Tina's Treasures

For the other two people that read my blog... :) I thought I'd do one big post and wrap up 2007 before I move into the new and exciting 2008.

One of the reasons I wasn't blogging is because I was working on a great big secret project. I actually planned a trip home for Christmas and I was afraid that my mom might read my blog. It's really hard to blog about life when you are trying to not let someone close to you know what is going on! So two interesting things about that... I once wrote about how I have a certain amount of bravery that I didn't know I possessed. Well folks, I am actually way braver than I ever knew. Since moving to Maui, I have noticed a certain body shape that a lot of the women around here have. It doesn't quite match mine. So I have been trying really hard to lose some weight and to get in shape. So I joined my roommate John and some of the guys from the golf course at work and we had a contest.... we called it "The Biggest Loser Kapalua Style". SO basically what happened was we all had a certain amount of weight we wanted to lose and all put in $100 dollars. Here is the brave part... I actually stepped on a scale in front of MEN!! There were 2 of them to witness my weigh in both times. It was humiliating and strangely liberating all at the same time. To make a long story short, I didn't win the competition but I did manage to lose 20 pounds. I lost 10 pounds the hard way, diet and exercise. I lost the second 10 the harder way... I did a cleanse. So for 12 days at the end of November I did not eat once ounce of food.. I drank a lemonade/maple syrup/cayenne pepper concotion that cleans impurities out of your body. It was SOOOOO hard to not eat Thanksgiving dinner!!! But I lasted 12 days and I learned a lot about myself and how not only am I brave, but I'm so much stronger than I ever give myself credit for!!

When I showed up in Boise Idaho to surprise my mom, it was great to be there 20 pounds lighter! The look on her face when I showed up was priceless! I really enjoyed a 11 day vacation seeing family and friends. I didn't so much enjoy the 8 airports in 11 days though. I was SO happy to land back in Maui, my new home, and will be very happy to not see the inside of an airport or an airplane for many months! I did get to go through a lot of my stuff and managed to bring back 4 suitcases full of stuff back with me (Thanks Tammy!!!) I forgot how much stuff I have, and how much I can actually live without. I do miss all my kitchen stuff and my awesome furniture though. I have to figure out if I am going to stay on Maui long enough for it to make sense for me to ship my stuff here.

Speaking of living on Maui. I love it here. I really do. I am continually amazed at how beautiful it is here and how many fun and cool things there are to do. I feel at home here and it has been so long since I've had this feeling of contentment I almost forgot what it meant to just be. And to just be happy. It is so nice when you make a really hard decision and it turns out to be so the right thing for you. I really feel like I belong here and I love that feeling. All that being said, when I got to see my loved ones at Christmas it really made me realize how much I miss everyone! I hate that I can't jump in my car and go see my Tammy for a weekend. I miss hanging out with my Mommy and scrapbooking or shopping or just being together. I have made a ton of new friends here, many many more than I made the whole 10 years I lived in Sacramento, but none compare to my loved ones back home. I absolutely adore being Auntie Tina, or Titi, as my nephew Maddox calls me! It is truly a blessing to be here with them and with Amy and Doug.

So 2007 started off pretty crappy but it really wrapped up to be a great year. I live on an island paradise, have great friends, a good job, the most awesome roommate in the history of the universe, and a great family who loves me. I am definitely one of the blessed ones....

I can say that I have been less than impressed with the dating pool here in Maui. I am still questing to find not only that special guy... for now I would be happy with A guy!! I have found a few crushes but nothing that has turned out the way I would like... So if you are sending any thoughts my way... send some good guy vibes for me!! Not that that is anything new... I seem to have some trouble finding good guys wherever I live!

I hope everyone had a great 2007 and I wish for a wonderful, fun, prosperous, healthy 2008 for all my friends and loved ones!!

Oh... one last thing... Would you please come and visit me!! I think I'd love to see my friends and family a lot more often!!! Besides I live in Maui... it's pretty here... it's a great vacation spot. Come see me. Just do it. Book your travel plans today!! I'll even pick you up at the airport if you want. Or cook you dinner. Or something. Just come!

Love to you all!

I've been doing lots of stuff lately, I just haven't blogged much. So I tossed up some slide shows so you could all see what I've been up to!

Halloween was pretty fun. Down in Lahaina every year there is a HUGE party. They block off the streets and everyone roams around in costume. Some call it the Mardi Gras in Maui. It really is wild and most everyone is dressed up. A lot of people take the opportunity to see how little they can wear without being actually naked. It was crazy! But it was fun. I can't wait to go next year and dress up in my Wonder Woman costume!! I know I'll be the coolest kid there :)

One thing I have always wanted to do is volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and I got the chance to do that this last weekend. I really like the idea of helping people to get a house when they otherwise might not be able to. I loved being on a construction site and actually understanding what they were trying to accomplish. Early on in the day I volunteered to cut some wood and that became my permanent post for the day. I cut all the lumber (2x4's) for the framing around the windows for the house we were working on and the house that was going to be built next. It was SO fun!! We got about three complete walls up so it was nice to see some progress after being out there pretty much all day. I recommend anyone to volunteer for this very worthy cause!!

Other than that I've just been working and trying to play as much as possible! I'm really starting to miss everyone from back home... I wish someone would get on a plane and come visit me!!