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This is the first Hawaii trip I've taken without Brett in years.  I think the last time I came home by myself was like 5 years ago.  That was also the last time we were apart for an extended period of time.  I miss his company because he would help me fill the time we had during the day.  We would go to the beach, wander around Hawaii together, and have lunch at our favorite spots.

This trip so far has been surreal.  It started when Brett dropped me off.  Maybe I was just tired, but we hugged, kissed, and said goodbye and I didn't cry.  I ALWAYS used to cry when he saw me off before.  I couldn't believe I was going to Hawaii.  In fact, I still can't believe I'm here, in my childhood bedroom typing this.

I guess this trip felt very "normal" without Brett.  It felt like I stepped back in time to when I used to live here.  My friends work during the day, so I would just wake up, hang around at home for a while, go out shopping and run errands, come home and hang out a little more, then go out at night with my friends.  It's pretty much what I used to to when I lived here.

This trip didn't feel like a "vacation."  I guess when I think about "vacation" now, I think about spending it with Brett.  My visit home this time just felt like any other day in my life, minus working, and I'm in Hawaii instead of California.

I'm glad I got to see some of my friends.  We would meet for dinner after they got off of work.  I'm so grateful that they took time out of their busy schedules and long work days just to see me.  It gets so much harder to keep in touch as we get older, especially if you live in different states, but I think that if friends really care about one another, they will make time to keep in touch or just see you for a little while, even if it's just to say hi.  I'm am truly thankful that I have wonderful friends in California and Hawaii... people who make it so much easier to be away from one or the other.

I got to spend time with my three little loves.  I still can't believe how quickly they grew up and how much I've missed.  They're 10, 9 and 3 now.  They can speak to me in English and have their own unique personalities.  I got to take them out to lunch, the library (little N LOVES to read), walk around Chinatown and check out the CNY festivities and spoil them by buying snacks, these cute food erasers they collect, and nail stickers.  I had a really hard time saying goodbye to them yesterday.  I pretty much gave them hugs and kisses and almost ran out the door because I didn't want them to see me cry.  I love them so much... I wish I could take them out to lunch and things like that all the time. :'(

I guess I better finish packing since I'm leaving for the airport in like 2 hours.  Time to leave my Hawaii home and go back to my California home.