When your job tells you they’re sending you to Hawai’i to work and your head immediately goes off like a PINBALL Machine with all the current tasks and logistics of your personal life you’re going to have rearrange to prepare and go on another summer assignment. I have to say though the M I L L E N I A L in me plays the scene from the Hills where “Lauren said no to Paris” plays RENT FREE anytime I have an interaction at work. So if you have NO C L U E what I’m talking about the one where her and Whitney had to re-hash their summer in Lisa Loves Office. Lisa delivers the most Millenial Iconic One-Liner “Lauren said no to Paris and how did that work out for you this summer Lauren?” Well I wasn’t sitting in a Teen Vogue Office in LA being filmed by a MTV Production Crew B U T every work opportunity I’ve ever had that scene plays on repeat in my head. Probably because metaphorically speaking I’d never want to pass up a Paris Moment.  Millennial’s learned when one door opens at work you take the opportunity and run! So I called my Husband immediately with my tail in between my leg just totally downplaying the entire moment. “well I have to go back out” ..”yes I know we have a lot going on”..”well it’s only for a week”..”going to the 808 no big deal…” But I think all of us girls can collectively agree that is a M A J O R Moment.

So I flew home from one Assignment and was quickly out the door after landed back in Denver and turned around and went out for another Assignment. I packed all my essentials uniforms, combat boots, tanning oil, raybans and bikinis. As soon as the plane landed I teared up…it’s been a dream of mine to visit the 808 forever but to be sent to work out there on the island felt like a big deal for me. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity. I stepped outside of the Honolulu Airport and I was in A W E! Hawai’i is PARADISE. The first thing I did was pick up a POKÉ Bowl from MAGURO Spot. The line was so long to get into the tiny spot so I knew it had to be GAS. I ordered the Volcano Bowl. It felt like a moment to experience a real Poké Bowl!!! The next thing I did was change in my bikini grab some fresh island fruit and bought a boogie board. Hit the waves and no I didn’t get a surf lesson maybe next time. I also have had The Dole Plantation on my bucketlist forever! I would dream about trying the D O L E Whip. Which was also G A S! I did everything the tour had to offer. Drove out to North Shore just visit GIOVANNIs Shrimp Truck. When I travel I always have a list of places and food I want to eat. North Shore really blew me away. I did a mix plate of shrimp with the MAC SALAD. I will never try MAC SALAD on the mainland again after my trip to the Island. LoL There was one night I hit up a Hawaiian BBQ Spot that was making lunch plates. It was next to the Maguro Spot in Waikiki. I also ate SPAM MUSUBAI. I didn’t realize there’s two kinds of people the ones who eat SPAM MUSUBAI and the ones who absolutely refuse?! Whatever that’s about I’m with the ones who do. Hit up Dukes for a MaiTai and watched the Sunset. You’ve never experienced a real sunset moment till you’ve visited the island. It was absolutely breathtaking!!! I kept calling Disney Alunai like crazy because I wanted to get on their list character breakfast list for the last day I was on the island but never made it on the list. But I didn’t stop a quick visit from happening the resort is so disneyesque and I was so excited to check off another “Disney Park” off my list. It’s not a park I know Susan so don’t come for me BUT it’s been on my Disney Bucket List for years too! I was able to make it to the U.S.S Arizona which I didn’t realize was a National Park. It was an honor to visit the Memorial as a Veteran to have the opportunity to pay our Respects was an incredible moment in life to experience as well.

Last, I have to say thank you to all the incredible people I came in contact with on the island while I was working. Everyone was so kind, generous, fun and shared some amazing life stories with me. I encouraged everyone I mer with to always follow their dreams and never stop chasing them. Left them with favorite motto “Aim High” (insert winking emoji)

It was a time and it was definitely not on my SUMMER ‘25 Bingo Card for sure!

Until next week Besties!

Love always, Your UnPolished Bestie

Xoxo, Stay Gold