Life of Larisa or LOL

We have now successfully maneuvered through furlough Friday number two. The first Friday that Gabe was essentially "laid off" from school ( Hawaii state budget cuts ), we did his homework packet and played with our friends Mohamad and Danya at... McDonald's . Real educational right? I told myself that I would try to keep Gabe's mind engaged during the 17 Fridays he is off this school year (in addition to all the other holidays, teacher work days, it's Tuesday so we'll take a break from school days). So much for that plan. When Gabe was first born I also told myself he wouldn't be a kid raised on McDonald's and t.v. So much for that plan as well. I'm not saying this is all we do (I don't have an I Heart McDonald's blog or anything) but it certainly is a fun and air conditioned place to kick back with another mom while the kids run wild, catch hundreds of germs, and eat a good old fashioned American cheeseburger. Yesterday was furlou

As I type, I'm hoping my green nail polish doesn't get smudged. But I wanted to make a quick post...I'm going through withdrawal . I haven't posted for several days...busy with Halloween festivities, Halloween baking, getting a new computer, and finalizing my costume. So, now I am trying to multi-talk...although this is probably not one of my wiser decisions. I should probably be doing something that doesn't require my nails to be drying. Oh well. I was super honored to have received my first request for my baked cupcakes ---two dozen cupcakes for my friends son. Harvest Festival (or what we call Halloween at school because some parent will get mad if we really call it Halloween) was my first unofficial cupcake client. Pumpkin cupcakes garnished with strawberry jam and decorated with candy corn. Something for the kids. Something for the holiday. Something yummy for the belly. It was fun to create something from scratch to be enjoyed by someone other than my family f

Finishing anything is bitter sweet. The last day of school. The last sip of Starbucks, the last bite of cupcake, the last word in the last sentence on the last page of the book. The journey has been so nice, you just don't want it to end. This morning, instead of putting away the rest of the laundry (which I swear multiplies hourly), I finished reading this month's book club selection: "Waiter Rant" . I am already eager to read "the waiter's" next rant. Coming in at just under 300 pages, this memoir of sorts, was one of the better books I've read. It proves you don't have to be an English major, young, or Ivy League to contribute something fantastic to the literary world. Since I've been trying my hand at blogging over the past couple of months, my reading interests have taken on yet another genre---"the blogoir " (that's blog and memoir put together for those who don't speak Larisaese). These days everyone has a st

Now that I was able to get this morning's terrible traffic experience off my chest...time for a look ahead---to the fun coming attractions! Things I am looking forward to: My 100th Blog Post November "The Page Turners" Gathering at My House With so much fun stuff on the calendar, it's hard to stay upset about our terrible traffic situation here. Although I am wary of heading into town again any time soon. Thinking about all the little things in my life that I look forward to got me wondering...what is everyone else looking forward to in the coming days, weeks, months? Please share...I'm interested (for once) in hearing about someone other than me!

Traffic sucks. Traffic in Hawaii today sucked worse than usual. There will be no cute pictures of cupcakes, or even really blurry, bad pictures from my iPhone in today's post. Just pure complaining. So, if you are uninterested in that...click "next blog" at the top of your screen and move along to someone who is in a cheerier mood than me. Today was a perfect example of how much Hawaii desperately NEEDS a rail system. From Mililani to Kapiolani Park is 21 miles. Estimated travel time is 36 minutes. Well, we all know that travel time is the amount of time it should take---in a perfect traficless world. Factor in crazy drivers, accidents, road construction, traffic and your commute time can drastically change. Today's commute: 2 hours! I could have walked faster! That is beyond ridiculous. The longer I sat in the car the angrier I got. No wonder so many people suffer from road rage. I was getting road psychosis! I mean really, when you aren't even MOVING, it beco

Today I went to Borders. Today I went to Starbucks. Today I baked cupcakes. Today I blogged. My life is sounding pretty boring. Same thing day in and day out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining---these are all things I enjoy (otherwise I wouldn't do them so much). But, as an outsider looking into my life, it must seem...well, lame. I'm hoping you'll hang in there though 'cause every once in awhile something funny and interesting does happen. Really. Take yesterday for example. Isom saved a poor damsel in distress at Pipeline. Okay, so it didn't happen to me. But it was no less exciting. Sunday at the beach---quite typical for us. Our intentions were to head to Waimea but as usual the parking situation was junk. We drove a few more miles down the road and found prime parking at the beach across from Sunset Elementary school. We dragged toys, towels, chairs, sunscreen, umbrella, and Starbucks with us down the sand and set up our mini camp. The boys bod

"C" is not for cookie...it's for CUPCAKE. Candy Corn Cupcake. From reading, you have learned that I like to bake, I like to read, I like to go to Starbucks, I like Keanu Reeves, I like music, I like alcoholic beverages, and I like to eat. I also like gathering...gathering people together, gathering with like minded individuals who have my same obsessive tendencies ...we call it Book Club. Here I can indulge in the eating, reading, drinking, and gathering. I love killing four birds with one stone. Saturday was our October Book Club meeting---we are cleverly called "The Page Turners". We could also be known as "The Bottle Openers", "The Wine Drinkers", "The Trash Talkers"...wait, maybe I should speak for myself. Maybe that's just me. Since it is close to Halloween, I decided to bring Candy Corn Cupcakes to share with the group. Wine and sweets---always a winning combination. I whipped up another batch of batter---all on my own a

I just closed this book and put it back on the shelf between "The Measure of a Man" and " Jesusland " ( alphabetized by author last name ). I'm thinking---why can't I find this movie playing anywhere and why aren't more people talking about this book? It's been awhile since reading a heavy book like this. It definitely has parallels to "The Color Purple" and "The Bluest Eye" ---two really important books as well. Everyone won't like this book. It is written in broken English---written from the perspective of the narrator. After the first few pages you get past that (it's actually not much different than the broken English text messages we call communication or the six year old writings I read weekly). I enjoyed the book because it was candid. Because it didn't sugar coat one bad thing that happened to the main character Precious Jones. Sometimes, sitting in our plushly furnished, obsessively clean suburbia townhous

I can't believe I've put off writing about this for this long...I mean it came out last Friday and here it is a week later and I finally share my thoughts. I, of course, purchased this on the day it came out. I had a reminder in my phone. It was on my calendar. I am obsessed. The problem with being obsessed is that sometimes you get let down. I'm gonna hope that the soundtrack will be more meaningful and something I can't turn off once I see the movie. For now though, I've only listened to it once. Okay, maybe I should give it a second listen. The "Twilight" soundtrack is one of my favorite CDs ...and it seriously would be regardless of loving the books, the movie, and Edward . But the "New Moon" soundtrack just didn't do it for me. I'm really hoping this is not foreshadowing of how I'll like the movie. Right now, I feel like I could just sit and watch the movie trailers over and over and over again. Not the case with the CD. But the

I'm getting so excited for the Holidays. I love this time of year when commercialism rules. Everywhere I go and everywhere I look I see decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. The tell tale sign will be when Starbucks switches their cups to the holiday cup...can't wait. In the meantime, I'm still baking. Yesterday, after finally deciding that it's time to take my fitness (or lack there of) more seriously (I walked and did the eliptical)...I baked these yummy little treats. Tonight is Gabe's Tiger Scout Den meeting and since it is the last one before Halloween, I wanted to have a festive snack for the boys...Halloween Cupcakes it is! I simply whipped up some cream cheese frosting (which I'm delighted I actually know how to do sans recipe book now), added some food coloring for an orangey Halloween glow, and whipped up cupcake batter...also sans recipe book. Woo hoo ! So, here are my first cupcakes from scratch without the help of any book

On Saturday we had a full day of adventures, as we were excited to spend time with Isom since he was away for a week for work in Arizona . Gabe and I started the morning at the Mililani Library for his October Tiger Scout Field Trip---planned by...me. The children's librarian did his best to introduce the scouts to "proper library procedure" but I had to laugh as he explained (over loud, incessant jabbering from the six year olds ) that the library is a "quiet place". At least we were there early enough as to not disturb too many library goers. He read the boys a Curious George book about camping (perfect) and then turned the boys loose in the library to browse . Silly librarian. After several " shhhhh's ", "stop running's ", and "get over here's" we left the library and headed to the airport. For once Isom's flight and my airport arrival timing were in sync...pretty much as soon as we pulled up, we got the call-

Number two of the "land" movies (the first being " Adventureland ") that Jesse Eisenberg has starred in, that I have enjoyed---I think in part to the good soundtracks to both. " Zombieland " opened with "For Whom the Bell Tolls" , Metallica , always a joy. And it was a fun ride from there. Woody Harrelson (who is looking pretty good in his cowboy hat) was great as a " Tallahassee ". The character suited Woody-- or what I presume his real life personality (when faced with a world of zombies) might be like. There is a wonderful cameo that still makes me chuckle thinking about it (but I won't spoil it). And lots of poking fun at the typical slasher film. So with great actors, great music, a great cameo---I'd have to say " Zombieland " is a great watch in the theater kind of movie. And of course, like all great action movies---it's a love story at heart.

More good music from a really good band. For someone who doesn't really even use an ATM machine---I am very proud to say that I bought my first CD online...and better yet it was in digital format from iTunes . Pearl Jam has been the soundtrack to many of my adolescent firsts and now adult firsts. First time drinking. First time wanting to travel on the road with a band. First time driving on my own. First time really loving a band...but especially the lead singer. First time seeing a lead singer backstage. First time seeing a band multiple times in a year. And now my first digital CD. With a few quick clicks of the mouse I had paid for, downloaded, and was listening to the newest CD from Pearl Jam. I am already loving "The Fixer" , "Just Breathe" , and "Gonna See My Friend " . " Backspacer " is an album that even those not familiar with Pearl Jam can pick up, listen to, and enjoy---which I hope you'll do.

Blaisdell Stomp. Plastic cupped beer. Overpriced alcohol. Red bandannas as far as the eye could see. Aerosmith concert. The classic rock band from the '70s was at the Neal S. Blaisdell center and Sarah and I were there for the party. The last concert that Sarah and I went to was the young, energetic, fun Gwen Stefani with "No Doubt". Last nights concert was a departure from that...as we were informed several times by lead singer Steven Tyler ---"It's been thirty years since we've performed in Hawaii". Hawaii has been waiting thirty years and I've been waiting for about twenty years. My first, fond memories of blasting Aersomith were in high school, circa 1990--grunge was just making the scene, bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam were just beginning to make their mark on a younger, skinnier, nerdier me. The last vestiges of the '80s were on their way out...I was happy to say good-bye to the evil hair claw (you know the girls with the can of Aqua Net

Coffee Frosting with Starbucks Via Ingredients: 2 packets Starbucks via Columbia { I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you're supposed to cook with wine you'd drink, shouldn't that be the same for coffee? } 3/4 cup coffee flavored liqueur 4 large egg whites 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature Instructions: In a small bowl, combine the Starbucks via with the coffee liqueur and stir until dissolved , set aside. in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, whisk together the egg whites and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture is warm to the touch, about 2-3 minutes.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the egg white/sugar mixture on high speed until sift peaks have formed, about 6 minutes.Switch to the paddle attachment and with the mixture on medium to low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time. beating well after each addition. continue beating until

Just call me "Crazy Cupcake Lady"...that's what I think is going through most people's minds these days anyway. Did I start this Hui group today because I wanted to give back to an awesome organization, or did I start it so I could share cupcakes with more moms? Hmm ... At any rate, this morning I was a busy bee. After a leading hiatus of probably a year, I was back in the swing of things and leading a Hui group of infants. Yay me! Cupcakes and infants all in one morning. The kids (and the moms) were all super nice---I lucked out again. After our Hui meeting (and pawning, I mean sharing, my latest cupcake creation), I taught the Lil' Chef class at Island Monkeez . We had one new tot join us for a creative, fun treat---"Halloween Cat"...or "half eaten rice cake cat", "10 raisin eyed cat", "no pretzel ears 'cause I ate them cat"...you get the picture. It was fun though---no matter how much it did (or didn't) look lik

Three highlights of today---received Gabe's 1st grade school pictures (he's so handsome!), found a couple more of the cute coffee sleeves I love so much (Danielle, I'm saving one for you!), and purchased the Twilight Journals . Now, I can stare at my cute kid (even when he's not around), drink my Starbucks to my hearts content (without getting my hands too hot), and I can write all the thoughts I keep out of the blog down on paper.

Yesterday I spent most of the day eating. There was The Cream Pot (again), Starbucks (I'm an addict), McDonald's (I do have a 6 year old), and finally Zpizza (yes, again---when in town, you have to make the most of it!). In between eating, I was lucky enough to hang out with several friends---Mai Ly and her daughter Arwen in the morning (eating buddies number 1), Jayme and her Auntie Rae (mid morning coffee buddies), and Mari, Jesse , and their baby Sean (lunch and dinner buddies). I'm doing much better about remembering to eat while Isom is away this time. After a delicious veggie sandwich at Zpizza (happy to finally try something other than pizza there), The Markhams and The Majors took a trip into Borders . Earlier, Mari and I had a discussion about lists over our gourmet McDonald's lunch. I love lists. I make them to stay organized. I make them when I'm bored. I make them for future goals and plans. To Do Lists, Grocery Lists, Cupcake Ingredient Lists,

Another list...a wonderfully sweet, cupcake list. As I was out and about this morning, I realized that I am able to enjoy my obsession ( no matter how temporary it may be ) for cupcakes in many ways. And you can too. Here's where to find cupcakes and cupcake paraphernalia for the more serious addict, I mean connoisseur . Oahu Cupcake Eats (star rating system): Cake Couture ***** Hokulani Bake Shop ***** Safeway * Starbucks *** The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf **** Oahu Cupcake Gear (that I've found so far): Borders Party City Safeway Star Market Target Wal -mart Cupcakes Online: All Things Cupcake Cupcakes Cupcake Bakeshop Cupcakes Take the Cake Georgetown Cupcake Happiness in a Bite Sprinkles Cupcakes The Cupcake Station Happy Cupcaking !