aloha 'oe

Last week,
we said goodbye to Hawaii.
It was all so bittersweet.

Leaving Utah, and friends, and family, and comfort scared me, and initially I didn't want to go to Hawaii.
But after some time, I  began to realize that you can start to build a part of that life up again. You'll find more friends, people that treat you like family, and things become more like home.
(I'm sure I'll have to learn that lesson again over the next few moves that we have.)

Frankly, I never realized how sad I would be to leave it.
It's not just because of the beaches, or the pretty views, or the warmth,
         but because of how we grew.
We really had to struggle together and make things work. Many think we just sat around and played while we were there (and in a way we sometimes did). But a lot of it was figuring out us, and how we function as our own little unit, away from everything and everyone that we know.

I learned so much in Hawaii. And like the few other places Scott and I have lived at together, there's a little part of me that will forever be there.
     Hawaii will always have a little part of my heart.

as of late,

Things get busier and slower, and I've found that being with family pulls me away from documenting anything- so here's a little recap on the past week or so.

We're enjoying our free moments here in Utah - Breathing in the crisp air when it's chilly, and becoming everything outdoorsy when it's nice and warm. 

It was Scott's Birthday this past week. He's now 26. Crazy! And so begins the 2 month span where we are six years apart and it kinda freaks me out. 

Happy Birthday to my dear darling. 

My little brother graduated from High School. It's weird to watch him go through that stage, when I feel like I was just there. It was nice to reflect on where I've gone since my graduation, and how I've grown and changed. 

We've had multiple BBQs, we've hiked, and swam. I'm still waiting for that sun to come out more often though. 

Our car arrived! Our cute "subie" finally made it back from Hawaii safe and sound. 

And well, we're still apartment shopping, and bunkering down in our parent's basement. After one failed attempt to apply for an apartment, I've learned that I'll probably have to put money down at the showing. 

Valley of the Temples

I've been waiting to visit the Valley of Temples for a while. 

And it definitely didn't disappoint. 

I love learning about other religions, and maybe it's the yoga in me that makes me like Buddhism and Hinduism a lot more. 

The temple was gorgeous and the grounds were so peaceful. Scott and I were infatuated with the incense and almost bought some for ourselves.
Overall, an awesome little stop before exploring the island.

eats

Since we've been here for a while, and things were a bit tough for us at the beginning, we needed some comfort food for along the way. 
Here is a list of places for all you future Hawaii visitors that I think are worth a visit. 

Leonards //  I rave about this place too much. It's just too good. I heard one other person describe these as a "churro and a donut that had a baby." They really are just so good. (past post here)

Doraku //   I was not a sushi lover until I came here. They have a full range from totally cooked sushi to straight up sashimi. It's the best. We went there for any kind of special occasion. Located in Waikiki

Grass Skirt Grill //  This place is a good north short stop. Located in Haleiwa. My mom introduced me to this gem, and it's been a favorite ever since. Favorite dishes: grilled ahi and coconut shrimp.

Kahuku Grill //   Cousin introduced this one to me, and we've loved it ever since. The only thing I've gotten there: Coconut macadamia shrimp.  scott's quote: "best shrimp of my life"

Marukame Udon //  This is a must. It's a cafeteria style restaurant, where it's all noodles and tempura. Plus, it's the cheapest dinner you'll find in Waikiki. 

Shave Ice //   Don't waste your time waiting in line for Matsumoto. It's not that good. We accidentally found one in Waikiki that served bigger and better shave ice: Ailana Shave Ice

Acai bowls //  Basically any acai bowl will be good. They're all over the island and they are AMAZING. It's simply an acai smoothie in a cup, with fresh fruit, granola, and honey. The best place we've found so far, Island Vintage Coffee, located in Waikiki.


Crepes No Ka 'Oi //  Another favorite that we found. If you're up by Lankiai Beach, take a stop over here at this quaint little crepe restaurant. They come in huge portions and they are delicious.

 Bubbies //  This place just happened to be right around the corner from our apartment. It's a cute, vintage ice cream shop with incredibly dirty names for the different pies and cakes. Besides that, our go to dessert was Mochi ice cream. It's hard to describe how good it actually is. But it's worth a try. 

lately,

I have loved 
the extra movie and surfing time with friends, 
the moments where I run off to watch the sunset on the beach,
the salty breeze as I approach the ocean,
and waking up next to the man I love.

Our apartment is full of too many boxes,
and selling things is quite a pain.

But mostly I'm happy where I am and where I am going.

manoa falls // hikes

This is one of the most simple and easy hikes in Hawaii. It's one of the first things I take visitors to, and it's a hike that I'm always begging to go on.
It short and sweet with some great views along the way - not to mention, it's really close to our house, so it makes for a fun trip out of our apartment.

I've been here countless amounts of times, and I'll still go countless more.

How to get there: Pretty simple. Head up Manoa road and you'll run right into the trailhead and a parking lot. A small tip though - park in front of one of the houses down the street before you get to the parking lot. Parking is $5, and I'd rather just walk a couple more blocks than pay every time.

If you have more time: when you get to the falls, there is another small marked trail that goes on for another 3 miles or so (it will be on your left if you're facing the falls). We've never made it to the end, but it's a fun trail with lots of bamboo.