The Silent "I"

Greetings from Kauai

 

We landed in Kauai on Sunday, after an early morning rush to the airport, and an uneventful flight.  Despite news of a Christmas Day terrorist attempt on a Northwest-Delta flight, nothing much seemed to have changed for domestic flights.  We weren't strip-searched at the airport, weren't mauled by bomb-sniffing dogs, and weren't asked to prove that our underwear was, in fact underwear and not some synthetic explosive device disguised as unmentionables.  It was pretty much business-as-usual.

We were last in Kauai in 2007, and are back at our timeshare at the Kauai Marriott Resort for a week, celebrating Frank's 50th Birthday, and relaxing before the new year.  We bought a half share (every-other-year) here about ten years ago, and have loved every trip.  It never gets old or boring, and though we had a moment's twinge of buyer's remorse after we took the timeshare plunge, we now look at it as one of the best investments we ever made.

Every time we come back to Kauai, we find something new to explore.  This time, we hope to take in some of the lush botanical gardens.  In the past, we toured the island in the past by helicopter, sailboat, and catamaran.  We will keep our feet firmly planted on the ground this time, and just enjoy our time together.

On Monday, we picked up a rental car to do some grocery shopping and hopefully check out some big waves on the North Shore.  Foiled by a traffic jam, we made it as far as Lydgate Park on the east side of the island, where the waves were not that big, but provided a beautiful view.  We used to come to this park several times during our visits to Kauai, mainly for the terrific playground and enclosed beach that are perfect for smaller kids.  

As we drove by the playground, Alex exclaimed, "I remember that place! I used to love it here!" 

At nine, a complex of slides and swings and tunnels doesn't hold the same appeal as it did at age 5, I guess. I was happy that he remembered it.  That is one of the nicest aspects of returning to the same vacation spot, having memories of the place, and looking forward to creating news ones.  When we arrived at the Marriott, the staff said, "Welcome home."  

So, we're enjoying our home-away-from-home this week, sipping mai tais and smoothies, and falling asleep to the sound of ocean waves.  I hope that wherever you are, you have a little spirit of aloha with you this week and in the coming year.

Alex Learns to Surf

Posted via email from glennia's posterous

Dramatic Clouds, Kalapaki Beach, Kauai

Posted via email from glennia's posterous

Target-to-Go Hits San Francisco

Yesterday, I got a special preview of the Target to Go shopping experience in San Francisco, and was able to do about half my remaining Christmas shopping in about 20 minutes.  Target pioneered the "Pop-up" store concept a few years ago, but living in the 'burbs where Target stores abound, I didn't really know what that meant.  Essentially, a "Pop-up" store is a temporary shopping site set up for a special occasion, with a limited product line, primarily in urban areas that are not so lucky to have a Target.

At the Target to Go store, you're given a menu of about 50 items to choose from, and can walk past a display window showing the various gifts, mostly grouped by price.  If you see something you like, you mark it on your order form, and take it to the cashier.  The gift comes out wrapped in a lovely candy-striped bag with a gift tag on it for you to fill out, and voila! you are DONE.

This weekend, Target-to-Go stores will be open in DC, New York, and San Francisco.  If you live in or around San Francisco, follow @TargetToGoSF on Twitter for clues on where to find some special Target Gift Tags hidden around the city.  If you find one, take it to the Target to Go shop at Mint Plaza (on 5th, between Mission & Market, next to the old US Mint) and you will be rewarded with a Target Gift card, redeemable at any Target location. As a bonus, Target will donate $100 to the Salvation Army for every gift card redeemed at the SF location.  If you plan to do some shopping in the city this weekend, this could be a fun little scavenger hunt to go on!

I was delighted to be invited to this event, because as I explained to one of the Target PR people, Target is my "happy place."  It's like a little vacation from the world for me to go to Target on my own, and just wander the aisles, picking up laundry detergent, throw pillows, a cute top, or Legos.  You can find just about anything there, and I have been a devoted Target shopper since the 1970's, when our local Ayr-Way turned into Target.

Disclosure:  I received a $25 Target Gift Card for attending the Press Preview, but no other compensation for writing this review. Opinions expressed herein are solely my own.