Aloha!

Aloha! Even though many of you know this already, I decided it was time to "go public" with the news that I will be moving to Hawaii this August! It still seems totally unreal to me and it will probably stay that way until I step foot on the island of Oahu in mid-August. Still, my plans have pretty much come together. I've booked my tickets and made arrangements to bring my cat (no small feat at all considering Hawaii's strict animal import laws!) I will be doing student teaching through the University of Hawaii - Manoa at two different schools in a town called Aiea. Aiea is very close to Pearl Harbor and not far from Honolulu. I have no idea where I will be living yet and I probably won't know until I get there. With any luck though, I'll find someplace reasonably inexpensive and QUICKLY! After my student teaching this fall, I'll be eligible to become a licensed teacher in Hawaii to take a full-time ESOL teaching position in the spring.

Its no secret that George has played a big part in my decision to go to Hawaii. I'm crazy about him and we're both really excited for the move! Still, I've been craving some sort of adventure that would take me to a new and different place and this has become the perfect opportunity to explore someplace new. It may be quite different than Tunisia or Morocco (places I'd previously had in mind), but I think I will get an equally exciting experience from Oahu. We are both ready and excited to try surfing, hiking, mountain biking, spulunking(sp?), rock climbing, try out the new food and culture and meeting new people. As for me, I want to learn some hula as well as some of the Hawaiian language.

With all this excitement, there is indeed a sad side: the realization that I'll leaving my wonderful wonderful friends in Washington, D.C. I've already shed more than a few tears just thinking about it and I know more will come, especially as I actually have to say goodbyes. I don't even like to think about it, actually. I will undoubtedly be in touch with everyone (maybe MySpace will help!) and I will try to come and visit. Travelling will be expensive, though, so I probably won't be making TONS of trips to the East Coast. I will warmly welcome visitors and I will make room for you wherever it is that I end up living!

On that note, I *really* hope I get to see lots of my friends this summer. You guys have been the most wonderful par of my last ten years here in the Washington, D.C. area!

Love,

Me