Ringing in 2010

In just a few hours, it'll officially be the year 2010. Can you believe it? It's no lie that the older you are, the faster time seems to fly. I remember thinking my summer breaks were ions and school would never come. Now, entire years are flashing right before my eyes.

I don't usually make resolutions for the new year. Why willingly create a situation where I'll disappoint myself? LOL If anything, I'll try to get back on track with my Bucket List. I've let it slip these past few months as life just seemed to overwhelm me. I'll work harder at achieving some of these goals.

Anyone make any resolutions for 2010? Be creative. We all know we could all stand to lose a few pounds or eat healthier. What about something off-the-wall? Climb Mount Everest? Surf a gigantic wavce? Eat Rocky Mountain oysters?

Bucket List - Week 28 Update

Yup, I admit I've been slacking on this Bucket List. Here's my update:

Bucket List #1
Hopefully no news means good news.

Bucket List #26
I just might do this (but in a negative way). It will probably invovle a world of hurt for someone else. See the latest post about the new girl.

Bucket List #32
Found two pennies bringing me $999.83 closer to my goal. LOL!

Bucket List #55
I have no idea how many books I need to read to catch up on this one, but I've just had no time. The whole tutoring and volunteering thing is consuming my life. I'm even falling behind on my movie blog. It's a tough life I lead. Haha! I'll get back on this at some point.

Bucket List #59
I'll try this in Japan, should I be fortunate enough to go there via JET.

Bucket List #89
Tried this during of my tutoring classes. It's hard. I'll need to practice a lot.

Bucket List - Week 24 Update

I've been so preoccupied about the Visian surgery that I failed to post some updates on my Bucket List. Here's a real quickie.

Bucket List #10
A friend invited me to go shark diving with her out of Haleiwa. While those sharks aren't great whites, I'm sure it'll be just as fun. I need to wait for my eyes to heal up a bit before exposing them to the underwater pressure of going diving. Oh, and the diving will be within a cage so it shouldn't be too bad.

Bucket List #16
I can officially cross this one off as I'm actually volunteering at two places. The first one is Hawaii Literacy. The second one, which I still need to post my thoughts about, is Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

Bucket List #55
I'm WAY behind on this one. I think I still need to read a book for August and September. I blame it on the eye surgeries. LOL

Bucket List - Week 21 Update

Don't think I've made much progress on my Bucket List, but I guess an update is needed.

Bucket List #1
A work in progress

Bucket List #2-5
This might be on hold as I contemplate going to Japan for a year instead.

Bucket List #6
Maybe I should do this just to see what she says?

Bucket List #16
Contacted Hawaii Literacy and am signed up for their orientation on Sept. 13. Should be interesting.

Bucket List #32
Times must be tough as I haven't found any loose change on the ground in forever.

Bucket List #55
I am totally behind on this one. I need to read one for August and one for September. I couldn't get through Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur after all.

Bucket List #67
Going to the driving range again this weekend to practice. Hopefully I don't walk away all sore since it's been a few weeks since my last stint at the range.

Bucket List #70
Machine is still sitting in the box. I gotta clean up my house. Ugh!

Bucket List #93
Surprisingly (or not), my sister mentioned to me on Sunday that she wants to go skydiving. I told her I was in when and if she went.

Bucket List - Week 20 Update

Don't think I've made much progress on my Bucket List, but I guess an update is needed.

Bucket List #1
Still working on this one. I haven't heard from my publisher in a while. I also haven't heard anything on the new submission I sent out. It's just a wait-and-see game right now.

Bucket List #2-5
Still haven't decided where we're going for our European jaunt in 2010. It'll probably be one of these places.

Bucket List #10
We're also considering Australia for 2010 so this might be a reality sooner than I thought. If not, a friend of mine actually won a chance to go cage diving with sharks out on the North Shore. No great whites, but I'm sure it's almost the same.

Bucket List #16
I think I found an interesting non-profit group at which I might want to volunteer. I need to check their website again and contact them for details. The group is Hawaii Literacy and they have an orientation coming up that I'm going to try to attend. Gotta double check the schedule because I'm getting my Visian ICL surgery done in September.

Bucket List #39
After the Visian, hopefully I'll be able to see like a child again. Darn these bad genes.

Bucket List #55
Right now I'm a few chapters into a book called Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur. So far, it's a little on the dry side. I'm hoping it picks up soon. Otherwise, I'm going to look for another book for August. At this rate, I might just need to do two for September.

Bucket List #67
I've been to the driving range two weekends in a row and seemed to be getting better. However work and illness got in the way two weekends in a row too. Now my dad's in Reno golfing with his buds so that'll take away another weekend. I'll eventually get back to it.

Bucket List #70
I've got the sewing machine still in the box it came in. I gotta clean up around here so I can have a nice little area where I can get down to business. How exactly do you sew? You got me.

Bucket List #72
Yes, I'm working on it.

Bucket List - Week 19 Update

Again, been too busy to work on my Bucket List. This is now day 10 of 12 days of working. I can almost see the end of the tunnel and am just trying to hang on by my nails.

Bucket List - Week 18 Update

I've been too busy at work to do anything on my Bucket List. Work has become an immense strain on my relatively peaceful existence. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do about it though. Taking it one day at a time is the only thing I got at this point.

Bucket List - Week 17 Update

I've got a several updates to my Bucket List.

Bucket List #16
After checking out a couple websites and considering what my future goals are, I think Hawaii Literacy might be the best fit for me. I still need to really look into their website and see the different programs they have, but I think I'd like to do some tutoring. They seem to have an extensive adult tutoring program where they train you. That seems pretty cool. Hopefully, this experience will help me decide whether or not I should seriously consider teaching English overseas.

Bucket List #55
I finished reading I Will Teach You To Be Rich and am so surprised at all that I learned from it. That's not because of any genius I have but moreso the genius of the author Ramit Sethi.

Bucket List #67
Went to the driving range this past Saturday and had a good time. Every part of my body hurt, but that's part of the learning curve since I'm totally out of shape. I plan to do it again this weekend.

Bucket List #70
Still haven't done anything with the sewing machine. I've gotta clean out an area of my apartment and set it up. I don't really have an area so it might be a problem.

Bucket List #87
Decided that I can't do the line dancing class. It conflicts with my corrective eye surgery. I really want to do it though so I'm planning to look for other classes or maybe just check out the next time it open up. Stay tuned for some "yeehaw" and "y'all."

Bucket List - Week 16 Update

I've got a several updates to my Bucket List.

Bucket List #1
Yesterday I sent out my manuscript to three local publishers. I got a reply from one of them saying they received it and it'll take 4-6 weeks for a "yay" or "nay" reply. Guess that's a start.

Bucket List #16
Checked out Volunteer Hawaii as one reader suggested and thought it was really helpful. I didn't really see anything that fit me, but I'll have to take another look this weekend.

Bucket List #32
Found a penny in the parking lot at work so this brings my total down to $999.85. Boy, this one's gonna be here a while.

Bucket List #41
Just watched Bill Maher's Religulous and don't think this will happen any time soon . . . well, at least if anything religious is invovled.

Bucket List #55
Still reading I Will Teach You To Be Rich. There's a bunch of interesting info in this book and it's easy to understand. I suppose all of it is written to help you get rich, but it's basically filled with great personal finance tips (some more common sense than anything else) that twenty-somethings should know. More on it next week.

Bucket List #67
As a recap, my KCC golf class got canceled. Apparently the building doesn't have electricity. What does electricity have to do with golfing? Good question. I'm not sure if I'll be registering for the fall classes. I was thinking I might just go to the driving range with my dad once a week. It might be faster that way.

Bucket List #70
Another recap, I picked up a electric sewing machine from Costco. I just have to figure it. My co-worker keeps saying it's really easy, but she's been sewing since before she was 5 years old. I'll try to figure everything out this weekend.

Bucket List #80
Again, I'm very skeptical now that I've watched Religulous. I wasn't a religious person to begin with so the movie seems to have only confirmed my suspicions.

Bucket List #87
Found some line dancing classes that start in the fall. I know they're not ballroom classes, but it's definitely a start. I convinced my friend Elle to come with me. I'm kinda excited. Don't count on me wearing cowboy boots and a hat though.

Bucket List #96
Elle mentioned taking a holiday to a cowboy ranch one day. Might be able to fit this item into that trip. What'dya think?

Bucket List - Week 15 Update

I've got a several updates to my Bucket List.

Bucket List #1
Since it seems very likely that my second manuscript submission has been lost by my publisher, I have decided to take the time to review and revise it. After this process, I'll send it out to other local publishers. I say screw exclusive rights at this point. My publishers have had it for about a year and a half or so and haven't had the decency to even get it reviewed or turn it down completely. It basically hasn't even been acknowledged.

Bucket List #16
This is still a pretty sticky issue at work. It's got a lot to do with all that bullshit office politics. I've decided just to go out and do something on my own. I'm planning to look into volunteer opportunities in town and see which one I like the most.

Bucket List #26
I wish I could just change my manager or at least his personality. However, this doesn't seem likely. I think the only option if I stay here is one of us going crazy. It's more likely me than him because the guy can be so obtuse at times. Still, it isn't exactly a great time to be job hunting, now is it?

Bucket List #32
I found six cents in the washing machine the other day. I hate doing laundry so I try not to hold out as long as possible before I do it. Usually I end up doing 4+ loads at a time. Anyway, this brings my total down to $999.86.

Bucket List #55
I'm working I Will Teach you to be Rich by Ramit Sethi for July. I came across his blog several months back and try to read it when I can. He has interesting tips for people trying to make a little and save a little. He also makes everything seem so damn easy.

Bucket List #67
I'll finally be on my way to achieving this. My golf lessons got pushed back two weeks so my first lesson is on Sunday. I'll letcha know how it goes. Hopefully I won't get blisters on my hands. Also, I was supposed to use my sister's old set but she couldn't find it. My dad let me borrow his 8 iron, which is the only club required for this class. However, my sister just gave me a call and found the clubs. Hallelujah! I'm going to pick them up on Saturday.

Bucket List #70
Still looking for a cheap sewing machine that's easy to use. I'm not in a huge rush though. I'll probably wait till Christmas for some sales.

Bucket List #81
This is getting to be almost impossible at work. There's pretty much no hope that I start working on this one in the context of the four walls in my office.

Bucket List #85
Yeah, like I ever really started this one. But I think about it often LOL Maybe after I get this golf lesson thing going, I can count going to the driving range as exercise?

Bucket List #87
Haven't heard any news from my friend who wanted to do the ballroom dancing lessons. It's probably not happening. I suppose I can wait another 30+ years before I do this. At least then I'll have a chance of being in the right demographic.

Bucket List #90
Again, while I'd very much like to do this at work, it's pretty well impossible.

Bucket List - Week 14 Update

This week's been hectic as hell and I don't have much to report on my Bucket List.

Bucket List #67
On Friday the KCC people left me a voicemail saying my golf lessons were being postponed. They didn't explain why. Wonder what happened? At least it's not completely canceled. That'd would be a bummer. So instead of starting this past Sunday, I start in two weeks. That's if I can survive this weekend. Work's just about to kill me. Why would anyone plan three events in four days? Like S&M much? Not me.

Bucket List - Week 13 Update

This week I didn't have anything to do with my Bucket List so no update needed. What with the July Fourth holiday and all, I just didn't really bother with it. Plus, work is gearing up to be something awful, and it'll last till mid-August. Sucks for me huh?

Golf Updates on Imua Golf

As part of my efforts to fulfill #67 (Hit a hole in one) on my Bucket List, I've created an account at a local golf website called Imua Golf. It seems like a nice little community of people all about golf. I figure this'll help me stay focused when my hands hurt from holding the club and when my back aches from all that twisting.

I decided I'll keep a little journal going on their website to chronicle my experiences - the good, bad, frustrating and confusing. It might be therapeutic to vent about that little white monster that I can't seem to hit straight, right?

Anyway, here's my first post called Visions of a Hole in One for your enjoyment. It's just me introducing myself to their community. I'll continue to update my trials and tribulations here at Paradise Revealed in a general sense, but I'll be more detailed and get into more golf-related stuff at Imua Golf. Don't want to bore you too much with all the hacking and slicing that'll probably go on, especially in the beginning.

Bucket List - Week 12 Update

This week wasn't any better than last week. I realize that I should probably keep this Bucket List on my to-do list as a top priority, but as usual, life just seems to gets in the way.

Bucket List #1

Haven't heard back on the second manuscript I submitted to my publisher. At this rate, they probably lost the submission. I did submit it over a year ago, and God only knows how many people they've gone through since then. I wonder if I should submit it elsewhere? I gave them their chance at an exclusive, right? It may as well sit on a couple other desks awhile.

Bucket List #55
Guess it's that time of month again when I need to find a book. I haven't forgotten the suggestion to read Mililani Mauka, but I just haven't had time to pick up a copy. I dunno though . . . I grew up in the area. I might not want to read it because it hits too close to home . . . . LOL

For fun, I recently read The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide by J.R. Ward. I'm just completely obsessed with the series. There's just something deliciously good about crossing danger and seduction. Anyway, it surprisingly had a lot of good tips as far as writing and getting published goes. However, she mostly credits her success to the Brothers (as if they're real people who tell her what to write and how to write it). Wouldn't it be nice to have a muse like that?

Bucket List - Week 11 Update

This week was pretty much a bust. Been too busy at work to concentrate much on this Bucket List.

Bucket List #32

Found a penny at my building's laundromat. Only $999.92 to go.

Bucket List #93
Remember my post a couple days ago about Bush sky diving? I was wrong. Sky diving is on my list. Damn it. If he can do it, so can I.

Bucket List - Week 10 Update

Here's this week's update of my Bucket List.

Bucket List #1
Just got a call from my publisher this afternoon and am walking the line between being relieved and falling into depression. The good news is that they're finally proceeding with my book (relieved). It's only taken them a whole two and a half years to do so. The bad news is that it's not coming out till Fall 2010 (depressed). WTF?!?! Seriously, they took so long that they now need to send me a new contract because the first one we did has expired. I think there's a time limit between when you sign and when the book actually comes out. They're probably way past it at this point. So again, it's back to waiting.

Bucket List #2-5
I've seriously been looking into some kind of break from reality that includes a round-the-world adventure so I could possibly do all these things at once. I've found several blogs and websites on long-term travel and they're calling my name. If I could figure out how to sustain myself financially, I'd quit working in a second to be a vagabond and travel the world. Still trying to wrap my head around this concept though.

Bucket List #11
Technically, if I get either Lasik or Visian ICL done I could complete this task. Of course, it's not exactly what I had in mind as far as the type of danger. Still, something zapping or being inserted into your eye is inherently dangerous, right?

Bucket List #16
Going hand in hand with the full-time traveling fantasy is wanting to make some sort of contribution to society. I've been looking into the Peace Corps but that'll just keep me in one place for two years. Sort of hampers the globetrotter fantasy a bit. I've also been looking into teaching overseas and what all that really means. The restrictions don't seem too bad. All you need is to get certified (ie. plop down a couple Gs and get a piece of paper, I suppose). I'll keep mulling this one over.

Bucket List #67
There's a slight hiccup in this golf lesson idea. I need to get me an 8 iron for the lessons. I was originally going to borrow my sister's old set of clubs, but apparently they're somewhere in K-Bay. God only knows who has them and what they've done to them.

I'm Free Fallin'

Ok, I know it's not on my Bucket List, but I always wanted to go skydiving. It just seems exhilarating and fun (if you manage not to pee in your pants on the way down and your chute doesn't fail).

But seriously, if this guy can do it so can I.

Bucket List - Week 9 Update

Here's this week's update of my Bucket List.

Bucket List #16
I don't know where this community service-via-work thing is going. My gut tells me they're canning the entire program. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if they did. So, because I'm already anticipating receiving the pink slip for Lanakila, I've been looking at things I can do as an individual. After reading this month's book (#55 below), I got to thinking about really traveling the world for months at a time. It seems a lot more educational and life altering than a quick two-week jaunt over to Europe. Today I began researching organizations that teach English overseas and what it takes to get certified. I also looked at (again) possibly going to grad school and the requirements for an TESL degree. Still, I think it'd be a waste since I'm not fully committed to one thing or another. I could just as easily go back and get a Master's in English (which I believe I would thoroughly enjoy but have no clue how I would apply practically once I got it). I plan to look into the teaching abroad route, which seems like it takes less to get certified and provides the most impactful change. I also went back to looking at the Peace Corps again. I'd definitely be able to make a difference anywhere they'd place me. However, the committment is a full two years abroad. Can you really stop your life for two years and then come back and start up where you left off?

Bucket List #18
Haven't looked into pilot lessons recently. I think I was scared away by the cost of it all.

Bucket List #50
Um, this isn't happening any time soon. At least I can admit that I think I'm an addict. Admitting I have a problem is the first step or so I hear.

Bucket List #55
I know I said I was going to try out Chris McKinney's Mililani Mauka for June's book, but I picked up The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris and am full trippin'. His theories are simply mind blowing and mind blowingly simple at the same time. Through the book and support on the website, Ferris reveals a step-by-step plan where you can actual work less hours but make more money. "Charlatan!" you say. No, you've got to read it to believe it. He instructs you on how to outsource your life so that you can take mini-retirements (blocks of months at a time doing what you wish, where you wish, when you wish). I know, the idea is completely foreign and shocking to you too, right? But wouldn't it be awesome if you were somehow able to do it? Of course, translating those theories into your reality is the tough, scary part. But, I do believe it can be done if you're brave enough to throw away years of society's conditioning. I don't think I'm there yet, but the ideas and possibilities that this book sparked in my mind are almost as good.

Bucket List #67
Ok, I actually signed up for the golf class. Apparently there's five of us in the class and the minimum to keep the class open is five. So if no one ditches, the show will go on. One weird thing is that the instructor is requiring that we all bring a video tape - you know those things from the '80s? I called the dude up to ask if we really needed one. I mean, who even has a VHS player these days? I surely do not.

Bucket List #78
Update on the freshwater fishing. I think it's a no go. We were supposed to go fishing for catfish and whatever else is up at the Nuuanu Resevoir, but I found out that you had to use this God-awful smelling bait - fermented raw seafood like aku belly and tako legs. Ew, I don't think so. Shrimp I can handle. Baiting the hook and taking the fish off I can handle. Touching days-old rotting fish? PASS!

Bucket List - Week 8 Update

Here's this week's update of my Bucket List.

Bucket List #55
Not sure what June's book'll be. Any suggestions?

Bucket List #67
I just got some info about a class at KCC for beginning golf. I'm thinking of signing up because in order to cross this off my list, I'll need to actually learn how to play, right? It's one day a week for six weeks, and I think the class is about two hours. I have basic knowledge of golf (as in my dad tried to teach my 7th-grade self how to hit but my 7th-grade self just wasn't having it). Hopefully, I'll be able to build on this general knowledge and actually learn to do it right. Also, I'm banking on the fact that I'm older and wiser and have more patience now. Not sure how true that is though. So as not to make a terribly huge investment into this, I'm borrowing my sister's clubs. Wish me luck.

Bucket List #72
I actually cleared out a ton of old clothes, bagged it up and shoved it into my closet. I'm not crossing this off my list though. I technically still have the stuff so I'm not officially decluttered. The reason I'm holding these bags of clothes is because I may want to get into them again. If I don't do so in the next six months, I'll probably donate them. Also, maybe in the next six months I'll actually do #85 and be able to fit into some of it again. (Completely wishful thinking, I know.)

Bucket List #78
Not quite deep-sea fishing, but I thought I'd mention that I'm probably going freshwater fishing sometime this summer. Stay tuned for that adventure.

Bucket List #90
Yeah, I haven't even tried working this one out yet. I don't think I could possibly even start on this unless I switched jobs and miraculously found an ideal workplace.

Bucket List - Week 7 Update

Yes, I realize I'm a few days late but I just lost track of time this week. Somehow it was Memorial Day and then next thing I know it's Friday. What the?!? It doesn't help that I'm sooo disenchanted with work right now. But that's for another blog. As usual, here's my Bucket List update.

Bucket List #1
I haven't followed up on the manuscript I submitted two years ago (but at least I have a signed contract so that means it'll get published someday). I guess I should shoot over an email and see what's the haps.

Bucket List #2
Astonishingly, this is actually a possibility now that my friends and I have settled on Italy for our great, big Euro adventure in 2010. Now I'm reading up on travel tips, budget saving secrets and all that good stuff like a madwoman. Anyone ever try couchsurfing before?

Bucket List #6
My friend Elle actually did this at May's First Friday and it was actually a bit freaky. Maybe I should try it?

Bucket List #16
Remember how I was waiting to see what happened with my work's community service project? Well, that's what's got me so freakin' frustrated today. It's like we were on a river headed toward a mighty waterfall but ran into Hoover Dam. WTF?!?! Bureaucracy sucks. I really hate corporate life. I dream of one day walking out on in completely and hitting the dirt trails of Europe's backroads.

Bucket List #32
I found a nickel last weekend in the parking lot of the Ewa Zippy's. Now I'm only $999.93 away from my donation.

Bucket List #87
My friend Elle told me that the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association offers dance classes at a really decent rate. I'll have to look into it a bit more, but maybe soon you'll meet the new Ginger Rogers (only brunette and Asian)?