positive affirmations

I was just reading over what I wrote last, and not too much has changed in regard to the living situation. I still go back and forth a lot about it. It hasn't turned out to be all that much work, which is cool, but there are a lot of little issues that are building up. For example, Ariel's temper tantrums (foot stamping and shrieking included), the mother's mood swings, Ariel following me into my space and proceeding to talk for 4 hours about all her teenage angst. I feel guilty because she seems to like me, but I really can't spend that much time with her without becoming annoyed. I feel pretty bad about that, actually. I think I'll just put up with it for now. The good stuff still outweighs the little issues. I'm sure all of you are thinking, 'God, shut up your complaining, you live in Hawaii!!' To that I say, 'touche'.' Fair enough.

I started working part-time at a local health food store called Kokua Market. It's a food co-op. I am a cashier there, and it has been a looong time since I did something like that. I mean, my last real job was at a uber conservative law firm. I haven't been a cashier since I worked at the movie theater passing out pretzel bites. I should be interesting. If nothing else, I'll be meeting new people.

My attempts to get involved in local sustainability issues are becoming fruitful. At the University of Hawaii-Manoa, they are doing a whole pilot project in energy conservation, zero-waste, solar and wind energy. I spoke with a woman today that suggested I become a part of the waste and energy teams. This would be part of their new sustainability internship program. This would be a paid internship, 10 to 15 dollars an hour. The waste team analyzes incoming and outgoing streams of waste (paper, recyclables, trash, compostable materials) to determine how to alter the respective streams so that there is eventually zero, net-waste creation. Waste streams are actually a huge issue everywhere, but especially in Hawaii where there is no space for landfills and they have to ship their waste across the ocean for dumping. One of the projects on the team would be to work with thecoast guard to do a waste audit for them, and write up a report. This would mean getting boated over to their base and going through their trash. I know it doesn't sound glamourous, but it's finally something real that I can do to contribute. On the energy team I would learn to do an energy audit of buildings to determine what measures they can take to conserve energy. I'm actually really excited. I have to wait until mid-december to see if it'll work out, and I can't wait! Potentially, I could make enough that I could get my own place, have a job I love, and still live in Hawaii for a little while. I'm just going to keep reciting my positive affirmations, and wait for things to present themselves. ohm. hehe

I've been playing the perfect amount of frisbee between pickup, league, and tournaments. My league team is still a lot of fun, and I had an amazing time at Hopu last week. There are a lot of pics on facebook. My team, Caliakawaii, was arguably the most fun there with all of our jokesters, antics, and good spirit. Alcohol may have contributed, but I'll have to look into that. I was so lucky to pick up with them. On top of that, we were actually pretty good. We lost on universal point in the semis. There was a beach tournament the Monday after that quickly dissolved into good ol' fashion beach partying. There we drank some and learned about the wonders of rosham tackle, rosham motorboat, rosham punch in the face, rosham lapdance, rosham punch/makeout, rosham get to know you, etc. Holy lord, SO MUCH FUN!

anyway, doing pretty darn good out here in paradise. I can't wait for Kaimana, when I'll get to see some of you guys from GA again. I love you all!

trial period

Aloha. I ended up in the hut! haha. I went and spoke with the couple that wanted help with their oasis, and we agreed to do a trial period for about a month, so here I am. It's been about a week and a half so far, and in that time I've been swinging back and forth between wanting to get the f' out of this situation, and thinking how very fortunate I am. It's one of those good on paper things... The agreement is lodging and utilities in a great location and access to a bike in exchange for doing random landscaping projects, researching random ideas they have, assorted random tasks like figuring out this solar apparatus he has with no instructions, and mostly helping the daughter find and apply for scholarships/find a direction in life. To me it sounds like a pretty easy gig, and the only issues have been that there's no clear agreement about a schedule or number of hours they expect (not for lack of asking), so it's caused some personal confusion as to whether or not I'm meeting or falling short of expectations. I hope to bring that up soon and just check in and see if they're comfortable with the ad hoc approach. I'm not sure I completely gel with the man and woman (Debra and Tony), either, but, theses are things that I'm pretty sure I can deal with in exchange for living in a little mini-oasis, inside of a tropical paradise.

I applied at some local health food stores, but haven't heard back. So, no job yet, but I'm only spending money on food so the impact on my savings isn't so bad. I'll just keep looking.

I've been making an effort to go to pickup a lot, which has been great for getting off the property, exercise, and meeting/socializing with new people. I also joined the fall league and ended up on a great team with nice and talented people. Plus, a lot of them are good-looking...but, that's neither here nor there :p There's a monthly disc golf tourney going on this Saturday on Sand Island that I think I'm going to check out. That could be fun.

I'm really looking forward to experiencing Halloween in Waikiki. It should be pretty entertaining. I've decided to dress up as the pants party. I'm going to draw some pants partying on a shirt, maybe on some pants, too. On the front of the shirt I'm going to write, "Invite Only." I'll probably go out with some other frisbee kids I've met here. There's a really nice group that's here from Teach for America.

Anywho, kick ass at Nationals if you're playing! : D

Honolulu

ahhh, I finally made it to Honolulu. The last few weeks were pretty chill. My biggest worry was selling that sweet motorbike, which I managed to do in the 11th hour! Phew! Other than that I just worked my hours and spent time picking the brains of this awesome couple that just came to the farm. Their names are Caban and David. Caban had a doctorate in Psychology but gave it up awhile ago to persue a more...alternative approach to life. She had a business doing deep astrology (she made me a chart before I left), then a natural healing practice. The latest pursuit was natural beekeeping and working at her husband's used bookstore. David, owned a bookstore called Tsunami books in Eugene, OR and was apparently somewhat of a central figure in the natural living/hippie circles there. Caban's last child just became legal so they set out for a life whithout kids and some annonymity, and thus they came to a small farm in Kauai. They both are really into music and healthy living, so it was great to learn from them. One really interesting thing was how she helped keep her bees healthy. She used accutonics, which posits that everything (diseases and health) vibrates on certain frequencies and to heal a sickness in your body you just have to use these tuning forks to change its frequency. I thought that was pretty cool. : )

So! The plan is this: I've gotten a couple of responses to this email I sent out to the Honolulu frisbee mailserve about possible work exchanges here; childcare, errands, help with a business, etc. for a room. One is for this couple who have a property that they're thinking of turning into a natural healing retreat for Japanese visitors. They would need someone to help expand the garden, be a steward of the land, help the husband with his "import" business, possibly cook for the guests. Here's the best part, the accomodations would be this Balinese-style gazeebo room thing. So, it'd be like a pimped out tropical hut. : P I'm hopefully going to go discuss an arangement with them tomorrow. If that doesn't work out, then I got another offer from the Tennis director at the Punahou school to be a live-in nanny for a 16th month old. For those of you who have read Barack Obama's first book, Punahou is his alma mater. So, I would be president by association, I'm pretty sure. Oh, sorry, I mean "presidential candidate," wink wink. So, even if neither of those work out I talked to some girls who have a room for rent. I'm glad to not be hurting for options. As soon as I have a stable residence I'm going to go apply at the Umeke market, a natural foods store. It's should be pretty sweet.

I'm going to go join the local frisbee scene as soon as possible. I'm dropping in on league this Saturday. It should be awesome! : ) Yay, frisbeeeeeeee.

Anyway, hope everyone else's lives are awesome. Good luck at Nationals everybody!

next?

Does it ever seem like the Universe is trying to get you to take a hint? I believe I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer intended to be on Kauai. Now that may sound like quitter talk to some of you, but let me update you. 

Things have been really strained on the farm the last couple of weeks. Tim has turned out to be a not so nice of a guy, with regular excursions into passive-agressiveville. He's a hard man to please it turns out. Despite continuing to work hard and enthusiastically he had a talk with me a couple of weeks ago saying he had some concerns about my speed and efficiency. This is in spite of me getting all of my tasks done.....and, the fact that I'm not actually getting paid. Aside from that I've been anxious because he asked the couple that was staying here to leave. Then, before he went out of town a little while ago (after asking me to take him to the airport and take his car to the repair shop while I was in town) he wanted to discuss my plans for staying. He essentially told me that he'd been talking to some other people and they would "love to have me through mid-October but then we should discuss a transition." Which, if I'm up on my bullshit, means you can stay until we find someone we like better, but then you gotta go. So, that's the story. I have been asked to leave the farm, which is a really weird feeling. I'm trying not to take it personally since he clearly has a pattern and some kind of unknown set of expectations. Also, if you recall, I was waiting to hear if I got into that farming program. I emailed them an inquiry, and it turns out they never received my application. It must have gotten lost in the mail. 

So, basically, I've been trying to work out what next. I've decided that, though I have gained some important personal lessons from these experiences, I am not going to attempt to go to a third farm. The point was to come here and have this new experience, and I feel like I have done that and am eager to try something new. My really loose plan for now is, stay until mid-October (swallowing my pride in the process, working for someone who doesn't want me here because I'll save so much in rent and food over the next three weeks), then I am moving to Honolulu on Oahu for ~6 months so that I can be here for the two big Hawaii tournaments, Hopu and Kaimana. On Oahu, I'm looking into working at a natural foods co-op, while continuing my self-education on the exploding field of sustainability. After that, I'm thinking back to Atlanta for the summer, then I want to apply to various internships. The one I'm really hoping to get into is at the Solar Living Center where there are a million opportunities to take the workshops for free. I figure, armed with all of that knowledge and practical experience I might have the ability to go into any number of directions. 

But, that's all for the future. Right now, still farming 'til mid-October. I should say, though, that on this farm I have been learning a lot about organic farming practices, which was the point of WWOOFing. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit disappointed that this experience didn't shape up to be all that I had hoped for, but I am really glad that I did it. I had planned to come out here and find a field of Biology (what my degree is in) that I could be passionate about and pursue, but I ended up meeting a few key people that  introduced me to so many new and wonderful things that I have been set on this completely unexpected path; a path that I think I can really find fulfillment and passion in following. 

For anyone interested, here are some assorted links to various fields that are emerging in the sustainability boom (there are many, many more):

Natural, or Alternative Building

Living Roofs 

Sustainable buildings

Renewable Energy

Transportation

Institutions

Also, how about some pictures from some nice beaches and the Hindu monastery that I visited recently. : )

 Larsens Beach
 Moloa'a Bay (where Gilligan's Island was filmed)

 my team for Raucous Caucus, the Sippin' Salleys

 Entrance to Hindu temple grounds

 only all-granite hindu temple in the country (still under construction)

up and out

Well, I finally did it. I moved off of Don's farm last week onto another farm on the North shore of Kauai. It was really difficult the last week or so I was there. Don was acting normal except for being a pain about helping me move my bags to the new place, but Maya was the one that surprised me. For some reason she was being really hostile toward me and even yelling sometimes. It was weird, but it's over now. So.....

The new place I'm at is called La Ola organic farms. It's about 3 acres with fully producing papaya, starfruit, pineapples, and guava trees as well as a whole range of vegetables and herbs. I'm expected to do about 20 hours per week and you actually get a weekly list of assignments that you can get done on your own time. How refreshing! I live in this little shelter toward the back of the property. It's just a frame with a rain tarp on a tent platform and a bed, but it's pretty sweet to be sleeping outside, a step up from camping! I get to wake up to the smell of guavas wafting in every morning. Not bad, I'd say! The farm is owned by Tim and Catherine. Tim handles most of the farm overseeing and Catherine is a naturopathic doctor and midwife. I'm here with an older woman named Sunny, and a young couple, Josh and Corinne. Everyone's really cool. It's a nice change. I am up in a much less developed part of the island, and am surrounded by lots and lots of other farms and the small town of Kilauea.

I am still waiting to hear back about the food co-op program. Cross your fingers for me! Getting into that would be so wonderful!! The only thing that concerns me at the moment is that Tim has asked the two women before me to leave and, according to Sunny, his interactions with me are almost identical with theirs up to the point when he asked them to go. You see, the first two weeks are a trial period. Apparently, he's got a pattern with asking people to go even when they've been working hard (I've already put in 10 hours more than I needed to). I'm not quite sure I get it fully, but I'm hoping I don't get asked to go or there will have to be some scrambling for plan B's and C's. I'll just keep working hard and doing my best and that's all I can do. But, for now, I'm in a new place and I'm working and learning. I've already learned a bunch of new things, preparing and maintaining compost, and planting teensy onions among other things.

Oh! and I bought a motor bike to get around on. Not a motorcycle, not a scooter, a beach cruiser with an 80 cc, 2-stroke motor welded onto the frame. It gets 150 mpg and can go up to 45 mph. I can be a motorbike enthusiast legitimately now! No more pretending! haha.

 the "back yard"
Tim and Catherine's house
Some of the vegetable gardens
 view of the pineapple fields with some papayas
 mi casa

 a pretty picture
 my sweet ride.

trapped in paradise...not really, I'm just pouting

Back from the island-hopping trip about a week now. What else can I say, it was awesome. So great to have a long break from the farm. Lauren and I saw so much in our ten days. The first 5 days on my island I felt like I was "seeing" Kauai for the first time. We saw incredible lava pools, white beaches, waterfalls, a luau, and went on beautiful hikes. The Big Island was full of great people, snorkeling, black sand, and, of course, it kicked some real ass to see lava exploding. :D On Oahu, it was relaxing a bit, seeing Waikiki, and "going out" to Mai Tais.

I, unfortunately, don't have any promising news on the getting out of crazy town front. I met with the guy from the other farm. He said I should be good to come, but I talked to him yesterday and it seems that they filled up already. Though, he did tell me they might have another spot and he would know in a few days. So, it could still work out. Who knows? The other option I'm looking at right now (because I can't stay on Don's farm anymore) is just renting a room, getting a part-time job, and applying to this agriculture program/course I found out about. Basically, it's a 3-month program where they teach you about permaculture while you help with their CSA (community supported agriculture). At the end of the 3 months you can stay on as an intern to help grow things. As an intern you would work 20 hours a week maintaining the gardens and get 800 a month. That would be a pretty good outcome, actually. I want to be a part of something that fosters community building and really learn about sustainable agriculture practices, and this would do both. This whole thing has just made me re-question what things I really want to pursue at this stage of life. Got some thinkin' to do, I suppose. 

I hope to have news to report in the next week or so. Stay classy, people.

Jenn

 sunset at Pollihale Beach, Kauai
 
 summit of Sleeping Giant, Kauai

 Kilauea Falls, Kauai

 Luau, Kauai


 Kalalua Valley Lookout, Kauai
 View in Kilauea, North Shore Kauai

 Secret Lava Pools, Kauai
 Na Pali coast hike, Kauai

 Rainbow Falls, Big Island, HI

 sweet cabin we stayed in on Big Island
 snorkeling, Big Island


Lauren and I with Bob, our host on the Big Island

 Lava exploding where it met the water, Big Island

 night out in Honolulu with Casey and Miguel

The Next Chapter

Aloha. :D   The last month or so has been pretty chaotic. I decided some time ago that I was not happy at this particular farm and it was my intention to move onto another farm, preferably one with a more positive environment. I decided to stay over the last couple of months, however, because Michael and Penny have been teaching me a great deal about sustainable living and the infinite projects and successes that can be accomplished. In addition, about a month ago, Michael informed me that they were moving off the farm to go to Santa Cruz, CA where they would be putting together a race/design contest for high-mileage vehicles, at least 150 mpg. There's  a lot to do, he said, and he invited me to come to Santa Cruz where he would house and feed 8 of us that he'd invited and we would all get this project off the ground and growing. I was shocked, but I can't even describe how excited I was. I came to Hawaii to find something I could be passionate about and here was this opportunity to create a real solution (0ne of many) to the fossil fuel crisis, and it had just fallen into my lap. Unfortunately, as I've recently found out, Michael realized that he jumped the gun on inviting me in regards to a limited amount of money and had to retract his invitation. I was pretty bummed for a few days as well as completely taken aback by the choices that I suddenly had to make. So, I'm not going to CA, and I won't stay on this farm any longer, so what next?. It took me awhile to fully appreciate that I wasn't tied to anything, that I could up and move to Japan if I wanted to, or move back to GA, or stay on Kaua'i. Ultimately, I decided that I wasn't done with Kauai just yet, and besides, I want to be around for Kaimana '09, baby!!  

I spent a week stressing over whether to find a job and an apt. and just "live" on Kauai or find another farm to go to and see if I can learn more on Permaculture. *Btw, if anyone's looking for a really interesting periodical on permaculture and sustainability check out:http://www.permacultureactivist.net/index.html. ...I ultimately decided to find another farm. I have a meet and greet with another farm on the North shore next week, so I'm hoping that that will be the answer. 

Besides all that going on, the only other changes have been 3 other interns coming to the farm for ~3 weeks. There were two French Canadian 18 year olds from Quebec and a young man from Colorado. It was really nice for once to have company on the farm. Plus, Don finally had to fix the "intern car" and we got to go on some real sight-seeing. He finally fixed it because apparently he told the girls that they would have a car to take around and Maya made him go get it fixed when she found out. hehe. He's so daughter whipped. Anyway, they were some cool kids, I was sad to see them go.

LPS will be here Monday for our 10 day vacation/adventure/island hopping romp. I'm sure we'll have some stories to tell and pictures to show soon!

Hope everyone's well!

 This is Evan from CO, Andreanne(with sound accents somewhere), and Loury next to me.