My OTHER best friend....

So like most people I have a best GIRL friend... Kelly AND a best GUY friend... Nela!!!

Nela and I met Fall semester 2000 at BYU-Hawaii. We had a class together, and the rest is history! For those of you know the rest of that story.... KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!! HAHAHA... no fo real! (Esp YOU KELLY!!!!)

Nela and I... well... we've been through A LOT! I think even that's an understatement. But oh well... we've had the good, bad, ugly, pretty, hash... and everything in between.

Probably one of my favorite memories of Nela is.... one night we went to Kaneohe to go to the movies. One the way home, I didn't feel like driving so I told him to drive since he was pretty much my ONLY friend that knew how to drive a stick shift car. I probably should not have let him drive mostly cause he's Nela. Oh well... too late now. So we're driving home... and we're right by the sewer plant thing. Right where there's that ONE stop light. Well we were coming up to the light... and its red. But Nela's not slowing down. There isn't anyone at the cross street waiting to come out... but he's still not slowing down. THEN WE GO THROUGH THE RED LIGHT!!! I automatically hit him of course... and asked him the hell he was doing. His response.... "I thought it was gonna turn green by the time we got there!" Of course... I slapped him again!!! I couldn't believe that he just did that. Of course when the shock wore off... I was laughing. Its totally something that he WOULD do.

Nela's favorite story... or one of them anyways would involve he and I and a few friends going on a hike. And me showing off my amazing balance! More like me falling and rolling down a hill. But that's all I'm saying about that.

One thing that I love about Nela is his smile! You can't help but smile back at him... Its contagious! Its one of the first things you notice about him. He's also hilarious... lil bit off but hilarious nonetheless... maybe that's why we get along so well. Hmmm... LOL! he can definitely dish out some humble pie... he can also take it too. He loves to dance and sing... esp loves. performing in front of a crowd... something that he is really good at.

I admire Nela's love for the gospel. His faith is never ending, no matter what. He always does what's right. Throughout the years that I've known him, he has taught me so many times to have faith and rely on Heavenly Father. He's been and continues to be such an amazing example to be. He shows a Christ-like love to all those that he comes in contact with, no matter who you are, where you come from, your past, or your current circumstances. There was one particular experience that happened years ago and I didn't find out the whole story and why he made the choices that he did til recently. When I finally understood I was in awe. That's probably the best way to put it. I suddenly admiring him so much more. He choose to do the right thing even if he knew that it would hurt someone else. He chose to listen the his heart, the spirit, and honor his priesthood. During some of my "hard-times", I'll talk to Nela, by the end of our conversation I'm laughing my head off and I don't have a care in the world. He has an amazing talent to help people forget what is keeping them down, remember the good things in life and lifts them up without them even being aware of it.

On a more serious note... Nela has been there for me through it all. With the exception of ONE night that was VERY unexpected, I haven't seen Nela since he left Hawaii in 2003 to go home to Tonga so he could get ready for his mission. As life would have it... we haven't been able to spend more than a couple hours together. And in the five years since he left... we've been in separate countries the whole time. Through all that we've been through our friendship has only gotten stronger.

I'm grateful and very blessed to have Nela not only in my life but as my best friend. I wouldn't want it any other way. Hope you're birthday is amazing!!

Love ya... you OLD FART!!! LOL!

A tribute to....

MY BEST FRIEND!!!!!!

For those of you who know her, you know who I'm talking about... and for those of you who don't, you TOTALLY should get to know her!

Kelly is my best friend!!! We've been best friends "since the 9th grade!!!!" Hahahahaha... I think she and few others might actually get that reference.

Kelly... what to say about her.... there's so much to say about her. I don't even know if I can find all the right words to convey my point but I sure will do my best!

She's strong... in more way then one, WAY smart, amazing, spiritual... no matter what she says, HILARIOUS... someone no one should ever see drunk or on drugs, she doesn't needs those she's a riot all on her own. Kelly's whit... oh my is she QUICK!!! I caught on to that pretty quick, and became quick myself. I had to, it was that or keep getting slaughtered... you know its a sink or swim kinda thing. The only thing I had on my side was that I hit hard! A good example of her whit:

Exhibit A: I would start off telling her a story... I would say "k, so there was this guy...pause...." Kelly "Oh... right the guy... I know which one you're talking about... the one with the eyes right?!" At that point I would slap her or just tell her to shut up or occasionally I would give her a defeated yet annoyed look! But not matter my reaction I couldn't help but laugh. The catch with Kelly is if you pause for even a second too long she's already got something coming out of her mouth.

Exhibit B: There was a time at home when fabric flowers were VERY popular. Well one day when Kelly was at the mall she was wearing a green fabric flowers in her ear. Someone... some poor unsuspecting person and very smart might I add... can up to Kelly and asked her where they could find the green flowered bush. And oh course Kelly couldn't resist... she very nicely gave them directions to a bush outside of the mall!!

I've got so many memories that have Kelly in them. From high school in Mr. Camit's class... probably where all our conspiring began, Mrs. Spinaio's and Mr. Leiataua's classes too. To college... Brother Ludlow's class, Seasider, foodfest, mini golfing, movies, culture night, the bookstore, Brother Furuto or Fruitcake as we called him, rugby, living in a tent.... the memories could go on forever!!!!

For those of you who don't know our birthdays are only 3 days apart. One of my favorite things that she keeps tellin me year after year... Respect your elders Nia!!! Of course she's referring to herself... since she is 3 DAYS OLDER then me!!! I just crack up every time and tell her to keep dreaming.

I've known Kelly now for 12 years now.... wow that's seems crazy to think about, it certainly doesn't feel like its been that long. Kelly is the truest friend anyone could ever ask for. She has always been there for me no matter what. Even when I didn't deserve her loyalty she was there for me. She's been in pretty much every part of my life since I've met her... and I wouldn't want it any other way. Kelly and I haven't even gotten into a fight...we've managed to live together, live in different countries and in a tent together... and nothin has managed to tear up apart!!! It doesn't matter how long its been since we've talked or seen each other, it doesn't change, its like we just talked the day before, we just pick up where we left off. I love it. I love our friendship, our connection.

Liz, Kel, Heather and I at my surprise going away party!

When Kelly met Rabici.... I was so excited for her! Oh... the stories I could share (but won't)!!! He was perfect for her. I didn't feel like I was loosing her... as cheesy as it sounds... I felt like I just gaining a brother. I was sad when I wasn't able to be there for one of the most important days of her life. But being the friend that she is, she TOTALLY understood and didn't hate me for it! When the time came that I had to leave Hawaii... Leaving Kelly was one of the hardest parts for me. Yes, the food, the people in general, the "aloha spirit", the only true home I have ever known I would miss it all. But besides my family and a few other friends... it was Kelly that I could barely manage to say goodbye to. And even though we live far apart, and our lives are in different places... she's still and will always be my best friend! LOVE YOU TONS KEL!!!

Hahaha... These are just Kel and I... enough said!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!!!