Okay so I’m sure that many of you are hoping I’m writing with amazing adventures but, uh, nothing’s really happened yet. It’s been 22 days since I’ve arrived to be specific. (Almost a month!!) But all I’ve really been doing is settling in. I gotta say, Hawaii is an interesting place. Is it paradise? Not yet, anyway. So far it’s just a crowded urban area with light rain, cloudy sunshine, and consistent temperatures in the high 80‘s. It’s good in some ways, namely the beaches, warm weather, food, and all around new-ness; but in others, difficult.
Not knowing anyone, in the way you know your best friends, is probably the hardest. There are so many activities I’m hankering to do but somethings are three times more fun when you have another person to enjoy them with. Most of the time at work there’s no opportunity for conversation, and considering how many people work there, getting to know anyone really well is going to be VERY difficult. Many of the friends at meeting are really warm and inviting but not too many are my age and available to just hang out. So it’s definitely going to take a little time for me to feel at home here but it’ll happen eventually. (I hope.)
So here I am beginning the official start of my 10 month stint (my friend left two weeks ago) and the first order of business is, oh yeah it’s awesome, CLEANING!!!! A house previously occupied by two boys-- this place could take as long as a week for major areas, and months for all the other ones. Plus there’s the little annoyance of it being all guy-ed out, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind a candle (or five). I’m trying to resist the urge to interior decorate but I may have to add little things just so I can feel at home. (A vase here, flowery pillow there... Ok, not really but you get the point!)
Before the guys left they claimed that they’ve never seen a cockroach in the house. I’m hoping they were lying because I’ve killed two in the last few days. They are freakin’ huge and GROSS! Every morning and night when I come downstairs I find myself stepping tentatively, scouring the landscape, and all-around looking like a freaked out chick in a horror movie ("Slither" comes to mind). Plus there's the little nightmares of one climbing in my bed during the night (nothing like a restful night of sleep). Looks like I’m getting cockroach killer and maybe something to keep the cracks in the door covered. (The internet claims that no bug killer will destroy roaches and suggests that I get used to the idea of a legion hiding from me waiting to eat my brains. But I will go down spraying my Black Flag bug killer, which I hope works!!!) Geckos (although the internet warnings made me a little wary of them) are no big thing, they’re just little lizards crossing the walls. And I’m continuing the tradition of calling every gecko Fred, like the boys. Whenever I see one, I greet him with "Hey Fred! How's the view from vertical?" Only problem with the Freds, they leave little poop all over mirrors, shelving, etc. Sigh, it's like the pet I'm not allowed to have that needs to learn to use the gecko litter box.
So far I’ve only explored Oahu a little bit: a few beaches, watched a couple sunsets (which are pretty great because everyone, including locals, just stop to watch), Chinatown (which definitely fits my stereotypical preconception and where I will NOT be buying fresh produce for the most part), tried some new cuisine (Korean, Ramen, Japanese, Vietnamese, Hawaii,etc.), explored the areas around my home & work, and lots of shopping (I feel like I’ve spent a ton of money and all of it on home supplies). Once I’ve gotten everything settled in the house I plan to start doing vacation activities, namely surfing, hiking, and exploring the rest of the island (and the others when I get the chance). There’s lots on my itinerary and only so much time. But I need all the help I can get on great ideas, places to see, etc. so if you have suggestions let me know!!
For now I’m putting up all the pictures I’ve taken (they aren’t that amazing, but for those of you who’ve never seen Hawaii they might be interesting). The first pictures are my first views of Hawaii! Gorgeous turquoise waters! Next the gardens in the airport. Then some airplanes on the Marine base and my first beach experience (on the base). I couldn't go in the water past my thighs because the current was so strong. After that is my first coconut at North Shore and my first Hawaii sunset. Next, some views of a western beach (can't remember the name) and Hawaiian mountain terrain. Then, a sunset on the beach across from my work and a place that I enjoy running. Lastly, some pictures from Chinatown (note the cockroach in the vegetables, which is the reason I will probably not be buying too much produce there), a rainbow (hello, the rainbow is Hawaii's mascot for every school out here for a reason), and a taro bun that looks really pretty, but isn't that tasty.
