i wish everyday could be like this...

Hanauma Bay: there's actually parking the one time we don't have our snorkel gear.

Last weekend seemed beyond surreal and dreamlike, globetrotting a day in Japan and a day in Hawaii.

(p.s. I am finally done catching up on the blog in a matter of hours. Yay!)

Hawaii {August 2011}

 

North Shore: Laniakea Beach 

 

We love being with the turtles and swimming with them. One of the turtles swam behind me and breathed above the waters!

 

as a true Mat Kearney fan, I listened to his new album, Young Love on the day of release

 

Ko'Olina: the prettiest sunsets.

 

Ko'Olina: I want to live here.

I want to go sailing one day. This is the same place where I saw Pirates' Black Pearl.

Hawaii is truly paradise and home to me. I can never get enough of being a beach bum, exploring new beaches and the aloha spirit.

Oahu

swimming with turtles in North Shore

crash into me during sunset

sun-soaked perfection

a distorted reality in the waters

"it's the Black Pearl!"

A two week retreat back to our home away from home in Hawaii.

Some highlights and things I did:

Swimming with sea turtles

Giovanni's

Snorkeling at Waimea Bay

Beach hopping in North Shore

Sunset Beach

Kayaking at Kailua

The Black Pearl docked at KoOlina

Beach bum

Playing my guitar every morning

on the balcony with an ocean view.

Here's to Summer 2009

I haven't blogged in a while, but I suppose it's hard to when you're away from home for so long. So here's a blog to finish off the rest of my adventures and the end of

summer 2009.

In London: England

I went to Calvin Harris' concert at Somerset House. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. The neo-classic building was lit up in red neon lights, lots of elektro/house fans gathered and many cute English indie guys. Calvin Harris is electrifying and amazing! I danced and sang along to the music. I absolutely loved it all. The UK has some of the best music. Their dance/electronica/house music proves it, along with their (HMV) record stores. Other highlights: Abbey Road, going to the British and Barbican Museum and shopping at H&M and Primark.

In Portsmouth: England

My mom and I went to Portsmouth (Charles Dicken's birthplace) for Auntie I's graduation. Yay! We're so proud of her! The graduation was quite an experience itself. The traditions of a graduation in the UK are dissimilar from the US. The chancellor was like the Queen of England. She was lovely and gave an inspiring speech for all the graduates and attendees. I think my mom and I were laughing hilariously after the graduation. I couldn't help but imitate a British accent and say, "chancellor, I now present you with...."

In Düsseldorf: Germany

A reunited party with the M family! We had many laughs, took lots of pictures and had many crazy moments. Basically, what happened in Germany stays in Germany. Some mornings, S and I jogged around and in the forest, such beautiful greenery. The places I went sight seeing were Extersteine and Spparrenburg. Everyone was so nice to me, especially the M family for taking care of me. I stocked up on lots of Haribo and Ritter Sport. The song I listened to non-stop is now the soundtrack to my summer.

"I've gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night" (Black Eyed Peas).

In Amsterdam: Netherlands

Ok, so I've only really seen Amsterdam from a plane. But I was stuck at the Schiphol Airport for about 3 days, trying to go back home. It was an unpleasant ordeal, but I learned how to be a "grown up" and deal with some impossibly mean people at the airport. Another thing I've learned is that Dutch guys seem to like me. Maybe I should move there or to a foreign country.

In Narita: Japan

Less than 24 hours returning home, I hopped on a plane to Japan. I stayed there for only a few days so there wasn't anytime to go to Tokyo. Japanese food is my favourite and they sell the best honey-lemon tea in Narita. We visited a temple at their town, went shopping at Aeon and ate lots. (I'm going back to Japan next week, so more adventures ahead).

In Oahu: Hawaii

Hawaii is my second home in paradise. I love going to the beach and playing in the sun. My friend A recently moved there, so we partied for about two weeks before school started. We had so much fun in North Shore and downtown Honolulu. Some of the highlights were the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), North Shore, Hanauma Bay, Jack-In-The-Box and Fatty's!

This summer has truly been the best summer, ever. I'm so grateful I was able to visit all these places. The world is truly amazing. I am going to conquer Antarctica next. Or at least one day...

Visited places:

Australia: New Zealand: England: Germany: Netherlands (Amsterdam, sort of): Japan: Hawaii

(Wish I could post more pictures, but there are some 5,000+! Check my flickr site.)