more cheese please

As delicious as their presumably authentic Philly Cheesesteaks are, in that deliciously greasy cheesy guilty secret way, I find it rather presumptuous to claim you have the WORLD'S BEST Philadelphia cheesesteak when you're located in Kailua. I mean, I've never been to Philadelphia and therefore have never tasted the real deal, but we're 8,000 miles away for pete's sake. Perhaps not the best tagline.

sláinte

Technically I'm a mixed breed, but I identify mostly with my British Isles ancestors, specifically the Irish. (The only other contributors, that I know of, to my genetic makeup being the French and Dutch.) Therefore, St. Patrick's day has always held a different level of significance for me than it does for most. With the decreased rate of an actual Irish population here in Hawaii, I suppose that's the case even more.

Forget green beer. Give me a Guinness.

I'm not aiming to be pretentious about it. On the contrary, I'm glad everyone enjoys celebrating. After all, I wasn't born in Ireland either. I just don't like it when culturally ignorant people use it as their weekly excuse to get obnoxiously drunk.

So when I saw this local fellow taking a breather on the curb during the block party, I had to give him his dues.



Obviously he put forth effort. That hat kicks ass.

Only in Hawaii.

mamasaymamasamamacusa

So my Mom is coming to visit....

Finally, a visitor! I realize they're not exactly giving away plane tickets these days, but you'd think people would be more willing to travel here. I provide them with a great excuse to splurge for the trip, especially when it comes to my parents. After all, they've spent quite a sum on visiting my sister over the years, even if the individual tickets were cheap. I'd say it's time it was my turn. Besides, Hawaii is much more interesting than Oregon.

There's no negatives about the situation, other than my Dad not being able to come, but there are concerns. I've already voiced my insecurities with my living situation to her. Not that I am insecure about it. Insecurities just have a way of happening when it comes to maternal relationships. For instance, I sleep on a mattress on the floor. It's comfortable and it works, but not exactly conventional. I did move here with basically what fit in two suitcases and a carry on, so having a mattress is a blessing. And my Mom knows that.

Money is going to be a bit tight. I am always short on cash as it is. Since moving it just has a tendency to disappear. However, my Mom has forewarned that she will be too. Apparently she's going to try for some spending money from my Dad and even Grandma, but that's best case scenario. Doesn't matter. The main priority is getting to see each other after almost two years. I want to show her the island though. Not in the cheesy tourist way, although certain "musts" will be on the list. After all, I have yet to make it up Diamondhead or to Pearl Harbor, but I want to show her the island I know too. The places and food the tourists don't know about. The real Aloha spirit, not just what can be found in Waikiki.

And then thirdly, I kind of didn't inform her of my relationship status. Actually, I take that back. I told my Mom when I went on a date and she had a horribly typical interfering mom response, or at least I interpreted it as that. It wasn't entirely my fault. My sister reprimanded her for how she responded, saying it was understandable that I freaked out. But following that whole debacle I just told her that the date was a flop and nothing came of it. Which would be fine if he and I didn't live in the same house now. And if she weren't staying at the house during her stay. Hmm. I decided to tell her information on a need to know basis after our misunderstanding. And, well, now she needs to know.

Monday I told her I've been dating someone. She was dumbfounded, which was confusing to me cause I figured she suspected something. I mean, I've been referring to a mysterious car for a while now. Either she didn't pay attention or she thought I had enough cash sitting around to buy one.

Now I have just over a month to bring up the fact that we live in the same house, which isn't too bad. Not sure whether I'll just claim that it's a recent development or not, but at least I've done the hardest part.

I don't care. I'm just excited. I haven't had something this big to look forward to in a long time.

an offer i couldn't refuse

The easiest way to get back into the habit of blogging is food. Moving to Kailua brings with it a broad spectrum of culinary choices. I still miss my ramen concubine at McCully Shopping Center and have yet to find comparable charsiu here, but the area is not void of tasty meals altogether.

Last Monday I took a day off for myself. This differs from plain old taking a day off. I needed a "me" day. Some time for myself, to think or not worry about someone else and what they want to do. It's not as selfish as it sounds, just more of a self-preservation tactic. Everyone should have their own alone time.

I went to lunch at Crepes No Ka 'Oi. Originally I wanted to try Boots and Kimo, since I've heard so many people rave about it, but they were going to close in half an hour and there was still a line. Crepes No Ka 'Oi is just a few doors down. I walked by and recalled reading about them. After perusing the menu I decided to give it a go.



I ordered The Godfather, which was basically a mozzarella caprese inside a crepe.



Look at all that balsamic goodness oozing out! I was pretty impressed with the size of it too. The menu wasn't too extensive, but then considering you're dealing solely with crepes I suppose it wasn't bound to be a novel. There was one involving Nutella that sounded fabulous had I been in a dessert mood. And a berry one that was tempting as well. I will definitely be back.



Oooo and they had this nifty light fixtures that I want.

back with a vengeance?

I'm back. After a several month long hiatus, I'm not quite sure as to how "back" I am yet. Perhaps I just feel the need this one night. I am left physically exhausted by the day but mentally alert. I know I need to write more often. I know that. And I have often felt the urge, just not the motivation. Or perhaps it's the other way around? I mean well, I swear.

The thought of writing a recap of the last few months is disgusting at the moment. The details of my life are often too much for me to handle, so I shall spare you. Suffice it to say that I have extricated myself from the unsatisfactory living situation. I am the inhabitant of a house for the second time in my life, even if it still is a rental. I'm now living on the windward side, which is a hugely welcome change. The drive is not that much of a hassle.

Chores are becoming an issue. There is a monstrous pile of dishes in the kitchen. Every plate and bowl in the house is dirty and stacked 2 feet high. After being unofficially dubbed the mother of the house, I refuse to tackle the majority of them. I went on a cleaning spree a few days ago, so my share of household duties have more than been fulfilled as far as I'm concerned. And yet the dishes are untouched. I have to draw the line somewhere.

I went in search of a bowl, figuring I could handle washing just one, and discovered that mold has taken a deathly grip on the mile high pile. The dry-heaving set in and I had to exit the kitchen immediately.

After one roommate left for Minnesota for 3 weeks, I am left in a house with men. And Lord knows, men don't know how to clean.

so much to update, so little time

I promise I haven't forgotten about you....

decisions, decisions...

Is April Fool's Day ever actually humorous post grade school? I feel as though it would be a touch on the cheeky side to feed you some lie about how I'm pregnant or I've eloped or I'm moving or I won the lottery. Of all 365 days on the calendar, you're least likely to get away with it today. Even if the stars align and have left you with a reality that sounds like it's fictional, no one will believe you today. Try as you might, that miraculous promotion will be scoffed at. Isn't it pointless to play? Isn't that something that's only acceptable when we're 12? Or maybe if we work for Michael Scott?

That being said, I'm going to completely disregard today's date and be straight up with you. I'm at a crossroads. A few months ago I was forced to make a decision. That decision ended up being that, whether I wanted to move or not, it would be in my best financial interests to stay in Hawaii. Detroit is fucked. Even if I had the assets to move, that is not the environment I want to be in. So I stayed and found a certain level of content with my life. Three months later, I am presented with a new decision. I know this is where I need to be for now. I'm okay with that. I have a semi-lucrative job. I'm dating someone. I have a mediocre social life. However, now I'm beginning to see that should I want to exert the effort to begin a life here there are choices I can make to facilitate that decision. In other words, should this be more of a long term thing I need to start making life easier. This living situation, as is, is not ideal. Scratch that, ideal is not even an option at this point. This is not a long term situation. Crazy Mary Jane aside, I do not want to pay this price, especially since I could get more furnishings for a cheaper rent. We occasionally have an unexplainable roach problem, which is unacceptable in my eyes, especially when I find one on my bed like I did an hour ago. I love living with Marya, but if I'm elsewhere in Waikiki we can still have our fun.

My creative and professional needs are also not fulfilled. Buca is easy. It's easy money. It's stressful and annoying, but the only people I have in Hawaii are there. And there is fun. You know, when I'm not irritated. Yet I'm capable of and have experienced so much more that it's not really a long term option. If it is, I need something else in my life to satisfy me. Oprah visited recently and I filled him in on my situation. He made me promise that no matter what and above all else, that I will write. Not blog, but write something. Anything. He even gave permission to use him as fodder. That would be something. Who knows where it would lead, but it's something more.

Vegas is a much needed reprieve from all these thoughts. It's a much needed vacation from Buca. And seeing Andy will help. Just the fact that I've known him for so long and therefore he knows me so well will give me some perspective. I'm sure of that. It may also be difficult to return to a social situation where I don't have that kind of connection. Then again, it was difficult to leave it in the first place.