When I'm Not Blogging...I'm at the Gym

I have been slack with regards to blogging lately, and not for the reasons that you may think. In fact, when I am not working or sleeping, I am at the gym trying to drop some pounds (or kilos as my Aussie friends would say). I have been working out religiously as we are heading back to the Islands in November and I want to look my best in a bikini. After just watching "Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock" on TV last night, it seems like I may have a long way to go! Check out this video below for a look at the episode that aired last night.



Hawaii is one of the best places for those who enjoy fitness - with the ocean as your backyard, there are so many options for exercise to help you stay fit and healthy. In fact, Hawaii is often one of the top ranked states in regards to health and well being, with high life expectancy, low obesity levels and an impressive quality of life. Hawaii is also one of the happiest US states, as I have written about previously.

If you lived in Hawaii, what kinds of activities would you do to stay healthy? For me, swimming is number 1, and if I keep up with my current exercise routine, hopefully running will be my number 2. The toughest part for me - staying motivated. If only there was a cure for that....

Hawaii Football Fans - Colt Brennan Is Coming to Visit!

I just heard the news that Colt Brennan (former UH quarterback, now with the Washington Redskins) will be back in Hawaii for one weekend only and will be signing autographs on the following dates and times:

Saturday, July 11: Pictures Plus - Maui Marketplace (Kahului, Maui), 11am - 1pm.

Sunday, July 12: Barefoot League - Safeway Center (Kapahulu, Oahu), 2pm - 4pm.

Autograph tickets are available ONLY at Pictures Plus.

Presale tickets can be purchased in person at the Kahului and Ward Warehouse Pictures Plus locations, or on the web at PicturesPlus.com

If anyone gets a picture or autograph - please send to me and I will put it on the blog. Have a great Aloha Friday and weekend!

2008 Hawaii Bowl

I stayed up way past my usual bedtime on Saturday night to watch the Hawaii Warriors play their final game of the season, against the Cincinnati Bearcats. To my disappointment, Hawaii lost it in the final quarter of the game, final score being 29-24. Bummer. They had a much better season last year with Colt Brennan as quarterback, but he has now moved on and is the 3rd starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins – too bad he hasn’t had a chance to play this season.....

The good news for the Warriors is that they get to go the Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium on December 24! Bad news – they are playing Notre Dame, who have had a less than impressive season this year, finishing at 6-6. The Irish have played in Hawaii three times before. The Irish played in the 1984 Aloha Bowl, losing 27-20 to SMU. The Irish also traveled to Hawaii to play the Warriors twice, beating them 48-42 in 1991 and 23-22 in 1997.

I went to the Hawaii Bowl a couple of years back – and it was awesome! Hawaii wasn’t playing unfortunately, but it was still a fun afternoon out. When Hawaii plays in the Hawaii bowl, the turnout is much higher and the die-hard Hawaii fans turn out in droves to support their team. The fact that the game is on Christmas Eve is a draw card for me, as in Hawaii you are definitely NOT sitting by the fire, drinking hot chocolate and singing Christmas carols! You are at the beach, shopping, or – at the Hawaii Bowl!

If you are going to be in Hawaii over the holiday season, why don’t you head out to Aloha Stadium and support the Warriors? You can purchase tickets at Aloha Stadium website. For those who will not be in Hawaii, the game will be broadcast on ESPN. Enjoy the game and GO WARRIORS!

NFL Pro Bowl 2009

It's Sunday morning and as usual, my husband is hunkered down on the couch waiting for the weekly NFL football games to begin. In the US during autumn and winter, it seems that weekends are reserved for football only - college on Saturday and NFL on Sunday. For me, that's a little too much football - I can usually tolerate about half of one game, and then I'm done. However, every year at the end of the NFL season the best players as voted by the fans, players and coaches head to Hawaii for the annual NFL Pro Bowl, a football game between the AFC and NFC all-stars.

The game has been held at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu (home of the Hawaii Warriors) since 1980. The game caps off a week of festivities in Hawaii in late January/early February, and the next game is scheduled for February 8, 2009. Apparently, the NFL was exploring the possibility of moving the Pro Bowl to the host site of the Super Bowl, and holding it the weekend before the Super Bowl starting in 2009. However, the league decided to retain the 2009 game in Honolulu. It's unclear if they will be revisiting this issue for the 2010 Pro Bowl game.

We are thinking of going to the Pro Bowl next year - I think one of the things that makes me dislike football is sitting out in the freezing weather for 4 hours. However, there is no such thing as cold weather in Hawaii. So, with a few beers, sunshine, and some cute football players, I think I might actually enjoy myself! Let's hope my favorite player, Tony Romo from the Dallas Cowboys makes the cut!

Aloha Stadium - Pro Bowl