Waiakea, Whatnot and Where?

Well, my Big Island life musings and blogging will no longer be featured here. New direction, folks! For nuances about Big Island Life, UH Hilo life, and all that jazz- please check out my new blog Talking Big Island on the Honolulu Advertiser!

This will now just be an off the cutting room floor kind of blog. Maybe some poe-it-tree, maybe some fiction shorts, maybe something altogether different.

2010 is already being really good to me, because I have the sense of freedom from certain restrictions that I felt were placed upon me as a result of my choices. But I chose better, and my family and I are much happier. Plus- Sammi can sleep inside and live inside with us now!

I’m moving along in school, which is also a plus!

I’ve made some contacts about writing professionally- at least getting a start and it’s working out so much better for me now!

And may I just say that I am totally stoked about my opportunity to be part of the Honolulu Advertiser! This just didn’t happen because of nothing. I actually had my writing reviewed- blog samples and other samples alike and it was a go… based on my talent! Things are just getting so much better.

O/S Hawaii may take a backseat to things, although there is some campaign buzz going around. But between my schoolwork, my searching for new work, my HA blog, and my additional writing work, I am going to have to prioritize. Who knows, maybe I will be able to really launch my freelance writing career this year. I already got two positive responses so far. It can only get better.

Also- there was a revelation in the Big Island Blogosphere that came out. I have ended my listing with fbiblogs.com as a result. However, please continue to visit that site if you wish to see a collection of Big Island Blogs covering topics from politics to the sublime to the strange. There are some really talented writers that are a part of that site, and despite any circumstances deserve to have their hard work recognized, read and appreciated.

So where to now? I dunno, maybe a poem might strike my fancy here and there. Check back every now and then though.

argh. must. get. life.

I am writing this post as a selfish exercise for me. I must get my backberry typing speed up to par with my iphone typing speed. Why did I switch?

Well for one my sister and parents are on xyz company and I was with abc. I thought it better to join xyz and get free calls.

The problem is that xyz doesn’t carry the iphone. And unless I figure out how to restore my 3G back to life or if apple loses their contract of exclusivity with at&t and goes with verizon and gets a 4g iphone then I’m with the blackberry.

I am starting to get used to this keypad although it takes me much longer to type.

My home internet is out indefinitely too. I am thinking about getting the hele mobile thing.

School is back in session in about a week. I’m not ready. But I’m pleased to say that I have two good teachers that I had good experiences with.

Still practicing my blackberry typing.

Oh! I will be starting a new business venture soon. Hopefully it will halt my “culture of the unemployed” train of thought.

This blackberry might just collapse sooner or later if I blog enough from it.

The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dogs.

Yawn. K bye.

tstingblackberry

This is how you do a blog post from a blackbeRry. Everyone says that blackberrys are really good even better than an iphone. I’m half convinced. I have to get used to these tiny buttons that I actually have to press instead of tap.

Oh well haPpy New Year folks.

The Best of 2009- RJ style

Well it looks like Imelda my iPhone died today. Combine that with no Internet and here I am pecking at my backup iPhone. Courtesy of my BFF Jason.

Shall we?

JANUARY- my phone rang off the hook after Barack Obama’s inauguration. Yes, my best friend Jason did design the first lady’s gown. Yes she did wear another one of his pieces. And yes, he is still one of my best friends.

FEBRUARY- started blogging local news and politics.

MARCH- watched six people stick to their word. Mahalo for that.

APRIL- waited and waited.

MAY- met several members of the Legislature. Watched a sneaky ploy by some legislators. Five people stood true to their word.

JUNE- turned another year older.

JULY- whoa this was a depressing month!

AUGUST- started my upper division. Felt compelled to be positive. Discovered Farmville. Went camping down in Ka’u. Said farewell to my dear friend in Waianae.

SEPTEMBER- I hearted Kauai. Booked my trip for NYC.

OCTOBER- was antsy about my NYC trip. Moved up the mountain to uka- land of slow Internet and no bars in no places.

NOVEMBER- I came home again. LOVE!

DECEMBER- wow this month wasn’t all that hot either.

The best things about this year was watching a dear friend of mine let loose and be herself- the free and independent spirit that I always knew she was, being bff with my sister, seeing the city that I loved and the people that I love more, meeting my new loves- Olivia and Sophia, making sense of some things and surviving another year a little wiser and only a little more crazy than 2008.

I got some things up my sleeve for 2010.

Happy new year folks!

No internet

there is no Internet at my home right now. so I’m doing a whole lot of nothing but reading actual books and cleaning.

I’ll head out to starbucks later to blog myself into oblivion.

cheers.

The Element of Freedom

The 4th Gospel of Neo-Soul Music (the previous 3 being her first 3 albums)

I heart it with all my heart.

That is all.

Culture of the Unemployed: Hawaii Edition

I’ve been out of work for two days and already am losing my mind. I did what I thought was best for me, so no turning back now. I’m already hitting the pavement to find another gig. Hopefully one that will afford me the ability to leave my work at work.

Being unemployed is a conscious choice. At this point, I am not about to turn down a job just because I feel I am “overqualified”.I’d turn down a job if it was an honest waste of time for me. It wouldn’t make sense for me to work 30 hours a week and bring home less than what I would with unemployment benefits. But if it’s making slightly over the amount, then why not take it? Even if it’s something I don’t see myself doing, I might as well settle down for now- until something better comes along.

It’s unfortunate what happened with my previous job, because I really enjoyed the interaction I had with the community and the company provided some undeniably great perks. My employer has great potential for a bright future, so hopefully that works out.

My dream career would be to either teach at either the High School or University level and write books, articles and blog. The freedom to be my creative self and inspiring others to greatness is my purpose in life. I’ve trying to get over my rejection fears and starting to branch out more. I have a bunch of time that is now free- so why not? I’ll continue to look for employment, but for the next few days, I am perfectly fine with developing my elections blog, loafing around with Sammi (who is snoring right now) and watching YouTube videos.

Here’s another pic from my trip to NYC.

In my dream career fantasies, I often picture myself living within a 4 block radius of the Flatiron Building!

E-I-E-I-O!

She sleeps in her own bed now!

Moving to the Big Island must have a secret clause somewhere in the move that requires people to either have at least one animal or treat animanls with the same pomp and circumstance as one would treat the Emperor of Japan.

Maybe not that much.

I’m not an avid animal lover, in fact six years ago, I had no interest in having any pets. Ignore the fact that one of my best friends had a menagire in her Queens apartment, and happens to be a Veterinary Technician by trade.

Sure, when I was a much younger human being, I always wanted a dog- either a Labrador or Golden Retriever. And true to form, I always get what I want, no matter how delayed the desire is.

Ladies and gentlmen, the canine that rests beside me in the photo is none other than my newest family member, and obsession. Meet Samantha “Sammi” Sati Jones Mendoza-XXXXXX (XXXXXX is representative of my partner’s last name) It’s funny how she ended up joining our family, because up until the moment my card was swiped at the Hawaii Island Humane Society in Kailua-Kona, I never had any intention on bringing a dog into my life in the near future.

Two years ago, my partner and I were at the Hawaii Island Humane Society in Kea’au and were looking at cats. I picked out this pitiful-looking grey and white cat that I was certain nobody would want or love. He wasn’t all that receptive, but not defensive or antagonistic either. I held him in my arms while my partner was much more amicable towards a social and friendlier cat. I decided that this cat, this grey and white sordid mess, with an indifferent attitude was to be mine. I asked “Can we keep him?” and I got my answer. I named this cat Carlos, in honor of the non-English speaking Good Samaritan that helped me push my friends car out of traffic on third avenue while Police Men and passerby continued about their business. My partner took the other cat, whom he christened “Mr. Boots”.

Those boots must have been made for running, because Mr. Boots was gone three hours later and never returned.

Carlos, on the other hand became the new main cat of the house. My partner went absolutely head over heels in love with him and renamed him “Mouse”. I also renamed him to Bubbalah, Stupid, and Bigmouth. The cat that seemed so mellow and indifferent became very demanding- let him out when he wants, drinks only from the faucet, and we must all be subjected to him loudly announcing his presence into any room of the house- whether we were in the room or not.

Due to people having issues with animals in a home, we were forced to surrender him to my partner’s mother who lives in Kona. We would visit often, and he was happily spoiled at his Tutu’s home. Eventually, the time came for us to move (again!!#@#@$%) and we were able to take him back with us.

But he disappeared.

So we looked.

And looked.

The Humane Society called our friend, who had registered Mouse (aka Carlos, aka Stupid aka Bigmouth) to her name. When we got there, he allegedly escaped. (I have my own theories about it, though.)

So we whined. We complained. We missed our son.

On a trip to the Humane Society in Kona last month- we sought him out again. Instead of finding him, I saw two lab puppies in the dog section. A boy and a girl. I asked to see the boy.

The boy got on my nerves really quickly.

So I asked for the girl.

The girl laid at my feet.

And that’s how we became parents again. Looking for our lost cat, we found the dog that I always wanted (in childhood). It’s not cheating, because Mouse is a cat and Sammi is a dog.

The Jury is still out on "her" though...

And because it was an “adopt one, adopt another free” special going on, we found another cat. It’s not cheating, because Mouse was a boy and Titamoke is a girl. She is a bit bossy though. But then again, if I think of my first cat, Tonja (who I got a year before I decided to move to Hawaii) it’s just my lot in life to be bossed around by cats….

The Season Starts Earlier Every Year…

but Christmas is always on the 25th of December.

I think that the true meaning of Christmas isn’t completely about the birth of Christ, because in actuality Christ was born on a date that isn’t December 25. According to the Hebrew Calendar, he was born around the festival of Sukkot- a Jewish holiday that celebrates the concepts of faith and trust in G-d. I am not Jewish, and I am not eligible to be Jewish by traditional means, but I have many people in my life that became close to me that are Jewish. With that, I think that this holiday with the accurate date of Christ’s birth would be an excellent way to bridge any gaps that may exist between the Christian and Jewish communities.

In any case, what I have found is that Christmas is the one time of year several things happen:

1. People are generally friendlier, nicer, and considerate.

2. This is a great time to be in retail, particularly if you are on a commissioned sales plan.

3. No worries about overeating, everyone else is doing it anyway.

4. Its one of the few times annually that family members re-connect with each other.

Yet what Christmas means to me is really a great way to end a year and start a new one. What better way to experience the joy of giving, wonder at the miracle of life, all with the gift of family?

More thoughts on this holiday season to come…. cheers.

I Know I Said NO POLITICS but…

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The dog pictured above is Sammi. Yes, she’s my new boss. Too cute! And smart too!

One week till I go home (for another week)

Are my term papers done yet?