The Big Island

I am beginning a "You know you're in Hawaii when...." list because I am continually finding the culture here is so unique and one of a kind. I am really starting to embrace it though, I want to be an Island girl, but find people don't take me seriously with "Y'all" spewing out of my mouth more often than not. I really want to buy a sarong (wrap dress) to throw on on the weekends. Finding one definitely isn't the problem as they sell them every 50 yards and price isn't the reason why I have yet to buy one either. It boils down to whether or not I can appropriately tie it so I don't find myself standing nakes in the middle of Kalakaua after my wrap has indeed come UNwrapped. I am not only embracing the culture, but really loving it. So as I start my "You know you're in Hawaii when..." list you will begin to see that it is another world out here... I mean, it is the most isolated group of Islands in the whole world!

I went to the Big Island this weekend and it was quite an adventure! To be able to island hop is such a blessing because I don't know if I return to the mainland when I will be able to make it back out here. I have a feeling that Hawaii will stay with me forever... but while I'm here, I might as well hop on over! The adventure started when I had to wake up at 5:30 am only to find out that we had to change flights due to some (we will just use the word "carelessness") confusion on our part. Good news is we got to see the Aloha Parade! So while we are waiting for time to pass, we took a seat on the curb on Ala Moana and munched on some McDonalds breakfast. I of course having the fruit and yogurt parfait. By the way, "we"= Natalie and myself. The Aloha Parade consisted of 18wheeler floats decked in flowers, bands, the royal court, more bands, Men in uniform (my favorite! I am lucky to be living in a military town!), and multiple types of entertainment.

So our trip to the Big Island starts a a little late, but I'm still super pumped about the day. Granted, I was quite nervous about the 43 minute flight over there, but a book and some deep breathing managed to distract me enough. It was technically a 37 minute flight, but who's counting? As soon as we arrive in Kona, we step out of the plane and are welcomed with...fresh air? No walkway? I've always wondered what it would be like to be the president. =)




To make a very long day bearable for readers, I will start by saying that the Big Island is NOTHING like the Island I live on. Full of lava rock, lush mountains and rocky beaches. No buildings, no downtown... no people really. It was quite a shock, but a nice change for the day. We had lunch and went shopping at the farmer's market. I bought this amazing necklace that I am absolutely in love with.

I saw TONS of fruit that was like 1/4 the price it is in Oahu! I'm still very bitter as I tell this story because I didn't ask whether or not you could transfer fruit between islands and found out today you in fact CAN. Had I known that, I would have easily splurged $30 on fruit alone. It actually really ticks me off that fruit around here is so expensive... I'M IN FREAKING HAWAII!!! THE STUFF IS GROWING OUT OUR EARS! Anyways, should I return... I'm going grocery shopping.


Another way to start off a good day is rice pudding wrapped in banana leaves!




We were able to rent a car so we cruised around Kona and found out very quickly they are not known for their beaches. Well, I actually knew this information before we left, but was able to witness it for myself while I was there. The beaches are still beautiful, but they are so rocky! (Hint: the volcano island) They aren't your typical white sands for miles, lay out with an umbrella and pineapple in your drink kind of beaches.



I wanted to take a dip, but the waves were FAIRLY large and pounding all the people who attempted to wade. It was more fun to just watch. That is one thing (of 100) that is so surprising to me, even after seeing it everyday... actual waves!

But drive 15 miles up the mountain and you will witness lush beautiful scenery overwhelmed with flowers. Our intention was to hike up Cook's Monument Hike, but it was closed for whatever reason. So we stopped at a scenic point, where I saw about 237287 black crabs! I will forever consider myself an animal lover, but when there is too much of one particular animal, it really creeps me out. For instance, the other night I am walking with a friend down the street when he saw a mouse. My initial reaction was "awww, cute little mouse!" Then he proceeds to show me two more. My reaction has now turned to "OH MY GOSH IT'S AN INFESTATION!" Needless to say he called me ridiculous and we continued walking. Same for the crab situation. A few crabs... ok. A thousand crabs, NOT ok. I always try to remind myself that I am invading their space, and God never necessarily placed those animals for my liking or disliking. I especially feel that way when people are attacked by sea creatures... YOU are invading THEIR home, hello.

We left and continued our day by going to the Painted Church. It's name says it all. A church with the inside completely embellished in paintings. Not to mention a cemetery right outside. Catholic churches are so beautiful, but sometimes border on creepy. This was definitely one of those churches. It was so interesting, so beautiful... so spooky. Without a thought and out of respect, your voice lowers, your walk is slower and you try not to make any noise when entering churches, particularly catholic churches. I was doing SO good until I walked to the alter and looked up.

**You know you're in Hawaii when Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary are wearing lei's.** That's right, My Jesus is Hawaiian. =) You can imagine my reaction was none of the "respectful" ones listed above. Oops.



On our way out we were able to see the sunset. Amazing. And head to dinner.



I would have to say the latter part of the day was the best. We at dinner at Bongo Ben's and listened to live music... nothing beats the sound of the ocean, live music and a Teriaki chicken sandwich with bacon and pineapple. Need I say more?? Desert consisted of steamed milk with a shot of caramel at a place called Lava Java. I could foresee myself spending A LOT of time a Lava Java's should I live in Kona. It reminded me a lot of Austin, and you know how I feel about the ATX! =)




At this point, I have been awake for 18 hours with 4 hours sleep and can officially label myself as exhausted, as if you couldn't tell by the last picture. YIKES!

We head back to the "airport", more or less a partially covered area with benches and a set a stairs waiting to approach an incoming airplane. But I can't end it there. Nope. **You know you are in Hawaii when you are riding behind a group of guys sitting in the back of a truck playing a ukulele, jammin out in the rain.** I normally can't go 30 minutes without hearing some kind of hawaiian music. Sometimes I feel as if it is coming out of the sky. God, is that you?? After all... his Son is Hawaiian.

Peace.Love.Kona

Once in a Lifetime

Perfect Time
"When I grow up, I want to remember that I always wanted to be about a thousand different things & one lifetime didn't seem nearly enough. When I grow up, I hope it's at the very end when it doesn't matter anymore anyway." Brian Andreas

If you happen to be think I'm blogging less frequently than when I first moved to this amazing island...you're right. Not because I don't love sharing the ridiculous, the fun, the amazing, the good, the bad and the ugly (although I must say there hasn't been very much, or any, of that.)of what I am experiencing here, but because my focus these last couple weeks is 80% work 20% social life. I can't exactly blog about my work days, mainly because it's illegal. For the first Friday I am staying home and enjoying baking, reading, laughing... and breathing.

I specifically put that quote up because it sits really close to my heart. I have always said I can't figure out how people have the difficulty of not knowing what they want to do, nothing interests them enough to pursue it. I just so happen to have the same problem of not knowing what I want to do for the rest of my life, but because I want to be a thousand different things, and how can I choose just one? And sometimes I think, I won't be able to pursue it all in this lifetime. It took me a while to figure out that an interest, a love, a skill, doesn't have to evolve into a career but rather can sit backseat as a hobby. So where does that leave me?... With 999 hobbies =) I truly love the profession I am (still) pursuing and think I have the heart to do it, and the education and skill to do it well. So I guess for now, art, fashion, photography, baking, rescuing animals and participating in multiple charity events will have to be hobbies for now. Don't misunderstand me, I haven't settled, I've just genuinely found something I love, and if God allows, let me invest many years doing it happily.

The second part of the quote brings to me to last night. I FINALLY found a girl online who performs live in Honolulu that was classified as "singer/songwriter". PERFECT! Just what I was looking for. What I WASN'T looking for was a pool hall filled with 38 hairy men...and me. Granted, I had a friend with me, but he wasn't feeling it either, so we gave it about an hour...and jetted. I wasn't going to lose this battle! So a little walk down the street led us to where we were going to go in the first place... Jimmy Buffets.



When my mom was with me, we ate a Jimmy Buffets one night and this AMAZING girl was playing. I have yet to figure out who she is and when she plays, even after many calls to the restaurant. We decide to check it out... maybe we would get lucky? We were lucky enough to find live music, just not the particular girl I was looking for. However, when we walked in the band was playing Phil Collins "In the air tonight" with bongos... and I was pretty much sold. Haha. Not singer/songwriter by any stretch of the imagination, but it didn't matter, we were there. To make a long story short,I witnessed a 55+ year old couple dancing swing in the most ridiculous outfits you have ever seen and appeared to have reached a point in their lives where in all honesty, don't care. Now maybe I'm putting a label on someone I know nothing about, but that's not my point. My point is, that it must be nice to live only for the important things in life, and not care about the chaos going on around you. This couple clearly loved to dance, loved each other, loved to be happy, loved to have fun and didn't bat an eye at the 50 people staring at them, the noise of the bar or even the many giggles. I'm so young, I think I have quite a ways before I reach that point. I am so occupied now on EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE, setting goals, reaching goals, starting a career... biting off more than I can chew some would say. I once heard a quote that went something like this "I didn't always know what I wanted to do, but I always knew the woman I wanted to be." Amen sister. I want to be defined by who I am, not what I do. But at this point in my life, pursuing dreams is pretty high on the list.I'm ok with thinking I have so much I want to accomplish and so little time, which even writing I can see the ridiculous in that.It is what it is, I'm consumed with what I want my future to look like. But I hope after all is said and done, one lifetime is more than enough.

Have I mentioned lately how blessed I am? As I sit and write, my eyes tear up and a ball forms in the center of my throat thinking about what God has given me, and how I deserve none of it... but am thankful for ALL of it. I have never had the chance to say to my parents "Thank you for raising me in church." I just don't know who I would be without that. So mom and dad if you are reading...thanks. I could have not been given a better family, group of friends and best friend (who happens to be my boyfriend) to share this with. Sappy enough for you? =)

How about a little sugar? Strawberry cupcakes anyone?





If you think they sound or look good, just imagine how they taste! Too bad I live by myself! I really kinda miss baking/making things for people. I think I'm going to start bringing them to the office for all the honeymooners that come through, courtesy of Lu Lu's bakery. I really need to learn how to ice cupcakes though, there has to be an easier way. It's extremely hard to cook for one...even harder to bake for one. That's how you know God intended us to spend our lives with that special someone...biscuits don't come in anything less than two's.

SIDENOTE: 2 seconds from my place is Planet Hollywood where this sign in placed.
Seriously? Walk on WHAT GRASS??


and Check Out This Website if you want to see the most adorable babies dressed in bunny hats and swaddled in hanging baskets. Click on Newborns...can't beat it.
Tracyraver.com

Goodnight!
Peace. Love. Texas

Morning Hike, Afternoon Nap

I am patiently waiting for the finale of Design Star, and couldn't think of a better time to blog. I've had a pretty tough week, but a pretty fantastic weekend...you can't win em all. Diamond Head was the plan for this Saturday, as me and Natalie try and brainstorm of things to do during the week and look forward to Saturday adventures =) Unfortunately, my assignments are due on Saturday, so I spend a lot of time working on Saturday evenings. So for the most part, they are Saturday morning adventures. Here is a rundown of the hike...


-walk about a mile up the trail


-take 74 steps to the first tunnel


-pass through a 225ft. tunnel


-take 99 more steps (steep steps I might add)


-pass through a second tunnel


-take a spiral staircase (52 steps) up 3 levels


-take 54 more metal stairs to the summit


It took us about an hour to get up and about 40 minutes to get back down. It wasn't the hardest workout I've ever done, but it's a niiice little challenge. I suggest eating breakfast before and getting more than 5 hours for sleep. Needless to say, I learned that the hard way. Whether or not you think it's a challenge is irrelevant, you can not deny the view once you get up there!


Here is a little bit of the hike up... and the view from the top.

The top.

On the way up.

Just a hikin'.

I didn't need a hike at 9am to be starving at noon, but considering I left without my morning granola bar, I only saw it would be fitting to stuff my face with fresh fish for lunch! I am really going to have a difficult time returning to a city where the fresh fish means driving down Spencer to the Red Lobster (I'm not hating on RL, can't beat the cheese biscuits!) . I have always loved seafood, but I have found a NEW love for fresh pacific fish. So... we made a trip to Uncles! I can not put into words how delicious the Mahi Mahi sandwich was, you will just have to try it for yourself =)

I spent the rest of the day napping and working, after all, that was the initial point of moving to Hawaii...the working, not the napping.

So Sunday rolls around and what a better way to spend it, then at the beach! Me Margaret and Josh went to Waimanalo Beach, which is about 20 minutes outside Waikiki (in Hawaii Kai), and that means....NO TOURISTS! That's right, you can actually lay your towel down! In fact, I was pretty amazed at how little people were there. I'm typically not a big wade in the water fan, I mean, who would be in Galveston?!? Here, the water is warm, the sand is soft, and the waves are so big you can actually PLAY in them! After playing, Margaret and I took a nice little nap on the sand =)

4 months here just doesn't seem long enough now......

I am determined to have a better week this time around, and Banana Nut muffins just might do the trick.

p.s I am seriously missing my Longhorns... my life once revolved around game day and now I have to wake up at 7am and search all of Waikiki just to watch the game on TV. =( They don't give a crap about football in Hawaii. It's a whole new world out here... but I wouldn't change a thing.

Hook em' Horns!!!

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

You may have assumed my title was nonsense, perhaps my elbow hit the keyboard 20 keys too many while reaching for my homemade nachos? Yes, I am eating homemade nachos, but that word is the ACTUAL name of the state fish here in Hawaii. Isn't it great? The fish isn't as long as it's name, but it's almost just as cool. I was able to see them, in fact I was able to see tons of really great fish while snorkeling at Hanauma Bay on Saturday. It was by far the most amazing snorkeling adventure I have ever been on. I would dare to say it was top 5 coolest things I've even done in my life. (and I've done some pretty cool things in the last 23.5 years.) I went with Natalie on what I thought was going to be a fun day snorkeling, hoping to see a few fish...maybe even a turtle. A few fish I did see! At one point, I counted 27 fish around me!!! Not only were there tons of fish to see, they inches away from me! I was so excited after we left, I stopped at the gift shop to buy a "Hawaii Field Guide: Reef Fish" so I could show everyone the kinds of fish I saw. Here are a few:

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a

Stripebelly Puffer

Redlipped Parrotfish

Orangespine Unicornfish

I'm not the best snorkeler, not that snorkeling is THAT difficult. But I have a hard time staying high enough above the water that my snorkel doesn't fill up with saltwater. Good news, the guy that invented the snorkel made it possible to blow out all the water out of your snorkel while still underwater. Bad news, you have blow ridiculously hard in order to get rid of all the water and when trying to do so, I would scare all the fish away. So then I made the decision to hold my breath longer, which didn't work and I left Hanauma Bay with 2 quarts of saltwater in me. That mattered very little in the grand scheme of things. The view from the bay is BEAUTIFUL!!! (pictures courtesy of my mom and dad back home who sent me a digital camera so I wouldn't have to lug my other one around. Thank you again.)

The marine life and scenery here is beyond my imagination. I had no idea what I was getting myself into before moving here. I'm so glad I took that leap.

I am still taking care of kitties. I am really going to have to find a way to the Hawaii Humane Society. I love them to death, and I am getting really attached to them. I don't think I'm doing a favor by keeping them here either. Although I am providing food, and shelter and lots of love... I can't provide that forever, and I feel really misleading now. =( It makes me so sad to not know their future... but they need good permanent homes.

During the summer, me and Coy boiled crawfish a few times (delicious) and he would always boil onions with them. I am not an onion lover by any means, but these onions were sweet and were so good! I had a random craving for boiled sweet onions last night which (you could of guessed it) turned out to be yet another extravaganza! I DID have an onion, but I needed crawfish seasoning...and didn't want to walk 6 blocks to the grocery store, so I visited 3 ABC stores instead. Apparently in Hawaii, they don't boil crawfish... or carry Tony Chachere's FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! So I bought the next best thing. Tabasco sauce. To make a long story short, don't substitute creole seasoning for Tabasco Sauce... it doesn't work. I also made some mini quiche for dinner which turned out okay. I would give it a 5.5 out of 10. Probably not going to make it again for a while, but it was worth a shot.

By the way, I was having black tea withdrawls and can not afford Starbucks every morning so I once again, found a way to satisfy these cravings. I found out that the hospital carries hot water by the coffee station, has free water cups and packets of honey. SOOOO I bought a pack of Black Tea blags for $2.19 and bring a tea bag with me to work! Vuala!

Last but not least, I lit my most favorite candle today that I have been waiting over YEAR to light. The reason behind my madness? Well, it's a very rare candle that took me about 3 months to find online and are pretty expensive. Coy bought me this one over a year ago, and I told him I wouldn't light it until I moved out and found a place to call home. Well, this is my home for a bit and my bathroom was beginning to stink like kitten, so I finally lit it. Trapps Black Pepper Candle...mmmm, perfection.


Well, I celebrated Labor Day today...literally. I did manual labor all day cleaning out storage units and moving boxes etc. etc. I wish I could go back to Care Bear party planning. That was much less exhausting :)

Peace.Love.Snorkel.

p.s. Online I found a giant gummy bear... on a stick! 1 giant gummy bear = 88 regular gummy bears!!!

How ridiculous is that?? I want one. =)

Ham, Kittens and the Little Things

I am temporarily stuffing my face with delicious watermelon while I blog. To the point to where I am swallowing seeds regularly, as there are no seedless watermelons (that I have found) in Waikiki. I hope they don't start to sprout, that can't be attractive in a bikini. =) Along with cramming my face, I am watching America's funniest home videos which to this day is one of my favorite shows on TV. It's the little things I am beginning to see that make this ride so worthwhile. Of course, the big things don't hurt (like moving to Hawaii) but nothing can really replace the sound of a baby's laugh, your grandfather talking about the "good old days" or guacamole to perfection. I know it sounds corny, but it's true! The best things in life are free (although guacamole isn't usually free, and if you know of any that is... I better be your first call!)... OK, back to what I was saying. The best things in life are free, but the next best things are REALLY expensive. Agree? How could you not? Most of the places that blow your mind here on the island, are FREE! Now regardless of the fact that I don't have a vehicle so I have to pay to ride a bus, or have a friend take me (which needs gas), but really the scenery here is to die for, and aside from transportation, it only requires yours senses.

The people I have met here are so great. They have a zest for life that I miss seeing in people! The desire to try new things, go places they have never been before and enjoy the little things in life. I am by far the least traveled out of all the people I have met. These people travel all over the world to work, go to school, do missionary work...whatever. It really makes me wonder if that is where I belong? Has God called me to experience this place, enjoy it, then return to Houston where I may spend most of my life? Or has God called me hear for something that is the beginning of a lifelong adventure? Hmmmm Looks like some praying is in order! I'm down for either.


So what I have cooked recently you ask?? Ham and cheese cups! I know, not the most appealing name. Here is how you make em:

-shredded cheese (2%)

-lite mayo

-Dijon mustard

-bacon (turkey bacon if you wish)

-Ham cut into little pieces

**Mix it all together in a bowl

Then take some fluffy biscuits and cut them in half. Press the biscuit half's into a Muffin pan and teaspoon a generous amount of mixed ingredients and place on top of biscuits halves. Cook in oven at 450 degrees for about 10 min. of until cheese is melted and browned.

Here is the finished product!

Very good I might add! Having 2 more for lunch tomorrow =)

I also made some chocolate chip muffins, but I failed to take picture of those. Sorry.

Last but not least... I was a foster parent last night for some adorable homeless kittens! I didn't initially find them, but when I discovered they were there, I was all over that. I called the Hawaii Humane Society where they gave me some runaround about they can't promise they will be adopted out blah blah blah. Ok, so that pretty much means I am NOT leaving them in YOUR hands! I was originally going to take all four into my place for the night, but my next door neighbor wanted to be a foster parent too, so I let her take two. We gave them all baths, and I fed mine milk and ham. Ham? I know but I've never had a cat so it was either that lean cuisine. They slept in my bed til it was time for me to say goodnight, then I put them in my bathroom with more milk and a comfy blanket. They were soooo goood!!! The didn't meow at ALL during the night. I even woke up before them! I told my friend that I was having second thoughts about putting them back outside and I think I'm just going to keep them til I can find someone to adopt them. She convinced me they would be ok so I let her take care of them while I was at work. I mean, I didn't want them inside all day while I was gone, but I wanted to be selfish and keep them here so they would be here when I got off. Well, I come home... go straight to my neighbor and knock on the door, THREE times! No answer! I look over the ledge where they usually are playing in the grass...no kitties. I knock on 3 different peoples doors to see if they know anything and NO ANSWER. All those stupid college kids are out partying it up while who knows where my kitties are! I don't know why I gave them too her, but I was just trying to do what's best. Again, I know that most people don't consider animals emotional well being like I do, but I was willing to take care of all of them and she talked me out of it! First thing in the morning I am going downstairs to see it they are there, if not, she should be expecting another knock on the door. At 7:00am. And much louder than the first time.

No words needed...just look at those faces.

Well, I better get ready for bed. 7 o' clock comes rather quickly and these days my internship gets more complex and requires an alert and ready attitude ALL day long. It's really starting to feel like "Oh, I am a health care professional, with a lot of responsibility, and a voice, and expectations." It's big time now. And I am so ready for it. Difficult? Yes. Feelings of inadequacy? Yes. But I'm really trying to keep my head up and remind myself that nobody started off as a pro. I could potentially be the first. Ha ha! Not!

Peace.Love.Hang Loose!