The Hindu Monastery

I was unsure about writing this post, because although I have shared personal experiences here, I am always apprehensive about talking on the subject of religion. Perhaps it is because I am not a fundamentally religious person, but am a spiritual person. I do not have a doctrine or dogma by which I stand...and I certainly do not wish my beliefs to offend others.

When asked about my religion, my response is that I was raised Hindu. I am of Indian heritage, and I was raised in a household where all Hindu holidays and festivals were meticulously observed and celebrated. It is the only religion that I have ever really had exposure to, with the exception of the occasional Catholic mass or Christian church service at friend's weddings or other occasions where I was singing at a church. That being said, I do not actively engage in the practice of any religion, but like so many people, am in pursuit of finding inner peace and truth.

So after we had decided to move here, in doing my research before moving, I discovered that there was a Hindu temple here on the island. I found this initially to be a sign of some sort that I had made the right decision about which island to move to... I knew that the general vicinity of the temple was near my new home, but really did not think too much about it.

My cousin and his wife and children were visiting Kauai here from Chicago this week. They are far more religious than I, and unlike myself, are more practicing of their religion. They had planned on visiting the temple, and since they were going, I asked if they wouldn't mind taking me along. I had wanted to visit the temple because it was something here on the island to be experienced, and I did want to do so. As a Hindu attending a traditional Siva 'puja,' a religious ritual, we were asked to wear traditional Indian clothing. Luckily, I had brought a single outfit for the possibility of such a visit...

Literally four minutes farther up the hill from my home, we arrived at the temple. I knew it was close, but I had no idea simply how close it was! There were several others waiting for the puja to begin, and as we entered the grounds, a sudden transformation occurred...it is as if we were all lifted to a higher ground, land marked with peace and tranquility...does beauty like this even exist in the real world? I am in a beautiful location for sure, but imagine then being transported almost instantaneously to an even more spectacular realm and foreground, a 350 acre lush and tropical piece of heaven.

If one wished to find peace and tranquility and the heart and soul of their religion, whatever religion that may be, I cannot imagine a better and more suitable location to do so. I was overcome by the majesty and beauty of this place, and I shall return again in the very near future, because it truly is a place that calls to you. My wish is that everyone would have the opportunity to see what I have seen in this peaceful place of worship, if for nothing else than to experience the grandeur of its simplicity, the majesty of its quiet.

E Komo Mai: Welcome Home

E komo mai...welcome home. I have moved into a home this week...only been here for a few days, but it feels like home already. Maybe because I know I don't have to leave in four or five days like I have had to for the past three months or so...I am unpacked, I get to go to the grocery store and Costco and WalMart and buy essentials, knowing that I am not a transient that will be leaving in a few days or weeks, I have a kitchen and am cooking again, I have a street address, and I received my first Christmas card today:)

We left our home in Danville, and I was absolutely convinced that I would not ever have the privilege of living in such a nice home again, at least not in the near future. But we have been blessed, for even though there was not an abundance of rental homes available when we arrived on island, we happened upon a beautiful home in the Wailua Homesteads. It is less than five minutes from the ocean in Kapa'a, the east coast of the island. My short drive up the hill navigates between the Wailua River on one side and Opaeka'a Falls on the other side, with lush mountains and greenery in between. A beautiful, fully furnished plantation home...two bedrooms, two and a half baths...lovely front porch, and a covered backyard lanai that overlooks streams and mountains...

The biggest concern that I had was that there would not be sufficient room for us to unpack...after all, I am an over-packer and we had over 10 pieces of luggage...but after unpacking all of our belongings, I realize what a small footprint we have had in this home. Although I feel that I have been carrying so much baggage for the past few months, I really have shed most of my baggage, have lightened my load, and walk into my new home, my new life, with lightness of things, lightness of stress, lightness of concern, lightness of life. I hope to be able to maintain this lightness, yet embrace the beauty that surrounds me.
Beauty is not to be underestimated in how it affects one's heart and soul...I feel privileged to awake to beauty each morning...                  

                                                         My Beautiful Danville Home

                                                             My new Kauai home

My new living room

                                                            Backyard covered Lanai

                                                                           Kitchen

                                                                     Master Bedroom

                                                                   
                                                                    View From Lanai

Becoming Kama'aina

Life transformation. This is still so much work...we have spent our first full week here on the island and thanks to my insistence on forward motion, we have taken care of quite a good amount of business. We have visited Princeville, Kilauea and Hanalei on the north shore, stayed in Kapaa on the east coast, and are now staying in sunny Poipu, on the south shore. We have secured a beautiful rental home for the next 12 months, picked up Keanu (our Honda Element) from Nawiliwili Harbor, and opened up bank accounts. We will move into our new home next week with more details and photographs to come....

Today we signed closing documents for our home in Danville, so that chapter of life will be ending in a few days as well...so much change in such a short period of time, and life right now truly is a bit of a 'free fall,' but I hope to be landing on my two feet fairly quickly.

In addition to the numerous sunrises I have seen over the past week, I awoke at 4am on Saturday to view the lunar eclipse. I have laid by the pool, on the beach, and have had to rethink my relationship to sunscreen...on vacations I normally use Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning oil with little or no sunscreen, but my daughter told me I ought not get so dark, so I will have to alter my sunscreen habits to suit the long term. I have made friends with tourists and locals, I have had sticker shock at the grocery store, eaten at fancy restaurants and local family eateries. I have perfected the pineapple martini and look forward to raising a glass with my friends and family that visit...

The locals that I have met so far have been welcoming, encouraging and absolutely delightful. Because we are accustomed to taking longer vacations, and because we are staying at resorts with other tourists, the reality of living here has not yet sunk in. But now driving Keanu around with out of place California license plates makes me realize that my transformation to kama'aina is getting closer to becoming a reality.

Kama'aina is a term that is used for Hawaiian residents, regardless of their racial background, so it is this transformation that I am trying to currently make. It is a shift from tourist mentality to the mentality that the sunrises over the ocean are not going anywhere, that the sunshine and the warmth will be there again in the morning...it is how you conduct your life when you know internally that the beauty and magic that surround you will always be there. Such a feeling of peace and tranquility, and it is this magic of the islands that drew me here to begin with...I hope to never have to leave it behind.

Sunrise in Kauai: New Beginnings

Finally. Almost 12 months in the making, but I am here. I am here in Kauai. This is near the end of my second full day here on the island. Listening to my dearest friend, Leokane Pryor, singing lovely Hawaiian melodies on my ipod, and trying to grasp a sense of my reality...

HST,  or Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time, is currently a two hour difference to PST, but will return to three hours time difference after daylight savings time ends, as it is not observed in the state of Hawaii. Hawaii maintains its 10 hours difference behind GMT, Greenwich Mean Time, throughout the year.
The reason I mention this is because I currently have a time change issue, and have been waking up several hours earlier than normal, around 4-5am, while still dark. Knowing that I will eventually shift my sleeping pattern to reflect normalcy, which for me is a waking time between 6-7, I have taken advantage of my early rising and have had my coffee early, and the past two days have sat on the beach and watched the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean.

I have seen the sunrise over the Caribbean a few times, I have seen the sunrise over the Himalayas once, Mount Kanchenjunga, at Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, India. The magnificence of watching a sunrise is exactly that...magnificent. Nature, God, whatever we wish to call it...at its purest and finest...it is the beginning, the beginning of a new day. 'Morning has Broken,' and all possibility exists again...and most of us sleep through the glorious sunrise, or we simply are not in a location that we can view and experience this daily miracle.

So my first two days here in Kauai I have watched the sunrise over the ocean...starting in darkness and progressing to glimpses of sunlight through the clouds and horizon, and then rising above to a new day, a new beginning, where life starts again...so I find it fitting that I have been awake and prepared to view, for I am at a new beginning myself, a new life, a place where where my life is starting again. And though I know that my sleep patterns will adjust to my new time zone, it is so gratifying to know that I have the ability to watch the sun rise...I am in a place now that I can do this, I can watch the sun rise if I so choose.

And I only imagine the transformation of a life where one watches the sun rise each day...and lived life with the understanding of the brilliance of the new day, its new opportunity, its new beginning.
It is to this life that I aspire.

Thanksgiving

My post this week was going to resemble a kindergartener's essay on the things I am thankful for...good health, my family, my friends, food on the table, the amazing privilege to be on this voyage...

I have been suddenly stopped in my tracks, however. And though there have been times before when this tragic road has been traveled, it does not become easier, it does not become more navigable, it does not become okay. It feels like a fist has been thrust through my gut. There has been a life lost, the life of a young man from my community who is my daughter's age, a young man whose family, like mine, has spent years of their life dedicated to their children and their activities and sports, a young man who died in battle serving in the US Marines.

I am without words, speechless. Emotions overcome. I do not believe in war. And it is with absolutely no disrespect that I make this statement. I acknowledge and support all the young men and women and families that serve our country in unquestioning patriotism. As my children grow older, however, and as life appears more fragile, it just seems that the loss of a young person feels more tragic and unnecessary.

So this Thanksgiving what I would like to give thanks for is life. The precious breaths that we take for granted daily, the precious moments of life that we share with our children, our family, our friends, and  that which gives meaning to our life. For we simply do not know when it will be taken away, and we do not know why it will be taken away...but make no mistake, it will be taken away. So I am thankful for the time, this time that I have, with this life that I have, with the people that I have. I am thankful.

So take a moment to breathe some life into your moments. Create the life that you dream of and then live it. Life is precious. Breathe. Be alive. Be thankful.


                                                         Joshua 'Chachi' Corral, USMC
                                                              12/30/1991- 11/18/2011

The Calm Before the Storm

Entirely relaxed, perfectly still, calm and peaceful life. Pacific Beach has been simply therapeutic. I have listened to the ocean, listened to the rain, and watched the sunset all from my little cottage on the beach. I have worked out for hours a day (because, quite frankly, what else do I have to do?), I have read, I have written.

My son's last football game of the year was on Saturday, so we took our final trek to Salem, Oregon this weekend to watch his 42nd and final college game. My daughter made the trek as well, but fairly uneventful, except the reflection of the past 21 years and the past 33 of his sport seasons (37 if you count regular Little League and All-Star Little League as separate seasons, which they were). This portion of my journey is over. And so this chapter is complete.

In two weeks we will be back in California, back in the fast lane, and tying up loose ends, getting rid of the last of our winter clothes, taking our shorts and tank tops and flip flops and Aloha shirts and dresses out of storage and packing them for our one-way journey to paradise. Having our final San Francisco meal at Scoma's on the wharf, and our last cheers in San Francisco over irish coffees at The Buena Vista. We will be visiting family in Half Moon Bay, San Jose, and Fremont, as well as close friends in Danville. We will visit the Wine Country and have a last champagne toast on the Mainland. We will be dropping off Keanu, our Honda Element, for his journey across the sea, and we will do all of this in 6 days.

It is tiring to think that I will have all this movement in such a short period of time, as I now am perfectly still, with little or no movement. Perfectly still, entirely relaxed, calm and peaceful life. The calm before the storm, the perfect quiet and still before a period of motion, movement and change. I shall sit back and enjoy this quiet, enjoy my free time, enjoy my last period of stillness for a while.

'Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict.
Saul Alinsky

Great Expectations

Expectations are inevitable...we all have them; for events, jobs, relationships, careers and life itself. So the question becomes where and how do we set our expectations? And where do our expectations come from? In getting prepared for this move to Kauai, and the numerous stops along the way, there have been expectations of what each step would look and feel like. A picture or snapshot of what each step will be...yet just a few weeks into our journey, I have had expectations that have already been met, been exceeded, and fallen short in different areas...there are expectations for everything, from a dining experience, to interactions with people, to the weather, to life events. So without going into great detail of the different pleasant surprises and great disappointments of the journey thus far, my question is simply how these expectations become formed, and our feelings of satisfaction when they have been met or exceeded, and our very real disappointment and hurt when our expectations have not been met.

“The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations.” Eli Khamarov

So does having an expectation for an event or a relationship potentially harm the enjoyment or satisfaction that you can receive?
If an expectation is met, then it simply has satisfied and completed the task and purpose that it was supposed to have in the first place. If an expectation has been exceeded, then there is a great sense of pleasure and surprise, for it was not something that was anticipated, and so it comes as a welcomed gift and addition to anything that was originally intended...but if an expectation is not met or satisfied, whether it be for a job or event, or expectation of a friendship or relationship, or even for a life path, there is disappointment, hurt and sense of failure in the shortcoming...and that pleasure that would have been derived is overlooked because the falling short of expectation is the only thing that we can focus on.

So perhaps the secret to all life satisfaction is just in setting the proper expectations...and he who is capable of succeeding in that task is the most fulfilled.

SEATTLE

Part of the reason that our time here in Pacific Beach is so enjoyable and not cumbersome is knowing that on weekends we are leaving our population 141 town for the Big City...more than not, we are going to Salem, Oregon, home of Willamette University and the Bearcat football team where my son is a Senior outside linebacker and captain of the defense. One of the reasons to be here at this time is that we would be able to see all of the games his senior year. Salem is not what I would really term as a 'big city' of course, but remember, we are comparing it to a population 141 small coastal village...

This last weekend, however, he had an away game at The University of Puget Sound, UPS, in Tacoma, Washington. Taking advantage of the proximity of Tacoma to Downtown Seattle, we opted to make a long weekend out of our excursion and stay in Seattle a few nights. I chose a downtown hotel, The Westin Seattle, as it appeared to be walking distance to the waterfront, Pikes Market, Space Needle, downtown shopping, dining and nightlife. And though I have been to Seattle before, I have never stayed more than one night. I was expecting a stay similar to a few night stay in San Francisco, as I had always felt the two cities to be quite similar. After all, they both lie on bodies of water on the West Coast...

Let me start by saying that it did not rain a drop the three days we were in Seattle, so my perception is perhaps skewed by the abnormal weather pattern this weekend...but the moment that we parked the car and started walking around, I immediately felt the difference between Seattle and SF...Seattle has much more of a tight knit and compact feel to it, and my guess is that it is, in fact, quite a bit smaller than SF. The city has beautiful restaurants and bars, coffee houses and breweries, all lining the streets that lead up and down to the waterfront. The waterfront has restaurants, museums, bars, all that capture views of Elliott Bay and the various ferries that transport resident locals and tourists alike to the many different islands that populate the different waterways and channels in the area. This city has charm that is altogether different than any other city I have been to...between the city's love of coffee houses to their love of craft beers, to the beauty of the waters, to the excitement of downtown baseball and football fields, to the fresh seafood, to the birthplace of the grunge movement...all can be felt here in walking its streets. I could see myself living in a city like this...not for a long time, as I do not like the cold and I can feel the proximity to the Arctic Circle here :) But for a few months, long enough to explore the different offerings that the city has, and long enough to say that I once lived in Seattle...

The Diva with a Red Mercedes

When my daughter was informed of our life plans earlier this year, she laughingly expressed that she did not believe that it was possible for me to live a simpler life, as she thought I was a 'diva with a red Mercedes.' And she felt that a person like me couldn't find the way to simplify and tone down her so-called wants and needs enough to be able to live the kind of authentic life we were talking about....

So the first step in ridding myself of this title was getting rid of the red Mercedes, which I did several months ago. So now I guess I am just a diva...but in Pacific Beach, WA, I don't think divas are much appreciated...so I am trying my hardest to blend and fit in, wearing baggy jeans and not putting on the red lipstick that matched my car...just trying not to draw attention to myself. Not sure if that is working, but what I do see already in myself is a shift in my perspective and what is bringing a smile to my face and making me happy.

After my morning workout last Wednesday, I drove a few miles down a road that I hadn't been on before and I found a family-owned produce stand...Voss Acres Produce Market. You would have thought that I had found the Fountain of Youth, but I was so happy to have found a place to buy fresh and locally grown produce that I did not have to drive an hour to get to. A quaint little produce stand, and I had the opportunity to meet the owner, Sharon Voss, who shared with me her life story. She had grown up a mile down the street, but had gone out on a 'life adventure,' living and working in Portland and Seattle. She several times referred to her 'life adventure' but then recounted how she finally reconnected with a man she had known since she was much younger and found her way back home. Lovely woman and a lovely story...

And then there are Chloe and Sue, both of whom work at the Ocean Crest workout room that I go to every morning, both telling stories of their week and offering their pleasantries to me each morning. It is amazing to me that complete strangers here are more than happy to tell you about their life if you are willing to listen...

We took a road trip to a football game this weekend and discovered the best XM radio station that started off by playing 'Hotel California' and proceeded to play more Eagles, Bob Seger, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash...and an entire era of music that has not since been equalled. And this made me happy.

I had forgotten the power and emotion of music, and reveled in listening and singing to some of the greatest songs ever written.

A simple conversation and connection with a stranger, a favorite song on the radio, the sun shining on the ocean, a phone call from a friend...these are all things that have made me happy this week.

I may still be a diva, but I think that is part of who I am. But this diva is adaptable and willing to make some changes in order to achieve an authenticity that I have been lacking. But because I don't want to lose my authentic self either, I think that when I get to Kauai, I will wear that red lipstick that matched my red Mercedes, with a flower in my hair to match...

Pacific Beach, Washington

So with all our possessions in a 5x5 storage unit in Danville, and our Honda Element packed with all the rest, we have officially headed out on our adventure. After a short weekend stop in Salem, Oregon for a college football game, we our now at our home for the next two months in Pacific Beach, Washington. We have rented a charming one-bedroom cottage a half a block from the ocean, with lovely views and sunsets...

So a little information about Pacific Beach...this is a small beach town on the Pacific Coast of Washington state, unincorporated, and located in Gray's Harbor County. The biggest draw of the area is the two miles of flat, wide-open Pacific Coast beach.

Population: 141, number of households: 62. Yes, that is not a typo, this is a small town.

Our cottage is located right smack in the middle of the one block town, just a few yards from Surf House Espresso, a quaint coffee house, and 59 Main, the only gift shop in town. Around the corner are the two convenience stores in town that carry 7-11 type items, and around the other corner is the Naval Base, with the only restaurant in town...I had to drive 45 minutes today to the nearest grocery store...

Earlier today there was a siren that sounded with an announcement over speakers to the entire town...it was only a test, similar to the emergency broadcast tests that I grew up with on television, but this was broadcast over-air to the town. Tsunami alerts, storm alerts, or whatever other emergency might occur here is broadcast in this manner.

I had a vision that I would be jogging on the beach in the mornings for my workout, but when I awoke to pouring rain, I had to rethink my plan. I found a small 'club,' actually a small workout room for the Ocean Crest Resort in the next town over in Moclips. For $35 per month, I joined the club, no liability waivers signed, no EFT info required, and I even got to choose my own membership number...a far cry from SportsClub/LA- San Francisco, where just two months ago I was selling $270/month memberships with $600 initiation fees to CEO's of startups...

A simpler life, isn't that what I was looking for?

Ambassador of Aloha, Manager of Fun

We are days away from leaving California, but a very real concern of mine for this move to be successful is that I find employment in Kauai that will provide sufficient income for us to live. The tourism and hospitality industry is a natural fit for me, given my resume, experience and personality. That being said, I cannot aggressively pursue employment in Kauai until I am actually there, as no employer is willing to commit a job to an individual who has not established that they reside on the island.

So I have my resume posted with Starwood, one of the largest employers on the island, and they occasionally send me job listings that appear to be a fit with my qualifications. They have three properties on the island, all with different guest profiles. I have received several listings, such as Guest Services Manager, Events Coordinator, and other jobs that I feel that I absolutely would pursue if available when I arrive. I have received two others, however, that have brought a smile to my face, and an ease to my worries. The first position is for an 'Ambassador of Aloha.' My guess is that this is close to a concierge type position, however, the job title carries so much positive energy and love that it is absolutely a job that I want...just for the job title...

it makes me want to want to have business cards with my name and job title to pass out to everyone on the island and an e-mail signature that I would send to everyone I knew...just so they could see my signature.

The other job listing that I have recently received is one for 'Manager of Fun.' Really, is there an explanation necessary? That basically describes my life...managing fun:) There is an ease that comes from knowing that I am going to a place where that is a need that an employer is willing to pay for. I have not yet applied for either of these positions, but rest assured, I will certainly be looking for something along these lines when I do finally get there. Clearly Starwood has a sense of who I am, and I have not yet even arrived. Can't wait to see where I finally land...

A Heart that Hurts is a Heart that Beats

'A Heart that Hurts is a Heart that Beats'- Bono

Not so much a U2 fan, but this is a good lyric nonetheless. My heart is hurting . We are on the two week countdown of our departure, and I have days left to prepare, but more importantly, days left to connect and reconnect and say my 'goodbye for now' to all those who are near and dear to me. Though I am embarking on an adventure that I anticipate will create new life opportunity and possibility, I am saying 'goodbye for now' to family, friends and relationships that are based on me being present in this life and existence. I cannot predict what will happen to these relationships after I leave...

My heart hurts on so many different levels, from leaving my family and my children and knowing that seeing them will involve major travel and planning, to leaving my friendships, not knowing what kinds of bonds I will be forming and creating in my new life. I am leaving relationships that are new and old, renewed and rekindled, and those that have needed some dusting off...but in all of this, it has made me ponder the relationships of my life, and has made me evaluate the ones that have had an impact...it is not often that we face ourselves with such an unusual task and evaluation process, but in doing so, I do feel the connections and heartbeat of all whom have mattered to me.

There is a sadness, but also a calm in knowing that all connections of the heart are bound by the heart, and remain there always. And in such a process, with such deep emotion, is it not this that makes our heart beat? To know, recognize and acknowledge our heartfelt connections with people? My heart is hurting, yes, but it is not broken...it is beating strong, for I am feeling my connections, and I feel alive.

The Power of Intention

The definition of intention is 'an aim that guides action.' But this year I have seen the true power of intention. We started this journey at the beginning of the year over a casual conversation. The conversation centered around the quality of our life and if we were really living the life that we wanted and were destined to live. We had always talked about moving to the Hawaiian Islands, but there were far too many reasons that prevented such a drastic move.

With children no longer at home, one of the primary obstacles had been removed. We began discussing the possibility of making such a huge life change, and what would be the steps in order to get there....steps A-Z....and there literally have been that many steps and tasks and details that have had to be worked out in order for us to be here today, with 3 weeks left before we leave California behind.

The greatest decision, however, was not in deciding how to deal with our finances or whether to take our furniture or sell our cars, but rather the first decision, the original decision and commitment to simply deciding, rather intending, to make this move. That single intention, and our commitment to that intention, has driven most all of our actions this year. We have made choices, big and small, based on our intention to move to Kauai, and all those choices have brought us to this point, almost entirely ready, at step 'Y', in the progression towards our end goal. The power of our intention has taken on a life and a force of its own, and the forward motion cannot be stopped at this point even if we were to change our minds.

Thank you, Ardith, for this quote:)
“When you have come to the edge of all light that you know, and are about to drop off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.”
Patrick Overton

The Fear Factor

Fear is an interesting emotion, yet one of our most powerful motivators. Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of happiness, of sadness, of pleasure and of pain. Fear so often forges the path of our life and ultimately determines our destiny. We do not like to be afraid, it is uncomfortable, yet so often, only through our fear can we get to our desired result.

And with less than four weeks of life left at status quo, I am starting to feel afraid...afraid of what is to come, fear of the unknown. Though I know what I hope of my life to come, I am unsure how it will all play out. In less than four weeks, all of my possessions will be in a 5x10 storage unit, 2 suitcases, or in my car. I will be leaving the Bay Area, my home of over 40 years, my family, good jobs, all that I know to be secure. Will I be looking for security again? I am unsure at this point. I believe that what I am looking for is an opportunity to be alive, free, and the ability to live my life with purpose and meaning.
We do not have a home yet in Kauai, we do not know where on the island we will reside, nor do I have any indication how I will be earning a living. I suppose that it is natural under these circumstances to be afraid, but as I have taught my children....if you are afraid, and if the task before you seems reasonable, just take a deep breath, acknowledge your fear, and do it anyway.

And so I will be moving forward, with fear acknowledged, and see where this adventure takes me.

The Geography of Kauai

I am not sure about everyone else, but I always have to know where I am in the world. Where I am situated in a region, on a map, and on the globe. I can always certainly tell you which way the Pacific Ocean is from where I stand...when I travel to different places, I also have to know the area and region and basic geography of that place. Needless to say, I rarely ever get lost, I almost can always get myself around in an unfamiliar city, and it just makes me feel secure to know my place in the world.

So moving to Kauai proves interesting, because I have an entire other scheme of geography to learn, as well as topography. I am only just skimming the surface, but here are a few interesting facts: Kauai sits at approximately 22 degrees North latitude. I really have no idea what my latitude is currently, but the reason that this is of interest to me, is that the island is just south of the Tropic of Cancer, at 23.5 degrees North latitude. With each degree measuring approximately 69 miles, Kauai is less than 100 miles south of the Tropic of Cancer. Because it falls within the two latitude Tropic lines, it is considered to be in the tropics, which means that there are essentially no seasons because of the location of the sun at all times of the year. Note that a few of the countries that the Tropic of Cancer run through are Mexico, Egypt, India, Bahamas...

The Hawaiian Islands are the Earth's most isolated parcels of land lying in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean some 2400 miles from both the nearest continental land mass, North America, and other islands of Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. I suppose I understand the price of those United Airlines tickets now...

As for the island itself, only about 10% is accessible by car...note to self: I shall need a new pair of hiking boots. The island is home to the rainiest spot on earth, Mount Waialeale, with an average of 426 inches per year recorded since 1912.

And since I will be surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, I suppose that I will need to learn the terms windward and leeward and understand what that means, because at this point I simply do not. Just trying to still grasp where in the world I will be.

The Last Supper

We are about five weeks away from leaving the Bay Area, the place where I have essentially spent my whole life. And so a bit of panic sets in as to what should be done in the next five weeks if we were to never return....what activities, what restaurants, sporting events, what is it that makes this place special? And so all life experiences here need to be quantified and judged to determine whether they need to be repeated, whether we need to be reminded, or in the instance of a restaurant, whether it is worth the money, calories and time to go there to commemorate our exit from this place. A bit like a last supper, if you will, last meal, what to do for the next five weeks when given the opportunity?

Do we go to Fisherman's Wharf to Scoma's for seafood, followed by a walk to The Buena Vista for Irish coffees? Do we head out to the wine country for an afternoon of tasting followed by lunch in Yountville? Do I finally bicycle across the Golden Gate Bridge like I have been meaning to do for years? Do we head to Marin for an afternoon of sun, seafood and Sam's? Giant's game after drinks at Momo's? Ferry Building farmer's market? Betelnut on Union Street? House of Prime Rib? Sunset at Spanish Bay watching the bagpipers? It is hard to quantify what all these mean to me, and what I actually want to represent my last few days...

I will share as the decisions unfold, as well as the determination of whether the right choices were made. Any suggestions?

The Lexus has Left the Building.

Overwhelming...is there a stronger word than overwhelming for my emotions right now? Frank's car is gone..all but the couches in the living room are gone, other 'stuff' is gone.....my daughter, Arya, is gone...unless she decides to come live with us in Kauai, she will never live with me again. I am overwhelmed with emotion right now, and yet this is the path that I have decided to take. I suppose that there would have been a time that this separation would have been apparent, but most likely it would have been initiated by her and not me. And yet today, initiated by my life choices, my baby girl has left for college, and she knows, as do i, our life will not be the same. She has her life in front of her....as do I, but I suppose the clocks that tick, tick differently for us both. She holds the world of possibility in her hands, and I hold a clock that is ticking...more to follow, more in happiness, I promise.

Are We There Yet?!

And so the adventure was supposed to begin....I quit my corporate city job and we move to the Hawaiian islands. That sounds reasonable, that sounds easy. But between here and there are hurdles and hoops, time and work, patience and more patience.

Let's start the story from the beginning, here is Northern California, the suburbs of San Francisco where I have lived my entire life.
And there is Kauai, the Hawaiian Islands, paradise, and all that a life there will mean. We decided to make the move at the end of last year, and committed all our energy and resources this year to making it a reality. And although the intention of making such a drastic move is powerful in and of itself, it has not come without its own headaches, its own stress and without taking on a life of its own.

So the plan is that we leave Danville at the end of September....6 weeks from now. We are leaving the mainland with our clothes and our Honda Element (that we purchased a month or so ago after getting rid of my red Mercedes). The Element's name is Keanu, in case you are wondering what we named the car;) But at the end of September, to complicate things just a bit, we are going up to the Pacific Northwest to spend 2 months during football season to watch my son play his last year of college football. We have rented a cottage in an ocean town in Washington and will be driving to Salem, Oregon on weekends to watch him play.
There will begin our adventure, but between now and then, we have to sell, donate, or give away all our possessions. I underestimated how much 'stuff' we have....and we do not have a lot of 'stuff' in comparison to most people...still, for the past 25 years, I have collected the things that furnish, decorate, fill, maintain, entertain, nourish and allow us to have raised a family here in our home. We just don't believe we need all the 'stuff' anymore and are in the process of detaching from all of it. As my friend Sue said, it is the memories attached to the stuff that we want to hang on to....we hang on because we don't want to forget. I won't forget, I promise.

So time is ticking, and each and every day I need to be productive and accomplish something towards the end goal, the end goal of leaving here with just our suitcases on our initial trek up to the Pacific Northwest. I wake up in the morning and I think, what can I do today? What will be productive? How can I get rid of this, how can I sell that, how can I donate? I have had two weeks so far at home since I have quit my job. I have streamlined all our filing cabinets into one small file box of essential documents, I have streamlined my walk-in closet and gotten rid of more than half of my clothing items and shoes....next major project will be the organization of photographs....rest assured, it will all get done. Because it always gets done, because we are organized and prepared and conscientious, but really...are we there yet?