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

Good Food. Good Company.

Every summer that I have lived in Hawaii, my housemate goes to Mexico for the majority of the summer. It is not unusual for people to look for a sub-letter in these type of situations.

Last summer was not a pleasant experience. I was glad that I had a job that took me out of my house for 8 days at a time so I could easily avoid the less than peaceful environment that was my home. Coming into this summer I was a little nervous as I had no desire to have a repeat of last year.  

Thankfully this summer was completely different. Katie was starting work at PQ and needed a temporary place to be as she looked for more permanent housing in town. Having been through the process when I moved here, I was glad I had the opportunity to lend a helping hand.  

It definitely was a win-win on so many levels. 

Auntie Des, A co-worker who was there when the ambulance came to pick me up, spread some aloha to the two of us by treating us to breakfast at Hawaiian Style Cafe. Good company and good food can't help but lift the spirits. So, so blessed. 

Mahalo Auntie!

My Cup Overfloweth

 

Today was filled with a roller coaster ride of emotions that ended with some deep gratitude for 1. Rainbows 2. Thinking you only have one left of something and discovering that that one thing is hiding one more 3. Gleaning new thoughts while reading a book for the second time because you can tell you aren't the same person you were when you first read it 4. Ferns and the land metaphors they possess 5. Friends and family that are so, so supportive and 6. Three little words that I have been waiting, hoping, and praying to hear for the last 100 days. Today they finally came. #day102 #happytears #spellingstressedbackwards #iheartnature #itjusttakesonephonecall #mycupoverfloweth #whatajourney

Happy 36th to Me

The Good Ol' 4th

Nothings says "Happy Birthday American" like corn hole, grilling on the front lawn, a flag cake, and a fireworks display over the water. It seems little pieces of all of the places that I have lived seep into this day of celebration. Corn hole might as well be a sport in North Carolina. Fireworks over the waters of Lake Huron or the Black River where a childhood staple in Michigan. Raspberries where picked straight from the plant in Pennsylvania. And what would the good ol' 4th be like without cookout food with old and new friends? My heart sang as I was able to walk to this little get together and experience the traditions of the day.

Land Metaphor

 

I needed some pineapple for my oatmeal this morning. So I walked out the front door and picked this little guy. Not huge but over the past 1.5-2 years he has been using what he has to grow with little to no care or attention. When I think about where I was two years ago, when he started growing, it is hard to believe I was in Pennsylvania packing up my car with all that I owned preparing for a road trip before moving to an island in the middle of the Pacific. The inside of this pineapple, in all of its juicy sweetness, had some bad spots just as my journey has had amazing times and some very hard moments. But I have been learning to be more attentive to my needs to take better care of myself through those times. My hope is that the next metaphorical pineapple I harvest in 2 years will be bigger, healthier, and even sweeter. #day92 #giftfromtheland #landmetaphor #nocaneforthisadventure #bigislandbliss #alohaaina

Botanical Gardens

 

Walking through places like this I somehow instinctively begin to whisper. 

So thankful for 

1. Nature 

2. Color 

3. Warm breezes 

4. Fresh air and 

5. Peaceful moments when all you hear are birds chirping and the rustling of the trees  

#day78 #hawaiianjungle #bigislandbliss #basicallymybackyard #iheartnature

I think I have found my spot.

It makes me wonder what Eden was like?

Hilo Gems

A glimpse of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on a clear day

An early morning oasis from behind bamboo

The smell of plumeria

The sound of water falling on my walk home

The beauty of a trees roots as they do the best they can  in the toughest of soils. 

What beauty would we miss if the ground did not give them trouble?

The gems of Hilo.

Just Keep Creating

As I still unable to go back to work, I have been trying to keep myself busy in other ways. Sitting is still a little tricky as I don't really last very long without my pain levels increasing. So I am pushing my creativity in the normal daily functions of life as well as the ways I am choosing to create. Crochet, I discovered, can be done laying down. And so the palm tree bunting took shape. With watercolor as another option, I keep pushing myself to just keep creating.

Feel the Shake

Woke up this morning at my usual time - just before 7am. Then, as if the earth was my alarm clock, my bed started shaking and things started rattling. The shaking lasted for about 10 seconds.

I have felt a couple of earthquakes in my life. One was actually in North Carolina, believe it or not. However, this was the longest and the most powerful of my experiences to date.

Just a friendly reminder that there can be trouble in paradise.

Big Island Brawl

After living on the Island for over 2 years now, I finally made it to my first Roller Derby! I have had this on my Hawaii Hit List for an age. I am so thankful I am able to move around enough to be out and about a little more. This was quite the introduction into the sport as this brawl was an international competition. Teams from Japan, New Zealand, the mainland and different Hawaiian Islands came to jam. I was so grateful for the run down on the rules of the game in my program. So many moving pieces and whistles. If you wanted to watch a game where there is constant movement,  people slamming into each other, and both teams are earning point simultaneously where you don't have to also keep track of a ball or a puck, then I would highly recommend Roller Derby.

One Step at a Time

Today I am thankful for 1. Proof of progress as my walking stamina increases a little more every day 2. Bridges allowing beautiful views 3. Blooming plumeria 4. Outings to hidden places that spark creativity #day50 #proudofmy40minutemile #putonefootinfrontoftheother #drinkinginblossoms #iheartnature #bigislandbliss #thanksannette

The Much Needed Outing

I am oh so grateful for 1. Drives down old highways that lead to hidden markets 2. Shaved ice and 3. Accidental photos reminding me of surfaces my feet haven't been able to walk on in weeks. #day39 #oldmamalahoahighway #hakalaumarket #eatingshavedicetakesskill #bigislandbliss #iheartoutings #smallstepsforward #fresheyes #thanksannette