Days left until the Great Aloha Run:
5
Race Length:
13k (8.15 miles)
Start Time:
7:00am
Number of Participants Expected:
22,000
Miles run since December 1 in preparation for this race:
103
Average Pace:
10 min/ mile (6 mph)
Goal Finishing Time:
80 ish minutes
(I ran 7 miles last Saturday in 68minutes, so I'm feeling pretty confident. Slow and steady may not win this race, but it will see me to the finish line! Though I did have a dream that I won it the other night...)
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Trapped!
A bit of humor for the first post of 2010:
It was Sunday evening almost two weeks ago and we had just gotten back from picking our neighbor's daughter up from work (no, we didn't get a car, we picked her up in their car while the rest of them were on vacation) when we discovered we needed to run next door to ask her a question.
Now, our door knob had been giving us some trouble for a week or so at this point, nothing concerning, really. Every once in awhile the latch would just get stuck inside the door and we had to jiggle the handle to get it to come back out. We figured that eventually we would get annoyed enough with it that we would call the apartment managers and have them send the fix-it man with some WD-40 to take care of it. We did think it was a little curious that it was getting stuck because when we moved in they proudly told us that the door jamb was new and that the door had just been fitted with a brand-spanking new doorknob and a deadbolt! I think we're the only apartment in the complex that has a deadbolt.
So, I hopped up and went to the door to ask our neighbor the question. But, upon reaching the door, I couldn't get it to open. Kind of embarrassing to not be able to open your own front door, but no big deal. I blamed it on slippery hands and called in reinforcements, confident Nate could get it open with his man hands. No luck.
So we sheepishly called up our friend, Josh who lives a few doors down and asked him to come and let us out. Thinking "we are definitely calling in a maintenance request first thing tomorrow." Josh shows up with kids in tow and we have a good chuckle as we explain our situation through the window. Until Josh tries to open the door. Nothing.
Josh's wife, Julie, arrives home at this point and goes to tell the managers (who are also members of our ward) that we are locked IN our apartment. Oh, how I wish I could have seen the look on his face as she told him. No, this is not a practical joke; they really are stuck inside their own apartment.
And so the manager comes up to appraise the situation. He tries the doorknob. "Yes," we tell him, "we're sure that the doorknob is unlocked." We tried several different tactics, poke this turn that, shove a wire in there, poke it with a knife but to no avail. So, the window screen came off, followed by the glass louvers and in climbed our apartment manager. No one had any idea why the door was stuck or how to get it open again, so he eventually wound up tearing out the old knob and replacing it (why he had a brand-new spare door knob lying around, I don't know, but I am very grateful for it) as well as chipping away some of the door jamb so the bolts fit better. An hour and a half later we were freed.
Though I didn't like having to make our manager work on a Sunday I'm glad it happened when it did. Imagine how I would have sounded on Monday morning calling in to my new job to apologize for being late because I was locked IN my apartment!
It was Sunday evening almost two weeks ago and we had just gotten back from picking our neighbor's daughter up from work (no, we didn't get a car, we picked her up in their car while the rest of them were on vacation) when we discovered we needed to run next door to ask her a question.
Now, our door knob had been giving us some trouble for a week or so at this point, nothing concerning, really. Every once in awhile the latch would just get stuck inside the door and we had to jiggle the handle to get it to come back out. We figured that eventually we would get annoyed enough with it that we would call the apartment managers and have them send the fix-it man with some WD-40 to take care of it. We did think it was a little curious that it was getting stuck because when we moved in they proudly told us that the door jamb was new and that the door had just been fitted with a brand-spanking new doorknob and a deadbolt! I think we're the only apartment in the complex that has a deadbolt.
So, I hopped up and went to the door to ask our neighbor the question. But, upon reaching the door, I couldn't get it to open. Kind of embarrassing to not be able to open your own front door, but no big deal. I blamed it on slippery hands and called in reinforcements, confident Nate could get it open with his man hands. No luck.
So we sheepishly called up our friend, Josh who lives a few doors down and asked him to come and let us out. Thinking "we are definitely calling in a maintenance request first thing tomorrow." Josh shows up with kids in tow and we have a good chuckle as we explain our situation through the window. Until Josh tries to open the door. Nothing.
Josh's wife, Julie, arrives home at this point and goes to tell the managers (who are also members of our ward) that we are locked IN our apartment. Oh, how I wish I could have seen the look on his face as she told him. No, this is not a practical joke; they really are stuck inside their own apartment.
And so the manager comes up to appraise the situation. He tries the doorknob. "Yes," we tell him, "we're sure that the doorknob is unlocked." We tried several different tactics, poke this turn that, shove a wire in there, poke it with a knife but to no avail. So, the window screen came off, followed by the glass louvers and in climbed our apartment manager. No one had any idea why the door was stuck or how to get it open again, so he eventually wound up tearing out the old knob and replacing it (why he had a brand-new spare door knob lying around, I don't know, but I am very grateful for it) as well as chipping away some of the door jamb so the bolts fit better. An hour and a half later we were freed.
Though I didn't like having to make our manager work on a Sunday I'm glad it happened when it did. Imagine how I would have sounded on Monday morning calling in to my new job to apologize for being late because I was locked IN my apartment!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Hike
Yesterday Nate and I went on an awesome hike up the Kuli'ou'ou Ridge. I consider it one of my Christmas presents from him. It took us two hours to get to the trail head via bus (including the slow down because we got on the 1 instead of the 1L. Oops.) From the bus stop it was about a half hour walk through a neighborhood to get to the actual trail head. Nate kept us entertained by quizzing my knowledge of local plants poking out of the yards - bougainvillea, ti, hibiscus, mango, noni, plumeria, coconut, and others. The sights and sounds of the forest were so soothing. It was wonderful to be away from the noise, hustle, and stink of the city. (Yes, Hawaii is beautiful, but sometimes the city just plain stinks)
At the beginning of our hike I could hear a small stream gurgling merrily out of sight. The air was heavy and sweet with the fragrance of wild flowers and the hill was spunkily adorned in springy ferns. We ran in to a few other hikers on our way up, but mostly we had the trail to ourselves, for our companion only the quiet rustle of the wind whispering gently to the rhythm of our plodding footsteps.
About halfway up the trail we met another couple who were on their way down, looking refreshed while we, sweaty-faced and panting, labored upward. We exchanged greetings and Nate asked, "There's a water-fountain at the top, right?" I didn't see the guy's reaction, but the girl just stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise, unsure whether or not he was serious until I started chuckling and the guy said, "Yeah, if it starts to rain. Then you can have all the water you want."
The top of the trail got quite steep and with the dirt dry and loose, we were left to scramble upwards. As we climbed higher and higher we could see the ocean stretching out behind us, a calm, bright half-moon of tropical blue. Eventually we could see a good portion of the leeward coast from Diamond Head around past Koko Head and Hanauma Bay.
At the top there was a sign indicating that the trail had ended and it was not safe to continue further, as there was an unsupported overhang and several thousand feet of air beyond that point. So we settled in to eat our PB&J and enjoy the cool breeze and the wisps of cloud blowing over from the windward side. These clouds obscured our view of the ocean on that side, which was disappointing, but they looked awesome drifting over the tops of the mountains only to vanish in the bright sun.
The view was incredible. The ocean stretched on endlessly, disappearing in to the glare of the sun on one side and barely peeking through in bits of shocking blue amid the swirling gray clouds on the other. It was definitely one of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes I've ever taken.
Me in a really cool tree
The mountain on the other side of the valley
Hanauma Bay as seen on the way up the ridge
Nate enjoying a break at the top
Me at the top.
The windward side of the mountains with the clouds.
Nate heading back down the ridge.
At the beginning of our hike I could hear a small stream gurgling merrily out of sight. The air was heavy and sweet with the fragrance of wild flowers and the hill was spunkily adorned in springy ferns. We ran in to a few other hikers on our way up, but mostly we had the trail to ourselves, for our companion only the quiet rustle of the wind whispering gently to the rhythm of our plodding footsteps.
About halfway up the trail we met another couple who were on their way down, looking refreshed while we, sweaty-faced and panting, labored upward. We exchanged greetings and Nate asked, "There's a water-fountain at the top, right?" I didn't see the guy's reaction, but the girl just stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise, unsure whether or not he was serious until I started chuckling and the guy said, "Yeah, if it starts to rain. Then you can have all the water you want."
The top of the trail got quite steep and with the dirt dry and loose, we were left to scramble upwards. As we climbed higher and higher we could see the ocean stretching out behind us, a calm, bright half-moon of tropical blue. Eventually we could see a good portion of the leeward coast from Diamond Head around past Koko Head and Hanauma Bay.
At the top there was a sign indicating that the trail had ended and it was not safe to continue further, as there was an unsupported overhang and several thousand feet of air beyond that point. So we settled in to eat our PB&J and enjoy the cool breeze and the wisps of cloud blowing over from the windward side. These clouds obscured our view of the ocean on that side, which was disappointing, but they looked awesome drifting over the tops of the mountains only to vanish in the bright sun.
The view was incredible. The ocean stretched on endlessly, disappearing in to the glare of the sun on one side and barely peeking through in bits of shocking blue amid the swirling gray clouds on the other. It was definitely one of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes I've ever taken.
Me in a really cool tree
The mountain on the other side of the valley
Hanauma Bay as seen on the way up the ridge
Nate enjoying a break at the top
Me at the top.
The windward side of the mountains with the clouds.
Nate heading back down the ridge.Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Finding My Rythm
I've been feeling the need to exercise and though I know it's just plain good for me, I've been lacking the motivation to lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement. So, on Friday I signed up to participate in the 26th Annual Great Aloha Run.
That's right. This is no measly 5k. This is 13k through downtown Honolulu to UH's Aloha Stadium. Approximately 8.15 miles. I've never run that far in my life. Let the training runs begin! Miraculously, my wee ipod shuffle that took a spin through the washing machine almost a year ago, has started working again. At least long enough for me to make it through my workouts. I'm taking that as a good sign.
So, if you've don't have plans for President's day (Feb. 15, 2010), feel free to join me! I could definitely benefit from a jogging partner.
That's right. This is no measly 5k. This is 13k through downtown Honolulu to UH's Aloha Stadium. Approximately 8.15 miles. I've never run that far in my life. Let the training runs begin! Miraculously, my wee ipod shuffle that took a spin through the washing machine almost a year ago, has started working again. At least long enough for me to make it through my workouts. I'm taking that as a good sign.
So, if you've don't have plans for President's day (Feb. 15, 2010), feel free to join me! I could definitely benefit from a jogging partner.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Intruder!
Since we have no air conditioning (you don't really need it here), I often leave the back door open to let more of the breeze through. We're on the third floor, so I've never been concerned about strangers walking in uninvited and I always make sure to close it before I leave. So although we don't live in the nicest neighborhood, I've never thought twice about leaving it open.
However, I walked into my living room this afternoon and was surprised by the agitated flutterings of a pigeon who had been making himself comfortable.
"Hey!" I shouted at it in surprise, my voice echoing in our unfurnished living room, only serving to further irritate my feathery guest.
The pigeon swooped frantically around the room while I tried to sneak around it to open the front door to herd it out. I never made it to the door; it seems the pigeon did not feel welcome and he showed himself out the back door.
However, I walked into my living room this afternoon and was surprised by the agitated flutterings of a pigeon who had been making himself comfortable.
"Hey!" I shouted at it in surprise, my voice echoing in our unfurnished living room, only serving to further irritate my feathery guest.
The pigeon swooped frantically around the room while I tried to sneak around it to open the front door to herd it out. I never made it to the door; it seems the pigeon did not feel welcome and he showed himself out the back door.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Hawaiian Generosity
The people we have met here in Hawaii have been so good and generous to us. They have helped us get settled here in so many ways, helping us find our apartment, furnish our apartment, giving us rides, and helping me find a job. One way in particular where their generosity continues to astound me is in the giving of food. It is ingrained in the culture here to feed others and then send them away with the leftovers. So, for those of you who are still worried that Nate and I are starving, here is a list I kept of all the food that was given to us in the space of one week (9-18 to 9-23):
2 dinner plates (chicken, rice, chop suey, etc.)
1 1/2 gal POG (passion orange guava juice)
1 carton ice cream
6 nectarines
5 frozen pot pies
1 manapua (a bun filled with meat)
1 faiaife'e (octopus in coconut cream)
2 more dinner plates
4 pieces pumpkin pie
4 large avocados
1 lunch bowl (curry chicken, taro, and pisupo)
1 pear
1 large cup mackerel rice soup
1 large cup coconut rice
1 tray of apple pie pastries (like mini apple pies)
1 more dinner plate
1 bunch green bananas (for boiling)
1 can pisupo (corned beef)
1 orange
1 shave ice
2 more dinner plates
1 King-size Reeses
1 box cake from Liliha bakery
1/2 of a birthday cake
2 MORE dinner plates (this brings our total to 9! I don't think I cooked at all that week!)
1 tub popcorn
1 box Red Vines
1 box Reeses Pieces
1 package rice crackers
2 large muffins
1 bag potatoes
Granted, this was a particularly abundant week, but I still can't believe it! That's a lot of food!
2 dinner plates (chicken, rice, chop suey, etc.)
1 1/2 gal POG (passion orange guava juice)
1 carton ice cream
6 nectarines
5 frozen pot pies
1 manapua (a bun filled with meat)
1 faiaife'e (octopus in coconut cream)
2 more dinner plates
4 pieces pumpkin pie
4 large avocados
1 lunch bowl (curry chicken, taro, and pisupo)
1 pear
1 large cup mackerel rice soup
1 large cup coconut rice
1 tray of apple pie pastries (like mini apple pies)
1 more dinner plate
1 bunch green bananas (for boiling)
1 can pisupo (corned beef)
1 orange
1 shave ice
2 more dinner plates
1 King-size Reeses
1 box cake from Liliha bakery
1/2 of a birthday cake
2 MORE dinner plates (this brings our total to 9! I don't think I cooked at all that week!)
1 tub popcorn
1 box Red Vines
1 box Reeses Pieces
1 package rice crackers
2 large muffins
1 bag potatoes
Granted, this was a particularly abundant week, but I still can't believe it! That's a lot of food!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Nate the Forager
My doctor says I'm too stressed. Thankfully, I found a job just one day after I saw him. I'm going to be a reading tutor at the high school around the corner from my apartment. I turned in my paperwork today, so hopefully I'll be able to start tomorrow. Hooray!
Now that I'm not crazy stressed out and spending every spare minute (which for the last few months has been all of them) looking for a job, I can blog! and do cool things that I can then blog about! I know you've all been anxious for my to make a return to the blogging scene. Here's what we've been up to lately.
Since we've been in Hawaii for two months and I until last Friday did not have a job, we've been living in ultra-frugal survival mode. I don't know how many of you have lived in this mode for any length of time, but it requires quite a lot of creativity in certain areas like food sources. Thus, we've been diligent in attending any and all church or school events where food may be present. However, Nate has also taken to foraging on the University of Hawaii campus between classes.
Apparently there are numerous fruit bearing trees on campus and their fruits go unused and are left to fall to the ground and rot. So really, we're doing the university a favor by preventing smelly rot, right? So far Nate has procured a mango, a passion fruit, and a breadfruit. Now, you all know what a mango is, so I won't explain that experience except to say that this was the most amazing mango I've ever had.
The passion fruit was something quite unexpected. It is a small, round, yellowish fruit with a hard, thick skin with a soft, juicy, orange center. You spoon out the orange part and eat it. The flavor was wonderful. The texture can only be compared to slimy boogers with the occasional crunchy seed.
The breadfruit I've eaten before, whenever we are at an event with Samoan food, it occasionally shows up. The breadfruit is not a fruit at all, but rather a starchy food, like a potato. Which is the closest comparison I can make. We cut it up, boiled it and served it with coconut milk. It was quite good (I didn't like it the first time I had it, but it has grown on me).
The crazed forager
The finished meal
Yum!
(For those of you that are concerned, we're not actually in danger of going hungry. Just thought I'd clear that up.)
Now that I'm not crazy stressed out and spending every spare minute (which for the last few months has been all of them) looking for a job, I can blog! and do cool things that I can then blog about! I know you've all been anxious for my to make a return to the blogging scene. Here's what we've been up to lately.
Since we've been in Hawaii for two months and I until last Friday did not have a job, we've been living in ultra-frugal survival mode. I don't know how many of you have lived in this mode for any length of time, but it requires quite a lot of creativity in certain areas like food sources. Thus, we've been diligent in attending any and all church or school events where food may be present. However, Nate has also taken to foraging on the University of Hawaii campus between classes.
Apparently there are numerous fruit bearing trees on campus and their fruits go unused and are left to fall to the ground and rot. So really, we're doing the university a favor by preventing smelly rot, right? So far Nate has procured a mango, a passion fruit, and a breadfruit. Now, you all know what a mango is, so I won't explain that experience except to say that this was the most amazing mango I've ever had.
The passion fruit was something quite unexpected. It is a small, round, yellowish fruit with a hard, thick skin with a soft, juicy, orange center. You spoon out the orange part and eat it. The flavor was wonderful. The texture can only be compared to slimy boogers with the occasional crunchy seed.
Ours was just like this, but a different variety, so the outside was yellow
The breadfruit I've eaten before, whenever we are at an event with Samoan food, it occasionally shows up. The breadfruit is not a fruit at all, but rather a starchy food, like a potato. Which is the closest comparison I can make. We cut it up, boiled it and served it with coconut milk. It was quite good (I didn't like it the first time I had it, but it has grown on me).
Breadfruit
Nate preparing the breadfruit
The crazed forager
The finished meal
Yum!
(For those of you that are concerned, we're not actually in danger of going hungry. Just thought I'd clear that up.)
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