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!

Mosquitos

Things I learned today...

1. My mosquito net over my bed is not big enough.

2. Hot showers make mosquito bites feel better (for about 10 seconds).

3. There is no greater force in the human brain than the desire to scratch an itch--comparable to the desire to pee when you've been holding it for hours and you think you're going to die--that's what it feels like to have mosquito bites all over your body.

4. I am really, REALLY, really allergic to mosquito bites...ie. welts all over my body--sick.

5. Mosquito bites on your face (especially if you're really allergic and they cause welts to rise on your skin) make you look like a psycho. Sweet. I'm ready to make some awesome first impressions.

6. "They" say that you eventually get used to the mosquitos, but there is no guarantee and the way they look at all my bites (with an extremely doubtful face) makes me totally disbelieve "them."

7. If deet (the main ingredient in bug repellent) is really as bad as people say, I'm going to die of deet poisoning. Awesome.

So, that is all I feel like writing today...I'm going to go take a hot shower...and then reapply bug spray all over my body...bleh. Oh, and if anyone feels like sending me some Deep Woods Off, let me know...I will love you forever.

First Day In Maui

After staying up half the night with friends and rushing home for last minute details, I left all my stress at the car door as my friend gave me a ride to the airport and my check-in was effortless. Needless to say, due to lack of sleep, I slept almost the entire time of the 5-hour direct flight to Kahalui, Maui.

-----A HUGE toad just hopped across the floor of the cabin and Paul just caught him and put him outside (toads freak Paul out)--ha!

So, Paul is one of the owners of the property, and he picked me up at the airport and we hopped on the Hana Highway with his dog Aki after running a few errands.

If you've never driven the Hana Highway, it's one of those crazy, hair-pin, twisty, windy roads that just keeps turning into better and better views around every corner...and makes you sick to your stomach if you're susceptible to that sort of thing.

Everything was feeling pretty idyllic and we finally drove up to the banana bread stand and up the hill to the house. Rebekah (another girl who does landscaping and works at the stand) was just moving the last of her stuff out of the cabin, and as we're chatting, I suddenly realize (about ten minutes too late) my FATAL, terrible mistake...

...and then it was too late, my odds against the SWARMS of mosquitoes were completely destroyed. In 3 minutes I had about 20 bites and couldn't even concentrate because the itching was making my brain melt.

HOW ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH DID I FORGET MY BUG SPRAY!? Oh wait, I forgot to even freakin' buy any before I left...stupid, stupid, stupid. So now I'm sitting here; tired, itching, hungry, and sweaty, but ultimately happy with beer in hand (cold, even!) and a new adventure in front of me.

Missing the city and the pub and, most of all, the people...write, call, or email when you get a chance!