One whole flipping year....

August 16th marks exactly one year since I've lived on the island of Maui.

Wow.

One year ago, my amazing parents flew to Maui with me on a one way ticket. I've never lived anywhere else in my life, and this move came on the heels of a very unsettled time in my life, and included going back to school after 8 years, and a major career change. I had no idea what to expect....

Family and friends have been so supportive, and I can honestly say that it has been an amazing journey so far. I've met some wonderful people: friends and kumu (teachers) alike.

Not to say that every minute has been a breeze. This past week was an example of the difficulty of being far from the people you love. A terrible tragedy in the lives of two people I love dearly, and I couldn't be there to support them. I know they know that I love them, and that my heart is with them right now, but that knowledge can only soothe the spirit so much. Sean and Blythe, I love you so much, miss you more, and I'm thinking of you and Nancy.

Sooooo.....

Nicole started a blog. Nicole's blog is the most awesomest thing in the whole wide world. Being many miles across the ocean, one of the things I miss the most - the small stuff. The day to day nuances that come from being an integral part of a person's life. Baby milestones, late night microwave pizza adventures, Elissa's latest creative culinary treats, Mom's gardening (mis)adventures, Jayson and Josh exchanging stupid movie quotes, etc., etc. Those moments truly are the hardest to not be a part of anymore, and while reading about them isn't the same, it really does make me feel closer.

Sooooo.....

I've been contemplating a blog for a looong time now, and wondering why I never did. For the first nine months or so of living on Maui, I was pretty good about sending out mass emails to the people I cared about, crafting long intricate novellas in which I tried to capture a month or more's worth of events, thoughts, and feelings. I loved sending out those emails, and loved even more the stories and updates I received in response. While a blog doesn't necessarily elicit response, I think that just the act of writing stuff down on a more regular (hopefully) basis will help to make me feel closer to y'all.

Plus...bonus for you guys...you don't have to read it if you don't want to. So if my emails annoyed you...well, I guess don't really care, but at least now you'll have one less in your inbox. :)

I'm definitely curious to see how good I can be keeping up with this. In the past, my journal attempts have been short-lived and numerous. But that's old school, baby. We're in the future now.

Sooooo.....

One to Act I, Scene I in the WQS Chronicles.