I am working on a post that involves uploading video (and it takes FOREVER) so please check back soon! But right now, I have to go to go to a pool party and then to a Halloween party.
Two parties in one night. This is so not what I'm used to.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
What is wrong with this picture?
So, it's been a week and a day and it's awesome.
I have no complaints (other than that my camera broke and until I can replace it I am missing such amazing pictures!! Sigh).
The other volunteers, though quite a bit older, are so nice. I really like every one of them. The cleaning is repetitive and sometimes works up a sweat (especially when we are cleaning the lanai on the sunny side of the building) but it's such a satisfying feeling to leave a room smelling clean and fresh and know at the end of the day that you worked hard. It is so clean here. I cannot make you understand unless you see it. Carpets in main areas get vacuumed everday at least once (3 times in the dining area). Dusting in main areas - everyday. Telphone recievers, door handles, chair armrests - disinfected everyday. Rooms get cleaned at least 2 or 3 times a week (and these people are not in their rooms much and tend to make their own beds). I have yet to run a vacuum over an area that looked dirty or that makes the noise a vacuum makes when it is sucking up a lot of dirt (I actually like that noise).
You know how at hotels it's always sketchy to sit on the top of the bed because you never know how often it's cleaned? I can tell you that here, it is cleaned often. Every blanket, pillow protector (layer UNDER pillowcase), mattress cover (UNDER bottom sheet) and quilt is cleaned after every participant or volunteer leaves. Sheets and pillowcases, at least once a week. And any clean laundry in the laundry room is covered with a sheet so that no speck of dust will even think about landing on it. Today I had to "dust" all of the light fixtures in the dining hall. Not a single one of them was dusty because it had probably been done within the past 2 days. If someone gets sick here, it is not due to poor sanitation. I think this would be the only place I have ever set foot on that would welcome a health inspector. In fact, they'd probably be like, "Health Inspector, bring it on!" Anyway, it is a very nice atmosphere to be in. And I am well on my way to learning how to perfectly make a bed (which was one of my many goals).
The other day, after our hike through the lava field out to a lighthouse (which turned out to be a light beacon), we stopped by a beautiful beach called Big Beach. Not to be confused with Little Beach. Which is a nude beach. Anyway. The whitest of sand. The kind with no rocks or twigs in it. The kind that the surf churns up because it is so light. But instead of the sand mixing with the wave and looking murky, the blue of the water and the white of the sand are two distinct colours. Amazing. Perfect temperature with just enough of a breeze to play with your hair and freshen the air.
We were making our way down the beach and a lady was walking in the opposite direction. As she approached us she earnestly asked, "What's wrong with this picture?" After a moment of us, I'm sure, shooting her puzzled looks she replied with a heartfelt, "Nothing."
Nothing.
I have no complaints (other than that my camera broke and until I can replace it I am missing such amazing pictures!! Sigh).
The other volunteers, though quite a bit older, are so nice. I really like every one of them. The cleaning is repetitive and sometimes works up a sweat (especially when we are cleaning the lanai on the sunny side of the building) but it's such a satisfying feeling to leave a room smelling clean and fresh and know at the end of the day that you worked hard. It is so clean here. I cannot make you understand unless you see it. Carpets in main areas get vacuumed everday at least once (3 times in the dining area). Dusting in main areas - everyday. Telphone recievers, door handles, chair armrests - disinfected everyday. Rooms get cleaned at least 2 or 3 times a week (and these people are not in their rooms much and tend to make their own beds). I have yet to run a vacuum over an area that looked dirty or that makes the noise a vacuum makes when it is sucking up a lot of dirt (I actually like that noise).
You know how at hotels it's always sketchy to sit on the top of the bed because you never know how often it's cleaned? I can tell you that here, it is cleaned often. Every blanket, pillow protector (layer UNDER pillowcase), mattress cover (UNDER bottom sheet) and quilt is cleaned after every participant or volunteer leaves. Sheets and pillowcases, at least once a week. And any clean laundry in the laundry room is covered with a sheet so that no speck of dust will even think about landing on it. Today I had to "dust" all of the light fixtures in the dining hall. Not a single one of them was dusty because it had probably been done within the past 2 days. If someone gets sick here, it is not due to poor sanitation. I think this would be the only place I have ever set foot on that would welcome a health inspector. In fact, they'd probably be like, "Health Inspector, bring it on!" Anyway, it is a very nice atmosphere to be in. And I am well on my way to learning how to perfectly make a bed (which was one of my many goals).
The other day, after our hike through the lava field out to a lighthouse (which turned out to be a light beacon), we stopped by a beautiful beach called Big Beach. Not to be confused with Little Beach. Which is a nude beach. Anyway. The whitest of sand. The kind with no rocks or twigs in it. The kind that the surf churns up because it is so light. But instead of the sand mixing with the wave and looking murky, the blue of the water and the white of the sand are two distinct colours. Amazing. Perfect temperature with just enough of a breeze to play with your hair and freshen the air.
We were making our way down the beach and a lady was walking in the opposite direction. As she approached us she earnestly asked, "What's wrong with this picture?" After a moment of us, I'm sure, shooting her puzzled looks she replied with a heartfelt, "Nothing."
Nothing.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I am here!
The first sunset
My little balcony (called a Lanai)
My view of the pool
The first hike was to this place. Trust me, no tourist would be able to get here in a rental car. We had to go through a sugar cane field. So fun.
More stories later. Gotta run or I'll miss my bus. I'm going to the 3rd annual Ukelele Festival in Kahului.
Cheers!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Travel plans
Whew, I've made so many decisions since that last post so here's a little update. I did go to the adventure race. Here are a couple of pictures of me trying out the zipline before the competitors arrived.
I have also started working at an outdoor clothing/gear store and it is so fun. Last night we had a product knowledge meeting with a particular vendor and instead of just sitting around talking about the product, we were all lent a pair of their top trail running shoes and we went for a run to test them out. Honestly, that is so cool.
And in 9 days, I leave for Maui. For 3 months. I will be volunteering at the Haggai Institute. And enjoying the weather. And running on the beach. And, hopefully, learning to surf. I am really excited to go. I will be living at the institute and cleaning to earn my keep. My goal is to be able to flip a coin on a newly-made bed by the end of my time there.
Anyway, I will keep you posted. And I will try to upload pictures once in awhile since for the first time ever, I will be travelling with my laptop. Do you still have to open them up and turn them on while going through security at the airport?
I have also started working at an outdoor clothing/gear store and it is so fun. Last night we had a product knowledge meeting with a particular vendor and instead of just sitting around talking about the product, we were all lent a pair of their top trail running shoes and we went for a run to test them out. Honestly, that is so cool.
And in 9 days, I leave for Maui. For 3 months. I will be volunteering at the Haggai Institute. And enjoying the weather. And running on the beach. And, hopefully, learning to surf. I am really excited to go. I will be living at the institute and cleaning to earn my keep. My goal is to be able to flip a coin on a newly-made bed by the end of my time there.
Anyway, I will keep you posted. And I will try to upload pictures once in awhile since for the first time ever, I will be travelling with my laptop. Do you still have to open them up and turn them on while going through security at the airport?
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