Red House in Honolulu.

2月27日

This weekend checked out the new Korean eatery Red House in Honolulu on Keeaumoku near Michinoku and the Korean “Supermarket.”  When you walk into the restaurant it feels like you’re stepping into a party or an entertainment center similar to a Karaoke Bar.  There’s a huge video display on the side wall which plays non-stop Kpop.  The staff is all very friendly and helpful, they are attentive and as a nice touch when you call in for a reservation, there’s a personalized hand-written thank you card waiting for you when you’re seated.

The Kpop playing on the wall makes you feel like dancing while you eat!

The ambiance and staff here are some of their stronger points.  The food itself I thought was pretty good.  If you’re looking for traditional Korean food, don’t come here.  You’re better off down the street at Millions.  This place does to Korean food was Shokudo does to Japanese food.  There’s a new age spin to their ethnic cuisine.  Don’t let this discourage you however, overall I thought the food was pretty good.

Fish cake soup. It's plain as you can see but it doesn't lack in taste.

The free pop corn shrimp with a Yelp check-in! Unfortunately, not sure if you can tell by the photo but it was a bit overcooked so it was a bit tough on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The tangy sweet sour sauce that came with it made it bearable.

Bulgogi Pizza. One of my favorite dishes. Unusual but don't let this concept scare you, it's very good.

Kim Chee Jige. It's delightfully spicy and savory. Watch out for the bones left in the spare ribs (It looked like spare ribs).

Eggroll that comes with the Kim Chee Jige. We weren't sure what the sauce was but it looked unappetizing because of it's yellow color. The texture was a bit of a turnoff with it's creaminess and the taste was a bit too sweet for our liking. It's not something we would volunteraly order. When we asked our waiter what the sauce was he wasn't sure as he mentioned it was just, "something the chef concocted."

The Chef's chicken sorta had a cross between a local style garlic chicken and korean style fried chicken. It was served with some leaks marinated in the same sauce. I liked this dish the most of everything I had.

I probably wouldn’t pick this place as my first choice of eateries but it’s great for groups and I would have no problem coming here again.  The parking is a bit of a drag as the lot is pretty small and crowded due to the sheer volume of other establishments surrounding them.  Make sure you go before 6:30 or after 8:30 so you won’t have to battle for parking…as much

Red House in Honolulu
835 Keeaumoku Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
944-0088 Reservations recommended
Mon, Wed-Sun 11am – 10pm

De Lijn ad campaign (Belgium)

2月15日

Happy post-vday to all you lovers and bitter singles out there. Hope you survived your night. I mean really people it’s totally a Hallmark Holiday, sorry to spoil the fun but Valentines Day is a business! Trust me….I work in the marketing biz lol…but for all you hopeless romantics out there, I don’t want to be the downer at your party so it’s still the perfect day for you to show your affection to your true love awwwww…..

Anyway, going off tangent here…it’s not often Americans are exposed to advertising from other countries for obvious reasons….language barriers, product availability, etc. there are many reasons.  But just like in the states, you can find a good ad campaign anywhere.

De Lijn, a Belgium bus company, had one of those ad campaigns.  Check them out below.

Why I like them:
Message – It’s smarter to travel in groups.  It’s simple and easy to grasp.  The visual execution of each spot reinforce this message which also makes for higher recall.
Concept – As I mentioned above, each spot plays out a scenario that reinforces the message of groups traveling together.
Visuals –  You can probably get any type of group together in reality, living or non-living, but using the computer animation will also aid in recall. How often do you see commercials on TV targeted towards adults in this fashion? Not much which will make it stand out more.
Variety – Companies like Geico and McDonald’s are very good at this.  They take the same message but make multiple spots that pound away at it.  I’m not sure how long this campaign ran but it helps with over saturation and keeping things fresh when you have a bunch of these in your back pocket.  It will also pro-long the length of your campaign.
Humor – They say humor aids in the memorability and the likeness of particular ads. It’s very subjective but with these ads, I gave them a warm chuckle. They’re kinda cute that way.

My favorite of the 4 is probably the ant version.  Advertising creative however, is like art. Everyone has their own opinion. You may not like these spots at all. What do you think?

Bernini Honolulu (revisited).

2月10日

Prior to it opening last April (2011), I was fortunate enough to get a sneak preview of some of the dishes that Bernini Honolulu had to offer.  Nearly one year later, Bernini Honolulu is still going strong serving up beautifully presented dishes that taste as good as they look.  Last night, along with a few friends (@nanigurl @ricknakama @marthacheng @incurablepicure) we were fortunate enough to be hosted by owners Motoyo, Chef Matsumoto and their PR representative @yumi1001 to preview some new menu items that will be available beginning 2/21/12.  I’ll say this upfront that you will not be disappointed.

Marinated Shrimp and Steamed Chicken Infused with Dill. A light dish that doesn't shy away from flavor. The chicken is soft and moist while the shrimp is plump and cooked to perfection. The added greens, herbs & shredded green papaya add a nice touch for body. $14

"Seppie" - Seared Squid served with Sherry Vinaigrette over rice salad. Unfortunately, I don't eat squid (allergic) so I can't tell you much about it other than the fact that @RickNakama doesn't eat squid either but he tried it and enjoyed it thoroughly. I did try the rice salad along with the veggies flavored with the Sherry....I wish I could buy a bottle of that stuff! $16.

One of my favorite dishes of the night. The "Boscaiora" with mixed mushrooms, homemade sausage & a light cream sauce. To be honest I'm not really into creamy or rich and heavy type of dishes but this was still light enough for me to enjoy without worrying about feeling bogged down. If you're a mushroom lover this will certainly be one to try. When the new menu comes out on 2/15 they will serve this dish using Porcini mushrooms! $24.

"Gorgonzola" Gorgonzola cheese & asparagus in a light cream sauce. As I mentioned before I'm not a fan of rich creamy sauces but to my delight these weren't heavy dishes at all. I love how chef uses sauces that could come off as overpowering, yet the flavor of the ingredients remain intact. A delicious choice. The gorgonzola was not too bitter either. $20.

"Pollo" Mozzarella, Chicken, Bell Pepper & Anchovy. It tastes just as good as it looks! A lovely edition to our meal, very colorful and full of flavor. Another favorite of mine for the evening. $18.

"Prosciutto e Mascarpone" Mozzarella, Prosciutto & Mascarpone with Tomato Cream Sauce. A flavorful pizza with a nice sweet buttery like taste accentuated and balanced out by the saltiness from the prosciutto. $21.

For those concerned that some of your favorites will not make the new menu, fear not. Things such as the Beef Ragu and the Panna Cotta below will remain a constant!

My favorite! Panna Cotta! $7.

Chef Matsumoto also graciously let us try his Dolce, the white chocolate mousse. This will only be available on Valentines Day, part of their Valentine's Day menu. Check them out if you have the chance! Go to their Facebook page for the full Valentines menu.

If you have yet to try Bernini, it’s time you went.  Chef Matsumoto received his training in Northern Italy so his Italian Cuisine is as authentic as it gets. Many people have the false belief that this is a Japanese Italian fusion restaurant because of the Japanese owners. Not so, this is the “real deal.” For many of you who have been to Bernini, then you’ll want to wander back and amuse your taste buds with some of these new dishes while staying true to a few of your favorites.

Bernini Honolulu
1218 Waimanu Street

Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 591-8400 Reservations recommended

http://www.berninihonolulu.com/

Today’s [Like] posts.

2月9日

Pizza Hut’s $10 Dinner Box Proposal Package.

Fellas…looking to ask your girl to marry you this Valentines Day?  Why not go with the Pizza Hut proposal package?!

The cat with mind games.

Well played Mr. Boots. Well played.

Spotted in the malls (Seoul, Korea)

For what I don’t know…The Avenger promo? But I definitely feel his pain…especially in the morning.

Puppy alert.

What do you get when you mix puppies and The Conan O’Brien show? Pure awesomeness….and speaking of Conan O’Brien, still love that Super Bowl commercial he did the other year.

30 Inappropriate Sexy Ads.

Wow, some of these would never fly in the US! Check ‘em out but just a warning…a few of these, NSFW.

Sushi Ogame.

2月8日

Some of you may have remembered hitting the old Sushi Ogame on Sheridan Street behind Walmart a few years ago and leaving with a smile.  That smile turned into a frown when you found out Chef Koichi Ogame had closed his doors making you wonder why? Is he going to open somewhere else?  Fast forward a few years and Sushi Ogame has reemerged but with a twist.  Word on the street is that Chef Ogame now rents out a bar in the Red Cafe Chinese restaurant on Queen Street in the old Queen Bee location. I wasn’t able to verify whether that connection is true or not but you’ll be happy to know that I have confirmed that Sushi Ogame is within Red Cafe.

The sushi bar at Ogame. When I got here the entire bar was full with patrons. All Japanese nationals, a good sign for a Japanese eatery!

I’m still confused about what the relationship is and if Red Cafe is even open for business because when my party arrived, the only people there were there for sushi.  It was staffed with just one person who was helping Chef Ogame out.  There is a full bar within the premises, however when I called Chef Ogame for reservations, he informed me that it’s BYOB…which makes me believe that Red Cafe isn’t open.  The menu we received was also only for sushi but we saw another menu on the table nearby that did offer Chinese food…..so go figure.  If you find out let me know what the deal is.

As you can see there was no one there for Red Cafe. The interior however, is quite nice...and don't let this photo fool you because it can get quite crowded here for Ogame.

One thing that wasn’t so confusing was the food.  We each ordered the Omakase.  With tax and tip it ran you up about $58, $60 if you were generous on the tip.  $60 may be a little steep, so the next time I would probably order ala carte.  Although getting the variety we got was undeniably awesome.  Unlike some other eateries with more volume you can tell some of the fish was previously frozen.  But many places serve previously frozen raw fish so it’s nothing out of the ordinary.  The taste is what’s most important and the food was still delicious.

The black noodle reminded me of the Korean naeng myun noodles with a tart vinery dressing topped with unagi. The sweetness from the unagi and the tartness from the dressing were a perfect pairing.

From left to right and top to bottom: Maguro, Hamachi, Aji, Sake & Saba.

 

From left to right and top to bottom: Unni, Ikura, Toro, Tai & Ama Ebi.

Ume cucumber and Toro takuan.

Ebi miso soup with Asari. This one was oh so good, warmed the soul!

So there you have it. Food was good, but like I mentioned before I don’t think I’d do the Omakase next time.  I think I’ll go ala carte.  The menu is listed on the Ogame website but the prices aren’t so just for you, here it is:

Sushi Ogame
747 Queen Street (parking in lot or on street)
Reservations: 220-4123 or koichi@sushiogame.com (walk-ins welcome)
BYOB

http://sushiogame.com/

The Best & Worst 2012 Super Bowl Commercials.

2月6日

Happy New Year everyone! Wow has it been that long since I’ve last blogged?  I guess the last time was in December…but that’s still last year!  Anyway, hope the new year is all treating you well.  One thing most of America looks forward to in the beginning of the year is the Super Bowl.  Whether you’re in it for the game, the get togethers, or both…most households will be exposed to the “big” game.  One thing I personally look forward to as a marketer is the Super Bowl ads.  Due to the costly airtime, the inventory allows for only the largest of advertisers that can afford it, and supposedly, the most creative.  Did you catch some of the ads?  What are your favorites?  What were some of the duds?  In no particular order, here’s my favorites of mine and those that didn’t really work for me.

THUMBS UP:
I had to chuckle at this one because were were all a kid once…the downside of the spot? Can’t really recall who the advertiser was until I looked at the ad again.

The connection between the advertiser and the concept wasn’t as strong as some of their older ads but at least they were consistent.

Was it me or did dogs rule the air this year for the Super Bowl commercials?  Here’s one of a few that I enjoyed.  These Dorito spots are a lot more entertaining and less corny than those Fiesta “Bag” chip spots.

I’ll admit when I first saw this ad I enjoyed it but the more I see it… not so much.  So hopefully they won’t blast this spot out like they did that “Vader” kid.  Reason: I can hear the client saying at the agency planning meeting….”we want our Super Bowl ad to be as funny and over-the-top as last year’s Vader kid ad…and heck that Vader kid got us a lot of attention can we capitalize on the Star Wars component?” They might have been better off just leaving it as the dog getting in shape.  The teaser was just that too…. way to tie in a dog and Star Wars.

I like this spot not because I’m a guy…okay okay, a lot of it because of that but really it’s the simplicity of the spot that I enjoy.  ”Give and you shall receive” sign off, Vday flowers. Simple, short, to the point and memorable.  Good job Teleflora, now change that damn name.

I think I would have liked this ad more if it wasn’t tied to a car company versus the city itself but still….overall a good ad that pulls at the heartstrings & psyches up the rest of the country to weather the storm and keep pushing forward during tough times.

Unexpected is always a welcoming thing to have in an advertisement and this one came through. Plus, which guy here wouldn’t want to see John Stamos get head butted by some gal that’s easy on the eyes?

It’s out there. But the soup nazi? Leno? Makes it all worth it. Not to mention this new Acura looks like one bad mother funker.

The Honda CRV Ferris Bueller ad made me feel old. This ad makes me feel young again. Plus it had favorite cartoon characters that bring back great memories….including Voltron!  Pure awesome. Especially because he was also doing this between takes.

Betty friggin’ White. Nuff’ said. I wish we could just skip to the ending an avoid all that minutia before the reveal.

I love chocolate, now.

Alright so this one was probably my favorite ad of all of them even though i said I’m listing these ads in no particular order.  The best part is the end tag where they support rescue dogs.  Cute, cool, and everything in between….also great touch to drive traffic to their FB page.

 THUMBS DOWN:
I can see the client at their ad agency meeting telling them…we wanna see our product tied into football…. but be sure it’s funny….and hey let’s throw in a basketball version too….that’s funny of course.  That’s the problem, tries to be be funny but not so much for me.

Thanks Honda. Way to ruin a classic. I’ll no longer think Ferris Bueller as cool. It could have been a great spot, the only thing you did was remind us that we’re getting old.

Sorry, I know this one was a funny one for a lot of people but….for me personally, I worked on a similar spot and it seemed like it was a rip off of ours….they of course have the bigger budget and the fact that it’s a “national” spot….but still, can you see the similarities between this spot and the version I worked on a few years ago for AIG Hawaii.  Unfortunately because AIG Hawaii is no more, the spot I’m referring to is not available online for you to compare so you’ll just have to take my word for it

Good Lord H&M, what the heck? Don’t you realize this is an American Football game where majority of the viewing audience skews heavily toward men?  So why the hell would you throw in a half naked David Beckham ad in front of them?  I get it…the product is for them but geez couldn’t you have someone like his wife sporting them?  Let me give you a hint.

Thought this spot was a bit silly.  Like they’re trying to be cool but it’s…oh so very forced.  I mean really, what’s the point of taking your car skydiving or doing bungie jumps?  Would you really do that to your new car?  Ya ya, I know it’s more of the essence of what they symbolize rather than literally doing those things but whatever, I guess I’m just not as cool as they are.  I did however, like the music backdrop which to me is a better fit for what the car stands for versus all the other stuff you’re seeing.

Wth?

If Go Daddy has that much money to spend on the talent in their spots they should try and spend some of that money on coming up with better ads conceptually.

They’re just trying too hard.

Bit of a cheap shot here. How many of you actually feel like negative advertising actually works….effectively that is??

So what do you guys think?  What are some of your faves? Which ads did you want to kick out the front door?

Morio’s Sushi Bistro.

12月13日

Most of you have been or at least heard of that little shop in Waikiki that by day, goes as a health food store and by night the infamous Morio’s Sushi Bistro. In a move that “scared” everyone, Morio shut his doors not too long ago before rumor spread that he was opening a new location somewhere in town…whew!

Well it’s true, he finally opened up again the other month on King Street next to Jack-in-a-Box between Pensacola and Piikoi Street.  Known for his generous servings, reasonable prices and the fact that he doesn’t shy away from drinking with you, Chef Morio has created a following almost occult.  It’s rare to see his restaurant empty, granted the new location can only seat 19 people (5 of those 19 might be able to squeeze in at the bar).  If you’re going to head over without a reservation, good luck. The wait could be futile unless you get lucky….you’re better off calling in to make a reservation.  And if you’re going to call in for a reservation, call it in at least a week’s advance.  2 weeks for the weekends.  It’s definitely worth the wait and the experience if you haven’t already tried it or know what I’m referring too.  ”It’s not just dinner, it’s a dining experience,” said NonStop Honolulu food blogger Melissa Chang. Couldn’t agree with her more.  Read her write up on Morio’s here.

Right when they open is probably one of the few times you'll see Morio's this empty.

My last visit this past weekend wasn’t as “wild” as my other experiences at the older Waikiki shop.  Maybe it’s because I was there for a 6:30 dinner when the crowd is a bit more…tame?  I’ve gone a few times to the old place in Waikiki on the later side where everyone at the bar rags on each other and takes down their alcohol as if they were only there to drink…..and chef included haha, in a good way of course!  Did I mention it’s BYOB?

We started off with a couple of complimentary appetizers.

The salad was plain and simple but the dressing was really tasty! It's ponzu based w/ a little spice.

This had some kind of smoked chicken, egg roll, broccoli and Vienna sausage. Actually tasted pretty good!

Agedashi Tofu, $5.75 and well worth it. The oil was light, the ponzu was flavorful.

Tori Karaage, $5.75. Oishikatta!

Tekka Maki, $5.50. One of the few places that I see more fish then rice in the rolls.

Spicy Tuna roll, $6.50. It's funny because my party and myself all agreed that hey, the sushi may not be the prettiest you'll find out there but it's the taste that matters and everything was delicious.

Garlic chicken, $5.75. Damn this was good. I wish Melissa Chang included this place during our NonStop Honolulu journey for the best garlic chicken.

Salmon nigiri, $7.25. Hamachi nigiri, $8.25. The best thing is that they come as 3 per order. The fish overshadows the rice...big time. In fact, don't blink when you eat them, you might miss the rice cause there's so much fish!

California roll, $5.75. Didn't taste it since there were so much better things to eat but I understand it was good and the crab was not of the imitation variety

Unagi nigiri, $7.25. The pieces were meaty and the sauce had a nice tang to it. I'd eat this all night if the other stuff wasn't so good.

Ahi tempura, with a few veggies. $6.95. Look at the batter...it's light and evidence of being fried correctly in hot oil. Didn't get to try this but I was told it was really good.

Ahi kama (collar), $0.00. Given to us by Morio after we gave him a 22oz. Sapporo This item is not on the menu. He gave us 2 of them!

Hotate nigiri (scallop), $8.75 for an order of 2 but Morio generously gave us 3 since our table had 3. The meat was plump and it tasted so fresh and crisp. Some of the best Hotate I've ever had, rivaling even eateries in Japan.

Omakase nigiri (16-piece), $35.00. My mom and her husband ordered this and the rest of us weren't allowed to touch it lol. But as you can see, it tasted as good as it looked according to them.

The oysters in the Omakase nigiri looked so good we had to order a couple for ourselves. It was chilled perfectly with the right amount of ponzu and spice. It was so fresh there wasn't any fishy after taste that you get with bad oysters. This would have been good for those who aren't fond or scared of eating oysters. I don't even know what the cost was for this because it's not on the menu.

Highly recommend you check this place out. There are even a few off-menu items you may be surprised with. Aside from the oysters, I even saw them serving some lobster sashimi on the Sashimi Omakaze.  The last time I was at the Waikiki shop Morio gave us some curry and rice to go down with our drinks. Make sure you come here with an empty stomach because you’re definitely gonna leave full.  The prices are so reasonable that if I remember correctly I paid about $36 for everything I ate and that includes being generous with the tip. We probably would have gotten away with paying just $30/person with tip.

Morio’s Sushi Bistro
1160-A King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 741-5121, reservations recommended.
http://www.morios.com/ 

Remembering December 7, 1941.

12月7日

A letter I received via email from the office of Senator Daniel Inouye on the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

 

Dear Friends,

Seventy years ago today I was preparing to go to church.

December 7, 1941 was a Sunday.

I was putting on my neck tie and listening to Hawaiian music in my bedroom in my parent’s home in Moilili when the disc jockey broke in and started screaming.

“The Japanese are bombing Pearl Harbor! The Japanese are bombing Pearl Harbor!”

At first I thought this was another replay of Orson Wells.  But he kept screaming and yelling.

I went and got my father and said ‘let’s go outside.’

We walked into the front yard and out into the street and turned to look in the direction of Pearl Harbor.

That’s when we saw the black puffs of smoke bursting against a blue sky.  It was anti-aircraft fire from the ships anchored in the harbor.

Then we heard a deep rumble from above and looked up to see three aircraft fly right over our house.  They were pearl grey with bright red dots painted beneath each wing.

I knew what was happening.  And I thought my world had just come to an end.

Nearly 2,400 American sailors, soldiers and civilians died that morning.

I was a medical aid man and for the next several days I barely slept.  We rushed to aid the wounded and collected the dead.

Lunalilo Elementary School was a makeshift aid station and morgue. I remember the tables covered in white cloth where we stacked the bodies.

In the aftermath of the attack I quickly became familiar with the horrific cost of war.

We have an extraordinary Constitution, we have extraordinary sets of laws, but throughout the history of mankind, war has provided leaders the justification to set aside those laws.

Soon after December 7, about Christmas time, the government of the United States gave all Japanese the designation “4-C” or “enemy alien.”  Thousands of Japanese, citizens and immigrants, were rounded up and sent to internment camps.

Part of the justification for the internment was their classification as enemy aliens.

Eager to prove our loyalty to our country, and willing to die to do it, many of us petitioned the government to allow us to fight.

We had an extra burden because it wasn’t just about serving our nation in uniform, it was about proving our loyalty.

The 100^th Battalion, 442 Regimental Combat Team, two infantry units consisting of Japanese American enlisted men, would go on to become the most decorated unit of its size in the history of the American military.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor signaled the start of World War II and began a period of my life when I fought and bled alongside thousands of my brave brothers who served in Europe.

My experiences on the morning of December 7 and the fighting we did in France and Italy changed my life forever.

Fifty years after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a national survey of high school seniors was conducted and the students were asked a simple question.

“What is the significance of the date, December 7, 1941?”

Sadly, less than half of the respondents were able to link the date to that infamous Sunday morning.

As we continue to lose members of the Greatest Generation, those who witnessed the attack, lived through the War, and saw the world change, we must remember the events of December 7.

If December 7 can teach us anything, it should be that we must remain ever vigilant but we must also do our best to avoid the horrors of war.

Daddy’s poem.

12月3日

Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy’s Day at school, and she couldn’t wait to go.
But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn’t there today.
But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all,
about a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called a student from the class,
to introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn’t there.

“Where’s her daddy at?” she heard a boy call out.
“She probably doesn’t have one,” another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,
“Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day.”

The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom,
and looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak,
and out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.

“My Daddy couldn’t be here, because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.
“And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know,
all about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.

“He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike,
he surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.
“We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone,
and though you cannot see him I’m not standing here alone.

“Cause my daddy’s always with me, even though we are apart.
I know because he told me, he’ll forever be in my heart”
With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.

And somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears,
proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.
For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life,
doing what was best for her, doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd,
she finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.
“I love my daddy very much, he’s my shining star.
And if he could, he’d be here, but heaven’s just too far.

“You see he was a policeman and died just this past year,
when airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.
“But sometimes when I close my eyes, it’s like he never went away.”
And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.

And to her mother’s amazement, she witnessed with surprise,
a room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.
Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.

“I know you’re with me, Daddy,” to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.
Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed,
but there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star,
and given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

Take the time … to live and love!

Until eternity. God bless

(VIA)

A true friend.

12月2日

A man was walking down the street one day and fell into a hole.  The hole was so deep that he couldn’t get out.  This made him very sad and upset.

A doctor came walking along and he called up to the doctor, “Hey!  I’ve fallen into this hole!  Can you help me?”  The doctor wrote out a prescription and tossed it into the hole.

Then a minister came walking along and he called up to the minister, “Hey!  I’ve fallen into this hole!  Can you help me?”  The minister wrote out a prayer and tossed it into the hole.

Then a friend came walking along and he called up to his friend, “Hey, Joe!  I’ve fallen into this hole!  Can you help me?”  The friend then jumped into the hole with him.

The first man said, “Are you nuts?  Why’d you jump in here with me?  Now we’re both stuck in here!”

“My friend,” Joe replied, “I’ve been here, too, and I know the way out.”

Please take a moment … right now … and look around you.

Who do you know who’s in a hole?  A friend?  A family member?  A co-worker?  A neighbor?  Do they have a problem in their life that you’ve already solved?  Or are they striving for a goal you’ve already attained?  Why not jump into that hole with them and show them the way out?

Whether people are struggling or striving they all want the same thing … a friend who’ll offer a helping hand.

Make it an AWESOME day … for you AND someone else!

(VIA)