Day 54 - Surfers kick arse

We drove up to the North Shore today.  It was a beautiful drive, and there are several cool beaches along the way.  We stopped at one and watched the surfers.  I was so impressed.  I've seen surfing on tv and in movies, but it's totally different to witness it live.  Some of the best ones were chicks!

I know it's hard to see in this picture, but it really was totally rad! 

Day 53 - Won't be the last time

This morning we got up and went to breakfast at this great little restaurant that JE had told me about.  He said that he had the best breakfast of his life there, so I had to experience it for myself.  We shared banana pancakes with coconut syrup, scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage and fried rice.  It was an interested combination and one that I never would have chosen.  But, I trusted him, and he was totally right!  It was a great meal that I know I will have several more times in my life.

Next, we went to an outdoor flea market/swap meet that happens every Saturday around the big football stadium.  There were vendors set up with all sorts of cool Hawaiian souvenirs and stuff. It was nice to wander with JE and look at all the cool stuff.  We got some ideas for things to decorate the house with, and there was really interesting people to watch.  I bought a fun straw hat and some flower hair clips.  JE got some dried fruit, and he bought me a really pretty sarong. 

There were several people selling them and there were a ton of different colors and designs, but this one was my favorite.  The colors are so vibrant and the flowers have significance.  The bigger ones are hibiscus which is the state flower of Hawaii, and the smaller one are plumeria which I think are gorgeous. 

We have a wonderful day, and I have a strong feeling that this day will be replicated several times in my future.  If you're planning to come visit, you will get to experience this day for yourself.  And, I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Day 52 - Mai Tai

On my first visit to Hawaii, back in November, I was introduced to the greatness of a Mai Tai.  I like alcohol well hidden in my drinks and even though mai tais have a lot of alcohol in them, you don't really taste it.  They are sweet and yummy!  We tried to make them one night back in Austin, but they were not at all the same.  So, I knew on this trip that I wanted a real Hawaiian mai tai.

I asked JE to hold it for me so I could take the picture.  It is a great drink being held by a great guy!

Day 51 - B.A.B.

Today we went to Costco to see about purchasing a rug for the living room.  After purchasing a membership, we proceeded to wander around the store and enjoy some free samples.  We noticed a woman about to do a demonstration, and were both sucked in.  She had a blender full of fresh fruits, ice and spinach.  I thought that sounded really yuck.  Why would you put spinach in with delicious fruits?  The woman turned on blender and talked about the power of the blender and all the cool stuff that it can do.  Then, she turned it off and poured the green mixture into cups for everyone to try.  It was DELICIOUS!  I couldn't taste the spinach at all.  I was amazed.  JE and I looked at each other and I knew we had the same thought, we have to have one of these machines.  She told us the price and we decided that now was not the best time to make this purchase.  We found some items that we needed and left, but we continued to talk about the awesomeness of this blender and all the cool things that we could make with it.  It was a Bad Ass Blender, and at some point we will own it. 

I didn't have my camera with me, so I didn't get a picture.  I'm gonna find a picture online to put on here, but I haven't looked into how to do that yet.  Thanks for your understanding.  :)

Day 50 - Pure beauty

After a short flight to Houston followed by a LONG flight to Hawaii, I finally got to see JE.  I was waiting for my luggage when I turned around and saw him.  I immediately got lei'd.  (Sorry, but that pun will never get old.)  I wish I would have taken a picture of him with the lei, but I was too in the moment to stop and get out my camera.  We began the drive back to the house, and it was awesome to get to be with him and catch up.  I was really looking forward to seeing the house.  I found it on Craigslist, and he moved in a couple of weeks ago.  I have seen pictures and videos, but was still very excited to see it for myself.  JE's furniture and household goods arrived earlier that morning, so there were movers and boxes everywhere.  JE showed me around while we talked about where different things might go.  The house is very unique.  It has some awesome things about it as well as some things that will take some getting use to.  One thing that will be easy to get use to is the back yard.  We walked outside and I immediately noticed some beautiful colors.

This gorgeous hibiscus bush is right outside the master bedroom window.  The hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii, and they come in a variety of amazing color combinations.  The details and colors of this plant are awesome!



This interesting plant is red ginger, and there are several of them growing along the wall around the pool.  They're really close to the hibiscus bush.  They are rich in color and are very unique looking in the way that they grow.  As you can see, the grow out of the top of one flower.  The will then turn and grow down before deciding to grow back up.  I will take a better picture in the future. 

There is also a mango tree, coconut tree and guava tree in the back yard.  I'm looking forward to learning new recipes for all of those, as well as eating them naturally.  The coolest part to me about all of these wonderful plants is that they require little to no maintenance.  Because of the side of the island that the house is on, they get rain and sun just about every day.  What a great place to be!



Day 49 - All my bags are packed

I'm leaving early in the morning to visit JE in Hawaii.  I started packing last weekend which has been extremely helpful tonight.  I typically wait until the last minute to gather things and try to squeeze them all in.  Planning ahead has made tonight much more calm.  I'm so excited to be in Hawaii, but much more excited to be spending time with JE. 

I'm a blessed, thankful, and today, prepared lady.

Day 48 - Medicine

I had planned to meet CC at the gym tonight for our normal Monday class, and I was actually looking forward to a good workout.  But, this afternoon I started feeling really bad.  I came home and took a nap hoping that would give me energy.  It didn't.  I was really tired, but JE convinced me to get up and go get some medicine.  I started taking it as soon as I got home, and am hoping that it does the trick. 

Sometimes hope is the bright spot, even if it's hope in medicine.