Planning the obvious. Enjoying the unexpected.

Below is a rough draft our our Hawaii itinerary. I always do one for any major trip that we take because it saves us time and keeps me from forgetting things. Especially when planning group vacations, I make this to show people a glimpse of what each day is going to look like and how much the anticipated expenses are. On this trip it was just me and my husband but he likes my written itineraries a lot so I made one for our reading pleasure haha.  This time I figured out that if I write down what I'm going to wear for the day (in accordance to the planned activities) then it will save me more time HAHA (and I also pack it in order of which I am wearing first so I don't dig through my luggage everyday). I know it looks funny but hey it works lol. Of course, nothing is written in stone but its a good guide. 

Anyway, plan ahead if you must but always have an open heart for surprises and enjoy the beauty of spontaneity. Life is exciting <3

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BUNNIES GO TO OAHU

June 3-10, 2015

June 3, Wednesday

(outfit- black top/green shorts)

0600: LAX parking- BOOKED

(Custom Hotel)

0840: Depart LAX

1115: Arrive HNL

https://www.expedia.com/trips/1104313002302

1200: Get Rental Car- BOOKED

(Alamo)

(drive 18.2 miles, 25 mins)

1600: Check in- 197 Kaha St., Kailua, HI 96734- BOOKED

*need to go grocery shopping for breakfast items/snacks

June 4, Thursday

(outfit: flower printed top/denim shorts/bathing suit)

North Shore trip

(drive 15.3 miles, 29 mins)

0930: Dole Plantation

http://www.dole-plantation.com/

$30

(drive 11.4 miles, 16 mins)

1100: Waimea Falls Hike

http://www.waimeavalley.net/admissions

$32

(drive 6.2 miles, 10 mins)

1200: Giovanni’s food truck
http://www.giovannisshrimptruck.com

(drive 0.8 miles, 2 mins)

Matsumoto Shaved Ice

http://matsumotoshaveice.com/

(drive 2.3 miles, 5 mins)

1300: Laniakea Beach/turtle beach

(or stop by sunset beach-pipeline)

(drive 2.6 miles, 5 mins)

Ted’s bakery

http://www.tedsbakery.com/

(drive 23.1 miles, 38 mins)

1500: Tropical farms tour

http://www.macnutfarm.com/

$40

(drive 13.7 miles, 27 mins)

Home

June 5, Friday

(outfit: printed top/blue shorts)

(drive 14.5 miles, 28 mins)

0800: Kualoa Ranch- BOOKED

http://www.kualoa.com/

1 hour ATV tour

90 mins Movie site tour

90 mins Jungle tour

Ranch buffet lunch

$280.84

*optional- 1900: Waikiki fireworks

$40

June 6, Saturday

(outfit: white dress)

(drive 26.3 miles, 47 mins)

1200: Polynesian Cultural Center- BOOKED

http://www.polynesia.com

6 island villages & exhibits

Tram tour

Canoe rides/pageants

Flower lei

Luau dinner buffet & show

“Ha: breathe of life” show

$185.42

June 7, Sunday

(outfit: green pants/white top)

(drive 16.7 miles, 25 mins)

0700: Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/index.htm

*arrive early for free tickets

(drive 18.9 miles, 41 mins)

1000: St Augustine by the sea

http://www.staugustinebythesea.com/

1200: Ala Moana Mall

June 8, Monday

(outfit: flower dress/bathing suit)

(drive 15.9 miles, 30 mins)

0800: Hanauma Bay Snorkling

http://www.hanaumabaystatepark.com/hanauma-bay-snorkeling/

$44

1400: Parasailing

$75

1500: Jet Ski?

$100

1700: Kailua Beach

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

June 9, Tuesday

(outfit: orange shorts)

0800: Diamond Head crater hiking

June 10, Wednesday

(outfit: blue top/destroyed jeans)

1500: depart HNL

2300: arrive LAX

Broken but Hopeful

My name is Aya.

I am 27 years old. 

I am married to a wonderful man and we live together in a cozy apartment. 

I am a Registered Nurse by trade, and armed with a Master's degree as well. 

I have a family who loves me dearly.

In a way, I may be successful by the world's standards. 

Yet, just like any other person, I am not spared from heartaches. Today, I write about it not because of self-pity or anger. I want my suffering to be known so that through my weakness, the name of Jesus will be magnified. Someday, I want to read about the trials in my life and remember how He carried me through. My God has always been faithful in my life. I would never want to have any reason to doubt that. 

August of 2014, I had my first miscarriage. This was the first blow to our marriage. Although the baby was only 6 weeks old, it was life within me that was lost. This kind of loss baffled me and left me lost for words. I didn't know how to deal with it. All I knew was that I could not wallow in this misery. I have to bounce back right away- get back to work, be a good wife and be normal. 

March of 2015, I lost my baby for the second time. At merely 9 weeks, I had to medically induce my miscarriage since the fetus has not been growing for awhile. I did not even hear a heartbeat. I could not believe it. I mean, it has only been 6 months since I lost the first one and here we are again, sitting in the doctor's office and hearing the news all over again. I looked at my husband's face as the doctor explained the situation and although he tried to hide it, I saw the pain and struggle in his face and this was more than I could bear. I would never want to hurt the love of my life. 

God does not give problems that we cannot handle. Still, I asked Him- "What makes You think I can handle two miscarriages in a row?" Maybe He thinks I am strong enough to handle this but I feel so weak. I feel so incompetent. Yet I pray God will forgive me for my doubts and fears. May His strength shine through in my infirmities. 

Truly, no matter what happens, the world still continues to turn. It will not stop just because we feel disabled or weak. Life does go on. Despite that, I am thankful because He is carrying me through this ever- changing and uncertain life on earth. I am thankful because my parents have raised me in a way that when problems arise, I know who I can count on. I am thankful because I know who my real friends are. I am thankful because I have a partner in life through thick and thin. Now, I am even more thankful because I have two more angels watching from above. 

For every painful situation, may we never lose insight. 

For the trials that are yet to come, may we never lose Hope.

For the triumphs that arise, may we never lose ground. 

Out of a broken spirit, may a phoenix always rise.