...of mice and men

I composed this post as I was flying back from the mainland.  

I am leaving Oregon for the third time in 5 months.  On this trip though things changed.  Our family is forever changed.  And now the time has come to move forward.  Funny how things go.  What I am doing today is not what I thought I would be doing, but then again, do we really know what we will be doing today, or tomorrow, or next week? 

During my stay, I had time to reflect and take stock of where I am in life.  And while it is true that I am not where I thought I would be in this adventure in regards to being established here on the island, we are still nonetheless, here…in Hawaii.   And that is saying something,  It says that even though our adventure took some difficult turns, we are still here, still persevering.

And isn’t that a part of any adventure?  Perseverance.  Facing challenges as they arise and coming out the other side.  True, we may come out a bit worse for wear.  Or perhaps if we’re lucky, a bit wiser.  And maybe, just maybe, if we are truly in the spirit of it all, we come out a bit more grateful for the experience.

For better or worse things have changed, but in the end, the grand adventure of life still remains…     

Take care and enjoy,
-Mahalo

Aloha ‘Oe...

Life as a blur

I apologize for the lack of posts here lately.  I have been (and still am) on the mainland helping to care for family.

Be it for better or worse, life goes on, even in paradise.  But one thing that remains true no matter where you are is that life is what we make it.  I received a very somber reminder of that fact when I was witness to a family being told that their loved one would not make it through a long and complicated medical bout.  Later that day while in line at the hospital cafeteria, a clerk cheerfully asked the man in front of me how his day was going and he replied in a rather dour tone "it's just another day."  I thought about the family and their mother, and that for them it was anything but 'just another day.'  As it turned out, she did make it through and is now progressing with promise, but the juxtaposition of those taking life for granted and those pouring their entire soul into making it through one more day will forever serve as catalyst to continue to live life fully and with gratitude.

And through this arduous time I have discovered that although Hawaii is where Gail and I live and call home, we have come to realize that home per se is not limited to a physical location, but rather, it is where your heart is.  The love and support that we have been so privileged to experience has expanded our view to know that in any one moment, in any one place, we can experience home.

As always, take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

The Office

Just one of the many perks of Island Life…!

In the clouds

Last Thursday afternoon my phone rang...

Gail: Where are you at?
Me: Waimea Bay.  What's up?
Gail: Dave says he'll take you flying.
Me: What?!  No way!
Gail: Yes!  Meet him at Dillingham Airfield in 25 minutes.
Me: OK, I'm on my way.  Thanks!!!

Dave is a skydiving and glider pilot here on the North Shore.  We met him when we first arrived through Melissa and Scott, and since then we have bumped into him on occasion and he always offers to take us flying.  Well, on Thursday he was at the ice cream parlor that Gail works at (Scoop of Paradise), he said it was going to be a great sunset and he would take me up.  Needless to say, I was stoked!

As I drove up to the hangers he was standing by his plane, ready to go.  Now, Dave is young - some might say maybe a bit too young - but he takes flying very seriously and he is an extremely aware pilot.  Having said that, he does retain a healthy dose of youthful exuberance, which became evident in choosing to fly with no door...and barefoot.  Come to think of it, maybe his youthful slant didn't play as much of a part in these seemingly dicey choices of operation as one would think, but rather, perhaps it was just a perfectly normal matter of flying Hawaiian style...

Dave's pride and joy is his 1947 Aeronca Champ.  The Champ is remarkably light as the fuselage and wings are made with wood spars and formers, covered in fabric.  The plane is more than adequately nibble, and is also very quick to become airborne (much to my surprise!).  Once we were in the air it was squirrely, not in a bad way mind you, but in a 'I am letting go of the safety bar and throwing my hands in the air' roller coaster kind of way.  I mean after all, there was the vintage 1947-esque single-strap seat belt (cinched ever so tight) to help quell any anxious moments that may have crept up while doing insanely steep bank turns a mere 800 feet above the crashing surf below.

A friend of Dave's, who was piloting a 1938 Piper Cub, was already in the air so we joined him and began flying in formation.  We did flybys of the airfield, took turns leading and trading places, and we even did a touch and go (or 'bump' as Dave more accurately called it).

The flight was epic and filled with elements that make for a grand adventure: magnificent beauty, feats of daring, lapses of uncertainty, and the most anticipated of all, the perfect three-point landing.

Despite sporadic bouts of silent profanity-laced exclamations and repeated vows to reform, the flight was very freeing and serene.  And to be honest, after all was said and done, I have to say that more than a small part of me wanted to go right back up and do it again.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo

Distractions

 I was talking on the phone with our daughter, Theresa, this evening when I got sidetracked by this beautiful sunset.  I broke away from our discussion so that I can take this picture (from our lanai).  

Moments like this are but just one of the many (and I do mean many) welcomed distractions here...

Thanks for being so understanding, T.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo  

Into the Mystic

...Smell the sea and feel the sky

Let your soul and spirit fly, into the mystic...

by Van Morrison

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

A new day and a new place to call home

Gail and I just made our 4th move in as many months, but we're very excited to say that this one is going to be home for the next year. 

I'll be writing more about our new place and the neighborhood, but the sun is beginning to set and we don't want to miss it!

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

Keep on keepin' on

Every morning when we wake up it takes a bit for us to realize where we are and what we are doing here.  I guess moving after living in one place for nearly twenty five years will do that to you.  

My new wake-up routine reminds me of the end of the movie, 50 First Dates, in that I replay a mental video of recent events to get me up to speed as to why I am in a strange bed, in a strange room, in a strange house, in a…well, you get the picture.

It is good to go through the cognitive gymnastics and replay the myriad of decisions and actions that have brought us here.  It gives pause for reflection and allows for a moment of gratitude.  And, it also provides clarity and affirmation that this is where we are supposed to be.

Which isn't to say that life here isn't without its struggles, sacrifices, or acute moments of pining for our kids, our family, and our friends.  But, it is the life we have chosen and we owe it to ourselves to work diligently towards making every day a good one.

I'm not going to say that it has always been easy, but in some ways, being here does make it easier.  At the very least, for me, the recovery rate of going from a downcast mood to happy one is much quicker here.  Maybe it is the immense beauty that envelops us.  Or the authentic happiness that we see reflected in people's faces everyday.  Or maybe, it is the feel of the warmth on our skin, the deep blue of the sky, and brightness of the sun in our eyes.  

But for whatever the reason, I know that being here makes us feel good about...being here.  And that gives us heart in living this extraordinary adventure.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo

Out and about in Haleiwa

Last night, Gail and I attended a local happening in Haleiwa.  It was an art walk of sorts, and our favorite local band/musicians, Ron Artis, and his brother, Thunderstorm, were playing an acoustic set, so we went to hang out and enjoy the evening.

The event took place at Haleiwa Joe's, a very popular restaurant in town that overlooks the harbor.  The vibe was chill with a painting class going on, live music, and works of various artists on display.  The weather was mild and seem to fit the mood while people milled around on the lawn, took in the art work, and enjoyed the view.  

Gatherings like this is but one of the many wonderful things that contributes to this North Shore town's famous 'hang loose' character and charm.  Of course, beautiful vistas, the world's best surf, and genuinely welcoming folks doesn't hurt either…

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

A little sun, a little rain, a whole lot of fun!

Gail and I went snorkeling this afternoon and got quite a surprise.  When we left the studio it was cloudy and windy but nothing unusual.  

When we got to the beach, families were enjoying the afternoon and some fishermen were casting for their dinner.  We put our gear on and began our outing.  The waves were a bit bigger than usual and with the wind blowing it made for a fairly strong current, but nothing that was unsafe.  After a while of swimming around I began to hear something odd and felt something hitting my back.  I popped up to see that a storm was coming through fast and hard.  

I did a quick scan for Gail to make sure that she was ok and when we made eye contact we just smiled, shrugged our shoulders and went back to snorkeling.   The sound of rain underwater was pretty cool to hear and the rain felt like a gentle massage on my back.  I kept popping up to watch the waves coming at me and the dark water swirling all around.  I looked up and down the beach and what was a lively scene just minutes before, was now a deserted stretch of sand, which made for an erie and surreal feeling.  

After we were done and got out of the water we were met with a torrential downpour.  We retrieved our now-soaked towel and things and began our walk home.  By that time the wind really kicked up and the rain got heavier and it felt like we were getting pelted by light hail, which surprisingly, did have a bit if a sting to it.  Nonetheless, we kept laughing like school kids and enjoyed it all the way home.

Hot showers were in order and once showered and dry, we were starving so we broke into the pupus, which tonight was cone sushi and pickled ginger.  Ono kine grindz, brah!

Today, as is with most days here, we continue to be awed with life on these islands.  And time and time again, just when we think we are getting the hang of it, we experience something new and exciting that puts a welcomed twist in our days. 

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo 

It was a good day

On Saturday, Gail and I helped with a beach clean up and we found it to be a very rewarding experience.  Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii organized the event and gathered together a great group of volunteers to clean up an isolated, but very trashed beach in Kahuku.  Also, later in the afternoon Gail and I helped with the separation of the plastics, trash, and derelict commercial fishing nets that had been collected.

Upon our arrival at the beach, we were met with a very somber sight.  The would-be wonderful stretch of coastline was blanketed with a myriad of items that washed ashore from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (also known as the North Pacific Gyre).  As this particular locale is at the northern tip of Oahu it gets the brunt of the currents and as such, it collects an inordinate amount of garbage deposited from the GPGP.  

It is crazy to think that with all the trash we picked up (over 800 lb.), we only made a negotiable impact in the overall cleanliness of the beach.  Which isn't to say that it was for naught; on the contrary, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii had over one hundred volunteers involved and that made a huge impact in educating, raising awareness, and giving everyone a first-hand glimpse of the sheer magnitude of debris floating in our oceans.

Another very good outcome of the clean up is that Adam Lowry, co-founder of Method, was there to join in the clean up and to help with the sorting of plastics.  Method is - to my knowledge - the only company that is taking ocean debris and recycling it into bottles for their soap products.  This step, albeit a very small one, is geared towards raising public awareness as they help rectify the problem of plastics in the oceans.  It is a very crucial first step by Method in demonstrating that ocean debris can indeed be recycled into industrial-grade plastic, thus opening the door for future ventures involving the harvesting and recycling of ocean plastics as a viable commercial endeavor.  

Of course, this progressive move by Method is but a stopgap measure to help alleviate the devastating consequences of the GPGP, with the real solution being in keeping plastics, trash, and derelict nets out of the oceans to begin with.  And that my friends, will take a collective, herculean effort from all of us in taking responsibility for the creation, usage, and disposal practices of plastics, trash, and jettisoned commercial fishing gear.  And, this impelling need has to be addressed not only at a local or regional level, or even just at a national level, but rather, this has to happen on a worldwide scale.  It is a tremendously daunting undertaking to be sure, but can you imagine the escalating and dire repercussions should we choose to not embrace this challenge?  

Ok, so obviously I get wrapped pretty tight on this matter, but I'll get off my soapbox and get back to the story.

At the end of the day, Gail and I were invited back to the SCH campsite to share in a celebratory beer for a job well done.  As we were sitting on the beach basking in the glow, we were kept company by two sleepy Hawaiian monk seals.  Talk about a payback for our efforts!  Getting to see these animals was indeed a wondrous experience and served as a confirmation that what we did earlier that day did matter.  

I have said this before, and please bear with me as I say it again...I love this place!!!

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

An eye-opening point of view...(Gail humor)

This is how we have been looking at things here lately.  Pretty sweet!

Nap time

I went for a walk on the beach today and came across this little guy taking a break from the water.  He opened his eyes for a minute as I walked up but then it just dozed off again.  Did I mention that I love it here? : )

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo

A post for Pop

When Vince and I came to the islands in May of last year, mom and pop took me to Shiro's in Waimalu for sushi. 

Now, we were raised on maki sushi, or what we called black sushi, and mom makes the best.  She always has, and she always will, but…I have to say that Shiro's is very, very good.  It is so good, in fact, that pop doesn't even put soy sauce on these, and this is a man who brings his own bottle of soy sauce wherever he goes (for reals)!  

Like mom, Shiro's uses tuna (instead of raw fish), fishcake and egg.  Simple and perfect!  Mom learned to make these from her mom as this particular type of tuna-filled sushi evolved from plantation workers (mom's family lived in plantation housing as Grandpa Manuel worked for one).  During the day the workers brought their lunches out to the fields with them and they needed food that didn't require refrigeration.  They were inexpensive to make (as money was very tight), easy to eat, compact, and they stayed fresh.

It's funny, but we consider this type of sushi a comfort food, much like mac and cheese, or meatloaf is for others. In fact, even to this day whenever we go to mom and pop's house to visit, the first thing we ask is if mom made black rolls, and the kids even have their own special rolls that mom makes for just them.  

They are that good!

Needless to say that since we arrived here, I have been raving about Shiro's.  So, the other day we made a special trip to get some.  Gail and I snapped up the last two rolls that they had and went to the park across the street and we got down with those 'ono kine grindz.'  It was as good as I remembered, and when I looked over at Gail, I knew she was hooked too.

If you enjoy planation-style maki sushi, or have a desire to try some, and you find yourself on Oahu, you owe it to yourself to stop by Shiro's. 

But go early 'cause the black sushi goes fast!

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

PS. Pop, thanks for the tip!  The sushi is on me when you come over in June. 

Discoveries!

Aloha!  It has been awhile since I've posted so I thought I would bring everyone up to date.  In the past week Gail and I worked through colds and lots of rain, even by local standards (yes, people do fall ill here and yes, it does rain in Hawaii- albeit it is a warm rain), so we kept a low profile and just chilled.

On Sunday we drove to Waikiki where the sun shone bright and went swimming.  It felt so good to be in the water again, and we instantly felt better.  Later, we walked to Duke's to listen to Henry Kapono (Duke's on Sunday!) and enjoyed a wonderful dinner.

Monday found us at our favorite ice cream parlor working on our resumes and appreciating the company of people.  We also experienced an amazing raw food lunch, and yes, it was delicious!  The parlor also host raw food dinners once a month.  We went a few weeks ago and listened to some terrific live music, savored an incredible meal, we met more wonderful people, and had a very good time.  By the way, if you have never tried a raw food meal, give it a go.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

But, as good as things have been, I have to say the highlight of our week has been the discovery of our beach across the street.  We have gone before but not to swim as the waves were huge.   But the waves have calmed down considerably and so after lunch on Monday, Gail and I went snorkeling and it was such an awesome experience.  We swam among turtles and a myriad of colorful and intriguing fish.   On Tuesday we watched a turtle grazing on the coral and just floating about.  We stayed with it for quite a long while (at a respectful distance).  It was so mesmerizing.  I cannot begin to describe how beautiful these creatures truly are,  so graceful and calm. 

We have been snorkeling everyday and have found it to be such a serene experience.  The muted quietness and the gentle motion of the waves is very therapeutic, and there is just something so enlightening about observing life under the waves…

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo

Good to go

We went to get our car registered today and while it is a bit of a dance, it went pretty well.

To begin with, you need to get no-fault car insurance.  Once you get that, then you need to get your car safety checked.  This is done by garages and gas stations throughout the islands.  And once you get it checked, you have to go to the DMV to get it registered.  But wait, after you get it registered, you then need to go back to where you got it checked so they can put the safety sticker on.  

We got to the garage at 7:45 this morning to get in the queue - it is first come, first serve - and there was already a line.  They didn't even start until...well, we really don't know what time they started (it's not unusual for time to be used more as a reference rather than an absolute here.  It's part of the charm of island life).  So there we were, pulling in amongst a jumble of already waiting cars.  They don't ask for a name (not that uncommon here as it turns out), or offer anything in the form of evidence as to our place in line other than 'Aunty' telling everyone what number, or place they were.  We were lucky number 7.

It was raining and as with most places on the islands, there is very little in the way of indoor waiting rooms so we all hunkered under the overhang outside, milling about and jockeying cars as our numbers were called.  We struck up a great conversation with a young lady who took note of our Washington plates.  She lived in Capitol Hill for few years while she went to school at Seattle U, so we talked about Seattle weather, parking (or the lack thereof) there, and of course, the Seahawks. : )

We were there for over an hour but time went fast as we chatted, watched the rain, and cringed at the constant and not-so-graceful car ballet being performed as drivers vied for positions in the puddle-riddled parking lot.  Once we got all checked out it was off the the DMV!

As we pulled into the lot and snagged the last parking space that was available (not a good sign), we noticed a long line of people waiting on the covered walkway.  The good times were over.  We just knew we were doomed to an afternoon of DMV-esque despair.  Well, it turned out we needed to go to another building that actually had an indoor waiting room.  So far, so good, but when we walked in we were met with at least an hour plus wait.  OK, we can do this.

Well, between the cooking shows on TV, the cries of a very young and very vocal child expressing her discontent in having to wait for her parents, and the filling out of registration cards we didn't even know we needed to fill out, the time went surprisingly fast.  But what was really cool was that the clerks were engaging in conversation with people...and smiling...at a DMV (for reals folks)!  Everyone was really chill and polite about the whole waiting thing and that was nice.  

Our return trip to the garage to get our safety sticker affixed was the final step needed and it was very quick and easy.  And so with everything said and done, we are now, as they say, good to go!  

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

For Paul

...thank you for your call yesterday.

And to all our family and friends, Gail and I offer a deeply heartfelt thank you for your love, encouragement, and understanding in support of our endeavor.

Without you, we would not be here.

Take care of each other and enjoy,
- Mahalo

12th Man - Hawaiian Style

GO HAWKS!!!

Life in transisiton

Life is lived at a slower pace in Hawaii.  It is a fact of life.  For some, it is a welcomed reprieve from the frantic hustle of their world, but for others, it is a difficult transition.  Many of us are so used to things happening at the speed of a tap on the trackpad that the organic delay in response or action here feels alien.  There are those who are not able to come to grips with this unhurried tempo and they eagerly return to a more comfortable and familiar pace.  That's not a bad thing, but rather, it is a facet of island life that could warrant some exploration.  Even those of us who find the relaxed approach agreeable still may find the time of adjustment awkward, and in many cases, inevitable.

Gail and I allowed ourselves at least a month to do nothing but become acclimated to island living, and before we left we were really looking forward to the down time.  We still think it was the right thing to do, but it was harder than we anticipated.  After working all our adult lives, to suddenly and completely stop takes some getting used to.  Within a couple weeks we began to feel lost with having no sense of direction or responsibilities that needed to be addressed.  Feelings of guilt began to creep into our thoughts and conversations.  These uncertainties were quite unexpected and a bit disconcerting.  As we talked through these concerns we realized that they were natural and they presented no real cause for worry.  We began working through these pangs of doubt by looking ahead and creating a strategy moving us on to the next chapter of this amazing adventure.  The realignment of focus has proven to be good and today finds us in a pleasantly relaxed state of mind.

However, life in these islands requires more than just a shift in tempo.  As with the difference in pace, there is also a difference of culture that warrants consideration.

We have been in Hawaii for almost a month now and we are still filled with complete and utter awe.  And not just that it is Hawaii, but all that comes with it.  This is more than a place.  The culture here is unique in and of itself.  It is a culture that requires a patient, humble approach in coming to understand it.  Everyday we learn, and everyday we are grateful for the time that people take in helping us transition from being malihini to one day becoming accepted as kama'aina.   We understood that the locals were friendly, but also very guarded.  We have met a good deal of people since arriving at North Shore and we are beginning to establish a standing of acceptance here - of sorts.  It will take some time before we will be considered part of the community and we appreciate that.  

It is, in a similar way, much like being the new kids in school.  There is the inevitable 'feeling out' period to see what we're about and how we'll fit in.  And as much as we would like to be brought into the fold, it is imperative that we be honest.  Meaning, if we presented ourselves as something other than who we are, we would soon be found out and the consequence would be that any credibility gained, would quickly and unceremoniously be lost.  But we're happy to say that so far, being us is working out just fine, thank you.

Our time here has been filled with wonderful experiences and we have learned many things.  And as much as we feel at home here (and we do), we also know that we have so much more to take in, and we are glad for that.  For us, taking the time and effort to learn about the ways of these remarkable islands has been, and continues to be, a very enriching experience. 

Take care and enjoy,

- Mahalo

A new life

We are so very happy to announce the birth of our Grandniece, Harper Marie Weseman, on January 27th, 2014.

Congratulations to Lindsy and Trent.  May you have a wonderful, happy, and healthy life together.

We wish you all the best... 

Our new digs

They say change is constant, and in the past few weeks it has become our companion, and a good one at that.  Take our housing situation, for example.   We recently moved into our third accommodation in as many weeks.  The places were as varied as anyone could ask for beginning with our stay in a safari tent tucked into the hills, followed by our move to a resort condo on the bay, and now, residing in a very small studio in Mokuleia.  All three places have pros and cons and lessons were learned that will help in choosing a place to call home, but for now it's time to settle in and see what two months of living tiny will bring.      

So, when I say the place is small, I'm talking maybe 150 sq. ft (maybe!), but it is a comfortable space in the midst of a tree nursery, situated in a quiet country-esque neighborhood.  The studio fits in nicely with our desire to live simple.  With no storage space to speak of Gail and I needed to get creative in figuring out what to do with two suitcases, two carry-on cases and a medium-size cargo bag.  The answer being that my clothes sit nicely atop the stack of suitcases deftly tucked between the wall and bathroom sink and Gail is utilizing the numerous hanging hooks as her 'walk-in' closet.  We share a few drawers in the single diminutive chest of drawers, and cubbies and make-shift shelves were pressed into service to store the rest of our oddities and such.

We're not complaining, mind you.  In fact, we welcome the need for restraint and forethought as it goes hand in hand with wanting to do more with less, and after a day of realignment in expectations, we have come to enjoy the closeness and the efficiency of our new home.

Mokuleia is considered a desirable community and Gail and I appreciate our good fortune in landing here.  As we enjoy the neighborhood's relaxed vibe and listen to the delightful mix of crowing roosters, cooing doves, and ocean shore break it reminds us that yes, we are lucky indeed to be living on the North Shore.    

Let the grand adventure continue!

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo