I definitely have a cold

Last night, after this meeting at Eddie's school, I started getting the chills. Took my temperature - it ranged from 99.6 to 100.8. Dang! So, I stayed home today - my nose is congested and I have a cough from post-nasal drip. Rescheduled my zometa appointment, which was supposed to be today. Figured I shouldn't infect other cancer patients.

My class went fairly well yesterday - found energy somehow! We'll see how tomorrow goes. I only hope I can make it. I may take it easy and show a film.

I watched daytime TV all day - if that isn't enough to get me over this cold sooner, I don't know what is! LOL

Well, signing off. Have a good night everyone!

Home again home again

. . . but not looking forward to work! Eddie and I could get used to living in Hawaii for awhile. I'd like to figure out a way to stay over there for a month. I realize that I say that every time I travel . . .

Anyway, we had a wonderful time with wonderful hosts. Arna, Renee's partner, was wonderful about helping Eddie with the boogie board on Sunday. We saw a turtle again from a distance. Renee helped, too, and she was trying to coax me a little bit further into the ocean to see the fish, but it seemed to me that the waves were a bit stronger there. I didn't quite have the confidence to go further. So, Renee gave me and Eddie an assignment for next time: learn how to swim better!

Sunday night, we had dinner with her colleagues and had an interesting discussion of things like indigenous epistemology, education, folklore, and anthropology. One woman says that "anthropology is a dying discipline; unless, of course, an indigenous person uses it". I think what she means is that the type of anthropology that grew out of colonialism is dying and the only way it can survive is if anthropologists study their own cultures. She said that when that happens, then it becomes sociology. I disagreed and said that sociology usually looks at larger social processes; anthropology's strength is looking at a micro-level - anthropologists actually talk to people. I should have also added that anthropology is more holistic than other disciplines - it tries to understand the impact of economics, politics, etc., on a group's culture and vice versa. It was a good discussion and one that gave me quite a bit of food for thought.

I caught a cold - Sunday night, I noticed a slight sore throat. Monday morning, I had to pack and I could feel of congestion. It's a cold now. Slightly stuffy nose. A slight cough. A slight headache when I woke up this morning. I took 1000mg of Vitamin C before bed and slept fairly well. I'll take more this morning and also Airborne or something else.

A big "iliGanamik" (King Island Inupiaq for "thank you") to Renee and Arna, Renee's parents, and everyone else I met in Hawaii. We had a wonderful time!

I teach today at noon ... and then a meeting at Eddie's school. Then, rest rest rest. Happy Tuesday everyone!

I'm having the time of my life right now!

This was what Eddie said to me as he and I swam at Kailua Beach on the east side of Oahu. He said that twice while we were in the water and so I asked him why. His reply? "I like the waves." So, definitely, the ocean and the waves are in his blood.

We flew to Oahu Thursday morning and after dropping some things off at Renee's parents house in Aeia, we drove to Sea Life Park. We wandered around this tank that had stingrays and other colorful fish. Then, we saw the dolphin show and were treated with the sight of the "wholphin", a cross between a fake killer whale and a dolphin. After lunch, we saw another show in the Open Theater. Of course, we took seats in the splash zone. We watched the dolphins again and then a little parade that included penguins walking by in front of us and then sea lions. The trainers stopped a sea lion right in front of us and we could see its black teeth. The dolphins did another show and we got splashed by a dolphin who threw a football through the open air roof and who jumped high to do it . . . and splashed us! We all loved it.

After that, we went to Kailua Beach and after Eddie got used to the waves, we saw a yellow turtle swimming about 10 feet away! It was sooooo cool! We stayed in the water almost two hours, then it was back to Renee's parents' house. We took it easy that evening and had dinner at their house.

Friday, we went to the Dole Plantation near the North Shore, where Eddie and I walked through what is billed as the largest maze in the world. We found all eight stations using their map. It took us 48 minutes. It was pretty hot - mid-80s - but we got through. Then back to downtown Honolulu, where we had lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Afterwards we went to a bookstore/Hawaiian art store owned by a woman who was the sister of one of Renee's advisors. Then, we checked out this bead show and I ended up buying some beads from a vendor from Colorado who makes these really cool pendants . . . I'll have to post a picture when I remember!

Then, we went Ala Moana Park to swim - parts of it had lots of coral and so we found a sandier area to swim. Eddie liked being in the water, but it was sorta "boring" for him because the waves weren't as high. Back to Renee's parents' house to clean up and then pack to come back to Hilo.

We just relaxed and unpacked and we all went to bed fairly early. We were bushed.

What's up for today: drive along the east shore of the Big Island, stopping at Rainbow Falls, then to Waimea to meet the former chair of my department for lunch. I think it's at a restaurant not far from Parker Ranch. Back home by late afternoon where Eddie can go swimming again at Richardson's.

Tomorrow: swimming, then watching a local festival where they will perform hula, then dinner with one of Renee's colleagues.

So, we're having fun, keeping busy, enjoying our time here. We brought Eddie's wii and so far Arna and Renee enjoy playing it. My only complaint is that we don't have enough time! Have a great week-end everyone!

Greeted with lei's

Renee picked us up at the airport and she gave us lei's! It was pretty cool, because right before we landed in Honolulu, Eddie said, "I wonder if we will get a lei". I'll try to post pics of them because I think Eddie got a male version and I got the female version.

Yesterday, we just relaxed after we got to Renee's house and visited. Renee's partner is Arna. Had a great dinner and just talked. It is certainly humid here. Not too hot, thankfully.

Today, we're heading to the Open Market (a farmer's market) and then the volcano and then the beach. I think there are turtles and fish at this beach, so I should get some good pictures.

Tomorrow, we go back to Oahu and will stay with Renee's parents and drive around the island. We get back Friday about dinner time, I think. We'll go to the beach there, too.

Saturday, we will meet the former chair of my department for lunch in Waimea - he lives not too far away from there. We might see waterfalls along the way.

Sunday, we will meet with one of Renee's colleagues. More beach time then, too.

We leave late morning on Monday . . . darnit!

Anyway, we made it safe and sound and are having fun so far!

We are almost ready to go to Hilo!

Spent the evening packing, figuring out what was important to bring (Eddie and I both have a bit of homework). We are going to have a great time! Hang out on a beach one day; see a volcano; go to the Dole Plantation; maybe the Audobon Society; and relax, relax, relax.

I may not be posting much while I'm away . . . but know that I'm having fun! Have a great week everyone!

And, a good time was had by all . . .

Beautiful weather.

Ate wonderful food . . . and believe it or not, everyone enjoyed the blueberry tart that I made!

Watched pelicans and seals on the beach.

Saw a wonderful sunset.

Enjoyed good conversations and a couple of fun games.

Fell in love with the coast all over again when we (Scott and I) did a series of short hikes around Cape Perpetua.

Pictures will be posted soon!

Thanks, everyone!

Got week-end plans?

A group of colleagues and Scott and I are heading to Waldport this week-end. It should be a fun time. We all took certain meals to prepare while we're down there. I asked to join with someone else ... so I wouldn't have to cook. I made a green salad and a blueberry tart. That was fun! From the sounds of it, we're going to eat pretty well! Yay for me! : )

Other than that, no other news. Can't quite get my head into a writing assignment. But doing well and staying busy! Happy week-end everyone!