Our son Travis just got married. Everyone we talked to said it was the best wedding ever! Held oceanside at the Kokokahi YWCA in Kaneohe, a friend of his new wife (Shanna) led the "Jew/Hawaiian" ceremony from heartfelt words she had written and continued right through to the "glass-breaking and cheers of "Mazel Tov." In between, Travis presented vows he made to the "first-round draft pick winner" Shanna. #1: He vowed to remember everyday how his life has been "upgraded" by their relationship. #2: He vowed to think of the future they are building on the foundation of their past together. #3: He vowed to remember to smile. That he is but an empty vessel that can be filled with an energy positive and negative to relate to each other. No longer is he a "Pack Leader of One, just living from day-to-day, from one (Youth Speaks, slam poetry) fundraiser to the next." They/He and Shanna are a Pack of Two. When you look at him you only see the Travis side, but there's also a Shanna side in him that's a part of his life's planning.

 

Friends and Family, knowing how strong a personality Travis has, know how much in love they must be with each other. How fortunate it is that they have found each other standing shoulder-to-shoulder as a pack of two. It's so wonderful to see the man he is now; a man shaped by the love not even a mother could give.

During the reception Shanna and Travis took the mike to describe the journey they made towards each other. Their friends described their relationship from small-kid time to now. With a pool of friends who were slam poets, teachers, yogi's, DJs, cousins and aunties, etc., the mike made its rounds with rave reviews and clapping.  

Looking back in my life, I paint the late Teens and 20's as a time to find security. As I looked to leave the (parents') nest, it was a trying time to Find Somebody to Love and be Loved In Return. It seemed like a full time job that often led to depression and even chemical imbalance due to hormonal adjustments with growth. While many of my friends were getting married, I was still stuck on first base. Good things come to those who wait, and Pete and I found each other. Certain songs bring back the feelings I had during that time like, The Jefferson Airplane's song titled above, and the other one regarding being "Loved in Return-Nature Boy."

The 30's was a time when I wanted to know what I should be. Stevie Wonder's song, "Mary wants to be a superwoman-Superwoman I" comes to mind. While in my early twenties, at the University of Hawaii, I was a Student/Teaching Assistant/Activist in the Ethnic Studies Department (where I met Pete) getting about 3-4 hours of sleep a night during those 3 ½ years. With graduation, I quit teaching, to become a "civilian." I became a waiter for 13 years finally becoming a Realtor in my late 30's, setting the stage 19 years later to start my own Real Estate Company as a Broker, a year before starting Licious Dishes a raw-vegan Meals-To-Go company as a chef/owner. I finally started Greens & Vines, 5 ½ years later and became a restaurateur. Becoming a chef was never in my dreams. Funny how life just happens. Like Bradda Iz says in his "Over The Rainbow" song, ..."Everybody gotta make their kuliana pono, to help the other. When you make your kuliana, pono, it's like a automatic thing...no need talk...stuff's just waiting when you're ready. Going happen." 

One of my aquaintances along the way claimed he tried to commit suicide three times. For some reason, he thought you stop changing after 25 years of age and life ends at 30. It's not easy growing up on your own. ...stuff's just waiting for when you're ready. You never stop changing and growing till you die. I see another chapter of my life; of our lives (I'm a pack of two also) coming up. Let you know when we're ready.  

  

4th of July we're closed re-open on Saturday 5th  

Due to the short work week, we're offering only 3 meals for pick up on Thursday, July 3rd. The restaurant closes at 9pm.  

 

Dr. Oz on X-Rays and Thyroid Cancer

 

Have you read that email circulating that Dr. Oz is cautioning people, especially women to protect their thyroid area when going to the dentist for xrays or while getting mammograms?There's actually a flap that can be pulled up on the xray cape or put on the cape before the radiation proceedure.

 

When I was still at Dole Cannery as Licious Dishes, a customer of ours noticed a lump on my throat and cautioned me to check it out. I went through a sonogram and more xrays and a biopsy. The doctor cautioned that though they pierced me in 3 areas, and didn't find any cancerous materials, I could still have it anywhere else in the lump. They recommended I have my thyroid removed, "Just to be sure." As I waited for release from the hospital, I read a pamphlet regarding hypo and hyper-thyroidism. None of those symptoms seemed to fit me. So I stopped all future biopsies because I wouldn't cut my thyroid out. "I need it!" The last page did mention xrays, and I recalled having been treated not long ago for a root canal procedure that vetted 5 roots, and 5 weeks and sets of xrays each time. I called a halt to the root canals, and follow-up xrays and told him to close it up.

I may have also gone to 2 mammograms that year because my primary care physician called to make an appointment for me earlier in the year, while the Queen's Medical Clinic sent me a follow-up "Time to get your Mammogram" reminder in November. Since I didn't keep good records of my treatments, I may have gone again. I've stopped going!

 

Greens & Vines' Classy Glassy Happy Hour

Starts Wednesday, July 16th

 

(Tuesday to Thursday: 4pm-6pm, and Saturday: 2pm-5pm)

Follow Chef Sylvia's World Wide Wine List:

(6) Wines a Week

1 white, 1 red wine in each level of discounted wine offered.

2 Affordable Wines

2 Mid-Range Priced Wines

2 High-End Wines

A classy opportunity to "poke your nose into and" taste Grand Cru Burgundy, Sassicaia, etc.

We will also have Sake, Trappistes Beer, and Gluten Free Belgium Beer discounted.

Half Orders of our Appetisers will be available during the Happy Hour.

Wine-Savy Staff will pour wines from our Wine Cart and we'll have Bistro tables where you can stand up at or umbrella tables to sit at and share your adventurous journey sipping on World Class wine.

 

 

FRENCH WINE CLASS & "French" Tapas

 

Sunday, JULY 20th / 1:00 PM

 

Led by Master Sommelier, Patrick Okubo

Champagne: Charles Heidsieck, Brut 2000

Champagne: Philipponat, Clos des Goisses, Brut 1998

~

White Burgundy: Jadot, Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru 2008

Red Burgundy: Jadot, Mazi Chambertain, Grand Cru 2008

~

Southern France: E. Guigal, Cote du Rhone, Blanc

Southern France: Jean-Luc Colombo, Les Abeilles, Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre Rhone

Call: 536-9680 for Reservations $125

 

Lexi's Tri-Layer Cake

 

 

Thanks for coming to Roberto Viernes'

World Wide White Wine Class

We whipped up a few newer Tapas like the Green Papaya Salad w/Fresh Coconut (Roberto loved the use of coconut to tame the heat in the salad),  

Zucchini Gnocchi w/White Truffle Sauce & Sundried Tomatoes Parsley & Black Pepper, and Lexi's Tri-Layer Cake (Beet, Green Tea & Calamanci Lime) & 3 other favorites.