Week 43

   I have an apartment now; my own little one-bedroom. I have a bed; it was delivered two days ago. I have a car, a cute little Honda Civic I've named Kaia (I've decided that she's related to my old truck Kai who I sold to my Dad back in California). So, I finally feel like I can begin to settle because I've got the three essentials: a home, a bed, and a mode of transportation. Oh wait, I take it back, I have the four essentials: a home, a bed, a mode of transportation, and a suitcase full of dresses. Anyway, this gigantic weight has been lifted off my shoulders and now I can just nest and explore my new island. Mind you, I still feel like I'm riding an emotional roller coaster, but now it feels more like that kiddie dragon ride at the County Fair rather than the Top Gun ride at Great America. I'm realizing how moving away from all my friends and family is a big freakin' deal and it's really hard! But each day I feel my anxiety dissipate and my excitement grow for my new life here. 

    A big reason my anxiety is beginning to subside is because I have a place, a really nice place. It was quite the adventure finding it and I had to go WAY over my originally planned budget. I feel like I should have been on an episode of House Hunters! Well, it would have been an episode with the most predictable of outcomes.

   Did she go with the 200 sq. ft 'luxury' studio apartment in the heart of Lahaina Town; a complex where she met a tenant that told her about the fighting and drugs within the complex?  Or did Sarah pick the budget friendly 1-bedroom which was managed by a very sweet, although suspiciously methed-up landlady who may have mentioned a door on a unit was being replaced because of an angry boyfriend meeting it with his fist?  Or did Sarah go over budget with the newly renovated, 1 bedroom with a lanai and located outside the city center... in one of the safest areas on the island...directly across from the beach? Ding, ding, ding! You're right! Sarah picked option number three! 

    Yep, it was a no-brainer for me. So I have to work extra hard to pay for rent, but it's so worth it. It's perfect. I can walk 4 minutes to get to a fantastic natural food store that has a farmer's market three days a week. Nearby, there are three taco shops, a surf shop, a coffee shop, an acupuncturist/massage studio, a bead supply shop, a fish market, and the best part- the beach that is literally across the street. Oh yeah, yesterday I saw a husky playing in the waves at the beach! That was either the best omen ever or a very overheated dog(more likely both)!

    I'm very happy with my new place and I'm so glad I didn't pick the other options! I learned quickly where the safe areas to live were and what areas to avoid. To think, I could of had a landlady with teeth that were suspiciously decomposing or another one that wanted to rent me her 'luxury' studio apartment sight-unseen because it was being renovated( that smelled a little fishy to me). There were even a few more places I viewed, but they were all the same price as the one I picked with not nearly as many perks or the perfect location.  I'm happy to say that my landlady has already loaned me a toaster, two lamps, a coffee maker, dishes, a curtain, and a vacuum.  I can just imagine the Last Knight Templar telling me the same thing he once advised Indiana Jones, "You have chosen........wisely" 

This dress looks new because it is new. I know, I know ! But wait, don't judge yet, my mom bought it for me at a second hand shop in Paia, so it's new-used so I don't think I need to feel guilty about this inexpensive gift. There will be no more dress shopping for me in the near future, I just plan on wearing the ones still in my suitcase. Instead of garment shopping... I'll be saving for rent.