Six Month Hiatus, Happy 2011!

Well, The last six month sure disappeared fast. We jumped from August 2010 and our summer's end vacation slipping into a very unexpected trip to what was going to be Guam and Saipan. Our ususal Bonnie's Birthday trip each Sept. with Kent's CG conference. Mike and Hiroko (still on maternity leave) decided to leave for Hokkaido on the 11th and Kent was slated to go on the 17th. Last minute flight changes required he route through Japan. Manna from Heaven! Our kids in Japan, Kent returning through Japan and I changed my trip to Guam and Saipan to meet up with them in Tokyo. It didn't quite work that way but regardless, we all found each other. I braved the bullet and local trains by myself and was on my own for three days until M and H met me at Bandai Atami near Koriyama. What an adventure. We spent a week in Nozawa at the Mitome farm and then finished our trip in Tokyo at Disney Sea. I would love to go back someday. We still have free hotel in Tokyo to use and our ITravex points. With all that traveling and returning in October, we decided to just chill for Christmas. This is the first year I did not decorate and what a relief. We spent more time together, ate at Ciao Mein at the Hyatt for our 35th anniversary. We are limited in our restaurant choices in Laie area so going to town and trying new places is like going to NYC and partaking of the many fine dining venues.
So here we are again with the possibility of another Guam/Saipan trip and if routed through Japan, I'll meet Kent there and do Kyoto or Osaka. All by ourselves and more relaxed itinerary.
Matt is in New Zealand and it looks like he will be able to stay being that his profession is among the "critical need" categories. Ben has just been hired by FEDEX and Mike is interviewing with Skywest in SLC in Feb. Time for some serious prayers. We'll go to the temple this Saturday as a family. Such a joy to have our Temple so close by.
January has been a bust for me. I hesitantly attended a New Year's party with 5K fireworks donated by our friend's older brother. To say impressive would be an understatement. I hid in the house to avoid the smoke and watched through her picture window. I got a good dose of smoke inhalation and have been on death's door for three weeks. No more 4th July or New years events for me. For two days now, I am no longer coughing my brains out and the sinuses are almost clear. February is our big Nakamalei ( www.nakamalei.org) fundraiser at Surfin' Tacos.
That will be the highlight of the month and then our trip to Savannah in March. So much for Semi-retirement. It feels like it is busier than ever.