Have Spear Will Travel

Note: I'm behind on blogging because there is no cell reception or internet where we are staying.  Each day I have to wait until we drive down the mountain towards Kona till I can get online in the car (using my internet card) as I am now, risking motion sickness to share with you).

Proudly I announce that I Natalie Hagemo entered the ocean at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.  My father has three daughters and of the three of us only one (Nahe pictured here with me) took to the ocean like he did.  Nahe surfs, snorkels and recently started to spear fish.

We went snorkling, Nahe with spear in hand searching for fish.  Though I am not the natural fish in the water that my little sister is, I played a part in the spearing of her first fish.

My job was to distract and corner the victim while Nahe went in for the kill and we were successful, okay Nahe mostly but I helped.

I was quite proud of myself.  Other than being chased by a sea turtle, my snorkeling experience was amazing.  My dad claims the sea turtle was swimming away from someone else and not in fact charging at me.  Easy for him to say he wasn't frantically screaming underwater trying to escape the beast.

Today we hope to find my Uncle Duane in Kona who teaches surfing and do some surfing.  

Attack of the Octopus

With my Grandma's 80th birthday luau just a few days away my family set out to Hapuna beach to go spear fishing for Ocotpus for the party.

I'm pictured here with the soon to be dinner and the Uncle that captured it.  My sister Nahe joined the spear fishing expedition while my other sister Lana and I opted for being lookouts from the safety of the beach.  Coming face to face with creepy looking

Octopus is not how I wanted to kick off my vacation.

Hawaii is a place where one would never go hungry. There is an abundance of food in the ocean, I've watched my Grandma eat certain types of seaweed right out of the water.  You are surrounded by fruit of all types.  

We Have Arrived!

After 17 hours, 3 airplanes and an hour and a half of driving in the dark and rain, we finally arrived to our destination. We are staying at an amazing secluded B and B.  

I just wanted to post that I did arrive safe and sound.  I'm dead tired today after not much sleep and too much sun, not that I'm complaining.

Later I'll post about today and the battle my family had and won with an octopus.  Pictured with me are my sisters Lana and Nahe.  Lana lives in Minnesota and our little sister Nahe was born in Hawaii but grew up in England.  We are thrilled to be together again.

My Stalker Self

Okay so I discovered that the gentleman I was airport stalking was not Sayid from Lost.  I also learned that Middle Eastern men catch on quick when you are stalking them, and they don't seem to appreciate it.

I'm at my gate anxiously awaiting the boarding of my flight to Oahu.  I've managed to not only survive my 4 hour layover in L.A, but have successfully stayed out of trouble, for the most part, minus pissing off the "not Sayid guy".  

I am already amongst my people.  I can hear the Pidgin English accents all around, and the loud laughter of my fellow Hawaiian people.  For the last 2o minutes I've been watching a Japanese couple sleeping, sitting up in their chairs.  I've been trying to decide if I should awaken the female and alert to the fact that she is drooling on not just herself but also onto her Gucci handbag.  It's one thing to slobber on yourself, but another matter entirely when you deface innocent Italian leather.  Oh no need she just woke up and figured it out.  I of course am politely looking away and acting like I didn't notice, as airport etiquette would dictate.

Because of the post traumatic stress I now suffer due to this mornings "compulsive farter" flight, I can't help but look over my fellow travelers with apprehension.  Is there a farter among them?  What are the odds that I would be on another flight with such a person?  Not much chance of that happening two flights in a row.

Wish me luck.  I'll try and post while on Oahu before flying to the Big Island.  Aloha!!

To Grandmother's House I Go

Here I sit at a Starbucks in the LAX airport, trying to make the most of my 4 hour layover on my way to my homeland of Hawaii.  I'm going home for my Grandma's 80th birthday.

 I was sitting in Wolf Gang Pucks at the bar but got tired of unshaven, earring wearing men asking me "What do you do?"  To which I reply "my husband", while giving my best leave me alone look.  For now I'm taking refuge at the Starbucks, doing what I can to pass the time.  I'm one hour into a 4 hour lay over.

Well being hit on beats the compulsive farter that I had the unpleasant experience of sitting next to on the way here.  This man's silent but deadly's could but a skunk to shame.  I had to stash away the sweater I was wearing, out of fear that Sir Stinks A-lot's gas cloud became embedded within its fabrics.  It is not my plan to get on my next flight which is 5 1/2 hours long smelling like the ass of someone who thinks it's okay to turn an airplane cabin into his own personal gas passing station.

The only thing keeping me going is knowing that tomorrow I will wake up in paradise surrounded by family, and best of all will be eating Hawaiian food!  More to come later.... Right now I have to go airport stalk a guy who looks just like Sayid from Lost.

I've Never Cursed So Much

For my May "Outside the Box" column, published in the Lakeshore Weekly, I've been taking guitar lessons.

First off you must know that I am not very musically inclined.  When I can get my iPod to work, I'm thrilled.

I've never really played an instrument, one of the many things I must admit I have blamed on being left-handed.  To prepare for my guitar lessons with Jammer at Sounds Sisters in Excelsior, I started playing Guitar Hero on Playstation with my daughter Kelsey.

Because I played Guitar Hero like a right-handed person I figured I would learn the guitar like a right-handed person.  I have never sworn so much!  For the full disclosure as to how my diving into guitar lessons went, you will have to wait for my column to come out in May.

For now I can say that it was absolutely outside of my comfort zone, and Carlos Santana need not worry about competition from me.

My Latest Love Affair

I've been involved in a life long love affair with baked goods. A Chocolate croissant has never judged me, a blueberry muffin has never betrayed me.

A month ago Patisserie Margo opened on Water Street here in Excelsior, we have been inseparable ever since.   As a matter of fact I'm sitting in the bakery right now basking in the afterglow of my Quiche Lorraine.

I have been on a mission since this fine establishment has opened.  My goal is to be the first Excelsior resident to try one of every type of baked good (single serving items) that Patisserie Margo has to offer.  Collin (pictured with me) who is Margo's son and the Manager, has almost committed to putting up a plaque to mark the occasion when my goal is reached.

It is with great pride an accomplishment that I tell you I have only three items to go!  In addition to the scrumptious bakery items they carry sandwiches, gourmet soups and delicious quiche, all of which I have tried.  

With the warmer days we have been having here in Minnesota, I've enjoy sitting in their outdoor patio area, while sipping my espresso, and delicately breaking off pieces of my morning scone.

Stay tuned for the big announcement when I reach my goal!