Last night, while on the south shore of the island and enjoying a deliciously spicy bloody mary, I was surprised to hear someone yell through the restuarant "Hey Erin! How are you?" It was at that moment that I realized I am going to most enjoy the incredible sense of Aloha community here in Kauai...I turned to see a new friend I had met, Nelso, smiling and waving, as he walked back to sit with his wife, Gaynell (another new friend) and their children. I quickly ended the phone call I was on, finished up and stopped by their table to say Aloha and felt so special to be introduced to their kids as "Auntie Erin."
This is one of the many stories I have since I moved here that have certainly reinforced this life changing move...growing up in a somewhat small town in New Jersey, every time you went to the grocery store, the post office, well, basically anywhere ~ you ran into someone you knew...of course there were times in my life that this wasn't a welcomed thing, but in all reality, I loved it...I experienced the same thing at college, but I rarely had that experience during the last few years...So now, here I am, going on day 12 and I am happy to say that every time I have left the resort, whether it be going to the post office, the bank, the doctor's office or even stopping in to grab a bite 26 miles south of Princeville - I have bumped into people I know...and what is even more special is that the new friends I have met have embraced me as if I am part of their Ohana (family) and I feel so welcomed.
Hitting the ground running at work is somewhat putting it lightly...we have been so incredibly busy that I haven't had too much time to explore and enjoy Hawaiian adventures, but after the new year, life will balance out and I will have more time to get the most out of this experience and more time to share stories...until then...Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!!
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