A page is turned.

I just had dinner with my Ohana (the friends I went to Hawaii with). As we sat around eating this huge chinese meal, polishing off a bottle of Merlot, and talking, it became very apparent that we are adults. The topics of conversation (besides the normal relationship, eharmony, "i almost asked a girl out" type talk), we talked a little about abortion, friends/acquaintances who have children (married and not), and a friend's funeral.

A year ago, a piece of my childhood vanished; I took a big leap into adulthood. A year ago today, I started a 7 day stay in a hospital, sleeping a total of 20 hours in 7 days, and losing one of the most important people in my life. The longest, most horrible weeks of my life. The images and memories of that week are indelible, often so vivid and clear that they block the smaller, subtle, sweet memories of 24 years.

The stress that I'm currently under is not helping, as I never expected this rush of grief, sadness, longing, and loneliness. The strain is just exacerbating that. I find myself afraid of being left. Not just in major things like forever, but in the tiniest small things (lunches, parties, rides)...feeling excluded, left behind, or left out. Fear of being left.

I miss her sorely. I miss her wisdom, her smile, her laughter, her calm perspective even amid the torrential waves around her. I miss her cooking. I miss her hugs.

Longest week...

Wake me up when September ends....

Vegas, baby, Vegas.

The last of my travelling sagas for the next few months...

Memories from Vegas (in no particular order).

Treasure Island = T. I. Late late night conversations. Burning feet at the pool. Munchies. Canada boys. Hawaii boys. Cabbie trying to rip us off. “Stolen” club passes. Slap-slap-slap in Allen’s ear. Cell phones. Terrace Cafe. Glitter on Allen’s shirt. Scandalous pictures. French Fries. Hennessey. Sean, the limo driver, who talks about having passes, but doesn’t actually have anything. Let’s wheel the walgreen’s cart all the way back to TI. “But, Trip, I looooove you!” Slap-slap-slap. Calling Jon, but never seeing him. Ding! The elevator is so loud! Drunk girls falling out of their seats. Losing big time at Pai Gow. Winning it back and then some. Wynn buffet. Mmm..Pizza. Clajisters and Shave-One. “They’re aren’t any hot guys here!” “What are we?!” “oh, except for the ones that we’re with.” Slap-slap-slap. LAMER.

And that my friends, is what happens when LAME does Vegas.

On the beaches of Waikiki...No Worries No Lies....

Pictures of Hawaii below!! Man! I wanna go back soon! wonderful time. If you want to hear stories, ask me! They're so much more fun to tell in person!

Coming back has been pretty rough. I feel like I move so much slower now. Work has been exhausting. The job has been great. My coworkers are super fun and the work is really exciting and I'm definitely passionate about it. But, my commute is pretty long. And I'm definitely having a hard time adjusting back to working life. What? I have to get up early? Which means I can't stay up till 12 or 1am? Shucks...

I'm excited (and stressed) about moving in a week and a half! Gosh...i'm exhausted. There are so many things going on! Adjusting to work, preparing to move, going to Vegas on Thursday with some of the best hang out friends ever. Long - Allen - Mel - Ev (aka. L-A-M-E). Quality people, quality fun.

I'm rambling. Non sequitors. I'm watching Gilmore Girls and folding warm laundry (mmm...one of my favorite activities!) . Ok, enough. Enjoy the pictures of lots of beaches!

Ewa Beach. A random local beach that we stumbled upon. There were only like 4 other people there. Too bad we only stayed there for a couple hours. Janet, what are you looking at? Wave?

The beautiful west shores of Oahu. We drove until the road ended. Absolutely gorgeous as the sun started to set. We tried to get drinks at this place whose sign read: "Dave and Barry's. Good food. Solid Drinks."

Kailua Beach. The most beautiful beach!! We did lots of laying out in the sun. And that's Allen on the right.

We went to a luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the same place where we learned how to hula and where I took video of the guys shaking their tushies. But, I will not post said video =).

Sun, sand, and surf! Oh, and lifeguards! I got to take a ride on a lifeguard's ATV ;-). hahaha.

Waimea Bay, North Shore. Allen took this picture. What did Allen say after he took this beautiful picture? "Man, I'm good!"

North shore....It was so beautiful!! The rain and humidity reminded me of Baltimore! But so much more beautiful. That night, we had 2 pitchers of beer and pizzas for dinner. We were happy folks!

We learned a hula that went with a tune that went like this "On the beaches of Waikiki...."

Sea turtles! Our last night in Hawaii. We had food that was just "alright," great drinks and great conversation at Duke's. Look how tan and relaxed we are!