WELL turds, if you didn't already know…..
Things are going AH-mazing. I got a new car! Paid off, boo-ya! It's another wagon. VW though, sorry Subaru! (As Robert, my old boss's brother, will without a doubt continue to classify as a "lesbian" or "mom car".) I have a couple new jobs lined up, CHECK! Some of you have messaged me asking about Bickford. I am there for "fill-in" technically. SO- you better come see me when I get the chance to grace you all with my presence and delicious coffee-making skills.
To be honest, I am overjoyed to be home. Ridiculously.
My mom asked me why "Maui didn't work out…", and I- per usual- wanted to punch a hole in her wall. Just kidding, kind of… No, I missed my dysfunctional family. One of the many lessons I learned during my time away. Maui DID work out. More than I could have expected. It was just a shorter adventure than I had imagined, but I had my fill.
I experienced one of those "once in a life time" type jobs working for Paragon. Raise your hand if you've been paid to sail a catamaran, snorkel, whale watch, play with dolphins…
I truly feel blessed to have come upon that job. To see mother nature at her finest on the wide open seas. & Sailing is something i'd love to carry out and continue to learn and love, even in WA!
I went on a ton of hikes. The luscious, tropical rain forest-y type. Gigantic stalks of bamboo, waterfalls galore, little critters, ocean outlooks! Hikes underground, and hikes in the clouds. Ah. I know I posted a lot of pictures, but of course only the memory I have could do justice. (Unless you see for yourself!)
I watched countless sunrises and sunsets. The Haleakala sunrise was on, what would have been my dad's birthday. It was amazing just in general to be over there to celebrate since most of my memories of him are Maui based- growing up with him there. BUT the conditions that day were flawless. An incomparable experience.
I challenged myself. Finding new jobs, new friends, new support, and probably challenged my morals a time or two.
IT'S official! The DMV is literally put on earth to ruin your day! Even in Hawaii.
Another of my favorite experiences was the day I kayaked into the middle of the ocean to whale watch, but instead was totally captivated by their song. It echoed from underneath the water out into the open as if it were surrounding you. So loud and clear, and truly just majestic.
Surfing. Paddle boarding. Kayaking. My first ever attempt to kite surf. Hm, let's just say it's harder than it looks.
Maui was more than I could have hoped for.
ABOVE ALL, it made me appreciate SO much that I had lost sight of.
My family. Even though at times I am honestly convinced I was switched at birth. They drive me crazy, as I do them. You don't get to pick them, you just have to enjoy them and love them in the best way you know how during our short time here. I think I've found my way is a neutral love. I guess I've always had this protective heart for my younger brother and sister and tried my best to be middle man, to keep calm waters, to "fix" all of the flaws. Time away in the midst of the the storm has let me see how out of my control it is. Talk about a stress relief to release yourself from that kind of pressure. I continue to be an example for them since I feel my parents sometimes lose sight, & that's just about the best I can do.
My friends. Fortunately you can choose those ones. Cause although I met a lot of great people on Maui, I met a lot of crap ones too. No one can replace the relationships I've built with my friends here. Especially my best ones.
Serious though, few and far in between but they inspire me the most. They are the ones to uplift me, support me… And by that I mean spewing the raw truth in times I need to shed the negativity, or start making some different choices, or what have you. They have been the ones to reward me, celebrate with me, laugh, cry, and love with me. I am truly grateful, and although I plan on taking my little traveling self here and there, probably for the rest of my life. Home will always be where I can come back and share my adventures with these guys.
WASHINGTON. Did I forget how to love you the most. Gosh, does the beauty get any better than falling asleep to the sound of the rain. Or waking up to the snow. The mist and fog making its way through the trees and swampy pastures of good ole Snoho. The colors of the seasons. Not sure why, but the everett waterfront will always be one of the most beautiful places to me. Definitely proud to be part of the community here, wether it be at the mountain, the music, the east, west, north or south! (Ok, haha, I'm getting carried away with the south thing..) Just proud to be a PNW-er. I love the variety here, the opportunity, the passion. And although rare, can you beat it here on a sunny day. Don't think so.
I could probably keep going but I haven't quite gotten to the point to let my sentimental self out in the open. Emotions, muahahaha, I felt those once.
Now what…
Welp, all I know is I have this regained hope for life. A new confidence to follow my heart, and my dreams. & The knowledge to know that everything is always going to work out just how it should.
Oh, and that…
Until then, I can't wait to start working so I can get my own place again, and a new kitten. Or 7.
meow.
