Random Pictures

So, now that I have my fancy new camera the Canon t5i, which I am loving by the way, I am trying to you know, USE it. I need to be better about trying and take pictures every day. I have always loved taking pictures, I have had five or so cameras over the years. I currently have three of them. This one, a Canon point and shoot, and a Canon SLR, old school style.

Today I decided to go over to the Gilbert, Arizona Temple and take a few pictures. I wasn't there terribly long and didn't take tons of pictures, but here are my favorites.

Obviously I am still working on taking great pictures, but it is fun! The great thing about Digital SLR's is you don't feel as bad when you mess up and make mistakes, because you can just delete them instead of worrying about the cost of film!

Random Thought

Do you know what it is liked to get sucked into another world? To feel like you are living in another reality, existing somewhere else? You aren't really part of it, but rather observing this other reality, watching as a passive observer while events happen before your very eyes. That's what happens to me when I get into a book. I will be so absorbed in what I am reading, and suddenly for a split second I get reminded that mine is a different reality and I have to put the book down, to break that connection and return to my own reality. It's happened frequently lately, with everything from YA books to travel writing books.

I Interrupt this Hawaii Binge to Bring You.....

A Sunset.

A couple of weeks ago my friend let me experiment with my camera by doing some pictures of her ADORABLE little girl. Towards the end this amazing sunset popped up. 

Two Weeks Continued... Pearl Harbor

One of the other days we went into Honolulu we went to go to Pearl Harbor. As someone who is just missing a foreign language requirement to get a Bachelor's degree in History, I have always loved history. On top of that my Grandpa fought in World War II, and the Bowfin, the submarine at Pearl Harbor is the same class as the Apagon that he was on, so Pearl Harbor was a must.

We were able to go out to U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, and after getting back from being out there I told my aunt that to me it was almost emotionally exhausting being there at Pearl Harbor. It was fascinating, but it literally made me feel exhausted. I have always been a bit more "sensitive" about things and events like that than many others, and knowing that we would be touring the Bowfin added to that. My grandfather passed away last summer, and besides former step grandparents he is the first grandparent that I have lost. His death came at a time where I was already extremely emotionally wrought, having had a friend lose her husband and finding out with her through a phone call from her kids who found him while we were gone. So, being able to see what a submarine like the one he had been on was like, was bound to be emotional.

Anyways, Pearl Harbor was a great, albeit emotional, experience.

Bowfin

My grandpa always talked about how they preferred the bunks over the torpedoes, after touring the sub, I understand why!

My grandpa also cut hair on the submarine during the War.

The battle flag from the sub my grandpa was on.

U.S.S. Arizona anchor

Two Weeks in Paradise

Everyday stroll on the beach, no biggie. ;)

My two weeks in Hawaii were wonderful. For me it was a much needed vacation. When I went to England 6 (GASP!) years ago, it was a trip. A wonderful, beautiful, fun filled, trip. There was not a lot of relaxing, we had plans for where we were going everyday, and I loved it. However, I also loved my Hawaiian vacation. I went and sat on the beach with a book several days. Took my camera and walked up and down the beach. When the outskirts of the hurricane hit and we had 24+ hours of non stop rain, we walked to church under the umbrella, came home and relaxed in front of the T.V. after lunch. Many days had some hours of my aunt and I relaxing together, watching new shows, talking, strolling around the neighborhood, etc.

Lest you think that I spent my entire two weeks in Hawaii inside the house, I did do many other things! One of the first things we did was go into the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. This was a nice, light introduction into Hawaiian history and culture.

We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, wandered around the villages, watched some performances, attended the luau, and then my uncle and I went to the Ha: Breath of Life show that evening. It was SPECTACULAR. The whole thing was wonderful, I loved getting a brief introduction to the various cultures that are represented there and each one made me want to visit the actual islands to really immerse myself in the culture. (I think that was one of the biggest things I loved about Hawaii was the range of culture there. Growing up in Idaho and then Arizona, I have typically always been in the majority, but I loved being the only white girl in restaurants and at different places sometimes.) The food at the luau was super delicious, and the Ha: Breath of Life show really was just spectacular. The PCC is something I highly recommend everyone going to while in Hawaii.

We went into Honolulu several times. The first time both my aunt and uncle had doctor's appointments, so I spent a few hours just walking around a few mile block of Honolulu. I discovered the Police Department, the Honolulu Museum of Art (I didn't go in though), and a park across the street from the museum that I sat in for awhile and talked to my mom on the phone.

Thomas Square in Honolulu

Thomas Square

As we headed home after the doctor's appointments we stopped at one of the many gorgeous beaches and I got some pictures of Chinaman's Hat, along with the stunning mountains that run along the other side of the road.