Reality finally slaps me in the face...in a good way

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. I had allowed myself to be ignorant to the reality of the lost and brokenness out here. A couple of weekends ago I went on the YL leadership weekend on the north shore. I wanted to not only be around people my age, but also learn about YL out here and what it looks like, how it is structured, etc. To say things are different would be an understatement. A high schooler's basic need is the same: to feel loved and accepted, however the daily reality and struggles that kids face in their journey to find acceptance are very different from what I'm used to in the south. When I would think about someone growing up in Hawaii, my naive self would immediately think "like omg, how awesome would that be? Surrounded by beaches, summer weather year round...rough life." Well for many of the local kids it is pretty rough. I took for granted the parental involvement we have in Cola YL and even at times wondered why more people didn't step up. On Oahu, many of the parents are addicted to drugs, etc and have already checked out. There are high school kids who have grown up on the island their entire life yet have never seen the ocean. After school for many kids it is then about what gang you are a part of (who has your back) and protecting your "territory" (various parks, neighborhoods, etc). My heart just broke and I yearn for these kids to know the perfect love of a perfect Father. There was no doubt that God wanted me to be involved in YL out here, but I didn't feel as though it was by taking on a role of a leader again--at least not at this time. From the wisdom of Carrie (I'll try not to go on again about how awesome the Elliotts are, but they are in the process of adopting 2 boys from Africa, check out www.carrieelliott.blogspot.com to read some more about their journey and adoption in general) I am now volunteering administratively to help the area director, since he is the only staff person for the island and it is a lot for him and his wonderful wife to do. Right now the big thing is the main fundraiser for the year--the banquet. As mentioned earlier, parental involvement isn't as "easy" to recruit as back home, and YL is starting to try and build a name for itself in the community. Please pray for the YL Oahu Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 22. Pray for not only that money will be raised, but also for potential committee members, and other interest in involvement from adults in the community.

In other news, I finally bought Julia. Julia is a 1999 Land Rover Discovery II. She needs some TLC, but she is wonderful. We're going to pick up Megan from the airport in a couple of hours--Jules is real pumped, mainly because right now she just loves driving around as we get to know each other.

I gave surfing another shot. I was almost stuck with the board that dominated me before, but I asked for another one. I'll get a chance to even the score with my arch enemy of surfboards, but I needed to build up some confidence beforehand. I can get up and ride the waves, so now the next step is being able to read the waves and catch one without any help. There are two girls, Heather and Christine, who go out almost weekly by where I live so I'll get some more practice. I think there are pictures of me somewhere, I'll just have to find out where.

Booked my flight to come home to welcome my niece, Stella Carter Dean into this world before Thanksgiving. I'll be in Cola Nov. 27-Dec. 1. Feel free to find me a free ticket to the Carolina/Clemson game.

Okay, time to finishing cleaning up/organizing so Megan has somewhere to put her stuff! Be on the lookout for an update from her soon!

a quick ode to Jane Doe

So I owned my first car that was to be in my name for about 30 minutes today.

1995 Nissan Pathfinder.

Asking price was $2500. I withdrew $2500 cash prepared to try and negotiate but if I liked it enough, just pay asking if they were firm.

Here's where it gets interesting. The girl who is selling it is off the island and signed it over to her brother who is still here so he could sell it for her. He knows nothing about the car, so people deal with the sister for questions, etc. then he just shows the car and collects. I drive the car for a bit, we look under the hood and everything looks good and I prepare to offer $2100 in mostly Jacksons (that's $20 bills...luckily the customer service had a few larger bills I could change out, but I digress). Chris has coached me on what to do so I'm ready. I pull out the wad of cash-monies and here's what happened:

me: "I want the car, and I've got $2100 cash here" (Dave Ramsey would be proud)
brother: "well, she said she'd take $2000"
I have a slightly confused look, remove five 20s from my wad of cash-monies and put them in my pocket
me: "okay...I want the car, and I've got $2000 cash"

talk about a hard bargain.

Anyway, I drive my new baby home and lock her up and go inside. Carrie wants to come meet her so I go back outside, stick the key in the door to find that the door locks are jammed on both sides and I can't get into my car. I had checked everything I could think of (power locks on the inside, windows, wipers, lights, etc) but it never occured to me that I may not be able to actually get inside my car. The brother said he had always left it unlocked since his sister left so he didn't realize the problem and he felt bad. Regardless of how genuine he was, he did give me all of my cash-monies back (PTL) so I'm back where I started a couple of hours ago, except this time with a story. Even though we didn't get to know each other enough for me to name her, Jane Doe will have a special place in my heart.

I'm not worried, I'll catch my break one day. I just gotta keep my eyes open.

Aloha, ya'll!

I know this is long overdue, so buckle up kids it will probs be a long one--but hopefully it won't seem as long as having to watch "Hotel for Dogs" followed by "The World's Biggest Teaparty: My Little Pony LIVE" (on DVD) just to catch the last 30 minutes of Top Gun, get tired, and go to bed. I'll get better about this.


I feel like I've run a mental marathon since my last post since I've been going nonstop. Considering I can't even physically run a 5k much less down the street, I'm quite worn out. But oh what a time it has been, filled with plenty of new adventures, mai tai's, sand, and food. I had my first visitor from the mainland, Elisabeth Pawula (pronounced like "koala" with a "p" since I know you didn't figure it out on your own). We stayed on Waikiki for the first few nights, all of which I spent sick and sleeping. Luckily we were downtown so she could walk around and entertain herself while I slept on and off through NCIS marathons. Just to list some of the touristy things we did: aquarium, climbing Diamond Head (not a rigorous climb by any means, just lots of steps), dinner cruise, Pearl Harbor, North Shore (Turtle Bay, Polynesian Culture Center, Hale'iwa, Dole Plantation), Kailua, luau, SKYDIVING, island-hopping to Kaua'i, ziplining, etc.


My tandem master was Ed White. A man I hardly knew, yet trusted enough to jump out of a plane at 14,000 ft. I was nervous/excited driving to the place (which I think LOST was being filmed down the road...they keep the Oceanic 815 wreckage and some other props at/near the airfield we went to) but the nerves actually lessened as it got closer. I kept reminding myself that at no point will I feel "ready" to jump out of a plane like that, but you gotta go big or go home, ya know? Anyways, it was incredible, and perhaps a bit habit-forming. I'm definitely going to jump again and the north shore is one of the top places in the world to do it. Basically if you come visit--you're skydiving. Get pumped and don't dwell on the 8-pg waiver you sign that repeats in bold letters that you may die and agree to not sue anyone in the world if anything at all goes wrong. I'm not exaggerating this at all. It does make you think again before signing, but I just decided that if it's my time--it's my time. Not to mention it would probs be one of the more exciting ways to die. I hope dad isn't reading this. That's why I don't tell him about these things until after the fact.


Pearl Harbor is of course a must-see for anyone visiting Hawai'i. You grow up learning about it, but just like visiting Ground Zero, or the D-day memorial, or any other memorial of this sort, it just invokes a different sense of what has happened and what people lived through. Standing at the USS Arizona memorial and looking over the mountains where the Japanese came in, you try to imagine it. People went to bed Dec. 6, expecting to wake up Dec. 7 to yet another ordinary day. We also toured the USS Missouri (Big Mo) which you can get lost in very easily. So neat, though.


We were hungry after Pearl Harbor so I look up nearby food in Tim, my trusty TomTom. Tim knows me so well because lo and behold, in black block letters there it was: Dixie Grill. I know Tim has preloaded maps, but I feel confident that it was the smell of barbeque that helped him to lead us to dinner. The place definite emphasized the redneck aspect of the south but I loved every minute there. The only thing missing was some Maurices sauce. I'm sure I'll be eating there again soon enough.


Don't worry, I won't continue in this much detail about the rest of our adventures. Just know it was all so fun and come visit so you can check it out for yourself. Now, for some of the questions I've been getting:


No, I'm not a professional surfer...yet. I actually haven't been but once (twice, actually. The second time they gave me a board and sent me out alone, long story short--I got knocked in the head by the board (this was not a dramatic instance) and the leash ripped off my ankle. When I came up, I couldn't see the board anywhere, then I looked to shore. Where it had taken me 10 minutes to paddle out there (it's a workout), my board managed to make it back to shore in about 10 seconds...needless to say, I don't really count this experience). I've been doing a lot of babysitting this month for the Elliotts to help them out during a busy time. Good thing it doesn't get cold here, so it's not like I'm running out of time. Next month is when the north shore starts to get bigger swells from Pacific storms and Nov-Dec are three big surf contests that make up the Triple Crown of Surfing. So pumped about checking those out. There's also this other Quicksilver Invitational that has a 3 months window, but only actually happens when the conditions are perfect. (Forecasted 20-ft swells which usually meants 30-40 ft waves). If the forecast meets the conditions, they announce that it'll happen and those invited have 12 hours to register, and people just flock there. The last one was in 2004 I think. Let's keep our fingers crossed 2009/2010!


The Elliotts are still wonderful. I'm just glad that I can serve Chris and Carrie in a small way by helping them when they have busy work schedules since they are doing so much for me. The kids are fun and make me laugh everyday. I will say, however, that if you're getting the baby itch just come watch these (or any younger) kids for a bit. It'll cure you. They keep you busy and I get worn out even after one day--Carrie is supermom. When they are pushing my limits I just think of how glad my mom and dad must be that my sister, brother and I were all such perfect angels from birth. You're welcome.


I also haven't been to the beach as much since I've been babysitting, but it's always nice to know it's right there and not going anywhere. As with surfing, after this month things will slow down considerably so I'll be able to catch up and maintain my tan. Oct. 7 Megan gets here so we'll go to the beach a lot so I can feel good about myself since she's pale and freckly....but we'll change that even if it means we have to spend every stinking day on the sand. Clearly I have my priorities in check.


Still checking out some churches. There is one I'm going to on the other side of the island in Kailua next weekend (this weekend I'm going on the YL staff/leader retreat on the north shore to check out YL here). The way Carrie describes it sounds like what I'm looking for so I'm excited to go and see for myself.


One thing that has been really weird to get used to seeing is liquor available for sale on any target, walmart, or grocery store shelf just there for the taking like it's OJ or something. I'm used to the stuff being on lockdown so it always just kind of throws me off. From a marketing standpoint, I can see the strategic placement of this shelf at Target. Last Friday night I was at target agonizing over what kind of toothbrush would best suit my needs (4 out of 5 dentists recommend a lot...it can get intimidating). I realize I never ate dinner and didn't know what was in the house so I wandered to the frozen dinner aisle which they now label "Meals for One." Ultimately, I'm okay that I spent part of my evening reading the backs of toothbrushes and body washes to find which will be the best exfoliant, but I can see how this could be a stab to the bitterly single woman. If you walk one aisle over, you find ice cream--a good the best comfort food. This would be enough for me, and because I'll take a pint of Ben and Jerry's over a lean cuisine anyway, I picked up some. However, for the not as strong willed, one more aisle over and you have shelves full of liquor if that's how you deal with things.


Once again, I've posted some pictures on facebook. I tried to upload some on here but it takes so freaking long and never puts them where I want them. It's too much sitting and waiting and extra work. If you aren't on facebook and want to see some, shoot me an email kayleighahudson@gmail.com

So I had lunch with the cast of LOST

There isn't even an ounce of truth in that title. Except for the part where I've eaten lunch, so I guess there's at least an ounce.

I've almost suffered through my first full week in Hawaii (Hawai'i).  Colorado was fun. It was good to see Julie, Gabe and some other YL friends (or, I guess, friend. Brittany was the only other person I already knew that I saw now that I think about it). The flight from CO to HI wasn't too bad, although the Pheonix airport has joined the Kansas City airport on my list of worst designed airports I've been to. The plan ride seemed to take forever. I was stuck in the middle seat for both legs of the trip, so it was hard for me to actually fall asleep because I didn't want to risk getting cozy with a stranger. Since it was morning, the meal was a breakfast burrito which I should have declined. Note to self: don't fly to/from Hawaii in the morning. Take your chances with lunch and dinner.

When I arrived, Carrie (the mom) came to pick me up with the kids (Colin, 5; Madeline, 3; and Gracen, 1) and a lei! I now felt like my arrival was official. The family is wonderful, the kids are energetic and fun, and the island is beautiful. The Elliotts have an extra minivan for the time being, so I've been fortunate to have an old red toyota pickup truck to drive around and explore the island. I have fallen in love with the truck and his name is Red Rover, but you can call him Rover for short. I've been all around the island: Ewa, Kailua (GORGEOUS), the north shore (Hale'iwa is a really cool old beach/surf town that is popular), the Dole Plantation where I had a delicious pineapple sorbet cone. The water is all so clear, I can be waste deep and still see the bottom of the ocean. Yesterday a few of us went to Ala Moana, a popular spot where a friend and I learned about coral and Vana (sea urchin that shoots poison into you). Lydia feel victim to the Vana, but after some googling we decided it will be a little painful for a few days, but the rest of the spikey thing in her foot should dissolve on its own in due time. Phew, close one. I don't think they make shirts that read "I went to Hawaii and all I got was poisoned by a sea urchin"

Anyway, I love the feeling of community out here. The evenings are beautiful and you can walk down almost any beach I think and see groups of families/friends gathered around on the beaches or the parks next to the beach, barbecuing, playing music, even hula dancing. Last night I was able to a part of one of these gatherings. It was so good. Steak, chicken, and grilled breadfruit and bananas and potato salad. There were two young girls, Maya and Mercedes, who were fun to run around with. Mercedes taught me how to play a card game she made up that can be best described as matching colors meets go fish meets uno where Mercedes made up/changed rules as the game was played. Afterwards I got my first taste of really touristy Hawaii as we walked from Diamond Head down Waikiki.

There are a few pictures on my facebook, so look there.

Side note: The freeways here (I think there are only 3, there might be a 4th but I haven't seen signs for it) are called interstates. Carrie initially pointed out the irony in this since Hawaii is an island.

I think this afternoon I'm going to take my first stab at surfing out here, and this week hopefully I will do some hiking, etc. since my things I shipped come tomorrow! (fingers crossed)

ALOHA!

(the packing) Nightmare on Quinlan St...

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but it is incredible how much junk one can accumulate in such a short time. I realized this when my whole packing process started in Columbia. For starters, waiting until the last minute (which is sort of my thing. I've got procrastination down to an art form--why change what you know works?) meant packing up last things from the Santee house in the rain. It is times like these that make you really wonder why you under-estimated the usefulness of an umbrella hat. Sarah Shutt and I bought them in high school and I gave mine up as my dirty santa gift in Worsham's AP class senior year. Sure, it was one of the "cooler" gifts but I wish I would have really thought it through. Not to mention, I ended up with dumb votive candles or something lame. Back to the story before I digress any further. Then there was the mad-dash stuffing the  MUV from the Turbeville's house (my summer 2K9 residence). It got really exciting when I was supposed to pick up Alice in 30 minutes so we could make it to Charlotte for our flight and I still had half my belongings up on the 3rd floor of the house. Right before leaving, Mary tells me "I'm going to be honest, I didn't think it could be done." I just work better and faster under pressure. Now, after dragging my feet for four days I'm finally kicking it into high gear since we are leaving Lynchburg by 11am and I still have a few errands to run. Oh, the adrenaline is a flowin' already. 

Had some good family time this past week and a half.  Maggie's baby shower went well. It was good to see some old family friends and catch up. There were also some good Hudson family fights--I don't know if any trip home would feel complete without them. Dad broke his old hearing aids and got his new, more advanced ones today (on his birthday!) so they were the best kind of birthday present--the kind that is like a present to everyone else as well since now you don't have to repeat yourself as often. He also doesn't have to fake understanding some people anymore. You can tell he is just tired of having you repeat yourself when he just starts nodding and saying "yeah" then walks away or changes the subject. I hope I'm like him when I grow up. With the McGuigan's good looks, of course.

Also spent some good quality time with Megan. Can't wait for her to come join me in October! Or sooner....(hint)

Next update will be from Hawaii...aloha!

Aloha, South Carolina

I've been gone from the land of Beautiful Places and Smiling Faces for a week, and have started to figure out how to put pictures on here from my last few weeks in Cool-umbia.

As one can tell, I've caught my first fish! Do not be fooled by this fish. You know what they say, it ain't the size of the fish in the fight... point is, we caught a shark later with these fish. It was my important job to keep the overambitious dog from imminent death as she definitely wanted a piece of the hammerhead shark.

I've also shot my first gun. If nothing else, this should make people feel safer around me. If I had my CWP, then between packing heat and a blackbelt, I'd be a real life Sidney Bristow (Alias, anyone?) and that ought to be enough to sleep soundly at night.

This is my beautiful family.  It started with Monday night family dinners at D's wings for $.25 wing night. They are all wonderfully special people who make it hard to leave South Carolina. I look to each of them as examples of how to lead a life for Christ and am blessed to call them family.

My first and only Columbia Blowfish game:

I've had the priviledge of knowing Callie since freshman year and seeing her come to the Lord and just fall more in love with him in the past 4 years.  I cherish how honest, and encouraging she is.

Ginnie. My BFF. After all the crap we've put each other through in 4.5 years as roommates, the fact that we're still best of friends really says something. :) She challenges and pushes me in so many ways to pursue the Lord, I'm sure she doesn't even realize the magnitude of how God uses her in my life. 

I also got to spend a weekend with my other two best girlfriends in NYC. Katie has a real job and lives there and was a wonderful hostess for Alice and I. It's also always great to see her brother/fellow model Patrick. Gonna miss them.

Now that I'm in VA, it is time to face the reality that is unpacking Cliff (my car) and the MUV (Mom Utility Vehicle--the minivan) and reorganizing and repacking to ship my things to Hawaii. I've come home to find my room turned into my future neice's room so I sleep on a sofa and my family won't let me unpack anything until after Maggie's baby shower tomorrow.  I'm glad that's tomorrow because I'm down to one pair of clean underwear left (the rest is somewhere in the minivan) and it's pure luck that I put my deodorant/toiletries on top of everything. I've been wearing clothes that Maggie has given me that she can't wear anymore in her current condition (6 months preggers). Her belly weight gain is my wardrobe gain. 

One week until I leave...

"All my bags have yet to be packed, but I'm still ready to go..."

I'm doing something exciting and crazy at the same time. Moving across the country in a few short weeks. God has been faithful in easing my nerves and taking care of my needs in this move. I will be living with a family who used to be on Young Life committee in Columbia. They have already been such a blessing to me, and I cannot wait to meet their family and I hope I can give back to them even a portion of what they are giving me.

If you've noticed that this blog is "Kayleigh AND MEGAN" that is because even though I was prepared to start on this adventure alone, I have managed to persuade one of my dear life-long friends to join me in October. Megan and I have grown up on the same block our entire lives and I barely remember a time when I did not know her. I can honestly say she is my longest friend (at least that I keep in touch with). Never would I think that we would be moving across the country together!

I leave South Carolina, the place I've called home for the past 5 years a week from tomorrow. In the grand scheme of things, 5 years doesn't seem like much, but in those 5 years I've grown into a completely different person and have built relationships that I will always hold dear to my heart. As I've seen friends for the "last time" it really sinks in that I'm leaving. Some people it really may be the last time I see them. For others, going months at a time with out face-to-face conversation will seem like eternity. I do intend to make it down to Cool-umbia whenever I'm on the east coast because let's be honest--after being thousands of miles away, a 4.5hr drive will seem like a quick ride down the street wearing Heelys. I've never actually been down the street--or anywhere--in Heelys, but I've seen a kid fall in the mall one time and laughed. (I can't help it--it's instinct. Don't judge me).

One project I have been working on is my Bucket List before leaving SC. It is not a very extensive list, because I would always think of brilliant ideas, but never wrote them down. Once I realized I could use the handy "tasks" feature on my crackberry the creative juices had slowed down a bit and I couldn't remember them all. Anyway, here is what it looks like. Once I figure out how to post pictures, I'll update this with proof of my adventures.

KAYLEIGH'S SOUTH CAROLINA BUCKET LIST
*Eat lots of Miyos (more of a goal/reminder than bucket list item. I'm going to miss General Tso)

*Float down the river.

*Go Fishing (catch a fish)... We even caught a shark where I had the important task of keeping the overambitious dog away from the shark. I'd like to think I saved that dog's life that day...

*Shoot a gun. not sure why me with a gun makes people nervous. I would've expected everyone to feel safer. The guy on the target was definitely dead when I was done with him

*Go to a service at First Nazareth Baptist.

*Go to a Columbia Blowfish baseball game. even got a commemorative koozie to remember the experience. drank half of a cheap beer because it was a dollar. Note to self: you never need a beer badly enough to drink Busch Light, ever.

*Meet Paul. (Courtney's fiance whom I had heard so much about, but never actually met in the flesh...until a few weeks ago)

*Nap on the horseshoe. that's how I spent the majority of my freshman year. The other 3 years were spent just napping in general in no particular place.

So that's it. As I said, not much--but I think I hit some key points. I think I've rambled on enough for awhile.