New Blog

I'm not a monster and I'm not attacking Seattle. But I still want to keep you guys updated on what's going down. So visit my new website. (I'll no longer be using this one.)

http://keekers.tumblr.com/

Adulthood

I must be an adult. I'm drinking my very first glass of wine by myself. And it's Franzia. If that doesn't sum up getting older, I don't know what does.

I have a zillion things on my mind and I can't afford a therapist so writing it all out will have to do. If you don't like novels, I'd stop reading now.

I finally have a car! His name is Blueberry, but he can also be called Berry, Bear, Little Bear, or Beebs. He's wonderful. He's expensive. And he's already dirty. Leaves and debris everywhere. I've already taken him to Ikea with mom and dad to buy a new dresser (which ps has revolutionized my life and closet), to the airport 2 times, oh and no big deal, on the top of Mt. Rainier. Who am I? I've had this car for a week and look at all that I'm doing. It's really crazy and wonderful having that car. My bank account doesn't look too scary. But I'm just super aware of every charge I make. I honestly have been trying not to go to the grocery store and forcing myself to eat the food that I already have. Just to save money. Kiki, that's going too far. The most I spend on a given week is $20. So shut up and buy some food.

But everything costs money! Every time I sit in it and turn it on that's gas money. I'm oddly sensitive to when people don't offer to help pay for gas. Did I ever give gas money in the two years I've lived in Seattle and mooched off others? NO. It's pay it forward time. I keep insisting to everyone that I love driving and don't mind helping them out. But I also don't want to turn into a chauffeur service. I hope that little Jewish accountant in my mind will stop being so stingy and let me just enjoy having the car. Oy.

This is of course all compounded by the fact that, for a brief week, I was under the impression that I was going to get a raise at work for a job well done. Not the case. Through a tug of war with my boss, which most definitely included me crying in her office like a champ, I ended up at a place where I'm now employed year round and back to making the same amount that I previously was. No raise, but at least I'm not out $62 every month which was almost the case.

Because of the car funds that I'm needing, I'm saying yes to anyone that wants to pay me to do something (prostitution excluded). Babysitting is happening left and right. I'm also currently house sitting for one of my bosses. Easy--go get the mail, sleep in the house, water the garden, easy. But they have a cat. I'm allergic to cats. I'm trying to suck it up and just deal but this means getting bad sleep and worrying that that thing will jump on my face. I've started locking it out of the bedroom at night. Jean Louis can suck it. But it's odd how much I love playing house. I relish not having to be in my apt and coming to this little log cabin out in the middle of nowhere and reading books or watching tv and just enjoying how quiet it is. I probably don't have to sleep here, but I like it.

Most likely because my apt situation is very weird at the moment. My roommate (Amanda, the one that moved in in Dec when previous roommate Kelly left with only a month's notice) has decided that she's going to move out at the end of our lease. I assume it's to live with her boyfriend but that's only because I don't want to entertain the idea that I'm not a fun person to live with. It sucks having to find some rando to live with. I have 20 mins with a person and a few emails to determine whether or not living with them is a good idea. I had two options for the new roommate because I love my apt and really, REALLY did not want to move. Option 1: Tamara--works as an Assistant Manager at Pagliacci Pizza. Went to school for interior design in California and didn't finish. Wants to write a romance novel. Seems laid back, will have completely different schedules so if we don't mix well we won't get in each other's hair, and she's been extremely responsible when it comes to emailing, showing up and giving information. Option 2: an 18 year old ballerina with an overbearing Mom. I'll save you the grief of even entertaining that scenario: I went with option 1 once her application got approved. So she'll be moving in at the end of the month. Will we actually mesh? How is this going to work out? Is Amanda even looking for places to live? I just hope that Amanda leaves with no issues and that Tamara and I end up being a good match. And I hope that Tamara doesn't bring home left over pizza because mama doesn't need to be eating all those calories.

Speaking of food, I've given up desserts until I run the half marathon in Jan. I've been doing it for, HOLY COW, 3 weeks and I haven't cheated once. That includes extravagant dinners with my parents where they all but peer pressured me into a lava cake. That includes not 1 but THREE trips to Top Pot Doughnuts with various people and I didn't budge. I didn't even get a frozen yogurt at the Mall today. Strength and willpower! I hope that I can actually train for this thing. I'm crippled with fear that I won't make progress and some lame Mickey Golf Cart is going to have to pick me up because I can't keep up and will drive me to the finish line where I won't be getting a medal. Worst nightmare ever. I don't know how to train and I'm just kind of lost about the whole thing. I know I'm making progress, I ran a very slow 5 miles the other day, but will it be enough? I have no idea. I worry about that too.

Things are just stressful. Life is stressful. But now I have renter's insurance so I don't have to worry about my furs and jewels which, let me tell you, is a huge relief.

I'm also getting pretty overbooked these days. I know I started this blog as a way to not go crazy from all of the down time after work and lack of friends. My situation could not be more different. Every night I have something in my planner. Every night. I haven't even bought my new Aug-Aug plan and I'm worried that I'll forget something in Sept because I won't have it written down. I'm with friends, I'm doing work, someone is coming in town, this new movie is happening, Kiki I never see you so let's make a date, it just never stops. I need to learn to say no to things. Another reason I love house sitting--I made no plans tonight. My friend Nick was just in town and stayed with me for 6 days. That is so long to be entertaining someone. We had a great time and I'm so thankful that he came, but I'm exhausted. Thank god I can just sit here, and sip this wine and not be expected to do anything else.

Although I also get anxiety when I don't have plans. Like, well what are my friends doing? Was I not invited? Did I forget that I need to be doing something? Even when I do have down time, I worry about it. I need to get over that in a hot second. I haven't even had time to fully stock my new dresser. Or clean out my car from the fun that we had in it. Or open my mail. I think I'm going to write down in my planner that some day this weekend is freakin Kiki Day and I'm going to do all of the stuff around the apt that I need to do. I'll make myself all of my own food and just check things off my list. And when the list is complete, I'm still not going to do anything. Because I need to learn how to spend more time by myself. I like this blog and I never write in it because I don't have time. I want to find the time.

This is also probably stemming from the fact that tonight I started reading Eat, Pray, Love. I really wanted to read it before I saw the movie since I know I'll enjoy the book more. I didn't want it to be tainted in case the movie sucked. But that woman! She's amazing. I sometimes think that I want to do exactly what she did. Up and leave for a year. Forget my job, my obligations and all of these pointless things that I stress out about and just go and experience the world. Learn new things. Soak it all up. Try things I never have before. I think it's something that I'll do eventually, but every now and then I wish I was doing it tomorrow.

I could keep going and going. But you are not a therapist and this spiral needs to stop. And by that I mean that my wine glass is empty and does not need a refill. Until tomorrow night.

This post was not meant to enlist comments, suggestions or feedback. I'll figure it out like I always do, but this is what I'm thinking about. These are all of the things that are just fishing around in my head during my 24th year on this Earth, and one day I'm going to want to remember all of these trivial things that are getting me down which is why I'm writing them down. Because none of this stuff actually matters, but right now it feels like it does.

Flo-Rida

Jackie just brought up a good point--it seems like I only write in this thing whenever I'm in an airport. I really should just turn this into a travel blog. Because you know, I'm such a jet setter. Although I guess I kind of am. All of my friends are always ragging me for all of the trips I take and my friend Sara recently wrote on my wall, "No seriously, how much vacation time do you have?" What can I say? This girl has places to go.

Jackie and I are flying down to Bradenton FL to spend Fourth of July with Nikki since she's down there for her Tropicana internship. We're for sure going to Harry Potter Wizarding World in Universal Studios and we'll spend a day in Disney World at a TBD park. Most likely Magic Kingdom. The rest of the time we're just going to be hanging out by the pool, drinking sangria and having some good sister bonding time.

I already figured out that I forgot my razor (awkward) and a purse. I just threw all of my stuff--wallet, glasses, camera--into my book bag and didn't even think about how I'll want to carry that around at the amusement parks. Way to go, Kiki. You'll be hairy, blind, money-less and you won't have a way to remember it. That's probably for the best.

Until I'm in an airport again...

Earning My Best Daughter Points

I'm currently on the internet flying my way back to Seattle. The future is now my friends.

What an amazing trip home I just had! Here's the brief rundown of the who, what and where of the past few days:

Monday: watched the finale of LOST with mom and balled our eyes out, hopped on the road to Dubuque while stopping at Red Lobster for some necessary coconut shrimp, watched Golden Eye for no apparent reason, awkwardly began my full transition back to Midwest time zone

Tuesday: early morning run along NW Arterial, backed up some photos on the computer, lunch with mom at Finley, rejection from Verizon store, dinner of champions (cereal), gab session with Libby, passed out by 10

Wednesday: Rocket run trip to Iowa City, (get ready for the unprecedented amount of eating) breakfast at Lou Henri's with Amie, lunch at Z'maricks with Danielle, Becca and Brynn, Java House for muffins, tea, and being outrageous with Jessica Heacock, early dinner with the ladies of Green Gables, catch up with Crystal, Aditi, Amie and Aubrey, late night Mickey's run to celebrate Kristin's birthday at midnight, using the mini-van as a drunk shuttle for all my friends

Thursday: Hamburg Inn breakfast with Sophie, lunch with Kristin at Oasis and necessary downtown shopping, sarsaparillas on a hammock and enjoying life, drive back to Dubuque, Los Aztecas with mom, the beginning of our resurgence of love for Perfect Strangers (Of course I do, don't be redikulous!)

Friday: The birthday of Mother Abba! Perfect Strangers, run outside, Verizon store success, car shopping and dealing, mani and pedis with nail art, more car shopping, living the high life at Champagne with crab cakes, duck, and bananas foster, and if you can even imagine MORE Perfect Strangers

Saturday: Farmer's Market, Galena all day with lovely drinks at a bar and sampling local salsas, drive to Moline to pick dad up from the airport, Biaggi's for some world famous tiramisu, watching Lost cast on Jimmy Kimmel and skyping with the sisters

Sunday: Holy crap! Invited to dine at the Country Club with the Browns, scheduled nap time, shopping and running errands, bbq some steaks, bean bag toss of shame, more online car shopping, crossing everything else off the to do list

Monday: Leisurely waking up early and hanging with mom and dad, packing up everything and then luckily finding stuff just in the nick of time, gremlins for morning snack, and a drop off at the Moline airport.

It was a great trip home. I can't believe that it won't be until possibly Thanksgiving until I'm back. I left my heart in Dubuque, but hopefully nothing else. Seattle, I hope you're beautiful when I return because there is nothing like the Pacific Northwest in the summertime.

Showing Jack Bauer What 24 Is All About

I turned 24 on Friday, which was also the eve of my cousin Caitlin's Wedding aka the event of the year. It was a pretty great birthday--corey bros doughnuts and a trip to the bright spot, hanging out with my grandparents and waking up to their mexican immigrant rants, dinner at tippecanoe place (which was way more normal sized than I remember) and surprising my mom with her birthday present: one week of Kiki Abba in Dubuque, in all her glory. That is one lucky lady.

So it'll just be us, hanging out, tipping back some wine and working on a t shirt quilt. My memoir is writing itself.

And did I mention how awesome the wedding was? Good food, lots of laughing, great pictures, fun times dancing and a "nostrovia" hang over that just wouldn't quit. I love my family!

The Theatre, The Theatre, What Happened To The Theatre?

Since I mostly live to work and work to live here's a status update of my wonderful theatre:

1. We hit our single ticket goal for all 7 of our shows this season! I have no idea when the last time we did that was but I guarantee it was over 10 years ago.

2. Last night was our Gala to raise money for the theatre and we blew our goal out of the water. Who says we're in a recession? Give people some dinner on a stage and their pocket books just burst right open.

3. I really want to get everyone at the theatre to learn the dance moves to the High School Musical Song We're All in this Together and have us make a video celebrating our rock star year. I'm sure everyone will love it. Right?

So the Rep is awesome. Duh, we all knew this. That's why I work there.

In other theatre, but not Rep-related news, I'm doing a short 10 min play for Spin the Bottle at Annex. It's like a late night variety show and I'm playing a Euro-trash beauty pageant who is dumber than a box of sticks and gets to do a pretty long stage combat scene. I'm in heaven. I have bruises on my knees and I'm meeting new theatre people and I'm acting again. It's a small step back in the game, but it's a start.

At It Again

Friends, family and the three people that don't fit in those categories: I have another blog I'm working on. But how, you barely write in this one? Let's keep the negativity to ourselves, thank you.

It's a blog I've started with my friend Michael where we discuss all things pop culture, hence the title PopFountain. Here's the address: http://popfountain.wordpress.com/

So you know, check it out.

Weekend Bliss

I just got back from another weekend in Vegas. For anyone following my tweets you'll see that it wasn't a drinking palooza like the last time was. But that was A-ok with me. It was pretty much a weekend with friends that just happened to be in Vegas.

My friend Meagan is doing Teach for America in Vegas. I was in her wedding after college and then her and her husband Dan moved out there. Now they are going to have a baby girl, possibly named Winter Grace, and we threw her an extravagant baby shower at the Bellagio Buffet. I pulled a Mother Abba and delivered my presents in a classay plastic grocery bag. But it was full of baby joy and Seattle propaganda. I will brainwash that baby into knowing what flannel and turtlenecks are if it kills me. It was also my friend Liz Steele's birthday so we went to Rok in NYNY. Tip: don't go here. It sucks. But you know what never sucks? Yard long margs. Gotta get 'em. Everytime I wanted a sip I had to say "abbacadabra." And that was often.

The rest of the weekend was spent catching up. Laying around and laughing. Eating good food and watching The Hangover. Planning future reunions and joking about how we should all be pregnant at the same time. Singing Gaga's Bad Romance and asking ourselves what the hell we want to do with our lives. John Hughes (RIP) couldn't write a movie this good. It was relaxing and fun and made me want to work harder to keep in touch with people. Hence this blog entry. So enjoy readers--I'm going to try to hop back on the wagon.

Elizabeth Medina, Me, Meagan Walsh and Brigid Marshall

PS try staying at the Palazzo next time you're in the Veg. It was a swank hotel room. I felt like a member of the rat pack.

Twit This

Have I mentioned that I have a Twitter account? I know. Kiki, you are so high tech. You deserve an iPad.

But that is what I use basically as a journal. The highs. The lows. The drink tabs. It all ends up there. And for some reason I think it's a good idea to keep it public so feel free to peruse that if you're ever wondering what I'm having for breakfast or reading or up to for the weekend.

Welcome to my stream of conscious. My genius is scary, but you'll get used to it.

And yes, that picture is of a little bear. Awwwww.

Traveling

I really should be asleep because I have to wake up at 5:30 am to leave for Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic closing ceremony (!!!) but I can't help but lay awake and think about how wonderful it is to travel.

2008-

Memphis for UPTAs

DC trip with Jackie and Nikki

Vacation--Belize, Mexico, Venezuela

Seattle for the first time ever

Portland-Apple festival with Jess and Drew

2009-

Las Vegas-spur of the moment weekend trip

Vancouver-with Jackie and Kyle

Chicago-Harry Potter Exhibition

Minneapolis-Tony Kushner play

Los Angeles-visit Lou Daddy and Sweet Baby Angel

Las Vegas-family vacation

2010-

Hawaii-week vacay with Jess

Vancouver-OLYMPICS

Indianapolis-Kyle's Wedding

Las Vegas-Visit Meagan, Liz, Brigid and Elizabeth (geez, do i live here?)

I can't wait to see where I'll end up next. Please God, let it be Europe. And soon.

Dolla Billz

Things that you need to know about my life when people stop you on the street and ask you:

1. I've recently been hired on as an ANNUAL employee at the Rep! Which means I'll be working there all summer and not on some weird hiatus. They're doing this because I'm going to start work as a Group Sales Agent. Like Father like Daughter? Always be closing. Mo' money, mo' problems. I hope there won't be more problems but there will most definitely be more traveling! Holler.

2. So that means that I can't work at the Children's Theatre over the summer. But they're being cool about it. Hopefully I can teach a class or two in the fall and keep my Sesame Street cred.

3. I'm going with a car packed full of girls to the OLYMPICS this weekend! It is going to be awesome. Like legit awesome. I'm gonna be hanging out with people from all over the world and wearing a stupid hat. Don't worry--I'll post photos. But seriously, like why not go? It's only 2 hours away. And it's probably warmer there than it is here. Decision made.

4. I'm going home to Indiana in March and I'm SO EXCITED! Kyle's wedding and Caitlin's Bridal Shower. It's going to be a rock 'em sock 'em weekend and I can't wait.

That's it for now. But here, enjoy this picture of my co-workers and I staging a photo in my boss's office while she was out sick:

5. Also, go see Shutter Island. It's so freakin good.

Hawaii

I was a hula baby for 6 days and 5 nights. Here's what I did on my vacay of AWESOME.

Sat--Leave for the airport at 5:30am and eat at chili's too while we wait for our 8am flight. Land in Honolulu at noon. Robert's Hawaii shuttle to Aqua Continental Surf Hotel of DOOM. Hotel room is sketchy to the max--twin beds, smoke smelling bathroom, I was allergic to something, but at least the view was awesome. case in point:

So then we headed straight to food at the Red Lion where they had fish bowl happy hour drinks and fish sandwiches. Done. Then we headed to the beach and watched a glorious sunset. Shopped for a bit, bought an obligatory kukui necklace and generally took in the atmosphere. Someone gave us a coupon for a $11.95 surf and turf dinner so we hit that up. The place was wonderfully tacky and had good Blue Hawaiis. We were zonked so we went home and slept.

Sun-woke up early to take a bus to Diamond Head to watch the sunrise. Bus driver convinced us we were on the wrong bus. Got off, called dad to discuss the science of where the sun will be rising this close to the equator, gave up and watched the sunrise at the canal. Went straight to Waikiki Beach. Only people for miles. Ate fruit bars and laid around for 7 hours. Pure heaven. Ate at Dukes in the Outrigger Waikiki and had Hula Pie. I fed my 13 year old self's craving and it was just as good as I remembered. Then we took a bus (correctly!!!) to downtown Honolulu to see the Shanghai Circus at the Hawaiian Theatre. Little did we remember that Monday was MLK Jr day so everything was closed and basically deserted so there was very little to see. But we ate at the most amazing French restaurant. I mean, I've never eaten food like this. I went all the way to Hawaii to eat good French food. Go figure. And yes, feel free to put brie on everything you ever cook me. Then we went to the theatre and laughed at how terribly...well...asian the show was. Horrible chinese restaurant music and oohs and ahhs from a blue haired crowd. But some of the acrobatics were impressive and the tickets were cheap--so A plus. Back to the hotel to pass out.

Mon--Picked up at 7:45 am to go to Kualoa Ranch. A day set up of tours of the ranch. Stupid holiday meant we couldn't go on a boat and that we were one of like 5 people to opt for the full day package. They also kept splitting us up into english and japanese speaking people. Go figure. First up was the jungle expedition. Barry led us on a rough and tumble ride through the jungle in a big jeep type van. Kind of like the Jungle Cruise with bad jokes but actually a bit terrifying. At a weird berry. Climbed part of a mountain in a denim skirt and flippy floppies. Then we took Hula lessons. These hips were made for it. Next up was a buffet lunch. Since it was included with the price we both ate two plates. Steve Abba's daughter right here. Then we were the only people to go on the gardens and fruit tour (or it was called something like that). So we got to see the dock from Lost and asked lots of questions. Our tour guide was this little awkward girl but she loved us. Then we finally (!!!) got to go on the movie set tour. Did I mention that it was AMAZING! LOST! JURASSIC PARK! So good. We went to the valley where they pretty much tape everything that is show in Hawaii while we asked the tour guide how we can get jobs at the ranch. I'd do it. It's beautiful there and I could get my big break. And until then I'd be in HAWAII so it'd be awesome.

Napped on the bus ride back. Then we ran into Chez, who was the equivalent of Tony Vegas, trying to get us to pay him to go on this bar crawl. Lesson learned we turned him down. Good for us. We ate some Mexican food--but it was way to expensive so we left about 15 mins after we got there. Then we headed to the Shore Bird where they have nightly karaoke. We sang Fergalicious and were told to keep it clean because we said the "s" word. Sir, it's in the song. Not my fault. Then I explained the song Don't Take the Girl to Jessica and started balling in the bar while I drank another mai tai. It's just such a sad song. Then we sand Huey Lewis' Heart of Rock and Roll and totally killed it. After that we decided to leave because this 50 something guy named Kevin was dancing with 3 generations of lady relatives and it was getting gross. Grandma hit the floor and it was hilarious. Norah Jones swept us into slumber and so ended another wonderful day.

More in the next post...

Hawaii Part Two

Tue-We let ourselves sleep in. Lazily got up, showered and made our way to the water. Asked about getting on the wrong catamaran but eventually found the right one. The crew loved us. Anderson Cooper may or may not have been the driver. I was okay with that. Mai Tais for $3 were awesome and we just chilled on a boat for an hour and a half. The sun was beaming, the people were friendly and we tried to dolphin watch. Probably the best part of the trip.

Then we got picked up by a van and taken to the docks (sounds shady when I say it like that) to go parasailing. There were mo effing humpback whales jumping in the water below us! It was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was kind of exhilarating being able to catch it. The suckers are huge and it was always for just a brief glimpse of them. Very awesome. When Jessica and I were in the air the majority of the time we spent screaming our heads off. She was in front of me instead of behind me which was weird. The wind kept shifting making it feel like the balloon was going to deflate and fall. Science will say it won't happen but it certainly felt like it. Then the boat guys dipped us in the water and when we started screaming they dragged us backwards getting us entirely soaked. It was scary as hell but I'll never forget it. And did I mention that this same company did parasailing for NSYNC? Because they did.

Then we had one more thing planned for the day: Germaine's Luau. They asked all the single people to clap and we were the only ones. Awkward. Then we thought we made friends with cute couple named Steve and Marsha but then he started reading the Bible to her on the bus. Deal breaker. So we got there and were ticked because the drink line was hellza long, we sat on glorified picnic tables, surrounded by couples and the "buffet" was only so so. But they did juggle fire so that was worth it. And why buy the $15 photo when you can just snap a picture of it on the bus?

Another night of Norah Jones to lull us to sleep. Good day.

Wed-Up early to walk to the car rental place. Got Coffee Bean--best decision. That stuff is flonking delicious. The line took an hour. I realized Jessica's sun in made her blonde and made fun of her for how dumb it had made her sound. She lost all ability to spell and I called her out on it. Hilarious. Finally got The Charger and hit the road. First up--flea market at the Aloha Stadium. Well first we actually drove past it because the signage was bad and then stopped at a KFC for directions. I know I'm turing into my dad because I kept gripping about how bad the sinage was in Hawaii. Aye bon. Finally found it but unfortunately everything there was crap. Nothing worth buying. We did get those fried ball things in cinnamon sugar. Mama's had better. (that's what she said) So we hit the road to go to the Dole Plantation. Hence this picture:

Delicious bbq sandwhices, dole pineapple whip (ice cream) and a lot of souvenir shopping. Should have ridden the Pineapple Express but we were too cheap. Then we headed to the North Shore. By the time we finally got there it was raining. Shoot my face off. We still got out and went down to the shore. It was really rocky and rough in the water. Rather terrifying. But I'm sure on a calmer, sunny day I would have loved it. We then said to hell with our written our Google Map and decided to figure out "the long way" back and drive along the coast. And by God we did it! And we saw a rainbow! Very beautiful and nice to just look around the whole island and see the good, the bad and the hibiscus. We loved our first catamaran ride so much that we sprung for the sunset cruise with the same company. This boat was packed and drinks were included so things got crazy. I taught an 80 year old Gerta how to pop and lock to Blame it on the Alcohol and we had her and her daughter Marsha (of no relation to the first Marsha) to sing along to Country Grammar "must be the money." It was probably the hardest I laughed the whole trip. Marsha said that I was worth the price of admission. Why thank you ma'laday. We headed back the Red Lion for a wind down and then back to the hotel. We were exhausted. Norah Jones rocked it out for our last night in that hell den.

Thur-Why do I feel like the theme is "get up early?" But get up early we did and we took the car to Sandy Beach on the east side of the island for a real sunrise experience. I've never watched the sunrise before. What have I been doing with my life? I mean, JUST LOOK AT IT:

It was absolutely breath taking. There was practically no one around. Minus that couple getting their wedding photos. But it was so peaceful and quiet. But also loud and forceful all at the same time. No wonder people buy those stupid wave sound machines to fall asleep to. There's just nothing like it. This was another particular high point. The drive was beautiful. The sun was grand. And we left our names in the sand. Beautiful. We spent the rest of the day at Waikiki soaking up the remaining sun that we could. Late lunch at Dukes. No hula pie because at that point we were full to bursting. We tried to go to a farmer's market but got lost. Caught a sunset hula show and then went to the hotel. Robert's lost our reservation for a ride back but sent a guy to get us. He told us his life story and about his daughter Destiny that'll be born in a few weeks. I think we got invited to her first birthday which is apparently like this huge blow out party on the island. I'm game. He was the best way to end the vacation. A taste of local culture. A man that has only been to the states once and it was on active duty. His whole life is this island and it only takes 2.5 hours to get from one end to the other. How truly amazing.

The red eye plane was hellish and we had a lay over in San Fran. I got back to Seattle at 9am and went straight to work because I'm more robot than human.

I'll never forget this trip, it was something special.