Goodbye Hawaii, Hello California

Sorry I haven't posted anything the last three days. Life has been a little crazy lately.

Left Maui on Tuesday and flew into LAX late that evening and am staying in Woodland Hills right now. The weather got colder since we were here in November, about 55 I think and it gets pretty chilly at night. Yesterday it rained most of the day and there was floodwarning all over the place. I guess the floods follow me. When we first came to Maui, Kihei was flooded and they closed down schools etc.

Don't really know what the plans are. Taking things one day at a time right now.
Check back in a few days for updates, ok!

Leaving Hawaii

Paia snapshots

Garett quit his job and we are leaving Hawaii this week. It turns out the boat was not very safe when they went out on their first trip yesterday. It was a wise decision to not risk his life on another trip. Looking into return tickets in the next few days.

I packed up most of my things, and then spent a couple of hours on the beach trying to soak up some more sun, since it might be years till I can come back here. It has been so great being with my old friends again and I will miss them so much.

I am not sure how much internet access I will have over the next couple of weeks, so it might be hard for me to blog. I will post whenever I can, ok...

Girls Beach Day

(Saturday Jan. 19, 2008)
Today Jennifer and I were able to get away to enjoy a beach day together, long overdue... We figured out that it must have been 1998 since our last beach day. We went to a resort in Kihei where we could use their beach chairs on the grassy area. When it is a little windy it's so nice not to get sandblasted and you feel a little more "pampered" when you are stretched out in a chair, than on a towel in the sand. Since the clouds covered the sun for long periods of time, we didn't think we would be getting sunburned. We still ended up looking like lobsters, both of us. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip, I just hope it won't be another 9 years till we can do it again.
Tonight we did a weighttraining session together. It sure is more fun loosing weight when you have good support...

Baking in the sun

(Friday Jan 18, 2008)

My face got a little red today after almost 2 hours in the sun. It was mostly cloudy when I started walking to Baldwin Beach, so I sat in Paia Bay and watched the waves for awhile. Then the sun decided to show up for a few minutes so I continued walking to Baldwin. It takes about 12-15 min and by the time I got there it looked like it was going to rain, so I sat down under a tree to read, thinking I wouldn't get any sun today. I was wrong. It showed up and I ended up getting a lot of color. If I calculate all my beach hours since I got here I have barely had 15 hours. In the summers in Sweden I would get that many in 2-3 days, right Becky?!!

Garett didn't go on his boat trip today but I don't know what happened. I hope the boat is ok.

As I was cooking tonight Jennifer noticed a white dove just outside the door. It ended up walking into the house and it didn't seem afraid of us at all. Maybe it was released at a wedding somewhere around here and got disoriented, we don't know, but it was fun to see it hang around.

Don't know what the plans are tomorrow. Am just taking things one day at a time.

(Worked out on the treadmill for 40 min, slow pace, but still. Time flies when you can watch tv at the same time...)

Girl time

Paia snapshot

I just came back from town after hanging out with Jennifer in Kahului. It is so much fun to be able to have girltime when we feel like it. I sure hope it won't be another 6 years before I come back to the islands.

This morning, after using the treadmill in "my guestroom" (how great is that), I drove to Kihei to get the mail and visited with a friend for a little while. Then it was time to return the rental and Pete came to pick me up. It would have been a perfect day to spend on the beach, but instead Jen and I sat out in the yard and watched the kids play and read books. Very hot!

Garett came over tonight while I was in town to get my cellphone, so right now I don't have one if anyone is trying to call. Tomorrow they are taking the boat on an all day trip to test it out. I hope it will run perfect.

Happy First Birthday Troy

(Wednesday Jan. 16, 2008)

Today is Troy's first birthday and I miss him very much. I drove to Paia and over to Maalaea to see Garett. The boat looks really good, it is getting the proper care, finally. They are taking the boat on a daytrip on Friday to see how it runs before leaving for Honolulu on Sunday night. I am staying with my friends in Paia for now and tomorrow I have to return the rental car... It was great while it lasted.

The weather was warm and sunny and I am hoping I can get a couple hours of sun tomorrow. The locals were saying it was a little chilly tonight, but to me it was still very comfortable. I remember getting cold during the winter months when I lived here.
Tonight an old friend from the past stopped by the house and hung out, Joel . It was good to see a familiar face from the past. He lives on the Big Island now, but came over to work for a few days. We watched a little bit of Am. idol and it was pretty funny as usual. It is after midnight and I need my "beauty sleep". Goodnight.

Nothing special

(Tuesday Jan. 15, 2008)

I didn't get much done today and didn't even leave the house. The photo is from yesterday. I spent most of the day on the phone and went through paperwork etc. I feel very disorganized living out of a bag, and I am trying to get everything in order.

Tomorrow I am driving back to the other side, Paia and Maalaea. Hope all goes well.

Friendly small towns

(Monday Jan. 14, 2008)

I had a pretty good day. Went to the postoffice to pick-up some mail I had sent here and met a nice old man working there. That is one thing I absolutely love about small towns. The service is great and friendly. In big cities you hardly ever get a smile, and most people don't have time to chat for 5-10 minutes. It was a real treat to talk with him.

The weather was great this afternoon so I ended up going to Hamoa beach for a couple of hours. It was great to relax on the beach, I haven't been tanning since Dec 25th so I really enjoyed just laying out. Then I went and parked down by the ocean to finish reading a magazine I started. Didn't feel like going back to the house. I don't feel completely comfortable hanging out there when the owner is home and since he is retired, he is home a lot. Spent most of the evening in my room, watching a DVD, a movie based on a true story about a journalist being kidnapped and murdered. I don't want to type the name of it, if somebody tries to Google it, my blog will pop up. The actress is famous and has 3 adopted kids, one biological and a cute boyfriend. It was pretty good, not one of my favorites but good enough.

Garett called, he had to get 12 stitches in his finger today. He cut himself all the way to the bone. Hopefully it will heal good and he'll be able to move it.

I was not able to get online last night, that is why I am posting today, sorry.

Surviving the Road to Hana once again...

(Sunday Jan. 13, 2008) late again...
I LOVE my little rental. I was zipping around all over the place today, Kihei, Kahului, Paia and now I'm back in my little bedroom in Hana. I had a great time in town with Jennifer. I found a pair of pants for $1.49 and a shirt for the same price at Ross, how great is that!!! And I fit into a size I have never worn as long as I can remember!
Picked up some dairy and fresh produce, packed up my stuff after my sleepover in Paia and headed to Hana. By the time I got here it was pretty dark. I don't like driving in the dark because the headlights from the oncoming traffic are so bright, but there wasn't that much traffic tonight so it went really well. I only cut about 10 minutes off my drive with the automatic, but I was stuck behind a sloooooooooooow driver for about 30 minutes, so who knows how much time was lost right there. Most of the drive I had one clear radio station, it happened to be country music. That brings back fun memories for me from work in Yakutat. My co-workers all love country and managed to convert me a little... The rest of the trip I listened to Opera on a CD I borrowed. Awesome! After I unloaded the car, talked a few minutes with my "landlord", I mostly hung out in my room, unpacking and using the Internet. I can hear through the wall that Garett's boss is back home too. They live in an addition connected to the house and the walls are pretty thin. I think they are leaving on the boat in a couple of days, but I guess he'll turn around and head back to town in a day or so again. I have to go back on Wednesday or Thursday to return the car. I'll bet after living here for as many years as they have, they don't even think about the drive. I can tell I am already getting familiar with some of the turns.

Paia, here I am!

(Saturday Jan. 12, 2008 )
I made it to Paia and are staying with my dear friends Jen, Pete and their 3 kids. It's been so much fun hanging out and catching up on the latest, I am a little sad to head out to Hana tomorrow, but I need to get "home". When I left over a week ago, I only brought clothes for 3 days, so I am ready to wear something different. (I have done laundry several times, just so you know...) I am not sure what I will be doing but I might do some yard work and cleaning at a B&B if they need me, I'll see when I get there.

Tonight I was able to join in at a YWAM "meeting" where they were welcoming the new students for the winter DTS. The base has moved out of Paia to Haiku, but tonight they had rented our old lecture hall and I was anxious to see it again. I have so many great memories from that building. It was very exciting to see the students that are starting a great new chapter of their lives and it brought back so many memories for me. I am absolutely still in love with Paia. The first time I ever set my foot here, I turned to my mother and said, "I am home". Things have changed, buildings are rebuilt, stores have closed, but this town will always be very special to me.

(click on the photo and read what is written under Paia, funny!)

Rental Car!

(Friday Jan 11, 2008 late)
Garett's boss found a great car rental deal for 6 days and he gave me a rental car till thursday! I can't believe it. How great it will be to be able to go where I want to go. We are still in the condo but tomorrow morning I am out of here, it was too late to go to Paia tonight. Today I painted the bunks in the boat, it looks a lot brighter and nicer, but there are a few leaks, so I don't know how long it will stay nice. Garett has been working mostly on the generator and I think they will take the boat for a test drive in the next few days. Their goal is to leave for Honolulu on Tuesday or Wednesday, but that might just be wishful thinking. It still needs a lot of work. I finished a book tonight, read it in 3 days. It was one of those books that you don't want to put down. I love it when I find a gem like that...
The weightloss is going great. I am not even tempted to buy sweets even though we have had warm icecream weather. I've lost 3 lbs in 5 days and some inches too. I am learning so much about nutrition on a website called sparkspeople.com, it is awsome and absolutely free.

Haycrest park/Sugar Beach

I found a beautiful beach by accident today. I have been on it before, a long time ago, but forgot it was so huge. Went for a short walk that turned into a long one. There is a beach at the end of the road that looks like it continues all the way to Kihei but I am not sure, I didn't walk that far. Walked back down there tonight to take some sunset photos. The sky kept changing every few minutes and I was so excited to finally have a digital camera so I could keep snapping photos till I found some I liked.

Nobody can say I am not flexible. Plans changed again and we are still in Maalaea. (Sorry Jen, I'll see you soon...) I did "escape" for a trip to Kihei this morning. There is a south swell going on, for all you surfer dudes... I think Garett is going on "dawnpatrol" tomorrow. I may go to Paia, I may not, I may paint the bunks on the boat, I may not... What will be, will be.

Paddlesurfing

The photo is of a guy using a paddleboard, if you click on the photo to enlarge it, it looks like he is walking on water! Paddlesurfing is the new thing over here, you never saw that back when we lived here eight years ago.

Started my day right by going for a run (or more like a slow jog). I enjoy it very much and I am glad I had time to get it done in the morning. I do it once in awhile but would like to make it a routine, several times/week rather than a few times/month. This weight loss challenge is helping to motivate me to exercise and eat right.
I had the truck this afternoon and went to Kihei to visit with my friend Sol and to pick up some mail. It was good to hang out and talk with her. I have known her almost 10 years now. It was also great to leave the harbor area and see something new today, I have felt a little stuck. Tomorrow morning I am going back to Kihei because I have an appointment. Then it will be time to go to Paia for a few days.

Beautiful Maui Sunset

I was able to capture the incredible light in the sky and the sun going down hitting the palmtrees. As you might be able to tell by the photos I am still in Maalaea, and I guess we are staying here till Thursday. The boat is livable and I am ready to go to Paia as soon as possible, but Garett still needs the truck here and the condo is very nice so I am thankful to be here right now. The restaurant below has wireless so that is such a blessing.

Cleaned 3 more hours today, I really hate cleaning and cockroaches!!! I will never be a good cleaning lady, ever... I am glad it is over, but I made a few dollars so I guess it was worth it.

The weather was great and I did get a little too red on my right side, but it's ok. It will turn into a nice brown in a few days. I hope the weather stays this way, I love it! I don't miss the rain at all.

Cockroach slaughter

I wanted to show what a beautiful view I have had every morning since I came to Maalaea. It is such a perfect way to start your day off, eating breakfast while looking at this...

Well, since I worked really hard today, killing about 20-30 giant cockroaches, scrubbed rust stains, wiped away termite poop etc. the boat will be livable tomorrow, meaning we will move out of this beautiful place. I might stay with a friend in Paia for a few nights before heading back out to Hana.

I never considered myself very scared of bugs but I have to admit I must have jumped and yelled about 20 times today. Cockroaches are such nasty animals. They are superfast too and as I sprayed the cupboards with Raid, waited a few minutes, you could hear them come running. Then I had to be fast to crush them or spray them again and watch them slowly die on the floor. They kept coming for a really long time. It was one of the most disgusting jobs I have ever done. Some were so big, they were the size of a mouse...no kidding.

Beach Treasures

Today didn't quite turn out the way I thought it would. I ended up not working on the boat but had a lot of time on my own, mostly sitting in the harbor. Gave me a chance to thing about my life and what is really important. I have changed a lot over the years and I see some things in a completely different light these days. I hope that whatever choices I make this year will be good.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous and very hot, I got red arms and face by sitting down by the water. I watched a local man with a snorkel gather octipus. He said he was cooking tacos tonight. We had tacos too, but mahi mahi instead. The guy who is generous enough to let us share his condo with him, Tim, is a great cook. He cooked for us 3 days in a row now, and he used to have his own restaurant so he knows what he is doing. We are getting spoiled eating so good after weeks of eating on the go.

Tomorrow is the big day for me when it comes to changing my eating and exercising. 12 girls from all over, mostly Hawaii and CA are starting a weightloss challenge with a money pot for the winner. It will be fun and I really look forward to what can happen in 12 weeks. Maybe I can be the Biggest Loser!!!!

Maalaea harbor

(Logged on late again, the date is Saturday Jan, 5, 2008)

This is the condo where we are staying for a few days. Not bad.

I am exhausted. After being on vacation for so long I wasn't used to do physical labor. The first half of the day was used to getting supplies in town. The other half I did a lot of scrubbing, getting rid of dust, mold, cockroaches and other gross stuff on the boat. I hardly made a dent... It's in pretty bad shape. Will continue tomorrow afternoon.

Surviving Hana Highway

(Date is wrong since I am logging on so late at night, its the 4th.)
Today, Friday, I drove Hana Highway by myself and survived! Sigh... It was quite an upper body workout having no power steering and having a manual transmission. I left at 1:45 p.m. after spending the morning scrubbing that bathroom and packing for the trip. I picked up a woman hitchhiking and headed for Paia. I remember my first year on Maui without a car and having to hitchhike everywhere. She was so grateful. Garett left on the boat from Hana this morning to bring it to Maalaea Harbour. I arrived in Paia at 3:25 p.m., sore and a little dizzy from all the twists and turns. I have heard there are more than 700 curves and you really feel it. I didn't stop to look at the scenery and waterfalls, it's the 6th trip within a month so I focused on the road and getting to Paia as soon as I could without having an accident killing me and the hitchhiker. Spent some time with my friend Jennifer, ate dinner and headed over to Maalea.
Tonight we are staying with Garett's boss' brother. He rents a condo down in the harbor. Tomorrow the cleaning of the boat starts. When it's livable Garett will move there and I will head back to Hana or stay with friends in town for a few days.
Late last night I e-mailed my blog to most in my addressbook and I got some great replies back from you. Thank you for checking out my blog.

Bananas & Papaya

Unfriendly kritters!

If you haven't seen one before, this is a centipede. They are nasty looking animals with poisonous fangs. I found two of them in the house in the last two days, one alive and one dead. Yuck!

I was very lazy today. It felt good, but now I have to do the rest of the cleaning in the morning before I drive to town. I have to get up early anyway since Garett is set to leave on the boat at 7 a.m.

I did an upper body workout today but I am having trouble with getting enough cardio. The Highway has no room to spare for runners, it's a tight squeeze, but maybe if I run early before all the tourists show up I can do it. There is a High School nearby and perhaps if I am lucky they will have a field I can use. Will check it out tomorrow.

Memorial Cross, Hawaii truck, Red sand cove &

Wild Poinsettas

Aloha!

No exciting news in the weather department, cloudy and some rain. It turned out to be a great day for cleaning. I think it took me almost an hour to deep-clean the kitchen. I can tell it's been a long time since anyone tackled that chore. Tomorrow I am scrubbing down the bathroom, top to bottom. The owner comes back from his trip on Friday and I would like the have everything nice and shiny by then.

I went for a drive and snapped some photos through the window as I was driving, fun, but maybe not very safe. Starting Monday the 7th I am joining a group of girls in an online weightloss contest so I made sure to stop and enjoy an icecream before I have to cut most treats out of my diet. It was very yummy! I have spent hours online reading about exercise and nutrition and I think I will have a great plan by monday. (Wish me luck!) There is so much fun information to read online, I have to tear myself away everyday so I can get other things done. This weekend I'm going to drive to the other side of the island and visit some friends and I am pretty excited since I've been a little isolated the last few days.

The First Day Of 2008

The sun showed up today, at least for the first part. I threw on a tanktop and shorts, grabbed a magazine and sat outside by the picnic table, trying to add more color to my tan. After three very rainy days here in Hana, being stuck inside, reminds me of Yakutat, I really enjoyed being outside again. Here in Hana, today's high was 66F, 19C, a little chilly, but then I looked up Yakutat and they had 35F, 1C, so how can I complain?!

Later this afternoon we drove to a beach called Hamoa. There are a lot of tourists and they have a beach attendant that makes sure no locals use the beachchairs. Not cool.... Oh well, by then the sun was gone again and I sat in the sand and read while Garett surfed for a while. Stopped for a hotdog and bought some milk, one of the stores was actually open. One gallon of 2% milk was $8.49!!! That is the price we have to pay when we choose to live in remote places I guess. I did do most of our grocery shopping at Costco and Safeway in Kahului before coming out here, so we should be good till I go to town on Friday (I think). By 4pm the rain started up again but it was nice to see the sun for a few hours anyways.

Having all this free time has allowed me to think about what goals and hopes I have for 2008. This year I want to try to do more things I enjoy like reading, writing, photograpy, exercise and I really want take more time to reconnect with old friends and relatives through letters, internet and phonecalls.
This past year was really hard, but I am hoping life will get a little better this year. I read a quote from a book that was pretty cool. I thought I could share it here:

"People tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck,
something that will descend like fine weather if you're fortunate.
But happiness is the result of personal effort.
You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even
travel around the world looking for it.
You have to participate relentlessly." E.G.