Hi from HI

Em and I are safe and sound in Kealakekua, HI on Kealaola farm. The internet at the farm has been out since we got here and even now that it's fixed, the computers are kind of slow, so we'll have to wait til Mom sends Em's power cord for her laptop to post pictures. The weather is superb, the water is warm. We spent Feb 9-12 on Oahu with Gina. Oahu is gorgeous and excitingly familiar as they film Lost just miles south of where Gina lives. Gina was a great host and took us hiking up to Maunawili falls where we swam in a waterfall pool, one of my goals while here - check! Gina and Em jumped off the not-so-high waterfall cliff, and Gina found out that I am a huge wuss b/c i wouldn't jump. I did, however, try surfing. I may not have been a wuss for trying, but i definitely wasn't good at it. I could barely stay on the board while laying down paddling. Em and I took a little trip to Haliewa and got picked up a Chocolate-haupia pie on the way back per Gina's recommendation (it's a coconut concoction, yum.) Oh and Mat introduced us to fresh off the tree coconut milk and meat--really good. I really liked Oahu.

The Big Island is much different than Oahu. There's black lava rock all around and the mountains/volcanoes are much different looking--less steep and no deep eroded canyons. I must say, Oahu is prettier from what i've seen so far, but i've only been on a small part of the Big Island. Kealaola farm is so nice. They grow beautiful lettuce and coffee and have lots of fruit trees like bananas, papaya, guava, tangerines, and tons of avocados!!! There are 4 other apprentices here right now who are all nice and it's fun to get to know them and work with them. We laugh a lot. Emily and I are staying in a large camping tent under a solid tarp structure. Don't worry, it has a bed in it. It's fun to think we'll be camping for 4 months. We use an outdoor shower that is quite liberating. The work has been hard, but manageable. It'll get better when Em and I build up our back and hamstring muscles b/c we squat and bend a lot with planting, weeding, and harvesting lettuce.

Some other things: food is so dang expensive here! It's hard to get around cause we don't have a car, but I hope to try hitching sometime.

Also, i wanted to comment quickly on my 2 weeks in San Diego. I love San Diego. It is a fun place. It was fun to hang out with Leen, Beth, Laura, Bekah, and the long lost Diana Dunn! It was great to ride bikes and hike and play frisbee on the beach and go to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World and wear a wetsuit for the first time. That city never lets me down (nor the people there that I visit).

Love and miss you all. Send me an email or write me a letter! Our address is on the website: www.kealaolafarm.com at the bottom.