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.

All in the Family

Yes, traveling halfway around the world can be stressful. Hawaii and the UK are two islands in two different oceans. Yes, money has to be spent and time as to be rearranged in order to bring family together. It can seem like it will never happen or the distance is too great. However, if an opportunity arises. If a door opens. If Mark is heading to America on business opening up a space in the Sephton household for a visitor - time, money, and distance loose their power.

And so my family visiting adventure continued from Michigan to England where memories were made in the everyday things but also in local adventures. My mom was able to make the trip as well. England showed she can do much more than rain, as the sun broke through on more than one day. We found time for creativity, exploration, and fair share of silliness which are the characteristics that I love most about my family.

On the Move in London

When visiting my sister in England, I always try to take advantage of location by visiting any other friends that might be near by - even just for the weekend. Kara, my friend from PA, is finishing up her degree in London and thus an opportunity presented itself. The weather was on our side as we got to walk the streets of London seeing some sights that she had yet to see. As seems to be tradition with Kara, I always turn up just when she needs me. As providence would have it, Kara was needing my packing skills once again as the day I left she was moving out of her apartment and into another place. As this is my third time helping Kara move (once as I was road tripping through NC and another time in PA) this is a testament to God always providing the aid in our time of need. So glad I could be of service, friend!

There's No Place Like Home

I am so thankful that my job allows me to take a shift off giving me three whole weeks for travel. Nothing warms the heart more than going back to the place where I grew up and feeling that sense of familiarity. I walked to the library and say bikes sitting in the bike rack with no locks. I saw the same trees that always were the first to show signs of fall. Best of all, I saw so many loving faces, received so may warms embraces that I was overwhelmed with the sense that there really is no place like home.

Reflective Hike Down Memory Lane

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.

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...

The Road to Lava

One month after my first adventure to find lava, a second opportunity presented itself. How could I turn it down? The first time, I went for it knowing very little but feeling the rush as one never knows when the lava will stop flowing. A couple of other discoveries were made on that first venture out: 1)  the flow was fast approaching the ocean and one didn't have to hike as far back on the lava rock fields as I did, 2) A gravel road was the first big leg of the journey making hiking simpler, 3) This gravel road could also easily cater to a person on a bike, making the adventure that much faster.

So with the help of Auntie Lyn's bike rack, Annie and I loaded our bikes, drove 45 minutes, and peddled our way down the road to the lava. The lava flow had already crossed the gravel road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park so now no hiking was even necessary. It almost seemed too easy! 

In the end we did have to hike about 100 yards to the edge of the old island to see the formation of the newest part of the island. Night fall had already arrived but the glow of the flowing lava illuminated the waves crashing against the newly formed rock. Although the video does it little justice visually, the sound of the waves can be heard but the heat is something that you really only can experience in person. 

Thanks Annie for another great Monday adventure (and Happy Birthday!).

Let the Celebrations Keep Rolling!

One of the perks of having a birthday directly after Independence Day is there is already a celebratory feeling in the air before my birthday arrives. Festivities for the National Holiday start days before the actual day, I feel like my birthday is just a tag on that gives me permission to keep the celebration rolling. And that is exactly what happened.

July 3rd: As most of my friends are also co-workers, after our shift ended we went to one of those only places in Hilo open that late: Ken's House of Pancakes. Thanks Hannah for the strawberry pancakes!!

July 4th: Classic Car Show, Potluck with Texas Holdem lesson (I was a very good student and made a couple friendemies - a shame no money was involved), and fire works in Hilo Bay.

July 5th: Kozmic Cones Ice Cream (Thanks Auntie Lyn), Big Island Candies free samples, Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes, Big Chair Hunt to stage my "420 months" photo (Thanks HomeWorld for humoring me and being my photographer), Airport Drop-off/Car pick-up (thanks Brianna for letting me use you car!!!), and journey to over 9000ft to see plants, stars, and the galaxy.

A little birthday reflection:
"Thank you everyone for the fabulous birthday wishes! I had a marvelous day full of old classics and new wonders as I put on my 808 thermals and ventured to Mauna Kea's visitor station (9200ft) for some star gazing. After seeing the Milky Way, Mars, and Saturn and its rings I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all that had to happen to get me to this place and moment in my life. Like trying to fathom the depths of the heavens, I will never truly comprehend it all. (Sigh.) Feeling blessed."









July 6th: The first real challenge of my 35th year of life: Hiking across lava rock to find the molten variety flowing from inside the earth. In about 4.75 hours, I put 11+ miles on my legs. Yes they felt like jell-o.

July 7th: Snorkeling at Two Step beach, exploring some Hawaiian history at Pu`Uhonua O Honaunau, lounging at A-Bay, and line dancing potluck.

I will say that at this point the celebrating died down. It was a full few days with so much exploring, but I had one more day of celebration in me. It just so happened to fall on my dear niece's birthday as well (Happy Birthday Eva!!)....

Today, July 10th: Botanical World Adventures - complete with two waterfalls, a maze, an arboretum, and delicious cupcakes. (Thanks Annie for the sweet treat and Carrie for running a marathon to get the tickets and then giving them to Annie so this day would be possible!)

What a fabulous week!