You don't always get what you want......

There is so much to write, I started a story! But that will take me quite awhile to finish SO...here are the highlights so far.

After the first sailing trip to Oahu, I took the superferry back to Maui and then a couple days later took the superferry back to Oahu where I stayed for a week. Living in the harbor is like a whole nother world. You meet people sailing all around the world from a ton of different locations. Some sailing solo even. You hear horror stories of sailing and heroic tales. Mostly there is an abundance of information spread whether it be true or not. It makes me think about how they used to sail the trade routes and how harbors were a great place for people to spread information about what they had seen in foreign lands. More than anything it's a great introduction and extreme learning experience that gives me information about what I am about to embark on. I have been through every emotion possible dealing with this trip. This journey is a journey. Yes, it's my mode of transportation to the mainland but more importantly it's a time to reflect on my life and where I want to go next. It's time to get away from society for 23 days (hopefully). Oh and I was wrong about the boat....it's a catch with three sails - mizen, jib, and main sails.

I have met so many characters along the way. Another thing that is common on docks is that there these folks who live on their boats year round.....usually unemployed, always drinking and smoking, and very nosy. They watch everything you do on your boat and judge you and talk. It's quite annoying. But they are nice...don't get me wrong.

So, we went shopping at all the stores trying to find all the parts we needed for the boat and ended up so overspending that my friend has no more money. We crammed the subaru station wagon so full, people were pointing at us. The one thing I learned is that boats are expensive and stuff breaks all the time. That makes me quite nervous but my friend says...you just deal with it when you are out there....and if something major breaks it could take you two months to get to shore....that sounds pleasant and all.....but I am praying nothing breaks.

After spending a week of cramming supplies in every nook and cranny of the boat, we take off Sunday morning at 6 am and sail upwind back to Maui. I love watching how the wind powers the boat. I didn't realize the practical application of geometry in sailing...I would have learned it better when I was in high school. We are doing great on time until we hit Molokai and then the wind stops dead. Crap. We motor for 4 hours to find wind....no luck...so we tack and tack and tack again till we ride alongside Lanai past Shipwreck beach all the way down till we tack again straight for Lahaina and arrive at 12 midnight. We pass out from exhaustion and then I take the bus back to deal with repacking my bags BECAUSE....we are leaving too late for me to do Costa Rica so now I canceled my trip there. I am bummed but I can go to Costa Rica anytime...sailing across the ocean is something I may never get an opportunity like this one again. I am a beginner sailor and I am testing my own limits. I have made many mistakes so far but I am not giving up.

Challenges.....There are two challenges that are quite hard for me and they are the easiest thing to do on land. One is cooking on a moving boat with a swinging stove and stuff sliding every where. You have to brace yourself just to do anything on a sailing boat...and usually you are on an angle. I boiled my first pot of water. That was a feat and I am proud of myself that I didn't spill or pour it on me. The second challenge is going to the bathroom....haha...you laugh...it's hard....I have to hold on for dear life....and pulling up your pants in a little bathroom is hell. Sounds silly I know...but after 23 days I will be a pro.

So I will be sailing to Washington, staying there for a week or two and then heading to LA for a week or two and then back to Maui. You don't always get what you want and you can't always have it all. I learned to be happy with my choice and not be too bummed out except for the $150 dollar fee to change my ticket. Oh well....hey maybe I should submit this.....

$150 - Change fee for Costa Rica airfare so that I can sail across the ocean
$200 - Foul weather gear for Sailing trip
$400 - Two months supply of food for Sailing trip
Sailing across the ocean - PRICELESS

Money is money, but experiences that challenge you are worth every penny you spend.

love ya all!

The journey begins!!!

So my journey begins on monday june 23rd when i am taking the superferry to oahu...sailing back to maui on tuesday....stay for a couple days on maui then leave for Honolulu again and then up to Kauai....there is one drawback on the whole trip and that is that if I don't leave by a certain date then I will have to fly back to seattle so that I can catch my flight to costa rica...

I hope it all works out....there's got to be a master plan somewhere.

enjoy the photos.

The pre-pre-pre-pre sail.....

So I just got back from a little 12 hour sailing trip from Maui to Oahu...good practice...I have a lot to learn!!! And I realized how much work it was, but also how WORTH it it's going to be once I make it.....it was challenging, fun, stressful, tiring, but after we got there I realized that it was one of the coolest things I'd done (well at least for a long time...it's been a while since I traveled)...it was also very fulfilling, quiet, relaxing, and spectacular! The Full Moon was so bright we could see for MILES and MILES....we almost got hit by a huge tanker that came out of nowhere moving fast, I have tons of bruises, bumps, sore muscles, slammed toes, but it's so worth it. I am STOKED.

I will be going back to oahu Monday to sail back to maui...then we sail back to Oahu...then to Kauai to visit Juels and Angus and then on to San Juan Island and Seattle where I will then hop on a plane and head to Costa Rica for a month......ahh the life...the journey has already begun....I am feeling so much more determined and excited.....this is going to be a journey that will make me grow and strive more than I can imagine and I can't wait to really challenge myself to succeed.

anyways....i read this and it just felt perfect for how I was feeling so here you go.......

The Light never lies to us. It tells it to us straight: what you want is going to require hard work, but the fulfillment is yours to keep.

This is why, when faced with a difficult situation, we always want to go for it and really deal with the pain and discomfort. We want to pull our sleeves up and stick our hands in the mud. This is what will feed our soul and in the end actually teach us quite a lot about our potential.

Today, remember that you cannot discover your potential if you only take the easy route. It's like kids who learn very easily, but never want to work. How can they ever really discover how talented they are - and how far they can reach - if they're not challenged?

first day sailing tomorrow!

Well....this is the beginning or it could be the end!!!!

I am going to embark on the first part of the journey from Lahaina, Maui to Oahu! We are going with the wind and sailing overnight with the full moon as our company...me, Michael (the captain), Guacamole (co- cap for the journey) and our trusty boat Isabella! It is quite a pain because I have to take the bus from Paia to Lahaina (a three hour journey rather than the usual 45 minute drive) and then after the sail take the super ferry ( i know i know...I'm not proud of myself but it's WAY cheaper than flying and it's round trip!) back to Maui....leaving again next week to sail back to Oahu to get last minute supplies and on to Kauai and then on to Washington !! Yippee !!

So I am going to gauge how happy I am on the boat....and if this is NOT for me I will say thank you very much I opt not to go....however.....I think this will not happen and I will have a jolly grand time!!! haha!!!

PeAcIn OuT!
eLaNa

troubles.....

well part of my trip may be suspended! I hope I still have enough time to sail...whether has not been good and also we found a crack in the compression beam....had to order metal plates and got pushed back a week in Dry Dock.....praying hoping it works out...if not I will have to have PLAN B!!

The adventure began.....

27 and a half years ago when i popped out of my mama's belly and proudly proclaimed "Watch out world, Here I come!" So now 27 and a half years old, ready to embark on my next journey!!

I've have many fabulous journey's in my life.....here's a little taste of my experience:
Age 12 - Travel to stay with Hopi Indians for 3 weeks
Age 16 - Travel to Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala for 1 month
Age 16 - Travel to South Africa and Zimbabwe to study music for 1 month
Age 17 - Tour 8 states in a van - rock climbing, camping, studying geology and hiking
Age 18 - Travel to India, Nepal, Maldives, and Thailand for 2 months studying the lives of 4 women
Age 18 - Travel to Belize to work in local school for 1 month
Age 20 - Solo travel to Amsterdam, Italy, Kenya, India, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia for 1 year working/living/traveling.
Age 23 - Travel with Village Volunteers to Kenya and Ghana for 2 months
Age 25 - Travel to Israel (on the border of Jordan, Sudan, Egypt, and Lebonan during the war) for 2 months
Age 27 - Sailing from Hawaii to Washington on a 31' Sloop (1 month sailing) And then on to Costa Rica for a month.

I will post as much as I can....when I can...but will be unavailable for the month of sailing!

love you all!