Here's a few pictures we snapped on our way to work. We'll get some better ones this evening when we hit the town.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
The thing about Hawaii is that the people don't really dress up for Halloween. In San Francisco it's practically a mandatory holiday. Here? Not so much. Bryan and I stand out quite a bit.
Here's a few pictures we snapped on our way to work. We'll get some better ones this evening when we hit the town.
Here's a few pictures we snapped on our way to work. We'll get some better ones this evening when we hit the town.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
A Proud Moment
On Sunday we had our "end of the season" paddling party. Really just a chance for us to all get together again and to give our coaches thank you gifts. To my surprise, the coach also awarded gifts to four paddlers that he thought stood out. To my absolute amazement, I got the "Most Improved" award. I was so honored! It felt awesome to be recognized and to know my efforts didn't go unnoticed.
A nice shiny star to hang on top of an excellent season.
A nice shiny star to hang on top of an excellent season.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Crash Test Dummy
I really have no interesting Hawaii stories lately. We've been working a lot. And sitting around. Occasionally we go to the beach, eat a papaya or see a rainbow. Life is still good.
In lieu of Hawaii stories, I thought I'd share these ridiculous Jenni stories...
Last Saturday after a migraine killed my attempts at surfing, I stopped at a Starbucks for caffeine to medicate my head. As I walked through the parking lot I accidentally walked right into the side mirror of a big truck. Blame it on the headache, but I truly walked right into it. I hit it so hard the car alarm went off. I'm in a parking lot, dripping wet from the ocean, with a throbbing headache and setting off car alarms. I said "sorry" to no one in particular and walked on.
On Monday I was swimming in the ocean in the morning. Beautiful day but murky water in the morning light. I could see about three feet in front of me and about five feet to the bottom. Enjoying my swim, I was zoning out looking at the reef and day-dreaming about something or the other. And then all of the sudden, WHAPPP!, I ram my head into something. I look up and it's an older Asian man. In the middle of the vast ocean we managed to swim into each other. I started laughing hysterically and he kept saying with a strong accent "Please forgive me. Please forgive me for hitting you." Eventually I swam on, laughing underwater.
In lieu of Hawaii stories, I thought I'd share these ridiculous Jenni stories...
Last Saturday after a migraine killed my attempts at surfing, I stopped at a Starbucks for caffeine to medicate my head. As I walked through the parking lot I accidentally walked right into the side mirror of a big truck. Blame it on the headache, but I truly walked right into it. I hit it so hard the car alarm went off. I'm in a parking lot, dripping wet from the ocean, with a throbbing headache and setting off car alarms. I said "sorry" to no one in particular and walked on.
On Monday I was swimming in the ocean in the morning. Beautiful day but murky water in the morning light. I could see about three feet in front of me and about five feet to the bottom. Enjoying my swim, I was zoning out looking at the reef and day-dreaming about something or the other. And then all of the sudden, WHAPPP!, I ram my head into something. I look up and it's an older Asian man. In the middle of the vast ocean we managed to swim into each other. I started laughing hysterically and he kept saying with a strong accent "Please forgive me. Please forgive me for hitting you." Eventually I swam on, laughing underwater.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Dancing Hula
Last night I attended my first hula class. I loved it!
I'm going with a friend from work who has been taking the class for a year and a half. The kumu (instructor) teaches from his home deep in Palolo Valley. We learned Hawaiian words, steps and hand movements all as the rain fell against the open windows. It felt very Hawaii.
The class has six other women in it. They are all junior high teachers and appear to be older than us. In fact, I found myself surprised that they hadn't learned hula earlier in their lives. Anyhow, if we all stick it out until June we're going to have a recital and get matching muumuus. I can't wait!
I'm going with a friend from work who has been taking the class for a year and a half. The kumu (instructor) teaches from his home deep in Palolo Valley. We learned Hawaiian words, steps and hand movements all as the rain fell against the open windows. It felt very Hawaii.
The class has six other women in it. They are all junior high teachers and appear to be older than us. In fact, I found myself surprised that they hadn't learned hula earlier in their lives. Anyhow, if we all stick it out until June we're going to have a recital and get matching muumuus. I can't wait!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Awesome Day
On Saturday we picked up my brother, grabbed Subway sandwiches and headed over to Kaneohe to see THE BLUE ANGELS!
For those that do not know, I am a huge Blue Angels fan. HUGE! I just think they're the best thing in the sky. In San Francisco they fly every year for Fleet Week. I first saw them on a sailboat with Laura, then from the Marina Greens, and then for many years from atop Ted's building with many of my favorite people. In my mind, the is no better day than when the Blue Angels fly in San Francisco.
However, we live in Hawaii now - where the Blue Angels come every 12 years or so. So this was a VERY BIG deal. For me and everyone else.
We had made plans to meet up with friends and then get on their friend's boat and watch the show from the Bay. The boat owner got delayed which actually worked out fine for me. We sat on the dock and watched the whole airshow. From parachuters to prop planes to this crazy helicopter that can to flips. And finally the Blue Angels. They were terrific! It was awesome to see them in a round bay where you could spot all six of them almost all the time. And they were super close! As one buzzed right over us and scared the absolute shit out of us, my adrenaline and emotions soared. I was so happy to be seeing them in Hawaii, and so sad to not be with my closest friends to share the experience.
And yet, this was just the beginning of our awesome day. As the airshow wrapped up, we launched the boat. We wakeboarded, cruised to the sandbar, and did death-defying donuts at dusk at 50mph.
The day was very special. With friends, surrounded by beautiful Hawaii water and mountains, and having new experiences.
For those that do not know, I am a huge Blue Angels fan. HUGE! I just think they're the best thing in the sky. In San Francisco they fly every year for Fleet Week. I first saw them on a sailboat with Laura, then from the Marina Greens, and then for many years from atop Ted's building with many of my favorite people. In my mind, the is no better day than when the Blue Angels fly in San Francisco.
However, we live in Hawaii now - where the Blue Angels come every 12 years or so. So this was a VERY BIG deal. For me and everyone else.
We had made plans to meet up with friends and then get on their friend's boat and watch the show from the Bay. The boat owner got delayed which actually worked out fine for me. We sat on the dock and watched the whole airshow. From parachuters to prop planes to this crazy helicopter that can to flips. And finally the Blue Angels. They were terrific! It was awesome to see them in a round bay where you could spot all six of them almost all the time. And they were super close! As one buzzed right over us and scared the absolute shit out of us, my adrenaline and emotions soared. I was so happy to be seeing them in Hawaii, and so sad to not be with my closest friends to share the experience.
And yet, this was just the beginning of our awesome day. As the airshow wrapped up, we launched the boat. We wakeboarded, cruised to the sandbar, and did death-defying donuts at dusk at 50mph.
This is wakesurfing when done well.
This is what is looks like when I do it. I was not successful at all.
And this is Bryan's version.
The whole crew.
The day was very special. With friends, surrounded by beautiful Hawaii water and mountains, and having new experiences.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Being Different
Let me clarify... What I should of said when I originally posted this is that my frustrations are coming from new experiences at work. I'm discovering that I really don't know or understand the local business social structure. It contradicts much of what I've done before and I find trying to balance my past experience with my new challenge to be very frustrating.
I love Hawaii. I do believe it's different from the mainland and I think that should be celebrated. I want to observe and learn and hope to fit in more and more.
*****
Lately I've been having a bit of Hawaii frustration. It's not that Hawaii is frustrating per se, it's that it's different.
Today my co-worker wrote something for a client presentation that struck me. Nothing he wrote surprised me but I don't think I'd ever hear it quite so succinctly.
In Hawaii we care more about people. We nurture our children. We celebrate the cultures, traditions and many ethnicities that make up our population. Our food is different, as is the way we eat it. We are unique in the world in so many interesting ways. We don't like to brag. We don't like to step on other people. We don't like confrontation. We don't wrongly take credit. This is Hawaii.
Now, I don't like to step on other people or steal credit. But I do like to assert myself.
I do value all the things about Hawaii that are unique. But I also value all the things about Bryan and I that make us unique and different in Hawaii.
I love Hawaii. I do believe it's different from the mainland and I think that should be celebrated. I want to observe and learn and hope to fit in more and more.
*****
Lately I've been having a bit of Hawaii frustration. It's not that Hawaii is frustrating per se, it's that it's different.
Today my co-worker wrote something for a client presentation that struck me. Nothing he wrote surprised me but I don't think I'd ever hear it quite so succinctly.
In Hawaii we care more about people. We nurture our children. We celebrate the cultures, traditions and many ethnicities that make up our population. Our food is different, as is the way we eat it. We are unique in the world in so many interesting ways. We don't like to brag. We don't like to step on other people. We don't like confrontation. We don't wrongly take credit. This is Hawaii.
Now, I don't like to step on other people or steal credit. But I do like to assert myself.
I do value all the things about Hawaii that are unique. But I also value all the things about Bryan and I that make us unique and different in Hawaii.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Love of My Life
Oh, how I wished they'd invited me to join this fantastic project!
And that totally leads me to tell you a story...
Remember how I found, loved, and bought these shoes?
Love them! LovethemLovethemLovethem! And I wear them all the time. ALL THE TIME. I'm known as the "Blue Shoe Girl" at work.
Just last weekend I popped in to DSW with Leslie and had one of those magical days where I found two pairs of shoes that fit beautifully and were ridiculously inexpensive (we're talking 50% and 70% off!!). There was absolutely nothing I could do but buy these:
Yep wearing them now. Some might say I have a problem. What sane person needs two pairs of shoes with gigantic jewels on them? I respond, who wants to be sane anyway?
And that totally leads me to tell you a story...
Remember how I found, loved, and bought these shoes?
Love them! LovethemLovethemLovethem! And I wear them all the time. ALL THE TIME. I'm known as the "Blue Shoe Girl" at work.
Just last weekend I popped in to DSW with Leslie and had one of those magical days where I found two pairs of shoes that fit beautifully and were ridiculously inexpensive (we're talking 50% and 70% off!!). There was absolutely nothing I could do but buy these:
Yep wearing them now. Some might say I have a problem. What sane person needs two pairs of shoes with gigantic jewels on them? I respond, who wants to be sane anyway?
Monday, October 01, 2007
Perfection
My weekend with Leslie, Mike and Ella was terrific. I got lots of time to catch up with Les, to talk city idiosyncrasies with Mike, and to smile with Ella. She is a doll. She smiles all the time and only seems to cry just enough to let you know she means it. I am totally in love with her.
Once again, it was such a funny feeling to leave Hawaii for the mainland. This time I was just enthralled by all the retail. I completely forgot about so many shopping opportunities that we don't have here. DSW! Bagel stores! ANTHROPOLOGIE! And food... I challenge you to name a food cuisine that wasn't within a five minute drive of Leslie and Mike's house. Sure, we have the beautiful ocean here but I might trade it every once in a while for an afternoon at a good mall. But I'd probably even trade that for more smile time with Ella.
Once again, it was such a funny feeling to leave Hawaii for the mainland. This time I was just enthralled by all the retail. I completely forgot about so many shopping opportunities that we don't have here. DSW! Bagel stores! ANTHROPOLOGIE! And food... I challenge you to name a food cuisine that wasn't within a five minute drive of Leslie and Mike's house. Sure, we have the beautiful ocean here but I might trade it every once in a while for an afternoon at a good mall. But I'd probably even trade that for more smile time with Ella.
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