Korean BBQ

If there is one thing I enjoy doing in life, it’s trying new cuisines. After having a bad first experience with Thai food many moons again, I was reluctant to try it again. Boy am I glad I gave it another shot!

I have wanted to try authentic Korean BBQ and after my first attempt failed, I ended up hitting the biggest pothole in Hawaii to the tune of 600 big ones, on my way to have dinner with some friends. Epic fail!

Not to be deterred, I made a second attempt and made it in one piece! The place was very unassuming, but I have learned these places tend to serve the best food. With minimal décor, this place was a down to business as they come, just my style.

Since I was in uncharted territory I armed myself with my Korean BBQ expert, Stephanie. Good thing she was with me, I was so overwhelmed by the amount of side dishes! I wasn’t as taken about by the platter of raw, marinated meat that you cook yourself on a table side grills (I like to Be My Own Chef), as I was by the plethora of unfamiliar accoutrements it came with.

I could identify some of them like bean sprouts, cooked greens, cabbage and raw garlic. But then there were some new ones like some sort of fish that looked like soggy Fritos, pickled radishes, pickled spicy cucumbers and Miso paste.

Once I could label everything, the eating began. Basically, after you cook your protein, I ordered the beef and chicken, you layer everything into a lettuce wrap and away you go. Not the easiest stuff to eat, but I left completely satisfied. I don’t know what they put in their marinade but it knocked me out!

2011 To Do List

Like most people, instead of making a New Year’s resolution that I would somehow manage to break a week in, I opted to make a "To Do List."

Six months in, let’s see how I did:

2011 To Do List

(Success!) Keep up with my 4.0 GPA in graduate school.

(Still on track!)Stay committed to my 30lb weight loss goal.

(Fail) Keep up with my vitamin regiment.

(I’ve been meeting with a trainer two-days-a-week)Hit the gym at least four days a week.

(Fail) Swim laps at least once a week.

(Still on track)Walk Oakley every night.

(Success!) Host my 1st dinner party and then have them regularly.

(Success!) Host more game nights.

(Success!) Cook things from my collection of cookbooks that are collecting dust before buying anymore!

(Fail) Call my grandparents in Florida more often.

(Fail) Not swear as much (stubbing your toe hurts and dang-nabbit doesn’t cut it).

(Fail) Stop texting while driving ( I know I know!).

(Fail) Spend less and save more.

(Still working on it) Keep TMI to a minimum during conversations.

(Still working on it) Stop my self from rambling on (I do this when I'm nervous).

(Fail. The Weather Gods have not be on my side!) Go to the beach way more often.

(Success!) Do more things outside like hiking Oahu’s trails, golfing ect.

(Success!) Keep in touch with friends as they move away =(

(Fail) Organize and file all my paperwork.

(Fail) Cutout my newspaper clips (Yikes!).

(Fail) Create an online portfolio/resume.

(Success!) Try new cuisines like Thai and Korean.

(Success!) Dine at new restaurants.

(Still working on it) Be more positive.

(Still working on it) Gain self confidence.

(Success! We are going to the Big Island for my Bday) Travel more (Big Island, Japan).

(Still working on it. Hopefully I’ll be home in October.) Visit family in Arizona and California.

(Fail. We are spending Christmas with Mickey Mouse instead) Spend Christmas in Connecticut.

(Fail) Watch less TV, read more and keep FB time down to once a week.

(Still working on it) Make photo albums from our time and travels in Hawaii.

Excuse me, how much!?

I am a firm believer in not upgrading your engagement ring down the road. The ring you are given is the ring you will have forever. Period. With that said Chris surprised me with the perfect, three diamond ring, set in platinum when he asked me to marry him May 2008.

Since it would be hard to match the diamonds for a wedding band, I had my heart set on a diamond eternity band, but it didn’t look right. Instead I opted for a simple, 2 mm white gold band to match the thickness of my engagement ring. It looked perfect and it didn’t cost an arm-and-a-leg (at the time we were not as financially secure as we are now).

However, after six months of wearing the ring combo as the new Mrs. Lynch I noticed my wedding ring started to turn yellow! On a return visit home I showed the jeweler what happened to the band and they told me they could put a rhodium finish on it for like $35. He said it would only take a few minutes while I waited and drooled over the jewels on display. No sweat. With the new rhodium finish on it, it looked like brand new.

Then, a few months after that it turned yellow again! So after searching all over Hawaii for a jeweler to give it some sparkle, I finally found a place, but they would have to send it out and it was going to cost me $70. It was so weird not wearing my wedding band. I felt a lil naked for a few weeks.

Now, here I am, almost three years and two rhodium coats later, and alas, my wedding band is turning yellow again. Since our anniversary is coming up in September I asked Chris to get me the same band I have now, but in platinum.

Thinking it wouldn’t oober expensive, since it’s just a plain, 2mm band, I asked a jewelry store if they had any. The lady replied they didn’t, but they could order me one for the tune of $700-$900 big ones! I was shocked! I couldn’t believe how expensive something so simple could be.  For that kinda green, I’ll suck it up and send it out!

Obsessions of the Week

I go through really weird phases when it comes to food. I once ate tuna-fish sandwiches every day for a month; macaroni cheese everyday for three weeks and chicken nuggets everyday for two weeks.

Right now I am obsessed with raisin bread and fruit leather!

Countdowns

26 days until I turn 26 (eek!);
29 days until my Big Island Birthday Weekend Extravaganza;
42 days until the Incubus concert;
88 days until my 3rd Wedding Anniversary;
91 days until our anniversary stay-cation at the new Disney Aulani Resort;
100 days until my favorite lil cousins from California come for a visit;
107 days (HOPEFULLY) until I visit CT;
182 days until our Disneyland California Christmas trip =)

Paw-Tay Time

I already warned you about how much I love my dog. I probably should see a therapist because I am sure I have some sort of issues that needs to be addressed. 

Anyhoo, we celebrated Oakley’s First Birthday Paw-Tay June 11. The party was mainly for me because I survived puppy hood. Now I know why my parents didn’t let us have a dog until I turned 16.

I did ask for a dog though, a lot. However, every time I seemed to ask for one I got a sister or brother so I just stopped asking at some point.

I got Oakley Aug. 2, 2009 and he was nine weeks old and a mere two and a half pounds. New to this dog thing, I didn’t think I would actually be able to take one home that day, so naturally I was unprepared for a change. If Chris wasn’t with me I would have taken all six of those pups home. I was in love; they were all so dang cute. I picked Oakley because he seemed like the boss. He was bulldozing his brothers and sisters and he was very affectionate towards his parents and he had the CUTEST face out of the bunch (I know I am super vain).

Between the worms, potty accidents, lack of sleep, potty training, teething, vet bills and the cost of getting him neutered, I deserved a party!

In honor of Oakley making it to his first birthday, he had a sleepover with is best doggy friend Kono, a Maltese (they are both the same age and the same size) and then the next day we met his girlfriend, Nani, a four year old Shitsu (he likes older women) at the dog park.

Then we all came back to my house, and some of my HUMAN friends came over for hotdogs (haha) and cake! Between the sleepless sleepover and the dog park, I had one popped pup on my hands.

Rocks and Anchors

I grew up in a house always full of people: My mom, dad, brother, sister and my maternal grandparents (who lived with me under the same roof until I jumped ship and moved to Hawaii in 2009). My house growing up was like the Motel 6 — The lights were always on.

At any given time of the day or night, there could be at least seven to 10 people in my house, a mix of family and friends. I’ve never been a lone. Even in college I had either two or three other roommates. I have always been surrounded by family and friends until we moved to Hawaii in 2009. It was the weirdest feeling, just being the two of us. It was refreshing at first and I told my parents I couldn’t wait to be on my own and living in paradise.

Whelp I thought I was ready, but the novelty of playing house for real wore off and I missed having my noisy, nosey family around. Spending Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years with just us two was in stark contrast to the circus I was used to. Something was missing: friends.

When I look back at my first birthday, Hawaiian style, I did share it with a few friends. However, as awful as this sounds, they were my forced friends. I wanted friends so bad I clung to anyone who wanted to hang out, no matter how old they were…

Once I landed a job and found my footing, going to work was therapeutic (well it used to be), because I had people to conversate with and I felt productive at the end of the day. My work became a double bonus because the people I worked with were around my age. Back in CT, I was the youngest person in my office.

Now I feel like my old self again. I finally met people my own age and in my same situation. I call them my rocks, because we are at the same place in our lives, enjoy doing the same things and relate on so many levels.

My two besties =) I don't know what I would do without 'em

Then I have my anchors — only a few years older, but all the wiser. They have been on this military journey longer than I have, and they have a lot of advise and wisdom to share. They have been there, done that and they are who I turn to when I need advise or have questions.

If I have learned one thing during my Army-Wife adventure, it’s that the friends you meet become your family; your salvation and they help you keep your sanity. Without these girls, Hawaii wouldn’t be the same. I wouldn’t be the same.

Life is Good

Every now and then it hits me how lucky I am.

I was lying in bed last night unable to sleep, and I look over to my left and I see my husband asleep peacefully. Then, I looked to the foot of my bed to see my dog Oakley, counting cats.

I have a roof over my head; clothes on my back; food in my fridge and on my shelves; a job to keep me sane; friends to keep me grounded and family to keep me on track. I'm blessed.

BF4E

Being an ocean, a continent and six hours apart from home makes it tough to call and keep in touch as much as I would like. As much as I miss my family, I miss my best friend A LOT!

We go way back, like pink tights and ballet slippers back; Like first boyfriend break up back. No matter where this Army Adventure takes me, no one will ever replace her.

Baptism Class

About a month or so ago, during a walk up Kole Kole Pass, one of my closest friends, Stephanie, asked me to be Chase's Godmother. Overwhelmed and honored, I balled my lil eyes out! I have never been asked to be a Godmother before, so I was beside myself. After I asked her several times, "Are you sure?" "You WANT me to be HIS GODMOTHER?" I gracisouly said YES MA'AM!

Today we are headed to a baptism class, gee I hope I pass!

Father's Day

Although living in Hawaii is fabulous, being so far away from family is tough, especially during holidays.

This is the second Father’s Day I have spent thousand’s of miles away from my Dad, but this year was a little special for me. I spent this Father’s Day at a baptism class with my one and only godson, Chase, and his new, first time parents.

Seeing their faces light up when Chase cooed made me all warm inside, and I flashed back to my own childhood with my Dad.

My dad taught me some pretty important life lessons:

1. Soccer is the only sport that exists and Brazil is the only team worth cheering for and supporting.
2. Soccer is a religion and Pele is it’s God.
3. Moving from your assigned seat during a World Cup soccer game when Brazil is playing could cause them to miss a penalty kick.
4. Parading down the streets, decked out from head to toe in yellow, blue and green during a World Cup is totally not weird.
5. Chocolate milk comes from chocolate milks cows, aka the black and white cows.
6. White milk comes from white cows.
7. Hamburgers come from Burger King cows, aka the black cows.
8. Aliens are people who come from different countries, not different planets.
9. Being bilingual is helpful, not a disease.
10. He is the King of Lolly-Land.
11. He is ALWAYS right.
12. Family comes first, even if we don’t always get along.

Playing Mommy

Today I am babysitting a two-month old baby, my godson Chase, all by myself. The husband is playing his usual round of golf, so I got to test my maternal skills solo.

I had a talk with Oakley before Chase and his parentals rolled up about not being jealous, not barking and not eating the baby .... Whelp I certainly wasted my breath. As soon as I had Chase in my arms Oakley preceeded to whip out his attention getting arsenal: Whimpering, barking, rolling over and dancing.

Clearly he was pissed about having to share my attention with Chase.

Oakley is not digging the baby situation, but hopefully this experience will help him prepare for when I decide to procreate.

Chase was also a wee bit hesitant about me playing mommy for a few hours.

After a few hours, Oakley got restless and put an end to his shinanigans. Oakley finally started to warm up to the lil guy, but he was very curious. He sniffed his toes and his diaper. He has a pretty good nose because Chase needed a changing!

So far, so good. All parties still have all their fingers, toes, paws, eye balls and sanity =)

For me, the cutest and best part of the experience was when Chase and Oakley napped together.

A sleeping baby +

A sleeping puppy

Makes for a successful day!





Aloha Fridays

After an exhausting workweek (I will explain the stressors of my job in another post) I look forward to Aloha Fridays and outings with my friends.

Like many-a-Friday, I spend it at the Hale Koa (a military hotel in Waikiki, and since I have a magical pass, aka a military ID, I can pretend to be on vaca whenev') pool side, with a cocktail (okay maybe several).

This Friday was no different. Boss lady, aka my husband's commander's wife, picked me up in her shwanky Mercedes and we were cruisin' down H1 in style. We take turns driving so this was my opp. to live it up ( I tottaly paid for it later on, per the usual).

In order to maximize our day we have a schedule: Arrive by 10 a.m. and soak up the sun until noon (This is really to avoid the stares we would get if we started drink upon arrival); drink until 2; eat lunch; hyrdate and hit the road by 4 p.m.

After many-a-Aloha-Fridays, we have our day off down to a science!

Getting my eat on

I am food lover, I live to eat! It took me a long time to get this body and I didn’t miss a meal in the process, so I have compiled a list of my Top 10 (thus far) favorite places to get my eat on. They are in no particular order, expect for No. 1 because it’s among the top restaurants in the country!):

1. Alan Wong’s Restaurant

Impeccable service, a cool ambiance and fabulous food, what more can you ask for? Everything that comes out of this open-kitchen is killer. However, my tried and true favorite are the fall off the bone Kahili short ribs with a side of garlic mashed potato gratin that I want to rub all over my body.

2. Opal’s Thai Cart

A good friend of mind ranted and raved about this place and now I know why! I wasn’t a fan of Thai food until I got it out of this guy’s truck. The drunken noodles and spring rolls are addicting.

3. Mackey’s Shrimp Truck

I know shrimp out of a truck is weird, but that’s how they roll here in Hawaii. Out of all the shrimp trucks this is my favorite. I have fingertips of steels after all the times I couldn’t wait for the shrimp to be cool enough to peel (garlic shrimp cooked with the skin on makes them so much more ono, delicious in Hawaiian — look at me I am so cultured).

4. Antipastos

A quaint and casual little Italian restaurant that serves yummy Italian fare.

5. Assagios

This place gives Olive Garden a run for its money, with it’s a la minute menu. Slightly a little fancier than Antipasto’s, but priced right enough to visit more than just for special occasions.

6. Cinnamons

This place serves, I kid you not, change-your-life, Red Velvet Pancakes.

7. Duke’s

Super nostalgic. This place is in the heart of Waikiki and it has great ocean and beach views. The drinks are fun (I like the Tropical Itch becomes it comes with a backscratcher!), they serve a ginormous Mac-Nut-Pie, I too would swim to shore for it, and they serve some of the freshest fish around.

8. Soul de Cuba

For a taste of Latin food, this little gem is tucked away in China town. They make killer sangria and yum-ola empanadas, just like they do back home.

9. Creme Pot

      My husband would never be caught dead eating here because it's sooo girly! The place reminds me scene from a fairytale. Their a mini flowes in mini vases, the food comes out pretty (killer crepes) and there is even a hobbit door.

10. Yard House

     Upscale bar food. Although it gets a lil loud in here, the food is fun (They have a "snack" section on their menu), the scene is cool and they have an extensive bev. list.

Some other places I find myself scoffing at are Moe’s Burritos, Aloha Salads (The closest thing we have to a Panera Bread in these parts), Whole Food’s Market (hands down my guiltiest of pleasures), a plate lunch place on post called Kiani’s (local style food), Dixie Grill (the drinks here are HUGE), Pizza Bob's Kailua (Nothing beats New York style pizza, HOWEVER, when I crave home-style pizza, I drive all the way to Kailua for this stuff) I promise I will post pictures soon.

Backstory

I probably should get you up to speed on my deal. Let me fast-forward a bit...


I transplanted to the lovely island of Oahu, Hawaii October 2009 with my new husband, Christopher, from Connecticut. We got married in Sep. 20, 2009 on a beach in CT, surrounded by 300 of our closest friends and family members. Okay it was a circus but I loved every minute of it!


Back on the "mainland" I was working as a journalist at my first big-girl gig until I got the short end of the economic stick in January 2009 — Don't cha just love surprises! Laid off with not much else to do, I single handily planned my entire wedding in about a few weeks and to keep my sanity I sub. taught at the high school in my town. I now consider myself a professional wedding planner/circus coordinator.


Cutting the umbilical chord was tough. Ya see Portuguese girls live at home until they are married. I joke a lot with my hubby that I only married him so I could get out of my parent's house... Although we were engaged for 18 months, I lived home because I worked nearby and he lived home because he was still finishing up at school and with the Army he would be doing a lot of traveling *big breath* and it didn't make sense to shell out the dough to play house for a little while.


So once the wedding dust settled and the movers came and moved my entire life into a truck, it was time to put on my big girl panties and bid adieu to my parentals. It became very real to me at the airport that I was leaving all I knew behind and I was about to start my adventure into uncharted territories: marriage and playing house FOR REAL!


Chris officially moved here July 2009 to begin his active duty stint, and I of course followed suit to figure out our housing situation (We had VERY different ideas of what the ideal living situation would be). In all the Army Wife books I read prior to saying 'I do', I presumed we would live on this thing called an installation or post. Well to make a long story short, there was a six month to one year waiting list for a lackluster home on the Army post so we opted to look off-post,


After housing hunting during my two week vacation/pre-honeymoon to Hawaii, we settled on the house that we are still currently living in. It's spacious (four bedrooms-I need space and we acquired lots of goodies from our wedding) and it feels like home, our first home together.


I arrived on island in October and right before Thanksgiving all of our stuff arrived including my car! I was going stir crazy in a house with no furniture, except for the mattress and TV Chris bought when he first arrived (typical male), and not being able to venture out on my own. We took a belated honeymoon cruise of the Hawaiian islands after our first married Turkey Day, because it was the most economical way to see the islands, and since I wasn't working and this place is hella-expensive, it was a cost effective honeymoon ( I am  not complaining, although the cruise experience was a lil lackluster for me *aka read it was like a senior citizen cruise*).


With no luck on the job horizon I took a sub teacher course, very strange that you had to take a class to teach here, and my luck turned around and once our boat docked back in Honolulu, I got my first call to sub teach! I was making pretty good money (anything was better than $0) for a sub. Back home I was only making $75 a day but in Hawaii I was bringing home $160! I held down a few long term jobs until I got the phone call I had been waiting for, a job FINALLY opened up at the Hawaii Army Weekly, the Army newspaper on post! When I paid my first visit to Hawaii July 2009 I had sent an email to the editor inquiring if they were hiring. At the time they were not, but the editor said should the hiring freeze list, they would let me know. Low and behold almost a year later, I went in for the interview and got the job, *Que the angels and the choir* and I have been the news editor/writer/photographer for almost a year now.


Present...
I'm finally feeling like myself again. Having to depend on someone was tough for me. I got my first job when I was 14 and have always made my own money.  Now that I have a job that I love (most of the time), friends my OWN age in my SAME situation and an adorable lil pup, life in Hawaii is pretty good =)

Aloha!

So I hope you all cut me some slack. This is my first crack at this concept that is blogging, and this is my maiden post.


What can you expect to find here? Whelp, for starters, you can expect to read the ramblings of my life that I deem Vanessacery. Vanessa + necessary = Vanessary. 


You will probably hear about my dog Oakley, at nauseam;

Salivate over my adventures in food and in marriage;

Laugh at all the lemons that come my way and wince about all the fun curve balls the military throws my way. 


Hold on to your mouse-pads, because it's about to get personal!