Tsukiji Fish Market, Honolulu

We had all you can eat King Crab legs at Tsukiji Fish Market in Honolulu. It's safe to say that Jason put King Crab on the Endangered Species list. We were the only Haole's in the place, but it was so fun trying eel, fish eggs and things I couldn't name if I tried.

They started off small, but believe me, the owners were happy when these two left. LOL

I've experienced a lot of loneliness throughout my time as a Navy wife. I've always bordered on the shy side and when we finally start to make friends - we move. Usually, the first 6 months that we live somewhere, the only adult conversation I get is my husband and the clerk at the grocery store. When we do meet people we enjoy, it means a lot to me. The people we have enjoyed the most during our time in Hawaii has been the Chief's community with 3rd Marine Regiment. We have had so much fun with the Hill's, Steeles, Oliver's, and Tommy (whose wife stayed in Florida where they own a house). James and Stephanie Steele are transfering to Navy Base Corpis Cristi and we had one last hurrah before they left. Haleiwa Joe's is nestled along the cliffs of the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe. It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever eaten at.

Me with my giant Mai Tai!!!!

This was the view from our table!!!!

The guys were all sharing dirty jokes from each other's cell phones.

I hurt my knee last Friday when I jumped off the high dive at the pool. Blame it on age or poor treatment of my lower joints over the years. Whatever the case, it kept me from running today. I got about 50 feet and had to stop. I'm usually pretty good at exercising through my pain, but this has me beat. I crave the endorphin high from a hard workout, but guess I'll have to take it easy this week so that it heals and I can go out next week... hopefully. I think it's a reoccurring injury from 14 years ago. I was in an accident in Alaska where I got thrown in the water from an inner tube and hit my knee hard on a boulder. I had a hard time walking on it for two weeks after that and every so often, something gets jolted under my left knee cap that feels much like it did back then. I'd go to the Doctor, but I'm afraid they'd want to operate. I've had four surgeries on my right knee and it seems the more they go in there, the worse it gets. I look so funny when I walk up or down a steep incline anymore. I just channel some of that stubborn English/Norwegian/German blood and keep going.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii Sprint Triathlon

I love my bicycle. This is the view I had on my bike workouts!!! I can't think of a better place to train!!!

Finishing the 3.2 mile run!!!! I did it!!!

And I'm off!!!!

Putting on my shoes for the 11 mile bike ride.

I'm in the pink cap. :)

Me on the half mile swim in Kaneohe Bay. Even though Kaneohe Bay has one of largest populations of Hammerhead sharks, I didn't care. When I took off, I got a mouth full of yukky, dirty salt water and had to slow down to catch my breath. The only thing on my mind, was getting this part of the leg over with.

In March, I decided I needed to up my fitness level. I had put on a few pounds since arriving in Hawaii and wanted to shed it off. I have found in the past that the only way I can do that is to set goals. These goals keep me going, even when I want to stop. I knew that running my first triathlon would give me the motivation to take my workout to the next level. For two months, I followed my workout schedule I got off a Sprint Triathlon web site, to a tee. The first four weeks, I was so worn out, I didn't even feel like doing anything. I had to put aside my feelings of guilt for not giving most of my energy to my family and remember that it's okay for me to give to myself on occasions. Aside from being phsically beat much of the time, mentally, I felt great!!! Even though my end goal hadn't been reached yet, working towards it gave me a sense of accomplishment. That's not something I get often being a stay at home Mom.

Family Pictures

We had our pictures taken on the U.S.S. Missouri. Since the Navy is such a prodomitate fixture in our lives, I wanted a picture that had that vintage/Pearl Harbor/Americana feel to it. I love Jason in his dress blues, so I worked the picture around that. The "Mighty Mo" is very symbolic. It's the last Battleship ever made by America and it is where the Japanese surrendered to the Allies during World War II. Currently, the Missouri is nose to nose with the sunken U.S.S. Arizona in Pearl Harbor. Is symbolizes the beginning and ending of World War II for America. I found the photographer on line. When I saw here pictures, I was struck by the artistry in them. We had a fun hour and a half running around the old Battleship, posing for pictures with our wonderful photographer. I am very pleased with the way they came out.