Summer is already on its third week and time could not go by faster! I cannot believe that it is already July and we will soon be celebrating our country’s independence and stuffing our faces with loads of patriotic food. Summer has always been my favorite time of the year. It’s a time to spend with family, see faces that had been lost in the busy schedules, and a great excuse to eat more frozen yogurt. Being cold blooded, I am also deeply grateful for the warm days here in Oregon, it’s the one time of the year I do not have to wear 10 layers of sweaters and scarves just to stay sane.
Summer has also brought me back home to my beautiful mother’s house in Springfield. I spent my first night there last night and went for a run along the path that I had missed so much. Seeing the abundant blackberry blossoms along the side puts my spirit into excited anticipation for delicious smoothies and pies! I will be staying here for the Summer and moving back into the Young Life house for the school year.
Only four more days until I am soaking up the Sun’s rays on the beaches of Waikiki! So far we are planning on taking in every experience possible, however, we do not have any set plans. Spontaneity is our motto for the trip. With the beach two blocks away from the hostel, I do know that I want to wake up every morning and do my daily devotionals along side of the Ocean. What better way to have fellowship with God than surrounded by one of His most wondrous creations!? I will be taking full advantage of this. Lene has also recommended that I read Love Does, which I plan on doing along with my daily regimen.
Photo credit: Aloha-Hawaii.com
I have also been in the slow process of creating a bucket list for the trip. These are things that I want to make sure to do while in Honolulu:
-Catch some local flavor at the shops and restaurants on Kapahulu Avenue
-Eat my first Acai Bowl, shaved ice, and Malasada
-Hike to the Diamond Head lookout for a panoramic view on Honolulu
-Snorkel in Hanauma Bay
-Picnic on Queens Surf Beach
-Stroll Kalakaua Strip and listen to local street performers
-Score delicious $2 fish tacos at Tiki’s Grill on Taco Tuesday
-Attend a free yoga class on the Waikiki Beach Walk
-Experience a Luau
-Swim with the sea turtles
-Shop at the Mahiku farmers market
With more free time, I have been able to experiment with recipes that I have been wanting to try. I recently concocted my own vegan granola bars out of old fashioned oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, ground flax, crushed almonds, dates, pure vanilla extract, and bananas. I simply mixed everything together accordingly with 4 ripe bananas. Once the ingredients were mixed to my desired consistency and taste, I spread it evenly in a rectangle cake pan, and bake 400 degrees for about 25 minutes. Let them cool and enjoy!
delicious!
I have also enjoyed spending extra time with my beautiful housemates. Without the stress of classes and deadlines, the two weeks after finals were packed with girls nights and shenanigans. Nicole and Anna were even brave enough to let me ombre their hair! I must say, I was quite impressed with my skills.
Nicole’s ombre
Live for Loving 