HI to FL - Equestrian Weekend

Alright - this weekend was quite interesting, it started with a very nice dinner (which I will be blogging about tomorrow - involving way too much food)...

Most of my weekend was spent in a place with different scenery - Gainesville, Florida.  Don't get me wrong Gainesville is actually a big city - housing one of the biggest colleges in Florida, but there is also country surrounding this city - which is quite nice.

I needed a change of scenery and this was exactly what the doctor ordered before school starts today.  GASP!

Well, the pictures are in chronological order - the 3rd and 4th photo involve using a curry comb and a dandy brush - to get the dirt off of the horse.

Sorry so short, I am really quite exhausted.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Spam

Yes...

Today (tonight), I am writing about Spam.

While I was surprised that there is Spam here in Florida in various varieties - Spam Lite, Spam less Sodium, and Spam Bacon...

One particular Spam product that I was not there was Turkey Spam.

Yup, I am confessing my love for Spam - but not just any Spam -- Turkey Spam.

What's the difference?!  Well, Turkey Spam has lower sodium than Spam less Sodium.

That and the taste.

Yes - judge me if you will.  Spam rox.

 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Bridge

Yes, in Hawaii there is lots of water... but one of the things that Hawaii lacks that there are plenty of here in Florida are bridges.

This particular day, we just decided to travel and go over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and it was really cool.  No, it is not as grandiose as Sydney Harbour Bridge, but, its a pretty cool bridge nonetheless.

It even looks like it is made out of gold... (oooohhhh)

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Old/New Friend

Old... New Friend...  No she isn't old... but we've met for the first time 8 years ago in Hawaii... back when I was living at Kamakee Vista... OMG.

She was my couchsurfing guest... 

Who would have thought we would have reunited 8 years later and I would be the one being shown around this city?!

Well, that and we're both living here in St. Pete!

We went to Dali museum which was beyond phenomenal.  Here is a picture I took from the outside.

I didn't take any pictures of the paintings (I didn't want to get in trouble)... Had such a great time!  We had a tour with a docent and I learned so much about Dali.  

His paintings have so many dimensions and underlying meanings - one can probably study them for years (and I'm guessing people have!)

I'm sure we'll be exploring more of St. Pete and Tampa! 

Will keep you posted!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Exploring St. Petersburg...

At first glance, St. Petersburg can be intimidating, but once you figure out the street grid system, its really quite manageable....

So... Avenues run east and west... and Streets run North and South (aaaahhhhh)...

You see the 10 mile marker?, that's 1 Ave N, and one below it is 1 Ave S (each a one way), there is a street in the middle called... wait for it... Central Ave...

St. Pete actually isn't a really big place... I've zigged and zagged up and down, and really can't wait to explore some more on the islands...

Thinking of heading up to Treasure Island soon and maybe even ride my bike all the way from Tampa!

Gasp!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Water

Aloha everyone!

Wow, can't believe it has almost been a week since I wrote a blog spot...

Sorry about that, alright, well this weekend was a bit of exploration here in St. Pete.  

I visited the pier here in St. Pete (which is actually closing in May).

The day was really nice, it was warm, I was looking forward to seeing the water, which is actually quite close to my house.

Well, its not quite Hawaii, and no I didn't get in the water, but its still beautiful nonetheless.

The wind was quite salty.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Friends

Alright, finally a picture!  

Can't believe I've been posting so many blogs without pictures... what's really going on!?  O_o

So... blog meet Poli (left) and Sheryll (right).

Yup, me met in Hawaii eons ago and here we are reunited across the ocean.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

Blogging Schmlogging

 ha ha... I know, slackeroneous.

Dominican Republic...

So what's going on?  Well I'll be blogging about my short holidaycation to Dominican Republic, it was an amazing experience, in addition I gained a new travel buddy - something that is harder to find than a $100 bill on the street!  Quick funny story... Alright, well I'm use to being stared at when I travel, whether its Guatemala, here in Florida or Dominican Republic - yes I am quite different.  Well, this time, I really got stared at... A LOT.  In Caberete (Dominican Republic), we were hanging out by the pool, and there was a lady who asked where I was from.  I just said "Hawaii" - trying to explain where I was born and all my moving around wasn't really in my mental capacity at this point.  She asked me if it was typical for guys to dye their hair... and I said, sure, I'm a surfer, we dye our hair.  Then she said, oh ok, here in Republica Dominican - only women dye their hair.  o.O

Florida...

Alright, well living here in Florida has been pretty cool so far.

I pretty much got all the packages I mailed to myself, with the exception of my Xbox and my video games.I think I'm settling in quite well, haven't really met other people for new friends but I'm not too worried about that - all in due time.  Ok, besides getting back into shape - yes the day after my vacation, I ran 7 miles this morning, I've also had opportunities to explore St. Petersburg.

I've already been to the Dali museum (WOW!), watched Flamenco Dancers, went to the local bar - Georgie's, various other restaurants - such as O'Maddy's Bar and Grille in Gulfport, Gratzzie's Ristorante, Olive Garden, Ikea (lol), Cassis American Brasserie, Babylos Cafe (Lebanese food)

Valentine's Day...

Special thanks to Maura Shannon and Michelle Morales!  Thanks for my Valentine's Day card... I feel SOOOO special! :]

I'll be definitely writing a lot more... Big hugs to all of you!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL & Monthly Challenge

Seriously, I can't believe I've been here for only a couple of days.  Things are going so fast...

Ok, so what I have been up to recently?! 

What a small world.  I use to host people from Couchsurfing and Hospitalityclub in Hawaii when I use to live in my old apartment... and yes one of my guests lives here now in St. Pete... Ms. Sarai.

OMG. it was so nice to catch up with her, we went to dinner in Gulfport - called O'Maddy's (yes add me on Yelp! I've been checking in EVERYWHERE).  Dinner was beyond delicious, can't wait to go back there.  After dinner, we took Cassis dessert to go and we went back to her restaurant for a couple of drinks... met some cool peoples!  Then guess what! Went go George's Alibi to watch RPDR Season 3, and even a show afterwards!  Lots of alcohol and lots of food.

So basically no more drinking for a while. 

Today was quite productive... moved stuff from the old house to the new and unpacked a bit.  Then attended an orientation meeting to become a teacher here in the State of Florida.  Interesting, in 1 year, I can become a certified teacher here in the State of Florida (molding the future of tomorrow... bwah hahhh ah hhaha)

Oh and I had Olive Garden for Dinner.  WHAT WHAT!

Monthly challenge - Whipping back into shape.

Its actually really cool this month, the whole house is working out, I just write the workout schedule on the board and yes, everyone will do it.  GO TEAM!  I will be pretty much running every single day or some sort of cardio as well as do other exercises.  Need to get myself ready for Dominican Republic - I'll probably run out there as well. :)

Alright... yes... no pictures.  ugh (lame, I know), but I'll take pictures with Sarai tomorrow so you get to meet her... :)

Hugs.  Sorry so short, I need to get ready for bed!

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

HI to FL - Last and First.

Yes, this blog segment is called Last and First... 

(disclaimer, i'm recovering from lack of sleep and a small kine hangover - starting to become a recurring theme... o.O) 

This will be updated with more pictures later... 

Last day in Hawai'i.  

First day in Florida.

What did I do in my last day in Hawaii!?  Quite a lot really.

First, breakfast with my roommate.  I still can't believe we worked together for 6-7 years and live together just as long... 

So where would we go!? Zippy's of course!  Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice.  So delicious...

After our hugs and goodbyes, it was time to get in BEAST packing mode.  More or less it was cleaning everything out (which was mostly already done) and then packing everything else into the boxes.

Then I picked up Maya and headed off to our lunch!  Nothing says, delicious lunch than putting on a hat and sipping on some tea - at A Cup of Tea in Kailua.

I've been there once before and it was as cool as I remember, good sandwiches, great tea, scones were yummy (especially with their jam)

When lunch was over, it was time to head over to my house and pack up!  Maya and I took everything out of the house and into the pickup truck.  

Weird part is, it started to sync in... I won't be coming back here for a while... 

Well, there wasn't much time to think, it was time to head over to Maya's house, drop off the luggage, and head over to Hawaiian Parasail.

Long story short (for this section anyways), our appointment was at 1400.  We got there at 1355. We left at 1425 - with no parasailing involved.  They were running behind and our schedule didn't allow for tardiness.

Yes... so... heading back to the house and loaded up luggage to pickup truck, dropped off Maya and headed to Alamo rental car.  I'm not sure if this is foreshadowing my experience in the mainland, but I was rather disturbed looking at the situation now.  Basically, I had lots of luggage (7 bags total - 2 carryons, 4 check-in and a bicycle).  I took all the luggages out of the truck into the front of the building, then onto the shuttle, then off the shuttle, then onto 2 airport carts, through agriculture, to the United check in line.  All with no help and people just staring at me.  It was sort of weird, because thinking about it now, I would have offered help.

Then I ran into a United agent, I was like yes... then she instructed me to weigh everything and make sure it was underweight.  3 of my luggages were overweight by 2-3 pounds.  Yes, she had me open the boxes and redistribute things.  Sad part is, all of the United agents were in the back with no customers, just staring.  

After that debacle and I finally got in line.  I ran into a familiar face, but someone I've never met before.  After a hug and hello, she saved my day.  A random act of kindness.  When I was checked in, I went outside to try to find a cigarette and I got quite emotional.  I guess just with lugging everything around, someone helping was all I needed to get me in the emotional roller coaster.

Morales then picked me up at the airport for some Japanese food (which I had udon immediately and took some sushi for the plane).

The flight wasn't really anything exciting to write home about.  Standard flight, my flight landed when my connection started boarding in another terminal... (oh I did sleep most of the flights... LOL).  With the short connection in Chicago, my luggages didn't make it on the flight, cool part is - they delivered them a couple of hours later.

Yup, officially moved into my new home, cool part is, reuniting with my friends - we didn't skip a beat, it was as if nothing happened. 

I'm sure I'll be writing more about our new adventures...

For dinner, we went to a scmancy restaurant with good food and bad service.

Yup, then off to a bar named Detour.  Drank way too much, entered a contest, had way too much fun, and still paying for it.

[insert picture here] lol

Cool part is. Taco Bus was open - delicious food at all hours of the day or night.

Mahalo for reading. 

 Until next time.

HI to FL - Why I never say goodbye...

Why I don't say goodbye...

Funny thing about goodbye parties... I always tend to have more than 1.  I've had a going away BBQ, Last Supper, my 2nd last supper tonight, a going away breakfast.

I say this with all my heart, I may be leaving, but I am taking a part of my friends with me.  I have had quite the transformation since I first reached the islands of Hawai'i 2.2.2000.  I've become a happier person, I don't think I've had a meal which didn't include laughter in recent memory.  I've become a more patient person and I've learned to conquer my fears.

hmmm... I don't say goodbye, because sooner or later - our paths will cross again.  Whether its here in Hawaii, or somewhere in the mainland, I don't doubt that we will see each other soon.

A special thanks to my friends who came out for my 2nd going away dinner at Cafe Laurel.  I'm truly touched (yes and somewhat tearful) that I get the pleasure to see all your bright smiles one more time before my departure. 

I truly love you all.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Last Supper

The title is not to be taken completely literally nor taken into consideration with its religion overtones, but merely my last supper here in Hawaii.

This took place at one of my favorite places to eat - Little Village.  Yes, I wish everyone could make it, but I do understand!

Before Little Village, we had martinis at Indigo's!  I enjoyed my cosmos, while everyone else had their Lychee Martinis...

I can't believe we ate so much food - then again, if you've eaten at Little Village you'd understand why.  The food was D-LISH!  2 orders of lettuce wraps, an order of crispy won-tons, 2 orders of honey-walnut shrimp (yum), salt and pepper pork chops, orange chicken, mushroom and green beans, scallop and onions, fried rice... and that wasn't even the best part...

The best part was the company.  We wined, talked, chatted, laughed about nearly anything and everything.    

(SCROLL DOWN)

Well before I get to the announcement, I can't believe I ate this much!  I had lunch with my 2nd set of parents... yes - they are completely awesome... At Assagio's.  In fact, I still have leftovers.

Oh yeah... the announcement, well, I made an announcement at the dinner table - that guess what?!

I changed my plane ticket.

I'm not leaving until Friday... though this time for real, I even got a rental car... LOL

Yup, so we will be having the last tailgate this Thursday night!

Quick review of Little Village:

Food - Affordable and D-LISH

Service - Quick and Meticulous.

If you're craving Chinese with a modern twist - this is the place to be.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Crazy Busy.

Wow. I last blogged on Tuesday and yup, so much has happened.

Well, I'm leaving Hawaii in less than a week. Seriously?  Seriously... Seriously!

Ok... so what it do?

It did a lot. o.O

First on Wednesday I had my MBA interview with UH - Manoa.

I didn't realize - how different I was than the other candidates until this interview.  The interview was one on one, but the questions that were asked really made me think about me and the choices I have made in my life.

I recall one of the interview questions was - "What is your biggest accomplishment?"  

I answered - "learning how to ride a bike at 29"

He was in disbelief.  I explained my situation and more or less, it was this moment that I knew I could do anything.  anything I put my mind to.  Fear is not experiencing the unknown and I learned that I facing my fears has really changed my life these past couple of years.

I told him from there, I started doing it all, swimming, surfing, snorkeling and now scuba diving.  Yes, scared 'ol me of the open water (yes Summer - insert outer Hanauma bay face here).

My MBA interview outfit.

Well, after the interview - Jen picked me up from UH and we were celebrating her birthday - so we spent the whole day together.  First was a quick errand and LUNCH time! (Nom nom nom).

I was really quite nervous about the interview, so I didn't eat anything.

For lunch, we went to Sam Choy's - it was yummy.  I had the bento, and it was crazy huge.  This is a Sam Choy bento.

After that, we went to Target (with Starbucks of course - to counteract everything that I just ate), and went back to Kailua, said hi to the doggies (hi tank, tai and toby!), took a power nap, and a couple of hours later, it was dinner time.

Went to Zia's and it was a great mini reunion.  I hadn't seen Leilani in forever!  Yes, stuffing my face with pupus, wine, pasta, garlic bread and dessert. o.O

Well, after that - its BOWLING TIME.

Seriously!?  how FUN is bowling!  I can't believe I hadn't bowled in FOREVER!

I think it may have been over 5 years.  

Weird thing is, I'm a decent bowler. lol I think it was the Corona's after the wine.

I bowled a 124 then a 136! (shut the front door!)

Wow this blog is getting lengthy.  After that, it was almost 10, went back to Jen's place, watched Project Runway - All Stars, passed out.

Next day, had breakfast at Cinnamon's in Kailua.  Took the bus home.  Found a buyer for my car. Went to Scuba Certification (from 1800-2320), then to Jack in the Box (ha ha).

Alright... the next couple of days are crazy busy as well.  It's crunch time!

Hmmm. Reminds me of a picture.  

A friend is a friend that knows - when you say you're ok, to give you a hug and tell you that its going to be ok.  because they can tell that you're not.

I'm ok. 

o_O

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Adventure and BBQ!

 What an awesome day (01142011).  Beautiful weather, great adventure, awesome friends, fabulous food - seriously?  What more could I ask for?

Sunrise

The day started with a first for me - Banana Boat Ride.

Seriously? I didn't think it was going to be this much fun.  I had a gift certificate that I won from an auction in 2010.

Umm... yeah if this is setting the tone for 2012 - it is going to be one fun, crazy, amazeballZ ride!

Here are some pics (over 160+ pics - here are 5 I chose)...

Best Dismount Award

Insert witty caption here

What you got!?

The last 6 minutes of the ride was caught on video and posted here for you to see.

That was just the start of our day!  After a quick stop a jamba juice, it was time to go home, relax for a small bit and get ready for the BBQ.

BBQ was great, small group of friends, lots of food and laughs. (not to mention, sold a few things and gave away a lot of things!!) 

Special thanks to Michelle Morales (<3 you!).

 

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Food Porn

Food. Food and more food!  Yes, so many places to eat at before I go and last night was a great experience with 2 awesome friends. Aubrey and Eric.  First, an awesome meal at Kobe Steakhouse - Lobster and Steak.  

Of course, that wasn't enough! What to do for dessert!?

Well, Sarento's was next door!? So why not!? 

The rest is here below.  We just had 2 desserts and yes - don't they look delicious!?

Seriously!?

Aubrey and I - Eric took this picture!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - Hello and Goodbye

One thing about moving is that you have to spend heaps of time sorting through things.  Things worth keeping, things to be thrown away, donated or even sold.

Interesting thing happened while I was sorting through my old cards - yes I've kept every greeting, thank you, birthday, christmas and congratulation card - I realized that I was a very mean person to someone particular.  After 5 years I called and apologized - I was not in the right place to receive this person's love and attention.

So why is this blog called hello and goodbye?  Well, I'm a fan of Lisa Loeb and yes, for a birthday present, I received a signed Lisa Loeb CD personalized for me - CD aptly named Hello Kitty.

I guess in the process of moving as well, you realize there are certain relationships that are toxic and must be disposed of.  Of course, this song came on whilst cleaning.  Old but still a goodie.

Goodbye - Lyrics - Save Ferris

Goodbye

I never want to see you again

Goodbye

I don't want to be your friend 

So long

Now we've reached the end

Time for me to turn that bend

When time has run away

And there's no need for me to stay 

And lose myself to you

And be abused by you

I don't need the pain

From your mind games

When you try them again 

I won't be there for them to work

Anymore

Goodbye - Full song

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI TO FL - Last Month in Hawaii

Yes, its crazy busy time?!  What am I doing?! I'm not really sure - but hey here's a calendar!  

Let's make some plans!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

HI to FL - It's Official!

Aloha everyone!

HI to FL is a new blog section - that chronicles my move to FL (get it?! hi to FL?!)

Yesterday, I shipped my first things to Florida... via Media Mail.  Over 24 pounds of books and only $11.89.  From what I understand about media mail, you can ship everything that you can find at the library.  Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs, etc.  I'll be shipping more things via media mail tomorrow. =D

I've been really emotional lately - perhaps underlying emotions about the move? perhaps already missing Hawaii? perhaps emotional due to the holidays!? 

It's amazing the viewpoint you have about a location when you realize you have a finite time left.  I've done more exploration and driving of the island in the last month than I have this whole year combined.  I went hiking on a trail that's 5 minutes from my house for the first time ever - Kuliouou Ridge.  Yesterday, went to a part of the beach, I've never been to - below Makapu'u.

Amazing.

What would you do if you have a finite time at a place?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.