Death sentences

...are about anywhere on the island. And being the paranoid freak that I am, every little bug, cliff, and tiny (but painful) jellyfish washed on shore freaks me out. Oh and not to mention the centipedes here. The bites are so painful it can feel like a bee sting or being shot by a gun. The doctors here say the only cure is being drunk for three days. Not pretty.

I can't wait till someone visits us. (Although the previous paragraph may not be the best persuasion to come visit) We have been going out and exploring and some of the sights I just have to share! We're also getting ticked at the naive tourists around here who say they don't have time or interest in going to Hana. These people shouldn't be on Maui. If you want sand and ocean, go to Florida or Califonia. You're in Hawai'i now! Make the most of it!

Ok. So it seems we go to beach about once a weekish. Yesterday we went to this beach we thought would be sooo cool and it just ran into the beach we've been to a lot. (But there is a reason we go to that beach a lot) so I stayed awhile and did some bodysurfing since the waves were pretty good. But this morning we tried out three new snorkel spots! The first was cloudy and a little rough - we may try it again sometime when we have more guinea pigs (haha aren't we just the best hosts ever?) The second one was awesome. It's not really amazing when it comes to diversity but it's clear and you could stay there for an hour and not see it all. Getting out was very difficult though and I have scars to prove it. The last was on the reddish black sand beach in Kihei. Getting in was much easier here but the there wasn't many fish. We swam a good way - probably a half mile at least.

So we are going to explore West Maui Thursday. Updates then!!!!

Lindsey

(P.S. I am so inconsistent with this blog. I reccommend checking it weekly)

My everything

You may ask what my everything is... this is a pretty broad term. But I can't narrow it down to one thing! My everything is no less than my horse, Hawaii, my friends, family, and of course the friends at the congregation. So here's a little about my 'everything.' AKA... life. Basically.

First, exciting news! I have talked to someone from a magazine about writing about Shannon and our journey to Hawaii! For anyone who wants to know, it's the RMHA official magazine. I hope I write an article that will be published with flying colors. I wonder about my writing skills though. All my stupid ideas and words don't like coming together in just the right way. But I will keep everyone updated on whether it will be published or not.

School is really easy. I turn in work and get an A+ I never really realized how challenging my school was until I came to Hawaii. This is all pretty boring to me. (psst... don't tell me teachers. I don't really want extra work) I only go to school 2 1/2 days a week, with virtual work on the other two days. I do like that. It gives me time for... well pretty much anything I have better to do.

Today we were going to have a perfect day at the beach. Snorkel gear packed, hoping for a long and lazy day. It rained. Yep. Makena, which rains about 2 days out of the year, decided to absolutely destroy our day. Oh well. We are going back in a couple days. I really want to learn how to surf but I have to wait. Not only do you have to buy the very expensive surfboard but the needed surf lessons so I don't kill myself and everyone within 100 yards of me. Someday.

Lindsey

More time w/ Shannon

A lot of my time has been put into school and Shannon.

I like school well enough, but it doesn't compare to my old school. We go 2 1/2 days a week, and I have to say, that is a plus. We do virutal work on Tuesday and Thursday, and juniors (me) go to what they call a junior seminar for half a day on Friday. It helps provide valuable life skills to guide us into the real life. At least, that's what they said.

I rode Shannon for the first time yesterday since we had the farrier out to fix her feet. Considering there were three horses near the fenceline the whole time, she did pretty well. She can have problems settling down sometimes but she did really well, I was proud of her.

We are going to a beach party that the Kihei congregation is giving on Sunday. ( I think it's sort of a goodbye thing because the congregation is spliting ) I am really looking forward to being with friends, but not saying goodbye.

Until later, Lindsey

Shannon's here!

Shannon arrived here a few days ago. We went to the dock around 9:30 but didn't get to see her until 10:00. She look pretty... confused. She was dropped off in a small stall in the middle of nowhere and just looking like, where am I? Sad to say, it was pretty comical. But she saw me and perked up right away. It was like "Oh, there you are. Everything is ok now!" It is the most amazing feeling in the world for a horse to love you like that.

She likes her new home too, I think. Of course, she would probably be content with my backyard right now compared to what she went through. I let her out in the arena the first day she got there. I swear she must have rolled 10 times, once while I was leading her! She just loooves to roll. She also let off some built up energy when she got a little warmed up. I took her down to graze in a big section for the horses but I didn't secure the gate right. She galloped to her equine buddies. She just didn't feel safe down there, away from them. She still seems a little apprhensive down there. I don't blame her, it freaks me out sometimes with weird noises from the wind.

She loves to follow me around. I'll go over and start scratching places I know she loves to have scratched. She also went galloping for a short while yesterday and galloped back to me, veering a little to make sure she didn't hurt me. I'm glad she knows how to not trample me over.

I hope you enjoy the pictures I posted! I'll keep updating everyone about her progress. Someday were going to start doing fun things like trail rides, competetions, and island adventures! Can't wait!

Lindsey

By and by

Well plenty is going on this week.

Monday, I started school. It was ok, Iguess. Like any other school. I actually couldn't tell any differences. Sometimes I even forget I'm in Hawaii. Scratch that - I always feel happier and even healthier here, so I guess I DO know I'm always in Hawaii.

Also, Monday, our furniture got here. Blessing or curse? Eh... we can barely move around our condo since we have only arranged a few things. My room is purplish blue now, and I got a bedspread with horses running through water (so pretty!)

Wednesday I jogged on the beach before school. It was so beautiful. The West Maui Mountains have so much glory when they aren't covered in clouds. Not only that, there was a rainbow above the ocean. Now how cool is that?

And tomorrow, Shannon gets here!!!!! I'm so excited but I feel bad for her. She probably doesn't understand anything that's going on and she just wants to be home. (and with me, I hope)

Lindsey

Through a rainforest and home in one day

I have plenty of interestingness for you all!


OK so where do I start? Did I update the blog yesterday? I don't think I did. We got really bored yesterday and hit McDonald's, looked at some paint samples, and got a few things at Pier 1. Maybe they doesn't sound exciting, but you have to remember I could see beautiful mountains and palm trees while I was doing this! Which makes everything interesting.

But today was the most interesting. We went through Maui's rainforest. You wouldn't believe what you can see on the Road to Hana as they call it. We saw beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches, fresh water caves (some I got to swim in), red sand beaches, huge bamboo forests, tropical flowers, trees, fruits and The Seven Sacred Pools. You may be waiting for an explanation to why they're 'sacred.' Well here it is: The tourist industry wanted to attract people to it, so they gave it that name. Very interesting :)

The Red Sand Beach was really cool, though, because I went snorkeling. The sea around it is very, very rough but what makes it nice is that there is a lava rock border across the two sides of a small valley. It's hard to explain, I'll have to post some pictures. Anyway, when I went snorkeling I saw a small octopus! Not to mention some of the most beautiful fish on Maui, it's a new favorite of mine. The hike to get there is only for the sure footed, though.

Until next time

More adventures!

We all had a lot of fun today! We went to the Maui winery (I didn't get to try any) but they tried four and even bought one. I think it's pineapply wine and everyone tells me it's delicious. Sigh. Five more years.

We also went to east part of Maui, and I figured why you never hear of it. It's very dry. Dry actually doesn't justify it. What does? Hmmm. I know. Dead.

We went on an afternoon beach walk. Pictures attached! I feel so proffesional! Oh and Beth, there is even one of mom with the palm trees behind her. She is, indeed, alive.

Lindsey