Friday, December 16, 2005
Dim sum brunch at Mei Sum with Mike P and Nate. Mei Sum had some dim sum I had never had before. One was a tempuraed fake crab seaweed roll. Another was a taro nest with a single scallop within. Very yummy, fast, and inexpensive. Dropped Mike off at work. Nate and I drove up to U'ahila Ridge State Park, saw the view and the wild chickens. Home. Our Christmas presents arrived for Chris and Nate. I had intended on taking them on the plane but just before I left I read on the web that wrapped packages might need to be unwrapped at the security stations, so I had Patrick mail it instead. Chris also received his replacement part for his Playstation 2. It only took him a few minutes to complete the repair, and he played Katamari Damancy for a while. Nate watched him play, and I read from Harry Potter 6. In the late afternoon we drove down to Waikiki for cocktails, Maui-style potato chips, and coconut shrimp at Halekulani with live music and a hula dancer. Of all the touristy things I did on this trip, I think I enjoyed this the most. We watched the sunset go down behind a cloud layer, people-watched the passing crowd, drank in the live music and the colorful and fruity drinks which had real orchids dropped in them as a decadent garnish. The hula dancer sang and danced with a graceful interpretation. I felt as though this evening was the culmination of years of refinement of Hawaiian culture. On our way home, we saw the Hilton's Friday night fireworks from St. Louis Heights. I fell asleep early. Chris and Nate had a chef's salad for dinner.