transition

It's been a pretty eventful week. I've been putting off telling the family that I was moving out for awhile. Call it cowardice. Call it a fear of confrontation. Call it whatever, I just wasn't doing it, despite wanting to give them plenty of notice. But, they helped me out this past Wednesday. First, random, but I got offered the position as one of two waste auditors for the Coast Guard here in Hawaii (like I've mentioned previously). As it was described to me, I would be responsible for doing a comprehensive waste audit assessment for a few of their ships and buildings. Then, I would help produce a five-year plan to significantly reduce their waste stream, including researching the economic viability of on-site composters, trash compacters, and major recycling initiatives. I probably don't have to mention that this would be an incredible experience, as well as a major jolt to my sustainability cred and resume. Call me crazy, but while I was having this described to me, a feeling of certainty came over me that I wasn't right for this position and that I should definitely not take it. So, I turned it down, and said that I thought someone else would make a better candidate. The University coordinator said that was fine and we would keep looking for other opportunities that better suited me (since I had told her that my strongest interests were in energy generation/conservation and green building). Perhaps it was fear of failure or tackling something completely foreign to me, but I still feel like I did the right thing. I can't explain exactly why, but it's done. So, I'm hoping another great opportunity comes along that feels right.

Ok, so after that, it was Wednesday. The day before ALL of Ariel's college applications and supplements were due, save one. I've been on her for a month to do these before the last minute, but she just wouldn't. So, come Wednesday, she was feverishly writing as I feverishly edited what she sent me. Then, I get a gchat asking me if I would come in to the house so her and her mom could talk to me about something. I was thinking, "oh, shit," they're gonna beat me too it!. They're gonna give me the boot." So, I go in and they want to talk to me about something that Tony was pissed about. For some reason he was under the impression that I had employed the carpenter doing work here to do some of my work for me. Which, was a simple matter to clear up, cuz I didn't. Then Debra says well, maybe I should give you a clearer list of tasks anyway. To which I responded, maybe know is a good time to bring this up. I told them that I was moving out, to which they were fine with. She mentioned that the timing would work out well, because they had someone interested in renting my space in March. So, looks like they would have asked me to leave soon anyway. After that, I ended up working with Ariel til 6:30 A.M. in the morning to get all of her applications and essays in. I was wiped for the next couple of days. But, except for one last app. they're all in. Now it's just more scholarships til I leave, and after that I told them I would still offer my assistance over email for editing and questions and what not. So! At least that chunk of it's done. I just hope she's learned any kind of lesson, and won't pull the waiting til the last minute thing again. We'll see.

SO! First week of February I'll be moving in with Maggie at the top of a pretty hill with a nice view, a small room, and an aquarium of sea horses. : ) I'll just keep working at the health food store for money and see if another sustainability opportunity comes along. If not, I'll just keep volunteering, working, and playing frisbee. Not a bad life.

Oh! and some random cool stuff I've gotten to do. I started my SCUBA certification and just need to do my final dive to be finished, and I got to go sailing in a regatta at the Waikiki yacht Club. I didn't do much but be the "rail meat" to balance the boat and hold the boom to keep the mainsail out. Regardless, it was an amazing race, sunset, and new experience. I hope to get to do it again soon. They race every Friday, so I think I definitely will get the chance.