Aloha!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I love Valentine’s Day even being single. Why wouldn’t you love a day to tell people you love them? Maybe I am biased because I am surrounded by true love but I am a believer in fairytales and happily ever after so V-day fits right in.


So, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO YOU ALL! I’m sending love and happiness to each of you.

I can’t believe the adventures and opportunities I have! My life is exceptional and exceedingly blessed. I don’t tell you this to make you jealous or make you think my life is perfect because it isn’t. Everyone can have an extraordinary life; you just have to be willing to look for the adventure and opportunity- live with the thought, “ I can’t or don’t have time” don’t exist.

Last week, I had the last minute opportunity (like we booked the plane tickets 8 hours before we got on the flight) to go to Hawaii with the beautiful and amazing Brittany Peterson and her wonderful mom, Denise. As Brittany and I were talking about this, I realized if I went I would have the opportunity to use my scuba certification AND go to a beach I’ve never been too. When I realized how adventure presented itself, there was no way I could say no! Instead, I jumped at the opportunity and embraced the spontaneity. I’m so grateful I did because it was a great adventure!

We arrived in Oahu late Wednesday afternoon and stayed right on Waikiki beach. I’ve been to Kauai, Maui and Lanai but have never been to Oahu so I was super excited to see another of the Hawaiian islands.



With a WWII Survivor. I bought his
memoir and he signed it for me.

Yummy Dole Whip

On Thursday, we toured the island by starting at Pearl Harbor. I really think the generation of WWII is the greatest generation of our time. For the men to go fight for a people they’ve never met and for the women to step into a role they had never had before, both with dignity and pride, is something to be admired. I also love the unity and love our country showed to the troops and those fighting for the greater good. I was humbled to be standing on the tomb of so many brave men who gave their lives to protect and ensure the continuation of the freedom we all enjoy. While at the memorial, one of the survivors was there signing his biography. I bought the book and it is in my list of 30 for the year.

After Pearl Harbor, we met up with some of my amazing friends who are stationed in Oahu and went to the Dole Plantation. There are only 4 places in the whole world to get Dole whip and I was definitely not going to miss the opportunity to get it! Dole whip is so delicious!



Laie LDS Temple

Getting on the boat for 2 dives

After the plantation tour, we ventured to the other side of the island to enjoy the surfers on North Shore and visit the LDS Laie Temple. We arrived right as a rain storm started and it was getting dark. The grounds were beautiful and magical in the weather.

Friday was spent as an adventure! Scuba diving!!! IT WAS INCREDBILE!!! Oh my, I’m SO glad to be certified! We did a 2 tank dive in 2 different locations about a mile off the coast of Waikiki beach. The first dive was to a place called Turtle Canyon. The name tells you exactly what we were diving with. Some of the turtles were HUGE! It was beautiful to be in the water with such magnificent creatures. The dive master also pulled out a big octopus and let each of us hold it. Holy moly, I’ve held an octopus! 

Holding an octopus


Our second dive was at a spot called Nautilus. There were 2 beautiful, colorful HUGE reefs. We found another octopus and some eels. As I came over one of the reefs and dropped down, a 4 foot white tipped reef shark was hanging out under the ledge. I’m deathly scared of sharks but still dropped down to just watch. It was something to hang out 50’ under water and watch sharks.

I’m so grateful I jumped at the opportunity to get certified just a few weeks ago. I love that things are happening in my life and that I’m allowing them to happen!

Sunrise on Waikiki Beach

On Saturday, I got up early and went for a sunrise run (I did this on Friday too). After my run, I sat on the beach ALL DAY. It was glorious. I loved it more than a little. As the sun went down, I was grateful I could check another thing off my celebration list.



View from Diamond Head Lookout on a sunrise run

We flew home Saturday night and I’m already in the plans for the next adventure. Exploring new places brings peace and contentment to my soul. I love meeting new people and visiting new places. There is nothing quite like it.



Sunset on Waikiki Beach

I’ve finished another book but I will leave the review for the next post. Tomorrow I’m going to the spa all day and am looking forward to it more than I care to admit.








I hope happiness fills your life and opportunity presents itself today. More than that, I hope you never miss an opportunity for adventure.

Much love to you all and happy 30 to me-
Aloha-

Stef




Wahoo!!