Island Style

In my zone.

As Seen at Longs Drugs.

Proper post-farmers-market luncheon.

Backyard basking.

Part of Something Beautiful

I've been really feeling this:
 
 This song is a favorite for yoga practice. Moving my body makes me more in my body and less in my head. Doesn't this song just make you want to drop into downward dog and start the flow? You won't be sorry.

I have been going to a new yoga class. My abs hurt every time I laugh, which I sort of like. The instructor shared a quote that stood out to me:

The love you withhold is the pain that you carry.

Thoughts?

I Spy Pink

Wild wind = wild hair on the Pali lookout.

Sister's sunrise shell necklace.

Farmers Market Ginger

Heavenly Plumeria

October Weekends

Saturday began with a hike leisurely stroll in the foothills.  I appreciated the cool shade of the oaks, hop-skipped over streams beds that actually had a bit of water (!), and filled my pockets with acorns. Acorns were the food staple of the native people of Santa Barbara.  I think they're beautiful and have jewelry-making potential.  But really, I just like gathering things. I do the same with Job's Tears along waterfalls in Hawaii and seashells on any beach I land on.

After heating up in the mountain side we headed down to the beach. The parking lot was hot and sunny but as we descended the long wooden staircase a heavy fog crept in. The tide was up and the surf was pounding with clean, long perfect waves.  The sunny stretch of white sand I had expected was replaced by rocky shelf.  It looked a lot like Oregon to me but it was warm.  I swam in the waves then sat on the still-sun-warmed rocks and took it all in. 

Letter from my 14-Year-Old Self

Last week I got a surprise in my mailbox: A letter I wrote myself freshman year of high school. A time-capsule was opened at my ten year high school reunion  and this letter was forwarded to me (Thanks, Sadie!)  Here it is, with minor edits. Have I changed much in half my lifetime?

June 4, 1996

Dear Emily,

It's strange writing you a letter because you are actually me.  This is nothing like writing Janna, Jaime, or Krishanna a letter.  (Janna: bff/cousin, Jaime: childhood bff who moved, Krishanna: Tennessee penpal since 4th grade).

Let me remind you about today. You squirted soy sauce all over your white shirt.  You had to wear a flannel in warm weather to cover up your spill. You were embarrassed today about being video taped in Mrs. Wong's stupid (literally) English class.

The hippie banquet [end-of-year party for drama kids] is tomorrow. You know by now how it went but your worried today [I have no recollection of this event].  You told people you'd bring them hippie clothes when you haven't found anything for yourself yet.

Your little sisters get along great. They go on neighborhood bike rides often. They're organizing a Tea Party for the people on our road. They are always eager for you to come on bike rides with them and love your approval.

You rarely get enough sleep. You put off going to bed.  I don't know why. It's like homework. You know you have to do it and you eventually do it, but not when you should.

Summer's coming and you are thrilled. School wasn't easy for you this year but you still managed to pull it off.  (I got two Bs math/science straight through HS).

You are going to Kauai with Dad and his household and your siblings for 10 days. You're staying in a cabin.  (A pretty tumultuous blended family trip). Then you hope to go for a week with the youth group to Camp Keanae. You hope dad will pay for it. (That was a blast. Good memories.)

Some friends frustrate you a lot and are kind of mean.  You have decided not to label people anymore and be so snobby. You worry about people who seem to be heading in the wrong direction.

Mom and Dad think you are so self-centered and selfish. [They do??!]  But you worry so much about everyone else they'd be surprised.

Tomorrow the bus is going to come at 6:15am instead of 6:30 because the bus driver has to a double shift and pick up every kid in town. With your luck, you are the first to get on the bus in the morning.

Emily, I sincerely hope you haven't dyed your hair or gotten a tattoo or anything (No worries, younger self--I haven't!).  Don't listen to people who just want you to look like everyone else.  (This had to do with accepting my blonde-self/haole-identity after dealing with prejudice, idealizing the straight black--Asian--hair of my dark-haired community.  Not really an issue on the mainland, huh?)

I hope you have a car by now. I hope you've figured a lot out.  I hope you know by now what I'm going to be whenＩ grow up. Right now you're thinking lawyer, not doctor or dentist. Blood is yucky!

You need to find something challenging and that you are good at at the same time.  Also something that makes money and you enjoy.  I hope that in pay for being such a a good girl while you were young you at least get to be successful when you older.  [Amen to that! But what's your definition of successful, young Emily?]

I hope everything makes more sense and this time capsule doesn't get destroyed. It is 10:27pm and you're starting to get delirious.  You still have tons of work to do. This is bad for my health! Two and a half more days of school. Yipee!

Love Me, Myself, and I
(how conceited),

Emily

P.S. You better have enjoyed this letter!
[Followed by goofy smiley face drawing]

The Only Way Out is Through...

One year ago tonight Andrew and I spent the night in the hospital, on standby for surgery for his testicular cancer.

The doctors (especially oncologists) love to call him lucky.   And at this point I think we both are.

Oahu: City Portraits

Old school charm around town.

Night view: Diamond Head from Tantalus.

Plantation Perfection: Dreamy Cottage in Manoa.

Aerial:  Honolulu/Waikiki, Valley Towns, and Diamond Head.

Big Island Love

Some of the reasons why I love visiting the Big Island.

A Perfect Day to be at Sea

Snapshots from sailing the SB coast last July.

Isn't this great?

The salty sea air, 
the wind blowing in your face...

a perfect day to be at sea! 

A fine strong wind and a following sea.

King Triton must be in a friendly-type mood.

--The Little Mermaid, 1989

View of UCSB through the porthole.

Bounty

1 : something that is given generously

2 : liberality in giving : generosity 

3 : yield especially of a crop 

 Lacey, lush hydrangeas

We carried our bouquets home in our arms,

Looking a bit like bridesmaids.

Neighbors I hadn't met, urged me to make a selection

from their pumpkin pile. Heaps of kind folks around here.

I liked the Weird One dressed in gorgeous green.

The little orange-y ones grew in my garden.

Please don't let the organic, farm-fresh veggies

Petrify in the drawers.

Carrot hula or root vegetable ballet?

Happiness

This made me miss good ole Portland. I sure want a dog more than ever.

Twenty Eight is...

Cyclamen in custom pot--courtesy of Rachel.

Stuffed skunklet.I have issues I need to work out. Thanks Gina!

A California tradition: birthday orchid from TJs.

 
Like old maple syrup 
and not specifically intended for those born in October, 
but fitting just the same.   

Amber (my middle name!) earrings from Andrew. The guy has good taste (he picked me, after all)--and writes clever notes. 

In Memory of Graham R. Olsen

July 16, 2002 ~ September 28, 2006

 

Where did you come from baby, dear?
Out of the everywhere and into here
Where did you get those eyes so blue?
Out of the sky as I came through

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?
Some of the starry spikes got left in
Where did you get that little tear?
I found it waiting when I got here

What makes your forehead so smooth and so high?
A soft hand stroked it as I went by
What makes your cheek like a warm pink rose?
I saw something better than anyone knows

Whence the three-cornered smile of bliss?
The Angels as one gave me a kiss
Where did you get this pearly ear
God spoke, and it came out to hear

Where did you get those hands and arms?
Love made itself into hooks and bands
Feet whence you come from, darling things?
From the very same box as the cherub's wings

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew
But how did you come to us, baby dear?
God thought about you

So I am here

George MacDonald - 1871

I read this poem three years ago at Graham's memorial.Ｉwas his nanny (his Emmy), caregiver, and friend.  One of my favorite memories is reading to Graham while holding him and studying his exquisitely beautiful face. This poem was in an anthology I read aloud from regularly and always felt like it was written for dear Bubs. It was always clear he came from the heavens.

About Oahu

I really admire strong, athletic people. Brilliant dancers and skilled surfers amaze me. I had fun watching the start the of the surf season in Hawaii. Here's a shot of my sister aka Lany Tany Bad Girl surfing the North shore.

Random shot from sitting under surfboards in the backseat.

Waikiki Aquarium: up close and personal with the fishies.

Baby Cousin Jove (aka Jovenstein). He is a serious little guy with an irreverent streak, a lot like his dad. I could be biased due to shared DNA but I think he's great.

On the Mainland

 
Depart: Honolulu, Hawaii

Arrive: Los Angeles, California

College Era Photo Memories

College years--Shannon (who danced at that Blazer game),
Meghan, me, and my sister visiting.

Family portrait: Dad and the sibs.

A glorious week on the west side of Oahu for my cousin's wedding.

Andrew & me as babies. First picture we ever took together, at a beach in Yachats, Oregon.

Visiting Lantana at college in Virgina.
Lany looking smug, Dad looking skeptical.

Hana, Hawaii

I would rather live one day in Maui than a month in New York.

                                                 -Charles Lindbergh

Keanae Church

Where the mountain stream meets the ocean.

One lane bridge over one of my favorite swimming spots.

Lone shell on Waikaloa Beach. Hana is one of the most vividly colorful spots in the world--still vibrant in black & white.

Avocado is the Aztec Word for...

testicle.

Really, go ahead and google it.

Santa Barbara County has its share of festivals...Lemon, Summer Soltice, Fiesta, French... I'm noticing a pattern--same vendors, food stands, different title. Today was the Avocado Festival. Avocados are definitely worth celebrating. So are testicles (healthy remaining ones especially).

The best part was it was in the adorable, dinky little town of Carpinteria (or Carp).

Carpinteria happens to be right on the beach. The water was a comfortable temp. Bouncing around in the waves cleared up any crowd exhaustion I felt. Hawaii restoked my desire to be in the water, not just at the water.

Two outgoing elderly ladies stopped me in the crowd to tell me I was making quite the fashion statement. This camo hat, the avocado necklace I made ages ago, and a ruffly green beach dress? I'm still not positive if this was a compliment...

Octoberness

My email to the world as Andrew put it.

Hawaii was Hawaii in all the ways I wanted it to be. It is impossibly beautiful--and it's home. I'm feeling more like myself. Ｉchecked in with my people (and miss them even more). Now I'm back in California and I've had a few teensy tiny pangs of homesick but I'm actually more content being here now than I was before.

I hit up my best yoga class and remember why I love it. My muscles are so sore from two days ago that I skipped tonight. I don't think my arms could hold me up.

My vision has worsened, which is supposedly normal. The good part about this is I hadn't realized and now my new contacts make me feel like I have super human vision.

My garden is comprised of clay beds with brown weeds sticking out. I'm visualizing these weeds gone, as well as composty, fluffed-up dirt, and fresh new seedlings. But, what? Any ideas? I'm drawing a blank.

I'm reading "The Tortilla Curtain" and I love it so far. The social commentary is gritty/honest/horrifying. A book hasn't made me look forward to bed time (read-time) like this in awhile.

I'm aware that this is a silly, random posting. I've missed blogging and it's October again. Some have asked and I'm Emily October only in a quick attempt to find a still-available domain name. October is my birth month and one of my favorites.