Halloween

We went out in Lahaina for Halloween-- apparently a "must see" and don't get me wrong, it was entertaining, but I don't think we will be back any time soon! Mike dressed up like Michael Jordan and I was a lobster (my friend Erin was a French chef with a knife). Obviously our costumes were a bit last minute, but it's kind of our style. As we walked up and down Front Street, I kept thinking "my parents would be so proud..." as I was wearing 3x as items of clothing as most of the other girls. Yikes. There were even completely painted costumes, like I said, interesting but probably not in a real hurry to go back!

Anyway, as I was running through the park tonight, I watched the sunset over the ocean- it looked like mango sorbet...or maybe passionfruit sorbet....mmmm sorbet... ha- I was supposed to be on a run! You get the point- the sky was gorgeous!

Something strange happened the other day-- I reached that point where I realized I was "local". First moving here (8 months ago as of November 1st!) there was this constant feeling of being under the microscope from locals-- my skin wasn't as dark as some because I am usually sitting at a desk 9 hours a day and there was probably that look in my eye of wonder and excitement that comes with anything new- i.e. tourists. It hit me though-- my once friendly wave in traffic has become a laid-back "shaka" or "hang-loose". I not only know when there is a south swell, but that it also means all of the surfers are going to call in sick in order to catch that perfect wave. I know the days when the market gets it's fresh shipments in and that buying a gallon of milk for $5 is a steal. I know that Auntie Ruthie has the "aunties" over for choir practice on Tuesday nights and there is quite a bit of singing, ukulele playing and more importantly wine! I know that baby Ella and her mom or dad will be walking the neighborhood about the same time I get home everyday and she loves to say hi with drool dripping down her chin.

My once schedule-filled, media-pressured, over-analyzed life has become so simple. When we're tired, we sleep, when we're hungry, we eat, when we want to go out, we grab a few beers and head out to Hui E to watch the turtles and sunset. Boring? Probably, but I like it. People don't need (or have) a lot here and what they do have they are willing to share. It's pretty simple but it makes the things we have (each other, family, friends) seem that much more special. It is something I hope stays with me.

Mike is doing well (except for his poor Seahawks!) and seems to be a favorite "pool boy". All the older ladies like to flirt with him while their husbands are golfing. I sit across the pool and as he shoots me "please rescue me!" looks and I can't help but laugh. He's so cute :)

I made us lemon Jidori chicken with wild rice and roasted butternut squash for dinner tonight and am debating about pulling the second pan of pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting out of the freezer. Yumm...if you haven't made pumpkin bars yet this season, you have to! I substituted the oil for applesauce and just a little oil, I was thrilled with how they turned out. I brought the first pan to work and they were gone in 15 minutes, so make extra!

love,

a