Hawaii (Oahu) - April 14 - 22, 2008

Another long lull in blog writing must mean I have fabulous things to say about my vacation to Hawaii. Well, I do. It was everything I hoped for and so much more . . . why wouldn't it be? It's paradise!

My friends and I combined over 500 pictures, which would be difficult to include in this blog. I decided it was best to link 98 of those photos to my blog, instead of posting them in here. Photos include fabulous commentary from yours truly. http://picasaweb.google.com/tahleaj/Hawaii?authkey=yoOmocXyW_4

Flight Cancellation

After graduating from BYUH six years ago, a reunion was a necessity. Yet, this reunion almost didn't happen. A week before we were flying to Hawaii, ATA (our flight carrier) went bankrupt and immediately canceled all flights. What chaos! They left people stranded in Hawaii (like that's a bad thing), while others scrambled for last minute flights.

Fortunately, we received a full refund, but ticket prices began to soar. Our cheap $295 tickets were quickly becoming $1000. Oh, it seemed hopeless:-( Yet, I have great faith that remarkable blessings can come in times of desperation. Like getting to Hawaii of course!! A few days later, my dad came across a very reasonably priced ticket. It was the last seat available (according to travelocity). The downside was that I would have to spend 8 days, instead of 5 days in Hawaii (Bummer).

A bright note to my trip was running into my old Bishop from BYUH in my layover city - SLC. Of all places to run into someone, it would be the airport. Yes, my trip down memory lane was just beginning:-)

4 nights in Honolulu

The first 4 days were spent in Honolulu with my friends Jackie, Jen, Jon, and Kristen (I know a lot of J' people - good people:-) We did the wonderful touristy things including Pearl Harbor and the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. Bring good walking shoes, cash, sunblock and patience a' plenty (Lines can get long at Pearl Harbor. Plus, you're in Hawaii - everything's slow). *Note on the Swap Meet - Buy everything here! Don't give into the lil' gift shops in Waikiki. You'll find greater selection and pricing at the Swap Meet (only open Wed. and Sat.)

Don't miss another important spot on the map - the Polynesian Cultural Center. Right next to BYUH and employed by BYUH students. The center highlight six polynesian cultures through dance, shows, food, etc. Highlights include village performances and the exceptional night show!

Learn to greet people in six different languages: Bula (Fijian), Aloha (Hawaiian), Talofa (Samoan), Kia Ora (Aotearoa), Iaorana (Tahitian), Malo e Lelei (Tongan). Additional local Hawaiin Pidgin phrasing would say "Was' up, brah?" or "Whaddsdascoops?!"

Every Hawaiian vacation needs a local language lesson to blend in with the surfers! Ha! Or just to get some good laughs at the attempt. A little surf lingo: "Da kine wave, brah. Jus carve up or slam the lid, or be pitched like there no tomorrow!"

Now that your language lesson is complete, you're ready to explore the north shore! Head to Sunset Beach, view Pipeline, snorkel at Shark's Cove, swim at Waimea Bay, then head to Haliewa to enjoy the popular Matsumoto's (shaved ice) experience.

Pineapple addicts everywhere flock to the Dole Plantation to savor the great flavor, view baby pineapple, and get lost in the pineapple maze.

4 Nights in Ka'a'ava

Due to my longer then expected stay on Oahu (again, woe is me), I needed a place to stay. My amazing friend, Shana, hooked me up with a great guest house in Ka'a'ava where some of her family lives. Amazing people and amazing abode that overlooked the ocean. Perfect way to enjoy the second-half of my vacation.

My quality, alone time was spent hiking Diamond Head, wandering different beaches, visiting the Laie Temple, and spending quality time at BYUH. I even wandered down to the Kokua Festival put on by Jack Johnson - just didn't get to see Jack.

Traveling alone gave me the opportunity to interact more with other tourists and locals. I forgot how sincere and kind people can be in Hawaii. Of course, not everyone's that way - like the rental car lady that tried to get this haole girl lost when I asked for directions (good thing i knew she was wrong). Or the short-tempered, grumbly clerks at a few stores in Haliewa. Yet, those little experiences can't compete with the warm aloha spirit many locals carry with them.

Overall, an amazing experience that leaves me longing for more time (and money) to go back. Another six years would be way too long. I need an annual trip (at the very least). Or if anyone needs a tour guide, I suppose I'd be willing to sacrifice the time and energy to go with you. Fo' Real! Good excuse to go back:-)

March Birthday Celebrations

I suppose there are no excuses concerning my long duration of absent blog writing. The lamest of all being - I’ve been busy, side-tracked, and try to spend as little time in front of the computer, when it’s not related to work.

Work? I guess I should clarify what in the world I’ve been doing the last seven months. After finishing my M.A. in August, I started hunting for that “big job in the sky”. I was fortunate to have many opportunities come my way, but nothing completely fell into place or felt quite right. To which I realized, hmm...I’ve never liked being chained to a desk doing monotonous daily tasks; my oddly creative, project-oriented, multi-tasking, analytical mind wants freedom to explore! So, I became a self-designated consultant. I primarily work for three companies, but have occasional side projects going on too. If you, or someone you know, is in dire need of copywriting/writing/editing/marketing assistance – just let me know*(view disclaimer to the right). I’ve done it all!

MARCH BIRTHDAY MADNESS - March 14 - 16, 2008

Now that I’ve caught up, on to “March Madness”! Yes, college basketball seems to be everywhere, but more importantly I’m referring to “March Birthday Madness”. Yeah! This year was no different. I was fortunate to be in SLC the weekend before my birthday for a Bio-Identical Hormone Conference (sounds really boring, huh?). Actually, I’m a health nerd, so I loved it. MedQuest, one of the lovely companies I work for, asked me to write some articles for journals/magazines on this topic. So, this conference provided an excellent background for my work.

I had a little time to celebrate with some March Birthday friends (Sam and Jovina). I wish I could have seen all my Utah friends and apologize to those I missed – being car-less and only in SLC for a two-day conference made it difficult to get around. I love all my Utah friends:-)

Sam had a surprise party Friday night! I'm glad it fell on the same night I flew in. I wouldn't want to miss it! Unfortunately, my short-sighted brain neglected to take any pictures. So, here is a picture from last years Birthday celebrations. We haven't aged a bit!

Of course, no Birthday celebration is complete with a little snow and sushi! Saturday night Jovina, Jasen and I celebrated Birthdays at Takashi. Food Critique: A modern-chic sushi restaurant tucked away on Market Street. Chef Takashi brings a Peruvian-style to the kitchen offering an eclectic variety of sushi rolls:-)

Sunday I celebrated with old roomies and friends. The delicious food continued on with wraps, salads, and angel food cake/strawberries for dessert. Right on! Magnifico! Qui a bon gout! Fantastico! (yummy!) Thanks to my fabulous roomies and friends.

Surprise Birthday Celebration! – March 17, 2008

On my return home to Arizona, I should have anticipated what was to come. I haven’t been home for my Birthday in 10 years, so my mom seized upon the moment. In order to distract me, I spent my Bday-eve with my grandma and Uncle (lunch and hybrid car browsing– what else could throw a girl off?).

Later that evening, I returned home to a houseful of guests and signs exclaiming Happy Birthday and Congratulations! My dear mother, threw a surprise Happy Birthday/Your Diploma Finally came in the Mail Party! She invited close family friends to enjoy the celebration. I’ll just say I was the youngest person in attendance:-) I loved it! It was so creative!

Finally Here! – March 18, 2008

My actual Birthday was pretty low key. Dinner with mom and Steve at Havana Café! Fun Cuban restaurant, yummy food. Mom and I posed in front of a rainforest mural, not realizing she was standing under some pink flower. She looks like a pink princess! It was hilarious! Steve said he didn’t notice she was standing there, but I think he was looking for a laugh. All in all it was a fabulous Bday 2008! Looking Ahead:Next month travel blog-log will feature the Hawaiian tropics, as I travel to Oahu.

Utah - Sam & Steve's Wedding Aug. 14 - Aug. 19, 2007

Well, I made my travel rounds and landed back in Utah just in time to move out of my apartment and make it to Sam's wedding. Good thing I made it to her wedding, since as a bridesmaid, I was an instrumental part of the wedding party:-) It was great to have Mom & Steve and Dad & Debbie all there to meet Steve. They hadn't given Sam the ultimate seal of approval, but they have now. I'm so grateful for the way Sam came into our lives through my brother, and the way she loved TJ during great challenges was amazing. I know TJ certainly gives his seal of approval too.

It's been a whirlwind of a summer as I traveled much, completed my thesis, moved out of Utah, got lost in D.C. and Palo Alto, CA and attended weddings for some of my most favorite people. Every summer should be so eventful! I'm slightly dazed believing I'm supposed to be heading back to BYU, finishing a thesis or something. But I do recognize it's time to move on to the next big adventure that awaits. Whatever, whenever, wherever, whomever it may be:-)

Washington DC - Aug. 7 - Aug. 12, 2007

Who knew! There's a place where singles are appreciated so much that they have their own lane on the freeway! The yellow signs say "Single Lane Ahead". D.C. is surely the place to be:-)

I went out for a Communications Conference to present a paper, and mom joined me to celebrate her Bday on Aug. 10th. Though D.C. is a popular tourist attraction, I don't know how many people can say they enjoy the city in August during humid, 100 degree weather. Can't say I enjoyed it, but it wasn't unbearable. Besides, my hair is always thick and luscious in humidity:-)

Lessons learned from this trip: I recommend the popular tourist spots, but don't try to see it all in one trip. You miss out on a lot if you're rushing from one place to the next. Even the the White House (couldn't find parking) and D.C. Temple (missed the street, and heading out to Gettysburg) were drive-bys. In case there is any question, the Pentagon does not give tours, let alone let you enter the parking lot. My mom used to go all the time when she was young, but different time period and her dad worked at the Pentagon.

I also recommend the Newseum that will be opening soon. We had a sneak peek as AEJMC delegates to see this gigantic media museum. Way cool! Inspired me to rent Goodnight and Goodluck about Edward R. Murrow (still haven't seen it). The Newseum will definitely be on my list next time I'm in D.C.

Moral of the Story: When in D.C., in mid-August, view the sites at night, especially the National Mall (all the memorials). It's open until 11:45 pm. Gorgeous city lights as we walked around Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, etc until 11:30pm. In hindsight, probably not the safest idea, so don't walk around without tons of people. Or just jump in with a random tour group wandering along the path.

Connecticut - July 25 - Aug. 1, 2007

Nothing like a summer vacation on the East Coast. Of course, a good vacation requires some outdoor chores and a house to paint. My dad and I were busily engaged in yardwork, painting the house, and fighting off hornets (at least the mosquitos stayed at bay). Great way to get a classic tan. The sun isn't as strong out there, so I always get a nice deep tan. It's kinda strange, but I turn a different color. Like Purple! Just kidding.

I enjoyed the fresh berries and apples from the yard and veggies from the farmer's market. Ah, that is the way to live. Seafood, veggie gardens and all the fruit you'll ever need to survive. Though we stayed in Westport, CT most of the time; we also went out to Pawcatuck, CT (borders RI) to visit my Aunt Helen's house built in the 1600's, and housed by a sea captain. What a tale it must tell.

We ventured out to Mystic, CT for the annual 24hr reading marathon of Herman Mellville's classic, Moby Dick. I've never read it, but as Herman Mellville recited the first chapter by memory (ok, maybe just a guy pretending to be Herman), I was inspired to get my own copy. Such passion for the sea is expressed in the first chapter, and since I was a fish in another life:-) I knew this is a must read.

Vacation is not complete without boating and fishing (at least pretending) in the Atlantic! I actually caught a Bass, while dad and Aunt Helen caught dog fish (they bark at you, funny looking creatures). No fish were harmed during our boating experience; we threw them back. My dad and I also swam from CT to RI! Sounds catastrophic, huh? Okay, I think it was really hundreds of yards to swim between the two states.

This is a highly recommended vacation destination, but I'm partially bias to the permeating childhood memories that pop up as I visit family on the east coast.

Additional note on Cali trip - July 21, 2007

An additional note to my Cali trip may seem cheesy, but is a bittersweet memory. It was wonderful to see my brother's best friend get married in the temple. Though it was not planned, Brian married Keri on July 20th, two years to the last day he saw TJ on this earth. My brother passed away at 5am on July 21, 2007. As he went into a coma on July 20th, friends and family gathered to sing hymns, share scriptures and say goodbye for now. From one best friend to a new best friend, I think TJ had a helping hand in bringing Brian & Keri together.

Northern California - July 20, 2007

After flying home to Phx (this time it was planned), I flew off to San Jose a day later for Brian & Keri's wedding. Always love trips to CA! My mom and I toured Stanford and got lost in Palo Alto. Then we headed to Sacramento (new travel territory) for the wedding. After both Steve's cut out of the trip (Mom and Samantha's), it was just the girls. Great chance to get some quality girly time in.

Beautiful temple in Sacramento, as it was virtually empty. Awesome time with the Price's and Keri's family. One of the cutest couples ever! Brian did well. Keri and him are great together.

CONSUMER REPORT: Hyundai Sonata - Man, this car can get up and go! 0 to 60 in .02 seconds or something. Unfortunately, as I learned the hard way, it doesn't gracefully come to a halt. I was balancing two jamba juice smoothies when my mom braked to catch a turn we ended up missing. During this stunt, one smoothie flew through the air with the greatest of ease to land on my clothes and the floor in front of me. I was a gummy bear for the rest of the day, as I stuck to everything or everything stuck to me. MORAL OF THE STORY: when renting a Sonata - use cupholders.