Home again

We made it back to Austin and we made it back...engaged. I finally have a reason for reading wedding blogs! Oh, and I get to marry Shawn! Double win. He proposed on November 5th. Which Heather tells me, is Gram Parsons and Ryan Adams birthdays. They just happen to be two of my favorites. Nice job, Shawn. I know you had no clue it was their birthdays, but I'm going to give you props anyway.

The story:

Without me knowing, Shawn had gone to pick up the ring the night before. It had been shipped to his office. The next morning, we took an early flight to the Big Island for a few days of vacation. He was too excited to wait until that night, so he proposed at 10am at our hotel. He did the one knee action and said some really sweet things, asked me to marry him and then pulled a beautiful ring out from behind his back. I was so surprised that I hit him on the shoulder! I'm really good in these types of situations, apparently. We then called our families/friends and afterwords went to get some lunch. I ordered a Mimosa which later would trigger a migraine, but not before we hit up the hot tub. I got to show off my ring to some strangers in the hot tub who asked if we were newly engaged or newly married. I guess they caught me staring at hand. I spent the rest of the day and night in bed with a migraine! Bummertown! Besides my dumb head, it was an amazing day.

Koko Head

Koko Head is another crater made from volcanic ash. It's 1200 ft above sea level and used to house a military shelter/look out at the top of the hill. You can climb to the top of Koko Head on a trail of 1100 steep, uneven steps that go all the way to the top. The steps used to be part of a railroad track for a supply cart that ran supplies up to the shelter. It was hot and we didn't bring water. I whined pretty much the entire time.


The start of the trail...



Views from the top...









Self portrait at the top. I seriously didn't think I was going to make it. I also was pretty depressed because I knew we still had to go down!



The first step on the way down, I fell on my butt. Then I did it again. Yep, got up, took another step and fell again.



About halfway down, the trail becomes a bridge. The ground drops out from underneath it. One wrong step and I swear I could've died.



So I did what I had to do. I crab-walked down the bridge.



Finally at the bottom!

Diamond Head

When Shawn's parents were here, we took them for a late afternoon climb up Diamond Head. Diamond Head is a volcanic crater and the iconic backdrop of Waikiki Beach (above). I think it was formed during one of the last eruptions on Oahu. I thought his mom was going to kill us all after hiking a good mile then seeing this spiral staircase that led up to the very top.



She was a trooper though and we all made it to the top as the sun was beginning to set. The view is amazing. Shawn got some really great shots of his parents. I just love these!

Friday Fireworks

Every Friday, we get to watch a fireworks display that takes place on the beach in front of the Ilikai. Sometimes we walk down to the beach and grab a nice spot on the sand. Most of the time we watch from the balcony. Perfect seats. I wanted to video the fireworks at least once so that if I ever feel nostalgic for my friday fireworks I can watch them from anywhere! I don't know why, but fireworks always get me a little emotional, especially when everyone cheers after it's over. I guess I'm a huge sap.

Zip day!

Book Report

I really can't get in to this one. I've been trying to read it the whole time I've been here and read three other books instead but now I'm determined. It's going to go everywhere I go. Even if Shawn is embarrassed to be seen with me.

Michael

This morning, I went and got some tea and sat down on a bench outside the building where I live. I was doing some people watching and enjoying a beautiful saturday morning with my passionfruit iced tea. I noticed an older woman walk by with her little grandson tagging along behind her. She got to the end of the street, which was about 10 steps away, turned around and said "excuse me, miss, i am a psychic and i just read your aura. it is a bright aura, like a rainbow." She was standing in front of me now and continued to say, "I just want to tell you that good things are going to be coming your way in the next month and with the new year. Lots of new opportunities will be opened to you. You have been through many obstacles in the past few years, but now the wall is down and you will have good things coming to you." She sat down next to me and I knew exactly where this was going. She said she would like to do a reading because my aura was so bright and this was her gift. I immediately told her I had no money to give her because I was unemployed. She said she would still do my reading and whatever I could donate to her would be fine. I think my aura must have said in big bright letters "SUCKER." She told me to take my sunglasses off and think of two wishes and speak them out so the universe could hear them. So, of course, I did. Here are some things she told me...

-The man I am currently dating is my soulmate, he really loves me and will make me very happy.
-In just 2.5 years I would be married (Shawn got a big kick out of this one).
-Shawn will be very successful in his profession and I will be happy and smiling throughout my life.??
-In four years I will have a baby girl who will grow up to be a writer known throughout the world. She will be happy and healthy.
-My family will continue to be healthy.
-This next year will be one of my best years.
-This one is my favorite. I have a guardian angel. His name is Michael. I've been giggling about this one all morning because this is all I can think of...



I've told this story 3 times already and I think I'm forgetting things. But those are pretty much the main points. She then told me she would burn two holy candles for me when she got home. She gave me her number and told me her name is Sandy. She said if I wanted her to burn those holy candles for me, I would need to donate a little more because they are expensive. So I gave her a $20. Mainly because my psychic ability told me she probably needed it. And plus, she was pretty entertaining. God Bless You, Sandy!!

MuuMuu Heaven

In Kailua, there is an adorable yet expensive little store called MuuMuu Heaven. They make one of a kind dresses, skirts, tops and bathing suits from vintage Aloha shirts and muumuus. Aloha shirts= famous mens shirts with hawaiian prints (see above, Elvis is wearing one). Muumuus= oversized dresses with hawaiian prints that were popular in the 60's and 70's. Caitlin desperately wanted an authentic muumuu so we trekked on over to Muumuu Heaven. To Caitlin's disappointment and my delight this was not your traditional muumuu store. I immediately wanted to buy everything! They also have a home decor store that is so up my alley. Vintage material everywhere! Total Hawaiian kitsch.. in the best way.

I escaped with just one purchase. I bought a swimsuit made from a vintage Aloha shirt that is cut in a fabulous vintage style, too! I just love it so I wanted to share it with my 2 readers! I wish I would've taken pictures of everything in that store although they probably wouldn't like that.


Kailua is such a great town. Maybe I should do a post just on Kailua. Kailua has Lanikai Beach, Kalapawai Cafe and Muumuu Heaven! I loves.

www.muumuuheaven.com

Jumping...

Well, Caitlin left yesterday and now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my time. We had too much fun and I already miss her. Both of us are currently funemployed and without health insurance but that didn't stop us from jumping off rocks and waterfalls, ziplining and riding over huge waves on a half inflatable boat. I'm making this sound way more dangerous than it really is, but it is MY blog.
Shawn and I took Caitlin to one of our favorite places, Waimea Bay. She jumped off the 30ft rock without hesitating. We also hiked Maunawili Falls trail which is about a mile and a half long of supposedly "easy" hiking. Uhh, it wasn't that easy. Turns out you have to walk up a stream, hopping from mossy rock to mossy rock. Needless to say, I fell more than once. However, famous people like Liam Neeson like to hike this trail and we totally passed him on the way to the falls.




At the end of the trail is a waterfall and a swimming hole. Some crazies were jumping from trees that were probably about 4 stories high. We were content with the little baby jump. And you know I made a video with the perfect song to accompany...

Vacation time!

My travel assignment is over! Now I get to enjoy Hawaii without stressing about that job. And it gets better... One of my nearest, dearest and oldest friends, Caitlin, arrived a few days ago. We've been driving all over the island and beaching it up. She is already so tan! I don't think anyone would believe that i'm the one that's been living here for the last 3 months. Yesterday morning we drove to the Byodo-In buddhist temple that is an exact replica of the 900 year-old Byodo-In Temple in Uji, Japan. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I couldn't resist and bought a golden piggy bank at the gift shop.

Lanikai beach was where we spent the afternoon. The water is aquamarine and you have a lovely view of a couple of small islands off in the distance. We plan on going back to kayak out to those islands.

Shawn is back from working on Kauai so we are off to explore some more of the island today.

Hawaiian Blues

I've been feeling a little guilty these last few days for throwing a pity party when I'm living in such a beautiful place, but, can i just say, this past week was rough! I guess even in paradise you're bound to get the short end of the tiki torch sometimes. A homeless guy grabbed me, wrestled my phone out of hands and took off. Then I just about had the worst work week ever with back to back deliveries, emergency c-sections and postpartum hemorrhages. What's up, Bad Karma? To what do I owe the pleasure of your company? I believe this week may have spurred me into a mid-twenties life crisis. I've been trying to come up with a new and completely different career path. Something that does not involve saving lives.

I think I need less work and more of this...

Waimea

Posting has been difficult because I'm working nights. Shawn works weird hours sometimes, too. Good news though: I have 4 weeks left of my travel assignment! It WILL go by fast.

Shawn's sister, Brittany, came to visit last week. One day we went to Waimea Bay on the North Shore. We all jumped off the 30 ft rock. It hurt! And while I was jumping off the rock, my pink float blew away and was intercepted by some locals. But it was totally worth it. Here is more of my video magic. You can see me jumping off the rock in this one. I'm the one on the highest point of the rock. Shawn held the camera while he jumped.



More jumping. This video is of Shawn and Brittany. Brittany was so scared!

I got a new camera

Shawn and I went hiking in the Makiki Valley the day before I started work. Then we came back and went swimming. And I videotaped it all! I wanted to try out my new little handheld camera. Watching this video may cause motion sickness. It may also cause boredom.

But we look classy underwater!

4th of July

We went to Dave's room for the 4th. His room overlooks the marina and Ala Moana Beach Park. We ordered chinese and had a great view of the fireworks.

This is the view from my balcony. That rainbow is ALWAYS there.

Maui

Last weekend Shawn had to work in Maui. I tagged along. A few of the moments from our trip...

Lahaina Sunset




Lahaina is an old whaling village that now has a lot of gift shops and restaurants. But it's still adorable.


I love this place. Good food and tasty cocktails.


We drove up to the Iao Valley.


This Banyan tree is unbelievable.


The hotel was on a rocky beach with a beautiful view.


I'm ready to go back! Oh and I guess I should give Shawn credit for the photography.

Aloha

I've been in Oahu for just about two weeks. It's been an amazing time so far. I love leaving the doors to the lanai open 24 hours a day and always being able to see and hear the ocean.

I'm looking forward to getting a really awesome tan and becoming a pretty solid surfer. This may be a problem though due to the fact that I am scared to death of getting a sunburn so I constantly reapply spf 30. So far, no tan lines whatsoever. Shawn asked me yesterday, "So have you always not been able to get a tan?" My pale skin is relentless. I also don't like getting into the ocean past my knees, so I may have to reconsider my surfer dreams until I can get past the fear of a shark eating my leg.

The news announced the other day that close to 300 jellyfish were spotted on Waikiki Beach. I mean, really? That is not helping. For some reason, the amount of jellyfish spikes after a full moon. As a labor and delivery nurse, I have learned to fear a full moon due to the effects it has on the uterus (you can say its a myth, but I swear it's true). Now I have one more reason to dread the thing.