Sea Shell Hunting

It was another beautiful day. James and Claire, Simon and Tanya, Lauren, Mike, me and Will decided to go to the beach. It was a good shell finding day. The guys could spear dive and we would search the shores for shells.

We found an amazing beach, one that I had never been to. I was surprized at how many other shell seekers there were. We passed a man who was lying flat on his stomach with his nose close to the sand. Claire approached him to ask him what he was looking for. Aparently he was searching for some small red shells they he made into earings. They were beautiful.

We walked along the shore for a good distance. I saw my first Portuguese Man of War. They are purple bubble blobs and have a vicious sting. I found a perfect puka lying in the water. Claire busied herself with Mike by finding beautiful unique shells, and Lauren looked for beach glass. I didn't really even get that many shells since I was so captivated by taking pictures.

The guys swam out to the reef with their spears, but unfortunately didn't get any fish. James came back with some big crabs (to small to eat but beautiful to look at for awhile).

Soon it started to get cold and we were ready to head home. We packed it up and headed to the car. I rummaged through my bag only to realize that the key (notice key not keys!! :() was not in my stuff!!! Back to the beach to look. It was the only key that we had!! Finally after frustration, prayer and scuffling through the sand it was found! Claire's diligent combing paid of and she found the lost key!! I WAS SO RELIEVED!!!!

Creepy!!!!!!!!

We have some unavoidable house guests that are just part of island living. They really freaked me out at first. I couldn't stand the thought that perhaps a gecko would plop on my head or a centipede could come into my house. But as time goes on... I am adapting. I have ants.... try as I might they are quick little boogers and get into anything left on the counter. We have gigantic cockroaches, huge green flying grasshopper, trantula sized cane spiders and of course zippy, chirping wall gecko's.

So as it goes, I have adapted (somewhat). I have tried ant poison (it didn't work), the gecko's really stick to their own business and pretty much stay on their top of the walls (not to forget they actually do eat the bugs but just leave little packages for me to clean up later), the cane spiders scury into hiding pretty quickly, and the big, flying green grasshoppers that have sticky long legs.... they pretty much just chill on door ledges.....UNTIL TODAY.......!!!!!!!!!!!

I was minding my own business in the bathroom. We were getting ready for church. I grabbed a pair of tweezers and looked closely in the mirror. A few strays here and there needed plucking. As I was focusing, avidly yanking and plucking away I heard a loud ZING and then it happened. The fat, green, long legged grasshopper that had been seemingly minding HIS own business, leaped from the wall and with all it's zippy, zappy, sticky, stacky legs decided that my eye was a great place to land!!!!!!!!! You can imagine the blood curdling yell that came from my lips!!!! YEOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was horrible!!!! I can still feel its creepy little feet sticking to my brow and cheek! UGH - and the worst part is I don't even know where he is now.

Giving of Thanks 2010

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Growing up it was the holiday of the year, even above Christmas. We often spent it with Dad's side of the family. We enjoyed turkey, and the fixings, but not to forget Grandma's cornbread stuffing and famous lemon pie.

We were invited to Susan's for the day this year. It was us and several other families including Evan and Gena and his mother and bro. We each brought something to share. I brought roasted asaragus (much to Will's dismay) and of course the notorious lemon pie (which was a hit).

Grandma's lemon pie is so easy to make. But of course I have to ask someone every year for the recipe. Someone asked me if the recipe was able to be given away. I said yes but something in me hesistated. Why give out a simple secret family tradition? It seems to ruin the joy of it. I don't know, I still need to think if I should share it with you.....

We played speed and scrabble. Lauren won only because I helped her with the word "quag" which landed on a triple word score. Quag distantly means the same as quake - but we did cheat and looked it up. The others played Dictionary which is the homemade version of Balderdash. I will never forget the first time I played that at the Kushell's. It was hilarious and a favorite ever since. I just realized how fun it would be to get a dutch blitz game here. I think it would be fun to play with everyone.

Rebekah Roberts is one of the cutest little beings. She is soooooo squishable and kept trying to help us play scrabble :(. But I could tell as the evening wore on, all the pie and Aloha Maid started zapping through her! lol.

The Roberts are moving to the Big Island in a couple of weeks. :( Things will be weird without them. Hopefully we'll get to take a trip out there soon.

I hope everyone continues to have a wonderful holiday season!

A New Year - 28!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So it finally happend. My much dreaded twenty-eighth birthday. I don't know why I was so apprehensive about it. I guess I just don't get the joy out of birthdays that I once did. I guess I'm one of those who dreads getting older. But on my day, I actually had a full heart! I really have so much to be thankful for!

Regardless of how I HAD felt, I had an amazing day! Will and I worked together at Island Rents, washing party dishes until noon. Later we went to Ho'okipa with Sarah and Stevie to play in the waves. Riki and Nicole came with the p.j. clad kids with there beautiful handmade scribbled constuction paper cards! :) It's enough to make me want to cry! ( Gotta love Maui! Off to the beach in p.j's lol!)

The water felt fabulous! But the waves seemed a little sketchy and unpredictable ( for a novice like me ) Sarah caught some awesome waves since she was brave enough to venture out toward the huge ones. So I braved it out too.... after all you gotta, right? If you stay just enough in that you catch the white water from the big ones you'll get a good ride. But too far out.... and your doomed!!! Which is exactly what happend. Yikes! I got caught right where they were peaking at at least 10 foot faces. When your in the water that is FREAKY! Not to mention I was between these 10 foot monsters and the rocks ( where 2 crosses are! - Don't tell my dad! ) So between the sets and praying while trying to paddle out I had to jump off the board and dive them. So finally I paddled out of there and looked at Sarah. Yes, it was time to head in.

The turtle came out. Soon after Riki and Nicole got there. Some times they come out of the water and sleep on the beach. It is awesome to watch. Unfortunately you get those irrating crowd controlling individuals that think they can boss you around and tell you exactly where you have to stand and not to stand. ( Who do you think you are anyways??!!! - a serious pet peeve of mine) These ho-nu, pronounced with a long o, are very chill. Sometimes in the water they pop up right near you. I am almost sure I accidently hit one with my foot while in the water. :( It's a litle trippy. So we watched them and took pictures until it got to dark.

So for what it's worth, it was a wonderful day. Couldn't have asked for anything different. I am so glad for all of my wonderful friends and family who wished me love. Thank you all!

Words to a Vacant Blog...

This blog reminds me of my journal. Extremely vacant of entries. Today is a chill day alone at home. It's been two weeks since I've been able to do laundry so that is what is happening.

Church day! I teach junior high sunday school every other month and this is my month. I really love it but struggle with coming up with a lesson that engages them yet leaves them with a very strong message. Todays kids are our future and the world feeds them garbage. I want these kids to know the TRUTH! They are like sponges. Today's lesson: KNOWING THE ENEMY. A look at who Satan is and how to overcome him.

Our car broke down again. UGH. This is seriously the third time this month. The only positive thing about it is that it is giving William a chance to learn how to fix cars! I was close to my job and suddenly heard a loud clunk from under the car. A chunk of metal flew out and then there was no steering. :(. THANKFULLY I wasn't on the highway and was able to get to the shoulder. I am so GREATLY indebted to all my friends who keep picking us up and taking us place. Geez!

I wish I had more pictures to post but since our camera was stolen from the beach (I hope they can't sleep at night!) there won't be any for awhile.

It has been rainy. We hiked down to Jaws and watched the waves break. Awesomeness! I really can't wait to watch them surf out there. It is complete insanity.