Honolulu, Hawaii

Re-scheduled our flight to LA from 7:30 am (which actually had been moved, inexplicably, to 6:40 am) to 12:30, buying ourselves a bit of sleep and some sanity. Most of the packing done, we lounged a bit in the morning and then hit the road. Airport arrival about 10:45, with plenty of time to check in and get settled.

Very sad to be leaving Hawaii, and especially Kailua. Just being there brought back so many memories and allowed me to relive several great experiences. Even something as simple as driving by the 7-11 I used to hit up for Big League Chew and Slurpees after baseball games made me really happy. Being able to share it with LVL, to show her where I’m from and tell her childhood stories, made it all the more meaningful. There is a lot to be said for the beach lifestyle, and for emphasizing “life” and family over work. Though I have on some level moved past Hawaii, it was very, very easy to slip back into comfortable routine there. One way or the other, we will certainly be back before another ten years go by.

The trip was also about reconnecting with old friends. Though we didn’t have time to see all that many, the time with people – especially Makaena and Kii – was really important. I regret being so bad about staying in touch, but couldn’t be happier to find that picking up where we left off a long time ago was comfortable and easy. I guess they are lifelong friends for a reason. Sorry to have missed seeing others, like Yvonne. Next time.

The trip to the airport was uneventful (despite the Garmin taking us the slow way – via Like Like rather than H-3), and we arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. The flight itself was also largely uneventful. LVL chatted with her neighbor, watched a bunch of stuff, including Date Night,* read, and worked on the blog. I mostly read, wrote, and napped.

* [Ed. Note: Date Night was good enough to listen to while I read a trashy gossip rag, but shortly after that played a show that fully commanded my attention. Thank you, in-flight programming person at United, for bringing me the Bluths when I wasn't expecting them.]