Aloha everyone,

This is my last post. I arrived in New York yesterday morning...flying eleven hours straight is no joke. Anyways before I forget, I had an amazing last morning in Maui. Woke up at Bethany's in Pe'ahi, went to the smoke shop where Scott showed me how he blows glass, saw Perri, had TWO crepes at Des Amies (thanks for getting me addicted Big Bernie), and said farewell to Cindy. Situs, the guy who I rented a car from, drove me to the airport on super last minute notice and introduced me to the most attractive man I've ever met. haha. Seriously, the North Shore hosts the most attractive men in the entire world...especially during Winter when the surf is big I've heard. 

Anyways, I took the quick flight over to Oahu and had crazy culture shock looking at the buildings. I actually had a plan to jump ship in Oahu and stay there for a couple of days. I was hoping that the airlines were overbooked and they would let me stay in Waikiki with a travel voucher. Welp for wishful thinking? I mean I probably could have stayed, but I didn't have a plan really. When I finallly saw NYC, it was early morning but was very dark....super unusual. It was an interesting way to see the city, especially since it is always illuminated with all the buildings and lights. A little freaky honestly. Anyways, Sarah and Derek are world class because they came and picked me up from JFK at 6:30am on a Saturday. I had no idea the gas situation was that serious. Anyways, I'm home...and a little disoriented. I'm neither happy or sad that I'm here in New York or that I left Maui. I crave the beach and the water (mostly the greenery), but my friends just think its "Maui withdrawal". I'm so glad that a couple friends urged me to document this journey. I can't stop looking at all the pictures I took, or re-reading my blog posts. This truly was the trip of a lifetime for me and I feel incredibly blessed that I was able to go. I think I turned a little "hippie dippie" while I was over in Maui. I feel so happy and free! It's such an incredible feeling. I hope everyone I know gets to feel this kind of free. It's amazing. I really cant believe I began to "find" myself and start to change into the woman I'm going to become on this amazing little island in the middle of the Pacific. I'm so happy. SO, so, so happy.

 My goodbye to Ho'okipa. I think I sat on this rock for maybe 30 minutes. What a perfect day. I had such an incredible last week, it was almost like the island wanted to give me a perfect little goodbye.

 Perri and I! Would you believe we had no good pictures? GWSB whaadddupp. Girl, hold my water bottle and make Graham give it to me when I return so we can actually meet. haaaaa.

 A Maui Mermaid and a Maui Goddess. A perfect match...don't tell Jason. ahahha.

 Seriously. SERIOUSLY?! Tell me this isn't the sweetest. 

 I got this as I was waiting in line to go through security. I was so tempted to leave the airport.

I think Bethany is going to convince me to come back. Seriously, she sent me a picture that said "Maui misses you" while I was out last night trying to defeat jet lag. Seriously girl, you're going to make me cry! I'll be back for a reunion bonfire with a pinata and firedancing. 

Sidenote: 4,014 VIEWS IN TWO AND A HALF MONTHS?! CRAZY. Thanks for reading and experiencing my journey with me! Mahalo. I'm pau for now. A hui hoa, Maui. Brian was right, Maui is a true seductress...I'll probably be back in a couple of weeks. Prepare for my [potential] arrival.

With warmest aloha, 

MJ

ps.  Cindy, send me some candles, a puka shell bracelet, a sprig of tuberose, a box of Mauna Loa MacNut chocolates and some POG. Ya girl is in withdrawalllll. See ya soon goddess, aloha.

Alohaaaaa,

This is my last post (I think). I just woke up at Bethany's and I'm going to finish packing before I head off to the airport. 13 hours straight shot. SHEESH. 

Anyways, yesterday I had the most perfect day. It started after waking up at the suite in Lahaina...

After we all decided to leave the hotel, I wanted to make sure that I spent some time over there because I never really go to those beaches since they are pretty far. I had the snorkel gear that Manny and Robin had loaned me and I knew I had to return it so I wanted to do that as well. They live in the Ritz Carlton residences maybe five minutes from the hotel we were in so it worked out perfectly. I showed up somewhat unannounced (I called, but no answer woops) and they were there! They were so kind and hospitable, it really was nice to be with them. First of all their view is spectacular, and their company tops even that! It really has been a full circle trip for me.

Anyways, before I left Manny offered me a massage! Him and Robin are licensed massage therapists and I was so excited. Hello, have you ever had a massage from someone who was visually impaired? Hello, free massage?! I would never in three hundred years turn that down. Anyways, because Manny is visually impaired he has an insane sense of touch and I'm telling you it was the best massage I have ever had. It wasn't even a skimpy massage! I thought he meant maybe just my back and traps but it was my WHOLE body, even my head, face and toes! I had a knot in my butt...but why?! Who even knows. Robin was sitting there, and it was the middle of the day but I literally felt like I was on cloud 100,000. She was reading from this book, Manny had those massage sounds like ocean and whatnots on, and it was amazing. I couldn't even speak afterwards and he gave me a pair of earrings that his daughter made! Seriously, HOW ADORABLE. 

The view. I felt like I was in a spa. This their view!!

 Thank you so much Manny and Robin! You guys are rockstars. I appreciate everything SO much!!!

After the world's greatest, most unexpected massage, I decided for my last full day in Maui I wanted to go to Ka'anapali Beach. I got there and it was the PERFECT day to tan. Seriously: blazing sun, perfect clear water, the sand has a gold shimmer to it and no breeze. I had the best beach day by myself! 

A perfect day. I really messed up which island was which, but the one that is really close and full of craters is Lana'i. I'm positive of that. 

After that, I went to Kihei to give Nicole back a sweatshirt and say goodbye. The sun was beginning to set and I knew it was going to be a pretty spectacular sunset. I've had quite a few while I've been here. It was SO beautiful. Oh my goodness, Maui really was sending me off in style. Nicole and Janus were so great to me while I was here. When I come back (potentially in a few weeks), I'll come bearing cheeses! 

And finally I was on the road back to Haiku. As I got to Pa'ia, Clarissa called me! Seriously, this day really got better! Cherry on top! I miss her already. She was the key that enabled all these friendships and people into my life. Seriously, a spectacular streak of gold intertwined in my whole trip was her. A million thank you's and a million bernies, Big Bernie. I got to Colleen's for a final dinner with Cindy and Jason and had the most delicious pasta. Yum! Crashed at Bethany's again and we watched the Pimp Chronicles before passing out. Originally the plan was to have a going away bonfire with a pinata (guess who's idea the pinata was?) but we were all to tired from Lahaina. 

Anyways, it really is over. I had a blast. Initially my time here was hard and I really am proud of myself that I made it work out for me...huge accomplishment. I learned so much about myself and I was stuck at a beaaautiful wedding venue assisting with some gorgeous weddings. I am so happy I decided to randomly leave and do this. I feel so sad that I'm leaving, but I know I'll be back. I can't just leave this place. I fell in love with fish, outdoor activities, veggies, salads (!) and mostly myself! It has so much of me and I can always remember that Maui was the place where I really started to find myself, by myself. How incredible is that. I am so happy. Anyways, I'll be back!!

....Probably sooner than later.

With warmest aloha, 

MJ

Aloha,

Halloween was insane! Bethany, Jake, Scott, Lydia and I went down to the West side because Lahaina is the place to be during Halloween. Their main street, Front Street, gets crazy packed and people show up in the most ridiculous costumes. Bethany was able to snag us a hotel suite for ridiculously cheap so we decided to stay on that side and take a shuttle which worked out really well for us. 

Anywho, Halloween was intense. It was such a blur. There were so many interesting things going on that I couldn't keep track of all of them. Literally, the only thing that really comes to mind is I saw someone dressed up as bacon and we had a short conversation that ended with him saying, "see you for breakfast". L-O-L. I am dying again. That was so funny. ahahhahahaha. 

Well anyways, Lahaina went all the way OFF. I had a blast. The hotel suite was crazy. 2 pull out beds and a king size bed. No one had to worry about driving so we all had an insane time. They had these little gecko sculpture things on the wall as if they were climbing and I thought it was kind of cute. I was freaked out a little because it would have been a HUGE gecko, but when I realized it was plastered on the wall I thought that the resort was just humourous. I've come so far regarding geckos. Hahah. Anyways, we ended up going back, getting a little more crazy and breaking into the resort pool and hottub. Bethany literally was swan diving into the deep end and I nearly passed out in the hot tub it was so freaking perfect and comfortable there.

 Got there early so I hit the beach. Seriously, this sign was awful. So rude! Hahah, I checked it out and could see it was live but I made sure you couldn't see me!

 Front Street. This was my only picture. I seriously couldn't even make this up.

 BACON. 

I sent my friend Jacq a picture of me and the bacon. Seriously, why is bacon so delicious? I'm obsessed.

 We were all so tall. Bethany was the only person shorter than me and she's like 5'9! It was a tall people parade.

 Jake in the back, Lydia in the front and Bethany to my right. 

 Some guy who said he knew me? LOL. 

Aw. So adorable!

That was my Halloween. Hope you enjoyed yours!

With warm aloha, 

MJ