March 11th, 2011

Thursday started off like any other day. Actually it was even better, because I woke up early enough to get an iced Haupia latte from the coffee shop across the street (which was by the way, delicious). I drove to work and worked from 7-7. I was pretty exhausted by the time I got home, so I ate dinner and showered. Then, while I was in the shower, I got a call saying I needed to come back into work because there was a tsunami alert.

Tsunami alert? I almost didn't believe my coworker; they all knew I was tired after work that day so I thought they were playing a joke on me. But when he said to turn on the news, I saw Japan. I don't think the severity of the situation hit me between a daze of confusion, fear, and exhaustion. I quickly jumped out of the shower, got dressed and headed out to work. 

By this point it was around 10pm. I walked outside and there were people from every direction in my complex getting into their cars and driving away. We live in an evacuation area so regardless of getting called into work, I would have had to leave my home to get to higher ground. It didn't occur to me that there would be warning sirens throughout the town and the sound of them chilled me to the bone. I was so unfamiliar with this sort of situation, and here I was alone and freaked out. I think that initially, the thing that scared me the most, was calling to tell my parents. I could only imagine how worried they would be, and for a split second I contemplated not calling and letting them sleep through the night. But I couldn't do it and I called my Mum to let her know. This night, of all nights, I hadn't charged my phone so it was almost dead. Typical. I explained everything was fine and that I was headed into work, and would be in touch as and when I could.

When I got into work we gathered supplies and aided guests with evacuation. We had to evacuate the property for safety reasons since our property is ocean front. We had everyone to higher ground by around 11pm and began serving fresh chocolate chip cookies (in true Four Seasons style) and making up rollaway beds for all of the guests. The night seemed to pass by so slowly, and I eventually gave up and tried to nap in the back of someones truck. I woke up around 4am, which by this time, the tsunami had arrived, done it's damage, and left, like an angry ex-girlfriend. We were so anxious to see what had happened but had to wait until morning to survey the damage. The property did suffer some damage, but our staff has been absolutely fantastic and has pulled together in true "ohana" style. Everyone is working to restore the pristine condition our beautiful hotel maintains, and we'll be back and ready for business in no time :)

While I can go on and on about how afraid I was, I can't stop thinking how blessed we were on the islands. Being closer to Japan than we are to the United States, we could have suffered complete devastation and we woke up the next morning unharmed, if not a little shaken up. 

Japan continues to haunt my mind. It's all you read about online, it's all you hear about on the radio, and it's all you see on TV. The news goes from bad to worse and leaves you with a feeling of being punched in the stomach. I feel so helpless.

The American Red Cross are taking donations by SMS - text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. I did.

Please keep the people of Japan in your thoughts and prayers, as I am. And always remember to count your blessings, we really don't have it nearly as bad as we tend to think. 

xoxo

Me ka aloha

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven’t been on here for a while, I have been so incredibly busy and my internet isn’t set up yet so it’s been difficult to get online for a variety of reasons.

In short: I LOVE HAWAII!  This is the first time I’ve ever been to the islands, but I know even if I move away, it won’t be my last. It is such an incredibly beautiful place, with plumeria bushes everywhere and the ocean across the street from my condo.  Every night the sunset is like something you’d see on a postcard, and there’s always a nice cool breeze.  There are turtles sunbathing on the beach, and you can see whales along the coastline. There are small yellow love birds everywhere, and bright green geckos scurrying around. It is so incredible.

Work has been busy and exhausting, but I have learned more in these past three weeks than I’ve learned throughout my three years in college. Granted, my degree provided me with the foundations of hospitality knowledge, but actually being out in the field is a whole new ball game. I spent my first two weeks completing “New Manager Orientation,” a series of meetings scheduled with the department heads and even the General Manager, giving me the opportunity to build connections from the get go.  I was so thankful for this because it’s the first time I’ve moved away from home, and really didn’t know a single person out here.  It has also helped me to understand what kind of relationship my department (Rooms) has with the others, such as Engineering, F&B, Banquets, and so on.  I spent my next week training with the Housekeeping team, who I am spending the first six months of my rotation with. I had never been exposed to Housekeeping before, and this was one of the biggest eye-openers in my life. I always respected guest room attendants, but actually training to do what they do was phenomenal. The amount of sweat and oftentimes, tears that go into their job is amazing. The work is absolutely backbreaking and more often than not, very thankless. The women are incredible and I have even more respect for them than I did before.

It’s really great having my own place, paying my own bills, doing my own laundry (and no, I’m not being sarcastic). I’ll be the first to admit that after a 10 or 11 hour workday the last thing I want to do is throw some clothes in the laundry or file paperwork, but I am thankful I have the opportunity to do these things now. I have never had those responsibilities before and I really think they have helped me to mature quickly and given me the freedom to appreciate things a little bit more.

The most interesting thing to me about my leaving is how insightful this move has been, on many levels. I cannot believe the contrast between the people and the overall lifetstyle here, versus Vegas.  I couldn’t wait to get out of Vegas, and now looking at the city as an outsider, I am SOOOOO grateful I’m away from it. The people there are relentless, aggressive, selfish and conniving.  It is such a hardened, “what’s in it for me?” way to live and I despise that I was sucked into it for so long. Only a handful of people have sent me a text saying “how’s everything going?!” and a few of those weren’t even people I expected to hear from, but I’m glad I did. Other than that, my move to Hawaii has definitely confirmed who my real friends are and who I plan to keep connections with. Liking my Facebook status doesn’t mean you care, it means you want other people to see you’re "keeping in touch." I do miss a few people very much, and can’t wait to see them again.

That’s all for now, I’ll update again once I have a more reliable internet connection. If anyone has Skype let me know because I’d love to chat! 

I really am living in paradise.

We Made It!

This always, always makes me laugh.

25 Things.

RULES: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things about you. At the end, choose 10 people to be tagged.

1. I feel most at peace either by the water or in the mountains. Something about wide open spaces really seems to soothe my soul.

 

2. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I just want to change people's lives, and I really think I have the strength to do it. I just haven't quite figured out how, yet :)

3. I have two really strange "quirks;" 1) I cannot STAND the sound of jelly, butter, etc. being spread of toast and 2) I never ever finish a drink because I think the last inch or so is spit. I don't know why or when I developed these habits, but I just can't seem to shake them.

4. I lack a filter. If I want to say something, I feel as if I have the right to say it no matter what the consequence. I would never want to intentionally hurt someone, but I feel so compelled to say something, I won't hold back. This has caused a lot of people to dislike me or misinterpret my character, but I have always retained my sense of honesty and my right to voice my opinion.

 

5.I cry a lot more than I used to. I used to feel it was a sign of weakness and would only ever cry if I became angry, but now I cry for a lot of reasons.  Crying can be very refreshing and I don't try and fight it anymore.

 

6. I want to travel all over the world. I think everyone says that at one point or another, but I really mean it. I will see every place in the world that I want to see, no matter how long it takes me or how much money it costs me.

7. I hate when people say "You're so lucky" to me. I don't feel as if I am lucky AT ALL. Everything I have, I have worked incredibly hard for. I am blessed to have what I do, and I am eternally grateful for my family and all they have done for me, but I don't feel any of my life has been a result of being a lucky person. If anything, I create my own "luck."

 

8. I am a very independent person. I always have been, and I always will be. This does not mean to say, however, that I don't like having people close to me. Wanting people and needing people are very different things, and these days its hard for someone to accept that while they are WANTED, they are not NEEDED. I've just never felt as if I should rely on someone else for my own happiness. That should be all up to me.

9.I don't like phones. I don't like phone calls, I don't like text messaging - I used to be obsessive but now it feels more like a chore. This being said, there are a few people I could talk to on the phone for hours or text day in and day out. NOTE: I said a FEW people. ;)

10. If/when I ever get married, my wedding song will be "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis. I don't necessarily see myself ever getting married, but if it happens, that's the song.

11. I want to learn how to play the piano so badly. I just need a piano, and even an ounce of patience, but seeing as I have neither of these things, I may have to leave this goal for the future.

12. I have spent most of my life creating targets and speeding towards them at a million miles a minute. I never slow down, but I am slowly learning that I absolutely must learn how to. I'm only racing myself, and wherever I'm going, I'll get there: I just need to appreciate the journey, too.

13. I am definitely a giver by nature. I want to make as many people as happy as I can all of the time. While I like this about me, I feel it definitely makes me more susceptible to being taken advantage of. I once read in a book that you should "never have a wishbone where your backbone should be." It is not a bad thing in the slightest to see the best in everyone, but it's also not a bad thing to proceed with caution.

14. Turning 21 and graduating from college in the same two weeks was definitely a strange feeling. In fact, it wasn't really a feeling at all. People kept asking "How do you feel!? Is it weird!?" And the answer is, well, the same, and not really? I don't feel any different. The only feeling I have is that I have reached a sort of anti-climax; everything is finished and I've reached where I wanted to be for so long, and now..nothing. This will definitely all be changing as I begin my career in a couple of weeks and many more goals will unfold.

15. I always feel as if I'm waiting for something. I am waiting to finish this project, I am waiting to get to this destination, I'm waiting to talk to this person. I can appreciate the present, but I have so much in life that I want to achieve, it stacks up quickly and I feel as if I'm always living in a whirlwind. My life is organized chaos, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

16. I have been deeply affected by my past relationships. There are details of certain relationships I have been in that I will never divulge to anyone, for various reasons. I truly feel that these experiences have distorted my outlook on future relationships, but not in a negative way. I have been jaded, I do have my regrets, and I do wish one particular situation had never happened and I would take it back in a heartbeat for all the pain it has caused me, but if these experiences had never happened, I wouldn't know what I want and should expect from someone in the future. There ARE good people out there, and I'm finding more of them the more I reach out.

17. All I see is black and white. I don't "do" gray areas; everything with  me is cut and dry, yes or no. Granted, this is not exactly the most reasonable way to live, but it's who I am and who I have always been. This has proved to me in recent months to be borderline impossible, and I am (very) slowly accepting that sometimes, I just can't have the answers. At least, have them right away.

18. I never learned to ride a bike. There is nothing else to say about this one.

19. I want a miniature pig as a pet SO BAD. They are so cute and sweet. I will have one of those, two or three horses, two or three dogs, and maybe a cat..one day. I love animals and if I could (and if it wasn't gross) I would have a house full of them. Dogs sit with you when you're sad or grumpy and don't ask questions (obviously), and I love that.

20. I think the one thing that upsets me most about people is when they waste their potential. I'm aware it "isn't my problem," but I think it's the saddest thing in the whole world when someone SETTLES. Settling is never and has never been an option in my book, and I can't stand seeing other people doing it. The world is everyone's oyster.

21. I have recently been told that if I am irritated by something, or I don't like what I hear, I crack my neck from side to side. I never, ever realized I do that but now I am so aware of it, it drives me nuts. I can't help myself and it is now apparently obvious to people. I have never been able to hide my emotions, especially from my facial expressions, and now this is just another slip-up I have that gives me away.

22. I'm kind of freaked out by the fact I won't be going back to school for a year or two. I complain about school all semester, but I think I'm going to miss it. I do plan on going back when I have my career started, to get my Masters, my PhD, and I want to get some sort of degree or certification in culinary arts, too.

23. I put a lot of effort into my appearance but being honest, there is nothing more boring to me. I can't do my hair, I hate getting my nails done, and I would rather wear sweats over jeans any day of the week. The only thing I have fun doing is my makeup, because I like to experiment with different colors.

24. I am addicted to online shopping. I find a picture of something, whether it be a book, a picture, an outfit or an electronic, and I need it. Immediately. My poor debit card hates me and I thank the Lord I do not yet own a credit card. I can't help my appreciation for the finer things... :)

25. For the first time in my life, I have GOOD, REAL girlfriends. I have never been one to stick with one friend; I'm outgoing and know a lot of people from very different circles. Over the past two years, however, I have found a few girlfriends that I can trust, laugh, and cry with every single day. My best friend, Kim, is one of the most incredible people I know. No one has ever accepted me and appreciated me as much as she does. I am so thankful for my close friends and for the impact they have had on my  life.

A Year In Review.

2010.

This year has been so many things. A few words when trying to describe it would be: busy, fast, scary, beautiful, horrific, painful, exciting, enlightening, bewildering, challenging, incredible, and unforgettable.

It makes sense that a dramatic person would lead a dramatic life. I like to think that I am dramatic in the “jump in with both feet” sort of way, rather than any other meaning of the word. My life has always been interesting which I am both grateful and at times resentful of, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The amount of life changes I have experienced this year would have been enough for five years, not one.

The beginning of the year was very similar to the middle and end of last year.  I was in school, in a relationship, busy with school and friends.  I began my internship at the end of January which proved to be an invaluable experience. I met so many wonderful people who helped me learn more than I did in any class about the industry in which I am building my career. The internship finished at the end of April but I continued mentoring with the Front Office Manager through August. I got to experience various elements of the Human Resources department, where my internship took place, and all of the sub-departments of the hotel’s front office.  

This summer was a really difficult time for me. My parents went back to England for three weeks while I took summer classes and my brother was still in school.  This was difficult because I had a lot of class work, on top of making sure Tom was okay and doing well with his. It made me realize how much I really depend on my parents and how fortunate Tom and I are to have them.

In June and July, I took three summer classes (in five weeks).  This is probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever attempted to do and I have never been so emotionally and physically drained.  My relationship ended and I got all four wisdom teeth out so those months were tough as it is, but I pulled through with summer grades of 4 A’s and a B, which I was proud of.

August brought the beginning of the end of my undergraduate career. It never really sank in that this was it, after those 16 weeks, I was done. I would be a college graduate! I was busy with 18 credits, student government, friends and family so the time flew by.  I was looking into grad school and working on getting my work permit and a job after graduation so I could work full time and go to evening classes.  This was all well and fine, until the opportunity with Four Seasons came about.  I could never have dreamed something so incredible could happen to me! I had a really tough year, most of which isn’t fit to blog about, but the year couldn’t have come to an end with more amazing opportunities for me.

This year has been both the best and worst of my life. I have grown and learned so much about myself. I have been stripped down and built up to be stronger than I’ve ever been, and I am finally content with who I am and who I’m mean to be.

I am so very excited to see what 2011 brings. I always make three or four resolutions, but this year I don’t think I’ll make any.  I never keep them anyway, and I feel that it seems a bit silly to put targets and dates on life changes, when if they matter that much, you should be working on them anyway.  This being said, I do plan on making it the best year of my life. And that’s a promise.

One of the best days of my life!

December 14^th, 2010. 4pm. Thomas & Mack.

Graduating from college was definitely and continues to be one of the strangest feelings in the world.  It hasn’t sunk in that I won’t be going back to school next semester, or that when I get home at night I won’t have a paper to write or a online quiz due or project to start (or not start; I procrastinated a lot). It’s probably going to hit me after my first day of work, when I come home and relax and adjust to all my life changes. 

Anyway, I had been counting down 'til Graduation since 2010 started. I knew I was on track to graduate in time, but always pushed myself a little more trying to get ahead of everyone (my competitive streak is relentless, and oftentimes not even really worth it). I'm very stubborn and once I get an idea, nothing's going to stop me and I will work hard for whatever it is. I worked my butt off this year in school, doing 18 credits, an internship, and being a Student Manager for UNLVino Wine Tasting, then did 15 credits in 8 weeks over summer, which was probably the worst summer of my life, for various reasons, and then finished my undergrad studies with another 18 credit semester. Not sure why I decided to do that, but I am Jessica and Jessica does this sort of thing all the time.  

Graduation was at 4pm so naturally I was running around late and unprepared at 2pm, an hour before the graduates were supposed to be in place and ready to go. The whole experience after lining up with our colleges was a bit of a blur. We sat through an incredibly boring (sorry!) ceremony for almost four hours, but the most important part to me, which was when I got to walk across the stage, was over in a matter of seconds. 

I am so thankful for all of the family I had there to support me. I wish some more of my English family could have made it but for health reasons and so on it just wasn't possible. However, I know they were there in spirit which is what really matters. 

After the ceremony we went back to my house and had dinner and celebrated. By the time everyone left, I was absolutely exhausted. So in typical Jessica fashion, instead of going out and going crazy celebrating, I was in sweatpants by 9 pm and went to bed a couple of hours later. And I wouldn't have spent my graduation day with anybody different or in anyway different.

  Here are a few pictures from the day.