Arriving in California

We arrived in California at 5:30AM on Tuesday, June 27. The weather was nasty; foggy, humid, COLD (61 degrees) and cloudy. It was so weird to see people walking around with jackets and sweatshirt in the middle of June. I have to admit this morning, I was already missing Hawaii.

Only had 2 hours sleep in the last 48 hours. I am tried, cranky and just plan not in a good mood. However, I am trying to keep an open mind and think positive of our new adventure.

We are living in the Residence Marriott...It is like an apartment here. Pretty cool and the girls seem to like it also. We are all able to be in one living space together, so that is nice. We don't have a backyard, so we are having to take the girls out walking A LOT and they seem to really enjoy it. I don't think they slept good on the plane...They have been asleep all afternoon.

Waikiki

[Kelly floating at Waikiki Beach]

[Ron's Lunch from McDonald's that came with Pineapple]

Ron and I spent most of today [Saturday, June 24] lounging around Waikiki Beach. It was so relaxing to float around the ocean. However, after living here for 6 years I would say there are better areas to enjoy the beach than Waikiki; Bellows Beach, Lagoons at KoOlina, North Shore and White Plains. Since we hardly spent time in Waikiki we decided to hang out here and enjoy the atmosphere. Ron ran to McDonald's to grab a bit to eat...The meals at this McDonald's came with Pineapple...I have NEVER seen that the entire time I have lived here.

Homeless in Hawaii

Aloha,

We are finally homeless in Hawaii. After one long week of cleaning, mailing 10 packages to our new PO Box, packing, dropping the girls off, etc...we passed final inspection and moved out on Friday, June 23.

Just a few updates:

1. We are currently living at the Waikiki Marriott Beach Resort and Spa. We will be here until Monday, June 26. The bed here is GREAT...However, this is coming from someone who has been sleeping on an air mattress for the last month.

2. Girls (Dogs and Cat) are in the MWR Kennel. I had some separation issues since this is the first time they are living in a kennel. [Ever time we have went on vacation, my wonderful neighbor Mike has taken care of them. ] Victoria was scared....she went back into her kennel. Izzy and Kehau seemed to not mind at all.

3. We will be leaving Hawaii Monday, June 26 at 9:30PM [Hawaii Time] and arriving in Califonia on Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30AM [Pacific Time]. We will be once again living at the Marriott there. I am really excited b/c this Marriott is a "Pet Friendly" hotel....Girls get to live with us. Oh yea, looks like the girls will be allowed to fly with us on our American Airlines flight Monday.

Until next time...

Manoa Falls Hike

Today, I went on the Manoa Falls hike with my neighbors; Jen, Louis and kids. It was a very muddy hike, but a wonderful hike. This hike is only minutes away from Waikiki and can be enjoyed by the entire family since it is not a hard hike to do. I was very suprised that this hidden jewel was so easy to access.

Free at Last!!

I am officially unemployed and LOVING IT!!! Yesterday was my last day of work and they sent me out with a very nice luncheon. I really enjoyed working at TAMC with everyone. I also left my little office and good friend Charisse at the HNL Airport last Thursday. However, it is time to move on to bigger and better things in Cali.

Ron's last day was last week and they are having a farewell dinner this Friday for him. Since he is not officially unemployed, he is taking a month off and is LOVING that.

Here is what is going on:

-Girls (Dogs and Cat) had their last Vet appointment today. Everything went well and they are okay to fly back to the mainland.
-House is about 55% ready for turnover. Just have to clean a few more things and we are good to go!!
-Check out of the house on Friday and move into the Marriott Waikiki Resort and Spa!! I have my float and I am ready to just relax in the ocean!!

Move to come in the following days.

Hawaii Beach to Ventura Beach

Leaving Paradise has made everyone make one statement, "You are going to miss the beaches in Hawaii." Well...Actually, look at this:

Beach located at Ventura, California

Beach located at North Shore, Hawaii

Not that much of a difference. The military lifestyle can be so rough....They move us to the most isolated and unattractive areas...Yea Right!!

Kelly's Adventure Night Snorkling

So...I had this great idea to go night snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. They offer this twice a month and since we are without all of our household items, what better time. I had been on numerous snorkeling trips before, however, they all took place during daylight hours. I figured this would be an interesting way to see the ocean life after the sun goes down.

Night snorkling is a much different feeling than day snorkling because you can't see anything except where your light shines. It was a scary feeling not knowing what or who was swimming beside you. The waves where pretty bad the night we went out and I got beat up by the coral, so after about an hour and a half, I decided I had seen enough and headed back to shore.

Memorial Day Weekend and Shipping the Animals

Memorial weekend was not very interesting at the Williams house. The Navy decided that would be the weekend our household goods would be packed up and shipped out. It takes about 45 days for our household goods to arrive in California from Hawaii, so we have been living in an empty house for the past two weeks. I can't wait to see my bed again.

Shipping the animals is going to be FUN!!! Went and got all of them their "SkyKennel" a few weeks ago. Victoria (cat) ran for upstairs and we never saw her for the rest of the day. She doesn't want to have anything to do with that kennel. (I think it is bad memories of the 90 plus days she spent in quarantine when we moved to Hawaii..hehe) However, the funniest thing has happened....She loves Kehau's (Husky) kennel.

Deep Sea Fishing

On my parents last trip out here, Ron wanted to go deep sea fishing. A few friends, Ron and my dad headed out for an 6 hour fishing trip. They catch Mahi Mahi and it was great!!

Moving

It is official now...The Williams Ohana is relocating to sunny Southern California. Although we have enjoyed living in Paradise for the last six years, it is very exciting to finally know we are moving back to the mainland. It is the small things you miss while living here; Weekend get-a-ways, Chick-Fil-A, Big Red and oh yea...Family!!

We will be updating when we can!!

Graduation

FINALLY....I am done with my MBA!!!

Delta Mu Delta

Induction into National Honor Society, Delta Mu Delta

Dolphins Train Ride

The second Sunday of each month, the Hawaii Railroad Organization takes out the old 19th century Parlor car. This past weekend, Ron and I decided to take a ride in it. The trip is 90 minutes up the Leeward coast line. We had a chance to see some dolphins playing...All and all it was a good day.

Surfing

This weekend I took my first surf lesson. It was awesome!! I can't believe I have lived in Hawaii for 6 years and I am just starting to learn to surf. Just as predicated by my handsome husband....I am beat up today. It was my 4th wave that I finally got the hang of things. I have decided to keep taking the lesson, it was amazing.

Rain, Rain Go Away!!!

Okay....It has been 40 days on non-stop rain in Hawaii. This is an all time record. We have had 90 inches as of yesterday!! 90 INCHES!!! Can you imagine what 90 inches of rain looks like...Well, I can now!! We have not been able to do much with the rain, however, I have signed up for surf lesson next month. So, all you guys should look forward to pictures of that coming soon!!

Great Aloha Run

The Great Aloha Run was Ron and my first marathon....8.15 miles. We ran from Aloha Tower to the Aloha Stadium. Our goal was to finish in 2 hours. Ron finished in 1 hour 40 minutes. I finished in 1 hour 58 minutes.

Ventura California

(Sunset at the Venture Harbor)

(Part of Berlin Wall, Ronald Reagan Library)

A couple of weeks ago, my mother and I headed to sunny California for a quick visit. Ventura, Oxnard, Semi-Valley, Thousand Oaks and Camerilla was our meeting point. Actually, we met at LAX and head that way...First time I ever drove on the LA freeway system...Been there, but have never drove it myself. I would have to say I did pretty good. My mom on the other hand...Seemed a little scared!

Visited the Ronald Reagan Library in Semi-Valley. Had to be the highlight of the trip for me, but then again...I am the history person.

Texas A&M vs. TU Game

My parents got Ron and I tickets to the Texas A&M vs. TU game...WOW, was that a great game!! I am glad I went to TAMU-CC because I might not have graduated if I actually went to TAMU!!

Williams Ohana

(Margo Williams, Ron Williams Jr. and Raymond Williams)

(Picture: Ron Williams Sr., Ron Williams Jr. and Raymond Williams)

(Picture: Ron and Raymond Williams)

The Williams Ohana. Just by the pictures of the three men in the family, you know they are all related.

Universal Studios - Orlando

Randy had a blast at Universal Studios. It was his favorite place to visit. We went on a good day, it was rainy in the morning, but by afternoon it was good. There was hardly anyone there. We got to go to both parks in one day. It was cool!!