Photo Blog: Thanksgiving Point, Utah

This past weekend I was able to visit the Botanical Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. I was thoroughly impressed with the beautiful surroundings. As soon as you exit the ticketing area and onto the path that leads to the main gardens, the sound of rushing water enters the ear canal. For me, that is always a comforting sound. Some of the flowers were in bloom. I can imagine what it will be like in a few weeks when nearly all of the tulips are in full bloom and all the other flowers also.

I hope you enjoy these beautiful pictures. I took them with my camera phone. I'm amazed at how good the pictures come out. I should have taken my "real" camera with me but I didn't think we'd be able to leisurely stroll around the grounds. Absolutely gorgeous!

Water rushing over pebbles and stones and river rock is not only beautiful but the sound... priceless!

Waterfalls are so beautiful! The way it erodes away the rock and makes it smooth is such an amazing feat. Sea Glass starts out as a regular piece of glass that is dropped into the ocean and is worn away by the ocean, the tides, and the abrasive sand. God's world is so perfect!

Keep On Truckin'

I'm headed down the road. Husband and I are leaving Alabama behind. The only reason we'd ever come back is for a quick visit and never on a permanent basis. Ahhh... but we'll see where our lives will take us.

On our way to our next destination, we are stopping in Oklahoma. My husband's family ran into a bit of bad news so that will be our pit stop. Our car is loaded on the transport that is being towed by the UHaul we rented and we are definitely ON OUR WAY. I'm excited!

I bid farewell to Alabama and my dear niece pictured here. She is so precious. I wish I could take her with me. The next time I blog, it won't be from here. So pray for our safety and send me good vibes as I make my way across this nation AGAIN (just six months since I crossed this nation the first time).

Packing Up The Show

Of all the places in the world that I said I'd never live... husband and I will be heading there in 2 and a half months. Yes. We're packing up the show and leaving Alabama wayyyy behind us. If you had asked me a year ago where I'd be today, the answer would have never been ALABAMA, much less the next state we're headed to.

When we left Hawai'i in September, we shipped our car to Oakland, California and drove it cross-country all the way to Alabama. We drove through Nevada, headed south through Arizona and New Mexico. Crossed over the tip of Texas to Oklahoma. Spent the night in Oklahoma City. Woke up bright and early and progressed through Oklahoma, through Arkansas, Tennessee, and finally ending up in Alabama. Now, we make our way back west (I thank the Heaven's above for this kind twist of fate) to the Beehive State of Utah. I have said a million times before today that I'd NEVER, ever, under any circumstances, ever end up in Utah. And yet, I find myself excited to go there because of my utter disinterest in remaining in Alabama any longer.

I've expressed my difficulty in leaving the islands in the first place so when my husband said he can't stand Alabama, I just knew we were on the cusp of either returning to Hawai'i or moving west. Utah is a fair trade. My stepchildren live in Colorado Springs so it will be an easy commute or short flight for them to visit.

The original plan after we got to Alabama was for my husband to apply to two programs. One was the TeachAmerica program. If selected, husband would be assigned to teach at an inner-city or rural primary school with specialized needs. In return, the program wipes out all federal student loans. He was denied. I am figuring that they don't have much need for a Political Science major. They were probably looking for Education majors or Math and Science majors. The denial fits into our current plan.

The second option was to apply to a PhD program at the University of Texas at Arlington. He's a good ways into his Masters of Public Administration right now. The natural transition is to go into a PhD program to be able to teach at the college level. We're still waiting for a response on that.

What surprises me about this whole process is how emphatic my husband is about leaving Alabama. I love it that he's experienced coming back here. I know we'll never have to return to Alabama on a permanent basis, God-willing! He has gone as far as saying that Hawai'i was so much better than miserable Alabama. Of course, I agree. I think he's gotten used to the simple living in Hawai'i; the simple way people cooperatively work together rather than against each other. The idyllic paradise in the middle of the Pacific grew on him more than he thought it did. I'm almost certain that we will return to the islands when our schooling is done. Why wouldn't we want to go back? It was the Happiest State in 2009, edging out 2008's happiest state, Utah.

So, we're packing up and taking this show on the road. I'm super excited. We submit our 60-day notice to our apartment leasing office tomorrow. I've already reserved a penske truck to move our stuff back across the continent. I'm excited. Get me outta here. Scottie, BEAM ME UP!!

Last Day @ Work... for now

Wednesday, the 16th is the last day of work for me at this particular job. I work for a private university that is affiliated with a specific religion. As my days with this particular employer are coming to an end, I feel a small sense of relief and sadness at the same time. There are many factors that contribute to the mixed feelings.

The freedom of being jobless is so appealing to me. That is where most of my sense of relief comes from. I think about all the responsibilities that I get to relinquish and it is sooooooo FREE-ING! I'm ready to start a new chapter in my life. I'm excited to prepare for this upcoming cross country road trip. I'm hoping to cross America on I-40 rather than I-70 but that is for another post.

Ironically, letting go of the responsibilities that have been mine for the past three years is no small feat, especially when I have no one to train in my stead. I worry about how the department will survive without someone making sure the department gets paid (which is/was my primary responsibility). I worry about my student workers who are so dear to me. Well, at least some of them. I wonder if my boss will be gentle with them instead of a big, grumpy lion.

Well, whatever! I'm experiencing mixed feelings because, well, it's just human nature.

Brilliant Sunrise

I am so amazed at the grandeur of the Creator's universe. Brilliant shades of orange and pink are always a welcome sight to wake to. The entire view takes my breath away.
This picture was taken in Hau'ula, right near the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Kukuna Road. Absolutely gorgeous. I've been taking so many pictures of all the gorgeous landscapes in Hawai'i. I am confident that fate will return me to the shores of my birth. I know that I will see this gorgeousness again. In the meantime, while I'm away from the land that I love, I have these pictures to fill my emptiness.
I know I will see gorgeous landscapes wherever I travel but the spirit of this land, the sadness in the songs of the birds, the weeping of the tree's, the sense of longing of my people will always beckon me back to these shores.
This is the view from my parent's driveway. I am so grateful to have witnessed such absolute beauty. This is the Hawai'i of my memory!

Still Moving...

Well, Husband and I are officially MOVED IN to my parent's home.... ugghhhhh.... we're out of our apartment and getting ready to make this move to Alabama. I'm supremely exhausted and ready for life to slow down a bit. My last day of work is looming, Wednesday, September 16th. So far, I heard my employer is dissolving my position. That is such a long story that I will tell on another day. DRAMA!

So anyway, pardon me if my posts are sporadic. I'm still exhausted from having moved out of my apartment and I'm prepping for this move to Alabama.

Hugz......

Moving Ramblings

It's the wee hours of the morning. I can't sleep because I took a 3-hour nap after work. Not a good idea when I have to wake up at 5am to start the day. **sigh**

Time is flying by so quickly. On one end, I can't wait to leave the island just because it takes so much out of me emotionally to be here. It's like a long, drawn out farewell and it's draining me! At the other end is me totally not wanting to leave. I already miss the things that I LOVE about my island. Either way, I hate being stuck in the midsection just waiting for something to happen.

Everytime I think about leaving, I get all misty-eyed because I already miss my family so much. Though I love my in-laws waiting for us at the other end, it's just not the same as being with your own! I am a down-for-whatever kinda girl and I will follow my man to the ends of the earth. He is that good to me!

Pardon my sporadic posts. I've been so caught up arranging my affairs so that when I leave the island, all will be well. Our lease is up at the end of the month. That gives me one more week to get this apartment cleaned up and the two of us all moved out! I can't believe I'm giving up my independence again to be dependent on others for housing. When we move out of here, we'll move in with my folks until the 24th of September when we fly out. From there, we move in with his folks until........... until who knows when????? uggghhhhh!!! I'm bummed about that but I know there's light at the end of the tunnel. That light is the low cost of living in the "South".

Almost Excited

Well, I did it. I turned in my resignation letter. I have given them over a month to find a replacement. I'm not even sure if they will replace me. I hear talk that they will be dissolving my position. Honestly, I'm not trying to sound like I make this office spin around but in terms of billing and operations -- I kind of do. I'm training my Student Supervisor to do EVERYTHING I do just in case they do dissolve my position. I do feel a certain responsibility to how well this place will run after I leave it.

All the emotional stuff I've been experiencing over the past couple of weeks is slowly dissipating. I'm actually getting excited for the changes that will happen. I look at all the things I'll be able to do once I make this move to the south east United States. New York City will be a short plane ride away and I'll finally be able to see WICKED on Broadway. Atlanta is a four hour drive from where we'll be in Alabama. There's lots to see and do there. Nashville... even closer than Atlanta. Washington D.C. is a short plane ride up the Atlantic coast. I want to play tourist there and visit all the monuments, the Smithsonian, and hit the ARCHIVES. Yayyy!! My monthly expenses will be cut in half because EVERYTHING is cheaper outside of Hawai'i. So that's the good stuff. I already wrote about all my emotional attachments to this place so I don't have to regurgitate that stuff.

This is where I am now! It took me a week and some days to make it back to the blog world just because of how emotional I was. The full moon and the position of my cycle has played a huge part in my "mental-ness". Moving is stressful. I have to sell all my stuff because it just costs too much to take it with us. I sold two TV's, my couches, my queen bed. I have a few other items left... let me know if you're interested... (I'll get around to posting pics soon) here's a short list:

European King Tempurpedic Bed w/ Warranty $1500

Pier 1 Silver Base Lamp w/ Teal Shade $15 ea

Solid Wood Chest of Drawers $200

Breadmaker $30

Rice Cooker $15

Foreman Grill - not opened yet $30

Blender $10

Those are the main things left. I'm going to post it on Craigslist after I offer it to my family first. I can't believe it but I'm actually moving! Exciting times ahead... at least that's what I tell myself.

Happy Birthday to Me... coming soon

I am going to be 34 in another week. I can't believe I've been on this earth that long. I still feel so young, like high school just happened but I'm not that young and I've been out of high school for 16 years now. My how time flies!

In my real-life journal, the one I write in while I'm sitting in the first hour of church, I usually talk about the big events that have transpired since my last birthday.

Going back to my last birthday in August 2008, I was supposed to start school again but quickly dropped my courses as soon as I found out I wasn't eligible for scholarship. Me returning to school was supposed to be an EVENT. I've never been a believer in needing college to find success. I still don't, even though I am finally eligible for a native Hawaiian scholarship, and I am currently enrolled full-time, on-line. Going to college is something I've never done successfully. I've never had any interest in it and could probably never return to a conventional classroom again. On-line course work or distance learning is my savior! My dear husband is my inspiration. He finished off his undergrad in three years. When he's determined to do something, he does it, and I'm so grateful we share the same path in this life.

The next big event this past year would probably be... husband and I giving up beef, pork, and chicken. For the most part, husband and I are almost totally vegetarian. We're not all vegan'ish (my own term for extreme anti-animal) but we have successfully kicked the meat habit as of March 1st, 2009. We still eat eggs, sparingly, and I occasionally use cheese on food I prepare. I feel so healthy. I look in the mirror sometimes and wonder where the radiance is from. I work out faithfully, at least 30 minutes a day. I have dropped 25 pounds and am continuing to lose. I've gone down two dress sizes and am feeling so energetic.

The vegetarian thing is definitely for better health. We want to eat as our ancestors did. Fish and vegetables. Also, I need to lose the weight to help my body heal itself of the infertility issues. I'm sure all my hormonal problems will balance out. Not only have we kicked the meat but we're also attempting to go totally organic. We cut out the refined white sugar and refined white flour from our diet as well. Slow progress but so worth it!

The biggest event in my life is still coming... we're moving this show to Alabama. I'm excited. Lord knows that I've been feeling very unfulfilled at work and with life, in general. I will miss all my family and friends dearly but with technology the way it is... there's NO reason that folks can't stay in touch. I'm more than ready for new experiences out in Alabama. I'm hoping we can move back west, eventually. It would be really great to maybe make it out to Vegas or even back to Hawai'i. I have large dreams on the horizon that I'd like to live out. I will remain tight lipped about it just because it's too precious for me to share.

So I guess this has been a productive year. I look forward to a great coming year. This years birthday, I'm still unsure what I want to do. The Polynesian Cultural Center just premiered a brand new evening show called, Ha: The Breath of Life. I've only heard good things about it so I'm thinking I might want to do that. I also want to go ParaSailing. I haven't done that yet so hopefully soon, I'll be able to set that up.

Happy Early Birthday to me!

Heaven Help Me

My husband and I have been arguing for days about where we want to live. I could die the happiest woman in the world, if I could live out the rest of my days in Hawai'i, but not without my husband. And... well.... husband doesn't want to live not one more year on this rock that sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. I always knew that this day would come, that I'd have to bid farewell to my island home. It is definitely here, sitting at my doorstep, invading my life.

I wish I was like I was when I was younger... sometimes. At any given time, I could be packed and ready to go in an hour. Ready to go anywhere the wind would blow me. I'm not like that anymore. I don't want to uproot... AGAIN... to start out somewhere else. I don't want to leave my family or the comforts of being home. I don't want to leave the beautiful ocean and the emerald-green mountains. I wish I could live all my days right here, in this special place. (Well, it's special to me!)

I've just been crying myself to sleep every night. When I think about leaving, I cry, even if I'm seated at my desk at work. And I don't know what's different about me now, that makes me so emotionally connected to this place. It's different. Maybe I'm more mature now and appreciate everything around me. I miss my family already and I miss them all equally. I'm going to miss all of my brothers football games and I so wanted to be here for them. I won't be able to see my beautiful nieces and handsome nephew grow up. I won't be able to have conversations with my parents or my brother and sister-in-law. I miss all of that already! If and when I do bear children, they will never know this place the way I do. They'll just be visitors in a strange land.

I want to petition the heavens on my behalf, to allow me the privilege of living in Hawai'i for all of my mortal days but that would be selfish of me. Both of my husbands' children live on the mainland and I can't compete. I have not stopped crying. I can't seem to focus on the positive. Heaven help me! What are the positives?