Rest In Peace

I don't mean to sound morbid here, but death has been on my mind from time to time over the last two years. This is likely directly related to the deaths of two neighbors and friends who passed on at way too young of an age. Ryan and Erik are truly missed by their families, friends and neighbors, but their deaths, as well as their great lives and examples, have had a great impact on me. Their deaths have caused me to reflect on the possibility (or inevitability) of my own death. Of course, my concern, much like theirs, would be that of the well-being of my family, specifically, Sarah and Leah. I immediately had a trust established as well as a living will and testimony. I renewed my journal writing and picture cataloging. I now save more money with their futures in mind.

I don't know if this is dorky or not, but I have included in my last will a few things I would prefer to happen at my passing or at my funeral. I will request that my family and friends each plant a tree. Not so much in my memory, but I figure if I can cause a little good in the world on my way out, I may as well take advantage of the opportunity. The world needs more trees and I have always found them beautiful. I also request that Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" be played in some form at my funeral. Also at my funeral should be a piper. After all, what is a good Scottish Funeral without a piper?! My tombstone will also bear the Rampant Lion.

Anyway, just for kicks and giggles, I searched for whacky last requests and here is a short list of last requests that make mine look absolutely normal.

• Angel Pantoja wanted to be standing at his own funeral.
• Leona Helmsley left $12 million to her dog, Trouble.
• Samuel Bratt left roughly 3/4 of a million dollars to his wife with the stipulation that she must smoke 5 cigars a day.
• TM Zink left all his money to build a library that excluded female authors.
• Gene Rodenberry requested that he be cremated and scattered in space.
• Jack Benny arranged to have one rose a day to be sent to his wife after his passing.
• William Shakespeare left to his wife, Anne Hatheway, his second best bed.
• Charles Dickens required that funeral attendees were free from scarves, cloaks, black bows, long hatbands and other such revolting absurdities".
• Thomas Jefferson demanded that his daughter wear no jewelry.
• Harry Houdini willed that his wife hold an annual seance so that he could reveal himself to her.
• The last wish of Napolean Bonaparte was that his head would be shorn and his hair shared among his friends.
• John Bowman arranged that a dinner would be prepared every night after his death just in case he came back to life.

While it may be an unpleasant thought, it is important to consider these things as it will be your final influence upon the world and your last opportunity to complete unfinished business. Other things to consider are your wishes concerning your family, wealth, organs, etc. These things should not be left to the determination of our government, but to ourselves and our loved ones. With such preparations made, let's hope it was all in vain. Nevertheless, I subscribe to the thought that it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Then I truly could rest in peace.

Rough Day!

I have to admit that I struggled today. I have never before struggled with feelings like this after returning from a trip, and we have taken several. I seriously hated coming home and even more so with having to go to work today. I like my job so it makes it unimaginable how one who hates their job must feel after a vacation. I had serious internal conflict and conversation regarding why I feel this way. Could this be a mid-life crisis? I think it is just a serious case of wishing I lived in Hawaii! The one good thing about coming home is my little Wahine, Leah.

We were so grateful for the Reed's willingness to watch her, but man was she missed. I was worried she had changed...would she be driving, did she have a job?! Who knew?! I was so afraid she would be mad at us as many have explained would happen. Happily, she was not. She was so happy to see us and is still very happy every time one of us enter the room. She is talking up a storm and laughing all the time. She does cry when we leave the room as well and seems to like us to hold her more. I think she has a few abandonment issues. That will pass with time.

So...what would be the perfect scenario? Flying home to pick up Leah and flying right back to paradise! I so miss that place. I so love my little girl.

Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono

"Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono" - "The Land Shall Perpetuate Itself In Righteousness". This is the motto of the state of Hawaii. I like that a lot. If I had to give it a motto I would say, "The Land Of No Worries". What a great week. I love this place and could easily adapt to live there for the rest of my life. Although I was excited to see Leah again, I was otherwise depressed to come home...back to the cold...back to life. I apologize for the length of this blog entry. I hope you enjoy the pictures 1/1000th as much as I did taking them.

Me and my favorite Wahine at our favorite restaurant, Lulu's.

ALOHA! Let the shopping begin!

Us and Duke Kahanamoku

The Godfather of Surfing, Duke!

We went to Hawaii with nine other couples from our neighborhood and ward. It was a fun group. It was a very fun trip and I think our lodging added to the experience. We rented a big home in Kailua that had a very open and fun layout. This is Sarah in our room.

We were a ten minute walk from Kailua Beach. We had the beach mostly to ourselves. Paradise!

We enjoyed sleeping in the sand and sitting in the sun.

Life is better with sand between your toes.

Beautiful flora everywhere

Kim H. at Laie point on the North Shore

The view of the Valley of Temples

Banging the Gong of Good Fortune at Byodo In Temple

The Group! We are so blessed. We live in the greatest ward and neighborhood ever! Orchard Hills and Meadowbrook RULE!

Brian B., Kevin F., and Sherrie B. at the Buddha statue

Buddha

Peggy H. admiring the jungle fauna

I hope this wasn't disrespectful

Byodo In Temple

This bamboo was 50 feet tall at least

Laie Point. That huge hole in the rock behind was punched out by a sunami.

Kevin and Janette

Janette sitting on the sharp rocks. Ouch!

Beauty!

Brian B. venturing toward the water

Peggy H., Janette F. and Lisa G.

Wade being Wade

Greg B., Sherrie B., Jenny F., and Andra B.

Sarah thought it would be a funny picture if I covered the "ssa" on the Marquessa sign.

Polynesian Cultural Center - We had a much more fun time this visit. Of course we decided not to waste our money on the Ambassador program that proved to be a waste of money last time.

He climbed to the top of this 50 foot palm tree in about 1 minute.

Brad M. and Lisa M. We are always happy to have them around. I love working with Brad in the YSA Bishopric. He is a great example to me. They both are so generous.

Blacky's feet were cooking so he covered them up.

Sarah enjoying the Canoe Parade

Hang Loose, Hawaii!

Tahitian Dancers

Curtis and Deena V.

She is so photogenic....but don't tell her that!

Wade wants to do his hair like this.

Brad M., Lisa M. and Sarah

Us at the Laie Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Brad at the Temple

Kim H., Lisa G. and Andra B. getting their boogie on the dinner cruise

Happy Valentine's Day

Lonnie L. and Rachel L. celebrating Valentine's Day in Hawaii.

Eric F. and Jenny F. We had a fun time on the trip, partly due to Eric's planning and research.

Us with Diamond Head and Waikiki in the background.

Brian B. and Andra B. These two are always so much fun. We jokingly call them the first couple of Meadowbrook.

Wade G. and Lisa G. These two waited until the last minute to book the trip. We are glad they did. Wade is always the life of the party and Lisa is always fun. She also has an addiction to soda so I didn't feel so alone.

It is hard to see, but in front of the 2nd sailboat from the right is a big whale tail.

Diamond Head

A humpback and a baby humpback swam right up next to us while we were eating.

Sarah's the Queen of the world!

The line up at Banzai Pipeline

This was our favorite thing...just sitting on the beach. The sand on the North Shore is the greatest in the world. I could sit in it and watch the surf all day long.

Curtis, Deena, Janette, Sherrie and Sarah showing off their coral findings

Waimea Valley

Peggy H. and Kim H. fought the whole trip. HAHA. Just kidding. I like to tease Peggy Poo! These two were a great addition to the group. We had a blast getting to know them better.

There are some old ruins in the Waimea Valley. This hut is not one of them, but is built next to them.

This is a shrine to the ancestral Hawaiians

The sacred Waimea Falls

Blacky swimming in the sacred pool

Wade and Lisa enjoying the beauty

Our favorite place on the island, Haleiwa Town

Shark's Cove

Waves crashing at Shark's Cove

Wade, Sherrie and Sarah waiting once more for breakfast at Boot's and Kimo's

Brad, Lisa, Janette and Lisa waiting for some Mac Sauce

Andra, Eric, Lonnie and Rachel hoping there is some Mac Sauce left at Boot's and Kimo's

Kevin strategizing his Mac Sauce consumption

The lighthouse lookout

Kim looking for whales

It was relaxing to sit here for an hour looking for whales. Of course, they appeared so small from here, but there were dozens.

Sarah overlooking Sandy Beach from Halona Blow Hole

The beginning of a pineapple

The adolescent pineapple

The full grown pineapple

The Pineapple Express

Where am I?

At the North Shore Surfing Museum at Haleiwa Town

Art...is Gallery

Art....Is Surf

The Artis Family. Ronnie, Stevon, America, Praise Jesus, Victoria, Peace, Martis and Artis. A very talented, musical and talented family. You can check them out here, http://ronartis.com/

Local and Pro surfers donate broken or old boards to the Artis family who then turn them into art rather than send them to landfills.

Sarah loves the Strong Current store in Haleiwa Town. I think she sees the future of her Mahalo Board Company there.

Anehole from Pali Lookout

Lonnie and Rachel were a fun couple. They just go with the flow.

Sarah at Pali Lookout

If you couldn't tell, it is very windy there.

Looking down on Kailua from Pali Lookout

The entry way of our rental

Germaine's Luau. Fun as usual. A little cool, but still fun.

Brian and Andra

Isn't she hot?!

Sarah and one of the performers

Brian, Andra, Lisa and Wade getting drunk on their two ticket mixed virgin drinks

Bringing the Kahlua pig from the imu

Kevin and Janette. They were much relaxed on this trip.

Curtis and Deena were a great addition as they are foodies like us.

Honi Honi time!

The backyard of our rental

Kamaka Ukulele representin'!

Our last day on Lani Kai beach thinking about seeing our little wahine, Leah again.

There were dozens of huge sea turtles swimming in the water here.

Lani Kai Beach

If I don't make some serious life style changes, I will be wearing this size 28xl shirt next time.

Moana DNA performing at Lulu's. What a great send off.

The famous photo of the biggest day ever on Oahu. Greg Noll is the man!

Much Mahalo Hawaii. We will miss you!