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...