Tired....but here's an update (pics)

Alright this week has been LONG and it's not over yet :( Starting on Tuesday was Passport Week at HPU. I got to sit threw classes/meetings/get togethers, mostly tailored to freshman but it was cool. On Tuesday before going to the first shin dig I went to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, aka The Punchbowl. I was given a request to get a gravestone rubbing of Normal Collins, aka Sailor Jerry. So, this was my first time doing such a thing but I'm going to redo it before going to Virginia. I found his grave easy enough and got down to business. The memorial is gorgeous and whenever I'm at such a place I get emotional. To look around at the peace and tranquility of the place and to realize that I am a part of this, a part of this group that serves his country.....it is truly a humbling feeling.

Facts about the Punchbowl:
located in Puowaina Crater, which means "consecrated hill" or "hill of sacrifice". Back in the day it was the site of many secret "alii" (royal) burials, and also where offenders of certain "kapus" (taboos) were sacrificed. It is filled to capacity with 33,255 gravesites. "Columbia" stands on a symbolized prow of a US Navy carrier with a laurel branch in her left hand. Below her are President Abraham Lincoln's words "...the solomn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom". This was said to Mrs. Bixby, mother of 5 sons who died in battle.


Tuesday night was the first shin dig which included dinner at the windward campus. It was nice but I didn't stay for the food, too many people and I wasn't feeling the social vibe.
Wednesday was a long day too, won't go into details. Plus right now I can't recall everything. Thursday during my down time I was focused on finding Sailor Jerry's old tattoo parlor in Chinatown (HPU's campus is right next to chinatown). I "think" I found it, same address but there was no one to ask....tattoo parlors don't open till late :( I love cities! Walking around chinatown in the morning was so cool! With the open markets, the smells, the people! I was just so happy to be in the midst of all of that! I was informed by a couple of homeless guys (one with a good amount of alcohol on his breath-yes he was that close to me) that I was gorgeous! Nice but I would like to attract some guys with a little bit more quality....maybe a job, that would be nice :)
Well, I would write more but I got work...and a make up work day tomorrow (that would be saturday). Then one day off before working/school for 7 days straight and getting on an airplane to fly to Virginia! But it's going to be so worth it!
I included a pic of my boots that I bought for my bike week....kick ass! Also some pics of the tattoo parlor that I "think" is where Sailor Jerry had his place :)