It will be
three weeks on Tuesday since I made the move from LA to the North Shore. Since
I arrived on the rock there’s been all kinds of mixed emotions. More good than
bad. Lots of firsts but I guess moving to a new place will do that to you.
The first
couple days it was ALL good. We got a temporary place right near the water and even
for a non-surfer* like me this topped the muthafucken charts. Melvin (my Toyota
Prius) made it safely overseas. We were meeting so many kind chill people
helping us out left and right. I was discovering the day to day of living
country in this magical place, called the North Shore.
Then as the
Universe will some times do I got the rug pulled from under me and I fell face
first into the sand.
Before I could
fall way into the downward spiral of a victim (and I only fell a little bit) I
decided to open my eyes and get a reality check of where I was. Yes, the
islands were on a collision course with 5 major hurricanes. Yes, I experienced
a huge set back with my core support group thousands of miles away, but I finally
arrived in Hawaii the place I had been planning and working so hard to be. I am
100% certain that this will not be my last test the Universe will hurl at me so
I can learn, move forward and do mo betta next time.
One of the
many great things about Hawaii is the people. On our last visit to Hawaii we
met a lovely woman, S and her adorable baby boy, H. She talked about her garden
and her home in Makaha Valley. I was fortunate enough to meet her out in Waianae
and hang out with S and H in the Westside.
The drive like
most drives on the island was a long one from the North Shore. The drive along
the Westside coastline felt familiar and reminded me of the drive down the 1
(aka Pacific Coast Highway). I drove into the valley and it was breathtaking. The
mountains are super green from all the rain in the past couple of weeks.
The visit was
just what I needed to help remind me of this new road I am on and all that
comes with it. S’s home is a haven on top of the hill. It is serene, filled with
lots of colorful flowers, a constant cool wind rolls through the valley and you
get a spectacular view of the moana (ocean) and the mauka (mountain) side.
S, like other smart
folks on the island, grow and raise their own food. Some even hunt for their
food. S actually has a pack of hunting dogs. So rad. We sipped on tangy chia
lilikoi water a superb natural refreshment she made with a bowl of
mango, papaya and apple bananas all grown in her backyard. S is a local and
told me more about the area, hikes to do, what beaches to visit, and
the highs and struggles of life in Hawaii and everywhere.
I fell in love
with her garden and hen house. This was just another peek at my not so distant
future. She said it took patience to
garden and it was WORK! I tried helping with some of the sweet potatoes but no
luck. It was too hot and the red ants were biting at my legs. P had some luck
and got her little sweetie out!
After a little
labor I cooled down in the shade with H-Man for some art therapy.
I am grateful
that even with the tragic event that happened earlier in the week I was blessed
with this day and new friends in my new home. I am grateful and appreciative of
the beautiful moments happening right now and enjoying them. Mucho mahalo and
until next time.
