I suppose I also feel insecure that someone like him is with me. I’m much too goofy, not to mention opinionated and stubborn. Somehow though, he apparently sees something in me that he loves. He even paid me a compliment while hiking last weekend. He said I was a lover of life and adventure. If it hadn't been for me telling him to go forth and live, he wouldn’t be doing what he is doing today. Wow! What a great thing to say. Sometimes it is just nice to hear that what you feel inside is actually being played out. I feel that I love life, but don’t always act on it, so it was nice for me to hear from someone who I admire and respect tell me that yes, my love of life is coming across. It also gives me some confirmation that I should continue on this path; that this path is right for me. I do get a sense that I am in the right place, but I love getting affirmations from him. Maybe that sounds pathetic; needing feedback, but everyone does, don’t they? Everyone needs to hear, “Good job! Your on the right track.” I think I am fairly open with my compliments to others, and unafraid to tell them that they are doing well. At least I hope I am.
7/30/2008
This and That
Is it okay to admit I am jealous? I am jealous today because my husband is leaving on Friday for New Zealand. He is going for work, but I am still jealous. He has also been asked by his boss at his next reserve post to be the Pandemic Influenza Planning US Representative for the countries we work with in Oceania. Shocking I know, but our military does do a lot of diplomacy with many other countries and is working on really good programs with these countries. I am proud to say that my husband is a part of the policy making between the US and these countries and others around the world. His strength in diplomacy is impressive. He has an amazing intuition when talking with others about the many issues we are faced with today. So as much as I am jealous that he gets to go off to these foreign lands and work towards making a difference, I am also proud and happy for him.
I suppose I also feel insecure that someone like him is with me. I’m much too goofy, not to mention opinionated and stubborn. Somehow though, he apparently sees something in me that he loves. He even paid me a compliment while hiking last weekend. He said I was a lover of life and adventure. If it hadn't been for me telling him to go forth and live, he wouldn’t be doing what he is doing today. Wow! What a great thing to say. Sometimes it is just nice to hear that what you feel inside is actually being played out. I feel that I love life, but don’t always act on it, so it was nice for me to hear from someone who I admire and respect tell me that yes, my love of life is coming across. It also gives me some confirmation that I should continue on this path; that this path is right for me. I do get a sense that I am in the right place, but I love getting affirmations from him. Maybe that sounds pathetic; needing feedback, but everyone does, don’t they? Everyone needs to hear, “Good job! Your on the right track.” I think I am fairly open with my compliments to others, and unafraid to tell them that they are doing well. At least I hope I am.
I suppose I also feel insecure that someone like him is with me. I’m much too goofy, not to mention opinionated and stubborn. Somehow though, he apparently sees something in me that he loves. He even paid me a compliment while hiking last weekend. He said I was a lover of life and adventure. If it hadn't been for me telling him to go forth and live, he wouldn’t be doing what he is doing today. Wow! What a great thing to say. Sometimes it is just nice to hear that what you feel inside is actually being played out. I feel that I love life, but don’t always act on it, so it was nice for me to hear from someone who I admire and respect tell me that yes, my love of life is coming across. It also gives me some confirmation that I should continue on this path; that this path is right for me. I do get a sense that I am in the right place, but I love getting affirmations from him. Maybe that sounds pathetic; needing feedback, but everyone does, don’t they? Everyone needs to hear, “Good job! Your on the right track.” I think I am fairly open with my compliments to others, and unafraid to tell them that they are doing well. At least I hope I am.
7/27/2008
The Week
It has been an amazing summer so far. I find I am enjoying myself so much. After returning from Hawaii, which required me to fly into LA and then catch a connecting flight to SLC after get zero sleep on the red eye flight, I got home, got caught up with my mom, and was able to take about a 30 minute nap. It is amazing how great 30 minutes can feel after going more than 24 hours without sleep. That night we went to see John Mayer in concert. It was hot and crowded with a full amphitheater. The music was great and he sang until 11:00. He has to be one of the sexiest men alive. He plays his music with such passion and depth that I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. Thanks to the great seats I purchased, I could just stare in awe at the man and watch him make his funny little faces that he makes when he is playing. Amazing talent.
It did take us an hour and a half to get out of the parking lot however. When we finally returned home, I dropped into a deep coma. Unfortunately, my deep sleep would not last long as my cats (on my mom’s schedule) decided a 7:00 am wake up feeding call was necessary.
The next day mom and I went out to breakfast and then onto shopping for the big 24th barbecue. It is actually my Aunt’s birthday as well.
After our shopping extravaganza, we drove up to Red Butte Gardens for another concert. We listen to amazing Blues music by Susan Tedeschi. The amphitheater and backdrop were much more esthetically pleasing than the previous evening, but it was also a much smaller crowed; 2000 vs 10,000. We packed up some munchies for dinner and enjoyed the evening’s music and crowd. A thundercloud formed overhead, but it was kind to us and didn’t start raining on us until we were in our car and working our way down the hill towards home.
Wednesday was filled with baking and grilling. I made my artichoke dill potato salad. Mom made her baked beans, and we both cooked up the 6 racks of spare ribs. Yes, it was a lot of food with a lot of good flavor. We also made 4 appetizers. Later, after all the cooking was finished, I took my mom out for a belated birthday dinner. We walked to Mazza and enjoyed some fine middle eastern cuisine with a nice French wine. We both crashed early.
Thursday morning I had to force myself to wake up early to get to the airport to pick up Larry. I was so happy to have him home again, and he was so happy to be home. It was a wonderful afternoon. I had forgotten my mom hadn’t seen him in more than 2 years. She was ecstatic! We finished up the cooking and around 4 headed over to my Aunt’s house for the dinner and celebration. It was a multinational celebration as my step cousin Jason lives in Turkey with his Russian, Turkish, and English speaking wife, and my other cousin is married to an Argentinean. Her parents were also visiting and neither spoke a lick of English. I was impressed at how well my cousin speaks Spanish now. I guess it helps when English is your wife’s second language, but it did give me hope that it might be possible for myself to be able to learn and communicate in Spanish if I have a place to use it. An old dog can learn new tricks.
Friday morning we woke up and took mom to the airport. She was sad to leave not only me, but Utah behind. She also enjoys the beauty of this place and everything there is to do here. Utah really does have a lot to offer someone. It is a great place to live, not perfect, but really great if you give it a chance. I am meeting more and more people that have relocated here for the pure fact that they just enjoy all there is to do here. My mom, like I did, dislikes living in Florida, and is counting the minutes until she can move back to Utah. Larry and I spent the rest of the day just relaxing and being home. Later we went to see the X-Files movie, which as being a “File” fan for many years, was marginal at best. The story was just bland. I was disappointed, and I think most Filers will be too.
Saturday, Larry and I decided to go for a hike and see some wildflowers. It was cool and comfortable at the higher elevations, and an absolutely beautiful day. We hiked up to Lake Mary above Brighton. We have been here before, but really enjoy the views. We came home and watched a couple of movies and had dinner. It was a perfect day. This morning I had to drive back to the airport (I think I could drive there blindfolded now) to get Larry back to Hawaii. We are counting down the days until he is finally off orders and will be living at home. August 30th is his last day, and we are both anxious for the day to arrive when we will be home together.
Now I am alone for the first time in over a month. It is quiet which is nice, but I would rather have the people I love in my life keeping me a busy bee. I do have a lot of catching up to do. I have yet to unpack from Hawaii. I have piles of laundry to wash and a lawn to mow, so I guess things will be getting back to normal for me.... whatever “normal” is for my life.
It did take us an hour and a half to get out of the parking lot however. When we finally returned home, I dropped into a deep coma. Unfortunately, my deep sleep would not last long as my cats (on my mom’s schedule) decided a 7:00 am wake up feeding call was necessary.
The next day mom and I went out to breakfast and then onto shopping for the big 24th barbecue. It is actually my Aunt’s birthday as well.
After our shopping extravaganza, we drove up to Red Butte Gardens for another concert. We listen to amazing Blues music by Susan Tedeschi. The amphitheater and backdrop were much more esthetically pleasing than the previous evening, but it was also a much smaller crowed; 2000 vs 10,000. We packed up some munchies for dinner and enjoyed the evening’s music and crowd. A thundercloud formed overhead, but it was kind to us and didn’t start raining on us until we were in our car and working our way down the hill towards home.
Wednesday was filled with baking and grilling. I made my artichoke dill potato salad. Mom made her baked beans, and we both cooked up the 6 racks of spare ribs. Yes, it was a lot of food with a lot of good flavor. We also made 4 appetizers. Later, after all the cooking was finished, I took my mom out for a belated birthday dinner. We walked to Mazza and enjoyed some fine middle eastern cuisine with a nice French wine. We both crashed early.
Thursday morning I had to force myself to wake up early to get to the airport to pick up Larry. I was so happy to have him home again, and he was so happy to be home. It was a wonderful afternoon. I had forgotten my mom hadn’t seen him in more than 2 years. She was ecstatic! We finished up the cooking and around 4 headed over to my Aunt’s house for the dinner and celebration. It was a multinational celebration as my step cousin Jason lives in Turkey with his Russian, Turkish, and English speaking wife, and my other cousin is married to an Argentinean. Her parents were also visiting and neither spoke a lick of English. I was impressed at how well my cousin speaks Spanish now. I guess it helps when English is your wife’s second language, but it did give me hope that it might be possible for myself to be able to learn and communicate in Spanish if I have a place to use it. An old dog can learn new tricks.
Friday morning we woke up and took mom to the airport. She was sad to leave not only me, but Utah behind. She also enjoys the beauty of this place and everything there is to do here. Utah really does have a lot to offer someone. It is a great place to live, not perfect, but really great if you give it a chance. I am meeting more and more people that have relocated here for the pure fact that they just enjoy all there is to do here. My mom, like I did, dislikes living in Florida, and is counting the minutes until she can move back to Utah. Larry and I spent the rest of the day just relaxing and being home. Later we went to see the X-Files movie, which as being a “File” fan for many years, was marginal at best. The story was just bland. I was disappointed, and I think most Filers will be too.
Saturday, Larry and I decided to go for a hike and see some wildflowers. It was cool and comfortable at the higher elevations, and an absolutely beautiful day. We hiked up to Lake Mary above Brighton. We have been here before, but really enjoy the views. We came home and watched a couple of movies and had dinner. It was a perfect day. This morning I had to drive back to the airport (I think I could drive there blindfolded now) to get Larry back to Hawaii. We are counting down the days until he is finally off orders and will be living at home. August 30th is his last day, and we are both anxious for the day to arrive when we will be home together.
Now I am alone for the first time in over a month. It is quiet which is nice, but I would rather have the people I love in my life keeping me a busy bee. I do have a lot of catching up to do. I have yet to unpack from Hawaii. I have piles of laundry to wash and a lawn to mow, so I guess things will be getting back to normal for me.... whatever “normal” is for my life.
7/20/2008
Last Day
I leave to go home tonight and as much as I miss my cats and my mom, I don't want to leave. I woke up this morning with that sick feeling in my gut with the thought "no, not yet!" screaming through my mind. I woke up at around 7:30 and put the kettle on. We made a breakfast of pancakes with coconut syrup, sausages, and fresh sliced papaya with french pressed coffee. It was wonderful. We headed to Turtle Bay to get in some last minute snorkeling in. The time going up and back to Turtle Bay was spent flaking off my sun burnt skin. I thought I should leave a bit of me behind for Larry...literally.
The time has flown by as one would expect it to. I tried to spend my time enjoying the island(s), and being active, but most importantly I hope I spent my time well with Larry as he is the reason I am even here. I had to constantly remind myself that although I am on vacation, Larry is here to work. Most days his job dictated our time and how we spent it. I can't complain about the time we had. It was all wonderful, even the "boring" evening of staying in and watching movies and doing nothing Hawaii-ish at all.
I'm looking forward to my next trip next month. It will be Larry's last week before he comes back home. That trip will be crazy with getting him packed up to come home. It will also be bitter sweet for both of us.
7/17/2008
The Big Island (sit back and enjoy....long)
In a fit of spontaneity Sunday afternoon, Larry and I used our Hawaiian miles and purchased two tickets to Hilo, Hawaii. We called up a bed and breakfast that a friend of Larry's recommended and reserved a room for 2 nights. We pack up some clothes and our snorkel gear and made our way to the airport. In 30 minutes we arrived at Hilo. I figured it actually takes longer to go from Waikiki to our condo than it did going from Honolulu to Hilo. Go figure.
We arrived on the island, got a car and made our way north to the Hamakua Coast. This is a rugged coast within a rural, agricultural setting. It is also about 2500 feet above sea level and much cooler. As Larry drove following my directions, I became concerned about what this B&B was going to be like. The road became dirt, and cattle mooed on either side of us. The roads were dark and unlit and we nearly hit a pack of wild turkeys. Finally we made it to the drive to find a little oasis amongst the forest.....
The place is completely self contained and is run off solar energy. The water is all catchment (collected from rain water) and most of the rubbish is composted. The experience killed any thought that living self contained is impossible. This place was gorgeous with all the lighting anyone could need (inside and outside), has a fully functioning gourmet kitchen, 5 bedrooms with flat screen T.V.'s, hot showers, bathtubs, a jacuzzi, and generally anything anyone could want to live in total comfort if not luxury. It is very doable my friends.
We spent the evening talking with the manager drinking wine and eating pupus. Later we decided to jump in the jacuzzi for a little soak. The stars were amazing and plentiful.
The next day we found ourselves overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what to see and do on the island. We decided to visit the Wiapio Valley over look.....
I was bugging to head down to the valley, but it was 4 wheel drive only. Next time.
We later headed over to the Hawaii Botanical Gardens. The varietals and numbers of plants was overwhelming.
We headed out of the park and found an old abandoned Sugarmill and decided to walk down to the coast.
We found a great hidden gem of a place to eat lunch at. The food was amazingly fresh and tasty. They make amazing fruit smoothies with only fruit; no fruit juice, water, or other stuff, just fruit. It was fabulous.
We then hiked up to the Akaka Falls.
Nearly missed one of those turkey's.....
The next day we headed to the Kahala coast and went to the beach.
I am actually in this picture.....just very, very small
Ouch....that's gonna hurt (yep it does)
We left the beach and drove the Saddle road which is an old military road built during WWII and goes between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The diversity of climate on this island is amazing. One of the other guests at the B&B said that the island of Hawaii has 12 of the 14 climates zones. That's a lot of variety. If you don't like the weather where you are, you could honestly go about an hour and be in completely different climate.
The next day we were at Volcano's National Park. We got a room at the Military camp in the park. As far as military establishments go, it was nothing luxurious. Just clean and a place to sleep. I could write a book on visiting quarters of military bases, but it might make some cringe or even get queasy. The worst was in New Orleans, but that is a story for another day.
Kilauea caldera
Lava, Lava everywhere and a dead lava tube
Larry telling me to smile and me talking back.
Hummmm. what's down here?
We hiked up to a site that had 2300 different petroglyphs. The ancient Hawaiians (not the current Hawaiians who are from Fiji) came from the Marquesas Islands about 1600 years ago. They had no written language, so the pictures are their stories (sounds familiar).
All the little holes you see are part of a sacred ceremony where they would take the dried umbilical cord of a baby and attach it to the hole in the lava. The hill then became "the hill of life." Pretty cool.
No reason....
Just a cool dead tree...
And last but not least, we went out to the coast where the lave tube from Kilauea is currently dumping new earth....
To offer some perspective, the picture on the right has a small boat on the left side. If you open the photo you can see it better.
Our flight left at 9:30 and we got in around 10:30, showered and crashed. What a great couple of days!!
We arrived on the island, got a car and made our way north to the Hamakua Coast. This is a rugged coast within a rural, agricultural setting. It is also about 2500 feet above sea level and much cooler. As Larry drove following my directions, I became concerned about what this B&B was going to be like. The road became dirt, and cattle mooed on either side of us. The roads were dark and unlit and we nearly hit a pack of wild turkeys. Finally we made it to the drive to find a little oasis amongst the forest.....
The place is completely self contained and is run off solar energy. The water is all catchment (collected from rain water) and most of the rubbish is composted. The experience killed any thought that living self contained is impossible. This place was gorgeous with all the lighting anyone could need (inside and outside), has a fully functioning gourmet kitchen, 5 bedrooms with flat screen T.V.'s, hot showers, bathtubs, a jacuzzi, and generally anything anyone could want to live in total comfort if not luxury. It is very doable my friends.
We spent the evening talking with the manager drinking wine and eating pupus. Later we decided to jump in the jacuzzi for a little soak. The stars were amazing and plentiful.
The next day we found ourselves overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what to see and do on the island. We decided to visit the Wiapio Valley over look.....
I was bugging to head down to the valley, but it was 4 wheel drive only. Next time.
We later headed over to the Hawaii Botanical Gardens. The varietals and numbers of plants was overwhelming.
We headed out of the park and found an old abandoned Sugarmill and decided to walk down to the coast.
We found a great hidden gem of a place to eat lunch at. The food was amazingly fresh and tasty. They make amazing fruit smoothies with only fruit; no fruit juice, water, or other stuff, just fruit. It was fabulous.
We then hiked up to the Akaka Falls.
Nearly missed one of those turkey's.....
The next day we headed to the Kahala coast and went to the beach.
I am actually in this picture.....just very, very small
Ouch....that's gonna hurt (yep it does)
We left the beach and drove the Saddle road which is an old military road built during WWII and goes between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The diversity of climate on this island is amazing. One of the other guests at the B&B said that the island of Hawaii has 12 of the 14 climates zones. That's a lot of variety. If you don't like the weather where you are, you could honestly go about an hour and be in completely different climate.
The next day we were at Volcano's National Park. We got a room at the Military camp in the park. As far as military establishments go, it was nothing luxurious. Just clean and a place to sleep. I could write a book on visiting quarters of military bases, but it might make some cringe or even get queasy. The worst was in New Orleans, but that is a story for another day.
Kilauea caldera
Lava, Lava everywhere and a dead lava tube
Larry telling me to smile and me talking back.
Hummmm. what's down here?
We hiked up to a site that had 2300 different petroglyphs. The ancient Hawaiians (not the current Hawaiians who are from Fiji) came from the Marquesas Islands about 1600 years ago. They had no written language, so the pictures are their stories (sounds familiar).
All the little holes you see are part of a sacred ceremony where they would take the dried umbilical cord of a baby and attach it to the hole in the lava. The hill then became "the hill of life." Pretty cool.
No reason....
Just a cool dead tree...
And last but not least, we went out to the coast where the lave tube from Kilauea is currently dumping new earth....
To offer some perspective, the picture on the right has a small boat on the left side. If you open the photo you can see it better.
Our flight left at 9:30 and we got in around 10:30, showered and crashed. What a great couple of days!!
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