I'm in Hawaii Baby!!

After my 24 hour hellish flight, I arrived in Hawaii!! Because of some mechanical issues, I only had fifteen minutes to get on my connecting flight to Hawaii, so when I made it to Hawaii, my luggage was left behind in L.A. Although it was inconvenient to not get my baggage, I was able to get it later the next day.  I was worried about it, but I was now in paradise, so it wasn't that bad, except that I had no shorts. During the flight, many people were asking me why I was going to Hawaii, and alone at that, I kind of wish I could have told them that I was going on vacation on my own just to stick it to them (because I think that people can go on vacation alone), but I came here to visit family. Don't get me wrong, I love my family. They are the rock that keeps everything inside me together, and I do not know where I would be without them.

When I realized that I had no luggage to claim and I had talked to the people about it, then I was picked up by my cousin Ashleigh and her cute little boys O, and J. Being given a perfect Aloha welcome with two leis, and some catching up to do, we set out for her home.

The next morning I woke up at 4:30 to find that everyone and everything was still sleeping. Even the sun wasn't peeking over Hawaii. When I had coffee that morning though, I was able to appreciate the spectacular view that was hidden the night before by darkness.

There is a mountain in the background. It's gorgeous, however this picture doesn't really do it justice.

Here I am in what I like to call Paradise.

You can kind of see it in this one.

After breakfast, Ash, the kids, and I walked the three blocks to the beach. It was the first time in six years that I would be swimming in the ocean.

We even made sand castles.

We were having a blast in the sand.

Afterwards, Ash and I explored some of the shops in the town she lives in, and I bought a couple of things since I still hadn't received my luggage by then, and didn't really have anything to wear.

Then it was time for a wienie roast with the family. My cousin Megan came over with her kids, A and E. It was great being able to see them.

And that was my first day in Hawaii for vacation.