The shuttle driver and his friend, Joseph and Jeremi, are both very nice and share a lot of the same interests with Erik. They took us by McDonalds before taking us to our apartment at Hanohano Hale. They also helped us take all our luggage up to our seventh story apartment. (I think we were all very thankful for the elevator). The apartment itself wasn't quite what we had expected, but we were grateful for what we had. I guess the sadness really started to hit me when Joseph and Jeremi left and Erik and I started getting ready for bed (Avery was asleep in her carseat - poor baby). It was about two in the morning Arizona time and we were exhausted. It was nearly dark when our plane landed and we couldn't see a thing on the drive, so the beauty of it all and the excitement of being in Hawaii wasn't there to combat the realization that we had just flown an ocean away from everyone we've ever loved besides each other. Erik was amazing. He's already done this all before so he spent his would-be-crying time comforting me. He's such a great guy. The next morning was so much better. Avery woke up, ready to play, at five thirty in the morning, so we went down to the beach. We watched the sunrise and had scripture study.
It was beautiful. I think that's when the excitement started to set in. The next few days were a blur. We didn't unpack more than we had to, which turned out to be a very good thing because on Wednesday we were offered on-campus married housing, which is several hundred dollars cheaper each month, so much closer to everything we need, and we have great neighbors that are a lot closer to our same situation in life. (I was excited at the prospect of getting to know the 60+ year old neighbors at Hanohano Hale, but there's just something more comforting living next to young couples going to school and starting families. I guess it's just easier to relate to them.) Another plus is that Lorraine, the woman who took care of us in the housing department decided to put us in "A" building instead of "Q", where we were supposed to be assigned. "A" building is the closest to campus and catches the best breeze from the beach. It's almost like having air conditioning ... almost. It's also great because we're across the way from Joseph and Jeremi, who are both in "B" building. We were excited to move into TVA (the Temple View Apartments), but we felt bad canceling our lease at Hanohano Hale. Thankfully, everyone there was very happy for us and completely understood. They took good care of us and are in the process of showing the apartment to other people so we won't have to pay two rents for much longer. Our new apartment is farther away from the beach (Hanohano Hale is right next to it), so we have to walk a few blocks to get there now, but it is so worth it. We will miss the ocean view from our window 
though.
It was beautiful. I think that's when the excitement started to set in. The next few days were a blur. We didn't unpack more than we had to, which turned out to be a very good thing because on Wednesday we were offered on-campus married housing, which is several hundred dollars cheaper each month, so much closer to everything we need, and we have great neighbors that are a lot closer to our same situation in life. (I was excited at the prospect of getting to know the 60+ year old neighbors at Hanohano Hale, but there's just something more comforting living next to young couples going to school and starting families. I guess it's just easier to relate to them.) Another plus is that Lorraine, the woman who took care of us in the housing department decided to put us in "A" building instead of "Q", where we were supposed to be assigned. "A" building is the closest to campus and catches the best breeze from the beach. It's almost like having air conditioning ... almost. It's also great because we're across the way from Joseph and Jeremi, who are both in "B" building. We were excited to move into TVA (the Temple View Apartments), but we felt bad canceling our lease at Hanohano Hale. Thankfully, everyone there was very happy for us and completely understood. They took good care of us and are in the process of showing the apartment to other people so we won't have to pay two rents for much longer. Our new apartment is farther away from the beach (Hanohano Hale is right next to it), so we have to walk a few blocks to get there now, but it is so worth it. We will miss the ocean view from our window though. Another problem with living at Hanohano Hale was that we had an entire wall - floor to ceiling of slated windows and then a seven story drop to the parking lot below. Now, Avery isn't crawling yet, but she would have plenty of time to figure it out before our six-month lease was up. That was just too big of a safety risk for our little girl. The people at Hanohano Hale told us that our room had "lots of windows," but didn't explain that they went down to the floor. They approved of our move to TVA even more when we mentioned that little problem. They were very kind about the whole thing and said that their apartment was not the best place for a little one.The apartment (#716) was on the top floor (sho
wn below).Thankfully, our new apartment is on the ground.
wn below).Thankfully, our new apartment is on the ground. The rest of the week was spent moving from the old apartment and getting Erik ready to start classes on the 29th. It wouldn't have taken nearly as long if we had had our car, but between waiting for buses, riding buses, walking several miles a day, and doing it all with a patient baby who deserved every second of the time that was spent on other things, we are thankful to finally be unpacked and relatively sane again. We've even found the time to go to beach and play in the water. (Avery's not too happy with the waves
yet, but she has plenty of time to get used to them.)
We are meeting loads of wonderful people and are making quick friends. Our neighbors are all very kind and everyone in our ward is great to us. It's not quite home yet though. We miss you all terribly and my heart aches every time I think of how long it will be before I get to see you again, but each day makes it a little easier and brings us a little closer to our reunion. I love you all so much. Loads of other things have happened and I'm sure there's plenty more to come, but now feels like a good time to stop. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update this next but I hope it's soon. I feel less homesick when I'm writing. Erik and Avery send their love to everyone. We hope you're all doing well and we'd love to hear from you if you have the time. (If you've read to this point I've already taken a lot of it though so don't worry if you can't). Aloha!
yet, but she has plenty of time to get used to them.)We are meeting loads of wonderful people and are making quick friends. Our neighbors are all very kind and everyone in our ward is great to us. It's not quite home yet though. We miss you all terribly and my heart aches every time I think of how long it will be before I get to see you again, but each day makes it a little easier and brings us a little closer to our reunion. I love you all so much. Loads of other things have happened and I'm sure there's plenty more to come, but now feels like a good time to stop. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update this next but I hope it's soon. I feel less homesick when I'm writing. Erik and Avery send their love to everyone. We hope you're all doing well and we'd love to hear from you if you have the time. (If you've read to this point I've already taken a lot of it though so don't worry if you can't). Aloha!
Amy
