The feeling of No Progression

The feeling of No Progression

      This summer has been a fun filled summer, with a side of drama fo' yo mama.  Things that I'd rather not talk about, and haven't really found someone to vent about it either.  But then I thought, if I vent about it, I'm putting that negative ambiance in the atmosphere which isn't doing anything for my progression.  So I thought back on the good times growing up...HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS (which now that I'm married seems to be harder to do since everyone has moved on to bigger and better things.)...SHOPPING (and that requires money, that I don't have right now.)...QT TIME WITH FAMILY (seems to be happening, but feels like somethings missing...PAPA.) ....BEACH (lucky I live Hawaii) ....BAKING (sucks because i'm tryna lose weight, and if I'm going to making blissful happiness in a bowl, you know i'm gonna wanna eat it.).  

      I'm pretty sure I don't know everything there is to know about life, and what it's all about.  What I do know is that Heavenly Father wants us to be HAPPY.  Have you ever been stuck in a place where you are trapped?  What would you do about it if you had no other choice but to just live with it?  How would you deal with it?  I'm dealing with it right now, I do what makes me happy at the time, and then there is something that just kills the whole moment of happiness (pass judgments, inconsiderate hate, insecure satisfaction).  There are things in this life that I'm not happy about, there are decisions that I've made that I wish I have done the right way the first time around.  The fact of the matter is that we all have, and who are we to judge others.  WE'RE NOBODY'S in another persons life.  We can only be SOMEBODY in our own lives.  IF WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR OWN LIVES, we SUB-CONSCIOUSLY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHERS LIVES.  In the mean time if we can't help ourselves, we are in no shape to help others.  

     The FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE in the JULY ENSIGN, President Uchtdorf  message called ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE is so fitting for the recent events, feelings, and perspectives that I have had with the past month of July.  He states,
      "Beginnings are times for making resolutions, for creating plans, for bursts of energy. Endings are times for winding down and may involve feelings of completion or loss. But with the proper outlook, considering ourselves as in the middle of things can help us not only to understand life a little better but also to live it a little more meaningfully."

I thought to myself where do I stand?  At the beginning of marriage?  Starting  a family?  Or am I still in the middle of helping my own Nihipali family before I can start of have my own Lavaki family?  But I kept reading...

"This change in perspective is more than a simple trick of the mind. There is a sublime truth behind the idea that we are always in the middle. If we look at our location on a map, we are tempted to say we are at a beginning. But if we look more closely, wherever we are is simply in the middle of a larger place."

I'm happy to announce that I'm happily dealing with being in the middle, because it get's better.  There is hope for me to continue to be happy, and experience the good & bads of the beginnings & endings of what ever chapter it is that I am either beginning or ending.  President Uchtdorf goes on to say,

"Yes, there will be moments of beginnings and moments of endings throughout our lives, but these are only markers along the way of the great middle of our eternal lives. Whether we are at the beginning or the end, whether we are young or old, the Lord can use us for His purposes if we simply set aside whatever thoughts limit our ability to serve and allow His will to shape our lives."

With all my thoughts that have held me back from progressing, or feeling like I'm not progressing, I've been resisting the will of my Heavenly Father in allowing him to shape my life with the blessings that I have been unintentionally denying.  

Twiddle dee & Twiddle Dumb

ON A POSITIVE NOTE....

This summer has been a eventful one.  I got to see all of my babies off to bigger better things.  Suaesi is now going to Rainbow School.  Tekiato just started at Bright Beginnings.  Tausala is still here but never ceases to amaze us with her presence.  We got to enjoy our summer together with family all around us.  With the Kekuaokalani's visiting from Kona to our Azonto music video.  We had many laughs, cries, fights, lots of memories that will last us a lifetime, all the way to the Eternities.  

Ward Camp was definitely an experience with at least 7+ kids to keep us company.  Long beach days, tonz of food, great laughter, enjoying the relaxing sea breeze.  

Nolo was suppose to finish work this coming September, but we were blessed to have him stay on board a bit longer.  And we will see where Heavenly Father will take us from there.

I was blessed to have a temporary position at BYU-Hawaii and will finish up in the end of September.  The experience here will definitely count in the long run, as I strive for a masters degree in Library Science.




Grateful for this community that I live in.  I know that I will never find a place quite like it.  Laie is HOME, and will always be. 

My HappiLy EvEr After!

Happily married for eternity, sealed December 30th, 2009.  It was a trial and a half just to get there, but so worth the while.  Happy to be blessed with wonderful family, and awesome friends that was there, and has always been there for Nolo and I from the start.  Grateful for the Kekuaokalani's on the B.I.G for housing us poor students come and stay, play, visit, and enjoy all the fun times with the fam bam.

My beautiful Mother-in-law was able to come down and witness and be apart of the festivities, so grateful for her to be there and support my husband.  As well as my father-in-law to join us as well as there rest of Nolo's aunties from Utah, and my sister-in-law Finau, and the kids. 

We are eternally grateful for Via and None, for being there always for us, supporting us from the beginning, and have so welcoming, kind, and loving to me, making me feel especially part of their family! 

The Foukimoanas, and the Tongias are not to be forgotten, they have been such a blessing in our lives.  You have been Nolo's family away from home.  We've create such wonderful memories since we have met, and will continue to have many, many more.  We're eternally grateful for all your hard work, and support, as well as your love and care for us.

Can't forget my family, to all of my Aunties, and Uncles.  Couldn't have been as memorable without you guys.  I always wanted Papa & Granny to be there on my special day, lucky for me, they were right there beside me in the sealing.  I never imagined my wedding without you folks.  And to all of my cousins, you have been the best lil cuzzies eva!!!  I will always remember all the great memories, laughs, and fun times.  Wouldn't have been the same without yous!!!  Shout out to ELDER NIHIPALI!!!  Miss you brother!!!  Sorry bout it...Nolo loves you too bro!!!  But he love me more!! You'll thank me later for having a wedding while you're gone, cuz this time Taani, and LJ had to take over while you were gone. 

MOM & DAD....THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING NOLO AND I.  Thank you for letting me marry the man of my dreams, and making this reception possible for all to enjoy.  Sorry Mama, for making you stress, but at least I got my chantilly cake!!!  Chee pono!!!  Nothing else better then Coco puffs! (Oh and NOLO...hehehe).

LOVE YOUs!

Can't forget my Titahs!!!  I <3 each and every one of you, Thank you for making my wedding day so special!!!  Meems, thank you for being a awesome older sister.  Moani wouldn't have it any other way.  I appreciate all that you do, for all of us.  Low and Gucci...you know you both have been lifetime friends, so thanking you for accepting me for who I am, and being great examples to me.  Sairs, you're my feel-good sistah...it wouldn't matter how our days will be, im always able to come over and laugh it off with you.  Brandi, Teria, Seanne, thank so much for being my family, the best cuzzies, and you are beautiful as always,we've had some memorable good times.  <3 U!!!

Aunty Ivy & Aunty Lori,
thank you so much for being my decorators, i appreciate it so much!  You are the best!  I'm so grateful for your hardwork, most of all your great talent.

Keikis

Engagement Happiness!!!

Thank you Ramona for the wonderful photography!!! She's awesome!!!

http://www.photovisionhawaii.com/

Nolo and I are excited to announce that we are engaged, and will be sealed on Wednesday December 30th, 2009!!! Love you all!!!

Krisha and Pierce Engagement 2009

Congratulations Krisha and Pierce!!!

Photos by: kamERa

Our Very First Family Picture

We finally got our very first offical (Professional) family portrait. I am so happy we did one before bubba went on his mission. Thanks to photovisions hawaii! Much mahalos to Curt and Ramona Okimoto, they are so awesome. Check em out everyone...photovisionshawaii.com.

XOXOXO

Da Nihipalis

ICE PALACE 2009

Tongan Club Activity @ the IcE PaLaCe. FunTimes!!!

Winter Ball 2009...Remember Me in Paradise.

Remember me in Paradise, Winter Ball 2009 was super fun.  I had the best date ever.  With a weird theme, we just thought that maybe some kind of cultural wear would suitable for the theme, and so we chose to wear matching aloha wear from the famous Manuheali'i, causing a sensation among our peers.  LOL. I'm just glad that everyone had a fun time, and enjoyed themselves before the end of this semester. Thanks everyone.

"Recognize the Suckage, and Change it"

Decision-making tends to linger, when you are unsure of life, and all of it's endeavors!  With certain events of wanting to move out, the possibilities of getting married with in the next 3-4 years, and graduating with in the next year; I have "recognized the suckage" of my life, and have now decided to "change it".

Thinking that moving out on my own and being independent, I thought to myself, this is a good opportunity to get my life on track, on my own.  I could possibly get an experience with living with other people; being that I've never lived more then a mile away from home on my own.  And who better to move out with than Jamie and Kana to share this experience this with.  Well ap-PARENT-ly, "I'm just going to be joining a Girls Club" if I do, and it's not a good idea.  But I shouldn't get married either, because I ap-PARENT-ly don't have enough experience in life.  My parents feel I should go on a mission; I will get more experience from that, and I would be engaged in a good cause.  I, sadly being the stubborn person that I am, have lost the desire to serve a mission at this point in my life, (especially after finding the one and only true LOVE of my LIFE) strongly feel me moving out will give experience, and as much as going on a mission will give me experience.  But of course I recognize that the two routes are two very different things.  So I have now decided that my life sucks...yet I am grateful, because I doesn't suck as much as others around the world, and I am bound to make a change.  But I'm too upset to make a good change right now, once if am in good spirits, I'll make a change.  Until next time...Karen doesn't know how to make everyone happy, so hasn't she figured out that she can't. LOL!!!  I LOVE MY LIFE!!!

20 Tools to Happiness!!!

Just something that I thought could help just "LIVE YOUR LIFE", especially because I know that I need some serious help with that as well! LOL! Be happy everyone!!!

Happiness is ephemeral, subject to the vagaries of everything from the weather to the size of your bank account.

We're not suggesting that you can reach a permanent state called "happiness" and remain there. But there are many ways to swerve off the path of anxiety, anger, frustration, and sadness into a state of happiness once or even several times throughout the day. Here are 20 ideas to get you started. Choose the ones that work for you. If tuning out the news or making lists will serve only to stress you further, try another approach.

1. Practice mindfulness. Be in the moment. Instead of worrying about your checkup tomorrow while you have dinner with your family, focus on the here and now -- the food, the company, the conversation.

2. Laugh out loud. Just anticipating a happy, funny event can raise levels of endorphins and other pleasure-inducing hormones and lower production of stress hormones. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, tested 16 men who all agreed they thought a certain videotape was funny. Half were told three days in advance they would watch it. They started experiencing biological changes right away. When they actually watched the video, their levels of stress hormones dropped significantly, while their endorphin levels rose 27 percent and their growth hormone levels (indicating benefit to the immune system) rose 87 percent.

3. Go to sleep. We have become a nation of sleep-deprived citizens. Taking a daily nap or getting into bed at 8 p.m. one night with a good book -- and turning the light out an hour later -- can do more for your mood and outlook on life than any number of bubble baths or massages.

4. Hum along. Music soothes more than the savage beast. Studies find music activates parts of the brain that produce happiness -- the same parts activated by food or sex. It's also relaxing. In one study older adults who listened to their choice of music during outpatient eye surgery had significantly lower heart rates, blood pressure, and cardiac workload (that is, their heart didn't have to work as hard) as those who had silent surgery.

5. Declutter. It's nearly impossible to meditate, breathe deeply, or simply relax when every surface is covered with papers and bills and magazines, your cabinets bulge, and you haven't balanced your checkbook in six months. Plus, the repetitive nature of certain cleaning tasks -- such as sweeping, wiping, and scrubbing -- can be meditative in and of itself if you focus on what you're doing.

6. Just say no. Eliminate activities that aren't necessary and that you don't enjoy. If there are enough people already to handle the church bazaar and you're feeling stressed by the thought of running the committee for yet another year, step down and let someone else handle things.

7. Make a list. There's nothing like writing down your tasks to help you organize your thoughts and calm your anxiety. Checking off each item provides a great sense of fulfillment.

8. Do one thing at a time. Edward Suarez, Ph.D., associate professor of medical psychology at Duke, found that people who multitask are more likely to have high blood pressure. Take that finding to heart. Instead of talking on the phone while you fold laundry or clean the kitchen, sit down in a comfortable chair and turn your entire attention over to the conversation. Instead of checking e-mail as you work on other projects, turn off your e-mail function until you finish the report you're writing. This is similar to the concept of mindfulness.

9. Garden. Not only will the fresh air and exercise provide their own stress reduction and feeling of well-being, but the sense of accomplishment that comes from clearing a weedy patch, watching seeds turn into flowers, or pruning out dead wood will last for hours, if not days.

10. Tune out the news. For one week go without reading the newspaper, watching the news, or scanning the headlines online. Instead, take a vacation from the misery we're exposed to every day via the media and use that time for a walk, a meditation session, or to write in your journal.

11. Take a dog for a walk. There are numerous studies that attest to the stress-relieving benefits of pets. In one analysis researchers evaluated the heart health of 240 couples, half of whom owned a pet. Those couples with pets had significantly lower heart rates and blood pressure levels when exposed to stressors than the couples who did not have pets. In fact, the pets worked even better at buffering stress than the spouses did.

12. Scent the air. Research finds that the benefits of aromatherapy in relieving stress are real. In one study people exposed to rosemary had lower anxiety levels, increased alertness, and performed math computations faster. Adults exposed to lavender showed an increase in the type of brain waves that suggest increased relaxation. Today you have a variety of room-scenting methods, from plug-in air fresheners to essential oil diffusers, potpourri, and scented candles.

13. Ignore the stock market. Simply getting your quarterly 401(k) statement can be enough to send your blood pressure skyrocketing. In fact, Chinese researchers found a direct link between the daily performance of the stock market and the mental health of those who closely followed it. Astute investors know that time heals most financial wounds, so give your investments time -- and give yourself a break.

14. Visit a quiet place. Libraries, museums, gardens, and places of worship provide islands of peace and calm in today's frantic world. Find a quiet place near your house and make it your secret getaway.

15. Volunteer. Helping others enables you to put your own problems into perspective and also provides social interaction. While happy people are more likely to help others, helping others increases your happiness. One study found that volunteer work enhanced all six aspects of well-being: happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, sense of control over life, physical health, and depression.

16. Spend time alone. Although relationships are one of the best antidotes to stress, sometimes you need time alone to recharge and reflect. Take yourself out to lunch or to a movie, or simply spend an afternoon reading, browsing in a bookstore, or antiquing.

17. Walk mindfully. You probably already know that exercise is better than tranquilizers for relieving anxiety and stress. But what you do with your mind while you're walking can make your walk even more beneficial. In a study called the Ruth Stricker Mind/Body Study, researchers divided 135 people into five groups of walkers for 16 weeks. Group one walked briskly, group two at a slow pace, and group three at a slow pace while practicing "mindfulness," a mental technique to bring about the relaxation response, a physiological response in which the heart rate slows and blood pressure drops. This group was asked to pay attention to their footsteps, counting one, two, one, two, and to visualize the numbers in their mind. Group four practiced a form of tai chi, and group five served as the control, changing nothing about their lives. The group practicing mindfulness showed significant declines in anxiety and had fewer negative and more positive feelings about themselves. Overall they experienced the same stress-reducing effects of the brisk walkers. Better yet, the effects were evident immediately.

18. Give priority to close relationships. One study of more than 1,300 men and women of various ages found that those who had a lot of supportive friends were much more likely to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar metabolism, and stress hormone levels than those with two or fewer close friends. Women, and to a lesser extent men, also seemed to benefit from good relationships with their parents and spouses. Studies also find that people who feel lonely, depressed, and isolated are three to five times more likely to get sick and die prematurely than those who have feelings of love, connection, and community.

19. Take care of the soul. In study after study, actively religious people are happier and cope better with crises, according to David Myers, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. For many people faith provides a support community, a sense of life's meaning, feelings of ultimate acceptance, a reason to focus beyond yourself, and a timeless perspective on life's woes. Even if you're not religious, a strong spirituality may offer similar benefits.

20. Count your blessings. People who pause each day to reflect on some positive aspect of their lives (their health, friends, family, freedom, education, etc.) experience a heightened sense of well-being.

MY HAPPINESS...

The Latest...

Well not that anyone pays much attention to this stuff, but I just want to THANK ALL MY FRIENDS for being a light in my life! Without you guys, and my family I would be one corrupted sistah. There is so much to be thankful for, especially with all that has been happening with school, and family. There is so much things that go on in life that we don't take the time to sit back and evaluate our lives to see recognize that we aren't doing what we should be doing. Maybe I'm just speaking for myself. I'm not perfect, and reflection on yourself helps to recognized the changes that need to be made in life decisions. Thanks friends for all the help, and support that you give to me. I LOVE YOU ALL!

the Coco Cup

It's late, but here still....better late then never i guess.

Brochure

Wood Chips Brochure Page

Mimi's Watches

Mimi's Watches!

Harley Davidson

Go See the Latest movie!!!

The INVADER!!! Check it out!!!

Cleanliness

It's not finished, like I hoped it would be. But it's better than nothing.

Video Conferencing

Synchronous online learning is basically learning that occurs at the same time, doing step by step with the instructor at the same time. Dimdim is a perfect sample of synchronous online learning. Using this Dimdim software allows you to video conference with other, share documents, and communicate with each other via web cam. The advantages of dimdim is that it is free. You can video conference with up to 20 people for free, but other special features are included in a different version of dimdim that can also allow you to connect with over 2o people at a time. And you can connect with anyone in the world as long as others have ample internet access. Dimdim security is limited along with the control over those who organize these online video conferencing, and less control of those who attend, to either connect or keep their attention or actions.

My Little Brother!!!

Hey Everyone,
Check out my cool little brother!!! Click here.

https://mydrive.byuh.edu/Employees/knihipal/public/Thomas%20Nihipali%20-%20Medium.m4v?uniq=4ufu1t

My First Video Podcasting

Click here or the link below to view my very first video podcast. I hope you enjoy us embarrassing ourselves!!!

https://mydrive.byuh.edu/Employees/knihipal/public/My%20First%20Audio%20Podcast.mp3?uniq=4u00vz