Why all the drama???

There must be something in the air, I mean how else do you explain getting a broken bone in waist deep water, being the only one to get pulled over and get a speeding ticket when going with the flow of traffic, trouble finding a decent roommate - its been 2 months since Nina moved.  I've had psycholady #1, #2 and a crazy man who came in, walked in to the room (barely) he only peeked in the room and said he wanted it.  He said "I like you, we'll get along, I want to move in day after tomorrow" (WEIRDO ALERT!)

Oye.  Thankfully I found someone who is normal (or thus far seems to be). He's meeting the landlord tomorrow and likely moving in sometime in the next few days. Next challenge will be finding a permanent parking spot in the area. Everyone is looking for one so its going to be difficult, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Work has been ok. I've been keeping the mentality that it is work, I should be happy to have a job. But still, I can't help but feel trapped. I didn't move to Hawaii to be sitting behind a desk all day. I really want to find a job where I'm out and about on this beautiful island and interacting with people.

In other news, its my birthday today. Yay! Past few years I've been celebrating my bday with adventures. I've gone Skydiving twice now, hanggliding and a helicopter ride over Santa Cruz.

This year the plan was to go to the Big Island of Hawaii to see the volcanos. Though, since I hurt my leg I can't travel much.  Instead, I plan to go on a motorized Hang gliding flight. Should be good fun. My friend Kelly just went this past weekend and the pics are AWESOME. I can't wait to experience it myself! :)

Trip to Maui! :)

This past weekend I was off to Maui to visit my dear friend and old roomie, Nina.  Wow, what a trip. :)

Pictures are worth a thousand words so here you go. :)

believe it or not, this is one massive tree starting from the center of the courtyard and extends out to the outer edges and re-roots itself by dropping roots and growing another "trunk" to support the extended branches. I saw it with my own eyes and I couldn't believe it. :) 

On the ferry to visit Lana'i!

Me, Nina and her daughter Andria

Caves in Lana'i

Manele  Beach

Crystal clear waters. 

Nina and I were looking for a "calmer" beach to try going snorkeling. We hiked past Manele Bay and found this private place - but still too rough. Andria suggested we see what's beyond that cliff. Yikes, a hike!?

Does that look like a gargoyle to you? It did to me!

Almost to the top - gorgeous isn't it?

Reflecting on how far we'd come. Wowza.

Yeah.. I'm soooo not a hiker. I'm the only fool, in the world perhaps, who goes on a hike with a purse on one side and a tote on the other. I need to get a backpack. :)

Its Sunday and we're off to do some whale watching

Sadly, this was the best view we got all day. :(

Its not all bad though. It was a lovely day and the water was absolutely gorgeous. I just love being out on the water. :)

Turtles!

Catching up! :)

Wow, its been a while since my last post - sorry!

Hmm.. lets see.. I need to fill you in on the job, the psycho lady,  my car, and my near death experience on my recent trip to Maui!

Starting off with the job.. first, I'd like to say I'm grateful that I have a job.  Unfortunately though, not all is well on the job front.  I'm having a hard time adjusting to the archaic office supplies/computers/programs. There are 9 computers in our office (for the 9 total employees) and yet everyone is running a different system with different versions of software which creates issues when sharing documents.  I don't understand why we don't have Adobe Standard - the reader is limited in so many ways.. oh well. I inform them of the benefits, whether they choose to upgrade and make their systems more efficient is up to them.

So.. psycho lady.. yeah.. I've had an ad posted on Craigslist for Nina's room now that she's in Maui and highly unlikely to return.  Its a great apartment so I've had a lot of interest, though due to lack of dedicated parking, its still available.  2 weeks ago I got a call from someone in California, they were headed to Honolulu and liked the description of the apartment. Great, but I couldn't hold it for someone I haven't even met, right? So I told her to contact me upon reaching Honolulu, if still avail I'd be happy to show her the place. Reasonable, right?  A few days later I get a text asking if the room was still avail, I say yes so she asks for pics of the living room/kitchen/bedroom. That's normal so I take the pics and send them off.  A few days pass and I notice she's added me on facebook. She calls me to see if the room is still avail, I say yes and ask about the FB add. She says that she wanted to get to know me and me to get to know her.  Hmmm.. ok, a bit much, but ok.  A few days later I hear from her again. Yes, I tell her, the room is still avail.  She says she lands in Honolulu on Sunday the 25th. Great. We make an appt for her to see the place at 5.  Friday the 23rd I get a call from her asking about the internet setup. I told her I have my own and she'll have to get her own. She said that wouldn't fly. She has a modem for us both to use. She'll set it up and we'll split the cost.  She made up her mind that, that is what we'll do. I didn't bother to dispute the assumption because there's no point to discuss unless she ends up wanting the apartment. Anyhow.. now I'm starting to get a weird vibe. Im thinking this ladyisn't exactly normal, i asked my coast guard friend to be present when she comes because I didn't think it would be safe. Then I thought if I'm already worried - I shouldn't even bother having her over so I sent her a text on Saturday morn to let her know that someone had come that morning and liked the place and they loved it and will be signing the lease soon.  Thanked her for her interest and apologized about any inconvenience. She started replying with abuses left and right. I expected her to be upset right away, but she kept it up all day long. I was actually a bit afraid - this lady knew where I lived! Yikes!

Anyhow... luckily I havent heard from her since.  Next topic.. my car. I absolutely love it. I have 405 miles on it now. :)  However, I had a mini heart attack when I filled up the tank - $72 for a tank! Yikes!

Near death experience. Well... this blog entry is already long. Just watch this video. :)

More sight seeing around the island! :)

My first week at work was very hectic/busy - I was in dire need of a break.  I talked to my friend Joel on Sunday morning and he told me about Hanauma Bay. He and his family have been to the island before and have gone snorkeling. He said that this was one of the most famous sites in all of Oahu - I can see why. Enjoy the pics! :)

I spotted a sea turtle! :)

After leaving Hanauma Bay around 5 pm, I headed back home but had to stop at the scenic point near Hawaii Kai to take in this gorgeous view.

Pictures from around town :)

This tree looked like a dancing ballerina to me, do you see that too?

Banyan Trees, they're everywhere

Its been a great few weeks. I found this place online, the Valley of Temples and decided to check it out - gorgeous peaceful views!

The Byodo-in Temple - I was hoping to meditate but it was such a tourist spot, lots of people talking, ringing the huge bell, feeding the coy - wasn't able to find a quiet spot. Still glad I went though - its a great place. I can't believe the whole building was constructed without a single nail.

Inside the temple

Bought a small souvenir from the temple gift shop. I knew turtles had a lot of meaning, but could never remember it.

The temple was in the middle of rainforest like area - absolutely beautiful and smelled great!

The view from the office. We're on the 26th floor of the Pauahi Tower in downtown Honolulu. How does anyone get any work done around here? :)

Remember the v-day pics - we were just starting work on the project - now its done. Isn't it bizarre?

Door #3, please

And what's behind door # 3? Well, its a NEW CAR! :)

Ha! Well, I didn't win it but I sure plan to earn it.  I got an amazingly good deal on this 2012 Acura TSX - its a lease and totally worth every penny.

I've been bussing it everywhere which is great, but not when you need to do grocery shopping or go somewhere "now" and can't be late.  I've been car hunting on craigslist but every time I found a car it seemed there were issues that were not being shared with me. For example, there was a 99 Volkswagon Cambria I was looking at. The guy brought it for me to see it but it was thoroughly messy - hair, dirt and sand everywhere.  If he wasn't taking care of the inside of the car, I wonder how he was taking care of the engine/maintenance. :/

Anyhow, I feel blessed though because God has always put people in my life who care about me and help me when I need it. In California I had Joel, Judy, Abby and Michelle - Joel was my former boss but he was more like a father to me.  Judy and Abby were more than co-workers, they were great friends who helped me get through one of the toughest times of my life. Michelle was a savior who introduced me to Lakeside Church in Folsom where I went weekly from August till I moved in Feb.  In the bay area I had countless friends who were always there for me in times of need. Here in Hawaii, I have Earl who happens to be my landlord.  :)

Earl went car shopping with me to look at cars via Craigslist and constantly sent me leads to good cars. I always would have the same fear though - if I put my savings into a used car and it breaks down on me, what am I going to do?  I bought my last car, a 2001 Honda Accord EX in 2000 and kept it for 12 years. I loved that car and took very good care of it.  I realized I needed to get me another new car that would work great, be under warranty and not give me any issues at least for the next several years. Leasing was a great idea and a perfect fit for me.

I met with Moses (who is absolutely awesome by the way) at the Acura of Honolulu dealership.  Because they knew Earl I got a pretty sweet deal.  So great in fact that the finance manager says even he doesn't get that good of a deal and he showed me the numbers and what he meant by that.  I am so grateful for all the wonderful things happening to me right now. I live in Hawaii. I landed a great job. I bought a new car. :)

It is true, life is what you make it and right now, life is GREAT!  *blessed*

Speaking of Thursday...

I finally landed a job! :)

My interview on Thursday went great! I'll be working for a law firm downtown. I feel so blessed as its a great firm, close to home, easy hours - just perfect. I start on Monday! Yay!

Now I'll be able to get out and really start to explore the island! Woohoo! :)

I'll be working at the building on the left. Great great location. Couldn't be happier! :)

Anyhow, now that I have a job, the first "touristy" thing I can't wait to do (now that I can afford it) is to take a picture with the parrot guy down at Waikiki Beach.

Let me explain. :)  A few weeks ago Nina and I had a brunch breakfast at the Ocean House Restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.  While we waited for our food we noticed a bunch of girls that were likely friends and visiting together were getting ready to take a picture. But the person taking their picture was taking his time. First he gave them leis to wear on their hair and around their neck. Then he placed a rather large parrot on each of their shoulders and smaller parrots on their palms. It was a such a lovely picture. I can't wait to do this myself.

I wanted to find a picture online to show you what I mean, but the best I could find is this! :)