WHOOO sounds like your having SOOOO much fun ;D Even though I know your loving it up there, you better come back! :D I miss you! Love your blogs! I keep forgetting to check if theres a new one or not! :O
I re-did my room! and spent 6 hours taking wallpaper iff >( but it was worth it...it looks SOO good! I can't wait for you to see it!
<3 Ellie
Mai Tai's!!! I love Mai Tai's the drink and the Bar. I had a blast the first time I went there. And loved their drinks and food. They have a great happy hour! I forgot to put that one on your list, but glad to see you found it anyways. You should got to Goose Magillacuties too, great place for food, drinks and dancing. And it's down there in Waikiki. And if you can get a trip to Dixie Grill. Seriously great food and GIGANTIC Mai Tai's..note my Hawaii pics on facebook.
India Did you know that in India, even straight men hold hands while walking down the street? It is a sign of friendship. I think the world would be a happier place if everyone would hold hands. Think about it, blood pressures would drop, people would speak more softly and with love. Anyways, I just learned this fact this week from one of my yoga blogs/books. Never had a lava flow..need to try one. I am so anxious to get over to HI. For the past three years, I have done so much reading, looking at pictures and dreaming. Nothing compares with your blog though. You have gone from desert rat (meaning that in a nice way as I am a desert rat and proud of it) to island girl (I'd take the latter title though)! Yay for island girls! You should go for Spring Break, too. Next time there, I will investigate shave ice. It sounded like a snow cone to me which I am never interested in. I know the clock is tickingso enjoy every minute! I have no doubt you will be headed back to paradise...it is so addicitve and that way of life wants to become a part of you..better than anyplace I have ever been. Hugs to you!
That's My Party Girl! Looks like a great time Jen BUT, being your mom, I didn't like the visual of you strolling home intoxicated at 3 something in the A.M.! Ya, ya, ya, I know you are a big girl now, but mom's will always worry and there are crazy people out there. Just don't want you to come face to face with one......especially when you're compromised by alcohol! Okay, enough with the lecture. I really am glad you enjoyed the Friday night out and everyone looked like they were having lots of fun. Will they be staying awhile so that you could all hang out again. Those guys are really cute. Are they married???? Have a great day today. I love you and will talk to you soon. MOM :- )
Hi Jen! Just when you think the pictures couldn't be more gorgeous you send some that are! You are a lucky lucky girl! Each day you have all this right out your front door, or pretty close to it. It was great spending some phone time with you yesterday. From your expression in these photos you really look like you are having fun with the people around you. I can't imagine such a "happy go lucky" lifestyle, or maybe I can. I remember being younger than Holly and traveling around the country in a V.W. convertible "Bug" with a particular "someone". It was very hippie style and we just kept going til the money ran out. That's about as close as I can come to what you are doing. You are like a "local" now and could be a great tour guide. Wish I were in the position to fly out and spend a few days with you. It would be a super memory, for sure. I took an Imitrex two hours ago to ward off an impending migraine. This morning I woke up with all the classic symptoms. Tylenol didn't touch it, so I went for the strong stuff before it got out of hand and put me out for a day or so. It worked. My head feels better and maybe I will venture out for my own neighborhood hike around the lake on Jewel. Its very hot out, but should be cooling off soon since it is getting later. I'll write again soon. I love you! Mom P.S. The progress on Weight Watchers is ridiculously SLOW and the picture of the pie made my mouth water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha
oh yeah...weird! We were together in Switzerland for JFK jr...together in Mexico for Princess Di...and boy do I WISH I was with you in Hawaii the day MJ and Farrah died!! unfortunately i ended up at work 12 hours that day! : (
I heart North Shore! Haleiwa Joes is awesome..do go back! I have eaten there too. There is also a DELICIOUS place to eat called Jameson's. It's a little pricer but the food is fabulous. And those surf shops have great finds if you have the time to look through them. North Shore is my favorite part of town lots to see and do up that way. Oh and one of those shops sells those recycled glass necklaces I was telling you about. I also did my shark dive up at North Shore..very close to where you took that picture of the bridge. Well continue enjoying your time. I'm glad to see you branching out past Waikiki there is so much more for you to see yet. So put that bus pass to good work during this last month! You still need to check out the Polynesian Cultural Center too. It's a whole day but very interesting to learn about all of the Pacific Islands.
From Your Cruise Director! Hi, it Julie..I mean Jen, your cruise director. Welcome to the Island of Love, the gathering place, where life moves at a slower place than the rest of the world and you are blessed with miles and miles of beaches and will not ever want to return to the mainland. LOL. I think you probably know so much more about the island than I do now, so I think you are the consutlant! Love the pictures from the rooftop. So cool! Even better, I love your pictures from Haleiwa as they remind me of mine. We ate at the Haleiwa Joe's last time - they also have one in Palm Springs if I am not mistaken. I love how you mentioned going to the other side of the island - just like a line from LOST. I am sure your dinner was great. How fun is it to cook with or for people??? Eventually you might find cooking theraputic. I used to not be able to cook anyting, but now can manage my way aroudn the kitchen and can sometimes cook without a recipe. It is a a little hobby - trying to find healthy, delicious meals. When they are not so healthy, I tell myself they are much healthier than if we would have gone out. Anytime you want a cooking buddy here, I will cook with you! Thanks for posting a picture of my bed. That bed is almost better than sex. (I hope no one will take offense to that, but it is close.) They are taking orders at Nordstroms now for thir yearly sale. The are very reasonable in price. Maybe I should market for Nordstoms or the Heavenly Bed line. And speaking of, I am going to go jump into my bed. Your pictures will cause me to dream of my next Oahu vacation!
Web Camera I am so excited I saw you on lthe live web camera!! So cool! Have your family and friends save the link and call them when you are there. Going to go sleep in my Heavenly Bed adn dream about being there. Thanks for checking out that store for me and getting me the info!
OMG The Pictures are Gorgeous! Okay, so do I need to send you a life vest? Please be careful out there! If you meet a riptide, swim parallel to the shore to save your energy.... isn't that the rule? You are so brave. Just be smart. Amazing to swim among such grand creatures. I loved the way you put it when you said you were a part of their world. Three weeks into this adventure and you've found comfort, friends and probably even a side of yourself that only "quiet time" allows you to see more clearly. What is obvious to me in your writing is that you seem to be connecting to your environment. It's a beautiful place to be. An opportunity of a lifetime! How do the TV commercials put it? "Priceless" Hawaii seems to be pulling at your heartstrings. I for one was glad to hear that you are still looking forward to the changes that await you when you come home; new school, new grade to teach, new people to meet......All is good right now for you and that warms my heart. I love you and miss you. MOM
Wow! Jen, I can't believe how wonderful it all sounds!! I would think that laying on a surfboard in the ocean would scare me more than the giant sea turtles though! You make Hawaii sound like the best dream ever, and I can see why you are going to be sad to go. I tell everyone what you are up to, and now all of my friends are immerssed in your stories. I am very happy that you are eating better meals, I think that will keep you feeling well. Your descriptions of the food always crack me up!! You are a great writer, but I think you made need some entertaining adjectives to describe the food! I keep missing you on facebook, but would love to chat again soon. I can tell you all about my new job. My phone time usually consists of when I am driving to and from work, so I will try you on my way home as I don't think you would appreciate a super early phone call.
snorkeling... Ah! I'm glad to hear that you got over nerves enough to do some snorkeling and do some amazing things. My friend Courtney has mentioned taking me snorkeling a couple of times now- we haven't made any definite plans yet. The idea of it sounds more intriguing to me than actually doing it; I know that I will probably react the same as you did. Not sure when the ocean started freaking me out as much as it does now....? Glad to hear that it was wonderful though!
Keoni by Keo - We finally ate ther this last trip. On our previous trip, we went there for dinner, were seated, and I wasn't feeling the menu. We ate there on our last night in Oahu. It was really good and reasonbaly priced. The Aqua Bamboo is just a few steps away from there.
Love the tiitle - She Swims with Turtles.
And maybe, ultimatley, you belong there. We have been discussing a move to CA in the future. Why not? Life is too short. Having said that, I do love AZ, but I think I lvoe the ocean more!
Kailua Beach - That is exactly how I remember it, cool, soft white sand and blue water. We stopped there after going to Waimea Beach (get there, too!) which had blistering hot sand! We had trouble navigating in Kailua, but eventaully found the beach. I'd really like to explore it a little more.
The Bus - Think about how fortunate and spoiled we are to have our own cars. Yeah, there are so weirdo's on the bus, but think about how you have lessened your impact o nthe environment and how much money you aren't spending on gas.
Running - You are brave girl for doing those Hash runs! I'd be like, "No, Thanks!"
So remember to get to Sunset Beach (and go to Ted's), Waimea Beach, and Haleiwa. I think you will be disappointed if you wait until the end of your trip to go. When are you coming home? You are coming home, right? I am waiting to take you to Chelsea's for sangria and to get the scoop on all details of your Hawaii trip! And if you are at all able to, go to Ola's for dinner at Turtle Bay. That is the best meal Jay and I have had in the past year. The setting is perfect. Did you see "Forgetting Sarach Marshall?" It is a little pricey, butworth every penny.
Underwear LMAO. I hardly ever wear undewear in Hawaii. I'm rarely not in a bathing suit - even to shop! That is so funny. I am glad you said something. And the heels, I couldn't agree more. But the make-up is another story. I am a bit high maintenance that way. Same with the blow dryer and flat iron. I don't feel good on any given day if I haven't showerd and put myself back together (kind of like Humpty Dumpty), even if I am going to get dirty. I would have commented earlier, but I didn't get an update for this post. I subscribe, so I will have to investigate. As for living through you, it is as much, if not more, about the environment, than what you do. I think this is also a journey of personal growth for you and that is inspiring, too! I say you get up to the North Shore, get some pie at Ted's and head over to Sunset Beach. I also think you need to check out Haleiwa. Today I wanted to get on a plane a nd come visit you! I feel like I need to test out the Moana Surfrider bed again. We have the same one, but I am not sure if it feels the same. Don't you think my investigation should warrant a trip? I think I have commented on very entry you have made. Keep it up!!!
Hello Hi Jen! I just got back from Mission beach after being there for a week. It was so beautiful and relaxing! I just got caught up on all your blogs. I'm so glad you are having a wonderful time. We miss you!!
WOW! Sorry i haven't been commenting :) I have been reading your blogs, I just havent had enough time to comment. SORRY! I'll try to do better :D
I cant belive all your doing! Thats so cool!
HEy laying on the beach is better than doing nothing! The new Harry Potter movie is coming out soon! Can't wait to see it! Your being so brave doing all these things :) I think you should take a day where you just stay at home and sleep. One day wasted wouldn't kill ya'! JK Keep busy! Hope you find some new stuff to do! ;D
<3 Ellie
Settling IN Well you are finally sounded settled (to what ever degree that means) and that is a good thing. Reading your adventures and even you lack of adventures make me smile (even if they don't make me comment.) -- I want to know if you have blocked that facebook friend we discussed or at least blocked out of your mind? Speaking of blocking out of your mind -- I think you can do that with the bug deal. I bet your Dad was a better teacher than he thinks on that subject. I'm pretty sure you can do it. been a long week -- 50 more layoffs at work and Grandma Ruth (at the Mcdanilas) passed away. She would have been 100 in one month. So keep blogging and documenting all these adventures so you'll have grandma stories to tell for yourself one day. Hugs and love coming your way from us to you....miss you..........love you..........proud of you..............
No High Heels! Jen,
I cannot believe what I am hearing you say, no high heels. I have never known you to wear anything other than those dreadful things, outside of your running shoes. I think that tells how cool and laid back Hawaii really is. My fried a Hawaii native, always brings weird things back from Hawaii for us to try and I was wondering if you have had the pleasure to try any of these said treats. She suggested that you try spam musubi you can get it at 7/11, li hi mui mango from Elans. She also recommends going to Molokai if you have not been already. It sounds like you are experiencing the local culture and having so much fun!
Lacey
Strange Jen,
I can honestly say that is the strangest thing that i have ever heard! But it sounds like it was great time! I would do anything that involved exercise and beer. This is a tradition that you should bring back here. Sounds like everything is going well.
Lacey
Top 5 lists It was 'High Fidelity', the book by Nicholas Hornby (and the movie) that made everything in life a top 5 list. It's a curious thing the way the mind works, how to evaluate everything in terms of importance rather than just to appreciate them for what they are. We see chaos and want to create order.
I think when I am alone that my observation abilities are not distracted by conversations and I notice more of who and what is around me. So it is with you as you wander around Oahu. It's good that you have been able to make friends with a few strangers but it's also good to have some time by yourself to observe others. Sometimes it is better not to hear the sound of your own voice.
I think celebrities die when you are home or traveling but when you are home, you are distracted so you probably do not pay close attention but when you are traveling, you seem to remember these things. I remember the hotel room I was in when I found out that John Lennon was shot and killed. Memories are very fickle things.
I think if you were to move to Hawaii, you would have to reconcile yourself to dealing with bugs at a higher level. I have always tried to teach you that but I think I haven't done a good job. They are just bugs. I have killed 2 large scorpions this summer, and that takes dealing with bugs to a higher level.
Ellie C.
non-member comment
WHOOO
sounds like your having SOOOO much fun ;D Even though I know your loving it up there, you better come back! :D I miss you! Love your blogs! I keep forgetting to check if theres a new one or not! :O I re-did my room! and spent 6 hours taking wallpaper iff >( but it was worth it...it looks SOO good! I can't wait for you to see it! <3 Ellie