The faces, voices, and brief connections that leave something behind — a story, a lesson, or just a trace of warmth that lingers.
I enjoy watching behind-the-scenes of how things are made, especially when it’s a movie or a television show.
And then there is the rare occasion when a show like Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! was recorded in Hawaii, so I attended on a Thursday evening last October at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.
It’s moments like this that make me wonder what my life would be like if I were in show business.
I am throwing it back to this past November 15 when Mike threw me the best surprise birthday party ever. It was held at the Natsunoya Tea House with the perfect view of Honolulu in the background.
The room was filled with family and friends all dressed up (I thought they were there for something else!). It was such a moving evening that wouldn’t have happened without Mike.
This is my baby girl. She has been with us for a while now and has always been my little snuggle bug. Lately, she hasn’t been feeling well and I am trying to get her an appointment to see her doctor.
It was a late afternoon and instead of heading home after work, I joined my colleagues in the lounge for what turned out to be a small Tupperware party. This little lady dazzled all of us with colorful plastic bowls and containers, and probably had a snack to share, which she brought in another piece of Tupperware.
This was the first time that I met Arlene and our paths would cross many more times over the years.
Sometimes she was volunteering with the Lions. Sometimes she was doing something else in the community. Many times it was because of Tupperware. The last time we ran into each other was at the Hawaii Convention Center. She was volunteering that day. It might have been for the Honolulu Festival or the Made in Hawaii Festival. I regret not capturing a photo with her that day.
It wasn’t until recently that I discovered she had passed away earlier this year. The news had hit me hard and that feeling has stuck with me for a while, even until today. She had more of an impact on me than I realized.
And I will miss her.
Finding Koji 