Now that that's out of the way, let's talk about why I love my best friend. Once upon a time, 11 years ago, I joined a sorority in college. Alpha Xi Delta, if you want to get specific. I was spending hours upon hours studying for tests, doing homework, and practicing the many instruments I was required to learn as a music education major, so I really hadn't had time to have much of a life. I had friends, but I felt like something was missing. I had moved around a lot growing up (7 different towns before graduating high school), so I wasn't expecting to find a forever friend. However, joining Alpha Xi Delta turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Through them I not only met my husband (he was a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon), but I also met Kristen.
Through the end of college and over the next decade, Kristen and I became closer than I would ever imagine. It was no surprise to me when she asked me to be maid of honor at her wedding. It was also no wonder when she told me that her wedding was going to be in Hawaii. Kristen LOVES to travel - she is constantly flying to some exotic destination, even if it is only for a few days. I, on the other hand, hadn't been on a plane since my honeymoon in 2008. It's not that I don't like to travel...it's that I have two kids and the bills that come with them. Kristen, being my best friend, knows this. So she told me that for my maid of honor gift she was going to fly me out to Hawaii for 8 days and pay for my hotel while I was there!!!
So off I went at the end of July to Oahu...alone. Kristen and her fiance flew out on an earlier flight, and my husband had to work, so I was making this trek by myself. While it was hard to leave my family for an entire week, I needed - and deserved - this break. I am so grateful to have a friend who was able to give me this once in a lifetime opportunity. I was able to snorkel, climb to the top of Diamond Head, take a surf lesson, see Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl, Iolani Palace, and the Dole Plantation, eat malasadas, plate lunch, and shave ice, and so much more! Unfortunately I was sick as a dog for about 4 days of the trip, but nothing was going to stop me! I had an amazing time out there.
I brought my "fancy" caemra, but I also brought along my little point and shoot. Sometimes it wasn't practical to lug around my DSLR (like when I was going snorkeling at Haunama Bay. And like they say, the best camera is the one you have with you. So below are some shots of my trip. I hope you enjoy!!!
Outside my hotel:
Stairs at Diamond Head:
Haunama Bay:
My cheap-o underwater casing for my point and shoot was well worth the money!
Proof that I was there (another one with the point and shoot):
Pearl Harbor:
You can still see the oil leaking out of the ship:
Iolani Palace:
Oh, you know. Just swimming with some HUGE turtles!!!
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