2012: Midway

It feels like just yesterday I was talking about entering the New Year: 2012.  My year... my re-birth. And now it's already half-way over. I simply can't believe how much has transpired since last year. So far, I had my great friend and roommate from undergrad, Alex (aka Alexi-LaLa aka Crazy A) visit from Virginia Beach to bring in the New Year together and celebrate our new lives.

Then, I went home for two weeks in February to decompress and discover a new chapter of my life. I surfed on the North Shore for the first time and continue to surf all the time with my "crew." I celebrated my 26th birthday with some diving and partying.

I took a trip to San Francisco in May and explored one of the coolest cities I've ever been to with one of the coolest guys I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. 

And last but not least, I traveled to the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam for 2 weeks for work, where I got to engage with the public, meet locals, and explore some of  the intriguing history of WWII that marks those idyllic islands.

And now we're in mid-July. It's remarkable, really. And I couldn't be more grateful for where I am today, and for the people that are in my life. Since being on my own, I have come to know myself really well. I am comfortable living alone, though I am the farthest thing from alone! The friends I have discovered here are second to none - like an extended family. We take care of eachother, we have eachother's backs, we talk, we listen, we eat (and we eat WELL!), we surf, and most importantly, we have fun all the time. I've been told on a couple of occasions that my residential life here is like a real life version of "Friends." And truth be told... it is!! Only better... I mean, c'mon... we're in Hawaii, folks! Work hard, play hard. And that's exactly what we do. So to the Ala Wai crew and the surf crew... I love you guys! Thanks for being such an awesome group of friends!!!

The other part of me remains in Florida - part of me always will. But over the past 8 months or so, it seems my heart is falling more and more in love with Hawaii. Not sure I can envision settling down here permanently, but at the same time, I can't imagine ever leaving this place! It's too perfect for me. With its ocean-centric lifestyle, beautiful scenery, perfect weather year round, endless waves and aloha spirit...

I'm in love ;)

And speaking of love... I'm completely and utterly immersed in it. I am surrounded and I have surrendered. Love of life, love of family, love of friends, love of love. It's not always easy to remain positive or see the silver lining in certain aspects of life. Since I was a little girl, my Mom taught me to see rainbows as a sign from God, or the heavens, or the universe, or whatever... that everything will be okay. Go figure I'd end up in a place where rainbows are ridiculously abundant. So I'm constantly reminded that when I can take a step back for just a moment, take a deep breath of that beautiful salty air, feel the warm caress of those gentle tradewinds, listen to those crystal waves breaking upon the shore, and feel my heart beating strong and steady... all that matters is that I'm alive and that I'm happy. And I am. More so than I ever have been. So Trav, if you're reading this: thank you. Here's to looking forward to what the rest of 2012 has to offer. Bring it on.

Aloha everyone!