As the year comes to an end, I have had some time to reflect on 2008. It was a year of ups and downs for me, but the most important thing is that I have done my best to better myself. Like every new year, I set my New Year's Resolutions. There are a couple of things that I want to strive to accomplish this upcoming year.
1) Be a better son, brother, nephew, & grandchild.
~ My family is the group of people that will be there with me till the very end and I want to make sure that I do my best to keep in touch with them since I do live far from all of them. Whether it's a phone call, an email, or a message/comment on Myspace or Facebook....I want to make it a habit to let them know that I'm thinking about them. I love my family very much and wouldn't want to neglect them.
2) Be a better boyfriend & friend.
~ Along with family, I hold my partner & friends very close to my heart. There are times when we will get into arguements, but I want to work on being a better boyfriend & friend by being able to communicate well with them. I want to be able to spend time to strengthen our love or friendship.
3) I want to be able to keep myself physically fit.
~ It's really important to me that I keep myself physically fit since there a lot of things out in the world that can impede us from being healthy. First of all, I'm going to take into consideration what I eat. I will cheat here and there, but on rare occasions. I want to limit myself to one cheat day between 1-2 times a month. People may think I'm crazy and that you only live life once, but that's why I'm strict with what I eat because I wanna live my one life as long as I can. I will keep up with going to the gym, whether it's CrossFit or LVAC. I want to keep my body in shape and no it's not because I'm self-cautious with how I look, it's because I feel good after working out.
4) Be the best that I can be at whatever job I have.
~ I've worked my butt off before to get where I wanted to get and this year should not be any different. I will put 110% into whatever job I have this year (that's when I finally get one...LoL!)
This year will be an interesting one and I look forward to all the blessing and challenges that will come my way. It's all up to me to make the best of it and accomplish what I want to accomplish. To my family, Joey, & my friends I want to wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! May 2009 bring many blessings in both mine and your lives!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
A Blast From The Past
This is a really long posting compared to my other ones...fair warning!
As this year comes to an end, there have been many things that have happened to me. I've gone through times of happiness, times of great sadness, and times that just drove me insane. LoL!! Through all the good and bad times, I can't help but be grateful for all that I have in my life.
This year started off great. I finally got a full-time position at The Rio Hotel & Casino in the VIP Department that I started off in. It took one whole year to finally get up to full-time. Along with getting that full-time position I had worked my butt off the past year that when it came to evaluations, I got outstanding with is the highest one can hit...awarding me a 5% increase in my pay as well as a $1500 bonus (of course taxes were taken out). A few months after that, I was awarded Employee of the Month for the Rio Hotel & Casino. This is an award that managers from the different departments choose and then the manager has to give a speech in front of a commitee why this employee should be choosen. I was honored that I was choosen to get this award.
In September, I was offered a position as a Casino Host at The Rio Hotel & Casino. This is one of the most coveted positions in the casino business and I was working so hard to get this position. I accepted the position and I loved it so much. I loved working so closely with the VIP guests as well as the VIP representatives that I used to work with. Sometimes when good things happen, the bad comes along and on November 5, 2008....I was laid off from my job. It was so hard to realize that something I worked so hard for was just stripped from me in a matter of weeks. The day I found out, I was devastated, but I realized I don't have the time to drown in my sorrows. I had to pick myself up and move on and find another job.
I was fortunate enough to go up to Utah to visit my family in April for BYU's Luau as well as my younger sister, Sia's last Living Legends performance. I always have loved dancing and I love watching all different dance shows. It was nice to see my two younger sisters and my sister in law perform in BYU's Luau. I miss those days of dancing in Luaus....Tahitian was always my favorite. Sia's Living Legend show is just incredible. I love watching Living Legends and the production they put on. It's such a great show with a neat story line.
Through out the year, I was fortunate to see George, Jenny, and my little nephew Carlos. It's funny how when you're growing up, you want to get away from your family as soon as possible, but when that happens you realize how special they are and how much you took them for granted. I loved spending time with them and its always nice to see how my nephew grows each time I see him. He is the cutest kid alive!!
People know I come from a Mormon upbringing and many may not agree with my lifestyle, but honestly, I'm not one to deny the person that I am. I have gone through so much to learn how to love myself that I will not let anyone make me feel like I'm living a horrible life. This year I was really fortunate to meet a great guy. His name is Joey and to have someone that makes you laugh and not have to worry about trying to be someone you're not....it's such a great relief. He's so mature compared to a lot of people I know his age. He has dreams that he works so hard for and wants to achieve. He supports me in all that I do and has been there for me through all my hardships since I met him (poor him, he meet me at the time my world came tumbling down).
My parents had invited me to join them for Thanksgiving, but at that time I had told Joey I would spend it with his family since I had promised him that (because at that time I had a job and had to work on Thanksgiving). When my parents invited me, I had gotten laid off from my job. Joey told me that I should go up to Utah since he knew how much my family meant to me. To hear him tell me that I should go was something that I knew was not the easiest thing to say because he was leaving for Korea in December and we wouldn't be together for Thanksgiving (the last holiday we would have together). I told him, that I will only go up to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with my family if they allowed me to bring him along with me. I told Joey, "They don't have to accept my lifestyle, but I want them to at least meet the person that makes me happy in life....if they can't do that, I will not spend it with them." I just don't see why I should be treated differently from the other children....yes I may not following the teaches that they follow, but I am just as much as a child of their's like the rest. I quickly called my sister in law, Jenny to ask her what she thought. Honestly, I'm so grateful for Jenny because I feel like I can talk to her and not worry about being judged about how I live my life. Jenny told me that she didn't see a problem with it and that I should ask if I could bring Joey up. I called my dad and informed him that I was dating someone and that I wanted to bring him up with me for Thanksgiving. My dad told me, "I may not approve of your lifestyle, but you still are you my son and you may bring him along with you". I was so relieved and happy that my dad told me that. My dad is a great man!! Joey and I went up to spend Thanksgiving with my family...even though it was a little awkward at times for Joey, it was something that meant the world to me to have him meet the people that mean so much to me....my family. He loved my siblings and enjoyed the time that we spent with them....especially since he stayed up till 6:30 in the morning playing Rockstar Band with Sia. Crazy!!
The ending of this year was a little bitter-sweet for me. One day before my birthday I got a call saying my grandma was going into the hospital. One of my biggest fears had come to life. I was so frightened for my grandma and scared that I would lose her. She had been my rock, my hero...a person that impacted my life more than she will ever know. Sadly, on November 29, 2008, my beloved grandmother, Yoshiko Uyema left this mortal life to be united with her loving husband, my grandfather, George Uyema. The day she passed away, my world came tumbling down. I didn't know what I would do. My younger sister, Ame called me with the news and by the time my dad called me I was a mess. I was balling on the phone and my dad tried to keep himself composed, but the way I was on the phone, he started to cry and tell me that she's ok and what made her happy were her grandkids. Memories of my grandma and myself flashed in my head all that day (both good & bad). I had a hard time forgiving myself for all the stress I put her through as a teenager...all my fights, all my temper tantrums...I just remembered my grandma crying and praying to make things better. Till this day, I wish I didn't cause that much hurt and pain for one of the women that I loved so dearly.
I was able to go back home for my grandma's funeral service. The whole family was going to be there. Mom, George, Jenny, Carlos,Tana, Lisia, Ame, & I flew from the mainland back to Hawaii for the services. Dad, Sione, & Alana were back in Hawaii already. It was really nice to have the whole family together, all the kids & their spouse, my parents, and my Aunty Betty & Aunty Annie. The funeral service was very beautiful and to see the many lives my grandmother had touched. At the viewing, I couldn't help but cry as I saw my grandmother laying in the casket. When it came to closing the casket and giving the family the chance to say good-bye one last time, all the grandkids went up to the casket and one by one stood there, each of us saying our last good-bye to our beloved grandma in our head as we each kissed her on her forehead. Watching as they closed the casket, I couldn't contain myself. The service went on and each of us gave a small talk about our grandma and how she touched our lives. As the service ended, the congregation sang "Aloha O'e". As I stood beside my grandmother's casket and the song began, the tears ran down my face like a faucet. I physcially lost someone so dear to me and it was hard to bear. However, like the song says, "until we meet again" and I know I will see my grandmother again.
As this year comes to an end, there have been many things that have happened to me. I've gone through times of happiness, times of great sadness, and times that just drove me insane. LoL!! Through all the good and bad times, I can't help but be grateful for all that I have in my life.
This year started off great. I finally got a full-time position at The Rio Hotel & Casino in the VIP Department that I started off in. It took one whole year to finally get up to full-time. Along with getting that full-time position I had worked my butt off the past year that when it came to evaluations, I got outstanding with is the highest one can hit...awarding me a 5% increase in my pay as well as a $1500 bonus (of course taxes were taken out). A few months after that, I was awarded Employee of the Month for the Rio Hotel & Casino. This is an award that managers from the different departments choose and then the manager has to give a speech in front of a commitee why this employee should be choosen. I was honored that I was choosen to get this award.
In September, I was offered a position as a Casino Host at The Rio Hotel & Casino. This is one of the most coveted positions in the casino business and I was working so hard to get this position. I accepted the position and I loved it so much. I loved working so closely with the VIP guests as well as the VIP representatives that I used to work with. Sometimes when good things happen, the bad comes along and on November 5, 2008....I was laid off from my job. It was so hard to realize that something I worked so hard for was just stripped from me in a matter of weeks. The day I found out, I was devastated, but I realized I don't have the time to drown in my sorrows. I had to pick myself up and move on and find another job.
I was fortunate enough to go up to Utah to visit my family in April for BYU's Luau as well as my younger sister, Sia's last Living Legends performance. I always have loved dancing and I love watching all different dance shows. It was nice to see my two younger sisters and my sister in law perform in BYU's Luau. I miss those days of dancing in Luaus....Tahitian was always my favorite. Sia's Living Legend show is just incredible. I love watching Living Legends and the production they put on. It's such a great show with a neat story line.
Through out the year, I was fortunate to see George, Jenny, and my little nephew Carlos. It's funny how when you're growing up, you want to get away from your family as soon as possible, but when that happens you realize how special they are and how much you took them for granted. I loved spending time with them and its always nice to see how my nephew grows each time I see him. He is the cutest kid alive!!
People know I come from a Mormon upbringing and many may not agree with my lifestyle, but honestly, I'm not one to deny the person that I am. I have gone through so much to learn how to love myself that I will not let anyone make me feel like I'm living a horrible life. This year I was really fortunate to meet a great guy. His name is Joey and to have someone that makes you laugh and not have to worry about trying to be someone you're not....it's such a great relief. He's so mature compared to a lot of people I know his age. He has dreams that he works so hard for and wants to achieve. He supports me in all that I do and has been there for me through all my hardships since I met him (poor him, he meet me at the time my world came tumbling down).
My parents had invited me to join them for Thanksgiving, but at that time I had told Joey I would spend it with his family since I had promised him that (because at that time I had a job and had to work on Thanksgiving). When my parents invited me, I had gotten laid off from my job. Joey told me that I should go up to Utah since he knew how much my family meant to me. To hear him tell me that I should go was something that I knew was not the easiest thing to say because he was leaving for Korea in December and we wouldn't be together for Thanksgiving (the last holiday we would have together). I told him, that I will only go up to Utah to spend Thanksgiving with my family if they allowed me to bring him along with me. I told Joey, "They don't have to accept my lifestyle, but I want them to at least meet the person that makes me happy in life....if they can't do that, I will not spend it with them." I just don't see why I should be treated differently from the other children....yes I may not following the teaches that they follow, but I am just as much as a child of their's like the rest. I quickly called my sister in law, Jenny to ask her what she thought. Honestly, I'm so grateful for Jenny because I feel like I can talk to her and not worry about being judged about how I live my life. Jenny told me that she didn't see a problem with it and that I should ask if I could bring Joey up. I called my dad and informed him that I was dating someone and that I wanted to bring him up with me for Thanksgiving. My dad told me, "I may not approve of your lifestyle, but you still are you my son and you may bring him along with you". I was so relieved and happy that my dad told me that. My dad is a great man!! Joey and I went up to spend Thanksgiving with my family...even though it was a little awkward at times for Joey, it was something that meant the world to me to have him meet the people that mean so much to me....my family. He loved my siblings and enjoyed the time that we spent with them....especially since he stayed up till 6:30 in the morning playing Rockstar Band with Sia. Crazy!!
The ending of this year was a little bitter-sweet for me. One day before my birthday I got a call saying my grandma was going into the hospital. One of my biggest fears had come to life. I was so frightened for my grandma and scared that I would lose her. She had been my rock, my hero...a person that impacted my life more than she will ever know. Sadly, on November 29, 2008, my beloved grandmother, Yoshiko Uyema left this mortal life to be united with her loving husband, my grandfather, George Uyema. The day she passed away, my world came tumbling down. I didn't know what I would do. My younger sister, Ame called me with the news and by the time my dad called me I was a mess. I was balling on the phone and my dad tried to keep himself composed, but the way I was on the phone, he started to cry and tell me that she's ok and what made her happy were her grandkids. Memories of my grandma and myself flashed in my head all that day (both good & bad). I had a hard time forgiving myself for all the stress I put her through as a teenager...all my fights, all my temper tantrums...I just remembered my grandma crying and praying to make things better. Till this day, I wish I didn't cause that much hurt and pain for one of the women that I loved so dearly.
I was able to go back home for my grandma's funeral service. The whole family was going to be there. Mom, George, Jenny, Carlos,Tana, Lisia, Ame, & I flew from the mainland back to Hawaii for the services. Dad, Sione, & Alana were back in Hawaii already. It was really nice to have the whole family together, all the kids & their spouse, my parents, and my Aunty Betty & Aunty Annie. The funeral service was very beautiful and to see the many lives my grandmother had touched. At the viewing, I couldn't help but cry as I saw my grandmother laying in the casket. When it came to closing the casket and giving the family the chance to say good-bye one last time, all the grandkids went up to the casket and one by one stood there, each of us saying our last good-bye to our beloved grandma in our head as we each kissed her on her forehead. Watching as they closed the casket, I couldn't contain myself. The service went on and each of us gave a small talk about our grandma and how she touched our lives. As the service ended, the congregation sang "Aloha O'e". As I stood beside my grandmother's casket and the song began, the tears ran down my face like a faucet. I physcially lost someone so dear to me and it was hard to bear. However, like the song says, "until we meet again" and I know I will see my grandmother again.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas 2008
So this Christmas was a better than I thought it would be. First of all, I don't have Joey with me since he's in Korea for a dance show....so I knew this Christmas was going to be a little lonely, but it was up to me to make it a good one. Since I'm still looking for a job, I wasn't able to get Joey anything in time for Christmas, so what I did was tape myself singing "I Never Knew The Meaning Of Christmas" for him and sent it to him via YouTube. It was nice to hear that he was surprised and that I had turned his worse Christmas into the best ever. Hehe!!
On Christmas morning I had breakfast with Joey's mom, Donna and some friends. It was nice to just have people to spend it with....even though I barely knew them except for Joey's mom (who I love to death!!). After breakfast Kristie & I played Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero III to be exact and we had a lot of fun!
I came back home to take a quick nap since I had a dinner party to go to with some friends. When I got the party, I stuffed my face with the delicious foods they had there. When more of our friends came we started playing Mad Gab. For those that don't know what this game is....you're missing out!! We were cracking up and just having a lot of fun. Here's the commercial of the game:
It's just really hilarious because the people sound like major FOBs....if you're on the other team you can hear what the saying is, but it's funny to see the guessing team have a hard time hearing what they're saying. LoL!! Spending time with friends was a great way to celebrate my Christmas since I didn't have my family or Joey to spend it with.
Now....I gotta figure out how I'm going to spend my New Year's Eve :(
On Christmas morning I had breakfast with Joey's mom, Donna and some friends. It was nice to just have people to spend it with....even though I barely knew them except for Joey's mom (who I love to death!!). After breakfast Kristie & I played Nintendo Wii, Guitar Hero III to be exact and we had a lot of fun!
I came back home to take a quick nap since I had a dinner party to go to with some friends. When I got the party, I stuffed my face with the delicious foods they had there. When more of our friends came we started playing Mad Gab. For those that don't know what this game is....you're missing out!! We were cracking up and just having a lot of fun. Here's the commercial of the game:
It's just really hilarious because the people sound like major FOBs....if you're on the other team you can hear what the saying is, but it's funny to see the guessing team have a hard time hearing what they're saying. LoL!! Spending time with friends was a great way to celebrate my Christmas since I didn't have my family or Joey to spend it with.
Now....I gotta figure out how I'm going to spend my New Year's Eve :(
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage
This is how bored I have been since I have no job and no one seems to be hiring.
MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Free family history - Family tree template
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Deadlifts
So...yesterday wasn't a day of a crazy workout at CrossFit, but a day of maxing out on our deadlifts. Deadlifts are one of the few workouts I hate. I feel like they work out my lower back more than my legs. LoL! Well, my previous max for deadlifting was only at a pathetic 315 lbs. It seemed like everytime we did a deadlift workout at CrossFit, I always did really crappy.
I made sure yesterday that I ate a good breakfast, so I egg whites with turkey bacon and broccoli. I had a protein shake later on and had a chicken sandwich with a salad for lunch. I had to make sure that I was taking in calories so I would have the energy to beat my PR (previous record) for deadlifts. I got into class and our trainer, Zach informed us that he wanted us to do 2 sets of 10 reps of 60% of our max. I was thinking...I'm gonna die and not be able to beat my PR. To my surprise, I surpassed my PR by 40 pounds...maxing out at 355 pounds.
Deadlifting 325 lbs.
Deadlifting 345 lbs.
Maxing out at 355 lbs.
I made sure yesterday that I ate a good breakfast, so I egg whites with turkey bacon and broccoli. I had a protein shake later on and had a chicken sandwich with a salad for lunch. I had to make sure that I was taking in calories so I would have the energy to beat my PR (previous record) for deadlifts. I got into class and our trainer, Zach informed us that he wanted us to do 2 sets of 10 reps of 60% of our max. I was thinking...I'm gonna die and not be able to beat my PR. To my surprise, I surpassed my PR by 40 pounds...maxing out at 355 pounds.
Deadlifting 325 lbs.
Deadlifting 345 lbs.
Maxing out at 355 lbs.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Beating My PR
So many know that I'm obessed with CrossFit. For those that don't know what CrossFit is...check out www.crossfit.com. If you want to see the actual CrossFit I go to check out www.cflasvegas.com. There are CrossFit gyms all over the world, so if you're ever interested, check out the main CrossFit website. Anyways, I've been going to CrossFit since August of this year and I go as many times as I can. This is no ordinary gym...we laugh at those that come in with their hair did, make-up caked on, or trying to use it as a meet market. Sorry, this ain't your typical gym. LoL!! We go to work out...we don't use machines (except for the Rowing Concept 2 cardio machine)...our bodies are the machines. If someone passes out or is puking...they're just resting. The workouts are intense and at times you feel like you're doing to just die if you complete the workout. However, at the end of the workout you feel like you accomplished something great (which in my opinion, one has when they complete the workout).
I've been pushing myself as much as my body can take it to completing the workouts as fast as possible or break my PR (person record) when we're doing a max out weight workout. When it comes to lifting I have set my PR for deadlifts at 315 lbs, Overhead squat at 205 lbs (currently #1 for the guys at CrossFit Las Vegas), front squat at 245 lbs (breaking my previous PR of 215 lbs & currently #3 at CrossFit Las Vegas), and shoulder press at 155 lbs (this was the crappiest PR ever).
Tomorrow's workout we are trying to max out on our deadlifts so I got to get over 315 lbs this time around. I really hate deadlifts as they hurt my legs and my lower back. However, I need to make sure I have a nice breakfast and lunch before I head to my class tomorrow. I will keep you updated with this workout to see if I beat my PR. I have the following videos of myself hitting my PR for my overhead squat and front squat. I need to video tape myself for the other max out workouts.
Front Squat @ 245 pounds
Overhead squat @ 205 pounds
I've been pushing myself as much as my body can take it to completing the workouts as fast as possible or break my PR (person record) when we're doing a max out weight workout. When it comes to lifting I have set my PR for deadlifts at 315 lbs, Overhead squat at 205 lbs (currently #1 for the guys at CrossFit Las Vegas), front squat at 245 lbs (breaking my previous PR of 215 lbs & currently #3 at CrossFit Las Vegas), and shoulder press at 155 lbs (this was the crappiest PR ever).
Tomorrow's workout we are trying to max out on our deadlifts so I got to get over 315 lbs this time around. I really hate deadlifts as they hurt my legs and my lower back. However, I need to make sure I have a nice breakfast and lunch before I head to my class tomorrow. I will keep you updated with this workout to see if I beat my PR. I have the following videos of myself hitting my PR for my overhead squat and front squat. I need to video tape myself for the other max out workouts.
Front Squat @ 245 pounds
Overhead squat @ 205 pounds
More Dance Classes
So, I decided to add more videos of my hip-hop dance classes that I've been going to the past 2 years...but these are recent ones within the past 2 months or so.
"Let Me Think About It" by Ida Corr (I'm on the back left side of this video)
"Single Ladies" by Beyonce
"Womanizer" by Britney Spears (I'm on the right side)
"Let Me Think About It" by Ida Corr (I'm on the back left side of this video)
"Single Ladies" by Beyonce
"Womanizer" by Britney Spears (I'm on the right side)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A Hero Lost
It was a day before my birthday that I had gotten the news that my Grandma was going to the hospital because she wasn't feeling too good. It was a scary thought of having my Grandma in the hospital as she has been a huge influence in my life and one of my heroes. Some of my good friends know that one of my greatest fears was losing my Grandma.
I called periodically to see how she was doing in the hospital. Unfortunately, each time I called my Aunty Betty, I was told that she was going down slowly. I found out a few days before Thanksgiving that she wasn't responding at all and that my dad and Aunty Betty had opted not to stick tubes down her to feed her because it would be an uncomfortable feeling for her. That night that my Aunty Betty had informed me that she wasn't responding, she held the phone to my Grandma's ear to let me say a few things to her in case it would be my last. I remember trying to hold back my tears and be the strong person I usually am, but I couldn't. The tears ran down my face with fear of losing my Grandma. I told her how much I loved her and how thankful I was to be her grandson.
On November 29, 2008, Yoshiko Uyema left this mortal life. It was a heart breaking news to bear, but I knew it was part of life. I know each of us have to experience death, but it was hard for me to bear the news since it was the first death of an immediate family member that I had experienced. Though she's not here physically, I know that she's in a better place. She has finally been reunited with her husband, my Grandpa after 30 years of being separated since his passing away. I know my Grandpa was waiting for a long time to see his lovely wife one more time and this time for all eternity.
For those who knew my Grandma, I know she had touched your life in some way. My Grandma was always so cheerful and never did I ever hear her complain once in my whole entire life. She had a wity personality that brought a smile to everyone's face. I will miss her laugh (that looked like she wasn't breathing), having her call her wheelchair her Cadillac, cracking jokes with us, and especially the phone calls I would make back home while here in Vegas. I'm blessed to have such an amazing Grandma like her and I will miss her dearly. She has impacted my life more than she will ever know. She will always be in my heart and I can't wait for the day to see her again with open arms. I love you Obaasan! Thank you for being the best Grandma any grandchild could ask for.
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