HALEIWA FUN

Carl and I had been busy bees for the past couple of weeks, as you might have noticed in our previous blogs. We both decided we needed a breather - after his busy SIFE schedule and before finals hit us on our necks.

Since I have been working in Wahiawa, I get the chance to see the north shore practically everyday on my way to work. And I realized we haven't gone there for a date since we've met! So I suggested that we go to Haleiwa for a Saturday afternoon date....

We took the bus towards Northshore at around 2:oopm.

ALOHA THE BUS! - Carl waiting for the Bus 55-Kaneohe Circle Island

We got to Haleiwa at like fifteen till 3. We knew we wanted to eat at Haleiwa Joe's - but we weren't really hungry yet!!! So we went on a stroll. Carl has been fascinated with surfing lately (he actually enrolled on a surfing class for spring), so we dropped by Surf and Sea and he checked out on surfboards.

I seriously thought he wasgonna take surfing lessons on the spot!

I have been telling Carl about this really narrow bridge in Haleiwa. The bridge is really narrow - no two cars driving on opposite directions could pass the bridge at the same time. I didn't quite get why Carl wanted to take a picture on that bridge, but i took his picture anyway! LOL!

We also strolled by Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park. We had fun watching people fishing and paddling on their long boards. It was a really pretty view of the boat harbor. It was also fun watching children run to and from the dock.

And then finally, we were hungry!!! We headed to Haleiwa Joe's and we were ready to CHOW!!! Our early dinner was awesome! We also picked seats in the patio area overlooking the boat harbor.

Seriously - plating alone had us feeling full already! . Carl really went crazy on the fries. They were super crispy on the outside but super soft inside - like they were gonna melt on our tongue! LOL! My salad had the best caesar dressing so far - I super love tangy caesar dressing! The dijon in the dressing really made it pop!!!




Carl and I decided we would eat something NOT SHRIMP this time - because we figured shrimp stuff is easily available anytime compared to other specialty seafood dinners. So he had something CRAB and I had something SCALLOPS. Carl picked Joe's Tempura Crab Rolls. He debated with himself wether he'd have the crab rolls or the Thai Fried Calamari. But I guess he was intrigued how crab rolls in tempura would look like. When the crab rolls came out, he was thinking and eating all at the same time - how did they roll this stuff in nori with tempura?It was so fun watching him eat and think at the same time! When I tried it though - what really stood out to me was the wasabi ranch!

Joe's Tempura Crab Roll

I would have to confess that I've never had scallops before - and having them at Haleiwa Joe's was an amazing first time. I had Grilled Scallops on Cilantro-Lime Greens. Even though I haven't had scallops prior to this date, I know that cooking scallops is pretty challenging. Over cooked scallops end up being too tough and undercooked ones would taste really slimy. But these scallops that I had were perfectly grilled. The meat is tender and would kind of bounce back when you press them against the plate (meaning its not too soft and not too t ough). The green slaw was a hit - it had the perfect hint of lemon and lime, really complementing the fishy-salty taste of the scallops.

Grilled Scallops on Cilantro-Lime Greens

Of course any trip to Haleiwa wouldn't be complete without dropping by Mr. Matsumoto's Shaved Ice! YES - we did stand in the usual very long line, but it was well worth it - AS ALWAYS!

Carl and I really had fun that day - especially when we've been so tied up to so many things lately. It was a well deserved break!

WHAT KEPT CARL BUSY DID PAY OFF!!!

For the past month, Carl had been REALLY busy. Aside from keeping up with his school work, he was also caught in between commitments and preparations for various school activities and competitions. Carl is a member of BYU-Hawaii SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), and this year he was actively engaged in the organization's activities. Earlier this month, they organized the first International Institute for Professional Protocol (IIPP) Conference. Barbara Barrington Jones and her faculty came on campus to conduct seminars and workshops for students to help them prepare for the professional world - from organizational skills, to etiquette, to dressing-up, and a lot more. To culminate the conference, a formal dinner was prepared for all those who completed the course.

The IIPP Faculty with SIFE members and participants

Carl with Barbara Barrington Jones

IIPP Faculty Shauna Ockey and I - her scholarship funded my Junior Year

Carl and I at the dinner with his officemate, Jordan -
the food was delish (i wish we didn't need to eat with "manners" LOL)

All these IIPP stuff was just the prelude to Carl's super busy days and nights! He actually had to give up his last Culture Night so he could fully commit himself to SIFE's preparations for an upcoming competition. Part of that preparation was a Financial Literacy advocacy program among grade school children. Carl and his team went to Hau'ula Elementary School to conduct a "fun" financial literacy class to 6th grade students. They taught the kids principles of budgeting, saving, banking, and I think they tried to introduce them to the concept of credit. To make the class even more interesting, guess who they had for a volunteer....

Seasider #4 Marques Whippy (the kids were super excited!)

Carl and his Financial Literacy Team
(the lady in green is actually the kids' teacher -
its Aloha Friday you know!)

Carl and his team with the Hau'ula Elementary School 6th Graders

Carl literally spent most of his spare time preparing for the SIFE competition where they have to present the university's outreach projects that help improve the community's economic status. (He even memorizes his lines for their presentation while doing the dishes). The team rehearsed every day except sunday and stayed up 'til midnight for the most weekdays for almost two and a half weeks. Carl was super stressed out - he eventually caught a slight flu 5 days before the competition. On some nights, I would be at home all alone. One time, I actually found myself asking why he was so into this - What would all these bring to us? Will SIFE eventually take Carl to a promising career or what? Is SIFE worth all his time, effort, and sacrifices?

On Wednesday, my questions were answered.

SIFE Regionals on March 25, 2009

2009 BYU-H SIFE Presentation Team Carl, Paul, Sungil Jo, Micah, Ashlin, Charlene, Nick (with Bro. Neal)

Competed against Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, among others

Regional Champs!!!

I know Carl should be writing this entry because he could tell you folks more about how the competition went. I was at work so I couldn't come. Who knows maybe he'll edit this or something - to sort of present it as his side of the story! HAHAHA! But I am really proud of what Carl has accomplished while he's in BYU-H. Sometimes, he just surprises me with what he's been up to. :)

So guess whose going to Philadelphia in May?

In 2007, BYU-H SIFE Team competed at the Nationals in Texas. Back then, Carl was still the team's tech support guy. Here's some photos of their 2007 SIFE Team who competed in Texas.

2007 SIFE Team - all of them graduated already,
except for Carl and Bobby Tree (I guess)

I'm sure Carl would call this the Good Ole' Days!



Dr. Hannonen, Ann, Dr. Miller, Freebody, and Carl at the Nationals.



my ETERNAL CHAMPION!

ITS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR...AGAIN

One thing that BYU-H does to sort of celebrate the rich cultural diversity that we have is the ANNUAL CULTURE NIGHT(s). When I first got here in 2006, I was pretty excited about it. Seriously, I haven't been folk dancing for a while since I graduated from High School and so it was a real hit to me!

In the Fall of 2006, the Filipino Club presented
Tinikling and Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Leah and Mike dancing Tinikling


This is when people start really clapping hard!
(Leah & Mike with ate Dolour & kuya Thelmo behind them - this is really back in the day!)



Pandanggo sa Ilaw Dancers

The Guru and I - yay for Shey!



Carl and I - this was our very first Culture Night

In 2007, BYUHSA decided to move the culture night to Winter.


So in the Winter of 2008, the Filipino Club prepared
Maglalatik and an Igorot Dance.
We also a choreographed a dance to the tune of
Filipino artist Joey Ayala's "Magkaugnay".

Emerson leading the boys

Maglalatik dancers

Liahona leading the girls

The Igorot Dance - one of my most favorite performances ever!

To manong Joey Ayala - Magkaugnay (nice moves Jemar!)

click here to view the performance

I thought I was done with Culture Night because I already graduated from BYU-H in June 2008. But since Carl and I are still staying on campus because he's finishing a couple more semesters, I decided I'll dance once last time. For the love (wink*)!


We've been so used to "chaotic" rehearsals but we are famous for outstanding performances. One rehearsal night, I took pictures to show you folks how we "prepare" for awesome performances.

Our beloved BAMBOOS

People arrive one by one (literally) -
you even have to call them (thanks Andrew!)



The calm before the riot
(April and Juna - true young blood!)



The veterans pass it on to the young blood (right Ckaz?!)



Irish and Mhertz jumping on bamboo sticks



Some people come for moral support (yeah Jessa?!)



One more time before curfew strikes
(this spot behind the Cannon Activities Center had been
our rehearsal area since way back when....)





For this year's culture night, we performed another round of
Tinikling and introduced the BYUH crowd with another bird dance from the Philippines, Lapay Bantique.

It has been another Culture Night. Our "stint" here in BYU-H is almost over and we will surely miss these events. When its time to move on, you just can't help but hope and pray that those you leave behind continue to share the Filipino culture to the world - with love and passion.

Ckaz and I - one last performance

(I can't believe we're veterans now!)