Their visit so far

On Monday we decided to go on a hike in the afternoon. It was a hike to Maunawili Falls, which I heard was really cool. Well since it had rained the day before, the path ended up being horrible muddy! We brought Dexter on the 1.5 mile hike and he had a blast. I took him off the leash so he could run without almost pulling me into the mud!

Anyway, by the end of the hike we were completely covered in mud. We had to cross a couple of rivers and the falls were great on the end, it was a good hike overall. Dexter of course had lots of fun!

In the morning on Tuesday we went to the Pacific Aviation Museum, which was built in a hangar that was in the Pearl Harbor attack. It was pretty cool to be in the middle of all that history! Dad bought me a couple of books and bought Brandon a toy helicopter (and he loves it!).

In the afternoon we wanted to go snorkeling at Sharks Cove but the waves were so huge on the North Shore. So instead we decided to go on a drive up the coast and watch surfers here and there, and stop a few times to take pictures of the huge waves. It was surreal! Then we stopped at Matsumoto's in Haleiwa to get some famous Shave Ice. Yum!

This morning I had to go to the elementary school for an interview to be sponsored to become a substitute teacher. It went well! I went off and signed up for the class, which goes from March 22 to April 21. Then after a bit more, I'll be a sub! Yay!

Dad, Kat and I went to Wal-Mart. They wanted to go golfing so we stopped by a local golf course to check prices. That's where they are now! I've been worrying that they aren't having fun, even though I feel like I'm doing all I can! But anyway... I can't do much about it.

Hopefully Brandon gets home early and so do Dad and Kat and then we can so to the italian restaurant that we love. Otherwise I'm making homemade pesto. I can't wait for some good food!

So far...

We are having fun! My dad and stepmom, Kat, are perfect guests and are helping us with everything. They say since we're giving them a place to live and not have to rent a car, then they can spend more money on us, haha.

They got here Friday night, so we didn't do anything except talk and drink, but Saturday we went to Bellows Beach. First, in the morning we did dog training (they came with us and went walking around the Mililani Shopping Center while we trained), then it was off to the beach. My dad had fun boogie boarding! Saturday night we made a steak dinner.

Today it was rainy so we didn't go to the beach, and since Brandon had staff duty and couldn't leave post, we didn't go very far. In the morning we went to a farmer's market in Mililani and Kat bought us some great food (it was so fun! We're definitely going back). We even got some local honey and starfruit and Hawaiian peppers (HOT!). Then we came home and decided to go to the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens. It was so pretty! Then the downpour came, so we stayed inside and played games. So far it's been a great day!

Since Brandon's working, I'll be shuttling them around touring the island. We have a few hikes planned, some kayaking and some snorkeling. It'll be a good week!

TV Shows

The other day Brandon and I were at the grocery store. It was Sunday morning, so it was football time (of course it's in the mornings here in Hawaii because of the time difference). Our bagger, as we're walking out, was asking us if we watch football. I said no, but we watch tons of TV shows. I proceeded to tell him some and stopped myself. I personally follow so many shows it's ridiculous (online, DVR and Netflix). I want to list them because I need a reality check!

(in no particular order...)

Heroes
House
Cake Boss
Chuck
18 Kids and Counting
Table for 12
Say Yes to the Dress
Bones
Fringe
Community
The Office
30 Rock
Glee
American Idol
America's Next Top Model
Dexter
Weeds
Lost
The Soup
The Tudors
Biggest Loser

Ok, maybe that isn't too bad? I'm probably forgetting a show or two... These aren't counting the shows that are now over that we've fully watched, or the shows that I don't follow religiously but I watch when I'm bored (i.e.: House Hunters, Cash Cab...). Wow! Too much time on my hands!

:)

Update: Brandon came home with a surprise, tricked me, and when I opened the bag it was Wii Active! I don't think I'll be working out much while my dad's here, but afterwards I will! I'm so excited!!

On Writing and On Reading

Yesterday I ordered Stephen King's On Writing. Apparently it's a very well done book about writing, so I thought I'd get it for my collection of books! Hopefully it arrives quickly, though of course I have so many books to read, I don't know when I'll get to it.

This comes a few days after I told Brandon I won't be reading anymore books on writing. At least not the kind that tell me how to write. I've come to realize that there isn't any "proper" way to write, other than my own, so I've decided to stop getting those books that tell me that I should write a certain way. It makes me upset, first of all, because I feel like I'm not doing it well enough, and second of all, I like the way I write! So after I read On Writing and another writing book I have (since I have it, I should read it, right?), I'm done with writing books.

Of course, some writing books I'll read. Those are the ones that don't tell me how to write but more are encouraging in other facets, like developing good habits. I read Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and it didn't tell me how to write, but more encouraged me just to write. I guess it's hard to explain. But those are the kinds of books I will read!

My novel is coming along great. I'm almost 75k words in with a goal of at least 85k. The way it's developing, I have a chance to surpass 85k. 85k words at 250 words per novel page is 340 pages. That's pretty good for a historical fiction novel! I'm happy with it. I want something that's substantial but easy to read. :)

I'm happy with my writing. My stepbrother Matt (who sends me random articles and comics about writing) introduced me to Ommwriter (http://www.ommwriter.com/). It's basically a meditative writing program for Macs... it has soothing music, sounds for keystrokes, and has a background that blocks out everything but your writing. I LOVE IT. I can write more and faster without distractions. Before I used to write for a few minutes, then stop, then go again. Now I just write. It's amazing! And free ;)

It's a beautiful day outside. I can't wait for when my dad's here and for us to go to the beach. I can't wait for dog training on Saturday. I can't wait for Brandon to be home and for us to go to the PX today! I'm having a good day. Are you?

Work out? Ha!

I told myself once Brandon started work again that I'd get back into my work out routine. You know, getting up when he gets up, then going to the gym across the street for some cardio and lifting weights. I stopped it back in December when Brandon got home... mostly just because of being lazy.

Here's a problem: Brandon gets up earlier than before now. Like 5:15 not 5:45. This sucks! So I decided to let myself sleep for a bit before getting up to work out. But I sleep and sleep and sleep. It feels so heavenly too. I usually let Dexter up on the bed after Brandon leaves and we nap together. Sometimes I sleep until right before he gets home, so like 7:30ish. But I feel so great! I have the whole bed and it's so cozy...

So I decided I want something I can do at home. Maybe that'll give me incentive to get up. I'd love to have Wii Active to work out to... and I've been trying to convince Brandon to get it for me... maybe this weekend?

Also, I've finally lost my Christmas weight. I gained about 4 pounds then started back on the Richard Simmons diet this week, and I'm back down 4 pounds! Yay. Maybe I'll lose even more. :P

Life has been going good. Brandon has started pre-deployment stuff. He started with medical things yesterday, but thank goodness he didn't have to get any of the shots! He's also done a mental health assessment. He's waited in line a long time!

Weather has been good - rainy, but good. My dad and stepmom get here on Friday, so we're kind of excited. Today I might hear back from the Dole Plantation job. Wish me luck!

Doggy School! And other things...

Dexter started school on Saturday. I was so excited!! He was overstimulated by all the dogs and smells and just being outside. The first day was mostly telling us what to expect, what we'll be learning, stuff like that.

We did learn a couple basic things though. The first was a way to settle down the dog (get him to sit facing out between your knees while you kneel, then tell him Settle while holding his collar with your right hand and petting him with your left. It works, seriously). The next was the release command (we use OK). The last was a basic sit command, which Dex already knows, but we had to get him perpendicular to us and do a "tuck sit", where he doesn't move his front legs. Thank goodness he does it well!

My highlight of doggy training on Saturday was we were standing behind another border collie puppy who had the same eyes and face as Dexter, though he was tri-color (had some brown on him). The lady came to us at the end and asked where we got Dexter because she thought they might be brothers. Come to find out, they were born from the same mom on the same day - Definitely brothers!! They were jumping on each other and just being so cute. I love it! Now his brother is in the same class as us!

The rest of the weekend was nice. We spent Saturday afternoon with friends of ours from Georgia, Sarah and Luke, who are here from Alaska with Luke's family. We made them some Mahi Mahi and then went to get some shave ice on the North Shore. It was a good afternoon! It was so nice to be able to talk to someone other than Brandon for a change haha.

Sunday was a relaxing day because Brandon starts work up again today. We played games and then went to Barnes and Noble (there's only one on the island) because he had a gift certificate from his birthday to use. He bought two books (Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card, and Next by Michael Crichton). He let me get a book, so I bought The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, a book I've been wanting for awhile. Then we came home and played games.

Today I was going to start working out, and almost didn't go but then my phone went off and I couldn't sleep anymore. So off I went! Halfway on my walk to the workout area in the community center I saw the lights on and people on all 3 machines. Whoops, no working out there. I came home to try my yoga/pilates DVD that I got with my yoga mat. It was nearly impossible to do with Dexter licking me, jumping on me and laying on the mat. I quit after that! I really want Wii Active... I'll talk to Brandon today about it.

We're back to normal again. Brandon working, me doing my thing during the day (writing especially), and just living our lives. Not too much longer now before everything starts getting a little more serious!

(Sorry this was so long, I always have so much to say!)