Every Body Cool It 😎

It's HVAC Commencement and You're Invited!🎉

On Friday, your girl is getting her HVAC degree! The ceremony is going to be a total vibe. If you’re on Oahu, it would be an absolute honor to have you there!

The commencement ceremony will be at Waikīkī Shell, with Lēʻahi (Diamondhead) in the background

Here are the deets:

Honolulu Community College Commencement

Date: Friday, May 15, 2026

Location: Waikiki Shell

Time: 6:00 pm (gates open at 5:15 pm)

“After the event there will be large signs posted on the perimeter of the grounds. Graduates meet friends and family at the sign that corresponds to the graduates’ major:

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning RAC

The length of the ceremony depends on the number of attending graduates. Usually the ceremony ends about one and a half hours after it begins. If you are planning to come only for lei giving, it is suggested to arrive by 7:00 pm to go through security and find the designated gathering area.”

My bedazzled grad cap with the nickname Mr. Chow gave me. My good friend Mili provided the sparkles✨

Grogu has been very important in my journey. And so, of course, is Din Kybz.

The past two years have been an experience, a lot of it good, some not so good.

At trade school, I stood out a little. The oldest student in class. The only female. And I never, not once, used the women’s restroom in Building 14, which was on the 2nd floor. Why would I, when there is a perfectly good restroom right outside our 1st floor classroom that happens to be labeled “Men”?

I’m sure my existence there forced some people to reflect on long-held assumptions and certainties. In other words, I made them uncomfortable.

Our counselor Jill invited me to speak at a donor dinner about my experience in the program. I got to mention MacGyver AND Star Wars! 🤩

But even though we come from different backgrounds and decades, I had some good moments with my classmates, and we were lucky to have two very skilled and experienced teachers.

My best HVAC bud, D’Sean, and I 😊 doing repairs on the roof of the yoga studio.

I even got to use my rock climbing knot-tying skills. Much easier to hall 30 lbs of refrigerant up the ladder this way. But be sure to wear gloves when lowering it!🔥 (ask me how I know)

In June I plan to start working maintenance at one of the condos in my neighborhood. I don’t know how much I’ll get to touch the HVAC equipment, but I’m excited about the views!

An HVAC unit on the 42nd story roof! Look, mom, no walls 😱

View of Ala Moana Beach from the “penthouse skydeck.”

And I get to keep teaching at the studio. The Nervous System Regulation classes have been a hit, so I’ll be sharing some of those practices here soon. I will also share what I’ve been learning about MAGIC, and how truly it’s in and all around us ✨

I’d love to hear what you’ll be up to this summer. And hope to see many of you Friday!

Take good care,

your angry little yogi

Shan ❄️