Well - it seems that everyone wants me to continue updating the blog even though we're no longer on the road. So, by popular request, here's a new entry. And I'll do my best to make them more regular from this point on!

I am continuing to work at the burger joint in downtown Lahaina, but searching for something more interesting and rewarding in the way of a job. Cashiering is easy, but not so engaging, if you catch my drift. Don't get me wrong, though, I'm really happy to even have a job at this point and don't plan on quitting any time soon. Ben is still searching. As he says - "Searching for a job is my full time job!" And it's true - you can really feel the economic impact in Hawaii. Everyone is struggling to find a job or hold on to the one they already have. Homelessness in the state is at an all time high and procuring unemployment insurance is extremely difficult or even impossible. There are too many stories to count of perfectly honest and hard working individuals getting layed off and spending almost a full work week in the unemployment office just trying to get what they're owed. It takes some real gumption to receive your benefits here. The state government has actually taken to flying the homeless back to the mainland for free, because it has become such a widespread problem throughout the islands.

Homelessness and unemployment aside, we're doing pretty well. We bought a couple of old second-hand 9'2" surfboards about a week and a half ago, and we've been surfing like crazy! There's a great break about a block away from our apartment and every chance we get, we go out and ride the waves. While it's not snow, it is fast becoming a good activity to fill the snowboarding/skiing void in my winter. There's just something exhilarating about defying friction and going fast! Both of us are pretty well able to catch and stand up on waves now, so we don't make total fools of ourselves, but it's there's still a long way to go on the learning curve.

Speaking of waves, my parents flew in for a week during Christmas and Ben, my dad and I took a great surfing lesson in the downtown Lahaina Harbor. That's where the surfing bug bit us! Rick and Chris (my parents) rented a car and we showed them all around the island. One of my favorite experiences with them was driving to the other side of Maui to Hana, a tiny town in the middle of tropical utopia. If you think Lahaina is beautiful, just wait until you get to the other side! The lush green-ness, the steep cliffs and amazing beaches are a thousand times more beautiful than the west side. It's easy to imagine old Hawaii in the awesome yet peaceful ravines, forests and water of the east side of Maui. It's the paradise you always imagined you'd find in Hawaii and the landscape that great Hawaiian kings and even greater Hawaiian battles must have taken place against. In a word - amazing!

We're making plans to rent a car and spend some time on the blacksand beach near Hana camping, hiking and having fun! For the time being, we don't have any big plans - at least not until we have a little more money to waste. It's the weekend, though, so I had better get out and enjoy the sunshine while I still have some time today!

Hugs and Kisses from Maui,

Molly