't take too long. Always remember to ask yourself "who's crying for you?" most times, you'll see no one is. So take a few minutes to cry. Cry hard if you must. But when you're done, wipe those tears, let me help you too. And hear me as I say it now. "Life is way too short to be spent on crying". Dust yourself off, envision mine and all your aunties, grandmas, and great great greats on ALLL sides surrounding you with all our love and wisdom. Nothing can hurt you Ani. Then get your ass out there and do something good for someone. anyone. a stranger, a cousin, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, JUST LOSE YOURSELF IN THE SERVICE OF SOMEONE ELSE. And I promise you, your problems will become miniscule. I promise you. Listen to me Ani. I would never lead you astray. I am yours, you are mine. We are one.

So with that. BE HAPPY. Choose HAPPINESS. Love openly. Choose wisely. Remember the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Fight with all your might for what is good in your heart. Stand true to yourself. Don't ever be afraid to be alone, especially when you know what's right in your heart. I have never been afraid to stand alone. You should never feel that way as well. If you ever get to know me Ani, (and I'm sure you do) you'd know I've never let anyone provoke or convince me to do anything. When people told me not to do something and yet I felt deeply for that person or thing, Ani..... wild horses couldn't stop me. I just wouldn't let them. It just wasn't worth it. And I have no regrets. Not say I haven't had my share of troubles or grief nor pain. I have. and you will too. As long as you stay true to yourself, don't worry about the rest. In due time.....what goes around......has a way of coming full circle.

HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT'S THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY???? you got it girl..... right now. You're sleeping on the side of me. Snoring away.... well, snore all you want. I don't mind. I don't mind at all. :D

Be good my love. Alofa,

Mama

Kim Chee You & Me

Kim Chee grinds!

So sublime.

Cucumbers, bok Choy, chop sticks

Oy!

Sweet, tangy, chili pepper hot

Makes my mouth go Ha! ha! HOT!

Hi Anna,

How are you doing? We got up, I made you some cottage cheese and an english muffin. Breakfast for my champion! We went to the mall and you saw this makeup set and asked me to take a picture of you. I sent this pic to Tata and he said you're so cute and he thinks we have so much fun whenever we go out. I have to agree with him. You continue to excel in school, 100% on your math acuity test. You are totally AWESOME baby! Winter is coming on and I tend to get cold so easily, while you and Tata stay warm with ease. That's fantastic. Keep playing, studying, and remember your promise to study and discipline yourself to the fullest so that one day you may find yourself in a place that brings you peace, happiness, and independence. Always remember I love you always, and forever.

Anna 7 Years Old---2nd grader!

Anna getting ready for school. You are a big girl already! Dressing yourself, tying your own shoelace, starting your own trends like "look at how many bracelets i can wear!" :) You absolutely adore all the bracelets you get from aunties all over the world! I love you Anna, love, Mama.

Happy 7th Birthday Anna Dear!

A cake made especially for a Princess named Anna


The 3 Amigas!

Make a WISH my LOVE!

Tres Amigas @ Boondocks!

Hi there Anna,

We celebrated your magical 7th Birthday on Friday August 20th, 2010. Aunty Lanice, cousin Pola and I met you at your school right before school ended with 30 transformers/Hannah Montana cupcakes and TONS of balloons with one great big one of your favorite singer Hannah Montana singing "You get the best of both worlds". I think you were the talk of the school that day. I think we had to hold you down from all the balloons you got! It was such a joy to see you light up with amazement and joy! I hope you know just how special you are to us. Especially me. I honestly don't know what I would do without you.

We celebrated your birthday at Boondocks. Your playhouse away from home. Your cousins, per your request Bootz, Malila, Pola, and Charity were there along with uncle kina'u, tata, aunty lanice and I. We played on the playground which was so hard getting you all out of. Then we went and saw the 4D movie which was so scary for mama, but we found out it was because I was in the dead center of the action so I saw everything! It was cool and you were so happy to see it. Then we went on over to play laser tag which ended up being TOTALLY COOL and we won like BIG TIME! :) Afterwards, we went out and played in the water bumper boats which we had fun soaking you and Bootz! lol That was so much fun! We took pictures, ate pizza and ice cream. You got a laptop for your birthday. And uncle kina'u says you will not have any issues growing up because of it. :) he's so funny, isn't he?

well, I love you. And I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do with you everyday. I love your famous quotes "mama, do you know what the best time of the day is?" answer: "RIGHT NOW" :) If you're reading this, then THIS IS THE BEST TIME OF THE DAY. Spending it with you my love. Have a great day. I gotta get ready for work. See ya! be good my love. and be happy!

Hello there Anna,

I absolutely adore you, you do know that right? Just the other day you told me a joke. It goes something like this: What's got two thumbs and loves this time right about now? Answer: THIS GIRL! and it's got you with two thumbs pointing to yourself. :) You crack me up. I mean, where do you come up with these things? Well, here's some of my favorite photos of you and Tata whilst vacationing in our favorite spot in California. You guessed it. San Clemente. I loved waking up and getting us both ready to walk out our spanish looking hotel room, only to walk down towards Starbucks and your favorite donut shop. The spanish lady even thought you were "bonita!" that means pretty in spanish. People are always nice to us no matter where we go. We even got the hotel manager to buy us breakfast the next day! He felt sorry we missed breakfast and because you looked so cute, he said he would "make ah special breakfast just for us!" He said you are very beautiful, that I better watch out, you will attract a lot tov boys" and you just giggled. It was so cute. I love these private moments with you. It means the world to me. :) Thank you for being such a good girl. Always remember I love you.

Love,

Mama