INFINITY.

With 2007 only hours away from being officially over, both Lilinoe and I agree that it was a year of new beginnings, unexpected opportunities, and most importantly put closure to many issues we each begrudgingly carried year after year. The following is a summary of our 2007:

JANUARY:

We rang in 2007 exactly the same way we will 2008, on the island of Maui. My sister and her family live in Lahaina, and since we had such a good time, we decided to make it a tradition.

FEBRUARY:

Knowing that a solid foundation is a key ingredient to contributing to a stable and healthy environment, realizing that our friendship is progressing and growing to one of complete trust and appreciation, and after several hours of vulnerable discussions, Lilinoe and I decide to “shack up”…err, co-habitate, effective March 1, 2007.

MARCH:

After more than a decade away from the sport, I made a commitment to coach 9-10 year old girls in a youth basketball league with one of my father’s former players. I was practically raised on the hardwood floor, and my life choices had led me away accepting that any accolades achieved were simply appreciated as something of the past. In other words, I wasn’t drinking beer in a friend’s garage talking about how great we were in the good ol’ eighties. Besides, basketball had evolved and so had the dynamics of competitive sports altogether.

These days, parents are grooming their children for the collegiate level at this age, and I certainly did not want any part of this progress, but I had a plan. Teach the players the fundamentals of basketball, team concept, and representing themselves to the best of their capabilities, and if we happen to win a couple of games, great. The league gave us an appropriate team name, “Shock” because after starting the season at 5-0 many of the veterans were asking, “Who are the new coaches?” I’ll add that my friend, whom is really a long-time family friend had been out of the game longer than I had, and by trade was a Kumu hula. So, our players were coordinated in not only uniform, but hairstyle and all of the plays were in Hawaiian. We ended our season tied for second place, but it was the friendships that I built with the parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and of course the players that are bringing me back for another season.

APRIL:

We received a letter from the Kamehameha Schools informing us that Jayden has been accepted into the preschool. We are filled with gratitude, and humbled for the opportunity. Now, our only goal “perfect the potty training!” For a few months we had been working with Jayden, making the transition from pull-ups to underwear as seamless as possible, but I’ll admit the process was testing the limits of my patience. But, the day we shared the letter from Kamehameha Schools with Jayden, he was “instantly” potty trained. No more overnight accidents or debates of preferring to wear a pull-up instead of underwear. Both Lilinoe and I realized that attending school was important enough for Jayden to understand that he had to be potty-trained.

MAY:

Our basketball season ended at the end of the month, and I wondered how I would keep myself occupied.

JUNE:

A week of searching for a new hobby, I read an article that would introduce me to a virtual new world, social media and networking. Of course I had subscribed to the insanity of MySpace.com so I was well aware of social networking sites, however I wasn’t too keen of the evolution of the ‘net. I read ’bout the phenom of user generated content like Digg, and would read but never participated in web forums, and blogging seemed too intimate for me to ever consider. I sort of chuckle when I realize how close minded I was, yet open to at the very least discovering what was new and interesting on the world wide web.

JULY:

I dove head first into the sea of social media and networking, and added my email address and profile to every networking site available like Twitter, HawaiiThreads and Ustream, and more. No one from my MySpace list of friends would consider migrating to anything else, and my real life circle of humans rarely checked their email accounts so I was literally “cold call” networking.

AUGUST:

As the first day of school for Jayden nears, I have a mild anxiety attack of concern for his safety while not in my presence, of course it passes, but I shocked my usually calm self. Also, INFINITY blog is born and the NEW STEPS series begins documenting Jayden’s first experiences at Kamehameha School.

SEPTEMBER:

It’s been six-month’s since the decision to “shack-up” and all is well in our household. Our dear friends Heather Pantohan and Bishop Vincent are married in a very intimate ceremony at the Okinawan Center garden. The reception was emceed by local comedian Rodney Villanueva, and an excellent jazz ensemble serenaded throughout the evening.

OCTOBER:

I add a new word to my vocabulary, Truemors and have the opportunity to meet a true celebrity in the technology industry, Guy Kawasaki. Our very brief conversation, and occasional online exchanges provides an opportunity for me to be donned, Truemorist.

NOVEMBER:

As I shared previously, I moved to Maui while Lilinoe and the children continued to live on Oahu. It’s a temporary move, and Skype is so much better than a casual telephone conversation. The University of Hawaii football team ends their season as the only unbeaten Division I team and an invitation to the Sugar Bowl. Not to mention quarterback Colt Brennan got an official nod as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

DECEMBER:

Our resolution was simple, to have a better year than 2006 and looking back we can honestly say that we’ve accomplished our goal. We leave 2007 with gratitude for the opportunities, moments, and knowledge. We look forward to the promises of 2008 and the launching of our new website: www.FALEAFINE.com.

This is the last day of 2007 and last post of INFINTY.

All the best to all of you in 2008.

Hawaii’s rainy weather is the first indication that we’re entering the Fall and Winter seasons. In school though, the Kamehameha preschool Nu’uanu campus began their festivities with a field trip to Aloun Farms. The children, parents and Kumu (teachers) took a hayride to the pumpkin patches. Once there, the children bolted to choose a pumpkin for the upcoming week’s school projects. Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors (white pumpkins?) were selected and hauled off to the classroom.

Each child weighed and measured their pumpkin, but it was the carving that excited their minds the most! The week ended with a treat to a puppet show and parade!

Find more videos like this on INFINITY PRODUCTIONSEnjoy the discovery and smiles!

Today marked another milestone in Jayden’s almost two-month career as a student, his first “Parent Teacher Conference.” Overall his review was as we predicted because as parents we’re realist, optimists, but certainly not oblivious.

The relatively smooth transition into Kamehameha Preschool’s “Waipuna” class is largely due to his cousin (my younger sister‘s daughter), Maiyah. He aspired to go to school, but not just any school, he wanted to attend Kamehameha Preschool, “Maiyah’s school.” Gratefully, his application was selected and preparations began since April from potty training to basic motor-skills to his ABC’s and 1,2,3’s. But, despite all of our flashcards, and teaching to respect others, it is his friendship with Maiyah that gives him an additional sense of confidence. I mean, nothing is better than having a cousin as one of the “upperclassmen!”

It is wonderful to witness the development of their friendship. It’s sincere because they’ve toggled over the “share your toys” lesson…quite a bit. But, each morning during their commute to Nu’uanu via H-1 they discuss everything from their upcoming school day to a recent Disney Channel show to their dreams of eels walking on the streets! Their conversations are comedic to adults, but absolutely genuine in their minds.

Growing up, my nucleus of genuine friends were my sisters, brother and cousins. We have volumes of books of memories growing up together, and that’s why it’s important for me especially to make sure that the next generation is as close too.

His goals for school are the same as the ones we’ve been implementing here at home, and are pleased that as parents we’re having precise, age appropriate, specific observations.

Our journey with Jayden is promising, and we’re happy to share it with all of you.

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Today is our littlest soul’s first day of school. There are many emotions churning to say the least. He’s only 3! A well and capable 3 year old, but still we know his habits (both good and mischevious), we know his comfort zone (within 3 feet of Mommy and NEENZ), we can decipher his story telling when he’s merged an episode of Thomas the Train with the storyline to Cars the Movie, and the Chili’s commercial, “Welcome to Chili’s! Kachow! Choo Choo!”

There are no second thoughts at our decision to send him to school, it’s absolutely necessary just as a Flintstone chewables vitamin, if you don’t take it you’ll be okay, if you do, YABBA DABBA DOO! It is our goal to prepare our children for their lives ahead, to make all decisions in their best interest with their input taken into consideration. (Everything is negotiable in our household, even this statement.). This includes providing finances for their development through tutoring, sports, dance, art, etc. This includes eliminating our “adult behavior” and committing our full body, mind and soul to them and not a half-hearted, hung over, here’s a bowl of cereal now go watch tv attitude.

In retrospect, throughout the toilet training preparation requirement for school; identifying colors, shapes, and numbers; reciting the alphabet; matching a pair of shorts with his shirt; a lot of hugs and kisses; explaining the importance of school and the fact that his 3 feet comfort zone will be adjusted by a few thousand feet; as parents we’ve been preparing ourselves too.

There are many emotions churning to say the least. We’re rejoicing. We’re proud. We’re confident in him and our decision. (God and all entities that be, please don’t let him get hurt). IMUA KAMEHAMEHA!

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