TADAAA! I made it!

On Thursday evening, I left for Honolulu. It was weird even boarding the plane in Oakland, because I could already tell that I was entering into a different world. I can't exactly put my finger on what about it was different, but maybe it was the variety of people on the plane, all with their Aloha shirts and Locals flip flops. There was definitely a different vibe on the plane than there was in the Oakland airport. My family had just recently been to Oahu and Maui and they were all stoked for me to go and experience similar things. A number of my family members and friends were concerned with how I would like the local Hawaiian scene or if I would be bored with Hawaii. My Mom was convinced that I would love Hawaii, but I questioned my feelings about it practically the whole plane ride there. Would I like it? Would I get bored? I have survived in Pullman, WA, for over 5 years so I think I can handle just about anything now, but I still had some questions in my mind. Plus that I was nervous about my job, probably was why I had so many questions running around in my mind.

When I landed, I was off the plane for just 5 minutes and knew immediately that I would love it in Hawaii. Things just felt right for me, the atmosphere of the people and the air just really hit me, from then on I let go of the idea that I would get bored. Who gets bored in a new exciting place with so many things to explore and try out?! Shoot, majority of my time here I'm going to be having a hard time pronouncing everything that I won't even have time to be bored :)

I arrived in Honolulu where my cousins June and Matthew picked me up. Matt was the first one to greet me with a lei and then he helped me with my bags to meet up with his mom June. Before we headed to their house, we stopped by a local Zippy's restaurant and picked up a haupia cake and some donuts for the next morning. I can already tell this trip is going to be amazing :)

A vanilla chiffon cake with haupia filling (made from coconut milk). Finished with more haupia and coconut flakes.

Then we arrived in Pacific Heights to June and Matt's home where I met Vic (June's Dad) and we exchanged family stories late into the night. I went to bed with a window next to my bed where the soft Hawaiian breeze and sprinkle of rain sang me to sleep.

Yes indeed, this summer is going to be incredible.

~L

Sunset from Vic, June, and Matt's lanai