The Whole Story

Ok, so I realize that you might not realize why I am in Maui (in the freakin' mosquito-infested jungle in Hana), so here's some backstory for those of you with whom I have been less-than stellar in my communications...

So, after a wonderful stay (and hellacious roommate which caused me to leave) in the lovely Ventura, CA out by the beach, I set my sights on San Francisco...because of the whole scary roommate situation (which some of you know about), I left in a bit of a hurry. This caused my move to SF to happen in Dec. instead of January, leaving me high and dry for an apt and a job.

In a most providential happening, my friend in the East Bay (near Berkeley) had a room available and the patience to deal with me and my joblessness. After a particularly rough (finanacial) month, God blessed me with an awesome job at this little Irish Pub in downtown SF called the Chieftan (I was the day bartender--that is a really cool story for another time). I made lots of friends and had awesome regulars, and one of them happened to have some property in Maui on which they ran a roadside stand that sold banana bread, fresh fruit, and the like.

After talking at length about the success of their stand, the beauty of Maui (and seeing pictures), and their need for help, I ended up visiting Maui for a week at the beginning of June. After meeting the people on the property (Paul and Ananda) and the other girls at the stand, I came back to SF with a desire to go back, but unsure of when. My friend then came back into the Pub and said they had been sent on a mission to keep pestering me until I returned to Hana.

You know, flattery will get you far in life.

HAA HA! Ok, ok, so I was flattered, but also glad that Maui seemed like such a natural fit for me (esp. since I didn't have a lease, a super-permanent job, a boyfriend, kids, a mortgage, or anything else to really hold me back!).

So, after much deliberation (and wishy-washy-ness on my part...I loved my friends, my job, and the city), I finally got the guts to buy a one-way ticket to Maui and throw caution to the wind. I am now living in the literal jungle on 7 acres of property along the Hana Highway mountainside, I can see a stunning view of the ocean from my driveway, I live in a cabin that only has ply-wood and screened-in windows, and I am learning not to completely freak out every time I see a spider the size of my fist, a cockroach the size of my thumb, or a million ants on my porch railing. I DO, however, still freak out everytime my skin literally forms WELTS from all the *&^$%#%% mosquitos bites that I get every day.

I went to the beach for the first time today since being in Maui, and it was awesome...so gorgeous, and warm water, and amazing views of cliffs and jungle in the distance...sweet. I was so happy, I even momentarily forgot about my mosquito bites (hee he).

Plus, for the first time in six months, I actually have a real bed. I had been sleeping on an Aero bed at my friend's house because my California King bed wouldn't fit in my room (*tear*). So that's awesome...now Im just hoping that the enornmous, evil, scary-looking, size-of-my-fist-spider (not kidding people!) doesn't like my bed too. Ewwhh. I can't even think about that.

Thanks for your comments, I love hearing from You!