Odds and Ends

Moving day is nearly here and I am livin' it up in Hawaii!  Saturday, we all went to the zoo in honolulu.  The zoo here is great--nice, small, and cheap!   Something I have really enjoyed about Hawaii is the discount locals get here.  Well, I am not actually considered a local, but I do have local ID, so I still get the discount!  This is called the Kama'aina rate.  

But I did not log in to talk about Kama'aina.  I want to talk about the revitalizing aspects of the ocean, of change and of epiphanies that come out of nowhere.  Actually, I don't want to talk about these things, I just wanted to mention that they exist and that I am reaping the benefits of said revitalization.

I just came off the beach after a run and a short meditation and have realized that I am going to need to get back to the ocean whenever possible.  I have always known this about myself, really, but it is living so close to the water and now having to leave it has made me really become aware of my connection to the sea.  I often seek out water, whether it be a lake, a river, a really big bathtub, but it is the ocean that is my home!

So here I sit, in my bare home on my next-to-last day in Hawaii, with sand between my toes, thinking of the adventures that our move back to the mainland will bring.  I sit here with the realization that I will need to come back to the ocean someday soon.  And guess what?  It will be waiting for me, here or at any seashore, faithfully and without expectation or regret.   

Namaste, Aloha and I love you!  

 

Promising Progress...

Denial.  

No, it is not a river, but rather the state I am in right now.  You may be thinking of my last post, in which I was lamenting our imminent move.  But that is not it.  Not the idea of the move itself--it is the move-"ing" of stuff, as in clean, sort, pack, load, camp out for a few weeks, unload, unpack, wonder why I brought this crap, clean again, sort again, settle part that I am in denial about.  Oh, and in between (during the camping phase), we find the actual place in which we unload said stuff.  I am merely hesitating to start that crazy process.  

And, while I have your attention, it must be said that while part of me is sad to leave such a lovely place, I am finally in a position to be OK with the move.  In fact, better than OK:  good.  I know, I know, but this past week has been a huge eye-opener for me.  I spent the week attending a course on the philosophy of yoga.  Let me tell you, it is not what you imagine!  It was absolutely amazing.  While not going nuts on the subject, even though I am tempted, I will say that my faith in my faith has grown exponentially while learning about yoga as the non-sectarian spiritual practice that it truly is.  I learned the proper definitions of words that, through the "dumbing-down" of Eastern spirituality, have become so convoluted that almost everyone I know has got them wrong.  I was one of those people, but no more!  

At the very least, this experience will enhance my yoga teaching when I return to that venue. But even better, it has strengthened my relationship with Jesus Christ and my resolve to follow His example and do His work.  Weird, huh?  Who knew?!  All this time, we thought yoga was just really great exercising and breathing, right?  There is more to it than that!  I knew there was a deeper level to yoga--it would be hard to practice for any length of time and not pick up on that somehow.   But the fact that it is possible (and even necessary) to embrace the spiritual aspects of yoga in my quest to return from whence I came is incredible.   Amazing. Wonderful.  Crazy.  Stupefying.  Exciting!     

So, off I go to the mainland.  Whatever happens, happens.  I am just going with it because it is ridiculous to not.  I mean, why spend all that energy and thought on something I cannot and do not want to change?  I can only change my reaction to the move to a response.  Here it is: Bring it on, universe.  I've got my head on straight.  Finally.   

p.s. thanks, Mom, for the photo!

Ready or Not, Here We Come!

Well, it has happened.  Plans for our move back to the mainland are under way.  I knew this a few weeks ago, but I think in the back of my head there was this idea that if I didn't post about the move, it too would pass.  Nope.

I have been so busy trying to figure out how to fit in all the chores required for an across-the-sea-move before our March 27 departure, that I didn't realize how incredibly bummed I am to leave this place.  Like, really bummed.  I was trying to fall asleep last night, visions of the 'to-do' list dancing in my head, when it occurred to me that I was SAD and I wanted to CRY. So I did.  My being sad is why I have been so slow in deciding what goes in the garage for the yard sale and what will be collected into boxes for the ship ride to Utah.

Please, do not pity me.  (I pity myself enough! :)) I do think that this is the best thing for our family right now.  Our Bigs (the older boys) are happy to have us come back.  Not having family ties at all here has been a bit challenging, which actually came as a surprise to us. 

It has been really great living in the islands for so many reasons.  I know I make lists often, so I will refrain, but do know that besides the marginal (at best) public education and the incredible lack of ambition that abounds here, (and the $7-per-gallon milk!) living here in Hawai'i has been one of the best ideas that we have followed through to the end!  Our little family has grown closer, our older boys have grown up, our faith has deepened and we know that, together, we can get through anything.

With the time we have left here, we intend to enjoy the temperate climate, the clear blue water, the soft sand beaches and our good friends' company.  I plan on giving myself a lovely good-bye luau, complete with traditional foods, under an EZ corner at the nearby beach park.  I might even dance a hula and give out leis, if I so choose.  Just to let you know, you are all invited!

ALOHA!!

The Heebs

I just had a truly harrowing experience.  I had planned to post about the incredible (to me) run that I had this morning, but instead, I need to tell you about coming face to face with a fear of mine:  creepy-crawlies.

Yes, it is true, folks, I do not like things that may creep up on me and crawl on me with their little, gross legs.  Or, in this case, big gross legs.  I was getting a bit of a chill after my run this morning, so I decided to get into the shower.  As I was closing the shower curtain, I thought I saw something move out of the corner of my eye.  Yes!  There is was--a huge spider!  I am not talking an exaggerated-ly big spider, I am talking about an actual huge spider.  One that was so big, when I finally got the thing sprayed down the tub, IT WOULD NOT FIT DOWN THE DRAIN!  It sat there, partially out of sight, with two of its disgusting legs clinging to the edge of the drain stopper, all stubborn-like, just waiting for me to close my eyes while I rinsed my hair to jump out and try to escape.  Which happened.  OooooooooH!

After that, I kept my eyes glued to that thing while I rinsed my hair, soaped up, washed my face and got the conditioner out of my hair.  Yes, I got two different kinds of soap in my eye, but it was worth it!  I stared that thing down and it stayed there, at the drain, waiting for me to leave. I had major adrenaline going the entire shower!  Now, 15 minutes later, I am writing this and can barely get my granola down because I still have the heebs.  So unfair.

I have decided that large spiders, cockroaches, and crickets freak me out, not because I think they are going to EAT me, but because they are so pickin' unpredictable!  THAT is was gets me--I never know where the little buggers are going to GO, whether it is up my leg or far away to the corner.

Anyway, enough of that.  I need to get my breakfast down.  And then go see if that darn spider is still stuck in my drain.  It better not be...

The Heebs

I just had a truly harrowing experience.  I had planned to post about the incredible (to me) run that I had this morning, but instead, I need to tell you about coming face to face with a fear of mine:  creepy-crawlies.

Yes, it is true, folks, I do not like things that may creep up on me and crawl on me with their little, gross legs.  Or, in this case, big gross legs.  I was getting a bit of a chill after my run this morning, so I decided to get into the shower.  As I was closing the shower curtain, I thought I saw something move out of the corner of my eye.  Yes!  There is was--a huge spider!  I am not talking an exaggerated-ly big spider, I am talking about an actual huge spider.  One that was so big, when I finally got the thing sprayed down the tub, IT WOULD NOT FIT DOWN THE DRAIN!  It sat there, partially out of sight, with two of its disgusting legs clinging to the edge of the drain stopper, all stubborn-like, just waiting for me to close my eyes while I rinsed my hair to jump out and try to escape.  Which happened.  OooooooooH!

After that, I kept my eyes glued to that thing while I rinsed my hair, soaped up, washed my face and got the conditioner out of my hair.  Yes, I got two different kinds of soap in my eye, but it was worth it!  I stared that thing down and it stayed there, at the drain, waiting for me to leave. I had major adrenaline going the entire shower!  Now, 15 minutes later, I am writing this and can barely get my granola down because I still have the heebs.  So unfair.

I have decided that large spiders, cockroaches, and crickets freak me out, not because I think they are going to EAT me, but because they are so pickin' unpredictable!  THAT is was gets me--I never know where the little buggers are going to GO, whether it is up my leg or far away to the corner.

Anyway, enough of that.  I need to get my breakfast down.  And then go see if that darn spider is still stuck in my drain.  It better not be...

Wha? I have to do, like, stuff?

I am tired today.  I do not know why, but what I would really like to do is go back to bed for a couple of hours, get up and eat hot buttered toast, play a few songs on Guitar Hero (more on that later), take a walk on the beach, take another nap, do some yoga and then eat some homemade macaroni and cheese.  Bed by 8pm, perhaps.

But no, it is a work day.  By this, I mean a workout-homeschool-errands-pay-bills-children's-lessons-in-town-make dinner-for-everyone-and-perhaps-their-dog-as-well-visit-teach-mow-lawn-show-house-and-take-care-of-sick-husband-day...so far, I have accomplished the first one, but only part of the next and nothing else.  I did veer a little off the path and make a cup of hot cocoa with my fabulous Dagoba cocoa powder, which was quite lovely.

So, I will take it an hour at a time.  Perhaps some magic person will come along and do my stuff for me.  But that is not going to happen, so I will, as my friend Heather would say, "nut up" and do it myself.   And perhaps make it to bed by 10.  That will do.

It might be an ice cream night...

ps. this is me at Andrew's wedding reception--I was much more energetic that day!!

The Goods

I know, I know.  It has been forever.  But now that I have been home for over a week, I feel I can do a list that has been formulating in my mind with a better perspective.  I'll call it "Goods on Hawaii, Goods on Utah".  Here goes, and not in any particular order, I might add:

Hawaii:

1.  the climate (duh)

2.  the view from my makai (oceanside) deck and from my mauka (mountainside) deck

3.  great running buddy

4.  beach--perfect for walking, running, playing, heading out to swim & surf

5.  home schooling

6.  driving along the North Shore

7.  slow pace of life

8.  fresh, local produce year-round

9.  wearing a pa'u skirt and dancing hula in the kitchen with Sis

10.gorgeous mountains--the fuzzy kind

Utah:

1.  gorgeous mountains--the rugged kind

2.  great running climate--nice and cold

3.  accessibility to family, friends and Target

4.  land space to spread out

5.  the ability to take a different running or biking route every time you head out

6.  the gym

7.  cheap groceries (!)

8.  road trips

9.  an accessible time zone

10.Sam, Adam, Andrew and Candace--my babies (birthed and borrowed)

Many of you know (as if "many" read this blog!) that we are planning to move back to the mainland this year.  On a recent trip to Utah, I became determined to see however much good that could come from such a move as possible.  I refuse to be known as the negative type, so off to the goods it is!

(wish me luck!)