A peek at what’s been going on in our lives, both big and small, here in Hawaii…
Remember how I groaned about having not trying stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) here? Well, Eaman found us a place that both rents and drives people to nearby Ala Moana Beach Park, one of the best spots for SUP if you don’t have a car. (It’s not a far walk, but those paddle boards are heavy and wide to carry.) I seriously love the the wonderful owners of this store, a husband and wife team, who even cut us a deal since we’ll be coming weekly to SUP. Just as Eaman has fallen for surfing, I’ve fallen for SUP. Being on the water isn’t just a low-impact but rigorous workout for the core and arms, it’s also my happy place — a place with no phone, camera or anyone else to talk to. It’s just me and my head. As runners say about their own sport, it’s very meditative.
A few weeks ago, Craig presented his thesis and walked out a P-H-D in marine biology. We celebrated with beer, cupcakes and dinner at Himalayan Kitchen. Oh, and he also just won an Emmy for his team’s camera work for the Ironman Triathlon. Very proud! And I’m now related to an Emmy winner.
Oh, just a gorgeous tree near Waikiki Beach.
Our friends hosted a Godfather viewing party/Italian feast recently — we only made it through the first movie before I began to pass out on the couch — and though no one else dressed up, Eaman and I drew upon our love for Halloween and made a trip to Goodwill for costumes. Eaman’s is pretty spot-on, but isn’t my outfit clever, Godfather fans? (All I could find was a unicorn for the horse’s head. I cut the horn…and the rest of its body. I can only imagine what the little girl next to us in the store was thinking when Eaman and I kept asking each other, “How would this look if we cut off its body?”)
Speaking of Eaman and me, we celebrated our six-year anniversary in April. Do you know the story of how we met? Well if you don’t, that’s another story for another time, but it’s hilarious and reveals me for the fool that I am. Anyway, for the occasion, we agreed on no gifts, but he still made me a wildly thoughtful gift and got me these beautiful heliconia flowers, which are native to the islands.
And this past week, my best friend from back home, Samira, came to stay with us and experience island life. We: snorkeled Hanuama Bay, checked out the dolphins and turtles at the Kahala Resort, hit up Art After Dark, hiked the not-for-the-faint Hawaii Loa hike, watched a bluegrass band play at an old lady’s home in Kaimuki (just as cool as it sounds), tried a local dish (poke! delicious!) and had cocktails at sunset. It was such a breath of fresh air to have someone here — besides Eaman — who knows me inside out. Plus, I love having visitors; it reminds you how fun your own city can be.
Also worth noting was an incredible massage I had today. (Pictures clearly not provided.) Stay with me here.
I finally got a chance to redeem a gift certificate I won at a yoga fundraiser auction, and on the surface it was the best massage I’ve ever had, one that ironed out so many of my back pains induced from standing on my feet all day at work. But there was more to this massage than a back rub. This massage was performed by a naturopathic doctor and yoga teacher who had such an amazing light and energy. Originally from Vietnam, she moved to Hawaii more than a decade ago after falling in love with the Aloha State. She’s completely enamored with what she does — healing bodies through yoga at a Honolulu studio and massages done in her Diamond Head Crater-facing apartment that lets in so much fresh air you’ll never go back to indoor massages — and she was such a wonderful reminder of just how happy you can be so long as you’re doing something you love. After the massage, I talked her ear off about our travels and found myself getting strangely emotional in the process. Meeting her came at just the right point — just when I was starting to lose focus. She also recommended I read what appears to be an all-too-perfect book for me at this point in our journey. I’m really not trying to sound like a born-again, but I left that massage feeling like a new person — so refreshed, happy and energized for what’s ahead.
One month until Hong Kong. Let’s make it a good one.