I may be kicked out of Hawaii soon!

Ok, so I've been here just over two years and I have experienced tropical storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, false missile alerts, the recent Hurricane Lane, and let's not forget the giant centipede that crawled across my living room floor! Living in Hawaii has been quite the adventure. I have become eco-conscious, health-conscious, and found a love of avocados that I didn't know was possible.

I began an experiment to spend one month without stress and it ended up the complete opposite! It entailed medical appointments, dental appointments, vet appointment, a break-in at work, a friend who had a major medical issue, and it was topped off with flooding in my house as Hurricane Lane dumped over 4 feet of rain on us. Enough already!

But, as the ever-positive, always-look-on-the-bright-side person that I am, I keep going. I will "ellen-it" and dance, laugh, do something good for someone, and be kind.

When I finish the write-up on my one month without stress experiment, I will share it with you all. Stay tuned :) And, of course, keep looking on the bright side :) Michelle

 Lava Fissure 8 in Pahoa

 Earthquake damage in my office

 An exciting day from a false alert!

 Hurricane Lane damage
Flooding in downtown Hilo. Photo credit: Tracey Niimii (tnphotographyhawaii.com)

One month of Lava

It's been a month since the first ground cracks were discovered in Leilani Estates on the Big Island of Hawaii. The next day, the first fissure appeared in the subdivision. Today, fissure 8 is the most active with lava fountains reaching up to 250 feet. I am mesmerized by the live feeds and can't get enough of the amazing science show happening 20 miles South of Hilo.

These fountains are creating ponds that eventually break, sending molten lava down to the ocean with flows as fast as 600 yards per hour. It is taking out houses along the way, over 125 structures so far, along with roads, electrical poles, and even phone service.

May 20th saw the first lava entry into the ocean which spread "laze" consisting of sulfuric acid and glass particles - yikes!  Many people in Hawaii deal with "vog" the volcanic ash and smog, on a regular basis, but "laze" takes it to a whole new level. 

The explosive eruptions at Halemaumau crater in Volcanoes National Park have sent a vog and ash cloud 15,000 feet into the air. Trade winds spread this mess far and wide, reaching all the way over to neighboring islands. Common complaints include dry eyes, coughing and other respiratory problems, and headaches. The cracks are also emitting sulfur dioxide which smells like rotten eggs. 

Actually, the earthquake aftershocks (and possible tsunamis) are the least of my worries as I almost stepped on a large, dead cockroach this morning in my apartment. Such is life in a tropical paradise!

I'm off to put more drops in my eyes and watch Code Black. I will be back with updates on the volcano and life in Hawaii, but until then, keep looking on the bright side! 

  

Photo: Kris Burmeister, on Hawaii News Now   

                                                                        

Photo: USGS

The Price of Paradise

Aloha Everyone!

In April I started a blog post to discuss the huge decision I made to cut cable – I think the DVR is one of the greatest inventions ever – so I wasn’t sure I would survive. Ok, that’s a bit drastic, but I love my TV. With the help of my sister, I found that hulu will allow me to view my favorite programs the day after they air; I can handle that. Along with Netflix and CBS All Access, I can see the majority of my favorite programs. I am very sad to lose access to my Food Network and HGTV shows, though, plus local news and my beloved ellen are also casualties of my attempt to save money. But let’s jump forward to today's catastrophe.

My job is very busy. My life is also very busy as I took two weeks in May/June to travel to Michigan to visit family and celebrate my youngest daughter’s accomplishments. Near the end of my mainland vacation, I received calls from Hawaii with news about Kilauea’s eruption and the earthquakes.

Emergencies at the library tend to happen when I am somewhere else. In January, the false Korean Missile Launch Alert happened while I was in the car heading to a workshop. Luckily, phones allow me to address issues along with the amazing staff at the Hilo Public Library who handle problems beautifully.

So back to the current eruption. 23 fissures are open, some have merged together, and the flow has finally reached the ocean. Most people know about Vog which is volcanic ash and smog which blows across the islands causing eye and skin irritations, but now they are advertising a new concern, Laze. This is a hydrochloric acid mist containing volcanic glass particles that occurs when lava mixes with seawater. It is corrosive, toxic, and can be deadly according to the Hawaii News Now broadcast. We have the sulpher dioxide gas, volcanic dust, and vog to contend with here, and I do not plan to head toward the coast to experience laze!

I will compile my observations since this began and bring it to you in another blog post. For now, if you would like to read about my take on the missile crisis, you can find it here:

http://ala-apa.org/newsletter/2018/03/13/no-one-ever-told-me-my-job-would-include-dealing-with-a-korean-missile-alert/

Or the interview with the Cadillac News, in Michigan, about the volcano, select this link:

https://www.cadillacnews.com/news/former-missaukee-librarian-helps-others-during-crisis-in-hawaii/article_28af594a-eafd-5a7c-9f2d-c3418251e253.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

For now, keep looking on the bright side! Mahalo-Michelle 😄

It doesn't rain cats & dogs here...

I live in Hilo so I expect a fair amount of rain. And I love it, especially the light, misty kind that cools you off but doesn’t drench you. It keeps the landscape green and lush, quenches the beautiful array of flowers and creates flowing waterfalls.

But in Hilo there is a LOT of rain, not to mention the numerous bugs who also enjoy this moist atmosphere. It comes with the territory so I expect raindrops falling on my head on a regular basis. What I didn't expect was the baby gecko falling on my head while I was washing dishes! 

In fact my first centipede scattered across my floor a few weeks ago. My sister and brother-in-law were visiting and the cats were nice enough to point out this disgusting creature by chasing it across the living room. We captured and killed it, and then gave the cats some well-deserved extra treats! 

I can’t complain about a SINGLE encounter with a 10-inch centipede in 2 years.  Okay, I can complain – it’s easy when you are faced with a gigantic, 1000-legged, slimy, venomous creature inside your apartment!

The positives definitely outweigh the negatives in Hawaii, so I put up with the heat, bugs, and crazy high prices. If I could relocate my entire family to the islands, this place would be perfect.

Until next time, keep looking on the bright side! Blessings, Michelle :)

LibrarianHelps.org

Aloha & Mele Kalikimaka! 🎄

Some good thoughts...

When you get comfortable, take action. 

Challenge yourself with new ideas, adventures, and opportunities. 

Be responsible. 

Have passion. 

Show enthusiasm. 

Believe in lifelong learning. 

And if you need help with anything, try my new website: LibrarianHelps.org

What can I help you with?????? Blessings to all 

Keep looking on the Bright Side - Mahalo-Michelle :)

"ellen it"

I have been very stressed lately. It comes with the territory of managing the busiest branch of the Hawaii State Public Library System. And I love my job, but I could do with less headaches. So what do I do about it? Well, today I have some ideas to share with you.

I am a huge fan of Ellen DeGeneres & sometimes I write down "ellen thoughts" and here's my latest: 

“ellen it”

I am coining a new phrase: “ellen it” and it works for everything - but what does it mean, you ask?

Well, it means to practice Ellen DeGeneres’s amazing life philosophy and make it a part of our everyday lives. 

Ellen tells us to “have a little fun today” and “be kind to one another.” She is constantly giving away prizes and money to others - but not all of us have the resources to do this. We can, however, donate and volunteer our time within our means.

And let’s not forget to add Shonda Rhimes to Ellen’s other trademark, dancing, and “dance it out” with Meredith and Cristina from Grey’s Anatomy.

How can you go wrong with excellent advice like this? It’s so easy, why is anyone ever stressed out? Ok, that’s taking it a little too far. We obviously can’t avoid stress, but we can handle it with finesse.

Are you having a bad day? “ellen it” and count your blessings while you find a way to donate time or money to those less fortunate or a cause you really believe in.  

Are you in a bad mood? “ellen it” and find a funny or cute video for an “Instant Mood Booster” like the segment on Ellen’s show. ***By the way, just watch Ellen’s show every day and you are sure to be in a better mood! She is comic relief to my stressful career.

Did you make a mistake? “ellen it” and learn your lesson AND THEN KEEP GOING by being true to yourself. Think about the life Ellen has led. She was a comedian without a potty mouth; the first to come out as gay on television at the expense of her career; and the extremely popular and dearly loved host who does so much good that she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom (wow) and the list goes on. She is the epitome of success.

She graces the cover of the September 2017 Good Housekeeping issue, and if you haven’t read it yet, you owe it to yourself to feel the inspiration.

So my advice today is, “ellen it” and always look on the bright side! J Much love & blessings, Michelle 

86 degrees to 46 - all worth the coat, jeans, sweaters, & socks!

Hello Chicago! Took 3 planes to get here, but I am one happy momma!

Celeste will be starring in her first, paid, opera and nothing was going to stop me from being there! Okay, vacation days and a $915 flight did their best to deter me, but I prevailed and arrived last night!

Super tired, extremely happy, and ever grateful to God for my life. While on this trip I will see Celeste perform and we will go wedding dress shopping as Olivia is now engaged. She said yes to Trent Reynolds's proposal and joins a wonderful family.

Found the library at the Art Institute of Chicago so I could check email and decided to write this quick post. This place is fantastic - and not just because Celeste works here. I have enjoyed my 2 hours of exploring, but she gets off work soon and we are going to rehearsal. Lucky me :) :) :) :)

Have an amazing day! Keep looking on the bright side! Michelle :)