Doing the DNC!

I'm not sure how to put in words what an incredible experience it was to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, and to be a part of such a historic moment. The speeches were inspiring and empowering. Strong platforms and detailed plans were presented. The positive energy and people's excitement for change was immense - you could have plugged us all in to a socket and the electricity would have ran the whole state! Here's me with 88,000 other excited people!
Going to and from the Pepsi Center and then the last night at Invesco Field was a trip with everyone selling everything from pins and t-shirts to "Michelle and Barack Fragrances" (his and her perfume)! And others were handing out everything from stickers, like "Rednecks for Obama" to condoms that said "Protect yourself from John McCain in this election!" There didn't seem to be many protesters, but the police presence was significant.

Denver was a wonderful host city with so many great restaurants and bars. And the people were so friendly and helpful! We made some time to go to the Manifest Hope Gallery that featured works by artists from around the world who rallied together to show their support for Obama. Here is Chris in front of one done by one of his favorite artists, Shepard Fairey.

Chris's Ring

You girls wanted to see Chris's ring, so here it is - and here I am doing my best imitation of his ring! (By the way, that is my friend's husband in the background, not some stranger filming me!)

Can't Help Falling in Love!

Well girls - I'm baaaaaaack! And since there are so many good times from our trip to L.A., Denver and Las Vegas, I will do a series of entries (hope that is okay!).

I am starting first with the one night I was most looking forward to and because these are the only pictures I have downloaded on my computer at this point. Getting married again to my most important and favorite person in the world - my husband! Chris and I renewed our vows at the Graceland Wedding Chapel with Elvis doing the honor of walking me down the aisle and being the officiant! By the way, Jon Bon Jovi was married here (my mom and I are big fans!)!

I need to give a shout-out to one of my close friends, bridesmaid at our first wedding and witness at this one, Alia, who attended with her husband Elton. Alia took the following "illegal" photos with her IPod since you are not allowed to take your own photos at the chapel)!

Chris and I love Elvis and one of our songs is "Can't Help Falling in Love," which Elvis sang as he walked me down the aisle.

We exchanged new rings that we bought across the street from the chapel at a pawn shop - mine is a $30 bling-bling and Chris was excited to find a silver one with a scary looking monster face of some sort after being disappointed that they did not have a skull ring.

In our "Blue Hawaii" wedding package, we received Elvis glasses (that I love to wear and make Chris even more sexier!) and silk lei. We struck many an Elvis pose during the ceremony.

Chris is much better at it than I am!

And here we are closing the deal again! I love being married to Chris. And I love marrying Chris! I wish I could do it every day!

We celebrated with Alia and Elton that evening, dining, drinking, gambling and laughing away! It was such a great night!

Waikiki Roughwater Swim

I swam it today. 2.2 miles. I did in in 2003, when they pulled about 600 people or so out of the water. It took my 2 hours and 2 minutes, and I was tired, to say the least. So I thought - heck, this time if should take just about an hour. no biggie. Well, about half way through my goggles were on so tight I started to get a major headache. The current was going against us, and the wind was crazy whipping so I felt like I was an ant trying to swim through a washing machine. By the time I finally got to the finish I just leisurely walked up the beach. The announcer made some comment about how it must have just been a Sunday swim for me or something. Truth was, I wasn't sure which way was up, my body felt like led and my eyes were ready to pop out of their sockets because of the super suction strength of my goggles... the rings around my eyes didn't disappear for 3 hours! Anyway, long story short, after 1 hour and 34 minutes of swimming, my back is a beautiful crimson color, but I came in 9th in my age group and 320th overall (there were 650 people who finished). Yeay!

Reluctantly Donating Things

So I'm usually the type to reluctantly donate old clothes that no longer fit - this happens a lot. I've cleaned out the cupboards to donate to the Hawaii Food Bank, and have even regularly donated hair for Locks of Love (see recent photo - post hair chop). However, this is the first time I've donated blood. Stop reading now if you get grossed out by this topic.

I know some of my MGs here donate - that's what got me over the hump of the "fear factor." AlphaDog, the Hawaii Blood Bank gets my donation partly due to your influence.

I don't like needles and I hate the fact that nurses can never find my veins. I have gone years fearing this type of donation and very reluctantly signed up during the drive. I even considered skipping out on my appointment. Let's face it - I'm a big wuss. However, I have to say this was the best experience ever.

I got to cruise for an hour during lunch - they did ask a lot of personal questions but in a very non-judgemental way. Quite frankly that must be hard to do. I think I would get fired if I volunteered for that gig. I passed the iron test and then went on to donate. It really didn't hurt! It was actually easier than the blood tests at the Dr.'s office... and I got to lie down for about 20 minutes during my lunch break!

At the end I walked out with a free can of juice, rice krispy treat, and a no-guilt reason to eat a HUGE lunch. When you factor that in, it was really a win-win situation. I even signed up to do it again... reluctantly ;)

Christmas Card Picture Perhaps?

Rolling with the VIPs

We were lucky enough to get into the fundraiser for Barak Obama on 8/12/08! It was such a fun and exciting night! It was awesome to see Mr. Obama and hear him speak in person. We got to quickly meet him and his wife and take a photo (I'm waiting for the photo since a professional photographer took it). But here is a photo of him during his speech.


There were also a few "stars" there - Owen Wilson (who when I saw him said, "Oh, there's what's-his-name!"), Woody Harelson (who I didn't actually see or maybe didn't recognize him) and Daniel Dae Kim from LOST (who I got to get a picture with after embarrassing myself earlier in the night by poking him in the shoulder because in my excitement wanted to touch him I guess!).