I have been in Hawaii for just over a month and have to say I never realized how fast things can change once you change your environment. This was the second time in my life I moved to a place I had never been and both times it's been incredible. Hungary and Hawaii are so different but one of the things that I feel that is the same is how genuine the people are and how much pride they have in there culture and where they live.
Many people have asked questions about the nuts and bolts to moving to a place and want to know how I did it. As the internet has evolved it's made it a lot easier to pick up and move to a new place knowing nothing or anyone. Never visiting Oahu prior to my arrival I wanted to find a place close to work because I heard traffic on the island is horrendous and I have to agree for the most part. I searched Airbnb and VRBO for a space I could stay for at least three weeks to give myself time to fine a longer term solution. This allowed me to feel out the island a little bit and pick the best spot for a rental.
A few people have been asking for my address and I am happy to say I finally have a new address. I moved in and got settled into my new apartment last weekend. It's nothing special but the location is amazing just at the edge of Waikiki with the accessibility without the noise. I am just at the base of Diamond Head crater in a two bedroom mid-century apartment with a lanai overlooking the pool. Do you really need an excuse to visit Hawaii?
To be honest I will never forget my 39th birthday or the feeling of indifference when I was on that one way ticket over from San Diego. I was not happy, not sad, if anything I was just numb for the most part. Everyone was asking before I left if I was excited and truthfully I wasn't. I didn't have time to get excited. I said goodbye to my closest friends but never really felt like a celebration was in order. I had my essentials packed which was mostly clothes and a few small personal items. (Thank you Maggie for getting me everything else I needed!)
I decided to ship my car over from San Diego because the $1050 to ship it was cheaper than buying a new car once I arrived. Little did I know that car would give me a piece of tranquility after I arrived. Moving to a new city, new place, new people, new everything my little Honda gave me a sense of "me" when everything else obscure. I've had the car for ten years and it's been good to me and after taking a taxi from the airport to pick it up it was almost like it was the one piece of stability I had that was there for me and ready to take me wherever this new adventure was going to go. I can't describe the feeling but after the ambivalence I was feeling on the plane ride seeing my car was are welcomed relief
My first month I stayed in a modest Airbnb located in Aiea a bedroom community just north of the airport. There was no TV which was fine with me as I just needed a clean place to rest my head. In reality what did I really need though? I don't think Hawaii is a place to be inside yet rather a place to be outside and enjoy life. I have met more than a handful of people that came here to visit friends and after a two or three week stay decided to move here if if for only a year or two. I can see the true benefits of doing that especially when someone has been through a lot or just wants a change. Life is truly a gift and very short in the big scheme of things. You never know what's going to happen and where life will take you. I lost my Aunt last week to a long hard battle with cancer. One of the nicest people I have ever met however when it's your time to go there is nothing we can do about it.
I can't really describe it but my first month or so in Hawaii has been truly one of the best months of my life. Being alone and doing what makes me happy has been key to that happiness. Not saying I want to be alone forever but I just needed some "John time." I feel like I am now enjoying the journey and not trying to get to the destination. Mediation has become a twice a day ritual for me. I head to the beach at least once a week with a book and find myself slowing down to enjoy the little things as they are happening. Keeping my mind open and staying positive internally and externally and sharing that energy with others has been instrumental. I have enjoyed a few cocktails here and there but I don't think I have cut loose since my trip to Kentucky. I always tell people change is a great thing and thats if you allow yourself to see change as an opportunity to learn and grow and try to be a better person going forward.
I had a few goals when I came here and writing more and slowing down a little bit to enjoy the ride were a couple of those things. I am happy to say I am happier than I have ever been and feel good about where I am going! Who knows where life will take us or where we will end up...
Many people have asked questions about the nuts and bolts to moving to a place and want to know how I did it. As the internet has evolved it's made it a lot easier to pick up and move to a new place knowing nothing or anyone. Never visiting Oahu prior to my arrival I wanted to find a place close to work because I heard traffic on the island is horrendous and I have to agree for the most part. I searched Airbnb and VRBO for a space I could stay for at least three weeks to give myself time to fine a longer term solution. This allowed me to feel out the island a little bit and pick the best spot for a rental.
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| Lanikai - One of my favorite beaches |
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| View of my new apartment |
I decided to ship my car over from San Diego because the $1050 to ship it was cheaper than buying a new car once I arrived. Little did I know that car would give me a piece of tranquility after I arrived. Moving to a new city, new place, new people, new everything my little Honda gave me a sense of "me" when everything else obscure. I've had the car for ten years and it's been good to me and after taking a taxi from the airport to pick it up it was almost like it was the one piece of stability I had that was there for me and ready to take me wherever this new adventure was going to go. I can't describe the feeling but after the ambivalence I was feeling on the plane ride seeing my car was are welcomed relief
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| The Honda - Always there for me |
My first month I stayed in a modest Airbnb located in Aiea a bedroom community just north of the airport. There was no TV which was fine with me as I just needed a clean place to rest my head. In reality what did I really need though? I don't think Hawaii is a place to be inside yet rather a place to be outside and enjoy life. I have met more than a handful of people that came here to visit friends and after a two or three week stay decided to move here if if for only a year or two. I can see the true benefits of doing that especially when someone has been through a lot or just wants a change. Life is truly a gift and very short in the big scheme of things. You never know what's going to happen and where life will take you. I lost my Aunt last week to a long hard battle with cancer. One of the nicest people I have ever met however when it's your time to go there is nothing we can do about it.
I can't really describe it but my first month or so in Hawaii has been truly one of the best months of my life. Being alone and doing what makes me happy has been key to that happiness. Not saying I want to be alone forever but I just needed some "John time." I feel like I am now enjoying the journey and not trying to get to the destination. Mediation has become a twice a day ritual for me. I head to the beach at least once a week with a book and find myself slowing down to enjoy the little things as they are happening. Keeping my mind open and staying positive internally and externally and sharing that energy with others has been instrumental. I have enjoyed a few cocktails here and there but I don't think I have cut loose since my trip to Kentucky. I always tell people change is a great thing and thats if you allow yourself to see change as an opportunity to learn and grow and try to be a better person going forward.
I had a few goals when I came here and writing more and slowing down a little bit to enjoy the ride were a couple of those things. I am happy to say I am happier than I have ever been and feel good about where I am going! Who knows where life will take us or where we will end up...
