Punchbowl Cemetary

Here are the pictures from Punchbowl Cemetary. I decided to go around lunchtime, so the sun was really bright and I wasn't able to get pictures that I really liked. I plan to go back though because it's really, really pretty.

Daniel is home, but Stanley is gone!

We have been a little busy lately and I have been too tired to blog at night. So to catch up a little... Daniel is home from sea! They were only gone for a week, but it seemed like forever. This was their first underway since they came home from deployment. After they came home we had to give Stanley back! I was a little happy to be finished with dog-sitting, but I really miss him. The kids got really attached to him- So did I! I miss little Stanley!

Mason gave Stanly this little dog to play with.

He played with it everyday!

He tore the nose off at about day 4, I think. And by day 5 it was nothing but cotton! We had so much fun with him! We miss you Stanley! (I'm sure he reads my blog)

I went to Punchbowl Cemetary today to take some pictures. I have never been, so it was really cool to go. The kids hate cemetaries and Daniel doesn't like them either really. So it was nice to finally go to a cemetary and walk around and take my time looking at all the stones and everything. I have this weird love for churches and cemetaries. I will post pics soon.

G'night!

Keeping Busy Rain or Shine

So, the photography thing is really not as time consuming as I had hoped. It has taken me a while to figure out that I must keep my self at a certain level of busy in order to feel good. After staying so focused and motivated during my classes for so long, there seems to be a very empty lull in my day.

So this morning I called Barbers Point Elementary School and went to sign up for volunteering in a classroom. When I got there the people were very nice and one of the ladies was even an officer wife. I didn't tell her that my husband was an officer at first because I always get that look; like "you're one of THOSE"! I hate it. So I was really glad that she said it first. And even better- he's not even in the submarine force!

So, I was assigned to a Kindergarten teacher that is super nice- I can't remember her name. For now I don't have much to do, but I've been told that will change! I'm really looking forward to it. I feel so much better about keeping busy. I start in the morning!

After I left, I went to the base to get another TB test for the school. I just had one last month, but forgot to get it read! So I go back on Friday to get this one read.

I have been reading some books about digital photography which I find a little boring. It all seems so technical! I just want someone to show me and be done with it! But, my first project is "COLOR". I've been looking for a shot of ANY color and around here (the desert) there isn't much color! I think I will have to make a shot instead of finding one outside. I am really more interested in nature shots though.

Daniel is in port and I'm a little upset about it. It gets on my nerves because I feel like I have a million things to tell him and then he can't talk and has to go. He called tonight and talked to the kids for a while and then me- but soon after had to go to a farewell. I understand, I'm just so ready for it to be over!




The island is expecting some crazy rain again so I bought batteries and flashlights and made sure I have candles and a lighter so I am prepared for the electric to go out. The electric in Hawaii doesn't seem to be very stable. I hear the rain now... we'll see how it goes. I have to check the news in the morning to see if the kids will have school or not. Flooding is supposed to be pretty bad on this side of the island. The surf could also cause flooding.

Photography

Today I was really bored and so I decided to think really hard about what I want to do with the next 6 months of living in Hawaii. While I do have my issues with the island, I also have a great respect for how beautiful it is. Then it hit me! The whole time I was taking classes, I just wanted to drive all over the island and take beautiful pictures! You know, pictures I can frame. This is the reason I bought a new camera! My zoom is really awesome and the megapixels is 10. So I can blow up pictures to something like 24 by something... I can't remember.

I don't know much about photography so I went to the book store and got some books to teach me the basics. The book I got is a "hands-on" approach to learning how to take pictures. There are 65 assignments! We'll see how it goes. If any of you have any suggestions about anything photography or where to get some great shots of Hawaii to frame, let me know! My purpose for the next 6 months is to be able to frame at least 20 picures and build a great photo album of Hawaii. I think that's reasonable. I can also think of some "Hawaii" themed things... like the Hawaii flag, the flower, the state bird, etc. I also need to book a photographer to take a family portrait on the beach. Can't leave without that!

Wish me luck! And don't be too harsh when I post my pictures! :)
I'm off to read my book! hehe!

Byoda-In Temple

This is the Byoda-In Temple that I've talked to so many people about. This is one of my favorite places to go when playing tour guide.

Byodo-In temple, a glorious replica of the same-named 950-year-old Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, is a serene place. The stunning Koolau mountains that back it add to its majesty. And the large jade-green pond that fronts it adds a glassy mirror to the foreground of the blissful view. The temple was built in the 1960s, the 100th anniversary of the arrival of immigrant sugar-cane workers from Japan to Hawaii. If you haven't learned much about this, watch the movie "Picture Bride"- it's a beautiful movie that shows what life was like for these workers. Come in the morning when the mountains are lit by the sun and their ridges are highlighted. Ring the warm-toned bell as you enter. You will feel like you are in Japan.This is the location of scenes in the TV show "Lost," during episodes that flash back to Sun's life. It is the Korean home of her powerful father, whom her husband Jin must do dubious work for.

I took the above from a website... Here are the pictures I've taken.

Tornado in Hawaii?

Thoughts for the day... I will miss Christmas in Hawaii (if we move).

Christmas in Hawaii is really nice. I think with the lack of cold weather and snow, the island makes up for it in other ways. Also, people in Hawaii are more openly spiritual I think. People do not have to be politically correct here when it comes to Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays. It seems that most people here believe God and are not moved by the judgements and PC-ness of others.

I went to the kids boat Christmas party today. It was really fun. The rain was relentless and there was a tornado spotted on Kauai (not this island). The rain didn't stop us from having fun though. The kids made frames for pictures that were taken and printed there, they made bracelets with christmas bells, and had some snacks and drinks. It was really cute. I forgot my camera AGAIN! I have been slacking with pictures lately. I got to have great conversations with a few of the wives- that was nice. We drew for first hug and Trisha won.

I also have a new do- I have curls. I will put a pic up soon.

I just heard the rain start again! WOW- atleast I don't have to water the grass!
That's all I have today... I know pretty boring...hehe. I think tomorrow we are going to use the new cookie decorating stuff I got at the FRG meeting. The kids will love that! I plan on baking for the 2 nice neighbors I have. haha!

Change Of Heart

Thoughts for the day... Why did I think that I wanted to stay in Hawaii? Was I smoking the pipe? Wake up, Kelly! Last night I was researching schools and housing and all the details in moving into base housing and staying in Hawaii. I'm going to have to play magician to stay here and move into base housing. Sometimes if you manipulate things too much, you never quite get what you want in the end. I am not going to worry about this anymore. I know that we will be here long enough for me to finish a semester of school(just a couple of classes), so that's all I'm going to focus on. I am ready to get off of this island! It is time to go! If I could just eliminate the worry of my kids' education, I would be a new person! How about let's just not chance it at all and move back to the mainland! YES! I've emailed Daniel and told him all of my new plans. He probably thinks I'm crazy! I reminded him of being on shore duty and getting to watch football again-only here, he would have to watch the games at 6am! My landlord called and has decided to rent the house out for another year also. I will just live here month to month until we move. No pictures of anything today. Hmmm. I didn't really do much today anyway!
I can't wait for Angela's baby to come!!!!! I could be getting a call at anytime! So exciting!