One year ago I did the biggest move in my 35 years of existence. I had been living in the same time zone as my mom and dad for over 6 years. What made me decide to move to place 6 hours behind (well, sometimes 5 depending on the time of year) is still somewhat mysterious. The core basics of my personality aren't really bright, flashing lights saying that I should work in a therapeutic environment. For those that truly know me they understand. I lack serious amounts of compassion and take everything I see at face value. After all, "Efficient-realisti" is my hyphenated middle name.
Still, here I am. I have crossed that 365-days-of-PQ-employment line. I can't deny it. This milestone is quite big for the industry let alone the PQ world. The saving grace in my journey, however, was that I didn't make it alone. My cohort started with 10 - 4 gentlemen and 6 ladies. Today 4 of us still remain. All amazing ladies that have pushed through some tough moments and had some great laughs.
To mark the one year anniversary of our first day at PQ, we decided to celebrate by bringing things full circle. During our training, we made a pit stop to get our first look at the glowing caldera. Yesterday, we went back to have a little hike down memory lane.
The grey clouds lingered overhead and a heavy mist slowly soaked our outermost layer. The gusts of wind that made others hunch and retreat to warmer places didn't even phase us. A true testament to all that we had seen and experienced this past year.
What I loved about this hike was the way we all knew what we needed to do. One asked a question about some of the funniest moments. Another requested each of us to think of one word to describe the past year. I wondered if they knew they would make it through the year and if there were moments of doubt. The hike continued at a leisurely pace with moments of silence and reflection while others produced crazy speculations of future endeavors.
The hike also included a tribute to all of the staff and students we had worked with. Each was recalled by name and remembered. I am fascinated as to how the mind works. How a name by itself means little, but when coupled with one or two other names the faces magically appear in my mind's eye. The images come alive once again and moments are replayed. So many hard days. So many stressful experiences that I still wonder as to how we made it through. I love, though, how the really tough moments have been soften by time, how the hard edges now have a rounded curve, and how the tender moments always manage to float to the top.
But even after this stroll down memory lane, I still wonder why. I seem like such an odd fit for this place. One of my colleagues even reflected that my stubbornness got me this far. She is probably right with my strategic mind following-up in a very close second.
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| Mesmorizing glass piece at Volcano's Art Gallery |
I read a quote by Corrie Ten Boom that I feel I will be leaning on for the months to come: "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see."
I look to a future hidden by shadows of uncertainty. I squint my eyes to try and bring something to focus. But I have decided to change my angle. The days ahead will reveal what this change of perspective will illuminate. The decision was step one. Now on to step two as the journey continues...
Bucket List Item: 
The "Less than 5 Dollar" Halloween costume challenge. This unofficial challenge was one that I gave to myself. After last year's experience of just using what I had in my closet plus one or two things, I decided to challenge myself again. To my surprise, I could do it again. And for less than 5 dollars. I mean, if a party you are going to cost $10 to get into without a costume and $5 with a costume you really aren't saving anything if your costume costs more than $5. Plus the resourceful and frugal person that I am will always rise to the occasion to flex those muscles. 
My Big Island ohana is becoming one with people from all walks of life. Jean I met at line dancing and can honestly say I have never met anyone quite like her. She would be the poster child for the Society of Social Butterflies of American is there was such a group. She makes everyone feel like a friend instantly and has the every amazing power to make me laugh. Her zest for life is contagious and I often wonder the source of her energy. She has a flair for the arts, and was more than willing to accompany me on a little cultural experience at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 
One year ago I did the biggest move in my 35 years of existence. I had been living in the same time zone as my mom and dad for over 6 years. What made me decide to move to place 6 hours behind (well, sometimes 5 depending on the time of year) is still somewhat mysterious. The core basics of my personality aren't really bright, flashing lights saying that I should work in a therapeutic environment. For those that truly know me they understand. I lack serious amounts of compassion and take everything I see at face value. After all, "Efficient-realisti" is my hyphenated middle name.
