Saturday Mornings

Every Saturday morning there is a Farmers' Market held in the front parking lot of Kapi'olani Community College. Jill, Jack, and I went to the local event this past Saturday morning. There are multiple rows of local stands selling good deals of fresh produce, fair food, and tropical plants.

One of our favorite stops is the pineapple stand. We always buy mini pineapples from here. The main deal is two pineapples for only $5! Sometimes it is three for the same price! The items I purchased: 1 mini pineapple, a bag of Organic Manoa lettuce, 3 zucchinis, and two eggplants. The total was only $10! If I bought all of this at my nearest grocery store, it would have cost double to triple the total amount. Such a good deal for healthy food! Jill, Jack, and I always leave with healthy groceries, smiles, and satisfied tummies! 

During the week, there are various Farmers' Market events going on throughout the island. But this one is the most popular. I suggest if you plan on going, to set your alarm early! A little before 9:00 am it is always crowded with locals and tourists. The parking lot always fills up fast! Here is the link for more information: http://kapiolani.hawaii.edu/object/farmersmarket.html.

           Jack is so serious when he eats his banana! LOL

supporting local fresh produce vendors,
Deanna 

Caramel Truffle

Life can be really sweet, especially when you are not searching. An exciting adventure filled with unexpected surprises. When you are focused, positive, and productive your aura is in high demand. You attract new opportunities: career, connections, and love interests. Speaking of love interests, you even attract past lovers who try to attempt to come back into your life.  Most of the time when they come running back, it is already too late. Since you already realize your life is better without them, or someone else who is better has already entered your life. If they are lucky and genuine, they might be capable of receiving a second chance.

As I write this post, I just received a relatable text message from one of my cousins. She explained to me how she saw a guy last night, who stood her up in the past on her birthday. She told me he approached her and asked her if she remembered him. She said "sorry, no" and walked away to find her man. I am so proud of her! I told her fate reunited them at perfect timing. Since she looks so good (She is healthy, lost weight, and works out. She is so toned!), has a boyfriend who is good to her, and he sees she is fine without him. Like the saying goes when one door closes, another one always opens! 

Down below is a picture of baby Scarlett (one of my best friends baby, a.k.a my caramel truffle). Yesterday morning, she was making me nervous while our families and I were wine tasting. I was afraid she was going to get hurt, since she was jumping up and down the benches like Tarzan (LOL). Her mom said "don't underestimate her." She is right; I noticed that Scarlett's strength, spontaneous actions, and sweet charm attracts many everywhere she goes.

running young, wild, and free,

Deanna 

Aloha Sin City

Last weekend, I flew out to Las Vegas for my cousin Evania's 21st birthday. My cousins and I are like sisters, former enemies, and best friends. I love them so much! On Friday night, I met up with my best friend Jo and my cousin Marje. For dinner we went to Serendipity 3! I love the movie and original restaurant! After dinner we went back to the hotel to get ready to attend club XS. The reknowned DJ R3hab was the featured star for the event. We danced the night away, and met some new friends along the way.

Saturday evening we met up with the birthday girl, and my cousins friends at the Cosmopolitan suite we were all staying at. I love the chic decor in Cosmopolitan! At night time we got ready, then filed out the door into the elevator to the floor where Marquee is located. All I remember is going up and down so many stairs and getting lost! Thank goodness my cousin Cici and I ended up finding each other. Other then that, we had a really good time. My cousins and their friends are so fun, crazy, and know how to party! I was sad I had to leave early, but two days in Vegas is enough for me!

unzipping unforgettable memories of Sin City,

Deanna

Lovely Day

Today has been such a lovely day. I started my day by walking to work. After my morning shift, I walked back home to gather my workout gear while I sipped green tea. Early evening, I hopped on the bus towards Chinatown to attend a Warmm' Yin yoga class at Moonstruck Yogi. During meditation time, I sent out positive energy to my friend's dad in the East Coast who is currently in the ICU and to my friend who was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. If you pray or meditate please keep them in your positive thoughts! After class, my instructor Tara offered us Chai tea. She is so sweet! On the way home, I picked up Caprese Salad to go from my favorite local restaurant Due Divino's. Besides work, most of the time I am with my friends. A couple times a week, I love to have alone time. Being alone lets you step back from the chaos, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of your day.

crisp basil, chopped tomatoes, and slices of mozzarella in my tummy,

Deanna 

Expel

Yesterday I went through my studio and threw out old clothes, loose papers, and other junk I do not need. I like to clean out my personal belongings frequently. Especially my purse, since I carry it with me everywhere. I learned this trait from my mom, who believes that when you deep clean you are decluttering your mind as well. When you remove old things from your personal space, you make space for new opportunities to enter into your life. Besides throwing away or donating things, I like to give away in good condition items to others. It is always good to share the love, and besides within time those items are replenished through gifts I receive or purchase. Expelling is also very helpful in your personal social life. Who you surround yourself with, influences your actions. Negative people will drain your energy, keep you down with them, and waste your time. Positive people will inspire, support you, and help you move forward. The choice is yours, so choose wisely.

The mollusk expels fluid to protect itself from the intruding irritant, over time these built up layers form the beauty of a Pearl,

Deanna

Phoenix and Peonies

I never realized how many people read my blog until I stopped updating for the past four months. During this break time, many people kept asking me if I still write and why I haven't blogged in so long. I think it is so cute how my parents, family and friends of all ages, and even guys read my blog too! They tell me they check every now and then to see if I posted anything, but noticed there isn't any recent posts.

I stopped blogging towards the end of last semester to focus on finals! I passed all my classes by the way! Yay! And in the beginning of summer I took a Creative Writing online class. This was a writing intensive class. I took a long break from personal writing to focus on my writing for school. It is so important for me to do good in school up until I graduate, since it will determine which East Coast college accepts me into their creative writing masters program.

Many people have been asking me what have I been up to lately. Last week, I started a yogi journey. I have never been so happy in my life! I will blog about this life changing experience really soon! I also want to say thank you to all my family and friends who call, text,  or message me multiple times throughout the week to tell me how much I inspire them in so ways! (creative writing, healthy food recipes/fitness inspirations, positive mindset, etc.) I really appreciate the sweet words! You all inspire me to keep writing!

photo by Dana Kaarina

rising from the ashes to write again,
Deanna

Drifting

Lately, I have been feeling like a balloon. Like this anonymous quote I heard a while back, "I'm like a balloon if you don't hold my string, I float away." I do not have time to be consistent with those who are inconsistent. There are more options in the sea.

photos via Pinterest:
                                                              

                                                                   

                                                                       

                                                          

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                               

                                                                    

                                                                

                                                    

staying positive to take the chance again,
Deanna