Hawaiian Luau

Hawaii Part 2 =)

My mom had some friends that recommended going to Jermaine's Luau in Oahu. There were long lists of luau's to choose from, so we decided to trust the recommendation and go to Jermaine's Luau. The hotel tour guide gave us great information and booked the luau for us. A bus picked us up next to our hotel, which was very convenient. The tour guide provided us with some Hawaiian history and fun facts about the luau during the bus ride. Traffic is horrible in Oahu, so it took us about 1 1/2 hours to get there during rush hour (4 pm is their rush hour).

We finally arrived at a beautiful, secluded beach, ready for some fun.

Mom and I were both excited about experiencing our first Hawaiian luau.

Mom getting laid with a seashell necklace by our tour guide.

We got seats near the front of the stage.

There were a good amount of people there but it wasn't too crowded which was nice.

Mom ready for the show to start.

Using up our free drink tickets and sipping mai tai's.

Traditional dancers.

The beginning of the luau starts with the presentation of a pig, which has been cooking in the ground all day!

A fire dancer lighted torches before the pig was presented.

We left our tables and walked over to a side area for the presentation of the pig.

Here are the workers, taking the pig out of the ground so we can soon eat it!

It got a bit chilly out, we were so glad we brought jackets with us.

We went to the buffet line to choose our food as the luau began. We tried a taste of everything. We tried the Hawaiian speciality poi, yuck, tasted like glue. The marconi salad was delicious, the best I've ever had! The fried fish was dry and not very tasty. The roasted kalua pig was very good. The pineapple cole slaw was not very flavorful, the marinated teriyaki beef was good and the coconut cake was yummy. Too much food to finish for sure!

Watching the dancers perform.

The dancers performed dances of Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and Hawaii. There was a Samoan fire knife dancer and of course hula dancing.

The whole show lasted about 2 1/2 hours. We enjoyed the food and watching various dances. It was a great evening! We got back to the hotel late and went straight to bed. This post was a little short too long to include with my other posts.

Next posting will be my Diamond Head hike =)

It's Friday night now and the week flew by! It was hot and HUMID this week. Today it got cold and rainy, the weather can't make up it's mind. I found an area near my apartment that has a steep hill and stairs, near a park. In the evenings, I've been jogging in the area, climbing stairs and stretching at the top of the hill, where I can see the ocean as the sun is setting. This is literally about 50 yards in back of my apartment and absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe I haven't found this spot until now. I am enjoying every bit of the view after dinner each night =) I'm loving the workout, great view and just getting out of the apartment in the evenings. Seven weeks left in Okinawa, crazy! Hope you all have a good weekend, I will probably do enough relaxing for everyone =)

XOXO

Kristen

Arrival in Hawaii (part 1)

Since I have an ample amount of Hawaii pictures, I've decided to divide my blog entries into sections of activities we did (in order) during my trip to Oahu. This blog will has pictures from the first few days on the trip as we got settled in.

I arrived in Oahu at 10:15 am Saturday morning. I had an empty seat next to me on the plane from Okinawa to Tokyo which was nice for the two hour ride. I arrived at the new airport in Tokyo, Nagoya which was very big and clean. My 1.5 hour layover went by quickly, enough time to grab a snack and check in. My flight from Tokyo to Oahu was 7 hours and went by rather quickly. A lot faster than the 16 hour flight from L.A. to Okinawa!

A shuttle picked me up in front of the airport and took me to the rental car lot where I signed the paperwork for the rental car that came with my moms vacation package.

Our rental car, very comfortable and great gas milage (which came in handy each time we got lost for miles and miles!).

I had already written down directions from the airport to the hotel but was given a nice map by the rental company to help me find my way. I found the hotel without a problem, about a 20 minute drive from the airport.

The hotel was pretty, lots of glass windows and off of a main street. The perimeter of the hotel was busy with lots of touristy activities. Since it was only 11 am and check in time wasn't until 3 pm, the hotel told me I could pay$30.00 to check in early or come back at 3. I decided to go to the store and get some lunch then come back to check in later. I found a Safeway about 10 minutes from the hotel, had some lunch at the deli and bought some snacks.

A view of our hotel from the street

The weather was beautiful, sunny but not too hot. After lunch, I walked around the park adjacent to our hotel. Ala Moana is a huge park with lots of homeless people sleeping in tents! Not the cleanest place, but the last half of the park is along the beach and is filled with people using boats and jet skis.

I finally got checked into the hotel at 3 pm. It was a nice, big room. The entire backside of our room was floor to ceiling glass windows with a view of the marina.

We also had a view of the swimming floor from our room. The swimming pool was freezing cold and very windy on the deck since it was on the 5th floor. Nice place to lay out for some good sun though.

Each floor of the hotel had glass windows, here the the view from our floor.

We had a great view of the nearby mall from our floor window...5 minutes walking distance to the mall. I was able to visit there a few times and was SO very happy to eat American food and buy American clothes. It's been way too long!

After checking into the hotel, I changed into my swimsuit and took the hotel shuttle to Waikiki Beach which was an 10 minute shuttle ride. The beach water was very blue and warm!

There was a wedding reception at the hotel in back of where I was laying on the beach. It was a beautiful setup!

After being up for 30 hours, I knew I couldn't go to sleep before picking my mom up at the airport...that would make me even more tired. I ate dinner at the local mall and headed to the airport to pick up my mom at 9 pm. I found the airport without a problem but the airport signs were a bit confusing to say the least. I drove around in the airport for 30 minutes, parked in the wrong parking structure and was told there is only one parking structure and it's for Hawaiian airline pickup/drop off. I continued to drive by American Airlines to look for my mom but she was not there, so I parked in the Hawaiian airlines structure and walked 10 minutes to the American Airline terminal. I found a payhone on the way and called my mom. She said she has just walked out. I was happy to finally see my mom waiting with her luggage. By this time it was 10 pm, we went back to the room, unpacked, showered and went to sleep at midnight. I was up for a total of 36 hours and slept in until noon the next day!

On Sunday, we drove around the island exploring. We went to the north shore, grocery shopping to stock up our refrigerator with lunch foods and snacks and had a seafood dinner at Red Lobster which was next door to our hotel.

On Monday, we drove back to north shore and went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Not exactly like the one in Okinawa. This one had a train ride, the worlds largest maze and a gift shop. There were a lot less free samples but we did get a sample of fresh pineapple. We ate pineapple ice cream and rode the pineapple express. It was interesting to hear the story of Dole and how he started out with a single pineapple stand and now has world recognized products.

We saw gardens with pineapple from various countries.

Pineapple farm.

Moms top matched some of the plants.

Red soil that the pineapples are planted in.

We couldn't resist.

Riding the pineapple express was enough for us, we didn't do the maze. It was interesting to see that it was the world's largest maze though.

I couldn't get the whole maze in a picture but here is part of it. There is a screen in front of the maze that shows the time of people who go through the maze the quickest. The top time we saw was a little over 5 minutes.

It was nice to explore the plantation and learn some history.

Since we were already in the north shore, we stopped at Hale'iwa Beach Park and took a few pictures of the gorgeous ocean. It was very windy, overcast and rainy so I decided not to go in the water.

We ate lunch at Macky's shrimp truck. In the downtown area of north shore, there are a bunch of shrimp trucks that sell fresh sprimp! Everyone said we had to try at least one meal at the shrimp truck, so we stopped at this one which had a sign saying it was the #1 shrimp truck.

Menu. You could chose from coconut, spicy or regular shrimp with sides of rice, green salad and pineapple.

Mom and I decided to share a plate since it looked like a lot of food. We had the regular shrimp which was DELICIOUS! Definitely the best meal we had during the trip. The shrimp was huge and fresh! Mmmm, just thinking about it makes me want to go back already.

Here is mom ordering for us.

I forgot to take a picture before we started eating, here is our plate after a few yummy bites.

After lunch, we stopped at Matsumoto general store for some shaved ice. Apparently, this is the most popular spot on the island to get shaved ice. We had drove by the day before and the line was out the door. This time, the line wasn't as long, maybe because of the cooler weather.

There was a varitey of flavors to choose from. The whole beans in shaved ice is very popular in Okinawa and it seems to be in Hawaii too. We passed on the beans and had "regular" shaved ice.

Mom has strawberry, grape & cherry.

We got the small and it was still A LOT of shaved ice! Neither of us were able to finish all of it.

I had lemon, pineapple & coconut.

That night, we ate at Chart House for dinner. I have never hear of Chart House but my mom said it's a chain. The restaurant was walking distance from our hotel and had a great marina view.

View from our room during sunset. I can't get away from these gorgeous sunsets =)

This concludes this portion of my Oahu trip. Hope you enjoyed the pictures and were given some insight on how our trip went.

I got in at 11 pm Sunday night and had to wake up for work at 6 am Monday morning. I was just finally getting used to the time change when I arrived back to Okinawa (go figure). Monday was a long, tiring day but very much worth it! It was happy to see all of my students, I missed seeing them. It got me thinking about how in almost 7 weeks, I won't see them again. I guess it will be bittersweet =) I went to sleep at 8:30 pm Monday night and felt much better on Tuesday. We had a staff meeting yesterday and this is going to be a crazy final 7 weeks of school! Next week the students take state tests all week (we give our students the U.S. standardized test which includes questions about past presidents and states!). Next Friday night our school puts on a talent show, which the teachers will be working. The week after that is spirit week and then the spring concert! I talked to Rocky about a few last things I'd like to see on the island before leaving. We are going to look at the calendar and plan a few weekends of tour days. I sent home the last of my extra things, including my last few sets of dishes with my mom. I am down to the bare minimum here and very optimistic about packing my luggage in June. My next posting will be about our Hawaiian Luau =) Looking forward to a relaxing weekend. No more visitors are scheduled, so I plan to do a lot of resting and little exploring over the next seven weeks. Hope your all doing well!

XOXO

Kristen

P.S. My principal informed me that sayonara means that you are not coming back, like you are going for good. Most Japanese people do not use the term sayonara for that reason. Oops, guess I can't say that again until June!

Spring Break=Complete

Sunset on Waikiki Beach

My mom and I had an amazing time together in Oahu. It was hard to leave such a beautiful, relaxing place! Sorry I wasn't able to post anything, we didn't get internet at our hotel and I didn't want to go out of my way to be on the computer =) My mom and I both had little colds during the trip but nothing that stopped us from having a blast!

I got in at 11 pm last night and it's 7 am now, off to work as the final 8 week countdown begins! Another post with commentary and gorgeous pictures to come asap.

XOXO

Kristen

Hawaii Bound

Today I completed 3rd quarter parent-teacher conferences and ended of my first week in the 4th and final quarter of the school year. Woo hoo! The parents were very friendly and supportive which I'm always thankful for.

I rewarded my 2nd graders with a treat for not receiving any D's or F's on their report cards for the 3rd quarter. Hopefully they will be able to keep it up. A first grader was just added to the 2nd grade class in hopes she will be able to start 3rd grade next year. So far, it does not look like that is going to happen. She is great in 1st grade but not up to par with 2nd grade curriculum....not yet anyway.

I had a relaxing week last week, got a nice massage and pedicure at the famous Okinawan salon "Cocok's." It lasted two hours and was at great Easter treat to myself. Sadly, I didn't get to go to church on Easter. I waited at the gate for Lori to sign me on base and she didn't show up. I should have double checked with her beforehand considering it was Easter but she didn't answer my phone call that day. I was very disappointed but nothing I could do.

I'm finally rested and recovered from my visitors, so I started my workout routine again this week. I went jogging near my apartment and found some great sets of stairs to utilize at a nearby park. The weather was very humid for a few days this past week, then got cold and rainy, today it rained but is beautiful out now.

Many of my students were sick this week, lots of coughing and runny noses. I told them there weren't allowed to be sick until spring break =) I had at least 4 students out each day this week, with 7 students being out on Thursday alone. And these weren't sick students. These students started Japanese school this week and will continue Japanese school through next week (our spring break) then return back here when our spring break is over. Kids sure are put to work in Japan =)

One first grade student and a few students in upper grades left our school last week, to start Japanese school permanently. It's sad that the school is losing students so late in the year.

I bought my last set of dishes yesterday and am now all packed and ready for Hawaii! Rocky will drop me off at the airport for my 6 pm flight tomorrow (Saturday). I will return to Okinawa on Sunday night at 10:30 pm, meaning I'll have a very tiring Monday but it will be worth it =)

I talked to my mom today and she was at the doctor getting medicine for a bad cold. I hops she feels better before it's time for her to leave. She has two days left to go. We are both excited. I talked to my friend who lives in Oahu and she recommended some great tourist sites and restaurants. I need to exchange my yen to dollars today and then I'm officially set to go!

I most likely won't be blogging while I'm gone but I'll at least post a little something to let you know we arrived safely and that my mom is feeling better (keep her in your prayers please).

Sayonara/Aloha!

XOXO

Kristen

Happy Easter!

It's hard to believe that it's already April and Easter is in just a few days! It's weird that I'm really, really missing the ambiance of Easter. I didn't miss the festivities of Thanksgiving much but I am missing Easter festivities. I miss seeing kids dressed in cute, bright Easter colors, the feeling of warm spring air, seeing Easter bunnies, peanut butter and cadbury eggs and coloring Easter eggs. The stores in Okinawa do not have Easter things out and it's supposed to be raining the next week, so this definitely does not feel like Easter. On the other hand, Lent has prepared me for Easter, so hopefully when I go to church on Sunday, I'll feel more in the spirit. Since my church is mostly Americans, maybe it will feel more like a normal Easter.

Speaking of the meaning of Easter. Last week I asked my class if they celebrate Easter. They all said yes, they get Easter baskets and chocolate bunnies. I then asked, "Why do we celebrate Easter?" the response=blank stares. So, I asked "What person do we celebrate on Easter, who is the person we remember on Easter Sunday?" almost all hands up went up this time as the student I called on said "THE EASTER BUNNY!" The other students all agreed, I couldn't help but laugh. Aw, to be a kid again. Needless to say, I spent this past week teaching my students about the meaning of Easter, Jesus suffering and dying on the cross for us and rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. We were able to complete a few Easter crafts and sing some Easter songs. I've been quizzing them everyday on the true meaning of Easter, it seems to have stuck with them, we will see for how long.

Last Friday, my class went on a field trip to the aquarium in Nago. We had five parent drivers so three students went with each parent. Nice, small groups. Sarah and I each had three students in our groups, so we decided it would be best to drive one of our cars in addition to the parent drivers. Since Sarah has only driven once since being in Okinawa, she asked me to drive her car. The drive up wasn't too bad, we got there in and hour and a half. We checked in, paid and went on our way. By the time we actually got inside the aquarium, we only had 3 hours until we had to leave.

My group enjoyed themselves, they all LOVED touching the starfish and sea creatures.

The rest of the class touching sea creatures. None of them were scared!

Shark tank, a favorite of the boys in my class.

Large octopus!

Worker cleaning the glass, students thought this was amusing.

After an hour inside the aquarium, we ate lunch and watched a dolphin show from the third floor since the outside stadium was already full. After the dolphin show it was already time to head back to school.

The students all fell asleep on the way home, which was a long 2 1/2 hour drive, even on the express way. We made it back to school a few minutes after school got out.

One last picture at the aquarium.

Most of the parent drivers got back to school a few minutes before Sarah and I. When we arrived to the school parking lot, we saw our students running in between cars, standing on a small wall in front of the school and looking over the third floor balcony! A few of our students ran over to the car as I pulled up. Sarah and I weren't very happy. We told all of our students to line up in our normal spot and if their parent was there to go stand by them. On Monday, I gave a lecture on following school rules, even if a teacher is not standing there to enforce the rules. I told them that just because the parents don't say anything, does not mean it's okay to break rules and do the wrong things. I guess it really wasn't THAT big of a deal, but it's very frustrating seeing parents standing there, watching their children do dangerous things and not doing anything about it. Overall, the field trip was a success. We spent this past week writing about our visit and each student has started their "under the sea" diorama.

I spent last weekend recovering from Paul John and Philips visits. I slept in and stayed in Friday night and almost all day Saturday. I can't remember the last time I did that and it was great! I watched a few movies, caught up on my book and did a lot of nothing.

Two nights ago, Jessica's mom and sister arrived from Arizona. It's a full house with four girls but it's nice having more people around. They are excited to be here and seem like nice people. Last night Rocky and I attended a "Last Super Skit" at Jessica's church. It was a cute, hour long program portraying the last super and Holy Thursday. It helped get me in the Easter spirit a little more.

Yesterday marked the end of the 3rd quarter at school! Today was half day so teachers could prepare and submit report cards. I started working on my report cards earlier this week and just had to wait on the art/PE/Japanese teachers to send me their grades. I'm happy to report that for the first time this school year, none of my students received a D or an F on their report card! We've come a long way and I'm very proud of them all.

We had a staff potluck today, which I always love. Lori made delicious lasagna and garlic bread. Oh, how I miss having an oven! I'm coming up with a long list of things to cook in an oven when I get back to the U.S =)

I got to sample Filipino adobo and noodles, chinese chicken and even apple pie! It was a relaxing day and a good start to the weekend. I'm planning on laying low this weekend. I'm going to church on Easter and getting a pedicure at a famous Okinawa salon by my apartment.

I realized I didn't give an update about spring break on my last post. I only started planning it a few weeks ago, but since I didn't have a travel partner, I decided I would go to Hawaii for spring break. It's a 9 1/2 hour flight from Okinawa to Hawaii and I haven't been to any of the islands except for Maui. I presented the idea to my mom and she gladly said she would love to meet me in Hawaii to spend the week together. My mom was able to book a nice roundtrip flight/hotel/rental car package online. There are so many great packages coming from L.A. to Hawaii online. I booked my flight separately which was a little pricey compared to what my mom paid for everything (but I understand, I am coming from Okinawa).

I will depart Okinawa next Saturday afternoon, 4/10 and arrive to Honolulu on Saturday 4/10 in the morning. I will pick up our rental car, sleep at the hotel for a while and pick up my mom at the airport Saturday night (not looking forward to jet lag). We will be in Waikiki for 7 nights and I will arrive back to Okinawa on Sunday night, 4/18. While in Waikiki, I hope to attend a luau and see the Pearl Harbor area. Other than that, we hope to relax on the beach and enjoy ourselves.

One more thought about Easter that I just shared with my Aunt. I've been reading the book "Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom. In the book, the idea that when you die, you are forgotten comes up. If you think about it, most people really don't know much about their great, great ancestors. It is kinda like you are forgotten for the most part. However, their is something that connects families....FAITH and TRADITION. Even if you think you are forgotten, you really aren't because of what you have passed on through tradition and the shared faith that connects you from generation to generation. I never thought about that before but it's so true. I am thankful for the faith and tradition that my family shares and how it connects us to those we have lost, future generations and one another presently.

I will be thinking of you all on my Monday, your Sunday, when I'm at work and your enjoying good company and good food (most of which I'm sure will be cooked in an oven). =)

Happy Easter!

XOXO

Kristen