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