I haven’t been able to give up my horse yet though I have considered it. I love him so much, he’s my buddy, and this last year has been tough because I’ve been so busy just trying to keep up with the house here I haven’t given him much time. He’s good though. I work with him still on the ground and take him for hikes. I took him for a month and a half to my mom down near the beach so she could work with him a bit.

I’m studying A Course in Miracles, which has been incredibly helpful to me. One thing it teaches is how to become aware of our thoughts and how they create my perception and therefore experience. I don’t think I know I would not have been able to get through some of this stuff over the last two years as easily without it. But, I believe everything happens for a reason and in every difficult situation is a lesson opportunity. Overall I feel calmer, less anxious and happy more of the time. Stress comes but seems to leave more quickly as I don’t hold onto it and make more out of it than just what it is, a situation other than what was expected. I see things with greater awareness, and also have experienced many amazing things on this journey that have really opened my eyes and mind even further and I’m grateful for all of it.

I woke up and did some writing, made some earl grey tea with sugar and milk, poked around online for a bit, ordered a copy of NTI for Ken, looked for some way to fix the straps on a top I have, set my clock upstairs that has had the wrong date for months, and meandered around doing a little of this and that until the morning was whittled away.

After a shower and breakfast of eggs toast and some of the home made cherry jam from Dianne I got started in the garden.  I tried digging up Bettina’s artichoke plants that she left to transplant into my yard, but the soil was way too rocky and the plants to big to effectively get them out without just killing them.  Maybe they’ll survive over there.  I watered using the hose, since the sprinklers aren’t really fixed yet.  Still some leaks and problems after the winter freeze, and weeded the rose bed and planter above that.  My neighbors said it’s supposed to snow tomorrow evening so I turned the water back off and drained the valves.

I had a molar extracted last Monday.  It was an infection under a tooth that wasn’t in very good shape because of a botched root canal from when I was about fifteen.  I just told them to pull it rather than try to repair and save it.  The infection was very painful and started on Easter so I went in as soon as I could on Monday and found a great dentist in Valencia named Dr. Watanabe, who a client refereed me to.  It’s healing up but I’m still careful not to chew on that side of my mouth yet.

My roomate and friend Ken left to work at Lockwood’s Ranch about twenty minutes from here.  The exact type of job he asked for when he was still living in L.A..  Funny how things work out.  He’s been there for a week and on his day off I took him down to Valencia to stock up on supplies and new boots.  He took me out to lunch at Whole Foods and I got mushy food I could eat with the tooth hole still healing.  We met up with Russell there (another roomate from last year) and then went back to his condo for a dip in the pool and jacuzzi.

Now I have the house to myself again this weekend.  Charlotte still comes most days during the week to work in the office that I rent to the community water board but weekends are usually quiet, which I love.  Michelle G. is coming down Monday and will stay for a few days at least and that will be nice.  It’s been at least a month it seems since she’s been down and I always enjoy having her in the house.  A friend I haven’t met in person, Abigail, is coming on Thursday with her friend Tina on their way back to Arizona from visiting family up North so I’m looking forward to that too.

It’s been so long since I’ve written here.   I haven’t been doing much general journaling, though sometimes I write in personal journals about what I’m learning specifically or going through emotionally.  It’s been about a year since Paul and I have been separated and he’s been living in Missouri.   I’m still in our big house out here, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends visiting or roomates.  I’ve been renting Paul’s office out to the waterboard as an office, which my friend Bettina and now Charlotte works during the day.  Bela, Bettina and the kids all moved to Missouri this winter to live on a little ranch with about 5 acres and ponds.  I’ve never felt lonely up here even when I’m alone.  Once I was snowed in for a week and my computer was down.  I loved it, sitting by the wood burning stove, with Mr. Kitty, drinking tea and watching the snow fall.  That was one of the best vacations I’ve had.  A vacation at home… I would normally be tempted to do work if I were at home, but this time it was just 5 days of simple life, no computer.  I don’t have TV either so it was so peaceful and good.

I knew when Paul and I separated that this was not happening so that I could get into another relationship.  Everything happens as it’s supposed to and this is just another part of my journey.  I love being single and having the freedom of that.  I enjoy meeting people and this last year have been blessed to meet some new ones.  Old friends and new ones have made this last year quite full.  Much of the time they come to visit me up here in the mountains.   My friends are good to me, cook and clean, are loving and smart and interesting.  I feel so blessed.

If I think back to all of the friends new and old I’ve spent time with over the last year it really fills me up with warmth.  Jessica, a friend I’ve known since kindergarten has visited a few times, a couple times with her baby boy.  Russell, a friend of my friend Teddy who lives near Boston, came to live for about a month and a half and rented the guest room before moving down to Valencia where I’ve visited him a couple times now.  He has a nice condo with a big pool and jacuzzi down there.  Eve and Line spent about a week with their new baby Batice and we had such a nice time.  Playing with the baby, dinner and wine by the fire, and Line showed me how to cut and sew t-shirts on my surger to make them have a cute girley fit.  Thea from back east who I met on ACIMChat (A Course In Miracles chatroom that Robin, who I met in San Miguel, setup), along with  her friend Nick from Austrailia, and Ken, who is now my roomate,  all came to visit for a few days.  They spoiled me with cooking and washing dishes, paying for groceries, gas and a trip to the Getty Museum.  My uncle Mike and Nzinga,  My cousin Jim,  Gloria who lives out in Lockwood Valley and just got a job managing a thoroughbred breeding ranch, Justin, Leda’s friend who plays guitar and sings and helped me with planting the shrubs and flowers in the front yard after my neighbors moved away.  So many nice neighbors too.  Stan my neighbor who takes me out to eat from time to time and helped me by shredding  up the fallen trees and brush.  Kelly and Larry behind me with an indoor saltwater pool who let me use it whenever I want.  It’s heated in the summer and fall and I would go jump in and swim sometimes as a break from work.  Rick and Chrisy across the street are always so nice and have invited me over a couple of times and are always very friendly.  Bob and Toni, always caring and concerned and nice to sit with at their ranch and talk about life with.   So many have touched my life this last year and more I have not mentioned.

Work has been a bit of  a struggle.  Just trying to make enough to pay the bills and barely sliding by as credit card bills climb.  I’ve learned to mostly not worry about it anymore.  Life is too short and it’s out of my control really.  I’m much happier just focusing on the moment and what I have now, which is always enough and more.  I try to remember to be grateful for what I have and not worry over what seems to be lacking… which when I am focusing on what I do have, is really nothing.  So who knows what will happen next.  If I will stay in this house or we’ll sell it and I’ll live somewhere else has been a big question on my mind over the last year.  Even that I’ve given up worrying about.  Whatever happens,  it will all work out.  I’ll be fine, and maybe even love life more than I love it here in this house.   I have tried to keep it and afford it, and it’s been tough even though Paul still helps me financially.   He’s struggling too and it seems too much for us to maintain both houses.  I wouldn’t mind lower monthly bills and getting some of my debt paid off and have even thought of living in a camper or trailer for a year or two to do that.  Paul suggests I get a less expensive house in Lake of the Woods, and I do love a home but I’m not sure I want to get tied into that just yet.  We’ll see.  I would really love to pay off my debt before starting again.

Well it’s 8:30 am now and still windy.  Maybe I’ll hang out with Ken a bit today and get some cleaning done.  Ken and I often read together from the Course or other books on the subject of higher conscious, God, and awakening… which is becoming aware of where we place limits on ourselves and the world by our thinking, blocking awareness of truth and love by thoughts based on fear.  A Course In Miracles has been my main course of study for the last year and I enjoy it thoroughly and though it’s not always easy, the awareness and peace I have gained from it has been invaluable.

I picked up a lot of Spanish on my week long visit to San Miguel.  Most people there and on the airline, Aeromexico speak very little or no English. I had a stop over in Mexico City and a Mexican woman there who had been living in Hawaii for the past six years was also going to Leon and seemed to think I knew where I was going.  She followed me, which I was glad about because her Spanish was much better than mine. It was funny because people kept telling us to go upstairs, then to go downstairs, then outside. Miraculously we found our way through which required going through security twice and completing an illness questioner and a claims form. Her flight was earlier than mine so I waited and watched the monitors for a gate number to be assigned.  Somehow I boarded the correct plane and ended up at my intended destination.

San Miguel is beautiful. Every door is solid carved wood. Even the chain liquor store “OXXO” has these grand antique doors.  Robin, Lana and I went out to the mercado in the morning and walked around town buying stuff for dinner and we stopped at an outdoor cafe and had cappuccino and sat with some folks we happened upon that used to live in California. The husband was a local artist and the wife has a daughter who lives in Santa Clarita. Lea arrived after we got back and she and I got rooms at the hotel. Robin knows the hotel owner and talked her down to 200 pesos a night (about $18). I  could see Robin’s rooftop turrets from my hotel window.  Lana made an amazing dinner of chicken, rice and beans with all sorts of spices. I put together a big salad to go with it and we had fresh corn tortillas that Robin bought at the tortillaria. Two of Robin’s friends, Sylvia and Sheryl who are from the states but live in San Miguel now came for dinner also. We had a great time. I went for a late night walk with Sylvia and bought some cigarettes. We walked through a few parks and passed at least 5 churches, all lit up beautifully. There were coyboys on horses in the park who it looked like got pulled over by motorcycle police and lots of people sitting on the benches in the park. I slept very well that second night.

On Friday we did a ton of walking. Robin, Lana, Leah and I took a cab to Cafe Monet to meet with Sheryl and Sylvia and then walked back through the town. Robin who is apparently paralyzed on the left side (though I don’t believe it) can out-walk us all on the rocky cobbles of the town. We stopped at a cafe in the Jardin and toured the Parroquia Church which, I’m told, the artichict designed from a post card of a European church.  Later I laughed when Robin showed me the plain back side of the church, which he explained was because they couldn’t see what the back should look like from the pictures. We came back to Robin’s to rest for bit then I took Leah out to walk around the town. We wandered down streets and alleys taking pictures and it started to rain lightly, which was nice because it gets pretty warm there. We found the Mercado just in time to get under cover before the downpour started.  The rain was so heavy it cascaded like a waterfall down the stairs.  Merchants brought out their brooms and swept the areas in front of their booths clean with the flowing water.  Lea and I waited for a while at the end of the covered area and then made a run for it across to the large indoor Artist Market. Filled with metal art, clothing, ceramics and food.  After wandering around inside for a bit we found a candy shop and tried some things. Lea bought a bag of treats and we wandered back to Robin’s place.

The week went by quickly but it also felt like it was longer than a week because it was so filled with wonderful experiences.

From Robin’s balcony above the street there was always something interesting to hear and see when looking over the edge.  On one evening I heard a car go by and heard beautiful guitar music coming from it. I saw a pickup truck with a man sitting over the back tailgate followed by a steaming food cart trailer. Down the street a neverending group of patrons at the taco stand at the street. Later that night I saw the taco stand gone and a guy in a dirty apron and something on his head standing at the end of the street. Two others stood in the street silently.  All of a sudden a man came out of the left and dumped a big bucket of water almost on the feet of the guy in the apron and all three guys went into action scrubbing the road and sidewalk with brooms.  Then quiet and the occasional person or dog walking down the street.

We saw parades, fireworks and lightening storms.  I had Mango Margaritas, delicious meals, and conversations beyond this world.  It was so wonderful to spend time with my friends Robin, Lana and Lea.  It’s like we’ve known eachother forever (which we have).

Time to go home. Robin and I waited in the foyer for the shuttle I arranged but it didn’t come.  The times were off  so I took a cab to the airport. I was raining and got dark as we got into the city. I conversed in Spanish with the driver who lives on a ranch outside of town.  In the dark and rain he couldn’t see well and nearly ran into a central divider on the freeway where it split two different ways.  It happened in slow motion, and like Neo plucking a bullet out of the air I gently moved his arm with mine and we bumped back onto the highway avoided the wall by about 10 feet.  I think he was about as rattled as his suspension. I arrived on time and got up to my Gate and found the same woman waving to me that I had met on my way down. She was on her way to L.A. now to visit friends then return to Hawaii. She wrote down her name and phone number and told me to call when I came to Hawaii or San Miguel next time and she could get me good rates at the Hotel chain she works at.  She works for housecleaning in Kaanapali, my favorite snorkeling spot on Maui.  My friend Gloria picked me up from the airport and we got back to my house around 1am. She slept in the guestroom and we had coffee in the morning and walked around the garden which has grown since I left.  Stan, my neighbor, was also out enjoying the morning after his 4 week trip by boat from La Paz to San Diego.  It’s good to be back.

As of late I keep busy with work, I’ve learned more patience than I knew I had and more fufillment in even the most mundane things.  I spend plenty of time with friends, new and old and am so filled in my life with graditude.  I have my down days but I think there’s a purpose to those as well and underlying them is a knowing that I will come out of it again.

This weekend I spent getting some work done. I’m still trying to catch up with my books as I had my computer crash and had to switch to a new bookkeeping software. I’m almost done entering the last 6 months worth of accounts but would like to get some timesheet data squared away so I can bill clients.

I got thrown off of Jerry a couple of weeks ago when he spooked at a cone I was carrying in the saddle. It was a pretty hard landing and I cut my elbow on a rock and cracked my iPhone.  Of course I was pretty bruised and sore but I also did some damage to a tendon or something in my leg where it connects to my hip.  That took a bit longer to heal but since I found a new technique for helping it along and not to reinjuring it it’s now almost 100% again.

I accidently deleted a bunch of client files on Friday and am working today on recovering those. I would love to clean the kitchen floor and get some other house cleaning done today also.  We’ll see how it goes though. I had that goal yesterday but other things came up.  I had a lovely evening with Bela and Bettina next door. We played guitars in the library and drank champaign then sat out in the early evening under gray clouds and it started to rain.  Bela cooked an amazing dinner as he always does and we had Ben and Jerry’s chocolate ice cream for desert.

I could not convince Bela that “Revolver” is a great movie. He can be pretty stubborn sometimes. You cannot judge that movie by appearances because it’s all symbolic. But it appears to be some action adventure movie. They do explain what it’s about around the middle of the movie and then it all comes together and you want to watch it again.  It’s basically a movie about becoming free of ego and what we create in our own thinking.

I have a couple of trips coming up and got my passport.  I’ll be going to San Miguel de Allende, an old cobble stone town with many missions and churches in the mountains deep in Mexico, and Oregon this summer for the Country Fair and to see friends I met in Maui, one who came down to visit about a month ago.  I love meeting new people and finding friends I didn’t know I had.  The good ones are precious gems I treasure whether I see them rarely or all the time.

Trip Log:

I arrived on Maui around 10:15pm on 3/18 and got a ride to the North Shore Hostel from one of the guys who work there, Garrett. He used to live in the states and moved to Maui from Colorado after having worked on a Cruise Ship and deciding that Maui was his favorite. He now works here at the hostel for free room and also works at a cafe on the same block. He gets time off to snorkle and enjoy the island. 

My small room has just a bed and chair and closet. My window faces a building and the smell of fresh baked bread comes wafting through my window in the mornings from the bakery next door. I have a bed, chair closet, night stand and lamp. It’s simple and has everything I need. The living room and kitchen are shared as well as the four bathrooms. There are about 15 rooms here I think. 

Yesterday I woke up and worked on some updates for one of my clients. I met Emilie, who is from France and going to school in Eugene, OR. We got along instantly and decided to go snorkling together. Garrett told us about “Black Rock” up on the west side of the island in Kaanapali. We took busses up to Whalers Village and looked for a place to eat. It’s kind of touristy mall with a couple of very expensive resturants. We went down to the beach and I got my first welcome back to the sand and beautiful Maui beaches. Some guy form Isreal selling mineral salts insisted on massaging our hands with the stuff even though we kept telling him that we couldn’t afford the stuff and were just looking for a cheap place to eat. I think he was just flirting with Emilie. He was very persistant, but finally did point us in the direction of a woman who could recommend a cheap place to eat. She recommended a place back on the highway so we walked back up to the 40. The place was a sports bar on a golf course and didn’t look enticing to either of us. The girl who recommended the resturant mentioned that there was a fruit stand a couple of miles up the road so we decided to hitchhike up. 

Off we went with our newely soft hands and one shiny thumbnail (The isrealy guy tried selling me a nail buffer for $17 dollars after we assured him we weren’t going to buy the mineral salts for $70 bucks). It was raining a bit but so nice and tropical. It didn’t take long for us to get a ride. The guy who picked us up was from the mainland and lived on Maui now with his family, he excused the banana peel and baby stuff in the car. He said he knew where we wanted to go and took us into a little town between Kaanapali and Kapalua to a Fruit Stand/Healthfood Store. It wasn’t what I had expected but was perfect. They had a great selection of hot food and soups. We had purple potatoes, curried rice with carrots, veggies, carrot ginger soup and free samples of bananna bread. 

We ate then headed back to Kaanapali to find Black Rock. Another nice guy picked us up who worked at one of the resorts and had been snorkling at black rock. He took us to a path where we find our way to it. We ended up on the north side and I went in the water but just found sandy bottom. Apparently you can snorkle out around the bend, but because Emilie didn’t have fins we decided that wasn’t a good idea.

We hiked around and found the path where the people jump off of Black Rock and the perfect snorkling area. We weren’t jumping so we hiked around some more and got some advise from a local who worked at the hotel. We had to go up to the eighth floor acroos the hotel through the lobby and down to the first floor. This brought us out in the resort beach and the perfect spot for snorkling. There were tons of fish and Emilie found a giant sea turtle. I hung out with the sea turtle and watched him eat seaweed moss off of the rocks while a colorful little fish gobbled up the bits he missed. He was so graceful and beautiful. I chased after some other fish and then rested floating on my back in the water. We laid out on the beach for a bit before getting dressed and packing up. I took video of the cliff divers doing flips into the water. We saw whales very close out spouting and diving and one last wave of a tail before we left. 

Two people who gave us rides said that if you go out and listen underwater you can hear the whales sing. I didn’t do it this time but definately want to come back to this spot. Next time I will go out beyond the rock and around the front. This resort has a beautiful swimming pool that snakes around a little island under bridges and with a water slide and jacuzzi. We decided we should come back to that later since it was getting late. We hitch hiked back to Lahaina to catch the bus which takes about 50 minutes to get back to Wailuku. We were early for the bus so we walked around town. We’re both on a tight budget so just window shopped mostly. I just bought a banana and a postcard for my mom. It shows an arial shot of a beach on the other side of the island and the store owner showed us where it was on the map (“Big Beach” and “Small Beach”). We went to FoodLand on our way back to the hostel and bought groceries. It was dark by the time we got back. I made dinner and slept really well.

— 3/20
I bought a baguette today and Emilie, I setup a picknic in the yard under a great banan tree. We had bread, butter, Cheese, and straberries. Efrat, a woman my age from Tel Aviv came along and I invited her to join us. I found out does programming work and project planning. She also rides and trains horses and her first horse was also named Jerry. Efrat’s friend from Romania, Christian, who also lives in Vancouver now came in later that day and rented a car. They took Emilie and I to the Needle in Iao Valley and to Swinging Bridges where we hiked for a couple of miles and went skinny dipping in one of the pools. It was devinely refreshing after the long hike. We were hoping to get to a larger waterfall, but it was late and we turned back at the dam. We ate dinner at the Thai restraunt up the street from our Hostel.

—3/21
Emilie and I went down to Kihei by bus and walked to the beach to meet up with Efrat and Christina at Mokapu beach. We snorkled and I heard the whales singing which was pretty amazing. We could see them off in the distance. After that they drove us down to Ahihi and the end of the maintained road on that side. We stopped for fresh coconut milk and ice cream. And found a rental stables where we pet horses and talked to the owners. We took photos on the beach at sunset. Efrat drove us up back up to Kihei and we had drinks and chips at a Mexican restruant before our bus came. Emilie and I caught the last bus and ended up missing our transfer bus to get us from the Mall back to Wailuku where the hostel is. We called the hostel and asked if there was anybody there willing to pick us up. A super nice guy named Jay who had a convertible rental car came and rescued us. He was there on business and the car only cost him $15 bucks a day because the check engine light came up on the economy car he had originally gotten and the convertable was the only other car they had available. He got the price by bidding on the rental car a week earlier on priceline. He was happy for any excuse to drive it. Emilie sat in the front and I watched the stars on the way back.

—3/22
On Sunday Emilie and I went to Hana with Efrat and Christina. We went on a three hour horse back ride up the side of Haleakala. Our guide, Kioni, a native Hawaiian who’s family owns land there taught us about the native plants and history of the land. I got to ride a spunky little Appaloosa and it was a lot of fun. He invited Efrat and I to come back after he got off work to go for “a real ride”, not just walking, which would have been fun but we went for a long hike instead. We hiked to the seven pools, the ocean cliffs, and then up through a bamboo forest two miles to a giant waterfall. We had seen the waterfall from the end point of the trail ride. We all went under the falls which was so refreshing after the two hour hike. We got back to the car just as it was getting dark. I got to drive back to our hostel since Efrat doesn’t see well to drive in the dark. It’s about a 2-3 hour drive all twisty and about thirty or more single lane bridges. A lot of fun but they didn’t let me drive it fast We told bad jokes and sang songs to entertain ourselves since there is no radio signal on the road. Emilie and I had a simple dinner back at the hostel. So far I have only eaten at a resturant once. I’ve been very good about not spending a lot of money. Yesterday was the most expensive day with the horseback ride and gas money.

—-3/23
Garrett, from TX, who works at the hostel took Emily and I to Mokapu beach in Kihei then out for fish tacos afterwards

—-3/24
I hiked with Emilie up to Ioa Valley from the Hostel and to the Museum gift shop. We bought small local grown bananas at a fruit stand on the way up (2 Apple Bannanas and 2 Chinese Bannanas for $2). On the way back down we saw a accident where a truck that had been going extremely fast flipped over. We had seen the truck driving about 15 minutes up the road and when we got to the scene gave police a statement. The guy was banged up and bloody but seemed like he would be ok. And the baby who wasn’t in a car seat seemed completely unharmed. An abulance came and took them off.

—-3/25
Went to Lehaina with Emilie, Efrat, Garet, from San Luis Obispo, Autumn and Jaimason (from Portland, OR). Garet drove since he had a rental car and we all squished into the car. It’s about thirty to fourty minutes away. We went to black rock to snorkle and snuck into the jacuzzi and pools at the Sheraton. We ate at “Aloha Mixed Plate” and had three dollar Mai Thai’s for happy hour. I had Mahi Mahi, rice and coconut shrimp. It was an outdoor resturant near the water. Very beautiful and fun. We drove down to the other end of front street in Lahaina and got ice cream and milled around. We walked up the towards Hard Rock Cafe and stopped in at Galleries along the way. Coming out of one Gallery I saw the Isrealie guy that tried to sell Emilie and I some ridiculously expensive dead sea salt scrub on the beach on our first day out so I introduced him to Efrat, who is also from Isreal and they hit it off right away. They spent the rest of the evening together with us. I made it down to Hard Rock and bought two tickets to the Paula Fuga show. One for me and one for whoever was going to give me a ride there. So far I hadn’t found out who that would be though. We ate out at the “Cool Cat Cafe” and the hamburgers were very good but they didn’t come with frys. A Hawaiian played ukelele and finished the song off with one of my favorites, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. I listened to Efrat and the Isreali guy speak in Hebrew and had to imagine the conversation they were having which I shared with Efrat later and we laughed about it. 

At the hostel some of us stayed up late to play “Imagine If” with the manager Scott. It was a lot of fun.

—-3/26
Today I went with Garet, Efrat, and Emilie up the coast to “Jaws” and the most popular windsurfing spot in the world. We watched wind surfers jump off of waves and sail through the air. The wind was so strong some were flying. There are also surfers in another section. We then went to drop Emilie off at the airport to return to Portland. I’m sure I’ll see her again. We became such good friends here. She invited me up to Eugene and I would love to go and see Cougar Hot Springs again. Also would like to go to the Oregon Country Fair in July. 

We came back to the hostel and Efrat packed for her evening flight. Garet and I walked up the block to the “all you can eat” sushi place. It was good. Only $10. Then Efrat and I went for a hike from the hostel up to a cross on the mountain and beyond. The hill is steep, like going up stairs. It’s 1.5-2 miles fromthe hostel to the top. Got some great pictures where you can see both sides of the island.

Played “Imagine If” again with Scott, Avi and two college girls Christine and Mandi after quite hours.

—–3/27
Autumn and Jamison found us a ride to the Paula Fuga show with a guy they met hitchhiking the day before. Tavish, who is also from Portland, loves music and was wanting to hear some live music. We left in the morning and went snorkling at Black Rock again and soaked in the Jacuzzi, then drove up to Honolua Bay. We stopped at the health food store and picked up some stuff then ate at a great little taco stand in Honokowai and I had a fish taco. Paula Fuga didn’t actually come on until midnight after the tow bands opening for her. It was a great show though, she played three songs I hadn’t heard before and covered the Redemption Song by Bob Marley with Mike Love. It was just her and Mike playing music and she said that they will have a new album coming out soon.

—-3/28
Everyday here I have spent in the mountains or at the beach on alternate days. Today is the first quite day. I’m doing laundry and cleaned my room. Watched a movie with Scott, Avi, and another guy in the livingroom and took a nap. Autumn and Jaimason left this morning and we plan on seeing eachother this summer at the Oregon Country Fair or they may come down for a visit. I went for a walk around Wialuku and later met some girls from China at the hostel. They gave me tips about going to China and Hong Kong. Shenzhen is the place where Bela is working and I will be visiting first. I couldn’t pronounce the name correctly, the language has so many suddlities it’s very difficult. They suggested I just bring some picture cards to communicate. LOL!

—3/29
Met Katie who is in the army and on vacation from Iraq. She drove Avi (from Alaska), Garet (from San Louis Obispo) and I to some beaches in Kihei for snorkling and swimming in the waves. It was a beautiful day. We burried Garet in the sand and mad sand sculputures. We stopped for lunch on our way back.

—-3/30
Last day in Maui. Avi, from Alaska and I took a long walk in the morning almost across the middle of the island while waiting for Scott to get off work. Scott invited us to Ioa Valley for a hike. We found a pool and went swimming and ate a coconut that Avi brought and opened with his knife. It was the best coconut ever. We ate the whole thing. Then we went to a windy beach and stopped at the health food store. I bought a banana for breakfast which I ended up forgetting at the hostel. 

—3/31
Avi and I shared a cab to the airport, he was taking a flight out of Oahu later that evening and decided to take the early flight to Oahu with me. We got to the airport super early and had to wait while the airport opened up. Once we got through the gates we stopped for coffee / juice and sat in between gates where there was an open area to see the sky and sunrise. We were watching the birds and talking when I decided we should see if the plane was boarding yet. We went to the gate which was just through the open doors and found out that the plane left one minute ago! It was just so funny that we got there so early and then still ended up missing the plane. We laughed about it and the woman was able to get us onto the next flight and didn’t charge us. I wasn’t sure if I would make my flight to LA now but it didn’t matter because I’m totally trusting that everything works out perfectly now. Avi and I sat together on the flight in the same row was a Hawaiian guy from the fruit stand in Ioa Valley who I met twice before. Once when Emilie and I bought fruit and then again at the accident scene. He told me that the guy might have had internal injuries but he hadn’t heard anything more about it. He had checked the truck and found no baby seat and for that wanted to punch the guy that was driving. Avi carried my pack running though the terminal to the other end. Thankfully I made it as the plane was still boarding. I arrived in LA and took a cab to Michelles house to pick up my car. 

What a perfect trip!

Photos