Staycation

Last week, Mike had a work retreat on the other side of the island at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. And lucky me, I got to tag along. It was a beautiful hotel (not as beautiful as the Fairmont) and I took full advantage. I did have a crazy experience though. Apparently, when the hotel was being built, they found out that the site was actually a burial ground. They had moved the bones and had proper ceremonies to bless them, but the hotel is haunted. Now, I am the hugest sceptic out there, but I did have a crazy dream that woke me up screaming int he middle of the night. And this happened before I knew it was haunted. Needless to say, I'm not anxious to go back.

The view from the lobby

 Lava cliffs

 Found this on the cliffs. If you're not paying attention, the cliffs can be seriously dangerous

 Amazing color on this little guy

 These are the mascots of the hotel Loco and Moco. They are so cute!!

Do you know the way to San Jose?

One of the many perks of not having a regular work schedule is spontaneous vacation. I was feeling like I needed a little family and friends time so I found a cheap flight home for a long weekend. And it was just what I needed. Of course you can't see everyone you want to see, but I made the most of it. Lunch with old coworkers, chicken and waffles at my favorite restaurant, Greek at my second favorite restaurant, Odyssey Bowling, Train Town with a very cute 3 year old and much more.  But most importantly, I had quality time with my family. I was missing them all big time.  I was actually excited to come back to Maui though, which I thought was a pretty good sign. Unfortunately, I came back with a horrible cold which left me in bed for 3 days. I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. 

If you ever need a good laugh, you should definitely go bowling with this Jamoke. 

I missed my little buddy Walter.

And here's that very cute 3 year old I was talking about. The super handsome Jackson.

And on a very random side note- why the hell would anyone write a song about San Jose? I guess so when I tell people that's where I'm from they can say "Oh! Like the song!"

Whales!

So as I mentioned before, Humpback Whales spend their winter in Maui and have their babies. Anytime you look out at the ocean, you see a whale. It truly is magical. Of course the best way to see the Mama's and their babies is to get out on a boat! We've been twice so far, and it has been amazing both times. You can only get within 100 yards, but they are so huge, it seems like you are much closer. The babies are show offs, practicing their breaching and playing around, so that's most of what you see. But Mom and sometimes a male escort are always right beside. I really can't find a better word to describe the experience other than magic. 

 Two males fighting over a female

 Baby breaching- Yes, that's only a baby!

 Mama's tail and baby's back to her right

We were also lucky enough to see a huge pod of Spinner Dolphins. They came right up to our boat. They're so cute

So, should you come and visit us from December- May, we'll take you out whale watching. And I guarantee it will be your favorite part of the trip. 

Good things happen in 3's...

I'm not sure that's how the saying goes, but let's go with that. So last week was a good one for me. Not only did I get a job, but I got two! The first is at the Wailea Tennis Club, which is affiliated with the Wailea Golf Club, which means, free golf. Now, that means nothing to me but i'm pretty sure I just made some new best friends. I'll be working in the pro shop, taking reservations, stringing racquets and general tennis-y stuff. (Clearly, I'm not too sure what i'll be doing!) I should be starting next week. 

The other job I am VERY excited about. It's at a floral boutique in Wailea called Bella Bloom and the shop is gorgeous! I had kinda decided before I got here that I wanted to work at a florist. After having looked online for florists in the area, I was disappointed. I really wanted to work at an upscale shop and I just wasn't finding anything. We stumbled upon Bella Bloom when we stopped at a wine shop that's in the same shopping center. On a whim, I sent the owner an email saying I wanted to work there and after a brief meeting, she hired me! That stuff never happens for me! I've worked a few days so far and I really enjoy it. It's very different from any other job I've ever had, very specialized, but I like it. 

Also, we bought a condo! The rental market here is crazy. Super high rent prices, and the landlords are whack. After looking at a few rentals, and not hearing back from the landlords, we decided to see what buying would look like. Mike met a guy in San Jose who is a realtor out here in Maui. Oddly enough, I went to high school with his wife! Anyway, he showed us a few places, and after 2 rejected offers, we got one! We move in at the end of March. It needs a lot of work, but I'm sure my Dad wouldn't mind a week here working. Right, Dad? :-)

I have to say now that I'm working again, I really feel like I live here. I can't wait to move in to our house. I miss all my stuff. But most of all, I miss cooking! Only 42 more days....

East Maui Animal Refuge

One of the big goals I made for myself while I'm here on Maui was to find a place to volunteer at and I wanted to find a place that helps animals. I had been researching different rescues online and found just a couple places. Last weekend Mike and I were at the grocery store and saw a little donation box at the register for an animal refuge. So I looked it up and filled out a volunteer form and was called to come in. It's called the East Maui Animal Refuge, or The Boo Boo Zoo and it is like no other place I've ever seen. It is absolutely amazingly insane. There are about 150 cats, 30 goats and sheep, 15 Axis Deer, countless chickens, ducks and peacocks, a gigantic blind cow, a deaf Great Dane and a funny mutt named Boots. I've only been once so far, but it was a one of a kind experience  All the animals are pretty special in their own right, but the cats are extra special to me. So many different personalities and it seems like they are all the biggest love bugs! But one in particular stuck out to me. There is a room where all the handicapped cats live, and that is where Mai Tai, the cat with no eyes, lives. That's right, no eyes. And what a lover boy he is. He wants to sit on your shoulder and rub his head on your head. He melted my heart. I kept trying to figure out how to shove him in my purse and if anyone would notice that he's gone. But, I decided stealing cats on my first day wasn't the best idea. Another kitty in the handicapped room has no use of his back legs. So he just scoots around, playing with the other special kitties. He was so sweet. I guess the room I should have identified most with was the "Kitty Fat Camp" room. Those cats made Zoey look anorexic. And made me feel much better about my plus size girl.

You really should check out the website so you can get a visual of what's going on there. The picture on the home page is exactly what it looks like. Animals everywhere. It's so amazing to see all these different species of animals living together peacefully and happily. If only humans could do the same.

Friends: Old and New

My friend and former boss Kim is in town from Connecticut and it was SO GOOD to see her! It's been since June and so much has changed for the both of us. It was good to catch up and see a familiar face. Of course, neither one of us took any pictures, so we'll have to get one when I take her for Shave Ice.

Last night, we went to Mike's boss's house for dinner. I have never been so excited to have a home cooked meal. And it was delicious: BBQ Ribs, grilled corn salad, and the most amazing potato salad I've ever had. It was so nice to be around new people and to just get to hang out. I'm missing my friends and family a lot.

The best news of the week: Our cars are here! YAY!!! I had no idea how much you could miss a car! I was so happy to see these old friends. And the Fiat has been a hit. I'm pretty sure there are only 2, including mine, on the island. I'm like a local car celebrity!

And I found a new beach to hang out at that's down the road from the hotel. It is very quiet, has great whale watching and is also a good place to watch the sunsets. Maybe I'll meet some new friends here :)

Maui Ocean Center

I took myself to the aquarium yesterday. Truth be told, with no job and no husband for about 12 hours a day, I'm getting a little bored. So I've been trying to find things to keep me busy. Since I love all things zoo or aquarium related  I thought this would be a fun place to spend the afternoon. And it was! Although, it's really small and I was only there for about 45 minutes. But never the less, it was great. 

 Lorea- this is a Unicorn Fish. I think you need one.

My favorite. A baby Honu. It was only about a foot long. So cute.