mansion life

Right about this week a year ago, Cameron and I moved to the Mansion.

It has been quite an experience and I honestly didn't think we were going to be here this long. There's no doubt that we love the place we live at and it's location. During the year and four months I've worked here, it has its good days and bad days for sure.

Jeanne has been extremely generous but the job could definitely make me a little loopy at some points. I can't say that I feel like Jeanne is a third grandma to me but I do consider her a good friend. We have a great time trying new fancy restaurants, reading gossip magazines together, watching tv shows, and buying new pocket books (purses). She's really not your average elderly lady at all. She is loud and overly opinionated and has the mental energy of a 7 year- old. She doesn't like walking so instead she rides a motor scooter. When we go downtown once or twice a week, I wheel her around in a wheel chair. I feel like I have learned so much from her. She has an awesome memory and it's interesting to hear about her life in high society.

The Mansion is HUGE.

• 21,000 sq. feet
• 4 acres of beautiful beach front land
• 17 bathrooms (yes... I said seventeen)
• A tennis Court
• An indoor and an outdoor swimming pool
• 4 car garage

You can kind of get the picture. The house constantly has work to be done on it because the salt air and rust really takes a toll. Since we are constantly doing fix-up projects, Cameron and I have learned so much about what goes into fixing a house.

This next picture is Jeanne and Henry, her 91 year-old boyfriend. They've been dating for 35 years. They don't really interact much now because neither of the listen/communicate well and Jeanne ends up zooming off in her scooter upset. They occasionally watch a Mets game together and play Bridge on Sundays.

This job and mansion kind of reminds me of the movie Orange County. Nice house, crazy mom (Jeanne), old guy who is kind of out of it (Henry), Nurses that don't speak english (Henry's tongan nurses), and the normal kids(us). Unfortunately we don't have a Jack Black. If anyone has seen this movie a few times, you would understand. Just weird.

It's just a bizarre household and sometimes I look around and laugh.

Jeanne is a hoot and there's always something exciting going on.

Despite those crazy moments, we are glad to be here.

suuuuper

This last weekend we got some good stuff squeezed in.

On Saturday we were able to start the day off with the Maunawili Falls with the Larsens, Rasmussens and friends. It was such a pretty hike and the water falls were awesome at the end.

Later that day we had a little BBQ with some friends. IT was so fun to see the Larsens and to meet Beckham! We loved him!

Last Monday I also jumped off the rock at Waimea! What a thrill!

And to top off the weekend, I rented the unforgettable movie... Blue Crush!

Who doesn't like Blue Crush? Haha... it's pretty intense. Cameron hasn't ever seen it and he was sure to add his commentary throughout the entire movie (which was really funny). It was great to watch it now that I live in Hawaii and realize that the locations don't really match up but the movie is still suuuuuper cool. :)

potter

Possible themes extracted from Harry Potter 6:

a. Don't trust anyone, not even those who you think you can trust.

b. Dang... how did the casting department know to hire 8 yr. olds that would become such good looking adults?

c. REVENGE!!!

d. I can't wait for the next one to come out.

e. All of the above.

thurs.fri.sat.sun.

We've loooooved all our free time!

Last week I made the most amazing extremely rich chocolate torte cake. I topped it with a milk chocolate frosting and mango and kiwi. Yummm... This was not for the faint of heart-- it is rich. Cameron enjoyed it!

On Friday, the Honolulu Academy of Arts Museum was hosting a Surf Film Festival. We ( Cameron, me, Aaron, and Erin) went to a premiere and saw Icons2. This was featuring all the semi-pro surfers in Hawaii. I was surprisingly entertained the whole time.

We ended this classy date with Denny's for a late night snack. I loooooove Denny's.
And thank heaven the Nelsons do too! (sorry cam)


Saturday- beach beach beach. we're resembling rudolph. I also discovered I dislike chocolate chip pancakes. a lot.

Sunday-
I've been yearning to revisit this place since my family vacation 3 yrs ago and today we went!
It is so beautiful and serene. Cameron and I had fun playing around and taking pictures. Cameron was sure to gong the "gong" harder than anyone else had. It was loud!
Glad we finally went. We played, had fun and took pictures. I guess when you're temple is closed, go to the other. jk.








By the way:
1. I am officially Lindsay Rondo! After a year and a half, Cameron helped me get to the DMV to get a license. I wasn't too happy about the test taking but i got it. :) Thank you so much Cameron for being my huge help.

2. Yes, Cameron is growing a mustache. Yes, it looks funny and yes, he wants to do it and I say "whatever". The first time I fought it but now I'm just ignoring it. ha.
3. I got a new number a few months ago but never got around to giving it to everyone. I have to change my number every time I break my phone (ghetto unlimited plan) so I figure my phone will brake soon and so therefor I will have to get a new number once again. facebook me if you want it.

Priceless

For some reason I forgot that I actually kept a "blog" all throughout my Junior and Senior year of high school. It never registered because I don't think the term "blog" was really used, it was "Livejournal".
So tonight I logged in and I found this little piece of treasure and it is entertaining! My 16/17 year old mind is so funny and is extremely stereotypical teenager. The Livejournal is full of mine and Cameron's bf/gf relationship, getting sick of parents/being grounded, my busy life on student council & high school, and what ever came to my teenage mind. I can't believe I hadn't found this sooner because it is delightful.
Oh, and this is my picture for my profile:
Cam and I 5 yrs ago. This is priceless. I'm going to have to print this blog out for good laughs and memories.

fun fourth

What is a Fourth of July without sunshine, watermelon, and fireworks?
Luckily, we got them all.

Cameron and I headed to the beach with all of our stuff, cookies, umbrella, sunscreen, etc and went with our friends, the Nelsons over to Sunset beach. It was perfectly sunny-- no clouds overhead. Since there are no waves right now on the n. shore, the guys went out spear fishing for a bit while the girls attempted to get a shade darker. Our dumb beach umbrella decided to fly up several times and eventually broke.The sun was beaming and towards the end of the day Erin and I draped ourselves with towels to keep the sun off our skin-- it was intense! Cameron and I had a great time! Of course our sunburns didn't appear for a few afters after our beach fun... ouch.

That evening we went to the Turtle Beach Resorts 4th of July celebration. We had great Mexican food and visited with our great friends all under a wonderful fireworks show. We also got these great glasses that enhance the fireworks by like 20 times! They were awesome! I'm keeping mine for next year
.

Mega Fort

I laughed at this picture posted by my little brother.
Just a small fort at the Collins' place. Good to know the younger siblings are doing a good job keeping my parents busy. That's little miss Courtney in their living room by the way.


Happy Friday.