Things are picking up

I have not been so great about updating... but, I just downloaded the blogger app- so I can do this on my phone!

Let's see- what is new...
Last weekend I went out with my LIS girls and had a great nite at Senor Frogs-- per usual... I saw Lion King in 3D--- I wish that they would make The Little Mermaid in 3D-- that would be awesome.
It was fun to sing-along, and remember being young... hahha.

This week, I have been pretty busy... October is going to be a stressful month-- so, I'm trying to get my self organized before the storm.
I've been a bit frustrated this week... I think I'm stressed and a bit burnt out.

Monday- I got super lost and took the wrong bus home... I guess I thought it was the A, but it was really the 9... and I unfortunately did not realize that until 30 mins later... the bus was super packed... and I guess I didn't hear the stops or couldn't see that pathway... I took a nice scenic ride out east of Manoa--- found New Jersey Ave--- what up!!
Also unfortunately, the bus did not stop anywhere near my apartment--- so I had to get off at a random stop-- I tried to call a cab-- but none answered, so I just walked home- with my 3 full grocery bags.... ugh. It was terrible.

Tuesday- I thought that I was organized and ready for class-- I made my lunch to bring to school, and had everything done... I was walking back from Yogurtland, not a care in the world... when I realized that I never emailed or saved a copy of my essay for my class in an hour--- luckily, Debby drove me home to fetch my work...
and when I got home, I discovered that they were spraying and doing maintenance in the apt- and I had to be out from 10-1 the next day...

Wednesday- Rachel and Kiks saved me and we all went to Denny's for breakfast!! Yum!!! Then, Rach and I went to Forever 21 and bought some super cute new dresses!!!
Came home and took a nap... then to school to hang out before class... and after class I went out with the roomies, apt girls, and LIS girls--- it was a great and late night.

Today is a slow day, but I must do some research and work....

Getting a clearer head

Hey all!!
I had a busy weekend and explored some of the Hawaiian nightlife... but considering that October is going to bring me lots of papers and presentations, I need to settle down a bit.

I went to the beach a bunch this weekend, I'm looking forward to exploring another beach besides Wakiki... there are serious rocks in the ocean, and I have cut both my feet on them. I am being especially careful since a woman boogie-boarding told me that her husband stepped on a crustacean and couldn't walk for a month. And I am trying not to hurt myself while I am here.
I swear this weekend, I shall visit at least one new beach.

I'm thinking of purchasing a waterproof camera-- to take snorkeling and to the beach... I need more pictures!!!

I had my first presentation in class this week-- it went well, but I def. went over my 9 mins--- it was more like 20--- but it's better to have more information than too less, right?

After class, I came home and started right away of my work for next week. I need to get ahead of all my work for October, or I will drown in it. I am finally feeling the grad school stress that I have heard so much about!!

One month

Hello! This is my new home... hahha
I have now been in Hawaii for one month... in some ways it feels like that amount should be at least 6 months, and in others, it feels like I just got here.
A lot of my friends from home keep mentioning to me about how happy I seem out here--- and they are right. I have a lot of great/amazing days. For example yesterday, I woke up around 11:30 and dragged Rachel and Kiki to the beach. We met up with some other friends, grabbed some subway and rushed to class- only 5 mins late.
After class, I got drinks with Rachel and Momo, and then we decided to go to Senor Frogs for their dollar drinks and dancing... and Kiks came too! It was such a fun nite-- with the slight exception of me eating a Cajun hot dog--- it was sooo spicy...

I'm thankful to have met such really great people, and to be part of an interesting and stimulating program.

A case of the Mondays?

I woke up around 5 am today... I thought that I would go back to sleep, but so far it hasn't hit me. I went to bed really early-- I know I was asleep before 9:45... but I was pretty exhausted from not sleeping the night before. I wish that I was up doing something crazy and fun, but mostly I am in my room watching Bones.

Let's recap the weekend: Friday I did homework-- but I really wanted to finish all my work for this week before Monday-- I just have a chapter of reading to do, but I left the book in my locker at school, I think I will head to campus today to do some much needed errands, and work in the library for a bit, on that reading and some other research.

Saturday: I slept in, hung around with the roomies, did some pleasure writing-- on a side note, I am reading this amazing book called Writing Down the Bones and it is helping me unlock from the writer's block that I have had for the past couple of months...
then, my friend Rachel came over and we took the bus to Wakiki to meet up with Kiki, D, and Alex for dinner then drinks. We went to Margaritaville for dinner and ate this huge platter of nachos. I loved the interior of the restaurant, ocean projections on the walls, blue wave floors... it was right up my alley.
We then hit up Senor Frogs for some serious dancing--- I had a really good time. I love dancing, but I love making new friends! I need to get a real camera to take pics-- I think i want an underwater one.

Sunday: I couldn't really sleep-- but got a chance to talk to mom and dad at a way earlier time for them-- and got my tickets for Thanksgiving! I am really glad to go home, Hawaii is amazing, but I majorly miss my family and friends!!!
I was super productive and started to work on a project that is not due for another week, but I don't want to be as stressed about school as I was last week.
Then the roommies and I watched a chick flick marathon of Legally Blonde, Princess Diaries 1-2, and I went to bed at 9:30-- which may be part of the reason that I was up sooo early!

A visit to the Library

Yesterday, a friend from class and I went to the Hawaii State Library to look for books for an assignment. I had never really been to that part of Honolulu yet, we took a whole new bus to get out there.
The library was beautiful, with a courtyard, and marble floors... it had a fully developed children's section with different sections for teens and middle schoolers. I could of spent an hour or more rereading the teen books that I read throughout high school...
I got books for an assignment due this week, and pulled some books for my future projects... I like that I am much more dedicated as a student than I have been in past years.

Afterwards, we went to the ball to grab some food. And I had a delicious burger with guac, cheese, and mayo... it was massive, but really hit the spot. I haven't been the same around red meat since my food poisoning, only a month and a half a go.... ack.

Classes, done.

A nice thing about having class only 2 days a week, is that my week is done on Weds!
And, after a hectic week of trying to get work done, next week looks to be a bit breezier.

I had a really good day, I woke up and skyped with mom and Aaron, and dad....
then with Melis and Lyla!! WHom smiled when she saw me!! Aw, I miss her!
Then, I talked to April! Thanks to all my friends for keeping in contact with me!

When I finally got to campus, I met up with some friends at Yogurtland! Yum!
And then we had class... which, was actually not so bad today. I was super focused and asked a lot of questions... and knew what I was doing when it came time to practice. Go me!

But, what I really like is connecting with the other grad students... it's nice to be with people whom know how you feel, and are in the same new boat as you.

Weekend events

Friday- I went to an LIS (Library and Information Science) pau hana which means end of work/school. Basically a chance to grab some drinks and food and talk. It was fun to get out and meet more fellow students whom are also new to Hawaii and ready to explore it! I have def. not been exploring as much as I would like to, but as school has started, you get into routines and it is hard to take a break from that. But, I have a lot of free days-- so I should get up and out.

Saturday- I was a good girl and stayed home to do work... I read for three hours and didn't even make a good dent in my work.

Sunday- I had a great experience at an event called Floatopia-- where people gathered on all kinds of water floaties and hang out in the shallow end of the ocean. Some people were on baby rafts and whales... it was quite the experience. It was good because it reminded me that I am still young and capable of having fun, something that I forget as I often call myself a dinosaur.

Monday- I woke up super early and watched the sunrise... I think it's good to do that every once in awhile--- it reminds you that each day begins anew. It is peaceful and calm in the morning, and even slightly cool-- which is an amazing feeling in all my 87 degree days. And I spent my labor day, laboring on two papers which are due tomorrow... and I am almost done with both... enjoy the sunrise above--- it's slightly blurry, but still beautiful!

Check out my room!

Here are some photos of my room-- send me pictures to hang up... it does not look this clean anymore... ha. Notice my sweet double bed.

September 1st--- My east coaster family and friends will be starting to introduce sweaters to their wardrobe, and I am still living in the tropical heat.

I have been in Hawaii for 18 days... it feels like it's been a few months. I'm still getting adjusted to island life, some days I don't have to stick my head in the freezer to cool down... and I mostly have the bus lines that I use down... but, the time difference is still hard to get used to. I hate waking up at 12, and having it be 6pm at home. And, of course I could get up earlier, and I mostly do-- but it's still a big time adjustment.

I think I will be exploring some more beaches this weekend, so more photos to come!