December 2013 Journal Photos

The graded lot from below. We got about an inch of rain today. Photo by Andrea.

The stream was running fairly clear and not too high. Photo by Andrea.

The stage set of Quartet. It's about four retired opera singers. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea with her first two completed ornaments. Monday, December 2^nd.

Andrea triumphant with her recently completed jigsaw puzzle.

Later Monday when I went to the beach I saw them trimming the ironwoods on Kalakaua Ave.

I now have five bonsai on the top shelf and four on the bottom, with one and three suiseki, respectively. Click the image
to see the full resolution version.

Later Andrea and I went for a swim at the beach. There was a nice array of sailboats in Waikiki.

The public library across the street displayed palm tree style.

Lots of Norfolk pines at the Christmas tree farm. Photo with animated GIF twinkle effect by Andrea.

The Christmas tree farm is on Whitmore Road just before the entrance to the Navy station where I used to work.

Lenore got to ride in the electric cart.

We bought two potted cypress trees and this Norfolk pine wreath.

Later Andrea and I went to the beach.

FTC, FLL and Jr. FLL are in the exhibition hall at the Blaisdell Center. Photo by Andrea.

Andrea on duty at the safety glasses station at the entrance to the FTC pit area.

The Kalani High team with their robot getting ready for the matches.

The FLL competition area was packed.

The Kalani High team in their first match.

The team ended up ranked 10^th overall out of 16 and they won the Connect Award.

Later in the afternoon Andrea took Tigger to the vet for a checkup.

On Sunday, December 8^th, our friend Simina ran in the Honolulu Marathon.
Photo courtesy of Ron Van Clief.

Simina at the finish. Photo courtesy of Ron Van Clief.

Later I went to the beach. It was a very low tide (first quarter moon at 3:45 PM). Click image to see the
full resolution image stitched from two.

Andrea chatted with Lorrie at the party.

Andrea and I went to the beach on Tuesday the 10^th and saw this large ship leaving Honolulu. Photo by Andrea.

I photographed the bathroom on Wednesday the 111^th and stitched this image together from a dozen photos.
Click the image to see the full resolution version (4.2 megabytes).

Meanwhile Andrea got her nails done. Photo by Andrea.

The competition roll-off. This was followed by a good dinner. The student chapter did a great job. Looking forward to
next year!

In the plant sale area.

Apparently Hawaiian snowflakes have five points.

We met Lynne, Flo, and Carol at the theater and rendezvoued at JJ's restaurant in Kaimuki for dinner.

Andrea likes the decorative plates on the wall.

On Tuesday we went to the UPS store in Kahala and Andrea bought me a painted coconut. December 17^th.

With the wooden gladius Thomas sent me for my birthday and our Christmas tree.

Later on Tuesday we went to the beach for a swim and I took this picture looking toward Manoa Valley across Kapiolani
Park. It was a very sunny day.

The parent meeting was well attended.

Andrea sat in the back and took notes.

On Thursday we stopped by the Malama Maunalua offices to drop off a plate of treats and we received these nice wooden
bowls. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

Friday's Star-Advertiser had this photo of the Kalani Robotics team's teacher's engineering class's bridge, inspired by
the team's visiting the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit during the FRC World Championship earlier this year in Saint Louis.

Looking at Christmas items.

Lenore bought a card at the Halmark store.

We stopped at Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha in the Aina Haina Shopping Center for icy drinks.

Becky greets Tigger.

Tigger finds a good place to rest.

Cats have less interest in watching Christmas in Connecticut than humans.

Monday morning we had breakfast at Jack's Restaurant in the Aina Haina Shopping Center.

Annie, Linda, and Andrea enjoyed some food.

Simina's two friends, Mark Hashem, Becky, and Lorrie get some food from the buffet table.

A fun evening for all.

Genevieve talked to Linda a Lorrie while Tigger relaxed.

The food table was well stocked.

Linda, Paul, and Lorrie.

Paul, Linda, Nani, and Andrea.

Breakfast on Christmas morning.

I got an eyeglass holder from Andrea.

Becky talked to sister Malia in Virginia.

Rick opens twelve days of Christmas presents.

We drove to Makapuu on Christmas day to see if Rabbit Island was green. It was! I made this stitched photo from three
camera images. Click the image to see the full size version.

Andrea, Lenore, and Becky at Makapuu with Mount Olomana in the background (the twin pointy peaks).

I got a new Verizon LG G2 phone for Christmas so I tested it with this afternoon rainbow shot. It has a 1.78
aspect ratio, so I have increased my standard Web photo width using 30% reduction to 1248 pixels wide (x 702 high).

On Thursday, the day after Christmas, we went to Don Quijote to buy firecrackers for New Year's at the Young's.

Making our way upward. Photo by Andrea.

Becky photographs an ancient rock wall.

On the way back, above the bamboo forest, Becky is framed in a branch loop.

We went to Park restaurant for dinner.

Our waiter offered to take this photo with the Kapiolani Park view.

Cheers! Photo by Andrea.

A great picture window view of the park and Diamond Head.

Becky had the Jim Beam macaroni, potato leek soup, and a side of spinach. Photo by Andrea.

Jesse gave Horan a green felt top hat.

Claude and Suzi with the Christmas tree.

Suzi laid out a great spread for lunch and I fixed some drinks.

I photographed this 1937 swimming championship trophy of Horan's. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

We stopped at He'eia State Park on the way back where I took this photo. Click the image to see the full resolution version.

On Sunday, the 29^th, Becky helped cut a branch off the lychee tree with the pole saw.

We went to the beach on Monday afternoon and I took this photo of the Black Pearl at Waikiki.

Becky and I walked out on the groin by Colony Surf apartments and I took this stitched photo of Waikiki. Click the image
to see the full resolution version.

The pig is doused with boiling water after trussing.

Dan and Stacy lift the pig over the fire onto the rotisserie.

In the afternoon Andrea and I took Becky to the beach and took this photo at the Dillingham fountain.

Becky enjoyed the water and sun.

Carl tends the fire.

The pig is done around 6:30 PM.

Becky learns how to play Mahjongg.

A quiet conversation in the family room as midnight approaches (9:53 PM).