First day alone

Today (Monday) I woke up at 8am and I had been sleeping around 18 h ;) I just woke up sometimes but I was really tired so it was nice.
When I got up, I was shaky and it felt like I was drunk but I think it was cause I slept so long ;)
I had some breakfast and then I watched soccer and wrote on my blog. I have a lot of updates to do.
At around 2 I went to Anna's place to help out with Slater and the moving. We put up some stuff in their kitchen and then rearranged some of the furniture. And during all of this we were laughing and talking about Hawaii. I had some stuff I needed to discuss from the last evening, there were some gaps in my memory that needed to be filled ;)
I think we will laugh about this trip for a long time and we also wrote down a list of stuff we usually say and it's totally hilarious ;) OMG!
I stayed at Anna's place until she was off and then we went to Kirkland to have dinner out to try to regain the Hawaiian feeling. We pretended that we were on the beach street with all the restaurants and that the trees were palm trees. Unfortunately it was like 20 degrees to cold so it didn't go so well. We were at a Mexican place and it was really good food and the waiter was funny.
Then we walked to the baseball field but as usual, we just came when the game was over and before the next started we were tired of waiting so we walked back home and Anna went to her place and I went to my big, empty house all alone :(

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Depression

Today (Sunday) I woke up on the flight just when we were landing in Seattle :( It was really nice, seeing the city again but I was just sad not being on Hawaii anymore. Now my depression starts!
I landed 6:30, local time, and then I tried to find the bus that would take me home but I followed the wrong signs so I missed it and had to wait one hour for the next one. I was so pissed, cause I was tired and I just wanted to get home and it was so cold!! No, I want it to be warm....give me back Honolulu!!
Back in Bellevue, I had to wait like 20 minutes for the next bus to Kirkland and I was home at 9:45. It felt so weird coming home, after a week in such a different place, and there were no one at home..:(
Just when got in through the door, Jen called and asked if I wanted to play and since it was long ago I played I said yes.
Jen picked me up at 10:45 and then we drove to Seattle and had our game. OMG, I was so slow cause I was so tired. I don't think I did so much at the field and at half, I was put up on forward cause I wasn't so good at midfield ;) The others in the team was like: "Sandra got too many Pina Coladas last week" :) Funny!
When I got home, I took a shower and then went to bed. It was then 2pm and I slept the rest of the day ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Like a homeless person

Today (Saturday) I actually woke up on my own before my alarm went off, I could never believe that from the shape I was in when I got to bed yesterday ;) But actually that was good that I woke up cause I had set the alarm on 12 and that's when I needed to be out of the hotel ;)
My head was still spinning but I wasn't sick so I stood up, had a shower and then saw how much stuff Anna had left behind, and I just had my backpack!! So I started to pack and when I was done, my bag was almost exploding!! I was so stressed and the room was just in such a big mess but I tried to clean as much I could but then I wrote a little note to Conzuela where I apologized for the mess and gave her some bucks ;)
Well, I made to check out in time but then I didn't have anywhere to go and I felt like a homeless person with my backpack and all my bags ;) I went to the beach and tried to sleep in the shade. After a while, it started to rain and this time really bad so I had to pack all my stuff and take cover ;)
I just walked all over the beach and sat down and red my book. It was sunny and warm so it was nice but I was sad first of all to be alone, but also because I had to leave paradise today. I don't want to!!!
At around 3 I had lunch/dinner at McDonald's (really expensive) and then I just red the rest of my book and relaxed in the sun until my bus picked me up at the hotel.
I was just in such a bad mood cause I didn't wanna go!! We picked up others and in about one hour we were at the airport. I checked in and then went to my gate, and there I spent the next 1,5 h there and talked with a nice couple who had a daughter who was a nanny. She was now in Singapore with her family over summer, sounded cool!
The flight was so full that before we boarded, the flight attended came out in the waiting area and measured all the bags and sent the bags which were too big. I was scared that they would take my bag, but I was OK.
I got the window seat next to a Asian couple and thank god they weren't the talking kind so I fell asleep as soon as we took off.

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Support the troops

Today (Friday) me and Anna started of with a great Midsummer breakfast with cereals, eggs, toasts, nutella etc. Jummy! Then we decided to go to the cool shopping mall they have here. It's supposed to be the biggest outdoor mall in the world...wow!! We took one of the cool trolleys from out hotel to the mall and it took like 15 minutes cause we went up and down every street and picked up people. I forgot to write that there is so many Asian people here, it almost feels like we are in Japan or sth cause everywhere U turn are Asian people and in stores it's written in English and then Japanese (or sth)
First we went to Wallgreens to develop the other underwater cameras we had, and then we went to the mall. It was huge!! It was three floors and so many stores. We went to Victoria Secret where they had this amazing sale. It was so cheap, both bras and panties. I bought one bra and 4 panties for like 20 dollar!! Thank U!
When we were happy, we got the pictures and then jumped on the trolley again and went back to the hotel and dropped ours stuff, packed the beach bags and then went to a restaurant called Duke's and got their lunch buffet. OMG, this was so good with a lot of fruits, salad and then both chicken and fish which were so jummy! The restaurant was located just at the beach so we had a great view over the ocean and all hot surfers ;)
We walked down to "our" beach and had our air mattresses this time to float on in the water. There were kind of high waves so it was hard to stay on the mats ;)
When we were dry, Anna went to the hotel to try to get her flight for tomorrow while I went to the grocery store to get the last stuff for our Midsummer dinner I was going to cook. It's so sad cause right now, all my friends in Sweden are at the west cost and partying, and I'm not there this year. But I'm on Hawaii with Anna and that's not too bad ;)
In the store I met another Swedish family that also was looking for Midsummer food, I talked with them and it was funny!
I got what I needed and went home to Anna who had a little panic for her flight home tomorrow, but whatever ;)
I took a shower and then boiled eggs and potatoes before we wanted to go and watch a hula dance we knew was for free tonight. But Anna needed to change some flight so and then we couldn't find her credit card so we were too late. But we walked to the beach cause every Friday, the Hilton hotel had a firework so we wanted to see that. We got a great spot and it was a really nice firework. We walked one last time on the beach back and it was kind of sad cause we don't wanna leave. But tonight it's party so we couldn't be too sad now.
Back at the hotel I set the table with potatoes, "sill" (herring), eggs, carrots, cucumber, watermelon, sour cream and of course "nubbe" (Schnapps) The Swedish flag was in the center and her was a great cultural exchange from me to Anna.
The meal was great and I almost wanted to cry cause I felt like I was home. The schnapps were a bit wrong, we had peppermint and banana, but whatever. They were strong and did their job ;)
For dessert we had strawberries with milk and that was so good!! I thought Anna how we sang when we drank the schnapps and we just had a great time. It's so cool that I now can say that I celebrated Midsummer on Hawaii, how many can that? And I think this was one of the best Midsummers ever.
After dinner, we got ready for a night out and we had some nice drinks from all the leftover bottles ;)
We went to this bar called Zanzibar, that we herd was really good, and there were a long line outside and that's always a good sign.
In the line we talked with some guys and we were just goofing around and that was totally hilarious.
Inside the club, there were not so many people but we bought something to drink and then we saw those guys again so we just joined them at their table. They were soldiers (like everyone else ;)) and had been here for almost a year and was going to Iraq on Thursday so we felt like we had to support the troops ;). The sad thing was that most of them looked so young and were not 21 yet so they weren't allowed to drink and then we made up this: U can get shot but not get a shot before U are 21 ;) In the club, it was really hard to talk to them cause the music was so loud, U had to lean the head on each other to hear anything. Suddenly, a security guy came and wanted me and another guy to follow him. we didn't understand a thing and he wouldn't tell us anything before we came outside and he took off my bracelet cause apparently another guard had seen this guy, who was underage, drinking out of my beer. This is just bullshit!! We were so pissed cause it was absolutely not true! Outside I sent a text to Anna and she said that she would make a scene inside. When she came out she told us that she drank the rest of my beer in front of the guard ;) Totally hilarious! They were like: "U just drank this beer and you are underage?" Anna: Yep! But I'm leaving now. So cool! That's my girl!
When we were out, the other guy told us he knew an other place we could go to so we followed him.
This was also a nightclub and here were more people, but only guys. Not a problem for us ;) we met up with the friends of the guy and they had apparently also been kicked out from the first place so I don't know what kind of crap place that was.
There were only two of us who were over 21 so he bought me some drinks ;) The other guys also wanted to drink so we left the club and bought some fine tequila (50 bucks!!! The soldier paid so it's OK ;)) and then we went to the beach and had a party on our own. I also bought a Tequila Rose and this was the first time since I got here that I drank it and I LOVE it!!! The expensive tequila was so good and actually we didn't get a hangover from it and that's good!
It was really fun talking to them and their soldier life and how they felt of going to Iraq. They gave us a new name: we are now Battlesisters! So cool!
Anna's bus to the airport left at 5am so she could catch her flight, but we had such a great time that when we looked at the watch it was 4:55 and we hadn't packed anything in her bag cause we were stupid and said: "Let's do that when we are drunk" So she just grabbed anything she could find and we saw the bus down at the street so it was totally panic!! But she made it and then I went to bed cause my bus didn't go until 7pm ;)
This was a awesome night with some missing part of the memory but whatever, just a great ending of a great vacation with my battle sister!!

The funniest of the day: Anna: "Friends are like potatoes, if U eat them they will die"

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

What a day

Today (Thursday) it was only me and Anna and we ha a lot on our schedule. We went to a place were we had seen that we could rent scooters, it was just around the corner of the hotel so it was not far to walk.
When we came there a guy jumped up from his chair and guided us to his place that actually was another from the one we saw the other day but whatever.
We filled out the forms an did the check of the scooters, we didn't really knew what we were supposed to look for but we went around the bikes and they looked cool ;)
After a quick lesson we started and rolled away ;) Mine was red, as I wanted, and Anna's was white.
It was so cool but a bit unsteady in the beginning. It was windy so it felt like we should tip over but we were so cool drivers that we could handle it ;)
First we went up North to the Manoa Falls trail which went through the real rain forest. It was totally amassing! It felt like any minute Tarzan, George of the jungle or Jack Shepherd could walk out behind the next tree ;) So cool!
It took maybe 30 minutes to reach the waterfall and the way was really muddy and sometimes really steep. Anna just wore flip flops and after maybe 10 minutes they were to slippery to wear so she walked the rest barefoot ;) Felt really like in Lost, like the others ;)
At the top, the fall was but there were barely any water so it was kind of pathetic ;) We took some pictures and then walked back down. It was harder cause now it was a bigger risk to fall but we made it. We stopped at a little stream of water and washed our feet.
Back on the scooters we continued our road trip to the dryer part of the island where a big crater made a national park with a good trail called the Diamondhead. When we got there, it was really hot and the landscape was so dry. It's just so cool how the nature can change so drastic from rain forest to desert.
We loaded up with water and then started to walk up the crater. The road was steep and there were a lot of stairs to climb before we reached the lookout at the top. The view was just incredible. We saw the ocean on one side and then the city on the other, just beautiful.
The walk back down was not as hard and I think we were out for totally one hour or so, since we are such athletic people there was never a challenge for us ;)
After this hikes we felt really good and we just cruised around until it was time to return the scooters and this was such a great way to explore the island. This was also one of the highlights during the trip.
After we returned the scooters we went to our room and ate the last of the frozen pizza. We didn't get any bad stomachs so we were OK eating the rest also ;)
At 3:40 we got picked up by Greg who took us out to a harbor little outside Waikiki and he was funny. He was talking so much and then made fun of Anna all the time ;) He took us to the place where we were gonna go parasailing!!
We were 10 scared people who went out on a boat with two captains who took us far outside the shore. They let some of the people drive the boat, like Anna. That was funny ;)
We all got life wests and a "secure-strap-thingy" so we could hook up with the parasail, all of this was done while the boat was driving on it's own ;)
When we were at the right spot, they grabbed the first pair and sent them up 600 feet..that made just me and Anna more nervous...why did we sign up for this? :(
Me and Anna were the second last couple to go up and the captains saw that we were scared of being dropped in the water so they were teasing us about that. OMG, it was such a rush to take off from the boat and then just fly straight up in the air. We were screaming and laughing and it was just a unbelievable feeling.
Up in the air we had a great view over Waikiki with the beach and the skyscrapers, but we were most scared of getting in the water ;) we had our underwater cameras with us up there but we didn't really wanted to let go of the straps so the pictures were not that good ;)
When it was time to get down those bastards on the boat throw us down in the water and then dragged us for a while. They took us up in the air again just to throw us back in the water. And this more than with the other pairs OMG!!!
During the time in the air, the other captain, took great pictures of us and then we could buy the memory card then and it was not that expensive so we got it.
OK, this was like one of the greatest things I ever done and I so recommend this to everyone.
When we were in shore again Jason, the main captain, asked if someone was of for party and of course me and Anna said yes, yes! So when we left the boat he took Anna's number and promised to call later. He seemed like a player but whatever, if there is a party we'll go!!
Greg drove us back home and there we took a shower, U really need to do that everyday cause there is a layer of sunscreen, salt and sand on U and that's not so fresh ;)
We went to the Farmers Market and bought some potatoes cause tomorrow is the Swedish Midsummer celebration and to that we need potatoes. We also bought some homemade papaya- and banana bread from a nice Swiss and then we went to the fruit bar where we could get the coconut drink. This was so cool, the guy just got a fresh coconut and chopped the top off. It looked like he would shop his fingers off but luckily he didn't.
The drink was so good and fresh and there was a lot in it. We sat there at the bar and drank and ate our bread and just watched people passing by. Then we took our drinks and went to the hotel to mix our own coconut drink ;) We put in some Malibu and then also some juice and it was the best drink ever....mmmm ;) We put in two straws and then went out again ;)
This Jason guy called but he was totally stoned so Anna told him that we had plans early in the morning so we couldn't go partying tonight. I was like what?!
Instead I grabbed a burger at Burger King and then we just watched all the people who were passing bye before we went home and looked at our pictures that are awesome!!
Funniest today: Sandra: "I've got dollars, do U want me?" :)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Bye bye Kadda

Today (Wednesday) Anna and Kadda went up early to watch Germany play against Ghana. They went to a sports bar while I stayed in bed cause I was kind of tired from yesterday ;)
The cleaning lady woke me up by knocking on the door but I told her to come back later, she's so sweet our Conzuela ;)
I got dressed and just when I was on my way out, Anna and Kadda came back and we packed our bags for the beach and then went to Cheesecake Factory to have lunch. This was Kadda's last day so she decided what we should do.
The lunch was really good and we went to "our" beach full and happy. We were in the water and then just dried in the sun. So nice but we all were a bit slow since yesterday but that's OK since we don't need to do anything over here ;)
At around 3pm we went back to the hotel and Kadda packed her stuff while me and Anna planed for the rest of our stay.
We went out for some souvenir shopping and then Kadda wanted a last yogurt at the cool place. We ate it on the beach and it was so nice cause it was still warm and all the lights everywhere just made it magical.
we walked slowly back to the hotel to get Kadda's stuff and we all were a bit sad. Me and Anna were mourning for Kadda who was leaving and she was sad leaving paradise. Her shuttle to the airport was a bit late so she was really nervous but it came and everything went fine. We waved her off before we walked to the international market and looked in some shops. We found a great place with cheap clothes so I bought a dress and a skirt! We also saw someone drinking out of a coconut, and we have been looking for that the whole week, so we asked where he got that from and now we know!!
Back at the hotel we had dinner. When me and Kadda was shopping food when we arrived, we bought this frozen pizza cause we thought that it's easy and good for a meal, but when we got home we realized that we don't have a oven ;) So me and Anna baked it in the microwave instead ;) It was a bit doughy but we could eat it, just hope we don't get bad stomachs tomorrow ;)
We sent a text to Shawnee and Sara to see what they were up to, and we decided to meet at the International Market. Unfortunately everything was closed when we got there so we have to take the coconut drink tomorrow instead. We went to the beach and wrote in the sand and walked in the water. So nice! At the beach, two 16 years old guys started to follow us and Sara and Shawnee got really scared and we tried to run away but apparently the guys knew every shortcut cause wherever we ran, they came from another direction ;) I mean, they were like really young and we were on a big street so it was no big deal, but the Utah girls were really freaked out. We walked them to the hotel and then promised to send a text when we came to ours so they knew we were safe, sweet ;)
Me and Anna planned some more and took a drink at the hotel before we went to bed.

Funniest of the day: Sara when we were being followed: "Shall I call your brother Shawnee?" Anna: "How old is he? 25?" Shawnee: "No 14!" What could he do? ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Pearl Harbor

Today (Tuesday) we really went up early cause we wanted to get tickets for Pearl Harbor and then we needed to be there when they opened. We manage to be there at 7am and got tickets for the Arizona memorial at 9:20am so we had time to go to the Bowing submarine first. When we entered, we got a audio set so we could listen to the great story behind the submarine. It was a bit scary at first cause I don't like it in narrow places but it was so cool to see and hear how the crew lived and how the life was there under. It was really impressing.
From the sub we first saw a movie about the attack and then we went with a boat shuttle out to the Arizona memorial where the big battle ship Arizona is buried. It was really moving and U could really feel that it was a holy place for the American people. It was so sad knowing that underneath U all these soldiers laid and they told us there were some of the survivors that died year later that got their ashes buried with their comrades.
After about 15 minutes out on the memorial, we went back and took a shuttle over to the Ford Island were we went on the battleship Missouri. The island was still an active military area. It was totally awesome! It was huge and we could walk almost everywhere and see everything. We saw the spot where the peace document was signed and I tried one of the beds. Everything was so overwhelming!
In between we went out to the car, it was no entrance fee, and got some water and snacks and also sunscreen cause today it was HOT!!
At around noon we were done and went to Pali were we could see some of the rain forest. We found a great viewpoint but it was so windy that we didn't stay so long. It was like we were blowing away ;) So it was a expensive parking cause we only stayed for like 5 minutes ;) Here we also saw more of the wild chickens and it's just weird and funny ;)
On the way back we drove through some really nice jungle and it felt like being in the Jungle Book. There were also bamboo forest which is so cool. during these two days in the car, we realized that they have only 5 songs they play all over on the radio. We heard Airplane and California girls over and over again and in the end, it was really annoying.
I was told that when U drive on Hawaii U get more calm and not so stressed and easy teased but that's just bullshit! I was so irritated of all the one way streets and no left turn that I just wanted to park the car and walk. Sometimes we went around the same block three times before we found the right way. OMG!!! So I was kind of glad when I returned the car. The guys at the firm were so nice but I was not in a mood so I couldn't really talk good English but whatever.
I walked back to the hotel and then we all had a nap to have energy for the pub crawl tonight. But the nap went on for 2 hours which put us all in a stress! The party was supposed to start at 7 so I ran down to the ABC store and got some Malibu and Asti so that we could have a little pre party ;)We walked a little bit after 7 and we brought a bottle to zip at on our way.
We met the guy from who we bought the tickets and he took us up to the bar where we started our crawl. The kids got crosses on their hands and hula necklace while the adult got a bracelet and a ticket for a free drink at the bar ;)
There were not so much people so when we had looked around, we sat down next to two girls and started to talk to them. They were Sara and Shawnee from Utah that was here with Shawnees family. They were funny and like real American cheerleaders, totally hilarious. Shawnee totally looked like Eva Longoria (Gabbie in Desperate Housewives) and the greatest comment from them was: "Where is San Fransisco?" Totally hilarious ;)
We also met two girls from California that also were nice.
At the bar we got some pasta, salad and bread but it wasn't much for the world so we didn't have so much.
There were more people and we also met some Norwegian people. They were really nice and one guy was so cute, but sadly he was marrying one of the girls on Monday, too bad ;)
The next bar was a country club but we took Shawnee and Sara to our hotel room to get drunk before the next bar instead ;) Since I was the only 21 I bought some nice to drink and then we went up and took shot for an hour before we went back to the next place that was a nice bar with pool tables, live music and a little dance floor.
When we got in I said that I felt like dancing and then a old, sunburned man took my hand and we had some turns at the dance floor...hahah he was totally hilarious ;)
We found some nice soldiers that we talked with the rest of the time at that bar and apparently there is a lot of soldiers here ;)
The next bar was more of a dance club and even here we got a free drink, mine with alcohol, the others without.
There were some Australians that were funny but they smelled like bubblegum ;) We danced a lot and the songs were great cause it was a lot from the 80s and I love it.
Soon we met the soldiers from the other bar and one of them was a great dancer ;) He was really nice and we danced a lot!!
Later, later at the hotel, we were tired and happy after a good night, but there weren't really so much people so it could have been better.
The funniest of the day: Sara and Shawnee were always saying: Really?! after everything U told them ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

The Car

Today (Monday) we also wanted to go up early to be at the car rental place when they opened, but we were lazy today as well so there were all ready a line when me and Kadda came there. We left Anna at the hotel so we didn't have to carry all our stuff so long.
When it was our turn, they told us that they didn't have any of the cheapest car left so we could either take the next cheapest or wait a couple of hours so we decided to take one which was a bit more expensive and only rent it for 2 days instead of 3.
We got a Toyota but when we had left the place, Kadda couldn't buckle up, the seat belt was stuck. She hadn't said anything earlier cause she thought she was just stupid ;) So we had to go back and when the guy tried he couldn't get it to move so we got another car. A upgrade: a Ford Taurus! It was really nice and comfortable to drive. Since I was the only one over 21 I was the only driver, nice!
We picked up Anna and later than planned, we hit the roads. We went to Pearl Harbor but when we arrived, at 9 am, we was told that all the tickets were sold out for the whole day. In two hours the tickets were gone, it's really popular.
Instead, we went to some lagoons on the west coast and it was so beautiful. Even bluer water and whiter beaches. We also snorkeled here but there were not so much fishes as in Hanauma bay. This time I also had a t-shirt when I was in the water cause now my back was burned too. So much for hardcore Swedish ;) I can't lay on my back either now ;)
We went back in the car and drove as far west as we could come cause we wanted to walk around that "pointy thingy" which Kadda had heard was a cool place.
When the road almost ended, we stopped at a beach and asked the lifeguards. They told us that it was not worth it today when it was so hot and we weren't prepared enough with no hats or enough water. The car would also not make it since it's not a off road car. The landscape was like a desert and it was really hot and there were a lot of homeless, pore people. There were whole villages along the beach where everyone lived in tents or a car or whatever. Looked really terrible and so different from the rich Waikiki area.
We stopped at McDonald's and had lunch before we went back east and then north instead to the Turtle Beach where U can see a lot of sea turtles. We had to ask some people before we found the right place but it was so cool. The first thing we saw was a sea turtle that was up on the beach. There were a lot of people watching it and there were also two people who were guarding it and making sure that no one was hurting it or anything. So cool! It was huge and looked so gracious.
We went little further down on the beach, where it was not so much people, and we could see several turtles in the water so we put on our goggles and took our cameras and went out.
It was windy so there were high waves which made it hard to swim and I was scared that I would bump in to a turtle cause they were huge! But after a while I calmed down and then I could really enjoy it. They are so gracious in the water and it's just amazing to see them in their real environment. We didn't have to go out so far cause they were hanging around the beach. This was one of the highlights for me! So cool.
When we were done, we went to the next beach that we though was one of the beaches in the TV series LOST. We found the place were Sayid and Shannon have their picnic and me and Anna pretended to have a picnic there as well ;)
It was just a great afternoon to walk around on the beach and just do nothing!
On our way back we stopped at the Dole plantation and bought some fresh fruit. We had mango, papaya, banana, pineapple and coconut. Jummy!
Back home we took a shower and then went to Walgreen's to develop our pictures from the underwater cameras. It would take one hour so we walked around to the mall but it was closed. Me and Kadda were in a bad mood cause we were hungry and tired so we needed to find a place to eat. There was a restaurant called Like Like that was open, so we went there and it was really popular, for Asian people. We were like the only white ones there and we didn't felt like home. We were placed just by the door and they were all staring at us, like we were dogs or sth. But the food was OK so we were in a better mood when we left.
There were three guys who tried to follow us (or so we thought) but we ran away ;) Back at the Walgreen's we got our pictures and also a CD so we can upload them which is really cool.
Today's funniest: Anna: "Can someone wipe this table?" Kadda: "Can someone wipe my ass?"

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Snorkeling

Today (Sunday) we wanted to go up early to be able to be in time at Hanauma Bay for the best snorkeling. But we were lazy so we didn't go until 9. First we had to look for a place to rent snorkeling stuff but after some different alternatives, we decided that it was cheaper to buy the equipment at the ABC store. This store chain is huge here in Hawaii, there is one store in every block. It's more common than Starbucks ;)
So we got the goggles with the breathing pipe but not the fins, cause we thought we didn't really need them. We took the bus again, it's really easy and cheap, to Hanauma Bay and since we were late there were already a lot of people so we had to stand in line. The beach was like down the mountain in a bay and we had to pay to go down there and first we had to watch a film about how to protect the reef.
It's so beautiful that there is no word that can describe it. The water is so blue and the beach is so white. OMG!! What U see on the pictures is not even close to how it really looked like and with all the emotions.
We found a spot in the shadow where there weren't so many people. Today was also really hot and after yesterday, we felt like being in the shade. Both Anna and Kadda wore a t-shirt while they were snorkeling to protect their backs but I didn't, I'm hard core ;)
None of us have never snorkeled before so we were all excited and nervous. Anna couldn't wear her glasses under the goggles so she was blind ;) She needed to be close to us and we were joking about that she might be following a shark or take a picture of a rock ;)
At first, it was really scary and I couldn't breath normal cause I was scared to get water in my mouth and it was creepy to hear the breath. I sounded like Darth Vader :) After a while it went really well, and it was so cool. Was like swimming in a aquarium. The reef was a bit grey and there were a lot of dust in the water so it was hard to see but we still saw a lot of colorful fishes.
We went up again and decided to rent some fins cause now we realized that we needed them. We also took our underwater cameras with us this time and took a lot of pictures. It was hard cause U don't really know what U are taking off or if U get the fish in the picture but everyone had one so there must be some good pictures.
We also saw a sea turtle! It was so cute but I lost it and also Kadda and Anna. I was scared and went back to the beach. Apparently Kadda had been swimming with the turtle for about 15 minutes but I only saw it once, but I got a picture!
I found Kadda and we went out together again but I scratched my knee on the sharp reef so we needed to go up and get a bandage. I was scared that a shark would smell the blood ;)
Kadda had bandage with her but I wanted to go and ask the hot lifeguards instead ;) Anna came as moral support cause the wound was bleeding a lot! The cut was deep so I think I might have needed some stitches but whatever, I got a super lifeguard bandage instead.
At the beach we saw this weird little animal that looked like a squirrel and a gecko at the same time, so we said it was a new species and called it Squecko ;) "Look everyone, there is an exotic animal!"
Anna was all up for Biology when we were here, she opened every leaf and fruit she found and was really interested and wanted to show and teach us everything - show off!
We took the bus back and had a quick, late lunch. The burgers were still good today! We tried to find the car rental place but we were too late, they had already closed. So we need to go there early tomorrow.
We did some shopping instead and just walked along the streets. There were a "So good jewelry" store and I just love them. It's the same store as in New York and San Fransisco and I bought a necklace with a shiny owl. So cute! We also found a cool Yogurt place where U did everything by yourself and then U paid for the weight. I took pineapple and coconut flavour yogurt and then a lot of different topping like strawberries and m&ms...jummy!
When we were on our way home a guys topped us and wanted to get us on a pub crawl this Tuesday. There would be food, free drinks and a lot of soldiers. At first we didn't really know but when he said that about the soldiers we were all in ;) We got the tickets and now we're all excited but we'll see how it will be. Hopefully good!
At the hotel we looked up some stuff for tomorrow, had a drink and then me and Anna went to the beach for a night swim. It was still warm in the water and the moon was up so it was really nice. There were some other people in the water and Anna thought it would be a good idea to be friends with them. They were weird, so we quickly swam away.
Anna gave me and Kadda a air mattress each. I got a green one, Kadda a pink and Anna got a blue one. So sweet of her!
We got some visitors in our room today during the lunch. I had opened the balcony door and two pigeons walked in...hahah they weren't shy or anything.
There is also free chickens living here. They are just walking on the streets or in the forest. So weird!
Today's funniest: A shop assistant: "Do U girls wanna look at any of the watches?" Anna: "No thanks, we are just watching!"

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

300 days in the US and 2nd day in Paradise

Today (Saturday) I've been in the US for 300 days and I woke up from a weird sound: flip, flop, flip, flop....Anna had woke up early and was walking around in her flip flops. Aarrgghh!!
She came late last night after some problems with her flights and me and Kadda were already sleeping so we weren't really up for her stories but she was like: blah blah blah ;) Good thing I know how to close my ears ;)
Anna went out to the beach on her own while me and Kadda stayed in bed little longer. We had breakfast at the balcony and it was really nice. The sun was already shining bright and it was really warm.
We went to the beach and met up Anna and we decided not to do anything special since it was Anna's first day, just be at the beach and relax. This is life how it should be, no worries and no stress. Just relaxing and enjoying life!
At lunch time we went home and Kadda made pasta with tomato sauce and that was jummy! Today we got to know Conzuela, our cleaning lady ;) She was really sweet but Anna just made the name up and the best part is that Kadda thought it was the real name...totally hilarious ;)
We had talked about going jetsking so we decided that the afternoon was a good time to do it. We took a bus to a place were Kadda had read we could do it. It was really hot and it was nice being in the bus that had cool air conditioner ;) When we got off we didn't find anything! We walked around for a while and asked but there were no jetskis anywhere. So, we jumped on the bus again and continued to Hanauma Bay that's suppose to be a great snorkeling place. The view was amazing but unfortunately it cost to get down to the beach and we wanted to have a whole day there so we went back to Waikiki and another beach than this morning and just cooled off in the water and enjoyed the afternoon sun.
When we got home, Kadda and Anna looked like lobsters! They had burned so bad. Anna had fallen asleep in the sun and now has a snake from her bikini on her back ;) Hahah...none of them can really sit or lay on their backs. Those pale Germans, can't take the sun ;)
We all took a shower and got dressed to eat out this Saturday. We went to Cheesecake Factory and got a table in an hour so we walked along the main street and looked at people and stores. Kadda started to feel bad, she was freezing and wanted to throw up. Guess it was from all the sun today. She went back to the hotel and me and Anna went to Hard Rock Cafe instead. Kadda didn't want to go there and I wanted so this was a good time to do it. The restaurant was located outside of the center so we needed to walk a while and when we thought we were all wrong, we were there.
Anna couldn't sit cause her ass hurt and that was fun ;) The place was really nice but not as crowded as it usually is, maybe cause the location was not the best.
The food was great but a lot so we boxed it up so that we could have it for lunch tomorrow.
Before we left, I bought a t-shirt for my collection! This time, a white with a Hawaii print on the back, I like!
On the walk back home, we zipped on Anna's "Water bottle" and took some nice pictures :) There were two guys who stopped us and asked if we knew where the Sandbox was, and Anna's answer: "No thanks!" Hahaha....totally hilarious.
Back home, we brushed our teeth, washed our face and went to bed. We shared one bed even though there is three beds in the room but we like it cozy ;)
The funniest of the day:
Anna: What hurts? Sandra: Your ass. Anna: How does it hurts? Sandra: Bad. Anna: What am I? Sandra: Bad ass!!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

In Paradise

OMG!!! I'm living in a dream now. I'm walking on a long, beautiful beach and are looking out over the blue water that sparkles. I feel the wind in my hair and it brings a smell of flowers. The sun is shining and the hot guys are working out next to me, I'm in Paradise ;)
Me and Anna never went to bed yesterday since M picked us up at 4 and we had so much to do so there were no point. I was really tired around 2:30 but as soon as M came I got so excited that I forgot all about it.
At the airport, Anna went by herself since she is flying with this guest pass and needs to go with Alaska Airlines. Me and Kadda were flying with Delta so we had another gate.
There were so many people at the airport! It was good that we came when we did cause the line after us was very long and at the security it took a while. But we came on our flight in time. It was a small airplane but since we were just gonna fly 2 hours in it, it was OK. We didn't have a direct flight so we stopped in Salt Lake City and had a break for two hours. It was OK, but I was so tired since I couldn't really sleep during the first flight since it was so short.
The next airplane was bigger and the seats were more comfortable so there were no problem falling to sleep. This time, the movies were for free so I saw "Invictus" with Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. It was really touching and I liked it a lot.
The flight was 6 hours so it took a while ;) But after some games and reading and eating we finally saw the island!!! It was a beautiful sight and different from the ocean we had seen during the last couple of hours. It was a bit cloudy but we could see the beaches and mountains and we were really excited.
When we landed, it rained!! We were really disappointed in the airplane but when we got out, a wall of heat hit us and it was so cool. There were beautiful gardens with palm trees in between all the airport buildings and we were just amazed over the heat and all the new sights.
During our flights, there had been problems for Anna. She didn't got on the flight she wanted in the morning so we didn't really know where she was or what she was doing. We had contact via texts but we didn't really understand anything. But she said that her bag had been on the morning light she would have been on so I went to see if we could take it since I have all my stuff in there. But apparently, there was no bag and even if there would have been, I couldn't take it. Gosh, why can't everything just go as planned?
Kadda found her bag and then we took a shuttle bus to Waikiki where the hotel should be. The bus driver gave us a little tour guide as well and gave some great tips of what to do and not. It took a while to get to our hotel cause there were a lot of stops among the road. But finally we got here and it's really nice. The location is amazing, we just have to cross the street to get to the beach and it's close to stores as well. We have an ocean view from the balcony and the room is big with three beds and a tiny kitchen. OMG!!!
When we came, it was like 4 pm so we just changed to our bikinis (good that I put one bikini and a dress in my carry on bag) and then walked down to the beach. We bought these bamboo beach blankets and then threw our clothes off and ran down in the water. Right there was a "Hallelujah Moment" I was in paradise. The water was so nice and the sun was still warm and the hot life guard was on duty, it was perfect ;)
Kadda had borough her water toy, a crocodile that she floated around on ;) It was really fun when a wave came, I felt like a little kid again.
There was some kind of beach work out just in front of us where they were running and did some muscle work in the sand. I was just tired after walking in the sand so I didn't join them ;)
We spend maybe 1,5 hours at the beach before we went back to the hotel and changed quickly and then went out to find Wallmart where we could buy some breakfast and food. We took a room with a kitchen so that we don't have to go out and eat three times every day cause unfortunately we are not made out of money ;)
It was tricky to find the store. First we took the bus and then we had to walk around a bit since we didn't really know the city yet.
We found it and bought bread, milk, pasta and some other good stuff to eat. I also bought a towel with the Hawaiian Islands on cause I didn't bring one.
We took the bus back, after some more walking and looking for the bus stop, and back at the hotel Kadda made dinner while I ordered Internet to us. At this hotel U have to pay for everything, which sucks. But the room was cheap so maybe that's why.
We had a jummy pasta dish and to that we drank Smirnoff ;) Sadly, we both realized that we are not used to drink alcohol so we doesn't like it anymore. But then we decide it was because the drinks where not cold enough yet and put them back in the fridge ;)
We took some nice showers and are now ready to go to bed. Anna also called just now and told us that she is on a bus on her way here to the hotel so she made it after all. I just hope she was the bag cause I don't!!
I'm just so happy to be here and I wish I could bring U all so U could see what it's like. Cause even if I try to tell U and show U pictures, it's never as good as if U see it with your own eyes!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra

Tomorrow Hawaii!!!

OMG, tomorrow (or tonight ;)) M is gonna pick us up and drive us to the airport where we'll start our journey to Hawaii. I'm packing for a week on Hawaii, how often can U say that? ;)
This was the first day on the summer break for the kids so that meant a whole day of work for me, but also a not so early morning ;)
I went up at 8:30!! And then we had breakfast and Lotta and Jonas left around 9 so it was a really easy morning. Filip have a new game for the DS so he was playing that while I did some laundry, checked on my Hawaii packing which Sofia helped me with, I send my flight request to the au pair agency so that I can get a flight home. U have to give them three different dates within a month from that the program (year) is over, so I gave the 13, 14 and 15 of September so on one of those dates I'll be flying home ;)
Me and Sofia also made some chocolate balls which was messy but they turned out really well so it was worth it ;) While they were in the fridge, we went outside and now Filip also joined us. He was really upset cause the game was too hard and he didn't know what to do. He was crying and saying that it was a waste of money to buy the game and he just wined about it all the time. I tried to read the instructions but didn't really get it so I couldn't do so much. But he played some more and then he realized on his own that he had played enough for today so he put it away. Good job!
After lunch we went to the park and played there for like an hour before it was time to go to the dentist and get Filip's braces fixed again. They are so used to him now that we didn't have to sign in, they did it without asking for names ;)
We played some games and then build with Duplo until Lotta and Jonas got home and that was really fun. I build a octopus and a tree with legs and then they played soccer and were fighting ;) The kids found it totally hilarious and laughed so hard ;)
I took a shower and polished my nails and made myself ready for a week at the beach ;) Then I went to pick up Anna who's sleeping here tonight since we are going so early and we are sharing a bag ;) She can take a bag for free cause she's flying on one of her host mums stand bye tickets so I'm using her ;) But cause she didn't start to plan her trip until yesterday (me and Kadda has been going on for weeks) she wasn't done so I had to wait and help her pack for like an hour before we could go to QFC to buy some food for the plane tomorrow. But it's OK cause I like hanging out with her in the new house, and to see her stressing around while I was in the bed reading a magazine was also kind of fun ;)
I got a bag from Lotta to put my stuff in that they'll bring to Sweden and she was warning me to not go over the allowed weight (23 kg) and I was like: "Are U kidding? I didn't have so much with me when I came" but I'm scared for my trip home now. I had to take out some stuff from the bag cause it was so heavy! They don't have a scale here so I'm not sure exactly how much it'll weigh but now I think it's OK. But it's not much at all in it, if U compare what I still have. And I have some more stuff I need to buy. I wish the rule was: "If U can fit it in the bag, then U can bring it" A much better alternative for me ;)
Anna says hi to everybody ;) She has been occupying my bathroom for maybe 2 hours now cause she didn't have time to get her body ready for the beach so she's doing it now. She coloured her hair darker and it looks really great!
Now it's about 4 hours until M will pick us up so I don't know if we'll go to bed or if we'll stay awake.
I hope U all will have a great week, and I'll be thinking of U all when we lay at the beach with a coconut drink in our hand ;)
I'll be blogging from there, I think ;)

Miss U all!
Love Sandra.

Last day of school - Now the real work begins

Today (Wednesday) was last day in school for the kids so they were extra excited and put on their best clothes and combed their hair ;) Yesterday, Sofia got her luggage bag that she's gonna have when they go to Sweden, and she brought that to school to show everybody. Her old backpack is all worn out so it was OK that she brought this one. It has the Powerpuff girls on it and it's so cute, pink of course ;)
Sadly, it was raining so we had to take the car but we didn't go very far until we had to turn around cause we had forgot the presents for the teachers ;)
They were out at 12 so I didn't have so much time to do anything at home but I looked up Pearl Harbour and LOST places for our Hawaii trip, can't believe it's only 2 days left!!
When I picked up the kids, everyone was really happy. The school yard was filled with excited kids who were starting their summer break. Filip had got a marathon t-shirt cause he manage to run one in this challenge they have been having all spring, and both him and Sofia had got a medal because of their (mine) good work with the fitness calenders they had to handle in every month. The atmosphere was just great!
We walked back home but when we were halfway, Sofia realized that she had forgot all her books and papers that she had made. So, instead of making lunch, we went back to school when we came home. We were a bit too slow, cause her teacher had already sent home the stuff with Elise so we went there instead but they weren't home.
We had noodle soup for lunch and after I was nice so we watched a movie, Ratatouille. Apparently the kids didn't want to see the end cause they started to fight instead so I stopped the movie and forced them outside instead. Filip was just doing nothing I told him so he had to stay at his room instead. It was just so hard and annoying, now I really got a taste of what's coming when they come back for Sweden. I've been spoiled for these 9 months so I think I'll die after the first week!
We were outside for a little while and then I went with Sofia to Jasmine but she wasn't home. I played Monopoly with Filip one more time and when Jonas and Lotta came home they wanted to go out for dinner but I said no thanks cause I was just so tired after this LONG and PAINFUL day, I wanted to start my packing and just be alone.
I went to Anna's place and played with her boys. Me and Lance had a laser sword fight and it was really fun. I was Darth Vader and I tried to get him over to the dark side but I couldn't, and he beat me all the time even though I in the end became Darth Maul and had two laser sword ;)
When she was off we went to Emilie's place to watch Happy Town. We stopped at Fred Meyer and bought some sandwiches since we hadn't had dinner jet.
Ramona was there but we had got the time wrong so we were there one hour early but it was OK cause we talked instead and that's always nice.
I was not so tired when I got home, even though it was almost 12, so I just updated my soccer team site, "Team Cowboy" Really cool, here U have the game schedule and can reply if U are playing or not. Really good! And I checked some other stuff before I turned out the light and prepared for an even longer day that was waiting for me tomorrow!!!

Miss U all!
Love Sandra