meeting MacGyver

When i was leaving for this last trip to Asia, i was at a thrift store and picked up season four of the old television show MacGyver. I knew what it was about- a guy with a mullet that fixed everything with duct tape and a swiss army knife. I mean, we use his name as a verb nowadays, yet i still don't think i ever saw an episode over the course of my life (which spanned the 80's). i decided to buy the discs and get familiar with the legend... if i ended up bored in an airport or something.

Little did i know that i would be sick to some degree for the entirety of my trip, and that my illness (mono) would involve days on end of being in bed, decreased concentration, and difficulty focusing my eyes- which made reading my lost love. So naturally, with all this being sick in bed, the MacGyver discs came into play. 

The MacGyver character is my new television hero... he is innovative, sacrificial, a gentlemen (although he does seem to enjoy all the ladies that throw themselves at him), and is all around a pretty legit guy. He never uses guns; granted he turns everything he touches into an explosive- but its always for a good cause. He is never self interested. 

Being in Maui, i am feeling more normal but still unwell- and will be seeing a doctor soon. In the meantime, MacGyver  continues to help me pass the time. His bedside manner is next to none:) 

home on Ulumau

Most of my years living in Maui have been spent in a couple houses on Ulumau. I love this little street- and love coming home to it. 

Its nothing glamorous.  Not much to look at.  It a little Hawaii side street lined with houses- all crowned with rusty corrugated tin roofs. My house is the same- a weathered and termite weakened structure with little or no glory. But I love the airiness, the open windows, the giant mango tree that shades the dirt patch which is where our front lawn should be, and I love the mountain view at the end of the street... its the little things. Always the little things. 

And in the end, its just home. And i am so delighted to be here.

no need to count down

Things here are going well this week. I am feeling better and am out of bed finally- and I even had a couple outings: one out to dinner, and another to a salon for my hair. Now if i still look kinda sick, my hair at least looks cheerful and healthy!

I am glad i feel more stable again this week- i need that to continue so my travel goes smoothly. Travel, you ask? Yes, I am about to travel. With much prayer -and the council of my leadership and colleagues-  I have decided to shorten my trip and come home to Maui immediately. The aim is to fully recover from mono- not to strain my recovery or have it continue to be long and drawn out- as it could cause permanent damage to my health. I see the Lord's hand in how i booked my ticket (changeable) and the commitments i made (none beyond teaching the course we just finished)...as well as in the outside confirmation i received while praying about this, even though i didn't mention it to anyone.

This shift in my plans is unexpected, but I believe it's a wise decision. Now it's just a week until my flight- and my heart is already turning toward home. My roommate asked if i was in countdown mode- but i'm really not. (Even if i did talk about bagels, cheeseburgers and eggo waffles for a half hour last night!) I have said it before, but on a trip like this, you push and persevere toward the end, even when you are tired- for months you push. Then suddenly, about a week or so out from the end, the momentum catches up with you- you see that the end is coming whether you push now or not. That's always the time i can enjoy where i am and be present the most. When there is so much time, you fight it; but in the end, because there is so little left - it becomes more precious. And you savor the moments.

There is no need to count down when time is flying.