Things I love about the state of Hawaii:
*People actually say "howzit" to greet someone and say "yeah?" after every other sentence... e.g. "Howzit! You drivin the black truck today yeah?"
*No tailgating
*The food!
*I can drive all over the entire island in under 3 hours, unless it's rush hour in Honolulu (that alone takes about an hour)
*Aloha shirts
*Sunsets over the ocean
*Locals think it's really far if you have to drive over 30 minutes to get somewhere
*Rice is offered as a side for every single meal option
*No racism towards what most people back home would consider minorities, here it's just the white tourists who get looked down on
*Healthcare... every employer is required to provide a generous healthcare package to any employee working over 20 hours/week. In my case, this means free health and vision and only $10/month for dental. The plan pays 100% of costs with a very small or non-existent copay or deductible. It starts within one month of employment.
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There's a couple things I don't like (there's not much to dislike about this place)
Getting directions...
examples of actual directions I've received:
*Just go up a ways
*Head toward town
*Just go north, you'll run right into it
*Keep the mountain on the left, and you'll be good
*Is the sun in front of you? If it is, you're heading the right way
*Just head up the mountain, I'll meet you at the road
*It's just up the road, I don't know the exit number. We don't go by numbers
*I'll stand outside my house. Just look for me
I guess the locals don't use mileage. I'd be surprised if they even knew what an odometer is. No matter how many times I've asked "how many miles away is it? What's the street number?" I can't get a straight answer.
Potholes...
The roads here are horrible. I'm not sure if it's the amount of vehicle traffic across them or the softness of the ground underneath, but there are potholes everywhere. HUGE frakkin' potholes. Some of the roads have steel plates laid across them because the potholes are too big and just keep coming back.
Roaches...
Another thing that seems to be everywhere. The roaches here must be really resilient. They're big and light colored. I've seen them in gas stations, at nice restaurants, and every single place we've lived has had a problem with them. Perhaps I'm building up a resilience to them as well, because after the first few times I freaked out and stomped on them, they stopped "bugging" me. They've just become a part of island life. Even in the restaurant, where I should have been completely grossed out, I just laughed it off and turned it into a joke at the dinner table. We set out feeder traps and have sprayed in the apartment so we're not seeing them as often at least, but I know they're there... just waiting to help me finish off my cereal. (I put the cereal in air tight containers, just in case!) I actually had one climb up under my pants leg and crawl around on my calf while I was sitting on the couch. That was almost my undoing. After that, there's nothing here that can faze me.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Hawaii
Ivan and I are now in Hawaii. We will be here longer than we've been in the last two locations. I'm grateful for that. Moving is a pain, as is finding a new job for me and saying goodbye to the new friends I make at every workplace.
All in all, I enjoyed being in south Jersey. The people there were friendlier than I expected them to be. The traffic was bearable, once I got used to the strange rules of the road. My absolute favorite was actual enforcement of the left lane of a highway/interstate being for passing cars only. A motorist could be ticketed for cruising slow in the left lane.
Driving in NYC was also not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. I enjoy driving in an area that is divided up like a grid. It's so simple to navigate around and find your way out.
The island of Oahu, however, is exactly as I expected it would be. I was anticipating a form of paradise and I've definitely gotten that. The weather is beautiful even though we've arrived just in time for their winter, which means it's the rainy season. It stays cloudy quite a bit over the mountains and over Honolulu. We're on the north shore though, and don't get as much rain. The temperatures are just cool and breezy enough that I can sit in the apartment with the windows open and a fan blowing and not be hot. I'm sure that will change during the summer.
Right now, I'm still acclimating to the time difference. I'm 4 or 5 hours behind everyone I talk to, so now I have to try to remember that when I need to reach someone back home or call an office on the mainland, that I have to do it before noon.
I'm also getting used to the slower way of life here. I went from living in a town where people drove 70 mph between redlights to a place where the speed limit is 25 mph and there are hardly any redlights at all. Drivers actually stop in the middle of the road to let pedestrians and tourists cross the street instead of trying to run over them like in NYC and surrounding areas.
It's different, but in almost all cases, different is good.
All in all, I enjoyed being in south Jersey. The people there were friendlier than I expected them to be. The traffic was bearable, once I got used to the strange rules of the road. My absolute favorite was actual enforcement of the left lane of a highway/interstate being for passing cars only. A motorist could be ticketed for cruising slow in the left lane.
Driving in NYC was also not nearly as bad as people make it out to be. I enjoy driving in an area that is divided up like a grid. It's so simple to navigate around and find your way out.
The island of Oahu, however, is exactly as I expected it would be. I was anticipating a form of paradise and I've definitely gotten that. The weather is beautiful even though we've arrived just in time for their winter, which means it's the rainy season. It stays cloudy quite a bit over the mountains and over Honolulu. We're on the north shore though, and don't get as much rain. The temperatures are just cool and breezy enough that I can sit in the apartment with the windows open and a fan blowing and not be hot. I'm sure that will change during the summer.
Right now, I'm still acclimating to the time difference. I'm 4 or 5 hours behind everyone I talk to, so now I have to try to remember that when I need to reach someone back home or call an office on the mainland, that I have to do it before noon.
I'm also getting used to the slower way of life here. I went from living in a town where people drove 70 mph between redlights to a place where the speed limit is 25 mph and there are hardly any redlights at all. Drivers actually stop in the middle of the road to let pedestrians and tourists cross the street instead of trying to run over them like in NYC and surrounding areas.
It's different, but in almost all cases, different is good.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Getting ready for another move
It feels like we've just arrived yet we're already talking about the next move. We're set to leave in October/November. He's going in Oct. and I'm leaving in Nov. Once again I've finally started to make friends here and now I'm heading out again. But that seems like the way it's just going to be for a while. It's a good thing I'm such a friendly person. :)
We're heading to Hawaii this time around, near Honolulu. I have no idea what kind of place we're going to find to rent there. It's been hard to get a definite quote or even find out if anything is available. Most places want an exact move in date and we just don't have that yet.
I'm looking forward to this new location. I can't really say that I'll miss New Jersey too much. The people here just aren't as friendly as I'm used to and that's hard for someone like me to deal with. My coworkers are amazing and a lot of fun to be around during the day. I can honestly say that there hasn't been a day that I've dreaded coming into work. That's something, I suppose.
Ivan and I had a good time at Dragon Con in Atlanta during Labor Day. It had a bit of a weird vibe that wasn't there last year. I can't really explain what it was other than to say that it set the tone for the whole weekend and made the entire experience a little sub par. We had a horrible experience at the airport with the costume props not passing through security and having to be examined and cleared. So, we've learned our lesson with that. In the future, we'll take better precautions in getting the props to con, especially if flying.
We're heading to Hawaii this time around, near Honolulu. I have no idea what kind of place we're going to find to rent there. It's been hard to get a definite quote or even find out if anything is available. Most places want an exact move in date and we just don't have that yet.
I'm looking forward to this new location. I can't really say that I'll miss New Jersey too much. The people here just aren't as friendly as I'm used to and that's hard for someone like me to deal with. My coworkers are amazing and a lot of fun to be around during the day. I can honestly say that there hasn't been a day that I've dreaded coming into work. That's something, I suppose.
Ivan and I had a good time at Dragon Con in Atlanta during Labor Day. It had a bit of a weird vibe that wasn't there last year. I can't really explain what it was other than to say that it set the tone for the whole weekend and made the entire experience a little sub par. We had a horrible experience at the airport with the costume props not passing through security and having to be examined and cleared. So, we've learned our lesson with that. In the future, we'll take better precautions in getting the props to con, especially if flying.
Monday, July 19, 2010
New Jersey: We have arrived!
We've been in New Jersey a few weeks now, long enough to get a feel for the place. I like the area Ivan picked out for us to live. It's as far out of the ghetto as we could get. We're close to shopping and restaurants. We're close to Atlantic City, so if we feel like getting away for the day, we can head to the beach (not that either of us are fans of the beach, but it makes for some great people watching.)
The apartment here is bigger, even though it's 1 story. The rooms are really large. I don't have a lot of furniture (most of it is still in storage back home) so right now the place looks empty. But that's okay, I'm a minimalist anyway and prefer not to have clutter.
The apartment complex itself is really pretty. The grounds are well maintained, and there's a pool/gym on site. I have yet to check those out, but I will.
I don't like the traffic around town. The locals drive like hell between red lights and tailgate, which really bugs me. I don't think I'll ever get used to the speeding through towns and cutting people off. I'm used to a little bit slower pace.
I applied to work at the Sears store here. I might as well get a few hours a week there so I can keep my insurance with them. I'm still planning to start bartending in this location. The only problem with that here, is that there aren't a lot of opportunities outside of the casinos (which I've been told are union) and restaurants (who only hire from within.) I suppose being a server at a restaurant wouldn't be too bad and if I chose a chain, that would also give me transfer opportunity.
The apartment here is bigger, even though it's 1 story. The rooms are really large. I don't have a lot of furniture (most of it is still in storage back home) so right now the place looks empty. But that's okay, I'm a minimalist anyway and prefer not to have clutter.
The apartment complex itself is really pretty. The grounds are well maintained, and there's a pool/gym on site. I have yet to check those out, but I will.
I don't like the traffic around town. The locals drive like hell between red lights and tailgate, which really bugs me. I don't think I'll ever get used to the speeding through towns and cutting people off. I'm used to a little bit slower pace.
I applied to work at the Sears store here. I might as well get a few hours a week there so I can keep my insurance with them. I'm still planning to start bartending in this location. The only problem with that here, is that there aren't a lot of opportunities outside of the casinos (which I've been told are union) and restaurants (who only hire from within.) I suppose being a server at a restaurant wouldn't be too bad and if I chose a chain, that would also give me transfer opportunity.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
We move away from the country in T - 8 days
Our apartment inspection is scheduled for June 30th and we'll be hitting the road right after that is done. Ivan has been down to NJ once to look for apartments and has picked out a few that he likes. We'll probably be in a hotel for a week or two while we find a place or wait for an opening.
The places he has been looking at are farther north than I thought, so we'll probably be fairly close to Philadelphia.
I still have so much packing to do. I've managed to pack up the printer and my paperback books... 2 boxes. That's it. I just don't have any motivation. My retail job has sucked the life out of me. I get home from there and want to just do nothing. On my days off, I want to veg out on the couch. I don't even want to turn on the tv or the computer. I'm an empty shell on my days off.
That's actually a bit of exaggeration, but I feel that with time, I could certainly become that hopeless. I really hope I'm able to find a veterinary clinic or a bartending position open when we move. Maybe I'll find a veterinary clinic with a bar in the back. Wouldn't that be awesome?
The places he has been looking at are farther north than I thought, so we'll probably be fairly close to Philadelphia.
I still have so much packing to do. I've managed to pack up the printer and my paperback books... 2 boxes. That's it. I just don't have any motivation. My retail job has sucked the life out of me. I get home from there and want to just do nothing. On my days off, I want to veg out on the couch. I don't even want to turn on the tv or the computer. I'm an empty shell on my days off.
That's actually a bit of exaggeration, but I feel that with time, I could certainly become that hopeless. I really hope I'm able to find a veterinary clinic or a bartending position open when we move. Maybe I'll find a veterinary clinic with a bar in the back. Wouldn't that be awesome?
Friday, June 4, 2010
A tale of deli sandwiches, hunting and Canada... and fried ice cream
We went to a small local cafe last weekend. We were wanting to try out this nice fancy restaurant instead, but the restaurant was only open for dinner and we didn't want to hang around waiting for an hour an a half on it to open. So, we settled for the cafe. But, settling isn't really the right word because it ended up being pretty awesome.
The food was incredible. The quality was superb and the fresh taste of the sandwiches is enough to make my mouth water thinking about it right now. The prices were very reasonable and the amount of food received for the money spent was worth it. The Parisian decor made the atmosphere comfortable as well.
What impressed me even more than the food and the atmosphere, though, was the friendliness of the owners and staff. I guess they could tell pretty quickly we weren't "from around there" because the owner came out and asked us where we lived before and what we thought of the town. He told us how he started the business and the future renovations he planned. He told us about his trips to Canada and where the best touristy bars are located and where the coolest hotels are. It felt as though he was our own personal tour guide.
When we expressed a sense of disappointment at the lack of culture in this town, he explained that the people who end up being sent here (for work/military) and who stay do so because of the hunting environment. Upstate NY is fairly sparse in regards to big cities and covered instead with farmland, so what you're left with is hunting, boating and camping. It's a naturalist's dream, I suppose.
He also reinforced my discovery of there not being many available job opportunities. When I told him I had spent half my life working in the veterinary field and that I had wanted to find something similar when we moved here, he said that was a step up for most people around here, so there probably wouldn't be many job openings at places like that.
The owner of the cafe talked to us for about 30 minutes. I really enjoyed hearing a perspective of the town from someone who had lived there for most of his life. As we were finishing up our plates and getting ready to leave, one of the cooks brought out a bowl of fried ice cream for us. I'm not sure why we were chosen to get free dessert, but it just made the experience that much better overall.
If you're ever in upstate NY and visit a little city called Watertown, then please stop by Romalato's Delicatessen. You won't be disappointed.
The food was incredible. The quality was superb and the fresh taste of the sandwiches is enough to make my mouth water thinking about it right now. The prices were very reasonable and the amount of food received for the money spent was worth it. The Parisian decor made the atmosphere comfortable as well.
What impressed me even more than the food and the atmosphere, though, was the friendliness of the owners and staff. I guess they could tell pretty quickly we weren't "from around there" because the owner came out and asked us where we lived before and what we thought of the town. He told us how he started the business and the future renovations he planned. He told us about his trips to Canada and where the best touristy bars are located and where the coolest hotels are. It felt as though he was our own personal tour guide.
When we expressed a sense of disappointment at the lack of culture in this town, he explained that the people who end up being sent here (for work/military) and who stay do so because of the hunting environment. Upstate NY is fairly sparse in regards to big cities and covered instead with farmland, so what you're left with is hunting, boating and camping. It's a naturalist's dream, I suppose.
He also reinforced my discovery of there not being many available job opportunities. When I told him I had spent half my life working in the veterinary field and that I had wanted to find something similar when we moved here, he said that was a step up for most people around here, so there probably wouldn't be many job openings at places like that.
The owner of the cafe talked to us for about 30 minutes. I really enjoyed hearing a perspective of the town from someone who had lived there for most of his life. As we were finishing up our plates and getting ready to leave, one of the cooks brought out a bowl of fried ice cream for us. I'm not sure why we were chosen to get free dessert, but it just made the experience that much better overall.
If you're ever in upstate NY and visit a little city called Watertown, then please stop by Romalato's Delicatessen. You won't be disappointed.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Next Stop: New Jersey
We finally received word on what day we'll end up moving to the next location. The last few days of June will be our last days here. That means I have to start packing soon. I've got a few days off (lovely how part time employment does that to you) so I plan to start this week. Our pantry closet has become the catch-all for empty boxes and "stuff." It's like our own little mini storage unit. It's a mess, really.
I'm not too terribly excited about going to NJ. I guess I'm more resigned. I'm looking forward to meeting new people but I hate having to learn where everything is all over again. I'm terrible with directions and being in a new place always makes me a little nervous at first.
I'm scouting out apartments right now. The location we're being sent to has one of the highest crime rates in the state so I've been looking for bordering towns that have lower statistics. It's hard to do just using a map online. I wish I knew someone who lived in the area and could give me some advice about the best places to live.
We will be fairly close to the Philadelphia airport, which is nice. Southwest flies to Philly, so that means better rates on tickets to Nashville and I just prefer flying with Southwest instead of other airlines.
I'm not too terribly excited about going to NJ. I guess I'm more resigned. I'm looking forward to meeting new people but I hate having to learn where everything is all over again. I'm terrible with directions and being in a new place always makes me a little nervous at first.
I'm scouting out apartments right now. The location we're being sent to has one of the highest crime rates in the state so I've been looking for bordering towns that have lower statistics. It's hard to do just using a map online. I wish I knew someone who lived in the area and could give me some advice about the best places to live.
We will be fairly close to the Philadelphia airport, which is nice. Southwest flies to Philly, so that means better rates on tickets to Nashville and I just prefer flying with Southwest instead of other airlines.
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