First off, Delta is amazing. Free wi-fi on all domestic flights until Jan 2. This made for a beautiful flight.
Second, I AM ALMOST HOME! I will be on the ground in Atlanta in under an hour. I can barely contain my excitement. This past semester has been full of ups and downs but I have enjoyed every moment of it. I am ready to see my family and friends back home, but I am excited to get to go back to Hawaii and continue my life there. I have been stretched over the past four months and have grown in immeasurable ways. I figured it would be nice if I could highlight the top 10 things I learned in Hawaii. These things are not necessarily about me, or how I've grown but just things I have picked up and want to share.
Drum roll please....
10: Hawaiian time is 10x worse than CP time. If you think CP time is late move to Hawaii. The pace here is glacially slow. And guess what, I thoroughly enjoy it. I have taken time to enjoy the little things, the side conversations, and not always rushed to be at a place at a certain time. Although there are some exceptions in which time is crucial, time is so much more flexible on the rock.
9: I'm not allergic to ALL pineapple, just the gross kind grown on the East Coast & Caribbean. I eat pineapple at least once a day, if not two.
8: I am addicted to fried chicken. Try taking a southern girl away from her fried chicken. This may make me seem like a bit of a glutton, but I really enjoy southern food. I can't wait until I can eat Mexican food & fried chicken tomorrow.
7: Related to 8, I really miss cooking. I had nice kitchens all through undergrad and never took the time to really appreciate being able to cook in my own apartment. Kitchens are luxuries to me now. I am so thankful that the kitchen on the roof is now fully functioning and I look forward to being able to cook more next semester, especially with Ryli who went to culinary school before moving to Hawaii.
6: Consistant weather is the most beautiful thing known to man. I have gotten less sick this year. Low 80s year round, yes please. My heart is happy.
5: Much like the South, family is very important in Hawaiian culture. Sir & Ma'am are replaced by Auntie and Uncle. Everyone remotely close to your age is your cousin. The more relaxed titles allow for conversation to naturally flow with relative ease. I have struck up conversation with Aunties at the bus stop several times. Each time I learn something new and exciting about the rock I call home.
4: Culture shock is not a bad thing. A lot of time culture shock heightens your senses. For once, you feel alive. Colors seem brighter, the sun seems warmer, and little things that used to get you down seem just that-little. Although its not healthy to continue to live in a fantasy land, feeling alive is much appreciated and invigorating.
3: Never judge a book by its cover. This is something we have "learned" since grade school, but how many of us actually put this into practice. Stereotypes continually override this philosophy. I have learned more from people who looked like they had nothing to offer. Aunties and uncles, classmates, and new friends have shown me how to put this into practice- like they say, you learn better from seeing than hearing.
2: I'm a workaholic. I live on an island. The beach is 4 miles away from me. I am less tan coming back to Atlanta than I was going to Honolulu. I'm working on this. I need to relax, get my work done but still enjoy life. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and I will not let myself regret not taking opportunities to enjoy my experience.
1: Kuhio, Likelike, Kapahulu, Kapiolani, Moiliili, Maona, Ala Moana, Pali, Aiea, Haleiwa, Waimea, Ewa, Makapuu & Hanauma- Try pronouncing all of that correctly! I can!
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