Home Between the Holidays

November 28 - December 5, 2017

I thought I wouldn't make it. I thought I would go the entire year never stepping foot on an airplane. I thought the most depressing thought ever would come to pass.

But it didn't.

I got my airplane ride and on the other end I live 6 glorious days with family and friends I hadn't seen in over a year.

Dad and Aunt Barb

I am thankful. Oh so thankful. As so many things had to fall into place to even make this trip happen. But they did and it did. New memories were made as some old ones were remembered during a trip that felt like two weeks but was only 6 days. Thousands of miles traveled by two daughters from different sides of the Earth. Every hour spent on the journey was well worth the time spent at the destination. Love you Family!

Hilary and I hitting all of the tourist spots in Port Huron

Oldest lighthouse in Michigan

Bluewater Bridge to Canada

Dinner with the Studaker Family

And intense game of Aggrivation

Game night with the Watsons and Adams

Hilary looking for the Super Moon at Lexington Harbor

Sunrise on Lake Huron

Brisk morning selfie

Lexington Beach

Dad and his daughters

Gathering in Aunt Barb and Uncle Steve's kitchen

Adorable Uncle Phil

When Ladies Gather

I hind is difficult to articulate what happens when a group of ladies of all ages and backgrounds gather together. "Something special" is all I can think to say.

Our little women's gathering at church was no different. I went not knowing what to expect. Some women shared what was on their hearts while others shared their gifts and talents.

When a piece of yupo paper was handed to me I could only chuckle inside as it reminded me of my days in PA when yupo paper reined.

I have to admit it was nice to interact with paint in this way again- to let it move and be however it wanted. Perfection wasn't the goal for me. I was living in and focusing on the play.

We all had the same goal in mind whether to portray jellyfish or a mermaid's tail. No two paintings were a like just as no two techniques where the same. And that is the foundation for what makes it special: The differences. Having similarities is good but differences bring about learning and discovery. Oh course that's is what makes things hard but similarities can do the same. It two people like to be in control their similar need can result in conflict. In the end, no painting has any depth if it doesn't have both light and shadow.

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

A much needed trip to the other side of the island came at just the right time. The rainy season in Hilo is beginning to set in and there are only so many days I can go without sunshine. Although I am not a coffee drinker and have to admit that I don't even really like the smell, I accepted the invitation to go to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Even without the word coffee in the title, it sounded to me like an enriching experience.

Disappointment didn't come as there were plenty of food items and displays that weren't coffee related. My friend Annie and I had the opportunity to pound our own poi - a staple in Hawaiian cuisine. Live music and other displays and demonstrations were at our disposal. My favorite part was the lei making contest. What beautiful craftsmanship. The hours poured into each could be seen in the intricate details. Nothing short of inspiring.

Morning Surpise

My early morning walk to work brought this beautiful surprise perfectly situated over the complex. So thankful for moments orchestrated in such a way that all I have to do it take notice and enjoy.

Pushing the Creative Limits

Last year for Halloween I created the "5 Dollar Challenge" for myself. I the past I have stuck to the day before Halloween to making my costume. Due to my injury this year adding WAY too much time to sit and think to my daily schedule, decided to dial it up a notch. 

First I looked at my assets. My hair wasn't getting any shorter and was the longest I have let it grow in years. So, why not try and find a costume that specifically needs long hair to make it work. 

This led me to Gimli. With the beard in the bag, the rest of the costume had to take shape on a very tight budget. I took inventory of what I had and how I could make it work. Then constructed a list of all that I needed to make. Here is how it played out...

Have:

Two old T-shirts that could be used for "tunic"

Brown pants

Grey shirt and sleeves for "Chainmail"

Hiking pole for rod of ax

Black, white, and gold paint

Old T-shirt strips

Old bike tire tubes

Packing tape, painter's tape, scotch tape

hot glue

Cardboard

Need to make:

Helmet (key piece)

Tunic

Ax

Belt including crossing straps

wrist braces

Shoulder guards

Need to purchase:

Flour 

(used paper mache to make part of the helmet)

Boots

(Found for $2.50 at a thrift store)

Paint

(Brown, Red, and Silver/grey)

Clear Hair Bands

(To make the beard a reality)

I didn't log the number of hours I worked on this costume. I needed the goal. I needed the process. I need the challenge to prove to myself that I am still capable of something. AND I was able to stay within budget keeping the tradition alive. The added bonus: I walked away with 3rd prize for the costume contest. 

I think if I would have been fat, I would have been more recognizable and therefore walked home with second place. However, padding was not an option as I was already sweating with a long beard insulating my neck. (If this was in Michigan. I would have welcomed the extra warmth.)

Now the only thing left is to figure out what to go as next year. 

What is it About Sisters?

One of my co-workers had a visitor this week - her sister. When she told me that her sister was coming we talked about different ideas of what they could do. Naturally, I suggested the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens as it is one of my favorite places.

When I suggested it, I had no intention of inviting myself along; however, the invitation was extended. How could I refuse? After all, my enjoyment of this place is only enhanced be watching others experience its beauty for the first time. This time, I had the wonderful privilege of witnessing more than that.

Having an older sister, I found it fascinating to watch two other sisters interact. At times I felt like I was looking in a mirror as they laughed at each other's jokes. I too love the way just being around each other brought out the silliness like they were back to being school girls living in a care free world.

Time and the shared experience of growing up together as family can't be replaced. Having a sister is truly the best.

I 

Solo Camping

Sunset

As the car-sitting continues, I had to attempt to cross another item off my list: Sunset behind Mauna Kea. Well, it might not have been the best evening to attempt this with cloudy skies and the smell of rain in the air. However, my one and only attempt was worth it. Seeing rain in the distance, hearing the swell of the waves hitting the rocks, the wind tossing my hair...I couldn't help but stop and take in slow, deep breaths. In those moments, I found exactly what I needed.

Lauapahoehoe Point

When someone asks me if I will go to the airport with them in their car, then keep their car while they are away with the condition that I have to pick them up when they return; I always say YES! I loving call this action "car sitting" and today is my first full day. With opportunity to explore on my own schedule, I drove North on the Hamakua Coast and made my first stop at Lauapahoehoe Point. I could have done research about it. I could have looked for historic markers of some kind. Instead, I found the perfect rock formation that created a natural recliner and dove into my book while absorbing the peaceful sounds of nature on a beautiful afternoon.

The Heart of Man

I heard about the organization Unearthed years ago and like that they were targeting the issues with pornography and the sex trade by discussing the real issue: the hearts of the human race.

This was the first movie I had been to see in the theaters this year and I felt like I was experiencing a new kind of freedom.

The movie itself was different than I expected. Mixing candid interviews with a cinematic rendition of the prodigal son, I found the blend to be a beautiful weave of testimony and visual story telling. Plus the movie had something that a lot of movies don't: shots filmed in places that I have been on an island that I love.

Maybe that seeing others interact with places I have been made the message that much more real for me, I don't know, but I left the theater discovering that my heart had been deeply touched. I found that I was one step closer to truly understanding the love that God has for me.

I am disappointed that the movie was only playing in theaters for this one day; for it contains a message that I need to be reminded of on a regular basis.

Liliuokalani Festival

Two years ago, I had just finished my first full shift at PQ. I was ready for a break but also eager to get a taste of the local culture. The timing was beautiful as the Liliuokalani Festival was the first Saturday I had off.

Last year, I had to work. I made to look ahead this year to revisit this fun event, but this time I invited some friends. 

The rain came through the night and into the morning. I looked at the sky and wondered if it was going to let up. What do you do with an event of this size that is always outdoors. Plus a helicopter was supposed to make the sky rain with orchid blossoms. 

As often happens in Hawaii, the clouds parted and blue sky pushed its way through. The helicopter on the other hand was lacking promptness. 

I loved the MCs of the event and their ability to poke fun at the delay. Even as the flowers were being dropped, they were cracking jokes at their poor aim!

Still the ceremony was rich with tradition and wonderful showcases of talent. I am always inspired by the Taiko drummers. The combination of physicality and musicality is both exhausting and exhilarating and all generations exhibit their skills. I can't imagine the hours of practice they put in.    

Local Spot - 6 Ton

Hut for Waterfalls

Found one! In the land known by some local people (mostly the white ones) as Narnia. I decided to withhold all other photos because seeing it for the first time without knowing what to expect was pretty magical.

Matt and Lynette, I would like to Introduce The Big Island

Where do I begin? How do I even go about it? How do I show them all the wonderful features of the the Big Island in just 7 days? There is too much to behold. Too much to take in. But I had to try. 

667 miles later Matt and Lynette left this wonderful place. Not everything on our list was accomplished. I can't control the weather and this was supposed to be a vacation after all.

Still I was proud. Proud of this place that I live. It showed off in wonderful ways. I was a wonderful first introduction. Maybe some day they will come back to get more acquainted. I hope so. 

Mahalo my friends for making the trek..for taking on the miles...for giving this girl some much needed adventure...and for asking questions that tested my knowledge and made me want to know more.

Embriodery

I decided to take me sister advice. This can be an issue of pride for some younger sisters but situation has now become quite extreme. I have been running out of ways to entertain myself. I have never been one to have to fight boredom, but I find myself fighting it regularly. I expressed this struggle with my older sister, and she told me to try embroidery.

With any new medium, it is always wise to start with something very basic. I went extremely basic I just stuck with one color and a very simple pattern. But this pattern has a hidden feature that blew my mind: it is a visual representation of the 2's times table.

How I found this pattern I can't recall. I say a video about the subject that went further and illustrated the patterns that are revealed in multiple different times tables. So, so fascinating!! Math truly is everywhere as many of the formations are replicated in nature.

Anyway, this was the beginning stage of my embroidery development. The next stage added color. Then I got a book from the library to learn specific stitches. This was the perfect opportunity to do what is called a Sample Stitch project. I chose to do pay tribute to the Big Island by doing my best to replicate its shape.








Through this process, my mind started to click what I was doing with techniques I was already familiar with. I have always loved the look of stained glass and decided to really challenge myself by creating a picture of my own. When I imagined the process of embroidery as drawing lines with floss, the possibilities of what I could do came pouring in.

My Hawaii theme continued with a view of snow-covered Mauna Kea over the Hilo Bay. I think I will continue in that
stream as I more ideas have come to mind of the local views that I have grown to love.

Annual Pass Club

So grateful for these two ladies, their enthusiasm for nature, and the way they expressed said enthusiasm around every turn. @hmatthews4 @lynnbrae #day110 #iheartnature #alohaaina #bigislandbliss #breathedeep #feelthehumidity #onlythebeginning #annualpassclub