Time flies in the tropics, that’s really the only way to explain the fact that They Went West has been MIA for the last two months. Ok, that’s not the only way, but it is certainly one of them. We’re not ones to make excuses, but with the holidays, visitors, new jobs, a big move, and frenzied dash to the finish line of getting the project house ready to list, a break from the blog was just what we needed.

Before we kick off a stellar year of tropical blogging (or at least semi-stellar year, we are occasional bloggers at best. . .) here’s the low-down on the last few months.

December: It’s hard to name all of the good things that December brought to R and I, but one of the best for sure was my successful thesis defense. I shouted this from the rooftops and every social media platform so most of you are well aware that after two and a half years, 10 courses, and one thesis I am a MASTER. Seems like a strange title doesn’t it? MASTER. Wow.  It seems like the grad school + full time work years went all at once and dragged on forever at the same time. It was the hardest two years of my life and now, I can say that it is done, I did it, I passed, and I am pretty sure it helped me land a job in my field in Kauai. Friends and family here on the island tell me that it is not easy to find a job, especially one in your field of expertise, and that pays better (even if only slightly) than mainland jobs. Well, by some miracle, and a lot of hard work I was able to land a job that accomplished all three. If that was all December brought, it would have been more than enough.

But that wasn’t it! R and I got to experience our first island Christmas in December as well. There were things we loved about it and things we missed about CO desperately, but most of all we enjoyed spending it together. We kept some traditions from home (fondue on Christmas Eve – without a fondue pot, that was interesting!) Champagne on Christmas morning (With fresh squeezed OJ), and added some new ones (coconut waffles for breakfast, lounging on the beach even though it was windy and almost chilly!). Facetimed with our families to open presents and enjoy a beverage or two or three together and then just relaxed the day away. We didn’t run from house to house or party to party – we just relaxed. Something that neither R nor myself are very good at.

Now, let’s talk about ringing in the new year – island style. Our neighbors had warned us, islanders do it UP on NYE, and boy they weren’t lying. Fireworks are pretty much illegal in Colorado, and for good reason since the state has been torched every summer by pretty significant wildfires, but to our knowledge no ban exists in Kauai. I think there is a registration process when you buy fireworks here, or something like that, but it sure doesn’t seem regulated in anyway. Our neighbors had fireworks galore. . . big ones. I’m just going to come out with it and be honest. . . I hate fireworks. It’s true. I like them at Disney World or Fourth of July show, but in your neighbors backyard at 3:00 a.m. I’m not a fan. Our NYE revolved around homemade pizza, pajamas and Netflix and that was just perfect! Thankfully our neighbors were nice and didn’t carry on until 3:00 a.m., but that is mostly because the power went out island wide on New Year’s Eve and once all the works were lit, there was nothing else to do but go to bed and hope the power was back on by morning. Thankfully the lights did come back on and the rest of the holiday weekend was spent prepping for the first full week of work since I started the job in December.

January: Nothing like the start of a new year to kick things into high gear (I’m starting to think R and I don’t operate in anything but high gear), we got down to business, me at my new job, Richard frantically working to finish the lower house renovations and last odds and ends needed to get the project house listed. While that was going on, we were also simultaneously closing on our new house – YES!! – NEW HOUSE and getting ready to move. See what I mean, always operating in high gear, never a dull moment! The new house story is one for the next post, but last week we packed up a uhaul with everything we own (kind of nice that everything we own fits in one medium sized uhaul) and headed to the east side of Kauai to settle into the new place.

So, that’s where we are and where we have been for the last 2 months. Life on this little island is starting to feel normal. Not that I know what normal really is supposed to feel like at this point, or if it even really exists, but a routine is starting to take shape and regularly scheduled programming has resumed. The edge is starting to wear off and I’m finding things I really, really love about living in Kauai. New job, new house, new city, same island and it’s all starting to feel so good.

This year I hope to keep bringing you updates about what it is like to live and work in Kauai, How we care for and transform this new house into our home, and what happens with the project house as well. A deeper look at the culture we’ve encountered here and what we’re learning from it. So keep reading, and virtually visiting our little island through the blog. Until next time. . .
XO,
RT