Rainy Days

Back to school in Manoa means back to wet and rainy days.

Last fall semester I ruined a couple pairs of shoes because of the rain so I'm thinking maybe it's time to invest in some rain boots.  I'm digging the style of these Hunter Brixen wellies.

 

However, when it isn't raining I'd like to strut around campus in these babies.

"Nothing of me is original.  I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known."


                                                                                   - C. Palahniuk

Under the Sea

On Friday, I went scuba diving with Mia!  I have to say, this was probably the highlight of my summer.  I'm a licensed scuba diver (licensed to dive but not to drive, go figure) but I haven't had the chance to go diving in years since no one I know was licensed as well.  But Mia got licensed during her first year at college so now I have a diving buddy!
We went out with Kaimana Divers.  They were AMAZING.  Our dive leaders Drew and Michael were the best.  So nice and personable, and so passionate about diving.  They made getting back into the swing of things smooth and easy.  I was so nervous last night, trying to re-read my scuba textbook and remember all of my training.  But once we got on the boat I was more excited than anything.

It was a perfect summer day, especially with the rather wet summer we've been having lately.  The sun was up and bright, there was a nice breeze, and clear blue skies.  We went out on the Kahala Kai, a catamaran docked right in the harbor next to Ala Moana Beach and across Ward.

Our first dive was at the site called Nautilus.  We went down for about 30 minutes at maximum 35 feet.  It was so clear and so beautiful!  The fish come right up to you to investigate.  I saw a giant trumpet fish and insanely huge sea urchins. The second dive was at Horseshoe Reef, near Nautilus, little under 40 feet and we stayed down for about 40 minutes.  I like this one the best.  We saw crazy amounts of coral and sea urchins, school after school of fish, got to hold an short-spiked urchin, saw a baby octopus up close, and a really thick moray eel.  There were even weird rock fish that almost completely camouflaged into the coral.

Going diving today was like my own personal therapy.  It's so peaceful when you're down there, just hearing the sound of your breathing (think Vader) and becoming a part of this whole other world.  I can't even properly describe the experience in a way that would do it justice.  I can't wait to go again this upcoming winter break!  There might be a chance we can dive with the humpback whales that come to Hawaii to give birth!     

Adore

I absolutely love that Helena Bonham Carter is in the new Marc Jacob's Fall Campaign.  The woman is brilliant.

City Life

Nosh

Saturday: Dinner at Henry Loui's

The spread, minus the ribs, teriyaki chicken, wings, and potato skins.

Escargot and garlic bread.

Sunday: Lunch at Mariposa

Pop-overs and guava butter.

Blue crab spaghettini with spiniach, Kahuku corn, prosciutto, and tarragon mascarpone

Roast pork tenderloin with a port wine reduction and spinach and sun-dried tomato orzo

Case Study

I need a new school bag.  Let's all pray for the paycheck to come on Friday.