Trip to Volcano Park

Witness: The Flying V, because when socializing this group of ducks will FLY TOGETHER!!!
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This will be a short entry since it's almost midnight and I have to wake up early for a day at Hapuna Beach (SO EXCITED!!!)

Last night I didn't end up going out, I felt really sick within hours after typing on this, and reluctantly decided I needed to hit the sack. T'was a good choice, since I slept off the bug and woke up fresh and happy to go to the Volcano park today, a final ceremony type thing to end this week's orientation.

we brandished our umbrellas against the drizzle and wind,snapping pictures all the while

My friend Whitney in front of the crater of Mona Loa
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Attached are the many pics from the day. I'd like to point out that some were taken by Whitney Grier and Megan Long, 2 fellow NSE'ers; I do have their permission to use the pics!

So here's the deal in a nutshell- weather was rainy, the volcano produced steam as well. So our pores opened up and drank some deep sulferic air as we brandished our umbrellas against the drizzle and wind, snapping pictures all the while. I met some really different students who introduced me to an overview of organic farming, holistic thought, and a more spiritual way of being that is highly respected within many Asian cultures, especially Japan.

standing in a row, all taking pictures of the same big hole. So by tomorrow, there will be about 1 million shots of this same dirt and rubble, posted on the net by a bunch of crazy students
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One interesting thing about Hawai'ian culture is a general idea of reciprocity, and group well-being. An example I can provide from today occurred around dinnertime, back on campus. I'd brought a temperpedic pillow with me to dinner because after eating I planned on going to the store to return it. Annette, a member of the dining hall staff, offered to instead buy the pillow from me in a conversation similar to that which I'd have with a close family member or friend. Here it's been easy to get to know people when I remember to BE MYSELF- so many moments I catch my mind shifting to defense/business mode, and overanalyze my words and try to stay as formal and PC as possible. I'm way more successful at navigating the social environment on campus if I stay warm and try to keep the sarcasm in check (though so often, that slips a bit!)

This is my contribution to the internet's newest collection of crater pics
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Anyway, I'm beginning to really find some friends who make me forget I'm away from home. Though it's hard not having Heather and Brendon, the 6, Jesse, or my dorm family here in Hawai'i, it's nice to feel like I'm not stranded emotionally or socially on an unfamiliar campus.

TOMORROW WE HIT THE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!!