Need a gift for someone special… someone who already seems to have “everything?” When I’m in a bind, I head to Tom Terrific’s, a charming print shop on the corner of East Manoa Road and Lowrey Avenue. Tom Terrific’s is owned and run by a sweet woman, Ms. Carolyn Borges, who is dedicated to providing “kinder, gentler” service for all of your printing needs. I can personally attest to the warm and personal service, for in all of my experiences with Ms. Borges, she has taken her time to ensure that I get just what I am looking for.

The little shop is more than a printing place, although its printing options are extensive (everything from simple copies to greeting and postcards, posters, banners, labels, and book binding). I urge you to visit the store for its unique specialty items, which make fantastic gifts. There are many specialty items, from the more common calendars, magnets, buttons, mugs, and bookmarks, to the more unique basketball nets, baby bibs and blankets, jewelry, and wall clocks (all very reasonably priced). What makes each and every item wonderful is that you can personalize it with your own photo or graphic! Your photos will turn ordinary items into priceless keepsakes!

If you live in Manoa, you’ve probably passed this shop many times! It’s just a bit past Manoa Marketplace, so convenient for those of us in the valley!

Here’s Ms. Borges, showcasing some of the items that can be personalized!

My husband and I gave my grandfather three special shirts (made at Tom Terrific’s) for his last birthday. He absolutely loves wearing the shirts, one with him in his old Korean War uniform, one with his sweetheart of 60+ years, and one with his whole family

Here’s a book of “chicken soup” personal stories written by Noelani fourth graders. We had the three books printed and bound at Tom Terrific’s to be sold at our Silent Auction for last week’s Mayfair. The books were a hit!

We also printed and bound three of these Big Island books, which contained photos from our recent trip and captions written by the students, to sell at Silent Auction. Ms. Borges stayed at her store until 7pm (two hours after closing) the day before the silent auction to finish the books for us (our fourth grade team was so grateful, as we had been completely scrambling to get the books done in time!)

Tom Terrific’s
2961 E Manoa Road Ste. D
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808)988-1556
Mon & Thurs: 7am-5pm
Tues, Wed, Fri: 7am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: Closed

“Ho’oku’ikahi Kakou” means “Standing Together as One.” It is the theme of this year’s Noelani Mayfair, which we’re celebrating on Friday, May 23. This annual tradition was one that I always looked forward to when I was a student at Noelani, and I value it even more as a teacher now. It is a time when the school and community of parents and friends come together and celebrate fellowship and friendship, making it our most exciting and heartwarming day of the year.

There is a lot of work that goes into this special day. The Mayfair committee of parent and school volunteers worked for countless of hours planning everything from the keiki games to the silent auction to the baked goods and produce areas. The children have also spent time perfecting (well, as close to “perfect” as they can get) their grade level dances for our Mayfair program. From the Kindergarteners’ rendition of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” to the fifth graders’ traditional Maypole dance, the children’s energy and pride are completely charming. There’s nothing like children singing and dancing to make a May day beautiful.

If you have a chance, stop by and join us! The silent auction, produce, baked goods, and famous haku lei sales begin at 7am, with the Mayfair program at 9:30am, and the keiki games to follow.

Enjoy the photos below showing just a little of Mayfair preparation for our haku lei sales! I meant to get more photos previewing everything, including the Silent auction spread, but we were just too busy!!

Sharlene Arita, a teacher at Noelani, undertakes the huge task of organizing the haku lei making every year. Check out the absolutely gorgeous haku lei!

Here are two loyal alumni of Noelani, coming back to make haku lei!

My grandfather, a very wise man, is one of my greatest teachers. Among the many lessons he taught me was the importance of education- he always told me that a good education opened doors and made things possible… that it was something that no one could ever take away.

As an educator, I am now in the position to teach my children that very same lesson. A few months ago, we started our career unit and I asked the students that age old question: What do you want to be when you “grow up?” I got a few professional athletes, doctors, veterinarians, and even teachers. But my favorite? The one who said he dreams of being a college graduate. At ten years old, my students do not really know what their futures hold. But the boy who dreams of that college degree knows that that is the golden ticket that will help get him wherever he wants to go.

Hundreds of men and women will receive their tickets (also known as college degrees) this Sunday, May 18, 2008 at the University of Hawaii’s 97th Commencement Exercises. I will be there watching (and cheering) as some of my friends celebrate this momentous occasion. And even though I’m not the one walking to the tune of, “Pomp and Circumstance,” I still get goose bumps when I see the pride on the faces of all the graduates, hear the inspirational commencement speech, and watch the turning of the tassel. Graduation symbolizes a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance, and most of all, the beginning of an exciting future. Congratulations to the Class of 2008! May you use your golden tickets to redeem everything that your hearts desire!

This is actually a photo from the Winter 2007 graduation, which I attended to see my friend, Shannon, get his Masters degree! Looking forward to a similar scene this Sunday!

In the spirit of graduation, please share your favorite college memories, post-college advice, or congratulations messages here. And here’s a question for you- how has your college degree helped you achieve what you have wanted in life (I’m going to share your comments with my students, so inspire away!)?

My college degree has allowed me to spend every day working alongside dedicated professionals and friends, teaching the best people on Earth- children. Can’t beat that ticket for the biggest chocolate factory in the world.

*** Updated photos! Post-graduation 5/18/08

The program from the commencement exercises

Here’s what it looked like on our way to give leis to the graduates. It was very crowded, extremely hot, but an environment positively charged with excitement and pride!

The University had everything well organized! It was easy to find all the graduates I was looking for, and the graduates seemed to have lots of space to spread out with their friends and families

This Spring, I’m celebrating the graduation of my fantastic friend and student teacher (our students send their love!) Natalie Liu (left), who has earned a Bachelors degree in Education, and my colleague and dear friend, Sarene Oda (right), who has earned her Masters Degree in Education! She is an amazing Kindergarten teacher that I’d wish for my own child.

There are currently 83 very excited fourth graders from Noelani Elementary School anxiously awaiting our grade level trip to the Big Island on May 7-9 (the 37 adult chaperones are getting sleep while they can).

Throughout the school year, the students have learned about how the hot spot under the Pacific Plate formed underwater volcanoes that eventually became our Hawaiian island chain. They learned about the Polynesians traveling to Hawaii with their canoes, about the early life of the Hawaiians and the ahupua’a, and about Kamehameha the Great and the monarchy that followed. The students learned about the overthrow of the monarchy, plantation life and the sharing of cultures, and all of the other major events that shaped what Hawaii has become today. All of these things will come to life when we visit the Big Island in just a few days. The students will walk through a lava tube, stand on an active volcano, and circle the crater of Kilauea. They will relive history as they visit the missionary house at the Lyman Museum, walk the grounds of Pu’uhonua O Honaunau (the City of Refuge), and explore the Amy Greenwell Gardens (where they will learn about the ancient Hawaiian foods, plants, and lifestyle). The students also will go to the amazing Imiloa Astronomy Center, where they will participate in hands-on Science activities and see a state-of-the-art planetarium show.

Although the trip is stressful for us teachers, it is the highlight of the year and one of the reasons that I feel so fortunate to teach fourth grade. For three days, we get to take our children on what is for most of them the biggest adventure they’ve had in their young lives. We get to experience things that are new and exciting, and make memories together that will last a lifetime.

There are so many people who make our trip happen, so a big THANK YOU goes out to all of you. Noelani’s PTA has always supported our trip, and our dedicated fourth grade parents have tirelessly worked all year long on everything from fundraising, to ordering t-shirts, to packing hundreds of snack bags. We appreciate all of you, and are grateful for your commitment to helping us provide this opportunity for our children.

As 120 of us are getting ready for a visit to our youngest, ever growing island for an educational and fun-filled three days, please wish us a vogless and happy time! Aloha!