A Look Back

Ta-het-e
Spring Break 2005
Location: The Polynesian Culture Center, Oahu, Hawai'i
From Left to Right: Kevin holding Panda, Myself holding Stephanie

A Night @ the Nile

Nothing like ending a busy day at Cafe Nile. Best friends, hookah, hot food, free internet.

A Look Back

Diamonds In The Rough
July 26, 2005
Location: Punchbowl, Oahu, Hawai'i
From Left to Right: Dad, Mom, Robert (age 20), Me (21), Monica (16)

A Look Back On August: Hawai'i, 22, Chico

So here I am, Cafe Nile. Laptop in front of me, vanilla mint hookah on my right, a pack of American Spirit on my left. What a week. . . what a week. A week filled of stress, fucking freshman, and more stress. I know its been a while, so here my thoughts on the month of August.

Where to start, Oh I know. . . turning 22.

My birthday was low key, just my family, and on my favorite island of Hawai'i, Lana'i. Looking back the best part was the getting all the calls from Stephanie, and the night I had. My mom and Monica left early that morning in order to catch the early ferry while the waters were calm (my mom gets very sea-sick). After wishing them a safe voyage my dad, Robert, and I decided to walk around. What prompted the exploration was the fact that for the past three years every time we go to lana'i we stay in upcountry, this was the first time we strolled around on the beach. What an amazing hike, there were view that words can not describe. I will post photos when I get the chance.

But back to that night. We ate at the Blue Ginger Cafe we headed to the Lodge at Koele, it was time to relax. All I wanted was an amaretto on the rocks and a cigar. My dad got me the drink and Robert bought me the cigar (which shocked me because my brother is very anti smoking). That night was a night I will never forget, the three of us sitting on the porch at a $500 a night hotel, talking about life and bonding like never before. That was the best part, that moment time stood still, and I truly realized how wonderful life really is.

Hawai'i was great, the greats time I've ever had with my family, but coming home to my other family (Panda, Topher, Stephanie) was the greatest feeling of all. I don't think they truly know how much I love them, and how much they mean to me. With out them, especially Stephanie, I don't think I could be who I am today. Panda is my sister, who I could always count on to be there for me. Topher is the brother who is always willing to offer help and will follow you to the ends of the world. And Stephanie, my love, my life, my other half. She is the one I want to travel the world with, the one who I hope I can grow old with. I love her so much. There are so many feeling that I have inside for her, I love her and care for her more than she will ever know.

It's great that school started. There is nothing like seeing life return to Chico. The think I love the most is seeing the ignorance of freshman. Young, first time on there own, all with momy and daddys money. Buying things that will break within a week, stuff that they will never use. They are all the same, they all don't have a clue how thing work. Walking around campus with their lanyerd around there neck, proudly displaying their ID card and dorm key as if it was a sign that they are adults. Walking around in their pj's as if they were pressed for time because they live 100 feet away from class. Walking around town looking for that party, once again with lanyerd in hand. Ignorance, its amazing.

Yet with all the fun that going on all around us, stress is at my doorstep. You open that door and there is everything. 18 units, 30 hour work weeks, finding time for the ones you love, all right there. Right now I need to find my stride, and I hope I find it soon.

Nothing Like Free Speech

If you can't read it clearly it says: "You wish your wife was THIS Dirty!"

Getting Back Into The Swing Of Things

Back in red and khaki!

A Look Back

Main St USA
June 15 2005
Location: Lana'i City, Lana'i, Hawai'i

We're On The Road To Lana'i

One last post before we leave to Lana'i. This will be the third and final island of this trip, and to be honest my favorite one of all. Why you ask? Because it is still quite there. One man owns the entire island, and because of that factor growth is controlled by him. I forgot his name but I know he use to be the former head of the Dole Company. When he retired he asked that instead of money if he could have the island because the company had no use for it any more. Lana'i use to be the largest pineapple plantation in the world, until growing the fruit became to expensive in the US. Today most of the pineapple grown in the world is from the Philippines. I cant wait till we get there, it reminds me of a quite mountain town. I can't wait to relax. I can't wait for the peace and quite.

One Island Down, Two To Go. A Waikiki Recap

First off wow, it is amazing how fast time passes you by when you do something everyday. The funny thing is the trip almost did not happen. We arrived at Sac Intl around 7:03AM on Monday, plan leaving at 9:00AM. After grabbing breakfast at the food court we thought we had time to kill, since it was around 8:30ish. Boy were we wrong, we all thought that boarding was at 9:00, not take off. Fortunately for Robert and I we heard the “final boarding” announcement over the PA. Unfortunately Monica, my mom and dad did not. So there we are, Robert and my self sitting on the plan waiting for the rest of our family, hoping they make it. Then we heard the one thing we were praying we would not hear, “Flight Crew, prepare the cabin for take off.” We looked at each other, wondering what to do. Do we get off and take the next plane? Do we stay onboard and meet them in Honolulu? At that moment we saw them, rushing to their seat. The made it in time. My dad told me later on that when they got to the gate the airline was in the process of giving their tickets away. So there we are, the whole family, on a plane, leaving Sacramento, on our way to Oahu.

We arrive and settle in at the Aston Pacific Monarch. We were on the 28^th floor, room 3. My dad paid extra for an ocean view, and boy was it worth it. Right when you walk in there was a huge panoramic view of the water, and to the right was the balcony. This was our home for the next four days. That was our Monday.

Tuesday started out early due to the time difference (Hawai’i is three hours behind California right now because they do not observe daylight savings time). We were off to one of the many ABC Stores in Waikiki to buy our bus passes. TheBus, Honolulu city and county’s public transportation, offers a four day unlimited rides ticket for only $20. What a system, anyone who has ridden it knows it is the best in the country, as well the Department of Transportation which has awarded the system “best in the nation” several years in a row. With the passes in hand, we were off to hike to the top of Diamond Head. While hiking with my family I realized that this was the third time I did this hike, even funnier was the thought that I did the same hike with Stephanie less than three months ago. I love the part when you think the worst is over, then bam! The 99 stairs. Finally after 45 minutes we all made it to the top, set up camp on the old observation platform, and relaxed, enjoying the spectacular 360º views. As we are hiking down to the bus stop Robert said he wanted to see the Punchbowl. So at that moment there we all are, one the bus going toward the Punchbowl. The Punchbowl is the United States Military Cemetery of the Pacific. It all started during WWII and is still in use today. What a sobering moment when you enter through the gates, the hollowed grounds of the crater have an affect on you that I can’t explain.

Wednesday was another busy day. On the bus again going to the flea market at Aloha Stadium. Now for all my friends in the 916 and part of the 530, the flea market is just like Dinios (sp?) Farmers Market in Roseville except with a Hawaiian flare. This is where everyone did their souvenir shopping. After about three hours we were off to the Ala Mona Shopping Center because my mom and sis wanted to go to the Coach store. What a day, filled with shopping, yea!

Thursday was the day we did what my dad wanted to do, and the reason he booked the week in Oahu: to see the Arizona and the Missouri. I find it neat that you can see where WWII started for the US and ended for the world in the same place. We got there early after a quick one hour bus ride. Got our tickets for the Arizona and decided to go see the USS Bowfin while waiting for our numbers to be called. It’s amazing how they could fit 80 men into the cramp quarter of a diesel sub. It’s amazing how they built that thing in the first place. After the sub we went back to the visitor center and were off to the Arizona. Now talk about hollow grounds, over 1,000 men went down with the ship, and are resting there today. They say the oil leaking is the ship crying for the bodies it holds. They estimate that there is still 500,000 gallons of oil in the ship, which mean it’s a ticking time bomb for the harbor. After paying our respect we hopped a shuttle and were on our way to the USS Missouri. GEES what a huge ship! The one thing that got me was that the main guns could hurdle a 2,000 pounds explosive shell 26 miles, with all 9 guns firing the guide told us that they could have 21 shells in the air before they hit the ground. Now two big things happened on that ship. The first is it is the site of the singing of the Japanese surrender ending World War Two. The second is it was the Missouri’s remote plane where during Gulf War One the Iraqi National Guard surrendered to, making them the first army to give up to a remote controlled plane. Oh, and before I forget Cher (sp?) made a music video on its deck back in the 80’s.

Friday ended up being a day of relaxation. Our first day at the beach and our last day on Oahu. We really got our moneys worth with those bus passes.

So here I am, on Maui, now finally able to relax. Oahu is to busy for me. 75% of the population of Hawai’i lives on that one island, and it’s one of the smallest. Maui is more laid back and rural to boot. Maui is my home away from home; I just wish Stephanie was here.