TGFS - Thank goodness for the sun!

Weekend Wrap-up: This weekend was a blur! 

Friday Zac, Randy and I went out to dinner at Duke's with several guys from the boat, and were then DRENCHED thanks to the frequent rain storms we have been having here on Oahu. After that, Zac and I decided to call it a night. When going out in Waikiki in the "rainy season", always bring an umbrella. Even if it clashes with your outfit. ;)

Saturday Zac studied, then came home and we all ate lunch (pigs in a blanket!) and just relaxed at home for the afternoon (which was rainy and miserable). We ended up watching "Cars", which was playing on the Disney Channel, since neither Zac or Randy had seen it. That made me laugh a little. While they were watching the movie, I thought that I would explore and join Twitter. I am now learning about how to "tweet", and reading funny posts from friends, Ellen and Tina Fey! Fun times. We shall see if I actually get in to this phenomenon. So far, it is entertaining. That evening we went to the Dolphin Scholarship auction at the Hickam Officers' Club. This event raises money for future Naval officers. Each ward room (officers on a boat) stationed at Pearl Harbor donates an item for the live auction, and the wives of their boat put together something for the silent auction. The event was very nice, highly entertaining and raised a lot of money for a great cause. Afterwards Zac, Randy and I came home and watched "The Changeling". What a feel good movie! (NOT!) However, it is a great story that I knew nothing about, and I am glad that we saw it. 

This morning Zac and I went to First Prez Church again, and to our surprise, Dave the Horn Guy opened the service with the theme song from Mario Bros.! It was pretty entertaining. Then, the President and CEO of the International Justice Mission, David Haugen, spoke about IJM and their mission and work. It was very interesting, and really made you think about other issues and areas of the world we don't generally think about. After church we grabbed a quick lunch at home and FINALLY headed to the beach! There has been so much rain and cloudiness lately, that I have not been to the beach in 2 weeks! That is WAY too long for living in HI. I will NOT let that happen again, unless the weather stands in my way. We spent all afternoon at Lanikai beach and soaked up the much needed energy from the sun. There were lots of people at the beach, which made me wonder why - but then I remembered - it's Spring Break for lots of people these next couple of weeks. We left the beach later this evening, grabbed some last minute groceries at the Marine Corps base, and enjoyed burgers on the lanai with Deryk P. and Joe L. What a great ending to an enjoyable weekend. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about how hard it is to be so far away from the people that I love and care about! I absolutely LOVE Hawaii, but I do wish that were closer to our friends and fam. I am really feeling the separation anxiety and sadness. But, I am concentrating on fun things ahead.

Tomorrow my friends (and Randy's wife and children) Carey, Brianna and Austin arrive for 10 days!! I am so excited for them to be here!! This week will definitely be a fun and busy one - and an emotional boost for me. I am sure that I will have a lot of posts for you this week.

Much love,

RAWE

PS - OH! And, I will have to mention, week before last TARGET opened on Oahu in 2 locations. I made a quick trip to the Salt Lake location for some card stock last week, but ran in and out, and didn't get to really enjoy the whole brand new Target experience. Soooo, this week Melissa, baby Mason and I went out to the Kapolei Target for some shopping and to enjoy the new store! I didn't find many things that I absolutely could not live without, however the whole experience was very comforting. :) I felt more like I was at "home" in the new store, and it is reassuring to know that one of my faves is now on the island - and in 2 locations! (It even smelled like new - and like Target! Ahhhhh.)