No, I didn’t work on any photographs at all, instead, we invited my in-laws over to help clear our backyard. 
It feels so wonderful to finally remove all the brush pile… We are so thankful for their help. Anyway, I am tired right now so before I go to bed, here’s my photo du jour — it’s awesome to start blogging again:
Happy Sunday night!
Much love,
Joyce
If you have been following me here at my blog and at Twitter, you probably know where I am now and why I’m missing in action. To give you an update, JZ and I finally moved into our 4111 house last 4th of July weekend! Woohoo!
We currently do not have internet access yet hence I couldn’t reply to emails and post blogs except for occasional twittering using my iPhone.
Anyway, here’s a sneak peek of our kitchen — pretty much a blank canvas for me. 
The backsplash still needs to be designed (which I am currently doing) and installed. Will post more photos later after we unpack our things… We have exciting and maybe trying times ahead. 
I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July celebration! Happy Monday!
Much love,
Joyce
Not only did I get the chance to run earlier tonight, I was also able to capture the beauty of one of my favorite lakes, Lake Nokomis.
This lake is the yearly venue of the Life Time Fitness Triathlon which is tagged to be “one of the most the premiere sporting events in the world as each year it draws many of the world’s best professional athletes in addition to a truly inspiring amateur field.“
What a beautiful night!
I hope yours is too!
I know that I have been so tired, occupied and so busy lately. Most of the time, I looked like a limp rag doll when I come home to your welcoming arms after a day’s work. 
Last night, I know you watched me to sleep — thank you so much for that. I want to take some time to write this blog for you, my baby blue, as I know I haven’t written especially for you for a long time.
I have so much to thank you for — from all the hard work that you have been putting on our future home to the little things that you do for me such as making me coffee every morning. But most importantly, I want to thank you for all the encouragement and love that you continue to shower. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
See you later! I promise I won’t be like Raggeddy Ann tonight.
Much love,
Joyce
Next stop will be back to Colorado for some celebration! Anyway, just to get psyched, I dug out a photo and did some rework on it.
That’s all for now.
Happy Sunday! I have to do something outside now.
Much love,
Joyce
By 3:00PM on a sunny Saturday afternoon, the beautifully-decorated gathering space of the North Haven Church was already filled with shrieks, smiles and laughter. I was so enthralled as I get to mingle with people who came all the way from Texas, Washington State and Colorado — yes, we were all there to celebrate Ann’s 90th birthday!
I can only imagine how she felt that day as she greeted over 100 guests who came for her special day.
No wonder she doesn’t need gifts at all as she said in her invitation. If I have that many friends, neither will I. She obviously has been living her life to the fullest and I am very inspired and thankful to have been part of that.
Cheers to the years that had passed and the more years to come.
Happy 90th Birthday Ann!
Much love,
Joyce
I couldn’t count how many times in my existence here on Earth I have said “Yes, I know how to do that. I learned it from Grandma.” Be it from cleaning and gutting a fish, to ‘crocheting’ and even ‘tatting’, to cooking numerous dishes and cutting anything really fast without cutting my fingers and so much more! Yes, there are so many things that I have learned from grandma not only in doing household chores but even in dealing with life in general. With that, I am much thankful beyond words.
As our family commemorate her birthday today, I just want to say a simple thank you to you Lola and I love you very much! I won’t be who I am today without your selfless love and guidance that you so willingly gave when we were growing up. I know that your spirit is within us and just like what Bel said, your memory is very much alive in our hearts. Happy happy birthday!!
With so much love,
Joyce
(photo grabbed from belandjon.wordpress.com)
Stay tuned for announcements!
Have a fabulous Thursday!
Much love,
Joyce
Posted earlier in my personal blog, I finally got the chance to post this here as well. Also, I decided to present the images as postcards since I felt like a wandering tourist from that trip as we scoured the island from North to East to West to North to South back to East… Get the drift?
In doing so, I hope I give enough justice to this beautiful, lush, Garden Isle called Kaua’i. Enjoy!
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Polihale Beach State Park — located at the West-most part of the island. It is said to be Hawaii’s
longest (17 miles) gold-sand beach, with amazing sunsets and a view of the Nihau Island. Polihale Beach is one of
the main reasons one should get a 4WD when renting a car.
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Waimea Canyon — Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a sight to behold.
The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years
ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale’s summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different
volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries.
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Wailua Falls –These dramatic 80-foot waterfalls can be seen from Highway 583 or Maalo Road. There are two entry points to
get to the base however they are not designated hiking trails. It is slippery when it’s wet but there are ropes to assist in both your
ascent and descent. The longer trail requires you to cross the stream while the short one doesn’t.
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Kahili Beach — Located at the end of Wailapa Rd, this beach is a sight to see. We didn’t get in the water which
I wished we did but the view alone is spectacular. You can see a peak from there but we didn’t get to
research what that is. Looking at Google Earth now, it can be the Pu’u Ehu mountain.
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Queen Emma’s Bath – The entry point for this gorgeous location is at the end of Punahele Rd., Princeville. Formed
by ancient lava flow, Queen’s Bath is a beautiful, natural ocean pool. Named after Queen Emma who was the mother of
Prince Albert (from whom Princeville gets its name), this stunning feature is worth trip to view and swim into it. And yes,
bring goggles at least to see the school of fish… (not as colorful as Tunnels but still worth seeing as the water is clearer)
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Kauapea Beach (Secret) – Accessed from Kalihiwai Rd. (1st), this beach isn’t much of a “secret” anymore.
This spot has a wonderful view of the Kilauea Lighthouse on the East and cliffs and an unnamed falls on the West.
There are 3 sandy beach areas separated by lava rocks. Popular with the locals and surfers when the tide is high.
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Hanalei Valley – If you are driving through Princeville, there is a lookout where you can just pull over and
snap a picture of this location. However, we opted to get up close and personal for this photo for a change. When
you get there, don’t let the “No trespassing” sign intimidate you as this is part of the Wildlife Refuge, however,
just like what one of the guide books said, “Be courteous and ask permission if you see someone”.
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Bamboo Forest, Hanalei – This is great spot if you are tired of being baked in the sun and if you
haven’t seen bamboo when you were growing up. However, please make sure to spray insect
repellent as this place has millions of mosquitoes… and I’m not kidding at that.
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These photos are deliberately not digitally watermarked with my name so that you can use it as a wallpaper for your desktop. I hope this will give you an idea how to shoot Kaua’i if you find yourself traipsing on this wonderful paradise.
Happy Monday Tuesday!
Much love,
Joyce
I know that you get frustrated when you see that things were being juxtaposed in numerous unconvincing and deliberate situations. Do not fret at all, I tell you, because some of those things are human nature. But for those that are not, there is not that much you, I or anybody can do… So just smile and shrug it all off. I don’t want to get all religious on you.
And since you said that this is your favorite beach, here’s another one just for you:
Happy Friday!
Much love,
Joyce
I was showing photos from Hawaii to a coworker yesterday afternoon. She said sarcastically but with a playful tone, “I don’t see you and your husband in any of the photos. Are you sure you were in Kaua’i?”
I told her, being behind the camera, I tend to forget to take photos of us together. Fortunately, my husband JZ hasn’t completely forgotten. So with that, here’s one of the few of us taken (by him) as we enjoy the water coming down from Wailua Falls one fine and dandy Hawaiian morning!
Happy Tuesday!
Much love,
Joyce
Happy Sunday! We are working on the house today and will have the Mother’s Day celebration later!
Much love,
Joyce
I was looking at these photos earlier today and I still couldn’t believe that we were enjoying and inhaling this view just last Friday. Now, I am looking at my computer and probably losing my deep tan slowly each day. (It might take a while, though)
Anyway, this was taken at Polihale Beach State Park. Guidebooks described this as a place where you can take the pleasure in having it all almost to yourself – given the fact that the beach is 17 miles long. We were surprised as there were trucks and people everywhere (we wanted a quiet, romantic sunset that night)! Just look at all the tire marks on the sand. Ouch! Oh well, no more guidebooks next time. (But that’s a different story!)
Here’s another take as I isolated myself far from the madding crowd and closer to the pounding waves.
I hope you are having a wonderful Friday! I am excited for the weekend.
Much love,
Joyce
It is a beautiful night tonight and I just want to share one photo just for that reason. We all have so many things to be thankful for…
I hope you are all having a fabulous night!
Much love,
Joyce
