Happy Birthday!

I can't believe another year has already past. I spent the day thinking about all our past birthdays and I have come to the conclusion that birthdays are better spent together. I am grateful for the technology we have nowadays so we weren't completely apart today. Lisa and I scheduled pedicures together, but 3,000 miles apart. We chatted over the phone lines (is that how it even works anymore? I'm probably behind the times, huh?) and got our toes pampered together.

I visited Reflections Salon in Rexburg. I loved it. My pedicurist (is that a word?) was Heather, super sweet and didn't mind at all that I spent the whole time on my phone. The salon is currently under renovation and so far the work seems promising, it will be spectacular when it's complete. I really like Namasté Salon here in town, but I will definitely be back to Reflections too.

Heather gave me lots of scent options for the foot soak, I chose pineapple so I could feel closer to you and Hawaii. I chose a pretty, sparkly, red-orange polish, something for summer.

The chairs were comfy and Heather did an amazing job with my feet, I especially enjoyed the massage.

All in all I would recommend Reflections for a pedicure, and you should definitely take a girlfriend with you!

Here's me missing you,
Happy Birthday,
Cheers!

Jessica

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Aloha from Oahu!

I, too, cannot believe it's been 28 years and we haven't killed each other yet. Twin power, man! I'm so grateful for technology which allows us to still whisper in each other's ears even from 3,000 miles apart. I love you, I miss you, I wish you were here. But you're always in my heart so that makes it a little easier to bear.

On Friday April 17, 2015 I woke up early to get to my salon of choice, Bee Nail Salon, by 9:30AM. All of the chairs but one were filled which shocked me for a Saturday morning. Plus, this space is tiny so only about five customers will fit for pedicures at a time. I let them know I was there for my appointment and they sat me down in the last one, furthest from the door. They had Mouse Trap playing on one of the TVs. If you're interested, I think it was streaming from Netflix. LJ might enjoy it. :)

I picked a corally-pink color for my nails. I was originally going to go for black but decided against it. I wanted something bright and cheerful and when I saw this pink color it made me think of you, dear sister. I sat down, we started talking, and the world fell away. An hour passed and Jess had finished her pedicure. I was still waiting for the lacquer to dry and a design to be put on my big toe.

(putting a pretty flower on my toes... almost done! Don't mind my bare legs... it happens a lot here in Hawaii...)

(If I look to my right)

(If I look straight in front of me)

(Pretty Piggies!!)

(Pretty Piggies! And a pretty jade anklet. I haven't had an anklet in forever. Laura and I purchased it at the Swap Meet on Sunday.)

After my pedicure I went to pick up my good friend Laura. She was in Oahu for 10 days and had flown in the night before. I picked her up, we went back to Wahiawa and then found ourselves at the Dole Plantation. Lovely. The Dole Pineapple Whip is delicious! It's a frozen yogurt of sorts. Very tasty. Of course we took some pictures...

(L&L at Dole)

(Me about to consume the Whip)

(OM NOM NOM!!)

(OM NOM NOM!!)

(A tiny pineapple -- it takes two years for a pineapple to go from field to market!)

(Koi pond. There were children feeding them fish pellets. That's why they're so congregated in the lump)

(Koi Pond)

(Playing Tourist)

(Gotta appreciate the views in Hawaii)

After Dole we headed north. We had a little bit of time to kill before some of my good friends were off work. We ended up in Haleiwa. We were walking along one of the beaches and went to find a bathroom. When we walked up to the bathroom we saw a large group of tourists taking pictures. I couldn't figure out what they were looking at. After the bathroom, I came out and they were gone. So I went to where they were standing... and there were sea turtles! Right in front of me there were three. Out further there were two more I could see breaching the waves. To my left I saw another three. Amazing! This is my first real photo-evidence encounter with turtles. I'm not a lier!! Check it out:

(they were eating the greenery you see here)

(Turtle shell!)

(there's two of them)

(turtle, turtle, turtle!)

(I had time to take a video.)

Laura wanted to go pet them. They were that close to us. Unfortunately, that's illegal and if we get reported it's a huge fine. So. No petting sea turtles.

After the turtles we headed through mid-day traffic to Aiea to pick up two guy friends. After we picked them up we braved through traffic once more and went to the Ala Moana mall. The plan was to drop off something for one of Laura's mainland co-worker's sons. He's a waiter at Bubba Gump. We met up with Holly here, too. By the time we all had met up and delivered the package I was beyond hungry. So... Instead of going to Pint + Jigger we went to Bubba Gump. Best. Decision. Ever. You're going to have to watch the video on Facebook where I shake my booty for my dessert. But we stayed there for at least 2 hours, talking, laughing, poking fun at each other. It was one of the greatest birthday dinners ever. And our waitress was awesome! She's coming to Seattle for college so we were able to talk shop about that, too. She was very sweet. 

After the mall we headed back to drop of the guys... And ended up staying for a movie! We watched Up! And I fell asleep towards the end. But that's alright. After it was over and people started making there way this way and that, I headed out to the lanai (patio) and parked it with a blanket on the couch. I fell asleep outside, 15 stories up. I got to watch sunrise. 

(my wake-up view)

And that, friends and family, is how I spent Friday and Saturday morning of my birthday. It took me forever to get this posted by I surely hope it's worth the wait.

Love you, miss you, wish you were here!

Aloha from Oahu,
LC