THIS IS IT!

We leave NZ in about 20 hours.

Then we get to Hawaii and stay there for 25 1/2 hours.

Then we have a stop over in LA for 2 hours.

Then we FINALLY get to hug Maverick again.

With that said, the next couple of days is gonna be beyond EXHAUSTING!

Bitter sweet for me to leave New Zealand. More on that later.

As for now, I gotta get back to packing!!!

2 DAYS!

I get my US Embassy interview in 2 DAYS!

Im a little bit nervous

a little bit anxious

a little bit scared

but a lot bit excited

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Aloha 'oe Hawaii nei

You have given me more then I ever anticipated.

I will be forever in debt of all the wonderful things that happened in my life while I was in your midst.

I am very saddened that I didn't say goodbye.

That I couldn't say goodbye.

Maverick closed our TVA R-150 door behind him for the last time this morning.

It was empty and ready for a new couple to move in.

Sad day as he also closes the door to this chapter of our lives.

Ready to tackle new adventures and challenges.

Whatever they may be.

Mahalo nui loa for all the aloha.

And.

Mahalo for teaching me how to give aloha.

Aloha 'oe Hawaii nei. Till we meet again.

Liberated?

Today I went to the city to get my booster immunization for my US visa medical.

ALL BY MYSELF!

Since parking is horrendous in the city and my dad is home from work antways, I figured it would be easier if I left Hyrum at home with my dad and I take the bus. 

And OW MY GOODNESS! It felt weird...

It's been a while since i've gone out in public ALL BY MYSELF.

I mean ive left Hyrum before at home with my parents but he would usually be asleep or nearly asleep already. And I would leave to be with a friend or something.

It was liberating? in a weird kinda uneasy sort of way...

I dont really know how to describe it but I honestly did not know what to do with myself as soon as I stepped out of the door.

And by the time I got to the bus stop, my mind was racing.

It was filling up with ideas, memos, random thoughts, fears, reminiscing and all the other fluffs in between.

Good thing I thought of bringing my journal along right before I left. I ended up writing 5 WHOLE PAGES! that has never ever happened before!

So for the 3 1/2 hours that I was away, I felt like I was free as a bird. I was pretty satisfied just shutting everything out while I listen to my music and write away. (I mean...you cant really do much while on a bus).

I was glad to have had that 3 1/2 hours to myself. 

But, I was pretty happy to come back home to see my boy again. Who was eating his dinner like a big boy! All poised with a spoon on one hand carefully spooning out a bit of rice from his bowl. 

He did greet me with a frustrated scream after a short-lived big smile. Nonetheless, I wouldnt trade being a mother for anything else!

These pictures aren't from today but its always nice to end with pictures.

Maverick the College Graduate and leaving paradise

It has taken longer than expected (thanks to me making him drop some classes and a semester).

BUT

My wonderful amazing husband is now (or gonna be in a few hours) a college graduate.

Hyrum and I are very PROUD of him! 

But mostly just me since Hyrum doesnt really have an opinion yet. 

And very VERY grateful for all the hardwork that he has done during his last semester. 

Full-time student, part-time job, senior research plus he packed up our WHOLE house by himself.

Told you he was AMAZING!

I wish, more than anything at this moment, that we are in Hawaii to celebrate with him.

Ive been looking forward to this day since I graduated a year and a half ago.

I was excited to do a graduation photo shoot, then make his grad invite/announcement, plan a little shindig with his workmates and friends.

I was excited to pack up our house, do garage sales and give stuff away.

I was VERY excited to leave the BYUH/Laie bubble and move to the real world.

I wish I was there.

I wish I was there.

I wish I was there.

I thought I was ready to leave Hawaii.

I'M NOT.

I am 4 months less of ready.  

I feel like i've been robbed of that 4 months that was necessary to properly say goodbye to paradise.

I had 5 AMAZING years in BYUH.

I grew up A LOT during those 5 years. 

A LOT!

The people that I encountered there will continue to inspire me.

 The experiences that I had will be treasured FOREVER.

Most importantly.

I met my eternal companion there. 

and was sent out first angel.

Hawaii is definitely my special place. 

Maverick flies to Idaho on Monday and will (hopefully) start looking for a house and car for us.

Which means that Hyrum and I will go straight to the mainland once my visa gets approved.

Dont get me wrong, I am VERY excited.

Im excited to start our new life.

Im especially EXCITED to be with my college graduate again.

BUT, mark my word Hawaii.

I WILL BE BACK!