...Later that night...

Well for those of you who read my last post and are or were waiting in such anticipation... Later that night, as I said earlier that my sister had just come back home from Chicago, she had brought all of the CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM MY WONDERFUL FAMILY AND COUSINS from back home!!!  You know I don't want to sound  selfish, but I truly believe that God didn't let me go home to Chicago on purpose!  It gave me the chance to just spend the Holidays alone with Him and grow closer to my Lord, and yet He still blessed me that feeling of family and togetherness, I must say I got really home sick once I opened those gifts and not being able to yell "THANK YOU!!!" to whom ever gave it to me from across the pile of torn wrapping paper... but it was such a good feeling, we all got gifts, Jen, Rob, Juanita, and myself, it was so nice... so my Christmas came a little late this year ;)

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" you just can't beat it!!!
Rob WIELDING HIS HUGE SABER OF JUSTICE (a cheese spreader) BUT WHO CAN TELL!?!
Alright, a little over the top, but it adds to the excitement! ;)



THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! To our family, cousins, and relatives for the gifts!!!  I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!  This Christmas season just showed me that even though I spent Christmas Eve/Day and New Years Eve alone, I was still in the company of my God and He has blessed me by showing that I am still being thought of and loved by those half way around the world from me :)  Take some time and thank God for all the blessings in your life :)

My Sisters Birthday!

Hey all,

Well I had a GREAT WEEKEND!  Friday my older sister and her boyfriend Rob came back from their winter breaks!  Thursday January 8th was Jen's birthday, so on Friday she thought that it was just going to be her and I, but Rob came home 1 day early to surprise her, and we took her to a really good restaurant for dinner, called "Bubba Gump Shrimp!"  I am so blessed to have such a great older sister and to be living with such wonderful room mates!  Here are some pics from dinner!

The night wasn't over just yet, we got back to the apartment and there was some fun surprises waiting... but you'll have to check in tomorrow to see what they were!!! he he he :)  Be blessed everyone!

My Mornings! (Self Portraits!)

Hello all!  Well this past weekend was a lot of fun as some may have seen on the post "first 'First Friday.'"  However, Sunday I had a particularly good day because I decided (and finally found the time) to practice taking self portraits of... myself!  It was cool because I read up on how to finally utilize some photography tricks in taking my self portraits!  Check em' out! :)

My first "First Friday!"

Well this was a FANTASTIC weekend, particularly this past Friday!  But before we begin let me give you the back story of "First Friday" it is held once a month, on the... you guessed it; the first Friday of every month.  Basically it is a day where the majority of the small businesses in downtown chinatown open their doors to the public displaying their products and offering finger foods or drinks, etc...  It's actually pretty cool to see.  Growing bands come out and play for the crowds, new artists demonstrate their skill, and businesses publicize their products.  It's like one big marketing block party, I've actually never seen it done in any other city, but apparently every major city in Hawaii does this.  Mainly to promote the local economy and support the local small business owners.  After all; it is an island ;)  Here are some pics from my first "First Friday!"

Some tunes for the crowd to tango to :)
A horse and carriage ride around the city... I didn't even know we had horses on this island ;)

Most of my time was spent here watching an artist displaying his talent of body painting, a band showcasing their really good tunes, and a photographer capturing the moments.  It was really cool to watch everything work together.  It was one of the most popular venues throughout the night!

The featured photographer, whom I had the privilege of meeting was Arthur Witherspoon.

(Above photograph by Arthur Witherspoon)

The featured band at the artistic event, "Malia & McCoy," whom I also had the privilege of meeting (Tim & Malia) played some great music and are two really talented musicians.  To hear more of their music stylings click on the link ;)  http://www.promofm.com/TimothySMcCoy

So, as I walk off so fades the glow of my first "First Friday" but keep checking in, cause the glow will return... in one month ;)  Be blessed everyone!

New Year in Hawaii

Alright so this was a new countdown for me, but New Year's Eve was very different here on the island when compared to the "mainland."  So, here on the island fireworks are legal, and there weren't very many organized firework shows or displays like most major cities have running, but so many people just went and bought their fireworks that the entire island, was filled with smoke, and it took all night for it to clear out!  See for yourself!

Well, even though that I didn't do much for New Year's Eve either, I think I had one of the best views, cause I got the chance to see so many fireworks going off on all different parts of the island!  Happy New Year everybody!

My New Year's Eve...

Hello all, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Mine was a very interesting New Years holiday, but it was definitely an experience.  New year's eve I went to the 2009 Hawaii Bowl with my boss and his friend and family, it was a good time and a good game!  I got to see the famous Notre Dame football team play, those guys are giants, but it was a really good game!  Here are some pics from the game.

                           This is a shot of ALOHA STADIUM, home of the U.H. Warriors!!!
               After the opening ceremony they had helicopters fly overhead!!!  It was sweet!




   Fire spinners during half time, also really SWEET!  I think I want to learn how to spin fire ;)

Notre Dame wins... and here they threw the Gatorade on their coach!  Haha it was funny.  Well I hope you all enjoyed the game ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Again, long overdue... oops... but here are some pictures of our FANTASTIC Christmas tree in our apartment :)  It was fun getting the chance to set it up with my room mates, but when Christmas rolled around they got to go home, and I wasn't able to due to work.  Sooo, even though I spent my first Christmas on my own, by myself, I was able to talk with God and spend time with Him :)  Hope you all enjoy the pictures and had a Merry Christmas!!!

After Thanksgiving!

Hey all,

Sorry for the long, long, LONG overdue of my updates...  These are some of my latest photo shoot the day after Thanksgiving with a wonderful family!  I hope you all like them :)  If you want to see the slideshow go to http://www.stevenrynephotography.com/Monts.Family