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Sep 9

Mr. + Mrs. Fayle – Part 2 (aka “The Big Day”)

Sorry for the delay!!!! It’s hard to post when there’s 21 people in the house. I just want to hang out in the water all day, drink wine + sleep!!!!

After decorating the house, I went over to my mom + dad’s timeshare in Princeville to get ready. This is how the Nishinos get ready for the wedding. Watching the Kardashians + sleeping. Nice guys, real nice.

As I was doing my hair + makeup my sister asked me, “Shelli, did you do a trial run of your hair + makeup?”. To which I responded, “Nope! I’m hoping it all turns out!”. She was like, “You are so crazy!!!!!!!!”. I’ve done crazier.

At the house, Pastor Niles Kageyama + his wife Eileen had arrived. Jeff apparently was bossing people around while pointing + shouting. Like an art director or something.

The boys + their ginger stalk torches

My cutie niece flower girl, Ambur.

Jeff + best man Steve. Very affectionate, aren’t we boys???

Pastor Niles blowing the conch at the top of the ceremony. Mom + mother Jean looking on bemusedly. I wonder what they were thinking. “Oh my! How curious!” or “How very native!”.

The procession begins!!!! Look at brave Tobin’s face!!!! So earnest!!!

Here comes the bride!!!! I really don’t think I could have smiled any bigger. Pastor Niles + Eileen played ukelele singing Hawiian wedding song, “Ke Kali Nei Au”. I wish someone had taken a picture of Jeff’s face as I was walking down the aisle because his facial expression was priceless.

Jeff’s face looked like this:

Jeff + I were both so teary eyed during the ceremony. My tactic for keeping it together + not bawling was to stare at the moustache wax in Jeff’s moustache.

Here’s beautiful Ashley in her Hilo Hattie dress. My mom hand sewed the back to take it in + show off her teeny waist. Doesn’t she look so tropical?!

Our brave ring bearers, Matt + Tobin. Tobin was so nervous about it all day, but they both did an amazing job!!! Ring pillows were made by my mom with vintage aloha fabric courtesy of the fabulously stylish Cacey Riggan!!!

Don’t you love Matt’s cool surfer dude long hair???

Pastor Niles delivered a warm + heartfelt ceremony. Jeff + I were soooo happy!!!! Here’s me clapping for ourselves. So humble!!!

Husband + Wife!!!!!!

The Fayle-Downies

The Fayle-Hoiles

The Nishinos

My lovely + sweet caterers Ann + Catherine from Heavenly Creations – aren’t they pretty?! http://www.heavenlycreations.org/ If it wasn’t for Ann we would of had to barbeque or go out to a restaurant. She saved me!!!!

Appetizers were the best poke we’ve EVER had + teriyaki beef skewers!!!

Dining al fresco, y’all!!! If you look closely, you’ll see my mom bossing me around as I’m taking the picture, + Jeff throwing his shaka.

Luckily, with the combination of families, we had an arsenal of talented photographers.

Here is one of my favorite pictures. Me with the Canadian Lady Posse. Jeff said, “Why would you post that picture?! Look at your facial expression!!!”. Exactly. Hilarious.

Dinner was better than I could have ever hoped for!!!! Grilled Opah fish, chicken, jasmine rice, grilled asparagus, salad + okinawan sweet potatoes!!!! I had seconds, y’all.

The cakes from Kilauea Bakery. Mocha Macadamia + Lilikoi Coconut. Doesn’t it look like Jeff + Rob are getting married?

What a perfect day!!!! All the elements came together so seamlessly (except when I almost couldn’t find the marriage certificate in the morning) with everyone’s love, help + contributions!!! Jeff + I were sort of winging it through most of the process, but we couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out!!! I ended the night watching two back to back episodes of “Saved by the Bell” with Matt + Ambur + then ended passing out while Jeff hung out with the family. Good work, Shelli! I will post more pictures + thought throughout the blog about the wedding, but for now I’m signing off because I’ve been in front of the computer for an hour + a half, hunched over like an old crone. Paradise + family fun are awaiting me!!! I love you all!!!!

Sep 6

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Mr. + Mrs. Jeffrey Fayle – Part 1

Hizzah!!!! We did it!!! We’re still alive!!! We’ve made it!!! We’re hitched!!!! I’ll take you through an adventure to Wedding Land. Please, come join me.

THE DAY BEFORE

First things first – we HAD to get Jeff a haircut. It was getting too shagadelic even for me!!! b I found an Aveda salon called Epic Hair http://www.epichairboutiquekauai.com/- because Jeff is fancy pants + needed a “stylist”. They were tres bon, mes amis. A fabulous man’s haircut for $25!!! Bargoon (bargain) !!!! Next door was TnT Burger truck. Oh, how convenient! Oh wait, what was that you said, again??? Burgers aren’t part of the bride diet????

Next stop was the Kilauea Bakery + Pau Hana Pizza to choose our cakes. http://kilaueabakery.wordpress.com/ I found them on Yelp!!!

Cake tastings + Jeff = so goofy.

We did some paddle boarding – here’s my most fabulous sister-in-law Deb. She feeds us, gives me sympathy + the best advice. If it wasn’t for her, I would probably tear my hair out one by one. She really gets it all.

My brother-in-law, Tom + best man, Steve. They are setting up the lights with minimal tools. If there’s ever a rigging question, everyone always says, “Give it to Tom, he’ll figure it out.” Very handy, indeed.

This is when we skedaddled to Hanalei Farmer’s Market in search of flowers. We bought ALL the flowers in the ENTIRE market, y’all. And thank god for that because I would have been majorly boned if flowers were lacking. Jeff + I were haggling + bargaining + wheeling + dealing like we were at a Thai street market or something.

This is Juan, a real bruddah. Da kine. Blessings.

There was a stand for Niihau shell jewelry + I FREEEEEAKED!!!! Full on cold sweat, y’all. I’ve wanted a Niihua shell necklace for my entire adult life!!!! For reals!!!! Kahelelani are the tiniest and most prized of the Hawaiian shells that are sewn into leis. Kahelelani are found in varying degrees on most of the Hawaiian Islands, but are most abundant on Niihau and Kauai. These shells are so rare they are comparative to a semi precious gem + jewelry is commonly insured. Jeff bought me a necklace + earrings for the wedding! Can you say family heirloom???!!! May Outzen made my jewelry + she was the sweetest lady ever!!!!! Oh yeah, Lisa Bonet has been on the island + everyone’s been really psyched about it. We saw her at the market.

Lisa Bonet in all her dreaded glory.

I just want to remember her like this:

We collected all the flowers from 5 different vendors + Jeff yelled, “We’re going to need all hands on deck!!!!”. Wow. Taskmaster.

That night we had a family dinner, merging the Fayles with the tiny Nishinos. Here’s my brother-in-law Rob at the grill. Beer in hand. Oh yeah!!!! This is how we roll!!!!!!!

Kenny first at the dinner table. Surprised??? Hmmmm, no. His body language is saying, “C’mon!!!! Let’s do this!!!!!”!!!!!!

THE DAY OF

Here we go, y’all. I know this is the meat of the blog. The day of was busy but I was so zen about everything because I was so freaking exhuasted out of my noggin. Every other sentence that came out of my mouth was, “Yeah, okay cool! Sure, sounds good! Whatever you think!”. Of course I started my day with “calisthenics” as mother Jean calls them. Then Ashley + my mom picked me up to get a dress for Ashley (last minute, much? runs in the family) + vases for the flowers at our new favorite place, Walmart.

We didn’t have time for lunch so we had a quick bite at Walmart’s McDonalds. You’re all aghast. I know. In my defense, time + resources are very limited on Kauai!!!!! Sue me!!!! My mom is such a local, they didn’t have saimin (noodle soup unique to Hawaii) on the menu, but she asked + received.

Meanwhile, at the Anini house things were coming into effect.

Deb + Liz helped me do the flower arrangements, which turned out insanely gorgeous. Future brides, it helps to have artistically inclined in-laws.

Okay, you’re all going to kill me because I am a tease + I just now decided to make this post a two parter. I can’t even keep my eyes open with toothpicks right now, god help me. You are all going to have to wait + see my wedding attire tomorrow. Goodnight, sleep well everyone!!!!!! Check in tomorrow!!!

Sep 4

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Wait, what???

Yes, it is September 4th – the day of the wedding. You’re all thinking, “What is she doing posting on her blog on her wedding day? She’s crazy!!!”. That’s right!!!! CRAZY LIKE A FOX!!!!! I’m just going to post a bunch of pictures with short descriptions, cuz this sister is short on time if you know what I mean.

Our backyard

Me + my workout buddy Keiko

Matt the Gecko Whisperer

Jeff finally learning to relax

Rob + Kelly – so glamorous!!!!

LUAU!!!!!!

First meeting of the mothers – how cute is that????!!!!!

Will post later!!!! Running off to do more errands!!!! Yes! Errands on my wedding day because that’s the kind of bride I am!!!!! Love you all!!! Wish me luck!!!!!

Sep 2

Paradise

Man was I exhausted after a fitful night’s sleep. Nevertheless I powered through a run. Ashley walked over + we all made our way into Kapa’a for breakfast. Kountry Kitchen was on my mind y’all. Ashley had a fluffy macadamia nut pancake the size of her head.

After breakfast Jeff + I headed to pick up his family. Ashley decided to go on her own today because yesterdays festivities were a little too much for her sensibilities. We asked if she wanted us to drop her off a little more into town, but she was so ready to get rid of us, so she was like, “Sayonara, bitches!!!!”

The menfolk went with Jean + the children to do what Jean + children do. Jeff + I + the ladies all braved a mass Costco trip to fill up the house with enough food for 18 people. No, that wasn’t a typo. Here are the Canadians freaking out about the cheap plentiful supply of booze. You can only buy alcohol at government run liquor stores + it’s usually twice as expensive. Sad, right?

We had 3 full carts of food. Since I come from a small, insular Japanese family, it was all a little overwhelming, considering Costco gives me hives in the first place. He told me to take off for a bit + do errands. I had to go to Home Depot to clear my head. Aaaaaah. Sanctuary.

Daphne, Kelly + Deb in the grocery filled car. The booze total came out to $375. I freaked out, but the Canadians were ecstatic.

Next stop, renting paddle boards. Kelly + Deb ran across the street to get smaller item groceries while Daphne + Jeff were strapping the boards to the roof. Look at me in the front seat dejected. I think all the residual stress from the storage unit fiasco has worn me out. But I’m soooooooo happy that Jeff’s family is here now because they are helping distribute Jeff’s intensity. I’m passing the torch. Put a knife in me. I’m done.

We got to the gargantuan house at dusk. Kelly is the maestro of the kitchen + we were all her assistants.

Da kids.

Dinner was awesome!!!! Got to go!!! Wedding stuff to do! More later!!! Aaaaaah!!! Getting stink eye from Jeff!!!!!

Aug 31

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Canmore-Vancouver-Lihue

Yiiiiiikes. So sorry for the lapse in blogging. I’m so exhausted. Yiiiikes.

SATURDAY 8/27/11 – CANMORE TO VANCOUVER

We packed for Vancouver. I don’t know how we got everything into Jeff’s Toyota Matrix.

He wanted us to be on the road at 9am. Fat chance!!!! I packed up + cleaned the entire cabin while Jeff was running around town doing last minute errands. I actually fell asleep on the couch which is something I never do. The car was so packed that there was no space left in it. Not even 1/2 an inch. I was surrounded by stuff all around me so that I had to sit with my knees propped up against my chest.

I don’t know if you can tell, but that coche is full, homies.

It took us FOREVER to get out of town because we would run into people Jeff knew. His other Native name is Short-Story-Long. That’s because he can go onandonandonandonandonandonandon. I would gaze absently off into the distance when he would tell stories which was nice because it gave my brain a bit of a break. Here is me with my Native future “sister-in-law” Dolly standing next to the stuffed car.

We didn’t drive out of Canmore until 6:30pm!!!! Here is a beautiful view of the mountains that gave me some relief.

The drive was excruciating. Repeat. Excruciating. We were both so tired. I couldn’t keep my eyes open. What freaked me out even more was the fact that Jeff was probably worse off, + he was the driver. We sang very loud renditions of the Grateful Dead + Flight of the Concords to keep ourselves awake. Here’s Jeff happily singing along to, the Grateful Dead’s, “Box of Rain”. Thank God he’s such a happy-go-lucky person. We balance each other out, if you know what I mean. When the road became dark + desolate, that was when it got really bad.

I didn’t want to perish in a car crash before I was about to get married, so we took an hour + a half nap at a rest stop + kept on keeping on. We didn’t get to Jeff’s brother Tom’s house until 6am.

We got up at 10am + I was SO relieved to see Deb, Tom + Jeff’s nephews Matt + Tobin. I was like, “SAVE ME!!!!!”! After breakfast we did a bunch of Vancouver related errands + oh, guess what??? Went to Jeff’s storage unit!!!! Sigh. I was about to give up. But the great thing is, Jeff is ready to get rid of things because he’s seen how all of his possessions are weighing my spirit down. I’m really happy about that.

That night, Deb made dinner for us + our fellow interracial couple friends Steve, Liz + their cutie 1/4 Japanese girls Keiko + Hana. Deb is awesome like that. Deb is my savior. Here is Keiko + Hana. Hana makes the most adorable scrunchy smiles!!!!

At this point, we hadn’t even started packing for Hawaii!!! We completely took over Tom + Deb’s entire garage floor + spread out. It was like blind people packing because we were so out of our minds. I had to keep Jeff in check to not pack so much. Especially to leave behind his Blundstones. Hello!!!! We’re going to the tropics!!! GAAAAHHH!!!!

SUNDAY 8/28/11 – VANCOUVER TO LIHUE

I passed out once hitting the bed. I was woken by bright lights at 3am, a good morning kiss + a, “you’ve got 15min to shower before the cab gets here.” EXCUUUUUSE ME!!!!!???? Nevertheless, I managed to pull myself together in that amount of time to get to YVR.

The customs agent asked Jeff, “So, where’s Magnum headed to today?” and Jeff replied, “Ironically enough, Hawaii.” How hilarious is that????!!!

Check out #10 on our customs forms!!!! Can you believe it!!!!???

Jeff + I right before touchdown to Lihue, Kaua’i

When we got off the plane, Jeff was still in film set mode. For those of you who don’t know what that means, it’s: walking fast, talking fast, demanding things to be done fast…you get the picture. I kept telling him, “Hey, mon. We on island time, mon. You need to chiiiiill, mon.” Man, was he uptight. Luckily, my sister Ashley arrived 10 min after us from a flight from Los Angeles. We got our rental car + where did we head to first???? The thrift stores of course!!!!

After visiting multiple Lihue thrift stores, we headed to Costco. Another shocker there. I see a pattern…..

After Costco we drove north towards the east coast to Wailua + Kapa’a.

Me looking a little gnarly at Opaeka’a Falls

View of Wailua River

Dinner at Mermaids Cafe on Kuhio Hwy. Famous for their Nori Ahi wraps. Ono!!! For you haoles that’s pidgin for good!!! The guy in the kitchen that looked like a Kelly Slater brah (10 time ASP World Champ) asked if we were locals. Jeff was so psyched. He loves street cred.

Kelly Slater, bruddah.

Jeff + I are staying in an amazing vacation rental in a residential area of Wailua which is a guest house with it’s own private entry. Their garden is extensive + our room is fully stocked up with a flat screen, dvds, kitchen supplies, etc. Our host Carol Yasutake has been on the island since the ’70s.

MONDAY 8/30/11 – LIHUE DAY 2

Jeff posing in Carol’s beautiful garden. This is what we look at from our bed. Paradise!!!!

After my run + getting our wits together Jeff, Ashley + I headed out on our errands. First we stopped by the Kapa’a music shop.

Lunch at Papaya’s Natural Foods. Da bomb natural health food store with salad bar, juices, smoothies + some hot items. When the guy handed me Jeff’s fish taco, he said, “Have a blessed day.” Ok yeah, we’re in Kaua’i.

Hippie lunch!!!!

If you want cheap gifts, t-shirts + towels, don’t go to ABC store. Go to Waipouli Variety. Cheaper.

Super cute picture of Ashley. I’m so lucky my sister is here on the island early with us. She has been my secretary + research assistant. I think she is a little scared of Jeff + I because we are so neurotic + intense. She keeps saying to us, “Man, you guys have to relax!!!!”. Because she’s actually pretty neurotic herself. Not a good sign.

Ho’omana Thrift Store. Don’t judge!!! We like to thrift, ok?!

Unavoidably, we all walked into Wal Mart for the first time in our lives. What can I say, y’all!!!??? I needed to get some things for the wedding + there was nowhere else to go!!!!

Dinner was Duane’s Ono-Char Burger. It’s been around for 3 decades. You all know that burgers + onion rings are on the bride’s diet list, right?! Heck, yes!

After you pick up your order, drive south of Duane’s to eat at Anahola beach. Otherwise you’ll be eating at Duane’s sad picnic tables with tourists, surrounded by stalker chickens + roosters. Anahola beach is pretty local, but since Jeff was with two Japanese girls, we were cool.

After burger consuming, we headed to the North Shore to spy on our wedding rental home on Anini Beach!!!! It’s GORGEOUS!!!! I didn’t take a picture of the house because the current renters were hanging out on the porch + I didn’t want to be creepy. But here’s a tiny preview of the beach!!!! More to come!!!! Stay tuned!!! I miss everyone!!!