Balance

It's been a few days now and SO much had happened, so to save you an hour I'm going to try and make it quick. No promises =) Today the story of the day from Brian Andreas is called Big Breakfast "The only thing that keeps me together some days is an unwavering belief in balance, her said. I try to eat a big breakfast, too." I'm a believer in that. I think anyone who tries to live a happy life believes that too.

I am keeping a journal of the little things I love. It could be a recipe I read in a magazine, something I see on HGTV, a website I think is great... whatever! I found these ADORABLE pillows that I LOVE but they are pretty expensive. PILLOWHAPPY.ETSY.COM I took a sewing class not too long ago so I'm pretty sure I can make these pillows myself. If they turn out the way I expect them too I will be so happy!! They are honestly the cutest things I've come across in a while.Here are just a few.



Lots of projects I am keeping track of. And if you know me well, you know I am a project queen =) I even bought a canvas...just waiting for the inspiration.

I registered online at HawaiianAirlines for free because in September you can fly to the outer Islands for $24.99!!! That's right, I can travel to the other islands for less than dinner! I'm pretty excited about it, minus the fact that someone told me the planes are kinda sketchy =/ Hopefully that's not true cause I hate flying! Now I can go see the Big Island and all the volcano's I keep hearing about. Yea!

Cheesy the Dino came to visit the hospital for our 100 year celebration week. If you don't know who Cheesy is, you might be recall a dinosaur that is yellow and you can find him on a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese!


We also had a visit from Sid Fernendez who was once a pitcher for the Dodgers. I didn't know who he was (and neither did the kids). This would only be exciting for a small population I believe.
I have to work at the zoo tomorrow for out BIG birthday celebration.It's a pretty big deal so I'm excited to see how it goes. I'm getting a better understanding of how great this hospital is. I was a bit worried that I would be trained at some Podunk hospital but it turns out this is a GREAT hospital and has become the number one hospital for children in the Pacific. God is good.
I went to China Town today with Natalie. At first we didn't know where we were going, and then finally found the "hot spots!" Little did we know that China Town is a more morning adventure so their wasn't as much hype at 5:00pm. It was good though, just walked around all the markets, got a watermelon "smoothie" with Tapioca pieces, and witnessed some of the different fruits. They should really label those. I DID however come across one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen. I'm pretty tolerant of other cultures. I love to observe and experience the difference they have to offer, but this was out of control. DRIED SILVER FISH! Yes, the nasty little things that slither around your house unexpectedly without welcome. YOU EAT THESE!?!?!?!? Each one of them still had their EYEBALLS! I'm sorry, I can not respect that. Gross.



I went to the farmers market Thursday and picked up a mango! (I know, I splurge.)The market wasn't as big as I thought it was going to be. The one in Austin puts it to shame actually, but I still really enjoyed it.
So... I found a Mexican restaurant a few days ago on my way to the gym and was thrilled to find out I won't have to go 4 months without chips and queso! I visit this place last night...order chips and queso to start with, and then some chicken enchiladas for dinner. I normally would NEVER get chicken enchiladas (cheese only!) but I thought it might be a LITTLE ridiculous to eat chips and cheese.... and then more cheese. So I changed it up. Was it good? I can say it was good...with hesitation. The queso tasted like something I could buy at the grocery store and the rest was good, but it wasn't Johnny Tamales, Gringos or The Donkey. That's for sure. It will have to do, until I try the next one I find!
I have lots of work to do by midnight. So it's about that time I shut it up and get back to the books. I thought I was going to be doing something with a friend tonight but it's almost 8 and due to the amount of unfinished work, I doubt it. I miss everybody back at home, wish they were here to experience this amazing place with me... Peace. Love. Texas.

For the love of cupcakes!

Ok, so first things first... I GOT A TOASTER OVEN! That's right, I can finally bake! OK, so it's not exactly the most high end toaster oven ever, but it works! I made yellow cupcakes with cream cheese frosting =) I was so pumped about baking, I came right home and got to work! First, I had to buy oil, because I didn't have any. And of course a cupcake holder because, well, I didn't have that either. And then I needed those paper thingies to pour the batter into. OK, so I had absolutely NO supplies to bake cupcakes, and I could have just bought some pre-made, BUT THAT WOULD DEFEAT THE WHOLE PURPOSE. The whole purpose wasn't to bake because I wanted a cupcake, the whole purpose was so that I could be actively involved in the baking process. I love it! So my first problem is that my 6 (YES, 6) foil cupcake pan would not fit in my toaster oven. So I had to cut my foil pan into 3 equal parts.

That means that I could bake a max of 4 cupcakes at time. (Not too bad considering I DO live by myself). I do this for about 45 minutes or so and produce about 14 cupcakes before I realize... where the heck am I going to put all these?!? I take a look around and there are a few cupcakes in the kitchen, some by the TV, some on the table. I have very little counter space and now I am consumed with cupcakes! I have learned living here for just a few short weeks that I have to improvise on just about EVERYTHING. So I find a pot and fill it will all my delicious cupcakes and put the lid on it to keep them "fresh".

I didn't use all the batter, so I felt pretty awful about wasting it, but seriously, I have no room to house 24 cupcakes. My fridge can barely hold a 6 pack of Aloha Apple Tea! It was quite an extravaganza, but I'm so proud of myself. I was telling my mom and sister earlier that I could have a reality show about my life here, and it would be a mega hit....quite amusing. I feel like it's good for me to live "simply". Granted, not as simple as some... but I'm making it happen!

I feel like God has put me on this island for a reason. I am developing a relationship with him that has exceeded my expectations. He has really opened my eyes to who I want to be, and who I want to be in Him. I guess it took Him flying me 3000 miles away from all that I know for me to really understand "Be still and know that I am God". Interesting how I thought I was coming here to complete an internship, and hang out at the beach on the side. Yes, He is allowing me to do those things (and so much more!) but there was a bigger plan that that... and I am stoked about it. God blessed my with an opportunity I wanted SO bad, but it is like it was in his plan all along to bring me here and show me something more... I don't know yet, but I pray and have faith that it will be fantastic!

I had such a great day at work today! I kinda had a bum day last Thursday and was pretty down about it, but today was sooooo great! I am really getting into the groove now and was able to take on some of the responsibility today that I hoped for and it's just going to get better. Tucker is the chief pet therapy dog and I am so in love with him. He was at our Hematology/Oncology meeting today and is part if the hospital family. He even has his own ID badge he wears =) Today is just what I needed.

p.s. I had the BEST mango of my life yesterday! As an avid fruit lover I can not say enough about how ridiculously good this thing was. I have a fresh fruit stand down the street from my place and I super tempted to go buy a mango right now. I'm just scared it won't live up to "THE" mango. I love this place.

What do you do when your fish sings flat? Tune a fish.

Today was probably one of the best days thus far on the island. Last night was pretty great too... I went with some people from the church I will be going to, to dinner just down the street from my place... and it was soooo good! If you have ever eaten at Melting Pot, it is similar. Only, it isn't fondue, but you do choose your meat and then cook it your self over grills. Before the waiterbrings your uncooked meat, they have an awesome salad bar you can chow down on (which is a meal in itself!) and lots of delicious pineapple! =) It was nice to hang out with a group of people and just enjoy each others company but there really isn't very many my age or what you would call "singles" or "young adults". I talked to my friend who goes to another church here and she said there aren't very many young adults at her church either. I think I'm just in that weird in between age/status and there just aren't very many of us. Bummer. But aside from that, one of the best dinners I've had in a while and conversation to go along with it.
Today, I went hiking through one of these trail not too too far from my place. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! Bamboo trees everywhere, plants and trees I've never seen before. It was very rainforest like. Bamboo is one of my favorite thing on earth. I just wanted to whack about 3 trees down and make a coffee table. It's the environmentalist in me that wants to cut down trees to make house decor. But while hiking through the trail, we come across this awesome waterfall and natural "pool", essentially. You could slide down the rocks into the "pool" or cliff dive off into it. It was one of the coolest things I have experienced and will be returning sooner than later. I will have to steal Natalie's pictures off facebook because she brought her digital camera. I found a tiny snail that I spent way too much time being interested in and took plenty of picture with him (I assume all snails are boys. Slimeballs.) I finally got to get out of tourist mania and see some of the greatness of this Island. I keep hearing about it, now I finally got to experience VERY little of it. I'm pumped to see what else I will find over the next couple of months.
[ SIDE NOTE:]Natalie was extremely nice and took me grocery shopping because she has a vehicle! THANK YOU! After we got back from shopping, we went to a place called Nico's on Pier 38. They have some of the freshest fish on the island and I was totally diggin my baked Ahi (?)sandwich on panera bread. Yum! I can finally make a decent dinner, and tonight I had chalupas and a Popsicle for desert...which is where the tuna fish joke came from. [END SIDE NOTE]
We also came across this beautiful cemetery (oxymoron?). It's an Asian cemetery with two HUGE temples. We asked the secretary if we could go inside the temple and she said no because it was too dangerous. Hmmm. Like architecture come crumbling down dangerous? Or ghostly dangerous? Or random strangers attacking you dangerous? I obviously didn't ask her those questions, but I am still curious why these temples would be so dangerous. The only reason we even came across "Honolulu memorial park" was because we decided to stop at one of the scenic lookouts on the way home. I asked the secretary what the history was behind the place and she answered "Uhhhhh... I DID have a brochure, I was using it as a fan earlier but now I don't know where I put it. Sorry, I don't know much about this place." ... I think they need a new secretary. My mission for tonight is to google it and find out about such a beautiful place that doesn't get any credit and even the secretary knows nothing about.
I had to step away from blogging for a bit because every Friday night they have fireworks here in Waikiki and I can see them from my balcony right outside my door. It's the best 10 minutes of my Friday nights.
The reason I was able to so many things on a Friday morning/afternoon is because today is Hawaii's birthday! A holiday for students and interns! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAWAII! 50 years old as a state, and a beautiful one at that.

Day 2 & Story People

I was so exhausted yesterday, I couldn't even bring myself to blog about my first day on the job. I passed out at 9:00, which I had to force my eyes to stay open even that late. So the first day was good, the basics. This whole week will be orientation, getting to know the hospital and people etc. etc. So I'm not exactly doing a WHOLE lot right now, but it's only day 2! I DID however get to walk around with one of our pet therapy dogs Tobie! That was the highlight of my first day =) He is the softest most gentle patient dog I've ever seen. I love my Abagail to death, but I won't lie... she's not exactly a "family" dog. I don't know if it has to do with the fact that we never had children around prior to Hunter, or what, but she has NO interest in being sweet with children. Pet therapy is not going on her resume. Tobie however is a blonde shitzu who can tolerate pretty much everything. It's amazing to see a patient crying hysterically and then immediately stop and smile when a dog walks into the room. Animals are pretty much the best things on earth.
Day two was good... BUSY! Today I pretty much continued with orientation but worked a lot with patients in the playroom and bedside. One patient in particular who kept me on my toes!... and he will not be the last. The great thing about child life is every day is completely different. We have so many responsibilities that some days, you may work with patients ALL day and have no time for anything else. Others, you may be organizing an event and attending meetings all day, rarely spending one on one time with the patients. I generally like routine, but I think I prefer being one to wear many hats and never having the same day twice. I already have the list of assignments due which I am looking forward to actually. I get to bring something new to the hospital and the program, and hopefully my co-workers will continue with it after I have left. I am one of those people who feel like if I didn't contribute to improving it, then I didn't really fulfill my duties entirely. You can either contribute, or contaminate. Now, that may not necessarily be true in all cases, I just like the quote =) I don't want to save the world and have the greatest impact any intern has every had on the institution, I just want to leave my mark.

If you don't know who Brian Andreas is, you HAVE to look him up. I understand that he may be a bit quarky for most people's taste, especially if you don't dig art the way I do... but you can't help but a least appreciate his sense of humor. http://www.storypeople.com/
I have been receiving daily "stories" from him through e-mail for about the last year, and it is like receiving a small gift of laughter every day. Some are just plain funny, some make you sit and ponder, and some I have never been able to figure out....oh, the beauty of art.
I thought it would be fun to post one or two occasionally in my blog. Just because I love them. Just because it's my blog. Just because.
I'll have to start with one (of hundreds) that is my favorite. It makes me think of my sister, only because of her love for chocolate and ability to stay so skinny =). It's called "Favorite Things"

"My favorite thing is the wind, she said, & my second favorite is chocolate but I just do that so I don't get too skinny and blow away."- Brian Andreas.

The one I got today is called "Apathy"
"I don't care if no one likes it, she said, unless no one likes it." Brian Andreas

I LOVE THAT! No matter what, we care what other people think...and it's a drag. So go check him out if you haven't. If I ever have a child, I want to dedicate my whole baby's room to him. I just think he's that fantastic.
Well, it's a bummer I have to walk 6 blocks or more to the grocery store and back, but I have had cereal for dinner the last couple of nights and I think it's about that time. I feel like I have reverted back to my college days and I REALLY don't want to repeat that habit. I got so used to my moms cooking and her evening trip(s) to the grocery store to make sure the shelves were stocked! My cabinets look so sad. I need to spruce it up some.

I have to say before I leave, I love waking up in Hawaii. Walking to the bus is so much better with the sun shining and palm trees shading you as you stroll. 7:30am isn't feeling so bad after all. I can just hear all my friends and family who wake up at 6:00am or earlier (absolutely no sympathy!), I can hear your shouts from across the ocean.

Oven Lovin'

Who knew how much I would miss an oven until I didn't have access to one! I don't consider myself a cook by any means, but I do consider myself a amateur baker =) The funny thing about me baking is that I rarely eat the finished product. My roommate used to laugh at me because I would bake a batch of cookies just for the aroma... they made the apartment smell soo good! Who cares if I don't like Chocolate Chip cookies? I'm sure someone who comes to this apartment will. Well, now I am completely without an oven and am starting to miss it. I found these cute little pies on a stick that I have been wanting to try, My cheezy chicken sounds amazing right about now, and not to mention the reduced fat cinnamon rolls my sister introduced me to that I haven't even been able to test! I have a "kitchenette" which consists of a mini fridge, two burners and a microwave. I have found a new respect for the oven. You know the popular saying "distance makes the heart grow fonder"? It's true, even with kitchen appliances...
Orientation was good today, quick and painless.
On the way home I bought a new comforter because waking up every other hour during the night just isn't going to cut it for the next four months. For the last couple of nights, I have been depending on Tylenol PM to get me through, until Coy told me not to do that because it can be addicting. And considering I don't want to leave Hawaii an addict, I decided something needed to be done to better my sleeping patterns, so I went out and bought a down comforter =)
It was quite an extravaganza trying to get my king size comforter out of ROSS, down to the bus stop, on the bus (surrounded by 20 standing legs), off the bus, down the street, up the stairs AND into my place. At one point I had the comforter resting on my head as if I were an African woman carrying water back to her tribe. At any rate, I am ready to hit the sack tonight Tylenol PMless and hoping to have a full nights rest...too bad it's only 5:15. Maybe an evening nap will do for now.

Beavers and Ziggy Marley

Did you know beavers are part of the 3% of mammals that find a mate "til death do us part"? It sounds more like the human population alone to me. I happen to find out a lot about beavers (I knew very little to begin with) after watching "Leave it to the real beavers" on Animal Planet after coming home from the Ziggy Marley concert. If you don't know who Ziggy Marley is, you can check out his website {{ziggymarley.com}} . You should be more familiar with his father... Bob Marley. I normally wouldn't attend a Ziggy Marley concert, nor would I attend with two random guys my age who happen to stop me on the street on my way to have sushi and ask me to tag along... but I'm in Hawaii and I have to meet people somehow! So I agree to go with, seeing as it was only like 3 minutes from the sushi restaurant I was headed to and if need be, I could leave at any time. Turns out, these two just met each other yesterday, have lived here for less than a few months and basically in the same boat as I am...just trying to work, and get by. I don't exactly know how it all happened, but by the time we left, there were about 7 of us sitting in the park listening to the last Ziggy Marley song. I wasn't actually "at" the concert. There were TONS of people in the park listening right outside the walls of the concert. I was told by one of the guys that this is where the poor people go to hear a concert. =) And there were lots of us! I guess meeting people here isn't going to be so hard after all...
We were all headed in the same direction and just so happen to be passing the sushi place I've had my eye on for a few days. We split ways and I go in and order the most delicious Dragon Roll ever!!! Crab mayo filled sushi topped with avocado and eel! I can't get into this habit, because it is an expensive one...but that will not be the last time I stop in for a Dragon Roll.
So... while watching "Leave it to the real beavers" I realize that my love for animals needs to be exercised in some fashion. Coy doesn't allow me to watch Animal Planet (especially Animal Cops) because he says "All it does is make you cry!" I have always wanted to be a foster parent for dogs. You can raise them for a while until they find a permanent home! But have a feeling I would never want to give them up, and then over time become the "dog lady". So I sent an e-mail to the Hawaii Humane Society to sign up for volunteer work! I know I should have a few weekends to dedicate to volunteering, should things work out.
Today was supposed to be my FIRST day of work. I was signed up to work at the Honolulu Zoo for the hospital's 100 year celebration... I am within walking distance to the zoo, so I am all pumped up ready to go! I get to the zoo, only to find out that the celebration isn't until August 30. August 30th?? I was SURE that my supervisor said THIS sunday! Scrambling through my e-mail I find it.... "Can you volunteer Sunday?.......Aug. 30th......" Ooops. I guess I got ahead of myself and completely disregarded the date. Oh well, now I have something to look forward to Aug. 30th. I considered saying and checkin out the zoo, but think I'll wait until I have visitors for that.
I finally went street walking. No, not the street walking you are thinking of. I finally went around the block, up and down streets to take pictures of the area I live. I LOVE my camera to death, but luggin around that thing is no fun. I also worked out for the first time (here in Hawaii, not in life. ha.) but have to pay an extra $10/month because this 24 hour is the only one with a beach view. My initial reaction was "I don't care about a beach view!" but once I got inside, doing squats watching sailboats go by is worth the $10 extra bucks =) The cycling class is actaully outside on a balcony. Some would say having tourists watch you sweat your butt off during a cycling class is not ideal, but I don't know you,I will never see you again and this ocean view is GREAT... so look all you want! =)
So my day of fun filled work at the zoo is no more. Now I have the rest of the day to do what I have been doing everyday...go to the beach! Tomorrw I have orientation and Tuesday start my REAL first day at the hospital. Wish me Luck!

Mom

Mom, this is especially for you. Thank you so much for coming with me to get set up here in what will be my home away from home for the next couple of months. I know you are my biggest fan and I will make you proud! I thank you and Dad for supporting me and allowing to follow my dreams (no matter how crazy they may be). The dreams don't stop here, but after this internship is complete, you paying for them does! Aren't you SO excited?! I'm sure your checkbook will appreciate it =)

I stopped by the snowcome place right outside my place on my way back from the beach and although it doesn't melt in your mouth quite like the other place, it is gooooood! I got strawberry/banana (next time I'll go for just banana).

No worries mom, I'll be fine.

Dad, I know there is never such a thing as too careful... I will try my best.

Love you and talk to you soon.

p.s maybe you should let Abby sleep in the bed while I'm gone so she doesn't miss me too much ;)

ALOHA!

Here it goes!

It's a good thing I waited a week to begin this blog. The first few nights here in Honolulu were rough (to say the least). I am now starting to embrace this place... I mean, I'm in HAWAII! It's always hard to start from scratch. I intentionally chose this place and I intend on doing my best here and not let fears get in the way of what I could experience here.
So here I am. For the next four months, this will be my life. I will be working at Kapiolani Hospital for Women and Children in the Child Life department. I'm extremely excited to start at the hospital. In fact, I start Sunday working at the zoo for the hospital's 100 year anniversary party. I will be running the Teddy Bear Clinic. =)


I wish I could explain the area in which I live. I have a 2 minute walk to the beach and have every store imaginable within walking distance. I never had the chance to see where I would be living before I moved here and it is a BLESSING from God himself that I live in such a wonderful location. I feel like I live on the Vegas strip, replace casino's with shops and a beach instead of the desert. To be honest, I don't belong here. Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful...but having Prada, Kate Spade, The Ferrari Store, Chanel etc. etc. right across the street from me doesn't exactly fit in with my budget. I HAVE however found a "Nordstrom Rack". Yes, Nordstrom...but on sale! It has my name written all over it.

I plan on making a trip to the beach in a few minutes, but I can't leave my first post without wrapping up my first week here on the Island. Bare with me....
--The night before the flight, I got 2 hours of sleep b/c I intended on sleeping the whole time on the plane. I slept a total 1.5 hours on the plane in blocks of 30 min. at a time.
--I was so hungry, I decided to stop by McDonalds in the airport to pick up breakfast for me and my mom. Fast food wasn't fast at all and ended up telling the cashier to throw anything in the bag because my name is being called over the LOUDSPEAKER! Needless to say, I almost missed my plane because of a Sausage McGriddle.
--Walking down the aisle of the plane, carrying bags and my breakfast, I spill orange juice all over the floor and the man who unluckily was sitting in that spot. He later explains to me that he hates aisle seats because somebody always ends up dropping something on him =/
--The actual 11 hour flight wasn't so bad, except for the fact that it was 11 hours.
--We arrive to Honolulu and get the the rent a car place where the guy there gives us an upgrade on our vehicle...so far, so good.
--Having a vehicle it turns out, is more of an inconvenience in Honolulu because you have to park miles away from where you are staying and make that trip every time you want to go somewhere. I guess It's a good thing I won't be having a car.
--In the midst of getting to my apt., trying to find parking, having no sleep, and having the most worrisome person alive traveling with you, I am crying my eyes out wondering 'what the heck have I done?'
--Wake up in the middle of the night throwing up, which continues all day. I haven't been this sick in a long time and am beginning to think this is the worst idea I have ever had. I make multiple trips to Wal-Mart and try to continue through the day even though I feel like death. I do lots of praying that tomorrow will be much better....
--Wake up the next day feeling MUCH better, attend the church that some friends from Pasadena recommended. The pastor that preached was really good, the people were so nice and I am looking forward to going back. Thing are beginning to look up...
--Go shopping at Safeway, which is where I get a glimpse of how expensive living here can be. Actually not as bad as I thought. Before I left people gave me the impression I would be paying $14 for peanut butter... not exactly ;)
--We go to the beach and relax where for the first time here on the Island I realize how blessed I am.
--Over the next couple of days, I try the public bus system and get to the hospital without ANY problems! (great!) The ride back to my apt, not so smooth. I end up taking the bus in the completely wrong direction. Finally make it back and since that day I have yet to get back on the bus..., go to Pearl Harbor, visit the Pineapple plantation (highly recommend), Go to Germaine's Luau (awesome! minus the pouring down rain at the end.) and enjoy just what this place has to offer. We just so happen to arrive on the island the weekend of a tropical storm. We later find out that Oahu has had gorgeous weather everyday for the last 3 months and a tropical storm is VERY unusual. I guess I brought crappy Texas weather with me =/

Last night was my first night alone. My mom had to leave yesterday afternoon and I had the evening just to walk around and take it all in. Scary? Of course, but I truly think I will slowly fall in love with the place and trust God that he put me on this Island for a reason. This is going to be great. I will be working hard and playing hard and before I know it, I'll be saying goodbye to this amazing place. I get to skype with my family and Coy (and Hunter for about 3 seconds) which is what keeps me going when I start to have small panic attacks. I am excited for friends to come visit me, work to begin, and for me to learn so much about this city and myself over the next 4 months.
Off to the beach...