I Open at the Close

We landed last, last Saturday night and I almost threw up on the car ride home because we were not getting on a plane again next month to go back; good thing I hadn't eaten more than a package of Delta cookies and half of a Starbuck's blueberry scone that day. It has been a year since we were here last -- much has and much has refused to change. But let's reminisce on our last days spent on little O'ahu for the sake of... the sake (ref. not Professor X).

We should have taken it for a sign that we were supposed to leave when they hacked off another one of our coconut trees. Such a tragedy. It was hollow inside and could have caused severe injury if they hadn't, but it still seemed harsh. We're not there anymore so someone else can deal with burning the place to the ground for their misdeeds whatevs.

Gunstock ranch is some serious beauty. They have just got it going on -- especially at sunset. It's weird that our drive home won't have this view anymore.
We used to say that the country really isn't country anymore even though everyone says that about the North Shore still. And in reality, it isn't, just like we used to say... but the longer you live there, the more you feel like it is country. I mean, compared to town, it's crazy country for sure. Compared to actual country sides though, it isn't. It's this beautiful medium where you have to go an hour away for regularly priced (for HI) groceries and still have neighbors to laugh with/at while you walk up to your door. You get scenes like this one every day, but you can still circle island in a couple hours (traffic pending). We'll miss that.

Our last outing in our car was to the Billabong Pipe Masters; good choice, huh? The parking was horrendous, but the walk is beautiful anyway.

Even though we've seen this structure and others like it a billion times, I don't think it's possible to actually realize they build these things annually. Honestly, a three-story building for just a week or two of standing and then tear down? And then there's a completely different one that gets built a mile over for the next competition. Impossible.

Oh yeah, and these too.

On the way to the car, a hen and her wee chickadees were scavenging excitedly. Glen and I squatted down and drew the chicks nearer by tapping the ground (they naively think you've stumbled upon a heap of food so they come nearer; ha). The one in front was a brave little fella with almost no basic animal survival skills built in. It will learn quickly or will not get the chance to if you catch what I'm getting at. It'll die.

One of Glen's professors (Dr. Gold) is a beekeeper -- which means Glen is now intrigued with the idea that beekeeping can be a thing for us later... yeah, no. I'm fine if the bees are kept in a place far away from my place (wherever my place is at any one time). This was in Kahuku at some farms who've allowed the bee boxes of private owners.

He told us to wear things that make you look like dead plants; white being the least aggressive color to them. I wore my whitest cardigan and best running shoes. I stood on the edge of the truck bed to be as close to jumping down and running as possible because I wasn't chancing anything. I'm not specifically lucky in these types of situations. As it happens, I didn't get bee stings, but the mosquitoes took every opportunity on my ankles. Someday payback is coming to them and I hope I get to invoke it.

Staying far wasn't safe forever with Glen around. He brought one in the cab so enthusiastically I wasn't sure if he understood the beating coming to him or not. The bee (thankfully) turned out to be one of the queen's sex slaves, so it didn't have the ability to sting me. No, really; this guy's only purpose in life is to inseminate the queen. And there are more too. They get too big to fly for any meaningful distance so they literally can't get away. I'm not saying they want to, but who's to say? Glen was very happy about this whole experience; especially the part where we got a big jar of honey from Dr. Gold's house. Needless to say, it is an ongoing battle of the bees in our relationship. Thankfully, his mom is on my side.

So, to sum up... we love HI and HI can't do a thing about it. We're grateful to be in CA with family and friends again though! Christmas is tomorrow and I haven't been able to feel my toes in a week and a half. I think I'll survive 'til summer...

No bees.

Aloha Christmas Eve Wednesday and a happy birthday to Ashley McIntosh!!! Hope your birthday nap is filled with dreams of unicorns and platypi hugs.

Hulina Lani: Maunawili Trail

The longer we stay, the more friends we have to see leave; not that we have a ton to lose or anything, but that's probably what makes it harder. A lot of friendships are borne through adversity especially while in school (maybe that's why University sounds so much like adversity, I don't know. I'm no English scholar nor even an English student. My last English class was three years ago and I was horribly comma-happy then too. They're just too cute not to use, you know? What's the big deal grammar sheriffs of the world?). I've always had trouble with relationships... I seem to give too little of my time, my emotion, my life, my love. They never know how much they are appreciated or needed; I think it's because I have trouble relating to others out loud, I'd much rather be pen-pals that see each other regularly; write out all of my conversations with people. There's more time and less pressure for me to say the right thing at the right time. But that isn't actually realistic because I like being with people and why would anyone want to write out a conversation with me if talking is available? A plus would possibly be awesome forearm and hand muscles on one side. Maybe we could become ambidextrous from it! Calligraphy enthusiasts! So many possibilities! No takers? Yeah, my expectations were low -- all good.

So Glen's friends inevitably become my friends too (even if they don't want it; Glen's inclusive like that. Such a sweet man) because I never step up to the task. Ha. We met Sebastian through classes and the gym. He was is at the gym all day, this guy. Not really, but if you needed to talk to him and didn't know where he was... first reaction is to check the gym on campus. I know what you're probably thinking, "OMG! You're friends with a meat head, gross." But it totally isn't true with Sebass. For some reason he skipped over rule #3: be a total jerk to anyone with biceps smaller than their face; and also try to talk up your "sex-life" every chance you get. Sebass is awesome and an all around good guy...and is now in the single-game in Las Vegas, ladies. Put a ring on that. Haha. Just kidding kind of.

For our last outing, we went on a hike none of us were familiar with, the Maunawili Trail. It's a beautiful, 10-mile, A-B hike. Not much elevation gain because you start half way up the mountain off the Pali, which I was definitely into.

Science nerds talking about science nerd stuff. They really were. I love it, even when they're on break from school they bring up stuff that they had to study their brains out for the last couple of years. True love for a subject I abhor, that's beauty. Glen is also teaching everyone the art of washing your hair with 'awapuhi kuahiwi. We're trying to see if we can smuggle some to CA when we go home. It should be interesting.

There was a ton of fruit on this hike. The evidence is still on my sandals. Here, Shawn's up in the trees on the cliff's face along the trail picking guavas for us (you've met Shawn before here... and he's single too, just sayin'). The only problem with having fruit so readily available to you on a hike is the bladder situation. Fruit, I love. Relieving fluids on a trail, I don't love. But it's either relieve or suffer the wrath of a full bladder because we all know the fruit is being eaten.

Just so you know, it is a rare scene to behold my nails painted and without chips. #eighthwonderoftheworld

We turned back midway because we all had to get back to La'ie for different reasons and there was no car waiting for us at the end. We were supposed to have a switch of keys midway with a group that had started from the opposite end, but that didn't pan out. We could have done it with our car, but our brakes aren't really working right now. So we made the safe decision not to use it. It would have kind of ruined the whole 'hang out with Sebass one last time before he leaves' anyway.
Aren't we just amazing models? It's like we were born for it or something. It's so amazing. That's sarcasm.

And we topped her off with some manapua from 7-Eleven. And yes, I'm shoving two into my mouth simultaneously. Classic power move. Also, I'm pretty sure my grandma flew to Hawai'i and was stalking us in that black Honda behind me because that parking job has her name all over it.

And just so you know, I do have some friends. I don't want to make them feel ostracized if they read the top portion and thought to themselves, "Man, I thought we were friends!" Also, I love all Glen's friends even if you didn't accidentally become my friend too! No disrespect meant to anyone; it's just an observation I've made several times that I don't want to forget. Because when I do forget, it usually means I'm more susceptible to it happening again. So there's that.

We miss you Sebass! The gym isn't the same without you :)

Aloha 'oe

Trying Something New: Hulina Lani Hikes + Photography

Since we've decided to stay in HI until the end of the year (if my grandma hasn't told you yet, there's some news for you), I've decided I probably should do something with my life besides hang out with kids and make muffins (although these are still high on my list of things to continue doing). So, I've decided to try something completely new! Exciting!

Hulina Lani Hikes + Photography is something I thought of in this whole process of trying to decide to stay or go during these last couple of weeks. It's basically a tour guide, but on hikes around O'ahu filled with cool stories about the land we're hiking on and you get the benefit of having it documented for you! I always want someone else with Glen and me on hikes to take our picture together so we don't have to jimmy-rig our camera on some slippery rock or branch or whatever, so I'll be there snapping away for you. Helpful! And I'm kind of into photography the more I do it and I've always loved editing photos, so yeah!

I don't know how this is going to work or if it will, but I'm here and trying. We'll see. It is a very short time we have here, but I don't care; I'm going for it and if you'd help me by telling anyone you happen to know coming to O'ahu, well that would be really sweet of you. Send them here to check out my Hulina Lani Hikes + Photography page and hiking posts, message me on Facebook, or have them send me an email via hulinalani[at]gmail[dot]com for more information! Please let me know if you do so I can go all gush over you for doing that; I mean, it'd mean a lot to me.

If this happens to go anywhere I'll be happy. Even if it only goes so far as me putting myself out there, it's totally worth it. What is there to risk, ego? I've done nothing to merit having one, so I think I'm good on that point. Ha. We can laugh about this when it all goes South; not like right away because it'll probably sting a little, but give it a couple months. Yeah.

Okay, a little normal life talk though:

(A picture in place of a page break... and we're off)
It has been equally rough and awesome. Rough because we have literally spent every moment talking or thinking through the next five months of our lives. We had our tickets primed for take off, selling our stuff, eating every last thing in our cupboards before we left, etc. Then a couple weeks ago, Glen was offered a teaching position of a few science labs at BYUH for the Fall semester. I wasn't shocked that he was chosen (he's the best out there), but it was jarring for both of us to face the option of staying when we were ready to fly home. Long story into two and a half words: We're staying.
Awesome because friends came for family reunion time in HI and we got to see their baby for the first time out of the womb! Thomas & Sharolyn with their sweet, sweet baby Kaimalielani (Kai) who loves LOVES sucking on my knee. Let me tell you, she has some legitimate power in those facial muscles! They'll have their own post soon!

Let me take this time for a little gratitude and reflection:
Marinda, Bruce & Bronson - You know we love you and are extremely sad we won't be there for the birth of Bronson. Thank you guys so much for changing the date of your baby shower to coincide with our flight home; we are very sorry that it didn't even need to be done because now we won't make it. Regrettably, it will be awesome without us in attendance. Again, we love all three of you and can't wait to see you in December!
Ian - We are stoked for you and the work that you will do in New Mexico! We'll miss you, but for the best cause so it doesn't sting very much yet. We know you'll try your best and that's all the Lord asks. Do good, Ian; we're always praying for you (and Alex).
Vi & Ben - Ugghhhh! We love and miss you both! December cannot come soon enough! All of the activities that were to be had in these months must be fulfilled when we get back; ever stalwart! We should do a bonfire night and exchange Christmas presents there because that sounds awesome! Invite everyone! (We'll just give our gifts low key on a "walk" so no one feels awkward hahaha).

We'll see how the latter end of this year pans out.

Friends Leave and Storms Help

With the end coming upon us, we're trying to decide what our time can best be used doing. And since both sides of my family are going to Carlsbad this year and we won't be there, it's a really sad time for us. Carlsbad cannot be explained in words good enough for it. It deserves all the dolphins and sand. All your dolphins and sand are belong to Carlsbad. 

Anyway, the hardest part about all of this is our Zimmerman friends left us a couple weeks ago for Texas (but really Oregon where Zach will go to grad school for dietitian stuff). Which is, no doubt, awesome. Just stings a little. The day Sarah and Sawyer left, we walked around TVA and the temple grounds to find plumerias for making them leis. It was a succesful trip. Sawyer's lei just barely fit on my head for a couple seconds at a time. 

We said our goodbyes and Zach drove them away to the airport. So, it's really all Zach's fault I guess. He should have just taken them to 'Ono Yo and never mentioned flying away from us forever. Opportunity lost.

Our last outing with Zach in his life as a bachelor week was a round of golf. No, really it was.

Okay, so it wasn't really "a round" of golf, but it did involve drivers and golf balls. Glen and I went snorkeling a while back out at this beach and found a crazy amount of golf balls. Naturally, we filled Glen's pockets to the point of ripping seams and took them home. The Zimmerman's wee one, Sawyer, knew where they were in our house and every time he came over would immediately ask for a ball or twelve. The boy loves balls. Well, now that he had flown away from us, the golf balls really served no purpose being in our house. Zach had some drivers, so we went to where the balls were found and put them back for someone else to join the Malaekahana Golfer's Club. We're still debating over the colors for the T-shirts, but watch out for them.

The last time I tried my hand at hitting a golf ball as hard as I could it didn't turn out well. It was in the backyard of my Nana's old house when I was somewhere around the age of eight. I was super ticked for a reason I can't remember and decided to walk it off in the backyard. [Do normal kids do that? "Walk off" anger, I mean. I feel like that's weird, but I also don't know many things -- especially regarding children seeing as we are childless. Back to it then.] There just happened to be a golf club and a ball laying there, so I decided rather than wait it out, I would put all my anger into that stupid little ball and blast it away. Thinking myself to be extremely small, I thought I couldn't for my life hit the ball out of the backyard completely, so there was no inkling of restraint. The shattering of glass is never a pleasant noise when you are sure it was your own fault. Tears immediately sprang into my eyes and I ran to my Dad to tell on myself for what I was sure would be my last conversation. I was in the woes of self-destruction when I decided golfing is for others, not me. I ended up breaking our neighbor's sliding glass door and they were super nice about it. Lay out the Benjamins and people are generally very forgiving. No wonder there's so much corruption in this world.

I've mini golfed and putted around, but driving has always scared me because it feels wrong still. Like something will go wrong for sure. Kids keep that kind of crap with them, ya know? They hold onto things, it changes their lives. Maybe I was destined to be an amazing golfer, but that one incident threw me off course. A pity, I'm sure. I did make a ball skip; that's gotta mean something.

Our plan was to try to hit Goat's. When that became an absolute impossibility for us in a quick swing, there was nothing else we could really shoot for. Glen and I might go snorkeling and pick up 15 balls just to make up for ridding the ocean of them and putting them right back a year later. We'll see.

After we dropped Zach off at the airport a week after Sarah and Sawyer left, we watched movies all day and didn't eat. Not really, but I'm not sure what we did. I know I really wanted Rocky Road ice cream sometime around then, but Glen talked me down to a PB m'ood. He thinks a shake is the same as ice cream a lot of the time when everyone knows it is not. #blesshisheart 

The next night or maybe a couple nights after, there was an awesome storm. It kind of made up for all the harshness life was dishing us out. Lightning, thunder, rain. The echoing booms that ensue from the Ko'olau mountains calls for irrational giddiness. It's impossible to keep a straight face. The storm started around 11 pm. We went outside and watched for a while, which felt extra nice because we had sunburns on our bodies from snorkeling and playing earlier that day. The cold rain and wind were equal parts relieving and shocking.

We went back inside after it seemed like it was dying out a bit and went to sleep. Does anyone else hear the sound of thunder and it is just the greatest lullaby of your life? 

During the second hour of the next morning, we were startled awake with the loudest thunder Glen or I had ever heard. It was at the same time exciting and disorienting. I wasn't sure what was going on. I had only just come to an understanding when the loudest thunder Glen or I have ever heard sounded. The next morning we found out that the lightning had struck the lake (flood) in our front yard. Two of our neighbors told us at Church the next day. So cool. We had been standing there just a couple hours previous! I mean, I'm completely glad we weren't still there. Not utter disappointment, but a tiny bit that we didn't even see it. But the sound! It can't be overstated. Here's a little glimpse; bear in mind though, our camera can't pick up the rumbling lows. I wish you could have been there.

Decisions, Decisions.

While studying for my history class the other day, I realized something.
I don't know how to memorize for very long periods of time.
Which is a real bummer when you get to the testing center to find
you're out of time because the test closed right when you got there.
That is the moment of utter disappointment and crying.
Sure, midterms aren't important eternally, not even major-ally in this case.
But after studying for eight consecutive hours today, I expect to write my several essays
and spend my night worrying about the results I cannot change.
But I suffer at home wondering if I will even remember what I have studied for long enough.

Well, I did remember with another couple hours of studying and took the midterm the next day.
So, hopefully I remembered enough to get a grade that is worth all of that.

On more school thoughts, I was looking over my graduation information and noticed that
I will either have to stay longer than expected at BYU-H, or go on to graduate school.
You see, in some States you must graduate with at least 150 credit hours to qualify
for jobs in the accounting world.
I will graduate with less than 140
(unless I pull off an awesome GPA with more 16+ credit semesters, which is doubted).
So I either stay and get the 150 or go to UH-Manoa for a year and get a Masters in Accountancy.
I would say definitely the Master's dealy, but I want babies.
Everyone here is pregnant. Excluding the ridiculous prices of Hawaii, we're baby-hungry.
I'm not saying it's impossible. I know that  we could do it without a doubt.
It's just the daunting nature of the whole thing that has made me shy away from it.
Worries said, we're leaving it to a greater mind than ours to decide.

Beyond school ,we haven't really been up to much lately.
I know, we are really boring Hawaii residents;
but, more importantly, we are trying our best to be really good students.
Plus, we don't have a waterproof camera and it has been on and off
horrendous rain here, so we'd rather not ruin our camera.

But...
We did get to see The Piano Guys.

They were way cool and made this video while here, which is pretty cool.
Especially since I actually have been to the places.

We also went to our ward farm for a service project a while back.
A centipede crawled on my leg!
I cried later, when Glen and I were alone.
I was so scared; my body was shaking.
I killed it though, so it turned out okay in the end.
The good things that came out of it:
I cleaned up around the farm area and the boys put up a shelter thing for the new tractor.

There are always fat pigs running rampant through the farm.
They eat all of our hard work and trample the rest.
The boys found one and chased it down, getting quite raucous with the situation
and hurting themselves on things they probably would have seen otherwise.
But, they finally got the little guy.

After skinning it and making a fire, we roasted lunch.

Through the farm, the temple looks beautiful.
I love the temple.
It is one of God's most precious gifts to us on Earth.
To go inside and partake of the Spirit that resides in each of the Lord's houses
is to feel the love of God without restraint.

In other news, I am going to be an accounting tutor starting in April/May
because I have been doing well in my classes.

Back to studying, I suppose.
We love you all.

The Beginning

Our first beach trip.

Dan and Heidi are the generous ones who took us 

in for the first nights while we looked for

a place of our own.

We saw three sea turtles off the shore and

the boys caught crabs on the beach.

It is so beautiful here.

It is a clear testimony to the love that 

Heavenly Father has for everyone on earth.

Even though there's a lot of bad stuff on the island,

especially in the Waikiki area,

there are rainbows almost everyday,

beauty all around, and the Spirit is abundant here.

There are a lot more types of pineapples 

than I thought there were...

I thought there were maybe 2 kinds before this.

The creation just keeps getting more

and more amazing I guess.

 Vi was on vacation with her family!!

She's one of the best friends that I have been

blessed with in my life.

Her spirit is so strong with love and generosity

toward others.

I miss her a lot, even though I know that we are

still close in spirit, the distance is rough.

This is the sunset from our front yard!

I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing.

It's truly one of the most glorious sights I have

witnessed in person.

Yesterday was a long day.

Great though.

The PCC is super awesome!

The new students at BYUH get to go there for

free for an orientation treat.

The night show was amazing!

The spirit is so strong there, I love it.

It makes me want to work there more.

I'm planning on trying out for a PCC dancing

job, but I might not look Polynesian enough

for them... we'll see.

And the other people in the picture are in the

family that we were in for the tours.