Video Games

Its been a while since my last blog. Been busy with classes and homework, family, and other things. One of those other things has been video games. I've been playing Madden 09 on my Playstation 2. Its pretty good. Not much more different than that of the year before. I guess all the cool newer features for the game are for the PS3 and the Xbox 360. I seen the demos, tons more better than the PS2.
Alright so you're wondering when do I have the time to play? I play at night when the kids are sleeping and at naptime. Yeah, I am suppose to be working out during naptime or clean the house during that time. So I've been up late or early in the morning playing till my eyes can't stay open. Video games is like an outlet for me, like working out. We have a Nintendo Wii also, I don't play it as much since I got the new Madden game. I'll get a PS3 after I get a HDTV. That will be next year Christmas time. We can't afford it so we won't buy it. I think preschool payments take priority then our entertainment gadgets. Oh, can't forget my student loan...one day we will buy a house....one day...some day.

The beach and playground wisdom

At Windward Mall

Kakela Beach, (Alligator Rock)

We had a great time being in Laie with my wife's side of the family. We stayed the entire last week there and had fun with another sister in law and her son. The best beach for the kids in the Laie Hau'ula area is Kakela beach, the Alligator rock side which is all the way to the right side of the beach. I heard that by Shark's Cove there is a spot where there's tide pools which is good for the kids also. I heard that Ko'olina Resort is a nice place also for the keiki.

The picture above is my son riding on a mano, a shark. That playground area at Windward mall is the best place for the kids. Except when really dumb parents leave their little kids there and go shopping and have other parents watch their kids. There was this wild kid who was pretty rough with all the other kids. He almost pulled down my son from the play boat area until my sister in law pulled him away and scolded the rotten kid. And where was his parents? Oh no where to be found. The mom just left him there by himself, a 5 year old being watched by strangers. Man, some people no more common sense. As my wife's tutu would say, "Some people they get a nerve, yeah?"

Lupulu is grindz! Part Ua

Yes I made lupulu again. Now I write the recipe

Ingrediments:

Palm Corn beef (the round can, made in New Zealand)
Taro Leaves
Coconut milk (canned is okay)
Onions
Salt and pepper

Tin foil
Cake pan or foil pan

Sorry I didn't take any pictures.

Instructions:

• Open the cans with the can opener, this can be done with a knife. (I seen this done before but you kinda need strong and steady hands and a sharp knife. I seen this done with my knife by my roommate. Don't try it if you're a wimp and safety conscious.)
• Prep the tin foil, pulling out 2 sheets for one lupulu serving. Have the 2 sheets laying perpendicular, so you have like an "x".
• Cut the stalks off the taro leaves and place the leaves facing up on your "x" tinfoil. Maybe 5-10 taro leaves.
• Then shape the foil to a wide bowl with the leaves on it.
• Put the desired amount of corn beef onto the leaves.
• Put the desired amount of chopped onions and salt and pepper on the corn beef.
• Pour half to the whole can of the coconut milk on to the meat and onions.
• Then fold in the leaves.
• Fold down the tinfoil and try not to spill out the coconut milk.
• There you have one serving. It can be big or small depends how much leaves and meat you put inside. Repeat the making process for as much as want.
• Place the wrapped lupulu in the pan. If you have more than you can fit in the pan. Don't stack it on top of each other. Get another pan. I made that mistake because it won't steam evenly.
• Put in the oven for 400 degrees for 3 hours. If after 3 hours and you taste it and your tongue and throat is itchy, put it back in for a little longer.

Small kine tips

Where can you get taro leaves? Foodland and Tamura's have taro leaves. But I heard that a store called "Wong's" and another called "Masa's" has the best taro leaves. One is in Hau'ula and the other is either in Kahana or Kapahulu. I forget which is which. Both stores are along the Kamehameha Hwy. The store Masa's sells the best kine of coconut milk to cook your lupulu with. How I know all this? I asked my Tongan friend. Please leave comments if you have a better recipe or know where to get taro leaves in Utah.