INFINITY.

Wishing everyone a Mele Kalikimaka this holiday season. We are spending ours on the beautiful island of Maui with my sister and her family, and let’s just say that it’s a good thing that not only do we love each other, but we also enjoy each others company - a group of ten adults and children can get a bit crowded.

With list in hand, debit cards in wallet, Lilinoe and I were able to check the couple of dozen off of our Christmas list in one day! Yes, it’s not a typo, just one day! With effective communication and a “plan” Christmas shopping can actually be a joyous event. And really isn’t it supposed to be? Sure we endured the bumper-to-bumper traffic during our commute to Waikele, Ala Moana and across the street to Pearlridge; but we passed the time singing songs and laughing with and at each other.

This morning, we woke when our bodies told us too, and casually prepared for our Christmas buffet brunch at the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel’s Tiki Terrace. KBH, as it’s known by the local Maui folk labels itself, “Maui’s most Hawaiian hotel,” with its Polynesian decor, wall dedicated to stunning photos of hula dancers, and a menu of a medley of island flavors. KBH has been on the shores of Ka’anapali for over 20 years, and its customer service is cloaked in Aloha spirit garnering many awards. There was one wrinkle in our experience, and while I won’t divulge the details, I must recognize the hotel representative, Madeline Rabago who handled the matter in the most professional manner and as I said earlier, “cloaked in the Aloha spirit.”

We headed home to unwrap presents, and had joked with the children that we’d do so after a nice, long nap. My sister implemented the “trash bag” system to minimize the clutter, not to mention possibly losing a few gifts. Most 3-year-old boys are happy with a stick and a rock, however our little guy still has an obsession with the movie “Cars” and after opening the latest version of “Mack” he wanted nothing more to do with any other gifts. Chelsea more than deserved her Nintendo DS Lite and brand new pink digital camera, and the expression on her face was priceless. (Note: Lilinoe has been playing the DS Lite more than Chelsea has so far trying to win at “Connect Four”). My niece Taimane was thrilled with tearing the wrapping paper off, but she especially loved the package of panties from Tutu, and danced with her favorite television characters, Dora “We did it, we did it!” (You need to watch Dora the Explorer cartoon to understand.)

I gave the world wide web a peek into the gifts I purchased for Lilinoe and she was glowing with gratitude upon receiving each one. I patiently waited for everyone to finish, and Chelsea was anxious for me to open my gifts. For those who know me, know that I like accessories, not the stereotypical kind, but sunglasses, a hat, a little bling on the ears. I opened the box and unveiled a cool pair of Arnette’s which is one of my brands of choice. But nothing could prepare me for my next gift. For those of you who really know me, know that while I yearn for “big kids’ toys and gadgets” I exercise control and practicality. I live by a budget that includes a comfortable lifestyle, but invests in our children’s future so the gadgets come during sales or after building up the savings account. And, even when the budget calls for it, it takes a lot to convince me to make a hefty purchase without feeling guilty. Well, my dearest Lilinoe, whom by the way is much more frugal than I, surprised me more than when I received a “Big Wheel” for my 6th birthday. The box looked odd shaped, it wasn’t shaped like a cellular phone, and it couldn’t have been a laptop since I purchased one last month. It was heavier than airline tickets, and it couldn’t be we’ve already planned our next vacation in Arizona and Nevada. It certainly wasn’t a massage at the spa, Lilinoe surprised me with a reservation at the Westin Maui earlier this month on my birthday. And, after losing our digital camera, we purchased a new Canon only a few weeks ago. So what could it be?

A CANON DVD CAMCORDER!

I was stunned as you can see, and absolutely grateful. These are moments that I am reminded how truly blessed I am with Lilinoe, Chelsea, Jayden and my entire family. I could not ask for more…

Life has taken an amazingly different turn during the last handful of months, and I’m cautiously blissful. Most of you know that I began blogging only recently as a commitment to being true to myself. Maintaining INFINTY has been more than just a hobby, it’s become a therapeutic passion. I escape into the “Mind of NEENZ” and there, I am the supreme ruler, well I am the only one who exists, along with the memories of my experiences and thoughts. I am comfortable there because it’s familiar, however a sense of vulnerability appears after I click “publish.”

With uncontrollable changes in my professional life I have decided to return to college the same year that I’m celebrating my 20th high school reunion. I feel strangely more prepared to tackle the challenge then I ever did, am I finally all grown up? An aspiring geek I chose to focus on Digital Media Production. DMP incorporates not only lessons in design, but it’s also something I enjoy learning more about and I could finally have a career that I love.

I discovered my love for design and media just as I discovered my soulmate, serendipity. Self-taught, and in real need of professional instruction, I dabbled in the basic Adobe and what I consider an upgrade, to a Corel program. For over a year I’ve been enlisted to create basic print designs of invitations and promotional items.

I’ve recently joined a global blog community, FuelMyBlog which is basically a network of bloggers for bloggers; promoting, critiquing, and supporting one another. One of the benefits I immediately received was news about Microsoft Expression Web. The “in crowd” is all-a-buzz about Apple this and Mac that, and while I’m envious I’m also unfamiliar and realistically unable to afford those toys. Microsoft programs have gained my satisfaction, and I’m confident Microsoft Expression Web will satisfy my design cravings. And, as I mentioned earlier in this post that my life has taken an amazing turn, FuelMyBlog is having a contest to win a copy of Microsoft Expression Web!

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Apple announced their new line of products, improved line of products and reduced in price line of products. Being in Hawaii, I was able to read updates on their announcements at Macworld as well as view a live stream at Greekbrief.tv where Cali Lewis basically read the updates that I was getting at Macworld, but hey it’s so Web2.0. As each announcement rolled out, I began salivating and fantasizing…iTunes customized ringtones with 50,000 songs to choose from, iPod Nano being reintroduced with video, the newly named iPod classic $100 cheaper, the expiration of the 4GB iPhone to make room for the newly reduced in price 8GB iPhone, but when they announced the iTouch with the option of either 8GB or 16GB featuring multi-touch interface, Wi-Fi web browsing and iTunes downloads, well I just had to call my Mom!

You see, I can attribute my gotta-have-GADGETS to my Mom, she’s a Gadget Queen so to speak. As much as there were humbling times while growing up, my Mom managed to amass an array of electronics. We had an awesome Trinitron television, (2) entertainment systems boasting dual cassette tapes, CD players and television all with auxiliary capabilities. We also had an Atari and Calico Vision game system. I know what you’re thinking, but this was late 70’s, early 80’s…and we were a very electronically entertained household!

My Mom still owns the original Ninetendo Entertainment System stored carefully in the huge case with original control pads, and games which boast the first edition of Super Mario Bros. and Zelda. She had her very own Gameboy, well actually it was the only gameboy in the house and it was hers so we would have to ask permission to play with it. With all of the use it was getting, she quickly sprung for the ’battery pack.’ She upgraded her game systems to the Sony Play Station, which she only relinquished the ownership rights just a few months ago. She owns a Ninetendo Game Cube, but didn’t really ‘bite’ with Xbox. My sisters and I agreed that it was only appropriate that we gave her a Nintendo Wii this past Mother’s Day, she was absolutely ecstatic!

Her gadgets didn’t end with game systems, our first computer was the ill-fated Apple DOS today she‘s loyal to DELL and recently upgraded her hard drive. She owns a handful of digital cameras, a Sony DVD Handycam, and the latest Verizon camera phone. On a side note she once texted me, “Where you at?”

During the “Tetris” craze she organized a family tournament complete with winning and consolation brackets, and each participant was assigned a handicap. All participants were notified ahead of time, given practice rounds, and opportunity to strategize. But, she emerged victorious by a landslide.

But, back to iTouch and iPhone. iBroke. But one of these days…