mele kalikimaka :)

A marvelous (and belated) Christmas to all!

We were busy bees here on the island, and I've been just a little lazy.. hence the lack-there-of posts.

Although the day is past, I do wish to share something that has been on my mind in relation to Christmas and all. On Christmas eve, my family got all dressed up, and went to mass at a little church here in Kihei. This was a little change of tradition seeing as we usually go to an early morning mass on Christmas morning at a church in Lahaina (*note: we have never actually gotten a seat in the Lahaina church, so we always have sat outside with everyone else who slept in and didn't arrive early. I'll be the first to tell you that this experience is lacking in a few areas.. ) 

I am not a very faithful or religious person. I have always detested going to church, (for reasons not even worth mentioning) and would not have cared at all if we skipped out on this tradition. This year however, was a little different, and a lot more eye opening. 

To sum it up, the priest used dummy proof visuals (by this, I mean a large sign) to present two vastly different definitions of what Christmas is supposed to mean. One side of the sign showed the largely printed word "Presents", surrounded by decorations. The media has shoved this definition in our faces for many years, but I feel my generation has been so completely immersed in this false sense of holiday spirit that many people do actually believe that December 25 is solely about what you give, and what you receive. The other side of the sign represented the visually similar, but contrasting word "Presence." The priest used his time to try and explain to everyone at mass that the simple act of BEING PRESENT is not addressed during the holidays. Spending time with people you care about whether it is your family, your peers, your friends.. should be the thing you are focused on, not the gifts. 

This simple, effective piece of posterboard made me think that night. I hope that in some way, I was able to articulate what the priest was trying to tell me, and that whoever reads this.. thinks about how they spent their Christmas. I believe that a little love is all someone needs during the holidays, and there is no price tag on that (except maybe a plane ticket!)

Therefore..

Lesson #5: Be present for someone, it's never too late.

All for now,

Aimee OC

mi familia estamos muy tostado.

Day 3: 


Yesterday was surprisingly uneventful. I spent most of my day devouring a novel in the hot sun. When it came time to have lunch, my sister and I met up with one of my best friends and her sister. It was a really neat experience to see actual friends here on this island; sure, we usually have our relatives, but to be with people I see on a day-to-day basis at home was actually really nice! A refreshing change! 
Now.. as cliche as can be, the most obvious and harshest lesson was learnt today (by my entire family..): 

Lesson #3: Do NOT (emphasis on the not) overdo it when it comes to the sun

All it took was a few hours, a shortage on sunscreen, and 5 naive Canadians to completely crisp themselves in the hot Maui sun. Needless to say, when we decided to do a little shopping at the local shops, we were the some of the only folks sporting a red tan. 


All for now,


Aimee OC

pursuit of happiness.

Day 2:
We finally reached our destination, and I've got to admit we were all pretty overjoyed to arrive. It was like seeing an old friend you haven't talked to in a couple years. This friend is a little more humid, and a lot hotter than our other friends.. but yet we still find ourselves coming back every year. I left Kelowna with a different mindset than usual when it comes to winter vacations. I wanted this one to be a little different, where I actually soak up every ray of sun I can, and enjoy every minute of the luxury that my family has given me. 

Lesson #2: Find something that makes you happy. 

As the day started out, all I felt was sleep deprivation and sinus congestion. I let this take over, and it literally crippled my mood for most of the day. Once lunch was eaten- a classic O'Connor Costco meal of pizza, hot dogs and gigantic ice cream bars- I grabbed a book and contently curled up on my lounger at the pool and read for two hours. I was happy as a clam! Because of this, I strongly suggest finding that one little something that you feel one hundred percent content to do all the time. On a vacation, or just simply spending the holidays in the comfort of your own home, you will feel a little bit relaxed and a lot more peaceful than if you let the bad things get the best of you. 


All for now,


Aimee OC

view from the condo. 

kihei, maui

sicky sicky.

Day 1: 

Glad to say we arrived safely into Vancouver with no delays, and certainly no murdering of a certain sibling. I am however, experiencing something that could be classified as a 'food hangover'. All you can eat breadsticks, salad, and capellini pomodori certainly will catch up with you the minute you leave the restaurant. One thing I do regret is not bringing a proper winter jacket, and taking my vitamin C like any sane person would recommend during the winter months. With this... comes the first slice of life:

Lesson #1: Pre-trip prevention of illness

Seriously. I would even think taking Cold F-X while your not sick would be better than suffering what I am now getting myself into. Stuffed up to the nines, and losing my voice at a rapid speed, this is not what I'd consider a fun start to the vacay. 

All for now,

Aimee OC

 

bon voyage.

Maui sunset 2009. Photo by myself.

buen viaje readers!

winter break is in its full swing, and I could not be more excited to spend two weeks in Maui doing nothing but baking in the sun and sipping ice cold drinks by poolside.. jealous?
My family's tradition of reuniting with other members of the O'Connor clan is being broken for the first time. I still haven't decided how I feel about this yet.. we will see how it goes. 
I have decided for the next 14 days to update my blog with a daily "slice of life", which could include anything from Hawaiian lifestyle, to the ridiculous happenings that seem to follow my family around like a lost puppy dog. 


This journey begins with a semi-short drive to Vancouver, BC. I have a funny feeling that I will be coming down with a case of "Camry-fever"...


All for now,


Aimee OC

feeling rather.. inspired.

in

·s

p

i

r

e

d

[in-spahy^uhrd] 

–adjective

1.

aroused, animated, or imbued with the spirit to dosomething, by or as if by supernatural or divine influence:an inspired poet.

* Well, I cannot say I am feeling particularly aroused, but I definitely can relate to being animated. Personally, I have no idea how any person could manage living without ever experiencing a feeling such as this. 

I find it all throughout my day-to-day life, whether it's at Starbucks where I see a girl trying a new twist on her oh-so particular coffee, or when I hear a personal philosophy from somebody intelligent.

In the past 48 hours, I have felt the tingling sensations of inspiration in various areas of my life:

-After an unnerving  Graduation Transitions presentation, I felt 100000x more confident not only in myself, but my decisions to pursue a career in Journalism, or English education.

-Not to preach, but Eat, Pray, Love (book AND movie) has changed my life. Read/Watch. You will not regret it. It has taught me about religion, love, and taking a breather from a hectic life only to learn more about yourself.

-I have made a liberating (and equally terrifying) decision to remain in Kelowna next year. Do not for one second think to yourself that I have taken the "easy way out" by staying at home. It is scary. 

Whether you are like me, responding to everything around you like a feather responds to wind or someone who needs a little more to stir up a little thought in the mind.. I dare whoever reads these words now to allow themselves to be inspired. And DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

* Taking this opportunity to give a special thanks to a miss Ty-Rae Heathcote for being a tad inspirational (understatement) in my life. Keep doing what your doing chica!

see you in 2011 Venice.

http://typeacenlove.blogspot.com/ --> Its sweeping the city :)