Category Archives: Hawaii

Starbucks

Starbucks.

I used to go to Starbucks all the time. More so when I lived in Hawaii and basically because it was the main meeting place for me and my best friends. To be fair in Hawaii there is practically a Starbucks (nestled next to a Jamba Juice) on almost every street corner. I am exaggerating (slightly) but there are enough of them on the island that you have to be quite specific when determining which Starbucks you are meeting someone at so that you show up at the right place. I had pretty much two drinks at Starbucks. If it was cold I would get Hot Chocolate. Forget tea…I can never get anyone in the USA to make a proper cup to enjoy it enough to warrant the $ of buying one. If it was hot out I really liked ordering either an iced green tea with strawberry puree and one splenda in replace of the sweetener or a tall iced black tea with no water (so it was strong) and two splenda. It would be a very rare occasion that I ever ordered anything with coffee in it because after growing up in Italia, Starbucks expresso is pretty burnt and revolting. Its not the ‘real’ stuff. When I moved to England I was introduced to a new chain called Costa and if I need to order a hot drink when I am out, that is my first choice to go to. The whip creme that they put on hot cocoa has marshmallows in it and it is divine. But definitely trying to stick to mostly hot green tea with nothing added to it or a typical English tea, white.

One of my friends from Hawaii, who now lives on the mainland, was asking about the regional mugs from Starbucks.
I found the England versions this morning at the Starbucks in our grocery store and took a photo. (£6.75)
Kinda wish I had gotten an awesome mug from Hawaii now.

Sweet Snack

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You can take the Girl out of Hawaii
But you cannot take Hawaii out of the girl.

Christmas Shopping Date in London

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Kua ‘Aina Grill in London

I used to work on Tuesdays but things got a little too hectic at home and so I took to not taking those extra hours in the salon. Ryan does not have class or work this semester on Tuesday so we found ourselves finally in years with one day to spend with just ourselves. Well at least while the boys are in school. With Christmas fast approaching, we decided to take to London for a little Christmas shopping. As we got off the train we headed through the park where I really enjoyed watching the ducks. I really enjoy all the parks in England. They are usually quite beautiful and quaint. After a yummy breakfast of warm food we headed to the toy store again for christmas shopping. It was a really fun outing and makes me really look forward to more Tuesdays like this. We even found a restaurant chain that we had in Hawaii! Nothing like a bit of Aloha to make you feel warmer in the cold English weather. Alas all the fun to be had today was finalized with a little bit of drama trying to get back home. Unfortunately in the winter months it seems a lot of people decide to take their lives and jump in front of trains. This happened and it delayed us getting back to the boys by a few hours. With not having any contacts we can rely on in situations like this it made it quite stressful. My thoughts do go out to the family of the individual who ended their life. Quite sad.

Ryan in Hyde Park

Me bundled up in London

Watching the Ducks

Brunch of hot soup, warm bread, and a cup of hot chocolate.

Carnivale

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They dont have anything for Maddox’s age at church, so i just play with him. Here we are singing with ‘creation’ props.

Maddox on the glider.

There was a Carnival on Hickham so we went after I got done with work.

Ryan in his new snazzy outfit.

Ronan, Maddox, Miles, and Brock all taking in the sights and sounds of the Carnival.

Ryan and Ronan decide to play a game to win a stitch doll.

They have to aim the water in the hole, and Ronan watches on.

They had fun, no win, but smiles still.

Brock hanging out in his stroller.

Miles was a bit tired from the long day.

Ryan helping Ronan with the fishing game.

Mummy helping Ronan with the fishing game.

Miles fished out the turtle and won a prize. Eventually Ronan did too and picked out a green starfish plushie.

Posing next to Maddox.

Maddox really wanted to go on the ride.

So we did. And we waited and waited for it to start.

It eventually went, for a whole 20 seconds before breaking down. Maddox was not thrilled at all.

Ronan driving a fast car.

Brock in the stroller.

Ronan and I coming down the slide.

Halloween Party

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I had to work but the boys went to a halloween party at one of Ryan’s friends house. For the party Ryan went as Ash from the movie Army of Darkness

The one and only photo ryan took of the boys (in this case Ronan) at the party while I was at work.

Maddox bathed himself in Jamba.

Ronan coloured in the colouring book.

Maddox read a book.

The boys opened up their goodies.

So after all that trick or treating the boys got to eat absolutely none of it. They gave it all to the ‘Halloween Ghost’ and the next morning they got non food goodies instead. Honestly I hate halloween, i love dressing up, but thats that. So since the inlaws make it a point to keep sending crap im going to throw out anyways, at least this way we could give them a few things the morning of to make Halloween complete and over with.