A Day in Honolulu
Saturday morning we woke up and went to the Hukilau Cafe for breakfast. I had macadamia nut pancakes. The food was okay. Probably not the best I've had over here though. After that, we hurried and got ready so we could go down to Honolulu. We've been trying to rent a car from someone on campus, but it wasn't working out. So we had to take 'The Bus.' That's literally the name of it :) It was a lot slower to get there, but at least it was some sort of transportation! It was so great to be able to go into Honolulu! It was nice to get off campus and down into the city. We had a ton of fun shopping down there. I bought a "cinnamon pumpkin" lotion from Bath & Body because I miss the Fall season like crazy! I also got pair of board shorts that I really like.
Life is good in Hawaii!
9/29/2013
Life is good in Hawaii!
9/29/2013
Just some random foods that I've tried here :)
If you click on the pictures, it brings up a little description. Just FYI ;)
If you click on the pictures, it brings up a little description. Just FYI ;)
La'ie Point
Amy, Alexa and me rode bikes to Laie Point the other evening. The Point is a cliff that people jump off of. I've heard it's really fun! It started getting cloudy while we were riding over there. When we got to The Point, it was very overcast. The waves were big and dangerous looking. They would slap up and hit the edge of the cliff, creating big whitewater, and then fall back into the ocean. It was almost mesmerizing to watch and hear. We decided not to jump. The waves are extremely powerful, and if we would have jumped in, we probably would have been slammed into the edge of the cliff by the waves.
Hopefully next time we go we will be able to jump in :)
9/29/2013
Hopefully next time we go we will be able to jump in :)
9/29/2013
Happy Birthday :)
I can honestly say I had one of the best birthdays ever over here! Beside the fact that I wasn't home to spend it with my family and friends, it really was the best birthday! I was pretty bummed at first that I wasn't going to be home for my birthday. I thought it would be "less special" (I guess) over here. But boy was I wrong. I woke and had a bunch of texts and Facebook notifications of people telling me happy birthday. I got birthday cards and packages in the mail (which was so great because it feels like Christmas over here when I get mail :)) My grandparents called me and wished me a happy birthday. I Skyped my family. Friends and family emailed me and told me happy birthday. Later that night, my roommates and a couple friends and me went to Kahuku Grill to eat. It was fun because we borrowed people's bikes and rode about 3 miles there. And the food was so good!! Maybe it's just because we're so used to cafeteria food, but we were all seriously drooling because it was so good ;) My roommates paid for my dinner and then had the workers there come out and sing happy birthday to me and they gave me a free dessert. It was a banana bread cake thing with ice cream and coconut on top. YUM! As good as the food was, I got a pretty bad stomach ache after we rode home. But it was worth it :) My roommates surprised me with two candy posters. They are so creative and funny! :) I can honestly say that I have the best roommates and friends over here. They helped make it the best birthday ever.
Thank you everybody for the birthday wishes and gifts!! Being over here has made me realize how blessed I am to have the friends and family that I do. I didn't realize how great I had it until I left. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for how blessed I am! I wouldn't trade my family and friends for anything. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
9/24/2013
Thank you everybody for the birthday wishes and gifts!! Being over here has made me realize how blessed I am to have the friends and family that I do. I didn't realize how great I had it until I left. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for how blessed I am! I wouldn't trade my family and friends for anything. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
9/24/2013
"Enjoy the Pineapples"
I talked to my dad this week and he told me about another connection I have over here in Hawaii :) A couple who went on one of the company Lake Powell trips, his brother, Dave Lewis, is the Vice-President here at BYU-Hawaii. So Julie, Dave's sister-in-law, emailed me and told me that she actually went to this school when she was in college. She was so nice and welcoming. She said that she would talk to Dave and he would help me if I needed anything. There are so many good people in the world :) She also told me about President Hinckley's daughter, who moved to Hawaii recently after she was married. I guess she was also pretty homesick and missing Utah (especially the cherry trees and snow). Sister Hinckley simply told her... "enjoy the pineapples." :) So enjoy the pineapples, I will :) Her advice reminded me to live in the moment and make the most of where ever I am.
9/22/2013
Something Hike
A group of us went on a hike behind the school and PCC yesterday. We all thought it was the Laie Falls hike...but apparently it wasn't. So I have no idea what it was called. It was really cool because pretty much the whole hike was in a forest-looking area. The little waterfall we hiked to was pretty awesome too. The water was cold!
9/21/2013
9/21/2013
Circle Island Tour
The new students had the option of going on what they called a "Circle Island Tour" yesterday. We got on buses and went to a few popular sights around the island. It was really fun to get off campus! We first went to Pali lookout, which is a lookout where you can see everything! It was so neat. After that, we went to the swap meet in the Aloha Center Stadium. I really like the swap meet...it's a great place to get souvenirs and "stuff" for really cheap prices. We then went to Pearl Harbor. We went to Pearl Harbor when we came in the Spring, but I don't think you can ever spend too much time there. There's so much to learn. We got to watch a little film about the attack on Pearl Harbor and then we took a boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial. This memorial is built over the ship, and you can see parts of the ship and the outline through the water. There is a very special and spiritual spirit at Pearl Harbor. It definitely made me think about the brave men who lost their lives that day. Pearl Harbor is a place I think everybody needs to visit sometime in life. It's hard to explain what it's like, you have to feel it for yourself. After Pearl Harbor, we headed to good old Walmart :) I don't think I've ever been so excited to go to Walmart in my life! It reminded me of home. Our last stop was at Matsumotos. It is said to have the best shave ice on the island, and I would have to agree with that! That shave ice so refreshing. We headed back to the college after that. It was a great trip!
When I got back, I went with my roommates to Hukilau beach. And guess what we saw there? A SEA TURTLE!!!! It was just swimming in the water probably 20 feet from us! I have always loved sea turtles, a lot! So it made my day even better when I saw it :)
9/15/2013
When I got back, I went with my roommates to Hukilau beach. And guess what we saw there? A SEA TURTLE!!!! It was just swimming in the water probably 20 feet from us! I have always loved sea turtles, a lot! So it made my day even better when I saw it :)
9/15/2013
Kahuku Night
Tonight, I went with Caroline and her family to a Kahuku "cheer-fest." It's their school's homecoming week, so they have events going on. All the different grades in the high school came up with a little dance/cheer thingy and then they were judged to see which grade was the best. It was really entertaining :) Once again, I'm so grateful to know Caroline and her family and other of Kama's family. They are so generous to me.
Ice cream!
I had a statistics class and a fitness class today. Both of them I enjoyed...if you can put "enjoy" and "statistics" in the same sentence ;) I've already had a bunch of homework that I've been trying to get done. I want to stay on top of my classes. My goal is not to be a procrastinator. But I just barley finished an essay that's due in the morning, so I'm off to a little bumpy start. It's so hard to focus on school work when the beach is a 5 minute walk and the Temple is a 5 minute walk and different activities always seem to be going on. But honestly, like my parents say, I feel like I'm learning more by associating with people and being involved in campus life then I ever could in the classroom. But that's just a personal opinion :) Tonight, Amy and I went to get ice cream and then went took a walk to the beach. Night times here are so great! It's the perfect temperature outside with just a slight breeze. I'm so blessed to be in such a beautiful place.
9/10/2013
9/10/2013
First day of School!
Today was the first day of school! It was pretty good actually. My first class didn't start till 11, so I had a bunch of time to just kinda bum. Then at 11, I went to my World Cultures music class. I think it will be way fun! After that, I went to my English class. I'm not a huge fan of English, but it'll be good :) And then at 2:30 I went to my Student Development class. It's a class to help you get adjusted to university life: budgeting, stress, time management, etc. I think it'll really be good for me. I was surprised how much classes here are like high school. In my Student Development class, we only had 12 people! And my biggest class was probably 30 people. I love the small class sizes!
After my last class, Ota and Danielle (Kama's cousins) came and picked me up and took me to a really good yogurt stand in Kahuku. We met up with Carol, who is Ota's cousin. She is such a funny lady! She gave me her number and told me to let her know if I ever needed anything. She also said there is a zumba and yoga class sometimes, if I ever wanted to go with her :) They are such amazing people! We were all just laughing like crazy, they are so funny! We then went to Cheryl's house, who I think is also a cousin of Ota's, or maybe a friend. She was so nice! She gave us rice krispie treats and homemade bread with jam. She gave me her number and told me to come over whenever I needed food or anything. She said to text her if I ever wanted her to take me to Walmart or somewhere on the island. Such AMAZING people! I know that all of Kama's family (and now my family :) have been answers to my prayers. Ota also gave me two boxes of macadamia nut chocolates and a big bag of coconut chocolates! I love the Polynesian people!! I heard in the fireside yesterday that we feel "drawn" to people or things on earth because we had a special connection with them in Heaven. So I'm pretty sure I was best friends with the Polynesian people in Heaven, because I just love them so much! :)
We went to the beach tonight also. It's really a neat feeling being at the beach when it's dark. It makes the sounds of the waves so much more noticeable. It's super soothing and relaxing :)
9/9/2013
The picture is of Ota, me, and Danielle.
After my last class, Ota and Danielle (Kama's cousins) came and picked me up and took me to a really good yogurt stand in Kahuku. We met up with Carol, who is Ota's cousin. She is such a funny lady! She gave me her number and told me to let her know if I ever needed anything. She also said there is a zumba and yoga class sometimes, if I ever wanted to go with her :) They are such amazing people! We were all just laughing like crazy, they are so funny! We then went to Cheryl's house, who I think is also a cousin of Ota's, or maybe a friend. She was so nice! She gave us rice krispie treats and homemade bread with jam. She gave me her number and told me to come over whenever I needed food or anything. She said to text her if I ever wanted her to take me to Walmart or somewhere on the island. Such AMAZING people! I know that all of Kama's family (and now my family :) have been answers to my prayers. Ota also gave me two boxes of macadamia nut chocolates and a big bag of coconut chocolates! I love the Polynesian people!! I heard in the fireside yesterday that we feel "drawn" to people or things on earth because we had a special connection with them in Heaven. So I'm pretty sure I was best friends with the Polynesian people in Heaven, because I just love them so much! :)
We went to the beach tonight also. It's really a neat feeling being at the beach when it's dark. It makes the sounds of the waves so much more noticeable. It's super soothing and relaxing :)
9/9/2013
The picture is of Ota, me, and Danielle.
Elder Russell M Nelson
Yesterday (Sunday) we woke up and went to church. Our church is in a multipurpose building, so classes are also held there also. So we walked in for sacrament, and guess who I saw seated at the stand? Elder Russell M Nelson and his wife! I had heard that he was coming to do a CES fireside, but I didn't know he'd be in our sacrament meeting. That was pretty cool. Sacrament was pretty good. I like how everyone who speaks begins their talk by saying "Aloha brothers and sisters." And then the congregation says it back. We had relief society after that (no Sunday school because it was a busy Sunday.) Then at 2 pm we went to the Cannon Activities Center and watched Russell M Nelson give a CES fireside that was broadcasted worldwide. I really enjoyed his talk. Then a half hour after the fireside, he dedicated the Heber J. Grant building, which is my church building.
I met a girl from Indonesia yesterday, her name is Ernawati! She was telling me how she got to shake Elder Nelson's hand and what a special experience that was for her. She said that being from Indonesia, they never get the opportunity to meet the General Authorities. It opened my eyes to how much I take living in Utah and being able to attend General Conference for granted.
After the firesides, I got to skype my family! It was really great to talk and see all of them. We also had a fireside at 7pm which was by Elder Nelson's wife. She gave a really good talk about being a "holy woman." I kind of got a little more homesick yesterday, but I think that's because I'm so use and comfortable to Sundays in my ward and home. But like everything else, I'm sure it'll get easier :)
9/8/2013
I met a girl from Indonesia yesterday, her name is Ernawati! She was telling me how she got to shake Elder Nelson's hand and what a special experience that was for her. She said that being from Indonesia, they never get the opportunity to meet the General Authorities. It opened my eyes to how much I take living in Utah and being able to attend General Conference for granted.
After the firesides, I got to skype my family! It was really great to talk and see all of them. We also had a fireside at 7pm which was by Elder Nelson's wife. She gave a really good talk about being a "holy woman." I kind of got a little more homesick yesterday, but I think that's because I'm so use and comfortable to Sundays in my ward and home. But like everything else, I'm sure it'll get easier :)
9/8/2013
Fun Day
Today was a pretty lax day. This morning, my roommates and I got a bunch of stuff done around campus. I also called home and talked to all of my siblings. And then later this afternoon I got to video chat my parents! It was so great to see them. So it was a great family day! A group of us also went to the PCC parade in Laie today. They throw much better candy in these parades...no offense to Utah's salt water taffy ;) It started pouring on us at the parade, but the thing I've learned about Hawaii rain is that it's more like a warm mist. But we got drenched! There was water just pouring off my jacket, and my pants were soaked! But I love the rain, so I was having a blast!
These are the pictures of our time at the parade! (Sorry, I can't figure out how to turn the pictures right side up!)
9/7/2013
These are the pictures of our time at the parade! (Sorry, I can't figure out how to turn the pictures right side up!)
9/7/2013
Then later in the afternoon, a group of us headed off to the beach! It was only a ten minute walk to the beach we went to, which is called Temple Beach. We had a lot of fun just playing in the waves. After the beach, we came back and showered and then ate dinner and went to the women's volleyball game. Our women's volleyball team is really good, and it's always fun to watch their games.
Mahalo!
I just wanted to say how thankful and blessed I am to have so much support from home! So many people have texted me and let me know how much they care for me. I've definitely felt the prayers of others helping me. I was so homesick, and the mornings are the hardest, but I'm feeling a lot better. Not an hour goes by that I don't think about my family, but it's getting so much easier. I'm really starting to love it over here. My mom lets me call her every night at 1 or 2 in the morning, Utah time. She told me to call whenever I needed. She is amazing!! She's always there to listen and help me. My dad texts and let's me call him whenever I need. My grandma Vicki has been emailing me everyday. She is so amazing. She gives me so much advice and love. My cousin Courtney has been emailing me and also helping me through these first few days. My siblings want to know how I'm doing. Katie sent me a text the second night when I was really homesick and just told me how much she believed in. My friends text, facebook and snapchat me throughout the day. My grandpa Ked has emailed me asking me how I'm doing. My mom says a lot of people have been asking about me. WOW! Words cannot express how grateful and blessed I feel to be surrounded by amazing people. Each day it gets easier, and I know it's thanks to my support system. Of course, I couldn't say that without my biggest supporter...my Heavenly Father! I love saying my prayers and reading my scriptures at night because it gives me so much comfort. I love my Heavenly Father. He hasn't left me once. Whenever it gets hard, I can feel His Spirit and I am comforted. Isn't it amazing to think that no matter where we go in the world, even a couple thousand miles away, the Lord will always be as close to us as we let Him. I'm so grateful to be a member of His church, and as we heard in a student welcoming today "The Lord can depend on me!"
I love you all so much! Mahalo!
9/6/2013
I love you all so much! Mahalo!
9/6/2013
Ohaha means Family.
Something awesome that happened today! So Kama, who works for Best Vinyl, I know him from the company Lake Powell trips, was actually born in Tonga and a lot of his family live right here in Laie! So Kama texted me today and told me about a bunch of his family members that would love to come and see me and take me around places. He was so kind and welcoming about it. A few hours later his sister, Caroline, called me and asked me what I was doing and if she could pick me up and show me around Laie. So I went with her and her two daughters to a really good shave ice place! They are such an amazing family! They treated me like I was apart of their family. They showed me their cute house in Laie and told me to come over whenever I wanted and eat their food or do whatever I wanted. They were so accepting and welcoming. I was texting Kama afterwards, telling him how awesome his family was, and he told me that I am a part of their family now. He seriously begged me never to hesitate to ask if I needed something from them. He told me that it's rude over here not to use your family, so he made me promise that I would keep in touch with them. Talk about amazing people!! They reminded me of being with my family. They invited me to a football game in Kahuku, the next town over. Apparently the people of that town eat, sleep, and breathe football:) I'm excited! I'm so grateful to have connections over here in Hawaii!
9/6/2013
9/6/2013
Ho'olaule'a Dinner
This is some of the food we had at the dinner. Those slimy, noodle looking things are actually really good! We have them at Lake Powell on Luau night. They taste like Ramen noodles. We also had Kalua pig, which we have at Lake Powell also :)
This is my roommates and me at the Ho'olaule'a dinner tonight. Kerstin, Amy, and me. Mikee wasn't with us. It was a really nice dinner they had for the freshmen.
9/6/2013
9/6/2013
Polynesian Cultural Center
This is some food we got at the Samoa village. I'm pretty sure it's called Ulu. It comes from a fruit but it's called a bread fruit. They mix that fruit with coconut milk and heat. It tastes nothing like fruit though, it's more like the texture of bread! I actually really liked it!
So after the first night sleeping in my dorm, which I slept really well, I woke up and still felt really homesick. I was still used to Utah time, so I've been waking up really early in the morning. I kept thinking about my dad flying out, but I tried to focus on other things to get my mind off of it. Amy and me went to breakfast in the cafeteria. May I just say, the cafeteria food isn't half as bad as it's talked up to be...at least not yet. They have a ton of variety of foods. It's nice not to have to cook. That day (Wednesday) was pretty lax. We just had a bunch of stuff around campus to get done. The campus here is pretty small, I like it!
When we got back to our dorm, our other two roommates were moving in. Their names are Kerstin (from Colorado) and Mikee (from California.) They are both super cute girls! I feel like we have the best room and roommates on campus. We get along so well.
When we got back to our dorm, our other two roommates were moving in. Their names are Kerstin (from Colorado) and Mikee (from California.) They are both super cute girls! I feel like we have the best room and roommates on campus. We get along so well.
We got to go on a tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center! I love that place. It's so neat to see so many different cultures. I personally love the Samoa area... ;)
I've met so many people from all over the world here! I'm pretty sure I've met at least someone from every state on the mainland, and other people from the Pacific Islands, Japan, Twain, Canada, etc. There are so many good people around the world. I'm learning that life doesn't revolve around little Salem, Utah. And the part I love the most is that we all have the same standards and beliefs (mostly.) It's opened my eyes to the love God has for all of his children. He loves the people of Tonga and Samoa and Japan and Hong Kong and everywhere just as much as He loves me.
9/6/2013
The First Day
So my dad and I arrived here in Honolulu on Monday night. We flew out from SLC at 3 pm to LAX. We had a 2 hour layover in LA and then a 5 hour flight to Honolulu. I'm not a huge fan of planes, but this flight actually wasn't too bad. The last hour or so to Honolulu I got a little sick, but I think that's because I was exhausted! Once we got off the plane, we rented a car and drove to our hotel. My dad went out to get something to eat, but I was just so tired I wanted to stay in our room. I remember the minute my dad left to go get food, I just started crying. I was sooo homesick. I missed my mom more than anything. I had actually been holding back tears on the plane as we got closer to Oahu. I wanted nothing more than to go home. I kept questioning myself and asking myself why in the heck I chose to come to school so far away from home. I was so sick. I remember I wished I would wake up and this would all be a dream. I managed to pull myself together before my dad came back, but then later that night he asked me how I was doing, and I lost it once again. He told me that it was totally normal for me to be feeling homesick, but that it would get easier. He told me how when he went to the MTC and then to Japan how homesick he was. I am so, so, so, so grateful that my dad was there to help me through this big change. It meant the world to me! I will never forget that time in Hawaii I had with my dad. It was definitely one of the most special times in my life.
This is Tuesday morning while my dad and me were walking around Waikiki beach. We had eaten at this restaurant 'Roy's' when we came over in the Spring with my mom and Katie.
This is my dorm room after we got the bedding on...I was super happy with the bedding we found :) We bought it over here at Sears. There was not enough room in my suitcases for bedding! I was lucky enough to get into the brand new dorms this year! The other ones are 50 years old...and let's just say they look ancient!
This is my roommate, Amy. She is from Murray, Utah :) She is a super cute girl and fun to be around. We also have two other roommates, but they weren't there when I moved in. I'll post a picture of them a little later.
After we got me all moved in, my dad and I drove down to a little restaurant called Kenekes. We ate there and then I really wanted to go on a drive around with my dad before he left (because he was flying out early the next morning.) I'm so grateful that we went on that drive because I was able to talk to my dad and have him help me with my homesick feelings. We drove and talked for probably an hour. My dad is awesome (public shoutout!) He is so understanding and he cares about me so much. I have such amazing parents! After we had driven around, I asked my dad if we could say our goodbyes at the Laie temple, because he was going to go do a temple session afterwards. We walked up to the front of the temple, and saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. I'll never forget that. I remember just hugging him and not wanting to let go. I've never felt like that in my life...and I can't say I ever want to feel like that again. I remember walking away from him and waving at him before he went in the doors. And then I walked back to the campus, which is only a 5 minute walk. I got back to my dorm, and I felt so sick. My stomach hurt and my body felt funny. My roommate wasn't here when I got back, so I was alone in my dorm, and I was just sick. I don't even know how to express what it felt like. I guess it was just homesick to the extreme. [I don't mean to sound too somber about this, but this blog is like my journal, so I wanted to express my feelings.] As awful as that feeling was, it was also one of the most special moments of my life. It was a huge growing experience.
This is my favorite picture right now. :)
9/4/2013
9/4/2013