Last Saturday was one real hectic day! R woke up way earlier than usual and he decided to wake me up an hour later so we could go together to Thom's Barber Shop at Ala Moana for his haircut and then to Like Like Drive Inn for breakfast. I made a fuss in the beginning just cause it was Saturday and I felt like sleeping in. But being that Ryan had to work that night, I gave in and woke up to get ready as this would be the only time we will get to do something together.

We finally get to Like Like and there was a line out the door. There's always a line when we go there no matter what time of the day, however that morning it moved along rather fast and after a five minute wait, we get sitted at a booth. R proceeded to order his regular hamburger steak topped with onions, gravy and rice while I got myself 2 over-easy eggs with hash browns, portuguese sausages and wheat toast. In addition to that, we ordered a side order of small fried rice and a short stack of banana pancakes. I don't know how we did it, but we managed to finish almost everything except for the fried rice which we boxed to take home. I guess we were just really HUNGRY!

By the time we get home, it's time for R to go to bed so that he'll get his eight-hour sleep before work and I get ready to head back out to Ala Moana Shopping Center to check out the Chinese New Year festivities. It was schedule to begin at noon but by the time I arrive at 11.30am, there was already a large crowd gathered by the center stage and most of the lion dance teams were waiting for the event to begin. I tried to find the most ideal spot for picture taking but from where I stood, there was a couple standing in front of me whom were slightly taller than me whilst their kids sat on the ground. So I just decided to make best of what I could. Finally it starts a couple minutes late...but it was well worth the wait. I got to see this year's Narcissus Queen and her court, 6 highly-regarded local lion dance teams performing martial arts demonstrations as well as dancing with their 2 best lions to represent each of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac while warding off evil spirits with firecrackers. This year's event celebrates the Year of the Rat, the first of the twelve-year cycle of animals, and which in ancient times, was traditionally welcomed as a protector and harbinger of material prosperity. How fun! Following the conclusion of the center stage events, the lions will dance throughout the center along specified routes collecting lai see (lucky red envelopes) from more than 110 participating merchants as well as shoppers, a Chinese custom that encourages luck and prosperity in the New Year.


Did you watch the SuperBowl last weekend? We recorded it on the DVR since R had to work that night too so he was asleep during the game. We watch it together the next day but only to watch for the commercials. Some funny stuff! So this weekend, Hawaii plays host to the NFL All-Star game, otherwise known as the ProBowl and the game has been held at Aloha Stadium since 1980. Around 2.30pm, I decide to head over into Waikiki to check out the Pro Bowl Football Festival at Kapiolani Park. Mainly it is all about football fun for the entire family with interactive games, non-stop entertainment, official souvenirs and fan contests. A Pro Bowl All-Star Block Party was to be held in Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue later in the evening however I wouldn't be able to make it as I have another engagement to attend. I stay for a good half hour to check out the activities and take pictures before heading back home to get ready for next outing.

Remember me say that I wanted to go see them perform? I did! I really did! And yes, I went by myself...no regrets! Although I did not buy the USD300 VIP tickets and sit upclose to the stage, the mere experience of being there to hear Brian and Hwanhee sing and see Brian and Hwanhee dance live was simply, totally AWESOME!!!! In between their performance sets, a couple brief interviews was conducted and even had a fan interaction with giveaways of calendars, posters, CDs, etc. for some lucky people in the audience. These lucky people were chosen by a random drawing of seat numbers. These lucky 7 got to play a game in which a balloon was placed between them and either Brian or HwanHee (one on one), and the goal was to hug them until the balloon popped. ENVIOUS! The night continued on with Brian and Hwanhee performing a few of their solo as well as group songs ~ I'd recognized most of the songs that they performed and some were a personal favorites! Even from way up where I was sitting, I can see them looking HOT as always in their many different stylish outfits and Hwanhee even ripped off his shirt at the end of his solo performance. What a way to end a really great day!

Labels: festival, fun, local, music, weekend