No Rest for Blue Jays and Eagles!

No Rest for Cardinals, Blue Jays or Eagles!

No sooner had we returned from Hawaii than it was time for Colin's orientation at Creighton. I have to say that we are in love with Creighton University, and I pray that this is a love affair that never dies! Their attention to detail is inspiring. Their student centeredness is awesome. The environment seems so personal. Colin received his roommate match, but Mitchell from Texas was going to attend a different orientation. Shucks!

I hope Colin loves it as much as we do...

..... and before he had time to say... "Blue Jays"... he received another call!

Colin didn't have a chance to recover from his Creighton orientation on July 6th and 7th before he received word that his Eagle Board of Review would be on Thursday night, July 8th. Yikes... this was a moment, he had worked toward for many years, and all of a sudden it was here. Ian and I were pacing the floor at the cabin in Vermont (which was probably a lot better for Colin than pacing the floor in Norfolk). Finally, we got word... Colin had passed with flying colors!

Hip, Hip, Hurray! We are all proud of you, Colin.

Old Lahaina Luau: Traditional Hula and Feast

Old Lahaina Luau: Traditional Hula and Feast

My Sister Pattie and I could not think of a more appropriate way to end our Hawaiian adventures than to go to the Old Lahaina Luau. It was amazing. Not only was the buffet meal incredible, it was really a theater presentation about many of the Hawaiian traditions that come from historical events or their faith lives. We arrived early and made our way around the exhibitions. Some young men and women were learning to Hula, while others clustered around the pig that was roasting underground in a "imu" - the Hawaiian underground beachside oven. (Clint and Syd, your hog at Colin's graduation party was WAY better!) They also served Laulau, which are described as "succulent bundles of pork wrapped in taro leaf", Poi, Ahi (yellow fin tuna), Ogo (seaweed), He'e (octopus), rice, stir fry vegetables, and lots of salads: crab, taro, pohole and salmon.

"Traditionally Hawaiians had many occasions for feasts and celebrations. Whether centered around a seasonal event or a victorious battle, there were often days of preparation for such events. 'Kalo' or 'taro' has always been the staple of the Hawaiian diet. The root of the plant is mashed to make 'poi' and the spinach like leaves are used in the wrapping and steaming of fish and vegetables. The leaves are referred to as 'lu'au' and are used in popular dishes such as 'squid lu'au' and 'chicken lu'au'. Today 'lu'au' has come to mean an informal gathering of people for food and entertainment. The Hawaiian values of laulima - many hands working together, and ho'okipa - hospitality, are important aspects describing the work of the preparation for a lu'au and the importance of 'welcoming guests' in the Hawaiian culture. Indeed, these ingredients are important parts of the Old Lahaina Lu'au experience as well" (www.oldlahainaluau.com).

The evening's performances were riveting! First, it began with Ote'a, a tribute to the drum. Next came Kahiko, which all relate to stories from Hawaiian mythology. Next came a testament to the missionary era in Hawaii's history. "After being 'banned' by the missionaries, hula was performed publicly for the first time in more than half a century at the King's coronation ceremony in 1883" (www.oldlahainaluau.com). Next came the Auana which focused on the more modern aspects of hula... BeachBoys' style. This would have been my husband's favorite part. The finale was a fast-paced dance off which had dancers showcasing their amazing talents. I was moved by the beauty and faith that corresponded with this art form and communication style.

Love and hospitality permeated this island for us. Wherever we wandered when we were on Maui, people said and showed aloha. "Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. Since the middle of the 19th century, it also has come to be used as an English greeting to say goodbye and hello. Currently, it is mostly used in the sense of hello; however, it is used as the above. It is also the state nickname of Hawaii, the 'Aloha State'" (wikipedia).

What an inspirational place, a gracious people and a magical time in our lives. By the time we left, Maui had become a part of us. The warm sunny beaches will be in our hearts and minds during our blinding Nebraska blizzards. The humble hospitality is what I hope to embody the most someday. Peaceful, gentle, yet so very happy... and that brings me back to our precious, little Addie, and her miraculous birth on July 4, 2010.

As the finale was unwinding at the Luau, the narrator said that it is a Hawaiian tradition for a family to have a luau on a baby's first birthday. I think that would be a wonderful way to celebrate Addie's first birthday along with her parents Brian and Katrina, Ben and Caitlin's first anniversary and the legacy of my Mom and Dad's anniversary of July 4th. Addie missed Uncle Ben and Aunt Cait's wedding in Hawaii, but she scored big time by being born on her great Grandparents' anniversary date. The story of her birth will forever be merged with the lore of their love!

The Magical Wedding of Ben and Cait

The Magical Wedding of Ben and Cait

Just when Stockholm, Sweden was all a buzz with their royal wedding, so too were we all a buzz about Ben and Cait's nuptials. Princess Victoria married her personal trainer, and I guess Ben did too. Okay... maybe that is forcing the comparisons!

I guess I will cluster the next couple of days together because they were all encompassing the wedding celebration. On Friday morning, we were waking up in our new condo when my brother Wayne, nephews Ben and Brian and Caitlin's cousin Lou were walking up the golf course to our back deck!

The rehearsal dinner was at the Grand Wailea that night was to be held in the humuhumunukunukuapua'a restaurant which was more like a Tiki Hut- a beautiful, elegant, but very casual Tiki Hut! Although the highlight of the evening would have to be meeting all of Ben and Caitlin's friends and family members, the food was a close second. As an appetizer, we had Maple bbq pork ribs. The salad was called Kula Lau'ai with Cabot White Cheddar Cheese, Asian Pears with a whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette. I had selected the Organic Chicken Breast for the entree, but they had also offered a Tasmanian Salmon Thai-Americaine or He'e Nalu Mahi'ai which was a surf and turf dish with grilled spiny lobster tail and a 5 ounce filet mignon, asparagus and roasted garlic mash potatoes. I barely had room for dessert, but I was able to jam in some mango and passion sorbet! Yum!

The wedding day dawned a little on the cloudy side, but I don't think anyone gave it a second thought. One person told us that Maui was in a drought- it hadn't seen rain in 90 days. Another local said that it had only been 60 days since they had received some precipitation. As the day turned darker, everyone commented that it is a commonly held (Hawaiian ?) belief that it is very good luck for the bride and groom when it rains on their wedding day. Sure enough, it did. A beautiful gentle rain came and went during the ceremony. The chapel was spectacular. A stained-glass rainbow was behind the altar and during the ceremony, the cantor sang "Over the Rainbow." Later, you guessed it, a beautiful rainbow stretched out across the entire sky above the resort. It was magical.

Sure, sure... they are more tales to tell about staying up late, dancing the night away and hotel security, but I will save those for another day. In closing, as Father Bob Cole told on our wedding day all of those years ago, "I will not wish the Bride and Groom good luck. Good marriages are not based on good luck; they are achieved through hard work."

Work Hard, Ben and Cait. Work Hard, Princess Victoria and Personal Trainer Daniel Westling. Love each other. Serve each other and may God bless you and keep you always!

Snorkeling Molikini

Snorkeling Molikini

I know that we did it, but I think because I was still so traumatized from the Road to Hana, I have no pictures of snorkeling. Notice how I cling to the life preserver. The Pacific Whale Foundation, a very worthwhile organization doing important work, hosted this trip and took this picture. The wind and the waves came up. I found myself humming the theme to "Gilligan's Island". That is all I remember.... "...a three hour tour...a three hour tour." That is all I can remember.

"Molokini is an ancient volcanic caldera that offers some of the clearest water for snorkeling anywhere in the world. It is located about 2 miles offshore from South Maui in the Alalakeiki Channel (between Maui and Kaho'olawe). Molokini is a marine sanctuary below water and a bird sanctuary above water. There is no access to the island itself; only those with research permits are permitted to go ashore. The incredibly clear water is due to its location in the middle of the channel and the lack of any sand deposits around the islet. No matter the wind or wave conditions the visibility here is unparalleled" (adventuremaui.com).

The Road to Hanna

The Road to Hana or If I knew then, what I know now...

When I blissfully booked The Polynesian Adventure Tour for The Road to Hana, I was just relieved that I wasn't going to have to drive it. (Ignorance is bliss... at first.) I wish I had done my homework. Here is what it says online about the Road to Hana Trip: "9. Drive slowly and take turns at the wheel. The road to Hana is dangerous. With approximately 600 curve and 54 bridges, the Road to Hana can bring you closer to heaven in more ways than one. With winding roads, blind turns, constant traffic, distracting views, narrow one-lane roads, cliffs, and wet conditions, Hana Highway has proven its worth as a danger with many fatalities. Take your time, and make sure the driver is focusing on the road. The road is long and offers many chances to pull over and take a break or switch drivers" (www.mauiinformationguide.com). Are you kidding me? Maybe Stephen King would like to set one of his horror novels out here!

Our knowledgeable guide was friendly, yet at the same time having nerves of steel. This trip with our skilled and experienced P.A. driver took 11 1/2 hours. I shouldn't mention at this point, but I will, that not only do the drivers have to traverse this path-road in a mini bus, they have to offer the shakalaka sign to cars they pass just to show that they are affable! At one point I was so terrified, I just covered my ears and shut my eyes because it was scarier than any other amusement park ride I had ever been on. We sat in the way back; I (and I am sure our driver) was grateful I didn't have the front seat view.

We made many stops along the way, and those breaks were amazing. Fresh baked banana bread stands on the side of the road, chapels made from black lava rock and magnificent flora, rainforest, waterfalls and yes... mansions- the Road to Hana had them all. Our stops were Kaumahina State Wayside, Wai'napanapa State Park, Hana Ranch, Pools of Oheo, and an inspiring winery called The Ulupalakua Ranch. Every time we negotiated another hairpin turn, the vistas were spectacular! The Road to Hana is quite a journey, and one that we will not soon forget! And I have really, really tried!

Catch a Wave and You're Sitting on Top of the World!

Catch a Wave and You're Sitting on Top of the World!

These pictures say it all. Monday was the day Ian had been waiting for since we started planning this trip. Maui Wave Riders would be the place where they would take their two hour surfing lesson. Well, honestly, the lesson consisted of about 30 seconds of survival techniques and the next one hour and 59 minutes and 30 seconds consisted on trying to catch a wave. What a great lesson on perseverance! Anything worth having is worth waiting for... wait and ride, wait and ride, the cousins did... I didn't understand the whole "rash guard" thing until the end of the day, and then I wish they had had rash guards for their whole entire bodies. That's kind of like life too isn't it. We wish we could rap up our kids in a protective cocoon to protect them from life's bumps and bruises, but it is a valuable lesson when we have to keep picking ourselves up, over and over again.

Well, persevere they did! They rode those boards in and out from shore, watching the developing waves and choosing the ones that they thought would take them on the most successful rides. By the end of the day, I am not sure who was more exhausted our delightfully entertaining instructor Al or our whole gang. At first Colin had been the holdout. He didn't want to spend the time or money to take surfing lessons, since we were only going to be in Maui for a short time. A new hobby for life? Maybe not, we would never know unless we tried!

Saint Theresa's Church, Maui

The Holy Spirit at Work

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to worship at St. Theresa's Church. What a vibrant community of faith. Just pulling into the parking lot from the busy beach town roads of Kihei, I could tell that the Holy Spirit was alive. Outside people were being fed, the youth group was raising money by selling fresh Hawaiian Leis and parishioners were connecting with one another. As we entered the sanctuary, there was an entire band playing very charismatic music. (The video clip I am trying to upload is actually after the sending.) Everyone was so warm and welcoming! The altar was decorated almost like it was an outdoor Hawaiian garden... It was so beautiful.

On the front of the St. Theresa's , bulletin it read, "A place to worship, a place to deepen and strengthen our Christian life, a place to respond to the needs of others, a place to support one another in the way of Jesus." The rest of the front of the bulletin was filled with contact information for the various ministries in the church: Hispanic ministry; Youth ministry/Life teen program/Catholic Young Adult Fellowship; Hale Kau Kau Kitchen; Music ministry; Marriage ministry: engaged encounter, marriage encounter, advocate to the marriage tribunal, Retrouvaille; Communion ministry; Religious education; Anointing of the Sick; Grief Support ministry, Persons with Disabilities ministry... the list went on and on. It was one of those moments when I felt the Kingdom of God was at hand. After Mass was over, the band played on and this warm feeling played on in my heart. I felt like I had been part of something very, very special, and I wanted to take this home with me.


On Sunday, we also went to the Maui Ocean Center. I loved it, but perhaps, the guys were less than thrilled. (Check it out at www.mauioceancenter.com/) My best buddy Michelle and I took Oceanography while students at Essex Junction Educational Center back in the 80's. It was a tough class, but my pal Michelle, perhaps a long lost relative of Jacques Cousteau, and I were fascinated by the Ocean. At one point we thought we would be Marine Biologists and be roommates forever! Ahhhh, then life happened. I realized that I stunk at Science, and although she was as smart as a whip and could have done anything she set her mind to, she met and fell in love right after graduation with her now husband. Our odysseys...

The Maui Ocean Center is focused on education and helping tourists to understand the fragile nature of both the Hawaiian eco system and that of the entire Earth. As we were touring the Center, we met folks from Minnesota and had a great time visiting with them. They had a destination wedding they attended the day before and earlier in the Spring had been to a wedding in Fremont, Nebraska. What a small world!

I guess the environmental lessons from the Maui Ocean Center drove home this same lesson. It really is a small world after all, and we have to do our part in our corner of the world to take care of Mother Earth! Whether talking about faith or saving the environment, both require hands on work!