Wednesday, December 15, 2010

the Holidays.

The holidays are here..ohh myy. I dont know, it still feels like summer to me so I dont really feel too Holiday-ish. Plus jus been working working working these past couple days as well so that threw me off.

Everyday at work has been a learning experience. & what I thought was such an easy job, I have found isnt as easy as I thought..but hey, what do you expect out of nursing right? I wasnt comfortable when I first started, when through all those feelings of being a "new girl," not knowing where anything is or how anything works. But everyday has been slowly getting better, thank the Lord. I am learning the right way to deal with patients and families here, which is so much different oddly enough. What my manager told me is a lot of mainlanders unintentionally come off as "snobby" if you dont have "Aloha spirit." At first I was like huh??! but dealing with more families and patients, I know what she means. It is really a culture shock working here!! But other than that, my coworkers are all very cool for the most part..happy about that:)

hmm, Been missing home more than lately recently. It sometimes come to the point where sometimes I wondered if I could be happier here, or if I made the wrong decision in moving here. The biggest thing affecting me is not having my family around after having them around and so close to me for my whole life. I think about Inang a lot and always wonder how she's doing, and feel so happy everytime I talk to her on the phone; about my sisters and how I dont know whats 'cool' anymore cuz they knew all the new trends in fashion/music; about my Mom/Dad & how they are doing.... but I have realized that it's mostly because the holidays are around. Holidays are a time mostly for family for me...so I am so happy to be going home next week. I also know that if God didnt want for this to happen, it wouldnt have happened. The move here aligned so perfectly for all of us, I cant help but believe there is reason to me/us living here.

So I have decided to go home enjoy myself and everything I miss about San Diego, and come back to Hawaii refreshed and in a newer, fresh state of mind. A mindset where I know I am here to grow as a person..diversify myself..grow up. I want to hang out with people I wouldnt normally feel comfortable hanging out with, expose myself to the culture here, do things I have never done. I guess I was coming to the point here where I was getting into my own comfort 'bubble' again over here...which defeated the whole purpose of me coming here. I was always hanging out with the same people, turning down invitations from coworkers, getting into a routine of work and 'whatever'...always comparing how "i had so much friends at home and now I have only a handful" haha...pretty much not taking control of making the best of my situation. Because ultimately it is up to ME how this whole experience turns out!!

So all this is a result of a looott of self-reflection on my one hour commutes to and from work stuck in traffic!! Don't get me wrong, I am still having lots of fun/learning a lot over here....but I just know that there is so much more potential in this experience:) I know the first couple months is like a big speed bump, but I am very optimistic that things will only get better. It's funny..I always thought I was mentally stronger but I feel Im probably having the hardest time of my roommates..but it's nothing a big one week dose of HOME cannot fiX!

See you soon=) chhheeeeeeeee-hooo! haha.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Adjusting..

so everyone is here. Me, Jamie, Daisy, & Amber!

Weve all been adjusting..getting used to living with each other..while getting used to living over here in Hawaii. I cant believe it's been two months. Time is going soo fast. While we were signing our rental agreement, I guess it put the time frame in perspective for us...we'll be here until May 2012. An 18 month contract, 2012?!!!!

Sometimes I still imagine this a big vacation and I get to go back to SD to my old job, and live back with my family..haha. But this is REALITY!!! This is what we all wanted. & even if this is what I wanted, I still can't help but miss home sometimes. We were talking about it the other day. It's a different feeling living away from family..knowing that life goes on with or without you at home. Giselle is still gonna grow up & wont stay a baby forever...& I likely will miss out on the birth of my up n coming niece/nephew =( (yes, Papic is preggo!!) & even if Im here with my really good friends, I still miss my other friends. Even if we never hung out all the time, being away makes me really appreciate the things/people I took for granted I guess.

So it's us four...& even if homesickness is a factor..I try not to make it a big factor. I already knew it wasnt gonna be easy these first few months!! Ive been warned!! So I try not to let it get the best of me, and live it up while I'm here! We been trying to explore the island, go to different beaches, go out and meet different people. Saw pretty huge waves on the North Shore for my first time! Still working on making some worthwhile friends here who wont think were too crazy tho:P The place is starting to look more and more like a home...we really do NEED a TV tho, haha. Jamie went to some filipino store in WAIPAHUuuuu! haha, and got all these filipino stuff: longonisa, sukang maasim, sinigang packets, patis. LOL. sooo that was coool..we had Longonisa this morning and sisig, *burrrrp!

A few days ago, I took care of a pastor who moved here from the mainland 20 yrs ago, who seriously touched my heart. He was a wise man, had a lot of good things to say about life, myself, and my move to Hawaii. Pretty much reassured me that we made the right decision in moving here. He told me the people here are one of a kind--that I'll never meet people more amazing...& I must say everyone here has been so nice to all of us girls. Truly a lot of Aloha everywhere we go. He also told me that we were very brave to move away and that first 3-6 months would be the hardest, adjusting to the different culture and life here, esp. being away from our families. But he told me after pushing thru that first 6 months, we'll start to put our heads up and actually look around and appreciate everything/everyone around us...then once we stop comparing things to home, then that's when Hawaii will finally feel like a home for us..........

But for now....let the Vacation continue!;) hahaa, jk. Aloha!

Monday, November 08, 2010

Koko Isle


Alas, we have internet!!=)

Since we came back from the wedding, we settled into our place over here at Koko Isle Circle. The weather has been windy and rainy, but for the last few days, has cleared up aside from the tradewinds. Although it is a trek driving to and from work, I must say that i LOVE where we live! Nice to wake up to a nice breeze, nice view, nice neighborhood. Everything is close to us aside from work, so cant complain so much! I cant wait till Daze and Amber get here so our house will be complete with roommates!! Me and Jamie barely see each other cuz of our opposite schedules, so at least I'll have another nightshifter Daze to explore the island with on my days off!

Slowly, the house is becoming a home. Started by getting things like utensils, rice cooker, coffeemaker, pots.....then a bed, sheets...and a couch today! haha. All we really NEED is a nice TV for the living room and a dining table since its looking like were all sticking around for turkey day.

Im trying to go home for Christmas..I reallly realllly want to! So hopefully my requested schedule pulls through. Anyways, here are some of our visitors=) HAHA, just Kat n Mike but philberts here so hopefully I can add more.