Pacing Myself

I've had to give in and pace myself, take breaks and rest more. Maybe my Alaska-acclimated blood is still too thick for the heat here, or . . . . but I'll just have to save parasailing and hula lessons for the next time (though I've had two offers of places to stay if I want to extend my time here).

So Monday morning yoga under the palm trees (today photographed by a Japanese promotion team for ads back there!) while Pihalani practiced her yoga stretches at home (her left arm was straight up but she moved when I took the picture), then a walk into central Waikiki to International Market which is the only place on the island that sells fanny packs (the zipper broke on the one I brought), and just a half hour relaxing on the beach. On the way back to Sans Souci along the ocean I saw a man in a thong bathing suit -- the front just a strip of cloth from low-riser elastic (Amazon has a lot of samples...) -- and I turned for the back view and a charming, handsome guy walking his bike next to me struck up a conversation, "You don't see that very often, huh." I told him I was sorry not to have my camera for my blog and he gave me some great blog quotes to use (if I'd gotten a picture, that is).

Then off to Ono Hawaiian Foods, since this is about the last time I'll be able to work this in. Fuzzy photo of interior, walls plastered with photos of the famous who've been there (I recognized Lily Tomlin). The nice man asked if I wanted fresh or day-old poi (??!); day-old is tarter and more sour, and I chose that. He gave me some fresh to compare--hard choice. I got the combination of course (chicken lau lau), to try everything. Since "ono" means "delicious" in Hawaiian, no wonder it was fabulous. What I hadn't known is that everything is dipped in the poi; I used to just eat the poi straight. The cooked taro leaves were the best I've had, and the haupia melt-in-your-mouth.

Simple Day

Finally remembered the Sunday Kundalini yoga in the park at 8:30, so was up early. I had thought the session would focus on breathing, and it did, but with very intense physical accompaniment. My right shoulder, hip and knee protested, as did my lower back, and somehow, like lomilomi, that yoga session wiped me out. It was a revelation, though, to see just how this form of yoga works. Six of us were there and there was music and the young teacher was really nice and welcoming. It was over by 11 and I had brought what I needed to hang out at the beach, so I did. Just vegged, reading again "The Neutral Zone" in William Bridges' Transitions. He reassures us that the long long emptiness that is the neutral zone part of transition, but which is dismissed or medicated in this day and age, is normal and needed. In this neutral time, "we don't really think in any way that produces definite results." Yet, everyone is expecting me to come up with definite results. I keep going back to Bridges to remind myself that it is OK that I can't. Maybe the Kundalini plus the struggle with the neutral zone plus the ice cubes they put in the ocean today all conspired to wipe me out, and I made it back to collapse in the bed by mid-afternoon. Still barely functional this evening, but back, shoulder, hip and knee feel fine! Go figure.

The Princess Pihalani was greatly heartened by a visit from my friend's son. She showed up on the bed in the master bedroom again while I rested this afternoon and evening, and was friskier. She must understand her "family" has not deserted her for this non-cat-lady, with whom she nevertheless gets along quite well. But she doesn't seem to understand when I tell her that in just a week her beloved mistress will be here with her. Cat heaven is on its way, Piha.

Sunny and warm . . . still

Yesterday afternoon I hung out with my old colleague from Japan, Barbara, on U of H Manoa campus. We had lunch in the the Sustainability Court, outdoors, all food vegetarian, parasols over wooden tables, and talked the afternoon away. So much to catch up on. It's good to get together with old buddies! We were so engrossed in all we had to say I forgot I had the camera in my purse! And me with my "I'm blogging this" T-shirt on, too.

The Princess Pihalani had a new trick up her sleeve today, in addition to her early morning flying-leap-onto-the-bed trick, and that was the disappearing trick. I couldn't find her anywhere, and no, no doors or windows were open to the outside! Finally, she moved and there on a shelf she was curled up. Whew! She loves to be outside, and will stay two hours or more. Not being a cat person, I cannot figure out how to get her to come back into the house when I want her to. Must be a secret code word, or something. But, I don't think I'll ever learn catspeak....

Pihalani, the Huntress

Went to early morning yoga class in the park next to the Aquarium on Waikiki.
Having forgotten to water the cat, then forgotten my purse, my third re-departure was the charm and I was just a bit late. Joined in and stretched out. Only Mondays from 8-9 a.m. View of palm trees from yoga position was restful! Walked down Waikiki to get a coffee, and caught a few rays on the beach along the way. Holiday today so lots of groups and grills, even at 9 in the morning!

Piha seemed glad I got back around lunchtime with various supplies for her gleaned from one end of Honolulu to the other. While putting things where they were needed for her, I did glimpse a lizard like the ones always on the walk outside sprinting across the back room and sure enough, a few minutes later here came Piha with her prize. No, she did not want to relinquish it. And yes, dear readers, I didn't post the photo with the full prize on display, but if there is demand to see it......can do! To give her a treat after having her prize taken from her, she got to go outdoors for as long as she wanted. I dogged her steps, if one dogs the steps of a cat, since if she ever got out of my sight I'd faint.

During my lucky Walmart stop (downtown/has parking garage!) for Piha's supplies that were not in stock the last four times I tried, I found what she needed and also got myself a cool little lunch bag for beach days (it looks huge here, but it can hold a sandwich and a drink). Now, I can stay and stay and stay on the beach of my choice! Discovered there is lots of shade on Waikiki, so may add some more beaches. Beautiful day but I am oomph-less, so taking it easy in the house.

Did manage some needed sleep in the afternoon, so went out for dinner for the first time--to Mekong II Thai just down the street (no Web site). Details tomorrow with leftovers.

Slow Day 3

Must be Island Time, but taking it real easy, watching the rain come and go, and not getting into High Gear quite yet. Zen Habits is my new path, I love "10 Simple Ways to Do Only Three Things Today" and so wrote down three last night: Call for hair appt; mail card to Burleigh and go to library to get library card and books; unpack. Ate breakfast, unpacked and tried to call before even opening the computer! What a great notion!! Three things a day just might be doable! Cuts the stress, for sure.

Piha came up on the bed, to her usual spot, this morning at first light, so she's accepting that I've done something to make her mistress disappear--at that time I was sleeping without the CPAP mask/machine on, so we'll see if she comes at night tonight. She doesn't meow when she wants something, like the cats back in Alaska do, but comes and winds around my legs and we do mental telepathy which is working just fine! But taking pictures of her is a challenge; as soon as she realizes I am, she heads for me as fast as she can come, thinking we are about to play together--just will not pose! Some people are like that, too, have you noticed?

Sleepy in Hawaii

Day 2 in Hawaii: Since this is my diary blog, where I tell the unvarnished truth, let me say I am so tired and sleepy I can hardly navigate. Very little sleep last night with lateness of to bed and Pihalani, who sleeps all day and prowls and teases all night. Plus my discovery of rainout with my CPAP machine--even with humidifier on lowest setting, it must be too humid here to use a humidifier....have to study up today. So only went to Manoa Marketplace, close by and residential driving and familiar to me. Wind so strong it turned umbrella inside-out and the handle punched me alongside the head! Sun back out by the time I got settled back at the house, of course!

Pihalani thinks the twistee on my power adaptor is awonderful toy--bye bye, twistee!