Day 20 Persistence Pays

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.

Colin Powell

I was ecstatic when I saw this on my school dashboard. I have finally managed to get into the Practicum course, the last one I have to take before I graduate with my Masters in Science in Nursing Education. 

I started on this degree in the fall of 2007. As I close down the last remaining weeks of Advanced Pathopharmacology, I look forward to starting the last leg of this journey. I'm getting there, however, slowly.

At my BSN graduation ceremony in 2001, a student who was, I think, summa cum laude, gave a speech that stuck in my mind all these years. She was in her 40s and just completed her Bachelor's Degree. She said that she knew it was going to take 4 years of her life, maybe more, to get her degree. 4 years! Then she said, 4 years was going to happen anyway whether she chose it to or not. So, might as well do something with it. That struck me so hard that I have used that as one of my driving personal mottoes in life. The years are going to happen no matter what. It's what we choose to do with those years that matters.

This is gonna happen! The Practicum course is split into two parts of 8-week sessions. By the end of June, I will be done with school!!!

Well, at least, for now. Until I start the Doctorate in Nursing Practice Program . . .

Day 19 Honu Love

Try to be like the turtle 

- at ease in your own shell.

Bill Copeland

Tom was in class for PADI First Responder Rescue Instructor. It will be an all-day class.

I had every intention of going to Starbucks and getting some homework. I tried, but I just couldn't concentrate.

I went for a drive instead. I drove to Kekaha Kai and lounged there for an hour or two; then I thought I'd go for a new adventure. I remember going to a birthday party at Four Seasons in Hualalai a few years ago. I vaguely remember is so I decided to go and refresh my memory.

After going through the gate, I wound through lush landscapes and strategically-placed condos and villas. The Four Seasons was close to the water. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do or where to go exactly when I spotted a small sign for public access to the beach. I found a great spot to park, asked a landscape worker how to get to the beach, and headed out.

I was rewarded by a beach almost devoid of people except for a woman on a beach chair reading. The wide expanse of sand, lava, and softly rolling waves was certainly soothing. Ahh, yes. This is what vacationers pay good money to come and see.

I found a nice sandy spot shaded by some trees. I sat admiring the scenery. Out the distance, I thought I saw some rocks move; then it hit me. Turtles!!!

Who does not like turtles??? I love them!!! They are the epitome of ease and comfort. They seem to go about their business in perfect calm and peace. I can never get enough of watching them. So, I sat there for a while watching them and taking about 500 pictures. These are baby turtles. They are barely bigger than a basketball. Just so adorable . . .

I want to think that their lives are a metaphor for mine. At least, I aspire to live my life in perfect calm and peace, at ease with the world, and stress just flows right through like water on a turtle's shell.

Day 18 No Strangers Here

"There are no strangers here.

Only friends you haven't met"

~ William Butler Yeats ~

A couple of nights ago, we had friends over for dinner. Only hours prior to them coming to our house, they were strangers.

Months ago, when the picture above was taken, we had a large number of friends for a BBQ. All of them we only just met. Tom met them all for the first time that night.

We had several more parties and BBQs since we bought the house last year. Each friendly gathering brought more new friends.

When Tom and I began talking about buying a house, there was one thing we agreed on. We wanted a house big enough to accommodate visitors and enjoy a great time with friends. With God's grace, our dream came true. Since then, we've met so many wonderful people who have enriched our lives with theirs.

Our house admits friends only. There are no strangers here.

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The original photo was taken by Fletcher Flieder - a complete stranger who became a friend. God bless.

Day 17 That Single Rose

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,

while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Lao Tzu

I slowly make my way downstairs to the kitchen. It's another beautiful day today. I open the windows and the sliding glass doors to let the breeze cool the house. Gwynn follows at my heels waiting for some attention.

On our dining table sits the rose Tom gave me a few days ago. He met me with it when he picked me up from the airport. My heart still flutters at the memory of opening the car door and finding that one rose sitting on my seat.

Tom and I had our challenges. I suppose every couple does. Some days are worse than others but, for the most part, we make a great team.

I wonder who inspired Lao Tzu and with whom did he fall in love with to have such wisdom.

I sit on our hammock and pet Gwynn. I let the breeze play with my hair and listen as birds chirp cheerfully in the trees. I capture that single rose in my mind again, close my eyes, and feel that wonderful feeling that only my husband can stir within.

Day 16 Strangers to Friends

The fun stuff comes when someone is not so strict on sticking to the script. You're allowed the spontaneity, and great moments can happen. 




Jennifer Aniston

A couple of travel nurses and I decide to venture out into Waipio Valley. Tina and I started at the hospital together and I met Cassandra for the first time. The plan was to hike out to Hi'ilawe Falls. We drove down to the beach in my FJ Cruiser and parked. I love this valley. The serenity of it reinforces my love for this island.

After we crossed the river and re-grouped on the other bank, we realized none of us knew how to get to the Falls. Nonetheless, we started hiking towards the mountainside where the Z trail began. It was a pleasant and easy hike. The ocean to our right, jungle to our left. When we got to the foot of the Z trail, however, we confirmed our suspicions that we had gone the wrong way. No matter. We started hiking back, but instead of going through the jungle side of the path, we hiked on the beach instead.

We found a rope tied to a tree and we tried swinging on it. It was so much fun. After a few minutes, we settled down for some snacks. Two of the surfers stopped by and we asked directions to the Falls. Neither was very helpful. As we sat under the shade of some trees eating, two hikers, Justin and Ryan, stopped by and chatted for a few minutes. They are visiting from San Francisco and had spent the night at Waimanu Valley. They are hiking back to their car parked at the Waipio Valley lookout. They ventured on and we rested a little bit longer.

Snacks eaten and rested, we slowly made our way back to our car. We decided that we will have to tackle the falls another day when we were more prepared and had more of an idea of how to get there.

As we were getting ready to leave, the two hikers caught up with us. Apparently, they were resting just before the river crossing. So, I offered them a ride up the mountain. They gratefully accepted. We got to know each other a little bit more in the car and so I invited them to come along with us for an ice cream stop at a little shop near the lookout. The day continued on its spontaneous spiral from there.

I asked everyone if they'd like to go to the beach for a little while, then on to our house for a BBQ for dinner. I offered one of our showers to our new friends since they've been camping for two days. So, off we went to Kawaihae to spend the rest of the day.

As I laid down on the sand getting sun drenched, I also greatly enjoyed the company of my new friends. We shared sandwiches and chatted convivially.

Later that day, we had a wonderful time at the house. We shared some BBQ and drinks and had a great time. Allison and Chris also joined us and the house became alive with the presence of friends once again. It's a good thing Tom is also very sociable. I sort of sprung the BBQ on him. And I brought strangers home. Again.

Aaaah! What an excellent day!