Full Circle

Welp, considering that has been over a year since I have written in here, I'm thinking that this post may be just for me. That's fine because truth be told, I have a lot on my mind. I just planned my going away party details on Facebook, and considering it is in 4 days, I had to laugh. I think that is just about the same amount of notice that I gave my NJ friends when I was leaving for Hawaii. It made me smile, I guess that even though my life feels like a complete and under mess right now... some things are still the same. It's hard not to judge myself just based on my current situation, so knowing that this is how I was two years ago both depresses me and makes me feel like I am just being me, and unfortunately sometimes that is just a mess. As low as I can feel, I can't fall completely, because after all the loss and troubles that have come into my life, I have had a really good time of it! Hawaii will always be the best decision that I ever made. Even if I never succeed, I will never regret coming here. That means a lot to me because I have a lot of regrets. There have been a lot of really good times here. I have made friends that will be in my life forever (whether they want it or not- ha!), and I am proud of my accomplishments! While my life is a stress ball right now, and it doesn't seem to let be letting up at all... Hawaii was still a great experience. And the warmth of those wonderful memories will keep me warm until things work out! At least I hope it will. Fingers crossed!

Hawaiian Vacation

My first week of classes went great, I am excited for the new challenges that they will bring to me.
Not only was I excited to be back in Hawaii, but I was even more excited for my college friends Leppy and Robyn to come visit for the week!
They rented a car, and it is really exciting to explore more areas of the island with the freedom of personal transportation! I've also come to realize that I know more about this area than I had previously thought.

We've had many adventures so far, with much more to come!


After they got in on Friday, we drove over to Waikiki to see some of the famous beach and check out the shops.


I banked on them being completely exhausted from the flight and time difference, so we went to sleep early and woke up early to venture to North Shore- which is north west from me.
We got to Waimea Beach early in the morning, and although swimming was not allowed, with the exception of serious swimmers or those using flippers, we had a nice relaxing morning of laying around and getting our toes wet.

We also ventured over to Pipeline beach where they hold world famous surfing competitions- esp in December-- and saw some awesome waves and surfers.




On our way into town for a snack, we stopped at Shark's Cove- which luckily has no sharks-- and took some really breathtaking photos of the area, which is also a great spot to whale watch, not that we saw any.... ha.



Stopping into town, we stood on a relatively quick line to try the famous M. Matasuro's shave ice. Shave ice is like a snow cone that's ground a bit finer, and that have tons of flavors to try! I got strawberry, banana, and pina colada with ice cream at the bottom, and a snow cap (condensed milk). I figured I may as well get the works while I am here. It tasted like a chopped up ice pop, but it was sooo good.



Our day ended with watching the sunset further down on the west coast around Ma'ili Beach. It was so relaxing, and beautiful to watch the colors pass from bright yellow to burning red to a cool blue.

It feels like the first time...

Hello, let's start this all again... new year, new chance to get things right.

I am back in Hawaii after three short and hectic weeks at home!!
As I got off the plane the other day, and sat in the taxi on the way to my apartment, I couldn't help but think about how new everything felt again. I was going "home" in one sense, but at the same time, so many things would be different at this home... There would be no Kiki to balance out my optimism or see in all my classes, no Mindi to look at the clouds with and talk all about life, and no Brit to flitter in and make me roasted vegetables or beg me to go out dancing...
And not only are certain people gone, but I have a new semester, a new schedule, probably new friends to make too. I'm both excited and sad by this, I love new things, a fresh start, but it sad to say bye to such amazing friends.

One thing I was looking forward to be reunited with is the amazing Hawaii weather--- I bundled myself up in NJ dealing with freezing days, and my first day back I am in shorts and a tank top... it is glorious!!

My spring semester started yesterday, it was great to be back in a classroom, sharing ideas with peers, and exploring new ideas. So far, I am really excited for this semester-- I think it will be just as good, if not better than the last.

And, to be even more excited two of my good friends from college are coming to visit on Friday!! So, I will have soo much more to share with you all as we explore more of Hawaii!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Octsnowber?- Academics

Aloha!
I can't believe that it snowed in NJ already!! Just one more beautiful reason to be in Hawaii!!
There is soo much to update, I will probably need a few posts to get through it all!

Let's start off with academics!!!

I had been overly stressed for the longest time for a presentation in my 610 class about banned and challenged books.... I let myself get completely worked up, and it ended up being a really great presentation!! Especially since I included a class activity, where I passed out children's books that had been challenged, and asked the class to reflect on why they may have been challenged.... it went really well!!
I also found out that I got my first perfect paper in that class!!! I had gotten A's in the past, but my professor had always taken a fraction of a point off for some reason, so it feels amazing to get a perfect paper!! It's ironic because I was convinced that my paper was doomed because I couldn't get ahold of the biography of the person I was writing about. Instead, I pulled from a variety of sources to create an image of her, and that was exactly what my prof. loved about the paper!!!

I got an A+ on my paper about choosing children's books based on their development classification for my 681 class...
this class is a bit slower getting work back to us, but I will take it!!

And my cataloging class, I had my first quiz, which I think I did well on, but we shall see!!

It's crazy that I have 6 weeks of classes left!! And then I have one semester of grad school done, and 3 more left!!

I have to say, I love being in school again... and I LOVE taking myself seriously as a student!! I think that it shows!

I made my tentative schedule for next semester, but I don't register until the 20th... but it looks like I will have room to take an edtech class.... I will have plenty of room, since as of now, I would only have class Mon- Weds. Not to shabby!

More updates later! Miss everyone!!

Two months!

I didn't realize when I posted yesterday, but it was my two month anniversary in Hawaii!! It's so weird, it feels like I have been here much longer...
I have completely settled in, and made some variation of a home here-- even though my heart is still in NJ! I have good friends, a good apartment, good roomies... , and a lot of good times. I am even slowly getting used to the weather... it's funny out here because the weather report always says like 85-87 degrees, but as my friend Debby says, even though the numbers stay the same, it feels different on different days.
The weather has been one of the biggest challenges to face here... it can get sooo hot. But, last night I used a light blanket and actually had my fan on the lowest setting... which is a big change from the days that I slept curled around the fan... although it is getting slightly cooler at night.

I find that I really miss fall... I never really liked fall at home, to me it meant that summer was ending, all the life was dying, and the world was about to be frozen... but, here, it still feels like summer. I would love a nice 70 degree day-- cool enough to maybe wear a light sweater, or some capris--- but it seems impossible here. ha. I also miss the leaves changing color, which always made me think of making waxed leaves with my Grammy...

I didn't end up going to North Shore yesterday, we just couldn't get our act together-- which was fine with me, since I have a lot of work...
I cleaned my room, and actually made my bed, and am typing this up at my desk, which I have never sat at before. I mostly do my work at the library or in the living room... but it's sort of nice to be alone and focused on what I am writing...

But, I should get back to work... so I will leave you with a shot of some of the beautiful trees that I walk past on the way to school:

Taking it all in...

Hey everyone!!

Monday I wanted to lay around and relax, but my friends Momo and Rach dragged me to a Polysasian dance group.... which was really entertaining, it was cool to see real island dancers.

Tuesday was another full day of classes, but I was so tired that I had to take a nap in between. ha.

Wed- we went out to celebrate my roommate's bday!! Yay- Paulina! We got her a lei filled with little bottles of Jack Daniels-- it was soo funny!!

Thurs- Did some homework and hung out with roommies and neighbors...

Fri- I went for coffee with Rach and Kiks, and then went to a meeting to make posters for Open Access Week-- the last week in October. I am making a poster about how people are creating books that they want others to sample or build upon, and the creative commons licensing that gives them rights for free... it's a pretty interesting idea for new creations! Creative people should def. look into it... and then came home and watched The Hangover...

Sat- laundry and homework day... but tonite I am renting a car with roomies and neighbors and driving up to North Shore to check out the great beach there-- home of the famous surfing competitions... and delicious shaved ice--- which I have not had yet!!!... and powdery sand beaches...
and then more back to homework!
Hopefully, I will have good pics to post!!

Welcome to October!!

I had an interesting week...

Monday- I helped out in another class, since I am a member of the Web Team, I have barely any experience in HTML-- but I was able to help a few students... go me. But, the teacher bought us a fresh lei--- it was soo pretty and nice of her. I worked with RACHEL on doing homework... and several coffee breaks.

Tuesday- I was a unicorn--- haha. I had a presentation about reference materials for folktalks, imaginary places, and creatures... and when I saw my professor the week before and made small talk about my presentation, I made a small joke about dressing up like a creature myself... and she loved it!! ha. I have been getting As in this class, but looking for something extra to get that A+, so I took it as a challenge--- and decided on making a simple unicorn costume! It was actually fun, my friend Debby took me to a fabric store to get some purple felt, which I think I can use for my Ursula costume... yay.
I had my presentation-- my class was actually delighted--- yay librarians... and I think my professor appreciated the effort. Not to mention that my presentation actually went really well. I have to say that I never realize how much I enjoy making costumes... it is in my blood, after all. I just can't sew, so things are held together with pins and Velcro.... haha.



Wednesday- I slept in and relaxed... and then started the research on my 610 paper that I had received an extension on... and had class... and then dinner and drinks with LIS girls-- including Debby--- and then the usual Senor Frogs, which is always a good time...

Thursday- I spent the day working on my paper.... reading tons of literature about Katharine Sharp whom was instrumental in professionalizing the library science degree program.

Friday- I finished my paper, and laid around... then Debby took me grocery shopping--- which is amazing, because I have been in such the mood to bake, but never have any ingredients. And then the roommies and girls decided to go to first friday- a celebration each month in Chinatown-- but we missed our bus, so we went out in Wakiki....

Saturday- Has been all about resting, making good meals, and now watching Bridget Jones.... I love this movie....

Enjoy the pics!! I miss everyone!!