If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far in life, it’s that it is never too late to make your dreams come true.  I invite you to follow me on my journey back to the islands.  If you’ve read my blogiversary post, you’d know that I’m working toward my goal to move back to Hawaii.  You have had to grow up in Hawaii and moved away to realize the importance of family and appreciating the gift of nature.  I, like many soon-to-be 18 year old’s who dream of leaving home to get away from strict parents, and seeking something new and challenging did just that when I decided to move and attend the University of Texas at Arlington.  I was very excited and I remember the party my parents threw for me right before I left.  All my aunties, uncles and cousins came over to bid me farewell and wish me the best.  I felt so much love and support and that’s when reality sunk in.  I was actually going to move away from home!

I knew my sophomore year in high school that I wanted to major in business and hopefully own my own business one day.  I took typing classes in the eighth grade and fortunately it served me well when I landed a data entry job that I was proficient in and enjoyed a lot while going to school.  I also worked at Lady Footlocker and boy was I great at upselling shoe laces!  Almost every purchase resulted in two pairs of laces because customers bought into the sales pitch of it changing the look of the shoe and two extra laces meant three different looks haha I was great at my job 😉  I found my school in a college handbook.  I looked up good business schools and found a university that was smack in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth, and I was a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan, so that is how I found Arlington, Texas!

When you’re away, you think of what you took for granted.  I had many great memories of beach days, bbq’s and weekend sleepovers at our house and sleeping on the floor so everybody else was comfortable, aside from the fact that my house was small.  We easily had several cousins sprawled out sleeping on the living room floor when family came over on the weekends.  I remember my second semester in college when we got snowed in, therefore classes were cancelled, and I was looking out my dorm window thinking what the heck did I get myself into?  I could be headed to the beach every Friday after my last class and enjoying the beach after finals or a big exam!?  Instead I chose to go to college almost 4,000 miles away where I have to wear a coat, jeans, a hat and gloves just to keep warm.

So what am I doing to reach my goal?  I currently run and own a business, I rent my cars out on Turo and will start working as a night auditor for a brand new hotel soon, to help me reach my financial goals and be able to live my island dream life.  I am saving every penny so that my lifestyle on the islands will not be stressful, with a manageable mortgage and have enough to still be able to travel.  I am seeking the simple life, days filled with beach days and to be reunited with family again.

Last time I did this juggling act, my motivation was to move out of the apartments and into a home where I no longer had neighbors above, below and on both sides.  This time around I’m grateful to be an empty nester without feeling guilty of working a lot, because my son is off to college.  I remember dragging him with me to a client’s office to do some accounting work.  I was given a key to the building so that I could handle their books at my convenience and after normal business hours.  I came prepared with his portable dvd player, a great selection of scooby-doo movies and had a pillow and blanket sprawled out on the carpet next to me, as I worked a few hours.  He was such a great kid and the most patient son.  I can’t ever recall him complaining or disturbing me as I worked.

In closing, dreams are never too late to obtain.  Whether it’s going back to school, learning a new language or instrument or hiking the highest mountain, if you set your mind to it and take the steps to get there, you CAN make it happen!  Key thing is to hold yourself accountable.  It will require a lot of self-discipline and sacrifices.  I am a bit sad about decreasing my travels this year, but I know in the end it will all be worth it.  All I know is if I go back to working a 9-5 job in Hawaii, at least I will have nothing to complain about because I’ll be on vacation every weekend.  I’ll have access to beautiful beaches and great hikes any day or everyday and I’ll never ever take it for granted! 🙂

Wish me the best of luck and thank you for reading.  Please feel free to share your own story below…what has been your lifetime dream or goal and what are you doing to make it come true?

Haze- Blue Crush Travel

Pic:  Me at Kahuku beach on a full moon night