Fresh Perspectives

Rain isn't always bad, right? I can certainly think of several instances in which rain is actually preferred to clear skies.  A light shower to clear out some of the harsh pollen during allergy season.  An afternoon thunderstorm to cool off some of that Carolina humidity. Or even just a steady rain during a much needed nap?  Some people even pay money, for cryin' out loud, simply to have the sounds of rain playing on a machine while they sleep at night.

So...how can you be sick of rain, you ask?  Well....you've obviously never been to Hilo.  Two weeks ago I experienced a Hawaiian flood.  It rained 48 inches in 3 days.  Roads were completely washed away.  Grassy areas turned into ponds and streets became rushing rivers.  The serene waterfalls (like the one shown above - Rainbow Falls) were no longer calming to the onlooker.  The vast amounts of rain Hilo received turned them into deathly torrents.  (You can see how the mist rose as high as the falls.) 

School was canceled due to impassable roadways, but even a day off couldn't be enjoyed.  I watched the waters rise and rise, thinking, "Wow....I'm going to have to start building an ark if this rain keeps up." Finally, it stopped...after nearly 2 weeks of steady rain.  Not intermittent showers...steady, hard, downpours...for hours on end.

As for now, we're back to sunny skies and warm temperatures.  I woke early this morning and reminded myself how lucky I am to be living in Hawaii where my surroundings are undoubtably beautiful. B-E-A-utiful.

Until next time....Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 03:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Aloha future Gamecocks and all other readers of this blog.  I want to officially apologize for not having written in two weeks.  Believe me…it hasn’t been because nothing interesting has happened.  Oh no, I have survived a flood, some serious schoolwork, and a trip to Oahu.  So stay tuned for more of my Hawaiian adventures; I promise to update in the next day or two.

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Remember back in the day (which was definitely a Wednesday, by the way) when your parents constantly hounded you about eating your fruits and vegetables? 

“No dessert until you finish that broccoli, Johnny.”  “If you wanna grow big and strong, Sally, you’ll eat more fruits and vegetables.”  “C’mon, Billy, eat some salad…it’s good for you.”

Yeah, that got old for most of us.  (Now…I have to admit, I actually like apples and bananas, broccoli and cauliflower!  I know…weirdo…so I’ll be speaking for my friends in this one.)  But yeah, I know a few people who began their rebelliousness by refusing to ‘eat the green stuff’.

None of that in Hawaii, I assure you!  Every day of the week (but especially on Saturdays and Wednesdays) the Market is swarming in downtown Hilo.  Farmers come from all over the island to sell their yummy goodies.  It’s a weekly adventure!  Now coming from South Carolina, I expected the usual stuff….corn, potatoes, beans, apples, oranges, etc.  But I was not ready for what I found!

Breadfruit, rambuton, lilikoi, star fruit, guava, durian, mangosteen, dragon fruit….the list could go on forever!  At first I was skeptical…these HAVE to be made up.  But nope, they’re the real thing.  And I’ve had fun trying each and every one of them. 

All of it adds to the cultural experience.  Who would have thought I’d come to Hawaii and add to my fruit vocabulary, ya know?  It’s the little things…like eating apple bananas (not apples or bananas, but apple bananas) or white pineapple…that I’ll remember forever.  I can’t stress enough how important it is to study abroad during your college career.  I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

Off to the market….6 papayas for $1.  Not bad!

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 06:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alright, let’s get down to a little business.  I’ve had a few questions lately, so this post will answer 2 of them!

1)  How am I able to be a USC student, but spend a year studying (and playing) in Hawaii?

This one’s easy…the National Student Exchange program.  Instead of recapping all the nitty gritty about NSE though, I’ll redirect you to a previous blog post.  On the right hand side of the page, you can access the old archives from previous months and years.  Click on January 2007 and read the entry entitled ‘Exchange Me’.  If you’d like a bit more info, you can always go to http://www.sa.sc.edu/nse/.

2)  Freshmen dorms?  Which ones are the best?

This question’s a little tougher, since it’s opinion based, but you’ve been putting up with mine all year, so I suppose a little more won’t hurt!  Now, guys, I’m sure you all would love to be assigned a room in Patterson.  And girls, you’re probably ready to skip the dorms and start decorating your own house.  Too bad boys – Patterson is a women’s dorm.  And sorry girls – mommy and daddy probably aren’t ready to throw out the big bucks for a house just yet.

So…that takes us back to where we began.  Which freshman dorms (in my opinion) are the best?  Well let’s start with the 11 University Freshman Centers at USC and narrow it down from there.  All of these dorms are designed for increased social interaction and assistance with a smooth transition into college.

The first thing you need to decide is whether you’d rather live in a co-ed or all male/female dorm.  (I know what you’re thinking…. “co-ed, duh!”)  But really, give it some deep thought; living in a one gender dorm really allows you to connect with the guys or girls you’re living with.  Annnnd, I’d say there’ll probably be less distractions come study time!

Let’s break it down into my top 3 choices: 

1. Capstone 
   Co-ed.  Suite style.  Large rooms (in comparison to other dorms).  Dining Hall on the bottom floor. Close to most freshman classes.  Home to the Capstone Scholars program (therefore, this is where almost all Freshman Capstone Scholars live.)  What more could you ask for?!  (Alright, alright…maybe I’m being somewhat biased, but really Capstone’s great! It’s where I spent my Freshman year.)
2. Columbia Hall
   Very similar to Capstone – co-ed, suite style rooms, and close to where the majority of your freshman classes will be held.  And again, there’s a dining hall right next door in Capstone.
3. Patterson Hall
   This is where the majority of freshman women reside on campus.  So, future female Gamecocks, this is my pick for the all women’s dorm.  (One nice feature to Patterson is the ‘health conscious’ dining hall on the bottom floor…say bye-bye to the Freshman 15!)

Okay, so there you have it!  My top 3 choices for freshman dorms.  You can also find out more information on the University’s website at:  

http://www.housing.sc.edu/virtualtour/freshman_centers_index.html

Hope this helps a few of you out there.  Keep your questions coming and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.

Until next time…aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Blue skies. Warm sunshine. 82 degrees Fahrenheit.  Jealous yet?

Now, don’t think I’m not keeping up with what’s going on over there in South Carolina.  Oh no, just because I’m on a rock in the middle of the Pacific does not mean I’m completely isolated from current events.  I’ve been hearing all about Mother Nature’s attempt to snow and the frigid temperatures y’all’ve been experiencing for the past week. (I’m aware this is completely off topic but don’t you just love how Southerners have the liberty to combine ‘you’ ‘all’ and ‘have’ into one long conjunction!  That’s one of the benefits of being from the south – the freedom to twang, twist, and lengthen just about any word in the English language.)

But back to my point – that ‘rock in the middle of the Pacific’ I spoke of above. 

When I think of rocks, two specific things immediately come to mind.  One – 8^th grade science class where we spent a month learning to distinguish between different kinds of rocks (i.e. limestone vs. sandstone or marble vs. slate).  And Two – Rocky Balboa (“Yo, Adrian. It’s me, Rocky”)  Now, I’m not too fond of either of these memories, and so I usually shy away from rocks, unless they come in the form of crazy front men, loud drums, and some pretty insane guitar solos. (Of course I’m referring to my beloved Rock and Roll music!)

However, there is one rock I’m now completely fanatical about….THE BIG ISLAND!  Since August, I’ve had the pleasure of residing in Hilo and have gotten pretty familiar with the entire island.  It’s so diverse – really, it blows my mind.  Hilo is a rainforest. Waimea is home to ranches with horses and cattle.  The southeast tip of the island looks eerily similar to the coast of Scotland.  The area surrounding Kona looks like the surface of the moon, or a bunch of dried up lava rocks (whichever you prefer).  Speaking of lava, it is currently streaming into the ocean near the Puna district, and Mauna Kea, which translates to ‘white mountain’ in English, has snow-capped mountains on it’s almost 14,000 ft. summit for nearly half the year.  How is this possible?  One small island with 12 different climate zones.  Amazing!

I hope I don’t sound like a travel brochure, but really, you have got to see this.  New York City, Florida beaches….they can all wait until next year.  The Big Island of Hawaii is truly a remarkable sight.  And I am honored to be able to experience a whole year of its wonder!

Until next time…Aloha! 

Mauna Kea from Hilo Bay

Posted by Kendall at 02:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

With 6 classes, 19 hours, and 2 writing intensive courses this semester, it will be a miracle if I last till May.  It’s been one full week of classes and I’m already swamped with homework.  I was venting to a friend yesterday about how stressed I am and she said to me, “Have you not heard the rule?”

Rule, I thought?  I’m not aware of any college stress rules, are you? 

“You’re not allowed to get stressed out until the SECOND week of classes,” she said “duh!”  Her humor made me fell a bit better and I think I’ll even take her advice for the meantime.  But, um, check with me again in 7 days!

You know, at one time in my life, like most of us I think, I couldn’t wait to grow up.  But at times like these, I’m realizing I’d much rather be a naïve 6 year old back in first grade getting gold stars for good behavior each day.  Life was so much simpler back then, eh? 

No accounting textbooks that cost $160, no writing a short story for an hour off the top of your head on the first day of class, and certainly no final exams consisting of a 20 page report and a 2 hour written test.  Man, Neverland is looking better and better these days!  You know, “second star to the right, and straight on till morning”, Peter Pan’s home, the place where kids never grow up.  Too bad fairy tales aren’t real.

Anyway, enough complaining and daydreaming for now.  I’m off to do a little work (yes…on a Saturday morning).  I’ve decided there will be NO procrastinating this semester.  It’s gunna take all I got just to keep up, so I’ll be doomed if I get behind.

Look for a post coming up soon on Freshman Housing, in response to a question I recently received.  Have a great weekend all you Future Gamecocks!

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 04:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

About a week before Christmas break, I was asked the question, “What are some things incoming freshmen students need to know to be successful during their first year of college?”

I pondered this question for a few days and then got wrapped up in the holiday cheer, but no worries, I’m finally ready with an answer (a month later).

A’hem (throat clearing)…in order to evolve into a prosperous individual during the course of your college career…

OKAY, OKAY.  Let’s cut out all that fancy-shmancy talk!  Succeeding in college isn’t impossible, or even difficult really.  There’s no need for a huge introduction.  No ‘How To’ manual or even a clear cut checklist to follow.  Most of the things you need to know/do to succeed your first year in college are common sense when you think about it. 

Now, I realize that ‘thinking’ and ‘common sense’ may be hard for a few freshmen, especially the ones with the ‘WHOOOO….freedom to do whatever I want so let’s party all the time and never study’ mentality. Yeah…bad idea!  Not only will you not succeed with this mind frame, you’ll probably fail out of school and end up back in the ole parental unit’s household again.  So…to assure you that doesn’t happen, I’ve narrowed my ‘College Success Rant’ down to 2 main instructions.  The first addresses academic success and the second, social. 

ONE:  Go to class.  If you never open a book or do any homework (which I don’t recommend) you will at least be somewhat knowledgeable of the material by simply being present during lectures, class discussions, etc.   Also, attendance is often times a percentage of your grade in a course, so what easier way to start off with higher than a 0% than showing up, right?  And for all you beauty queens complaining you didn’t get enough beauty rest the night before – remember - there’s no dress code in college, so even if you’re rockin’ the Tweety bird slippers and Barbie night gown, at least you’re there.

TWO:  Get involved.  This will ensure happiness during your college years.  There are hundreds of opportunities to have fun and make friends at school.  Whether you join a Greek organization, intramural sports team, academic club, community service crew (you get the point), there’s something for everyone to find.  But YOU have to take the initiative to get out there and get involved around campus.  I promise, doing so will not disappoint!  By getting involved, you create for yourself an avenue to meet people, develop lasting relationships, and unforgettable memories.

So, there…you have it!  I hope my two easy rules will help a few college freshmen along the way!  Any other questions regarding the freshman experience or life at USC are completely welcome!

Until next time….Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Aloha to all!

I'm back in Hawaii and ready to get rollin' with the new semester.  Christmas break was wonderful - it was great to catch up and spend time with family and friends in South Carolina.  Now, as many of you know, I'm back in Hilo, HI for the second half of my exchange program.

I took a little hiatus from writing blogs over the break but will be now be posting regularly like usual.  I got a question right before Christmas from a high school senior asking me to give her some 'Freshman College Tips' so that's what I'll cover in my next post.  Look for it soon!

Until next time...Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 08:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

With that statement I cannot disagree, HOWEVER, for college students I might also add that it’s undoubtedly one of the most stressful times of the year as well.  And a huge factor in most of our stress levels at the moment is EXAM WEEK.

Yes….college professors do give exams, they’re usually cumulative, and rarely is there any ‘slack’ given.  So, instead of giving into the ‘end of semester’ bug and completely throwing in the towel, we’re all forced to stay up late studying and craming our brains with the material we failed to learn (or remember) throughout the past 4 months.

Now, I don’t want to scare any high school senior, already nervous about entering college next year.  I promise you’ll have opportunities for study groups or study buddies, because we college students stick together –that’s right, you’re not in this alone.  The library is open 24 hours a day during exam week, so there’s always a nice quiet place to go for either a long study-a-thon or just a quick cram session.  And when all else fails, and those little eyes are fighting to stay open, Starbucks is always ready to come to your rescue. In Hawaii, I have 2 on my tiny campus and 3 in the small town of Hilo. 

Now, I hate coffee…personally, I think it tastes like dirty water.  But if I did like coffee I certainly wouldn’t buy it from Starbucks, which is taking over our country (along with McDonald’s and Wal-mart).  Okay, okay, I’ll save my hysterical ranting for a rainy day.  And you’re all quite lucky, I might add, since it’s actually not raining in Hilo for once!

But back to the point of exams, let me give some advice. 

• You know they’re coming, so start studying in ADVANCE.  (This is difficult since most of us are notorious for procrastination, but it will save loads of stress.)
• Get together for review sessions with other students in your class. (Two brains are more powerful than one.)
• Take one day at a time.  (Don’t over-stress about your Chem. final on Friday while you’re stressing about your History exam tomorrow.  Focus on your exams as they come.)
• On the day of the exam, eat a good breakfast. (I know I sound like a mom, but really, you’re body and brain will thank you and be able to function better with a little fuel.)

So yeah, hopefully those pointers will come to good use during exam week.  It’s also important to put these things into perspective.  Exams are nothing more than a few big tests lasting one week of the semester.  So, when it comes down to it, don’t get too stressed or anxious.  Everything will be just fine!

Until next time…Aloha! 

Posted by Kendall at 01:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This past Saturday, after 3 intramural softball games, I decided to go for a quick swim at the beach with a few friends.  We were hot and tired, and knew splashing in the Pacific would be just the thing to cool us off.  As I was playing around in the water, I realized, “It’s December 1^st”.  Wow…I never thought I’d be in the ocean during the month of December!

And you know what December 1^st means….only 24 days until the best holiday of the year!  And yes, even though I do live in Hawaii, it’s beginning to look A LOT like Christmas around here.  Ashleigh, my roommate, and I have been playing our favorite Christmas carols in the apartment and watching all the holiday movies on TV.  (I think I’ve seen Will Ferrell in ‘Elf’ about 5 times now.)  We have a tiny Christmas tree perched atop our microwave (how ‘college-student-ish’ is that for ya?!) and two mini stockings lying out.

Besides being close to Christmas, December 1^st also means only 11 more days until I begin the long journey back to the mainland for winter break.  My flight departs out of Hilo on the 12^th and I take the red eye to Maui, then L.A., then Atlanta, and finally arrive in Charlotte the afternoon of the 13th.  Even though I’ve been anticipating my return for months, now that it’s finally almost here, I’m getting a little sad. It means I only have one more semester in Hawaii.  One more semester with the amazing friends I’ve met out here, and one more semester of this tropical climate and year-round beaching.  But we all make compromises in life, right?  Give a little here, take some there.  And I figure, even though I am going to say goodbye to Hilo forever this May, I look forward  to moving back to Gamecock country and the University of South Carolina….a little place I like to call HOME!

Until next time…ALOHA! 

Posted by Kendall at 05:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Na Pali Coast.  Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular sites I have EVER seen.  This stretch of coastline along Northwest Kauai is absolutely stunning, and I was lucky enough to get up close and personal with it on a catamaran tour over Thanksgiving break.

The boat cruise left around 9 am Saturday morning with about 30 passengers and 4 crew members.  We began the event Hawaiian style by taking off our shoes!  No one was allowed on board unless they were bare-footed.  As soon as we got out into the ocean, past the breaking walls of Port Allen, we were surrounded by scores of dolphins.  They came right up to our boat and showed off by jumping and splashing.  This puzzled me at first, but then I figured that dolphins are like dogs, but instead of chasing cars...they chase boats.

Anyway, after cruising for a bit, we stopped at a great snorkling spot, filled with fish and even a few honu (sea turtles).  After that, the crew set out breakfast, fresh fruit and cinnamon buns.  A good combination in my book!  Then we turned towards the Na Pali, the NW coast of Kauai, as I mentioned earlier.  Appropriately named since Na Pali means 'The Cliffs', this 17 mile stretch of land has massive moutains rising up thousands of feet from the ocean and narrow valleys in between.  It is thought to be one of (if not THE) most beautiful coastlines in the world.  Movies like Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and King Kong were filmed here.

After witnessing this spectacular site, we began to head back.  I was still in total awe of Planet Earth, but managed to chow down on the lunch provided by the crew - sandwiches, fruit, chips, and cookies.  During the ride back to port, our captain entertained us with some classic 'sing-a-longs' including 'Friends in Low Places', 'Brown Eyed Girl', and 'Cheeseburger in Paradise'. 

When the catamaran was docked, we thanked the crew graciously and headed back to the hotel.  Even though the boat ride was only a mere 5 or 6 hours, I definitely got a days worth of rockin' out of it.  Laying in bed that night, I reminisced on my awesome experience all the while still swaying back and forth over the ocean swells.

Until next time...Aloha!  

The Na Pali Coast....I took this from the boat!

Posted by Kendall at 01:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, my Thanksgiving weekend was quite unusual.  No family, no cool weather.  I spent the holiday this year on Kauai, another one of the islands in the Hawaiian chain. 

Anyway, back to the point.  Kauai!  For Thanksgiving!  I was invited by another NSEer (National Student Exchange) named Kate.  She’s from Montana, and the only Montanan I’ve ever met.  Now, I will admit, I had a few preconceived notions of Montana…mostly of fly-fishing and boredom thanks to the Brad Pitt movie, A River Runs Through It.  Then when she told me her father ran a copper mine, I thought, “Yep…boredom, for sure.”  But, after spending time with Kate and hearing all about the great state of Montana, my opinion was quickly changed and I was so excited when she invited Ashleigh, my roommate, and I to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with her family, vacationing on Kauai. 

I flew into Lihue, Kauai Wednesday afternoon and met up with the other girls (who had been there since Monday) at the Marriot Resort.  I immediately felt like a princess!  This place was a bit out of my league, being the small town girl that I am, but hey, it’s okay to get wined and dined every now and then, right?!  The entire long weekend was perfect – we had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel, went kayaking along the Wailua River and hiked to a secret waterfall.  We took a boat cruise along the Na Pali coastline and watched dolphins gallivanting beside us in the deep blue sea.  Some of the best times, however, were spent sharing stories with Kate’s family around the table or by the pool.  It just goes to show how much families mean in life, whether they’re yours or not.  So, even though I was far FAR from mine this Thanksgiving, I’m so grateful for Kate and the whole crew from Montana who allowed me to share the holiday with them!

Until next time…Aloha!

Kate, Ashleigh, and Me

Posted by Kendall at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Missing Holiday:  $100 Reward for Finding Thanksgiving.

Obviously the above is a joke, but really, it's hard to get down to the true meaning of this week's holiday when Christmas has already taken over our lives (No offense, Christmas!).  I'm guilty of it too, though.  I've already begun planning (and stressing) about Christmas gifts for friends and family.  I had to refrain from renting "It's a Wonderful Life" at the BlockBuster.  And my roomate and I already have a miniature Christmas tree sitting on top of our kitchen table.

Even when we do think of Thanksgiving, it's hardly with the right attitude.  We either look forward to all the yummy food we're about to eat or worry about the number of calories we will consume this year.  Rarely do we truly give thanks for our MANY blessings.  (Which is why this week's posts will be dedicated to exactly that.)  Here's a few items from my 'I'm Thankful For' list of 2007.

I, Kendall, am thankful for:

• my mom and dad, who have loved and supported me throughout my 19 years
• my big brother, who loves me in his own special way (even if it's shown with a little teasing) 
• my extended family, who I am lucky to be very close to
• my friends, who never fail to make me smile
• my country, and the freedom I often take for granted

To be continued....but in the meantime, start making your own 'I'm Thankful For' list.  You'll begin to realize just how lucky you really are.

Until next time....Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This past Monday was Veteran’s Day, as most of you know, and that meant NO CLASSES for UHH students.  Now, at USC, I might have taken the day off to catch up on rest or homework, but not in Hawaii! Too much to do…too much to see.

Two car loads of some of my closest friends took it to the West side for a full day of beachin’!  We left Hilo at around 9 am and got to Beach 69 (creatively named for being off mile marker 69 on Highway 19) at 11.  We spent the day on the gorgeous white sand beach (I have to differentiate because there are also black and green sand beaches on the island.) soaking up some sun, playing beach volleyball, kayaking, and snorkeling.

By 5, we were all starving, so we went to CostCo in Kona for dinner.  Now, some of you are probably wondering, “Isn’t CostCo the huge warehouse store for bulk buying?”  Yeah, it is, but when you’re on a college budget and you have a big group of kids, a large pizza for $9.99 isn’t a bad deal.  (Plus, while we waited, we got free samples of smoothies, lattes, and soups from a lady trying to sell a ‘Vita-mix’ – some fancy shmancy blender.)

We got the pizza and hopped back in the car to drive 5 minutes to the coast.  We all ran to the beach, formed a circle around the box of pizza in the sand, and chowed down, watching the sunset at dusk.  And let me tell you, there’s nothing in this world quite like warm pizza, close friends, and a Hawaiian sunset.  It was definitely another of those, “Wow…life is good” moments!

So, needless to say, my day off was well spent. (A special thanks to all US Veterans too.  And not just for allowing us a day off from school, either. I know some of you were thinking that!)

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It’s official.  I’ve been away from South Carolina for 3 months now, and the homesick blues are just beginning to settle in.  Now let’s get this straightened out. When I say homesick I don’t mean I go around constantly weeping, “I wanna go home.”  Although, I will admit I shed a tear (or 100) the day my mom and granddad left.  It’s okay, big girls DO cry every once in a while.  Homesickness is usually something much subtler though.

Every now and then, I find myself longing to be with family and friends from home.  I look at the lush greenery around Hilo, and miss the deep reds, oranges, and yellows of the autumn leaves this time of year in SC.  Another thing I never thought I’d miss - cool weather.  Yes, I love rolling out of bed and going to class in shorts and tank tops everyday, but ya know, I don’t think I’d mind having to wear a winter coat on those chilly November nights.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Hawaii and appreciate its beauty, but I’m definitely gunna have to agree with Miss Dorothy in that “There’s no place like home!”

Now for the good part!  Since I do have another month before Christmas break, when I’m reunited with friends and family, I’ve developed a little remedy for this homesickness of mine.  Whenever I feel that gloomy feeling coming on, all I do is close my eyes, dream of home, and as easy as that, I’m “up and gone to Carolina in my mind.” (Lyrics by James Taylor).  So, you see, with a little imagination I can be strolling through the Horseshoe on campus, enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with family, or shopping in Five Points with the girls.

And if that doesn’t work, I just ask myself:  What better place to be homesick in than Hawaii, eh?

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I know, I know….Halloween was LAST week.  But it’s really just ended for me…on account of it taking a whole 7 days to finish all the candy I got!  I don’t know what it was, but for some reason I was more into the “Spooky Spirit” this year than the past two or three combined!

It all began in Public Speaking class when my teacher assigned a Demonstration Speech the week before Halloween.  I was searching and searching for the perfect topic.  How to:  bake a cake.  No….too common and I’m a horrible baker.  How to:  dress for an interview.  Boooor-ing.  How to:  change the oil in a car.  I would have no idea where to begin.  And then BAM, I got it!  How to:  carve a Jack O’Lantern.  Fun for all ages and certainly fitting with the season.

So, as I dove in to the research stage of this speech, I started to get more and more interested about the background of Halloween.  I found out some pretty neat things!  To make a long story short:  Halloween dates back to the Celtic festival Samhain, which celebrated the end of the harvest and beginning of a new year.  However, the Pope later changed November 1^st to All Saint’s or All Hallow’s Day because he didn’t approve of the pagan holiday.  That makes October 31^st All Hallow’s Eve which is where we get the term Halloween!

Now that’s not all I discovered.  I also found out Jack O’Lantern comes from Irish folk tales of a farmer named Stingy Jack who, according to the legends, made a series of deals with the devil.  When he wasn’t let into either heaven or hell, he complained he wouldn’t be able to see while he roamed the earth.  So, the devil tossed him a burning ember which he put into a carved out turnip, making a lantern.  (The idea of carving pumpkins didn’t come about until later, since the fruit…yes, fruit…is native to the Americas.)

Pretty interesting, eh?  Next year, you can amaze your friends with these few Fun Facts about Halloween.  Anyway, preparing for the speech definitely got me into the Halloween mood.  Next, it was time to find just the right costume to wear to the Halloween party my friends were having.  After much shared frustration, two of my friends and I still had no costume ideas, so we thought, “What if we did something together?”  And BAM again, a light bulb went off in Rachel’s head (after seeing a box of s’more pop-tarts I might add) that we should all be an ingredient of a s’more.  She was the marshmallow, I was the Hershey bar, and Cassidy was the graham cracker.  It worked out perfectly and we were a big hit!

The night of the Halloween party was a blast.  We carved a few pumpkins, decorated my friend’s house, ate lots of food, played games, and just relaxed!  Now, I’m finally Halloweened out and ready to move on to Thanksgiving!  Turkey Day….here I come!

Posted by Kendall at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let’s backtrack a little bit to this summer.  I had just finished my first year of college and had moved back home under the dreaded "parental supervision".  I was working nearly 40 hours a week at a job I despised.  I had already finalized my plans for moving out here to Hawaii.  So – needless to say, I was READY to go when August 12^th came around.

But after being away from family and friends for two and a half months, I got the ‘I gotta get away’ bug outta my system!  I was so excited when I found out my mom and granddad would be coming to visit me the last week in October.  With a month to go before they arrived, I started a countdown in my agenda, anxiously awaiting the hour their flight got in.

Finally…October 25^th arrived!  Their ETA was around 5:00.  I got out of class at 2:00.  I went home and would’ve gone crazy counting down the 180 minutes, so I decided to walk the 3 miles to the airport…in the rain, I might add.  (I was smilin’ the whole time though!)  I can’t describe the feeling I felt when I first made eye contact with my mom in the Hilo Airport!  We ran and hugged each other.  It was SO good to see family again.

My mom and Pa-Pa (as I call him) stayed in a Hotel close to downtown and just so I could spend every second of their visit with them…I pushed my way in too!  (It was nice to get away from the apartment for a few days.) We did the normal touristy things:  went to the mountain, volcano, Kona side, Coconut Island, etc.  They enjoyed it all, I think.  But aside from that, I also got to show them a closer glimpse of my life in Hawaii.  One day, while I was in class, they explored the UHH campus.  They went to church with me, and I took them to the market to see where I get all my fresh fruits and veggies.

Mom and Pops, as expected, never quite got used to the time change, so we woke up before the sun rose every day.  I didn’t mind a bit.  Some of the best times we shared during their time here were in the early morning hours sitting on the porch, chatting and catching up, or playing cards and laughing together.

Now I am refreshed for the last month and a half of the semester.  I can't believe how fast it's flying by.  I am so thankful for my mom and grandad's visit (even though I will admit it has made me a bit homesick).  No worries, though! Only 40 more days until I'm reunited with family and friends for Christmas Break! 

Me with My Momma and Pa-Pa at Waipio Valley

Posted by Kendall at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.” – Jimmy Buffett
 
Well…ain’t that the truth.  Sometimes the best remedy to a dull day, week, or even month is plain and simple – a good laugh.  I’m not talking about a little chuckle though, or even a few ha-ha’s.  When I say a good laugh, I mean a stomach-hurting, cheeks sore from smiling, laugh out loud kinda laugh!  Those are the best, aren’t they?  They don’t come around all that often but are truly appreciated when they do!

I don’t really have any wild and crazy adventures to describe from this weekend.  No camping, no cliff jumping.  I went to a soccer and a volleyball game, did a little shopping, and enjoyed an outdoor concert – nothing too terribly exciting.  But you know what, I had one of the best weekends ever, thanks to a few good laughs while kickin’ it with my friends.  We all just sat around talking and laughing for hours, over everything and nothing at all.  It was exactly what the doctor ordered!

Jimmy’s right…I think we really would go insane without a good laugh every once in a while.  So keep in mind not to take life too seriously!  A little laughter can go a long way.

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 05:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, after class and a quick nap, I embarked on a camping trip with a few friends to the other side of the island…the Kona side.  We camped at Spencer’s beach park, north of the actual city of Kona and boy was I impressed.  We arrived at the camp site around 5 pm, leaving just enough time to set up camp (tents, sleeping bags, etc.) before enjoying the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my entire life.  No, I’m not exaggerating, either!  Hilo’s on the eastern side of the island, so although we have wondrous sun rises, I had never seen a Hawaiian sunset until this past weekend.

After watching the sunset, we were all ready to grub out, so the guys fired up the grill and before long we were all settled in with our hamburgers and hotdogs.  Next came the music!  John, one of my friends, brought his guitar along and we had a good old fashioned jam session around the camp fire.  Everybody sang and danced and laughed!

The boys decided it was time to go crab hunting, which was quite a new experience for me!  So, we took flashlights and headed down to the beach - the goal was to shine the light, blinding the crabs so they’d be still enough to catch them.  I was too busy jumping around trying to avoid getting pinched that I wasn’t much help, but it was still a neat adventure.

After crab catching, we were hungry yet again so we whipped out our smores materials!  Yummm….roasted marshmallows, Hershey’s chocolate, and crispy graham crackers united together for the perfect taste.  C’mon now, camping’s not really camping without these delectable little treats.  I was amazed that two of the girls had never had smores before.  Don’t worry – we took pictures to document their joyous expressions after the first bite (and the sticky marshmallow all over their faces too).

After hanging out around the campfire some more, we were all pretty tired and decided to call it a night.  The girls headed off to one tent while most of the guys slept out under the stars.  As we were all snuggling into our sleeping bags, Kelsey goes, “Hey, do you guys hear that scurrying noise?”  Before she could get the last words out of her mouth, Jess screams, “CRAAAABBB!”  All 8 of us were out of our bags and away from the tent in about 5 seconds flat.  We heard snickering coming from the guys and immediately knew what had just occurred.  Boys just never grow up, do they?!  (Yes, they decided to pull a prank on us by putting the crabs caught earlier in the girls’ tent. Not funny!!!)

After we forced the boys to check and re-check our tent for more critters, we all finally got to sleep.  The next day was filled with swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling at our own private little beach.  It was a wonderful weekend. 

There’s nothing better than spending some good time with good friends!

Until next time….Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How do you get aware?  Easy – keep your eyes and ears open at all times.  Take the time to read that bulletin in the hallway if you get to class a few minutes early.  Who knows, maybe one of your favorite authors is giving a seminar next week.  Or, maybe that local band you’ve wanted to see is playing downtown.  You’ll be amazed at all of the possibilities open for you when you simply become aware.

Next – it’s time to get active and get involved.  Joining on campus clubs and organizations is not only fun, it’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people.  In the end, you’ll be sure to develop lasting friendships and your involvement in different activities will be some of the highlights of your entire 4 (or 5, for some of us) years in college.

With that said, since I’m far away from the comforts of ole Cola-town, I have definitely had to take my own advice this year.  Getting aware and involved has assuredly made a huge difference in my stay out here in Hawaii.  One of the main ways I’m active is by participating in the Student Housing weekend activities.  Since I don’t have a car, and my little bicycle can only take me so far, I’ve gotten to see much of the island this way.  We travel to all sorts of beautiful places that I wouldn’t normally get to see, and not only that, I’ve made some close friends I wouldn’t have come into contact with if I wasn’t aware that Housing offered these weekend excursions.

In addition, I’ve made some of my closest friends at the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry).  We do all sorts of fun stuff:  outdoor concerts, girl’s night (cookies and tie-dye t-shirt making), capture the flag and ultimate frisbee games, the list goes on. 

So…whether you’re about to begin college or you’ve already started, remember, GET AWARE AND GET ACTIVE!  You won’t regret it!

Until next time…Aloha!    

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word SPAM?
 
For most of us, it’s either the annoying junk emails that often flood our inbox or the nasty looking precooked meat that comes in the little tin cans.  Well, in Hawaii, Spam, the meat that is, is loved by all.  The Burger King fast food restaurants in Hawaii even started selling a Spam breakfast, consisting of a couple slices of the beloved meat along with rice and eggs.  Or you can just get a quick-fix with a spam croissant or biscuit.  (I promise I’m not making this up.)
 
Now, I will admit that when I was younger I had a horrible fear of spam (like a lot of you probably do now).  Those little navy blue cans containing Lord only knows what are pretty intimidating.  And the name – c’mon, they could’ve thought of a more appetizing name than Spam. (Fun fact for the day:  spam is short for spiced ham. Share that with a friend. I can assure you they’ll be impressed by your spam knowledge.)
 
Anyway, I finally got over my spam fear while hiking.  Spam is great to take on the trail – it’s high in energy and will last a very long time. Plus, anything tastes good after miles of tough hiking on top of a mountain.  But even after trying spam, I can’t honestly say that I’d choose to eat it regularly.  Not until I moved to Hawaii that is!!!

Hawaii has just about any type of spam you can imagine:  spicy spam, teriyaki spam, spam and cheese, hickory smoked spam, you get the idea.  But by far, the most popular way to eat spam (and my new favorite snack) is the musubi.  It consists of a slice of spam on top of a block of white rice held together by a piece of nori (or seaweed).  Sound gross?  You’re sadly mistaken.  It is SO yummy.  Musubi’s are so popular, they’re sold at just about every convenient store/gas station on the island.

So, hopefully after all this spam talk, I’ve changed your opinion of spam just a little bit. The poor meat is just so misunderstood on the mainland…(how sad)! If you ever make to though, you MUST try a musubi! I’m off to enjoy one right now!

Until next time….Aloha! 

Posted by Kendall at 03:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here’s how I’ve like to look at it:  I try to think of Hilo’s weather like one of my best friends.  Just because she’s in a bad mood every once in a while doesn’t mean I don’t like her, right?  Well…just because it rains (even for days at a time) doesn’t mean I don’t like Hilo!!!

On a side note – Last year at USC, rainy afternoons were perfect for napping.  However, in Hawaii, I’ve learned to become quite productive in the rain, or else I’d be sleeping my days away!

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 01:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Have you ever experienced a moment in life in which you realize you’re perfectly content and think, “Wow…Life is good.”?

I had one of those moments this past Sunday as I relaxed on the white sands of Kua Bay Beach, gazing past the clear blue waters to the horizon in the distance.  I watched little children race to the water and quickly turn back in excitement and fear as the waves crashed before their feet.  I listened to the rush of the swift tide as it crashed against the black rocks around the cove, all the while realizing one simple fact.  I am truly happy.

Moments like that don’t happen a whole lot in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Not that we’re unhappy…it’s just hard to find the time to come to the conclusion.  So I urge you, college students, high school students, family and friends…take some time this week to appreciate life.  Whether you’re alone in solitude or basking in the hot sun on a sandy beach – put all of your troubles behind you and take a few minutes to be grateful for your life, because as Dave Matthews would say, “Life is short but sweet for certain.”

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 04:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Surfing 101, Hula Dancing 250, and The Aloha State 310.

Too bad these ARE NOT classes available out here in Hawaii.  That’d be pretty sweet! 

I’m a business major and am now into some of the core business classes, so no time for fun and games when it comes to selecting which courses to take.  For the first few weeks, I sent pictures home filled with waterfalls, beaches, and sunshine.  My parents doubted I was actually enrolled…but hopefully after reading this blog, they’ll be assured.

This semester, I’m taking just 4 classes (due to a slight mix-up while registering), which means next spring I will have to make up for it by taking 6 classes.  Now, I should probably be freaking out about that fact, but I’ve chosen to take singer/songwriter Van Morrison’s advice…“Don’t worry about tomorrow.  That ain’t gonna help you none.  You’ve gotta live and take each day as it comes.”

Anyway, for right now these are the classes I’m taking:  Microeconomics, Spanish 101, Public Speaking, and Financial Accounting.

Microeconomics is pretty much a piece of cake if you put it in practical terms.  Take a good that we all enjoy…ice cream!  The cheaper ice cream is, the more people will buy.  And there you have a major concept of economics – the Law of Demand.

Spanish 101 has been interesting thus far.  I’m kind of playing catch up since most of my fellow students took Spanish in Middle or High School.  (I was that geek who studied Latin.)  Before this class I knew how to say 3 things:  Hola!, Feliz Navidad, and Mi casa es su casa.  Slowly but surely, however, I’m adding to my Spanish vocabulary!

Public Speaking – America’s number one fear!  Luckily, I don’t suffer from this common phobia, so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble with this class.  It doesn’t hurt either that my teacher reminds me of Mother Goose:  she likes to tell stories, is extremely caring, and has tiny glasses she wears at the end of her nose.

Accounting…ick.  My least favorite class of the semester - boring material and a crazy teacher.  At least I have one class that’ll be sure to keep me on my toes!

Well, there you have it - my Fall 2007 classes.  No longer will my parents doubt I’m actually going to classes out here!

Until next time…Aloha! 

Posted by Kendall at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Where are you from again?

I get that question quite a bit out here.  I’m not sure if it’s the long i sounds or the “hey ya’ll’s” but people seem to know I’m not a local!  No worries though, I’m proud to tell them I’m from South Carolina.  It always starts up quite an interesting conversation.  I’ve even found a few people that are actually familiar with Columbia.  The 2 most popular reasons are 1) Fort Jackson, the US ARMY training center and 2) good ole’ Steve Spurrier and the football team.

It’s amazing how two places in the U.S. can be so different, though.  For one thing, a roll at restaurants here refers to pieces of sushi rather than a piece of bread.  I was out to dinner a few weekends ago, staring at the menu in disbelief, and thinking, “Wow…these must be some pretty appetizing dinner rolls for $10 apiece.”

Also, how often do you take off your shoes when walking into a stranger’s house?  Probably not too often.  But here, it’s considered extremely disrespectful if you don’t take them off right when you enter.  That took some time getting used to!  Shoes in general aren’t really a big deal in Hilo.  I was in public speaking the other day and realized the girl giving here speech was shoeless; and it’s not uncommon to see teachers in flip-flops and students walking around on campus bare-footed.  It was shocking at first, simply because you’d never see that in the Russell House, but it’s just the way things are!

If you’ve never been far from home, then I strongly urge you to consider this exchange program!  Everyday, I learn new things about the Hawaiian culture, and get to share little bits of Carolina with my local friends.  (I’ve convinced them all to try grits!) 

Until next time….Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If I had to choose one thing I miss most about being away from Carolina this Fall, it would without a doubt be FOOTBALL season!!!

I’ll tell you one thing – I’m just longing for a good tailgating session, the 2001 entrance, a stadium full of garnet and black, and of course…seeing our Gamecocks devour the opponent.  I’m not going to reminisce too much more, because it will only make me homesick.

But out here in Hawaii, I promise I’m keeping up with all the football news back in Columbia.  I watch all of the games that come on TV! Speaking of….two weekends ago, when we beat Georgia, I’m surprised you couldn’t hear me cheering clear across the Pacific Ocean.  I was SO excited to see us beat the Bulldogs!  My roommate and I ordered pizza and pigged out as we watched the game, eyes glued to the TV.  As for the games not televised, I keep up with them online, getting a play by play report.  And believe me, I scream and holler at the computer just as much as the television set!

Then, without fail, I call my parents Sunday afternoon for a full report.  My stepdad, David, is probably the biggest USC fan I know, so I get all my inside scoop from him.  How the quarterbacks played?  Who missed a tackle?  How Spurrier reacted? … You get the point!  It’s great; he knows EVERYTHING.  He’s the guy at the games who not only watches but wears the high-tech headphones to listen to commentary.  Gotta love those hardcore Gamecock fans!

I must also admit that I’m extremely jealous of David right now, who will be flying down to Baton Rouge Friday night.  He has front row (in the end zone) tickets for the USC vs. LSU game this weekend.  Now, even though pulling out a win is going to be nearly impossible….he’ll be there amidst all the excitement while I’m getting up extra early (because of the 6 hour time difference) to watch from thousands of miles away.

Yes, unlike some of you who are inclined to spend your days reading, surfing the web, or just hangin’ around, I prefer to spend my afternoons jumping off cliffs!

A normal afternoon for me in Hawaii usually involves some kind of outdoor adventure.  Richardson’s Beach is a half hour bike ride South of Hilo; Honoli’i Beach is a half hour North.  Coconut Island is 5 minutes from my apartment, and some wicked awesome waterfalls and swimming holes are right outside of town too.  (My new friend from Maine would be so proud that I’m catching on to the North’s favorite slang term!!!)

Anyway, I think you get the point.  There’s always something new to explore in Hilo!  But back to the cliff jumping part…I’ve come to realize that there are 3 categories of jumpers out there.

1)  The Jumpers.  These are the people who look over the ledge, feel the intense adrenaline rush, and go with it.  They come up smiling and are ready for another go.

2)  The One-time Jumpers.  This group looks over and thinks, “What the ____ am I getting myself into?”  They jump, and possibly even smile, but are immensely glad they got it over with and will never do it again.

3)  The No Jump Jumpers.  These people usually don’t even look over the ledge.  They’re comfortable keeping their feet on the ground and frequently end up being the designated photographers.

Now, this may seem completely cliché, but throughout life we encounter opportunities that don’t come around all too often.  Those are our cliffs.  They can be something as simple as getting out of your comfort zone that first semester in college or as crucial as a huge career decision.  Either way, when those cliffs come along, ask yourself…which Jumper are you gunna be?

Until next time…Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 08:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oh Hawaii!!! 

First off, let me apologize sincerely for not having written in over a month.  But c'mon, there has to be some sympathy out there.  I mean, if you were in Hawaii...would you really want to be indoors, typing away on a laptop...didn't think so!  But really, I am so sorry for leaving all of you Future Gamecocks to wonder about my journey to the middle of the Pacific.

Now...let's get down to business!  I'm sure you're all wondering just what this place is like, right?  Well...forget school for this entry, let's talk about the town of Hilo, Hawaii. 

The town of Hilo is on the East coast of the Big Island.  The technical name of the island is Hawaii, but I usually just call it the Big Island like everyone else so all of you mainlanders don't get confused!  Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, with an elevation of almost 14,000 ft. sits outside of the town and can sometimes be seen covered in snow from the bay.  But don't worry, it doesn't snow in Hilo....the temperature stays right around 80 degrees ALL YEAR!

Now...I don't care where you're from, you do NOT know the meaning of laid back until you've been to Hilo.  Life moves at a slower pace and it's absolutely wonderful.  One of the first things I did after I got settled in was go on a trip to the Volcanoes National Park.  We were supposed to meet at 9 am.  Wanna know what time we left?? Almost 11...all because the bus driver was late.  The excuse she gave:  OHHH, I thought you were talking about 9 Hawaiin time.  And that was completely acceptable! (Too bad I won't be able to use that one for classes when I come back to USC.)

The community of Hilo focuses a whole lot on what I like to call the 3 F's.  Family, Food, and Fun!  Whereas we may only see our extended families a few times a year, these people get together weekly for cookouts and celebrations.  They really value strong family bonds and respect for elders.  Since we're on the topic of respecting our elders, let me tell you a little story!  Here, instead of calling an older person Sir or Mam, they say Uncle or Auntie.  For the first week or two, I thought everyone on this island was related and it wasn't until I asked that I found out that's how it is here!

Hilo is completely different from Columbia and most other large towns on the continental US in that there is almost NO nightlife.  Things begin to shut down by 5 o'clock and around 7, the downtown area looks deserted. But honestly, that's one of the neatest things about living in Hawaii!  There's so much to do during the day, whether it's beaching, exploring, biking, or rock climbing that by the time night rolls around, I'm ready for bed! 

Now that I've described the town of Hilo, you'll be able to relate a bit more when I begin to tell you all about my wild Hawaiin adventures!!

Until next time...Aloha!

Posted by Kendall at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I never thought I’d experience an earthquake AND a hurricane in my first three days in paradise, but it’s already made this journey unforgettable.  Thanks to the Weather Channel, we knew Hurricane Flossie was on the way…predicted to hit the south side of the island of Hawaii.  (Hilo, where I live, is on the Eastern side.)  So, to be safe just in case the power went out for a few days, my roommate and I took a trip to Wal-mart to stock up on bottled water.  And as always…we were in for a few surprises when we got to Wally-world.

We were walking down the aisle with school supplies when suddenly…pencils, Elmer’s glue, and notebook paper began falling from the shelves.  The ground started to shake and everyone braced themselves.  The quake lasted about 20 seconds and it was only afterwards that I realized I had just survived my first earthquake.  It wasn’t a strong one and didn’t do any damage, but it was still quite an experience.

When it was all said and done, Hurricane Flossie died down right before it hit the island.  So, we just got a lot of rain.  Hopefully, we’ll have some normal weather in this next week!

P.S.  I was just informed that we are currently under a tsunami advisory! Oh joy!

Posted by Kendall at 09:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)