Week 52

      Hello year 2015, goodbye 2014! OK, here it is, Blog post 'Week 52,' which means this is the last post! I did it!! I actually wore all the dresses I own in the year 2014, including the 'oops'es and 'uh-oh's that I charged on my credit cards and added to my collection. I counted. The final tally for all the dresses is 70, not 59.
    I think I said this before and I'm saying it again: Don't judge! Just laugh, because I know that is a ridiculous amount of dresses. But hey, a lot of women hoard shoes or purses and could easily top that number, right? Some people have CD or DVD collections in the hundreds. Well, maybe not anymore with the invention of video streaming and Spotify...but still, I bet someone out there still has a CD album filled with Tupac's Greatest Hits, TLC's Crazy Sexy Cool, Outcast's Stankonia and so on.Wait, maybe that's me also, but I doubt I'm the only one. I've decided that it's human nature to acquire and whether it's coin collections, Pez candy dispensers, baseball cards or outdoor gear, we all do it to some extent! It just so happens that I collect dresses and now I can say I actually wore all of them this past year!

   I imagined composing this final blog post many times. I envisioned writing, "I did it", which I did, but I also wanted to make my final blog post a masterpiece! I pictured a perfectly written conclusion of the year, polished and laced with humor and witty sarcasm. It would be deep and meaningful and insightful. I would somehow gracefully describe my metamorphosis into an all the wiser dress-wearing woman who would be enlightened with the secrets of the universe via BCBG and Calvin Klein.

   Yet, I see now that's not where this is going. Yes, this year was undoubtedly jammed to the max with life changes, fantastic adventures and close-calls, but I don't see a need to relive them all or sum them up. If I learned anything in the year 2014, besides the fact that dresses are way more fun worn rather than hanging in the closet, it would be to not look back too much, rather live in the moment. It's pretty simple really. Also, this feels like the opposite of a conclusion. I have absolutely no idea what this new year will look like, more so now than ever given the past year. I'm finally starting to feel OK with this truth. There are a lot of unknowns in my life (and life in general for that matter), so I've decided to just see what happens and to do so with an unwavering positive and hopeful outlook.  Is that a cheesy thing to say? Yeah, it totally is, but why would I ever want to stop being cheesy? That's just how I roll.

   Although I feel very accomplished for completing my challenge, I'm a little sad too! I don't want this blog to be over. But the time has come, and I definitely procrastinated writing this final post for long enough. I knew once I wrote it, I'd be done, officially. I really enjoyed this whole process even when I felt rushed, overwhelmed, and stuck coming up with ideas for dress-themed excursions. I loved it all. Just as much as I'm wild for my dresses and fancied wearing them, I realized how much I love to write. In fact, that's probably what I'll miss the most about this whole blog project: writing and rambling on and on. Who knows, maybe I need to keep it up. So, don't be surprised if you get an email update for 59 Swimsuits in 52 Weeks. Haha, no, no, no ! I don't own 59 swimsuits, I only have like 35 or so...

This was once a homecoming dress so it seemed appropriate to throw it on the night I came back home to California. I was trying to pose and balance with no crutches, " Look, no hands!"

I was running out of time on Dec. 31st.! I had two dresses left to wear and just that night to wear them. So, I decided to wear a pre-party dress with some friends as we toasted with some pre-New Years Champagne

Here is the last dress, that tight black Bebe gown I kept talking about. If there was ever a time to wear it, it was most definitely this New Years. Yay!! Check! 

 I have a final picture for this blog and it's not me in a dress. I'd like to introduce you to Maka Koa. Maka Koa is my Hawaiian version for the name Rambo. The name Maka Koa translates to fierce and tough, he's a fearless warrior. Yes, Maka Koa, (Koa for short) is my new protector. I bought my dream truck this last week, and talk about silver lining! Or, in this case it's my Magnetic Gray lining (since that's the name of the color for this Tacoma). When I signed the finance papers for this 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4 x 4, it was definitely a dream come true!! Koa is one tough truck, and he has front airbags, side airbags, an internal roll bar, and also sparkles in the sunshine. I once wrote about those Knights in Shining Armor and well, here is mine. Next month, Koa and I will be back in Maui together, ready for whatever 2015 brings...

Week 51 1/2

   Mele Kalikimaka! That's means 'Merry Christmas' in Hawaiian! My recent goal, after the accident,  has been to focus on silver linings. I've made a valiant effort to have a rosy outlook and come up with comforting prospects during the aftermath. The main silver lining is the fact that I get to spend much needed time with my friends and family. My mom and brother both flew to Hawaii to be by my side and to celebrate Christmas together. Also, I get to have more time with my family and friends when I fly to California in a two days (Oh yes, I'm heading back to the Bay Area for a few weeks. I decided that living alone on the third floor would prove challenging with a broken knee). I'll also get to see some redwoods, practice playing my banjo, and wear my favorite Prana sweaters. Yes, I'm trying to look for those blue skies in the break in the clouds!
 
   But, I'm not going to lie, this has been one of the hardest weeks ever for me. I'm super emotional and pretty traumatized. My doc validated this feeling when he said I would probably experience PTSD for a while. I think he's absolutely right. Sometimes, when I close my eyes at night before I fall asleep, I can see impending car headlights coming for me. While on the way to Christmas Eve dinner, a fire truck near our rental car, gave the loudest honk at some other car, and I screamed in alarm and started to cry. Yep, I think it's probably good that I'm going back to Cali for a few weeks, I need some support after all this.
 
  Also, I'm totally okay with taking a hiatus from driving. Needless to say, not only can I not operate a moving vehicle with a bum leg, but the thought of driving makes me rather anxious at the moment. The next wheel I get behind is indeed going to be the wheel of my future truck named Rambo. More silver lining: I'm going to get myself a big, safe truck with 4 wheel drive, I wasn't joking. Trucks don't get stuck in mud in sugar cane fields either, more silver lining.
 
  To continue with focusing on the bright side of things, I also feel reassured with my decision to move to Hawaii. I've realized how very determined I am to make a life here for myself. I have more certainty and drive than ever before; some stupid drunk driver isn't going to dare mess with my dreams!  I can't  get in the ocean for at least six weeks, so I just keep picturing the day when I can jump back into my ocean and feel the salty warm water as I swim. I also imagine myself working on that boat, seeing the whales breach and dolphins spin. I picture myself saying, "I'm here, I had a bump in  the road, but I got here." In the meantime, while I'm recouping in Cali, I can make more paintings and jewelry to put in galleries. So again, the lining is that I have a lot of time to make some art. I have a sneaking suspicion that this whole appreciation of being alive jazz is going to be very conducive to creativity and inspiration for my art.
 

I definitely overdressed for Christmas Eve dinner, but I finally wore my BCBG mini dress! I decided to say, "What the Heck, why not?" I had to do something to doll up 'em crutches. 

I figured out how to get up and down the stairs with one leg, all by myself and I was soooo stoked! I felt like a proud little kid, announcing, "Look what I can do!" However that excitement was short lived after a downpour of rain that left the railing and steps slick and slippery...then getting down the stairs became more frightening rather than exciting. I love my apartment...but three flights of stairs with a broken knee (43 steps to be exact) is not ideal. I'm very much looking forward to recovering in California at my mom's one-story house!!  By the way, all these dresses are suddenly very useful. I find pants and shorts difficult to wear with a leg in a brace. See??? My dress obsession is proving to be quite useful! 

Week 51

    I decided on a new name for my next vehicle: RAMBO. I feel like this world is my oyster and I consider it generally to be a safe place that loves me; it nurtures my growth and development and it's continually molding me into a wiser and happier being. But there's also some bullshit in it (please pardon my French). This includes bullshit such as a-hole drivers that decide to chug a handle of Jim Bean before they get behind the wheel, crazies that get their kicks from attacking unarmed women that walk alone at night in the street, or even just those jerks that have fun putting people down and taking advantage of others. I strongly believe that the world is overall a good place filled with lots of loving people, but by no means perfect, so I'm going to do my damn-est to prepare for those not-so perfect parts of it.

   I was never a Honda Civic kinda girl anyway. It made a lot of sense getting an island cruiser when I first moved here. It got great gas mileage, it was functional and just seemed logical to sell my truck that was not only very thirsty, but also getting old and reaching well over 100,000 miles. But  Hondas and I just don't vibe. My Honda, my departed Kaia, not only was she 2 wheel drive, but she was beige. I don't do beige. In my gut I knew better, In my heart I'm a truck gal, and I need me a tough vehicle that's not gonna take any crap from those drunk drivers that swerve around a corner heading straight for me at 45 mph. Nope. I need me a hardy RAMBO that will squash a driver like that in his tracks.
   Since the accident, I've decided I can choose to recover just as me...and I consider myself a pretty awesome chick, and I can hop around on my crutches and heal. Or, I can still be me, but I can be a gosh darn-tooting, tenacious bad ass fighter version of me that hops around on my crutches with a little extra gangsta swagger as I heal. Yep, I like the second option. I'm a tough cookie and I'm gonna drive a truck named Rambo. Well, I'm not convinced on the name Rambo just yet, but it's gonna be a beast...with an equally brute name.

   I think while I'm healing I may take some self defense classes as well. Forget finding a guru to guide me through seated meditation, I need a self defense instructor to teach me gimp-style karate. Pretty soon I'll be swinging my crutches, armed and dangerous, capable of taking out a mean gang of drunk drivers with a single swing; a fractured patella ain't stoppin' me. I'll be like Kung Fu Panda with my crutches,  Hi-Ya!!! "Take that", I'll shout to any jerks or mean people! But I'm sending big hugs and smiles and rainbows to everyone who is nice! Group hug anyone? See, I'm still ME! Just with a little extra 'umph' now. ( I got staples in my head, don't mess with me!) OK, remember in my last post when I said I wasn't angry at the guy that hit me? Yeah, well, as I write this, I'm realizing that maybe a wee bit of anger is starting to ooze out. But really, I'm not super heated or bitter (although maybe I should be, but it just seems like wasted energy). I just want to be more prepared and more on the defensive. I know we can't always control what happens to us, but it doesn't hurt to drive a bigger car, carry mace, and learn how to high kick while using crutches.

Finally, I got some fresh air after the accident, and I felt like a new woman. Feeling the ocean breeze and watching the sun's reflection sparkle off the bright turquoise water was medicine for the soul! That's a better fix than pain meds any day. Look at those crutches too, those are some solid metal sticks; I could easily use them as weapons if need be!

Unfortunately, getting outside is a bit tricky (given my 3 flights of stairs) and requires major assistance from a strong helper...so I don't get to the ocean everyday. A lot of time is spent here, on my two full size futon mattresses that my friend Paige stacked on top of each other to make a functional and affordable couch.  I'm wearing a fancy dress because I've decided that this jaunt counts as one of my excursions. Getting from my bed, and up and onto the couch during these early stages of healing actually is no easy task..so heck yeah I'm including this!

Week 50

  Well, where do I even begin? I feel like each time I start pushing my fingers against my keyboard, I immediately hold down the backspace button to erase any words I start writing. Hitting the delete button does not have the same satisfying effect as crumpling up pieces of paper from a typewriter and throwing them into the waste bin across the room. I don't know where to start or how to even write about this. I don't want to sound melodramatic or too nonchalant and casual.  I just went through the scariest experience of my life and I'm finding it very difficult to transfer so many new emotions into words. I guess I'll just write, and see what comes out. I'll try my best to express the events as they happened. On a bonus note, I do get to include a dress in the story, although I now consider it my least favorite dress I've ever worn.

   I still see them now, six days later when I close my eyes. I see headlights, bright headlights expanding quickly as they head directly for me. It's weird, it felt like it happened really fast but also in slow motion, so I kind of get it when other people use both analogies as they describe that moment of impact. It's fast but slow, a complete oxymoron.  I didn't have much time to process what was happening, I just remember thinking NO, they're in the wrong lane, they're in my lane. I tried to move my car out of the way. There was no noise or no crash. That was it, it was all so silent. It was dark. When I opened my eyes I saw two people at my door, trying to get it open. The guy had to pull hard on the handle and force it ajar. There was a weird material in my lap, an off-white burlap kind of fabric and then I realized it was my deployed airbags.
   That's when I pieced together what had just happened and I quickly started to shake and felt the heat of my tears as they hit my checks.
  The guy and girl that came to my aid carefully got me out of my car and helped me to the side of the road out of the street. They did all the right things, they asked me my name and reassured me that an ambulance was on its way. I couldn't bend my right leg, and felt a sharp pain deep in my knee. Also, the back of my head pounded and I felt warm liquid beginning to stream down the back of my neck. I knew I was hurt and bleeding; I was terrified.

   It was Saturday morning and I was on my way to my first day on the job. It was a job where I knew I'd have to be investing in more sunscreen; a job where I'd be working as crew for the boat, Pride of Maui. I was so excited and so nervous. It was supposed to be my training day, a day with me on the boat, getting a feel for things and my goal was to impress the boat captain so he would say, "Yes, you're hired, we want you full time!"
   It was 5:30 am when I left my apartment and it was still dark out, you could barely make out the separation between the ocean and the sky. I wore my sporty Prana swimsuit under a blue collared shirt and a white pair of shorts. On the passenger side seat I had thrown a backpack full with extra layers, my Chacos, a water bottle, and a notebook with a few more last minute scribbled facts about humpbacks whales I wanted to memorize to impress the customers on the boat.

  In the ER, I wasn't less scared, I was still shaking. My clothes had been cut off me earlier and I was lifted from a backboard onto a gurney. I was covered with a few blankets for my shock, and the nurses that helped me kept reminding me to take long deep breaths as I gasped for air in between my tears. The nurses were also really nice because they saved my Prana swimsuit and even cleaned all the blood stains off of it. Finally, after my parents were called, I was given a morphine IV, and I had learned the names of the some of the nurses and doctors, I began to breath more normally. I was given X rays for both ankles and my right knee. Doctors used an ultrasound on my stomach to rule out any internal bleeding. I had a CAT scan and and MRI of my head and neck. Overall, I came out extremely lucky, beyond lucky. Thank you, universe. I found out I had a fractured knee with a deep lesion, a major concussion and cut on the back of my head and then just some sprained ankles, cuts, bruises and welts from where the seat belt kept me from flying out the window.

     I experienced some major firsts. Most of these firsts were firsts I never hoped I'd ever have to go through, but some did come with a bit of humor. And I need to incorporate some humor, especially after an event like this. This was the first time I had morphine. Also, this was the first time I ever broke something on my body, and with a broken knee... I was praising humankind for the invention of morphine. This was the first time I was put under anesthesia for surgery(minus the extraction of my wisdom teeth) Because of the big gash on my knee, my doc, Doctor Boody, was worried about infection, so he had to get into it, clean it all out, then  stitch it up. After the procedure I was super, duper doped up, and as I came to...the nurse was laughing at me. Apparently, I was telling him about my amazing dreams of hot guys.

    It was the first time I spent a night in a hospital, in fact, it was two nights. I experienced using a bed pan and received a sponge bath for the first time as well. Maybe the sponge bath would have been more exciting if it was given to me by a Channing Tatum look-alike, or a male nurse for that matter, but it was nothing to write home about. However, I did manage to embarrass a few male nurses, because I saw their faces turn red. Getting up and out of the hospital bed required some major assistance given my injury, and hospital gowns are not known for being the most modest garments either. Whatever, it's just a bum, and after everything that just happened I wasn't the least bit shy about flashing my bum to some nurses(they're supposed to be used to seeing butts!)

  There's a lot more I could talk about. I have six staples in my head. It makes me feel tough saying that, but the truth is I was anything but tough when I was getting them. I have a new pair of crutches and my car Kaia is officially in the car cemetery. That's the main thing, it's just my car there, not me. I'm  alive.  My doctor told me that the day after I was admitted there was another drunk driver that collided with someone else and that victim had passed away. Again, I'm alive. Oh yeah, that too... it was a drunk driver that hit me. I know that because I had to share the ambulance ride back with him to the hospital, and I could smell the booze seeping out of him. That was really weird and I couldn't look at him. Maybe later I'll be angry, but right now I'm just thankful to be breathing and with minimal injuries. And I'm counting my lucky Hawaiian stars that I'm sitting here and able to use all my fingers to write this out.

So here's the gown that I wore this week, and yes it's my least favorite.

This is what's left of my car after the head on collision. If you want to share this picture, feel free. I know it's almost the holidays, and there are going to be lots of parties and lots of booze consumed, so maybe if you show this to someone and they share it and so on...maybe it will make a difference and it could prevent someone else from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. 

Week 49

   I've spent this last week in limbo. I wish that meant I was back bending under a bamboo pole on a white sandy beach, but it doesn't. Oh, I just had a flash back to last year when I actually was in a limbo contest. I was in Fiji and I would have won the competition had it not been for some blonde Swedish chick who was abnormally flexible. Freakin' Europeans, she robbed me of my free Piña Colada! Sorry, I digress. Anyway, this week I've been in limbo because of my job search.

    I've been stressing myself out because of all this job hunting mumbo-jumbo. At first I was upset because I couldn't find a job and now I've stressing because after finally receiving some job offers... I can't decide! Really, why am I overly afflicted with decision-making? This is a good predicament to be in!
    First and foremost, I need to work on some de-stressing techniques and start meditating. Ya, ya, I know that it's to be expected that this whole process of moving and finding a new job is a humdinger on the mind and body. Because of all this, I'm just so thankful that out of all the places I could have picked to relocate, I chose Hawaii. Hawaii is the most conducive for relaxing! To think, what would have happened if I moved someplace like New York??  I got lost in a small sugar cane field here; I can't even imagine what it would be like to navigate downtown Manhattan! I love how the maximum speed limit is around 45 mph. I'm contemplating posting a "Slow Down, This Ain't the Mainland" sticker right next to my "Practice Aloha" bumper sticker on my Honda.
   
   Hopefully, by next week's blog post I'll be announcing that I have some super awesome job, until then...well, I'll do my best to not fret. Perhaps by next week I'll also have found a yogi guru who can guide me through seated meditation( in a dress of course). That shouldn't be too hard, like I said, this is Hawaii!
 
   Earlier today, I did, however, make a Pros and Cons list for my top two job choices to help me decide. I'll just call them Job A and Job B (to keep it simple) for now. I'm a big fan of the Pros and Cons list because after writing my reasons down and rereading the list, everything did become a lot clearer. For example, a con for Job A would be " I'd have to buy more sunscreen" whereas a con for Job B would be " I'd have to buy more Advil." I can't decide if having to buy more sunscreen for a job would actually be a con, I think it's more of a positive indication. Also, needing more Advil is definitely not a good thing.  Job A is currently ahead.

Another sunset on the beach, and I finally was able to fit into this silk printed dress. Yep, this dress had been a little too snug to wear earlier in the year, but one of the bonuses of my stressed out state, is a slimmer figure. That's good, but actually not good. Bad stress, bad! I'd totally be OK with this dress not fitting again if it meant less stress and more Pina Coladas...

And unfortunately this is another selfie, but I can explain! I met my friend Jackie and her buddies who were all in town from Cali for the week. We met up at the beach at night but when they tried to take a picture of my dress outfit, the flash didn't work, the shot came out pitch black. So after leaving my buddies at their hotel room, I snapped this quick pic. This outfit was my attempt of dressing down one of my Bebe gowns with a flannel shirt. All that's missing is my lumberjack in matching flannel with a neck tie. 

Week 48

  Annabelle leaned her heavy body up against me as we both fought for the same window seat. Finally, we reached a compromise where she sat on my lap, squashing me as she pushed her side into my chest. Like-minded creatures we stuck our heads out of the car and closed our eyes, sniffing all the new scents in the misty cool air as we were being zipped along the curves.
   Annabelle is Javier's pit-bull, but she looks more like a chocolate lab to me. And Javier is one of three new friends that I recently made. I met Javier and Trevor at a pub quiz last Monday night. Well, this last Sunday they invited me along with their friend, Liz, up to the top of Haleakala to catch the sunset. Haleakala is Maui's highest point, the world's largest dormant volcano and it's a good drive from where I live. It's so true how that saying goes: it's the journey, not the destination. So much of the fun for me was just snuggling up with Annabelle during the drive up and down; we instantly bonded. If we weren't halfway out the window at the same time, then she was laying her head on my lap as I stroked her velvety fur behind her ears.
   I would love to supply a photo of me wearing one of my elegant gowns atop the volcano at sunset, but it would be a photo-shopped fake. I don't even know how to use Photoshop; I keep telling myself that I need to learn one of these days. A dress would have been a really bad idea any-who. I wore leggings with two pairs of layered jeans, a wool base layer, a technical fleece and my Rev-cloud synthetic jacket, all while I was tucked under a comforter cover perched in a lawn chair...and I was still shivering. Those who complain that they would miss seasons living on a Maui, just drive upcountry. However, man oh man, the view was so worth a few shivers! I wonder if any of the stores here sell parkas and ski gloves for my next trip up?

  Back to the subject on Photoshop, I really do need to learn! No, no, that would be cheating to superimpose dresses in my pictures. Although, it would help my current situation. I've got a bit of a hiccup in the dress-mission department and I need major help. I blame my procrastination tendencies. I was living in the Bay Area up until mid October, but I failed to wear my fanciest of dresses out to posh restaurants or swanky clubs. I went to clubs and restaurants. but I wore my kinda fancy dresses there, not my super fancy dresses! Nope, instead, I saved practically ALL of my gingerbread gowns for a laid back, casual tropical island. What was I thinking and what am I going to do? Should I pick pineapples in my Bebe shear midriff revealing gown? Or must I romp around the sugar cane fields in my BCBG mini dress? I already learned my lesson about avoiding sugar cane fields and muddy dirt roads.  I counted all the dresses I have left to wear. I don't have a final tally on all that I own (but it's definitely more than 59 given a few purchases).  I do know I have 3 unworn dresses here, and another 6 flying in a flat rate box over the Pacific Ocean as we speak.  So I have to wear 9 dresses before Jan 1st to complete my blog mission. Oh dear. I do need help. I need ideas! Where on earth on Maui can I wear this kind of swag? I thought about going to the Grand Wailea alone in a tight, black dress but then started to fantasize that a security guard would think that I was an escort on the prowl and then escort me outta there. I'm realizing it takes a lot of guts to wear these sorts of dresses, that's why I procrastinated for so long. It may take some mojo to wear these outfits, but it takes even bigger kahunas to do it ALONE. Well, I am in Hawaii, so I reckon if I was going to find kahunas anywhere, they would be here. My newly-made friends may think I'm crazy when I explain this dilemma, but hopefully I can get some company for at least a few of these missions. Again, any suggestions???

Here are some back-up dress pictures. Let me explain.. at one point I was ahead on my dress count so I didn't include a few of the dresses I wore out earlier in the year.. in case I had a predicament such as this. So here are a few more dresses I did wear, although it was not this week, it was more like back in February. Here they are, my cards are all out on the table and I still have 9 more dresses left. 

At my friend Lindsey's deck party

And munching on some midnight pizza after a night of dancing in the city with my friend Gabs. Shoot! I should of worn my Bebe dress that night!

Week 47

   Ok, I lied, Hide and Seek wasn't my last romance novel.  It's funny how red in the face I was when I went back into that used bookstore. I felt like that teenage boy sneaking into the curtained off adult area of a video store.  Instead, I was in the back room of a bookstore, in the Romance section. After grabbing a few more creatively titled books with puffed up and bare chested men prominently displayed on the covers( at the bargain price of $1 a pop), I threw in a few normal fictions for good measure. I stacked them on top of the racy covers, just like one of those trips to a drug store where you hide the box of condoms under a pile of magazines and shampoo, looking around nonchalantly as the clerk rings you up.
  I am slightly relieved however, because I have yet to begin reading any other libidinous literature. Nope, I have those books tucked away for safe keeping.  I'll save them for a rainy night. When my friends are watching farmer Chris hand out fantasy suite envelopes I'll be learning about Isabella Valdez's attraction to her dark and mysterious boss, Fallon Jones.

   I also think I may of scared myself when I came home with a bag full of romance novels. My life suddenly flashed before my eyes. I envisioned a frightful scene: alone, mesmerized and transfixed in a world that revolved around Fabios, Damiens, and damsels in distress. Yes, I can believe it's not butter.  So, I am very pleased to announce that I kicked myself in my own behind and I've been making a valiant effort to go out, hobnob with locals and leave my books hidden in the depths of my wardrobe closet.

  This last week I've spent numerous nights out on the town instead of at home reading. I even dared myself to go out to a bar alone in a dress! I really don't understand why I've found it so difficult to rally my confidence to fly solo here. I'm used to going out stag all the time when I travel halfway across the world to foreign cities! Yet, for some reason, here in Hawaii, I've been feeling like a shy little scaredy-cat. But a few nights ago, I threw on my favorite Patagonia dress, shoved a plumeria behind my ear and gave myself a proper pep talk, "Sarah, come on, you are living in Hawaii, go meet people! This is not a big deal. You've done this a million times before. Be yourself, mingle, smile. Just go to a bar and strike up conversations with some locals. You totally got this!" Well, let me  just walk you through the events of that night:

   I sat down at the bar. I ordered a big glass of the lightest beer I could see. Yes, I'd like a PBR, please. I then caught a glimpse of a guy a few barstools down from me. I quickly spouted out with a very cheery voice, " Hi I'm Sarah!! I just moved here, and I don't know anybody!"
  As soon as it came out of my mouth, I was kicking myself. Geez, that sounded so dorky! Oh, and the response was even more mortifying. In my moment of nerves, I had failed to notice this dude's grumpy disposition. He glanced over at me rather annoyed, and mumbled, "Hi."  Frowning and uninterested in any sort of conversation, he promptly returned to his beer. Trouble with Paradise? That's a good book title, perhaps he should read it.
     At that point, I was wondering how long it would take for me to down my beer and make a b-line for the front door. Luckily, not long after that ultimate fail of a social interaction, a very friendly guy accompanied by a huge Newfoundland, sat beside me and salvaged the situation. He introduced himself and we talked for a good portion of the night. By golly, I think I made a friend because I met him again the following night for another PBR and some more casual bar banter.

   Oh and I almost forgot to announce another very important event of this week! SPAM. Yes, Spam, I tried it for the very first time! My friend Paige had the day off on Saturday, so we went snorkeling with sea turtles and then chowed down on some fish tacos(I'm making it my personal mission to find and sample all the fish tacos here, thus determining the best place to get a fish taco on the island). Earlier in the day I had a very successful meeting with the owner of a very prominent gallery. I can now say that I'm officially selling my art in Hawaii! It was a big reason to celebrate so Paige bought us a bottle of champagne for toasting. Since neither of had ever sampled this condensed and canned delicacy known to the world as Spam, we decided to pair it with our champagne for dessert(why not?). When in Rome...right? So, when in Hawaii, try Spam. Since we're both new to island living, it seemed only reasonable to give the Hawaiian State staple a try. And the verdict is...yeah...don't eat it out of the can, it's better fried. Also, I think I'll stick to fish tacos for now.

Although it's hard to tell, I am wearing a dress in this picture(a turquoise silk one). My new friend and landlord, Marika, invited me to her community center's potluck event. I imagine you have a clue to the theme given this picture and the pending big turkey day tomorrow.  I even tried some traditional treats: poi, breadfruit, and raw crab.