family
Aloha!
After just coming back from a recent trip, I couldn't wait to share the fun I had while on the beautiful island of Maui.
Whenever I thought about visiting the islands of Hawaii, I only ever wanted to explore Oahu - I know, right? How basic. I'm not saying that the island isn't great, because I'm sure it's incredible, but it's also the first island most would think to visit. Oahu is tourist central. Well, most of Hawaii is, but Oahu more than the rest. I have a few friends that have either lived there, originated from there, or have also taken vacations there, and they've only had wonderful comments to say about the island, which only deepened my desire to go.
When it came down to planning our family trip, I initially told my parents that I wanted to go to Oahu. My mom had lived there for a year, and they had taken their honeymoon there, so I knew they'd be able to navigate our way around easily. However, my mom immediately shot down that request and suggested we go some place none of us had ever been.
I had no clue about what Maui was like. All I knew was that we were going to be soaking in the sun and enjoying the island life. I assumed most of Hawaii was the same - rich in culture, relaxing by nature, and slow-paced in necessity.
This was the first time I'd ever gone to Hawaii. I had dreamt of sipping on a fresh cut coconut, laying by the beach, with rhythmic reggae music playing, and basking in the sunlight. Now, it was going to come true.
This was also my first time taking Hawaiian Airlines. After about thirty minutes on the plane, I had made a conclusion - Hawaiian hospitality was no myth, and that Hawaiians were the nicest people I'd ever met in my life. There wasn't a single flight attendant without a smile on their face, they possessed a high level of patience and tolerance for demanding passenger's, and I cannot stress how polite these each one was. I knew that if this was my first impression of the locals without even stepping foot on the actual island itself, I was going to love every second of it.
We stayed at the Sheraton Resort and Spa in Lahaina, Maui. With an open floor plan throughout the resort, allowing fresh air and the scents of the ocean to linger everywhere, the views made it just as spectacular. We were surrounded by vibrant green plants, colorful flowers, and clear blue water and sky.
The resort itself offered a lot to guests - traditional luau's, multiple bars and restaurants, outdoor games, beach volleyball, and a water sports shack.
It was a little bit of paradise.
The resort itself offered a lot to guests - traditional luau's, multiple bars and restaurants, outdoor games, beach volleyball, and a water sports shack.
It was a little bit of paradise.
I mean, look at that VIEW. Waking up to that every morning instantly brightened my days.
What I appreciated most about this trip was learning about the people who called paradise home. Not only were they incredibly kind, but they're easy going attitudes made me realize a lot about what life is about. Being isolated on this island away from the busy city life, I was reminded about the most important thing in life - happiness.
Because of the slow paced environment, locals have learned to be come content and satisfied with their simple lives, a mentality that anyone living in the city isn't used to. Growing up near a huge (and very expensive) metropolitan city like San Francisco, it's a rat race to be at the top. Everyone wants more money, more clothes, more shoes, more this, more that, and I admit that I had been heavily influenced by it. Being surrounded by that your whole life, you become unsatisfied no matter how much you have.
This trip made me take a step back, appreciate what I have, and to continue to remind myself that as life goes on, the things that I used to think were important are completely irrelevant to my happiness. It was a much deserved relaxing trip, and what I learned from it has completely changed my outlook in life.
I hope to have many more trips like this, to learn and explore more of what the world has to offer.
-K
Because of the slow paced environment, locals have learned to be come content and satisfied with their simple lives, a mentality that anyone living in the city isn't used to. Growing up near a huge (and very expensive) metropolitan city like San Francisco, it's a rat race to be at the top. Everyone wants more money, more clothes, more shoes, more this, more that, and I admit that I had been heavily influenced by it. Being surrounded by that your whole life, you become unsatisfied no matter how much you have.
This trip made me take a step back, appreciate what I have, and to continue to remind myself that as life goes on, the things that I used to think were important are completely irrelevant to my happiness. It was a much deserved relaxing trip, and what I learned from it has completely changed my outlook in life.
I hope to have many more trips like this, to learn and explore more of what the world has to offer.
-K
A Little Piece of Paradise
Aloha!
After just coming back from a recent trip, I couldn't wait to share the fun I had while on the beautiful island of Maui.
Whenever I thought about visiting the islands of Hawaii, I only ever wanted to explore Oahu - I know, right? How basic. I'm not saying that the island isn't great, because I'm sure it's incredible, but it's also the first island most would think to visit. Oahu is tourist central. Well, most of Hawaii is, but Oahu more than the rest. I have a few friends that have either lived there, originated from there, or have also taken vacations there, and they've only had wonderful comments to say about the island, which only deepened my desire to go.
When it came down to planning our family trip, I initially told my parents that I wanted to go to Oahu. My mom had lived there for a year, and they had taken their honeymoon there, so I knew they'd be able to navigate our way around easily. However, my mom immediately shot down that request and suggested we go some place none of us had ever been.
I had no clue about what Maui was like. All I knew was that we were going to be soaking in the sun and enjoying the island life. I assumed most of Hawaii was the same - rich in culture, relaxing by nature, and slow-paced in necessity.
This was the first time I'd ever gone to Hawaii. I had dreamt of sipping on a fresh cut coconut, laying by the beach, with rhythmic reggae music playing, and basking in the sunlight. Now, it was going to come true.
This was also my first time taking Hawaiian Airlines. After about thirty minutes on the plane, I had made a conclusion - Hawaiian hospitality was no myth, and that Hawaiians were the nicest people I'd ever met in my life. There wasn't a single flight attendant without a smile on their face, they possessed a high level of patience and tolerance for demanding passenger's, and I cannot stress how polite these each one was. I knew that if this was my first impression of the locals without even stepping foot on the actual island itself, I was going to love every second of it.
We stayed at the Sheraton Resort and Spa in Lahaina, Maui. With an open floor plan throughout the resort, allowing fresh air and the scents of the ocean to linger everywhere, the views made it just as spectacular. We were surrounded by vibrant green plants, colorful flowers, and clear blue water and sky.
The resort itself offered a lot to guests - traditional luau's, multiple bars and restaurants, outdoor games, beach volleyball, and a water sports shack.
It was a little bit of paradise.
The resort itself offered a lot to guests - traditional luau's, multiple bars and restaurants, outdoor games, beach volleyball, and a water sports shack.
It was a little bit of paradise.
I mean, look at that VIEW. Waking up to that every morning instantly brightened my days.
What I appreciated most about this trip was learning about the people who called paradise home. Not only were they incredibly kind, but they're easy going attitudes made me realize a lot about what life is about. Being isolated on this island away from the busy city life, I was reminded about the most important thing in life - happiness.
Because of the slow paced environment, locals have learned to be come content and satisfied with their simple lives, a mentality that anyone living in the city isn't used to. Growing up near a huge (and very expensive) metropolitan city like San Francisco, it's a rat race to be at the top. Everyone wants more money, more clothes, more shoes, more this, more that, and I admit that I had been heavily influenced by it. Being surrounded by that your whole life, you become unsatisfied no matter how much you have.
This trip made me take a step back, appreciate what I have, and to continue to remind myself that as life goes on, the things that I used to think were important are completely irrelevant to my happiness. It was a much deserved relaxing trip, and what I learned from it has completely changed my outlook in life.
I hope to have many more trips like this, to learn and explore more of what the world has to offer.
-K
Because of the slow paced environment, locals have learned to be come content and satisfied with their simple lives, a mentality that anyone living in the city isn't used to. Growing up near a huge (and very expensive) metropolitan city like San Francisco, it's a rat race to be at the top. Everyone wants more money, more clothes, more shoes, more this, more that, and I admit that I had been heavily influenced by it. Being surrounded by that your whole life, you become unsatisfied no matter how much you have.
This trip made me take a step back, appreciate what I have, and to continue to remind myself that as life goes on, the things that I used to think were important are completely irrelevant to my happiness. It was a much deserved relaxing trip, and what I learned from it has completely changed my outlook in life.
I hope to have many more trips like this, to learn and explore more of what the world has to offer.
-K
In honor of #ThrowbackThursday, I decided to post some pictures of our previous family trip to New York City during the summer of 2014.
I have dreamed of going to NYC since birth. I've always been fascinated by the lights, the atmosphere, the fast-paced environment, and of course, the fashion. For my twenty-first birthday, I asked for a trip to NY as a gift from my parents but I never thought it would actually come true. Luckily for me, my parents know how to make me the happiest daughter on the face of the planet.
So, was New York all I ever dreamed it would be?
Ummmm, YES.
I know a lot of West Coast peeps that visit NY end up hating it because they think it's too congested, the people are rude, and it smells.
I love the crowd. I didn't have any negative encounters with people there, and to be honest, didn't smell at thing. Maybe growing up near a large city like San Francisco made me accustomed to the big city life, which is why I absolutely LOVED New York City.
I promised to myself and everyone that I'm going to live there one day. My top two choices are between Manhattan (for obvious reasons) and Greenwich Village (I love the energy and the neighborhoods!).
Since I'm studying business, and I want a career in the fashion corporate world, obviously, NYC would be the ideal location for me to head over to.
The breathtaking view from our hotel room.
Grand Central Station
New York Public Library
Central Park
The Met
Madison Avenue
Flatiron Building
Lady Lib
Wall Street
Freedom Tower
Manhattan (future residency)
Washington Square Park
Greenwich Village (other future residency)
SoHo
Blue Note Jazz Club
Broadway
New York took my breath away and I left my heart on the East Coast.
-K
#TBT: NYC trip
In honor of #ThrowbackThursday, I decided to post some pictures of our previous family trip to New York City during the summer of 2014.
I have dreamed of going to NYC since birth. I've always been fascinated by the lights, the atmosphere, the fast-paced environment, and of course, the fashion. For my twenty-first birthday, I asked for a trip to NY as a gift from my parents but I never thought it would actually come true. Luckily for me, my parents know how to make me the happiest daughter on the face of the planet.
So, was New York all I ever dreamed it would be?
Ummmm, YES.
I know a lot of West Coast peeps that visit NY end up hating it because they think it's too congested, the people are rude, and it smells.
I love the crowd. I didn't have any negative encounters with people there, and to be honest, didn't smell at thing. Maybe growing up near a large city like San Francisco made me accustomed to the big city life, which is why I absolutely LOVED New York City.
I promised to myself and everyone that I'm going to live there one day. My top two choices are between Manhattan (for obvious reasons) and Greenwich Village (I love the energy and the neighborhoods!).
Since I'm studying business, and I want a career in the fashion corporate world, obviously, NYC would be the ideal location for me to head over to.
The breathtaking view from our hotel room.
Grand Central Station
New York Public Library
Central Park
The Met
Madison Avenue
Flatiron Building
Lady Lib
Wall Street
Freedom Tower
Manhattan (future residency)
Washington Square Park
Greenwich Village (other future residency)
SoHo
Blue Note Jazz Club
Broadway
New York took my breath away and I left my heart on the East Coast.
-K
Distant relatives from the Philippines came to visit us and we were tourists for a bit in SF.
Travel & Adventures: San Francisco
Distant relatives from the Philippines came to visit us and we were tourists for a bit in SF.
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