A whole new world.

3 weeks later and Im back to update because I was starting to get complaints. I dont even know where to begin. Im in a place where they serve rice and pineapple at every meal, as well as random foreign meats. Breakfast is definitely the ONLY meal I can count on haha. But the dining hall does have its good days every once in a while! When I first got here I felt like I was in a whole different world and I still kind of feel that way. I would say maybe 1/3 of the students here are from the mainland, so we are basically minority, which is crazy to think about. The first couple weeks were really hard, just trying to adjust to the culture and the new people and food and everything basically. I was told that the first month would be super hard too but I didn't really understand how it would be. But now that I have been here for a while, I totally know what they meant. Its not something you can really explain, you sort of just have to experience it for yourself. Sorry for being so vague but you really wouldn't understand what I mean unless you were here. But anyway, things are starting to get really good and I have met a lot of really cool people. I've met people from all over the world. China, Australia, Spain, Mongolia, France, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa....you name it, Ive met someone from there. Its crazy!

So the first weekend I went on an Island tour and went to a bunch of famous places on the island like the valley of the temples (where karate kid was filmed), pearl harbor, a swap meet, haliewa, and walmart. Yes, walmart. Its a big deal here, ok? haha. Just as a side note, I had to go to walmart again after this trip and it took an hour and a half to get there. Its super far and there isn't anything like it closer...thats why its such a big deal haha. Who knew. Anyway, the island tour was super exhausting because it lastedall day but it was a fun way to meet new people and explore the island a little bit. This picture is from the buddhist temple wewent to! It was so pretty! It was kinda back in the mountains...as you can see.

The temperature is amazing here. Its like 81every day but its humid so sometimes it feels kinda hot, but its amazing! I've been trying to go to the beach as much as I can. I've been more busy

will school the last week so I haven't gone as much but Im definitely not going to let that happen anymore. This is the beach thats right by campus. It takes like less than 5 minutes to get there riding my bike, and I pass the temple on

the way! The Laie temple looks a lot like the Mesa temple, which I like because it reminds me of home. I'll have to take a picture sometime soon and post it. Its absolutely beautiful! It has been under construction for a while but they are reopening it in a couple weeks and I get to go to the open house! Im really looking forward to that!

I've been on several adventures. Its fun to just get on the bus and go somewhere new. Like

2 weeks ago my roommate was checking out some surf boards that people were selling on craigslist so we just hopped on the bus and just went searching. We stopped at a couple

different beaches, including Sunset Beach which is MY FAVORITE! I love it so much. You meet some pretty interesting people on the buses too. Last Saturday I went to the beach all morning, and then in the afternoon we went snorkeling at sharks cove (the picture is me at sharks cove). As you can see, I am already super tan, and I still have at least 2 more months! As of right now, I do not even know how long I'm going to be here haha. This place is amazing. I wish I could remember more of the things that I have done in the last 3 weeks. I need to take more pictures. Im gonna work on that. I think that you people that actually read this should remind me to write more often so that I don't forget anything that I've done. Anyway, I miss you all and hope to hear from you soon!