Day One

Up at the crack of dawn... 5:30A.M. I was dressed and ready to go by 6:00A.M. On the shuttle over from the hotel with my dad, a 53lbs bag, a carry on, backpack and satchel pouch. So many people on the shuttle, full of people, at 6:30 oh... why!?! Our shuttle driver was this adorable woman who ran out of the shuttle, pressed the walk button in order to have the light change for us!!! Dad didn't have anything but a $20 to give to the driver, but he had to get back some way..... But when we got in line for Allegient we, really it was Greeley, talked to a family next to us about the weight limits of the checked luggauge. Unfortunatly it was a 40lbs weight limit. Well, Greeley and I started ripping through the back debating if I needed all my liquids, my pants, and my medicine. Of course those were the most dense items in my bag and I dropped 10lbs before getting to the front. That doesn't mean I was pleased with leaving all my liquid products; hair mouse, spray, lotion, bite medince with my father but I told him to send it to the dorm when I got the address. I was still 3lbs over but our attentant was very kind and just asked us to move an item from my bag to my carry-on. 

Then I was off!!! I had skipped breakfast and was starting to get hungary.... But that would have to wait until I was through TSA. I was pretty terrified because I had not been on a plane since my previous trip to Europe. I mean, an entire year later was my next encounter with this security detail through LAX. As the line moved on my dad said goodbye and threatened that he would not leave the hotel until I sent him two text messages: one to say I got through security safe and another to say I was on the plane about to fly away. He followed me downstairs to the station, where I shooed him away (mostly because I was embarrassed as an 18 year old to have my father so worried about me). I told him I loved him though, and told him a very forceful goodbye. 

I got to security and started stacking my stuff in buckets. A really kind agent reminded me to take my sandals  (Birenstocks)off, I felt suddenly uncomfortable in my short dress with a whole in the back as I had to lift my arms and spread my legs as I got scanned at the same time as my luggage. I mean really, I just wanted to keep my shawl on... But they were just doing their job so oh well.... My flight had yet to be assigned a flight gate, but I did have Tiny Bubbles meeting me later to help in that department. But the first thing I had on my mind was food!!! Oh I was ravenous! I hustled up the stairs to the food court and hopped in the longest line I had ever seen for Burger King and waited patiently.... With growls tearing through my stomach. When I finally order, my number was almost immediately called and I grabbed the food sat down and inhaled the meal. 

By then I had gotten a message from Tiny Bubbles that she was almost through security and was gonna meet me at the gate. I went to go find the gate board, that thing where they had a list of who was departing and arriving based on the estimated times, but I couldn't find it. I went to go talk to a lady from Virgin Airlines who was just strait up rude! I could not believe the additude she had! I just told her I was looking for the board and had heard that my gate was going to be a Virgin Airlines gate. Could she help me? She just cut me off and snapped at me that she worked for Virgin Airlines not Alligent. Well, fine girl! I am just gonna go and ignore your rudeness because I am on my way to HAWAII! 

At the end of that deboogle, Tiny was through security and was on the way to meet us at the gate, Gate 35. Tiny shared her story about how she had to pay an extra fee because her lugague was too heavy (sorry girl!). And how she forgot her jacket in the TSA security checkpoint, which she went back to get and had to get checked again! But I just had to express how excited I was to be waiting to board the plane! 

Boy was my excitement wasted, because I got no sleep! Kids were kicking my chair, I was by the airplane turbine, and I had no pillow to rest my head on! *TEARS* Therefore when I just read for 5 hours my brain was exhausted to a new level because I had been up for almost 12 hours without a nap during the journey. 

When we got there I had to pee so bad! I waited for Tiny and told her the deal, so I rushed over to the bathroom, rushed to wash, then rushed to find that I had nooooo idea where to pick up our bags! Luckily it wasn't to hard because we found it just in time!

Tiny's Auntie showed up to pick us up with her husband, new baby, and cousins! They were all so kind and I was just in awe of the newness of HAWAII!!! Because I was so awestruck (haven't been to the island since I was 10) I was just trying to soak it all up!
When we arrived to Kaneohe I was just exhausted again, after a short tour, introductions and lunch. I crawled into the visitor bed and knocked out for almost 5 hours. By then everyone else had gotten back to the house. So many people to meet! I was so excited but I was very shy to talk. Therefore I just gave my gifts of pastacios and yogurt covered raisins to the kids and hoped they enjoyed the gifts. Because the day was over and the night was already here....