Fireworks/Hawaii Five-O and Beautiful Sunsets of Oahu

Finally. Finally we get to see the Fireworks of Waikiki. :)  Every Friday the Hilton Hawaii Village in Waikiki puts on a fantastic fireworks show from their lagoon. We were able to hear it for the first few weeks but yesterday we actually got to see it.. awesome. :)

Hawaii Five-O. Becoming an extra on this TV show has been on my "to do" list from the moment I arrived in Honolulu.  Last night I actually watched the show for the first time, and honestly, the show sucks. I know, what took me so long to figure that one, right? :) Anyhow, my roommate and I were still excited about the idea of possibly being an extra and showing up on TV so we went for the casting meet and greet. Wow, soooo not what we expected. Basically we were herded in two lines by last name, they confirmed our details we submitted online, snapped a new pic of us and sent us on our way - that's it. Hmmm.. I wonder how long is the wait now.

Anyhow.. after that I headed back home to get to work on entering donations received for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. The donations come in to the House and a volunteer there does the intake and scans the donation details to me so I can enter it in the system. Easy peasy, just takes a few hours.  

I'm just about done - would've been finished much earlier had I not been distracted by the amazing sun in all its glory. Yes, sunsets in Oahu are just amazing. Here's a pic and a link to the album I've started. Everyday its slightly different - but always gorgeous. Enjoy. :)

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150542875452017.376355.749997016&type=1&l=513e0e0394

The Job Hunting Blues...

Its 3 in the afternoon and I desperately need to take a break from Craigslist and various other job sites.

I arrived on the 9th and spent the first week find the apartment and getting settled in.  Last week I started to casually searching for jobs - applied for a few, sent in applications and got listed with a temp agency.  This week I've been following up on the applications I had submitted and started scouring the web for more local job posts.

The truth be told, there are LOTS of jobs in Honolulu and the surrounding area.  The issues are: 1) they're usually seeking someone fluent in Japanese or Mandarin or 2) the pay is in the range of $8 to 11/hour.

When I was in Cali - everyone warned me it would be hard to find a job and I told them that I wasn't worried about that because I'm open to all kinds of jobs. I have a strong background in the legal field, but I can easily work as a receptionist, or dispatcher, or a waitress, or anything. Anything that would allow me to live here.  What I wasn't prepared for was the abundance of jobs, but all that pay a wage that would make it very hard to live here.  I can see if it were a two income household then yes, perhaps folks are able to get by with those wages, but for single income - its nearly impossible.

So now I'm facing a tough choice.. do I accept a position paying $12/hr and give up my events/volunteer group (www.meetup.com/virsa-events) and use my evenings to work a second job? Yikes.. if that's the case, I won't be able to even get a glimpse of the Hawaii that I came here to see and enjoy. :/

WooHoo! Hawaii Five-O here I come! :)

Just got an email from the casting dept for extras and they're calling us in on Saturday!!! :)

Out sightseeing today! :)

Headed to Kailua today. On our way we saw a sign for "Pali lookout" we didn't know what that meant but thought we should check it out - sooooo glad we did! This beautiful view of Paradise is just 6 miles from my apartment!

View from Pali Lookout

Just arrived at Kailua beach - a must visit for everyone - a truly beautiful place.

View to the left - gorgeous palm trees lining the beach...

Turquoise waters as far out as you can see... :)

A beautiful coconut tree near a coconut milk/juice stand. :)

Hill facing Hawaii Kai with a treacherous staircase hike leading to the bunker at the top of the hill

A view of Hawaii Kai

Home in time to see the beautiful sunset from our balcony. :)

These are just a select few of the pics I took today - for the full album, you're welcome to see:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150530681797017.374444.749997016&type=1&l=3a8e017a9b

Couldn't sleep last night and I need to continue job hunting...

My roommate, Nina, and I were talking about things we did back home and I somehow got on the subject of donating blood and organizing drives.. and oh how I would just love to work for the blood bank - that would be my dream job.  As I'm talking I notice Nina popping into her room and then headed back to me quickly with a small piece of newspaper.

She had clipped a job ad a few days ago - a post from the blood bank! I was in luck as there was a phlebotomist position, in which she was interested, and there was also a Field Rep Assistant position. This person would be the one responsible for going out into the community and creating new relationships, organizing blood drives, bring in more donors, etc etc - yes, I'd love to do all of that! We downloaded our apps and headed down to the blood bank to submit in person.  That was the high. I've been waiting to hear back for a few days now and its a new low. I'm beginning to realize I may have to continue job searching if this one doesn't pan out. :(

In the mean time, last night I went to a training with Make-A-Wish Foundation - Hawaii Chapter. I am now an official Wish Granter and I'm off to do my first interview within this coming week - so exited.  This Make-A-Wish chapter is quite a bit smaller than our SF Greater Bay Area chapter.. we are in dire need of volunteers.  This had me thinking all night long, which is also why I couldn't sleep.

I'm determined to get my volunteer group started again - I'll start slow and easy, via meetup.  I was thinking of calling the group Virsa (or Virsa Events).  I've liked this name for a while now and knew it would be the name of my nonprofit (if and when I ever opened one) so why not now?  Virsa means your community, your culture.  So my group would be Virsa Events - your community, your culture.  But something was just a tad bit off and then realized, yes, its our community, our culture. That's better.

So yes, today I plan to start the meetup group, later I'll contact the volunteer legal services dept here in Hawaii to see if they can help me figure out what i need to do to start an official non-profit, or even just a fictitious biz name for the time being. No rush on that though - I just need to get started and the rest will follow. :)

Raising the Rafters...

My roomie found an article in the local Honolulu weekly paper called, "Raising the Rafters: Bohemia in Kaimuki."  (http://honoluluweekly.com/entertainment/2011/12/raising-the-rafters-bohemia-in-kaimuki/)

Its about a cute lil 92 yr old lady who has converted her attic into a venue where artists are invited to perform and anyone from the community is welcome to attend and enjoy.  We thought this would be interesting so we set out to check it out. :)

When we walked in we noticed the stage right away with this beautifully painted drum set.

The founder of Ward's Rafters, Jackie

My roommate Nina and I just had to have a pic with Jackie

The band was called, "Dennis and his sextet".  They were all individual musicians who came together for this event after 2 years.

The electric guitar, trumpet and saxaphone - all played wonderfully by the gifted musicians

Of course the base, but it seemed this musician was always a bit lost, though he played really well. :)

Ethan Capone, the pianist. 

We had second row seating though my presence brought the age range down by 20 years. :)  about 85% of the attendees were perhaps 60+ (out of 70 in attendance).

First night out on the town! :)

Thursday, Jan 12th, my roommate and I decided to venture out to Waikiki to attend a meetup event: Lani Misalucha performing at the Holiday Inn Waikiki's Magic of Polynesia Showroom - we had no idea what to expect, but we were excited. :)

The Holiday Inn Beachcomber Resort was really hard to find - the hotel name on the building was really non-descript, so after a few rounds around the block, we finally pulled into the valet parking.  We were told we'd get validation if we stop at Jimmy Buffet's for a drink. We're glad we listened because there we met Kimo - an awesome bartender who did some unbelievable bar tricks (he's featured in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qvxiHIaNZY) and made us some really good tequila drinks. :)

Next on to the show - Lani is a great entertainer.  Nina and I loved the show (and were even happier that we got in free! Saved us $110!).  Here's a small clip of her performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkW-uz3Lkxk. Enjoy. :)

All in all a great night out on the town. :)  However, the evening got a bit more comical as we headed home only to find there was no where to park! :)  My roomie has the parking slot that comes with the apt - so my rental didn't have a home. At 1 am we were driving around and around. Finally found a spot several blocks away on a main street.  The catch? It was a tow zone - meaning I'd have to move the car before 6 am! Oye.

Hooray! I finally have internet!

Yes, finally the modem arrived - I haven't been able to post for several days, I'm so excited.

However, I'm headed out at the moment - I'm submitting my job app for a Field Representative Assistant with the Blood Bank of Hawaii, wish me luck! :)

TBC....

No Internet still at my new apt. I'll catch up on posting as soon as I'm back online.

An uneventful day

Today went by really fast and with nothing really exciting to report.

This morning I wrote and wrote till my hand started cramping - 25 postcard messages in total. :)

Afterwards I decided to head downtown to visit the Make-a-Wish Foundation Hawaii. They're always in need of volunteers so they were happy to see me. :)

Later in the evening I found my self walking in a very deserted downtown. I asked a local at the bus stop about why it was so empty at 630 pm and about all the vacancies on every corner and she mentioned it was all due to the recession in the local economy. I felt badly for all the business owners whose shops and restaurants had closed down. This is my town now, I don't know if there's anything I could do to make a change but I'll certainly try to help in any way I can. First, I plan to start up my volunteer group again. I feel that when a community works together to help each other, the entire community will benefit.

Day 1

My first day in Hawaii would technically be today, Tuesday, Jan 10th, but it started last night right after I arrived from the airport. :)

Let me back up a bit... before actually flying in Monday, I did quite a bit of prep work.  First, I didn't want to stay at a hotel, I figured that would be quite costly and burn through my savings quite fast, but I also didn't want to actually secure an apartment prior to arriving as I wanted to see the area, meet the potential roommates, etc.  My friend suggested I check out www.airbnb.com.  I did and I'm sure glad of it. I found a great place off Ala Moana Boulevard (main road between Honolulu downtown and Waikiki and really really close to the beach).

Next, I checked to see if my bank had a branch nearby and I was surprised that bofa didn't have a single branch in Hawaii so I opened a Bank of Hawaii account online right away.  When you open the account online they require you to make an electronic transfer and they place a hold on the funds for several days. So be sure to do this a week or two in advance of your arrival.

Now, back to Monday the 9th.  I started searching the Hawaii Craigslist for rooms and apartments for rent in the area.  The host (the owner of the space where I was staying temporarily) offered to help me in my search by giving me ideas on what areas were good/bad/easily accessible, etc.

Tuesday morning I started receiving calls re my inquiries and started up a schedule to view.  The first place was a bit odd but I lucked out at the next place. It was perfect for me - $800 for my room/private bath, w/d in unit and my room has a GREAT view of the ocean. *Sigh* its all coming together! :)

Next stop, the post office.  As a part of my prep, I also opened a P.O. Box online thinking if I don't find a place right away, I should at least start a PoB - turns out it was totally unnecessary.  After this, I realized it was 330 and I hadn't eaten since 430 the evening before - I was hungry! :)

I found a Gordon Biersch at the port. Next I hopped on the bus back home.  Today I had spent $5 on bus fares and realized I should buy that bus pass. Its $60 for a monthly pass good for all buses - totally worth it. :)  They are sold at all the ABC stores around town.  Its $60 for monthly or $25 for 4 days - much better to buy the month.

Anyhow, while at ABC I also picked up a few post cards - I can't wait to start sending them off.

When I reached home, I decided to look up how to become an extra for the TV Show, "Hawaii Five-O" and it was surprisingly easy. I was routed to the casting directors site, filled out the profile and am waiting to hear - I'm so excited! :)  Its nothing spectacular but it was on my bucket list, so why not? :)

It has been a busy first day!

The Flight

When I was leaving Sacramento, I was so excited that I didn't care what I was taking a photo of, I just wanted to remember the moment. :)

My first time seeing Mt. Shasta and I've lived in California all my life. 

What can I say? I just liked the way it looked. :)

I reached Seattle - foggy and gloomy, I just couldn't wait to leave and head towards Hawaii. We finally did leave - it was a long, long, looooong flight. I highly recommend booking a direct flight - it will be worth it!

Balling my eyes out on the plane.. luckily I explained to the gal sitting next to me that it wasn't paranoia, it was my heart that was filled with joy and feeling the love from all my wonderful friends and family who sent me off with notes filled with love, advice, and well wishes. I read them all and am sooo very grateful to have you in my life - thank you! 

Thats me posing with my cheesy smile with my 4 suitcases (my life belongings) at the Honolulu Airport. :)

Why Hawaii?

This is what everyone asked when I told them that I finally decided to quit my job and move to a new location - Hawaii.  Of course, I always responded with, "Why not?" :)

I had been living in the bay area for 4 years and explored all there was to do (pretty much all) and I started to get bored. I was also losing job satisfaction - I was yearning to do something that made me feel like I was making a difference in the world, not just working for the paycheck.

I wanted to go to New York but immediately nixed the idea when I thought of the snowy winters and the extreme heat of the summers.  The fact that knowing my 'need' to experience everything, I knew I'd be broke in about 6 weeks. :)  So, naturally Hawaii came to mind. :)  I thought why not? Great weather and everyone considers it paradise.

The thing is, I had never visited Hawaii before and nor did I know anyone here.  A friend had recently dropped all and listened to her heart and moved to Maui, this made me believe I could do it too.  I chose Oahu on a practicality basis - its the capital, there are bound to be more jobs here than the other islands, we'll see about that.

So with that mindset I went off to tell my employer, family and friends.  I gave notice, moved out of my apartment in the bay area, sold my belongings and headed off to Hawaii! :)