One Week..Two Weeks...Three Weeks... Four...
Red Fish... Blue Fish...Can't wait for more...
LET'S CELEBRATE because I have spent a month in Hawaii. So let me start off by saying a warm ALOHA!
In honor of a month spent on the mystical yet magical island of Oahu, I will share a few lessons that I have learned.
SLOW DOWN
The action of taking your time and slowing down is hard when you are used to a time limit or approaching deadlines. Here on the island it is a complete turn around. Many call it "living on island time". One is able to accomplish things at their own pace (which probably includes running down to the nearest beach, catching a few waves and then grabbing some shaved ice upon returning). This term has one single meaning and that is why would one want to know what time it is anyways? If you are hungry, you eat. If you are tired, you sleep. If you want to go to the beach, you go to the beach. Simple as that right? It is practically like one is on vacation all the time. Well that is not how it is all the time. I do have an internship, so I can not exactly live by island time all the time. BUT I always tell my host mother that every other day feels like a weekend, so I tend to get all jumbled up on what time or day it really is! So with that said, I have learned the meaning and value of slowing down. The ability of enjoying the day dawn until dusk and to take time to smell the fragrances of the Hawaiian flowers or double checking that you are not about to step on a centipede.
LIVE IN THE PRESENT
I am guilty of always thinking about the future. If someone asks me a ten year plan, I am sure I could give you a list of 4000+ things that I plan on accomplishing. Since living here that list has gone away. Though I still am working towards the future, I have realized plans can change, people can change, and you do not have to have your whole life planned out. Like the cliche saying goes, take it day by day, or as my spanish mother always said to me, "poco a poco". The only thing that I am able to worry about is what is happening now. Why stress yourself out about what is going to happen tomorrow, or next weekend? The ability to then enjoy the current day tends to dwindle away and when you are living on such a beautiful place of God's country you want every day to be quadrupled. While learning to live in the present I have listened more, acted more, and loved more. I have felt the love of not only my host family but the love of God. I believe that most days I put so much pressure on myself to be a better person in preparation for my future that I lose sight of the amazing experiences that I am presented with everyday. With living in the present I have found such peace from within. It is almost like moving to the island was God's way to show me that everyday is valuable. Through this time I have went on glorious (some not as much) hikes, took time to listen to the waves, and enjoyed spending time with my Hawaiian family. Living in the present is nice....very nice.
FIND WHAT TRULY MATTERS
>writing letters
>listening before speaking
>family time
>expressing thankfulness
>HydroFlasks to stay hydrated in this Hawaiian humidity
It is an ongoing trend that when I settle in a new place I continuously realize what I take for granted back home. We are fortunate, so very fortunate, but why do we complain about the littlest things when there are bigger matters to be discussed. I am grateful I do not have a car here because if I would, I would not have formed the relationship that I have with the neighbor that takes me into the city for work. The car rides to and from work are such a treat that I will cherish from this experience in Hawaii. How is it that everywhere I go I get more than I bargain for? I am showered with love from all aspects of this journey that my heart is swollen. Not only do I have Trenna, the best Hawaiian host mother, but I also now have Julie, the generous, loving, and thoughtful neighbor that has turned into a "second" host mother for me. She uses the time spent in the car together as a time for life lessons. She intricately tells me stories of her youth, going through all of the details, little by little. What better way to start of the morning then story time by Julie? She moved to the island when she was 12, so if you ever have a question she is the one to ask because WOW she literally knows everything. Blessings be to my host mothers. With that said, I have learned that materialist things are not needed. Establishing relationships are driving me to become a better person than yesterday and opening my mind up to different point of views as well as opening my eyes to the wonder that God places in our lives each and everyday.
Many of you have asked what I have been up to or what I have been enjoying. Question now is....where do I begin?!?!
(AND I included links to some items mentioned below so DEFINITELY check those out. Yay for visuals!)
In the last month I have....
1. Managed to figure out multiple bus routes from my job in Honolulu to my home in Ewa Beach! (Linked is a map of my location in comparison to my job)
2. Learned the skills of skateboarding from my amazing host sister RUBY. I have loved spending time riding (and falling) around the neighborhood with her. Such an incredible girl with a great mindset and head on her shoulders. Never did I think that I would learn to ride a skateboard, but I am loving it so far and only had one major wipeout! Whoop whoop!
3. Went on adventures with one of the interns that works with me! She is from Maine and has a heart of gold. Like myself she is itching for adventure. On one of our days off we were bound and determined to wake up for a morning hike to a waterfall. That is when it became clear that plans change and going with the flow is sometimes the best bet. It turned out that we hiked a completely different trail and never found the actual waterfall that was SUPPOSE to be right in front of us. After finishing that unplanned hike and receiving many mosquito bites, we FINALLY found the actual trail we were meaning to go on. So with only two hours left before we had prior arrangements, we tackled the original hike...and like Hawaii, once we started a downpour of rain greeted us! An adventurous day to say the least.
4. Tried an array of delicious Hawaiian food like....
>Leonards Malasadas (the Haupia filling is to die for)
>Musubi (I prefer the Tofu, but it is typical to have SPAM in it)
>Poke ( It is raw fish but can be ordered in a variety of flavors)
>Lilikoi Ice Cream (homemade and refreshing)
>A typical Korean Barbeque
>Shaved Ice (but if you ever visit Hawaii go to Uncle Clay's. You will soon taste the best shaved ice known to man and struggle eating any other type)
My host mother Trenna is a phenomenal chef so I am not going hungry here. She makes a mean quiche AND this week she made a batch of Bierocks!
5. Continuing to grow through my internship. Lately us girls had the opportunity to make table settings that were used last weekend in a Kauai wedding. The bride flew all the way to peru to pick up peruvian material that was the statement of the whole wedding. The colors were fresh and vibrate, and I heard the bride was absolutely in love with how it turned out! Not only did she enjoy the outcome of the project, but it brought such joy to work together with the two other interns in the creation of table settings. Looking forward to see what this next month brings!
6. I started an online Microeconomics course. So although I am living in such a beautiful location, with a delightful family, I do have to discipline myself to get all of the assignments accomplish before the deadline. In this case, if an assignment is due at midnight I need to take in mind that I am 5 hours behind the mainland, so I need to stay on top of the game! Yay for school in the summer! Yay for striving to graduate early! Yay for learning! Grateful that I can take this class and explore the world all at the same time. Technology can be great at times!
This month has been a blessing in more ways than one. I am exciting to continue learning, exploring, and seeing the beauty that each day has to offer.
Month TWO, let's knock this one out of the ball park!
Blessings to All,
Sarah
xxx
