Hi, ladies! I just wanted to pop by to say hello. El Hub and I finagled a couple nights at the Ko’Olina resort on the western side of Oahu. This is a first for us, but my parents have a timeshare that they were kind enough to let us borrow for a quick getaway.
MOVIE FUN FACT: Ko’Olina is where the 2002 surf film Blue Crush (starring Kate Bosworth) was filmed.
Today we’re heading up to the North Shore to the little town of Haleiwa for stand-up paddle lessons.
It’s the latest thing out here. You stand up on a surfboard and paddle around with a long oar. There are lots of paddle-boarding races on the island, and you see people doing it at the different beaches. It’s supposed to be easier than surfing, but I dunno… I’m good with balancing sports but BAD with projectiles and sports involving batons, bats and rackets.
Here’s to not hitting anyone with my oar!
I hope you’re having a good day so far. Let me know how you’re doing. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
YadiQ says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:04 pmi am so jealous
your tan looks amazing!
hope you are having a great time – you are glowing!
Stacie says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:14 pmHey, I remember that movie! That was before Kate Bosworth started resembling a skeleton. Ahem. Anyway, I hope you’re having a blast! 🙂
Christina says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:20 pmHow fun! Any other planned lesson/adventures for this trip?
Christina´s last blog post..Not Dead
Vampy Varnish says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pmThat’s where I got married 2 years ago!! We got married on the little hidden beach at sunset 🙂 I totally want to go back there I loved it!
Vampy Varnish´s last blog post..Vampy Varnish Poll
Merylynmagic says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:32 pmHey Karen!
You look great!! I have never been to Hawaii but have heard so many wonderful things about it.. it looks like you are having a good time 🙂 The best part about traveling for me is being able to try new kinds of food and go shopping in the local markets. Do you do that much there? I guess it’s not really new for you but it’s still different from what you can get back home I guess.
Enjoy!
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:21 amHi Merylynmagic,
I try! One thing I like to do is hit up my favorite surf shops to get some cute t’s I can’t get on the mainland. El Hub and I also try to visit a new restaurants while we’re here, too.
Do you get to travel often? What’s your favorite place that you’ve visited so far?
Nina says
May 19th, 2009 at 3:35 pmHey girl! Lovin the outfit – goes perfect with ze sunkissed glow! Yellow is my fave color. Have fun!
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:19 amHi Nina,
Yellow is one of my favorite colors, too! Wearing it immediately puts me in a good mood. 🙂
Solé says
May 19th, 2009 at 4:00 pmI like the cheeky title. 🙂 It’s pretty punny. Sorry, Ima dork. You look great in yellow by the way!
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:18 amHi Sole,
LOL! You know that cheesy puns RULE! 🙂
Glosslizard says
May 19th, 2009 at 4:05 pmThat is so fabulous! You and El Hub deserve some serious chillaxin’! 🙂
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:17 amHi Glosslizard,
It was a lot of fun. I managed to make it the entire time without even falling in the water!
Shivotra says
May 19th, 2009 at 4:08 pmKaren!
you look so pretty and sunny in these pictures. have an awesome vacation 🙂
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:17 amHi Shivotra,
Thanks! 🙂 I am having a good time so far.
How are things on your end?
Emily says
May 19th, 2009 at 4:16 pmEnjoy it while the water’s warm! I’d say, do both. I haven’t been surfing in forever, see previous about the water. Boo wetsuits.
Emily´s last blog post..Running back our memories
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:17 amHi Emily,
I am with you — BOO to wetsuits. They make me feel like a sausage.
Camellia says
May 19th, 2009 at 4:25 pmyou look gorgeous! hope you’re having a great time there (:
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:16 amHi Camellia,
Thank you! How has your week been? I hope you’re having a good one. 🙂
Megan says
May 19th, 2009 at 5:13 pmYou are so very lucky miss Karen. I hope you are enjoying it…oh and btw if I ever make it to Hawaii I am so trying to go meet Dog the bounty hunter and his crew…seriously I must be an A&E addict I watch that channel all the time. Seriously you say Haleiwa and I’m like ooh…I’ve seen Dog and his crew arrest a homeless person who missed their court date for drugs there… (something must be wrong with me)
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:15 amHi Megan,
LOL, I’ve actually been keeping my eyes peeled for Dog! You better believe I’d try to get a picture with him and his crew!
Funny, I saw a Taco Bell the other day that I totally remember from the show. I thought to myself — “Hey, that’s the Taco Bell where Dog the Bounty Hunter arrested that dude!” HA HA HA!
Tekoa says
May 19th, 2009 at 5:28 pmMan, I wish I had family living on a tropical island. Even the cats are uber hip.
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:14 amHi Tekoa,
Jungle kitties certainly have a flair about them!
I have yet to see the gang of tail-less tabbies. They’ve got to be around here somewhere. 🙂
mishel says
May 19th, 2009 at 6:36 pmomg! u look gorgeous karen. i wish i was in Hawaii =( haha
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:14 amHi Mishel,
The scenery makes it easy to take a good pic!
How are you? Have you finished your applications for grad school?
Kypris says
May 19th, 2009 at 7:36 pmYou look amazing in your photos! You’re making me envious – I was in Hawaii for a conference in the middle of April, and it was a wonderful getaway from the rainy weather. We were only in Waikiki but I would love to go back to visit the less touristy areas. I agree with you about the paddle-boarding and projectiles and potential accidental weapons.
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:13 amHi Kypris,
Thankfully I didn’t hurt myself or anybody else with my paddle! 🙂
Waikiki is super touristy but a LOT of fun! What kind of conference were you here for?
Zara says
May 19th, 2009 at 7:42 pmSurfing alone sounds scary enough…. now they’re tossing in a paddle? I think i’ll just catch some sun. :p
I bet the scenery is beautiful! 🙂
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:12 amHi Zara,
LOL! Surprisingly, it’s easier than surfing. The paddle serves as a balancing element and the boards are more stable, which makes it waaay easier.
The scenery was really nice. We paddled up into a river and saw lots of fish and turtles.
You should totally try it!
Elle says
May 19th, 2009 at 9:29 pmYou look so gorgeous Karen! 🙂 I totally want to try paddle boarding.
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:11 amHi Elle,
It was a lot of fun. There were heavy winds which made it a little tough on the way back (seriously, I spent like 20 minutes trying to go a few feet), but it was worth the trip. I saw a couple of seriously HUGE turtles!
How are things on your end? Got plans for the big weekend?
lindsay says
May 19th, 2009 at 11:15 pmYou look great in those pictures! I love Ko Olina 🙂 How’s vacation?
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:10 amHi Lindsay,
Thank you! 🙂 Ko Olina has been a lot of fun so far. I am really enjoying the pool — plus, everybody here has been really nice!
How has your week been?
Lehea says
May 20th, 2009 at 12:27 amI saw some people paddle boarding in Kauai during my Hawaiian cruise last year. Looks way more easier than surfing, and I heard it’s good for working out your core. Hope you have a blast!
Karen says
May 20th, 2009 at 1:09 amHi Lehea,
My core is gonna be sore tomorrow, for sure. So will my arms and back! 🙂
How long was your cruise? And which island was your favorite?
Julia C. says
May 20th, 2009 at 6:15 amI stayed at Ko Olina several years ago with my DH for a week. Isn’t it just gorgeous? And I thought the beds were so comfy. Still goes down as the best week of sleep I’ve ever had. If you have spare time, visit the Ko Olina spa. It’s divine!
Nina1 says
May 20th, 2009 at 7:15 amhaha! another Nina?? what??? LOL. Karen, you look super super gorgeous!! hot hot hot! It is SOO NICE! to see a hot brown girl reppin beauty at its best! enjoy your vacay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Karen B says
May 20th, 2009 at 8:43 amYou look glowing Karen!
I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’ll be crosing my fingers nobody gets a concussion 😉
Meream says
May 20th, 2009 at 10:04 amI am jealous as hell! You should stop posting for a while and just focus on El Hub and the place 🙂
rachel says
May 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pmPaddle boarding looks very cool! Have fun 🙂
Nancy says
May 20th, 2009 at 5:34 pmYou look gorgeous Karen! I love the yellow top on you. Wow…I didn’t realize Blue Crush was made back in 2002!! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it.
xtina says
May 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pmI think I’ve found another good running song… Love Struck by V-Factory. It’s like hip-hop techno almost. The beat is a little slow for me… Around 100 bpm, but if you subdivide it’s got a nice tempo!