Plopped down and scouting around

A week ago today I hopped on a plane and landed on an island in the middle of the pacific ocean. The trip over was nice. For the long flight I had an exit row seat window seat behind the bathrooms so I had tons of leg room/spread your stuff out room, and the ability to get up without disturbing my neighbors. It was a beautiful arrangement. I especially enjoyed watching the people. Many were Japanese and one girl amused me by looking at the big words on the bathroom door latch (which was currently occupied) and jostled it to see if it would open. 'Vacant' and 'Occupied" really aren't common English words that people from other countries would necessarily learn first in an English conversation class. I arrived safely. I live in a cute little house that is owned by a senior Sister missionary who just left for Germany. I was really blessed to find housing as there is a shortage and they are scrambling to place 350 over-enrolled students who arrive in a few weeks. I will have two roommates and I have met them both. They are really cool girls. One took off for a four day adventure and the other hasn't officially moved in yet so I spent the first four week days scouting out the new surroundings alone. A few random things:

There are geckos here that will eat the ants. They have spooked me several times as I've entered my room. Unfortunately, one died and it took me a little while to find it even though it was sending off quite a lot of SOS scent signals. My room is now dead gecko free.

BYU Hawaii is a SMALL campus. It's about a 10 minute walk from my house and only has a few buildings. I guess that's to be expected for a student population of 2,400. The town of Laie is only about 4,500 from the 2000 census. I've never lived in a place so small. That's not a problem.

I found the Library (where they have a place for you to take your shoes off at the front door), Walmart (an hour away drive), the farmers market, the shrimp farms, the Dole pineapple plantation, a freindly mechanic, and all the closest beach accesses to my house. Yes, the milk can be $7-$8 a gallon.

It rains off and on throughout the day. The driver window on my car is broken so it doesn't stay up while I'm driving. I did get wet the other day. I love the little, good running, clunker car that I get to drive around for the next year. It makes me feel like I fit right in.

I'm also enjoying the extra time to read, write in my journal, and visit with friends back on the mainland.

Hawaii is beautiful! It's also peaceful, friendly, and exudes a very happy spirit. It's happy to be here!