A very long One Year Sabbatical...

Kauai is known as the Healing Island.  I wasn't aware of that when I put my mainland life on hold with the intent to rest, reflect, regenerate and rejuvenate on Kauai for one year. I was mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally exhausted when I arrived.  

Because there is no drastic change of seasons in Hawaii, I've barely noticed that six years have sailed by since I relocated to Paradise.

Kauai is magical. Kauai is special. Kauai is timeless. I have been embraced by Kauai and her people since the moment I landed in Lihue. So many magical moments occurred to ease the path to transitioning to a new life on this tiny island in the middle of the Pacific.

It turns out that many who come to Kauai are 'called' to live here.  I believe there is a powerful energy around this island that strongly resonates with certain individuals. Artistic, creative talents are in abundance  on Kauai.  Some people are in need of healing.  I know... it sounds pretty woo-woo and "out there".  During my mainland life, I was never one to believe in what we used to call 'New Age' beliefs.  But, it is real. Most who live here will absolutely back me up on this!

"The vortex either pulls you in, or spits you out." ~ Since I moved here in 2011, I've heard this analogy by all kinds of people; from hippies, to business owners, to moms, to Mormons. 

I've witnessed this phenomenon dozens, if not hundreds, of times. If one is meant to be on Kauai, all the proverbial stars align and one is drawn here and embraced. Everything falls into place easily. One meets the right people at the right time. A job is easily found.  Affordable, comfortable housing is offered.  

If one does not belong on Kauai, nothing goes well. Jobs and housing aren't available.  Cars misbehave. One feels lonely and homesick. Those folks don't stay here very long. You get the idea.  

It's been fascinating to witness the 'call' in action.  Some feel the call to live on Kauai the moment he / she steps foot on the island. With others, it make take a bit of time. But, for some unexplainable reason, we HAVE to live here and we do what we must to make it happen. For some, it takes years of planning and pondering for the dream to become reality. I felt it so strongly that I moved here within seven months of first visiting. 

Perhaps that strong pull is what causes everyone who lives here to be so warm and welcoming to newcomers.  We all belong to the spirit I call "Club Kauai". It's the Aloha spirit in spades. 

I believe I am one  of those who was chosen / called to Kauai. But even if one is meant to be here, living in Paradise has a cost, and sometimes a time limit. 

Days, months, years have passed on the mainland, while it feels like time has moved s.l.o.w.l.y on Kauai. 

While I've been enjoying perpetual summer, nieces and nephews have magically grown to adulthood. Several of my nieces have fallen in love and are now happily married and having babies. A new generation is born... 

Peers are retiring from the corporate world, and I understand that my old stomping grounds in NE Ohio are constantly evolving; for better and worse. I've lost some friends in the dance community to illnesses. My older brother, Dan, passed away earlier this year and that still seems inconceivable.  It's difficult to miss all those life changing events. 

I've also lost touch with some mainland friends. I still hold them dear in my memories, but I recognize that we've taken different paths and not everyone stays in our lives forever. I sincerely treasure those who have kept in touch in spite of the challenges of a 5 or 6 hour time difference & almost 5,000 miles distance between us. If you are one of those with whom I've lost contact, please drop me a line, or give me a call. My contact information is still the same.  I will, very much, enjoy hearing from you. 

I am thankful and feeling blessed that my one year sabbatical stretched into six lovely years in Paradise. I met a lot of people; folks who were born and raised on Kauai, old and new transplants, recent retirees, and about a bazillion tourists. Almost everyone of them is HAPPY.  It's a special place when 99% of the people are smiling and generous and loving to all. I've made life long friends who share my love of this island. I've learned to be more accepting of 'free spirits' and those who think and behave totally different than how I was raised. I appreciate the homogenous nature of Hawaii, and love how accepting everyone is of others' beliefs and cultures. 

I have a better insight my own life, too; who I am and how I become this person. My innate personality, experiences, opportunities and choices have all played their roles. I accept responsibility and offer gratitude for it all.  In taking time to reflect, I am also more able to recognize my strengths and weaknesses. I can accept and love myself because, or in spite, of them. I have learned to be kind and forgiving of myself and others as I learn, change, grow and journey on my unique path.

Mostly, I am humbled and blessed to be a teeny tiny part of this magical world.  

I never did make it back to the corporate world and my old life in NE Ohio, but I've achieved my goal. Kauai has worked her magic and my sorrow has eased. It was a much longer process than I had anticipated, but now my spirit is at peace (without having to leave this earthly body!) I am rested and rejuvenated. I've had time to reflect and heal. I am energized and excited to be starting my next Adventure. 

Corporate Kathy is officially retired.  

Kauai Kathy is moving on. 

Hugs and Aloha from the middle of the Pacific, 

Kathy 

PS ~ I am undecided about creating a new blog for the next phase of my life. If you are  intrigued, inspired, or find any value or humor in my sporadic ramblings let me know.  My next blog will have a closed audience. It's too weird and creepy to know that my thoughts are available to the entire world. 


Some random favorite photos: 

  

Long Time No Post

Well, A-LO-HA!  A friend from my old Ohio life recently contacted me via the blog that that I created 5 short / long years ago. 

This blog was intended to be a means to update my friends and family regarding my 1 year adventure on Kauai.  It turns out that it's been almost 6 years since I moved here, and a very long time since I last posted anything on the Kauai Kathy blog. 

It seems absolutely incredible, and somewhat impossible, that I have been on Kauai for this long. So much for the one year plan. It's shocking really, when I consider that my intent was to live in Hawaii for only 6 months, or 1 year at the most. I sincerely believed when I moved here, that I was taking a brief sabbatical from the corporate world. 

I had all my ducks lined up to return to my Ohio life: 

• My friend, Tree, agreed to take over my job for one year. 
• I had a tenant signed up to lease my home for one year. 
• My ex husband took in my two dear kitties for one year. 
• I placed my belongings in storage on a month by month basis. 

But, in spite of all my plans and ideas, it turns out that The Universe had a magically different plan. One that has never ceased to amaze me with the gifts and blessings that I receive on a daily basis. 

It's a daunting task to think of recapping the past 5  years. Where to begin? What to cover? What are my successes and struggles? How do I convey in the briefest, yet informative and interesting, way possible what has transpired? Does anyone even give a hoot when I've been gone from my old life for so long? 

This afternoon I re-read my previous posts. It's amazing to see the narrow perspective I had when I arrived.  Oh, how things have evolved. My knowledge and views of this little island have expanded exponentially. 

In some ways, the time has passed in the blink of an eye. Especially because, unlike Ohio, the seasons never change here. It's one continuous summer. How fantastic is that? 

In other ways, I have grown, healed, and matured. In that sense, it seems like a lifetime. My Kauai Kathy life is so different than Corporate Kathy's. 

It may take a fair number of posts to cover with how my life has turned out (so far), so hang in there. (Why do I feel like I am only talking to myself? But, even if that is the case,  that will be OK. It seems like a good time to review my journey thus far.) 

As for my bullet points above: Tree gave up the frustrating work gig a number of years ago. She has happily retired to the Gulf coast of Florida. 

I still own my house in NE Ohio.  Believe it or not, I have had only two tenants in all this time.  The current family is delightful and trustworthy. Perhaps one day they will buy The Manor and I will cut my proverbial umbilical cord to Ohio. We'll see. In the meantime, the rental income is helpful. And, psychologically, it's beneficial to have a place to go if I should want / need to go 'home'.  (And, by the way, where IS home?  Johnstown, where I grew up and lived for 27 years?  Or Ohio, where I spent 27 years working and learning who I was as an adult?) 

As far as my kitties are concerned, one of my cats, Indy, still lives on and is very spoiled in his new home. Sadly, my dear sweet Siamese, Smitty Kitty passed on a couple of years ago. He SHOULD have lived many more years and leaving him behind is one of my few regrets. 

My Ohio storage unit was cleared out several years ago, so any baggage that remains, I carry with me on Kauai, literally and figuratively. 

I have a lot to ponder regarding how, when, and if to update the Kauai Kathy blog. In the meantime, this post confirms that I am alive and well / happy and healthy. A bit older and maybe a little wiser.  

Even though I've had the opportunities to visit a dozen other countries during the past 5 1/2 years, I may be ready for an entirely new adventure. Stay tuned! 

3/21/2012 Kitty Fix & More

There are so many pets who need to be adopted at the Kauai Humane Society (KHS).  I volunteer there weekly to get my 'kitty fix' since I'm missing my two cats, Smitty and Indy, but it's hard.....  I feel so badly for all the sweet animals and would love to rescue each of them.   My lease says "No Pets", so I can't even save one little guy or gal. 

3/19/2012 Simplicity and Peace

Freedom is the thing I most appreciate about my life here.  I realized last night that for the first time in my adult life, I do not have a written 'to do' list.  Indeed, I don't even have a mental list of things that need to be accomplished.

I don't have grass to cut, a driveway to shovel, or a work schedule to obey.

3/14/2012 Blessings of Aloha

Aloha – like many Hawaiian words, it has multiple meanings. While it is commonly used to say hello, good-bye and to express love, the beauty of the word comes through when it is broken down into the foundation root words.

Alo means to share in the present moment. 

Oha is joy. 

Ha is life energy 

Therefore Aloha translates to meaning “The joyful sharing of life energy in the present” or “joyfully sharing life.”  

Viewed another way, Aloha means living in harmony. 

Aloha wau la 'oe means I love you.

Kathy ~ Sending the the Aloha Spirit of Kauai to the mainland....

~Some Stories Have Happy Endings ~

If I haven't already emailed this link to you, check out this beautiful short video with a very happy ending.  It might even make you cry (in a good way!) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcXU7G6zhjU&feature=related

2/29/2012 Here, kitty, kitty...

The apartment / ohana / mother-in-law suite that I'm renting through the end of March doesn't allow pets.  I thought I'd be OK with that policy but I miss my two cats, Smitty and Indy, so much that I've been dreaming of them each night.  I made the mistake of stopping by the Kauai Humane Society the other day to get a 'kitty fix' and met Abigail / "Abby".

Wild Kingdom ~ Kauai Style

I know I should take my camera with me everywhere, but sometimes I think I'm just going out for a short walk and won't see anything special. Not true ~ there is always something that catches my eye or captures my interest.  

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k&ob=av2n

Na Pali Cruise pics

This is the link for the slideshow of 28 pics Margie and I posted on Meetup.com: 

http://www.meetup.com/Kauai-adventure-club/photos/6114012/94828972/#94831722

2/18/2012 Blue Dolphin Excursion

Today, 10 fellow members of the "Kauai Adventure Club" Meetup Group and I ventured out on Blue Dolphin Charter's Whale Watching / Snorkeling / Na Pali Coast trip.  I had high hopes of seeing breaching whales and dancing dolphins since they've been so active, but it was not to be. 

Our check in time was 8 am. By the time all guests were registered and signed a waiver, it was around 8:30 when we boarded the boat.  After the captain presented some safety info, we headed out to sea.  He said it would be choppy until we made it out of the harbor, but it ended up being pretty rocky the whole day. It was an adventure, for sure. 

2/17/2016 Baby Albatross

After a fun morning kayaking the Kalihiwai Stream yesterday, Margie, Gina and I drive over to Rodney's to see the baby Laysan Albatross 'up close and personal'; very cool!  He was hatched in my friend's yard in Princeville, on the North Shore of Kauai, just a few weeks ago. 

DeShawn

2/15/2012 Kauai Sunrise

The sky was gorgeous this morning. Thought I'd share....

2/13/2012 Pe'e Point

I've been hearing from locals that the whales have been super active this year. So, on Sunday instead of staying home and sorting through mail, paying bills, etc. as originally planned, I decided to go to Pe'e Point and watch for whales. 

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea is a former sugar plantation town located on the north side of the island.  Their most popular attraction (besides the Kilauea Bakery!) is the Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge, located on 203 acres.

I visit the peaceful Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge almost every time I travel to the North Shore. I live about an hour away, so I don't get to stop there very often.  If I'm lucky enough to visit early in the morning, I frequently have the place to myself. When I have guests, this is one of my top 'must see' recommendations. 

Kilauea Lighthouse

 

2/12/2012 Grow Your Own Pineapple

Did you know you can grow your own pineapple from store bought pineapples?  I certainly didn't.    I'm going to give this a try..... take note, however, that it will take about 18 months or so until you have a ripened pineapple. 

Since my current lease is up in two months, I won't get to enjoy the fruits of my labor, but I will get to see if it takes root and begins to grow. 
 
GROW YOUR OWN PINEAPPLE ~  Instructions from the Dole Pineapple Plantation website.

Growing a new pineapple from the crown of a ripe one is rewarding and easy to do. It makes for a beautiful plant, a fascinating process to watch, and an end result that is just plain delicious. This is a great kids’ project, too.

First, twist the leafy crown from the fruit. Place it in a dry, dark place for a full week to allow the end to harden.

Layer an 8-inch porous clay pot with an inch of coarse gravel, then fill with a good, light garden soil mixed with up to 30% well-composted organic matter. Be sure the pot has good drainage. Later, when the fruit grows, you'll want to transplant to a 12-inch pot, again, with gravel and good drainage.

Water the soil once a week, and fertilize with a household plant food fertilizer about every three months. If you live in a climate that’s warm all year round, the potted plant should do well outdoors. If you have cold winters, keep the plant indoors during frost or freezing temperatures.

Note that this tropical plant can suffer from “sun shock” if it is moved too quickly from an indoors environment to direct sun. If you are going to move your pineapple plant outside, put it in a semi-shaded outdoor spot for the first few days to let it adjust.

When the plant is about 12 months old, it should sprout an unmistakeable bright red cone.

If the cone hasn’t appeared by 14 months, it’s time to “coax” it out by putting the entire plant, with its pot, in a plastic bag. Place a ripe apple in the bag and tie it closed, move to a shady spot and leave for three days. Remove the bag and return the plant to its usual sunny location. The bright red cone should appear within eight or nine weeks.

The next stage will bring row upon row of bright blue flowers, which open over two weeks. When the petals of the last flower have dried, the fruit begins to develop. When your fruit is six months old, it will ripen, becoming sweeter and turning from green to a rich gold on the inside and outside.

Time to pick and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

2/11/2012 February Fun

What a fun filled week!  It started off on Super Bowl Sunday with a two mile hike down the hill in my development with Dave, my neighbor.  The trail leads through the coffee fields to a secluded beach.  I had no idea it was even there. I understand it is only accessible through the coffee fields. Since all beaches in Hawaii are public, not private, it was OK for us to be there. Evidently, Kauai Coffee Company permits people to hike through their fields, as long as it doesn't negatively impact their harvesting season which is in the fall. 

2/5/2012 Aloha!

Aloha from Kalaheo :)    All is well here, I've just been very busy playing tour guide to many friends from the mainland.

My cousin, Diane, who was here in December, came back already.   She was only able to be here for one day this time, so we had a whirlwind tour of the island.  Great fun!  I think she is already planning her next visit.  Gee, do you think she loves it here?

My dear friend, Robert, and his girlfriend Pamela were here in mid-January for a week. I so enjoy showing 'my island' to my friends. There is SO much to do here, it's always hard to choose what to see and do during the short time each has been able to spend here.  They stayed on the east side, near the airport, and I was pleased to hike with them up Sleeping Giant Mountain, visit Kauai Coffee, and share a few good meals. I introduced them to some of my friends during Happy Hour at Casablanca, too.

1/13/2012 Reading, Relaxation, Rejuvenation Required

Aloha, Friends and Family ~   There is not much to talk about this week.  It has turned out to be a quiet week; a time of Rest, Reading, Relaxation and Rejuvenation; not by choice, but by requirement. 

I've been struggling with a minor sore throat / head cold all week and am trying to fight it off by staying home and resting.  I haven't been around anyone who was sick to my knowledge, but here I am anyway. 

My body and brain are both tired, so I'm not reading as much as I would like.  Having said that, I started reading two books this week and both look like they will be very interesting.

"Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness" - Jon Kabat-Zinn  

and: 

"Getting the Love You Want" - Harville Hendrix

Neither were books I sought out. Both were given to me. Interesting that they both deal with healing in one sense or another.  Have any of you read either one?  If so, I'd like to hear your review. 

Will keep you posted on my thoughts as I read through each. 

Aloha and good health to all!  

1/11/2012 Geckos and such.....

We have geckos in Kauai and lots of 'em!  I took the photo below of this colorful little guy on the lanai yesterday. Officially, he is a Gold Dust Day Gecko. 

You lookin' at me??

They can be brown and rather drab, or incredibly colorful. Check out his turquoise feet ~ so cool!