Mormon Temple frenzy

So you may be surprised to learn that Hawaii has a really large Mormon population (I had no idea). Living here has also done wonders for my perception that all Mormons are the whitest people alive. Not so much the case here. Who knew? Anyway, as a result, there's a temple here, which has been undergoing renovations. Before they rededicate it, they allow the general public to take tours. (Normally, you have to be a member to be allowed to enter). So, on Tuesday, that's just what I did. It was interesting, I kept my inappropriate comments to a minimum (I was with my Mormon friend who's a real trouper about my swearing like a sailor and enjoying adult beverages, so I try to be equally respectful to her beliefs), and we finished the afternoon by having lunch at a North Shore shrimp truck, so all in all, a good day.

No pictures allowed inside. The grounds outside are the nicest parts, though, so you're not missing anything.
 

 

This is my friend Lauren.  The conversation went something like this when I picked her up:

Me:  "The tickets say 'appropriate Sunday attire requested.'"

Lauren: "Yeah, 'requested.'  They don't say anything about 'required.'  I'm not changing."

Sure enough, while the people who were obvious members of the LDS church were in suits and dresses, the general public were in slippers and shorts.  It's Hawaii, man.

Warning: graphic content

So there are lizards all over the place here.  It's weird; at my old apartment, I had the really beautiful bright green with red teardrop spots geckos (just like the Geico mascot).  At my newer place, I only have the boring brown geckos.  Still, I have gotten attached, and have named several.  (My favorite is Henry, who I think is sometimes bullied by Frank.)

Cut to this morning, when I went to take out the trash, and found a sad, completed flattened gecko stuck to my front door. I think it was Joe. I imagine when I got home last night, I didn't see him, and he was totally in the wrong place at the wrong time. RIP.

And, the close up:

Year four!

New title, new look.  In May, I celebrated (and by 'celebrated,' I mean 'realized') my third anniversary of the big move to Hawaii.  I'm now two months into year four.  No plans to leave anytime soon, but I'm not staying forever, so now I need to kick things into gear so I don't leave with any regrets.  In other words, if I planned to learn to play the ukulele or surf the pipeline, this is the year for it. 

summer on the mainland

Went on the Kelly Kent East Coast Tour last month.  Had a chance to see tons of friends and family.  It was nice to be home.  Just a few pics from a few legs.

Madison and Grady, my niece and nephew.  They are super fun for a 48 hour visit.  They might exhaust me if I stayed longer than that...

Mmm.  Kabob Palace.  Perhaps my favorite DC establishment.  Certainly my favorite 24 hour place.  My friends were kind enough to place what may be the first catering order in KP history.  It was just as good as I remembered.

Part of the old DC gang.

Loved the day I had to just play around in downtown Boston.  I can't believe I still miss it.

Spent some time hanging out and reading in the Public Garden.

Love this picture.  The real swans nesting in front of the fake swan boat.

Was surprised to find I was a little sad when I got back home after this trip.  Usually I'm all about being back in my own bed, but it was awfully quiet here after two weeks of nonstop playing.  Thanks to everyone who hosted me.  Nothing terribly new.  Since I've been back, it's mostly work and World Cup, not necessarily in that order.  Hope you'll come visit soon.

Aiea loop

Here are a few pictures taken from the Aiea Loop trail. It's in the middle of the city, a nice (muddy) trail high in the Koolaus but without a lot of incline on the trail itself. These were taken a good month ago; I just got around to uploading them today.

This is the H3, the highway that runs through the Koolau mountains.

The view looking down on Pearl Harbor.

New pictures

From the last month or so:
I did a day where I drove around a significant portion of the island, stopped at one of the roadside shrimp trucks for lunch (and thus smelled of garlic for a week), and then went to Pu'u O Mahuka, which is the largest heiau on O'ahu.  A heiau is basically an old Hawaiian temple.  This one is the best preserved of the few I've seen.  It also looks over Waimea Bay, which is pretty stunning.

View of the Koolau Mountains from Laie.  Some vog and drizzle that morning.

People leave gifts and such at the altar.  Lots of lei, but also fruit and...bottled water.  No idea why.

Also went to Koko Head Botanical Garden.  It's in the middle of Koko Head Crater, which is on East Oahu, probably about ten minutes from my house.  A nice walk in the winter, but not a lot of sun protection, so it's likely wicked hot in the summer.  It's dry there, so the plants are not so much rainforesty, but cactusy.

Nothing else to report.  It's been a lovely winter here this year.  I'm not looking forward to the heat of summer.  Hope you're all doing well. Aloha!

Aloha!

Very very long time no see...

Thought I would start updating again (I bought myself a new camera for Christmas this year, with the intent of taking more pictures in general, and carrying it with me to try to catch some of the more random things you can see here on any given day).

While I'm really not shamelessly begging for readers, it would be nice to know if anyone other than Rob (hi, Rob!) is checking this anymore.  If so, I think I can make myself update more frequently.  If not, my life isn't nearly so exciting to catalog online for only me and Rob (hi, Rob!) to read.  So if you're out there... let me know.

Very quick updates:  Same job, new apartment this summer (really love it, and it's in the middle of a valley that was brown and blah when I moved, but is now lush and green in the winter), new second job starting in two weeks (will talk more about that later), saw the family over the holidays, hoping to travel more in 2010.

More soon!  Hope you're well.