One dinner down, many more to go. Today was the first night I held a dinner for my thesis with my close friend Marisa. We met on the first day of grad school, and since then have survived two hurricanes (one being a little more serious than the other), an earthquake, a trip back to her home in Boston, many fun times, and most importantly, MFADT. Marisa has become more than just a friend, but family. I was happy to share this Panera Bread meal with her, has a lot of meaning to us because it’s our go-to meal, and apparently the same for her family at home!

Don’t worry–A good friend tells you exactly what you need to hear without you even asking for advice. Matthew 6:25-34.

Forgot to post last night because I pulled an all-nighter for school.  I saw an opportunity to give myself a reminder that I will be going home in 12 (now 11) days! Looking forward to seeing my family, even if it means I have to work on thesis while I am there.

Many ups and downs in the last couple weeks brought me home again to Maui. It got me thinking about how I am very privileged to study away from home in NYC. At the same time, I never felt more relieved and “at home” when I was with my family. I may go coast to coast, but my roots matter most.

Took a vacation from my vacation. O’ahu for the past three days filled with ono food and open skies.

On January 2, 2012 Vicky the cat was attacked in our garage. She broke her jaw and was hospitalized for a few days. A year later we celebrate her recovery by feeding her some fresh sashimi, or raw fish—a true lucky cat!

Here’s to the first post of 2013. It’s just before 1AM on January 2 and after a full day of eating “ono” (delicious) food with family and friends, fulfilling all the Japanese traditions its time to say goodnight to the first day of 2013. Looking forward to see what the next 355 days have in store for me. Happy New Year everyone!

Growing up, my Mom never let us have a dog or cat. We had a bird and fish. Not the most exciting pets, but they were still better than nothing! Now that my older brother is living on his own, he got a dog, Yoshi. He’s a fun, happy, energetic little thing and November 17 is his birthday! It’s Nov. 18 here in NY but he still got a couple more hours to celebrate in Hawaii.  Happy Birthday Yoshi!

The  unofficial middle names Anpan and Neko were suggestions from the sisters. Anpan, a Japanese red-bean filled bread and Neko means cat. You can probably tell why they didn’t make the final cut.

Two ways I chose to say Happy Birthday to my big sister Jes! 

Summer was a round robin of travel: Manhattan for July, back to Maui mid-August, then back to Manhattan at the end of August for the start of my second, and final year of grad school. A lot happened in the past month, but it is not the best excuse for not posting any updates.  Below you’ll find a quick recap of my life highlights. I had a good month, and look forward to a great fall.  I got to see lots of friends and family and home, and returned to the city ready for school (I think).

Now that it’s started again there are more things to keep track of like, matsumoto thesis, an ongoing thought process of my year-long project at Parsons. Where it will go? Not sure yet, but stay tuned because the best is yet to come.

To make up for the last month or more of lost matsumoto posts, here are 21 photos that catalogue most of my round robin journey. Have you guess the theme yet? Circle up.

Baked by Melissa | Last day of #myuaemsummer

Pret-A-Manger | Last Lunch

Ippudo New York! 2.5 hours later, I think we deserved dessert.

Back in LA–late night/early morning 3AM hang out session. | Somewhere behind LMU.

Denny’s parking lot | Somewhere in LA, waiting for someone

Manapua, nope it’s not made from cat. | On Maui, but straight from Royal Kitchen, O’ahu

The high school art high. Tom’s Mini Mart shave ice. | Wailuku, Maui

Babies & Bracelets

Flo’s strawberry shake | Tasty Crust, Wailuku, Maui.

Best friend of #NoahNuno

Love those little balls.

Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm | Kula, Maui

King Protea | Kula, Maui

US Open Championships 2012 | Flushing Meadows, Queens NY

Emack & Bolio’s | I’m in Boston.

One of many Boston Gold Domes

Walked the Freedom Trail

NY Fashion’s Night Out Fiasco | Meatpacking District, NYC

Anthropologie | Chelsea Market, NYC

Chandelier’d ceilings | 583 Park Ave. Hermès Festival des Métiers

Saying goodbye to the sun | Lady Liberty to the left, New Jersey to the right. | World FInancial Center

Ping the poser (for pictures, not personality) | Union Square Park, NY

It’s Aloha Friday the 13th and today it’s a special day for my only, best big brother, Jason! He has come a long way since this picture and has turned into a toy-loving, kid-at-heart, hard-working fisherman bro. Love & Hugs from far away!

Missing MAUI in action. True, it’s been over a month since my last post, but for good reason.  I thought it would be a good break from the computer when I went back to Hawaii to recoup for a month.  I didn’t too much, but I spent time with the most important people, my family. Happy to be home, just like how happy, my friend Jonathan was to see me. Enjoy!

Top to bottom, left to right >> Jonathan, Launiopoko, Kahului Harbor, Launiopoko, Bretty, Lei-making with mini-crownflowers, Flo, Vicky, Lea the escapist, Yoshi Monster, Lychee, Homemade Plate Lunch, Papaya<<