I love Hawaii. Really. It's beautiful. It's warm. Rainbows everyday.
While I love Hawaii, I have to admit that I wouldn't have had this on my "places to live" list. I know how ungrateful that sounds. Who wouldn't enjoy this opporunity? And it's why I have decided that it's MY attitude that makes the difference in how my time here is. I can't make myself enjoy it completely. With everything, there will always be a love/hate aspect.
I'm thankful to be able to experience life in a culture that is unlike that which I grew up in. It's not just a state. It's a culture. With many Asian influences. Since my arrival on the island, I have tried many different foods. As a girl from the Land of Bland, I was skeptical about food. (hey, I didn't even try Thai food until I moved to Minneapolis and discovered Chiang Mai's!) My first sushi experience was on the day that I arrived. (why did I wait so long??) Despite my exhaustion (as 7 hours on a plane will cause), I found it absolutely delightful. A month later, I went to a luau. That's where I fell in love with Kalua pork. SO YUMMY.
So, here I am. Living on a island. (the girl who is TERRIFIED of water). Miserable moments. Ecstatic moments. All the moments create my experience here. One day at a time.
What I miss the most? Family. Friends. Not being able to get in the car and take random road trips. But, I wouldn't change the experience for anything.
