Farm Fotos

This is Nixie Kaimana. She is a brat. She sticks her head under the fence to try to eat more grass.

The Privilege of Home

Growing up while travelling around the United States and the world got the travel bug firmly flowing through my veins. We have lived all over, making friends along the way, and sticking together as a team. I have come to love all kinds of places on the mainland, in England, Cyprus, Mexico-- everywhere. But there comes a time when the travelling needs a break, and when growing up must begin.

Once my brother and I started school, our family settled down in Hawaii to allow us to stay at one school, and make some long-lasting friends. We came almost on accident, and, being only seven years old, I didn't quite realize that I would be growing up in Hawaii. I didn't realize a coveted vacation spot would be my backyard. I didn't realize that God wanted me here for a reason. And I sure didn't realize how easy it would be to take my home for granted.

I have been lucky enough to go to schools on the mainland for the past two years. In those two years I have begun to understand how crazy it is that I live in Hawaii. When I am meeting people for the first time, one of the standard questions is "Where are you from?" As soon as I answer that one, people are twice as interested in me. Besides rattling off the stereotypical questions, (Do you live in a shack? Do you surf everyday? Do you eat pineapple all the time?), the general excitement lasts only for a little while. Then, until reminded of my home, I become just like everybody else. Luckily, I really am.

I am like everybody else because I like to hang out with my friends and read. Food is great, but I try to be healthy. My bed is my best friend, and my dog is my cuddle buddy. I am just another kid, growing up, just in a different location than a lot of my friends are used to thinking of as a place to live. Yeah, it's different than say, Colorado, but all the same things occur here. Making friends and losing them, petty fights, birthday parties, sleepovers, hitting up the movie theater, and dinner at Pizza Hut. These are the things that make a place your home.

Getting to go home for Christmas break has its perks, like no snow, a little sunshine, and definitely some trips to the beach while all my friends are back home splitting logs. But what people don't realize is that Hawaii is just another place to me. Because I live here, I don't always remember how privileged I am to call it home. But when I step off that plane at the end of the school year, into soupy air and the smell of salt and green things, I remember just how blessed I am, and I am grateful.

Happy Sabbath, with a Cake

After over a year, I have been able to catch up with my best friend since 3rd grade! Now, before you get all worked up about not keeping in touch, I'm just going to say that life DOES get in the way of a lot of things, and as I have grown up, I have learned this more and more. She's one of those friends that, when you drift apart, you are able to pick right back up where you left off. Our weekend of catching up with each other is just beginning, and the singing trio of her, my brother, and I are back! 

Consistent with her sweet nature, my friend brought us a cake. It was pretty delicious; one of those melt in your mouth light-n-fluffy cakes. We gave her some guava jam to take back for her and her mom! Can't say no to some tropical goo, right? (Personally I like my bread with just butter, but whatever floats your boat.)

I love you Mei, and thanks for the cake!

An awesome way to start this Happy Sabbath. :)


"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."      
John 15:13

The Logo has Arrived!

Finally, I have decided on a logo for my photography. I feel like quite the graphic designer; at last learning Photoshop and truly creating my own splat of text that stands for me only. Soon, I will be plastered all over the internet, known through the opaque personality of my logo . . .

I wish.

An aspiring photographer/ journalist always has high hopes, but I, for one, am certainly not delusional. It will take time and effort to get myself out and about and then, someday, to actually make money doing what I enjoy. But for now, I will content myself with sharing my thoughts with my few dear readers, here. So, if you don't mind, let me know what you think! Do you like my logo? How about my photography? Please comment and share, and if you have a blog, I would love to check it out. I do blog surf in my free time. I feel it is a perfect way to get a feel for the world and really understand the gritty human way of thinking. I like it real because that is how we learn.

A note about this photograph:
These are 'Ohelo berries, the main delicacy for Hawaii's state bird, the Nene goose. I took this photo on a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a favorite Saturday afternoon hike for my family. The 'Ohelo berries thrive in a moist, cool environment, the definition of the Big Island of Hawaii's climate. On many elementary school field trips to the park, I remember making 'ohelo berry ice cream and 'ohelo berry pie. Fully ripened these berries pop as you bite into them, not unlike a blueberry, and spread a sweetly bland flavor down your throat. They certainly aren't my favorite, but are quite fun to eat, especially while surrounded by black and bleak lava. Quite the splash of color, don't you think?

Summer . . . a Time for Making Money

Rather than wrapping burritos at Taco Bell, bagging groceries at Sack-N-Save, or picking up dog poo along the road, I actually managed to get some pretty awesome jobs this summer. I have had my own business for a while, stringing and servicing tennis racquets. On top of that however, I am a PADI Divemaster, certified to teach Discover Scuba Dives (DSD's) and give tours of dive sites. Luckily, I live in a beautiful place called Hawaii, and have already done over 10 DSD's! What is a DSD you ask? It is NOT a certification, but rather an introduction to scuba diving. It is a really fun and easy course, only about 2 hours total (including suiting up and briefing) and students leave with a little more confidence in your abilities than you had before. Guess what? If you decide to continue on and get your certification with PADI, your DSD will count as your first confined water.

Ok, enough of selling myself, but it really is quite exciting. It is just so cool to watch a student complete a skill, and realize they can do it. This past Sunday I did some DSD's for our local Pathfinder club (like girl scouts and boy scouts mixed together) and it was just-- well, awesome. They all did fantastic jobs, continuing to try even if they didn't get a skill, such as clearing their mask, the first time. Sparkling eyes and toothy grins were my rewards of the day, and well worth it.

If you are interested in diving or just want some educational "stuff" to keep your brain from turning to mush this summer, check out Dive Training Magazine. This magazine is for old and new divers alike, with beautiful photos and fun stories to ignite your excitement for the underwater world.

Depressed

Kerri's leaving has depressed me. Sorry for the lack of posts. I also am uploading this at the library, since my internet at home is still not the best . . .

On a happier note, I HAVE been busy working on a logo for my photographs. Coming soon!

A Tiny Town

On our way to Akaka Falls today, Kerri and I decided to stop in the tiny town of Honomu. By tiny, I mean about a 1000 feet of green, yellow, purple, blue, and red stores all lined up on the left side of the road. I stopped because my camera would have killed me if I had driven past without firing a few shots. Take a look!

Unfortunately, upon arriving at Akaka Falls, we found to our dismay that it was $1.00 per person to walk down to the falls. After having Kerri pose by a photo of the waterfall, we left. I know, we are cheap, but also secretly lazy. The little town was adventure enough for us today!