2009

It started with a knock at the door when we lived in TVA. My friend of twenty years came to surprise me and I was so excited to see her! Not. A couple of years before she, having 4 siblings and parents in Hawaii, asked that I come and pick up her and her husband from the honolulu airport at 6AM so that her family would not have to get up so early. Yeah, I recognize that I agreed to it so no victim or martyr identity here, k?


Anyway, on our way back from the airport, she goes on a rampage. This is not new for her, but a friendship of twenty years can really only exist if we are willing to overlook the unpleasant aspects of each others' person, yes? And that while I overlooked her stuff, she more than willing and very generously ignored mine as well.

So on our way back, she's going off. Again. On Tongans. Again. She had been doing this for years and did she not know that my husband is Tongan? Yes. Yes, she did. And she was entirely supportive, excited, and grateful that Tevita and I got married. She has a blindspot, though.

Now this is one area where I have to stop and make a side note. I think everyone has biases. It's just part of being human. Health issues have been the cause of my weight gain for the past 6 years and Doctors are just figuring out now how to help. But in these years, I have noticed an incredible amount of bias toward me. Seriously. People treat me differently than when I was a skinny, assertive, sarcastic, feminist. Now that I'm a overweigh one, they discount and even ignore all the personality attributes that used to be admirable at worst.

That said, how CUTE is this photo that is totally unrelated to the subject at hand?

I took it at Newseum in D.C this 2009 year when I got two tickets to go to President Obama's Inauguration. I stayed for a week and after the event, I toured the town like the shameless Aloha-shirt wearing visitors I've made fun of for so many years here in Hawaii. This photo reflects the blessings of the Freedom of Press. In the display there were cute demonstrations! Ok, some of them not so cute. (I don't do graphic violent depictions of babies and feel there are more dignified and effective ways of communicating a desire to change a law, pro-life demonstrators. But hey, THIS IS AMERICA!!). This particular image inspired me so I had to take a photo of the photo.

And on another side note, I think President Obama inspired/s us all to stand up for what we believe and I love that this was an issue for these little girls and that they used the first amendment and took a stand!

Oh, and here's another photo unrelated to the topic, but also a hilarious reminder of the highlight of my year.

This guy was in LOVE with Megan, my friend who braved the FREEZING COLD with me. This was on Inauguration Day right in front of the reflection pond at the Capitol. I still laugh when I remember the little soap operas that occur when you've been standing with the same people for over 7 hrs in 14 degree D.C. weather.

This is Megan with Neil, her husband. (And this photo is me showing you how easy it is to pilfer pics from another blog. Had to do it, Megan )
I stayed with these two, last minute. And the reason it was last minute is a horrifying story to be told . . . never. Anyway, I love these two. Seriously, I can't decide who I love more out of this couple! ha! So I'm glad they're together, I don't need to decide.

And since we're on the D.C. subject, here's the capitol.

Don't judge the photo. I was freezing and did my best. Besides, you can see perfectly balanced and symmetrical depictions of the United States Capitol ANYWHERE. It's the flaws that make us appreciate the reality of reality. And also, that make us laugh.

Ok, one more.
Does this not look like a fun congratulatory sign for the President???

It's an advertisement.

FOR PEPSI.

Yeah, everyone was cashing in on the inauguration. Including a former friend who used my ball ticket and never paid me.

Which brings me back to the the issue at hand.

2009 was an unexpected year of "cleansing".

Why had I been hanging on to the same dysfunctional, sometimes even toxic relationships for so long? It took a surprise visit, the inauguration of a President, and a large dose of healthy friendships to help me recognize, work through the letting-go process, and be open to fun new possibilities.

Also, as I did this, my health improved! SERIOUSLY IMPROVED.

So 2009 was a buggah. But I'd say it was worth it. I'm happier, healthier, and have fewer friends (and thus fewer people-pleasing tendencies) than ever!!! Quality, not quantity was the lesson learned.

And of course, my bestest friendship is still in tact!
An old photo but Ti has all our current photos on his computer in his office. I love him more now than the day this one was taken 7 years ago. Plus, Tevita can't stand his smile in this photo but it totally cracks me up! I love it. Completely reminds me of this episode of Friends. The first minute will give you an idea of what Tevita says is his issue! hahaha!



Super fun things happened with Tevita as well. An invitation to Oxford, a coming into his role as a young Bishop, and a new passport! All things I'll get to posting about soon.

In the meantime, hope you all have a very very Happy New Year.

YAY!!

I had been going back and forth since March about getting professional representation. There are 40 or 50 agencies here in Hawaii but only 2 are considered credible. And by credible, I mean they are regulated through various union rules to limit exploitation.

Anyway, the thing about getting an agent is that you basically have to go to an agency, make a case for yourself, and audition. And then you have to hope to get a call back for a second audition or hope for a call saying they will (or won't) represent you. . .

I'm not gonna lie, the thought of going through that process was nerve racking. So much so that I didn't know if I wanted to try and sign with anyone until I felt ready for rejection. (Do you love that defeatist attitude??).

But months and months ago, I had made a goal to get my nerve up by December and then to start inquiring to the 2 agencies.

Well, it's December and my nerve wasn't "up" at all! I wasn't ready. But I decided to go ahead with my goal. I have a couple of friends who recommended one of the two agencies so I emailed that one. This particular agency, by the way, historically represents MODELS.

Now before you fall out of your chair, this agency has been around forever. They are well known and well respected. Recently, about 15 years ago (i think), they started taking "talent" in addition to print and runway models and again, since they are highly respected and one of 2 SAG affiliated companies, I was excited to be able to read for them.

Long story short, I expected to at least get a call back. But instead, I walked in, peed my pants, auditioned, and was handed a contract not minutes after the audition. I signed the contract so it's official as of today! I am represented by Kathy Muller Talent and Modeling Agency!!!

Kind of a big deal for me. And since big deals for me are so few and far between, I wanted to share.

Also, if you are planning to make a multi-million dollar film in the near future, I wanted to make sure you have my new contact info!! ;)

Holiday Escape

There aren't many books lately that I've been enthusiastic to read. I've felt like there's been a dearth of new, interesting, good, wholesome, non-violent, non-graphic reads about smart, strong, compassionate women. And the men who love them and are deserving of their love.

Can you tell I just came off of a Pride and Prejudice marathon?

Tevita was out of town, what else was I suppose to do?

And actually, I didn't have the marathon I wanted to have.

I just watched one movie version of the book. The best version, if I do say so myself. (I heart Colin Firth).

The day after my marathon was fast Sunday, and I bore my testimony about how I married Mr. Darcy.

Yes, my few readers, yes I did. And now if you could help me find a medication that would switch off the part of my brain that makes INCREDIBLY IDIOTIC AND GRANDIOSE STATEMENTS, it would very much be appreciated. THANKS.

Anyway my friend, Jennifer, loaned me this sweet, smart, engaging, funny book :
Like all the good books (and some really really bad ones) in the past that I got my hands on, I read this in a day. It's full of quirky characters that made me laugh and cry. And it's a sweet love story too! I highly recommend.

I'm on to another set of books now and I haven't had time to read them yet. I've been too busy doing this:

And this:
And while I'll politely skip over the fact that rather than shower after pilates, I chose to sit here and take photos of my sweatiness for all the world to see (all 3 of you), I will go ahead and say that things have been a bit topsy turvy lately. (As if those photos didn't just speak those words for me).

I'm way too tired to go into detail right now. Tired and . . . (oh look, my underwear has finally dried, I can go to bed now!). But I will say that some interesting things have happened and that I am learning important lessons. And trying to enjoy the learning. And a good book!