shaken' some island bootay

more fun at the PCC

PCC fun

Amazing show

hot dancers

the fishie I made

I wanna marry a Somoan

before the show, windy as usual!

our luau amazingness, sooo yummy

unveiling of the pig

coconut tree climbers...not too shabby on the eyes


scenic north shore drive

fabulous rainbow

the stairs of insanity!

Diamond Head hike

inside the tunnel/cave

these stairs scared me the mostest

we made it to the top, oye!

Trip to Laie

soO green here!

I love this flowers!

fountain on the temple grounds

sad, the temple is closed until 2010 for remodeling - still purdy to look at though!

We finally made it to the top, oye uber windy

Hike to a light house

walk with me...

Today is a GORGEOUS day! These past couple of days have been nice, overcast though. The sun is out and the water is all shades of blue, it actually looks a lot like bear lake. You can see our two twin islands from our dining room table. Andy says that we should kyak to the twin islands, but that makes me really anxious. We went to Pearl Harbor today. It was an overwhelming and incredible experience. I didn't realize that the USS Memorial was located right on top of the ship, that was a fascinating discovery for me. The museum was nice, but the movie was excellent and it created a reverant tone. We had about an hour before we went on the ship, so I got a little photo happy.

I am learning the ropes with Rita. Today is our first day together. Our care includes, bathing, cooking, taking her to the bathroom, changing her clothes, pretty much 100% full care. We are trying to build up her leg muscles so she can walk. She just received a walker today, and we'll see how that goes. She doesn't have any severe health issues, and she can eat pretty much anything - her favorite things are cookie dough and bacon, (you'd never guess cause she's such a bird). You can tell that she's not sure of me yet. Just getting from the wheelchair to bed took us 15 minutes of conversation to talk her into allowing me to help her. She's asked me over 20 times where I'm from and where I live here in Hawaii.

I have experienced the cockroaches, but as I was opening up the window slats to get more air circulation - I found 3 geckos. We were both frightened by eachother, but I guess the gecko's are good to have around because they eat the bugs. Maybe you already know all of this, but this life is a whole different and enchanting ball game for me. This morning I woke up to a chorus of birds in the palm trees and the sun rising at 5am. I was wide awake and could not figure it out until I realized that according to UT time, it was about 8-or 9 I think. I could not fall back asleep. This time change might take a while, either way I'm going to try to get up every morning to walk along the beach. I might take my scriptures or finish my book. I'm in this whole new utopia and I keep pinching myself. Tonight, I'm either going to a BYU-H basketball game or a belly dancing class...ya don't laugh.

Hawaii arrival

I SOOO wish you could be here with me! This place is so heavenly! I keep looking outside to see if I really am here! Our view is right outside the beach, we live on a rock side so it takes us about 10 minutes to walk to the sandy part - that will definitely be a daily routine! Andy and I went on walk today, and I was just in awe.

16 Monday 2009

12:35pm - with an excitement/anxiety I board the plane and head off to Hawaii. After 6hours, I learned that sitting next to a 6.4'' man+tonz of turbulance+a plane full of kids=a very long flight.

3:00pm - arrive in Hawaii. You can smell the fragrant flowers and instantly feel the humidity. Andy arrives with my Hawaiian leis in hand. We drive to our home in Kailua. The ride is amazing, the mountains are majestic and so unique. 4ish-I made it. My room is perfect. The house is older 70's style. The windows and doors are constantly open for air circulation - no AC. I'm sweating like CRAZY, Andy says I'll get use to it - says the girl half my size...it doesn't matter I'm in HAWAII

5:20pm-dinner, Andy made a yummy meal and I get to meet Rita; the woman I'll be caring for in the afternoons. She is more with it than I realized. She's witty and has a good disposition. She's hard of hearing so our conversations our louder than most.

7:00pm - go with Christy and Krystal (my other roommates - why cute and easy to get along with) to FHE at Kenui's. The branch is awesome. Greeting me with hugs and kisses on the cheek. After Krystal gave the lesson, we had an activity of 'guess the name on my back.' Kenui made some fantastic hawaiin food; Kailua pig (pork and cabbage), glass noodles with pork and chives, fresh salsa salmon-not my fav very fishy, fresh cut pineapple, bread and banana bread smeared with frosting. There was SO much food! It was soo yummy and a great introduction to the Islands!

9:00pm - the branch is going to the dollar theater and Christy asks me if I want to join. I can barely keep my eyes open, I'm sOO wasted. I decided to pass.

10:00pm - I get ready for bed and discover a new friend in the bathroom...can you guess it, yup a cockroach, it was about the size my thumb. Apparently they are every where. Krystal told me an interesting fact. Apparently they like to crawl all of the dishes in the cubbard, so she uses her shirt to wipe them off...

10:30pm - it's about 2:30am UT time, so I can't last any longer. Being spooked about the cockroaches finally wears off and I succumb to sleep. The crashing of the waves soothes me into slumber.

17 May 2009

I got up and finally unpacked. I was going to do it yesterday afternoon, but it was so hot in my room, I couldn't. I'm still paranoid about the cockroaches...YUCK! After breakfast, I walk on the beach with Andy and see more of the neighborhood. We had lunch with Rita and play a mean game of scrabble. She gets tired so is napping while I catch up on email and Andy is working on her lesson for Sunday and will soon work on St. Patty's decorations ;) I'm going to go help now. Tonight is institute and we might go to Pearl Harbor in the morning!

Have you ever been overwhelmed with choices? For the past 3 month-ish, life has been so, so odd. Bouncing between Rexburg and Kaysville, not knowing what I should be doing was driving me CrAzY. Even though I struggled with indecisiveness, I had the greatest support. My companion from my mission who lives in Malta offered me a place to stay and would help me find a job. My cousin Hilary extended her arms to me to stay with her and her adorable family in Powell Wyoming. My other cousin Chelsea found a sweet deal on a town house and offered me an empty room. Then, one of my dearest friends from the 32nd ward was trying to get rid of her scandalous roommate and wanted me to take her spot for a great deal, knowing that I would be there only for a short while. I wanted be with them all! I was overwhelmed by the amazing generosity and thanked the Lord for such amazing people in my life. Needing some more direction, I turned to Him for some added guidance. I was instructed that I should be with my new roommie down the street from the 32nd ward. Little did I know that I could be here for her during an interesting time and turn of events for both of us. My karaoke nights with Tiff and Gentry have been such and highlight, and I especially loved my gal pal nights with Leslie, Jenny, Karen and Dot.

Then a phone call came last Thursday night with an offer that I couldn’t refuse. I have been asked to help take care of an elderly lady for a couple weeks until school starts. You question the offer now, weeelll let me tell you where this lady lives...she lives on a little island called Honolulu. I fly out on Monday and come back on Wednesday, April 15. My dear friend Andrea from the Madison Branch in Rexburg is working with this elderly lady out there and needs an extra buddy to help care for her. It's free housing and food, plus we live on the beach. I've never gone to Hawaii and I am getting paid to go, it's perfect timing!!! This picture is a part of the back yard, and I'll definitely send you more pics along the way! I can't wait and I wish I could take you with ME!