Visions of Maui

I've finally taken the time to post some of my favorite pics from my week vacation in Maui. I was so sad to leave, I really feel at home there. I believe that is where I belong and will one day make it so I can move there.

I need to save up some cash before I can make it happen, then do the job search thing as well as get some blood work done on Timber and Chiara so we can wait out the 4 month quarantine period here at home in Cali...I was pleased to find out that this is the way the quarantine works, as opposed to my previous understanding that I leave them somewhere in a crate for 4 months on the island and merely get to visit them during that waiting period.

I understand that they are in need of teachers over there. Another plan is for me to get my sign language interpreter certification, which I heard yesterday during a teacher conference at DVC that I can attain through DVC. Since the island is saturated with photographers and videographers, making money at interperting, teaching and the possibility of working at a horse stable is my best bet. So, I am thinking that moving there may be possible with in the next year or so....more to come on that!

View from my hotel room

Luau on Easter Sunday

Secluded beach near Kihei

Beach in Kehei

My first time snorkeling..just outside our hotel...

Yep, that's my white ass floating above the water!

But this time my ass isn't white, my bathing suit is!! lol

The best vacation gift a gal could get....

Seeing the most beautiful creature of the ocean, Honu

I saw about 7 of them, but this was the last shot in my disposible camera...

...next time I will buy a waterproof encasing for my digital camera!
I'm crossing my fingers that the women that I snorkeled with got my e-mail from the front desk so they can send me the pics that they took of my swimming with my true love of the ocean!

Memories of the booze cruise...my last night in paradise.

Jimmy Buffett, eat your heart out!

Maui pics to come...

I've been really drained since my return from Maui from the sun, jetlag, time zone change, my mind and heart still stuck on the island...or whatever... So I'm lagging on posting pics... I'm getting there.....I also have a number of pics to sort through to determine which will go up.... I really can't subject any people who may actually look at this blog to over 200 photographs! :-)

So......yeah. soon

An all-nighter, a red-eye...and I'm off!

It's just after 1:00 a.m. At 4:20 a.m. I leave my house to go pick up my friend from work, Yuliana. Then we head off to the Oakland airport. We are both leaving the airport at about the same time, but headed in opposite directions. She is going to New York and I am off to Maui! Talk about opposites....cold and warm, rainy and sunny, layers and bikinis. Ha Ha!

Since I have to get going so early....I figured I'd be better off not going to bed. If you know me at all, you know getting me to wake up is like pulling teeth! I'd rather just lean up on the window and kink my neck a little on the plane ride than oversleep and feel rushed. Not only is Yuliana a very "punctual" person....but my parents are very scheduled...I'm not interested in getting rushed and hassled the day I start my vacation!

I dropped Timber off at dog day care after work. I decided this week to have him spend a night during the week in addition to his two days of day care. He did really well...so I'm told. Dropping him off, I could see he felt comfortable, so I feel good about leaving him there for the duration. I miss having the big baby laying at my feet as I play on the computer though. I wonder how many times I will be compelled to call and check on him while I'm off the mainland. We'll see...

Two hours until the folks wake up to get started on showering, packing last minute items and loading up the Pilot to get Yuliana and drive out to Oakland....then we will go through the motions of Airport Check-in, Airport Security, blah, blah blah....and then some Starbucks and munchies until we shuffle like cattle onto the plane!

Maui here I come!

The days are passing by faster now! Only four days of work, then I'm out of here for eight days!!! I wanted to pack my bags 3 weeks ago! But, now I actually can pack! Got my suitcase and now I'm pondering clothing.

Timber will be staying at a doggy day care and will get to be outside playing with dogs the majority of the time, exactly what I hoped for, and he will be going for daycare this tuesday and wednesday for an introduction. He's going to be so pissed with me for leaving him for so long. :(

I'm spoiling him before I go. Today I took him hiking on Lime Ridge in Concord. Then the "treat store"...the pet store and then to the dog park to play some more....yep, I'm a guilty "mom".