The weeks are going by fast as it gets closer to the end of the year. Do you have any special plans for the holidays? How will you be celebrating Christmas, and then a week later...bringing in the New Year with a bang...perhaps? I've been keeping myself busy. This past weekend, I met up with Ritsuko on Saturday and we went to Onjin Cafe for lunch. It is a stylish yet affordable dine-in restaurant that serves gourmet-style plate lunches! You order and pay for your meal first before sitting yourself at a table. Not more than 5 minutes while we were chit-chatting about what we've been doing since we last met...our plates arrive ~ I'd ordered their Shrimp Penne Pasta, while Ritsuko had their Chicken Stew, the Saturday special! I apologize but those are not the exact names for the dishes on the menu. The portions was huge but I manage to finish every last drop and yes, I've gained more weight from my last eating excursion! LOL! After that hearty lunch, we walk over to Ward Center to grab dessert at Ben & Jerry's. A double scoop of strawberry cheesecake simply hit the spot! SIMPLY DELICIOUS! We decided to walk off those added calories as we browse through the stores at Ward Center, Ward Warehouse and later to Ala Moana Shopping Center. I was a good girl as I was able to resist the tempation and not purchase anything for myself!

On Sunday, I'd helped a co-worker at her church for a special occasion called "Teddy Bear Tea" held for children between the ages of 4 and 8. The kids will pick their own teddy bear, give it a name, take a picture with it, make picture frames and also enjoy sweet yummy treats. I was in charge of taking the pictures and when it was time, all the kids came in ready on hand with their teddies and a big smile for the camera. Just before everything was done, there was a short Christmas story-telling play performed by a local theater. I'll try and upload a short yet blurry video that I'd took later. Meanwhile, enjoy a few shots I took by City Hall where they had decorated it for the annual "Honolulu City Lights" which had officially commenced the day before. I'd planned to go but because of bad weather and rain, I didn't want to be stuck outdoors wet and in the cold.

Last night, Ryan and I join a few of his co-worker for a special invitational party at Pipeline Cafe hosted by Maxim and Budweiser. We got there a little after 9pm and there was a looonnnnnggggg line! As we were waiting in line, we were informed that wameras weren't allowed inside so we had to walk back to the car to leave my camera so that they do not confiscate it should they find it in my purse. Just as we enter the club, we see five Maxim models and instantaneously went to pose with them so we can take a shot together! Since Budweiser was one of the promoters, you can drink Bud beers for free all night long and that was just what we did! I lost count after the 5th bottle! We danced, we dranked and I think U2 even made a special appearance as I heard a couple of their songs; "One" and "Beautiful Day" being performed lived! (They're in town as they are here on tour and have a concert on Saturday night) Or else I must have been really drunk. We were able to take 4 drunken shots in their portable photo booth just before leaving the party at 2am! It was a fun...fun night. Thanks sweetie for letting me tag along *muahhss*


Honolulu party photos borrowed from Maxim