Alright so there are some definite upsides and positives to living here. Let's focus on those first shall we? I will name off the five best things IMO (in my opinion) about living out here.(Then you can stop reading if you are one of those Pollyanna's that doesn't want to read the bad part. Because then come the negatives. A self professed pessimist such as myself can't leave those out)
Ok, so first off, and drumroll please is obvious: the weather! Hello, sunshine. Let's foggetabout today's rain and drear and pretend today is like a normal day here. Let's say 9/10 days out of the year you can count on it to be warm, sunny, and beautiful in the 70's or 80's. On top of that you cannot beat the natural beauty of this place. Taking DS (dear son for those of you who are a few years behind on blog/message board slag) to the beach, pool, park, hell anything outdoors is not only possibly it is downright easy because there are so many different places to go and explore. Waikiki beach today, the North Shore tomorrow? No problem. The zoo and the pool this weekend? Sure. As far as the weather goes, Hawaii is probably one of the best places in the world one could live.
The next thing that is good about this state is the how easy it is to stay active and healthy. Hawaii is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest, fittest states in the country. Always in the top five at least. You can count on being able to go on some great hikes, bike rides, swims, paddle board sessions, canoe/kayak rides, runs, walks (if you're not so motivated like me some days, ha) and there are tons of gyms, yoga and pilates studios and what have you. I have the privilege of using the base gyms for free, but there are plenty of gyms I've seen around town, too. Also, for being such a small island Oahu has MANY great indoor and outdoor local farmers markets throughout the week making stocking up on fresh and healthy local grown produce easy and inexpensive. Oh and they built a Whole Foods here and it is finally open, sweeet.
Number three is that there is never a shortage of things to do. Boring is a choice out here. Some people complain there isn't enough to do out here if you aren't into the outdoors but I don't agree.. even if I am into the great outdoors. Indoor activities are the same here as anywhere. There are ample movie theaters, bowling alleys, sports leagues, concerts, sporting events, playgroups for kids, even an ice skating rink. There is also walking around Waikiki, downtown, or Chinatown in Honolulu if you want that urban atmosphere. There are malls, Targets, Bed Bath Beyonds. (hahaha, who cares you ask?) There are many delicious mainstream chain restaurants as well as yummy or "ono" (Hawaiian for delicious) hole-in-the-wall places where you can dine. Personally, I prefer going to the beach. Natural beauty at it's best and so relaxing! DS loves it too, he is just like me as a child; a total water baby. Or if you are military, you can always find something to do on base whether it be an arts and crafts class, exercise class, Whale Watching excursion, whatever. There are lots of things to do compared to where I come from, that is for sure.
Next on the list is number four. The food!! Briefly mentioned earlier, there isn't a shortage of good restaurants here. If you are into chains, and now let me think. There is: Outback Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, Red Lobster, Chilis, Ruths Chris, Yardhouse, Cheesecake Factory, Dennys, IHOP, Cattle Company, California Pizza Kitchen, Mortons Steakhouse, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Bubba Gumps.. and probably a lot more those are just off the top of my head. Then you have everything from Ono-licious food truck wagons: think fresh huge garlic shrimp plates and korean bbq tacos to hole in the wall breakfast places with macadamia nut pancakes with the most delicious sticky coconut sauce that will knock your socks off or decedent "Hula Pie" at Dukes (oh look, another chain I forgot..) or Kalua pig nachos.. Mmm I'm getting hungry. And I could go on and on. Yes, sometimes the plate lunch theme out here gets old. It seems everywhere you go that isn't a chain you get that "Meat/Rice/Mac Salad" plate. It does get kind of boring but from living here i've found places that are consistently good and never boring. Like this one Thai place that started out as a food truck and now is a restaurant in the North Shore.. ok I'll shut up about food now. As you can tell it is one of my favorite topics...
Moving on the number five on the list. The pure BEAUTY of this place is just astounding to behold. Okay, story. The first day my brother-in-law came out here he went to McDonalds then fell asleep. Because he got here around 8 PM our time, although back in Texas where he's from it was midnight. For him. Ah, traveling through time zones. Oops, anyway. Alright. The second day my brother-in-law was out here we drove over the Ko'olau mountain range to go to the base in which my husband works. On airplanes. All day. While me and the baby play. It isn't fair, you say? I say, neigh! Wait, what. Oh right... my brother in law's first trip out to paradise. I drove and Uncle Wade was sitting in the passenger seat while DS, Jaxon was sitting in the backseat in his carseat probably as obviously to the beauty of Kaneohe Bay and the Koolaus as I was. I just kept jabbering on while DBIL was staring out the window in awe. It is beautiful, I guess I just didn't notice it as much after 2 years of making that drive at least weekly. Since that day about a year ago now (wow time flies) I have tried to stop and enjoy the natural beauty of this place more. We won't live here forever, a new duty station will be on the horizon sooner than later and we have already been here three years. It is difficult to take the time to notice all the beauty around me when I am in the middle of a billion errands, DS is throwing a fit, I don't know what to make for dinner ect, ect, ect. I drive by the Pearl Harbor Arizona monument at least 5 times a week, but usually only notice it once. Maybe. If there's a red light. With Waimea Bay passing by in the passenger side window, I am usually more worried about when I'll get my Starbucks then looking out at it. If anything, the sunset upon the ocean is enough to get me to stop and give my (almost) undivided attention.
Ok, now on to the bad. Hmm... usually this would be easy for me as I can be pretty critical and negative from time to time. But now that I listed all the positive, thinking of the negative is a bit harder. So, I will think on it tonight and low and behold tomorrow you will have my complied list of the five most negative things about living in Oahu. Or, just read this and decide to pickup and move out here based solely on the positive and upbeat musing and ramblings of a military dependent and Hawaii housewife. The choice is yours. I'll bid yall ado with a closing quote that is quite fitting to this post, this day, and life. Aloha.
Best,
S.
