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January 18th, 2007

The Prayer Quilt

I just wanted to say thank you to Nancy Merchon from University Praise. She gave us the most thoughtful gift. A prayer quilt that she made for our many travels. Nancy, Tyrone and I are so grateful for your prayers and the beautiful quilt that wraps around as we take turns sleeping on the road. You and your beautiful heart are a treasure to us.

The Beautiful faces of Home
I know that it has been a long time since I have written here and some of you have actually scolded me for not keeping up with my blogs, so I apologize and I will do my best to catch up with my life.

First of all, I went home for a couple weeks and missed my husband terribly, but it was good for me to be with family and friends and go home every night to the same bed, of course home isn’t truly home for me unless Tyrone is home with me, but nonetheless it was a wonderful time at home for two weeks. I took a break from everything, including blogs!

Here are some wonderful photo memories of some of the people that make me smile when I am at home:

My niece Atalia and I (her cute version of “Twinkle, Twinkle” is featured on my CD)

She is so good a glamour shots:

Friendly Supporters at my show in Rowland Heights ( thanks Mike Devroede for believing and briniging friends out to support me):

Went out to swing some golf clubs:

With my friends Cat and Darren. Darren thanks for the lesson! (I am learning to play golf because Tyrone and I want to play golf on the road. When Tyrone came home we went and played golf 2 day in a row, it was fun. I think I’ll become like Tiger Woods if I get a couple more lessons in)

Saw my nephew Caelum run hard in soccer:

Hung out with a favorite friend of mine Tamila (also my sister in law) here with her beautiful daughter Chantal who is a great soccer player too.

Caught up with old friends like Rosalinda:

And my ladies group (Gina, Marisa and Leslie):

My old high school buddy Nani Brown came out to see me at one of my shows in Riverside. Thank you so much Nani it was good to see you.

Jolynn and Heather are sweet ladies to hang out with (wives of members of Tyrone’s band Skypark):

Well that was a brief album of my time at home and now I am back on the road. In my future blogs I’ll be sure to write about NYC and Toronto etc.

New York City

Let me talk about one of my favorite cities in the entire world, New York City-Manhattan. Not that I have seen every city in the world, but I have seen quite a few of the popular ones to know that New York City is still at the top of my list. It is hard to explain all that it means to me, but I’ll try.

New York has a vibe that I like. Everyone is going somewhere, everyone is doing something. Above you everywhere you turn is a high rise where more people are stacked up on each other doing more things. Creating new businesses, dreaming, having dinner with friends that have come from all over the world to live in a city that they believe will inspire them to accomplish their dreams.

New York is where I came for the first time when I was traveling with my theatre group from Castle High School (we had been invited to open the entire International Thespian Festival with our musical- that is a huge honor) And on our trip we stopped in New York City to take in a bunch of Broadway plays and be inspired by the performers ahead of us.

New York is also where I returned with my Polynesian performance group and we danced Hula, Tahitian and entertained huge Italian families that like to throw huge parties. Then I stayed a while longer and conquered the city by myself (which makes you feel great when you figure out the subway line and where you are going all by yourself ) I also went to Union Square and busked (played my guitar and sang for tips) and made about $1 a minute.

New York is where I brought my then boyfriend Tyrone Wells, just to share with him what I loved about this city and we ended up writing our song “Dream Like New York” in Central Park.

New York is where Tyrone brought me back to propose to me!

New York is where they are now playing our song “Dream Like New York” at every Knicks game and for the commercials of “The Greatest 50 Moments of Madison Square Garden”.

New York is where my husband’s record label is on Broadway. (funny that our song says “Dream Like New York, Run on down Broadway”

New York City will always hold a special place in our hearts and so I want to share it with you through my pictures and memories of our last trip.

This trip we asked our brother in-law and sis Kevin and Tamila Zahrndt, to join us on tour so we could share with them our love for this special city. I think that they felt the magic. They also experienced how friendly New Yorkers can be when you are in their way or taking up their time. (some locals are tough on the outside, but I believe they are cuddly teddy bears on the inside you just have to warm them up from the cold)

My brother in-law Kevin always comes up with great picture opportunities:

At Battery Park we got a cartoon portrait done of us:

The artist made Tyrone and I look like Hispanic siblings!

I think Tamila and Kevin got a portrait that resembles them more:

This is the amazing view we had from our hotel suite:

We were in lower Manhattan, just a couple blocks away from Ground Zero. On Sunday we went to St. Paul’s Church (The church that survived the 9/11 attacks with no damage, even though it was right across the street from The World Trade Towers. This church served as an aid and refuge for many. It is also the church that our 1st President George Washington would come to worship when he was in town. His pew is still standing.

We took Kevin and Tamila to the restaurant we got engaged in, Inagiku in The Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Tyrone had reserved for me a private Japanese Tea room, so we reserved one again.

This the room where we got engaged. Some of the staff there still remember us.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel is a very famous and historic hotel. John Jacob Astor and Henry(?) Waldorf (some of the richest men in the country at the time) wanted to build the world’s largest and classiest hotel, and it was, at the time. The Waldorf is the hotel that invented “Room Service” and set the new standards for hotel customer service. The Waldorf is also where Frank Sinatra and Diana Ross got their start performing in the lounge there. President Eisenhower lived in The Waldorf from time to time and has his own suite there.

Our sweet friend Judy Kao always visits with us and takes us around when we come to town. Judy is a social worker in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. I am so proud of her. She has an amazing heart and is a great friend.

This a view famous for many movie scenes. Right under The Brooklyn Bridge.

Gramaldi’s is famous for their New York Thin Crust Pizza with all fresh ingredients. We like to go here every time we are back. There is always a line out the door. Gramaldi’s is located in Brooklyn right under the famous old bridge.

Can you see the silhouette of Lady Liberty?

For a free and amazingly beautiful experience, take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk:

Me and my best friend

I am so happy that one of my closest friends has become my sister:

The subway experience is a must, you can get everywhere. (Judy’s sweet friend Miranda joined us for the day too):

Poor things, we have been rushing them all over the city:

If you ever get to, go to the cocktail bar at The Mandarin Oriental and you’ll get a great view of Central Park. The Beautiful fall colors brodered by really expensive condominiums.

Wide open streets for the NY marathon. We watched and cheered many of the runners on and got teary eyed and inspired about how we would someday try to run a marathon…wishful thinking. We can’t even get up in the morning to take a walk when we plan to!

This is the pond in Central Park that we were looking at when we wrote our song “Dream Like New York”

This is where we sat and wrote the song. This is also where Tyrone originally took me to propose to me, but it was winter and the grass was dead and the area was fenced off. So it was not the romantic scene he imagined, so he said “I just wanted to bring you back here because it’s special place for us, okay we can go now!”
Later he proposed to me at The Waldorf Astoria, which was much more intimate. You did a great job sweetheart.

Serendipity’s Famous Frozen Hot Chocolate (Have you seen the movie “Serendipity” filmed at this restaurant? It has great New York Scenes, they even stay at The Waldorf in the film) This was our last day with Kevin and Tamila.

We saw a great musical called Avenue Q. It pushes the boundaries, but you find yourself laughing the whole way through. It’s like Sesame Street for adults. Puppets can still teach you life’s greatest lessons. The cast is only about 10 people, but they are so talented and their energy overflows.

I got to go with Tyrone to see him showcase his songs for VH1. He did a wonderful job as usual:

This is a reality for life on the road. Organizing our luggage on the streets of Manhattan.

Judy and I had a sweet day together. Enjoying fondue and skaters at Bryant Park. You can ice skate for free!

Did I tell you that we are seriously thinking about adding a dog to our travel family ? We would someday love a big dog (Rodeisian Ridgeback maybe) but it’s not possible for traveling. So a cute dog like this will do:

This is Friday in her winter outfit:

With our cousins Charles and Socheata (and their dog or their girl Friday) who live in New York City. Charles and Socheata host us every time we come out. They are independent filmmakers who are now promoting an amazing documentary about Socheata’s family in Cambodia. Soch’s family experienced the devastation of the Khmer Rouge and the film is about love, joy and pardon. Keep your eyes open for ‘New Year Baby”, you’ll like it, guaranteed!

There is much to see in New York City. I still have not seen it all. I guess we’ll just have to keep going back.
What is your favorite city and why? What makes this city special to your story? I would love to hear your input, there are always more cities to recognize and visit.

Toronto

At the end of our East Coast run we headed up to hang out in Toronto, Canada.

One of our favorite things to do together on the road when it is Mark’s turn to drive is watch episodes of “24″. Mark’s friend Sasha who joined us for this leg took this picture of us, probably finding it amusing that we were so enthralled and I of course will make faces and talk to the TV screen as the suspense builds.

The last time, I was in Canada I remember that I was with my family crossing over the the border and I was in the back seat sick and throwing up ( I was about 11 year old). All I saw in Vancouver was a hotel room, the toilet and my brother, sister and Dad talking about all of the places that they went.
(My mom sacrificed her time and stayed with me in the hotel room, thank you so much Mom). I do remember feeling better and being able to enjoy the sights of Victoria.

Canada is a beautiful country and the people are very friendly. I kept forgetting I was in another country because my surroundings did not feel foreign in any way. In Toronto it was cold and overcast but we still managed to get around the city and have a great time.

Mark and Sasha. Sasha came out to give Mark a break from the newlyweds. Sasha is such a cool and easygoing guy:

On the top of the Siene Tower, the tallest free standing structure in the world. They have a glass floor that you can walk over and it feels like you could fall:

After Toronto, I left the tour to go and hang out with my dear friend and sister in-law Kerinda and her beautiful daughter Channing in Jacksonville, Florida. Marty, her husband is the East Coast scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kerinda is pregnant and is presently on bedrest for the next 2 months. I went down to help her out because it was her drama clubs’ dress rehearsal and big show week. She needed my support and extra hands and feet. It was a wonderful time to join them in their daily lives. I’m so happy I went.

Kerinda and I:

Adorable Princess Channing:

Channing and I had fun dancing to a Cinderella dance video together:

Kerinda with her energetic and lovable drama group on the set of their show:

I am so proud of you Kerinda, your students did a wonderful job and you can tell that they have built wonderful memories of you and their time in the drama club.
Back on the road (Memphis, Tennesee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Denver, Colorado):

The Waffle House (Tyrone peer pressured Mark and I to eat here. Mark and I are the two out of three who try to eat healthy)Only in the south are these as frequently seen as Starbucks:

Someone told us “you gotta have BBQ in Memphis!” (my husband is being naughty!):

Men with meat (Fill me in: Is pointing at the camera the “cool” thing to do?):

New Friends at our show in Memphis:

From Memphis to Arkansas

Here comes the snow (this is us packing up from the show in the freezing cold)I’m an island girl, so I freak out if the weather dips below 70 degrees. I’m pretending that this is fun:

In Arkansas, I bought a Bill Clinton magnet ( we are trying to collect a magnet to put on our fridge everywhere we go). But my main souvenir from Arkansas was a big bruise on my hip.

It starts like this, when I see Christmas lights, I get all giddy like a little kid and right next to our hotel in Arkansas, there was this town square that was full of lights that stay on all night with Christmas music playing. So I told Tyrone that after the show we have to return there. He promised that we would. So then we get done with the show, and we go back to the hotel and I am so excited about walking through the lights with my husband that I am not even thinking. Right then, I take the meanest slip and fall I have ever taken. I rushed into the revolving door on slippery tile and I just ate it. I was face down with my guitar on top of me. Tyrone was terribly concerned and so was the hotel (hmm..lawsuit?). I got a huge bruise on my hip and a slight sprain in my finger. But the first thing I said to Tyrone after my fall was, “Can we still go to see the Christmas lights?” and he just laughed and said “You are always so determined.”

You’ve gotta have a little bit of Christmas on the road:

Walking in a winter wonderland (Mark opted out from joining us. He didn’t want to hang out with a couple that was singing and frolicking in the snow):

We have seen a lot of beautiful sunsets on the road:

Boys are so lucky they can just make it happen anywhere.Sometimes I envy them. Yuck! The steam is rising!

rise and shine, and MORE SNOW!!!!

Warm and cozy with our hand made prayer quilt from Nancy.

We took a break to see our USC Trojans dominate Mark’s UCLA Bruins, but it started to not be so much fun when Marky Boy was cheering more than us:

We met Marks wonderful cousins Stacy and Eddie from Colorado Springs.

It was so great to meet you both! Stacy, you remind me so much of your mom Marlene! You two are so cute and huggable!

What is your favorite thing about Christmas? What makes you giddy like a kid? (post it here)

Seattle Seahawks
seahawks vs. broncos

cold

denver form our room

our friend Andy

Photos:My New Son’s First Blog

Hi everybody! MY name is Pono it’s Hawaiian for “righteousness” or “goodness”. Mommy and Daddy think that I’m pretty righteous and good!

I am now 12 weeks old and I just want to show you a little bit of my life with Mommy and Daddy so far.

This is the box I got taken home in:

This is me on the scale at my first Vet Check up. I way a hefty 2.5 pounds!

When mommy and daddy came to pick me up they found out that the song that they wrote “Dream Like New York” was requested to be sung by daddy for the Inauguration of the new Attorney General of NEw York. He spoke of his dreams for the New York and then Daddy sang “Dream Like NEw York” at the MET just steps away form where mommy and daddy wrote the song and got engaged!

so they brought me to New York with them. they bought me a coat and I stayed at the pet friendly Le Parker Meridian Hotel. All the hotel employees wanted to hold me and their voice would get all squeaky when they talked to me. They called me the hotel mascot.

Me at Rockefeller Center with the skaters and the big tree!

Oh and mommy and daddy came too:

I explored the city next to Daddy’s warm chest. We went to The American Kennel Store and mommy and daddy got me chew toys. My favorite one to chew on is a stinky tendon bone that makes both of them gag.

This is me with Mr. Wolfie in my travel bag. I fit right under mommy’s feet and the buzzing of the plane puts me right to sleep.

I am getting better at potty pads and I know how to “sit” and “stay” too!

Hope to meet you on the road soon!

love,
Pono

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