Woo hoo!

We inherited a boogie board!

La Perouse Bay

Last night we camped at our most remote location yet. It is incredible how much the landscape changes from one mile to the next.

Today we'll head on the famous road to Hana, which will take us through untouched rain forest and innumerable waterfalls. I'm very excited, but for the 600+ hairpin turns.

Xoxo

Windy!!

Yesterday we went to the Iao Needle, played miniature golf (Brit's first time, which may be why I won!), and went to see the rock blow hole on the northeast side of the island. We hiked for a while to try to find the very beautiful Olivine Pools, but didn't make it before it began to get dark and we turned around. Maybe next time!

Last night we camped in Lahaina again, except this time in 30-60mph winds!!! Today we are planning a day of beach and snorkeling further south before we head up on the famous Road to Hana.

I plan to have a post with links once we get home and will have more photos today, as my phone died yesterday.

Xoxo

Camping in Lahaina

I think I could get used to this...

Xoxo

Lahaina

In the branches of the world's largest banyon tree

Maui!

Safe and sound, running on no sleep but some delicious poke, we are headed to Costco for supplies and then the beach!

Please don't make me go to the vet

Pootz is going to go hang out with the ladies at the vet while I'm in Maui. While there, he will have daily play sessions and dental surgery (poor guy). I know he's in good hands, which makes me even more ready to get going!

Xoxo

Tom's Birthday

My closest friend in California, Tom, celebrated his birthday last week.  I got to spend the day with him Sunday, which was so fun and relaxing!

Pre-flambe

 Bananas foster is Tom's favorite dessert, so I made bananas foster cupcakes!

Post-flambe with bananas inside and out

Birthday selfie

We grilled a bunch of food, just like we used to when I lived at the same apartment building.  So fun!

xoxo

To Grandpa Steve

This weekend I went hiking and climbed the tallest peak in the Bay Area, Mount Diablo, and the peak next to it, Mount Olympia.  At 3,848' and 2,946', they aren't that high, but we ended up making it a 16 mile day.  The entire time, I kept thinking about Grandpa Steve: his sense of adventure and self-reliant attitude were grounded in a solid foundation of knowledge and experience.  I hope I'm learning like he did: by reading and by trial and error.

Getting higher!

We took a trail on the north side of the mountain, which is far less traveled than the other approaches.  It was cold when we set out: (43*!) but warmed up nicely.

Really, not that high....so we decided to keep going

Looking into the valley

This is particularly cool: it really shows how these mountains were formed by the tectonic plates, not by volcanoes.  The ground is really sandy: it used to be the ocean floor!

There is a dot on one of the peaks: it is a lighthouse that marks the summit of Mount Diablo.  We decided to hike the ridgeline over there and found online that it was about 1.5 miles.  Nope!  Closer to 3 and a really narrow trail at some points, but it was fun!

It was about 87* at the summit, which felt great! 

This was pretty cheesy

Back in Oakland and it was 63*.  Thank you for the leg warmers, Mom!

All in all, I think it was a day Grandpa would have enjoyed. Xoxo

Mr Pootz

This may be why the vet exclaimed, "he's a big guy!"

Who knew?

Oakland has a rose garden!

Bathroom Safety

This is what I did yesterday afternoon at work....

Xoxo

Lazy night

"Let's never leave the couch again"

Check up

"I'm not very happy with you right now"

Happy St Patrick's Day

My choir, The Rockridge Chorale, had two of our St Patrick's Day concerts today. There was about an hour between and we got to relax in the beautifully landscaped courtyard of the second nursing home. It was a wonderful way to spend a day with good friends!
Xoxo

Sari

Today I am going to see a film about the exploitation of women in India, "Petals in the Dust". My choir director, Devi, let me borrow a sari and dressed me. I will post later about how the night goes.
Xoxo

Lunar New Year

Thursday was the Lunar New Year and Friday, Monday, and Tuesday we had parties, celebrations, and performances at Hong Fook. Everyone has made me feel so welcome: even down to including me on the dance team!

This is the Vietnamese fan dance, performed by Hong Fook Harrison nurses and social workers. They brought me a traditional dress: I'll post pictures once I get them!

The Hong Fook Center dance team

Miss Kim on the left is our Korean nurse. Michelle on the right is the activities coordinator (chief fun instigator and dance choreographer)

The Lion Dance musicians

I especially like how colorful everything is!

We give the lion red envelope "lucky money" to bring fortune in the next year.

It is good luck to touch the lion. The dancers made sure to visit every client.

Watching over 

Laurie, one of the PTs, has been instrumental in my cultural education

Lettuce is hung to feed the lions, who in turn spit it back out as wealth and fortune. 

Fighting over the stick

The black lion is offering a peach, a symbol of longevity for the new year because peaches last a long time.

Being tamed

Eating the lettuce

"Happy New Year!" 

I love all of the beautiful silk!

Loi, our nursenliason 

Aimee, our dietician and the reason I have any clue about the symbolism involved in New Year 

Jan, the Hong Fook Harrison PT, and Jenny, the Program Director. Jenny is an incredible, kind boss who has welcomed me and does everything she can to include me and make sure I'm part of the Hong Fook family. 

How blessed am I?!? .

Kim, my primary translator and great buddy, on the Hong Fook Harrison side.

 I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Hong Fook family and am looking forward to the next year with them! Xoxo