Aloha! Hope everyone is having a good week so far.

My friend Jamie and her father arrived in Hawaii on Thursday. They were in town for Jamie's cousin's wedding. On Friday night, they met us for dinner at our very first experience with Thai food. We went to Phuket Thai. I ordered the Sampler Platter for an appetizer - just so we could try a little bit of everything. The platter came with Spring Rolls, Fish Patties, Shrimp Rolls and Stuffed Chicken Wings. Our first mistake was missing the word "stuffed" in the chicken wings - Tony cut into this odd looking "chicken wing" and we were more than surprised to find noodles and some other crazy stuff inside (looked like the chicken wing had intestines!) Neither of us really liked the taste of it, and I don't think we got over the sight of cutting it open (and lets just say the 2nd one just sat on the plate, going uneaten). I have had Shrimp Rolls at pho restaurants before, and already knew I wasn't a fan. Our guests tried it, and weren't into the basil taste. I enjoyed the Spring Rolls, but had mixed feelings on the fish patties.  Next time I think we will skip the sampler platter and go with just the spring rolls!

For dinner Tony ordered the Thai Crispy Fried Chicken. I ordered the Seafood Combination, minus the fish. Jamie, ordered the Thai Fried Noodles with Chicken. I didn't try the other two dishes that were ordered - Russell ordered a curry dish and Jamie's Dad a broccoli noodle dish. Tony's chicken was very good. I really liked Jamie's Thai Fried Noodles - I think I may order this next time with shrimp, because I was mixing hers with my Seafood Combination, and it was really good. She was surprised by the spiciness of the dish.  Tony surprisingly liked the restaurant, and we both agreed we will be trying Thai again!

Jamie and her Dad

Russell & Tony

Me & Jamie

On Saturday, Tony went surfing with his friend Mike. He had a really great time, and caught his first barrel! That afternoon we took Rusty to a beach by Diamondhead. Rusty hasn't been off leash anywhere besides inside the apartment, since we moved to Hawaii, so we were really excited to take him there! He stayed closer to us off leash, then he does on a leash!

 

 

 

 

 

Rusty swimming above the water... 

 

There was a modeling shoot while we were there! 

 

 

 

 

 

 Saturday night, Russell joined us for some Pizza Hut pizzas at the apartment. Afterward, we went to Dave & Buster's for some games. Tony, of course, won a monkey from the giant claw machine!

On Sunday, Tony and I went to our first week of the pool league we joined at Hawaiian Brian's Billiards. Unfortunately, the team we were supposed to play couldn't make it, so we will be playing TWO teams this coming Sunday.

 

We had a good time, learning some new techniques from our team captain, Dean.

That's all for now... more to come later this week.

xoxo & aloha

Lawrence's Visit Part 2

Aloha! Hope everyone had a great, long weekend.

Yesterday, we went to the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club. Unfortunately, we didn't know that we couldn't have our cameras or cell phones until we got on the trolley to the golf course, so only a few pictures were taken!

One from the trolley/van...

And one as we were walking in.... 

 

They checked our phones and cameras at the gate. We had a good time walking around the course, checking out all the different golfers. I even got two autographs.... from Blake Adams and Nathan Green.

I waited to get Zach Johnson's autograph (last year's Sony Open winner) but he decided to be an ass, and not sign any autographs, including a cute little boy who ran up to him. He asked his security to bring his golf cart closer and away from the spectators.

We left the Country Club around 5pm, and headed back to the apartment. I made everyone spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic bread for dinner. Everyone was so tired from being in the sun all day, that we watched the Golden Globes and last week's American Idol, before calling it an early night!

This morning, Tony, Lawrence, and Tony's friend Jimmy, went surfing near Diamondhead. After their session, Jimmy took them to South Shore Grill to eat lunch. Tony had a great time, and we are going to go to the same beach with Rusty next weekend.

Once they returned and showered up, we drove over to the North Shore. Lawrence wanted to see the big waves. We stopped at Turtle Beach first, and we were lucky enough to see another honu, sea turtle.

 

 

 

We continued down the road to Waiamea Bay and then to Pipeline.

 

 

 

After the sunset, we went to Jameson's By The Sea for dinner. Tony and I both ordered the amazing fried shrimp. Lawrence got the crab stuffed shrimp, which looked really good!! Great dinner.  Tony has to work tomorrow, and the sun wore them both out today, so it is bedtime! Tomorrow I am driving Lawrence to the airport. We hope he had a great trip!! We loved having him, and can't wait for the next visit!

xoxo

Lawrence's Visit Part 1

LET'S GO RAVENS!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. On Thursday, when Tony and Lawrence got to the apartment from the airport, everyone was hungry! We decided to go across the street to Round Table Pizza, for some Happy Hour pizzas and nachos! Afterwards we walked down to the beach to check out the waves which were no where to be found! We continued our walk down the beach and stopped at Rum Fire to watch the sunset.

 

 

 

 

Tony was looking for the green flash again - he thinks he saw it, but no one else did!  Afterward we went home and rested before dinner.

For dinner, the three of us and Chris went to Doraku Sushi for a raw fish feast! Everything was delicious as always! We were all exhausted and went home to play some Tiger Woods '09 and call it a night!

The next morning we planned on going to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling. When we arrived the parking lot was full, so we continued down the road to Sandy Beach, where we sunbathed for a few hours.

 

The weather was perfect, and the water had a nice shore break. Tony and Lawrence body surfed a little, but relaxed in Tony's custom-made sand chairs for the majority of the time. At 2pm we packed it up to try Hanauma Bay again.

As we pulled up they were picking up the cones and parking lot full signs! Perfect timing. Tony and I really need to get our IDs changed over to Hawaii because we can get in free at Hanauma Bay! While Lawrence was watching the video on protecting the reef (required once a year), Tony and I set up camp on the beach. As we were laying out our beach blanket Tony heard a funny sound, and realized his brand new bathing suit and split down the leg!!

The rest of the afternoon he walked with his legs very very close together!!! I wasn't feeling 100% so I laid out in the sun, and the guys got in the water for some snorkeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you see that adorable thing heading their way?

Yep, its a Sea Turtle!!

 

 

 

Lawrence and the Turtle

 

 Lawrence got a video of Tony swimming with the Sea Turtle...

Last night, we went to dinner at Tanaka of Tokyo for some yummy tepanyaki!! Always a treat!

 

Today, Tony and Lawrence went to the beach and relaxed in the lagoon on the rafts. I went on an interview at a restaurant down the street. We all reconvened at the apartment for the Ravens Game which we are still watching now. The Ravens need to get their heads in the game!

Tomorrow we are going to the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, near Koko Head. As always, pictures to come!! What do I wear to a golf tournament???

xoxo