American Sign Language class #3

I've attended the 3rd ASL class now. It was on February 23, 2011. Most of the class time was spent reviewing and practicing with a partner. I'm so much better at signing the alphabet.

We also learned some new words, such as:

husband

practice

sign

funny

prefer

work

school

teach

teacher

bathroom

choose the right

Primary

Idaho

Utah

Brazil

Arizona

Just don't ask me to have a conversation with you (if you know ASL), because I am definitely not at that level yet. :)

American Sign Language class #2

We had our 2nd ASL class on February 16, 2011. It was great to review all we learned the previous week, because I had already forgotten so many of the signs.

We also learned some new words (signs):

That one

Forget

Don't know

Yes

No

Oh, I see

Really!

Wow!

Testimony

Blessings

Prophet

Gospel

Temple

God

States, such as: Kentucky, Indiana, New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii

I'm getting much better and am so excited about learning ASL; however, there are so many signs that others in the class already know and we haven't learned yet. I can't write down quickly enough how to do the signs (so I can remember and practice). Ugh!

National History Day project

For most of the 1st semester of school, Anuhea and Nalani were consumed with work for their National History Day projects. They were both "lucky" enough to be in classes where the project was required--Anuhea in Honors US History & Nalani in Gifted Geography. I, personally, think it is ridiculous for middle school students to have to complete a project such as this, but the girls have, thankfully, survived. The final project was worth 2 TEST GRADES!

The theme this year was a difficult one. It was "Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, and Consequences". Anuhea chose to do a research paper, which had to be 10 pages (1500-2500 words) long. The topic she chose was "Japanese American Internment". Nalani chose to do a documentary, which had to be 10 minutes long. The topic she chose was "The Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki".

Both girls did very well, but Anuhea needed to help Nalani A LOT to create the documentary with the program we had, because Nalani didn't know how to use it and Anuhea was good at figuring it out quickly.

Anuhea did so well that her paper was one of the projects chosen to go on (beyond just her school) to the State competition (?), and she will participate in the Seminole County History Fair, which will be held on March 5, 2011. Nalani could probably have gone on too (according to her teacher), but her documentary was a little short of the 10 minutes (due to miscommunication between the sisters). We're so proud of you, Anuhea & Nalani!

Pro Kids Show

Hokulani and I attended a Pro Kids show on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at the elementary school Hokulani attends. A man named Scott Humston did a bunch of magic tricks and really gets the audience involved. He also teaches the children about character and believing in yourself. It's somewhat religious if you think about it, but his show was good and the children loved it.

Visit the website sometime, and if you live in Florida, then maybe you'll see Scott at your school someday.

Pro Kids

16 years and counting

On February 11, 2011 Jason and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary! I can't believe it has been that long already, but of course it has since Anuhea just turned 14 recently.

Jason took me to dinner at the Olive Garden restaurant. I was so excited, because we don't get to go out to eat very often, and I love eating at the Olive Garden! It was nice to be out alone, to eat good food, and to talk about whatever we wanted to discuss or enjoyed conversing about.

I love my husband and look forward to many more years with him.

American Sign Language class #1

I'm taking an American Sign Language class through our Oviedo Ward in church. Our Ward is the ASL ward for all members in the Stake who need/use ASL. I'm excited to take the class, but it's so hard to remember everything. We're learning some basic words and some church words too. It's going to get kind of difficult, I think, because the grammar structure is different just like it is when learning most other languages (other than English).

We learned these words so far:

Hello

Nice meeting you

My name is ___

What is your name?

Which Ward do you go to?

I go to ___ Ward.

How are you?

I'm...fine, sad, good, happy, angry, so-so

What's up?

Nothing much

These emotions: tired, stressed, excited, laid back, play, ill/sick, bored, busy

We also had to learn how to finger spell our names. I think I've got mine down. Phew!

We learned how to sign Ward (for Ward names in church) along with many of the Wards in our Stake.

We also learned these words related to church:

Heavenly Father

Mormon

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Bishop (and Branch President)

Sacrament

Bread & Water (for the Sacrament)

Priesthood

Relief Society

Sunday School

Closing Prayer

Opening Prayer

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

I hope I can remember more of these after we review them in the next class, as well as learn the new words.

Ant Bites!

On Saturday, February 5, 2011 we were out for a walk in the neighborhood. Leiohu loves pointing to a sign that some neighbors have from UCF (University of Central Florida). The sign has a football helmet on it and a fist holding up the helmet. Leiohu thinks it looks like ice cream (an ice cream cone).

Leiohu decided to go to the sign and point to it; however, she stepped into an ANT NEST! I didn't realize it until she was trying to get something off her foot. I thought it was dirt so I helped her brush it off, then realized there were ants crawling on her foot. Poor girl got 3 ant bites on her toes--one from each of 3 ants--and was in a lot of pain. Those ant bites are terrible!

On Monday, February 7, 2011 we were at the park and I noticed that Leiohu's foot was swollen. I made an appointment for her to see the doctor and found out if was hypersensitivity to the bites. Leiohu took some medicine to help. I'm glad she's not allergic to the ant bites.

Nursery Leader

On February 6, 2011 I was released as the Relief Society pianist in church. Then I was called as a Nursery leader. Agh! I'm in Leiohu's class and it's fun, but I was wary about being with Leiohu on yet another day of the week. I'm home with her all week and loved having a little break on Sundays.

On February 13th we had a Primary teacher training and they talked about exactly the feelings I was having. I feel a little better and know that the Lord wants me there for a reason. Thank goodness we have some great 2 year olds in our Nursery class.

Nalani's 12th Birthday & Lunar New Year

Happy 12th Birthday, Nalani!

Nalani turned the ripe old age of 12 on February 3rd. We can't believe how quickly she's growing up too. Nalani is in the 6th grade; she is now in the Young Women program at church too.

Nalani's birthday also happened to fall on Lunar New Year. Happy Year of the Rabbit! Xin Nian Kuai Le! We had the Howard family over for dinner, and Nalani invited her friend Alexis. Jason cooked amazing Taiwanese food. Mmm!

Catch up post: January 2011

Happy New Year 2011!

The weather has been up and down here in Florida, but the children continue to enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities.

Happy 14th Birthday, Anuhea!

Anuhea is growing up so quickly and is enjoying the 8th Grade. She didn't want to do anything special, but decided instead to spend time at the mall with a friend the weekend after her birthday. Also, Anuhea doesn't like cake anymore, so she requested a giant cookie.

Catch up post: Christmas 2010

Christmas was not as spiritual as it should have been; however, we had a wonderful family day together. We were greatly blessed this year.

Catch up post: Storytime with Santa

Storytime with Santa

12/16/2010

Hokulani and Leiohu got to go to storytime with Santa at Riverside Park. They got to make cards, eat snacks, and sing with Santa. Then, it was time to visit with Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Leiohu couldn't remember what she wanted so I had to help her. Hokulani did great on her own.

Catch up post: Hokulani's Chorus Concert

Hokulani's chorus concert

Hokulani joined the Hurricane Harmony as one of the "clubs" that meet every Wednesday. She participated in the performance on December 6, 2010.

Catch up post: Disney World

Disney World

On December 3, 2010 we were able to go to Disney World for free! It was one of those days when they were filming the Christmas parade (performances), and we got tickets to watch. We were too late to be in the front audience, but we caught Mariah Carey performing "Oh Santa" numerous times.

We spent the entire day (having to be at the park by 7:30am) having fun on rides. I was really tired about halfway through the day, but then got my second wind, and was able to continue enjoying the park.

Enjoy the pictures!

Catch up post: Nalani's Band Concert

Nalani's band concert

Nalani loves playing her trombone. Due to her dedication with practicing, she is 1st chair! On November 30, 2010 we attended the beginning band dinner/concert. We paid for dinner, which benefits the band, and the food was actually not bad. We also received 5 free tickets for entering in drawings for baskets of donated goodies.

After dinner we enjoyed the band concert, and as you'll see from the video below, Leiohu especially enjoyed the music.

Catch up post: Carmel's Birthday

Carmel's 38th Birthday: November 26, 2010

My birthday fell on the day after Thanksgiving this time. We had already celebrated the day before (for Thanksgiving), but my family was nice enough to still help me have a great day. Jason and Nalani woke up extra early. They went to one of the stores for Black Friday shopping (and vowed to never do it again). I was grateful, because I got a new iPod Touch out of their experience!

Later in the evening we had the ASL Sister missionaries--Sister Lovejoy and Sister Davis--over for dinner. They were happy to help us celebrate with good food and a birthday cake. Of course, we had a nice spiritual message in the end. :)

I can't believe I'm getting so old!

Catch up post: Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am grateful for my family;

I am grateful for no school;

I am grateful for lots of food...

...and many more things.

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday, just with our own family. It was quiet and uneventful, but we enjoyed our time together.