Another New Year

Hi everyone. Apologies for the lack of posts. I really haven't been any good at keeping you all up to date recently. One of my New Year's Resolutions definitely is to be much better at updating (hopefully I'll get a new digi cam to help facilitate that goal). In any case, I've had a pretty eventful past month or so. Finals were ridiculously stressful and I'm extremely grateful not only for surviving, but doing much better than could've been expected! Apple Pasadena then let me go home for Christmas so I went back for 10 awesome days (technically 8 since two were spent in Osaka, Japan). After some valuable family time and getting to see many old friends, I'm now back in Pasadena (and subsequently the good, old Apple store) just in time for the New Year! I'm also here in time for tomorrow's Rose Parade (hopefully I can catch the Punahou Marching Band in action). Enough talk, here are some pics from the aforementioned activities:

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Let's start things off during Finals. Darren got commissioned as a 2/LT in the Air Force and, fortunately for us all, will be stationed right here in LA! Hopefully he enjoys training and makes it back intact (and with a new tC in tow). After getting worked by the BME 513 final, I made my way to Darren's commissioning ceremony. Although I missed the main program, I got there for cake and champagne (as shown in the pic). Oddly, Darren's last name was still left on one of the slices so I got a hold of that piece (woo hoo). How exciting!

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After finals, Darren, Priscilla, Brandon & I celebrated by going down to Bar Celona in Pasadena. For those of you who missed seeing some food pictures, here you are! The Salmon & Broccolini dish was quite tasty even if it wasn't all that filling.

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Dessert from Bar Celona was a strawberry & banana crepe with chocolate hazelnut sauce. Also tasty.

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Back in warm Honolulu, I had the privelege of hanging out with everyone's favorite East Coast Corporate Banker: Phil. We (L->R: Phil, Traci, Noelle, Me - Part of Brandon's head can be seen peeking out behind Noelle's) walked around Waikiki one night and here's the pic to prove it. We were feeling particularly Christmas-y so we caught this pic outside the Sheraton Moana Surfrider (where, by the way, the Tiffany's has not been for many years...apparently).

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I'm quite pleased that I also managed to visit the beach. Here we are at Makapu'u (Phil, Kevin, Traci, Noelle & myself). Kevin might look a little sad because he just got disrespected in a round of beach football. Your's truly - "Ocho Cinco" - apologizes for any long term psychological damage which might've occurred.

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Finally, here's a pic from Xmas Day (after an awesome buffet at Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch & Crab). I found this little license plate thing in the wondrous aisles of the Iwilei K-Mart.

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So, I'm not really one for lists but I feel somewhat inspired to put up a few more New Year's resolutions. We'll see in a year's time if any progress was made. Here goes:

1)More frequent blogging (+more pics)
2)More trips: Hawaii or International (wishful thinking?)
3)Become a better rock climber (new hobby)
4)See my friends/family more often (that means YOU)
5)Graduate & get a job I don't hate! (it's time)

So, there you have it. I know there are tons more pics that I'll eventually post, once I actually get a hold of them, so just sit tight. Have a Happy New Year (in other words, Gung Hee Fat Choy), take care (don't let your leg get hit by fireworks) and see you in 2007!