Big Island Trip - Part I

Friday.

It was about midnight when I decided to close my eyes just for a little bit. In about six hours I would be on a flight to the Big Island with my friends. I’d be at the airport in five hours, and leaving Waikiki in four. That meant that I had to be ready in three. Unfortunately, because I did close my eyes - even for a second - I sealed my fate to wake up two minutes before our airport transfer was supposed to leave Waikiki. Having not washed the dishes, cleaned my room, or (most importantly) packed for the trip, I was in a mad rush to get ready and shove whatever clothes I could into my bag. There was one important thing that I could not go to Big Island without: T.K.

You're Jeremy?

Yep, that's me.

Aloha!


Yesterday I mentioned briefly that I wasn't looking forward to getting my geology midterm results. I seriously did not expect to get 94% for it, but I'm pretty stoked about that! Maybe Hawaiian geology is my calling?

Walang internet!

Aloha!

I need to practice my Filipino as much as humanly possible because FIL101 is - without a doubt - my hardest subject this semester. I'm so glad I'm only doing 100-level classes because I often hear from my friends in the MIX, who are taking 200, 300 even 400-level classes, about how much work they need to do every night. Screw that, man, I'm in Hawai`i - I'm gonna take it easy as!

Now to address the title of this post. It is generally agreed upon that within the building in which I live, the internet connection sucks. It is about as unreliable as an unsecured wireless network, and almost as slow. Having said that, I was able to submit some homework for my Filipino class that involved uploading a recorded monologue for the teacher to listen to. Here's how it went down:

"Magandang hapon! Kumusta kayo klase? Ako si Jeremy. Malaihollo ang apelyido ko, Jerry ang palayaw ko. Galing ako sa eskuwela. O, sige, diyan ka na. Pupunta ako sa kaarawan partido ng kaibigan. Adyos!"

I had to record it several times because I kept stuffing up certain words and having to start over again. I hope what I submitted makes sense. Click here to see what Google Translate thinks I said. I just got off the phone with my mum. Both she and one of my work friends said that I should remove "partido" from the last sentence. Oh well, it's too late now. Looks like I failed again.

It's pretty late. I'm going to eat the chicken that I took from the party this afternoon. It's okay, I'm an international student.

A hui hou kakou!

It's okay. I'm an international student

a.k.a. "Cheap Week"

Wednesday night: BBQ @ The Ohia. Some of the MIXers and I were about to go for it but then didn't bother because the queue was as epic as the Kumulipo. Instead we had dinner at Chili's. Best idea ever. Upon return to The Ohia, however, the crowd at the poolside barbecue had dissipated, carving a clear and direct path between myself and the sizzling meats. Was I hungry? No. Was it free? Yes. Did I get myself a cheeseburger? No - I got myself a double cheeseburger! Did I eat it? Of course I didn't. I saved it for the next day.

It's okay. I'm an international student.

Thursday morning: breakfast. I learned from the previous day's mistake that I need to eat something before going to class. I didn't really have time, though, so when I peered into the refrigerator and saw a mound wrapped up in serviettes, the word "genius" immediately came to mind. Because I don't yet have a microwave, I ate it cold. But that's okay.

I'm an international student.

Thursday afternoon: lunch @ the International Baptist Church. This is a free weekly lunch for international students. The meals are truly filling, and the staff are incredibly nice. I almost feel like I'm taking advantage of them just by being there, but it's okay.

You get the point.

Yes, I've been living really cheaply this past week. And probably for the next couple of weeks too. I've been trying to save a couple of bucks here and there, sometimes eating $2.50 worth of a $5 Footlong at lunch and having the other $2.50 for dinner, or living off my stockpile of spam (and burning my finger whilst frying it). I think this rather stingy lifestyle will be advantageous in the long-run.

Oh, would you look at that - I just booked a trip to Kaua'i!

Mahalo!

Yogurtland again

Aloha!


Last night we had yet another meeting of the MIXers. This one was at the Varsity which about as dirty and sticky as the reviews on Google had warned me. But I'm not complaining - it's nice to hang out with familiar faces and even get to know more... while sipping on some PEAR CIDER! *slurrrrrrrrp*

I learned from a couple of girls in the MIX that a certain Daniel Dae Kim was at Yogurtland the other day. My reaction:

Literally.

So I went with a couple of friends to Yogurtland today after class. While I ate my ice cream - a mix of chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped with strawberries, blueberries, banana and chocolate sauce - I kept my eyes peeled for the ex-Lost (now Hawaii Five-0) star. Nothing. Just a bunch of children rolling around on the wheels embedded into their shoes.

Anyway, I had Geology and Filipino today. I feel like I can ace Geology because I've done it before (although not in a Hawaiian context) but Filipino - oh my gash! Looking at the syllabus for that class was like...

Literally.

Anyway, that's about it for today. I suppose I should do some readings etc. Maybe do a couple of extra readings. Maybe plan my semester in terms of assessments, field trips and other activities. Yeah, I'll do all of that...

While watching Glee.

Mahalo!