Its been a while since I last shared my thoughts with the world. Getting home tonight from a long day of running around, meeting up with new friends, and probably spending too much money, it seemed to be a perfect moment for public self-reflection. Why? Because I have been here for 49 days. That's 7 weeks. That's almost 2 months. I'm making it.
You may be pondering: "what has Mr. Wellman been doing in Hawaii this whole time while I have been going about my life in Minnesota, New York, Kansas, LA (or wherever you may have been)?" Honestly, I've been splitting much of my time between school, the University, and my home in Hawaii Kai. In fact, driving between these various places takes a long time. My 18 mile commute in the morning takes almost an hour on a busy day. The H1 Freeway spreads across the southern edge of Oahu. It seems that all 900,000 of Oahu's residents travel this little stretch of highway at some point between 6am and 9am or between 2pm and 6pm. I've been learning to enjoy Hawaii Public Radio in my Buick (who I have named Toni). On the bright side, I am starting to recognize people and their cars each morning when I sit in traffic. My favorite happens to be this older woman who drives a jaguar, always wears cat print, and has a stuffed cat in the back window of her car. She is a cougar and makes me laugh each morning.
I have enjoyed living in Hawaii Kai. How could you not? This is the neighborhood filled with Hawaii's rich and sometimes even famous. The who's who of the island. The ocean is minutes away by foot (though I don't really go there often), and it really doesn't rain here because of where the mountains are situated in relation to my house. My house is beautiful. The marble floors and granite counters never really get old. My housemates are though, but I care about them, regardless of their ages. Ah, the Golden Girls of Po'ipu Drive.
As funny as this place is, I will be moving in just about a week. The traffic is just too much for me each morning and afternoon. A younger crowd is probably more my style. Gated homes are nice, but I don't see many people when I go for walks. I want a friendlier town. My new friend Allison lives in this town called Kailua (not to be confused with Kailua-Kona on the big island). She babysits for this lady who has a BEAUTIFUL home right next to the beach. She happened to have a studio for rent when I was enjoying a beer at a bbq in this town, so Allison brought me over. Within a few days, I was signing a year-long lease (though the land lady says she is reasonable if something comes up). The more I look at this town, the more it is for me. Its mid-sized, has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (that I live on!), and a person can bike pretty much anywhere he or she wants to go in town. The idea of living by myself is a little scary. I've hardly had my own room, never mind my own apartment. The great thing about this place is that it is a two room studio with a bathroom. Still not big, but bigger than a "normal" studio. So far, I own a bed, a sofa-chair and an ottoman. That's about it. Craigslist is going to continue to be my good friend.
The Entrance: The studio is a converted garage
MY HOUSE IS GREEN!
My Living Room/ Kitchenette and Peak of the Bathroom
Notice the wood floors: Nice, eh?
This is the beach, a similar view from just steps away from my new home
Actually, a free place to do homework (granted I find a good umbrella)
Outside of home life, I've been pretty busy with school. Graduate school is awesome and actually fun! This is what I've heard it is supposed to feel like. A normal day consists of me going driving to Moanalua High School, checking in with the other students, then running around all day watching different teachers teach. We have Guided Observation Forms (GOFs) we fill out in each class, with questions such as "How does the classroom teacher resolve potential discipline problems" etc. Basic stuff, getting our heads in the right place for successful student teaching next semester. WHOA. That's soon!
Some highlights from school so far are
-Hanging out with Ms. Hawaii and discovering we have the same camera
-Singing Karaoke with the 7th grade students
-Going to the pep fest/assembly and freaking out at how awesome the marching band and cheerleaders were
-Judging the song competition at the high school
-Being called Mr. Wellman (this was my dream)
Its been challenging to meet new friends, but I feel like I am finally getting there. There is not really a problem in meeting people, its just meeting people who I find would make a good, meaningful friends. Sometimes that means going to a party where I only know one person, or sometimes staying home and watching a movie by myself on Friday night. The important thing, I have found, is to go places when invited. Even if it is out of the comfort zone. Talk to strangers (unless you are in elementary school). And make an effort to meet new friends. They don't come find me, that's for sure. It is hard to compare this experience in Hawaii to anything I did at home. In Minnesota, almost all of my good friends were in some sort of a group or organization with me. I don't have that here, since I am an adult. This is a good challenge for me, though sometimes lonely.
Keeping busy has been a good way to not think about missing home and friends/family who I left behind. Outside of school I have been involved in the Honolulu Community Concert Band. I already have a concert coming up in just a week! And two concerts the following two weeks as well. Playing the trombone feels FANTASTIC. Its been almost a year since I have really been involved in playing regularly with a band (besides Tempo Rosa, my beloved quintet at the U of M).
Still looking for a job. The gelato place didn't work out (and I think they hate me now).
That's all for now. I could type forever, but I am getting sleepy!
