Romney's new job...Hello Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center (Week 42: October 13-19)

This week i started a new job at Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center. This job is working with Native Hawaiian children who are orphans or who have lost a parent. Queen Lili`uokalani left monies to help these Native Hawaiian orphans and families who will be raising them. The services we offer are financial aid, counseling, grief support groups, and community building based on Hawaiian culture. It seems like a good variety and I am going to be learning a lot of new things, especially about the Hawaiian culture which i am excited for. My former co-worker from Easter Seals has been working at QLCC for 2 years so we are reunited once again. Here is a picture of us from my first day. Aloha...

Romney says goodbye to Easter Seals Hawaii (Week 41: October 6-12)

A month after I graduated with my master's of social work degree in 2009, I had already interviewed and was hired for a job as a social worker at Easter Seals Hawaii. I was so fortunate, but as time went on I found myself wanting to do something a little different and with some opportunity for advancement. After 4 ½ years, I am ready to move on to another opportunity as I have a job offer at Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center.

My co-workers took me out for a goodbye lunch at Old Spaghetti Factory.

Canstruction at Pearlridge mall (Week 40: September 29-October 5)

Each year businesses compete and construct sculptures out of can food that are displayed at the Pearlridge mall.  I always enjoy going to see the creative displays, there were some interesting ones this year.

Sunset at Ala Moana (Week 39: September 22-28)

We went to Ala Moana beach park this week to relax and watch the sunset. It was a beautiful night.

Butterfly Museum and Insectarium (Week 38: September 15-21)

This is the last post with pictures from our New Orleans trip. We went to the Butterfly Museum and Insectarium. It was neat to see all the different kinds of insects and butterflies.

Can you see which ones are the leaves and which ones are the insects?

Pink, orange, and yellow

I wouldn't want to come in contact with these, they are almost as big as my hand!!!

The last room was of a live butterfly atrium where you could go up close to the butterflies and they fly around you, it was so neat.

These last two pictures are the inside and outside of this particular butterfly. The inside is brown and the outside is blue. So pretty.

Natchez cruise in NOLA (Week 37: September 8-14)

Two more events that we wanted to share from our trip. We went on the Natchez steamboat and toured along the Mississippi River. It is one of two steamboats remaining that run by steam engine and not diesel fuel. It was a three story boat and plenty of space to walk and explore the boat.

An abandoned factory

 Military cargo ships. These are used when disasters strike around the world. They are loaded with thousands of tons of supplies and, due to the ships fast speed even when loaded, quickly delivered to the needy.

 An old plantation home can be seen not too far from the edge of the Mississippi river.

 A dilapidated pier.

 Jackson Barracks outside New Orleans. Built after the War of 1812 and later named after Andrew Jackson who lead the fight against the British during that war, this is the site of the last battle between British and American troops, even though the war had officially ended with the signing of a peace treaty a few months before. (Too bad word got around so slowly back then.)

 Way in the back, you can see the square tower of another plantation home.

 Sugar refinery still in operation.

Romney on the front of the Natchez.

Dainan just outside the engine room. It was really hot inside!

Labor Day- beach day (Week 36: Spetember 1-7)

For Labor Day holiday, we went to the beach with the Hwangs and Steve. It was a relaxing day and  since we were on the North Shore, for lunch we got garlic and macadamia nut-coconut shrimp, and Korean food from a food truck. What a fantastic way to spend the holiday.

Hana and sand crabs she caught with Caleb.

Riverwalk/French Quarter in NOLA (Week 35: August 25-31)

Right outside our hotel was the famous Riverwalk along the Mississippi river. This was one of the things I did while Dainan was in his conference. The outlet stores were under construction, but you could still walk along the river and a couple of the restaurants were open.

The French Quarter was just a few blocks from our hotel with shops, eateries, and entertainment. We also ate french donuts "Beignets" at Cafe du Monde.

                                                                         Bourbon Street

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square