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!