My little Christmas

To make things feel a little more christmasey in my small abode I made a tree on my wall.

Its small, but its a tree. hehe I think it looks cute, almost kinda innocent. if that makes sense. And after a conversation with Rochelle I decided I also needed to make a countdown to Christmas.

Currently we are using this for two things, for a countdown for Christmas and our countdown to go to Utah! only a week to go! YAY!

For you Utahans see you soon!!

Santa Clause can fly

Tonight Harold and I went to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Kapalua to go see the first of many tree lighting ceremonies. This one boasted 250,000 lights to be turned on by a special keiki (child). They had free hot chocolate (it was burnin hot, they weren't kidding!), coffee...which I almost drank cause I couldnt see, but my sniffer warned be before it got any further, and delicious fruit punch. and all the free sugar cookies your stomach could handle. When we arrived some children were putting on a hawaiian music show, it was cute. Then there was a guy who performed some songs for us, and he was really really good.

While sitting in the grass drinking my hot cocoa in the 70 degree weather while Christmas music played, it just didnt feel like Christmas...wheres the cold??? my brain thought... Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas without the snow to me. So, Utah better be getting some snow for my return!!!

After the entertainment, they brought the special chosen child to come pull the switch and turn the lights on. Excitement was building as the countdown neared the magical 1-0 stage, and then the lights were turned on. Now...when I heard 250,000 lights...my brain imagined alot of lights lit up everywhere...but I was kinda dissapointed tonight. I mean, all the palm trees covered in lights up to the top of the trunk were cool...but just not as cool and as many as I thought... so that was kinda sad. However, that was the only let down of the night, Santa came and made it better.

After the lights were turned on, Harold and I started walking up the courtyard cause Santa was coming, and we wanted to leave before everyone else. But, they kept showing the spotlights in the sky to show Santa coming, so I wanted to stick around and see how santa arrived. All of a sudden you see these falling lights from the sky, SANTA JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE AND PARACHUTED DOWN TO THE BEACH, might I add that it is at night! It was pret-ty impressive, he had 3 reindeer elves go first and then he came down. We had heard a helecopter or plane above us but didn't think much of it, but...after it made sense. Everyone there was impressed with Santas arrival to the party. Who knew santa could fly without a sled? hahaha

Thanksgiving and Technology

Thanksgiving this year was very new, exciting, and different. Since we are all by ourselves out here and had nowhere to go for some good 'ol turkey dinner, and eating at a place was no option, I braved it and made the turkey dinner myself. Turkey and all! I was nervous as thanksgiving grew closer, but I was also very excited.

Thanksgiving started with Harold playing in the ward turkey bowl (football) game, while I made the pumpkin and banana cream pie. After the game I started on my turkey. While the turkey was cooking we had to scrabble around a little bit to try to find a way to watch some live football to watch while the turkey was cookin, I mean what is thanksgiving without a football game? Even if its in the background while cookin? Something is missing without it, However we were lucky enough to find this site that shows like all these sports online live. So we got the football and then the turkey was done. :) I was very happy with how it turned out! However, I was not happy that our camera decided to break at the very moment I really wanted to use it! grrr. So alas, i have no pictures of my very first delicious turkey dinner. I managed to cook the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, veggies, and 2 pies. The missionaries came over and joined us for dinner. It was nice to have some people over..and that way we didn't have soooo many leftovers, but i kinda felt bad for them. They had already eatin 2 thanksgiving dinners! a Tongan one and a Samoan. haha so I guess they musta wanted an American one I suppose. They are both from Utah, so it was kinda funny, we talked about things and places back home. kinda random how they are both from Utah and so are we.

Anywho, all and all i.t turned out very good and we were happy. We still missed being with our families, but it was really nice to have a warm thanksgiving, I wanted to go to the beach after dinner and soak up some sun, but it went down to fast, So instead we settled for a movie and let our stomachs slowly digest all the yummy food. hehe.

btw, anyone seen wall-e? I started watching it, and only made it through half of it cause the disc was too scratched and we couldn't watch the end.. but, I like it. it made me happy, but I found it interesting that there is hardly any clear words, but you can understand what they are saying because of the actions of the robots...very tricky. If you put captions on its like...what...they are saying all that?!? haha funny, but you should watch it! :D

The Missionaries!!!

So we have fantastic missionaries in our ward, and its been so cool to hang out, feed them, and help them serve the Lord! We've gone out with the missionaries twice now and at first I was really nervous because...what am I going to say? It was like going into very uncharted waters for me. But now that I've gone out a couple times, I love it! The spirit that you feel is so awesome, and strong and powerful. Being able to see them feeling the spirit and them being excited to learn more and being able to have their families be together forever is so amazing. I'm so happy to be able to help the missionaries. Last week we were able to bear our testimonies about temple marriages and how grateful we are to be sealed in the temple. It was so awesome to hear that that is what he wanted for his family, and he wanted to get sealed in the temple, and he'd do it with the missionaries help. It made me so happy, and it made me wish that I had gone to serve a mission, that I could have more experiences like this. But, that'll have to wait a couple decades. haha. I am so grateful for being able to have the gospel in my life, and the blessings and happiness it brings me. If you ever have the opportunity to go out with missionaries, or even just to feed them, I highly encourage it!

The Pacheco's

Halloween Parties

So this is like super late. haha enjoy anywho...

So this Halloween we went to 2 parties. I dressed up as a 50's girl (maybe it was 60's... not sure which era) and Harold went as a 70's guy. haha We had alot of fun with our outfits, and I was totally into my wig. I always wanted to cut my hair that short in high school, just never had the guts, so it was fun to have it for a day. The first one we went to was our ward Halloween party. It was fun, we had some good food and did trunk or treat for the kids. After the trunk or treat we had a variety show, it was funny.

---Party 2---

After the church party we headed down to Front Street. Apparently, this is the place to be for Halloween, every year there are a ton of people. However, the year that we are here the Hawaiian council decided that they didn't Front Street to have their annual huge party and did not approve various permits. So, while the party was slimmed down and we HAD to stay on the sidewalks, there were still plenty of interesting, shocking outfits presented down there. Some people are very brave, and I was surprised at the number of older people that were dressed up down there. Very entertaining. Very hilarious. We spent they night walking up and down front street talking with people, taking pictures, and laughing at the costumes and laughing out of shock. haha.

One of my favorites was this manly duo who dressed up as Richard Simmons and the other as his overwieght lady client. haha They would put on little exercise demos for people which were hilarious. They both really played their parts perfectly.

There was this lady who dressed as Lady Liberty and stood on this post for hours at a time just frozen there.

And of course politicians

and don't miss Chuck Norris haha I dont think this guy was dressed up at all, I think he just looks alot like him. haha

The Smurf

Harold was super excited to see this one. The guy dressed up as "Chapolim Colorado"

and last but not least, the only name I can think of for her is Pillow Girl. haha

Halloween Pumpkins

So lets start with the basics.... a Pumpkin

Some Tools... I forgot to add our hands. hehe

and of course

some gross faces and hard work

The End Results...

Scary & Spooked

Ho'okipa Bay

Just a quick drive out of Paia is Ho'okipa Bay. We stopped out here to take a break and enjoy the view and check out the surfers and wind surfers below. Enjoy the panoramic view.

Out of touch

Man, Not haveing a running computer can suck! But now we have a new battery in the computer so everything is good. Now I just gotta catch up this blog cause my camera is filling up with pictures of stories I need to tell.

Lets start with Paia (Pie-e-a). Paia is a small town, with one street light. The center of the town is filled with little stores along the side of the road. It was nice to walk along the street and relax in the town. The feeling there is very laid back and the people are very nice and inviting. While we were walking on the streets we saw this t-shirt in one of the stores, It made us laugh.

There was also this cool looking...thing... along one of the side streets..and it really stands out over there cause its completely different than everything else in town. I can't remember what it is called, but I think it was a Shuva or something. I can't really remember what the plaque thing said, but Its like a regilious dedication site thing. (Let me know if you know what it is) anywho..I just liked the looks of it... you can't really see it, but its really colorful inside.

Later we decided to walk on the beach, and walked by this house that had a large back yard that was having a party. They had a stage and whoever wanted to could go up and sing, or play music or whatever. As we walked up to check it out the owner was relaxing on the beach, he came over and talked to us and invited us to chill and have fun, go sing if we want, haha. There was some some guys up there rapping when we got there and they were pretty good, then this other girl just went up and started singing, and she was good too. It was cool.

The Pacheco's

I've been Tagged

I've been TAGGED!!

Can I just say.. if I had not checked Rochelles tagged page...I would've skipped happily over the tagged game, but, alas...I checked it...and now have to play.

3 Names You Go By
-Marissa/Sandra... depending on the setting
-Samira
-Babe

3 Restaurants I Love
- Los Hermanos
- Magelby's Fresh Breakfast
- I cant decide, so number 3 is a 3 way tie. Buffalo wings at Wingers, Chinese Food, or the Italian Garden.

3 Trips to Plan on This Year

- Road to Hana...including the many hikes to the 7 sacred pools.
- A Hawaiian cruise of the islands including the temples... well, I guess temple now.
- Back home to visit everybody.

3 Things I Want Badly
- To be done with school
- To have more time
- To be more knowledgeable with many various different things... yes, I know that this highly conflicts with #1. haha

3 Pets I've had
- Cats..lots
- Dogs. 2 doger and freckles
- Bunnies...and fish.. hehe

3 Things I did Yesterday
- Watched conference
- Took a nap
- Talked to my family

3 Things I Ate Today
- Oatmeal
- BBQ chicken
- Salad

3 Fears
- Chainsaws
- Spiders
- Not become the person the Lord intended me to be, and meeting him and he not being happy with the work I've done.

3 Things I Plan on Doing Today
3 things? I wish I had only 3 things I planned on doing.
- Do family home evening
- Do my economics homework
- Try to go to bed before 12:30

3 Things I Plan on Doing Tomorrow
- Work
- Homework and take tests
- The Beach

3 Favorite Holidays
- 4th of July
- My birthday...its atog holiday!
- Christmas...and mainly any holiday that brings the family together

3 Favorite Beverages
- Hot Chocolate
- Strawberry Milk
- Lemonade

3 People I Tag
- Mike
- Kendra
- who ever is reading this right now.

Meet my little friend

Here is Spike. He is a small lizard that has moved into our home. I have no idea where he is at the moment, he is very afraid of us...which makes me wonder why he decided to stay in here instead of leaving, and that is why this picture is so crappy hehe. Alas, its an adventure sometimes cause you never know when he is gunna show up. Its better then seeing spiders or other creepy crawly things.

Sunsets are...

Amazing! duh. haha

So, tonight while Harold and I left our humble abode to go get some yummy tacos down the street we saw a beautiful sunset from our front porch about to happen ....btw, when the sun starts to set here, you have like 5 minutes to catch it because it happens quick! ...back to the story... we ran back into the apartment and grabbed the camera, ran across the street and attempted to grab the sunset to send to you. :)

P.S. Harold is not stoned, he had just lost his contact in his eye. hehe

The End... Love the Pacheco's

Honolua Bay

Later on after surfing we went snorkeling at Honolua Bay. It is a really big snorkle spot here and very pretty. After parking, you have to walk through this mini jungle to get to the shore. It was awesome, there is giant trees all covered in green leaves and bushes everywhere. It was amazing. The pictures don't really do it justice since everything is so big, and it goes on for awhile around the shoreline.

check it out!

Harold climbed the this big tree by using all these branches that come down from the top of tree and go down to the root, but they look like rope. Later when he got out of the tree he had to be like tarzan and use the rope to swing out of the tree. It was funny. He loved it.

Love the Pacheco's!

Surfing!

Yesterday, the 13th, We went surfing! We got lessons from Royal Hawaiian Surfing Academy, they were really good. Our instructors name was Dan, he was a little crazy, total surfer dude. haha. He was really good though.

At first, I (Marissa) was nervous, I wasn't sure if I was going to do so well, but once I got out there I did pretty well. :) Harold was Very excited to go out and surf. He didn't like the waiting in between turns part, he wanted to keep going back out as soon as he'd surfed one, the instructor said to me jokingly "your man is gunna wear himself out, he's like a hamster in a wheel going in circles." haha it made me laugh. But, even after our two hour lesson, Harold still wanted to go surfing for the rest of the day. hehe, but instead we came home and took a nap! hahaha

Here are some pictures of our day!

p.s. The guy in the red and black shirt in the last picture is our instructor Dan.