Category Archives: Life Updates

Quick Life Update: Apartment Hunting, Writing a Novel (?), Job Search

Aloha all,

It’s been about 2 weeks since I last blogged… and I’ve been busy, but also relaxing. Most of the things that are on my mind right now are my husband, Jane the Virgin, apartment hunting, my Harry Potter game app, writing, and job searching.

As most of you know, if you’ve been following me for quite some time, I just got married in May! It’s been almost two months and we are about to move back to Hawaiʻi. However, we still haven’t secured an apartment yet… gasp. We have just applied for one, and we are really excited. I am hoping and praying that we do get it. It’s in the perfect place, near to stores, his work, and one of my family members also live in the same area (like 3 minutes away). I’ve never applied for an apartment, it gave me so much anxiety, because I’ve also never had to adult like this. It’s very eye-opening.

Along with relaxing and enjoying no work for now and no school anymore (woohoo), I’ve decided to write in my spare time. I am only used to writing short stories, so I didn’t give myself a limit. I’ll just keep writing until I feel like it’s finished. It started as an influence of my husband and I’s early part of our relationship, then it began to spin into a sci-fi/romance sort of genre. I have really felt encouraged watching Jane the Virgin, haha. She is so motivated and good at writing, and I know she’s one a character on a television show, but I feel inspired by her.

As for job hunting: that’s not going as well as I would like it to. It sounds like it’s going to be really hard for me to find a first job doing something that utilizes my B.A. in English. If that’s how it is, then that’s how it’ll be. I can be a barista at Starbucks for now, haha. I just need to get a job to provide more income for both my husband and I, and to also start paying off my school loans. I know we will be alright, but I worry a lot that I can’t do this. I have never worked a real job, blessings all around to my friends and, especially, my family for making it possible to focus solely on school. I keep looking on apps and online at potential jobs, re-working my resume, gathering and making a portfolio of all my published works, etc.

To those who have been following my journey as a blogger; I appreciate you, always!

Happy Curl, Happy Girl

Signing off,

Curly Island Girl

Change.

Alooooooha.

I am BACK!

I am officially a college graduate and a wife!!! I am also not in the islands right now. In the next month or so I will be back, but for now I am in the PNW (Pacific Northwest). It’s much too cold for this island girl, but I am enjoying the low humidity (my hair is pretty fantastic).

Graduation was amazing. I worked very hard for five years to get my Bachelors degree. Along the way there have been many hardships, but I have also made many connections and friendships (that I believe will last a lifetime). College is so much better than high school. In high school, I had friends. I still love these friends, but people change, and I only have two that have remained relatively close since then. Before I left Hawaiʻi, I had a conversation with the friends I made in college. We talked about how we hope we never forget each other, and I truly believe that I never will. The friends you make as an adult, may not change as much as the friends you made as a teenager and a child. Most of us have already gone through major changes and have transitioned into adult life, therefore, we should be pretty similar for the rest of our lives. Or at least I hope so. The ideals and insights we have made about ourselves and society at this age (albeit, we are still young) is something that I don’t see changing much in the future. I think that’s good. I think we are considerate, kind, loving, and caring individuals, and I hope that never changes. Mahalo nui loa to all the people who have contributed to my knowledge growth, my personal growth, and my social growth in these past 5 years. You are amazing people (you know who you are). I love you guys with all my pu’uwai (heart). Here are some pictures: In Hawaiʻi, we give lei at celebrations… Usually completely covering our entire head.

 

My wedding. My wedding was the most beautiful activity I have ever been a part of. It was small, oh, but it was perfection. I never imagined it to be that amazing. I felt so beautiful, and I felt so loved. I still do. Our parents (my husband and I) worked so hard and so quickly to send us off with love and many memories, and we are so equally grateful. We had a quick ceremony at the beach park that we met at almost 8 years ago. Then we had a reception that was so much fun. I do not regret anything about that day. The people who mattered were there (whether in spirit or in physical form) and that’s what made it perfect. My sister who is a growing photographer (not yet professional, but might as well be), took all the photos and they are so lovely. Check out her photography website here. My sister’s wonderful girlfriend did my hair! It was a rapunzel braid, complete with fresh flowers. It turned out exactly how I imagined it. She is also a talented at makeup, here is where you can find her YouTube channel. Thank you, thank you! My best friend drove me in her car, she remained a huge contributor to my bridal shower, my bachelorette party, and the wedding. She was so supportive and if I had bridesmaids, she would, hands down, have been my Maid of Honor. My mother. She suffered a stroke in early Fall of last year. Although her mobility in her left arm and leg is still currently very limited, she handled all the decorations and made everything as perfect as she could for her daughter.

So many family members and friends contributed to making my husband and I’s day so incredibly special. I could not thank them enough. You are beautiful people with beautiful souls.

 

Next time I blog, Iʻll go back into a normal-ish posting schedule. We are still going through moving process. I hope you enjoy my pictures, and Iʻll be back!

Happy Curl, Happy Girl

Signing off,

Curly Island Girl.

Time Moves Too Quickly…

Hello everyone. 

Some of you may be disappointed in me, and some of you may be relieved that I’m back! I know it’s been almost a month, and for that I sincerely apologize. I have been struggling with school and my personal life. For those who have been following me since the beginning, knew that this year was going to be a huge deal for me. Tomorrow, I will take my last final of my undergraduate career and this Saturday, May 11, 2018, I will graduate with my B.A. in English with double minors in Anthropology and Gender & Women’s Studies (and high honors!). Another exciting thing happening this week … my fiancé is coming home! He will be home for my graduation and the following weekend, we will be husband and wife.

A couple of days after the wedding, a big new journey will begin for me. I’ll be moving away from home, so I will have many new experiences to share with you! I’m going to try my best to blog these next couple of weeks… but if I don’t make it, now you know why. I may just have to wait til after the wedding and all the craziness dies down to sit comfortably and come up with some words to describe it all for you!

Here’s a recap of what has been going on in the month I’ve been away from Tales of a Curly Island Girl:

I got another tattoo to commemorate my new step into marriage, by permanently placing my maiden name on my ribcage. It did not hurt at all, probably because it was so small and that I have already been tattooed nine other times. I immediately told my fiancé that I now felt “ready to be his wife.” LOL.

I did my graduation photoshoot … and another photoshoot (but that one is a secret). It was so much fun! My sister is an amateur photographer but she is very talented for someone who never uses photoshop. One day Iʻll give you a link to her website! She’s currently working on one.

I had a bridal and a “bachelorette” party on the same day! My family and best friend threw me a bridal party at a small tea room in my town. It was so cute! Everyone sat on the ground on small pillows. We played games and had teacup/mug exchanges, along with an incredible display of desserts and small sandwiches. I had an amazing time. That same evening I went out to my favorite bar to meet with my close friends and a few family members. We spent the night talking stories, drinking, and enjoying each other’s company and presence. I am incredibly grateful for all the love I have received from all the people who are special to me.

Last week, I was awarded money for a submission I made to Gender & Women’s Studies Contest: Research Paper. My submission was my final paper to my Senior Seminar for Gender & Women’s Studies, titled, Women as Birthing Professionals: American Doula Work. I loved doing the research on the amazing women who stand alongside doctors/midwives and expecting mothers.

Lastly, if you have been following along in national news (I’m hoping they are correct, some have been spewing incorrect information), you have heard that my island has been in turmoil since April 30th. We had a series of hundreds of earthquakes in a very short amount of time, leading to one of the craters (called Puʻu ʻŌʻō) on our active volcano, Kīlauea, to collapse and push the magma down the East Rift Zone. This rift zone runs along a main residential area called Leilani Estates. On May 4th, the Big Island had two large earthquakes, the second being measured at 6.9. Thatʻs the largest earthquake the state has had in about 40 years. That earthquake caused Halemaʻumaʻu (the crater at the summit of Kīlauea) to erupt ash, and it has been slowly emptying of magma since then (my concern is, where is all Halemaʻumaʻuʻs lava going?). That same day, the first fissures erupted into the residential neighborhood I just mentioned. I havenʻt checked how many new fissures and active eruptions there are… but from what I can remember, I believe there are 9 within Leilani Estates and over 30 homes have been destroyed.

Many people around the state and the nation are watching us right now. Some have had very unkind words to say. Here is what I have to say about that: Native Hawaiians have direct genealogical ties to the land. Those who live in Puna (the moku or district that the eruptions are happening in) know that when and if Kīlauea ever erupts, they will get out of the way, and they have. They know that what they have built on the land that is being covered was not going to be there forever. However, it is still hurtful to hear and see those who are being insensitive to their plight tell them that “they shouldnʻt have built there.” They respect the land, and they respect Tūtū Pele as she makes her way along cleaning house on her land, however, that doesn’t mean that they donʻt hurt watching their family homes burn to the ground, or the forests where they ran and played when they were keiki be destroyed. Be kind. Don’t be cruel. If you donʻt understand the special connection to ʻāina (land) that Native Hawaiians have, do not mock and criticize. Ask if you really want to know. If not, mind your business, donʻt be nīele (curious or inquisitive) if you really donʻt want to listen.

Okay, when I come back, if its in the next two weeks or after it, I will let you all know how my graduation and my wedding went. Then I will transition back into my normal blogging! I have so many ideas for my Just Think About It Series. I also want to update everyone on my Curly Girl Method Series as well.

 

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Happy Curl, Happy Girl

Signing off,

Curly Island Girl

I thought “This is It”

I’m sure you’ve heard of the scare Hawaiʻi just went through on saturday morning. I woke up to my iPhone alarm blaring at me. I thought it was just a flash flood warning…. but then I see this:

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I immediately called my fiancé, Iʻm actually surprised the call went through, because during this statewide panic the phone lines were flooded. He picked up on the first ring and I was panicking and in full hyperventilation. Heʻs in the military and he continued to tell me to relax and breathe. I was preparing myself to tell him my last goodbyes and “I love youʻs” with tears falling down my face. I ran outside and listened for our emergency nuclear missile sirens and none went off in my town. I turned on the radio and – nothing – I continued freaking out while he stayed on the phone with me.

This was it, I thought. This was all I got to do in my short life, (my happiest life hasn’t even started yet). My fiancé continued watching on his social media and on his phone for any news from the continental U.S. (where he is stationed). He then told me with relief that our congresswoman had tweeted that we were in fact not in harms way and that it was a mistake.

For half an hour, the state of Hawaiʻi panicked and there was chaos. An emergency mistake alert did not go out until half an hour after the initial danger alert was sent. The entire world watched as we panicked. Some prayed, some cried, some even laughed. That was the most scariest event of my entire life. In the event of a missile threat, Hawaiʻi was completely unprepared. We do not have shelters to protect us from a nuclear bomb, and if we do have bunkers from WWII era, we do not all have the luxury of being safe in there.

I read across social media the sadness of my friends holding their babies in bed, thinking that this was the last cuddle. I watched the panic on Mānoa campus ensue as students ran in terror. It was terrifying.

Coincidentally, saturday was also my childhood friendʻs wedding. She had the worst scare of her life, but it only put her half an hour behind schedule. Her wedding was still incredibly amazing. We cried and enjoyed her happiness, and the happiness surrounding us all with the craziness that morning. It turned out to be an amazing day and night, and as we went out to the bars and clubs, we decided we would “Live our best lives” because we can never know when the threat will be real.

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Hawaiʻi and itʻs government learned an important lesson that day, that we are unprepared and that we are grateful we still have more time on this Earth.

Happy Curl, Happy Girl

Signing out,

Curly Island Girl

My Last First-Day

Yesterday was the first day of Spring Semester 2018. This is my last semester of undergraduate school. I have so many thoughts. Half of it is joy (because I have big plans right after commencement), the other half is sadness. I have been a student at my local university/college for five years. I have made the greatest friends in my college career, thus far, and I can’t stand the fact that I’ll be gone soon.

I am an English major, double-minoring in Anthropology and Gender & Women’s Studies. I just picked up the GWS minor because most of my english courses were cross-listed with GWS. I love what I learn. I love learning. I love listening to my fellow classmates share their knowledge, which furthers my own knowledge.

The word, “Professional Student,” comes to my mind. I swear, all I know, is being a student. I’m pretty good at it too. I like the rush of first week of classes, the craziness of last-minute papers, and the madness of finals week. Students band together, and we share this special awareness of what goes on within classroom settings, boards, events, etc. I love that, that is what I will miss the most!

And of course, the scariness of having to finally join the workforce. And paying those loans off — YIKES. I have most certainly thought about graduate school. I haven’t applied yet, but I intend to. The application fee is so high, Ugh, and I need to take the GRE too. Anyone else struggled with that as a soon-to-be graduate or a fresh-out-of–undergrad-school student?

I know my thoughts are so scattered on this post but I feel like I have a lot to say, but not enough energy to write. I still haven’t done readings for my anthropology course tomorrow… so maybe I should get to that. I’ll try and come back again some time this week! An elementary friend of mines is getting married on Saturday! Maybe, I’ll share some pictures of her wedding.

It’s been a pretty fantastic start to the new year (other than my sister’s car window being broken and my purse being stolen on the 1st) so far. I hope yours is going pretty great too!

Happy Curl, Happy Girl

Signing out,

Curly Island Girl 

Hauʻoli makahiki hou (Happy New Year!)

Itʻs 2018! This is gonna be an incredible year for me. Yesterday, my family and I went hiking to a waterfall/river area called Narnia. We were gone for about 3-4 hours, and when we came back to the cars parked outside, there was trouble. My sister’s Civic (it’s rather new) was broken into. The window on the passenger side was completely shattered… and MY PURSE WAS GONE. Albeit, it was an ugly old brown purse, that costed around $20, so it wasn’t a complete loss. However, my wallet was in there, and there went my driver’s license, debit card, Starbucks card (I’m a gold member, YES I AM IN LOVE WITH STARBUCKS), and about $40 of cash. Whoever it was who stole my purse, also got my deodorant, my pareo, a sports bra, floss, and some ibuprofen.

I laughed after making the police report because they stole from a person who had nothing. Whoever it was is gonna be so hygienic! haha. My sister’s window is much more expensive to repair than the things I lost. But, I’ve cancelled and reordered all brand new cards and I just got my replacement driver’s license today.

Even if my New Year’s Day ended with a junk situation, I still had a wonderful day, and I still wholeheartedly believe this year will be amazing.

Mahalo nui for visiting!

Happy curl, Happy girl

Signing out,

Curly Island Girl