etherealessence

I remember my parents and I drove to Las Vegas from California and the road trip was oddly beautiful with the desolate scenery and fiery sun overhead.

We stayed on the main strip at Treasure Island and it was nice. Nothing overly fancy. We saw a Cher concert at the MGM, and did the gambling thing which was quite entertaining! My Dad and I also checked out some of the carnival type rides there and that was exhilirating.

In all honesty, Las Vegas is a gorgeous city at night with all of the glittering lights. But during the day, the temperatures are scorching and the taxi cab drivers are ruthless. We almost got ran over several times, and we were in the cross walk!

My parents and I lived in Minnesota for about a year when I was in grade school and in many ways, I enjoyed my brief time there.

The snowy winters were amazing! I can still remember having to wear a snowsuit to school and having the snow come up to my thighs when I’d walk. The snowball fights, sledding and the making of snowmen were always fun as well :D

During the summer, the place came alive and was so vibrant and green. My parents and I used to go on our speedboat at Riley Lake and I learned how to fish (catfish, sunfish and bass were among my main catches) and waterski!

There were some wonderful times there.

I was actually born in Florida. And then about a year later, my parents and I moved far away! I have no recollections of being there, but I would like to visit this state sometime so that I can see where my life began :D

While I wasn’t born and raised in Hawaii as many of my local friends and extended relatives were, in my heart, these islands will always remain.

Hawaii is by far the most magical place I’ve ever visited or had the privilege to reside in.

It’s the place where I blossomed into an independent woman and found myself so to speak.

It’s the place where I discovered different forms of love, which eventually led me to my truest love of all, my husband.

It’s the place where I figured out what I was naturally good at and molded that energy into what my current career is.

It’s the place where I finally connected with my roots and felt a new sense of pride because of it.

No matter where my husband and I end up living eventually, Hawaii will always be home.

I actually grew up in California so it holds a lot of different memories for me, some good, some not so good, but it’s where I’m from and I’ll always call this place home.