Happy New Year, everyone! Yes, it’s been a while since I updated, almost 2 months in fact, but it’s been a busy 2 months! Let’s start with Halloween…
Oren (3rd from left) posing with her ghoulish cousins before trick-or-treating.
Most of you know that every year, I create a custom costume for Oren (with a lot of help from the mom-in-law). In previous years, she’s been a Chinese gymnast, Supergirl, and Princess Leia. Much like Sylvester Stallone in Demolition Man, it allows me to unleash my inner-seamstress. And because she was too young to complain, she’d wear anything we put on her. This time around, we decided she was old enough to choose her own costume. Her first choice was Tinkerbell, but Target didn’t have one in her size. Her surprise second choice was the witch costume, which happened to be Katrina’s staple costume when she was growing up. Of course, Trina’s version was a white-faced, bloody ghoul witch, so we grabbed a pack of makeup as well.
Mommy creating spookiness.
Since I didn’t have to do any sewing this year, I focused my efforts on the jack-0-lantern. I thought I’d go with a scary cat to go along with the witch theme:
Meow!
If you want to see a step-by-step slideshow of the carving process, check out my page on Whrrl.
The Thanksgiving holiday was a special one this year. First off, we hosted both our families. Trina made a turkey with all the fixings, while I carved (with the help of this video on YouTube). I think the spread looked pretty good (tasted good too):
Hope you're hungry.
It was also special because we all had the day off afterwards to recover (and check out the malls on Black Friday). Trina and Oren always had off, but in my case, it was a result of the HGEA agreement with the state to give certain UH employees paid leave during the holidays (with a paycut). This includes 2 weeks during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays as well as Spring Break. So I guess I use the word “special” half-heartedly; while it’s great to have time off during the holidays with my family, a 5% paycut (coupled with my wife’s previous paycut) means living much leaner (first thing to go was cable and our Blockbuster Online account). Of course, that’s hard to do during the holidays, but we tried our best.
It’s hard for me to remember what happened during those 2 weeks off; it’s just one big blur of lazy days, movies, shopping malls, soda (lots of it), food, family and friends. All I know, is that Oren had tons of fun. Evidence:
Christmaaaaaaaaas!
Oren loved it all. The shopping, the tree, the lights, the gift-wrapping, the gold antlers and santa hats, and the carols (she sings them year round, actually). Speaking of carols, I was able to attend her Christmas program this year. Her class, the Peeking Pueos sang “The Chipmunk Christmas Song”.
She was supposed to be Simon but she refused to wear the glasses. Primadonna.
But Oren wasn’t as joyful during our family’s Christmas Eve party in Kailua. When it was her turn to sing the same song in the talent show, she went all Michigan J. Frog on everyone; you know, the Loony Toons character who only sings and dances for his owner. We were a little bummed that she didn’t perform, but she eventually warmed up… 2 days later at the in-laws. She even threw in a “Single Ladies” dance routine afterwards!
Unlike previous Christmases, everyone knew what to get Oren this year; PRINCESS STUFF. We were up to our eyebrows this year with Princess outfits, art supplies, video games (we gave her a Leapster), toys, and more. Here’s her favorite piece of Princess schwag, courtesy of Aunty Kristie:
Miss Aiea!
Yep. A tiara and high heels, too. The good part about this Princess obsession is that it might justify a trip to Disneyland sooner rather than later.
New Year’s Eve was spent at the familiar joints. First, my half-sister’s place in Kalihi then to Kat’s family’s party in Liliha. Was it me or was it a lot louder this year? I’ve never heard that many bombs go off in my life (and they’re still going off in Aiea!). The Valdez’s usually bring the most ammo to the NYE parties, but we cut back on the fireworks budget this year. Luckily, my uncle came through. It’s amazing how loud the paperless strings sound when you braid them together! Oren got a little more brave this year with the fireworks. Not only was she twirling sparklers and throwing pops, she held her first punk and lit her first fountain!
Do you feel lucky, punk?
On the business side, 2009 was a great year for Valdezign, due in part to my wife, who’s my inspiration, but also because of all the great people I’ve met on Twitter. Without your support and encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I worked on quite a few side projects, one of which was putting up my Valdezign Store! After being featured in the Entrepreneur section in MidWeek in September for my personalized Twitter shirts, I wanted to make sure there was an easy way for people to buy them, as well as showcase some of my new designs. My latest shirt is a fundraiser for Hawaii Public Libraries. Like the Twitter shirts, they can be personalized, but this time with your favorite library branch:
With the HSPLS facing budget cuts and furlough days, I wanted to do something to help. All proceeds from the shirt sales will go to Friends of the Library Hawaii.
And that’s the way it was for 2009. Thanks for bearing with me on the long post. I’ll try to update more frequently to avoid this in the future.
Christmas ain’t got nothing on Mother’s Day! We had three events planned: one for my mom, one for my mother-in-law, and of course, one for my wife (now mother to my child). I got started early on Saturday and brought some IHOP over to my mom’s. Then, like any proper Filipino family, we busted out the karaoke machine. My mom schooled me (I sound a lot better when the music’s turned up ) but Oren busted out one of her signature medleys, including a Christmas song and took home best in show!
Sunday was all about the wife. Our original plan was to check out A Taste of the Bayou, the only real Cajun restaurant on the island. Unfortunately, it was closed for lunch on Sunday. We settled for Islands at Ala Moana. Then, endless shoe shopping. I won’t get into that. I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
Mother’s Day then carried over to this past weekend at the in-laws, with an eclectic mix of Greek food from Greek Marina and Korean food from Kim Chee 7. Think my stomach is still reeling from that! Oren had fun playing with her niece and nephew, that day. She even took a stroll with them (and their dog) around the block!
The toughest thing about holidays these days is trying to squeeze in all the family get togethers in one day. Because Easter last year fell on Oren’s birthday, it was easy. This year, we had plans for ourselves as well as with both our in-laws. “Easter Saturday” or “Preaster” as I’m calling it, started off with some egg-dyeing at home, then dinner at my mom’s house. I also helped my mom online shop for a new camera and netbook for her trip this summer. Easter Sunday was spent at the Souza’s house, where Oren cleaned up in the Easter egg hunt with her cousins. And by “hunt” I mean “pick them easily off the grass” It was a fun, yet exhausting weekend. Next year, we’ll have to take a holiday from the holidays!
My, how time flies! Our daughter Oren turned 3 years old and she made the most of her birthday weekend! First up was a family celebration at Makino Chaya all you can eat seafood buffet in Aiea. Besides the sticky carpet, everything was great. Oren stuffed her face with shrimp and finished off the night of non-stop eating by blowing out the candles on her birthday crepe!
The next day, we attended a wedding (which we also did last year… March 22 is a popular date!) at Michel’s at The Colony Surf. Not only was the view spectacular, the Eggs Benedict was as well! I made the mistake of wearing white, though, as Oren splattered strawberries and egg yolk all over my sleeve. Loved the haupia-filled french toast Katrina got, though. Wow!
The closing ceremonies were held at the house, where I baked a devil’s food cake; with Mommy adding the neon-pink frosting (per Oren’s request) and Oren finishing it off with a bag of gummi bears. How excited was she to blow out her candles? See for yourself:
It was another epic birthday for our beautiful girl. She continues to amaze us every year with her growing list of feats. We love her! We hope she stays 3 for a little while longer.
Valentine’s Day has evolved over the years. What used to be a day stressing about flowers, fancy dinners, and gifts, has turned into a simple, frugal, family day. Oren started the weekend off by bringing home a slew of heart-themed preschool crafts. A mini photoshoot ensued. V-day started off with some pastries from Panya at Ala Moana, then some shopping (for others). Side note: Miki House has some cute stuff, but how can they justify a $175 dollar t-shirt?
Then it was off to Ward Center for some lunch at Kakaako Kitchen and chocolates at the Honolulu Chocolate Company… for me! Yes, I’m a chocoholic. The darker and bitterer, the better!
My wife selected a VosgesOaxaca Bar as well as a Mo’s Bacon Bar. Bacon you say? Not as exotic as you would think. Think of it as bits of chewy, salty peanuts. The Oaxaca was dark, bitter, and spicy. Wonderful. Oren scored a chocolate-covered strawberry, as well.
We chilled the rest of the day. I watched the NBA All-Star Game while wifey read a book. Shaq performing with the Jabbawockeez was awesome! Oren went nuts playing with the balloon we picked up for her, and we held yet another photoshoot with her V-day crafts. It was just another low-key Valdez family day, and I loved every minute of it. Happy Valentine’s Day!
New Year’s Eve 2008 was spent in the two havens for illegal fireworks on Oahu; Kalihi and Kaneohe. All my years here, I’ve proclaimed Kalihi as the capital, but this year, Kaneohe takes the crown. Every other house on my auntie’s street had the aerials going. Ash and paper were raining down on our heads! Here’s an example:
Yes, my auntie was definitely enjoying that. These were going off about 50 feet away from us and exploding above our heads. Here’s the finale:
All the noise deterred Oren at first from getting in on the action, but with a little help from Grandma, she braved the intense pyrotechnics and spun her first sparkler!
We celebrated the New Year with a bevy of braided paperless firecracker strings (spun by Auny Gart, myself and Uncle Julian). All the noise of a firecracker with none of the cleanup!
By the way, all the videos in this post were shot were the awesome Kodak Zi6 pocket HD camcorder. If you’re computer can handle it, watch the videos in YouTube and click the “Watch in HD” link. Pretty amazing for a $200 camera the size of an iPod.
Christmas Day was spent at my mom’s house as usual, but this year, Oren participated in the lunch preparation by helping Lola (my mom) pick calamansi for the pansit. Who knows if she grabbed the good ones, but the pansit still tasted great! We also got to meet our friend’s (and mom’s new neighbor’s) baby Kaya for the first time! What a cutie!
What a difference a year makes! Last Christmas, she bolted from the same piano bench. This year, she serenades the family with a couple carols (and one Old MacDonald)! We’re very proud that she overcame her stage fright. Now, if we can turn this into a lucrative singing career…
And here are a few pics from the magical evening. Yes, that’s her holding an infant!
Oren brought home her first gingerbread house from preschool last week. Not only was it a fine piece of work, it was delicious, too! And like most demolition projects, it went down faster than it went up.
A few weeks ago, Oren starred as an angel in her preschool’s nativity “play”. I missed it, but Mommy was on the scene. She sucked her thumb through most of it, but it looks like she had no problem with the costume. After all, she’s been in quite a few! Of course, seeing her dressed up as an angel makes me feel guilty that she isn’t baptized, yet.
As most of you know, I’m a complete Star Wars fanatic. If you need a reminder, do a search for “Halloween” on this site. Anyway, when I heard the Pacific Outpost Fighting 501st Stormtrooper legion was appearing at the Honolulu City Lights for a Toys for Tots drive, I had to go! To donate a toy of course! Unfortunately, Oren didn’t have as much fun as I did, as she squirmed and complained most of the night.
Even when she was sorta coming around and asking “where’s Darth Vader”, Darth happened to take a potty break. No offense, but Darth Maul is just not as cool.
But it was a great time, and it was for a good cause. I hope the 501st was able to bring enough geek dads out to meet their Toys for Tots goal!
It was the first of many trips to the mall for us, as we hit Pearlridge Center for some Christmas Shopping. Here’s Oren, fresh from a visit to Hanai Bear (which is closing, by the way) giving us a tour of the womens apparel section in Macy’s. Watch her at the end of the video checking herself out in the mirror! She’s definitely my daughter!
Thanksgiving was relatively mellow this year for the Valdez clan. Instead of the traditional 2 or 3 gorge fests in various parts of the island, we decided to host my mom and sister at our quaint little townhouse in Aiea. Turkey was nicely kalua’d by the folks at Castle High School (thanks again, Aunty Jean) and the rest of the meal was prepared by Katrina (I take credit for putting a pie in the oven and stirring the gravy). We finished off the holiday with Wall-E (great movie) then chilled the rest of the night.
A few days before, Oren’s preschool invited parents for a Thanksgiving lunch. I missed her turkey dance, but got to see her in her “natural” setting for once. The hardest part was going back to work, as she mustered up the most sad face I’ve ever seen!
Anyway, hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving. More links to the photos below.
We see Halloween as the perfect opportunity to exploit our daughter’s adorableness (and push Daddy’s crafting abilities to it’s limits). While the last two years have explored geeky themes (Princess Leia and Supergirl), the 2008 costume was pure satire. Behold! The under-age gold-medal winning Chinese gymnast! Because there’s nothing more terrifying than someone who has stolen the hopes and dreams away from the American people.
All kidding aside, Oren had a great time. She was a pro in the dressing room, allowing Mommy to do her hair and makeup. She followed her cousins on most of the trick-or-treating trail, before pooping out after a half hour. Kit Kats and Raisinettes were knocked down first (Daddy had to commandeer the Reese’s, though) and she finished off a sweet night with a Melona bar from Auntie Kristie’s freezer.
So what’s in store for next year? I’m not sure. She might become self-aware and *gasp* choose her own costume!
This time around, we decided she was old enough to choose her own costume. Her first choice was Tinkerbell, but Target didn’t have one in her size. Her surprise second choice was the witch costume, which happened to be Katrina’s staple costume when she was growing up. Of course, Trina’s version was a white-faced, bloody ghoul witch, so we grabbed a pack of makeup as well.
It was a fun, yet exhausting weekend. Next year, we’ll have to take a holiday from the holidays!
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