Not since the 80s...

We enjoyed our visit with Larry & The Jude! We are so happy they were able to step away from their busy lives to come be with us for a week. It was fun to show them what our island life is like (aka not as glamorous as it sounds!). They haven't had a Hawaiian vacation since the 80's, so they were long over due! I wish I would've had more free time to take them to all the best beaches the North Shore has to offer, but we enjoyed our brief body surfing sessions at Hukilau Beach. My dad finally taught me how to body surf properly...not only me, but The Jude as well! We love you Mom & Dad, THANKS for paying us a visit...

Full Ride!

This is what a full ride scholarship looks like...as in I don't have to pay tuition for First Term or Fall...as in they also gave me extra dollars to buy books with...as in I am finally being rewarded for my 4.0 status! Tommy also got TWO scholarships for his awesome grades!! Unfortunately he was one credit short of qualifying for the General Scholarship Fund, but we are pleased that he was still handsomely rewarded by the Psych Dept. and some random Mainland Scholarship Fund! 

I guess I am technically a SENIOR now! It doesn't feel like it...I don't graduate until April. It seems so close, but then I realize it's May and I get discouraged! All in due time...I am hoping to keep my grades up through my senior level classes so I can continue to receive FREE MONEY! Until then, I'll give the marketing world a chance to prepare for my official arrival!

My Larry and The Jude left last Saturday, it was tearful departure as always. We are so happy they were able to come visit us in Hawaii. A full report is sure to follow...

Rain, Rain Go Away

Where Love is, There God is Also

Fair, new baby born

Heaven is realized

Rapture yet responsibility

Anointed with charity

Bestowed with conviction

Devoted caretaker

Goddess of creation,

yielding canvases of experience

Patient observer, silent bearer

With infinite love,

our eternal keeper

Oh! Divine Mother

"Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."

With sincerest gratitude we honor our Mothers this day. To those who gave us life, selfless masters of charity. We love you. 

Tommy and Jozie

Aloha Friday

100% on my first accounting test!

Today on MSN

Top-selling sodas: Then vs. now

Diet Coke moved up to No. 2 behind Coke in 2010, knocking perennial contender Pepsi to No. 3. That's one of several surprising changes from 10 years earlier.

No. 1

2010: Coke

2000: Coca-Cola Classic

Coke famously suffered its own marketing snafu in the 1980s, as Coca-Cola (KO) executives reacted to loss of market share to Pepsi by retiring Coke's century-old recipe in favor of a reformulated and repackaged "New Coke." 

A massive public outcry greeted the new product's arrival, and management responded by quickly bringing back the old formula as "Coca-Cola Classic."

In 2000, that brand was the No. 1 carbonated beverage, with 20.4% of the market. By 2009, Coca-Cola executives felt it was safe to return to its tried and true "Coke" branding.

So, after a 25-year absence, Coke is back on top in the 2010 rankings, claiming 17% of the overall market, to Pepsi's 9.5% share.

I love Top 10 Lists...especially when they involve soda. Check it out on MSN! They also had the most popular baby names of 2010. One word: Twilight.

Spring Showers

I almost felt at home when the skies turned grey and blustery yesterday evening. How I miss Arizona's monsoon season?! The skies finally opened after I had drifted off for the night. I was violently awoken by thunder and lightning right over our apartment. I say violently because I was literally shaking in my bed! The lightning and thunder were nearly simultaneous, meaning the storm cell was directly above us. It was so loud and so scary there may have been tears involved...but in my defense, I was in a state of semi-unconscious delirium. This storm also created a pair of waterspouts earlier in the day...see below.