Tomorrow is Sunday and we thought we'd try a new idea. We will honor the Sabbath. My friend, informed me that the Sabbath was not a new idea, but it will be new to us. As I complained in an earlier post, we do so much and are always so busy, that we hate being busy!!!!! Today, we did all our chores, house cleaning, homework, and grading and recording papers. Tomorrow, we will go to church, and then...relax. We aren't doing like a true Sabbath, with no leaving the house and no activity, but we are doing only fun family together type activities that aren't, "Work." For example, Hana Girl needs a special fern from the forest for hula so we are going on a quick hike after church to collect it. Then, in the late afternoon, the girls have a hula performance. It's kind of sounding busy...but I think the goal is no stress, like "Oh my gosh, I have to do this before tomorrow, or I have to do that." Just a day of Sabbath that is a day to let go all the worries and stress and focus on our Saviour and Heavenly Father. I have to admit, I'm not so sure about this. I didn't accomplish half of what I hoped to accomplish today and I'm already thinking I really need to do somethings tomorrow. We shall see if I can do it...anyone taking bets?
Alana
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Slumber Girl Reunion !! :)
Heyyyy :) it's me, Hana Girl,
So, as you know, we are taking this super cool trip around the US...Im soooo excited!!!!! In about mid-February, we will be in Stockton, CA. My super, awesome, cool, amazing friend, Reagan, lives there, and I haven't seen her in like two and a half years!! This girl is the BOMB!!! We were the Slumber Girls at a sleepover one time, and to this day, we still are. I remember the time we went outside and jumped on the trampoline at 5 in the morning...Maybe this time, we'll go into the pool. We will probably freeze our butts off, but the memory of doing this is so worth it. :) And even though we live far away, that's where phones and FaceBook come in handy. They keep us close, even though we are hundreds of miles apart. It's like having a pen pal, but with an immediate response. I'm going to be so sad when we leave her, but I know for a fact, I will see her again. I LOVE HER AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE REAGAN!!!!!! <3
Hana Girl :)
So, as you know, we are taking this super cool trip around the US...Im soooo excited!!!!! In about mid-February, we will be in Stockton, CA. My super, awesome, cool, amazing friend, Reagan, lives there, and I haven't seen her in like two and a half years!! This girl is the BOMB!!! We were the Slumber Girls at a sleepover one time, and to this day, we still are. I remember the time we went outside and jumped on the trampoline at 5 in the morning...Maybe this time, we'll go into the pool. We will probably freeze our butts off, but the memory of doing this is so worth it. :) And even though we live far away, that's where phones and FaceBook come in handy. They keep us close, even though we are hundreds of miles apart. It's like having a pen pal, but with an immediate response. I'm going to be so sad when we leave her, but I know for a fact, I will see her again. I LOVE HER AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE REAGAN!!!!!! <3
Hana Girl :)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Top 10 Reasons Why Our Minivan is the Perfect Road Trip Vehicle
Sooooooo, the original plan was to buy a car for our six month road trip. However, as life happens, (And It Always Does), we spent our car money on our house. Now, we have switched to Plan B which is turning out to be the "B" Better Plan. We are shipping over our beloved 2005 Toyota Sienna Minivan for the six month journey. Trying to turn whatever situation we are in into the BEST situation, hasn't been difficult in this particular case.
10. The Minivan is Comfortable. You can even lay down if you needed to, and completely stretch your legs.
9. It's Easy to Park. It could just be that I'm used to it, but I can swing into a spot or parallel myself pretty well. My girls have gotten really good at "visualizing" a front row spot to park in, and then it happens...now that's talent.
8. As # 9 Said, I'm Used to It. I don't have to figure out where the windshield wipers are or anything.
7. It runs great! Not scared of jinxing it either. I believe in my Toyota to carry me at least another 100,000.
6. Decent Gas Mileage. It's not a hybrid, but it's not a giant SUV either.
5. Great Safety Ratings. Side Airbags and All.
4. No Monthly Payments. The shipping charges, both directions, will total $2500. That's cheaper than any rental and way cheaper than buying a car.
3. That Homey Feeling. Just in case we get homesick or tired of being in a new place each day, we can retreat to our car and it's familiarity.
2. There's a semi-big dent in the back bumper, compliments of my husband, so it takes off all the stress. I think I might be grateful for that dent.
1. I won't care if the kids spill something...wherever the spill lands, won't be the first time something spilled there.
A minivan is a perfect road trip car. Can't wait to send our Sienna across the Pacific to meet us in Seattle, our starting point. It will be weird at first to drive our own vehicle in the mainland...but it's going to be good!
10. The Minivan is Comfortable. You can even lay down if you needed to, and completely stretch your legs.
9. It's Easy to Park. It could just be that I'm used to it, but I can swing into a spot or parallel myself pretty well. My girls have gotten really good at "visualizing" a front row spot to park in, and then it happens...now that's talent.
8. As # 9 Said, I'm Used to It. I don't have to figure out where the windshield wipers are or anything.
7. It runs great! Not scared of jinxing it either. I believe in my Toyota to carry me at least another 100,000.
6. Decent Gas Mileage. It's not a hybrid, but it's not a giant SUV either.
5. Great Safety Ratings. Side Airbags and All.
4. No Monthly Payments. The shipping charges, both directions, will total $2500. That's cheaper than any rental and way cheaper than buying a car.
3. That Homey Feeling. Just in case we get homesick or tired of being in a new place each day, we can retreat to our car and it's familiarity.
2. There's a semi-big dent in the back bumper, compliments of my husband, so it takes off all the stress. I think I might be grateful for that dent.
1. I won't care if the kids spill something...wherever the spill lands, won't be the first time something spilled there.
A minivan is a perfect road trip car. Can't wait to send our Sienna across the Pacific to meet us in Seattle, our starting point. It will be weird at first to drive our own vehicle in the mainland...but it's going to be good!
Too Much
I need some balance...
Really, somebody tell me how you do it? I am so excited about the trip and I just want to plan it, and study it, and ruminate on it, and dream about it....but I'm too busy teaching, grading, planning, cleaning, driving kids, cooking, laundry...Is this how it is for everybody. Why is teaching still taking so long...shouldn't I have these same lessons from past years? I do, but somehow, they don't fit the current students, so I start again.
Is it that I'm a workaholic or something? Any tips for slowing down out there..I'll take them. Anybody else crazy and non stop like me...let me know so I can commiserate, not with you of course, there's no time, just can feel that I'm not the only one in this motor boat.
At least, and it's not really at least, because it's pretty good....today....I walked for 45 minutes with two friends-and talked the whole time! That was good. I also made a mighty fine dinner if I do say so myself and the four of us actually sat and ate together with a pre meal blessing and all. That was good, too. I checked Kealia's homework...and....I wrote a blog. Now back to planning one last lesson. Goodnight.
Really, somebody tell me how you do it? I am so excited about the trip and I just want to plan it, and study it, and ruminate on it, and dream about it....but I'm too busy teaching, grading, planning, cleaning, driving kids, cooking, laundry...Is this how it is for everybody. Why is teaching still taking so long...shouldn't I have these same lessons from past years? I do, but somehow, they don't fit the current students, so I start again.
Is it that I'm a workaholic or something? Any tips for slowing down out there..I'll take them. Anybody else crazy and non stop like me...let me know so I can commiserate, not with you of course, there's no time, just can feel that I'm not the only one in this motor boat.
At least, and it's not really at least, because it's pretty good....today....I walked for 45 minutes with two friends-and talked the whole time! That was good. I also made a mighty fine dinner if I do say so myself and the four of us actually sat and ate together with a pre meal blessing and all. That was good, too. I checked Kealia's homework...and....I wrote a blog. Now back to planning one last lesson. Goodnight.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Getting Started
Hi! My name is Kealia and I'm about to go on a long road trip, for six months! I'm going in about five months. My mom got a sabbatical and some of the things we have to do are visit a few colleges and high schools.We also have to do a couple cooking classes. I think that this is a big opportunity for me to go on this trip because not everyone gets to do this. I'm really excited and I can't wait! More posts to come.
Aloha,
Kealia, age 9
Heyyyyyy :)
I'm Hana Girl, the happy-go-lucky thirteen year old. I am super excited for this trip!! Right now, we are in the middle of all the planning, or what I call the hard work...:P. In the end, though, I think this is going to be one of the greatest experiences in my life. :D
Aloha! My name is Alana and as you already heard, we are going on a LONG road trip all around the United States. Since we live in Hawaii, it will be a great experience to visit so many parts of the mainland, especially for my girls, since they were born and raised on the Big Island. I have some tasks to complete for the state of Hawaii Department of Education, and I'm pretty excited about that work. I'm also excited about visiting so many of my family members and friends. Most of all, I'm excited about doing this adventure with my girls at a time when they are really starting to understand a lot about life. Thirteen and nine years old...it's a big time of change for girls, and I'm hoping its a good time to be stuck in a minivan together..for six months. Hmmmm...we shall see.
It's been a plan and dream for a long time and God willing, it's finally coming to pass. There's lots of little plans, goals, and ideas for this trip, but right now, we are still working out the route, the budget, and a rough schedule. If you have any ideas for us or suggestions on things we MUST do or see and ways to raise some additional funding, please let us know. Keeping a Blog will be a big part of this and so we invite you to join us and keep up with us as much as you wish.
Aloha,
Alana, The Mom
Aloha,
Kealia, age 9
Heyyyyyy :)
I'm Hana Girl, the happy-go-lucky thirteen year old. I am super excited for this trip!! Right now, we are in the middle of all the planning, or what I call the hard work...:P. In the end, though, I think this is going to be one of the greatest experiences in my life. :D
Aloha! My name is Alana and as you already heard, we are going on a LONG road trip all around the United States. Since we live in Hawaii, it will be a great experience to visit so many parts of the mainland, especially for my girls, since they were born and raised on the Big Island. I have some tasks to complete for the state of Hawaii Department of Education, and I'm pretty excited about that work. I'm also excited about visiting so many of my family members and friends. Most of all, I'm excited about doing this adventure with my girls at a time when they are really starting to understand a lot about life. Thirteen and nine years old...it's a big time of change for girls, and I'm hoping its a good time to be stuck in a minivan together..for six months. Hmmmm...we shall see.
It's been a plan and dream for a long time and God willing, it's finally coming to pass. There's lots of little plans, goals, and ideas for this trip, but right now, we are still working out the route, the budget, and a rough schedule. If you have any ideas for us or suggestions on things we MUST do or see and ways to raise some additional funding, please let us know. Keeping a Blog will be a big part of this and so we invite you to join us and keep up with us as much as you wish.
Aloha,
Alana, The Mom
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