The Rest of the Week on Oahu

Thursday of our honeymoon, we went to the Iolani Palace and did a tour.  It was pretty cool.  I'm a dork and like certain historical things though.  I really don't know a ton about Hawaii's history so it was a mini lesson for me.  After that, we went to the beach for a little while.  The beach was busy, but nice.  The water was so warm.  We were supposed to go on a boat ride, but due to an impending hurricane, it got canceled and we weren't able to reschedule it.

The next day a hurricane was supposed to hit so everything: beaches, attractions, etc. except for some stores and restaurants were closed.  So we spent most of the day hanging out at the hotel since there really wasn't much else to do.  The hurricane mostly missed us. It did rain, but Oahu didn't get hit too hard. We were supposed to go to Diamond Head that day, but that got canceled as did the luau we were supposed to do; thankfully, we were able to reschedule those.  We were able to go out for dinner that night, but it was BUSY.  We got take out for lunch, which was busy too.  I guess when everything else is closed everyone goes out to eat.  :)

Saturday:  We hiked Diamond Head, it's a fairly easy hike and well worth it for the views, plus it was probably good for us to get some exercise since we were sitting a lot that week.  It was a little steep in a few places, but we did it.  That night we went to the luau, which was a good time.  

Hawaii Days 2 and 3

So Pearl Harbor may not be the most romantic spot to go on your honeymoon, but if you're in Honolulu, you've got to go to Hawaii and despite the sadness that goes with it, we did enjoy it. Again, I would post pictures, but you've all ready heard about my picture drama so I've only got one that I saved elsewhere.  (I saved about 50 pics to my computer in addition to loading them on Shutterfly).  I took approximately 681 pictures during the whole two week honeymoon.

In addition to going to Pearl Harbor on a bus tour, the tour included a brief city tour.

Hawaii Five-0 anyone? Shortly after we booked our honeymoon, we started watching Hawaii Five-0, got hooked on it and then bought/rented previous seasons and got all caught up.  We still enjoy the show now, but it does make us want to go back to Hawaii.  Sadly, we didn't get to meet "Steve" or "Dan O," but apparently we missed them by like a day as they were filming by our hotel the day before we landed and if we'd done one of our tours a day sooner or later (I forget) we would have seen them filming then too.  Aww man.  :-(  But we did get the picture that makes you think of the show.
The tour only took about half a day--we were done in time for lunch--so that afternoon we went back to the Dole Pineapple Plantation to finish looking around--our tour stop there the previous day wasn't too long and there were still things we wanted to see/do.  We did a train ride, shopped, and explored the gardens.  And I tried a delicious pineapple smoothie something or other.  Yum!   I also tried some of Hawaii's famous shave ice that day.  Because you know I was finally happy with my weight so why not stay happy when I could pig out and eat all these sugary things.  OOPS!  I gained four pounds on my honeymoon, but we don't need to discuss that now.  :-)  

The next day we went to this place called Kualoa (sp?) Ranch, where many movies and tv shows have been filmed.  We did the Movie Sites and Ranch tour.  It was okay.  There were some nice views and we got to see a few things from movies and the tv show Lost.  Jurassic Park 4 was filmed there about four months before we were there.

After the tour, we went to the Polynesian Culture Center, which was pretty interesting.  Learned a little bit about a lot of different cultures.

I'm hoping to visit Easter Island some day, but until then what I learned about the island at the PCC will just have to do.  And that night I was very excited to have coconut shrimp for dinner--one of my favorite summer meals. 

Hello Hawaii

Since it took me a year to finally write about my wedding, do you think it will take two to write about my honeymoon?  I'll spare you all the details, but I'll highlight a few things in the next couple of posts.  After the post-wedding brunch, we went back home for a little while to pack some stuff up and we were both in serious need of a nap, but also too excited to sleep much.  I also will confess, I got briefly depressed.  I was really sad that my wedding was over.  All that planning and excitement and suddenly, it was done.  I joked that weddings should last longer.  Anyway, I eventually cheered up again--the thought of going to Hawaii helped.  Did a little laundry and my husband had some last minute errands to run.  We spent the night at his parents house because they live much closer to the airport than we do and they were driving us in the next day.  So we drove down to their house that evening, ordered pizza, ate dinner, and then it was time for some much needed sleep as we had a fairly early flight.  The next day we flew to Hawaii for our honeymoon.  One of the airports where we changed planes was so tiny, but it was nice enough, and despite its size, it had decent food.  We were very excited to land in Hawaii, but also tired as despite the fact that you're just sitting on a plane and not doing a whole lot it is still tiring (or maybe it was the lack of sleep from the previous nights).  Our hotel room was really nice, it had a little kitchen area, small sitting area outside, and an indoor sitting area.  I tried to post pictures, but I can't seem to get them off of Shutterfly and on here, despite a half hour of trying.  That'll teach me to wait a year to try to put pictures on my blog!
We had scheduled a tour of Oahu for the next day.  We enjoyed the tour and got some nice pictures, but I won't bore you with all of them mainly because I can't load them.  Here is one nice view from a stop on our tour.

My husband had one of the best meals of his life on that tour--he still talks about it a year later.  I would show you a picture of the meal, but alas I can't get that to transfer here either.  I forget the name and he is at work, but it's something like loco moco and it includes  rice, a hamburger, egg, gravy, etc all on a bun.  I didn't have one.  I did enjoy a pineapple whip later in the day at the Dole factory.  It's kind of like soft serve ice-cream.    I also tried some macadamia (sp?) nuts, which I enjoyed more than I thought I would.  We even bought some to bring home.  All in all it was an enjoyable first full day in Hawaii.

Party Time!

The limo ride to the reception was a little crowded, but fun and entertaining.  All the bridesmaids and groomsmen were there (and of course my new husband and me).  We got there and nearly immediately began posing for pictures.  It got to be a bit much.  I was starving and ready to be done.  I had originally thought it would be nice to get some pictures by the gazebo and by this nice bridge at the reception site, but we were just so done with posing for pics and we were starving so when the photographers said we could be done if we wanted, we didn't push for any more.  Instead we ran in, joined the bridal party for apps and drinks and very soon it was time for introductions.  I won't bore you with all the details of the reception.  It's true what everyone says:  it goes by fast, you don't eat a lot. The introduction and first dance were fun.  I ate the first course, but then I was so excited I didn't eat much more.  Plus I wanted to get around and say hi to everyone at all the tables before it got too late. That took a while, but we got it done.  The few bites of food I did have were good and people to this day are still talking about how good the food was and how much fun they had dancing.  The dancing was great.  I had so much fun, but it went by so fast!  My maid of honor and matron of honor did a really nice job with their speeches.  Overall, people seemed to have a great time!  I know I did.  And my husband did too.  The last hour went a little slower, but it wasn't long until it was all over. My maid of honor hosted a small after party and we went to that for an hour or an hour and a half, but we were getting pretty tired by that point (Remember how little I slept the night before?  And the night before that my brother woke me up with his 3 am arrival and I had to be up for work at 6:30 am so sleep was definitely lacking in my life).  Our hotel room was so nice.  I wish I had more time to spend there.  The next morning we had a nice post-wedding brunch.  About 30 people came.  And then it was time to pack up and head home.      

My Wedding Ceremony

I don't think I can accurately describe my wedding in a blog post.  I'll give a few highlights.  When I walked into the church, my brother greeted me, told me I looked beautiful (so not how he usually speaks to me) and suddenly, I was bawling.  And nervous and exited and I had to go the bathroom.  It's rather embarrassing at my age to have to have someone help you in the bathroom, but my mom came with me and held my dress and told me to stop crying. (Mothers!  She's usually more sensitive!)  I couldn't help it.  I cry easily so I was surprised I lasted that long without tears.  When I was done in the bathroom, the priest wanted all the bridesmaids and my parents to gather for a quick blessing.  I was told again not to try and I assured the priest they were happy tears, but I just couldn't control them.  And then after a quick blessing, we lined up and the wedding party walked down the aisle.  And suddenly it was my turn to walk down with Mom and Dad.  I was still crying, but I also had a huge smile on my face. I was trying to take it all in and see everyone as I walked down the aisle.  I almost forgot to look at the groom!  The priest did a nice job, the ceremony was a bit long, but it went well.  I wasn't in any rush anyway.  I was enjoying the moment.  I kept looking around and smiling and thinking this is really my wedding day, these people are all here for us.  :-)  It was surreal in some ways, wonderful, but surreal.  The priest surprised us a bit with his homily.  It was pretty funny.  He had asked us to write a paragraph about how we met and why we liked each other.  We both put a few funny (but true!) comments in what we wrote, but we didn't realize he was going to read them!  So most of our guests had a good laugh!  I shed a few more tears, but Kate had tissues on hand for me.  There were a few minor glitches here and there, but nothing major (I tried to get my flowers at the wrong time--too soon, and I looked at the priest and I was supposed to look at my husband--the priest called me out on that--I thought you were supposed to look at the speaker, he goes you're not marrying me, look at him). Then back down the aisle, a few more pics, and out a secret exit 'til the crowd departed, then they ushered us back in for more pictures before we went to the reception.   

T Minus 4 hours

Shortly after we got home from make up, my hairdresser called to see if I was ready for her to come over.  In the mean time, my aunt and cousin stopped by for a minute to say hi.  My hairdresser came by and began the process of making my hair look good.  A little later, my mom came by to help me get ready.  And before I knew it the photographer, videographer, one of the florists, and my bridesmaids were here.  My hair was done, photos had been taken, the dress was on,  and then it was time to check that everything was cleaned up and put away (I was staying at the hotel that night and wouldn't be back 'til the next day).  A side note on the florist:  Forever ago, I think I mentioned some flower drama.  We used the included centerpieces, but one of the groomsmen has a girlfriend who does flower arrangements so she did all the flowers for the wedding party and I'm biased, but I think she did a really nice job. Back on track here, suddenly, I was on the look out for the limo.  I got a little nervous because it was late, but he made it and then it was time to board the limo bus--our wedding party was too big for a regular limo, more pics and video, and off we went to my parents' house (they live around the corner from the church) for family pictures.  The limo ride felt long and short--if that makes any sense.  I was excited and nervous, but glad to be with my girls.  (Mom had gone back home to finish getting ready so it was just my bridesmaids and me.)  Now my home is approximately 10-15 minutes away from the church.  We did not get any rain, but apparently, it rained there (and at my parents') a few min before we got there, but it had stopped by the time we were there.  We were all like, why is the ground wet?  (We're smart, huh?)  We took some pictures at my parent's house.  Pics with my parents, pics with my grandmother, and pics with the fam and girls.  My brother couldn't be there because he was a groomsman so he was at the church.  So we all went back to the limo and rode the approximately 2 minute ride to the church, where everyone was allowed out except for me.  I have to say it was a little weird to be sitting there all alone watching everyone.  I was kind of excited to see friends/family arriving, but it was weird to not be allowed to go say hello.  And then a couple of minutes later, they let me out and it was ceremony time.