Monday, October 11, 2010

Hi Mama,

How are you today?  Anything exciting?  Not much going on today, other than the usual here at home, then i'll be heading to halau later on.  Palua & Kane have practice tonight.  We're down to the last weeks before Ia Oe & we're getting down to the "cleaning up" in all of our songs.  I'm feeling pretty confident in our group songs, kahiko & auana, but not so much in my solo songs.  I'm having a hard time putting together my kahiko & making it flow.  It's frustrating.

Guess who's coming?  Gram!!  She arrives here on the night before we leave for Ia Oe, then we fly to Oakland the following day for 5 days, then she'll be coming back to Seattle until we all fly home the following week.  It'll be so nice to have her here & travel with halau.  I'm especially looking forward to her being here for your one year.

Last week, 16 of us traveled to San Jose for Ka Hula Hou.  We had the best time.  For us girls that traveled, it was so relaxing & nice to just be there & support & help where needed.  For the boys, they worked hard & did great.  You know what was nice, Uncle Mark mentioned you a couple of times & even after the competition was done, we had a moment in the back dressing room, we cried & he mentioned how he missed you.  We had a similar moment last year at Ia Oe & that was before you had even left us.  A few folks actually asked where you were or shared their condolences with us.  It's so nice to know that you are missed.

I can't believe how fast the time has gone by.  While i'm sad that i can't share the daily things with you & have you here for selfish reasons, i'm so happy that you are healthy & stronger than you've ever been.  I can give up my selfish needs to have you smiling, laughing, breathing well & enjoying life to the fullest.  I know that you are always looking down on me, dad, my family & halau & that you miss us too.