Megan's First Birthday Party

Megan's first birthday party was today at Natsunoya Tea House. I can't believe it's been a year already since I took pictures of her when she was just a week old. It was great fun, and the food was really ono. Thanks Erick, for helping me with the picture taking!

Optical Illusion Dragon

I found a PDF file to create this dragon at the Grand Illusions website. There's also a short video clip there that you can click on that shows you what the illusion looks like. You close one eye as you stare at the dragon and move him around. As you twist him around or move him from side to side, you'll see his head move so that he can look at you.

In this first shot you can see that his head is pointing towards his right.

Now he's looking downward.

And here he's looking towards his left!!

Pawa'a Neighborhood Park

This neighborhood park is just across the street from my working place, and until Shun-Wah asked me about the sculptures there, I never thought to take pictures of them. I was kinda nervous 'cause I wasn't sure if the homeless people that live there might not like me invading into their space. Old people like me might describe this area as "where the old police station used to be" or even older people might say "where the old Sears used to be" or even older still "where the very first escalator of the islands used to be".

Korean Centennial Memorial

This plaque below describes the memorial: The tall stone represents Korea. The smaller stone, in the shape of Diamond Head symbolizes the United States or more specifically Hawaii. The greenish bronze piece adjacent to the tall granite conveys the image of the crooked backs of the laborers as well as the tools the workers used on the plantation.

The other bronze piece represents the prow of an immigrant ship and the high hopes for the future. The smaller angular stones within the circle depict the various islands in Hawaii. The embedded white pepples represent the more than 7,000 early immigrants.

The bronze circular rails provide a sense of harmony and convey the ties of friendship between Korea and the United States.

This sculpture was put up just a few months ago.

Newseum

Today's front pages from across the globe: Newseum. Click on the yellow dot to open up a big version of the page. 720 front pages from 74 countries, updated daily. It's amaaaazing.

Soon Do Bu

I'm in love. Yesterday, Brandee picked up this Korean tofu stew called Soon Do Bu for me. There are different varieties. This one had kim chee, shiitake mushrooms and ground pork, and Oh My Gawwwwwd, it was so ono. It also came with rice and four different side dishes.
She picked it up from Buk Chang Dong Soon Do Bu. It's on Makaloa across from Wallgreen's. I went there today in hopes of getting a take-out menu. It was fairly early so the place was empty. I walked up to the counter and asked if they had a take-out menu. The lady there said, "No." I grabbed their laminated one and asked if I could take a picture of the menu instead. She nodded her head. She must've misunderstood me 'cause as soon as I took my camera out of my bag she shouted, "NO PIKCHA!! NO PIKCHA!!" She then yanked the menu from me, put it back where I got it from and gave me the same suspicious look I got from another girl when I was at The Daily Bread a few months ago. I don't get it. Anyway, if you get the chance, go check it out. . . but don't take NO PIKCHAS.