Little change in our living room

We got an unexpected present from far away - thank you. Thanks to Ulzii's parents it didn't take long to get here either.

It does fit nicely in our tiny living room - pretty much covers the whole space.
So, it became our Sunday project to bring it home from the airport and set it up.

This is the fifth or even sixth change we have made to our living room within the last few months. Hopefully we got it right this time. So, no more posting of the living room again. Now, that it is completed to our liking, would any of you like to come visit and see it for yourselves?

Beautiful Sunset

Poor Keith had to survive one more day of cackling hens chattering in jibberish. :) Davaa, Nyamaa and Chimee came over to the hotel pool - to swim, to work on their tans and to hang out with us.

Refreshing drinks work wonders after swim!

We have enjoyed our wonderful weekend.

Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki.

Isn't this sunset gorgeous?

Looks like a postcard!

More pose time!

This is what happens when you hang out with athletes/artists! Pose, pose and more pose!!!

Valentine's night out!

Pacific Army reserve Banquet of the 9th Mission Support Command took place on the Valentine's day. To have a nice Valentine's and to not be stuck in traffic and have enough time to leisurely get ready and for many more reasons, we stayed at Hyatt Regency for the weekend. Thank you for wonderful Valentine's present, my love.

Since I don't have even the basics of make-up and what not, Davaa took that responsiblity of getting me ready for the big night. Thank you!

As ready as we will ever get.

Let's take the pics quickly - before the wind blows my hair into rolled up mess.

Rose Lee and Keith. Rose has alteration place where many army personnel go to and she had put together Keith's medal set. He was proud to display them.

Finally inside and out of the wind. :)

With Governor Linda Lingle - the first female Governor of State of Hawaii.

In the rain!

The food was very tasty - perhaps, ate a bit much. Should have hiked the Diamond Head twice. :) All in all, I had a wonderful Valentine's.

Hiking Diamond Head

We decided to hike Diamond Head on Valentine's Day! Seemed like many had a same idea. The trail was fairly busy. It was a challenge for Davaa and Nyamaa as well - since they are still recovering and haven't done something very physical for a while.

Keith, Davaa, Nyamaa, Chimee and myself.

Davaa's first resting spot. She is taking it with a smile though.

I wanted to exercise and sweat so I marched ahead.

But, Keith being the perfect gentleman stayed behind to help out Davaa.

Nyamaa did wonderfully; didn't even seem to be tired.

Davaa stroke conversation with some guys and they invited her, Nyamaa and Chimee to be in their picture. :)

Diamond Head Crater behind us.

At the top.

Lighthouse below.

View of Waikiki from Diamond Head.

On the way down.

Hooray! At times she needed a hand, but Davaa made it. And Nyamaa and Chimee.

Lost letter found!

We got a letter in the mail yesterday. I recognized it as one I wrote to Keith. The date over the stamp indicated July 31, 2008. It was written on July 29, 2008 - over six months ago.

With all the letters we sent back and forth, this is the only time I have seen a letter this long later. It still made it though. I wonder where it had traveled to and through. I know it made it to Afghanistan and New York (sinse all APO mails go through there) and who knows where else. But, disappearing for six months is a mystery.

Sending multiple packages to my husband and receiving hundreds of letters from him, I got to know the postal workers. I am impressed with what they do - most of the time. I know they work hard and long hours before the post office even opens.

So, I will live with one lost letter in thousand.

But then, we have written perhaps close to 1,000 letters each in three tours. And, this one had a detour and still came here is pretty amazing. Wonder if there are any lost letters still trying to find its intended owner. What happens to them if the owner isn't found or the letter gets lost irrevocably?!

I am grateful for:

Long long time ago - I used to have a journal of gratitude. Not sure why I started it or why I stopped. But, I had written only good and positive things and the things I wass thankful for in it.

Somehow, I was thinking of that today and thinking of how "lucky" I am. But, I don't believe it is luck - it is more than that.

I live in beautiful Hawaii - what is there to complain - not enough snow? :-)

I have a good health - relatively good, anyways.

I have good friends - some "crazier" than me and some not. But, being normal is boring and overrated. :-)

I lead a simple life - we don't have much in what the world weighs as wealth, happiness and what not. But, we have much together: each other. I am grateful for my husband. I am grateful for the time we spend together. After having him away for three deployments to Iraq & Afghanistan, I appreciate our time more - the time he is home every night is wonderful even though I get anxious and get annoyed with the traffic that delays his return.

I have everything I need and I want. So, I am happy and grateful.

Tuva singers in Hawaii

This past Sunday, Greywolf organized a get together picnic for Mongolians, wanna be Mongolians and the visitors from Tuva and their friends. He even had a tent - made in Mongolia - set up. it was interesting to talk to the ladies from Tuva - they look like us and spoke in a language where some words were strikingly similar to Mongolian. Most did speak fairly good English and at times, I spoke with them in Russian. made me realize, how rusted my Russian is though. Gotta practice more.

The ladies are touring around the States and week of it, they got to spend in Hawaii. Best wishes in their endeavors.

My husband and I - by the tent. The tent stood out at Magic Island and Ala Moana Beach Park. A lot of people were curious and asked questions as they passed by.

Davaa, Chimee, Melissa and I. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of Nyama - she was napping in the tent, I believe.

Most of the people who came are in this picture. Some left a bit early and some had a few cameras hanging from their hands and taking pics.

Keith has this trend - everytime he is on a beach with Mongolians grilling - he ends up behind the grill. He seems to like it. This time was no difference. He manned the grill and did an excellent job. He even made his stew/stir fry creation and warmed it up on the grill and people were asking for a recipe.