Oh, Give Me a Home...

Finally!  A second post to my much-ignored blog.  Things have been hectic.  I arrived on the island last Thursday, and have so far viewed several rentals without luck.  I'm hoping that at least one of the last two places I visited will let me live there starting tomorrow.  I'll update with pictures of the place unless things fall through.  It's difficult to find a place here that's both affordable and livable and decently close to campus.  I've decided to try for a two-bedroom with one of my fellow grad students because it seems to be easier to find two-bedroom apartments or houses.  I'm not sure how much easier since we've only been able to look at one place, but so far the upper level grad students haven't let us down yet.  Right now, I'm staying with my friend Sarah and her husband Kenny, who've been kind enough to let me crash on their futon since yesterday.  I'm here for another couple of nights if necessary, and then it's on to my own apartment or someone else's couch.  Hopefully, it'll be the former option.  We spent the morning on the beach today--we being Sarah, Kenny, Kat, and Miriam.  Miriam is new to the program like me; Kat is starting her third and final year here; and Sarah has been here for six months with her husband.  All of the other grad students are Youth Theater students and not designers.  I'm anxious to meet some of the design students because I'd like to know what the expectations are from designers here, but I suppose I'll get to meet most of them tomorrow at my first duty day as a graduate assistant.  The top pictures are the view of the city from Sarah and Kenny's window.  The other pics are from the beach.  It was nice getting away from the bustle of downtown, but I felt a little guilty that I wasn't apartment-shopping.  Miriam and I discovered a local market today in Manoa, near the house we viewed.  I hope it'll become my shopping and banking center.  Cross your fingers if you read this; it's been a disconcerting couple of days not having a place of my own to crash and start to feel at home.  Sarah, Kenny, and Kat have been great, but nothing can substitute for that 'at home' feeling.

If you are reading this and know me, chances are you care enough about me that I miss you a lot.  I hope you are reading this and that life is good.  For me, if you get a chance today, look around your home and take it in.  Remember a party or a family gathering that took place there, or someone's first steps or a friend's laughter and be thankful that you have a place that you can call your own--even if the bank might still own a piece of it.  I miss you, friends and family, and I love you dearly.

~ Jonathon