Weekend of Firsts, 3 of 3 (last one!)

Okay, so this is the biggie. And I'll keep it short.

This past weekend our canoe club WON OUR FIRST LONG DISTANCE RACE. This has never been done in the history of our club. It is a very, very big deal. And we were psyched.

To be clear, I was not in the winning boat. We entered three boats - #1 won, I was in #3. I am so, so, so happy for the girls in the winning boat.

We hope that this newly blessed and undefeated canoe keeps all its good mojo and wins again this weekend in Kona.

Weekend of Firsts, 2 of 3

The second new experience of the weekend was a complete honor and, of course, paddling.

I was designated to sit Seat One in our race on Sunday. Seat One is pretty much considered the hardest seat in the boat. You're right up front and it's both physically and and emotionally draining. In the first seat your paddle hits the water before it's moving in the right direction so your muscles feel it. And you're right up there so you set the stroke rate and have no one to follow. I was completely floored when I found out I'd be "stroking" the boat (don't really know why it's called that, but Seat One is the "stroker"). It's emotionally draining because you're sort of disconnected. You can't see the other people in your boat. You can't feel if it's going well. In fact, I kept my head down almost the whole time so I had no idea what was going on.

When I found out they wanted me in Seat One I thought they were joking. I've never stroked a race, I've barely sat there in practice. But they think I'm good at it and I figured I could do it. I did. I did the whole thing. It was a long distance race so 10 of us swapped in out of the six seats of the boat. I kept waiting for our coach to pull me out but he never did. I figure I did about 40-45% of the race. It was a 25 mile race so I'm pretty darn proud of myself. I gave it 100%. Which is funny to think about. I don't really often give 100%. Not at work, not grocery shopping, certainly not cleaning. But I can say with certainty that I didn't leave more in me than a percentage or two.

The race course was absolutely gorgeous. From Kailua to Waikiki. Along beautiful beaches and cliffs and around Diamond Head. At some points our canoe was less than 15 feet from the cliff walls with blue and water swirling around. It was a true experience.

Weekend of Firsts, 1 of 3

This weekend was chock-full of new experiences. All of them were paddling related, but what's new?

On Saturday morning I was in Kailua for our new canoe blessing. You can't imagine how exciting it is for our club to get a new canoe. The blessing itself was relatively low-key but pretty fitting in that we're all low-key and we were on the beach. A Hawaiian kahuna* joined us and spoke of how important paddling and canoes have been to the Hawaiian spirits. He spoke about how paddling promotes important Hawaiian ideals of health, teamwork, and culture. He splashed koa water to signify the original material of the canoe. He sprinkled Hawaiian salt because Hawaiians consider salt the essence of life. I might have this all a bit wrong but this is what I took away from it. Then he asked us to hold hands in a circle around the canoe and thanked all those involved in the creation of the canoe and bless all those that would paddle in it. He asked for health and success. He asked us to lay hands on the canoe as he said his final blessing. He then asked our coaches and club president to wrap a maile lei around the nose of the boat. I think he also gave the boat a Hawaiian name which I have not yet memorized.

Our top paddlers then took the canoe for its first official spin. When they got back we all got a chance to paddle it. I thought it felt like any old canoe but the energy still made it very special.

* I don't really know for sure that he was a kahuna, I just don't know a better word. He's sort of a Hawaiian minister of sorts.

For the Love of the Ocean

This morning I attended a memorial service for Dukie Kauhulu. I didn't know him but he's the man who founded my canoe club and he was one of Waikiki's most famous beach boys. He taught many people to surf Waikiki's waves and to paddle outrigger canoes. We paddled our club canoes over to his beach service in front of Duke's and then paddled out past the surf to spread flowers as they scattered his ashes.

I'd imagine you don't spend most of your life at the beach in Waikiki teaching folks to love the ocean unless you're a really cool person. From everything I can tell, this man was pretty remarkable. His pictures show a man with terrific smile and a very deep tan. His wife made it clear he had insisted on a party. There were casual clothes, laughs and songs. And when we got out on the ocean folks started passing Bud Lights, no doubt in tribute to Dukie. The final moment was when they sunk a koa paddle as his tombstone to rest at the bottom of the ocean. As we paddled back to Waikiki, the clouds came in and the rain started, a definite Hawaiian blessing.

This week our club purchased a new canoe! No small feat for a club our size with such poor members. Tomorrow we're conducting a Hawaiian blessing ceremony so we can race it on Sunday with the Hawaiian spirits on our side. I'll also take part in my first canoe rigging and hope to learn something good.

It's funny because we're a club of mostly white folks who are in it for the sport. We're competitive and we don't often incorporate much culture or tradition in our ways. But when I stop and think about it, I'm participating in an activity that is essential to the entire Pacific region. Canoes and paddles are what spread people and culture throughout the entire Pacific Rim. I'm just doing my part to keep the torch burning.

Like Sand Through the Hourglass

Yesterday marked 18 months of living in Hawaii, and of Bryan and I living together. 18 months is a pretty significant amount of time. It feels like it flew by. Like maybe it should be 11 months or 15 months. But not 18!

I remember last year around this time when Laura reminded me we'd been in Hawaii for six months. Blew my mind! I couldn't believe it was six months already. And then in two blinks of an eye, it's 18 months. Makes me wonder if soon it will be 36 months, or seven years. I feel like anything could happen at this point.

After 18 months, not many things feel new. We tend to do things we've done before, and have experiences we've had before. Frankly, I think it's making this blog boring. And it's making life feel 'normal'.

Rather than reflect back on the last 18 months, I think it's better to look forward. The other day we were talking about all the things we'd like to do before we leave Hawaii.

Learn hula. Hike more. Travel to Asia. Get certified in SCUBA. Snorkel more. Actually use the surfboard I bought. Do the Road to Hana. Visit Tutu more. Camp more. Movies on the Beach. Crazy sushi place. Golf. Kahuku Shrimp. Swim with the dolphins. Napali Coast.

OhMyGod, LikeTotally!!

Once upon a time I didn't live in Hawaii and I wasn't as poised and sophisticated as I am now *sarcasm*. I was once a Junior High kid at a friend's house with nothing to do and in the company of a very creative and persuasive friend.

And this is what happened:



I love this picture. I cannot get over it. I'm on the left, of course, in one of my all-time favorite sweatshirts - it has a dinosaur in that puffy paint stuff that was popular. My friend Kari is in the middle. She was the instigator and she's getting married in a week and a half! My friend Rachel is on the right. It was her house and she's already a mom to three boys.

Oh, the Joys of Sleep and the Couch

This weekend was completely what we needed - full of relaxation.

After a Friday night shopping adventure we slept in late on Saturday. I truly cannot tell you the last time I slept past 8am. It was amazing. Then I lazed on the couch for hours to eventually meet Bryan at his softball game where he made a double-play and they tied the game. We rewarded ourselves for all our hard work (all my sleeping and couch-sitting) with a beer with the softball team. From there we went to the craft fair with one of Bryan's softball buddies and mostly bought cookies and honey.

Sunday I worked insanely hard in paddling practice for three hours so went home and went back to bed just after noon. Once I was up, I was back on the couch with Bryan for another couple of hours. Finally we left the house and headed to the beach for a quick swim and a nice sunset.

Tonight I think we need to actually get stuff done. I think I have a date with the broom and mop. But at least we have cookies to keep me going!

Admissions Day

Today Hawaii celebrates Admissions Day. I had to ask what it was and then got the funny look I get from long-time residents who think I'm a fool. Admissions Day is the anniversary of Hawaii's admission into the United States. Woohoo! Go Hawaii!

50th state and aren't we all glad! Imagine that flag with just 49 stars. Or imagine Bryan and I moving to a foreign country - unlikely. Imagine needing a passport to come visit us - what a pain. Thank goodness for Admissions Day!

For the record, I think it's the silliest holiday name ever. Reminds me of Secretary's Day. I truly thought it was some tax holiday. Like admit your withholdings, it's Admissions Day!

Memories of The King

Well, today is the anniversary of Elvis's death. A sad day for many. I don't have any real connections to The King but since Bryan did eat his pancakes on Sunday, I thought I'd share these fun memories of my relationship with the man who brought us Blue Hawaii.

***

My mom recalls that she learned of Elvis's passing as she was driving along the Pali Highway here on Oaho with baby me in the backseat, headed back to our home in Kaneohe.

***

In high school my friends, Love and Stacey, and I put hours and hours into a goofball assignment investigating whether Elvis was in fact live or dead. Our serious research involved plotting fake sightings on a map, and documenting nutball accounts of Elvis in diners and gas stations.

***

In my post-college years my friends and I were in Las Vegas for a fun-filled weekend that involved over-the-top costumes. Erin won our dress up competition when she donned a used wedding dress. My memories may be a bit fuzzy but the image that sticks in my head is of her, in her wedding dress, posed for a picture with an Elvis impersonator on the casino floor.

***

Elvis may have left the building but we'll keep his memory strong with memories of our own.

Flossie, Shmossie

Hurricane, my ass. It faded to a level 1 tropical storm before it even got close. And then it faded to nothing. I mean, I'm glad everyone is safe and nothing was destroyed. But I personally could have handled some dramatic winds and rain. Nuthin'.

For about two hours this afternoon we had a tsunami warning. But that was canceled.

On with our lives. Mine involves tonight's Top Chef.

Flossie's Coming to Town

We have a hurricane heading our way!



The winds are already crazy but it really should affect us minimally. Last night it was downgraded to a level 2 hurricane and they expect it to only weaken. It should affect the Big Island the most - all the schools, parks and one major road are closed. And all the Wal-Marts are open 24 hours - which I find absolutely hysterical. I talked to my grandmother last night. She had stocked up on canned soups and was debating about bringing her potted plants inside the house. I imagine they'll see a lot of rain and wind and may deal with some flooding.

As for us, we'll probably just get wind and rain. I secretly hope we do. I've never been near a hurricane and I'd like to safely get a feel for it (let's hope I don't regret those words tomorrow).

Flossie should approach the Big Island late this afternoon. Early this evening I'm supposed to go paddle in the ocean. I'm not sure that's a really good idea but knowing my club, we'll paddle straight into it - good for strength training! Bryan might be practicing softball - in torrential rains.

BIG Weekend

On Saturday we went to my paddling fundraiser party which was great fun. We both enjoyed it so much more than last year which really shows us how much we've grown and how many more people we know in just 12 months.




We also drank a ton more beer than we did last year. Bryan particularly enjoyed the drink specials and shots my friend offered up to him.

On Sunday morning we needed a good breakfast out. So we joined our friend Alan who introduced us to the restaurant that serves these:



Pancakes bigger then our heads! Even bigger than Bryan's head - and he has a big head. We barely made a dent in them and then had them packed up to take home in a doggie bag. Have you ever taken leftover pancakes home?!

On My Way to Becoming a Linebacker

Last night at practice one of my coaches says to me, "Jenni, did you workout in the off-season?" I reply with a chuckle (me? workout when not required?) and a "no". He comes back with a "you look a lot bigger than what I remember from last year." Yeah, no shit. Thanks.

I am HUGE.

I workout at least three times a week. Sometimes up to eight hours a week. I estimate I burn at least 1,000 calories per workout. All this exertion and every part of me is getting bigger, nothing smaller. Sure, the shoulders and back, that makes sense. But the waist, butt, hips? What's up with them? Shouldn't they be shrinking? I blame them on being 30.

I've started setting aside clothes that don't fit. But I'm not getting rid of them. I figure that once I stop paddling the shirts will fit again. And once I move onto full-body workouts maybe those jeans will fit again. Maybe...

Until then I'm loving my shoes. Workout, don't work out... my shoes don't care.

A Wonderful Weekend in Kauai

You know how you have those weekends where it seems to go by in a flash but at the same time Friday feels like a lifetime ago? That's exactly how this weekend was. I was on Kauai and it flew by in a blink but I fit so many amazing things in!

I flew out Friday night and arrived in our condo around ten. Chatted a bit and went straight to bed. We had an 8am pick-up time. The day started at 8am and didn't end until well after 10pm. Every minute was amazing. We were there for the Hawaii State Paddling Competition in beautiful Hanalei Bay.



Our team kicked major ass, winning our division, winning three races and getting third in another. It was a total high point for our entire club.

I got to race which was really special. At state's you have to race in a koa canoe which is amazingly unique. I have never been in a koa canoe, I have never been around that much koa wood, and I have certainly seen a piece of wood that is that valuable. Each canoe is worth $60,000 to $120,000. As the announcer said "there are millions of dollars of wood on the beach today." Unfortunately my race didn't go very well. We barely didn't lose. But you know, we worked hard. And we're part of a winning team even if it's not a winning boat.

My friends Amber and Susannah as they prepared to take third in their race.

A race finish. I'm somewhere in there.

A beautiful silhouette. I particularly love this picture because my timing is spot-on!

At the end of the day we collected our club trophy and headed off to a luau thrown by a friend of our club. It was a super special event held in a past member's honor and was a true Hawaii moment. I don't think I'll ever experience something that authentically real to Hawaii. Lots of aloha in the most heartfelt sense of the word.

The next morning I was up at 7am and eating two packets of oatmeal to fuel up for a 32 mile race along the Napali Coast. It's race that starts in Hanalei and finishes somewhere on the south west side. I was pumped to get to see the Napali Coast from the perspective of a canoe. And I was not let down. I worked my little butt off with great reward and a ton of fun.

I took 167 pictures in less than 48 hours. This is just a small sampling. A much larger collection can be found on the Flickr link to the right.

The girls in my crew: Candace, Lisa, Gabi, Peg, Andrea and me. The guys called us "Waikiki Girls" and it cracked us up.

Hanalei. This is what I came to Hawaii to experience.

Does it get better than this?

The boys on our crew, local guys from Kauai.

Jenni, living in Hawaii.

In a Land Called Hanalei...

This weekend I'll be on Kauai on the North Shore for the state competition for paddling. I am just over the moon that I'll get to participate. I think I made it onto the crew with a bit of luck, a little muscle, and the niceness of my coach. We'll be in Hanalei Bay and hope to bring home a few gold medals.

Hanalei Bay (courtesy of a Flickr member)

I am so excited! I have never stayed on the north side of Kauai but it is one of my favorite areas of Hawaii. When I'm not actually paddling I plan to soak it all in and remember this is why I moved across the ocean.

On Sunday I will hopefully be participating in the Napali Challenge which is a 6-hour race along the Napali Coast with both men and women in the boat. It's a long distance race so we'll all take turns paddling and then riding in the escort boat. I am just thrilled about it. Almost no one gets to travel along the Napali Coast and almost never can you do it in a canoe. If it isn't raining I plan to take tons of pictures to share with you.

Beautiful Napali Coast (courtesy of a Flickr member)

Wish me luck... gold medal or just a good time.