Like a Red Lobster

Saturday, 10 June 2006

Missed 7 am yoga due to car troubles, but finally was able to get the car going and headed down to Magic Island at Ala Moana to watch the MDA Bananaman Chase (a 5K fun run for charity, sponsored by Jamba Juice). I visited friends that I've made from the Muscular Dystrophy Association support groups and watched as runners came in. After the awards ceremony, I sat in the hot sun on Ala Moana Boulevard with the rest of the families, children, and tourists. We waited for the annual King Kamehameha Day Parade to begin. Although it was blazing hot, I was ready with my snacks in my backpack and two cameras. But, then I realized that none of the dozen batteries I had were charged up. I quickly walked across the street to Long's at the Ala Moana Shopping Center to pick up batteries, only to get back to my chosen spot on the sidewalk and find out that the batteries were not charged. Alas, I was without batteries, and didn't feel like walking back in the heat again. I watched the decorated floats, high school marching bands, and pa'u riders (people on horseback representing each Hawaiian island with its corresponding color), while admiring all the photo snapping people around me. Although I was complaining that I was burning in the sun, those poor military men and mainland marching band members were soaked through their uniforms!

I decided to lay out at the beach. But, it was way too hot! Took my first dip in the ocean since the heavy rain pollution in the spring and the beginning of summer. But, I had to cool off in the showers a couple times too. Only to find out that after an hour or so, my entire body was sunburned, with the exception of my splotchy areas where I tried unsuccessfully to lather myself in sunscreen. Have I not already learned that I cannot put on sunscreen by myself? Went home to cool off, but then headed right back to the same place for a friend's barbeque. Christina, who taught ESL with me this year, is dating a family friend's son, whom I haven't seen since I was a little kid. What a small world. After feasting on food, I went to pick up Linh for a poker game at a friend's house. Had fun meeting new friends, joking around, and watching Linh's beginner's luck. If only I weren't as red as a lobster...I'm going to hurt tomorrow!