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.