Ice on Lake Michigan

Almost two years ago, I was leaving for Nantucket and a much-needed vacation. But since then, my world has turned around, and I have moved to a much different coastline. The water (when it isn't frozen) is no ocean. For almost a year now, I have been living near Lake Michigan, and this has been an experience like none other. I moved here to get married to my best friend, and I am so happy to be here. People ask me if I miss Hawaii, but I know that this is where I belong for right now. And even though the winter the past three (four...five?) months has been a little terrifying and horribly frigid, I love my life. Lake Michigan is a beauty, and we recently took a day trip to Grand Haven to pay a visit to the icy lighthouse. I apologize for slacking for so long on this blog, and I can't promise I will be here as much as I wish, but I hope to update you all when I can on this new Paradise I am living in.

Snow Addiction

If you know me at all, you know that I am a snow addict. Little did I realize when I moved to Hawaii that Snowoholics Anonymous has such a small attendance here. Not much moral support, if you know what I mean. But I find consolation my own way - it takes a bit of concentrated effort, but I'm happy to say that I've survived three years without the pleasures of frozen toes and snowy skies to brighten my day. My methods are perhaps out of the norm, and I rather think I am the only one in Hawaii who dares carry books with frosty titles (such as Snow,which I am currently perusing) to the beach on sunny days.

January is a very exciting time for snowoholics. The rush of Christmas is over and the world can settle in and wait for the snow. With all the recent snowpocalypses on the mainland, I feel a silent urge to be in the midst of it all. Snowboarding in Breckenridge - or ice skating in New York City - or even curling in Minnesota. If snow is somehow involved, I'm in. Too bad that bridge over the Pacific hasn't been built yet. My only release: the Winter X Games. As you may know, the X Games are the most Xciting, Xhilarating, Xtreme sports event on television. I realize I may have gotten a bit overexcited this year, especially since I got asked the question "What's with you and the X Games?" (as if I were dating them) and since I've been thinking in strange terminology lately (like, "so stoked to sit on this gnarly couch, watching sick tricks get stomped"). Healthy? Perhaps not, but in the long run, I feel like I've lived a little winter. Here's a clip of my favorite part of the X Games this year, when Torstein Horgmo landed a triple cork (first time ever in competition):

In case you've been wondering how the weather's like in Hawaii right now, don't ask. You don't want to know. All I can say is, I feel like I'm living in Jumanji. For instance, this is what the setting looks like:

But wait, there's more! Not only do you get the tropical lushness and equatorial sunshine, but order now and you will receive your choice of household slugs slogging down the hallway!

I actually thought this guy was sort of cute, but I still tossed him outside. No one wants to step on a slug with bare feet!

The Beginning of Plumeria Season

Seasons in Hawaii are confusing for me. The weather doesn't change enough for me to remember what time of year it is. This can be almost embarrassing, as I form a mental process to decide exactly what month it is: let's see, we've already had Christmas, school isn't out yet, oh and "Alice in Wonderland" just came out. It must be March! When the weather is in the 70s and 80s year-round, it can be hard to remember if it's summer or winter. That's not to say we don't have winter weather here. Hawaiian "winter" means rain and a small drop in temperature. But the trees are still green, and the birds are still flying, and everyone is still wearing shorts. 

I am slowly starting to perceive what seasons in Hawaii are. There is mango season and whale season and rainy season. But one season that I love very much is plumeria season. It mirrors the flowering seasons on the mainland. All "winter" the plumeria trees are stark, dead like skeletons. But come March, a few flowers begin to blossom. And then a few leaves show their faces. Before you know it, the whole tree is a-flower and breathing its sweet fragrance into the air. The plumeria trees flower all summer long, which is even better than mainland flowering trees. For those of you on the mainland, if you can find a scented candle or soap that smells like plumeria, you can smell a part of paradise.

The trees like skeletons 

Signs of life

Perfection