Travels // La'Haina

La'Haina is a little touristy, quirky town that used to be a port. It's an hour drive from where we are staying. You don't "go" to La'Haina, you "do" La'Haina. Take it all in. Shop. Breathe. Do unashamedly touristy things.

 It's so wonderfully blue and green and American. Look at that!

 Oh and were they the best burgers! I don't EVER say this. I don't say this lightly, but that was the best burger I've ever had. It had bacon, pineapple, Maui onion, and Hawaiian sauce. Oh my was it good.

 Nom. The place had a 50s diner feel. Not like, "we're trying really hard to be relevant and appeal to a generation obsessed with vintage", but like "we happen to have lots of cool memorabilia and have an awesome atmosphere". So yeah, I bought the tee shirt.

 Dude, did I enjoy that burger. I wouldn't post such an odd, slightly unattractive picture unless I wanted to prove my love to that burger.

 Apparently Maui, specifically La'Haina, has a touch of Britain. So that was just there.

 Hawaiian Sunset shave ice. It was delicious. It was flavored mango, guava, and strawberry. See? I had such amazing food!

This is America's largest Banyan tree. It stretches over three city blocks. The branches grow out and drop down to the ground, making new trunks. It was really neat! That's the main trunk.

This guy had some gorgeous birds to get Real Hawaiian Feeling Tropical Pictures taken with.

Pretty bird

I talked the parents into letting me get a tattoo. This was at a place called Henna Lounge, but my tattoo wasn't henna. It was jagua, which is a new product. It lasts longer than henna and looks black like ink.

Before anyone asks, it means "Rat" because I was born in 1996. I have a necklace charm of this kanji as well. Also, before you get all "ew rats are gross and that must mean that you're gross and nasty too" (oh my gosh stap being like that) I'll say that the Rat is the beginning of the Chinese zodiac, making it the most important. The rat is synonymous with intelligence and ambition. Those born in the year of the Rat are supposedly clever, quick-witted, funny, and sharp. I appreciate these traits and wish to identify with them.

Well, that was La'Haina. It was amazing and fun! I did some shopping and came home full and tired.

We leave for home tomorrow morning. When I get back I'll get the rest of the trip presented in blog post form for you guys and myself!

~billyBobjoe

shells and tropics

Sometimes I get so drained that I feel like just a shell. At least I'm supposed to be eating a ton, so I'm not guilty about the giant snack and Tropical Smoothie Cafe...

Things get so often described as being like the "eye of the storm", but I'm here telling you that I'm at the stormiest part, but where you can see the sun peeking out in the distance. I just have to press through to that point. I keep realizing that it will get worse, then it will get better. I'm not grumbling, just thinking and reminding myself.

It's like I know what to do, just won't bring myself to do it. It's dumb.

Well, enough of that. This is my 75th post! *rejoicing*

listening: Oh! Darling by: The Beatles

reading: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by: Stevenson. This is a re-read for school.

got humor?

I just wanted to share some things that have made me pee my pants recently...err..um...laugh. hard! :D

I can literally quote every single word of those. Me and Anna...you don't want to know. We may or may not have been falling out of our chairs laughing at the library while watching these. It's really none of your business. Oh! I also accidentally threw chocolate pudding onto her shoe at school today. It looked so nasty! I was laughing so hard that I couldn't clean it up!

Btw, I wanna do a vlog! Thoughts? Ask questions in the comments and I'll answer them in the vlog!

Scooby Doo.

billyBobjoe, who is the Queen!

The Aventures of Gnome

I haven't sorted out each day in my mind yet, so I can't give you a day-by-day analysis! I've had so much fun though. You know how some people take a travel gnome with them to take pictures with on vacations and such? Well, I have a LEGO gnome for that same purpose. His name is Gnome.

In California

At the San Diego Zoo!

 

Me and KeKeJ, technically, my Dwagon and her Companion Cube.

Yes, I was stereotypical and bought the Icee at the zoo just for the squiggly cup!

 We have been eating so well. The four of us girls went to Tommy Bahama for lunch yesterday. It had an amazing atmosphere and the food was delicious.

Chicken Quesidilla. Nom nom.

 We have also been doing a lot of shopping! KeKeJ and I got dropped off at the mall day before yesterday. We went to Sears, Barnes & Nobel, Payless, Forever 21, Express, Icing, Wet Seal, Pat and Oscars...
I got lots of cute things and can't wait to post pictures of them when I get a chance.

Yesterday, the four of us girls went to their high-end strip mall. I'm talking like Gucci high-end.

I've been wanting harem pants for a long time, and asked the lady at Anthropologie if they had any. They didn't, but these super wide-legged pants came close. I wanted them a lot! They make me look short though. And kind of scary, now that I look at it.

I checked a book called 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die out from their library. I wanted to make some lists and see how close I am. heh heh, hardly. When I got here, I had seen 33. Now, I have seen 35! Yay. 36 if you count Inception, which isn't in the book I checked out, but is in the updated version. *evil laughter* I've even seen more than Hami, KeKeJ's big bro!

I've been swimming a lot too. Pictures of the animals from the zoo coming later.

billyBobjoe
PS I got freckles from my sunburn!

wish you were here

Actually, not. I don't really, but that's the thing to say! bwahahahah! I'm having so much fun, and SoCal is beautiful! This is such a postcard picture, but marvelous none the less.

I watched Roman Holiday one evening and Jurassic Park the next. Not similar, at all. Velociraptors, to say the least, are nightmare fuel. They scared the crap out of me!
I also have been swimming a lot (twice), complete with animal charades. If you don't know how to play, you must 1) never have been a kid or 2) are just plain stupid. Kicks were had by all. That right down there is MDSF's head.

Either feet pictures are really gross or really nice and relaxing looking. I'm choosing the latter for this particular moment.

This picture made my life. Seriously. We all (mostly) trooped to the library, where I found this. Margo is in California!

 

I've had In-N-Out, gone to the library, watched a bunch of movies, eaten at The Cheesecake Factory, gone to their youth group, read, and eaten. I've really eaten a lot. My mom literally told the family that I'm staying with to fatten me up. I don't know why I've been losing weight, but I have. I certainly am eating a lot!

More to come!

the beginning of spring break

I keep starting posts, but by the time I get back to finish them, they're out of date! darn it! I promise to write a whole post in one day this time.

*loud cheering* It's FINALLY spring break! Spring itself is so welcome to me, but having no school at the same time is like super-mega-awesome-double-win-forever! I did important things like clean my room this morning, but vegged all afternoon. I watched Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer (don't laugh at me! It looked cute!), a Brian Regan stand up comedy show, and AFV! Oh, and ate. I ate food while doing so.

Lest you think that I get pleasure from folding clothes and putting objects away, that's not really what I mean by "Cleaning my Room" (with capital letters). I just bought a new organizational set of drawers on wheels at Target, so today I was consolidating things to make the best use of space in my room! Why that makes me so happy I'll never know. Just you wait, I'll go to college and have to room with a slob, it's in my future! But I do have practice from my little sister whom I share a room with.

I got some new clothes the other day! I finally got some overalls. I've been meaning to for forever, almost. I'm going to wear them out. I also got some shortalls, which are overalls with half of the pants missing, just to explain. I'm about to get saddle oxfords for Bye Bye Birdie, but also for me to have and wear in general. A few tshirts rounded out the new addition to my wardrobe.

I haven't been reading much lately. Not that I haven't wanted to, but I've just been too busy! I did just finish The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis and 1984 by Orwell. Wow. They both blew my mind, but in totally different ways. As you can see on my sidebar, I'm behind on my 2012 challenge, but I'll catch up. Maybe when I go to California or Colorado... Yes I am! And I am pumped! I'll take a few pictures for ya! I'll probably take Pete and then have a post of all of his adventures. CO is for the family vacation, and CA is the destination of me and my big sister to visit some friends.

I think that there's nothing like working. My family members are laughing at me. What I meant, of course, was working somewhere for PAY! duh. It's so rewarding to work hard and put yourself into something, then to go to the bank. You know, God gave Adam work to do before the Curse. Work must be good for us, because it is not a result of sin. Most people don't think of that, or conveniently forget it, although, I will be the first to say that it's not always fun.

I wish my computer wouldn't be so slow. I really can't ever get online. *tear of sadness* I'm considering breaking down and getting a tablet. *looks away guiltily* I don't have anything particularly against them, but I ahvne't seen the need for one until now. But I don't really have a need; I could just buy a new computer. heh heh yeah! Just kidding, I can't! My computer works well enough for non-interweb related things, but I kind of like the internet, you know? Like, wouldn't want to live without it!! Okay, I'm fine. Well, I sure am not thinking of getting Apple, with all it's bling and... this just in! It can't really do anything? Oh, that.
I'm thinking more along the lines of a Kindle Fire. I need to do some research, because I would like an ereader, but one that was also a tablet so I could watch movies, update my blog, listen to music, and play games. Do you have a tablet? What do you think of it?

I'm off to feed Gandalf...my fish, and go eat dinner!

See ya in the movies, or on stage, whichever comes first!
billyBobjoe

PS So super excited about THG premier!

eleven

Here are the rules to the "11" tag that I'm sure you've seen around:

1. Post these rules. check.
2. Post eleven random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create eleven new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you tagged them.
6. No cop-outs in the tagging section, like, "if you are reading this" or "if you follow me". You have to legitemately tag them!

Here we go!

1. I started making a chibi doll a year ago and still haven't finished it.

2. I think that Apple is extremely overrated.

3. I love, and have a box on my desk of, oldfashioned stick candy.

4. I have merchandice from a web comic that I don't even read.

5. I have three Coca-Cola t-shirts.

6. I can do this face: o_0

7. I don't care for cupcakes.

8. I went for a entire year without sweets/candy/dessert because I wanted to with only 5 exception days.

9. I read The Hunger Games in four days.

10. I like everything about bananas, but don't like eating them.

11. I ate almost a half gallon of ice cream with a friend when I spent the night. We would've had more, but that was all they had!

Okay now, here are the questions and answers that came from James and Jacob, who tagged me:

1. Favorite Video Game

I don't play videos games. I would like to, but we don't have a system, and I would waste a ton of time!

2. Favorite Live Action Fiction TV Series (not comedies)

I also don't really watch tv, but I love White Collar. We stopped keeping up a while ago though. :*(

3. Have you listened to an audiobook? What was your favorite? (I'm paraphrasing!)

Yes, I've heard Around the World in 80 Days and Wind in the Willows on tape, yes tape. They were both good, but that was a long time ago.

4. Do you believe in Bigfoot, UFOs, or ghosts?

I pretend like I do! There might be something to Bigfoot. I don't believe that there is intelligent life on other planets. I do pretend to believe in ghosts and love ghost stories!

5. Favorite baseball team or sports team. (y'all ask such "guy" questions!)

My favorite sports team is the US Olympic Team.

6. What is your opinion of the LOTR trilogy?

It's the bomb and absolutely epic.

7. What's the best movie that you have seen in theater?

I haven't seen many in theater, so probably Captain America.

8. Do you like or dislike the Star Wars prequels?

I like them. They're not as good as OT, but the TPM is what I grew up with. I don't hate Jar Jar either!

9. What movie quote do you use most often in normal conversation?

That's not an answerable question. I don't think most people would believe how often I reference movies. I would love for someone to count someday... if that were even possible

10. Do you like or dislike older movies in general? (before 1980)

Love 'em! I love the oldies!

11. Marval or DC?

I don't know. I haven't seen many superhero movies, but probably DC just for Batman!

Okie dokie. Here are my questions for you to answer! If I tag you! I feel such power.

1. What's your favorite soft drink?

2. Beach or mountains?

3. Do you randomly break into song out loud?

4. What could you eat forever and never get tired of?

5. Who would you like to get stuck in an elevator with for five hours?

6. What color socks are you wearing?

7. What are you most afraid of? Really terrified of?

8. Have you ever dissected a frog?
9. If you made up a number, what would it be?
10. What do you collect?
11. Do you have a pet?

I tag Sophia, Olivia, and Bre. Really, this is annoying, because most everyone has done this tag already. Oh well. Don't tell anyone, but you, yes you, can do this even if I didn't tag you!

grey skies

It's pouring at my place. The sheets of water make white waves in my culdesac.

I've been mentioning rain these last few posts, so I figured that I should devote a whole post to it.

I love rain. Maybe not more than sunshine, but definitely equally.

Well, not when the wind sounds scary, or family members are out driving, or you're stuck at school (which I have been because of flooding), or sirens are going off, or your roof is in danger of being whipped off...

...but when the rain hits the windows and makes that sound...

...when the sky is just a low wall of darkness, and makes the world feel small, but not crushing...

...when lightning flashes and shows you the glory of God Almighty...

...when thunder makes you look up in apprehension...

...when your soul can feel itself being washed clean as you think of nothing at all...

...when you swear that the electricity in the clouds affects your blood...

...when soup, chili, and hot cocoa is called for...

...when friends are stranded at your house for long periods of time...

...when you run outside in old clothes and dance...

...when it's not too cold and not too hot, but just right...

...when you stare at the water hitting the pavement for so long that you can actually see the faeries...

...that's when I like rain more than sunshine.

-billyBobjoe



One of those days

I had one of those days yesterday.

Not the kind when your hair goes in every possible direction.

Not when you trip over everything.

Not when you lose every train of thought that ever thought about boarding.

Not when you get super distracted over dumb things.

Not when you feel all depressed for no reason.

BUT, the kind where everything goes right!

It was great! I woke up at 6am, which, as some of you know, is something that can be likened to climbing Mt. Everest for me. Not only that, but I woke up refreshed and ready to kick that puppy! Or take on the day, whichever you prefer.

I started doing homework at 6:30am and worked without getting distracted ALL day! I got so much done! I did have to hide in my attic space with two blankets and a heater so I wouldn't disturb Stanley with the light. It did end up being quite cozy though!

I made dinner that night, because this is my week, and it actually tasted good! I'm not a terrible cook, but I usually cook boring, freezer food, which isn't scrumptious. Anyway, I did made mashed potatoes, that weren't instant!

The weather was amazing, even though I spent very little time outside. It smelled like rain and the clouds were dark. There's a 100% chance of rain today or something. Weird, because it's bright outside of my window...

I didn't get a chance to read, which was sad, but I did get an invite to lunch for tomorrow!

I hope everything is going as well for you as me right now!

bBj :)

A yummy looking award...

I have been awarded The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award! Haha, I must have all of you fooled!

Just kidding, I'm a relatively sweet person in person. What?

I have to list 7 random things about me, then give it to other peeps, so here goes.

1. I like carousel horses.

2. I own a baseball that might have been a homerun in a Cardinal's game.

3. I have a large hope chest. Actually, the chest that it is in right now is not very big at all; it only fits a part of all the things that will be in my future home!

4. I have OCD

Not that OCD is a real, physical ailment, but I do have whatever it is that makes me want to organize everything and have everything around me perfectly straight!

5. I love milk and drink it ALL the time. Santa would be proud. Wait, doesn't Santa like milk?

6. I have a pink, stuffed pig.

Yep, that's Peter the Pink Pig. I just call him Pete. I've had this little dude for forever! He's goes on all my adventures with me! And vacations. That picture below was actually the very first picture that I took with my camera. That's random.

7. I own many vintage Disney posters, a vintage Candy Land game box cover, and a black light bulb from the 70s that was my daddy's!

Now then, you didn't know any of those did you?

I give this to Bre, Taylor, Kirsten, and Adelyn. And anyone else who wants it!

bBj

On the town!

Saturday was fun! That's all I can say. Actually, I can, and will, say a lot more!

An outing was planned. That's all I knew. Well, I did know that it would include friends and food, but that's all.

Me, M, and J

I got up super early and got ready for the day, even though I had gotten in bed really late the night before and was therefore tired. My bed was literally calling my name, wanting me to crawl back in, but I stuffed cotton in my ears (figuratively) and did not heed the siren call. Did you notice how dramatic that was? Anyway, I got decent in time for M's family to pick me up and take me to the place of "dropping other kids off and picking another friend up". That's the official name of the place.

We went downtown and drove around while deciding what to do first. First, we went to a bakery for breakfast. I am omitting names to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent, referring to my friends and I!

I don't believe in staged pictures!

I, like the tightwad that I am, bought a pastry, and only a pastry. Of course I did mooch off of M and J's food too. (Those are the initials that I am using to refer to M and J...what?) We talked there for a while, then walked to the Main Library, which I had never been in, taking pictures all the way on M's camera.

This is the "Manhole" dance.

We immediately walked/rode the elevator up to Level 4, which is the all-teen level, which had been redecorated a couple of months before. The place was amazing...

...and had this display outside! Me gusta.

Me being a typical teenager...

The books were all cool, but the decor was even better! It didn't seem to me to be too "let's get teens to hang out at the library because it looks all hip and stuff", but did end up really groovy. Yeah, I said groovy, deal with it!

There were lots of computers, pillows by the window on which you could read, and orange chairs with swivel desks on them.

Can you see the wavy, purple table with silver ottomans?

Lovely M

The lovely J

There was a big tv room where they have movie showings, and the seats were these big, round, yellow, rocking chairs! Adjectives! Too bad I didn't get a picture of them, so you could've seen how perfect my description was. Anyway, it was much too fun of a place to be quiet, but we were...mostly.

Then there was the section with vending machines, booths, and a popcorn maker. There was also a toaster, but I can't imagine what that was for. The tables had bottletop surfaces and upsidedown cups as seats.

Best of all, in my humble opinion, were these cool, green chairs that are really hard to describe!

M obviously doesn't have a care in the world.

Can you see what I mean? There is a frame, from which a stretchy, meshy fabric is stretched taut, and you just kind of sink into it! I want one. So. Stinking. Badly! I'm honestly thinking of having my birthday party there! No, I'm not too old!

Next, we took some more pictures and walked over to Ten Thousand Villiages. I didn't know what it was, which was probably a good thing, seeing as things like that usually make me sick. You know, the sob stories about random things being made by African women to keep their families alive! and stuff. Anyway, that's practically what it was, but I really liked it! Everything there was really cool and almost everything was something that I wouldn't mind having in a future home! The prices weren't outrageous either. I came home with a hackey sack from Guatemala, but could've bought the one-person hammock, the pretty, encouraging word stones, the cute figurines, the set of dice, or any manner of thing if I had had enough dough to spend! I have to go back. (I really have no earthly idea why the font changed! Maybe it was just bored?)

Aren't we cool? We didn't even plan these poses!

We went a few other places and hung out a bit more while waiting for everyone to get their kids in their cars and such. The family that I was with forgot about me going home and took me to lunch, which I didn't have a problem with! I had Thai food for the first time. I even ended up getting home on time.

Lovely Things (Food!)

Some lovely things I found on weheartit! Disclaimer: most of my pictures are from there! I'll let you know when they've been taken by your's truly!

A couple *coughcoughALLcough* of these have to do with food because I'm hungry right now! (I just love to eat!) Anyway...

Delicious colorful gummy bears!

I haven't had any in WAY too long!

That's it! I want gummy bears for Christmas!

Oh, and remind me to put a detailed Christmas list on here!

These remind me of a certain gummy-bear-infatuated monkey on a cute movie called "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"! 

We all know Oreos are milk's favorite cookie, but they're also mine!

Split an Oreo = love in rainbow form!

Starbucks is marvelous!

I actually don't like coffee AT ALL, but love the ice creamy related things!

Besides, the atmosphere at Starbucks is so... Inviting!

It makes me want to go and STUDY! (While spending my money to get random foodie items! Of course.)

Icy lemonade. Can't be beaten on a hot day... or any day!

Especially with the cute mint garnish!

Brings back memories of summer.  Isn't it weird that summer is already a memory?

I wouldn't trade fall for it again though!

And last and definitely not least...

Ramen!

The soup of quickness, cheapness, and coziness.

Isn't it though?

Nom, supper's soon!

What are your foodie loves?

signed, penned, and blogged by...

bbj

My nickname and a random fact

If any of you are wondering why my nickname is billyBobjoe, wonder no longer. Do you want the long version or the short version of what happened? Never mind, you have no say! I'll tell you the concise long account which is slightly shorter than the long short account. Understand? Good. Anyway, my best friend's brother's friend didn't know my name and guessed it to be Billy Bob Joe. It stuck for some random strange reason! Anywho, I guessed his name to be Fred. I was right! That is, now it's Fred. Shout out to KeKeJ and Fred and Zombie and MD!! I hope y'all read this!

You know what's a weird quirk of mine? Well, I'll tell you. I love anything having to do with the 20th century. Retro is one of my favorite styles and I like old black and white movies. Particularly ones with Gene Kelly!

*Gets up and starts dancing and pretending that it's raining* OK, I'm better now!

Random fact: Did you know that "okay" isn't actually the word "OK" is derived from? Originally, during a war, when the dudes would report to the other dudes who were in charge of them, they would say "0K" if zero were killed in battle. So when people say that OK is incorrect and okay is... well, now you know they're wrong!

So, I am only going to post once a week for the time being because if I didn't set rules, I'd spend all my time on here! Check back every Monday and I'll have a new post! Maybe I'll post more often after I get used to my new school schedule (which will be insanely hectic) or during breaks and summer!

If you're wondering what to expect from this blog, wonder no longer. I keep saying that don't I? Anywho, as I said before, this is not my diary and I won't bore you with accounts of things that happen in my life that don't matter to you about people you don't know! But you can expect anything funny, posts telling you about me, book reviews, movie reviews, and random essays. By random essays I mean short essays on interesting subjects! Like, for instance, "Why Guys Should Wear Vests and Ties: complete with pictures!" and other important topics! No joking, that subject has been laying heavy on my heart! I'm sorry the blog doesn't look as good as I want it to, but I don't know much about internet design. Hopefully I'll get someone who does to design Waltz Through The Forest, or teach me some html coding! The point of this blog is to kind of be like my own room. A place to release my creative juices and have fun. I want you as the reader to come to and follow Waltz because It'll provide funny and interesting reading and the occasional spiritual encouragement. If you aren't spiritual and want to know more about my God, leave me a comment and I'll email you/post about it!

Happy Independence Day! As much as I love England, I'm glad we have our own country and freedom!

For our personal family celebration, which we don't do most years, Daddy grilled burgers and corn!

I made potato salad, (thank you, thank you very much!) Stanley made deviled eggs, and someone made tea and lemonade! *stomach growls*

That would be fresh mint in the sweet tea. Are you jealous?

My Madre's family came over and we had a good time. Pictures coming soon of my adorable twin cousins! Then, we watched fireworks at a city park! They were beautiful and I got a few good photos! My sister was appalled when she found out I nicknamed her "Ro Joe". She is insisting that I change it to something way more interesting, such as Agent 38 or The Watermelon Rider. At least people would puzzle that one out for a little while! Actually, the last three sentences were written by Ro Joe, excuse me, Agent 38 herself! Oh wow.

If you have a request for a specific topic you want me to post on, leave me a comment telling me! I'll be glad to oblige!

~bbj