Uncategorized

Old Pali Rd Hike + Catastrophe

1 Comment

Well, after 10,000+ pictures, I finally had an SD card fail. I had a very eventful Saturday and Sunday morning and all my pictures are lost to a small, broken data card. I’m asking around if there are any tech geeks I can bring it to recover pictures… but not holding out hope. So, use your imagination and google internet pictures.

I decided to organize a hike for KOSC. I picked a really awesome, unique hike called Old Pali Rd. A section of the hike journeys over an overgrown highway (I am unsure the history there, honestly.) It’s supposed to be haunted, which is fitting for October. Logistically, there was paid parking at the entrance, which is helpful to avoid our cars being broken into. All of this set my expectations way too high for how the day would go…

First, we arrived at 8am, but the parking was definitely on Aloha time, and didn’t open until 8:10am ish. Not a huge deal, but caused me some concern and confusion.

The start of the hike was really cool, walking on the old pali road highway was so fascinating and easy going. However, we did go with a gaggle of kids… I mean there were at least 15 of them. I think the ratio of adults to kids ended up being 1:2. I am all for kids on hikes, they are so fun and bring a sense of innocence, but it can be logistically challenging to keep a group together. A few adults started off and ended up way ahead, and I was bringing up the rear after the huge group of kids and parents. After going underneath the actual, existing pali highway, the groups went different ways (without knowing it). We went left, and the other group ahead went right. I wasn’t really paying attention and didn’t realize the group ahead, who had done this hike before and I trusted, had split off. I was initially intending on going right and should’ve known to be more attentive. Well, going left ended us at a lookout… that you can easily drive to and I drive by probably twice a week. Going the other way, I would’ve ended at a lookout a little higher that I haven’t been to. It got really muddy and slick, and on the way I slipped and fell right on my tailbone. I’m still in a bit of pain today.

I am pretty upset with how it went even though I know I shouldn’t be. Everyone got out and explored which is really the goal. But, personally, I would like to go back, do it a lot slower, take pictures, and go to the other lookout. I was really disappointed I got hurt and felt gypped.


I think that moving forward it’ll be helpful to really scope out the hike beforehand, but it’s hard to do that without enough friends to go with. I also am throughly convinced that shoe spikes and hiking poles are just going to be part of my outfit. I don’t understand what it is about me and my balance, but I’m not clumsy until it comes time to slippery surfaces. Everyone else seems to do it so easily except me.

So, just imagine an old highway with tons of overgrowth, looking like you’re going through a jungle… and it’ll just be like I have a picture of it posted!

Here’s a historic picture. And a couple more good pictures of current pictures here.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Bunco

No Comments

I’m behind in blogging. Been a crazy and tiring week.

Bunco is a dice game, described by wikipedia as “housewife’s drinking game”. It’s very easy to play. Tables of four players take turns rolling three dice. You get a point if the number on the dice matches the value of the round you’re playing, so starting with 1, if you roll a one you get one point, two ones two points, three ones three points. If you roll no points, the next player rolls. You’re on a team with the person across from you, and the round ends as soon as one of the head table teams hits 21 (they ring a bell so everyone knows to stop). The team with the most points at your table, wins. Then, you move on to the next round, 2, and repeat when the dice values match 2. This repeats up to round 6. If you roll three of a kind, you get bunco which is 21 points if it matches the number round you’re in, or 5 points if it’s any other set of numbers except 1. If you roll 1s, “snake eyes” your points clear and you start from zero (unless you’re in round 1, in which case it’s a bunco). Winners rotate tables (unless you’re at the head table). If you get a bunco, you get to wear a lei. You keep track of your mini buncos, buncos, team wins, losses, various stats…and at the end you get prizes for all sorts of things.

They hosted in O’Club, the officer’s club on base. This a new friend of mine, we carpooled together. She actually reached out to me about it which encouraged me to go. (Fun, life in Hawaii tangent, she had a cockroach in her car, so I drove)

It was a lot of fun, mostly because there is zero skill involved so I can’t really get mad at winning or losing. I think it’s kinda hard to socialize, because it’s so fast paced. All in all, I’d definitely go again.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Mexico Lindo Kailua

No Comments

Mexico Lindo is kinda underwhelming from the outside (I wish I had a great picture but I don’t.) It’s in a strip mall, corner section. I had gone one night because it was the only thing open after I had been running errands and I had no food to eat at home. Things seem to close early in Kailua, especially weekdays. The first time I went I got the fajita salad as takeout, it was amazing.

The second time I went with a friend and ate outside. The margaritas everyone has look very appealing, but I’ll be honest I’m not the biggest marg fan. I did try one though, the lilikoi I think?

I chose the straight fajitas this time and they were equally delicious. Everything is insanely flavorful.

10/10 recommend this Mexican place.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Valentina’s Pizza

No Comments

Going through my pictures and posting about some places I haven’t yet. In Hawaii, since real estate is prime, a lot of food places opt for food trucks. When I thought of food trucks before I kinda poo-poo’d them, but in Hawaii it’s a whole different story. Two of my favorite meals have been from food trucks.

We had discovered Valentina’s when we visited Lanikai Brewing Company. They are actually in Kailua, and not Lanikai, but whatever. I’m not a beer fan and I forget what Brian thought, so I won’t really review them besides their service was kinda lackluster. However, they partner with Valentina’s Pizza food truck to provide pizza. I get the pepperoni, mozzarella, pesto, and hot honey pizza and it is soooo good.

That’s all I really had. Super delicious pizza.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

What I’m reading and listening to

No Comments

The Guest List: I can’t remember if I posted about this book, but I binge read it start to finish on my plane ride to Boston. It’s a murder mystery. I thought it was really good, but my book club thought it was too unbelievable how it all happened. I guess I am really gullible when it comes to plot lines so it makes sense I wouldn’t care about that.

The Road Back To You: I had an on again off again relationship with this book, but I finally finished it. The book is about the enneagram, a theory that everyone’s personality is related to one of eight categories. It’s a little overwhelming to me and a lot to keep track of, which makes it hard to apply… but I guess I learned about myself more.

Colin Jost: A very punchable face: (just one chapter) My father in law sent this to me to specifically read the chapter about Colin’s mom, who worked in the fire department. It was a really amazing story about 911 I hadn’t heard yet. I won’t spoil it 🙂

Currently starting the Culture Code. The commodore recommended it to Brian and I.

This is a robbery: This Netflix docu-series was on the heist of really famous artwork from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, an incredibly beautiful museum in Boston. I hadn’t realized the enormity of what was stolen. After the second episode, I had to stop watching at night because I was convinced someone was coming to steal from me. I turned all the lights on in my apartment. I finished the series during the day. It was ripe with Boston accents, history, and mobs. I thought the first two episodes were the best and it kinda went downhill from there, but still great.

Peanutbutter Falcon: A really great movie about two men who befriend each other. One is running away from trouble and one is running away from his home. There are some plot lines that don’t reconcile, but I forgave them because it was a cute movie all in all.

The Lord of the Rings: Believe it or not I haven’t ever seen them… actually, I take that back, I fell asleep watching while with a group of friends once. I am two hours in to the first movie… hope to finish it tonight. Evaluation to come.

Alex & The List: A guy is given a list by a woman of things he needs to change before they get married. It’s quite extensive. This is a cringeworthy movie and you’re kinda thinking this guy is really dumb the whole time. It’s like not even romantic what he’s doing. Wouldn’t recommend a watch.

Lula Rich: Docu series on Lula Roe, a multi-level marketing organization. Very fascinating how it was held together by thin threads.

Last but not least, the Patriots and Bruins. I bought NFL game day pass in order to watch the Bruins. There’s probably some trick I could use, but I’m uninterested in inviting any hackers into my computer.

I’m sure I’m missing some, but these were off the top of my head.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

North Shore Wrap up

No Comments

After the botanical garden I made my way to Hale’iwa bowls, a place specializing in Acai bowls. It was definitely the best one I’ve had on island so far. It was fruity but not super sweet.

I got the local bowl. It’s really hard to take a picture one handed with my camera. Apologize for the poor focus.

The parking lot had space for maybe… 10 cars? So it was a little crowded, but the turnover is quick and there was space even though I went at prime lunch time.

I never know if I can drive to my next spot before it completely melts… so I just ate it there. Then, I HAD to find my way to a beach so I can see the big waves. Ha.

This obviously wasn’t it, but it was a protected (from the waves) cove and I saw three turtles just by walking the shoreline. It was Hale’iwa beach park. I did see surfers… so I started walking along the beach toward them.

This is very zoomed and cropped, but I will for sure bring my zoom lens some day. I thought this crew was cute!

I was getting very weary in well doing at this point… it was very hot. There was a little bit left to a beach before I turned a corner. So I saw a couple walking back and asked if there was anything exciting to see around the corner, and they said “big waves” and I said great! And they were right. This doesn’t really give perspective, it’s really rocky so I imagine a terrible spot for surfing… but one day I’ll get a surfer so you can see how big they are. I would not go swimming, that’s for sure.

Looking forward to spending more time in this area!

There’s a category of photography called street photography. Professor Hines is one of my favorites to follow. Essentially you photography cities; walk the streets and capture some cool moment in time. I want beach “street” photography to become a thing. This would be one that I would put in that category.

After this I headed home. I would’ve loved to stay longer, I just knew my energy levels wouldn’t sustain it. I walked something like 5 miles… phew! So fun, and can’t wait to go back. It’s so much the same but so different.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

MCBH Sunset Flightline 5k

No Comments

Friday I ran another MCBH 5k on the premise that I’d have a pretty sunset. Well… it didn’t turn out so pretty. It’s been really rainy here and we were hit with clouds and rain.

Here’s another officer wife who signed up with me. She took golf lessons with me too! She signed up for the Honolulu Marathon…I give her so much props.

I think it’ll be the last 5k for me for a while… it’s just not going well and it feels like I’m beating my head against the wall and torturing myself with them. My lungs aren’t cooperating as quickly as I’d hoped. I feel the lung burning has definitely died down a LOT, but like today I feel it coming back from all the exertion I’ve done. It’s certainly a balancing act.

I recently had a conversation with a good friend who’s husband is consistently beating cancer and it was sobering. As much as I hate that I have long term COVID and am mad at God for not curing me quicker, I am so grateful for all that is healthy with me.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

The post you’ve all been waiting for- North Shore!

No Comments

I frequently get asked if I’ve been to the North Shore yet, and the answer was no until yesterday! The North Shore of Hawaii is known for its giant waves, sunsets, turtles, and agriculture. I finally took the trip because it was on my bucket list, and also because I wanted to go on a hike but had no one to come with me. When I searched hikes on AllTrails, I found one that was paved inside a botanical garden that ended at a waterfall just off the North Shore. I figured that was the safest option to do solo, so it worked out I could do that and explore the North Shore a bit!

The North shore takes a little over an hour to get to. I set off at about 7:30am, the botanical garden opened at 9am and I wanted to get there early and eat breakfast.

The ride isn’t incredibly impressive, but you do pass through a lot more agricultural fields out there. The funniest part was when I was coming down over a hill getting close and I saw the water, I was in awe of it and so excited, as if A: I didn’t expect to see water again and B: I haven’t seen beautiful water practically every day. It just felt different!

My first stop was Island Vintage Coffee (courtesy of a quick google search for breakfast). It turned out to be in this really touristy plaza.

I tried the fresh mango and peanut butter sandwhich… it was SO GOOD. And Guava juice, which was super fresh, like the orange juice we get at Fisherman’s when we visit Brian’s family in CA.

There was this fun historical protestant church across from the coffee place.

Then I headed toward Waimea Valley. The entrance fee is $10 for Kama’aina (Hawaiian resident) or military. Not bad for peace of mind about safety.

The grounds were so, so beautiful. It felt like I was walking through a jungle. It looks like they are still repairing some paths, but this is a good example of what it generally felt like.

I’m not entirely sure if these were all the known kings of Hawaii or… but they are big on teaching about Hawaiian culture and history.

There were some replicas of structures that would’ve been found on the land. There were also a couple sites of ancestral dedication.

There were a million flowers, and it was hard not to stop to take a picture every five feet. Here is some flower spam.

They are also big on restoring native species and do a lot of work to regrow them.

They had a whole path/grove just for palms.

I have no idea what month it is because we live in perpetual summer. If you ask me, I think it’s still August. But this reminded me of fall!

Some pretty foliage…

Fun plant name.

And finally… the waterfall! You can swim in it, but I decided not to… it seemed to be more hassle than reward, and I didn’t want to leave my nice camera alone.

I am going to start a second post with the rest of my day… spoiler alert it involved the ocean.

I spent almost two and half hours at this place, I was not expecting that! I could’ve spent more.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Some Kailua sights

No Comments

I had a day last week I was feeling pretty low, but I still try really hard to push myself to get some fresh air. So I decided to take my camera and walk around “downtown” Kailua before grabbing food at the Thursday market. I have to say that Hawaii does a great job of making things “pretty”, or visually appealing. You’ll find mosaics scattered every where.

Here’s a fun directional sign.

And here’s Whole Foods.

I appreciate the tropical feel of our little town.

I’ve had an emotional few days… there are a lot more politics involved in this Navy life than I could’ve ever imagined. A lot of not knowing who to trust, who’s got who’s back… it gets confusing and frustrating, honestly. We’re all supposed to be in this together. Everything is fine, no one is in trouble or under any harm, but even the smallest things can seemingly explode! I will add that it has made me vehemently opposed to staying in longer than Brian’s retirement. Usually, Brian’s here to talk me off these emotional ledges… but alas, here I am ready to jump!

Anyway, a particularly difficult communication issue is that I’ve heard three hundred different dates for Brian’s homecoming. They are anywhere from the beginning of one month to the beginning of the next… I really want to tell people to take me off the return homecoming date rumor mill train and just let me know when I need to show up to pick him up. It makes things really hard emotionally and rollercoastery…. will he be here for this event? He asked me to make reservations again somewhere… should I push those back?

I think being far from family and having no kids has thankfully put me away from being pestered about when he will come home (I mean my family never pesters anyway 😉 ) Which is good, because most often I’m not thinking about it… I’m just thinking about what I can do to make my day go faster and feel less lonely. But the answer, anyway, will almost always be “I don’t know”. And probably for the better, because as we know the Russians are always listening. “loose lips sink ships”.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Haku Lei Making

4 Comments

One of the spouse groups I am apart of did Lei making this past weekend. We made Haku Leis, or “head” leis. It was SO MUCH FUN, and so amazing how easy it is to make them beautiful (not necessarily easy to make in general). She taught us a little about the materials, usage, and the language around leis.

Here are the materials she brought us, which I was honestly at first disappointed they weren’t plumerias, but who am I to distrust an expert! Plumerias would have been ok, but they don’t handle well and brown easily, so retrospectively, listen to the lei expert.

The first thing we did was braid some long strings of some organic material, I forget the name, and then wrap a long tea leaf around it. This was kind of the base of the lei.

Then we started adding greenery in an X “shape” followed by the wrapping of a second string around the greenery. You kinda pinched the leaves and they make a cracking sound and our teacher would say “it’s ok they’re talking to you”. Then, you add flowers and wrap the string around the stem to hold it in place.

I would say it took about an hour in total of doing this. Once you’re done, she crowns you and ties it off at the back of your head.

I thought it was amazing how all of ours turned out different and all so beautiful. I want to keep mine forever, but since I can’t I just took a million pictures of it.

I told you there’d be Lei spam!

Continue Reading