...and what a year it has been for Jim and I! As we ponder the year's end in paradise, we are left with only good memories of a year of our lives well spent. What started out to be a six month stay in Hawai'i with Jim's job quickly turned into eighteen months. And although we find ourselves winding down this "dream come true" adventure, we both feel priveleged, blessed and grateful for the opportunity that was offered him many months ago. Jim has made quite an impression on his coworkers on the job and is well liked and respected. His kind, gentle demeanor with his experience, sensibilites and resourcefulness has brought him much praise. Softly, Jim whispers, "I'll be back!" :o)
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| Sunset Waikiki Beach |
We have met some new friends here, who we expect to stay in touch with even after our return to New Hampshire this April. Jim has received the official word that his job in Hawai'i is "pau" ("pow" pigdin for finished/done) the end of March. Leaving the trade wind breezes, the turquoise sea and the daily dose of sunshine is gonna be bittersweet at best, indeed. Right now we are taking in every day slowly and living with intention being ever mindful of the serentity and peace this place has brought us both...taking nothing for granted. Of course, what has added to the comfort of being here is knowing our home in Hooksett has been well taken care of by our boys, Brendan and Adam. So a great big "mahalo" goes out to both of them! Thank you guys, we could not have done it without you!! We love you! XOX (thanks to our neighbors keeping an eye too :o)
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| In case you forgot what we looked like :o) |
Christmas eve dinner at the Kahala Resort Hotel was alot of fun. Of course you remember we were invited to join Ingrid and her family of gentlemen, Dave, Mike and Chris, their signicant others and Debra, Ingrid's close friend and assisstant, and Debra's two daughters, one home from college, the other visiting from California. Ingrid's family welcomed Jim and I with open arms which I appreciated as I was feeling lonely without Brendan and Adam this Christmas holiday. We had lots of laughs, a delicious buffet dinner, Hawaiian style, in a gorgeous hotel tastefully decorated for the season.
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| Christmas trees were decorated all over the Kahala Hotel |
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| Ingrid and I on Christmas Eve |
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Ingrid, Mike, Dave, Kekoa and Krystal
we also celebrated Kekoa's 1st birthday |
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| Jim and Mike giving you "Aloha" sign |
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| Dave with daughter Alexis and son Kekoa |
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| Ingrid and I |
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| Deb and Ingrid |
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| Christmas "vignettes" placed around the Kahala Hotel |
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| Mahalo for all your Christmas wishes |
Because it was too dark to enjoy the dolphins outside or the beach, Jim and I made reservations to go back to the Kahala on New Year's Eve day for lunch and mimosas. After our lunch we spent the afternoon perusing the lavishly decorated hotel lobbies, the long sandy beachfront, rocky jetties and the dolphin show. It was a good way to ring in the new year! And on New Year's day Jim and I were graciously invited to a tasteful Hawaiian lunch hosted by Mike, Dave and Krystal at their home. Jim and I enjoyed poi, sashini (poke), laulau, lomi salmon, squid luau, chicken long rice, macaroni salad, haupia cake and to top off the New Year's celebration, Mikey served all of us mimosas with sherbert! I was impressed....YUM, YUM!!! A great big "mahalo" goes out to Ingrid and her whole family! Thanks so much for welcoming Jim and I into your family :o)..,you're prettty special people!
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| Festive decor at the Kahala Hotel |
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| Small island off shore of Kahala Beach |
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| You can spend time with the dolphins as they put on a show |
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| New Year's Eve Day |
For my birthday, we dined at Alan Wong's, a local upscale restaurant in Honolulu where the Obama's like to dine when they are visiting Hawai'i. I was secretly hoping we would bump into the President and Michelle on my birthday but their reservations to dine came two days later! Alan Wong's is the perfect spot for that special occasion, a pretty place with great food!
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| Mahalo for birthday wishes |
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| Alan Wong Restaurant, Honolulu |
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| Complimentary dessert of creme brulee bread pudding! Yes it was delish! |
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| Happy Birthday Robin! |
Recently, Jim and I enjoyed two shows at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The Riverdance, a performance of clogging dancers with song was energizing and uplifting but we were disappointed with the seemingly pre-recorded music and lip synching...I have never seen that on a live stage. The Elton John concert did not disappoint though...he was awesome! Our seats were up high in the stands, but we had a good vantage point with EJ facing us as he sang and played on his black shiny grand piano. His sound was impressive and he played and sang for two and a half hours without a break!
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| Elton John Concert |
Our friend Ellen arrives on Monday for ten days...Jim will take a couple days off while she is here. (Jim worked with Ellen at Computervision years ago). We will do the usual scenic tour around the island getting to the NorthShore and SouthShore, Diamond Head hike, Waikiki, Kailua, Lanikai beaches, dinners out to our favorite restaurants, snorkeling etc. Ellen has never been to Hawai'i and is looking forward to the warm sunshine and relaxing in paradise. This is her first winter back in NH after living several years in Florida so she is ready for some fun in the sun and we aim to oblige!
Guess that is all for now...mahalo for reading and staying in touch with us. I will say again, put Hawai'i on your bucket list and stay as long as you can to take advantage of this magical place. Maybe visit another island or two while you are here!
We wish you all a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year 2012!!!
Robin and Jim
