The Best Day EVER!!!

Who thought the fun-filled day of festivities for Kokua Festival could be beat? I certainly did not, but somehow we managed to accomplish just that. We started out the day driving up to the northshore - 9 of us in all - and proceeded to jump out of planes! That's right, we went SKYDIVING!!!

Not a single one out of the 8 of us who actually jumped had never been before. Let me tell you, it was AMAZING! There are not words to describe the exileration and adrenaline rush you experience throughout the entire process. I personally did not get nervous until about 20 seconds before I actually jumped - the scariest part was probably signing your life away on the 10-page contract. Literally every page had "YOU MAY BE INJURED OR KILLED" at the bottom of it in big bold letters and the rest of the contract proceeded to outline how no one who had ever known you or ever heard your name could come back and sue the company for any reason.
It also gave the instructors the right to touch you in anyway deemed appropriate to fit your gear - which, I guess, when you life is in their hands, you don't really care where those hands are being placed!


I was the first one out of the plane and we did backflips and cartwheels before freefalling and then finally pulling open the shoot...the view was breathtaking!!! I don't know that skyddiving anywhere else could possibly be as beautiful - crystal blue water crashing against jagged cliffs, sandy white beaches with a lush green rainforest background!


Once we hit the ground I was so stoked I just wanted to turn around and kiss my tandem partner...the adrenaline rush was out of control!!!


Afterward we re-energized at Subway and then headed back to the Southside to Hawaii Kai to hit the water! We spent the entire afternoon wakeboarding, suntanning, and tubing!!! Nothing beats the dolphins we saw the time before, but you will never catch me complaining about being out on the water.


And as the sun set on our glorious and memorable day, I couldn't help but think how blessed I truly am! I love my LIFE!!!

Las Fajitas Hay Que Vivirlas

Who knew Eddie could cook, cool whip could be such a hit, or that boys would play twister...together!!! Well, I found the answers to all of those questions and more during our pre-skydiving fajita fiesta at Josh's!!! The house was full of laughter, good times, and good food!!! Eddie and Paige could have been Emeril's Apprentices with the wicked good fajitas (beef, chicken, and/or veggie options) - BAM! I helped by stirring the Spanish rice. What can I say, I am a whiz in the kitchen=)


While waiting for the main course I discovered strawberries in the fridge and some unopened Cool Whip in the freezer - YUMMY=) I later found out the strawberries were supposed to be for the margaritas, but I don't even drink so I thought it was only fair I took my share first - haha! Well, my share turned into everyone's share as Kelli and Jonathan dove right in as well! Josh scolded me, but I wasn't the one that snuck off with Cool Whip and a spoon!!!



After dinner we enjoyed some chill time around the patio fire pit








and a rousing game of Twister. Somehow we convinced the manly men that if the girls played together, then the boys had to as well - What a sight!!! Their flexibility and determination to keep their wine glasses in hand were impressive - to say the least!

BBQ, Boating, and Dolphins - Oh My!!!

After a fun-filled day at Kokua Festival the gang and I headed out onto the water! On our way there Jared tried to pick a fight with me in the kitchen, but I laid him out! Just call me Muhammad Ali - "Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee" baby! My Dad would be so proud...I hit him with an upper cut square in the nose!


After I picked him up and dusted him and his ego off, we headed out! While on the water the most UNBELIEVABLE thing happened...we were joined by a pod of 30+ Dolphins!!!They were jumping around the boat and drafting us. Jonathan was wakeboarding behind the boat and it looked like something out of a movie...they were jumping right next to him! After awhile we stopped the boat and I went running off the side of the boat Baywatch style jumping in to swim with them!
As soon as my feet left the side of the boat I had second thoughts about what else might be swimming around with them and mid-air let out a yelp and broke form. Needless to say I managed a spectacular belly-flop=) BUT it was all worth it...swimming with dolphins in the wild! Who needs to pay to go to Sea Life Park!!! I had the real deal!!!

After boating we met up again at Fort DeRussey Park and grilled out, played a little football, and gave koala ears to as many unsuspecting attendees as possible!

All in all, another great day in Hawaii!

Kokua Festival

Jared and Ronny recently flew onto "The Rock" for a fun-filled 4-day fiesta!
We started off the party by attending the Kokua Festival - a benefit concert organized by Jack Johnson's wife!

BUT, of course, we had to pay tribute to JJ (yes, that's right, Jack Johnson and I are on a nickname basis - HAHA!) and make some Banana Pancakes!

Although, most of us were not the biggest fan, our backup plan was chocolate chip pancakes and the apple pie I had whipped up from scratch the night before when I was supposed to be studying! Just call me Betty Crocker!

After we let our stomachs digest a bit and I Colleen and I went for a run, we headed down the street to Lulu's, an open air bar with great food and a fun atmosphere. There Jared got a chicken sandwich and freaked out when his bun came out purple (it was made with taro - the traditional sweet potato of the Hawaiian islands...YUMMY!)
After a couple more laughs and drinks, Jonathan decided to get a dessert, which he will now forever be remembered for. As he ate his HUGE Bananas Foster he commented in his French accent, "It is very buttery!" Whether it be the beers, the company, or the accent, this phrase carries on today and has been applied to many other situations - such as when Jonathan brushed up against me while boating announcing, "Tracy, you are very buttery" in reference to my sunscreen laiden skin!

Then, it was finally off to the festival, which officially started at 4pm. There we laid out our blanket, lounged in the grass, basked in the sun, and danced in the rain!

It was also during Kokua Festival that Koala ears were introducted to Hawaii courtesy of Ronny and Jared. Having recently taken a trip to Australia, they felt the need to replace the played-out surprise bunny ears picture trick with the new and improved, even more hilarious and more difficult to pull off Koala Ears.
After a guest appearance by Damien Marley, a phenomenal performance by Ben Harper, and a kick back to the days of old with Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson came on stage and the crowd went wild! We danced and sang along at the tops of our lungs. However, when Jack Johnson posed the question, "Where'd all the good people go?"
We looked around and realized, most of us were right there - together!

Finally, inspired by the musical talent we had just heard, Jared picked up the guitar of a steet performer on the walk home and proceeded to have a little jam session of his own - which, was very impressive indeed! Maybe next year he will open for JJ!