I think I can, I think I can... I DID, I DID!

For so long you have had this goal to climb this mountain, this really beautiful, majestic mountain that everyone who has experienced raves about. They say the view from the top is like nothing you could ever imagine. You know its going to be hard, and you know you won’t be able to do it alone, but you want it bad enough and you have a really special friend to help you along the way. You decide it’s time, You start the climb and its harder than you ever imagined it would be, but so much more rewarding. With every step you feel success, and it gives you just enough boost to take the next step. Along the way you meet some unexpected visitors, but they don’t harm you. Somewhere along the way you missed the sign cautioning falling rocks, but they land right behind you, never hurting you. You get tired, and your friend pulls through and helps you keep going. You see all these beautiful things that you never knew existed. You are nearing the top and you are full of energy and are determined not to stop until you get there. Just a little ways to go and you’re there. Finally, you arrive at the top of this mountain and you are speechless, the feeling that you have is something you have never felt before. Any fear or doubt that you once had is long gone. You feel like you can climb any mountain that gets in your way.

Climbing this mountain has changed my life.

5 Days in Paradise

DAY 1

After 2 hour flight delay, due to aircraft malfunction, we FINALLY arrive in Maui.

It was a "bit" windy but beautiful nonetheless.

We arrived at the Royal Lahaina Resort, where we would be staying for the next 4 nights. It was awesome. We were staying right on the beach, and had a beautiful view from our balcony.

First thing, we headed down to the beach for a sunset swim.

And then piled into the hot tub, with little room to spare.

DAY 2

We woke up bright and early to board the ship to go snorkeling at Molokini Island.

Still a bit windy, but still BEAUTIFUL!


Apparently this is the largest tree on the island.
It was pretty cool to look at, but apparently at night, local tweakers and other really cool people hang out there to harass the tourists and steal their purses.

Krista, Heidi, Bonnie, Micah, Katie, me

Jarom, Micah, Lindsey, me

Molokini Island

We saw lots of cool creatures, including an actual octopus, it was really cool,

although I don't look the least bit amused.

DAY 3

Krista, Tanya, Lindsey, and Bonnie woke up at 2:15 AM to head to the top of a volcano, freeze as they watch the sun rise and the ride bikes down. The rest of us slept in til 7-ish and then headed on a little adventure.




First stop the Blow-hole!




Altough this picture does not depict the strength of the water shooting from the hole in this mountain, it had great strength, as Katie and I found out seconds after this picture was taken. It nearly knocked us over.


It was definitely a highlight of the trip.

That night we went and enjoyed Lava Flo's.
Heather ordered "the one in the pineapple"


They were TASTY!

DAY 4

The Road to Hana

The boys headed over bright and early to pick up the jeeps that we had rented for the day as we travel the road to Hana (the windy road that takes you around the whole island). Along the way there are little stops that you can make at different waterfalls, black sand beaches, red sand beaches, cliffs overlooking the ocean, etc.



The Drive was BEAUTIFUL!!!

Liz and I

A little off-roading down this crazy dirt road full of trash and a bunch of abandoned cars-

random I know!

We realized once we maneuvered past all the cars that the road led nowhere but to over look the ocean. It sure made for a fun adventure!

The Gang

Next stop was the black sand beach.

It was so cool to see the vibrant blue waves crashing on the jet black beach.

I have never seen anything like it.

After we had made all of our stops and the sun had began to go down,

we started on what would be a LONG drive home.

By this point we had made it almost back to where we had started in Lahaina.

We were aware that part of the road may be blocked off, but were informed that we would be able to jump out move the sign and keep going.

However, when we reached that part of the road, we found not just a sign saying the road was closed but 2 big, beautiful boulders blocking the entire road.

Our only option was to turn around and make our way back the way we came.

Thanks to the boys who stuck it out after driving ALL DAY,

we made it safely back to our hotel around midnight.

We saw a beautiful rainbow stretching over the sky everyday we were there.

Pretty amazing!

Day 5

Our last day in Maui. We woke up went to the beach for a couple hours, packed our bags and headed back to the airport. We were not ready to leave, but we all had a great time.

I can't wait to go back.

Thanks Markus for all your hard work in planning such a great trip.
Can't wait for the next one!

And thanks to everyone who was able to come.

You are all great and it wouldn't have been the same without you!

Can't Wait!

12-12-08

"Everything I am, and ever will be I owe to my mother" -Abe Lincoln

This woman is one of the strongest most, incredible ladies I have ever known. She is beautiful, wise, smart, loving, thoughtful, faithful, and cares so much for her kids that she is willing to sacrifice anything and everything for their happiness. When we are struggling she feels it the most. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for us, and I am so grateful that she is mine. She is one of my best friends and I look up to her so much. She has always been such a great example and always taught us to trust in the Lord no matter what. With Him ALL things are possible and she is proof that it's true. If I can be even half the woman that she is, I would be better off than most people. I love you mom and I hope you had a great birthday and wonderful mothers day. I miss you and wish I could have been with you.

Guess who's back....

And feeling a little homesick?

We had a great time in Maui. I love it there. Part of me really didn't want to leave that beautiful place. But the last couple days were a little rough. Being on vacation makes me miss my wonderful family. I hate being away from them and for some reason it really hit being on vacation without them.

I am really so lucky to have been blessed with such a great family, and not just my parents and siblings. Its the whole gang. ALL of them. They love me and stand by me no matter what, through the good the bad and the ugly. No one can argue that there's is better cause its just not true. Simple as that. I love you all and can't wait to see you in approximately 32 days! (that feels like an eternity)

I will post picture from the trip very soon.

This time tomorrow...

I will be soaking up the sun on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii,
while drinking fresh pineapple juice.

I will have forgotten about the 57 loans and
the hundreds of emails from prospective students that await my return.
I will not be thinking of the bills I need to pay.
I will not be thinking about the apartment that needs cleaning.
I will not be thinking about the options I have been weighing over.
I will not be doing anything that I don't want to do.
I will not be thinking about anything that I don't want to think about.

My only obligations for the next 5 days is to relax,
have fun, make memories, get a tan and make it back in one piece!
(Since I don't always have the best of luck)

I will take many pictures to post so I can share with you this grand adventure!
ALOHA

Pure Yumminess!!!!

So our friend Annie came over last night for dinner and made some yummy dessert. She made Key Lime Pie. I love Key Lime Pie. I have never tried to make it. I always thought it would be difficult or time consuming to make. But I am wrong. There are probably a million different recipes and ways to make it but the recipe she has was so good and so easy, only 3 ingredients!

1/2 c. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (she used fat free)
1 reg. size cool whip (also used fat free)

Mix it all until it is completely smooth and pour into a pre-made graham cracker pie crust (or make your own). Place in freezer until firm (we did for about an hour) When it is frozen it has the consistency of cheesecake. It was so good and fresh tasting. A great refreshing summer treat.

We kept in freezer and I even had a piece for breakfast. I recommend serving it with a little whip cream on top. I am also interested in trying it with a little raspberry topping or something, I think it could be "muy delicioso"!