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

See The World Above

I am fascinated by the sky, hence another new blog. 

While others are looking down or around, I look up.  For me, the sky holds beauty and drama.  It is a source of inspiration and apprehension.  It heralds the arrival of each day as it brings each night to a close.

Please join me as I offer samplings of the splendor that resides above us, day and night.

http://seetheworldabove.blogspot.com

Goodbye country life...Hell-o condo living

We have since moved from the safari tent that we had been staying in for the past 14 days and taken up residency in a resort condominium.  A strange turn to be sure.  But the thing is, for better or worse, we planned it this way.  One reason being the limited availability of places to stay on such short notice, coupled with an even shorter length of stay, and add to that a very reasonable cost.  Also, we wanted to gauge our bohemian off-grid experience while enjoying the comforts afforded mainstream life.

Why, you may ask?

One thing that Gail and I wanted to do with this move is to live deliberately.  What that means for us is that we want a slower-paced life, one that requires more interaction with the day to day tasks, and do things that truly make a difference - rather for the sake of just doing them.  We want to become more conscientious in our choices of what we pursue and really sift through our reasons for those choices.

Now, we understand that a lot of people won't get it and we're ok with that, but for us it's the right thing to do.  So how does it feel being back amongst the conventional, with all the luxuries one could want?  

In a word...ack!

We miss the tranquillity of the countryside, the language of birds, feeling the coolness of the trade-winds, and the openness of the tent and cooking in the outdoor kitchen.  We miss Blackie and Speckles (Scott and Melissa's chickens) and watching the goats graze on the hillside, or hearing the nerve-chilling call of peacocks in the dead of night.  We miss listening to the rain fall around us, and the freshly-washed scent that permeates the forest after the rains move on.  We miss watching the moon cross the sky from horizon to horizon, and greeting the first light of day. 

But for me, I miss most the feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself.

Was it all peaches and cream?  Of course not, but for us the good far outweighed any inconvenience or minor hardships we experienced. And in the end, this little exercise in the juxtaposition of the different lifestyles confirms our original intent - we welcome a life of simplicity and deliberateness.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo  

Connections

Since arriving here we have been meeting all sorts of people.  Through our hosts, Scott and Melissa, we have begun creating a network of folks that we see from time to time, and they, in turn, are introducing us to other people that they know and so it goes.  But sometimes people meet us.

Take this morning for example.  Gail and I were sitting at the Coffee Gallery enjoying some web time when a woman came up to Gail and asked about her iPad.  One thing lead to another and we talked for about 20 minutes and she made several introductions of passer-bys to us in the process. And so it goes... When all was said and done, we have a new acquaintance that we will be seeing again on Saturday at a festival, and as is the way, I'm sure it will lead to even more introductions.

I guess what I am trying to get at is that things work out.  We knew one person here at the North Shore (Andrew, pictured above with Gail at Duke's), now we know about 10.  If we open ourselves to opportunities, then more times than not, they present themselves to us.  The key is to trust in ourselves and take comfort in knowing that it will work out.  That has been our philosophy - it always has, and it always will!

Trust in yourself in doing something brave today.  It's a great feeling!

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

What to do...what to do.

The white cloud looking thing in the top left quarter of the picture is a whale breaching. We watched the pod for about a 1/2 hour.  Amazing!

It has been a little over a week since we landed here and we are beginning to settle into very loose series of events that kind of goes like this: every morning around 6 am we are greeted with a cacophony of bird calls, which in and of itself, is pretty amazing to witness. If you listen long enough you begin to pick out underlying rhythms of patterns and phrases amongst the din.  After about a half an hour the birds start to take flight and the calls meld into the soundtrack for the day.  

As we have our morning coffee (thank you, Dayna. Your Caffeine Cuisine Coffee rocks!), we talk about options for the day.  More times than not we'll fix ourselves an acai bowl.  For those not familiar with acai bowls, they are a must-try local favorite.  Our version is made with frozen acai berries, cottage cheese, yogurt, fresh papayas and apple bananas (M & J, you guys were right, they are delicious), and topped with granola or Rice Chex.  And if we're feeling a bit adventurous, we'll add a splash of Koloa Kau'i Coconut Rum!  Nah, we haven't yet, but it does sound good.  After a leisurely and relaxed breakfast, the dishes and kitchen area are cleaned and everything is wrapped up tight (to keep the bugs away since we are in a forest environment with an outside kitchen).  After our morning tasks have been tended to, we head out to Waialua Bakery for our internet fix.  From there it's all open.  

So far we have been to several farmer's markets, driven around the island, and went into Waikiki several times.  We have seen whales off of Diamond Head, watched the sport of He'eholua at a festival, and enjoyed the sunset from Ka'ena Point.  There was the football party put on by our hosts, Scott and Melissa, where we met some very nice folks in the neighborhood.  Experienced liliko'i for the first time, and bought poke.  Morning walks are a wonderful way to ease into the day (and it gives Gail a chance to say good morning to 'her' goats), and oh yeah, swimming.  Lots of swimming (Jodee!!!).  And the list goes on…

What's on the agenda for today you may ask? Well, we're not sure but then again, we're ok with that.  After all, not always knowing what awaits is the essence of the adventure, isn't it?   

Take care and enjoy!
-Mahalo

Oh,

...and the evenings here are pretty nice too!

Take care and enjoy,

- Mahalo

Good Morning!

Hi all,

This is what we have been waking up to since we've arrived.  Not to rub it in, but man, it is an amazing feeling waking up to blue skies and birds singing.  And, it's warm!

We've been really digging the tent living as well.  Very free and easy.  Gail has really gotten into the chickens and wild goats that surround us.  I can just see us adopting both species very soon after we get settled into our own place. : )  Our hosts, Scott and Melissa, gave us a tour of the property yesterday and educated us on the life of banana trees and the like.  Really interesting and they are just nice people.

The only down-side to being off-grid is no access to internet.  But we're making do and even got to Face Time with the kids today.  It was a shaky connection and the volume was low but it was great to see their smiling faces and we'll get better at it over time.  Promise!

Ok, we're getting stink eye from the folks for taking up table space so we'll take the hint and split.

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo!

We made it!

Well, Gail and I did it.  We took the leap.  A two-thousand seven-hundred thirty-three miles wide, five hours and forty-three minutes long leap.

  

As of January 4th, we now reside in the alluring State of Hawaii. Albeit, we do so as willing, giddy nomads, but we're poi-eating, surf-bumming residents nonetheless. 

I'm not going to lie and say we did so without tears. But in our defense, rarely does such an intoxicating proposition, one that truly captures your heart, come into being without the requisite rift deep within your soul making its woeful presence felt at some time.

In the few days since our arrival we still feel overwhelmed, awed, and giddy.  Tears still flow in those quiet moments when family comes to mind.  Often our lapses in composure are sparked by a song playing on the iPod (usually Jack or Iz), stunning vistas that would wow them at home, hearing pidgin, watching kids throw shakas, or the million other things that elicit pangs of love mixed with melancholy.

But, as the kids (and the many others, to whom we are also grateful for) say 'go forth and be happy,' so that's what we are doing.  We'll make you all proud, and we'll even pave the way for others to follow. 

As for now, we'll be off-grid for the next couple of weeks so we'll be coming into Haleiwa Town for our internet fix so bear with us on the infrequency of our mails and posts.  So until next time, we wish you all well and we miss the hell out of each and everyone of you.

In closing, I'll leave you with a quote from gaping void.com, "life is not an adventure till it starts scaring you sh**less."  

Stay scared!

- Mahalo

PS. Gail took the pictures of the jungle, hen, and gecko on her iPad.  Pretty cool!