Go figure that I decided to watch the trailer for “Inception” last Sunday and just as the trailer ends, the house starts shaking. Needless to say, I was a little freaked out. Then again, there was also my aunty whose first thought was, “What’s uncle doing to the house?”

Anyway, after my sister and some friends kept raving about “Inception,” I just had to see it. It was a very well-developed story and it definitely forced me to think. It’s one of those movies that require the viewer to really pay attention.

I liked the movie, but I definitely wasn’t prepared to think so much when my brain is constantly fried by school. I should also add that I saw the movie right after my Saturday morning accounting class. Yes, you read that right — I have a class on Saturday mornings this quarter. And yes, it’s not very much fun.

But if you’re the type who enjoys movies that keep your mind moving, “Inception” might be a good pick for the end of summer.

It doesn’t get much better than living within 15-minutes walking distance from Manoa Marketplace. I’ve been visiting Red Ginger almost every weekend on the second floor. I usually get a chicken salad wrap and a strawberry banana smoothie. Sounds pretty yummy, right?

Recently, I tried the PB and banana toast, which has that simple taste of goodness that I sometimes miss. It brought back fun memories of my friend Sheryl making PB and banana sandwiches during our elementary school days.

I’ve also become a fan of the Red Ginger Pick Me Upper! It’s a blended drink with Ka’u coffee, frozen hot chocolate, organic peanut butter, banana and organic soymilk. I highly recommend it.

Red Ginger owners Mel and Suzette are so warm and welcoming every time I visit. They care about our islands’ sustainability, which they show by using eco-friendly products, and supporting a variety of causes. Red Ginger is also LEAF certified.

PB and banana toast ($4.25).

Red Ginger Pick Me Upper! ($4.50).

Red Ginger Café and Gift Shop
Manoa Marketplace, 2nd Floor
2752 Woodlawn Dr. #5-213
988-0588
www.redgingercafemanoa.com

Making the grade was always important to me. After a while, it became so critical for me to get an A in every class. My parents always told me that the grade didn’t matter as long as I tried my best. But I started to believe that if I didn’t get an A, I didn’t try my best.

And now, as important as grades still are, I’m beginning to find that it’s often the journey taken, the lessons learned and the connections made that measure success. School has been much more about the process than the product. If I gained knowledge, made a new friend or did something beneficial, I consider that I was successful at something.

When a group of us in the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program created Furlough Friday workshops for Hawaii’s youth, we didn’t make any money and we didn’t get a considerable amount of recognition. However, our efforts gave students an opportunity to experience things they normally wouldn’t have. We also gained support from various individuals, businesses, organizations, schools and programs. But our biggest measurement of success came from knowing that we made a difference.

How do you measure success in life? At home? At work? At school?

I went to Maui in March and went to the Kahului and Lahaina locations. The one in Kahului was better by far because of the ambiance and larger menu selection. I loved the food, but didn’t know about the fried spam musubi (yes, there really is such a thing), so I was excited when a location opened in Honolulu on Isenberg Street last month.

You might recognize the spam musubi from Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel. Host Andrew Zimmerman refused to eat it because he doesn’t like spam. I never saw the episode, but I wouldn’t have turned it down.

The fried spam musubi is a definite winner and you can’t go wrong with the price you pay and the portion you get for the chicken katsu.

Fried spam musubi ($4.50).

Chicken katsu ($8.99).

Da Kitchen
925 Isenberg St.
Honolulu, HI 96826
957-0099
www.da-kitchen.com

Now that I have my boyfriend as a travel companion, I’m much more eager to take trips. We went to Maui in March and to Kauai last month. I enjoy exploring what the other islands have to offer, especially because I get away from the busy city life and recharge my batteries.

One of my favorite spots on Kauai was the Spouting Horn in Poipu.

But now that the break is over, he and I are going to put on our helmets, fasten our seat belts and gear up for another quarter!

I got a text message from a friend last week saying he just rescued a mother duck and her ducklings from being hit by cars along the Ala Wai. This friend actually stopped traffic, hunched over and scooted the family safely across the street. Meanwhile, drivers were applauding and cheering. Despite the fact that the mother duck thought he was trying to hurt her offspring, he kept moving them along.

Here’s the mother duck and her ducklings that my friend saved.

I’m also proud to say that this wonderful friend also protects our country as a second lieutenant in the Hawaii Army National Guard.

Even though his duck-rescuing efforts may seem quirky, that’s what makes it special. A little really does go a long way. Thanks to my friend for reminding me to care for all walks of life.

Hawaii’s meth problem relates to me on a very personal level. I was part of a team that evaluated the Crystal Meth Initiative last year — an opportunity that allowed me to meet and learn from people involved in substance abuse prevention, treatment and law enforcement. I became very passionate about supporting these programs and efforts. Despite leaving the program evaluation field in April, the numbers, the stories, and most of all, the people, are still very fresh in my memory.

It was an awesome feeling to educate the public on the Hawaii Meth Project’s efforts today. The organization is a prevention program that focuses reducing first-time meth use through public service messaging, public policy and community outreach. The project is well known for its TV and radio ads and carrying the “not even once” message.

John and I showing off our Hawaii Meth Project wristbands.

John and I worked at the Hawaii Meth Project’s booth and walked around Aloha Tower Marketplace handing out wristbands, stickers, DVDs, posters and other items. We shared information about the project and got people to sign up as volunteers. But most importantly, we reached out to people and carried the message that Hawaii has a meth problem and we can all do something to fix it.

Learn more about the Hawaii Meth Project at www.hawaiimethproject.org.

And that’s exactly what my dad made me do: make the best out of my education.

My dad is a teacher. He’s been educating Hawaii’s youth for over 30 years. Throughout his career, he’s probably touched hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. But let it be known that he also touched his youngest daughter’s life.

There was no way to escape being involved in music when I was growing up. My dad was my first music teacher. Even though I had private instructors for piano and clarinet, he was always there to answer my questions and help me along as I practiced at home. Of course, getting me to practice was a challenge in itself and that’s another thing he got me to do.

I can’t begin to count how many things my dad “made” me do and I how much I hated him for it. I can say that because he knows it. In fact, he was the very one who told me, “You may hate me for this now, but you’ll thank me for it later.” And sure enough, I’m thankful for those times now more than ever.

He’s one of the main reasons why I’m still pursuing higher education. Music taught me what it means to work hard, to be dedicated, how to persevere during some of the most trying times and what it takes to succeed. Band also allowed me to be a part of something greater than myself. “One band, one sound.” Remember that phrase from the movie “Drumline”? It may sound cheesy, but it’s true that band teaches the essence of teamwork. Most importantly, the lessons, the trials, the triumphs, the people, the skills and experiences — those are going to be with me for the rest of my life and I’m grateful for that. That’s why I’m a true believer and supporter of music education.

Here are some wise words that my dad told me some time ago: “Whether you worry or not, it won’t change the outcome” and “Anything can be fun, but you have to make it fun.” As simple as they sound, those words continue to carry a lot of meaning for me and I remind myself of those things regularly. I consider my dad an excellent motivator. He always seems to say the right things to open my eyes and teach me a valuable lesson. Maybe that’s the father in him, perhaps it’s the educator side or maybe that’s just who he is.

My dad and I at Iao Needle on Maui.

With that said, this entry is written with deep appreciation and lots of love for the most inspiring, hard-working and trouble-making person in my life. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

I went into this program not really knowing what to expect, but that was part of the reason why I decided to do it. I concentrated on social sciences during my undergrad years and decided it was time for a change. The business field was uncharted territory and that made it the challenge that I was looking for.

I credit UH journalism professor Ann Auman for encouraging me to pursue an MBA. She has a BA in Chinese, MA in Asian Studies, MBA and Ph.D. in Political Science. Talk about diversity! She made me believe that I could study anything that I was interested in as long as I kept my love for learning.

I’d also like to extend my appreciation toward Lane Muraoka (@BCDlane) of Big City Diner for encouraging me to apply for the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program. Last year, Lane tweeted that he had Hogan board meeting and I replied that I wanted to join, but had missed the deadline. He told me to apply anyway and before I knew it, I had an interview and was accepted into the program. Since then, I’ve been surrounded by the wonderful Hogan staff (Dr. John Webster, Ann Lujan-Kishi and Ginger Miller), some of the top business and community leaders in the state and my fellow students — all of them striving to find a way to make a difference. The program really lives up to it’s motto: “Doing BUSINESS THINGS that make SOCIAL SENSE. Doing SOCIAL THINGS that make BUSINESS SENSE.”

Many thanks to my family, friends, coworkers, mentors, professors, blog readers, etc. for their constant support as well. This past year has been no easy feat, but surrounding myself with wonderful people has made all the difference. I don’t think I ever got anywhere without help and that’s why I’m so grateful for the people in my life.