Last night was a little bit too much Kava time. Normally they say 3 bowls make you numb, well I decided that it costs about the same to get the 1L one so I got that. Finished the whole thing with pineapples as chasers and there... I was in another universe for a good 3 hours. After that we went to Huggo's where they had a live band playing, ate some thai pizza there, chatted with the cook and went to Dirty Jakes, I started feeling like shit, couldnt drink anything then... felt very bloated.

 

Watched a buncha people make fools of themselves as it was Karaoke night and they were singing along. Steve had a few beers and bang at 11.30 I got completely out of it... and felt like shit after that. The high was completely gone and we decided to call it a night.

The most relaxing day in the whole trip and a badly needed break. Got up early (late for 4 am risers, but early for 10 am'ers) around 7.30 ish.. got ready and went for this breakfast place thats real popular around here Java Lava. HAd some really fresh juice (that costed as much as the breakfast) pinapple, orange and ginger. That ginger was a little too strong for me. Went around the shops near by, saw something cool... I am going to pick it up for Toral-Arpit tomorrow. We wanted to walk around more but it seemed too sunny and there wasnt much to walk to. We head out for the most popular place on Kona, Hilton Waikola Village. here some facts:

Hilton Waikoloa Village® is located within the Waikoloa Beach Resort area on the southern Kohala Coast on Hawaii's Big Island. Just 18 miles from the Kona International Airport.

• 62 acres of sunny, oceanfront resort
• 1,240 luxury guest rooms & suites
• Unique "Village" destination resort experience
• Three freshwater pools: two with waterfalls & waterslides
• Four-acre swimming and snorkeling lagoon
• Nine distinctive restaurants and eight lounges
• Museum walkway featuring over $7 million art collection
• World-class Kohala Sports Club & Spa, the Big Island's exquisite destination spa
• Two championship golf courses
• Seaside putting course
• Eight tennis courts (including our 432-seat stadium court)
• Oceanside wedding pavilion
• Discover Waikoloa Gallery
• Zen garden
• Waikoloa Wedding Planner Atelier
• Camp Menehune™ program for kids
• Hilton Vacation Station® lending library full of books, toys and games
• Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon*

On the way we stopped in the middle in a local cemetery with white rocks and crosses made with stones. On the way out the car got stuck in the pebbles but luckily couple of locals helped us out by pulling the car with a rope tied to their pick up truck,. That was an experience, not to go with the convertible to off-road sites. Drove around Fairmont, Orchid around there and then reached Hilton. At first it did not look that amazing, its not at all intimidating. But its big, they have a canal surrounding which has a water taxi going round and round. There is also a tram with 5 stops and a ton of bridges, kind of like Venice. We directly hit the beach, stole some towels from near by and arranged it on the artificial beach around the lagoon. We were there for around 3 hours in the sun taking turns for the lagoon.. swimming with the fishes (I know thats not a word but I love it!) ... not me that much Steve was all about swimming with the fish.

Then we took a break went to the Dolphin Quest restaurant where we grabbed some long island and burgers and we watched the dolphins being trained from there. Walked around the whole thing, met some interesting college atheletes who were there on a tennis tournament thing... that was fun. Then found some hammocks and lied down there for 2 hours. On the way back hit some shopping mall., bought some stuff for Puneet... got some coffee.. drove back. Just took a shower, felt so dirty from the beach... Probably going to go out to huggo's for dinner, its got live hawain music, go to lu lu's meet some locals.. hang out. Feel like having some Kava too..

Tuesday went on without any hiccups at work, at the end of it kinda felt like I wouldnt last another day of 14 hours. Evening was finally better because we got out early around 6 ish, it was still daylight and I ran out almost immediately after we reached the hotel. Dressed in swim shorts and undershirt, I walked to the beach which was only 7 minutes walk.. all pebbled, wasnt much sand so it kinda hurt went you walked. But the water was great on your feet. I didnt go in completely becoz I kinda wanted to go around waikiki a little bit. Kept walking till end of short, saw an interesting display of a man playing with fire. Kept walking, went through a park and ended up on the street, bought some aloha shirts, on a bargain. Kept walking, reached Waikiki, thats just like michigan avenue with huge designer stores like Prada and coach. Almost bought a coach bag but it wasnt worth the price. I need one to carry on my side when I am on the airport, just big enough for my small laptop.

Day  before someone at the starbucks (it became a routine to go to starbucks after our briefing at 5.45 right before shift starts, they had the best expresso shakes and thai iced coffees that we dont get in other starbucks, lets just say I have been wired on caffine with 3-4 ventis every day) that Ax had a sale, so when I hit Waikiki on tuesday night, I just went directly there. They had some real good sweaters at a bargain, so bought some of those there. Kept walking, almost went into the tall revolving restaurant but one of the nurses said the food was pretty bad, drinks were great and I was too tired to want to drink and fall asleep like the night before. Most of my co-workers were in there, I called them and told them I am gonna walk around a bit. I am glad I didnt go, I hear most of my friends went out to a strip club after that, I had no energy for any brazilian strips. At the end of waikiki area, I took a cab and told him to take me to a local place, he took me to this really dingy shady mexican restaurant La Bambas, but the food turned out to be excellent, little on the spicy side ut very authentic.

Got up real early yesterday because of my conference call, got ready and checked out, stowed my luggage in like the hotel store room, all this betweek 3.30 and 4.30. Had to join in a conference call (it was 8.30 central time) and was on the phone the entire way to the hospital. It was pointless, I could hardly hear anything and it was video conference so I couldnt even see the slides they were talking about, but I guess even the 1% was worth it. Work was tiring because they wanted me in OR and on the 2 floors. The nurses were getting attached to us, and our support, we had to pull it back and felt bad for it but they better learn these things for themselves. Lets just say by 3 I was ready to get out.

Got a cab with Steve, back to the hotel and then to the airport, our flight was at 7 but we got there way too early, they bumped us up to an earlier flight. We caught some mai tai's at the airport, I was starving. Unfortunately the hour at the airport went in work because one of my co workers John called up and there goes that hour of vacation. There was a retarded guy on the airplane who went real hyper, Steve knew the issue (psych majors I tell you). Looking at Honolulu fom the sky was interesting, they have a big crater in the middle of the island which is where they have the punch bowl cemetery, we could see that. The place looks like NYC when you land at LGA, with all high rises but then again the semblence to Miami is uncanny. The real estate prices are ridiculous, my cab driver had a house that was worth 800k. 

I got a little history of the islands, they were made from lava that rises when the tectonic plates collide and volcanos sprout up and these move so when the lava melts it spreads out and eventually becomes an Island. The Big Island is the newest one. The airport was real interesting, the landing itself was because everything was black and super flat with no vegetation. It looks like you are on a volcano, everything is black.. did not seem like there was any sand, only rocks. Kinda like landing on the moon. The airport is open air, reminded me of LA airport with baggage claim in open air, but the buildings were like polynesian huts (big ones), again all black. Got the mustang convertible, the hostel's around 30 minutes, it was great driving, specially when u race the sound it makes.. that is soo sweet. The inn is allright, cheaper than the car and we have a room... its like an apartment, there is another couple from milwaukee, WI (imagine the coinidence). We share the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Last night we smoked some, went to Lulu's, oceans for drinks and getting some grub. HAd this drink called Kava which is made out of a root, and it kinda numbs your senses, Steve's not too happy with it, its basically muddy water.. I had 2 bowls of it (they serve it in a shell). Its not strong at all and you need to have it in quanitities.

I am gonna write more later.. time to smoke some more.   

I had the strangest dream last night. I was in a new home with Melissa Keegan (one of my co workers who I met day before for the first time, we went grocery shopping together) and we were off to go study for an Rx Pharmacy test when her mother (or was it someone else, cant remember but I do remember her talking about her grandmother i think) comes and starts talking to me and goes on and on (she looked like one of the social workers i was helping in Hawaii named Vicki). And we are getting late, TV is on at the background and guess what happens, the school or facility that we are supposed to go gets nuked !!! I am freaking out when I see that and the only thing I can think of is Vicki saved me! If she hadnt come we would have been in the building right now... I get up when i am thinking that.

 

I think it probably had something to do with the tonight show with Jon Stewart that I saw last night right before sleeping, they were talking about Iran and their attempt at making nuclear weapons and president bush trying to explain what diplomacy means. But in any case it felt quite real. Its been a long time since I have had such a real dream, normally I know in my dream that I am dreaming and I enjoy that.

 

Yesterday was very tiring, I went to sleep the night before around 10, did not drink but when I got up I felt very tired. I did feel energetic after the first coffee (thai iced coffee from starucks!) but suddenly it hit me around 12ish.. had veggie sushi from cafeteria yesterday, it was good.. nothing amazing. They sent me to help out in the OR, much smaller and less organized but it went well I believe. We had some interesting nurses there too doing education for the people going to surgery 2-3 weeks from now. That was from 8-4.30 and then I had to go back to my inpatient floor. Had an expresso shake later on which really hit me.

 

Got back and changed into my night wear immediately, took my computer and sat by the pool and then chairs outside on the first floor where I could connect to my work network and checked my emails till 8.30 pm. Then back in my room ordered wine and traditional curry from room service, love that - wish I can have that back in my hotel in Madison. I dont think I like cab's that much now.. they are not as full bodied as I want my wine to be. I dont think I am going to finish this Mc Manis bottle. Looks like its time.. and I have to be off... dont think I am going to get to see any of Honolulu this trip. I did make reservations for a car and private hostel room in Kona, its a gamble but it should be interesting trip.  

14 hour work days are not normal but all I need to keep me happy is my Honey Bunches of Oats and evian water. Bought them at an ABC store (thats a chain of grocery/convenience stores here) last night. Just had my cereal with a plastic spoon and Mr. Coffee coffee maker cup. I forgot to ask room service to send me a bowl an spoon last night.

 

Yesterday was another long working day. There is a little room at the end of one of the floors I am working on with a nice view of Honolulu, I finally saw it in daylight and its lush green and beautiful. Besides I feel more adjusted to the time than I was before and able to see things more clearly. I am also getting to know the people I am working with, both from work and from the hospital. They respect us more when they see us standing side by side with them for 12-14 hours everyday. Specially the managers. They trust us and are not afraid to ask us for help or suggest enhancements.

 

Had some terrible cafeteria food (very cheap) yesterday for lunch, had to get that milk and cereal today because otherwise I get hungry and eat that crap at 10 am. The starbucks in the lobby has a Thai Caffe Latte, never seen in any other starbucks that I have gone to, been getting that last two days, its great. Last night we took a cab and came back around 6.30 and it was a great decision. We could see a little bit of honolulu on the way back, different high rises, and view from my room. I am on the 28th floor of Ala Mouana tower. Its a very big road here, still dont know what it stands for, but there are hotels and buildings and a lot of things named Ala Mouana here. The view is fantastic, its a pier, with boats parked, reminds me of monaco. Also I have an amazing view of the swimming pool from up here, it closes at 8 pm but I am definately going to try and hit that this evening.

 

I have been chatting with Andrew, another guy from work who is also supporting the same floor. He wants to do a PhD in History, he did his undergrad in it from Princeton. He wrote a paper on Hawaian history, apparently the queen and guards were surrounded by 'revolutionalists' which were basically land owners and wanted low tariffs for selling sugar (cane sugar is Hawaii's major export) to united states and would only benefit if HAwaii was a part of US, so US prevented the army from hurting the revolutionaries who made a Quasi government who gave up to US quickly after revolution and made the queen give up her rule.

 

Hawaii is a great strategic position that protects US on the west side. Apparently if the attack on pearl harbor was followed by a ground assault and the Japanese had taken over Hawaii, outcome for World War 2 would be different because the west coast of US would be totally vulnerable after that. We also talked about Hamilton (i was reading four brothers) and his duels, Andrew wants to do his dissertation on Hamilton. I had little to add but as he said stuff I remembered reading about it. We talked about 1776, the recent book on civil war. He thinks the american revolution was a movement to reduce taxes which reminds me of Gandhi's salt march which started eveything in India.

 

We went to cheeseburger place next door for dinner. Just 7 people from work, I had to pull them away from going to the sea food place because of my vegeterian diet, i dont anyone was really pissed about it but I felt bad about making them change it because of me and I didnt even know them. I found my Tofu Burger and had a local beer which tasted like bass. Very smooth. I am back in formal wear today, I need to buy myself some hawaian shirts. Most of the nurses I am working with are Filipino, somehow they dont look as old as they are and when I saw their pictures on their lockers with 2-3-4 kids.. I was shocked. They are amazing people, most of them moved to Hawaii right from Philippines and havent seen any other part of the US.

 

I hope today is as busy as yesterday, you get more tired not doing anything. 2 pm came very easily yesterday but the last 4 hours were killers because they were getting more comfortable with the system. It did not feel like a Sunday, today is going to be challenging because its a week day. Everyday you learn something about the system, I like that about this job.

Everything here starts with a double recurring characters here, its just the Hawaian language. Honolulu, Waikiki (thats the city area in Honolulu). Infact the best was Likelike Highway! love that one.. Its likelike highway..I crack myself up with that one. Its been crazy hectic. I am writing this at 4.52 in the morning, right before I leave for work. The shuttle leaves at 5.15 precisely.. and I dont get breakfast because the hotel starts that at 6, Island culture they say.

 

Also everything is connected to royalty, my hotel is called Prince, the hospital is Queens. The wings are divided into mountain and ocean, I am on Pauahi, sounds so island like. People are very nice, lots of asian.. Hawaii is actually bang in the middle of Japan and United States or mainland as they call it. So its like a mix of puerto ricans and japanese. Its a deadly combination for women. The Samoans are pretty big in size and the way they speak english is amazing, its american accent without the grammer, they dont bother with grammer. I'll type of out somehting when I have more time.

 

I havent been able to see much, we are working 14 hour days but did go out for drinks to Dukes, and dinner at Hula Grill yesterday. Had some Mai tai's and Pina Coladas.. gotta do that! The architecture is interesting, reminds me of florida with all the white buildings old buildings and small roads, then sometimes of Miami with the high rises by the beach and sometimes of San Francisco with the buildings all up in the mountains.. and the view from the medical center is like that.

 

Waikiki is super commercialized and very high in density. The hotel is very nice but somehow my VPN is not working, kinda frustrating. Its the weekend though so there shouldnt be much work stuff, but you never know. I dont think I am going to get to see sunlight till my little vacation starting wednesday afternoon.

 

Kena: men

Mahali: Women

Mahalo: Thank you

Atlanta Airport.

 

Got up at 4 am today, hardly got some sleep last night. Always happens before an early morning flight, I get this feeling that my alarm wont work and I will get up at 6.30, the time the flight is at and miss it.. but invariably I get up around 3-4 am no matter what time I have gone to sleep at. Sure enough, same thing happened this morning. Got up, got ready and left for airport. The road from Middleton to Madison Airport is so desolate, every time I drive through there I am thinking if my car breaks down here (and today it was real low on gas) then I may find myself stranded here and a lady (imagine the picture of the girl in ring) will come knocking at my window. Never really think beyond that, that thought is enough to scare me.

 

At the airport met a colleague from work, we joined the company together; of course he is with the training company, I hardly know anyone at my company. I have spoken to him during our training classes once or twice and he is working in the same department that I recently got transferred to. I called him Mike by mistake just to be corrected saying he was Neil, then he asks me whoz mike? I always call someone mike when I don’t know their name; mainly because anyone can look like a Mike, there are so many of those around eventually u will be right some day. Talked with him before we boarded the plane. I kept my coat in the car, and then realized we always have to go in the open and board the plane, had to stand outside while everyone settled in and we could move in the plane, was freezing outside. First thing when I get cold is I think about getting crazy sick and not be able to walk, that’s always my first fear, I am always so paranoid about these things.

 

I had good company on the plane, sitting next to me was this lady, well around 7-10 years older to me, works as an HR director for one of the pharmaceutical companies. She manages both Tampa and Middleton, WI location. She lives in Tampa, but travels quite a bit. We had a good chat about different cuisines (apparently she never cooks), about IT in general – the ipod, my job, her job, Honolulu, Tampa, Atlanta, Emerils (she has met him in new Orleans Emeril restaurant), Fresh Market (shopping experience), Dante’s down the hatch (chocolate fondue), chocolate fountains, Middleton (places to go eat), life as a nomad, mortgage payments (thought I don’t have any to pay).

 

Had 4 hours at the airport. Actually could have got on to a direct flight much earlier had I know that there was one at 12, but I couldn’t because I have checked in a bag. So I am stuck with a flight 4 hours later, which is connecting through san Francisco with a 2 hour wait time there. I don’t get there till 9.30 which is 2.30 am for me. I cannot imagine how my state is going to be because I have to get up at 4 again and go to work. At the airport I thought I could work, I got connected to the internet but somehow it wouldn’t connect to the work network, I was on the phone with the IT desk for 30 minutes, tried everything and finally gave up. My internet connection was strange, last time I was here I bought the connection and today I had an option of connecting to the same one if I was back in 24 hours, I tried it and it worked, atleast for 2 hours and then it stopped. I guess I saved 8 bucks.  And during that time I did a good deed, gave a reference of Palak, my newly married cuz (Jigar)’ s wife to my aunt’s nephew for Physical Therapy studies in the US.

 

Had some Le Petit Bistro (choices were that, Nathans, a pizzeria called Spezia or something, Brick something – that’s a micro brewery local to Atlanta, I think they serve that at Atlanta Brewing Company near tech) and read some of my Hotel Honolulu. I am at chapter 4, I have a lot more to go. I know we wont get any food but hopefully will be able to get some food on San Francisco airport.

 

Food's packed and ready, and I am connected on SF airport Yoo hoo!       

 We have something called Classified as a public folder within the company that I am getting trained at. Most of the people in this software company are very young, my age or maybe a little younger. The classifieds is an amazing source of information with everyone posting stuff all the time. 2 days ago someone posted this book by Paul Theaurx, Hotel Honolulu. I am going to honolulu tomorrow and at that time I thought, well why not request it at the library,  i normally do that.. there is the Middleton Public Library minutes from the hotel and I became a member there, being near UW madison they get pretty much any book I want. I put in a request and voila! I get an email this morning that it has arrived. I just went and got it, how amazing! now I can read on the 10 hour flight there tomorrow!

Today was slightly late start, did not get up till 9 am but then again all I did was up from bed, at the computer answering emails. Then got ready and back at the computer, getting work done, mainly catching up on stuff that I learnt at the meeting last night which went all till 8 pm and I never got around to working after that. Then I had to go meet someone because I needed this software 'Snag it!' which is like paint, mainly used to cut paste print screens and cut them to the size you want, I wanted this small logo and our work computers dont have paint, so we have to either request the software or as I did just use someone's computer for 10 minutes which worked out great. This training company has like 8 locations around madison area so its like I am always driving from one to the other. Following that I went to my office after like 3 days.. to print some stuff, packets that we need to read for this assignment in Honolulu. Everyone I talked to is like what kind of job is this, u get to go to Honolulu ! I know i think i ts great, afterall IT is used everywhere. But unfortunately I will be working this weekend till wednesday 12 hour 6 am to 6 pm shifts, around 60 hours in next 5 days.

I am taking 2 days off work, my first in this job. I am flying to Kona, Big Island at 7 and my shift ends at 6, as far as I know they dont let you go early, its going to be challenge to get that flight.. we will find out I guess. I am going with a friend Steve. Nice bloke, i know such an English word, but I love it. Besides I just finished season 4 of Coupling and now I am watching the original Office. It is a very dry humor, I cant say I am really enjoying Office, I will finish this dvd though. I know season 2 is out but I dont think I am going to get that any time soon. I am dying to start six feet under, thats the next one on the radar.

I went back to my favorite Italian restaurant today Vin Santos, little mom-and-pop place walking distance from the hotel (today is such a nice day, I walked to it). They make this cavatelli  pasta with pesto sauce and roasted vegetables that they now refer to it as 'The Usual' because thats what I have been getting for like 16 weeks, every week. Everyone knows me which is a great feeling and makes me feel less lonely because pretty much 12-14 of them I have gone there by myself. Clarissa, the owner has a british accent. She is really nice and so are the servers, very friendly but not overly.. just enough. I met Kevin , the younger cook who also works in Soup Factory, such a small little place Middleton it feels like I am getting to know faces now. Its nice, specially because I am by myself here all week. Its a great feeling to be here and not be 'from here' , I couldnt possibly think of being from here, that would really depress me.

Had my turnover meeting for the project I am working on with my manager (one of them atleast). Feel strange handing it over after so many hours that I put into it and I know he has so much on his plate, he would happily let me do the whole thing but then it needs to be done before I get back from Waikiki. I will have some time on Atlanta airport, will finish some work. Also pulled in some help from other newbies at the company, preparing a spreadsheet for them to help out. This company's all about helping people out, makes you feel good even asking for  help. I mean for me it felt like a promotion that I have some people who can work on the project to reduce my work load.. but thats how this place works, next thing they will be giving me some project that they are working on. Its nice to know there is no real hierarchy.

Its almost 10, I should go to bed; I have  a 6.30 flight out of here.. meaning i should be up around 4 am! fun fun...

Now playing: jurm (bobby deol )\ aksar yeh hota hai pyar main

Found out about this today... not gonna keep this one up along with my own blog.. so go to: