Wonderful season ahead of us

David and I are subscribing to various performing arts series for the 2019-2020 season:

Hawaii Symphony Orchestra (11 concerts)
Hawaii Opera Theatre (3 operas)
Diamond Head Theatre (6 shows)
Manoa Valley Theatre (2 shows)

We are especially looking forward to “The Sound of Music” and “Murder on the Orient Express” at the Diamond Head Theatre next season. However, the trouble with this theater is that there is so little leg room for David, and the seating is cramped. It’s meant for little people, and David and I are not little people. Far from it. This is one of the reasons why we are more than willing to donate money towards building a brand new theater on the premises.

In fact, we have been donating money to all of the entities listed above, simply because the performing arts cannot survive without donations from patrons.

Blaisdell Concert Hall:

Diamond Head Theatre:

Manoa Valley Theatre:

Oh, we have a wonderful season ahead of us. I am so looking forward to having a great time with David.  It’s nice having a husband like David, isn’t it?  Someone to share my life with.

Living the good life in Hawaii

There are days when I just don’t feel like cooking. You know the drill – “same old thing, why can’t I make something better?” Take a look at my freezer: Chicken thighs, salmon filets, and ground beef. What am I supposed to do with all those animals? Answer: Leave them in the freezer and head for a restaurant.

On Friday, we drove to Aiea to have lunch at Palazzo Ristorante Italiano. We saw the special of the day written on the chalk board at the entrance, sat down, and ordered it:

The seafood special of the day: Shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, and spinach over linguine. It came with bread and butter:

So, that was what we ate for lunch. I don’t post prices anymore, because it makes me appear spendthrift. But, hey, instead of spending money on travel, we prefer to live the good life right here in Hawaii.

Seeking friends with common interests

Hawaii Symphony Orchestra (my photo 2019).

***

David and I left the Catholic Church in 2004, when the sex scandals involving priests were being publicized in the media. Gone are the dinner parties I hosted for priests and other Catholic couples in my home. However, we do socialize with two Catholic friends, who still attend Mass. I socialize with them, because the wife is a classical musician, who plays the violin, piano, and directs the church choir. In fact, she and I met during orchestra rehearsal at the University of Hawaii in 1976 and have been friends ever since.

I quit three writing groups, because I don’t write professionally anymore. I no longer socialize with members of those three writing groups.

It’s too bad that we don’t have more friends, who share our interest in classical music and fine art. I considered joining the Symphony Associates, but it requires spending money on rehearsal dinners, annual dues, and asking people for donations. It’s not what I want to do.

Meanwhile, David and I have a good marriage, based on common interests and values. Best of all, he is not an absentee husband. We spend a significant amount of time together.

Greek Marina for Father’s Day lunch

Last Sunday was Father’s Day, and both daughters were on the mainland.  Maria was in Texas, watching Julia’s team lose in the quarterfinals to 2nd seed Oklahoma in the soccer tournament.  Julia’s team placed 6th out of 16 teams.  Our other daughter, Lisa, resides in Nevada and works as a physical therapist there.  Both Maria and Lisa called David to wish him a Happy Father’s Day.

With Maria and Lisa on the mainland, David and I decided to have our Father’s Day lunch at the Greek Marina in Koko Marina Shopping Center in Hawaii Kai. The food is always good there.

The restaurant:

The dock is right next to the restaurant:

David and I (bad photo, using the flash):

The restaurant was packed:

Appetizer: Fried calamari with lemon and mayo:

Entree: Gyros, salad, pita, and mayo:

Dessert: Baklava with whipped cream:

Greek food is healthy and wonderful.  And, that my dear, is how we celebrated Father’s Day in 2019.

Googling Brahms and Bezos

I don’t read books anymore. But, I do love to google for information on the computer. Google is my favorite type of library. I can find information any time just by typing a name or word on the internet.

I am fond of googling classical music composers. For instance, Johannes Brahms, who lived during the 1800s in Germany and Austria. I was surprised that Brahms died of liver cancer at age 63. His father died of the same disease, too. Johannes Brahms composed some of the best music I have ever heard in my life. I love his two piano concertos, violin concerto and four symphonies.

This is Johannes Brahms before he grew that bushy beard.  Handsome dude (photo from the internet):

David, on the other hand, likes to google rich people, always wanting to know what their net worth is.  For him, seeing dollar signs is the epitome of fun. How he wishes he could be as wealthy as Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world. Well, Bezos might be rich, but he cheated on his wife, thereby destroying his marriage and breaking up his family.

Jeff Bezos, not so handsome but oh so rich (photo from the internet):

It will be hell if I go blind and can no longer read the computer. But, I could always learn Braille and get my information that way.

Best wishes to Julia and Kevin

My 11 year old granddaughter Julia’s soccer team (Whitfield SC) beat the Spirit of Liverpool in the first round of the national soccer tournament in Dallas, Texas yesterday. The final score was 5-0 with Julia scoring 2 points. They will soon face another team.

This is Julia’s soccer team, holding the Hawaiian flag in Dallas, Texas (photo taken from Maria’s Facebook page):

On another note, I am so sorry that Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors ruptured his Achilles tendon during Game 5 of the NBA Finals. He underwent surgery in New York and is convalescing. I hope that he has a speedy recovery.

Kevin Durant (photo taken from the internet):

Good luck to Julia and Kevin Durant.  Wishing them all the best for a successful outcome.  I hope Julia’s team brings home the trophy, and I hope Kevin Durant can play in the NBA for many years to come.

Thinking and memory

Blogging is my primary hobby. I have had this blog since November 2006, more than 12 years ago. I am still writing my posts every other day and still enjoy the writing process and the immediate feedback from followers. I love to write.

My secondary hobby is playing the violin. As you know, I started playing the violin last January after a hiatus of 39 years. I still have good intonation and can still read the score. But, I presently have a problem playing double stops and chords, where I have to finger and play two to three strings at the same time. But, I am getting there. It will only get better and better with practice and perseverance.

Hence, my doctor is pleased with my progress. At age 73, I am writing a blog and playing the violin, both of which stimulate my thinking and challenge my memory.

Buddhist art

Last Wednesday, David and I spent an hour at the Honolulu Museum of Art, focusing on the Buddhist art exhibit. Afterwards, we had lunch at the Museum Café.

According to the museum text, Buddhism began 2,500 years ago in India. While in deep meditation under a tree in Bodhgaya, India, Prince Siddhartha Gautama envisioned pathways to nirvana – a state of perfect enlightenment. By achieving personal enlightenment, Siddhartha became the first Buddha, meaning “enlightened one.” He instructed his disciples to “go forth for the gain of many, for the welfare of many, in compassion for the world.”

As this map shows, Buddhism succeeded in spreading its teachings to many countries. Objects in this gallery represent more than 8 countries with a history of practicing Buddhism:

These are a few of the many Buddhist artifacts at the museum.

Standing Bodhisattva, Pakistan or Afghanistan, Ghandara region, 3rd century:

Amida, Japan, Muromachi Period, 15th century:

Temple Guardian, Japan, Kamakura Period, 13-14th century:

Guanyin, China, Northern Song, 960-1126:

Manjusri Kumara, Bodhisattva of Wisdom, India, Pala Dynasty, 9th century:

David and I at the Museum Café:

David ordered the meatloaf sandwich and salad:

I ordered the chicken asparagus pasta with pesto sauce:

All in all, we had a fine time at the Honolulu Museum of Art last Wednesday.

New Hyundai Kona

David’s 2010 Toyota Camry was old and clunky, so before it deteriorated any further, he decided to trade it in for a 2019 Hyundai Kona last Monday. It’s a sub-compact SUV with enough head room to transport a tall plant from Home Depot or a patio chair from Lowe’s.  It’s easy to get in and out of, and has all the electronics we want, such as a rear view camera, impact sensor in the front, Bluetooth, a smooth engine, power everything, etc.

This is the red 2019 Hyundai Kona we bought last Monday:

We now have two Korean cars, both purchased at Tony Hyundai in Waipio.  Karen was our capable salesperson. My car is the blue 2016 Hyundai Accent on the left:

We prefer blue and red colors, because they are easy to spot in a crowded parking lot.

Conclusion:  It’s an affordable SUV, and we like the electronics. Hyundai also has a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty.

P.S.  The designers of the car named it “Kona,” because it evoked memories of the most beautiful place in the world, Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.  We think that’s appropriate.

Jack Fruit from my neighbor

My Vietnamese neighbor gave me a piece of Jack Fruit from his yard to try. Jack Fruit grows well in southeast Asia, and I remember seeing it at the markets in Thailand, where I taught English in 1969. Apparently, it grows well in Hawaii, too.  I was happy when my neighbor gave me some.

This is his Jack Fruit tree, which overhangs my patio:

These are some Jack Fruits in the tree:

This is how it looks inside:

This is the rind:

There is no need for a fork or spoon. Just strip the fruit with your fingers. Watch out for the seeds:

It has a unique flavor, somewhat like a papaya or mango, but, the texture is different as evident in the photo above.

Yummy.  I like to tear it apart with my fingers and eat it as a snack.