Post vacation blues

The most depressing thing about resuming life as usual after a one-week vacation is this: shoes. Yes, shoes. After getting myself ready for the first-day-back to work, I tried to pick out a pair of shoes for my outfit. My foot automatically stepped into one of the two pairs of sandals which I've worn for an entire week in Hawai'i and realized that, no, it won't do. It's raining outside and I need something to keep my feet warm. Winter shoes it will have to be. ~loud, heavy sigh~

These are the best sandals/shoes for my trip in Hawaii. Both are superb in comfort and perfect for hiking on the lava trails and/or walking on the sandy beach.

Teva

Keen

An Offering to Pele

~As told by Chief Konala to Kepi, the record keeper or the witch~

"It was time for my small tribe to make an offering to the Goddess Pele. We scaled the lava mountain, leaving the warm valley floor, and up the treacherous slope to the cold, rainy, wind swept edge of the volcano where Pele awaited our sacrifice. I carried the small, sleeping child on my shoulders. The child was heavy like a sack of 'uala (sweet potato) and was fidgety trying to stay asleep. The child's mother trudged along beside me and my first born son was our scout finding our path through this black landscape.

Our shadows changed from the right to the left and I knew we're close to the dwelling of Pele. The climbing was made more difficult with the windy rain slapping us from all directions. Ah, Pele's known for her violent temper and lusty nature. Patience is not one of her virtues, either, I thought to myself. When I saw the white steam breathing out of the opening of the mountain, I knew we finally made it to Pele, the Goddess of Fire.

I raised the small child up and offered him as a sacrifice. Before I could chuck him in, the earth shook and let out a low, guttural sound, not unlike severe indigestion, and the voice of Pele said to me "Uhhh, no mahalo. 'Oe pa'a la." (Translation: Uhhh, no thank you. You keep him.) The Goddess had spoken. Even the earth knows when something is rotten to the core.

Disappointedly, I carried the child down the mountain, back to the car and fastened him in his car seat. As usual he woke up laughing and shouting "I farted!" Now the reality hits me hard on the face with the stink of the child's gas... I'll never get rid of this kid! I have to work until I am 86!"

Konala with his tribe: Kepi, Henelele and Ekana.

Kepi, the record keeper, or the witch.

Kona, day 1 and 2 or maybe 3?

The very first thing Ethan asked for in Kona: a coconut. There is a farmer's market cross street from where we stayed the first night, Uncle Billy's Bay Hotel. Rated: 1 1/2 star if you remember the 1950s decor fondly or minus 1 star if you look at your surroundings and all you can see is liability (a PI attorney's paradise, perhaps? ;) But the price was right... The best thing about this place is its location: right smack center of the happenings. We walked to the market and found a vendor who sold coconuts. After Ethan drank the juice, we lugged it with us everywhere until he finally was tired of carrying it.

These were taken at the King Hulele's palace. I would probably say that this is my favorite spot on the busy street called Ali'i. We walked to the palace back yard where the jetty is. The boys and I sat for a while just watching and listening to the ocean. Right next to the pathway is a yard with luscious grass in beautiful brilliant green. It was so tranquil and serene. All I need is a hammock and a book and I'm truly in heaven.

Henry could sing - or he thinks he can - at least the old Bayan tree wasn't complaining. But look at Ethan's expression on the next picture.

Enough said?

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. We've eaten at this place three times on this trip. Why, You asked? Peanut Butter and Jelly milkshakes. Both boys love them. Ethan was able to convince me to take him back and, when Mr. D got here, we of course had to take him there, too. The seatings outside has fantastic view of the ocean. If shrimp is your favorite seafood, then you are in the right place. Here is a link to the restaurant if you'd like to know more about them: http://www.bubbagump.com/

We found a spot on the Kekaha Kai State Park beach and enjoyed an afternoon of sun and the warm sea breeze. Here are some pictures of us doing the touristy stuff.

Flying with Henry

So some of you have inquired how were our flights from MFR to SEA to KOA - yes, that is a three-legged-flight with a 3-year-old who is in the potty training mode and a 10-year-old who considers everything his little brother does is embarrassing. Are you reaching out to pour me a glass of Vodka right now? Thank you, the boys could've used it.

The flight from Medford to Porland is at 5 a.m. That is five o'clock in the morning, o-five-hundred on the dot... Yeah, it's early. We got on the plane, found our seats, settling down quite nicely and I was secretly hoping for a tiny nap before we landed. While that thought was being processed in my head, I watched Henry picked up his apple juice in one of those flimsy clear plastic cups. Before I could say "uh, oh," he'd spilled the entire cup - mostly on his pants thankfully - and looked up at me and said "I spill apple juice." I wiped much of the liquid with the small squared napkins and resigned to sitting in a sticky spot with Henry.

The screaming did not start until we're ready to land. First was the holler of "MY EARS POPPED!" Trying to be helpful, I told him to say "Ahhhhh...." which was supposed to release some pressure in the ears. Henry, being as logical as a 3-yeara-old can be, decided that if he screams loud enough, his ears wouldn't hurt as much. So he screamed and screamed and screamed. Unexpectedly and quite speedily, the stewardess handed him a package of coloring book and crayons. (Nice thought but useless in this situation.) A lady sitting two seats from us, passed through a piece of chewing gum (Good thinking! Except Henry promptly swallowed it after chewing for about...one second.) I finally put his head on my lap, as gently as I could, massaged the nape of his neck and he quieted down and we landed at PDX.

The next flight was actually exciting. Because this was our plane or according to the stewardess, it's Henry's plane which was painted in our beloved Ducks' colors - bright yellow with a green "O". Look at Henry's face and his UO suit - I couldn't have planned it better! And look at the wings of the plane, courtesy of Ethan's photographic skill. The excitement must've caught up with Henry because he slept after we sat down.

And Henry slept through us walking through SEA-TAC to board the flight to Kona. By golly, he was awfully cute when he was sleeping. The cuteness lasted for about 30 minutes after we were in the air. He woke up to see that his big brother watching a movie on a "com-poo-tur" and he grabbed it from his brother yelling "My turn!" Ethan's reaction was the-best-behaved-child-can-only-be-pushed-so-far anger and he took the dvd player forcefully from Henry. The shrieking and yelling erupted and the tears flowed. I heard the folks murmuring from the back and I was smiling. At the same time my children were causing the ruckus, there was a baby wailing loudly several rows behind us. There is strength in numbers. Come together now, all loud, noisy children.

So this was how the flights went... And we will repeat this route again in June when we fly to Taiwan. Maybe I'll be more prepared and bring that glass of Vodka that you just poured.

Spring

This is Spring in Oregon.

This is Spring in Hawaii.

In Hawaii, summer attire is just right; in Oregon, winter coat shouldn't be packed away yet. Regardless of the temperatures of the places, the beauty of the Spring is the same.