Movin' On...

Aloha everyone!

Hope all is well on the mainland, it's starting to really feel like winter here... which means lots and lots of rain! The things I wanted to write about today kind of have a common theme: moving on. First and most exciting news first: I've moved to an A-frame! Through a series of very fortunate events, I'm a-frame-sitting for another staff member for the rest of my time here! An A-frame is like a triangle shack, which sounds a lot worse that it is. I will make sure to upload pictures next post of my old tent and new home :) Especially as it begins to rain more, I'm thankful for a dry space that I can actually stand up in - I can't even imagine how roomy being at home in Brooklyn will feel!

Alright moving on and moving up in the kitchen! I am now trained in the "front of house" position! I hadn't had any interest in being front of house when I was first in the kitchen and then one day the intrigue hit me - fortunately it was the same day Sami, the kitchen manager, asked me if I was interested! As part of crew, I would usually do 'behind the scenes' things (cutting, prepping, cleaning) but now I get the privilege of managing the outer part of the Lanai (coffee, juices, writing out menus, music, toast...). There's a bit more of creative element to it and it's much more independent because I'm the only one with my job on the shift. It's a very different vibe but I'm totally enjoying it.

Another fun part of a being a volunteer is the 'free box'. The free box is a corner of the volunteer lounge that is basically a second hand store - for free! If you're done with anything; books, perfume, a shirt, hat, movie, pink netted shirt (yes, it's still in there), you can just stick it in the free box and anyone can take it or leave it. It's a really fun, communal way of recycling, everyone shows off the good finds they got from the free box and often when complimented on an item of clothing the response is "Free box!"

Now on the meloncholy side of moving on... oh cats. There are many, many ferrel kitties here and of course my two closest friends here are just as cat-crazy as me. We had been longing for a kitty to call our own, feed raw ahi to and play in the grass with but alas Pele presented us with the littlest sickest kitten in Puna. The pool thing was huddled next to the pool heater when my friend Amanda found him. For two days we nursed the frail kitty, covering him in towels, feeding him sugar water and tuna juice.  The next day Amanda came to the Lanai with tears in her eyes, he wasn't going to make it to see the morning. The outpouring of love that came to that little kitten, Koa, as we came to call him, before his passing was immense. Shola, a volunteer came in and offered healing energy work while Cheryl led all of us in a prayer song (I know - where else but Hawaii would this scene occur). He was encircled by women singing and sending him love. Later that day his breaths shallowed out and his body became stiff, he let out his last cry and passed on. I'm not really sure what to take from it, I felt a loss but was almost unaffected because I was reassured by the idea that his life will live on in other creatures on this earth.

That's about all the updates I have for now, a bit antsy to get off the computer! Sending much much love and light to everyone!

It all begins with gratitude....

Aloha