Politics. . . hmmmm

I've been bombarded with peoples views, comments, and questions about Obama, the health plan, the Governor, congress, and many more political topics. . .I do have an opinion and I'll share it here. The idea that I need to share my thoughts came at a break the fast yesterday. The gentleman sitting next to me (who is running for N.A.'s seat in congress) Tried to strike up a conversation with me by posing the question. . .Aren't you thrilled with the health care reform that the President just signed? I really wanted to punch him but I replied, "I prefer not to discuss that here at church on a Sunday, I'd like to enjoy my dinner."

My problem with the reform and many of the recent events: It's not whether it's good or bad. . . it's the fact that politicians are forgetting that they are representing us. . . actual living, breathing, tax paying citizens. . if 64% of America does not want this then our elected officials have a responsibility to vote accordingly. I don't vote just so they can fly to Washington and forget their promises to the people who put them there. I think when we send them letters and faxes that overwhelming show our concerns and what we would like to see. . . or even ask questions about which direction they are siding with, only to be told, "thank you for your comments, however I am looking at the bigger picture" have forgotten why they were voted in and who put them there.

This brother, who didn't let it end, assumed that I was against the new med reform, and tried to remind me that when medicare and Social Security were greeted with the same type of negative attitude when they first came about. I wanted to tell him, "yeah but did you read on AOL, Social Security is officially bankrupt, 10 years before predicted!" Imagine I've worked for a quarter of a century paying taxes, giving money to Social Security and Medicare just to find that I wont get any of it back.

He went on to Praise Obama, and try to get me to agree that I need to support my leaders. . . I graciously told him, "this is not church, and even if it was, I've been raised not to follow blindly. ..We have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost to know the truth of all things. . .I am not a robot , I search, ponder, pray, and experiment upon the word. Telling someone they need to support someone because they are the elected official is like telling me to jump off a cliff because you did!"

Just because he was voted as President of the US, or any other political leader in any position. . . you don't just sit back and follow even when you don't agree. . .you voice your opinion, by phone calls, letters, meetings, picketing, any way you want (within the legal realms) You let them know what you want or else. . .you aren't allowed to complain! You gave up your rights when you said nothing at all.

I have written my representatives, council members, the "honorable Linda Lingle", and even the Mayor when I want them to know how I feel about laws, issues, and changes that they might be making. . . Everything from homelessness, to same sex union, to fire works! I am just grateful that I have the chance to vote and affect change. I'm glad that when they make the effort to come out into the public and ask for my vote or I bump into them at Sams's Club or a local restaurant, I take the chance to voice my opinion on something. . . They won't ever be able to say they had no idea of my stand on the issue.

When I find a politician that actually has a grasp on the way the people in their area feels and votes according to the majority of those they represent and not according to their own needs and beliefs, then I back them up no matter what. I think too often people go to the polls uneducated, unprepared, and ready to vote for the person whom they recognize on the ballot. I did that once . . . voted the wrong person in and have regretted it since. Even if my choice doesn't win. . at least the winner knows even if 20K voted for him/her, there is another 14k who didn't think he/she was the right person for the job, and that is good enough for me.

Bottom Line: I can't wait for the next elections. . I plan to be active all the way through. . . I made a bunch of promises myself to people who have forgotten who put them in their comfy little job and I plan to vigorously campaign against them!

Honk will ya, if you see me out on the road holding signs!

Aloha All,

We have had a wonderful few weeks, so it is was a shock and surprise to find that Enoka just lost his job... Thank goodness for great family and friends who support us. We will have to cut back on a lot of expenses for awhile and although internet will not be one of them, TV will. . so you should see a bit more blogging than we have been doing.

We spent Presidents Day in Laie, got to hang with Nassah, Riah, Sharyn, and Rachael. . .and their parents too!...

Enoka has joined the rest of the brother-in-laws in the unemployment line. . .so anyone who has heard of openings anywhere from Kaneohe to Honolulu, we are interested. Part-time, Full-time, on-call, anything to get by.

We are still YSA advisors and we just saw our first hook-up after class!. . . oh to be young and single again!

So today is the 10th anniversary of our First Date!. .. I know Enoka has something planned, just don't know what. It's also Tom Monsons' (grandson) 8th anniversary. . so if you read this, we are thinking of you, CONGRATS!

That means this year will be a milestone year for us, 10 years since Enoka got baptized (4/1/2000), 10 years since we got engaged (6/14/2000), 10 years since Larie left on her mission, 10 years since Rosie went back to Cali, 10 years since Fireworks needed permits!

But anyway. . .that's us for now. . will catch up soon!

This Holiday Season

Aloha all, where ever you may be. We hope you are all doing well and find some time for peace this christmas. . .We have not been good blogers for the past few months, and that is because we got caught up in the Farmville frenzy. But we are back and in time to wish you all a merry christmas. After the many experiences we have had this year we are happy to tell you all is well. We still work around the corner from each other and get to ride to work together, eat lunch together, and ride home. We no longer have callings in the Primary. We are the Singles Couple Advisor. It has been awhile since thinking like a single adult, but we love the challenge and the people. . . even if we miss the Primary. My company held our annual christmas party at the bowling center again. . it was on Mom's birthday so I invited the family to attend. It was soooo much fun. Even little Rachael got a strike. Enoka and I got to help with the ward christmas food fest. We represented Samoa, with the best Chop Suey a tongan could make (nah, his sister made it for me). Enoka was going to play santa until we discovered the suit was to small for his round bellie!!!!! But all is well with us. . and we hope all is well with you!

Where is Justice

And I do mean the real justice. . not, "King Justice" (Can't touch this)

Ever been asked to do something you know is illegal? Immoral? Unethical? and overall in bad form?

Yup that was me over the weekend. Told to do something straight from the top boss and immediately wanted to call Department of Labor. I argued as much as possible about not doing it, but fearing that the boss would fire me on the spot. . followed through! Part of me says just ignore it. It has nothing to do with you. Keep your job, the economy is bad enough as it is. The other half says, "What the Hell? Who the Hell? and How the Hell?" sorry for the harsh language. But I just want to scream. It has nothing to do with me having to do more work, it has everything to do with the companies decision to make an example out of one person. One person who is sincere at heart and who made a mistake almost a year ago and has been illegally penalized in a large financial way now.

I called my trusty dad for advice. He wasn't the best HR manager PCC ever had for nothing. (Sorry Matt, I'm bias) His advice, don't do anything. And he is right. Although this company deserves to be reported, If I do it, or if I tell someone to do it, it will end up hurting me in the long run. Bad enough this company is run by some of the best members of the church that I know. . . it's just crazy and I have to vent!

July VT Message

Dear Sisters,

Because I have family living in Laie, I travel down there several times a month. I must admit, while it is under construction it does not look very inviting. It has been an automatic habit of mine to gaze upward towards the temple each time I pass it. For the past few months that it has been under construction, I have gazed up only to be in shock that it is grey instead of white, the water that flows down in front is gone, and the flowers are no where to be seen. Even though I know what I should expect, it is still a shock to me when I see it. Normally the temple stands out. Right now it just looks like a big house on a hill, nothing special, nothing curious, and nothing to draw me to it.

Have you ever had a yearning for something but didn’t know how to satisfy the need or want? Seen something on the television or out in the world that you’ve always wanted to do or be a part of but haven’t had the chance? I know for me there are a handful of things I could name off the back of my hand. That little twinge of want/need is how I feel about the temple. Especially since it is closed right now. Trying to live life right is always hard, but I find that not having the temple to turn to, to be allowed in, to find solace and peace during the past few months has been really hard. It reminds me of when I was younger. I would exercise every night by walking one of 3 different routes. All of them ended with stretches outside the temple grounds. Seeing it all lit up with water fountains and waterfalls flowing, missionaries walking all over the grounds and happy people coming and going from the place all the time made me long to be part of that. When it was finally my turn to enter, I could not believe my ears. Some of the first promises and blessings that were given to me made me happier than ever in my life. I wanted to go again and again. I tried to go as often as possible. I wanted to learn as much as I could. Later, after I had returned from my mission, I learned first hand how going to the temple not only teaches you but also gives you peace, and strength, and answers. For me the feeling starts before I even enter the temple. The pride and care I take with the temple clothes, while I am cleaning them or ironing them, or even packing them I am focused on the trip and on our Heavenly Father. As I ride down to Laie, the music and topic of conversation are focused on the Savior. Once I am in the temple I still get butterflies before I am able to enter the final room, and then I try to make sure I have planned for enough time to spend there before I go back into the real world. Sometimes I feel exhausted, sometimes I feel excited, but I always feel loved and peace.

Sisters, I hope you can reflect upon a time that you have been to the temple. If you haven’t been through, I encourage you to prepare to go. There are few times and experiences I have had that equal the love I have felt while in the Lords own home.

I pray you can ready yourself for the re-dedication and re-opening of the temple.

Wedding Cake

Here's the cake I made for Ed's wedding.. .petals were added by his mom.

Those silly forwards!

I constantly get emails that warn me to reply. . well I am replying to anyone who wants to read, by. . .. .posting it to my blog.


If you opened it, you have to do it (it only takes a couple minutes. I Promise!) Then, send it back to the person who sent it to you and the rest of your friends!
Six names you go by:
1. Kalei
2. Helen
3. Sis
4. Hon
5. Babe
6. Hey you!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Three things you are wearing right now:
1. Jean Skirt
2. Tan Shirt
3. Bass Sandals
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Three things you want very badly at the moment:
1. More Sleep
2. More Time
3. More Nieces and Nephews
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Three People who will fill this out:
1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
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Three things you did last night:
1. Heated up leftovers for dinner
2. Memorized JSH 1:15-20
3. Got free cookies from Foodland with my Maikai Rewards ~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*
Three things you ate today:
1. Nothing yet
2.
3.
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Three people you last talked to on the phone:
1. Officer Bush
2. Stranger – called the wrong number
3. Enoka
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Three things you are going to do tomorrow:
1. Smile
2. Process Payroll
3. Feed my fishes
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Three favorite beverages:
1. Water
2. Jamba – Lime it Up!
3. Pepsi
Here's what you're supposed to do.... And please do not spoil the fun. Hit forward, delete my answers and type in your answers. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know INCLUDING ME