February 24, 2013
Have you ever tried doing something that you knew you did really well in the past, only to find out you are no longer good at it? That’s what I’ve been dealing with lately. I was once the queen of…
February 17, 2013
It’s confession time: For about three weeks last month, every time I used my garbage disposal, it leaked water under the sink. Instead of tackling the problem right away, I went for the avoidance strategy. I stuck a vase under…
February 10, 2013
Just when you thought the gift giving, indulgent eating of the holidays was over, Valentine’s Day pops right up. If you’re like me, you’d rather get a sentimental card and a good meal than a gift. Then again, I’m not…
February 3, 2013
When I was in college, I counted myself among those to gain the “Freshmen 15.” Years after graduation, I decided I could no longer use that excuse for the extra pounds. I tried fad diets, but every attempt ended the…
January 27, 2013
As I mentioned before, I’m a student and a writer who spends most of my time working from home. When I first left the office routine, I worried about how productive I would be. I feared temptations luring me away…
January 20, 2013
Lately, I’ve been on a de-cluttering binge. When our guests left town, I felt the urge to clean everything in sight, and that included taking the time to sort through some serious piles of papers, gadgets and clothing. Now that…
January 13, 2013
Like the holiday season, my out-of-town guests have come and gone. I enjoyed their company, but now it’s time to get back to “normal.” I started by taking down holiday decorations (sigh) and doing a thorough cleaning of my place.…
January 6, 2013
You can put your organizational skills and great work ethic to good use by turning any nook at home into a functional workspace In 2012, I made the resolution to attend at least two shows and go sailing. I exceeded…
December 30, 2012
Back when MTV played music videos, I always looked forward to this time of the year. Why? I couldn’t wait to see what the top 100 videos of the year would be, and especially which video would be crowned No.…
December 23, 2012
‘Tis the season for out-of-town guests. In the past two weeks, I’ve hosted my brother and some friends from high school. I live in a small space, and when you combine that with extra people and lots of luggage, you…
December 16, 2012
This is not going to sound very pretty, but here it goes: As you may tell from my picture, I have long hair. The average person loses 100 strands of hair per day, but I would venture to guess that…
December 9, 2012
I have been training for the Honolulu Marathon since August, and the big day is finally here. If you are reading this on Sunday, I’m either out on the course or happily finished, enjoying a big meal with some well-deserved…
December 2, 2012
I have a guilty pleasure. As much as it pains me to admit it, I can’t get enough of the “Real Housewives” series on Bravo. One of the latest episodes showed housewife Kim as she attempted to move from her…
November 25, 2012
One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving is actually eating the leftovers. I have started making a tradition of using leftover turkey and ham for cooking jook and ham and pea soup every year, so with a full fridge, I…
November 18, 2012
I previously used disinfecting wipes to clean everything in the house, but after a while I noticed something: For certain materials like wood and glass, the wipes left streak marks on them. It turns out that just like handiwork, where…
November 11, 2012
I’ve been doing some house hunting lately, and I’ve realized just how much that initial feeling I get when I pull up to a home affects my attitude toward it. A home’s front entry is often the first thing visitors…
November 4, 2012
When my older sister moved out on her own, my parents made sure she took a toolkit with her. It was ready-made, but it had most of the basics and got plenty of use. Eventually, when it was my turn…
October 28, 2012
The Halloween season is in full swing. Hocus Pocus, Edward Scissorhands and other Halloween-movie favorites play continually at my place while an orange, candy-filled bowl sits at the ready for those with a sweet tooth. Though ghouls, goblins, zombies and…
October 21, 2012
When I started writing about home improvement in Hawaii, I attended a photo shoot at a lovely home in Nuuanu. Upon entering the residence, I couldn’t help but notice an exquisite wood compass inlay design, which blended seamlessly as a…
October 14, 2012
For many households, October marks the beginning of the holiday season. For us, it’s also the beginning of our busy food season. Halloween treats tow the line for Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas cookies and New Year’s Eve pupus, not to mention…