Some Were Boozin' and Some Were Cruisin'!

We had so much fun on the booze cruise with Dad last month, we knew Mom was going to have to experience it! I took my parents and gathered a group of friends and we took over the boat! They got a boat ride and a chance to meet some of our friends. The catamaran leaves from Duke's and sails around Waikiki and near Diamond Head.

Happy roomies...we were definitely boozin'!

Happy parents...they were crusin'! How picturesque with the sun setting in the background. Makes you want to hop on a plane, leave whatever cold place you are right now and come visit me, doesn't it?

I like this picture. Lauren looks like she's having SO much fun! It was the perfect evening for a booze cruise! Here's the picture of the actual sun set! Ships ahoy...I think we are going to become regulars on the booze cruise!

Momma & Papa Scholz Come to Hawaii

Mom & Dad made it to Hawaii! After their arrival, which included two leis, a few alohas, and a couple happy tears, I promptly took my parents out for drinks with umbrellas!

We sat outside at House Without a Key on Waikiki Beach. Of course the weather was perfect as it almost always is! We listened to some live Hawaiian music...with a special rendition of "Mele Kalikimaka" which I sang along to.

There was also a nice view of Diamond Head from the restaurant which you can see in the background of the picture above.

We finished the evening watching the sun set over Waikiki Beach and disappear into the Pacific!

The Next Day

Their first full day in Honolulu started with breakfast at Duke's Canoe Club. We had a table with a view of the beach where we enjoyed tropical juice and fruit. Yummy! I'll be going here again with or without visitors! After breakfast we happened upon a Christmas motorcycle parade and then Mom and I took off to shop under the banyan trees at the International Market Place. We wandered around Waikiki stopping at the many hotels and checking out the Christmas decorations. My favorite was in the Moana Surfrider. Their tree had giant butterflies on it...it's the tree Mom and I are standing by in the picture above. This hotel has been on Waikiki Beach for over 100 years. Mom thinks it would be great for a wedding...is that supposed to be a hint??? No weddings for the Scholz girls anytime soon, but stay tuned for the remainder of Mom and Dad's trip, including the booze cruise later that night!

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

Lauren had to work Thanksgiving night, so we had out Thanksgiving dinner a day late. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing and corn.I cooked my very first turkey, "Tom", all by myself. Not having a completely stocked kitchen we did use a syringe to baste our turkey. It turned out so nicely, that's why I'm glowing in the picture above. I was very proud of myself. I cooked and Lauren ate! Just kidding she set the table and made a wonderful cranberry sauce that we both enjoyed! Even though I think it was the canned variety, she made a nice presentation.

There was apple pie for Lauren and french silk pie for me. After we ate, we decorated our apartment for Christmas. This included putting up and trimming our little Christmas tree. We sang and had a jolly time. Who needs the rest of the family when I have Lauren! She's a great substitute.

Happy Holidays!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Surf's Up at Diamond Head!

This past Tuesday the surf was up at Diamond Head! We took a surf lesson with some of our new friends. From left to right, Lauren, Me, Jackie, and Valerie. We are all nurses in the ICU at Tripler who have never surfed before...and I can even say now that I haven't really surfed. The story continues...

We had two instructors and six in the class. Don't we look so studious sitting in the sand. You might be asking yourself...if everyone in the picture was surfing then who was the photographer. Valerie's boyfriend, Jeff, who also works with us came along to watch. Nothing like having an audience when you are trying out something new! Thanks for the pictures Jeff!

After the verbal instuction, we had some time to practice on shore. Although it is a picture straight down my swimsuit, it is of me trying to "just pop up" after I've caught that killer wave. Easier said than done and way easier on land.

My favorite picture! Everyone is excited, grabs their board and makes a run for the water. Watch out for the rocks! At this point I really have no idea what I am in for.

After we have the picturesque run into the water, we paddle our little hearts out pretty far into the water, out where the waves are. Sounds easy, but this was one of the most strenous activities I have done in a long time. First, let me say that the wind was blowing about 15 miles per hour from the left side of the picture to the right. And we are supposed to paddle between the waves to the left; the wind makes this difficult. The wind also makes the water very choppy and rough. The picture above is of someone who must be on at least day 2 of surfing because they are actually up on their feet. Wanted to add this picture so you can see how rough the water was that day.

After multipe attempts of paddling around in the water, continually being knocked off my surf board...we headed in. I think everyone did this pose as they made it back to shore. Proud to say I was fourth out of six to give up and come back to shore. The day was consumed with 90% paddling and 10% surfing. My arms were so tired from just paddling out the first time that I could not even get myself up off the board to a knee let alone standing. I felt like a fat kid trying to haul myself up on the side of the pool everytime I fell off my board versus the times I felt like a fish out of water because it was hard to keep my board steady. Definitely had times where I pulled myself up on the board only to fall off the other side. I have been sore for days and we all have multipe injuries. I have a goose egg on my noggin from my board shooting in the air and landing on my head while I am being tossed around in the water. Lauren wins the award for most likely to be a surf girl...she actually got up on her knees, where I just rode a few waves while laying on my board. It was a rough day, but we will try again cause it should only get easier (so they say).

Snorkel Monday at Hanauma Bay

We went with several friends this afternoon to Hanauma Bay for some sun and snorkeling. The Bay is a nature preserve with lots of coral and fish. You can see the coral reef in the picture below...it is where you see the darker areas in the water.

Scuba Steve

Lauren and I went with another nurse from Tripler for a little beginner's scuba diving. None of us had done it before. Lauren was a little hesitant and did a little scuba at the surface and then opted for snorkeling while I explored the bottom of the ocean. We made two dives off of Waikiki. The first was by far better; saw lots of fish and several sea turtles, just like in "Finding Nemo". Some were swimming around and others resting on the ocean floor. Neat experience. Diamond Head is in the background of the above picture. Here's a few pictures of me in my sexy scuba gear. Please note the poses. The buildings in the background are of Waikiki.

There is the heavy tank I had to tote around. I think my weight belt was a little too heavy. I kept finding myself on the ocean floor. I cut up one of my knees on the coral. I feel like a little kid with the scabs on my knee.

The Grill Master

After driving all over O'ahu from the North Shore to Diamond Head...we needed some refreshments. Lauren and I treated Dad to dinner out in Waikiki. Dad just can't stay away from those Mai Tais.

I thought the umbrellas were a nice touch. The restaurant was open air and opened up to the beach. They had cameras outside showing the beach and whoever was out there that then displayed on TVs inside the restaurant.

We ate at the Shore Bird where you get to cook your own meat on a big open grill. The people next to us were getting a little crazy with the garlic...there was a lot of smoke. The smoke made the pictures a little less bright. Above I'm seasoning our steaks. That's me putting our shrimp kabobs on the grill. Dad appears to be giving some advice. Dad and Lauren wanted a little help with the grill. Therefore I named myself "The Grill Master"! Look how much fun I'm having! We all know how I like to cook.

We all had a yummy dinner and of course all of our food was cooked just to our liking. No complaints were heard by The Grill Master!