Our anniversary trip to Hawaii!

I know we live in Hawaii - actually on the island of Oahu. So, we went to Island of Hawaii - also known as a Big Island. It is the biggest and the youngest of the island chains and still adding land mass - volcanoes.

We had a "just the two of us" busy but fun five day vacation before all the other stuff in our life happens. It was wonderful. We have been there a few times but always stayed in Hilo - so this time we stayed in Kailua-Kona area and drove around the whole island - long drive. :-)

So, we have plenty pictures and will try to explain some of them.
Keith - in front of the original King Kamehameha I Statue. He was the king who united all the islands - he was born on this island and raised in Waipio valley.

Waipio valley in the background - only way to the valley is 4 wheel drive down or boat to the shore.

We are having a bit of an exercise down the steep road to Waipio.

Isn't he being enthusiastic about his exercise?

Horseback riding in Waipio valley. Keith's horse was named LT - stood for something not too nice - but he opted to say it was Leutenant. :-) mine was Moana Kea - after the mountain. Smallest horse in the bunch but the most stubborn. As soon as they brought him out, Keith told me that was my horse.

Besides being stubborn and bite other horses, he had this very bad itch on his belly, I think. He kept gonig over bushes and short enough tree branches.

Another adventure we had - flight around the island. Keith generously agreed to fly even though he hates it. Thank you.

Listening to the pilot's tour and some hawaiian music along the way.

Mauna Kea mountain's snow cap. Mauna Kea means White mountain. It is 13,796 feet high. See there is snow in Hawaii. :-)

Volcano National Park

I couldn't see the red lava flowing into the ocean - but Keith's eagle eyes spotted some. Pretty amazing how many acres it flows to get into the water though. People live very close to the volcano and the lava flow - that is kind of insane.

Waipio valley from up above.

Moana Loa - big mountain. Elevation: 13,679 feet.

Coming back to the airport - Waikoloa below.

Snorkeling at Kekaha Kai State Park.

Kona Temple. Even on vacation, Keith still made me breakfast and at times lunch and dinner. What can I say - lucky me to have a hubby who cooks and cleans after himself. :-)

Southernmost point of the island Ka Lae (south point).

There were a lot of windmills along the cliff heading to the South Point - some seemed in disrepair though.

Punaluu Black sand beach park - sorry to say I wasn't too impressed with it - I was so excited to go play on a black sand - but hmm... oh well - just took a pic standing on the sand. ;-)

Rainbow Falls in Hilo.

Back to Kona - through Saddle Road - it goes up between Mauna Kea and Moana Loa. Temperature went to 50+ and was rainy and foggy (or was it cloud we were driving in?)

On a clear day Haleakala on the island of Maui is visible.

Another beautiful sunset (taken from Marriott Waikoloa)

Our anniversary dinner at Marriott. Gosh finally I got my steak I have been craving for. :-)

Snorkeling trip to Kealakekua Bay - where Captain Cook landed when he came to the islands.

The Captain Cook monument. He was received as a God on his first visit but then later killed by the very same people. Quite an interesting story.

A lot of fun we had playing tourists and spending time together - just the two of us. Thanks for letting us share our adventure with you.

SIX years and going strong

Today is our sixth wedding anniversary. I know it might sound only six - but considering his deployments and all we have gone through - it seems to me like we have been together forever and known each other as long. Also, it feels like we have just gotten married.

My husband always tell s me if we truly love each other, the distance will only make the heart grow fonder. And it has.

We are celebrating our sixth anniversary in Kona, Hawaii (Big Island). Once we get back we will post pictures of our adventure. Till, then, we will enjoy our "honeymoon."

BYU-Hawaii Culture Night

Mongolian Club participated in the Culture Night this year - Friday, March 20, 2009 at BYUH CAC. Since Keith and I were picking up Mongolian set of clothes from Greywolf and bringing some of Keith's - we decided to stay and watch the Mongolian Club's dance number.

We got to Orgil & Tegshee's earlier that evening and was involved in finishing up the clothes for the dancers. Tegshee & Orgil are amazing - she made all ten dancers' customes and he put together the slides that showed as they were dancing and put together the music.

Since I was excited and in a hurry, I didn't bring my camera. Took pictures with Kai's - and this is the only one that came out somewhat okay on my phone camera.

I have to say, when they used their khadag to build a ger - it looked absolutely wonderful. Choreography was very well done, I have to say.

New step in my swimming

I have been going swimming at Ewa Gentry pool for some time now. It is very nice and heated - big plus and 4 feet deep all around and the laps are only 25 yards long. The pool is closed for cleaning till next week.

We have been to Koolina a few times; but, swimming in the ocean is pretty rough for me and of course, I get distracted looking at the fish and avoiding people playing in the water since I ma not too keen on going too far from the shore. So, I haven't done too well. However, Keith likes it since the lap becomes an actual lap and not turning around every 25 yards - just a few seconds. So, I tend to lay on a beach more and read a book and work on my tan at the same time. Now, I do look like a raccoon faced zebra.

Since, we still wanted to swim at a pool for exercise, we went to Schofield and started swimming at the Richardson Pool. It is Olympic size and it is COLD. I know you are thinking what am I complaining about when I am in Hawaii, right? Well, since the pool is very BIG, it doesn't get too warm ever and it is not heated, so, it is an effort for me to get used to the temperature. And, of course, going 50 meters each way non-stop is an exercise - I got used to turning around every 25 yards and with the turn taking a little breather. :-) So, it is a different kind of exercise and new page in my swimming experience.

I even got to jump off a dive board for the first time. Except a little bruise where I hit the board with the foot, I am alright and actually enjoyed the jump.

Wildtree

Dawn, a friend of mine, has started a Sunday Supper Club and Keith and I were invited to taste her delicious cooking last Sunday. And, of course visiting with Foy and her family and my little friend Devin was just wonderful.

She was one of the first to bring Wildtree to Hawaii. According to the company website, its mission is: "Wildtree offers the highest quality herbs, spices and culinary blends that are free of MSG, preservatives, additives, fillers and promote a healthier lifestyle. We believe in the value of making cooking a quicker, easier, more healthful project for those who are short on time, and a fun, interesting adventure for those who wish to be more creative in the kitchen. We offer our representatives the opportunity to earn unlimited income and have a home based business that allows them to live the American Dream."

The meal she prepared was very yummy yet healthy. She had used the Wildtree spices to flavor the meal and she even had some demo for us. She had prepared: Wildtree Encrusted Garlic Chicken & Wildtree Curried Chicken Salad. The salad was the best - especially once I got over the thought of fruits and chicken with curry powder. :-)

Anyone who knows me also knows that I am not much into cooking. But, since my husband enjoys it and we are on a diet, we thought he might enjoy it. And he did - actually we both did enjoy the supper club and Dawn's delicious meal. Please visit her webiste at: http://www.healthylicious.mywildtree.com/ and give her a call if you are interested in trying the products. Thank you, Dawn and best wishes in your endeavors.

Happy International Women's Day!

Did you know today is the international women's day! Well, it is. It used to be a big holiday for the ladies in Soviet satellite countries. For old times sake and for just an excuse to get together and chat and catch up on what is going on in each others' lives, a few of us got together last night at Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki.

The picture of us here just after getting our meals - humongous plates of overportioned but delicious food. In the picture are (from left around the table): Puje, Davaa, Nyamaa, Tuul, Uranbileg, Odnoo, Chimee, myself and Tegshee.

It will perhaps be the last time I got to have a nice dinner with many of them for some time. Tegshee and Puje will finish up school in a month and Tegshee will be heading back to Mongolia with her family. I am going to miss her, Orgil and their beautiful daughter Khongoroo.

Puje will be working somewhere while her husband finishes up school.

With the hopes of all going well, Nyamaa will have her surgery in two weeks time and with Chimee will be heading to Mongolia to recover as well.

Who knows where Ms. Davaa might be going to perform. Wherever it might be, wish you the best in your future endeavors.

So, happy women's day to all the ladies again. Please cherish the days and moments you have with your friends and those around you. Please listen to each other and respect one another.

Tsagaan Sar Celebration

This year we decided to invite all our friends who live on the island: Mongolians and Mongolians-want-to be-s to come and celebrate with us the Mongolian New Year: Цагаан Сар. So, we gathered together on Saturday for the new year party!

We got the cabana / pool area of our apartment complex rented - my hubby had to clean all morning to make the place somewhat presentable. A lot of cleaning, picking, scrubbing, wiping and moving around.

Since he was tired, justifiably so, Chris Greywolf (we call him Саарал Чоно) volunteered to pitch in in the efforts of grilling.

Greywolf at the grill with his children

Nyama and Chimee in front of the pool; Odnoo is already in the water

Missionaries made it in time to talk and eat and enjoy the celebration with us.

Just hope they didn't have tummy aches. :-)

Odnoo with Khongoroo.

Who knew Khuslen has a talent of climbing. He should get a job at PCC - Samoan Village, huh?

Khongoroo is giving her parents direction to Costco!

Becar family: Uranbileg, Khuslen, Khulan and Aaron.

Auntie Davaa is giving Khongoroo too much sugar! She is going to be hyper like the auntie!

Sar shiniin mend khurgie!

Greywolf and Nyama - Dessert time

Khuslen is helping with the cleaning

Khongoroo, Chimee, Davaa, Greywolf, Nyama and Odnoo

Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating with us. Hope all of you enjoyed it!