my room

since i've finished decorating my side of the room (with the stuff i brought at least...) i thought i'd upload some pictures :)



and here is the view from my window! (day & night)... you can see the city of honolulu + diamond head crater on the left!!

university of hawaii

it took the help from my mom, papa, and some nice UHM boys, as well as a few trips to Walmart, but i'm finally all moved into my dorm!! i walked around the campus today, and since it's a lot smaller than NC State's it was pretty easy to get around and find everything. on my walk i saw lots of trees and flowers, which is sooo nice, especially compared to all the brick around NCSU! here are some pictures i took of the campus:



i've met some really nice people since i've been here and my new roommate is awesome! i was so worried about who i might be stuck living with for a semester, but it's such a relief that i get to be with someone who is already a great friend :) and really, all of the exchange students seem to be really fun, so i think it will be a great semester!! here is a picture of me and Jen, my roomie!

relaxing day

today i went to the International Market, which is only a couple blocks away from our hotel. i bargained with a few shop stands and got some pretty sweet earrings and a necklace pendant, as well as a couple gifts :D i also got some yummy chicken katsu & "bean ice" which was a shaved ice with cherry flavor, sweet milk, and sweet japanese beans sprinkled on top. it was ok...

later this evening there was a party in our hotel, so i got some free food & drinks! i also got a free 5 minute massage, but that was only a warmup to the hour massage papa & i got a little later! these are the super nice girls who gave us our massages, and then us on the massage chairs :) having to switch rooms was worth it. and my mom gets a facial tomorrow



now that i'm all relaxed, i'll be ready for the heaving lifting i'll be doing tomorrow morning when i move into my dorm! my mom and papa just got me a portable a/c unit for my room since it doesn't come with air conditioning, plus a mini fridge and microwave, and along with all the luggage i brought i think that's everything i need! i'm so excited to get moved in & meet my roommate! :D

honolulu

i arrived in Oahu yesterday! we are staying at the Aqua Bamboo on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu... they messed up our rooming situation & we had to stay in a different room than planned last night so we get free 1hour massages here :) my mom and i walked down to the beach last night and saw the sunset... honestly, i can't even believe i will be here for the next year!!!

apparently there is a surfing competition going on, which really makes me want to learn how to surf! there were tons of boards out on the beach, and i've seen several surfers walking down the streets with their boards :)

today i went to the UH Manoa campus and got my ID, bus pass, and dining plan. i'm officially a UHM student :D

we got everything fixed with our hotel and we are now in our originally planned room... the PENTHOUSE!! (only because my mom is a travel agent & getting a super deal)! we have our own jacuzzi and sauna, which i will definitely be using.

we have our own deck that goes all the way around our room so we can see the ocean and the city. i love it here!!!

the hotel pool is really cute, so i thought i'd take a picture :)

kaua`i

i made it to Hawaii!!! my mom surprised papa & i with first class tickets, which was definitely a "first class" experience ;) the service was great and the chairs were as comfortable as plane chairs can get:

we arrived here in Kaua`i after a long day of travel and spent our first 2 nights in the Marriott where we had the most amazing view from our room of the ocean + the gigantic hotel pool:

after spending a day of relaxation around our hotel pool and beach, we spent our next day with my cousins lauren & rachel, aunt susan, and uncle paul who are also vacationing here. we drove up a huge mountain to see the Waimea Canyon, the largest canyon in the pacific. although it was a strenuous 40 mile drive of twists & turns, it was a gorgeous site worth seeing. we were in the clouds!

we have just moved over to the Kiahuna Plantation Resort where we are spending our next 2 nights in Piopu. our condo is oceanfront, with the most beautiful beach right outside our door!!

now I can say from my own experience: Hawaii really is paradise :) everyone has been extremely friendly, and I have already learned a lot from the locals! plus... the food, especially the fruit, is very very delicious. and the air smells so good and fresh. we are always surrounded by colorful flowers, lush green grass, and the natural beauty of the island... and there are both beaches and mountains in sight at the same time... jealous? :D