Countdown to 38

In 7 days I will be 38. When I was 18 I did not foresee this day! **shaking my head** But I love the woman I am becoming. Every year there's something I love more about myself that I didn't before. I realize that I wasted a lot of time worrying about my body shape and my BMI, my hairstyle, and my general self-esteem. I wish that I had the personality I have now when I was 18 but that would skip over 20 years worth of lessons... and I love the lessons! I cherish everything I have experienced, both the good and the bad.

My soul feels very old. Sometimes it appears in my blog posts. I embrace how free my mind has become. I wish that every child could be born without the trappings of our parent's dogma and be truly free to explore whatever it is he or she desires, without judgement or condemnation. This life was meant to be a whirlwind of experience that nourishes us and teaches us. **sigh** I love this world and this life. I wish everyone could free their minds and seek whatever it is that brings them peace, love, and fosters compassion one toward another.

As I close out my 37th year, I just want the world to know that this past year has been about finding the things that really speaks to me and being comfortable with the choice I have made. As I commence my 38th year -- I will spend August 3rd at the Earth, Wind, and Fire concert at the Neal Blaisdell Arena. I'm super duper excited. I think this is a great way to kick off my 38th year.


BIRTHDAY WISH LIST

1. Mortar and Pestle 
2. Hoop earrings... gold or silver... the more the merrier! I like Pacific Island style earrings also.
3. 35mm Wide Angle Lens - maybe a rich secret admirer could get this for me. I take all donations. :-)
4. Amazon Gift Cards - you can never go wrong with this!!

MY REAL BIRTHDAY WISH....
But really... the biggest thing on my Birthday Wish List is to send a very special couple to a "couple's retreat" workshop that they desperately need (according to me). I love them very much. I love their children and I really would LOVE to help them blow their mind wide open to the possibilities in the universe, to help them foster better communication, to feel LOVE again. It's a PSI workshop that will work best if both husband and wife attend. I want this so bad for them so I open it up to you. $520 per person = $1,040 that I need to fund raise. Please help me send them! ((please write PSI WORKSHOP in the purpose line.))

Project's Galore

Life has been so  busy lately. I've put off blogging in favor of doing all the other things I do.

There are several projects on the table right now.

Project #1: Acquiring/ Launching my first "real" business. I'm partnering with my dear cousin to acquire an established business in the area. I'm super excited. She is too. The only thing missing is the funds. I've been rejected a ton of times already because of the student loans on my credit report. I'm bummed but not at all dampered by it. I KNOW that someone out there wants to gift or loan me the money. Even a co-signer would work wonders. **sigh** This has been my mantra lately (from the book One Minute Millionaire) "Every resource I need is possessed by someone, somewhere, at this very moment." My add on: "Lead me to these individuals. The resources will fall into my lap."

I have been brainstorming all the ways we can acquire the needed cash to purchase the business. We've been tossing around the idea of borrowing money from our friends and family then paying 1% interest on it. Another idea is to acquire gold and sell it to a refinery. Gold is like $1300 per ounce. That is terrible inflation but good if I need cash now. Any ideas you have on how to acquire money for a business would be great. I tried going through OHA but it takes 6-8 months processing time. ugghhhh!!! A dear friend suggested we have a plate lunch sale to raise the necessary capital. I'm seriously thinking about it. I mean, it wouldn't hurt.

Project #2: My bachelor's degree. As much as I would love to say that I love school -- I really don't. I think the way education is set up now is just so backwards. More on that later because that topic really needs to be explained in greater detail. I will have earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy within a year. My estimated graduation is July 2011. Can you believe that? It took me two years to get this done. I can hardly believe it. I was thinking of continuing on to earn a Masters in Pacific Island Studies from the University of Hawai'i... I'm still thinking about it. What would be the benefits for continuing on when really, all I want to do is be a business owner and WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. If I could count on Kamehameha Schools to foot the entire bill for my education, I think I would probably do it. We'll see.

Project #3: The Danielson Family Reunion. Aigatupu and (Tasi) Gustav Danielson (my maternal grandparents) and all the posterity are converging on the island of O'ahu in July 2011. How did I get placed in this position again? My cousin Marie and I were in charge of the 2008 reunion. How are we charged with planning it again. I know the next one will not be conducted by me. I'm pooped and busy already.

Project #4: The Tai Hook Family Reunion. Lizzie and James Tai Hook (my paternal grandparents) and all their posterity are converging on the island of O'ahu in October 2011. Long story on how I was assigned this project. It was originally my idea but I had slated this for October 2010, which would have been this month. However, my aunt wanted to push it back to October 2011 for whatever reasons. I told her if we did that then I couldn't be in charge of it because I had so many other projects slated for 2011. Well, the other day I get an email from her saying that she would like me to take over again. ugghhh!! In any case. My irritation with her WILL NOT prevent me from doing this for my father. It will all work out EXACTLY as it should.


Well... that's been the "goings-on" in my world. I promise to get back to the blog challenge as soon as my life slows down again. The holidays are approaching also and I'm super excited.

Wishing all of you well. Hugs!

HELP! Donation is Tax Deductible

Folks, this is my shameless plug for funds for my high school Alma Mater's Boys Volleyball team. A dear friend of mine is the head coach and is soliciting funds to help them do what they need to do to keep the program running. There is no limit to what you can do! If you can give even just $5, send a check to:

ATTENTION : Kaniela Kalama, Head Coach
Kahuku High School Boys Volleyball Program
56-490 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731

Below is the letter that was sent to previous donors. There is a number you can call if you need the 501(c)3 tax EIN to deduct it from your taxes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *


January 12, 2009

Dear Stakeholder,

Last year the Kahuku High School Boys Volleyball Program worked towards developing young men who were willing to strive to be the best student athletes they could possibly be. As a result, they became exceptional positive role models to their fellow peers and to the community. And with generous contributions from people like you, we had a very successful season.

Our team did an outstanding job of achieving that high standards that were set for them on and off the course. We won the East dividion title and received a spot to participate in last year's State Tournament. This was accomplished depsite the lack of funds to play in some pre-season volleyball tournaments. These tournaments provide teams with invaluable experiences that rural schools such as ours, often miss due to transportation and other costs. The cost of one bus is approximately $300 per game.

This year, we will once again strive to be an exemplar program both athletically and acadmically, and we are asking if you wouold be able to be a part of our efforts that goal. We will hold a fundraiser Volleyball Tournament in March or April and we are asking businesses and establishments such as yours to donate whatever is feasible to assist in this program. Please know that your generous contributions will help our efforts to cover transportation costs, purchase supplies, equipment and apparel for our boys team. If you are able offer a donation, please send it to:

ATTENTION : Kaniela Kalama, Head Coach
Kahuku High School Boys Volleyball Program
56-490 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731

If you are making a monetary donation please make payment out to: Kahuku High School Boys Volleyball Program.

If you have any questions whatsoever regarding this program please do not hesitate to contact the school at (808) 293-8950 if you require a 501 C3 tax identification number.

We appreciate your continued support for our young athletes.

Sincerely,
Kaniela Kalama, Head Coach
KHS Boys Volleyball