If you happen to pass by Noelani Elementary on the morning of Thursday, February 11, you'll see all of our children joyfully running around the campus! It's our annual Jogathon! The purpose of this much anticipated event is to "educate our children of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, while raising funds to support supplemental programs for our students."

We have a fantastic Physical Education teacher (a position that is funded with help of the monies raised by Jogathon), Mrs. Veronica Lum, and she has been training our students on the course of the run. She also teaches them the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. Students also individually track their exercise in the weeks prior to Jogathon, and we hold a raffle to award lucky students (who turn in their exercise logs) special prizes (including Jogathon shirts generously signed by the UH men's basketball team, UH wahine volleyball team, and signed items donated by the UH men's volleyball team). Last week, we had a Jogathon rally where a Noelani mom, who has run in many marathons across the US, talked to and inspired the students and got them extra motivated to jog!

The run itself is great fun. All of the students receive special Jogathon t-shirts to run in, and this year, it will be a sea of pastel blue flying across the campus. The students each wear a card on the back of their t-shirt, which get stamped by parent volunteers every time they do a lap. Part of the fun for the students is comparing how many stamps they earned at the end of the run! The event starts with warm up stretches, then the music starts, and the third, fourth, and fifth graders begin to jog! They jog for about half an hour, while they are cheered on by parents and the younger students. They enjoy ice pops at the end of their run, then cheer on the kindergarten, first, and second graders as they run.

The students have been collecting donations from family and friends who support them in their run. Our school goal this year is to raise $35,000 in donations, which will be used to continue the supplemental programs (such as music and PE) that so greatly benefit our students. For those of you in the community who have donated (in past or present years), thank you. Know that your donations continue to make a difference in our children's education.

Noelani Elementary School
2655 Woodlawn Dr.
Honolulu, HI 96822

A special thank you to all of the parent volunteers who work to make our Jogathon such a success year after year. We couldn't do it without you!

Back in August, I blogged about my favorite baby place in Manoa, Baby aWEARness. Baby aWEARness features eco-friendly baby toys, clothes, cleaners, and cloth diapers and offers a variety of classes and workshops (on topics such as pregnancy and birth, early childhood health and development, fun for mamas and keiki, and eco-friendly food).

Now comes the Mama meets Baby part...Baby aWEARness now shares a space with Hot Mama Maternity, which offers "essential resources and excellent products that are better for baby, better for the environment, and best for mom!" At Hot Mama Maternity, expecting moms can get things like Bella Bands (to help you wear those favorite jeans a little longer!), Mama Mio skin products (to help with those stretch marks), and of course, stylish maternity clothes!

In celebration of the new team of Mama and Baby, the store is putting on a contest. The search is on for the Hot Mama of 2010! If you know a deserving expecting mom, a brand new mommy, or a mom of many, you can nominate her for the title.

Taken from the Baby aWEARness/Hot Mama Maternity website:
What makes a mom a Hot Mama?
Being a Hot Mama isn't about being a super model; it is about being a mom that is awe-inspiring, energetic and creative. Most of all it is about taking pride in one's role as a woman and a mother. As the face of the Baby aWEARness/Hot Mama partnership, Hawaii's Next Hot Mama will serve as an inspiration and role model for mothers and families throughout Hawaii.

Not only does the winner get the Hot Mama of 2010 title, but great prizes, such as a professional photo shoot (for Hot Mama advertisements), a spa package, and over $1000 in prizes from Baby aWEARness and Hot Mama Maternity.

I'm a little late in announcing this contest, as the deadline to submit nominations is February 11. Check out this site for more information and nomination forms!

Baby aWEARness and Hot Mama Maternity
Manoa Marketplace 2nd Floor
Monday - Saturday: 10-6pm
Sunday: 10-1pm

First things first... I apologize for my looooooong absence from the blog world- I hope you'll forgive me and will keep reading and commenting! I really value my space here and all of you who take the time to read and share your thoughts with me.

Several friends have generously offered me great blog ideas, which I definitely plan on using. First up... Makiki's Evening Farmer's Market! A couple of Thursdays ago, my friend Ai excitedly called me and told me about the farmer's market at St. Clement's in Makiki, which she had just been to and loved. I had been meaning to check out the market for months, and tomorrow, Ai and I are going to have a market date and then I'll write all about it.

I hope to see you there! Check back tomorrow evening for photos!

Makiki's Evening Farmer's Market
Parish of St. Clement's (corner of Wilder Ave. and Makiki St.)
4:30-7:30pm
"This little market continues to grow with patrons invited to eat under the stars! Fresh produce, delicious food plates, and other locally produced items can be found here each week."

***
As promised, here are photos from this evening's farmer's market- it was wonderful! There was such a cozy, warm feel of our strong community surrounding every aspect of the market, from the friendly people chatting at the booths, to the row of tables (complete with little lamps) down the center of the market to sit and eat as the sun went down. The booths boasted fresh and delicious produce and food plates, and my girlfriends and I enjoyed walking through the market, choosing food to share, and chatting over dinner.

Beautiful flowers for sale!

My friends bought eggplant and squash, reasonably priced and oh so fresh!

This vendor was selling sprouts, a big bag of spring greens, and salad dressings

Volunteers from this charter school were selling jams, ti plants, and more

Now for the food! Each booth lured us in with the delicious smells and samples- yum!

Homemade scones!

Cafe Kiba was definitely one of our favorite finds- the dishes were boldly flavored and unique!

The seared salmon with ponzu sauce

This five spice Persian style chicken (served with yogurt sauce) was moist and so tasty!

A generous serving of Pernil (roast pork)

We picked up this Cuban style beef stew for dinner- so good! The capers added that extra kick!

I was really impressed with this booth- tons of fresh produce and products (pickles and jams this week) made with the abundance of what's in season! And for only $5, I got a huge bowl of the comforting North Shore green papaya soup (with brown rice, egg noodles, big chunks of chicken, shrimp, sea asparagus, and kale!)

From the Blue Lotus, we enjoyed chicken long rice and a plate with brown rice, potato salad, and cucumber kimchee

This vendor was selling calzones (savory and sweet) and grilled pizza! I couldn't resist the pizza and even was treated to watching it being made! Here's the homemade pesto going on the homemade whole wheat crust

Lots of fresh spinach, basil, tomato, and cheese went on to the pizza before it was cooked on the grill

This $5 pizza slice was large, filling, and delicious!

I'll definitely go back to try these calzones (which can be heated on the grill upon request)!

I ran into our representative, Della Au Belatti, picking up a refreshing drink (I ended up getting one, too!)

I ordered this Island Ginger Ale and watched it being made

I loved the carbonation of this drink and the strong ginger flavor was soothing

My friends Ai (left) and Denalee with all the food!

I am already looking forward to stopping by at the market again next week! Hope to see you there!

For me, the holidays wouldn't be complete without a good dose of UH basketball thrown in. The games are Christmas presents to myself- time to catch up with fellow fans and friends (because when you've been a faithful fan for 15+ years, you start knowing other faithful fans as friends) and join together to cheer on and support the 'Bows.

This year is the first for the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, and the tournament is an ESPN Regional TV (ERT) owned and operated event. It's a great opportunity for national exposure, as ten of the twelve games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks. There's always a different vibe in the arena when the lights of ESPN are on us- fans are a little more lively, vocal, pumped up. It's a really fun time.

I have to say, there are a few things I miss about the old Rainbow Classic:
1. The singing of the National Anthem before the game. We'd always get a big time local singer to do the anthem on the first night of the classic- but this year, they did the National Anthem before the earlier game and skipped it before our 7:30pm game. It just felt like something was missing.
2. The Classic always meant big contests and giveaways- didn't see that tonight. One year, my name was picked for a free throw contest at one of the timeouts- I didn't make ANY, but still won a Nike gift package and watch!
3. Classic was 4 days instead of 3- giving each team the opportunity to have a night game. This year, the first round was all played today, so 4 teams had to play in the day.

Anyone else notice any other differences?

Tonight we beat the College of Charleston (it was a great game!), so we'll play UNLV tomorrow at 6:30pm. It will be a GREAT game! My husband Matt's also looking forward to a noon date at the arena tomorrow to see USC play St. Mary's. We're counting on cheering on UH in the championship game on Christmas! Hope to see you there!

On December 12, family and friends gathered to celebrate my nephew Raiden's 1st birthday (and his mommy Christina's birthday, too!) at Treetops Restaurant. Treetops has been a favorite of mine for years- I've celebrated birthdays, graduations, family reunions, and more there. Treetops is situated next to Manoa Falls, in the rainforest, so it's quiet, cool, and beautiful.

There's tons of free parking

In this walkway to the restaurant, you're literally among the tops of trees!

The classic entrance of the restaurant

The inside of the restaurant is huge, and includes three large party areas. Our party occupied the middle room, and there was even a screen (provided by Treetops) that projected adorable photos of Raiden's first year

The best thing about Treetops- the food! The reasonably priced buffet is plentiful and delicious!

These are my two favorite dishes- the silky Chinese style steamed fish and freshly fried shrimp tempura

I can't get enough of the miso soup- the wakame, tofu, and green onion are the perfect condiments for it

Happy Birthday!

Treetops Restaurant
(808)988-6838 Phone
(808)988-1623 Fax
Treetopsrestaurant@gmail.com

3737 Manoa Road
Honolulu Hawaii 96822

Open 7 days a week for weekday and weekend buffet brunch
Call to schedule a private party (30+ guests) in the evening