2012: Hawaii to New York

Our four years in my home state of Hawai'i was awesome.  I have the most amazing friends and wonderful family that is by my side no matter what.  When we decided that out of all the places we could move to for our next assignment was to be in the northern part of New York, we knew we would be facing many challenges.  I began a mental countdown of what we needed to do before leaving our comfort zone on Oahu.  We ate as much ramen noodles from Ezogiku Noodle House in Waimalu, ate dim sum (chinese dumplings) in Downtown/Chinatown, went around the island and ate at the famous Romy's Shrimp and Prawn Restaurant in Kahuku.

Yet, deep down inside I battled with my emotions.  For a long time, I have tried to keep a smile on my face or look angry most of the time so that people couldn't see the sadness I was feeling.   Prior to moving back home to Hawaii, my family and I were living on the mainland and in a bubble.  Once we came back to Hawai'i, that move showed me the true importance of having your family around and the duties I have as a daughter, niece, and granddaughter.  I am a role model and a shoulder to cry and lean on when times are rough or not.  

Transitioning from barely having a relationship with my mom to speaking with her at least once a week now has been a challenge for the both of us.  The first twenty five years of my life has been a roller coaster ride with my mom.  We are two similar people who approach life in different ways which tends to cause friction.  Now I feel that we have come to terms to disagree to agree when it comes to certain things but nonetheless, I am honored and grateful to have my mom and dad in our lives.  

Our last week in Hawai'i was the toughest.  We had so much to do in so little time.  I have grown extremely attached to my family in Hawai'i.  The sense of family that I've always wanted growing up seemed to elude me until 2008.  From there, we have endured so much together as a family and will continue to be by each other no matter what.  My younger brother, Ryan, I have come to lean on him quite a bit.  He is the best brother anyone can ask for.  Even though we may not say it to each other all the time, we both know that we have each other's backs.

For one month, we traveled from a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to the West Coast and finally to our final destination here on the East Coast.  We had stopped to visit with friends, enjoy the scenery while driving two cars with two young children, ate a lot of food, and traveled about 3500 miles.  It may be more since we had to detour due to an accident on the I-40 East in Arizona and because I wanted to go hunting for Big Foot from Texas to Oklahoma on an unlit backroads tour.  I have also come to realize that I need to restart my walk with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  For each time I felt we needed help, I have always turned to Him and will continue to do so.  

But we survived as a family and are awaiting to see what life has to offer.  We are blessed by the Lord Jesus and are grateful to have His Guidance.  Hopefully we will have a house to call home (waiting on the military to issue us one, lol).  Also, this summer we are planning to go to Thousand Islands and possibly Canada.  Last but not least, to continue cooking, be an awesome mom and wife, graduate with my Bachelor's in Health Information Management next year, and to enjoy everything else in between.  See you again soon!