Meet the Interns

So, I live on an island called Maui. I have been here for almost one month now! When I first arrived I got off of the plane, walked down a long walkway with a beautiful view, and was met at the end by Toni, Jason, and Jeremy ready with a lei to put around my neck. What does everyone imagine when they dream of the ideal arrival to a fantastic trip to Hawaii?? Stepping off the plane and having a lei put around your neck! Of course. 

Well, I wish I were a better writer, but writing really isn't my forte. So most of my posts will be in the form of lists or short explanations and maybe a story if you're lucky!

First, here are some fun facts about the people I live and work with:

Christen - The Roommate. She is from Kentucky, lived in Brazil for almost two years, speaks Portuguese, and avidly writes cards and letters to her friends and family. She is extremely gifted with meeting people and has already gone around to all our neighbors to introduce herself... I was impressed. She talks in her sleep and I know this because she sleeps below me. Oh, and she is pretty adamant about recycling. Go Green!

Kim - The Local. Kimmy was raised here and grew up going to Hope Chapel. She is taking a year off of school to do the internship at Hope, but plans to go back to Azusa Pacific University (everything from A to Z in the USA... AZUSA!) She is probably the most mature 19-year-old I've ever met and is really easy-going. I like when she cooks for us - she makes really good stir-fry - and she has a great laugh! Whitney and I like to call her Ms. Kimberly Wallace (said just like Julia Roberts says it in My Best Friend's Wedding)!

Whitney - The Free Spirit. Whitney is from Texas (an Aggie... woop!) and we immediately connected when we found out we were already friends within two degrees. She is generally the life of the party and has the ability to make any situation an entertaining one. I especially like the descriptions she gives when we play Taboo! Anything Mexican is "of her people" even though she is Persian. :) And she really likes thrift stores and fun earrings. I am convinced that one day she will have more children than I will... and they will have Hawaiian-themed names. This will be hilarious! 

Vini - The Brazilian. Vini came all the way to Brazil and is experiencing his first time to the U.S. in Hawaii. He came knowing English, but we thoroughly enjoy teaching him new words and phrases such as "What's up, dog?", "Yo Mama", "Word"... things of that nature. He is hilarious and handles us making fun of his accent well. He is 100% Italian and our goal is to find him a 100% Italian girl to marry. Know any??

Joshua Jack - The Turtle Rider. Joshua (we added on the Jack) is from Ohio, but may as well be from Florida or Hawaii or somewhere with a beach. Good thing he went to school in Florida and lives in Hawaii now! Convenient. He is a really good surfer and has already killed a fish with a spear since being here. AND ridden a turtle... which is illegal by the way. No more riding turtles for Joshua Jack. He likes to debate about things, too. Like how to put someone's number into your cell phone... 

John - The Papa Juan. The first picture I saw of John intimidated me, but I was glad to find that John is not intimidating and rather he is really funny. I like when he eats because he always looks like a starving child sitting in a corner. Speaking of... John is allergic to gluten so he eats lots of corn tortillas and cheese. I feel like our childhoods give us a connection, mostly because we both grew up in Catholic churches and did gymnastics. But he could have made it to the Olympics and I could not have made it to the Olympics! Oh ya, he is from California.

Josh - The Favorite. Josh is from North Carolina and likes to practice his non-regional diction, I guess so he doesn't have a constant Southern twang. It still comes out often. He's got the Southern charm plus a unique sense of humor. He can make anyone laugh, therefore making him a favorite. He's a smarty because he went to Bible college and he makes really good sweet tea - go figure! He works in children's ministry, too, so I pretty much see him every day. Yay!

Well, since I have been here a month and just now started a  blog I am going to end this post now and start a new one to avoid being too lengthy. So those are the people I spend most of my time with. My Mauian family!

**Names for the second picture... Whitney, Joshua Jack, me, Josh, Christen, John, Vini and Kim.