MusicTalk - Summer Playlist 2013

This summer, in addition to reading a lot of books (CLICK HERE)... I also listened to a lot of music.  Believe me flying from Europe to Hawaii and vice versa, you can read a book or two, watch a movie or 5, listen to the entire Elton John collection and even have time to knit a sweater.

My summer playlist included pop music, a little of rock and even some... well I'll you be the judge...

Tonight I'm Getting Over You - Carly Ray Jepsen

I like this song even more than Call Me Maybe. It sort of speaks to my status of being single this summer, this past year, well pretty much the past decade.

Summertime sadness - Lana Del Rey vs. Cedric Gervais Remix

I probably listened to this song over 100 times this summer.  This was #1 in my running mix, so I've listen to this song all over the world!  PS. If you're on RunKeeper - add me hawaiiinsomniac.



Clarity - Zedd

I really love the lyrics to the song.  Another great running song (maybe at 2/3 of your run).



Beauty and the Beat - Justin Bieber ft. Nicki Minaj

Say what you want about Justin Bieber, but this is a great summer song - along with a great pop video!



Take Care - Drake Ft. Rihanna



SONGS THAT YOU PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF...

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

I wanna live like that and give it all I have.
Your love is who I am, and this is where I stand.
Recklessly abandoned, never holding back - I wanna like like that.



Just a Fool - Christina Aguilera ft. Blake Shelton

This song was never released as a single, but this is one of my favorite songs on her recent, underrated album, "Lotus".



Enjoy - What did you listen to this summer?!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

Aloha Twitter world!

My last tweet occurred in June, and yup, I am back.  Zany 1 liners coming at you!

Don't forget to follow me!  =)

Aloha everyone! Guess who is back on Twitter?! pic.twitter.com/LjU7sLr2bh

— hawaiiinsomniac (@hawaiiinsomniac) September 27, 2013

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

 Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

Facebook - Deactivated - I HATE FACEBOOK MESSAGES

I love technology.  I really do.

However, there has to be options in which you can separate yourself from technology.

One of the things I complete HATE (and I don't HATE) many things is Facebook messages.

Let me tell you why.

With Windows 8 operating system (and phone), and you can sign in to multiple accounts and it makes it really convenient.  From the People Hub, I can open up a contact and send them an email, a text, call them on skype, or mention them on Facebook.  This is what is great about this.

HOWEVER, I use my computer for working, I write, read, create lesson plan, balance checkbook, etc.  AND because of Facebook and the inability to turn off messaging, everytime someone sends me a message, there is a disturbing and obtrusive notification.

While there is a way to turn off notifications, there should be an option to TURN OFF chat completely.  Simply turning off a notification is somewhat misleading, because if it is a semi important message (if it was important, they should have email or called you directly), and by just turning off notifications, you may be perceived as someone rude by not responding in a timely manner.

Anyways, I'll probably back in November, but in the time being, I'd rather not deal with Facebook and this annoying feature.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

MusicTalk - Stream "The Diving Board" Elton John's new album!

There isn't too many artists out there in which I would pay for to see a concert or an album.

Well, of those individuals happens to be Elton John, who coincidentally, performed the last concert I saw in person in Hawaii.  He played for 3 hours, no back up singers, just him and his piano.

Wow.

Well, he has a new album out and I can tell you it is different than ANYTHING you are listening to the radio now.  I'm not quite sure I like it yet, I'm going to stream the whole album again.

This is worldwide - so share this blog with your friends!

CLICK HERE TO STREAM ALBUM FOR FREE.

Thanks to Amazon and Elton John for giving us this opportunity!

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE:

 http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos 

 Mahalo for reading. 

 Until next time.

Ferrol English Dinner Club - September Edition

Aloha everyone,

Ha ha!  I am back.  I'm super happy to be back and seeing all of you yesterday is just the icing on the cake (which you guys know I love cake - but that's another story).

As many of you probably already know, I am getting settled in A Coruña, and heading back to Ferrol yesterday brought back a lot of memories.  Surprisingly, though I've been here in Galicia since last Sunday, last night was my first time eating out (well, I've been cooking at home and I'm still unpacking), so eating out last night was a special treat and yes, good food, great company - what else could I ask for?! Nice weather!? That was included too!

The next Ferrol English Dinner Club will take place in November (maybe October, I'm not quite sure yet), if you know of anyone who is interested in signing up - http://ferroldinner.info/

Here are just a few pictures (scroll down for the main link to download, share, tag, etc).

All photos taken with HTC One (no longer carrying my camera!)

I am also going to start incorporating sounds into my blog, I had planned to record a video, but by time I thought of it, I was already quite drunk.  o_O

Sounds - O Lar de Toxos
I was outside of O Lar de Toxos about an hour before the dinner, just to make sure everything was ok and to meet someone for drinking beforehand and I heard this awesome sound.

Sounds - DM Nightclub
I just wanted to record this clip while we were out and about dancing!

You can view, share, and download photos here: CLICK HERE

Feel free to share this blog with your friends! =)

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

SpainTalk - What would you like to see?!

I am finally back in Galicia (well, since Sunday), but I am finally getting settled back in, unpacking, sorting, cleaning, paying, updating, running, swimming, typing, writing, reading, talking, drinking (coffee), and eating (of course)...

Now that I am back in Galicia, to continue my videos on YouTube, I'll post a weekly video about something here in Galicia.  This is an opportunity for you to get to know a little about me and my life here in Spain.  You've seen some pictures, but this will be a first hand look at things here in A Coruña, of course, I'll be shooting some videos of Ferrol and other surrounding areas as well.

So... What would you like to see here in Spain?!  If you're looking for something touristic in Madrid or Barcelona - those things already exist (you can google those)...

Well first video coming this Sunday.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Madrid (8 Years Later)

My first trip to Spain was in 2005, now almost 8 years later, I wanted to recreate some photos that I have taken on that trip.  How fortunate of me to still keep in touch with my friend Raul.

Who would have thought that I would be living in Spain 8 years later? Who would have thought that I would be living in Galicia? I certainly didn't and now I can't really imagine living anywhere else at the moment.

Today, I am so fortunate to be back in Spain another year, which starts off with hanging out with one of the first people I've met in Spain.

2005 - November

2013 - September

2005 - November

2013 - September

No trip for me to Madrid is complete without a visit to the chocolateria San Gines for churros con chocolate - and let me tell you after 8 years later, it is still the best that I have had in the entire world.

Mahalo nui loa for your hospitality in Madrid, Raul and Joanne - I can't want to return the favor in A Coruña.  wow.  Time does fly by.  

BookTalk - TravelTalk - Summer 2013 Reading List

One of the things that I love to do is read.

On this summer trip, I've read 10 books. Surprisingly, 9 of which I would recommend, based on the type of books you like to read.

Here are the list of books.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

     If you have read any of Nicholas Sparks books or watched any of the movies in which the books were adapted from, I highly recommend this book and maybe the movie as well - I actually stopped watching the movie about halfway through (though of course the book is much better). The book is pretty straight forward and this definitely a good read for Advanced ESL students.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (Part 2 of Ender's Game)

Xenocide: Volume Three by Orson Scott Card - not recommended

     For those of you who love science fiction, Ender's Game is a great series, and now that there will be a movie adaptation - read it now. I prefer the first book out of all 4, the 3rd - Xenocide while interesting, is a bit too slow and I would not recommend it unless you truly enjoyed the first two.  This is not recommended for ESL students, unless you are advanced and really like science fiction.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent (Divergent) by Veronica Roth

     Have you read the Hunger Games Trilogy? If you have and you enjoyed it, this series is definitely for you. The story revolves a heroine who transcends categoristic structure which has been imposed on them.  Definitely a must read. The third book will be released in September and there is also movie series in development.  Recommended for ESL advanced students.

Actually, watching the trailer for the first time, I don't think Ill like the movie at all, but who knows.

Bossypants by Tina Fey

     If you haven't heard of Tina Fey, YouTube her. As the former lead writer of SNL (Saturday Night Live), the person behind  "Mean Girls", and 30 Rock.  This book is just funny, straight up funny. If you love light sarcasm, comedy and wit - get your hands on this book and read all about it.

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith a.k.a J.K. Rawlings

     Most of you may be familiar with J.K. Rawlings through her Harry Potter series, but this one is not for kids.  Originally published under the alias of Robert Galbraith, this is a mystery novel. Thoroughly enjoyable. If you're a fan of detective novels, this one is right up your alley. Also, for those of you know London very well, this will take you through the city.

Inferno: A Novel by Dan Brown

     Dan Brown - enough said. Did you read Angels and Demons? Da Vinci Code? This book continues with our friend Robert Langdon and saving the world from impending doom.

The Shadow Hunter by Michael Prescott

     I just finished reading this book today and it is a good mystery novel, there is one twist that I wasn't a fan of, but this is still on my recommend list. Modern day detective story, in which to prevent an obssessed fan from killing, the heroine goes undercover to be their friend. Great book.

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Summer 2013 Summary - Stats

I can't believe that my summer trip is over.

 

I am quite happy to be going back to Spain, but I am definitely going to miss my friends around the world and the new places and experiences I have been blessed to be a part of.

 

Number of flights taken - 16

Numbers of countries visited - 7

(Portugal, USA, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia and Hungary)

Number of first time countries: 4

(Poland, Belgium, Croatia and Hungary)

Number of books read: 10

(I'll write a separate blog, with book recommendations)

Number of Couchsurfer hosts: 2 (Breda and Zagreb)

Number of different hostels: 9 

Number of nights in a hotel: 4 

Number of airbnb bookings: 2

Number of calories consumed: 1,000,000,000,000

 

I could write more statistics, but this trip, like most others are about the things that you cannot measure.  Running in a butterfly costume, seeing Hawaii from 30,000 feet in the air, having a laugh with your best friends over wine (and food), seeing your nephew for the first time, allowing yourself to experience the new world - without fear, making new friends along the way.

 

Thank you for taking this trip with me this past summer.

 

Now, look forward to getting to know more about Spain.

More pictures coming.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Zagreb, Croatia to Révfülöp, Hungary

Hey.. You've heard something cool about Révfülöp?! and now you want to go!!

 

Why stop by Révfülöp? Well, if you have time (for example, I don't want to spend 1 week in Budapest)

 

So here are simple directions to go from Zagreb to Révfülöp.

From Zagreb there is only one daily train that will take you through Batalon (the name of the lake), which departs at 10:00 and arrives to Batalonboglar at 14:17 - it will cost 158Kuna (see below).

Once you get off at the train station, look for this sign along the train tracks and take a left down the street. (The sign with the 18).

 

 

Once you take a left - go straight all the way and you will see this building.  (DO NOT follow the 18 - it will take you to the right in another street).  This is where you can buy your ticket, this place does accept Euros and HUF.

 

The ticket is surprisingly cheap, for a 25 minute ride, its about 4 Euros.

 

 

The ferry is just right across ticket sales.

 

 

Welcome to Révfülöp!

 

 

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

 , 

TechTalk - RIP NOKIA

I wasn't planning to write any technology blogs while I'm backpacking Europe, but the news of Microsoft purchasing Nokia, really needs a few words (there are tons of analysis out there, so just a blog from me).

Click here to read the news...
http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/03/microsoft-rationale-for-buying-nokia/

Think about this. There will never be another Nokia phone again. Considering nearly all of you reading this (unless you own a Lumia series) have moved on to greener pastures, whether it's Android or iOS - you've probably owned a Nokia phone before.

I remember the days of the candy bar phone. Owning my first Nokia, super happy that I could sms with 1 hand while I am driving because of the T9 technology. Happy that I could play snake on my mobile phone and even take a picture, and send sms. Though paltry by today's standards Nokia was the Apple of yesterdecade, the innovator. Nokia still continues to innovate with their high quality Lumia line (for those of you who own one, you want what I mean, what is actually hurting Nokia sales is the the lack of Apps on Windows 8).

I even remember the E51, and the rotating gold Nokia phone, and the blue one with the round dial pad.

While Microsoft may keep the Nokia names on their new mobile devices, the fact that Nokia is so longer a single entity is a shame.

RIP Nokia.

Do you remember your first Nokia?

TravelTalk - Couchsurfing

Aloha everyone,

I am writing my first blog in Zagreb, I still have many pictures to post, but I am writing from my phone and I just wanted to write a little bit about couchsurfing and a little bit about my philosophy on life.

First,  about couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is an organization where people from around the world want to exchange cultural ideas and thoughts through meetings,  hosting and traveling. I've been very fortunate in my travels to have met wonderful people worldwide. People who have made me appreciate Hawaii and life even more. Living in Hawaii, sometimes we take for granted what is there and what we live with on a daily basis, sometimes it takes a visitor visiting Hawaii for the first time to reinvigorate our passion and desire and reignite the love we have for Hawaii - visiting sights we might not otherwise visit because we are too busy with work, family.... And life.

Couchsurfing has helped me experience cities, cultures and cultivate new friendships based on our passion for traveling and our faith that people are good. To invite a total stranger in one's home and to treat them as a guest takes exactly that - faith that humanity is good. Many may question (friends and family included) , how you can host total strangers or how you can go somewhere and meet someone that you have never met...  Then again...  Isn't that living?

You maybe surprised about my decisions to travel and stay with people, but to be honest some of my best experiences and friendships are based on the aforementioned principles that bring people together...

What am I surprised about? I am rather surprised that we teach our children not to talk to strangers. We close ourselves from people even within our own communities because we are afraid.

Please, don't be afraid. People have life, experiences, richness and culture that we can all learn from - even if we don't agree with their point of view. I have been blessed to have met so many wonderful people and make friends worldwide.

Live. Love. And travel.

Special thanks to everyone who I have hosted, who have inspired me to travel more and trust my instincts to experience life.

Special thanks to those who have hosted me, who have shown me that kindness and openness appears worldwide and allowing me to experience things that people only dream of.

Special thanks to family and friends, for your support. I miss all of you and I hope to see you all soon.

PS. Instead of teaching your kids to "not talk to strangers"... Teach them to say hi and hello.