I've Got a Secret

I love the title, but there really isn't a huge secret. My secret is I love to read cards. And as much as I love getting cards, I mean going through your local Hallmark and reading the messages. I've had a real brutal week thinking about so many different things, trials people are going through, my own personal trials. And then I remembered I bought this awesome card for myself, which I pulled out to read-

"You are facing a challenge, And there's probably a part of you that wishes you could run and hide...that's normal. The unknown can be scary. But you know what-you have friends like me who care about you and who know that you're a lot stronger than you think! I've always admired your courage and the fact that you always come though when the odds are stacked against you, So its okay if you have moments of doubt. Just be assured that I don't doubt you for a minute! You've never been one to run from a challenge, and you won't now. And that's good because it's only when you step out into the unknown that you discover you can fly."

I love that. Its like when i'm having a terrible time, and things aren't looking up, I go to this. But no, don't get me wrong. I go to my scriptures, but the card for me is like the friend that I can't call at 3 in the morning, but I have had...and you know who you are. Its good for people sometimes to jump in head first, but then again . I like to think things through before I dive, so to speak. I think I let my fear take hold sometimes, and let the pesimism rule. But I know that I need to step again and learn how to fly. :)

Happy 100!

Its my 100th post....did you think I was keeping track. Yeah, I was. =) I love the idea of blogging, its so much quicker putting my thoughts and photos on the blog, than scrapbooking. I'll keep bloggin'. Happy 100 to me!!! All for now!

Best of Maui- Maui Ocean Center and Teppanyaki

If you celebrate an anniversary on this cruiseship, you get to wear a dragon on your head.

Our dinner was fried rice, check out the rice heart, filet mignon , lobster and veggies. So good! The little orange and green balls are called Mochi. Its like gummy ice cream, I had to twist arms to come and try Japanese food with me, Andrea and Nancy loved it. The chef was a riot, we were taking pictures, and he's like "Is this going on facebook?" Hahaha...um yeah dude. ;)

Chopsticks even come with directions, but they still don't help

Practicing chopsticks, but for pics only...we went to silverware

We saw turtles, not apart of our dinner





This is actually inside the aquarium, pretty cool

Getting ready for dinner!


Octopus...dont mind the flash

Shark, or sting ray....

Believe it or not, this is a jelly fish!

Sigh...wish I edited the guy out, oh well.






Best of Maui was a long day. After the plantation lunch, we headed over to the Maui Ocean Center. Unlike SeaWorld, there are no performance shows. The Maui Ocean Center captures endangered fish, cares for them, then after a period of time, they are rereleased into the ocean. Loved this place!! I love aqariums period. After Maui Ocean Center, we went back to the ship. Later that evening I had made reservations at Teppanyaki. Think of Osaka or Bennihana, where they throw the knives in the air, and cook on a table in front of you. Very entertaining....and sooo good. I love Asian food of any kind, except for the raw sushi. But it was fantastic! We attempted chopsticks, but not for long. We met a couple from Reno and California. There were several couples on the cruise that were celebrating anniversaries, and the waiters put dragon heads on them and sang I think it was I love you truly.....don't remember now. Oh well.

A pause from Hawaii. Enjoy this message on Our True Identity!

Best of Maui- Maui Tropical Plantation

Mmmm...... :)

The plantation is so huge!

Gorgeous

I believe I was getting a text from Sister Thomas at this moment, LOL


Finished product!


She had only been husking for her second day!

Now, she's pulling off the hair

After the trip to the Japanese, Chinese and Portuguese Gardens, our next stop was the Maui Botanical Gardens. It was just beautiful. We got to take a train ride around the gardens. They grew all kinds of flowers. Some of the trees included Coffee, Macadamia Nut, Mango, Papaya and Apple Banana Trees, I'm going to try an apple banana, they're baby sized. We had a coconut husking class, well sort of. Then afterwards, we had a delicious Hawaiian Lunch. Mmmm!!

Best of Maui continued..... :)

After the trip to Iao Valley, our tour guide took us to these gardens. There were the Korean, Chinese and Portugese gardens I believe. The first creature on the top of this post, me and Andrea attempted to climb like a horse? Haven't been on a horse but I don't know...but I know you will get a good laugh at us attempting to take pictures on the creature, cause I know that I did. LOL.

Some more outakes of Maui, LOL

Some Maui Deleted Scenes? LOL

Maui, Kahului...Best of Maui!

I love the water shot

It's me!

Nancy and Andrea

I saw this along our hike