Special Food for a Special Day

The Chinese people around the world get ready for the lunar new year by buying a new set of clothes, preparing special food, visiting friends and sharing the Lion Dance Parade with music and fireworks. If you live near a big city, find out when the celebrations are in your local Chinatown. Just google it. (Those almond cookies are my favorite!)

Or How About Buying a Lei?

One of the best things about Chinatown in Honolulu is the lei shops. It's a great place to buy one----lots of variety and they're very reasonable and right on the way to the airport. The tradition of giving a necklace of flowers is one of the many reasons I love living in Hawaii! Mimi's in the background stringing leis----she recognized me from last year and greeted me with a warm smile and aloha.

Did Someone Say, "Shopping"?

That's Jan holiding the beautiful Chinese tea pot. She and Mom are best friends who love to shop together so checking out the merchandise in the Bo Wah Trading Company was right up their alleys. Did you notice the giant wok on the floor? That's the "skillet" in which the Chinese people stir fry vegetables and meat for their suppers.

And Should You Need Some Medicine

I'm in a Chinese herb shop. It's like a drug store and all those little boxes contain leaves, twigs, snake skeletons, berries, and so much more. It's the Chinese way. If you get sick, you head to Chinatown to see the herbalist so he can make you better.

There's Always Something to Buy

Chinatown in Honolulu is a great place to shop all year long, not just for the Chinese New Year. Make sure you stop in if you are visiting or just need some fresh fruit or veggies or leis or flowers or fish or shrimp or whatever those things I'm standing on and lots more!
Kung Hee Fat Choy!!

Greetings from the Galapagos Islands

Yes! Yes! I traveled to Galapagos off the west coast of Ecuador with two of my dear friends, Bob and Gina. They took me on their adventure to "Tortoise Land"!
Follow along........

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

There goes Bob trying to outrace the tortoise. Who do you think won?
Remember Aesop, that slave from Greece who lived about 2,000 years ago and wrote fables to teach lessons---pretty smart guy. Google him and read:
The Tortose and the Hare.

Lucky Me!

I feel so fortunate to have such great friends like Gina and Bob who take me traveling with them. I guess I'm not too much trouble; I sleep a lot and never bark! Most importantly, I always have a very postive attitude. Guess that makes me a good companion. What do you think?

A Famous Resident and her Booby Baby

The blue-footed bubi/booby is one of the most well-known birds on the Galapagos Islands. This three pound seafarer is clumsy on land and was named the "bubi" because it means "clown" or "stupid" in Spanish. I think a kinder word would have been a nicer name for this unusual bird. Do you agree? I like kind words!

Looking Cosy as Can Be

Now what's really cool about being in the Galapagos Islands is the fearlessness of the animals. They are not hunted or hurt, so humans can get very close, dogs too! See how close Gina is these seals and not one is budging.

Mail Call!!

This is the Postmistress of the Galapagos Islands. Do you see that mailbox behind her? Well, long ago, residents put letters in the box hoping that when sailing ships stopped here, the vessel would be heading in the direction of the addressee. That's how the mail would get delivered, a sailor would take the letter to its destination.

Happy Birthday to You!

This little girl, Angie, a resident of the Galapagos, was all dressed up in her party clothes because her grandmother was taking her to lunch in the village. She was happy to meet me and really wanted to keep me, but I had to move on. Did you notice the loom for weaving in the background?

Heading Out to the Boat

Bob and Gina were part of a group touring the Galapagos. The whole gang is hopping into the Zodiac and motoring back to the National Geographic research vessel on which they spent the nights. But, uh oh, they had better be careful-----that's a marine iguana in the water. Hold me tightly, Gina, I don't want to be that reptile's dinner!

......And Back on the Mainland

Well, what an adventure I had on the Galapagos. We put out from Ecuador and now we're back.
This is a group of girls just getting out of school. They sure look a lot different from the students in my neighborhood who wear surf gear!
I just love traveling and looking for adventure and learning new things! Thanks to Bob and Gina for taking me!

All Smiles on Opening Day

Welcome our new Legislator----Senator Donovan Dela Cruz. He represents District 22 which includes the North Shore!
This public servant was on the City Council for years and is now working at the State Capital for my neighborhood. I loved the leis-- necklaces of flowers for celebrations. Isn't Hawaii wonderful! Donovan's smelled heavenly; the white ropes of pikake and the green maile leaves perfumed the air! Heaven to my little doggie nose!
That's Dane Wicker in the suit who is Sen. Dela Cruz's Clerk and Albert, a volunteer. They were passing out granola brownies to the many visitors at the 2011 Hawaii Legislative Opening.

A View from the Top

I'm on the fourth floor of the State Capital. I love this building-----with an atrium in the middle, it's gives the building such a feeling of openness---hopefully, open minds and open hearts, too. I'm wishing the Legislators well this session.

Where You Want to Be to Be in the Know

Now, if you want to know what's going on-----who's who and what's what------this is your destination. This room provides you with all the information about the status of bills, Legislator's calendars, hearing schedules, etc.
Come on in.........

May I Help You?

This is Jim Manke, a former newscaster and host at Hawaii Public Radio. He'll be working in the Public Access Room at the Capital to answer all questions, assist in testimony preparation, access documents, and so much more. Just look at the computers that are available to the public to keep track of what's going on. Drop in during the session and make yourself at home. Get involved!
Exercise your rights as a citizen in a democracy! I would if I could, but remember, I'm just a little dog!

Watch the Opening Day on T.V.

Edgar is the ESL and media teacher at Waipahu Intermediate. He brought his students to the State Capital to interview their legislators and get to know the individuals who represent their neighborhood. The kids were having lots of fun!
So I interviewed Edgar, and one of his students interviewed me!! Watch for the show on FOCUS, Channel 49 on 2/2/11 at 8 am, 2/4/11 at 1:00 pm, and 2/11/11 at 11:00 am. It will play on VIEWS, Channel 54 on 2/4/11 at 6:00 pm. I'll be watching, will you?

The Big Cruise--Come on Aboard!

Yippie! Yippie! Yippie!
I'm going on a "ship trip" around the Hawaiian Islands on the Pride of America, a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel.
Grab your life jacket and follow along.......