Botanical Gardens

To while away the time one Sunday afternoon, we took a walk around the Koko Head Botanical Gardens. Imagine our surprise when it was filled with a variety of different cacti! The plumeria trees are also in abundance at the gardens but they weren't in full bloom at the time. I can't wait to go back and check them out.

This cactus reminded me of Medusa:

There was a Dr. Seuss feel to this area. Here are my boys acting like the Zax stuck in their tracks:

Hiking in Hawaii--Part Two

Our second hike was to the top of Koko Head Crater. It's not far from our house. At first we thought the trail was just a stretch of land up the slope with trees and brush carved out for electricity poles (or something). Eventually, we realized we could see movement up the bare stretch--people. Sure enough, people were climbing up the side of this steep mountain. Of course, Zac got super excited and decided we would hike it on Labor Day. So, hike it we did. There are railroad ties up the entire trail which act as steps. If I'm not mistaken, there was an old railway that led to to the top. I'm unsure what it was used for though. So, long story short, we hiked it, sweat a ton, and enjoyed the incredible view from the top.

Steep!

Hanauma Bay in the background.

View from the bottom:

Seriously steep!

We live down there on the marina.

Hiking in Hawaii--Part One

Any move brings with with it a certain degree of loneliness; you leave friends behind and it takes time to build relationships in the new area. This move to Hawaii is no different. Luckily, our family gets along pretty well. We are good companions for each other (well most of the time). Thankfully this is true, because we have been spending a lot more time together. To pass the time, we've taken up hiking as one activity to exercise our muscles, get to know our surroundings and keep from being bored out of our minds.

Our first hike was on the Kuliouou Valley Trail. It was a hot August day, a little humid, so we decided something in the shade would do us some good. This particular trail peters down practically nothing as you wind your way around tree roots and rocks up the side of a ravine. Unfortunately, the mud and bugs caused us to rethink our decision and we didn't make it all the way to the end of the trail. However, the return of Tyson's energy level as we headed back to the car informed us that we had indeed made the correct decision. Near the bottom of the trail, my thoughts turned to the camera in my bag, which resulted in a few fun photos to commemorate our first hike (or should I say first attempt--I'm pretty sure we'll make it all the way up the trail sometime or other).

So here are a few photos of our first hike on Oahu:

"I Will Work Harder"

I just finished Animal Farm by George Orwell (I know, I know. Another book review??? I can't help it. I love to read and I currently have the time, so I drink books in like the sand soaks up the ocean).

Anyway, the book is actually Tim's. He is supposed to read it for English. I was shocked to realize I have never read it myself, so I decided I would read it too. I'm glad I did. For some odd reason, Orwell's writing reminds me of Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye or Joseph Heller's Catch 22. Perhaps I feel this way because they are all written in the same general time period (Animal Farm was published in 1946, The Catcher in the Rye 1951 and Catch 22 1953). Orwell's novel has a profound message though, one easy to comprehend and understand. His plot details how a society determined to make a better life for its members is capable of being changed into a state of terrible dictatorship. The way in which the animals were slowly dragged from freedom to slavery is sad, but acts as a good allegory to how corruption begins and flourishes.

The part that struck me the hardest was the fate of Boxer, the strong work-horse who helped the farm become so successful. His motto, "I will work harder," is a brilliant statement showcasing a person with stamina, regard for others and confidence that one can make a difference. His motto is a good way to think about how to live one's life, but it is also important to know and understand what cause one is working for. Boxer's blindness in this respect led to his sorrowful demise and acts as a reminder that even the strong can be taken in as a fool.

Note to self: always work hard, expect that you can always work harder, but don't be a sucker. Oh, and stay away from mean smarty-pants pigs.

Eighth Grade Recognition Night

To celebrate the achievements of the eight grade class at Ottoson Middle School, parents and family members were invited to attend the Eighth Grade Recognition night in June of this year. We watched (while standing--no seats available, which is an Ottoson tradition) as Tim accepted an award for excellence in Drama as well as an award for making it through eighth grade and finishing off his Middle School experience. I'm pretty proud of this kid. He's kind, intelligent, very talented, creative and truly fun to be around. I'm so glad he's MY son!

Tyson's Colonial Days

The traditional third grade Colonial Days happened in June this year. I'm a little late posting the pictures, but I still wanted to share the fun. The kids enjoyed making silhouetttes, sachets; they dipped candles and tried their hand at calligraphy. They learned some dances, played old fashioned games like tug of war and hoop rolling and they even had the opportunity to have a minuteman come and fire off his old flintlock gun. All in all it was a fun and very memorable day!

Just Finished...

picture from Lisa See's website: Lisa See.com.

Dragon Bones by Lisa See was a thrilling mystery. I love Lisa See's style of writing. Previously, I read her novel, Snowflower and the Secret Fan and was impressed by both her writing and the story. Dragon Bones did not disappoint. About halfway through I found I couldn't put the book down and if I did my mind was still stuck in "Bashan valley." And, there are two other books she's written that pertain to her characters, Liu Hulan and David Stark. This novel is actually the third in a series. I'll have to check out the others and I encourage my friends to read along with me.

Learning the Lingo

In Massachusetts we learned to use words such as wicked, Mass Ave, idear (idea), and Aunt (pronounced Ont instead of Ant). Here in Hawaii we are picking up on expressions such as rubbish, Haole (white person), the Tab (tabernacle), Ohana (family), Keiki (child), and Pali (cliff or mountain). These examples are only just a few of the new words we are are learning to add to our vocabulary.

*Just for fun I'll throw in a story about the use of the term Haole...

Tim's church youth group is assigned to take the sacrament to the local retirement home one Sunday a month. Tim's awesome piano skills have gained him the role of accompanist for the meeting. Zac, Tyson and I tagged along for his first time.

There were at least thirty people in attendance. As the youth entered they went along and shook each individual's hand. The people loved to be greeted by the youth! Then the young men began to set up for the meeting and the meeting began with a song and a prayer. Afterwards, the priests blessed the sacrament and began to pass a tray of broken bread around the room.

One sweet Hawaiian woman, probably hard of hearing, said aloud (shouted actually), "I'm going to take the biggest one." Shortly after that, she "whispered" to her neighbor, "I took two!" Already everyone smiles began to emerge from all. Then, however, she looked over to the piano where Tim is quietly sitting waiting for the sacrament portion of the meeting to end. She took a good look at him and said aloud, "Look a Haole Boy!" Pause, and then, "Oh, he's blushing." The youth, as well as the rest of us, couldn't help but laugh.

Needless to say, us blondes stand out. In fact, one gentleman at church, when talking about fitting in, told Tim, "Don't worry that you glow in the dark." Ha! It makes me chuckle.

Here's a picture of my neon Haole boy on his first day of High School to finish off the post just right.