So I'm some crazy college kid who wakes up at 4:00 AM to go into New York City to paddle a boat. Wait. It's just not any boat it is a 6 man outrigger canoe boat. I started paddling in the summer of 2007 with a club on the side of the Haleiwa boat harbor called Manu O Ke Kai or translated in Hawaiian 'Bird of the sea.' I wanted to do something new since for most of the year my life is dedicated to volleyball. Thank heaven Robert gave me his brother's paddle to keep! It's a solid 54 inch Kialoa paddle. So this is how my day would start if I'm going to the city to paddle. I wake up, go and brush my teeth, pack a towel, soap, lotion and extra clothes and also make two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It's about a 15 minute walk to get from 23rd and 6th avenue where the PATH will drop you off to get to pier 66 and west side highway. Although we only paddle for about an hour it is well worth the travel, there is something so mystical about the presence of water around. I like bringing my paddle with me because it's funny to see all these weird looks on people's faces. So even though it's this early in the morning I still can call home and talk to my mom since it is a 6 hour time difference. Why do I paddle? That's a funny question that people like to ask, they figure since I'm 'Hawaiian' I was born to paddle. Like if you were a Mexican, you were born to make a burrito, oh and it better be good! Silly people! No. I paddle because I love to paddle, I love what paddling can do for me physically and mentally. It's not just putting your blade/paddle in the water, it is being a part of the ocean and recognizing your smallness and humbling yourself.
Why is food so expensive?
I'm pissed off man! Why does it cost $10.00 to get a MacDonald's Meal??!! Do you not think that's complete baloney! I got fries that is 90% fat, a burger that is 50% not meat (who really wants to know what is in it), and fake orange juice. I also got to give some random bum 55cents because he needed a quarter to whatever he does. I'm sweet. :) haha We need to get better food on that damn dollar menu!
Ukulele Lessons
Today was random, but fun. I went to Rutgers-Newark the university next door to our campus, (that is literally right across the street) to play my ukulele. It's always nice to get away from N.J.I.T and do something random. So on my way there I am thinking to myself 'will my ukulele get wet, since there are gray thunderclouds and thunder in the sky right above me?', no no who ever is up in the sky wouldn't want that to happen. Well, get me wet, spare the wood on my uke. So I'm playing the songs that I've learned off of you tube and people passing by are looking at this small looking guitar questioning what it is. I'm not going to lie this little piece of wood can draw a crowd, it's awesome!! Ten minutes into playing to myself and watching the clouds just to make sure no rain gets on the uke, I see Andreas and his buddy walking to Subway so he stops by and says the usual greetings. So his buddy is wondering what the heck is in my hand, and asked me to play a song. So of course the easiest song to play and for others to catch on is 'surf'. So I play this song, which is the simplest song in the world and he's amazed. So Andres and his buddy are talking about architecture and standing for a while when I tell them, 'go and get your sandwiches and when you get back I'll play while you eat.' So they leave and literally 3 minutes later a group of 3 freshman college boys are standing in front of me watching me play. So I play a little more thinking 'Ok, maybe they like it, maybe they want to learn?' So I stop playing and ask them where they are from and they say Italy. There are a bunch of kids from Italy at Rutgers from July 16 to the 28. These boy's are stoked to see this small instrument and ask me if they could try it out. I'm all down for this, because I'm a curious fella myself. I want to teach them Surf. So I first tell them how to strum the ukulele, then how the strum pattern is, and finally the four notes that is required to play the song. Interesting thing is that they caught on quick!! By the time the two boys learned the song another group of ten girls and boys are surrounding me wondering what is going on. So another one of the girls from the second group asked if she could play so I teach her and another boy from the same group. Andreas and his friend come back and I don't even notice them, by the time I see them I realize that there is at least 15 people around me. checking out the sounds on this little 'so called guitar.' Andreas realizes I'm in the middle of a lesson so he leaves with a look on his face saying 'wow!' When I get back to my dorm the thunder is pounding heavy and the rain is pouring you can hear the heavy rain drops. Whew, just missed it! I'm glad I made my little spontaneous trip! They are very pleased to learn a new song on a foreign instrument and I am also very pleased to shave my aloha with them. This has made my day and I am thankful I didn't sell my ukulele on you tube!!
What is college life without good friends that have great personalities? Not much fun, would be the answer. Yamin, Jerard and Joesph. All three guys live in the suite located at the end of the extension on the 5th floor. I got invited over to eat some Indian 'pancakes' is what I like to call them although they really are something else, I am just forgetting the name right now. So I get to eat this with jalepenos, some greens, beef and a poached egg that was placed in water inside a microwave for about 3 minutes. You'd be surprised at how much you can imagine when you are hungry and on a low budget on campus. So we start off eating this in a burrito sort of way. I have to tell you this is some great Indian food although Yamin is from Bangladesh. Jerard is Black American who is studying Computer Engineering and Joseph is doing Information Technology. Basically a suite of very smart people who are way cool and down to earth. As we are ordering pizza from Dominos I ask Jo if he could teach me a song. So he insists on 'Free Falling' which I LOVE. Has to be one of my favorites. You know it's one of those bathroom songs that comes to your head at weird times. So we are all into playing the guitar and talking and having a good time, not to mension the pizza was great. There is something to realize. You have to expect nothing to receive great things.
Xanga Stuff
Monday, April 12, 2004
When you're lonely, I wish you LOVE.
When you're down, I wish you JOY.
When things get complicated, I wish you FAITH.
When things look empty, I wish you HOPE.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Well today wan't a bad day....It was two, four, six schedule and thats the CRUZ kine! Well lunch was the bomb "chicken salad" and who could beat wikiwiki at 35c yeah! I really don't know why our school is soo easy? But I know that today at the weight room was JUNK! Well tomorrow we have a volleyball scrimmage against a "K" team!
Friday, April 02, 2004
| A man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning....to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth And spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all Was the dash between those years. (1934-1998) For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth.... And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; The cars...the house...the cash, What matters is how we live and love And how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard... Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left, That can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough To consider what's true and real, And always try to understand The way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, And show appreciation more And love the people in our lives Like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, And more often wear a smile.. Remembering that this special dash Might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read With your life's actions to rehash... Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent your dash? If you received this it means that you are truly special to the one that sent this to you. I am glad you're in my dash. <<<...TO ALL MY "G" OUT THERE LIVE IT! ONE LOVE AND...PLEASE DON'T HATE!...>>> Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Friday, April 02, 2004
Saturday, March 27, 2004
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Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Life is about proving who you can be not proving who you are. Having faith in yourself is one thing but to keep it constant is another. Working hard to attain a goal is good but actually accomplishing it is priceless. |
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is out light not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let out own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from out own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.
- Leonardo da Vinci
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