I am horrible at updating our blog!

Wow!  So much has changed since the last time I posted.

Let's see- we've been on Oahu for 6 months!!

We recently had Ben's sister Cecily come visit for her 21st birthday with her roommate Michelle.  It was so nice to have visitors and are looking forward to having our friend Christina come visit in January!

As I posted before, I was working at Niu Valley Middle School teaching resource language arts.  After a few short months and many hours on the road, I made a tough decision to resign from that position.  I reapplied to the Department of Education and only applied to areas close to home, and within a month started my new position as a Special (Ed) Preschool Teacher.  I share a classroom with another teacher- so it's been nice having the help and support from her and getting to know her students too.  We teach together a lot but are keeping some of our curriculum separate, because we've found they maintain their focus more when in a smaller group. ;)

I cannot express how welcoming everyone has been, how great my parents are, and what a blessing this whole experience has been for me. 

It was definitely a culture shock the first few months we were here, but we're enjoying it more and more as we get to know people.

On that note, we're SO excited to be coming home on Monday, the 19th for 10 days!  It will be so nice to have time with family and friends and to enjoy so COLD weather!  The weather has been BEAUTIFUL here, but with a high of 80 for the last few weeks- I can't wait to wear winter clothes and gather around a fire!  :) 

Here are some pictures of things we've done recently!

 Ben's Mustache Birthday Party- in November (MOVEMBER!)

 Like Brother, like Sister.....Like Bakersfield.  Dole Plantation.

Giovanni's Shrimp Truck, Haleiwa

Frankie at Nimitz Beach

Paradise Cove Luau

Cec and Michelle with one of the dancers at the luau

Happy Birthday Cec!

Happy First Birthday Mady!

Nimitz Beach

Gomiford Christmas Cards- 2011

One Month

So we've been on Oahu just over one month.
Our first week we had my best friend Erika out here and just before Erika left my mom and her friend Debbie Chambers came for a week.  We had two weeks of family and friends going all over the island.  We spent a lot of time in Waikiki.  The Friday after we got there, it was King Kamehameha's birthday which is  considered a HUGE holiday here.   Everything was shut down except shops in Waikiki, because there was a parade on the main strip there.  It was fun getting to go to their farmer's market, the parade, and all the fun restaurants and stores.  We came to Ewa a little later in the week and got to see our place- which is great, but needed a little TLC.  So, wouldn't you know it, as soon as my mom gets into town she buys us paint and helps us paint the living room, kitchen, and hallway.  (Ben and I painted the bedrooms two weeks later).  Which all looks SOOOO much better.  I'm very impressed with the work we all did.  We went to a Luau (the whole group, before Erika went home).  We went to Germaine's Luau which was actually about 10 minutes from our place.  Enjoyed Mai Tai's and some entertainment.  Later during mom and Debbie's visit we went to some botanical gardens on our way to the north shore.  Which honestly had to be some of the most beautiful plants and scenery that I've ever seen.  Even though, in the 45 minutes we were there I got at least 10 mosquito bites.  EEEEEKKK.  Anyway, we went to north shore and did shopping and walking around some local small towns.  Spent one day on the east coast in Kailua and did a hike to a lighthouse.  I LOVE Kailua and that hike which had amazing views of all over the island- a must if you come visit.  And in Kailua we went to Buzz's steakhouse, you definitely need reservations but they had GREAT food and a GREAT view from the lanai.  With mom and Debbie we went to the Ko Olina Lagoons, these are man made lagoons about 10 minutes from our place.  These are very family friendly, but the only bummer is they don't allow dogs.  :(

All of these adventures are listed all out of order but we had so much fun with our family and friends.  Ben has been enjoying his job; his station is RIGHT ON the beach about 2 miles from our house.  He's looking forward to learning more about carpentry work and has been able to teach the people in his shop what he learned on his boat.  I'm so proud of him :)

It's been surprisingly hard for me to be home, not working- but as I'm sure you all know, I recevently got hired for a special ed teaching position in niu valley.  It's on the east side of Honolulu in a really nice area, but it's a good 40 minute drive to work.  I guess I'll have to get used to getting up early, but in all honesty I am thrilled.  I'll be teaching Language Arts as a Resource Specialist.  (It's what most people know as RSP, but because it's a middle school they will have me teaching only one subject).  Other than that, we adopted a dog, Frankie who we ADORE and have been having so much fun with.  He makes being home better, but he's been having some separation anxiety as I'm trying to prepare him for being left alone while we're at work.  Other than that, he's been perfect!  We've been super blessed with this opportunity here and can't wait to see where it leads us. Thanks for all the love and support.  We love and miss you guys, so hurry up and come visit!  XOXO

2 weeks

TWO WEEKS from today, we will be moving to Ewa Beach! 

Turning in all my student teaching lessons and corresponding paperwork today.  Huge weight will be off my shoulders.  This has been such an incredible experience, being surrounded by amazing teachers.  I feel so fortunate for the this experience.  :)

Things are falling into place...

First, I passed my screening interview for Hawaii's Department of Education!  That means I'm in the "hiring pool."  The lady I spoke with said those applicants with a Hawaii Teaching Certification have priority on interviews.  Then she said the number of teachers they were planning on hiring will be cut because the tsunami affected their economy greatly.  I'm not sure how extreme this cut is, but hopefully I can still get a teaching position.  If all else fails I'll work as a sub ($165 a day!!!) until I can get hired on.  :) 
I can't apply to have a Hawaii teaching certification until I have my california credential; which will be around the time they are finishing hiring.

 Second, we GOT A PLACE!!!  It's a condo that we will be renting from another coastie!  It's a two bedroom one and a half bath, and he allows pets!  We are so stinkin excited :)  The condo has a pool and bbq area, washer and dryer (in the unit), and a patio.  It's in Ewa Beach in the Palm Villas II.  The first picture is of "our" patio, the next is what the outside of the condo looks like, and the last is the outside pool/bbq area.  We are so excited!  Only 3 and a half weeks left...

Almost at the one month mark....

As of today we have 31 days left, almost at that one month mark!  We are both getting so excited, not only to go but to see each other.  It's been over six weeks since we've seen each other and we have to about four more to go!  We've been busy which helps.  I'm still waiting to hear from the Hawaii Department of Education.  I emailed my recruiter and he said I should be getting a letter in the mail- so hopefully I have good news regarding that to post soon. 

Ben has been talking to his mentor (they call them sponsors in the Coast Guard) and he will be moving out of his condo right as we're moving over there.  It sounds like a nice place in Ewa Beach.  This is only 10 minutes from Ben's base and we've been told is a nice area, so we're hoping we take his place.  The owner is also in the Coast Guard so we're hoping he might given Ben priority on the place.  And it's TWO bedrooms so everyone can come visit!  :) 

That's all the news I have for now. 
Until next time, Aloha!

I'm SUCH a girl...

So today I realized I packed my bedding I bought a few years ago when living at the beach house, my blue and green quilt set, which would be great but Ben has a Queen and the bedding is a Full. 
Anyway, So I ran to bed, bath, and beyond and bought this duvet cover set. 
And, Ben liked it!  So lucky my boyfriend has good taste too! ;)

First Update

Welcome to our blog!  Here I'll do my best to keep you updated on our big move to Oahu.

For those who don't know, Ben and I will be moving to Oahu June 8th.  He will be stationed at Barber's Point which is in Kapolei.

In preparation for the move: I've sold my car (because shipping is ridiculous, it costs ~$1500), recently purchased our plane tickets over (it will be Ben, Erika, and me going together- a girl's gotta have her sister there to help out with a move like this!), and am purchasing a hotel stay with costco travel for our first few days.  -Side Note: I highly recommend you check out Costco when doing a big vacation like this, they have some amazing deals!  Oh and My Mom will be meeting us the following week on Monday to help with this big move too!

Anyway, I had a screening interview with a recruiter from the Hawaii Department of Education on Friday while he was at a job fair at CSU Long Beach.  He explained that the way they work is: the applicant applies online, if you meet certain qualifications you receive a screening interview with a recruiter- if the applicant receives a minimum score on their interview then they will be added to the hiring pool list.  Then when a school needs a teacher they will go to the Hawaii DOE and say, I need this type of teacher and the hiring pool list is provided.  Then, they call whatever applicants they're interested in for further interviewing with the principal and whomever else they choose.  When my interview was finished the recruiter said, "That was pretty good."  I went back to their information table and got some general hiring information and he gave me his business card and said to contact him once I make it to Honolulu.  I feel fairly confident about it, but he said I'll receive a letter in the mail within a week or two notifying me of my status into the hiring pool.

Ben and I are getting really excited with only 52 days left, but there's still so much to do and prepare. 
I will try to keep an update on here instead of Facebook so I'm not driving everyone crazy.
Until next time, Aloha!