Day 10: Honolulu Gym Tour and Fun Times in Babysitting (M)

Yesterday, after a day trip to North Shore, a few things were immediately apparent to JR and me. First, that we need a car because North Shore is a painfully long bus-ride away from Honolulu. And, second, that we need to join a gym as soon as possible because just about everyone on the beach looks like they just came off the set of 300-- especially in Waikiki. Given the logistical dilemmas of buying a car for 99 days worth of use, we decided to forget about the car problem and instead decided to solve the latter one. So, out of the wide variety of gyms in Honolulu, we chose two that were worthy of a tour: 24-hour Fitness and Powerhouse. And, our findings were that both were very appropriately named--Powerhouse even had an little back room where power lifters could go to scream as loud as they wanted. Even though I am doubtless that we both would have given that room endless use, we chose 24-hour fitness. And, just like that, we have our Oahu gym!  (Matt)

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(Left: Bopping to Backyardigans; Right: The future guitarrista)

Later, when we returned home, one of our housemates had her nephew over for the evening.  You'd be surprised at how entertaining playing with a three year old boy in your room can be!!  (Matt)
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** Matt chose extremely poor and inappropriate language for his last comment. I apologize for him.   (John)

Day 9: Now Introducing, Mr. Matthew Enriquez ..... (yay! whistle whistle!) (M)

At long last, I have finally set foot in Hawaii! And unlike J's gloomy and uneventful nighttime flight into this wondrous land, my glorious arrival was welcomed by sunshine and girls with coconuts placing flower necklaces onto my awe-struck body. Yes, upon arrival I immediately knew I had found my paradise...or at least that's how I remember it.

Today is even more special because it marks my grand debut on this blog! My cousin-lawyer counterpart is obviously the more eloquent of the two of us, while my hair considerably more stylish. United, we beget a spirit so adventurous and unpredictable that ridiculous new experiences are never more than a somersault away.

Together now, we embark on a transcendental spiritual journey through some of the most secluded islands in the world. We come prepared for this quest with the tools of any ambitious soul-searcher: books, sarcasm, toilet paper, 10lbs. of protein powder, and one question--what is the essence of happiness?

Other questions too, like 'Where can I find a job?' 'Do you have a boyfriend?' and 'How do you get rid of a roach infestation?' Some questions are more important than others.

Mainly though, we hope to chill on the beach for the next few months and to learn whether paradise is truely a place, or just a state of mind. -Matt  

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This is what dreams are made of...

 

 

During our day trip to North Shore, we may have seen why

every Hawaiian license plate features a picture of a rainbow.

It's either because of the over-abundance of rainbows in the sky

or the colorful Matsumoto shaved ice that tastes exactly

like what I imagine when I dream about eating rainbows.

Day 8: Hike of Death, Halo-Halo Mixer, & Matt (J)

While waiting at a bus stop under the searing mid-morning sun, repeated car honking abruptly broke up my "look at that caterpillar on the tree" inspired reverie.  It was one of my housemates motioning me over--she asked me if I wanted to go on a local hike.  Always eager (though sometimes regretful) to do something new, I tagged along as we went up to Koko Head Crater.   An hour and a half, a ridiculously pounding heart, about a gallon of sweat, and over a thousand steep stairs later, I made it to the top.  The panoramic, 360 degree view of the Hawaii Kai area can be breathtaking- unfortunately, the uncontrollable flying dots and wavy colors in my strain-effected vision didn't let me enjoy it too much.  Great workout, though!
           

 

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 Later that afternoon, I went to UH with another local friend, Elsie, for a college/ young professional Filipino networking event.  We made Halo-Halo!  (Literally translated "mix-mix," Halo-Halo is a delicious Filipino dessert that involves, among other sugary things, shaved ice, evaporated milk, gelatin, custard, assorted fruit and sweet beans, and ice cream.)   It was fun, we did icebreakers I did when I was in college, and I felt very, very old. 

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Finally, to close out the night, we picked up Matty from the airport.  Arriving from Pennsylvania via Las Vegas, Matt got to our house, met all of the house-mates, and promptly smoked out with a couple of them.  Here he is after:  

Day 7: Early Lessons Learned at the North Shore ............................

The North Shore is absolutely gorgeous.  It took over two hours on a crowded bus to get there, but the ride was well worth it.  After laying down at Waimea to relax, I began to think of my first week's lessons learned. 

Here, in no particular order, are a few:
1. Warmth and generosity unapologetically pour out of so many people here.  Sure, you have your grumbling, surly malcontents, your hotheaded youngsters ready to scrap, and your purely self-interested folks indifferently skipping to the beat of their own self-love, same as anywhere else, but there seem to be an inordinate amount of folks that just like to help out.  The instances in which each of my roommates, local friends, and complete strangers have done something nice for me would fill up a dozen blogs.  

2.  Speaking of people, I believe that there are only two types that exist on Hawaii's beaches: (1) young and hot, and (2) old and overflowing.  Yes, overflowing.  You are quite welcome for that image. 

3.  A Honolulu "The Bus" monthly pass is the best thing ever. 

4.  I am old.  

5.  As wonderful as the ocean is, I think I like having so much green around almost as much. 

Day 6: Disease at Kahala Beach

 

Took a walk on the ritzy side today.  In the latest of nice things my roommates have done for me, one offered to drop me off at Kahala, one of the many island areas I have yet to visit, on her way to work.  Naturally, I accepted.  Lots of gated mansions, carefully manicured lawns and expensive cars lined the streets on the way to the beach.  And, when I got there, (this is going to sound like a broken record) it was nothing but soft light sand, gorgeous blue water and even bluer clear sky.  ------------------------------------------------------ 

Quick story: So, I took turns swimming and rolling around on the small five foot strip of sand between the water and the private residence walls.  Then, I headed off to the local mall to hang-out for a bit.  (As a quick aside, I watched "9" at the mall- although it was visually amazing, I was a bit underwhelmed.  I was hoping for more, story-wise.)  Anyway, I nod hello to people but everyone just looks away from me as quickly as possible.  A tad confused and upset at the lack of warmth I had come to generally expect, I bused it home and somewhat re-evaluated my generally positive view of people.  So, I get home, head to the shower, and look in the mirror.  And, what do I see?!  Large grains of sand ringing my eyes in some disgusting, disease-like manner.  Ahh, I thought!  People just thought I was either sick or physically gross!  People are still nice, it's just that they're very, very shallow!  Suffice to say, I napped well after that.

Day 5: Waikiki and Further Musings.

I have a confession to make—one that is difficult and hurtful for me.  After having arrived in Oahu five days ago, I had yet to go to the beach, and in the water, until today.  Me, the self-professed lover of all things water-related, the former swimmer/water polo player, and the person whose idea of paradise and bliss is, indeed, the beach, waited five full days before taking my first steps in it, though it was, at all times, merely minutes away.  Self, I am truly sorry.  But, when I had finally put my borrowed peppermint colored towel down on the beach, dug a hole in the sand to hide my treasured monthly bus pass, and took a deep, happy breath as I plunged head first into the crystal blue waters of Waikiki, all was instantly forgiven.
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You know, I have been imminently lucky in my life and have had the opportunity to have visited some of the world’s most beautiful, idyllic beaches throughout five of its continents.  Yet, there’s still something so breathtaking about Hawaii’s beaches.  Many friends that have also been to the aloha state can probably echo that same sentiment.  Swaths of overly burnt tourists aside, it’s amazing here, at the beach, in the ocean.  This got me to thinking (for the first, but probably not last, time) as I lazily let the gentle waves float me around… I wonder if I could really live here?  Stay tuned…

Day 4: Fantasy Football and 40 oz's.

Nothing too much going on for Day 4.  Hung-out at the new place today, started the fantasy football festivities by fervently cursing Adrian Peterson and Tony Romo, and talked to one of the roommates for a while about Hawaiian history, true community spirit, human decency, and haoles, all the while with Colt 45 in hand-- chill cat, that roommate.  All in all, a good kick-back day.