A look into a world,
Different from one I'm from
So free and relaxed.
A haiku was requested, consider it done. There will be more descriptive stories of my snorkeling adventures. At another day... that isn't Saturday. =)
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Snorkeling
A haiku was requested, consider it done. There will be more descriptive stories of my snorkeling adventures. At another day... that isn't Saturday. =)
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
My Journey told as the Lord of the Rings
My Precious
Frodo carried a ring,
what I had was small and round also.
The "one ring" lit up when it's master called it, or when the owner put it on.
Mine lit up with the ultrasound light as blood flowed through it. It was the master of me, and was always lit up.
While Frodo and Sam walked to Mordor, the others battled at Helm's Deep.
My Doctor's were the soldiers. They fought against the signs and stayed positive about my diagnosis because I was simply too young to have old lady cancer.
My sister and I walked on to Mordor, she was my Sam.
Our path was about 35 days. Our Gollum was the nagging sense of fear. He was my friend, while my sister chose not to let him in. My nagging conscience thought only about it's "Precious" all the way to the day of surgery.
Finally, my sister and I made it to Mt. Doom. It was a surgical center. My NPO status made me feel like I had been eating the Elven bread for months like Frodo and Sam.
Our big spider fight was actually with an anesthesiologist. My words cut through her the way Frodo's sword sting cut that spider. Don't mess with 2 ICU nurses.
Finally, Frodo and Sam approached the lava to toss the ring in.
It was time for me to go to surgery. I hesitated while my Sam encouraged me to go in.
Frodo had second thoughts about tossing in his ring.
I also wanted to keep it, it was my Precious.
But my surgeon's razor sharp teeth blade cut it out of me and tossed in into the fiery lava pit the same way that Gollum bit off Frodo's finger and fell into the flames.
Now my body is left incomplete. I'm missing an organ as important to me as a finger.
Frodo felt the pain of losing the ring. He yearned for it every day.
I still feel pain where my ovary should be. I call it phantom ovary pain.
I know the pain can't be from anything on that side, but it exists nonetheless.
Frodo no longer felt comfortable in Middle Earth.
I no longer felt comfortable in Cincinnati.
Frodo left with the elves to Valinor, where his wounds could heal.
I left for DC and then Hawaii to again feel whole.
This is a story about my pathway from diagnosis to "cure" of ovarian cancer told in a much more amusing tone than if I just told it raw. I hope that it is easier to relate to what I went through telling it in this method. Also, it is pretty much awesome. Now, if only I could find me an Aragorn....
Frodo carried a ring,
what I had was small and round also.
The "one ring" lit up when it's master called it, or when the owner put it on.
Mine lit up with the ultrasound light as blood flowed through it. It was the master of me, and was always lit up.
While Frodo and Sam walked to Mordor, the others battled at Helm's Deep.
My Doctor's were the soldiers. They fought against the signs and stayed positive about my diagnosis because I was simply too young to have old lady cancer.
My sister and I walked on to Mordor, she was my Sam.
Our path was about 35 days. Our Gollum was the nagging sense of fear. He was my friend, while my sister chose not to let him in. My nagging conscience thought only about it's "Precious" all the way to the day of surgery.
Finally, my sister and I made it to Mt. Doom. It was a surgical center. My NPO status made me feel like I had been eating the Elven bread for months like Frodo and Sam.
Our big spider fight was actually with an anesthesiologist. My words cut through her the way Frodo's sword sting cut that spider. Don't mess with 2 ICU nurses.
Finally, Frodo and Sam approached the lava to toss the ring in.
It was time for me to go to surgery. I hesitated while my Sam encouraged me to go in.
Frodo had second thoughts about tossing in his ring.
I also wanted to keep it, it was my Precious.
But my surgeon's razor sharp teeth blade cut it out of me and tossed in into the fiery lava pit the same way that Gollum bit off Frodo's finger and fell into the flames.
Now my body is left incomplete. I'm missing an organ as important to me as a finger.
Frodo felt the pain of losing the ring. He yearned for it every day.
I still feel pain where my ovary should be. I call it phantom ovary pain.
I know the pain can't be from anything on that side, but it exists nonetheless.
Frodo no longer felt comfortable in Middle Earth.
I no longer felt comfortable in Cincinnati.
Frodo left with the elves to Valinor, where his wounds could heal.
I left for DC and then Hawaii to again feel whole.
 |
| Mordor from afar. |
Monday, February 4, 2013
This Crazy Universe!
I feel like I can't stress how crazy the universe is. Too many completely amazing things keep happening. It is almost like if you are open to letting the universe in, it happens with a force unrecognizable to mankind.
I found a new friend this week who thinks the same way I do. Between the two of us, we have had far too many things happen that can't possibly be a coincidence. I updated a dating profile to say that I write a blog, he landed on my very island the next day and emailed me soley because I said I write a blog (not to mention that I am gorgeous of course!) =)
This new friendship has opened my eyes to many new ideas of how I want my blog to go. I do write this for me as a sort of memoir and outlet for me to share my pent up feelings, but I also love for my stories to reach people. I hope they inspire someone to do something different and realize all the little things we all take for granted. I love hearing how I inspire people, and when people tell me to keep writing. I hope that you get a chuckle out of some of my posts and truly enjoy them.
I feel truly lucky to have met this good friend, and I feel like something great is going to happen. If you feel like someone would benefit from reading my stories, please pass on the link. If you hate something I write, tell me also. I love writing, and I love story telling as I am sure you all know.
I guess my point of the day would be to open yourself up to letting the universe in. Talk to people. Smile at strangers. Every interaction you have with someone, is a potential life changer. You never know how that interaction could affect things for the better.
I found a new friend this week who thinks the same way I do. Between the two of us, we have had far too many things happen that can't possibly be a coincidence. I updated a dating profile to say that I write a blog, he landed on my very island the next day and emailed me soley because I said I write a blog (not to mention that I am gorgeous of course!) =)
This new friendship has opened my eyes to many new ideas of how I want my blog to go. I do write this for me as a sort of memoir and outlet for me to share my pent up feelings, but I also love for my stories to reach people. I hope they inspire someone to do something different and realize all the little things we all take for granted. I love hearing how I inspire people, and when people tell me to keep writing. I hope that you get a chuckle out of some of my posts and truly enjoy them.
I feel truly lucky to have met this good friend, and I feel like something great is going to happen. If you feel like someone would benefit from reading my stories, please pass on the link. If you hate something I write, tell me also. I love writing, and I love story telling as I am sure you all know.
I guess my point of the day would be to open yourself up to letting the universe in. Talk to people. Smile at strangers. Every interaction you have with someone, is a potential life changer. You never know how that interaction could affect things for the better.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
I Jumped off a Cliff.
I jumped off a cliff.
A good friend came into town, so I created an amazing itinerary. I wanted him to have a fantastic time while he was here in beautiful Hawaii. One of the items on the to do list was Maunowili Falls. This waterfall is known for its beauty... and that you can jump off a ledge into the waterfall.
Well, stubborn, never satisfied, adrenaline rush me, had to do this hike. It would be a lot easier if I still liked sitting on the couch! My buddy and I drove out there and found a parking spot. The trail head is in a little part of Kailua and has amazing mountain views. I just knew that this would be worth it. My buddy, Aaron, put on more bug spray than I have ever seen an individual apply in my life (and I work at a summer camp!!!) Then we headed into the trees.
The trail was muddy. Yelpers warned us of that fact, but I was kind of hoping that they were wrong. I hate mud. I tried to avoid it at all costs, so I would step on the raised tree roots to keep my shoes clean. My trail shoes. Sad, I know. Mud, plus tree roots, equals quite slippery by the way. I had a rough go of it.
There were a lot of stairs. I felt way out of shape. I knew there had to be a reason we were climbing them.... there was! It brought us to this peak that had amazing views of the mountains and the beach in the distance! It was beautiful! Refreshed and invigorated, we carried on.
Finally, we reached what we were looking for. In front of us was a beautiful, 25 foot waterfall. There was a small crowd gathered that was trying to encourage a guy who had climbed the extra bit, to jump. It looked quite high up there, so I understood his hesitation. There was some yelling and a large splash, the guy had jumped! When he got out of the water, you can see the adrenaline coarsing through his body. He felt alive... probably in a bit of shock, but alive!
Aaron was next. He oriented me to his phone so that I could appropriately take the pictures, and he set off. He climbed pretty quickly and made it to the jump off point. Down below, we all encouraged him to jump. There really is no safe way back down the trail, so if you climb, you commit. After some hesitation, Aaron did it! He jumped into the water below! I was so excited and proud of him for actually doing it! He swam over, and loved every second of his hero's glorious welcome. Finally, he asked if I was ready to head back, because he said I wasn't going to jump.
That was the catalyst. I am a stubborn fool. Do not tell me that I won't or can't do something. That is a mistake. I stripped down, removed my glasses, and handed off my phone. The climb itself was almost vertical, and shockingly, it was muddy. Another guy, from the group we were chatting with, followed behind claiming that he wanted to make sure I went. Really, I think his family told him that if a girl went and he didn't, he was weak. Finally, I got to the top. I was proud of my self for getting there. It was actually not a safe climb, now that I think about it. I made my way to the edge. The guy was being a gentleman, and told me, "Ladies first!" There was no backing out now.
My heart was racing as I made my way over to the edge. It was not easy to get there, so there was a rope to hold on to. I held on for as long as I could, but I am short, so eventually I had to let go and finish my way without it. I reached the ledge and looked over. It was definitely higher than it looked from below, but it was gorgeous. It was a different view of the waterfall, and it was breath taking!
My brain started telling me that jumping was a bad idea, but my heart kept saying you live once! I knew I had to do it. I also knew that the longer I was standing there, the worse it would get. I checked below to make sure Aaron was ready with the camera. I took a deep breath and a leap of faith. Off I went!
Immediately, I wished I had wings. I tried to orient myself to not land horribly, but mostly I was focused on the fact that I was flying. It was a looooonnnngggg decent. All the way down I kept thinking how proud I was for jumping, and how amazing of a feeling that was. The water came suddenly, and I hit like an asteroid would hit the earth. Ouch. I swam for the surface at an impossible speed and swam for the shore. All I could focus on was getting out of the water. I felt like I got hit by a train! I stumbled over the rocks and made my way to safety.
First thing Aaron said to me is, "I didn't get the picture." Seriously????? He told me I could climb again, and I looked at him like he was crazy. Ouch. No. Never again. I knew I climbed, I didn't need photo evidence.
The trip back was uneventful, besides my inability to stay on my feet. I fell once and hit my head. By this point, I was finished with the excursion. I stomped my way the best I could all the way back to my car. I was covered in mud and GRUMPY.
Aaron was convinced that my muddy state wouldn't get me into a restaurant, so I cleaned myself off the best I could. Finally, I was acceptable, so we made our way to a restaurant that a coworker recommended. It was totally worth the hike/jump/head bump to make it to this restaurant. I had a delicious kalua pork eggs benedict with red velvet and guava chiffon pancakes. Delicious!
You buy me those pancakes, I may consider that terrible hike once again! =)
A good friend came into town, so I created an amazing itinerary. I wanted him to have a fantastic time while he was here in beautiful Hawaii. One of the items on the to do list was Maunowili Falls. This waterfall is known for its beauty... and that you can jump off a ledge into the waterfall.
Well, stubborn, never satisfied, adrenaline rush me, had to do this hike. It would be a lot easier if I still liked sitting on the couch! My buddy and I drove out there and found a parking spot. The trail head is in a little part of Kailua and has amazing mountain views. I just knew that this would be worth it. My buddy, Aaron, put on more bug spray than I have ever seen an individual apply in my life (and I work at a summer camp!!!) Then we headed into the trees.
The trail was muddy. Yelpers warned us of that fact, but I was kind of hoping that they were wrong. I hate mud. I tried to avoid it at all costs, so I would step on the raised tree roots to keep my shoes clean. My trail shoes. Sad, I know. Mud, plus tree roots, equals quite slippery by the way. I had a rough go of it.
There were a lot of stairs. I felt way out of shape. I knew there had to be a reason we were climbing them.... there was! It brought us to this peak that had amazing views of the mountains and the beach in the distance! It was beautiful! Refreshed and invigorated, we carried on.
 |
| The tallest point of the Maunowili Falls hike. |
Finally, we reached what we were looking for. In front of us was a beautiful, 25 foot waterfall. There was a small crowd gathered that was trying to encourage a guy who had climbed the extra bit, to jump. It looked quite high up there, so I understood his hesitation. There was some yelling and a large splash, the guy had jumped! When he got out of the water, you can see the adrenaline coarsing through his body. He felt alive... probably in a bit of shock, but alive!
Aaron was next. He oriented me to his phone so that I could appropriately take the pictures, and he set off. He climbed pretty quickly and made it to the jump off point. Down below, we all encouraged him to jump. There really is no safe way back down the trail, so if you climb, you commit. After some hesitation, Aaron did it! He jumped into the water below! I was so excited and proud of him for actually doing it! He swam over, and loved every second of his hero's glorious welcome. Finally, he asked if I was ready to head back, because he said I wasn't going to jump.
That was the catalyst. I am a stubborn fool. Do not tell me that I won't or can't do something. That is a mistake. I stripped down, removed my glasses, and handed off my phone. The climb itself was almost vertical, and shockingly, it was muddy. Another guy, from the group we were chatting with, followed behind claiming that he wanted to make sure I went. Really, I think his family told him that if a girl went and he didn't, he was weak. Finally, I got to the top. I was proud of my self for getting there. It was actually not a safe climb, now that I think about it. I made my way to the edge. The guy was being a gentleman, and told me, "Ladies first!" There was no backing out now.
My heart was racing as I made my way over to the edge. It was not easy to get there, so there was a rope to hold on to. I held on for as long as I could, but I am short, so eventually I had to let go and finish my way without it. I reached the ledge and looked over. It was definitely higher than it looked from below, but it was gorgeous. It was a different view of the waterfall, and it was breath taking!
My brain started telling me that jumping was a bad idea, but my heart kept saying you live once! I knew I had to do it. I also knew that the longer I was standing there, the worse it would get. I checked below to make sure Aaron was ready with the camera. I took a deep breath and a leap of faith. Off I went!
Immediately, I wished I had wings. I tried to orient myself to not land horribly, but mostly I was focused on the fact that I was flying. It was a looooonnnngggg decent. All the way down I kept thinking how proud I was for jumping, and how amazing of a feeling that was. The water came suddenly, and I hit like an asteroid would hit the earth. Ouch. I swam for the surface at an impossible speed and swam for the shore. All I could focus on was getting out of the water. I felt like I got hit by a train! I stumbled over the rocks and made my way to safety.
First thing Aaron said to me is, "I didn't get the picture." Seriously????? He told me I could climb again, and I looked at him like he was crazy. Ouch. No. Never again. I knew I climbed, I didn't need photo evidence.
The trip back was uneventful, besides my inability to stay on my feet. I fell once and hit my head. By this point, I was finished with the excursion. I stomped my way the best I could all the way back to my car. I was covered in mud and GRUMPY.
Aaron was convinced that my muddy state wouldn't get me into a restaurant, so I cleaned myself off the best I could. Finally, I was acceptable, so we made our way to a restaurant that a coworker recommended. It was totally worth the hike/jump/head bump to make it to this restaurant. I had a delicious kalua pork eggs benedict with red velvet and guava chiffon pancakes. Delicious!
You buy me those pancakes, I may consider that terrible hike once again! =)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Ode to Surfing
Ode to Surfing
How will it look?
I ponder over a drink.
Will I be able to stand,
What will the other's think?
It's my first time on a board
and I already know,
this may not look great,
It'll be quite a show.
I spoke to the teacher,
and agreed to the fees.
Next step was the ocean,
and I'm weak in the knees.
We paddle on out,
past the kiddies and swimmers.
To where the waves break,
My fear is no dimmer.
I know that I'm clumsy,
and my balance is poor.
But try I must,
Get up on that board!
A few failed attempts,
and I was ready to quit.
My teacher threatened ending,
and I thought, "This is it."
Finally, I got it!
I stood up on the board.
Look at me now,
I'm queen of the world!
Don't tell me I can't do it,
or take away my fun.
I've proved my resilience,
you'll be the wrong one!
I have been thinking about this poem for quite awhile. I knew I had to write one. I love how surfing relates so clearly to my life. I was afraid to do a great many things, and I got past that fear. I may still be afraid, but I do it anyway. Also, my instructor wasn't going to end the lesson, but was going to make me change to a board that would be more painful in the long run. He gave up on me, and the very next attempt I got it. Don't tell me I can't do something. I am far too stubborn for that. Finally, it took a lot for me to get it right. I think that is one of the great themes of my life right now. I fall off the board quite frequently, but I get right back up. Life is a balance. If I was up all the time, life would be boring. The important thing is to pull yourself back up after you fall. It's ok to get a little wet sometimes.
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