Entertainment

So, so thankful for the Hawaii State Public Library System! It feeds the mind and connects all of the libraries on all of the islands for even greater access to the written word. 2. Phone conversations full of promise (Yes I still use a flip phone. They make me feel smart) 3. Mini office supplies in origami boxes. The practical possibilities are endless. #day18 #wereadtoknowwearenotalone #thankyoutaxdollars #thewordboreddoesnotcompute #flipphonegettingthejobdone #iheartorigami

Easter

When I think about Christmas and Easter, songs from my childhood instantly come to mind. Secret Ambition from the album I 2 (eye) is not typically thought of as an Easter song. However when I watched the video on YouTube I was instantly thankful for key 90s fashion pieces (vests in particular), songs with guitar solos, and all artists out there that record music videos through the decades fully knowing that a video might come back to haunt them. (The things I love about this video are just too numerous to list.) I am also thankful for the darkness the back of my eye lids provide as my hours of sleep have been slowly increasing. And breakfast for lunch. Thanks Auntie Lyn! #day17 #ihearthe90s #kenspancakehouse #gotosleepAuntieHeathercloseyourlittleeyes #cantbeatasundaynap #dramaticsongsmakemesohappy

Talk Story

 

Shout out to Talk Story hours with friends that have hilarious shirts (something didn't feel right during exercise), who bring nature's healing fragrance in a gardenia blossom (natural aromatherapy stress relief). Visitors are always welcome! I am also grateful for the human body. Although mine isn't in the greatest shape at the minute I am still blown away by everything that it does and how it is constructed. And of course that an image like this is even possible. #day16 #L5S1pancake #Talkstorytime #thankssomuchforcalling #drinkintheblossoms #moreofmethenyouwantedtosee

My Sister

Top 3 gratitudes today: 1. Engineering ideas that actually work better than imagined (hiking pole + electrical tape + pill bottle cap + markers = stylus for ceiling art project). 2. Sisters, older ones specifically are pretty great. They were chosen to pave the way in life and had no real say in the matter. Mine is the best and am so glad she was born today, 2.25 years before me. 3. Quotes that help put the hard days in perspective. #day15 #thesunwillcomeouttomorrow #artisfun #embracethemess #sisterssistertherewereneversuchdevotedsisters

It's the Little Things

Today I feel a deep gratitude for the people who a working so hard to help me get better. Their kind words and gestures help soothe the deepest pain. I am too grateful for my past-self thinking of my future-self when my present-self remembers a peppermint candy in my bag that I just knew I would find refreshing after maneuvering with my loaned cane companion (which I am very thankful for as well). Lastly I am grateful for painter's tape. This blue non-sticky-residue tape allows crazy ceiling art projects to transpire while feeling secure that it won't fall on my face while I sleep. #day13 #arttherapy #tessaisstillthegreatest #iheartmint #ptkicksmybutt

Attitude of Gratitude

As I have learned while working at Pacific Quest, gratitude is so important in keeping things in perspective. As the mental challenge of my situation is getting tougher more that time passes, I have decided to dive into this attitude of gratitude. 

And so it begins...

Three things I am thankful for: the person/people who made the sunroof a reality. 2. Layers of clouds. 3. A Friend that comes out of Longs with refills of your meds, robin eggs, and chocolate milk. #Tessaisthebest #eastercandywillsoonbegone #outings #day12.5 #ceilinghandlesaresooohelpfultoo

My Current View

Well it happened. My first ride in an ambulance. On April 1, 2017 at 5:50am I was picked up off the bathroom floor at work, put on a bed with wheels, loaded into an ambulance. The pain I was feeling was no joke. It started the previous day. I was leading exercise as my job required. I felt something amiss as I was doing step-ups on a wall. I stopped. I tried lunges. I was loosing strength. I finished the group with arm exercises. I tried to stretch to get my body back into line. I went and laid down for 30 minutes and then stood up to find that my spine was no longer straight. My left hip was sticking out, and it would not go back. Pain levels increased as my ability to stand decreased.

"Heather you have to make it through the day," I told myself. "You have a job to do."

How I made it through is a wonder to me as I have hours now to think. I asked for help, and my co-worker's rose to the occasion. 8 days later with a second ER visit under my belt, I lie in bed thankful for my imagination. Getting to the bathroom is an experience I have to plan out. I have to make sure everything is ready and nothing is in my way. I am grateful I have no stairs to climb and only one corner to go around. I too am grateful for my housemate as she brings be food and makes sure all of my water bottles are full before heading into work.

I have high hopes that this will all be over soon. But then I realize the severity of my situation and pray that however long it takes, I have the strength to make it through one day at a time. For now, I will just have to get used staring at my ceiling.

Labor of Love

I spent the day with my friend Annette and her husband out on their property in the district of Puna. Over 10 years ago they purchased this piece of land and have been working in small increments to make it ready for a home. The picture above does not even begin to showcase all the work they have put into it. I can only imagine the hours they have spent clearing the jungle that is known as Puna. The thick foliage and the lava rock terrain have presented challenge after challenge. Still they press on. They know and see in their mind's eye what they final product will be. With each day they work, this land becomes more and more a labor of love. For they know that fruit they plant today is for the future harvest. And that future gets closer and closer with ever passing hour.

I am excited to see the final product and I have only invested one day. With the years they have invested, I can't even imagine how they feel.

Pololū Paradise

Valentine's Day

That mountain. This Island. Both have found a special place in my heart.

Oceans, Ponds, and Pools

Reading by the calm waters. Hearing the waves crash at the beach further down the road. Turtles hanging in the tide pools. Lunch with friends at Ponds.  I am happy to be surrounded by water. Nothing relaxes the mind and soul the exact same way.

Stat Card

Christmas Cookies

Putting up Christmas Lights.  Check

Making Christmas Cookies. Check. Check.

Decorating Christmas Cookies to represent the perfect man for you. 

Hilariously priceless.

A Very Merry Kauluwehi Wreath Workshop

Bucket List Item: 

Learn how to make a wreath

Opportunity: 

A Very Merry Kauluwehi Wreath Workshop

Hawaiian word lesson:
Kauluwehi means  to decorate/adorn, especially with greenery; richly verdant. 

The Experience: 

• Hiking through nature, seeing snow-capped Mauna Kea
• Finding native plants perfect for using on wreaths in a group of complete strangers ready to create. 
• Learning about endangered species, sharing techniques and best practices. 
• Surprising yourself and others in your creation. 
• Having so much fun that another one just had to be created.

 

Central Christian Christmas

That little white church on the corner with the white picket fence. That church that has been in the town of Hilo for over 100 years. That little church is where I have decided to go and to be. To put my hands to work. To use what I was taught year after year at my home church growing up.

How I love the Christmas season. With all of the twinkle lights and green and red. Fluffing branches. Tying bows. No matter where I live, the same feeling of warmth always comes. And in this little white church, this year will be no different.

Language of the Heart

"Hula is the language of the heart, therefore, the heartbeat of the Hawai'ian people."

                                                             -Kalakaua 

 

I had the wonderful privilege of seeing that very thing displayed in the younger generation. 

 

While sitting in the bleachers, I lady turned to me and asked "Who are you here watching?" 

I replied, "Oh no one. I don't know any of them." 

She looked at me surprised, wondering why someone would come to spend a day sitting in uncomfortable bleachers. I chatted with her a little more and found out that her two granddaughters were in the competition. 

I freely admit that I know very little about Hula. I decided to come to this competition to learn more, to be immersed with the culture. I can imagine how much time and energy they put learning the dance. The hours of practice. 

 

I found the solo hula event the most fascinating, for even though I didn't know anything about the story each was telling or the rules of technique, I could tell who was going to win. When she danced, she moved beyond the technique. She moved beyond the musicality. She wasn't going through a checklist in her head. She was truly dancing from the heart.

First Friday

 

On the first Friday of every month the streets of Downtown Hilo are busy with activity as the shops and restaurants stay open later, galleries have special exhibits, and music is played at different venues around town. The first Friday of November takes it to the next level as it is deemed "Black and White Night." People are encouraged to dress in black and white as they was through the streets watching all of the special performances by local artists. My friend Annie and I headed to the streets to take in all that was being showcased.

Halloween Challenge

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. 

Ray from Star Wars was my costume this year. I had never seen The Force Awakens but knew I would be a hit with the nieces and nephews at least. To my surprise, I ended up winning 4th place in the costume contest! The evening was an absolute blast and continued as I stopped made a stop at another Halloween party many of my work friends where at. I enjoy Halloween for it is a night where people can display their creativity as my friend Hannah embraced her red hair by becoming a strawberry. What will next year bring?

Hanging with Jean

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.

And so here is my finished product after spending a pleasant afternoon with master lei artist Randy Lee and the best cheerleader in the world Jean #hawaiivolcanoesnationalpark #hawaiianculture #artisanatheart #mustcreatewithnature

PA Pit Stop

Another one of those times, when the hand of God is so evident. Coming back from England, I had a 20 hour layover in Newark, NJ. My roommate from college, just so happened to live 40 minutes from EWR with her family. So I was picked up from the airport, and Lynette and I headed for Pennsylvania to pay a visit to my former PA roomy. My one request on this trip was that we went out to eat at the nearest Chick-fil-a, a restaurant not found on the Big Island.

When old friends get together, there is something magical that happens. No facades are needed. A space of support is created as we jump into each other's lives at whatever stage we are in. I was secretly hoping to meet Aletheia's little one on this trip, but it seemed (to Aletheia's dismay as well) that Baby wasn't ready just yet to great the world. Hang in there Mama - you are almost there. Until next time friends.

The journey is always worth it.