Happy Birthday, Doc!

In honor of everyone's favorite Doctor + Children's author, Dr. Seuss, Read Across America will be observed on Friday, March 2, Dr. Seuss' birthday. (Also the opening day for the much anticipated animated film The Lorax.)

Read Across America is celebrated throughout the country, bringing children, teens and adults together. The nationwide observance promotes reading activities and events held by schools, libraries and community centers.



Read Across America shows kids and adults that reading is fun and important. Dr. Seuss himself said,

"The more that you read, the more that you know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

There are several simple ways you can observe Read Across America. Read a book to a child, or even an elder. Read your favorite Dr. Seuss Book. Go to the library or a bookstore and pick up a book of your choice. Visit http://www.readacrossamerica.org/ and make a pledge to encourage reading. (I'm the fourth person from Hawaii to pledge assistance to build a nation of readers. Let's make it more than this darlings.)

By doing so, you can help increase awareness that reading is vital in mental development, improving literacy and creativity.

As our friends in Seussville remind us,

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

...or to read a book to yourself ;)

Love,
Honey

Giving Back- The Great Aloha Run 2012

The 28th Annual Great Aloha Run was held this past President’s Day, Monday February 20th and I had a wonderful opportunity to be a GAR volunteer alongside a few of my good friends Juvy & Jena Cudera, Retch Manipon and Slay Oyao.

Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the Great Aloha Run is an 8.15 mile course that begins at Aloha Tower and ends at the Aloha Stadium. This year had the largest number of participants. I was not physically prepared to run or walk 8+ miles, but assisting with refreshments for the runners was definitely a yes. At 4 in the morning I woke up groggy-eyed, but totally ready to pass out bananas and macadamia cookies to the finishers of the race. Yes, macadamia nut cookies…

It was another great bonding event for us amigas. Most importantly, we gave back to our community by contributing our time to assist in a charitable event that greatly impact our communities- improving the lives of those in need.

Volunteer work, whether it is miniscule or on a large-scale is personally fulfilling and satisfying as we recognize that we can make a difference- in people’s lives within our community, our country and even the world.

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Madness in my schedule will not take me away from my desire to save the world.

Love,
Honey

eternal sunshine

I was browsing through my online album and I came across one of my favorite photos. Taken five years ago by a talented aspiring photographer at the time, Keoni Kitagawa, this photo captured a candid, yet blissful moment.

It was nearing a day’s end in beautiful Hawaii nei, with the sun setting behind me. The weather was pleasant as I had remembered it- warm, yet breezy; not too hot, not too windy.

If I were to choose a photo that I could hold in my heart forever- to move me, to encourage me, to teach me… I would choose this photo.

Because this photo shows me an eternal sunshine.

The sun shining- whether it be rising, or setting, symbolizes hope to all. Sometimes we feel that the world is dark, and we may be at the bottom at times. But the sun is always there, and we will get back up, one way or another.

Figuratively speaking, no matter how terrible or rainy the day goes, you just have to breathe…because tomorrow the sun will rise. If the rain keeps coming, you just have to remember that it takes rain AND sunshine to make a rainbow ;)

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
Anthony J. D'Angelo

A daily dose of sunshine is good for you- it’s brightening and exhilarating. Drink it up, my darlings. Don’t live in the shadows.

Love,
Honey

iThink, iPonder, iLive

Most inspirational quotes from Steve Jobs.





"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

“We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.”

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever."

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. ... Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful ... that's what matters to me."


Bravo.

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs.

Love,
Honey

Don't Worry, Be Pretty ;)

Hel-loha!

I hope you are feeling pretty today, because you are ;)

Don’t let all of the stresses of life get you down. You’ll look ugly. Really, I am not kidding. Studies show that a negative mood is reflected in your physical appearance.

It’s really not all in your head: Science proves that if you’re happy, serene, or in love, your skin changes from the inside out to look healthier, radiant and even younger.

Even on your worst days, don’t let it get to you…you are too beautiful and too worth it…

So I wanted to share with you some things I learned from reading a cute article in this month’s Self Magazine, by Beth James.

Here are some tips to FAKING the beauty benefits of a positive attitude when you’re on the downside of an emotional roller coaster.

WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE: A gorgeous glow
When you’re head over heels, lovey-dovey hormones make sure it’s written all over your face-you have an undeniable radiance. Dopamine and Oxytocin are two feel-good hormones that increase blood flow to the skin making skin more luminous.
To fake the prettifying effects of being smitten, apply a sheer bronzer that has a touch of iridescence, like an illuminating bronzing powder topped with a cream blush.

WHAT HAPPINESS LOOKS LIKE: Smooth, youthful skin
LOLing with besties reduces stress hormones and keeps skin’s support structure intact and youthful because laughter is the best medicine :) . Laughing releases endorphins that counteract the negative effects of stress, causing fewer fine lines.
To fake a happy-go-lucky-stress-free lifestyle, add a little azelaic acid to your skin care routine- an exfoliant from barley or wheat that reduces inflammation and wrinkles. And of course, don’t forget that SPF. Sun protection is a must, every single day.

WHAT SERENITY LOOKS LIKE: A calm, balanced complexion
Keeping your cool promotes healthy skin because you are not suffering through the damage cause by Hurricane Stress. When you’re frazzled, pro-inflammatory neuropeptides are released, breaking down the barrier that protects your skin from environmental irritants, leading to dryness and flakes. A relaxed complexion is evenly toned, with no hint of blotchiness or flakes in sight.
Fake calm skin by using creams that contain ceramides (hydrating lipids found in skin) or niacin (moisturizes ceramide levels). Skincare products with dimethicone also prevents moisture loss.

Now you know my secret to maintaining a crazy-busy-stressful life while looking absolutely flawless… Hehe, I kid, I kid….

Remember, when you scowl or frown, a message is sent to your brain that you’re apprehensive. The neurons in our brains will pick this up, and reflect this easily. The most inexpensive, and quickest way to look pretty, is feel pretty.

Go in front of the mirror, smile at yourself, and just feel gorgeous, and your neurons will tan into your emotions and instantly help you feel happier and more confident.

"I may not be the prettiest girl in the world, but I can feel like I am."

Have a fabulous, and beautiful rest of the week, darlings.

Love,
Honey