Expectation vs. Reality: Yes, Yes, and Yes

Wow, so blogging on the road is fairly difficult.  I just don't have the time.  I imagined this trip for so long I just wasn't quite sure what it would actually be like.  So, I thought I'd make a blog about how the trip is meeting what I had imagined.
*So, so far, it's easier than I expected.  The driving has its moments, but if it's not raining, and it's daylight, then, it's not bad.  I don't even mind rush hour because it means we can go slower.  Sometimes it's a challenge for me to keep up the 70 mile per hour thing but other times, I find myself going faster.  It all depends upon how far I'm going.
*Visiting friends has been the highlight.  I felt a little nervous to see people and to STAY and feel like an imposition on people I haven't seen in a long long time, but it has been wonderful and my friends have shared a ton of aloha with us. The Rogers, the Andersons, my former students, Deison, Lauwa'e, and Cheryl.  I've also loved having a hotel room, to just catch a breath.
*Our van is a tad bit more crowded than I had imagined, but I think we'll do some downsizing today.  It's very nice to have our own van.  It's like a relief or a piece of home.
*Food has been fun and delicious and amazing.  We are trying very hard not to overdo it, and though it hasn't been healthy food, we have tried to not eat toooooo tooooo much.  We walk a lot, also, which hopefully is doing something.  We've also done a good job of getting our rest.
*Budget-so far, ok.
*Keeping up with my work is ok.  I sometimes would rather be doing other things, but priorities....that's all I can say.
*Meeting fun people-YES!  Lots of happy, kind, fun, and funny people.  There are standouts! and there are the everyday friendly folks!  We love them all.
*Freedom from everyday life is also fun.  We have work, we have schedules, but it's different and it's something I am really grateful for.
*Me and the girls stuck in a van...well, sometimes they get mad at me, and sometimes we get mad at Kealia, and sometimes we get mad at Hana Girl, and sometimes Kealia and Hana Girl fight.  I tried something new...I let them have a whole fight and I didn't say a word.  It was hard; however, at the end, they were fine, they got over it, and so, maybe I'll try that some more.  The best part of us...we don't stay mad.
*Missing Mike-Ugh!  That's ALL I can say!  Much much worse than I expected.  Awful.  Twice I've checked air fares to come home and see him...but, I'm hanging on.  FaceTime HELPS!  We get Mike on the phone and pass him around.  It's kind of like he's been shrunk into a little guy the size of the phone and we show him around and the girls say, "I want daddy now," and we give them the phone.  It's funny.

*Is it still exciting?  Yes.  Am I glad we're doing it?  Yes.  Am I happy to keep going?  Yes.
So far, Yes, Yes, and Yes.

Running in Circles, Eating Donuts, Flying Fish, Gross Gum Wall

Today we played tourist in the city of Seattle.  We started our morning at a leisurely pace, which was nice for a change, and found our way to, Top Pot Donuts.  We were attracted there by the giant donut on top of the building.  Knowing that we are already planning on visiting donut places throughout the trip, we were excited for our first donut visit.  It did not disappoint.  They were delicious, the atmosphere was coffee shop relaxing.  Of course, the friendliness we experienced yesterday, proved to be present again today.  Oh, I didn't tell you about yesterday!  It was unbelievable.  I don't have time for all the details, but I will tell you that our town car driver was very kind and went out of his way to show us some sights as we drove to Matson to pick up our car.  When we got to Matson, everyone was very friendly.  I had to go around to the back to get the van and my girls waited out front.  A guy named Cookie bought my girls donuts.  Another guy named Joe, insisted they go inside, and when I told him that I had told them, but they weren't listening, he forced them inside.  (They weren't being defiant, just trying to have good manners.)  Then, my battery wouldn't start, so the Matson guys jumped my car.  They were worried about us, so Joe drove his car for me to follow him, all the way to a gas station, near our place we'd be staying.  He even called to check on us later in the evening.
There was more to yesterday, but I better move on with today...well actually, I'm going to let Kealia tell you about today.  She wrote a beautiful journal entry...so the rest is by her:

Even though this has been only my 2nd day of my trip, I'm only starting my journal today and tomorrow, we go to Tulalip.
Today, we did a lot of tings.  We went to the top of the space needle and I have pictures to prove it.  We ran outside around about five times.  Then when we got back down to earth, we went to Pike's Market.  We watched them throw fish and crabs.
Then, next we went down to the Gum wall.  it's a combination of some really gross gum, a covered old movie theatre, and a lot of support from Seattle community.  What I really think is that a group of kids always used to hang out there so they started sticking gum on the wall, too lazy to walk to the trash can.  Later, it became abandoned from all the graffiti and gum and became a world land mark. ( I actually stuck gum on the wall too! Hee Hee)
The last thing we did was go to the Pacific Science Center.  There were so many different exhibits.  My favorites were the butterfly house and the live bugs.  I really liked the Butterfly House because there were so many different species.  I liked the live bugs because I got to hold alive Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.  There were millipedes, cockroaches, centipedes, scorpions, and bees.  There was also a type of stick bug.  There was also an Awesome Psychic Powers show and it was funny and cool.  The guy was not really a magician but taught us about the scientific method.  His last trick was so hard, but eventually I figured it out.  This was my exciting day in seattle.  Hope that you have a day like this too.

The "But" Hurts

In about a week, I could change this title to, "The BUTT Hurts," because though I drive to Kona or Hilo for about an hour one way, at least once a week, I'm sure it will be nothing compared to the driving I'm about to begin doing.  This title though, is more fitting for how I feel now...today...when the, "But," hurts.  

So, I know I'm fortunate to be able to take this amazing trip around the United States for 5 1/2 months.  And I know it's going to be the trip of a lifetime.  I'm sure I'm going to see amazing sights, beautiful scenery, and gorgeous landscapes.  I know it's a great educational experience for the girls.  It will indeed be great to see my family and friends all along the way.  I'm certain I will enjoy the many museums, science centers and farmer's markets in fabulous cities.  Spending this quality time, at this time, with my girls is invaluable.  I am aware that this is a chance to make a difference as an educator and give future students opportunities.  BUT...(And that's the "But," that Hurts)...

I'm really sad to leave my wonderful husband and best friend, Mike.  I miss him already and it hurts.  This trip seemed like such a great idea for the last eight years while I was planning it, but now the reality of having found a love that brings me so much strength, hope, happiness, and just plain old fun, makes the trip feel like a separation and leaves me feeling a sadness that I had not expected.  We planned this trip before we met Mike and I told him about it on our 2nd date, but not until the last couple of months has leaving him for this adventure, really set it.  To make it worse...he's so supportive and encouraging...telling me to go and make him and Darel proud.  A double whammy!  Who would want to leave such a selfless, generous, and humble man...not to mention very handsome and constantly funny.  So, yeah, yeah, yeah, to all the things I mentioned first, but man, does the BUT hurt!  

Buh Bye Cat Litter

So, I'm set to depart in a week for this Big Adventure.  When I see people they always ask me, "Are you getting excited?"  I answer honestly that "Yeah, I am," but I also really love my life right here and right now.  I'm not looking forward to leaving the beautiful place I live, the church I enjoy attending, the home that is so comfortable and full of laughter, the job that I actually unexpectedly miss more than I thought I would, the daily activities we enjoy, the beach, my puppy Cupcake, my friends, and Most of All, my wonderful husband.  I think the one thing I'm really looking forward to is NOT changing the cat litter.  Each morning as I'm scooping...I'm thinking...just a few more days and I don't have to do this anymore.  And that, is the only thing I can think of that I'm happy to get away from.  Yes, I'm excited...but I'm going to be happy to come back, too.

Adding Sticks to the Nest

Right before you have a baby, expectant parents often go through a process called, "Nesting." They have an urge to clean, organize, and prepare their home for the new baby.  I think I'm experiencing a similar phenomenon.  I'm only going to be gone for 5 1/2 months, but I feel the need to go through all my closets and drawers, organize my papers, have medical check ups, revisit and update my will and more.  I feel the need to have everything in order before I go. It's a change from how I normally do things which is to think of it, but not actually do it...procrastination.
One thing I really notice that's different, is the way I love my husband.  I know I'm leaving him for a long time and I know I'm going to miss him so much!  So, I've noticed that little things that used to irritate me, don't.  Small arguments that may have been larger in the past, aren't.  There's no time to be mad because our time together before the trip is short.  I don't want to waste my time with him, not enjoying him.  I also want to do nice things for him...make sure dinner's ready, arrange date nights, send him text messages.  I'm thinking that maybe this is how I should be all the time.  As someone who has lost one husband and nearly lost another, you'd think I'd NEVER take him for granted, but life happens and I forget how very blessed I am.  Knowing we will only be side by side for a couple of more weeks and then it'll be a few long months apart, brings a great awareness to how very fortunate I am.  I think appreciating Mike is the best nesting I'm doing. I think I'll try to make this a way of life, because appreciation breeds contentment and happiness.  I'm going to miss Mike so much, but I'll worry about that once I'm on the road.  For now, I'm going to text him a smile and buy tickets for a date tomorrow night.

Talking to Strangers

I've always talked to strangers.  Some say, I've never met a stranger because after a few minutes I think they're my friend.  I love talking to people and hearing their story.  My kids are used to it, they don't always love it, but they accept it.  So, I talked to a couple of strangers yesterday.  Salesclerks at the mall.
First one I'll tell you about was in shoes at Macy's.  I exchanged my cute furry boots, that I'd actually never wear,  because I just feel too old to wear boots with my jeans tucked in to expose the furry band.  So, I was trying to find just the right boots for the trip.  The sales girl asked where we were going to which I gave my usual answer, "Around the United States for 5 1/2 months."  Her response surprised us!  "I did that!"  She then went on to say how much she loved it and how much she learned.  She told us the places she went:  Disneyworld, the Grand Canyon, the Empire State Building, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and more.  I asked what kind of car? A volkswagon van.  Who did she go with?  Her dad.  How old was she?  9 and she still remembers it all.
Wow, 9 years old with your dad all around the U.S?  She told me, "He had cancer, so he wanted to take me."  He lived only about a year more after the trip.  She had tears in her eyes and so did I.  She said that now she really understands, now that she's older, what it meant to him and her, and how grateful she is.  That's no stranger...that's someone who values life with gratitude.

Homeschooling is CRAZY!

Homeschooling should have another name:  Crazymaking!!!!
We've been at it for three days and staying home all day for three days is absolutely crazy!!! We've reached delirium and we know this because we alternate between bouts of screaming, dancing, and laughing hysterically.  We've danced, sung, and eaten way too much food because the "school cafeteria/our kitchen" is open all day long-and the food is better here.
We try to be disciplined and stick to a set plan and curriculum, but there's a tv here and Facebook, and You Tube, and Itunes, and snacks, and Wii, and animals to pet, and laundry, and on and on and on.
Things I've learned:
1.  13 year old girls cannot learn Algebra from their mothers-if the mother is absolutely NOT sure of what she's teaching.  So, Mr. Pilarsky on You Tube has become Hana Girl's new math teacher.  We like him and so far, he likes Hana Girl (because he can't see her roll her eyes to him)
2.  I'm good at teaching Kealia's math.  So far.  I think.  I really have no idea.
3.  Vocabulary is all three of our greatest weakness, as we just were trying and trying to determine the meaning of the word, "puny" and we couldn't figure it out because we thought it was a Filipino word for something that makes you laugh.  "That joke was very puny." (funny)
4.  After taking a Reading Comprehension test, Kealia and I were reviewing her missed questions and when asked about the mood of a passage, (which I read) we couldn't determine the answer.  When we looked up the answer and found out it was-Humorous-, we reread and I guess I could see it but Kealia said, "That does not make me laugh." which made me laugh, and laugh.
5.  We are going through school withdrawals!!!!  We even miss the people we don't like!  WE are going stir crazy!
6.  Homeschooling is hard.  It makes you gain weight.  It makes you crazy.
I admire all those people out there doing this....I don't know how you do it.
Well, we have to go.  We need a field trip.  We're going to study something out there....outside, out of this house.
I'm sure homeschooling will go better once we get on the road.  Hahahahaha, yeah, because then we won't be trapped in a house...just in a minivan.  Should be much better.