My First Love

  Not a day goes by that I don't think about these green mountains.  

Four months is too long to be away from their towering protection.

my heart beats for you

The ocean seeped through my pores and into my blood stream. 

The unique sensation spilled into my heart and has been pumping through my veins ever since.

Crashing moments of confusion and chaos-- 

warmth and depth.
Ripples of solitude, vast darkness 

and intense moments of clarity.

Constant grandeur with 

movements of unpredictability.

Change, so much change.

Beams of light and love.

the big time

I threw the towel over my shoulder and grabbed my surfboard from the bed of the truck.  I walked briskly up the back stairs and into my house.  I was thankful that the back door had been left open, it meant that I didn't have to juggle opening the door while holding my bulky board.  I set her in the corner of the living area and ran into the bathroom where I ripped the cold wet-suit off of my body and pulled the sticky hair out of my face.  It's winter in Hawaii which means I have seen more rain than sun this past week.  The thought of a warm bath seemed inviting and comforting.  As I stood in the shower, hot water against my back, I seemed to be hyper-aware of my surroundings-- the spider crawling on the ceiling, the linoleum peeling off of the shower wall, the rust on every razor, and the sand which had never fully been washed down the drain.  Every little detail made me thankful for this place I have called home.  

The thick steam enveloped me and just as the taste of salt water and soap reached my lips, I began having flashbacks.  Flashbacks to so many of the memories which have accumulated over the past three years.  Memories of love, God, sun, heartbreak, bike rides, reef cuts, and rainstorms.  Every memory leading me to where I stood.  Leading me to today.  Leading me to where I am going.  

memories

the leaves are falling

"It was like autumn, looking at her.  It was like driving up north to see the colors." Jeffery Eugenides 

No Bad Days

When people visit Oahu, they usually end their vacation with a blog post about all the places the explored and the wonders they saw.  I started this blog almost four years ago with the intent to do just that.  When I first arrived here, I hunkered down in my dorm and really, I didn't go out too much.  But, I came out of my shell towards the end of my freshman year and found a fun group of friends who showed me the Hawaiian world outside of campus.  Ever since then, the exploration of this little island oasis hasn't stopped.  However, there are plenty of things that I have put off doing.  I guess that I've never actually thought that my time in Laie would come to an end.  I swam with wild dolphins for the first time at the beginning of my sophomore year, but, it was exhilarating to do it again.  Honestly, the exhilaration would remain the same even if I were to do it every day.  I am thankful for a group of friends who are adventurous and exciting and who make me laugh. I couldn't think of better people to explore with. 

Our Super Saturdays just keep getting better and better.  Friday night after an exceptional devotional, given by Elder Holland, we headed to the West side of the Island.  We set up camp, slept under the stars and in the pouring rain only to wake up to the sound of the crashing waves and the sight of dolphins just off shore.

We played and swam with those babies for about an hour and a half and then headed to Costco to stock up on greasy pizza and ice-cream.  Those unnecessary calories tied us over and kept us energized for Spitting Caves and China Walls-- where we played in the waves and water.  

I've made comments before about how deeply I love being in nature.  Besides the gospel, it is nature that brings me the most peace in life.  Being surrounded by the deep blue ocean and the infinitely blue sky is a feeling I will never get use to.   

In the words of John Muir, "When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world." 

Summer Time Sadness

I never fully documented the events which transpired this past summer and I feel that I should-- especially since it was one of the happiest seasons of my life.  The first part of summer was filled with crazy adventures with the bestest of friends.  

One of my favorite memories was our camping excursion to Keiki's Beach.  I can't think of anything better than cuddles and laughs by the warmth of a fire.  And nothing beats laying beneath the stars, waking up to raindrops kissing your face or the sound of the ocean a mere twenty-feet away.

 

Of course, the camping extravaganza was preceded by a trip to Wal-Mart where we stocked up on pop-tarts and bananas.  Besides the essentials, my friend Sean and I found a copy of Nacho Libre for five dollars and an air mattress for twelve-- two of the best purchases I have ever made.

 

on an island in the sun

We survived our first week back at school.  To celebrate we did what we do best....

Super Saturday.

LA MAR

The new school year brings deadlines and time restraints.   I just started my last semester of college so, I am trying hard to balance my commitment to education and my desire to absorb all the fun I can handle.

It goes without saying, we don't let school get in the way of our education.

"...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever."

Jacques-Yves Cousteau