Kauai, the Garden Isle

I arrived in Kauai November 28th, I have been here almost a month.  Time sure has flown by quickly.  I have been able to get familiar a little with the area.  I have not gone to all the beaches yet, been hiking and a some trail runs.  Now that I am getting familiar with the island and meeting some peeps here and there I hope to go on many more adventures.  I still have yet to go to Waimea Canyon but I have seen the Na Pali Coast via raft and got a little sea sick.  The beach I have been to the most is Shipwreck Beach , the view here is amazing.  I have seen sea turtles, two which I swam next to, as well as a Hawaiian Monk Seal on a few occasions and a few breaching whales.

I was able to go with a friend to an area that is slightly underdeveloped with lots of character.  The grounds are of an old plantation in which the different lots in this property has been passed down from generations to generations.  The houses themselves are rugged and simple, a upgrade from a shack.  Hawaiians are some of the most kind-hearted people I have met.  The picture below is the view from the slightly upgraded shack we went to.  People pay a lot of money to have a few like this but to the residents here it is what they have known and is priceless to them.

It's fun to find little hidden gems here and there but this one is one not many get to see and I will never forget. There is not much of a night life here which is nice at times and not so much at others, especially the nights when I just want to dress up and go dance. The advantage of being here definitely outweighs having a place to go dance.  I like to watch the surfers as they wipe out and fly in the air, I hope to be able to learn to surf in the baby waves soon.  

I am so glad I came out here to Hawaii but with such a strong urge to be back in a busy city when I left NY it has been a little hard to turn life down a notch.  I often think to myself while I am sitting on a beach that I have too much relaxation in my life but is this even a possible thing?  I will stock up on relaxation right now and then if I end up living in a busy city I will reminisce to my days of Kauai.  

Christmas in Kauai 

Last year was my first Christmas away from home when I was living in Key West.  It still is weird to me to not have snow on Christmas but I was a little more immune to it since I had no snow last year.

There is one thing I do not miss about Christmas and that is the craziness that's involved around it. Shopping for material things that the other person probably a) doesn't like b) doesn't need and c) possibly will return it.  If there is a great present that fits someone then get it but getting something just to get something is not fun. 

Anahola Beach 

The holidays are a great time for family and I do miss mine but I also am loving being out on my own experiencing life.

My holiday consisted of going to a beach, watching another amazing Hawaiian sunset and having a good dinner.  Not a typical Christmas but one that I liked. 

Laying out on the beach I know I am very fortunate to be here.  I still need to work on my short tan and I am sure lathering on the sunblock doesn't help but the skin needs protection.  

Hopefully more exploring to come, getting lost in the abyss that is Kauai.  

leaves are turning

It was nice to be back in Salt Lake, to take in the city I just experienced.  I was able to turn life down a notch and breathe in the pre-fall smell.
Fall had yet to settle into the city but it was in full bloom on higher grounds.  After the first few days of being back home I was ready to get out into the beautiful Utah mountains as I was not sure if I would be leaving soon.  I at least wanted to experience fall in the mountains.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

My brothers, sisters and I did just that, an incredible evening in nature.  I was very happy to be able to spend this quality time with them as it was much needed.

Dog Lake with Rockstar

For the next two weeks my primary focus was spent going hiking about five days out of the week as the warmer hiking weather would be coming to a halt. Ingrid and I experienced many of these hikes together and it was nice to take her out to areas she had not yet been able to see.  Just as I suspected Ingrid was delighted to see such glorious scenery and to be able to connect with nearby surroundings.  I did more hiking with my sister Angelina and took the dogs out with us.  At first I just did hiking with our dog Rocky, an Australian Shepherd, but I felt so bad leaving Zoey, a minature Poodle, as she gave me that sad face as I headed out.  My sister told me that I needed to give Zoey a chance out on a hike or run, I didn't think she could handle it.  We took her and she proved me wrong, that little Zoey did just as well as Rocky on the trails.  I did not get a picture of Zoey out hiking but one with Rocky.  I was told various times on the trail how good looking of a dog he was.
Millcreek Canyon had an amazing fall as did the surrounding mountains but this canyon had the best canopy trees with radiant colored leaves.
As the beginning of October came around, my sister and I moved from our Liberty Park home.  We were there for a little over four months, in some ways it felt like longer.  In our short time there we had grown in more ways than one and acquired everlasting friendship.  My sister and I relocated back to the parentals, as I tried to figure out where I was to go next.  I looked into many different things the first week that I was there.  After looking at a few different options I decided to contact my past employer, who sent me to Key West and San Francisco, to see if they had any openings in an exciting destination.  They came back and asked me if I would like to move to Hawaii to help open a new store, I hesitantly obliged.

Is that a rat?

Taking the red eye flight into the JFK airport I was a little tired getting off the plane as I was not able to sleep much from either the uncomfortable seat or anticipation.  At 5:30am I was standing outside of the airport waiting in the cab line unsure of what to expect for the next 20 days.  I was given directions and was told to look for a Dunkin Donuts, which was a landmark for quite a few other things around the city.  Dunkin Donuts is like a church house in Utah, one on every corner.  My cousin Todiana had arrived a few days before me, we stayed with my friend Kavon who is attending PA school in Brooklyn.

After sleeping for a few hours, trying to rest up a bit, it was time to head into Manhattan for the day. Todiana was out in New York for fall fashion week so I went with her to different castings my first day.  Mixing humid subways, including rats roaming the tracks, with busy congested areas on top of being sleep deprived, it was quite an exhausting day.  I was overwhelmed with the city but excited to get a grasp on it.

The next couple of days I continued to go around with Todi to casting calls, it was interesting to see this side of fashion.  Not only were all the girls tall but they also had heels on too, I felt so short.  Most of the casting were just in and out.  On the occasions that we talked to some of the girls most were really nice.  There was this one casting where one of the Russian models confronted another model for cutting in line when no one else would, that was an exciting scene.

The first week I was still recovering from fatigue not only from the flight but the few times that we had gone out until the early hours of the morning.  Staying in Brooklyn itself was a great experience, definitely an eye opener.  We were this lightest people in the neighborhood it was the first experience I had feeling a little out of place.  Growing up in the Utah bubble I didn't have much experience with too many other races.  In fact the first week of being there a West Indies parade took place in the street in front of Kavon's apartment.  It was nice to be able to view the parade from on top the building as it was very crowded on the street down below.  After sitting out there for a bit I was ready for a nap, when I came back out there was a story to be told.  A shooting had taken place in the crowd and people were running about.  That night there were helicopters circling the area with the light beams searching the streets.  That weekend there was about 50 shootings that took place mostly in Brooklyn I believe with 15 or so of those resulting in death of young boys.


We went to Times Square a few times so I was over that area before too long.  The MOMA, Guggenheim, St. Patrick's Cathedral and so on were all tourist sites that I experienced but my ultimate favorite location is Central Park.  Being a fan of nature I was ecstatic when we went to the park and I finally saw green and could breathe fresh open air.  I hope to be able to live in the city some day and go for runs around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir as if it was just another day, only time will tell.

Now that my first week in NY was done, it was time to really explore what this city was about.  No more fashion week events were going on so this gave us a bit more down time to explore as it was much needed.  We were able to go to the lower east side more which is an area I really like a lot.  Happy hour is a main event that happens in this area and it was fun to go to some different bars.  My favorite happy hour drink would have to be sangria, it was delicious with small chunks of apple that left a nice treat at the end.

We met Kavon's friends the first week and they were all great people, very welcoming, I felt like I had known them for a bit.  Another friend of mine, Tom, had just moved back to NY and he was able to show us around some other parts of the city.  One of the days we went on a long walking tour with water views and the infamous bridges. The walk led us to Battery Park where we were able to see a nice sunset over Lady Liberty.  I loved going on rooftops for viewing the city at night, I cannot wait to go back there to see it again.


There were a few nights that we were able to go to different clubs with promoters with a reserved table, drinks and other amenities it was great.  We went to a club called Greenhouse a few times with Jose, a promoter Todiana was friends with, and T Pain was scratching the vinyl.  Below is a picture from a rooftop party that took place one twinkling Manhattan night.

There is so much that happened in my 20 days in New York and I cannot believe how fast it came to an end, the time flew by.  This trip was amazing and it is my goal to go back to live in this city.  I am not sure when but sometime here in the near future, there is so much there that I want to discover.  I did not want to leave, fall was on it's way and I knew that it would be a glorious season to be in the city.  After coming home I desperately wanted to go back right away, if it's meant for me to be out there it will happen.

I love my cousin Todiana so much and I am glad I got to go out and experience the city with her and other friends.  Much thanks to Kavon for letting us stay with him at his bachelor pad.

summer came and went

My time in San Francisco came to an end the middle of May.  I headed back home to Salt Lake to regroup and go through all of my unnecessary objects that I had stuffed away in a closet.

As my donating stack piled up while going through all my stuff, I was overwhelmed by the money I had wasted buying such things.  There is probably a point in most everybody's life where they also get to experience the same feeling.  We must go through this though to realize what not to do.  Finally after a week or so I was able to take my pile to the Salvation Army and what a nice relief it was.  I took my nice dressier items to a place in the downtown area where they help dress women, who do not have money to buy nice clothes, for job interviews.  It helped knowing that hopefully these clothes would help change another's life.  

While in SF my sister and I decided to find a place together for the summer and to go from there as I was not sure what I would be doing after.  We were fortunate enough to find an awesome location in the Liberty Park area.  I got a job with Rowland Hall for the summer camp program again which is located by the University of Utah, so it was nice to be close.  

My sister and I made a really good decision to move out to south Salt Lake not only for the area but for the great relationships that we acquired while there.  Our landlord, Ingrid, is such an awesome lady and has been a really good friend since we met her.  We often got together for potlucks and all the surrounding neighbors would bring a dish, it was always amazing food.  Ingrid being Dutch would make stews in her dutch oven over a fire and it was one of the most divine meals I have yet had.  I am not too much of a fan of eating meat for the fact of the harmful steroids, antibiotics, etc. used in the process but Ingrid's meat that she used for the stew was a different story.  Her meat came from a farm that she used to have where the animals were raised natural and as organic as possible without the harmful additives.  The lamb stew was my favorite.  

downtown Salt Lake farmer's market

My sister, Angelina, and I became very close this past summer.  We did everything together: walks in Liberty Park, breakfast at The Park Cafe, hiking, sitting on our porch in the rain, going to the farmer's market and much more.  We did not go camping once this last summer unfortunately but went in nature often.  I went out here and there but was very content with being around my house and the nearby environment with the positive energy.  The house we lived in was over 100 years old and has a eclectic vibe to it.  We invited family members over to our house and know that they enjoyed their visits as we enjoyed theirs.  

One of the highlights of my summer was taking a trip with some friends to Lee's Ferry which is a recreation area near Page, Arizona.  John, Emily and I met up with couple, Abe and Mehri, from Florida that we met on our venture to Escalante the previous year.  It was a great weekend and we were able to stop at the Grand Canyon on the way back, which would be my first time seeing it. 

I had another great summer working for Rowland Hall but the summer was coming to an end.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do next.  I wanted to stay in Salt Lake as I was liking our living situation but also had an urge for something else.  In the beginning of August I helped Jenny, one of my best friends, move out to San Diego as she decided to attend law school there.  While in California I booked a plane ticket to New York.  My cousin Todiana was going to be going out there for fall fashion week and I decided to go.  This would be my first trip to the east coast and what a better time to go as I was currently jobless.

After being in San Diego for two weeks I came back to Salt Lake to unpack my Cali clothes and repack for the big city.  During that week my friend Dre was in town and we were able to spend some quality time together.  Dre, my sister and I went and saw Thievery Corporation on the hill behind the Red Butte Garden Amphitheater and what a epic experience that was.  We danced up on that hill with all the other free spirited people as we gazed upon the cosmic light show happening on the stage below us, causing us to be in some sort of trance.  My week with Dre came to an end as I headed off to New York for 20 days.  

i left my heart in SF

Towards the end of my stay I had come to learn of a beach that I had yet to wander upon, Baker Beach.  I had seen the Golden Gate Bridge from many different views but not from this one.  It was a warm day and my last stop of the day was Baker Beach.  First arriving to the beach I was a little disappointed that it took me four months to know of this beach and visit.  I wish I had known of it before so that my visitors could have too been able to experience the beauty of this destination.  The best in this case was saved for last as I thought maybe I was not meant to go there  until when I did.  The sand was squishy in between my toes as I walked the distance of the shore.  To my right was the bridge and yet in a way I hadn't seen it before, much smaller and not as bold as my previous ganders of it.  I liked the bridge view this way, blended in with the scenario as if it was meant to be there all along.  I stayed until sunset in which would be one of my last for this stay in SF.

I spent some of my last days doing one of my favorite activities and that was taking a blanket, book and iPod to Washington Square which was a small park located in little Italy a short walk for me up a steep hill. Of course I stopped at La Boulange for my cup of coffee grabbing some cookies from a nearby bakery.  At this park I did a lot of people watching and learned from them.  It was not uncommon to see friends gathering there with their cheese and wine while playing ladder ball, they were really enjoying life, the beauty of living in simplicity.  I only wish that I would have made more of an effort to get to know more people, I tend to be a little shy when it comes to starting up a conversation but once I do I am quite comfortable to speak.

The city was my first exposure to a mass quantity of homeless people.  There was this one girl who had an appearance that was so inhumane it was hard to look at her.  It made me appreciate the life that I have and to be thankful for opportunities and the future that I get to live.  

At the end of my stay I was ready to head back to Utah as I missed having the view of the mountains in my life.  However San Francisco changed me forever and I would like to go back in the future either

 to live or for a visit.  Until we meet again frisco...

Lina's visit to SF made her a sea lion lover

Ocean Beach sunset 

Lina in harmony 

A few days after my sister Lindsay left my sister Lina arrived.  Our first outing was to Trader Joe's, I love and miss this store terribly. We stocked up on necessary supplies that we would need; raw almonds, dried mango and bananas (no sugar added of course), dark chocolate covered pomegranate seeds and much more deliciousness.
We were able to experience a great day at Ocean Beach together and spectate an amazing sunset.  That day we saw about 20 dead jellyfish washed up on shore, never knowing for what reason but nonetheless a very rare experience.

We went on an adventure in Golden Gate Park where we drank some tea with mochi cakes in the Japanese Tea Garden.  Our exploration also included a trip to the conservatory of flowers and wandering aimlessly in the park.  We went to the spot where the jammin takes place, some guys were there juggling away.  Lina joined in the futbol activity showing those guys a thing or two.  They were quite impressed with her skills.

One of Lina's favorite part of San Francisco was Chinatown.  She was crazy about that area as she liked being emerged in a different type of culture and environment.  She did get a bit grossed out by the way they had some of their food sitting around like the dead fish, turtles and chickens.  She understood that it was the way the culture was and she accepted that.  

While my sister was visiting she discovered a new passion about herself, how much she loved and wanted to protect sea animals.  Everyday without fail Lina had to go to Pier 39 to where to sea lions liked to gather to say hi to them, fortunately I lived close to the pier.  One of her only souvenirs she got was a sea lion key chain, which of course some of the proceeds went to the help protect marine life.  

sea lions at Pier 39 

My sister Angelina is such a wonderful person.  She is very caring and concerned for the well being of other people and animals, sometimes a little too much.  She is passionate in what she believes and will always stand behind it.  Lina's trip to SF has inspired her in more ways than one.  I hope that she will soon be able to utilize her good intentions more as well as continuing her development into being a loving proactive semi-hippie that is her destiny.  

Lindsay and I covering San Fran one step at a time

sisterly love on Ocean Beach

That's right, standing on top of a log behind my younger sister Lindsay, I am barley passing her height.  She was able to come out for her spring break in April and by this time I had known the city a little bit more so I was able to take her to the best spots of San Francisco.

One of the first places I took her to was Ocean Beach.  It was an overcast day but that didn't ruin our time there, in fact I think it added to the fun.  That day there were lots of sand dollars on the shore as it was a low tide and more were exposed.  We collected a few, enough for ourselves.  That day we read, took a nap, drooled over surfer guys, appreciated the graffiti art and took in the moist salty air.

                                             




That day and for the rest of my sister's stay we really got to connect on a level that we had not had before.  She was no longer just my little sis but a young woman who will continue to blossom into a wonderful human being that she already is.

                                                                             

Of course I had to take my sister to one of my favorite spots in all of the city and that would be Corona Heights Park.  We ended the day at Golden Gate Park of course where we listened to the live jamboree while resting at ease.  What an awesome spring break to be able to take as a junior in high school, definitely tops my 4 hour drive that I took down to St. George for my spring break.  Being the oldest I am glad that I was able to create an opportunity for my younger sister to come and experience this diverse city.


One of the most memorable nights we had while Lindsay was in town was the night  that we went to a live concert that took place in the middle of downtown in Union Square.  We went there thinking that we would just watch the band perform but it ended up being a night of dancing and laughter.  Below is a video of Lindsay learning how to salsa, I think she may have two left feet.  She did a really good job and was a sport when it came to learning this fast paced Latin dance style, better than what I did.        

Towards the end of Lindsay's stay we took things down a notch as we let life catch up.  We got to experience the freshness that the ocean nearby had to offer as we devoured a fresh seafood cocktail at Fisherman's Wharf.  San Francisco changed my sister's life and my sister's visit changed mine!

looking onto the city