Island lifestyle

This week was extra special. I got to share HI with my Mainland BFF. I wanted to show her the best Oahu has to offer so I visited all of my favorite spots. Although I had been to all these places before it was interesting seeing them through a new person's perspective. 

All visitors that come and see me start their trip off with Mai Tais, pupus and a sunset at the Moana Surfrider. 

To expirience some of the islands history we stopped by the Punchbowl War Memorial. I found a plaque that I've never seen before. This made me think of my Gpa (I sent both grandparents a text to let them know I was thinking of them). 

Valentines day on top of Diamondhead means a cheesy photo shoot. 

This was a great week to visit since Chinatown was full of excitement celebrating the new year!

This was a new scene for me. It was my first time to the Leeward coast with the gorgeous sunset at the lagoons. 

 Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay...one of the best spots in Hi. 

Hiking to the Lanikai Pillboxes on a weekday morning is a whole new expirience. . . Very relaxing. 

I've eaten at Cinnamons before, but never Cinnamons at Ilikai and never had the guava chiffon pancakes. Yum-o. 

Overall a chockfull week with lots to see and do. And now only two more days until the weekend ;-) 

Here's the pic of the week:

 I'm showing of the "guns" while hiking Diamondhhead. 

Mahalo!

B-E-A-utiful

When you stop and look around, the world really is a beautiful place. This is especially true when you live in HI. This week I found myself taking the time to enjoy all the beauty around me. 

On Sunday I got to expirience the best the island has to offer. The sky was blue. There was a slight breeze. And I got to join a group of friends for an amazing hike. With nothing more than a little internet research and directions stating "first hike to the puka, then keep going", we found ourselves hiking from the Makapu'u Lighthouse to Deadman's Catwalk. 

The hike followed the coastline with gorgeous views of the beaches and reefs. 

Here's the infamous puka mentioned in the directions. 

We hiked that whole ridge!

And our reward was the view looking over Deadman's Catwalk. 

On Saturday my focus was on making something beautiful. I took a class on washi chigiri-e, Japanese paper tearing. In the class they provided us with supplies, taught us the technique and guided us through our first project. 

Here's my finished product. The instructor told me my creative touches were "interesting". 

And of course the class was more fun because of the excellent company. 

And a week focusing on beauty wouldn't be complete if I didn't focus on myself. I spent Thursday evening with my friend (who happens to be a hair stylist). She pampered me, gave me a new look and helped me to feel beautiful. 

 

The top pics are the work in progress. The bottoms pics are the two different ways of wearing my hair: sleek vs. wavy. I love it. 

And now for the pic of the week:

I love this group shot at the Makapu'u puka. 

Mahalo!

Festival Season

Festival season was always my favorite time of year in Atlanta. When describing it to my Hawaiian friends I jokingly state it's the period between March and October where every weekend is filled with wine, beer, art and food. 

Right now winter is starting to feel like the Hawaiian festival season. A couple of weeks ago I was celebrating the New Year at the Japanese Cultural Center, this weekend was the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations. 

Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar so it's on a different date every year. This year the official date is February 19th though the festivities seem to be going on all month. 

Eat the Streets is a themed food truck event that occurs the last Friday. This month featured Chinese food, noodle dishes and a lion dance. Sadly my options for Chinese food were pretty limited, since every truck chose to use pork. Haha. 

Check out some pictures from the evening:

It isn't New Year without a lion dance!

I got a plate of garlic shrimp, mac salad and rice. More Hawaiian than Chinese, but still ono. 

The one "Chinese" special I was able to enjoy... dragon fruit lemonade. Check out how my drink matches my shirt that matches my glasses ;-)

And now for the pic of the week:

Mahalo!

Time for a Change

After a lot of thought I think I'm ready for something new. Some people might find moving to a new city, starting a new job and transforming my diet/exercise routine  to be quite a lot of change...but I'm not satisfied. 

So after a year of trying to grow long, luxurious "Hawaiian" hair I think I'm gonna go back to a shorter hairdo. Of course I've done my research and I've narrowed down my potential looks. 

This is what I always wanted my hair to look like, but try as I might I will never have a thick head of hair. 

So let's look at some more realistic options:

Choice #1: I mean, who isn't loving Taylor Swift's new cut!

Choice #2: The classic bob is always a winning look. 

Choice #3: Maybe with some stacking in the back I can "fake" thicker hair!

Choice #4: Maybe with shorter hair I can rock the "wavy-I-just-came-from-the-beach" look. 

If anyone has an opinion now is the time to weigh in...perhaps next week I'll have updated pictures of my new look!

And now for the pic of the week:

Check out this sweet ride. I think I may have found my next car...jk. 

Mahalo!

Inspired

This last week I had to take a break from the gym. I had an embarrassing fall and the result was a lot of bruises, a sore knee and a twisted ankle. As much as I wanted to workout, my body was telling me I needed a break. 

I used some of my time off to read about fitness and nutrition. I also stumbled across some great inspirational quotes. 

Here's some of the good ones:

Not only was this one a good reminder, but also timely with the MLK holiday. 

Delayed gratification isn't easy, but it's important to remember why I'm eating healthy and working out. 

Can't I have both?!?

It's always good to remember where you came from...and where you're going. 

I'm so proud of the things I an do now that were unimaginable a year ago!

Now I have pictures of my injuries, but I didn't think they were appropriate to share. So instead take a look at the first aid supplies I amassed. 

I think they know my name at Walgreens. Haha. 

Luckily I'm (mostly) healed and back to my regular routine. Now instead of finding my inspiration on the internet, I can find it in the gym!

 

And now for the pic of the week:

 Cotton candy sunrise. 

Mahalo!

I got culture!

You don't have to look that hard to realize the culture in HI is very different than back in the South where I was raised. The people are from different countries, the food tastes different, and I've heard languages that I didn't even know existed. Even the religion here is more diverse. 

This weekend I got to expirience Japanese culture. The JCC (Japanese Cultural Center) was hosting the New Year Ohana Festival. I went to check it out with some girls from the gym. 

We started by checking out the food...Duh. 

Here's okonomiyashi, a cabbage & noodle pancake. Oddly enough I wished it had more cabbage!

Here they're making andagi, similar to a  fried donut. I thought they tasted a lot like fritters or hush puppies. 

And of course green milk tea with boba!

Next on the list was cultural immersion. I watched a group pound out fresh mochi. Then I listened to taiko drums. I walked by a Shinto booth where they were giving out sake & candy in exchange for donations. I ended by checking out the crafts & artisans. 

There was a man with his banzai. A group of people were weaving decorative rope. Women were demonstrating creating art with homemade paper (this one was so cool I may have to take a class or two). Finally I tried to copy the Japanese kanji for "dream". 

Here I'm getting my lesson before I start. 

Mine doesn't look quite the same, but my instructor promised I didn't write anything offensive!

And then since the price was right we decided to buy a kimono. 

Of course I picked the purple one!

And now for the pic of the week:

My friend Ali took this one as I was halfway up Koko Head. This hike is a serious one & I'm proud to say that I did it. 

Mahalo!

Off to a good start

2015 started off with a bang... Literally. I spent the evening with friends and then we watched the fireworks from the beach. It was a lovely experience ringing in the new year with my favorite people and my toes in the Pacific Ocean.  

What happens when a "photo booth" is setup on a lanai? A whole lotta awesome pictures like this one!

The fireworks were the perfect end to a perfect evening. 

Firework selfie!

On News Years Day I celebrated with a hike. We walked up the Makapuʻu trail to the lighthouse, spotted a couple of whales and then went further up the trail to check out an old military bunker. 

 Here's a view of the east coast. 

Here's the lighthouse the trail is named for. The whales were playing in the distance, but I couldn't get a good picture. 

Here's the bunker at the top of the hill. 

And because one hike just wasn't enough, on Sunday I went and did the Lanikai Pillbox loop. The first half of the hike was full of tourists, but once you get beyond the second pillbox it gets nice and quiet. 

Cute little sign marking the trailhead. 

Check out the panoramic views. 

I'm so strong I can hold up the Mokes ;-)

Check out all the reefs. 

If this week is any indicator, then 2015 is going to be an amazing year!

And now for the pic of the week:

I love my girls (and Roscoe Rascal too)!

Mahalo!