Motherpaddling Mothersurfers

I've recently developed a new liking towards a happy way of surfing: Group Surfing!

RJ, Lovelee and I joined some people for a group surfing session in Waikiki with the help of our awesome friends at  Big Wave Dave Surf Co--Et voila! It turned out to be a fun experience for us, not to mention it was a great workout, and a good way to keep the summer heat at bay.

I have tried surfing before but this experience stands out in comparison 'cause aside from doing it with my favorite decade-old power couple, the Waikiki coastline felt so safe and the waters were pretty manageable.

And, albeit living here for quite a while has synced my personality with the Hawaiian culture, lifestyle, and social norm (yes, even its pidgin language!), I'm not surprised to say that I never really had "that pressure" to be a super surfer, contrary to the normal expectation of "you live in hawaii = you must be a motherpaddling mothersurfer".

Guys, that notion is overrated. (see #5 of this link) It's like saying that all bakers make good bread. Depending on how you appreciate it, Hawaii may well be as normal and as regular as any other normal, regular place could get. Unlike your average preconceptions, not all of us are necessarily surfing enthusiasts here, (although many are, in their own respect, great surfers) and yes, we still keep 8-hour jobs each day and we don't necessarily spend them bumming about on the beach, mai tais in hand (well, weekends in exception. Ha-ha) But still. Pareho-pareho lang lugar yan, we just happen to be darnfully blessed with breathtaking geographic and aquatic landscapes and this has made it convenient for us to find creative ways of incorporating Hawaii's beauty into experiences we now enjoy like water sports & recreational activities. (see #9 of this link)

Hawaii is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to settle down, just because work doesn't always feel like work here, and you can save your 5pm's for Pau Hana happy hour, or just by kicking off your shoes on the sand, sharing beers with friends in the back of pick-up trucks, and waiting for sundown while ''talking stories''. I guess we're blessed with being surrounded by the ocean wherever we go, which means every "beach" is just a different angle to the same majestic beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

I love this island, because it's super convenient for me and my friends to enjoy its beauty for a little to no cost, and being that it's navigation-friendly enables us to explore it to the fullest without the grandiose planning or extravagance of having to sail or fly to get to the water or to hike to the mountains, or to capture the perfect scenery all at once. It's a lot easier for us to enjoy the water and its recreational perks when we're already actually surrounded by it. If you're planning to move here, you're looking at a very small chance of boredom, I promise you. And for some reason, time seems to slow down a bit here, too, even my tourist friends notice that. :-) (like the other #9 of this link)

---Which brings me back to our afternoon of group surfing--it was practical for us to go to Waikiki to surf since we were all coming from Honolulu, and besides, there's tons of other things to do, see (and eat) in Waiks too! The only challenge is the parking (as with any other tourist destination). But other than that, it's a decent enough spot to catch some steady waves. A lot of local friends would have had disagreed with our choice of surfing place, because it's too "touristy" or "heavily populated" but the thing is, if we really wanted to go to the surfing Mecca of Oahu and treat this experience as seriously as we would a heart attack, then we would have gone to the North Shore, and go crazy in Sunset Beach, where all the Kate Bosworths are. But since we just really wanted to chill and there was no real need to sensationalize this experience, we stuck to the cool, calm waters of Waikiki and crossed our fingers for a good surf.

What I always liked about Surfing is that, innate to any kind of sport, it teaches you how to master timing and coordination. It can be a bit tricky if you're not very comfortable with those inevitable underwater whallops, but just like what they tell kids in swimming lessons, the water is your friend and you just have to trust it to know it. (Blind faith. Trust muna. Ha-ha.)

When I learned how to surf (years ago), it took me a while to realize that the advantage of a wipeout is to give you control and leverage over your next attempt to catch--and ride--a wave. I've always been a keen learner--I wanted to know and master motion controls based on the proximity, playing field, leverage and even the "texture" of the playing field (in this case, the texture of the sea floor, haha) to have a total understanding of how I'm supposed to carry out my maneuvers. So for me, wipeouts were always helpful in the sense that they acquaint you well with the rhythm of the ocean and arrest your fears of falling into the water by virtue of familiarity with the fall. In short, falling over and over again empowers your foresight on your next attempt of riding a wave. Imagine if you had to battle the same giant over and over again--you'll know it well enough to keep yourself from making the same mistake right? You've sized it up so many times that it doesn't even look so huge anymore. What doesn't kill you... (takes you to the rest of the cliche.) Haha :-)

I guess I could say that in essence, I like surfing because it's not all that easy. First of all, I don't have the arms of a paddler, and that alone was a challenge for me, getting back into the mid mark from the shore after riding a wide, solid wave. Second, some brain work goes into the timing of your paddling, and the direction of your strokes versus the current, and then into your mind-and-body coordination when you to stand up and ride the wave. I like that it uses a little scientific action-reaction, too. Preparation --> Timing--> Paddling--> Catching--> Balancing--> Riding. That's what makes it actually workable--the logic behind your paddling and catching a wave and the body and mind coordination it takes in balancing your weight on your surfboard, maintaining that balance once you catch the wave, and maintaining that posture as long as your body would allow you to. Thats it. Everything else has to do with relative judgment, and like i said, blind faith! At least that's how I see it! :-)

I love group surfing in particular because Lovelee and I got to ride waves at the same time! It was so awesome and it felt so G-double-O-D!!!  (But boo, no pictures!) It was so much fun riding side by side and getting on the board at almost the exact same time because it makes the experience more communal and exciting! Anyone who wants to try it should! It's a special kind of feeling being out in the sea with an awesome bud or with your special group of friends. I highly recommend it.

For all the fun we've had, I'd like to throw out a BIG 'thank you' to our friends at Big Wave Dave, especially to Patrick, who refreshed our surfing knowledge to make sure we're all ready and re-oriented enough to hit the waves again, and of course for giving us a wonderful time. Here's a little snippet of him sharing his knowledge to make sure we surf safely.

Waikiki Surfing from Angela Nolasco on Vimeo.

Big Wave Dave gives out special discounts in board rentals too! If you're by the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki, don't hesitate to pay them a visit! You'll be glad you did! :-)

We had fun and we're grateful for this season. Everyone deserves a great summer!

Big Wave Dave Surfing Company

2410 Koa Avenue (by Hyatt Regency Hotel)

Waikiki, HI

(808)386-4872

My Little Paper Crown Obsession

It's no secret how much I love the laid-back, subdued and oh-so-chic look of Paper Crown. And although Spring has sprung a while back, I, on the other hand, still wouldn't quit obsessing about its pastels and nudes and corals, and taupes. I don't normally dress in a lot of colour or in a flashy fashion, but this year is turning out to be quite the exception, given that summer's becoming a huge, beautiful neon mess. But before I did consider going that direction, I started with my basic loves: the nude, navy, teal, subdued floral, and blush tones which are to die for. The beautiful designs of Paper Crown fit that to a T, that their blush tones actually make me blush. :) Ha-ha.

Paper Crown Clothing by Lauren Conrad 

(also available at Nordstrom)

http://www.paper-crown.com/

Like them on Facebook if you agree with me! 

Blooming back into Spring! (Some of my Springtime 2012 Favorites)

This Spring has been a warm ray of sunshine indeed! And the season of fresh starts, bright new adventures and happy, colorful knick-knacks has never been more promising. Although the nice balmy summer breeze has indeed been quite the visitor lately, it's still nice to recall the wonderful blessings Spring has left with its flora. Here are some of my favorites:


My little visit to LA (Santa Monica Pier, LA)

Our last champagne at Shinshotei before Leeann flew for Vegas

  My own trip to Vegas!

Finding my next nail art peg for the love of white!

...Which brings me to my own wall peg for my white room

Long planned virtual shopping with and for my BFF Ali (which inspired me to jump from a pastel spring to a neon summer)

And her quick and happy response to receiving what I got her in the mail!

My Aloha tumbler (a tiny motivation to drink VOLUMES of water each day, since summer's out and about)

Fresh, lovely Petunias I got my mom for Mother's Day

My trip to Maui (which kicked off the start of my Summer!)

Spring brings all that there is to love. :) Looking forward to next year's peachy surprises! 

Dammit, Jared.

A Recent Snippet from My Mini Travel Hiatus

Enjoying the bright lights and saktong-chilly-saktong-cozy Santa Monica Pier in LA County.

Just recently I made a little visit to the mainland (CA, NV) on my own to get a little break from work, to re-ignite my wanderlust and of course, to reunite with the important people in my life. Since I've been back work has barely given me the time to silently recall memories from my trip or even upload pictures. BUT! Shooting my last segment for May yesterday just might allow me to have the time to do so. But for now, here's a little reminder of what I like looking back to. :)  

April is the Month of Amazing

Being that I've been grateful for April being such an amazing month of great love and great friends so far, I propose that everyday should be as sunny, cheery and happy as all the days of this month. Cheers to the perfect season of spring-summery beautiful days ahead! 

A Quarter of a Pound Gained, for Quarter-life Crisis' Sake!

Celebrating the 5th anniversary of my 20th birthday, 4.11.12

My Quarter-life Crisis Flowers

Been trying to keep 'em alive for 5 days now, and though I know for sure that neither of my thumbs is green, they're hangin' in there. :)

It's Here!

with two of my favorite bands too! 

Too bad I fly out to Cali on the 25th, but there's always next year to consider! 

VIVA LA MUSICA DE COACHELLA! 

Another Crazy Lady to be Missed!

Last week, me and my friends from work joined Leeann, at a bar and sports grill to celebrate her send-off to the Ninth Island of Hawaii (aka "Hawaii Extension")--VEGAS! She will be staying there for good, shaking her booty and goodies every night if she wants to. Ha-ha! We're all happy for her to finally be reunited with her husband who works for the US military (thus the relocation), and her wonderful, beautiful children. But before we got our moves on the dance floor that night, we figured a little get together with some of our closest was just in order--and so off we went wreaking havoc in Lindsey's garage. 

I couldn't let Leann go without a little token to remember every character (uniquely known for their own quirks) in our close-knit circle (scanned images from my Instax mini)

As proof might have it, Leanne (wearing white beneath a black blazer) is one fun, funky, crazy lady with such a huge heart for people. I'll always miss her little anecdotes about motherhood, the entertaining, funny and quirky way she talks (Hawaiian Pidgin) and the life she always, always brings to a party. She's so indispensable to us that as a matter-of-fact, I was looking for her yesterday at work and completely forgot that her last day was the day before that! But from our hearts to hers, we love her to pieces and we only wish her nothing but the best--AND the bright lights of Sin City. 

A Little Morning Greeting from My Sweetie

I love him. And will do so for another 25 years and beyond! :)

Faith on Ink

Last week I joined a little web-based sharing (fine, contest) by LitReactor that showcases a myriad of literary-based tattoos their readers wear. In lieu of mine being a literary form of skin, I decided to share it with the website, and also considered it my own little post to remember Holy Week--albeit not in direct, specific relation to it. So anyway, you may find the whole contest shebang here

Inspired by the novel Eat Pray Love, my tat is a symbolism that translates to "Om Nama Shivaya" or "I honor the Divinity that resides within you"

 Half-agnostic and partially confused with my sense of self two years ago, I took initiative on a little soul-searching in between places that I haven't really visited, looking for faith in myself and faith in a Supreme Being. My realisation is, the Personification of one's faith need not be pronounced as an item of celebrity. The heart of religion is faith--and by that, it should not defy that notion itself by being culturally or geographically imposed. For that I have RESPECT for all religion that have their own sense of Divinity--the Divine what, or the Divine who. 

Whether your religion's Divinity or "god" if you may, translates to Love, Buddha, Allah, the Universe or the Michelin man (who always saves you from skidding on the freeway), my religion is Respect for the maybe twisted, maybe love-filled, graceful, unexplicable, convenient, politically-structured, vanity-infused, orally-evolved, painfully proverbial, culturally-satisfying or most of all, esoteric (in every way shape or form) faith that gives birth to what any person's  Religion is (in every way shape or form).

I respect the fact that you are human by the basic virtue of faith and belief in that which you call Divine, or your Divinity.

Respect is the religion that fuels my travels and cross-encounters with the plethora of cultural religions of the globe--it does not boast, or criticize, or debunk theoretical dogmas of science or argue the kind of fruit that fell from the Tree that seperates the Yin and the Yang. It does not necessarily persuade you to believe that walking on water will bloom lotuses in a freezing pond. It is what it is--a humble, grounded expression of faith for faith, of reverence for reverence--to that which is Divine--for you, your neighbor, your neighbor's dog or your cat's (and its 9th coming.) It is not dogmatic, pragmatic or dance-on-burning-coal ecstatic. It binds the central human propensity of believing without seeing, and enabling by feeling.

I will not discuss which 'god' I have chose to love and will love for the rest of my life, much like I will not review and persuade anyone of my political stances. I have a very loving Divinity that I choose to respect, by virtue of respecting other Divinities that may exist in the hearts of the devout, or in those fueled by doubt.. 

I honor my Divinity in many ways I keep private and may not subject it to arbitrary debate.

I like to keep it simple.

I believe in my Divinity, but I hold religion in Respect. And this religion of mine will not wage wars against yours, as it surely doesn't create that much difference between your 'god' and mine.

Yes, I have tumbld into the Tumblr bandwagon.

come tumbling with me here.

If I had the Moolah

I have always been an avid fan of Fight Club, but more than that, I have always been a die-hard Chuck Palahniuk fan anyway. Ha-ha! But as thorough and expressive as I'd like to be, reality pulls me down to the fact that I am not so blessed with the budget to do it. The furthest I went to being a fan of the movie was going to a costume party as Marla Singer, and having a short-term project of making Fight Club pink chocolate (yup, bar molds and all) But to be a part of this commendable effort by the Pixie Project  in saving a number of shelter-less dogs and potentially winning a piece of Fight Club memorabilia, is something that would definitely boost my dorky fanatic powers to high-status level! (Then again, if I had the money, I would.) But the reason I'm helping spread this noble act is also because it's an exciting, quirky way to give help--and wake up in the morning and have coffee on the table that even Edward Norton would recognize--if he ever visits your home (Ha-ha)--in fact, the thought of it alone has sent me through the WOOF!  

Autographed Yin-Yang table from Fight Club for auction on e-bay, to help save the homeless dogs, click here! You just might win one of the best movie memorabilia ever--and help them little pooches, too! :)

So, bid if you can, help out if you can, cause all that matters is definitely none of your 500 channels of your television, your paycheck, or your wallet. And you definitely do not need your IKEA furniture and your Martha Stewart houseware, because she's off--polishing the brass off of the Titanic.

Hello, Will You Be My Birthday Date?

Fujifilm Instax MINI 7s White Instant Film Camera

'Cause I'm in love with you and all the memories we're going to make together!

Yogur Story: An 'Orgastronomic' Spin for Your Palate

       My co-workers and I used to have a funny tagline for Yogurstory. Basically we joked that the place was "where you eat yogurt--and talk story"--a proverbial reference to the Hawaiian pidgin jargon of chit-chatting, which was, indeed, to "talk story."

        Trying out the place for the first time got me all tongue-tied about the tagline I swear I stuffed those words back into my mouth as fast and as soon as the restaurant's service. Not only does it look like a modern-day gourmet place, it was a fantastic modern-day wonderland of gourmet food! (And mind you, there was no yogurt on the menu)

      Walking into the HUGE retaurant, I found myself in yet another idiotic moment of ooh-ing and ahh-ing at how good it feels to be inside. The vast space of the two-story resto was intelligently designed to accomodate a huge volume of people without the hassle of waiting for that small gadget in your hand to vibrate for when you're ready to be seated (knock, knock, Cheesecake Factory). The bi-level space they had was practically designed like a loft with a fantastic balance of natural light and just the right amount of indoor light that blended well with the building's interior design. The walls were hand-painted with this age's minimalist pastel artwork of tree branches and little birds perched on them, matching the same decorative birds that graced the staircase railings. Being inside felt like being at home--cooped up in your childhood dream room with that little attic arch above your headboard. Outside was another story. They had a wide, comfortable porch with the prettiest outdoor furniture that accommodated people who'd rather enjoy the breeze or the sunset with their waffles. See, the only reason I mention all this is because I have learned that lighting, ambiance and interior settings have always been constant factors that determine how much "gustatory gusto" I am inspired to actually put on my plate--and palate. (Ha-ha) 

      But more than that, I cannot complain about the second factor either--the TASTE and PRESENTATION. Me and my friend ordered their Asparagus and Chicken Pasta and Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, which was absolutely fresh, delicious and not overdone just to impress snooty critics. The juices of the cherry tomatoes were just right to the bite and exactly where you want them to be; their bread wasn't over nor under-toasted, and the way they had their cheese on both the pasta and the sandwich was PERFECTION. 

Asparagus and Chicken Pasta

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

    For dessert (Yes, I purposely have set this aside as a third factor, being that I am a mammoth for sweets), I ordered one of their signature Waffles By Andy Strawberries and Cream Waffle and boy, did they blow me over with their presentation!  On top of the waffle itself  a full crown of whipped cream, blackberries, raspberries and mandarin orange, fancily decorated with candy-speckled white chocolate "seaweeds", and a chocolate-dipped strawberry & whipped cream on the side, with strawberry sauce on the other side of the plate. DE.LI.CI.OSO. Seriously, I looked at it and blushed. It was love at first sight. I tasted it and it  well delivered its promise. :) I felt like a 4-year old on steroids.

Strawberries and Cream Waffle

      Here's more tummy-tickling eye teasers from their Facebook page:

(Visit their page on Facebook here)

       It was a good experience altogether, and yes, I still couldn't believe they didn't have yogurt. It slammed my egotistic self-fulfilling prophecy (ha-ha), but in any case, for food, y'all know I'm very bribe-able and easy to please. And Yogurstory was a special kind of yummy in my tummy. :) 

Now, let's all start a story together. ;)