Taking a Hike

Jeff and I huffed and puffed our way up to the summit of the Ko'oolau Range. We endured a strenuous hike up "Mariner's Ridge" located in Hawaii Kai to enjoy a perfect panoramic view of the island. The trail is pretty steep and we had to navigate rocky terrain to pull our way up the path but it's a local favorite and Jeff was determined to climb it. Let me tell you, it's not easy hiking in a dress! I wore my least favorite dress in case it ripped.

This is one of the pictures Jeff took...Our photos fail to capture the beauty of the panorama. Frankly we were too exhausted by the time we arrived at the top to care much about the quality of pictures. We were more focused on collecting our breath to get back down. I exercised more on this trip than I had all summer. That being said, I woke up this morning with an awful headache. I think I over-exerted myself. Thankfully Jeff was understanding and we spent the morning indoors watching a movie and he gave me a great head massage for well over an hour. We spent the rest of the afternoon surfing and shopping. Funnily enough, during the hours we shopped--particularly in Ann Taylor--my headache melted away!

We ended the evening with yet another walk on the beach. I want to memorize the way the ocean sounds, smells and looks as it crashes on the shore. It's unbelievably peaceful. Hawaii is my home, no doubt about it. There's no other place on earth I'd rather be.

From Dry Land...to Catamaran

Tonight Jeff and I enjoyed a romantic stroll along the waters of Waikiki Beach at sunset. GORGEOUS.

Earlier in the evening, we took a sunset Catamaran cruise. It was the most romantic evening we've spent on the island so far. The Catamaran set sail off the shores of Waikiki Beach at 5...and we sailed past Diamond Head, enjoying the mist of the ocean and the company of those aboard. The drinks were unlimited, which was a nice perk for Jeff... It was incredibly relaxing to witness the magic of sunset over the mountains and city landscape.

Can you see the rainbow stretching across the cityscape of Waikiki? Hawaii is called the Rainbow State because of its spectacular and frequent rainbows. I've often seen double rainbows, which is quite a sight to behold!

Here's a picture of our Catamaran sailing out to sea once again...As Jeff and I strolled on the beach we reminisced about what a wonderful and carefree time we had on board...with music blaring, beautiful sights to behold, perfect weather, lots of fun and laughter. We don't want to return to Illinois where responsibilities and demands await us! But alas, all good things must come to an end.

Lost Location

Here's a fun story for all your LOST fans. I was standing at the counter of a Hawaiian jewelry store tonight when I overheard a man to my left purchasing jewelry for his mother. The salesperson asked, "Are you from around here?" He replied, "No. I'm a stunt double for LOST. I just wrapped up filming tonight and came in from L.A. last night." I exclaimed, "I LOVE THAT SHOW! YOU'VE GOT TO TELL ME WHERE YOU'RE FILMING TOMORROW!" He was incredibly nice and said he was a little disoriented because he didn't know his way around the island but he's 99% sure they're filming at Chinaman's Hat. As a matter of fact, if you look closely at scenes in LOST Season 2, you can see Chinaman's Hat from a distance. I was so psyched. This guy also helped direct the movie "Smoking Aces" and is working on a new film with Samuel L. Jackson. He was so humble and sweet. You better believe if I wasn't married I would've stalked this guy and insisted on going out to dinner or at least coffee to pump him for more information. It took all the restraint in the world for me not to ask for his number in case I got lost in looking for the LOST crew tomorrow! He said all the actors on the set are incredibly cool and nice. I was sooo tempted to invite him over for dinner at my parents' house and I desperately wanted to offer to take him around the island during his off-time but Jeff wasn't with me so I wasn't sure how he'd feel about that! I am just celebrity crazy and am thrilled to have six degrees of separation between myself and a television show I am wild about!

Day Three in Paradise

This is a view from the top of Hawai'i Kai as we drove down from one side of the island to another to beach hop...The beauty of the island always takes my breath away. It's incredibly relaxing to look out of the window and see the endless expanse of an aqua ocean on one side and gorgeous mountain ranges on the other.

Jeff is more of a dare devil than I am in the water. He wanted to go to Sandy Beach to check out the waves. The surf is so high, swimming isn't allowed and there are "rescue surfboards" out on the sand in case of an emergency. He wanted to body board but looked beat up after returning to shore, with bloody cuts on his leg and his fins missing. He got pounded but loved it!

Meanwhile, I prefer lying on the sand with my back to the sun and my nose in a good book. I needed to relax after a kayaking mishap at Lanikai Beach. I thought it would be the most fun to go kayaking to little islands scattered around Kailua Beach. Jeff was game, so we each rented a single kayak and paddled out. Turns out I'M WAY OUT OF SHAPE! Ten minutes into paddling, my arms ached so much I couldn't paddle any longer and started drifting to the shore. 45 minutes into paddling, I CAPSIZED and a kayaking tour guide had to rescue me and pulled me back onto my kayak. It was only funny in hindsight. And a little embarrassing because I kayaked throughout my high school years with no problem. Jeff was in disbelief but was very sweet about turning around an hour into our trip to head to shore.

Life's a Beach

Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and we're blessed to experience some of them while we're visiting. Although Waikiki Beach will never rank in the top ten beaches worldwide, Jeff is enthralled by its wave-swell this time of year. We've visited two days in a row.

Jeff takes to the ocean like a kid in a candy shop. It's pretty darling to watch him dive in the water and paddle out to sea. Meanwhile, I enjoyed splashing by the shoreline and searching for shells to bring back for the kids. I'm not the strongest swimmer but I can't wait to kayak in Kailua tomorrow afternoon!


This morning after visiting my grandma on her 81st birthday, we drove to the North Shore. Hale'iwa is in the center of the North Shore is has long been known as the island's surf capitol. The town is nearly 100 years old and features many landmarks such as Matsumoto's store which has served shaved ice in paper cones for over 40 years. It's one of Jeff's favorite treats.

Hawaii is all about the food. Jeff's favorite juice is Guava Nectar juice, sold in cans as common as Pepsi throughout the island. He looks for it whenever we go grocery shopping in Peoria but it's nowhere to be found there. It's pretty yummy.

Jeff loves Guava in his juice and his shaved ice...I wish I could re-create this Hawaiian treat at home--shaved ice with condensed milk topped with Guava and Pineapple syrup. I know it sounds distasteful but it's the best thing. I love it best with the addition of taro chunks and chewy taro balls.

Hawaii is a delicious place all-around! We're soaking in the sun every day and spending lots of quality time with each other and with my family. It's been really good for our marriage. We often get so caught up in the daily grind of life and are now anticipating both of us working full-time at odd hours and trying to juggle kids, church life and a demanding work schedule. It's been so important for us to get away and connect.
My favorite part? My parents do my laundry and cooking every day. I wake up and breakfast is made and the coffee is brewed. I return from the beach with my laundry folded and bed made. IT'S AWESOME!!! I could move right in with my parents and I'd love it!

Home Sweet Home

I am the happiest girl in the world! I'm reunited with my family in the prettiest place on earth and enjoying a second honeymoon of sorts with the greatest husband on earth! Jeff and I landed on Oahu at 2pm Friday afternoon. We crashed into bed at 10pm and woke up at 6:30 this morning. After tanking a couple of cups of coffee, Jeff convinced me to hike the Manoa Falls trail which leads to a waterfall, just five minutes from my parents' place. The hike was gorgeous--it was like traveling through a floral fantasyland. I wish I could post lots of pictures but they're not loading properly to the computer...

We returned around lunchtime to feast on Hawaii's specialty--poke. This island is a seafood lover's dream--a true favorite of the locals is a dish of fresh fish--eaten diced, raw, and marinated in special spices you can't find anywhere but on Hawaii. Delish! Jeff and I are in heaven. We could eat this by the pound but it's pretty pricy!

But the experience of Hawaii is priceless. Jeff and I spent the afternoon at Waikiki beach so he could ride the waves. He actually caught 6 or 7 waves, I was so proud of him, even though he hadn't been on a surfboard in years! He had a blast. Between hiking and surfing, he got more exercise today than he had in the past month. If we lived here, I bet it would raise our lifespan because we'd be so active. Meanwhile, I burned off calories by shopping! Hopefully the kids will enjoy their gifts.

We ended the evening at a fabulous restaurant called Prince Court in the Hawai'i Prince Waikiki Hotel. My parents took us out to the best buffet dinner of our lives, complete with five types of fish, crab legs, oysters, mussels, clams, shrimp prepared every way imaginable and a dozen desserts. I think I ate four plates full of seafood, it was delish! Jeff said he enjoyed the best drink of his life--a Mango Mojito.

Eating coconut cream cake, bread pudding, and chantilly cake was a sweet way to end the day. Chantilly cake is one of my all-time favorite desserts but it's apparently a Hawaiian specialty. I always thought it was a mainstream sweet but just realized today I hadn't seen it anywhere else. Jeff said he's never heard of it. Well, I'm determined to try out recipes to bring this piece of the island home for my loved ones. It's simply the best.
Well, it's only been a day and we've got many more adventures in store...We'll be going to a luau, we're going on a whale-watching cruise, and tomorrow we're headed to the North Shore to kayak and catch some more waves. TOO FUN!!! We're having the time of our lives and will try to update the blog occasionally before we go to bed to keep our loved ones on the "mainland" informed of our happenings! Love you all and wish you were here...

First Week of Work

I received the warmest work reception of my life during my first week of orientation at 91.5 WCIC. After I was seated in the reception, the station manager (Dave Brooks) brought me coffee and ushered me into the studio for a prayer session and meeting. He prayed over my transition and training and presented me with a "Morning Show Survival Kit." The basket was beautifully wrapped with little gifts, including two WCIC shirts, a water bottle, a bottle of Excedrin Extra Strength pills (I told them I'm prone to migraines), a box of Starburst fruit chews and chocolate, a pound of coffee, and two magazines (Today's Christian Woman & Christianity Today) for my plane ride to Hawaii. Isn't that sweet? So far it's been the easiest work week of my life. I know the intensity has just begun and we've got a lot of work ahead of us, though. I had no idea how much energy is poured into putting on a morning show, not to mention post-production and promotions. My mind is reeling.
As many of you know, Scott (my new co-host) and I have been going back and forth on whether I should change my name for radio. He preferred a nickname or a new name that sounded less formal than "Catherine." I, of course, felt more comfortable with Catherine but was open to him calling me "Cat" for short. He was hoping to incorporate "Cat" into the official name of the show but a brief conference call with our consultant this morning put an end to the debate. Turns out the consultant doesn't like the sound of "Cat" and he suggested we name the show simply "Scott and Catherine." No bells and whistles. Just keeping it real and simple. I like it.