My friend posted this on their blog and I loved it - a very simple story with a whole lot of meaning.

A businessman was at the pier of the small Tuvaluan island when a boat with a fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were fish. The businessman complimented the Tuvaluan on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied only a little while.

The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The Tuvaluan said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of you time? The Tuvaluan fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap with my wife, Puna, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitars with my friends; I have a full and busy life."

The businessman scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You could sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery. You would need to leave this small fishing island-nation and move to Australia, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."

The Tuvaluan fisherman asked, "But how long will this all take? To which the businessman replied, "15 to 20 years." "But what then, sir? The businessman laughed and said, "Thats the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and make millions, flying around on your own corporate jet!" "Millions, sir? Then what?" The businessman said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing island where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends."

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"

-Author Unknown

A lovely little love letter

I got this beautiful love letter in the mail yesterday-from my Chelsea girl! She is in Brazil for another 13 months, and I am counting down the days till she gets back... I miss her every single day.

She writes, "Cici! Tis a beautiful day to celebrate love! So here are a few of the billions of reasons why I love you sister!"

This letter basically made my day, thank you sister.

Dear...

Dear Mexican food-I could eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day.

Dear employment-I need you. Please let me find you, and soon!

Dear Hawaii-It’s only been a week and I miss you already.

Dear winter-Seriously, I’m over you. Can you please leave now??

Dear P90X-You’re kicking my butt, I’ve found muscles I didn’t even know I had.

Dear tax refund-I’m a little disappointed in you this year, thought you were going to be a bit bigger.

Dear Hawaiian tan-why you gotta fade so fast??

Dear package of M&Ms-I wanted you so bad, it was all I could do NOT to buy you while grocery shopping today.

Dear Chelsea girl-Not a single day goes by that I don’t miss and think about you.

Dear house-I’m sorry I’ve neglected you this week, you will be cleaned tomorrow.

Dear elliptical-you and I will be seeing a lot of each other over the next few weeks.

Dear Yesenia-I miss you girl! When are you moving up to Alaska to be with me??

Dear ‘PS I Love You’-You never get old to watch, thank you for always being there for me.

Dear women who work at the post office-why are you all so mean and grumpy, seriously??

Dear granola, strawberries and almond milk-you are my comfort food.

Dear Kitty, I had an okay day today (this ones for Chels!) :)

Today I believe...

... that gorgeous winter sunsets make the frigid 15-degree weather semi bearable.

... that it's a wonderful little surprise when you discover something new to love in a person you already adore.

... that having something to look forward to and count down the days to is oh so exciting!

... that it's much more powerful to live your beliefs, than it is to state or defend them.

... that there is nothing better than having a sister as your best friend.

... that there are few things as comforting or as freeing, as the realization that you made the right choice.

... that berry smoothies with almond milk and soy protein powder are the perfect breakfast on the go.

... that a little faith that things will work out the way they're supposed to goes a long way.

... that the small and simple things in life are what really matter.

... that living in the moment is more important that waiting for something in the future.

... that everything happens for a reason.

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!