Only two weeks left...

My sistafriend is leaving me in two weeks to move to Brazil for 1.5 years. Don't know how I'm going to live without her. She is my everything, my happiness. I'm sad just thinking about it. I miss her already and she hasn't even left yet. October 4th is coming too fast - and it's going to be a sad sad day... :(

Another cold rainy day in Alaska

On freezing cold, rainy, dreary days like today... I can't help but reminisce about my happy, warm, sunny life in Hawaii. Oh how I miss it.

I miss beach days with two of my most favorite girls -Yesenia and Chelsea!
Non stop giggles, coconut oil and maui babe, hand stand contests in the ocean, dancing and twirling in the aqua blue waters, photo shoots galore, sun kissed-Vit D skin, taking off our suits and going skinny dipping, playing beached whale, feet covered in warm sparkling white sand, sun tanning under hot sunny skies, playing in the warm tropical breeze... aaahhh bliss.

Today I believe...

... that distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

... that without the bad days and the really bad days, the good days just wouldn't feel as good.

... that most everything happens for a reason.

... that starting a new job is never an easy thing.

... that worrying about the future is pointless.

... that right now it might feel easier to hold on, but in the long run you'll be oh so glad you let go.

... that making time - for yourself, for what you love, for who you love - is the only way to live.

... that sisters make the best of friends.

... that finding an author you love is like making a new friend.

... that there is nothing better than seeing someone smile with their eyes.

... that a little sunshine goes a long way.

You are my sunshine

My niece Natalie makes my world a brighter place...

Today I went and picked her up to bring her over to play. When I got to her house the first thing she asked me was, "Are you still sick??" (I was pretty sick with strep throat for the past couple days). I said, "Not any more, I'm all better now." To which she replied, "Oh good! Now we can kiss!"

On the car ride over to Grandma's house we were talking. I told her that Adam left this morning for two weeks and I missed him. She said, "It's okay, I'm still here... I'll be your best friend."

At Grandma's house she told Chelsea, "I feel like I want to keep you guys forever..."

And my most favorite thing she always says to me, "You're my best friend-it's just you and me forever and ever"

Ooooh I just love that little girl!

Professional Boat Cleaner

I cleaned charter fishing boats for 5 summers (I have since retired from boat washing). It's a rather laborious job - not the easiest or funnest thing to do every single evening, 7 days a week. Over the years i've become quite the pro at peeling off herring scales, cloroxing fish boxes, and squiggying windows!

Chelsea is gone for two weeks so I get the lovely job of cleaning her boats while she's out of town. It's been so cold up here! Rain, wind, more rain, and more wind... brr... makes for rough cleaning conditions.

But, can't beat the nice fishermen you get to see down at the harbor everyday, the great arm work out, the beautiful scenery, the wonderful salty ocean air, rockin the Grundens and Xtratuffs, and of course... the money!
Tonight I made $85 cash in 2.5 hours....Sure beats my PCC job! :)

Home Sweet Home(r)

I am back at home in Alaska. I haven't even been away from Hawaii for a week and I already miss it like crazy. I have been freezing cold since I stepped off the plane, guess it's going to take me a while to get used to this cool breezy Alaskan air again...

Since I've been back, I've been hanging out with the fam, cuddling with my nieces, and job hunting. And tonight, I just landed myself the sweetest gig ever!!!!

I will be the caretaker of this beautiful 12,000 sq ft lodge in Homer... YAY!!

I have my own private quarters too!

So all non Alaskan peeps... come visit me! :)

Mango Madness

I recently discovered a new obsession... mangos! I never realized how much I love them. I love all things mango - especially mango sorbet, mangos in salad, dried mangos, and picking fresh mangos from friends trees here in Hawaii.

Life's a Beach

In less than two weeks I have to leave this wonderful place that I've called home for the past nine months. Living here has been everything I hoped it would be, and more. June 4th is going to be very bittersweet; it's when I leave Hawaii to fly back to Alaska. It will be great to be home again and see my family, but I will miss this place so much.

So for my remaining days left... I've been trying to soak up as much sun as possible. I plan on spending the next two weeks on the beach - savoring every last ounce of warm sunshine, white sand and the beautiful turquoise waters.

Oh Hawaii, you'll sure be missed!

But I'm excited to see you too Alaska, I just wish you were a little warmer!

www.cardboardlove.com

I found this happy website the other day. This guy writes beautiful little love messages on pieces of cardboard to his girlfriend. The website is nothing but love note, after love note... how sweet is that??

I picked out a few of my favorites...

The Time Traveler's Wife

I am a quote junkie. I love quotes. I have a whole journal devoted just for quotes I love - most of which i get from books. I write them all down then I can go back and re-read them over and over again.

"Maybe I'm dreaming you. Maybe you're dreaming me; maybe we only exist in each other's dreams and every morning when we wake up we forget all about each other"

"Don't you think it’s better to be extremely happy for a short while, even if you lose it, than to be just okay for your whole life?"

- Audrey Niffenergger, The Time Traveler's Wife

Someday...

This is the most hopeful, happy thing I've read all week!

My Mom

This is my mom. She's the greatest. She is eternally happy and optimistic. She is the most generous and caring person I know. She gives so much of her time and energy to others. She is so understanding and supportive. She has always been there for me, through the good and bad. She makes my world a better place. She truly is the glue that holds our family together. I love my mom with all my heart, I honestly don't know where'd I'd be without her in my life. Happy Mother's Day mom, see you in three weeks.

Reading Rainbow

My nightstand is beginning to look like this, and I love it.
So many wonderful books to look forward to reading! I feel like I can't go through them fast enough. Reading for me is an escape. There is nothing better than getting lost in a good book.

I am always looking for my next great read, so if anyone has any suggestions... :)

Yay for today!

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today." -Dale Carnegie

I love this quote. I love it cause I've really been trying to live in the moment and enjoy my life in the NOW. Instead of what I usually do - thinking about and looking forward to everything in the future, that I miss out on today.

So just another reminder to self that I need to savor and enjoy every moment of every single day.

The ABCs of Me

A: Age - Twenty six :(
B: Bed Size - Twin right now in Hawaii, queen at home in Alaska
C: Chore you hate - Cleaning up after messy, dirty people
D: Dessert - Chocolate Chip Cookies
E: Essential start your day item - A nice hot shower
F: Favorite color - Green
G: Gold or Silver - Silver
H: Height - 5' 7.5"
I: Interesting fact - My elbows are double jointed and my tongue is abnormally long
J: Job title - Right now... adventurer :)
K: Kid(s) - Someday in the future...
L: Living arrangements - Living with my sister in a townhouse/condo on the beach in Hawaii
M: Mom's name - Rhonda
N: Nickname - Sissy, Sally, Sister, George
O: Overnight hospital stay - None, and hopefully never
P: Pet peeve - Where do I start?? Heartless, insensitive, uncaring, rude for no reason, debbie downer, unmotivated, chauvinistic, lying, messy, arrogant people.
Q: Quote from a movie - "This is my one and only life, and it's a great and terrible and short and endless thing." PS I Love You
R: Right or left handed - Right
S: Siblings - Holly-28, Jake-24, Chelsea-21
T: Time you wake up - Between 8-9am
U: Underwear - I own a little bit of everything...
V: Vegetable you dislike -Squash
X: X-rays you've had - My neck and arm
Y: Yummy foods you make - Vegetarian curry, black bean quinoa, & acai bowls
Z: Zoo animals you like - Zoos & aquariums make me sad for the caged/locked up animals

Alaskan Baby Chicks

In one month I'll be back in Alaska hanging out with Natalie and Cody... laying on the kitchen floor watching the new baby chickens. I can't wait to see my little Natalie girl and smoother her in hugs and kisses... but I'm also so sad to have to leave Hawaii.
Bittersweet is the only word to describe how I'm feeling. My heart is already aching at the thought of leaving...

Love. Bliss. Happiness.

Isn't this just the most beautiful photo you've ever seen??

Love Letter

Dear Hawaii,

I haven't even left yet and I miss you already.

It's so bittersweet; my ticket is booked to go back to Alaska for the summer, which means my time with you is almost up.

I love everything about you, Hawaii...

The way you turn my skin a beautiful golden hue. How you give me my daily dose of Vitamin D. How you always let me come play on your gorgeous sandy beaches. Your sweet smell of tropical flowers and warm ocean air. The way you always keep me toasty warm. The way you greet me every morning with happy blue sunny skies. How you always let me have so many fun adventures and all the happy memories we've made together.

You have been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I love you so much, and am sad to leave you in June.

I will never forget you Hawaii.

You have made me happier than you'll ever know.

I can't wait for the day when we will be reunited again...

Love,

Stacy

The Byodo-In Temple

As you already know from my previous post, I really appreciate Buddhism - more as a way of life and discipline of the mind than as a religion. At any rate, I was lucky enough to go visit 'The Byodo-In Temple' here on Oahu last week. I've been wanting to go for quite some time now and it was everything I hoped it would be... beautiful, peaceful, spiritual & inspiring.

Meditation.

Celebration.

Contemplation.

Ring the bell for happiness!

I want to live a long, happy life.

My fellow buddhist temple goers.

So many beautiful Japanese koi.

Chelsea took an extra long time at the wishing well.

Silly Sallys.

Oh happy day!

Me and Anita dear appreciating the beauty of Buddha.

So until next time... three wishes for three hopeful, happy girls.

Buddha

While I don't consider myself to be a Buddhist, I do love the teachings and beliefs of the religion. I have the utmost respect for Buddhism and the way of life.

I love to incorporate many of the Buddhist teachings into my own life. Lately I've been working on my thoughts. I think people don't even begin to realize how important your thoughts and thinking is.

Truly, what you think... you ultimately become.

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." -Buddha

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become." -Buddha

The. Sweetest. Words. Ever.

Vegan/Vegetarian Party

Sunday afternoon we (vegans and vegetarians alike) all got together for a meat/dairy free feast!

It was fun and refreshing to be surrounded by other like minded people, enjoying a plethora of delicious healthy food.

"Recognize meat for what it really is: the antibiotic & pesticide-laden corpse of a tortured animal" ~Ingrid Newkirk

Forgiveness Friday

"When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free."

~Catherine Ponder

Catherine Ponder is an author whom I have come to admire and respect. Many of her books line my bookshelf at home.

As the quote beautifully states, holding on to resentment towards others binds you to that person in such a way that only hurts you.

Life is too short to hold grudges and feel hatred toward another.

What are you holding onto that you could let go?

Graffiti-Shoot

Carla is out here for the week visiting me and Chels.... the three musketeers are reunited, finally!

While out and about yesterday, we came across a cool abandoned building in the woods... kind of 'Secret Garden' meets 'The Projects'. So of course we had to take advantage of the amazing graffiti covered walls and have a photo shoot! America's Next Top Model here we come!!! :)