I feel like there are several factors in having a sucessful relationship: intimate or not. The one that stands out the most is non-judgement. I personally like a person who is warm and truly cares as well. But it also has to do with vibes.

THIS IS FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY TRIP.  I NEVER ENDED UP WRITING MORE. I JUST ENJOYED THE REST OF THE TIME AND TOOK ALL OF IT IN. SUCH A GROWING EXPERIENCE!
Let see what are my days filled with?? Rolled out of my tent at 7:45am. Tony stumbled out of his a few feet away in "Tent City" and we walked up to the warehouse where the other farm mates (15 in all) were busy smokin' pot, making breakfast (eggos-a stoner's/or lazy person like me's paradise), or waiting for the bathroom. Ahh only one bathroom, I can't take it, I'm gonna pee my pants! Finally, it's free!

Who's going down to process the kava today. Hells yes that'll be me! I drove the tractor for the first time yesterday. Don't wanna miss another opportunity. So I jump in the back of the truck and gaze at the beautiful ocean view from the farms backyard. But we still have around a mile of bumpy downhill "truck surfing" where stand up and pretend I'm ridin a wave until a tree smacks me in the face or I lose my balance and step on a rake. It's all good-hasn't happened yet. I start choppin down a plant with my machete-oh the power! Then we get the plants out-the roots are the most potent of the kava, so we dig through the dirt, I try to save all of the wormies, they are my friends. But I grow bored of digging in the dirt, so I start throwing my new friends at Tony. He ignores my challenge until unexpectedly I get a worm in my hair...and so on. A bunch of NOTHING! But fun.

I am in Honokaa now, on the Big Island.

The first night is in a bus station on a bench where some friendly homeless patrons offer Tony and I some fresh banana and another asked me if I knew where to get coke. Huh?? Then we took a free island bus the next morning at 4am to Kona, the happenin' city. A touristy place where pasty white old folk and hot surfer dudes and pretty chicas like to delve into thier wallets to buy some useless crap in the giftshops. I can't say that I haven't considered though...

The first farm was one in the high mountains and too secluded for my taste. No way to get down to the city or beach by foot really. Tobiah finally meets us at the farm! Tony and I do some farm work and then the roommate of the wwoofing sponsor, Greg takes us to the beach while he has sea canoing practice. Tony and Tobiah do some snorkeling while I chicken out, but oh well it's my birthday and I'm enjoying the sun and Hawaiian beach. Tony touches a sea turtle. We walk around a cool looking area then enjoy the sunset. Jose the roommate comes back and offers us his joint. Mmmm thanks. Happy Birthday to me. The ride back was surreal. Beautiful Hawaii land on the left, the Pacific on the right, Regae music playing on the stereo and I'm stoned. Lovin' it.

Nothing more to say about that farm. Marcus, where the fuck are you. Oh your plane ticket is too expensive?? See you soon then Brutha. Wish you were here. Tobiah goes back to get his stuff from the other farm.

Time to move on. We hitched! It was a lot harder than expected and with no real destination, and the time is lost. Hours go by as we figure out how the process works. Don't stand too near the road, look pathetic ;), make sure there is enough room for the car to pull off in front of us, trucks will be the only vehicles to pick you up, don't get dropped off in the middle of nowhere (thanks cab driver), or you wont get a ride at all. Ok, we got the basics down and I meet some interesting characters on the way. All in all, my favorite day so far.

We camp for a night for $5 each. But that's too rich for our blood as we both have like $50. Onto the next farm and another full day of hitching! We go to the kava farm with hopeful promises of interesting conversation and spiritual awakening.

The people are cool and the farm style resembles "The Beach"- you know that Leonardo DiCaprio movie?? There are clicks though and they don't open up too easily to new people. But it's ok. Tony and I have each other to talk to and Tobiah will be here soon. Lots of pot, but I don't do it. Not a big smoker. But I do partake in my first ganga brownie. The three of us try Kava. I am waaaayyy tired from the effect, Tony is sick and tired. We nap! Not what we expected. We were told that people sit in circles and contemplate life and shit. I just wanna sleep. The coolest spot is down by the cliffs in a cove thing. It's pretty and soothing to meditate there. The air is clear and the energy is nice. Days go by. It's a bit better, a little more comfortable....Last night has been a week and a half that we've been here.

We went down to Waipio Valley and ate mushroom chocolate and watched the stars and had a bonfire. Tobiah tries to body board and has to be rescued by 4 or 5 guys because he didn't wear flippers and the waves are pretty strong. Very amusing! Lots to come. Time to move on. The people are hella cool here, but too much to see too little time. Tony and I are going to a farm near Volcanoes National Park tomorrow evening. Then possibly moving onto Oahu in the next week or so. We never know. Time doesn't exist. And things will work out how they do regardless of how much planning. I will write more in a few weeks I think. Aloha

 

I haven't written any blogs. So I thought I might as well update the current status of my "pursuit for happiness and tranquility." For the time being, I am as content as I have been in a long, long time. I like where I'm living. The roommate situation is going to change a bit, but change tends to be good and I am extremely optimistic about the upcoming events and such that are going to happen at my house.

I have been filling my calendar with events surrounding everything from spirituality, indie films, and martial arts! It's been a fun month or so. I attended my first group meditation and that brought me to a different level than I have been because of the energy of the room. My hopes in the past were to "convert" my friends into thinking more into life's questions and having substance, but I have realized that it's ok that they are content with their lives and not everyone is on the path to enlightenment.

Since starting my path to happiness I have met a lot of very cool people and located different resources for further growth.  There is a place up in Seattle called Seattle Integral Institute where the sole study is on Ken Wilbur's integral theory. I'm constantly reading 2 or 3 books.  I just can't soak up enough information quickly enough. In the next month or so, I hope to start having weekly or bi-weekly meetings at my house where people from the area can get together to discuss interesting subjects or music, or current books, or whatever, you get the idea. So...I'm doing so well it's not even funny. I have a day sometimes where the past creeps up and I start caring about pointless things and stress myself out, but those times are becoming more and more far and in between.  

My days are currently filled with growth and learning. When I leave work, work stays there. I think that is a very important lesson for anyone that is susceptible to worry. I can honestly say that I am at the point where I would feel comfortable sharing my journey and perhaps helping someone "find" their way. But ultimately it has to start within anyway.