Waikiki with the Whelchel's

One of my favorite residents where I work has a granddaughter, Lindsey, around my age who happens to live and work in Waikiki. When I told them I would be spending a few months out here, they told me I should meet up where her. Contacts were exchanged and we set up a dinner date last night. Turns out her family was visiting so not only did I get to meet her, but the whole family too!

I drove downtown to Waikiki and meet them at their hotel. After everyone was ready, we walked to a small little whole in the wall called Genius Lounge. It was a really cool place, with good spaghetti and some sort of Japanese drink that tasted like sweet tea. The Whelchel's were super nice and very inviting, making me feel right at home. Walking to and from the lounge, I've never heard more cat calls from guys passing by in my entire life. Lindsey said it was just guys on vacation being stupid and it happened all the time but, if I were a guy passing 5 blonde ladies and 1 man, I would probably give a shout out too. Mrs. Whelchel was all about taking photos, and I'm glad she did because I never once pulled out my camera.

The only down to Waikiki is the expense. Everything is more expensive down there and because I wasn't paying attention, my parking bill after four hours was a whopping $32! I was outraged! Oh well, you live and learn I suppose.

The Whelchel girls and myself

Mrs. Whelchel

Coupons and Quizes

You may have been wondering what I've been up to lately. The answer: spending money and wasting time.

Jessi so kindly introduced to me Groupons. I'm addicted! If you're not familiar with these, I recommend you check it out. They offer great deals (usually over 50% off) on things in your area. So far, I've bought a massage and a sunset whale watching tour. I came close to buying a hot air balloon ride too. Who knew you could go broke with coupons?

Also, after the babies go to bed around seven, we usually watch some television, read, and/or play on the computer. Lately it's been the latter. I, so kindly, introduced Jessi to a game I started playing about a year ago and haven't beaten it yet. I'll give you a link, but I'm giving you fair warning, don't click it if you get frustrated easily... The impossible quiz. I think she's addicted.

Wednesday, I went to the beach and read my book, which was very relaxing. Jessi suggested I try this certain restaurant and take my book. Now, if you know me, you know I'm not one who likes to do things by myself, especially go to restaurants alone. However, she said I should brave up and try it, take my book along and read. So I sucked it up and went, only to find out it wasn't too terrible. The food was good and served very quickly, so I didn't have a lot of time to read my book.

That's been my week in a nutshell, in case you were wondering. I'll try and post some pictures later.

Status Updates

Thank you Facebook for keeping me informed of what's going on back in NC without even knowing it! Due to over-flooding of my newsfeed, I was reminded to check out the Duke vs Carolina game yesterday when I got home. When I woke up from my nap, I was sadly aware that Duke had come back from a huge lead by Carolina to win in overtime. Oh well. Also, due to Facebook updates, I'm aware of the snow that I'm missing out on. Can't say I'm upset about that one though. Eastern Carolina, build a snowman for me!

Open Airplane Doors

So part of me starting a blog was to be able to share my traveling adventures, and not just in Hawaii either. Therefore, I'll share about one of my latest adventures: Skydiving.

Skydiving 101

What in the world provoked me to wanna go skydiving you might ask? The answer: Matt Williams. I have always wanted to go, and after seeing a friends pictures from her jump, the urge grew even more, and I determined I would do it within the next five years. After spending one random evening with Mr. Williams, I informed him of this desire. His response: "I've always wanted to do that. Let's do it!"

After spending a few hours giddily talking about it and researching places to jump, and of course the statistics on not surviving, we were dead set to jump within the next week or so. I booked a place on the other side of Raleigh and couldn't wait til the day came! Our very good friend, Kristyn Flinchum came along for the viewing. We needed someone to be our emergency contact. After-all, in the event that we didn't make it, someone had to drive my car home, right?

After signing literally an entire packets worth of papers that was our "waiver form", we were ready for action. However, due to some recent weather conditions, they weren't ready for us. About an hour and a half later of sitting/sleeping, they called our name for a training session. This training lesson was practically given to us while we were strapping into our jumpsuits and it went something like this: "Hang like this when we jump (quick demonstration was shown), hold onto your straps until I tap your shoulders indicating it's ok to let go of your arms, wear these goggles if you are wearing contacts. Ok we're ready." And out towards the plane we all piled. The ride to our jumping spot took the longest part of the whole ordeal, literally. Being a classy lady, I went first. Believe it or not, but I didn't scream one word. I said I wasn't, but I didn't think I was actually not going to. However, with all that wind hitting you at once, it's kinda hard to do anything but concentrate on breathing. The fifty seconds or so that it took to fall flew by so fast. Next thing I knew the guy on my back had already pulled the chute and we were floating down to land.

It was everything I had imagined it would be, and I would definitely do it again. Check out the video at the end.

*Just for the record, I never felt him tap my shoulders, which is why it looks like I was afraid to let go.

Youth

I miss being a kid. Not having to worry about a thing. Laughing. Playing. Nap times. No jobs. No bills. Stress free.

Funny how when you're young you can't wait to grow up, and then when you do grow up, you wish you were still young. I like to think I haven't grown up. Sure, I've grown older and I have to deal with bills and jobs and such, but I'm still a kid at heart. I enjoy my Disney movies, and I still act like a child.

Any who, point of this rambling, today we took the twins to the park. Made me recall times when my mother would take us to the park. We have several around town. We never knew them by their correct names, just a way in which we remember them. For instance we would want to go to the Red Park. Red being the color of the slide. Or perhaps the Horsey Park, for they had horses to ride in the place of swings. There was the Muddy Park I recall. I'm pretty sure this park got it's name due to the fact that I fell into a mud puddle trying to get out of a swing.

Seeing the twins laughing while being pushed in the swings was heart warming. Watching Holden playing in the sand, smearing it all over his face, as if nothing else mattered (and it didn't) was priceless. There's just something about youthful innocence that makes everything else in this dim world seem less dim.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

Two quick things before I go though. Recently Jessi and I have been watching the American Idol auditions. Pretty great stuff usually but in case none of you saw this (and I can't say I did, Jessi showed it to me online) you need to check it out. Vote for this guy if you're a voter.

Also, I just finished The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins. I highly recommend it. I'm going to start on the next book in the series tomorrow, but for now it's bedtime.

Eyebrows and Stop Signs

Three things that make me uber excited: getting new things, sunshine, and umm... oh yeah! Skyping with my friends! All of which occurred today. I was told during this skype session, that I must blog everyday. Now as much as I would love to do that, (and as much as I'm going to try) that may just not be possible. Sorry guys, I still love you.

After the babies left for their play date with the triplets, I had the day to myself. To be honest, I had no idea what to do. After showering, doing a few things around here, and a much needed skype date, I ventured out to do what I do best: spend money... but wisely.

Ross stores across America always seem to lure me in, ALWAYS. I got a few new dresses, pair of shoes, running shorts, and a hair dryer. After going to Ross (I got my monies worth) and then Target, the last thing on my agenda, every girls favorite thing.. get my eyebrows waxed. Now, I've had a few awkward instances with this process, but todays tops them off. Usually, and I'm very aware of how red my skin gets, the stylist will say something along the lines of "Wow, you're really red" or, "Do you normally get this red." Occasionally, I'll hear "You have very nicely arched eyebrows", something to ease the awkward silence that entails the 10 minutes it takes to get ones eyebrows waxed. Today, I had a male to wax my eyebrows. I'm ok with this. Who knows, maybe he'll be better than females. WRONG. I walk back to the back and within seconds of me sitting down he asks if I turn red. I told him I turn VERY red. Just a heads-up so he wouldn't be shocked like the rest. He proceeds to apply the wax and rip off the strips. When he gets about half way done he informs me that he's going to pluck the rest so I won't turn as red. I appreciate his concern, but I DESPISE plucking. I pay $12 every two weeks to have them waxed so I can avoid plucking. I'd rather be red and waxed than normal and plucked. Midway plucking, and my eyes are literally tearing up, he says "Hmmm, this eyebrow is blonder than the other one." Great. At this point I feel like a freak with bright red skin and an eyebrow blonder than the other. Don't worry, I survived the plucking, that still turned my skin bright red. He then proceeds to apply aloe on my "inflamed" brows. He lathers it on and tel

ls me to careful and let it soak in. After paying for this and tipping him, he gives me this:

Was he trying to imply something?

That may have been a long drawn out story to tell about my waxing, but I was baffled at the whole experience. Second thing that I found irritating about today. Stop signs. More specifically, four way stops, at busy spots. It almost seems that Hawaii would rather invest in stop signs than put up stop lights. Ok great, save electricity and what not, I get it. But I'm from North Carolina, four way stops are about as rare as unicorns and mermaids. Luckily, everyone else seems to know what is going on so when I haven't a clue, it works out.

So that was my day in a nut shell. Strange and awkward stylist and four way stops.

A Day At North Shore

Wanna see some big waves, good looking surfer dudes, and catch a great tan? North Shore is the place to be.

Today, after dealing with fussy babies in the morning, Trent came and picked me up and we spent the day at there. It's exactly how I remembered it, except the waves are A LOT bigger in the "winter" of Hawaii. First stop: Pipeline. According to Trent, it's a world famous wave surfed by professional surfers. After seeing it, I could see why. I mean... I know I'm a GREAT surfer and all, but I'll leave that for the pros.

My only time surfing caught on camera a few years ago. Pro, I know.

Pipeline. It's hard to see, but there are a lot of surfers out there.

This picture is to prove to my mother that I can take a straight picture.

There were a lot of people watching the surfers, so I got a lot of people-watching in too. After pipeline, we went a bit further down the beach to a place called Sunset, I believe. Here, I actually got in the water for a bit, laid out and worked on my tan as well.

After leaving the beach, we headed for food. We stopped on the way so Trent could wash off at a nearby shower. Apparently when you dive into an ocean with raging waves, they have a tendency to knock you down, resulting in handfuls of sand in bathing suit pockets and elsewhere. Who knew? I took the opportunity to snap a few more photos.

After this brief pit stop, we proceeded to Haleiwa for food and gas. Now, tax time is one of my favorite things about the beginning of the year for two reasons. 1) I may get some money back and 2) I love to see the Liberty Tax people standing outside and waving. Rain, snow, heat, you name it, they're there. Well in Hawaii, apparently they have Liberty Tax places too, except they have shaka (hang loose) hands. Being from good ole North Cack-a-lakee, I thought this was the coolest thing. Ironically enough, right beside where we pulled over for gas, happened to be a Hawaiian dude dressed in his Liberty attire, waving to people. So what do I do? Get a picture of course!

In his mind he's screaming "typical stupid tourist"

We stopped at Cholos, a Mexican restaurant, for dinner. I got my fill of chips and salsa (my all time favorite), along with a fish taco. Very delicious I might add. Also, I tried my first ever Mai Tai. Overall a very scrumptious meal. We had a great time catching up and enjoying Hawaii, which is where I first met Trent. He's the one who taught me my amazing surfing skills.

After a great day out, I made it home in time to help put the kiddos down for bed and watch The Bachelor with Jessi and Sarah.

I didn't blog about yesterdays pool outing with the kids, but I'll share a few photos from the day that I think are absolutely adorable.

Nora with her mohawk

Holden trying to be like Auntie Megan