We have arrived.

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Aloha from Hawaii!  I wasn't exactly sure what the word meant other than it seems to be a greeting or goodbye.  So....I delved into the wonderful source of information available to us all on the Internet and here is what it said.  The literal meaning of aloha is "the presence of breath" or "the breath of life." It comes from "Alo," meaning presence, front and face, and "ha," meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others.
According to the old kahunas (priests), being able to live the Spirit of Aloha was a way of reaching self-perfection and realization for our own body and soul. Aloha is sending and receiving a positive energy. Aloha is living in harmony. When you live the Spirit of Aloha, you create positive feelings and thoughts, which are never gone. They exist in space, multiply and spread over to others.
Inspired by the philosophy and the wisdom of the Spirit of Aloha, nowadays many institutions and businesses in Hawaii carry its name: Aloha Tower, Aloha Stadium and Aloha Airlines. Many Hawaiian singers write and perform songs about aloha as well.
The photo at the top (at least this is how they portray when I'm blogging) shows the word aloha near the office of our complex.  Behind it is the tennis courts and back beyond is what is termed 'up country'.  It's a little cooler there.
We have a Buick rental right now and we have made good use of it today shopping at Wally World and Costco.  Joanne and I got bedroom clocks.  Mine works, hers didn't so it will have to be exchanged.  When I wake in the night I like to be able to see what time it is before I roll over and go back to sleep.
The temperature today is 28C and clear skies.  With sun and wind it feels like 35C, but we aren't complaining.  The lanai (patio) is where I sat and had breakfast this morning listening to the birds.  I love that!  One of my favorite things to do in Hawaii in the morning before the traffic starts getting noisy!  The 4th photo is a couple of banana plants next to our unit.











Sent from Sandy's iPad

Comments

Unknown said…
Nice lei, can just imagine the scent, cool looking surroundings,. You already look relaxed and into it. Aloha to Trace and Joann. Good that you have a car for touring around. Send some sun our way will you? Altho it did show it's face for a little while today, Storm after storm coming at us the past few days. Gail concerned about getting to Vanc tomorrow for flight South again. Might need to take her to the Duke ferry if float planes aren't flying. Val said you had a cold???
TTYT.
11 January 2014 at 21:01
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