Gastronomical Additions and Gadgets

It's the day after Christmas, and it's time to bust out some of the new prezzies!

I strapped on my new Nike Fuelband this morning.  I'm still not entirely sure how this bad boy works, but it's meant to track your activities throughout the day and measure your steps taken, calories burned and most importantly, your "NikeFuel."  NikeFuel are points that are allotted for your movement throughout the day.  These points are measured the same for everyone, so you can track your progress and compete with friends online on the Nike+ website.

{I wonder if my Nike FuelBand is measuring all the calories I'm burning reading David Foster Wallace}

I'm definitely not using this to its full potential yet...especially since I don't think I've got this set up right.  The FuelBand is still not displaying all the information across the LED screen that it's supposed to (NikeFuel points, time, calories burned and steps taken).  So far, my FuelBand is handing me information by piecemeal throughout the day when I press the button instead of cycling through the entire list of information promised by the product and website.  I fired off an email to the Nike Support team, so we'll see what they propose.

I'm looking forward to wearing my new gizmo tomorrow.  I'll be taking it through a workout at home, a bike ride to work, a 6 hour long shift walking through the restaurant and up and down stairs, then a bike ride home.  I'm confident that I'm going to wrack up some serious NikeFuelage.  Watch out world!

After my afternoon workout--where I supposedly burned 500+ calories during my at-home circuit workout--I busted out my new collection of gourmet olive oil and vinegar.

I was given sample sizes of 3 different vinegars and 3 different olive oils.  After looking over my options, I decided to use the Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar and the Organic Chemlali Olive Oil to dress my salad.  I have no idea what Chemlali is, but it smelled good, and its scent seemed to pair well with the sweet and tart tones coming off the vinegar.

I'm no food critic, but I was pretty impressed.  I eat lots of salads these days, and I'm totally invested in making my own salad dressings (much to the dismay of the refrigerator shelf crowded with old, separated, pre-made dressings I bought at the grocery store ages ago).

I can't wait to taste test my through the other samples.

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Mele Kalikimaka

Mele Kalikimaka--Merry Christmas from Maui.

Here are a few snapshots from our Christmas.

{homemade Cinnamon Rolls with Ashley and Will on Christmas morning}

{loving my new earrings from Mom and Dad}

{Bacon-wrapped Pork Loin for Christmas dinner. I know this looks obscene, but anything this delicious wrapped in bacon is going to look pornographic}

{Mike carving up his culinary creation for the masses}

{Creamy Scalloped Potatoes made by yours truly}

{Everyone pitching in to assist Bryan's first Gingerbread House attempt}

{Will taking over}

{Cheers!  Kimo and Bryan}

It was a warm, humid and voggy (volcanic fog) Christmas for us here on Maui, and we loved every second of it.  The party continues at our place now.  Bryan's got Guitar Hero on the Playstation with Matt and Will standing in line for their turn to rock out.

It's gonna get loud!

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Merry Christmas

Besides our Extendo Leg Santa and oversized stocking gifted from my dad, Bryan and I have zero Christmas decorations in the house, but I feel that the two story Christmas Tree at my work more than makes up for our lack of Christmas spirit.

It's a gorgeous tree filled with that deep piney scent that makes me think of snowy mountain Christmases with the family.

I'm excited to be spending Christmas with Bryan.  We both have the day off tomorrow!  If you recall, last year Bryan had to work, but I made a late night Christmas dinner for us and his roommates.  It was all fun and games until I burnt my fingers to a crisp rescuing the garlic bread from a fall from the oven.  Ouch.  It was still a fun night, but I have a feeling this year will be a much more fun and relaxing Christmas--as long as I can beat my cold on time for the festivities.

A few of us from the restaurant are having an afternoon Christmas potluck tomorrow afternoon.  I'm making scalloped potatoes and a mega salad loaded with goodies (fresh green beans from Kula!), and Bryan is bringing the dessert.

Should be delicious!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.

Love,

Paige

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I Just Can't Get Enough

I just can't get enough of super cute bikinis.  And I honestly don't think I'm alone.  Every girl on Maui has a very serious collection of swimwear.

I've been doing some online window shopping, and I'm looking forward to adding to my own collection.

I've been eye-balling pieces from San Lorenzo:

{I LOVE that one!}

And I've also been checking out Tori Praver...but she's a little out of my price range!

{If I do splurge--this is the top I'm getting!}

How are all my mainland friends enjoying their winter?  It sounds like everyone is getting some serious snow!

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I'm Ba-aaack!

Photos are a go--so, here's a little photo overload for you from the past two weeks.

{Feet shot when hiking solo on the Kapalua Walking Trails}

{A humungous hibiscus growing in our yard}

{I mean, HUGE! I put my hand next to it so you can see how ridiculously big this thing is.}

{Our new game obsession: The Settlers of Catan.  Thanks to the Leslie boys for introducing me to the game when they were here on vacation many, many moons ago.}

{My favorite neighbor crashed out on our porch--he's keeping my herb garden company.}

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Booyah!!

I totally don't get this Google account, but apparently, I can post photos again...for now...

Until they boot me back off, here's a fun photo of T-Bone looking hot and put out.

Don't tell Will and Ashley, but he may be my favorite neighbor.

Just kidding, guys!

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Still

Still super bummed about not being able to post photos, but Google cannot hold me back to linking to other cool people's blogs that post photos!  So bwahahahaaaa!

I win!

Anyways, while I'm on hiatus, please enjoy this old post from actor/comedian Max Greenfield on his Emmy experience.  It's humorous, and has photos.  Lots and lots of photos.

Can you tell that I'm a picture-happy poster and I'm dying without being able to put up pictures for you?

My blog maybe dying a long, slow death from want of pictures.

Le sigh.

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A Brief Hiatus!

Apparently you are only given 1 free GB of space for photographs when you sign up for a free blog under Blogger.  Unfortunately, I've just been told that I've completely depleted my free GB.  Please bear with me as I take a short break to explore my options in purchasing more GB for photographs.

Thank you!

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Something a Little Funny

This is probably old news, but I just stumbled upon this myself and had to share this clip of Emma Stone on the Ellen Degeneres show.  Ellen dares Emma to dance behind unwitting strangers backstage:

Fun, huh?

And Bryan and I can't stop laughing over this oldie but goodie:

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