January on Mainland

Well guys, I've moved yet again. :) I've come back to San Francisco for another travel assignment. The holiday season definitely got me thinking though and my plans have been altered a bit.

I've decided that it's time for me to go back to school again. And what better place to be than in paradise, learning. :) So I'm applying for a permanent job in Hawaii while I complete an online Masters course in Nursing. It's a 2 year program. So, yeah.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying myself in SF living with 2 amazing people Ivan and Alex. We are kicking each others' butts on the xbox sports game. It's pretty humorous when we get going. Ivan's screeches and screams are hilarious. Alex is surprisingly competitive and I'm just in it for laughs, go figure. And the fact that I get to cook for more than one person for a change is better. Cuz you know my mama never taught me that, only to cook for an army cuz that's what you do when you're from New Orleans. :) And my dear friends Matt and Jess are close by as well so that makes me happy.

My next stop will be back to Houston to settle up my personal things there and get back to Hawaii. Wow. How life changes its course. I'm just going with it and listening to my heart.

Christmas is Paradise

During the holiday season I think it's ok when one disappears from the blogging world. We can just thank facebook for allowing us to look back and smile at our adventures.

The start of December was the ending of my work contract at KVMH. I loved working there and the people that I occasionally saw. It's a quaint hospital where I had lots of autonomy. Although I craved higher acuity, I appreciated the care that I was able to provide with the resources that I had.

Of course on a personal side I realized many things that I wanted in my life and many that I didn't. I know that there are sacrifices that need to be made in order to get you on the right path or at lease in the direction of the right path. I know that even though the new year will bring new things, it will also allow me to go back to where I need to be.

December brought insight and lots of friends...Meredith and Sean came to Kauai and I went to Megan on Maui. Amazing sights and experiences with friends. My other Meghan gave me the gift of SCUBA and Travis introduced me to sailing and new waterfall adventures. I am so blessed and really am grateful to all my friends and family.

November Rain

There is different weather on Kauai, it rains more often now. The sun still comes out and the bikinis are worn. :) I love Hawaii.

November also brought Andrea!!! I had such a blast with my girl. I'm so grateful for our opportunities to meet each other where we are in our travel assignments.

Kauai has been such an amazing experience. The women that I have met here and those who have become my dear friends, I can say that they will remain life long girlfriends. Such amazing hearts and minds. Thank you Michele, Chelsea, Elisa, Meghan, Sonia, Wanda and Lorri especially.

Tribal Clay Painting, Girl Power & Rainbows

What more could you want from Kauai?

I joined a group of amazing women for tribal clay painting. Sometimes women just need a chance to get back in touch with their true tribal original selves. Away for all the stigma, judgement and criticism and just be the true beauty that we are. I loved it. Thank you Wanda and Kaia for the experience and mahalo also to Meghan for joining me.

I have a group of amazing women that I surround myself with on a daily basis. A crazy group of women who I laugh, sing, and well do other stuff with that doesn't really need to be mentioned. But here are some pics to show you how we rock out in Kauai.

SkyDive Kauai

Trees Lounge

Hanapepe Art Night

3rd Annual Sip & Cycle, a bicycle pub crawl

Rainbow in my backyard

Naked Time

If you get the opportunity to just be one with nature, DO IT!!!

Star gazing as you float in the ocean, hearing the waves crash onto the shore.....EPIC!!!

Summer time all the time.

I have to pinch myself as everyone gets ready for the ending of summer and start of new school year. For me, the weather and season really doesn't change. Consistent mid 80s most of the time.

Well the weather might not change but a few things have such as me moving in with my amazing roommate Cindy. I love our house! It reminds me of a surfer house on one of those lifetime movies. Love it!!!

Well the catch up on things, August was a fantastic month. I have continued to meet amazing friends and have to say goodbye to a few as well as Kauai is quite a transient place for folks. My sweet Amy was able to come visit and we had a blast revisiting some of the places we saw almost 10 years ago. Then my island bestie Abe had to say aloha for a few months as he went to Colorado to spend time with an amazing lady.

Now it's september and I've already started out with a bang. I volunteered at the Kauai Marathon in the medical tent. We had to hydrate a good bunch of people and of course handle the occasional blister, ache and pains of the body. Wow, time flies. I can't believe it's been 3 months that I've been on the island. I love it more each day.

Napali Coast Kayak

Such a great adventure. The hazy sky, choppy waters, bouncing kayak and a load of adrenaline was a perfect combo for a fantastic trip.

I went with a small group from the Kauai Adventure Club on a kayak trip starting from Ke'e Beach and ending in Polihale. A 16 mile adventure.

We were hesitant to launch as it was raining and the waves looked a touch fierce. After speaking with the lifeguards, we decided that once around the corner it would be a nice ride with the current and wind helping us along. We made it to Kalalau in no time flat!

Kalalau is such a gorgeous place. A fun mix of hikers, nudists, hippies and locals. There are caves everywhere you look and a gorgeous waterfall that doubles as a shower. There's even a natural rock exposed which has become a perfect soap holder. The wind was a bit chilly but I managed!

Our leader/guide Abe helped launch each boat and was a great kayak buddy for me. In the kayak he told me which way was best and kept a close eyes on the waves that were quite tall.

We took off the next day early as the younger guys of the group wanted to head out before the sun got too hot. So off we went to Minolii Beach where we saw a monk seal and a couple sea turtles. The rain came for a brief time, but we had to venture out and collect shells. We had enough energy and decided to move onward and head to Polihale. We made it this trip in such glassy smooth waters. As scary as the big surging waves were, I preferred the choppy waves as it was an easier ride.

Polihale welcomed us with open arms and smooth landing. We were met by the family of some of the kayakers. We had a blast.

Sunsets and sunrises are such a beauy.

SF Ladies in Kauai

My dear lady Jess and her girlfriend Gwyneth were my first visitors here in Kauai. I'm so glad that I was able to show them around.

We hit a few of the hot spots of the island...North shore Kilauea, Tunnels beach and Moloa'a Beach. Kapaa and Kealia Beach on the East side. Poipu on the South side, Polihale and Waimea Canyon on the West side. They took off one day and did a boat ride up the Napali coast. They really did cover some ground!

I loved having them here. We cooked out back a few times and were joined by my landlords.

I loved meeting Gwyneth and seeing her and Jess' love for each other. I'm so happy that I was able to offer my home to them.

Salsa Summer in Paradise

My birthday gift to myself was a trip to Honolulu for a salsa festival. I danced and danced. My friend from Houston was there visiting his son and new grandson so we were able to meet up and dance.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

HaPpY bIrThDaY!!!!

July 18th

Tanti auguri a me, tanti auguri a me, happy birthday to meeeeee, happy birthday to me!

Another year and without trying I celebrated my bday on an amzing island. :) I worked my birthday, but I still had an amazing day. I went to the beach and laid in the sun. I grilled out with some new friends and played xbox, a first for me! My girls are amazing and had a cake for me. Love 'em! Then my kindred soul sisters Chelsea and Cindy shared some beers and cupcakes with me over our beach bonfire in front of my place. Good times.

Full Moon and New Friends

Every day has brought new experiences and new friends. With the full moon came a night of bonfires, food and dancing. Kealia Beach was a shimmering reflection of the moonlight. So gorgeous. That pretty much sums up all my excursions on this island. I need to get a thesaurus otherwise my descriptions will all be the same:)

July began with hikes, snorkeling and BBQs. Hawaiians do well with their meat so I'm enjoying myself! :) I'm looking forward to the rest of my birthday month as it will be filled with more beach days, hikes as friends arrive and even a trip to Oahu for salsa dancing!!!!

July 4th BBQ/Pool party

Tunnels Beach

Napali Coast

Awaawaapuii Trail in Waimea Canyon

Star and Stripes Event on base

Living a Dream

Wailua Secret Falls

Kalalau Trail

Hanakapia'i Falls

I have loved being here in Kauai. I've had so many amazing opportunities and met some amazing people. I just completed another big hike. It was a 8 mile round trip hike to Hanakapiai Falls off the Kalalau Trail. I was hopping over boulders, balancing along rocky and muddy paths, sloshing through mud puddles and marveling Mother Earth.

This journey has been so inspirational and rewarding. This place is so spiritual. I love it here. I'm so proud of myself for following my dreams and not letting anything or anyone hold me back. I'm looking forward to my future adventures.