My Life As Rhonda

February 14 is Generosity Day

2012-02-12T19:44:00.002-10:00

While most people will be celebrating Valentine's Day on February 14, I will be celebrating Generosity Day. Generosity Day is a one-day version of the Generosity Experiment that was conducted by Sasha Dichter.

According to Dichter, "Generosity Day is a day of practicing saying YES, because doing so will change you and change those around you...The goal is to spend Valentine’s Day being more generous, giving more money, sharing of yourself, and being of service. All acts of generosity, small and big alike, count."

Sigh...a man after my own heart!

Personally, for me, Generosity Day is every day. But I can only speak for myself, so I hope you will join me in taking the Pledge to Participate in Generosity Day and help to make this world a better place.

There are several ways to show generosity in Maui, these are the few that popped into my head at the moment:

Give of your time and volunteer in your community

Pick up that hitchhiker on the side of Hana or Haleakala way. I have personally done this a few times to the dislike of my husband. Not because he isn't nice but because he worries for my safety. Understandable.

Respond to a homeless person's request for money. If you are worried about this person possibly using it for drugs (which, sad to say, can happen in any community), you can walk with this person to a nearby food establishment or buy a gift card from that establishment and give it to the person.

Smile at every person you pass. You never know how rough someone's day could be going and by doing this you may have made it better even if for just a few minutes.

You can also help to promote this wonderful event by "liking" the Generosity Day Facebook page and promoting it on Twitter using the hashtag #generosityday.

2012-01-24T09:39:00.000-10:00

I only meant to take a two-week hiatus from blogging during the holidays but ended up getting sick the day after Christmas and in an effort to get well, I literally did not leave my home until the first day of school on January 9.

You would think that I would take advantage of that opportunity to blog like crazy but instead I took that opportunity to enjoy true "quiet" time. Then, the Spring semester started and if you are a teacher, you can empathize with what happens during those first few weeks.

I've got quite a bit to share with you, so just know that I will....

Doing Good Always Works

2011-12-22T06:58:00.000-10:00

Of all my accessories, these Good Work(s) wrap bracelets are my favorite because of the positive affirmations that are imprinted on them. I want to get one in every color but as you can see, I've got three so far.

Each bracelet displays the following words:

Make a Difference * Planet Peace * Live in Unity * Freedom

Accept Diversity * Speak Kindness * Pave the Path * Lead the Way * Be Aware

Give Back * Seek Wisdom * Come Together * Truth * Forgive * Strength

Courage * Dream * Believe * Faith * Sow Love

According to the tag on my latest purchase (the black one), Good Work(s) Make a Difference donates 25% of its profits to "Good" causes. I decided to go to their web site to find out more about these causes.

In 2011, the company sponsored various events for programs that address:

Domestic Abuse
At-Risk Children
Foster Children
Breast Cancer
and Japan Tsunami Victims

In 2012, their mission is to move (12) twelve homeless families into completely furnished permanent housing. Sweet!

For those of you who are more spiritual, Good Work(s) also has bracelets that are imprinted with Bible scriptures. www.goodworksmakeadifference.com

Live with Passion

2011-12-21T07:16:00.003-10:00

One way to live with passion is to find something that you love to do. This is especially important in terms of your job - the thing that you do 40 hours or more a week. Because if you dread going to work or find it dull and repetitive, than you may not be realizing your full potential in life.

One of the definitions of exist is: to eke out a living; stay alive; survive

Some people are unhappy with their jobs and work just to go with the "flow" because it helps to pay the bills, There is nothing wrong with working to provide for the basic needs of oneself (or household) and I'm not encouraging you to quit (well not yet anyway) because in this state of economy an individual is grateful to even have a job. But you can do more than just exist.

Find out what you are passionate about and realize that passion in other ways. Don't wait. Because sometimes those "other ways" (a hobby, volunteering, interning, side work) can make your dream job (or better yet, dream business) a reality.

Blissmobox Organic, Eco-Friendly Goods!

2011-12-19T14:09:00.003-10:00

My first Blissmobox was delivered to our front door yesterday! Blissmobox is a monthly subscription service to natural, organic, and eco-friendly (or sustainable) products ranging from food to products for the home and body. I discovered Blissmobox, and several other "healthy" subscription services during last month's Cyber Monday obsession. I will post reviews of the other monthly services as they arrive.

When I first opened my box, I immediately fell in love. Who wouldn't LOVE a company whose name begins with the word "bliss?"

Included in my box were:

Vaska Laundry Detergent
J.R. Watkins All Purpose Cleaner
Bon Ami Powder Cleanser(which I already use - big PLUS!)
Bon Ami Dish Soap
Wippity Wipes
Eco Scrub Cloth
And a 2-sided card which includes a description of the companies represented by each product.

Membership to Blissmobox is available in monthly, 3-month, and 6 month subscriptions. The 3-month is only $19 per month and includes FREE shipping. I was fortunate enough to receive a special price of $11 on my first box. Members are also able to choose from 3 to 4 different themes each month. The box I chose and received this month is themed, "Cleaner Cleaning."

I think having wonderful products delivered to your home is both great and convenient! Especially when you live on an island where healthy shopping choices are limited and when you're too tired (or lazy) to shop after work which is usually the case for me.

To order your own Blissmobox: www.blissmobox.com

2011 Stand Up For the Whales

2011-12-19T11:02:00.001-10:00

Yesterday, I volunteered at the Pacific Whale Foundation's 2011 Stand Up For the Whales event. This athletic event is one of many events held during the annual Maui Whale Festival. Paddlers of any non-motorized craft which included kayaks, stand-up boards, and canoes paddled 3.2 miles from a beach in Maa'alaea to a beach in Kihei.

Other festival events that will be occurring are:

Run & Walk for Whales on February 4
World Whale Day on February 18 featuring entertainment by John Cruz, Anuhea, Willie K, Hapa, and more.
The Great Whale Count on February 25

For more information: www.pacificwhale.org

2011 Stand Up For the Whales, a set on Flickr.

Relay for Life

2011-12-12T17:40:00.001-10:00

It's not too early to begin thinking about participating in the annual Relay for Life Central & South Maui. Relay for Life is an overnight fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Three years ago, I formed a team and participated in this event in dedication to members of my family that have either passed away due to cancer or who are current cancer survivors. I also did it in memory of my dog, Bully, who passed away from cancer a month before the event.

During the event, teams camp out on the stadium field. The event is referred to as a relay because members from each team take turns walking (or in some cases, running) around the stadium track. A team captain will usually schedule shifts to ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to take part and also rest. In the photo above, Central and Kihei had not yet combined and Kihei did not have a stadium track. We walked on grass instead.

This is my friend, Becky. Her father is a cancer survivor.

Normally, teams will collect monetary donations prior to the event. However, teams also continue to fundraise during the actual event itself by selling a product or food item that may be purchased by anyone who is at the event. Some teams will even set up games or craft areas.

In addition to teams walking and fundraising, there is:

A survivors lap
A ceremony to honor those who have been touched by cancer
Ongoing entertainment for the entire 12-hours
Friendly team competitions such as tug-o-war

The following video will give you an idea of how raised funds are used.

In 2012, the event is scheduled for Saturday, June 30, 6:00 pm to 6:00 am on Sunday, July 1. I hope that you will join me in this worthy cause. For more information on how to participate locally, click on this link.

This post is sponsored by American Cancer Society.

Laughter Yoga

2011-12-08T08:54:00.000-10:00

Regular doses of laughter contributes to a healthier you. You've heard the expression, "Laughter is the best medicine," and research has shown that individuals who responded less humorously to everyday life situations are more likely to have heart disease.

Stress or negativity causes blood vessels to tighten. Laughter, on the other hand, expands your vessels and allows blood to flow much better in your body.
There are several ways to include humor in your life. I know of a teacher who starts off each day in class with laughter by allowing each student to have an assigned day to share a joke. Laughter has also been incorporated into an exercise called, Laughter Yoga, which is laughing just for the sake of laughing.

Come on...you know you wanna "buss laugh" AND it's okay.

Buss Laugh

2011-12-04T13:46:00.000-10:00

You know something is really good and funny when:

You laugh so hard, you're practically screaming (that's what happens when I have a full blown belly laugh. Ask my sister, she knows.)
You laugh even more just from hearing yourself, or the person next to you, laugh.
You are at tears because your mouth is open so wide, it pushes your nose and cheeks up, causing your eyes to close and burst your water ducts.
And last but not least, you laugh so hard, it causes an explosion to occur somewhere from the extremities of the body. I don't think I need to point out exactly where, you know what I mean. Just keeping it real.

In Hawaii, we call this "buss laugh."

Chrysanthemum Ball 2011

2011-12-04T12:49:00.001-10:00

Last night we attended the annual Sons & Daughters of Nisei Chrysanthemum Ball for the first time in support of a friend's daughter who also got crowned as Chrysanthemum Queen.

The ball raises money for historical preservation projects of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center and for community scholarships.

Discombobulated

2011-12-02T18:32:00.001-10:00

As I sit here contemplating what I am going to blog, I realize that yesterday was Thursday, not Wednesday! Yikes! I had finally gotten the courage to open up my blog to the world and already I have committed a blogging faux pas by posting my Wordless Wednesday photo on a Thursday!

On a positive note, I got my very first visitor comment this morning! Woo hoo! Even if it came from a friend of mine, it kinda feels good to know that I made a post worthy of commenting on. Ha! Thank you, Julia.

Sometimes ya just gotta laugh at the little things!

Blissology

2011-12-02T10:13:00.000-10:00

According to Eion Finn, founder of the Blissology Project, blissology is the art of consciously finding the balance between one’s personal desires and our impact on the web of life.

A blissologist is someone who takes the time to become aware of the impact of their choices and determines whether those actions weigh more strongly on the equation of love or selfishness. The important aspects of this mission are:

Morality
Environmentalism
Social Change
Healthy Relationships

The Blissology Project incorporates (6) six easy bliss committments over a a period of (4) weeks which includes:

Food Awareness
Appreciation For Nature and
Gratitude

For more information visit blissology.com

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-01T12:35:00.001-10:00

Mimi, a photo by mylifeasrhonda on Flickr.

Maui Go Red for Women 2011

2011-11-29T18:17:00.000-10:00

This year, I had the privilege of being part of the planning committee for the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon which took place at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. The event included a Health Expo and a Fashion Show featuring six women survivors who have endured various conditions of heart disease. The youngest survivor model was 21 years old and is a former student of mine.

Go Red for Women is movement to create more awareness of heart disease as the #1 cause of death in women and to empower women to take charge of their heart health. You can find more information about Go Red for Women at www.goredforwomen.org.

My son also volunteered for this event and received a kind compliment from one of the luncheon attendees who was glad to see a teenaged boy involved in an awareness event created especially for women. Yay, for his future wife!

Fit Bit Ultra

2011-11-28T18:53:00.000-10:00

Today, during my obsession with Cyber Monday, I fell in love with a couple of tech gadgets that would definitely help my effort next year in becoming fit healthy. Because a healthy body, means a healthy mind! One of these gadgets is the Fit Bit Ultra.

The Fit Bit Ultra is an activity tracker. It will track steps taken, stairs climbed, calories burned, and distance covered. It will even track your sleeping cycle which will help you to determine your sleeping pattern. I am specifically interested in this feature because I wake up every morning feeling as though I hadn't slept at all.

All of your stats are wirelessly uploaded to your free, online fitbit.com account whenever it is within 15 feet of the base station that comes with it. You can also log workouts and meals into your account and sync your stats to popular fitness apps and social communities such as Runkeeper and Daily Mile.

While some people say this is just a glorified version of a pedometer, all of the reviews I've read have been positive and are from people who are actually using it.

Cost is $99.95 with free shipping. For more information www.fitbit.com

The Descendants

2011-11-23T18:47:00.000-10:00

Last night, I attended the opening night of this year's Maui Film Festival's First Light Academy Screenings. The movie that showed, "The Descendants," starring George Clooney was fantastic. Humorous, emotional, and so real. None of that corny feeling that you typically get when you watch a movie that is based in Hawaii. You know what I mean, the kind where the actors try to act as if their local but don't quite pull it off.

I was especially impressed with the acting skills of the young lady who played the eldest daughter, Shailene Woodley. We have such a blended culture here, that she made me think of my niece, Kapua, who is hapa haole.

The Hawaiian music soundtrack and scenery of Kauai and Oahu were an added plus. I appreciated that the homes filmed in the movie did not look staged. Especially the home that belonged to the woman who insisted that the youngest daughter of George's character's come over to apologize for sending her daughter nasty texts. I swear that that was my Aunty's house. Well, not really but that's what it felt like.

My only issue with the movie is that there was a quite a bit of profanity and obscene language. But otherwise, it's a good movie to see, especially if you are from Hawaii.

Anxiously Waiting

2011-10-28T15:20:00.007-10:00

As the days go by and the closer it gets to the end of the semester, the more anxious I get for it to be over so that 2012 can begin! I get so anxious that my hands start to shake just at the thought of it being around the corner!

In 2012, I will have less courses to teach at the college and have more opportunity to focus on something that I have been neglecting for quite some time - ME! This may sound selfish but it truly isn't. Because a better me, means a better person in my household. I have reached a point in my teaching career in which the lines between work and personal life have been blurred. And even when that line becomes clear for just a bit, I see it as an opportunity to become a non-functioning member of the household that is constantly apologizing for being tired and not wanting to do anything.

NotMyOwn

That's right. Step away from the new batteries and let the pink bunny sleep!

Number one on my list of things to do for the new year? Clear my plate so that it is not so full and with a lightened course load, it looks like I am headed in the right direction!

Run Like a Diva

2011-10-25T14:11:00.000-10:00

My sister has asked me to join her in the Run Like a Diva event that will take place on Oahu next year. It took me a minute to decide that, yes, I would like to participate. I mean who wouldn't want to be a part of an event that emphasizes the color PINK and the wearing of tiaras, tutus, and feather boas? Did I mention the fitness boutique and the glass of champagne that awaits you at the finish line?!

Thankfully, this event includes a 5k run/walk which is more my pace. Time to dust off my Nike shoes...or maybe I have an excuse to shop for new ones...hmmm.

www.runlikeadiva.com

52 Weeks

2011-09-13T18:37:00.000-10:00

When I first started this blog, I was inspired by one of those 365 projects in which a photo is posted for each day of the year. As you can see, by the lack of posts, I didn't do too well. So what I will do instead is 52 weeks starting in 2012. Now all I need is a camera since my last camera got waterlogged on a trip this past summer (and it was a waterproof camera, too!)

How Wonderous Your Works Are

2011-06-13T09:47:00.000-10:00

In celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary, my husband and I took the literal plunge and dove from the sky!

I don't know if we will ever do this again but what I can tell you, is that if you love God, this experience will take you to another level of fully appreciating his awesomeness! Sorry, for the slang. I was, after all, hanging with a "dude" that jumps out of planes for a living.

The heavens are declaring the glory of God; And of the work of his hands the expanse is telling.

Psalms 19:1

Deer

2011-01-04T22:18:00.000-10:00

Today I saw a herd of wild axis deer run across the road. There must have been at least 20 of them. I was super excited, and then I almost cried. It's moments like this that make me feel very close to God as I am in awe of his power and creations.

I Love Trees

2010-06-20T09:33:00.000-10:00

I saw this beauty on the Molokini Overlook, at the Wailea Gold & Emerald Course, while attending the Taste of Wailea yesterday.

Run Forest, Run!

2010-06-15T11:25:00.001-10:00

Actually, it should be "Run, Rhonda, Run!." Except I think it's time for me to "throw in the towel" and "hang up my shoes." I am not, and never was meant to be a runner. I always knew this and yet, I still wanted to try. In order to be a runner you need the desire to run on a regular basis. Not to mention the stamina to do it for long distances. Neither of which are qualities I possess. Oh wait, I take that back. I have the DESIRE, I just don't have the drive.

Besides, try telling my 43-year old body that it should ignore the pain and burn it feels each time it hits the pavement. And let's not forget the hot Hawaiian sun (which I actually love as long as I am in the ocean).

Okay, so that's a cop out. I can't blame my body or the environment for my failure.

I did, afterall, manage to participate in two 5k events last year - Maui Tacos and Day of Hope. But this was after spending weeks of conditioning myself. You know that adrenaline you feel when taking on a new sport? The kind that makes you obsessed and want to eat, breathe, and dream about that sport? That was me. But that was then, and this is now.

Or it could just be the fact that I am only now prepping for my next event which takes place in four (4) days. Auwe!

To the Fullest

2010-06-12T11:08:00.005-10:00

Life is full of beauty.

Notice it...

Smell the rain, and feel the wind.

...fight for your dreams.

Summer Bliss

2010-06-11T14:30:00.000-10:00