Ain't no mountain high enough and secrets aplenty

I'm not quite ready to leave. I get better sleep in the hotel bed. The weather is perfect everyday, even when it rains the sun still shines. I've seen at least seven monrach butterflies today and one I cannot quite place. The birds sing beautiful songs, there's one that looks like a woodpecker, if I even know what they look like, with a red head, these very small yellow ones that were so cute and a green bird flying quickly through the sky I almost missed it. The island is flooded with chickens of all different variations -- the little chicks follow closely behind their mommas. The pidgeons are gangsta like the New York ones, they'll share a meal with you and one pooed on the seat right next to me. Never going out with him agiain.

This morning I had a pottery class. This is my second visit and besides Pearl Harbor, I've seen all the major tourist attractions. I would like to see more of the north shore and Sunset beach the next time I come. They say that is where all the good surfing is. I find it so fascinating to watch. I knew this time, I needed to do something different, more creative and this gave me that chance. Plus I would get to be all "I made this mug when I was in Hawai'i" as I drink my tea. The coffee shop I frequent, that I'm sitting at currently, has this ginger honey I've had my eye on. I'm a big tea drinker and am undecided if I'm going to wait until August when my mug is shipped out to use it. Knowing me, I'll try it the day I land.

I had a little acai for breakfast and met a woman and her daughter from Montreal. We shared a table and they told me about their flight to Polynesia and the two week cruise they had been on that stopped in Hawai'i. It was so nice to chat over a meal. This side of the world is so foreign to me and understandably so. Twelve hour plus flights aren't easy at all but all the culture is exciting to learn about. I've heard Tahiti come up a lot and a woman on my flight in was going to Guam. Add them to the bucket list! They were eating these big nutella covered waffles with strawberries and bananas. Personally, I cannot stop putting coconut flakes on everything. Later in the day I was surprised to find out there were wildfires in Canada affecting the air quality in New Jersey. I'm praying everything settles down and for the families and wildlife affected. I remember those days a couple of years ago when I went outside and sky in New York was orange, and not because of a beautiful sunrise.

The walk over to the class took about thirty minutes. The sun hadn't risen too high, so with the delightful breeze and all the shade, I was feeling wonderful. I have two disposable cameras and am almost done with the second. I took time during this walk to take photos of all the foliage and any critters I came across. I'm a flower child. There are many pulmeria bushes lining the beach walk of Waikiki and multicolored hibiscus bushes: hot pink, orange, white, yellow and red. Those are some of my favorites. I've had no flowers in my hair, sad as I am to say, but did get a little hibiscus claw clip. I just don't want to take a real one off it's bush. The beauty of it belongs to the island and the next person to gaze upon it. I'm mesmerized by this place. As I walked to class, you get a stunning view of the Diamond Head crater. I did the hike of Diamond Head years ago and chile, it was the steepest hike I ever did. Part of me wanted to do it again but I think I learned the lesson it taught me. It is so important to take the hike, like life, at your own pace. I was trying to keep up with everyone, out of breath, tired and sore. When I sat to take breaks and write and do the journey at my own pace, I made it to the top and enjoyed the sunrise just like everyone else. :)

The pottery studio is in the back of Karen's, the ceramics instrutors, home. Stunning. Hibiscus bush in the front. Floor to ceiling windows. Stone path to the backyard, with a small pool and blue tiled jacuzzi. The back windows are tinted but she had this lovely floral art piece hung up and a standing piano. I was all in the business. Some would call that nosey but sometimes I go on Zillow and manifest. One thing I wish I had taken more photos of are the gates here. Everything is an art piece and some gates have turtles, hula dancers, or flowers that accent them before you even enter the home. She told me she had lived in Miami, then Vegas then Hawai'i, because her husband, from Canada, disliked the cold weather of his home country. There were three of us taking the class, me, the tourist and two native Hawaiians. You could make a few different things, including mugs, bowls, travel tumblers and espresso cups. Plus, an additional little plate or tray to hold jewlery or trinkets as a free add on. I liked an oversized mug when I'm drinking tea, or eating ice cream so she let me put a handle on a bowl. It's big enough for soup. I can't wait to fill it with all types of deliciousness. My own homemade acai bowls? Yum!

She taught us how to make the mugs, bowls and small plate. There were these fun stencils and stamps. She had relaxing instrumentals playing and the breeze just felt so good. Karen joked that we were focused like it was a final exam and I must admit it was true. There are so many little steps and as forgiving as clay can be, the mistakes are that much more obvious. Perfection is not necessary Ashanti, who are you trying to be perfect for? I ask myself this often so, I think today was more about expressing my creativity and not worrying about the outcome, just be. And what I made was one of a kind, that made it that much better and I'll get to enjoy endlessly.

I love asking the natives do they like living here. One of the girls did and had come back after attending college in Seattle. What a big difference weather wise mind you! That might be one place that is not tropical on my travel list. Just imagine the views and of course, the original Starbucks. It's only right! Her friend said she wanted to move from the island since she was a child. I do think that if you're called to get our of your hometown you should do it. You'll always have a place you know and can call home but to explore the world and what life has to offer is sweet. Who knows what you'll discover about yourself? Who knows who you'll meet? What's funny to me, this is my ultimate vacation destination but where do the Hawaiians vacation? According to the girls, Washington, California and Vegas are all popular and surprisingly, so is Alaska.

I walked back to the city and had a little lunch overlooking the water. Since this is the last day, there was only one thing left to do. "We're gonna go...shopping!" White Chicks never not makes me laugh, to this day. Hot pink is my color these days, and cheetah or leopard print. I'm a wild woman and it feels nice to be letting my truest self shine. I wanna be extra as ever, colorful and expressive in all kinds of prints. I went to Sephora and bought a few new lip glosses, including this bright pink Fenty gloss. I'm obsessed with the pink glittery version so why not. And listen, about my feet. Hear me out. I did go to this same Sephora yesterday and used some of the sample versions to get myself right. My love, it did not work so today, I bought a lavender feet mask. Plus a lychee face mask. Please bring me some hydration. Not only to my feet, face but my hair. She's dried all the way out and I'm hoping te product I bought will make it through TSA.

Next I stopped at Victoria Secrets. I went yesterday too and ugh. I just had to! As I'm more in touch with the woman that I truly am, I am trying to step away from big shirts and sweatpants solely, when I'm going to bed. There is a time for those things for sure, but I'm starting to really enjoy having a bedtime routine: moisturizing, dressing in my pretty night gown and robe, wearing my little shoes and doing my hair up real nice. I feel like a princess. Today, I walked in and sale was "buy two of anything, get one free." I ain't never seen nothing like that before. I'm going home with three slip dresses, and a matching robe and panty. Ohhhhhhh -- sexy, sexy.

I bought my coworkers and family some things: shirts, magnent and keychains. I even have a few post cards I need to sign and send out before I go. They always consider me when I go out so a few people got a little extra. Truth is, in the past I've not been a generous gift giver but I just loved to receive. I'm trying to get better at balance in this area and being more considerate of those who treat me with such care. Even if it's small, some chocolate covered macadamia nuts go a long way.

I'm planning to start packing for my flight tomorrow after dinner. More like, after a nice sunset walk on the beach. My last of the week. How is all this stuff going to fit up in this little carry on? We gotta make it work!

With love and clay covered hands,

xoxo,

Ashanti