Our KS EdTech Services group just returned from a retreat at the Punalu’u beach house. It was a great time of bonding and team building. Our managers did a great job of planning, and everyone contributed their talents. We truly enjoyed one another’s company.

Day 1 started with a service learning project at the Nā Kamalei Discovery Garden. We did a little weeding, cleaning, and painting. We learned a lot and were very grateful for the opportunity. Here are a few pics from their blog. We spent most of the afternoon working on a video about what we had learned.

Our dinner activity was an “Iron Chef” competition. We were grouped into small teams to create delicious, gourmet meals. After the judging, we were able to partake in all of the wonderful dishes.

Following dinner, it was “Sunset on the Beach.” We had chairs and a projector set up on the lawn. We enjoyed everyone’s video production. We capped off the night by playing guitar in the backyard. Others were fishing, playing poker, or just hanging out.

I consider that night to have been one of the worst night’s of sleep that I’ve ever had (or not had) in my life. “Thank God it was so short.” The flood lights were in my eyes, the metal rod from the broken army cot kept hitting my head, and it was freezing cold. To make matters worse, every time I dozed off, I was rudely awakened by a chorus of loud snoring….

Day 2 greeted us with a chilly morning and a gorgeous sunrise. Omelettes and hot coffee hit the spot. In fact, all of the meals were pretty fantastic. We had a craft activity and some really funny games. We had a guest speaker who gave a presentation entitled “Living on Purpose.” It really spoke to me.

After lunch, it was time to clean up and wrap up. I am so blessed to be at the Kamehameha Schools. What a treat….

Photo courtesy of Lynne.

This is my ‘ohana at the Kamehameha Schools. We’re called Education Technology Services – Instructional (or ETS-i for short.) Our primary function is to train teachers & students in integrating technology into their teaching & learning. But that’s not what this post is about….

This is really about family. God has blessed me with the best team that anyone could possibly have. I am incredibly grateful. We just love hanging out together.

My only criticism is that some of our email exchanges are a little too “lovey-dovey” for me. Now how many people can claim that as the worst (and only) fault of their co-workers?

Thank you Lord….

….climbed on April 27th.

Bruddah Tim took the Kamehameha Schools EdTech team to Makapu’u for some rock climbing. It was a blast! We had great weather, and the scenery was beautiful!!

The day started off at Jack’s Restaurant in Aina Haina. They’re known for their incredible biscuits. We then met up at Darrin’s condo in Hawai’i Kai. We carpooled and drove down to “Mak’s” (to the parking lot after the Makapu’u lighthouse.) Here is where my adventure begins….

Tim advised us to wear compression shorts underneath our walking shorts. This was to prevent your pics from appearing on failblog.org. Not owning a pair of “tights” like my co-workers, I wore my baseball sliding pants. On top of that, I wore jeans shorts that covered my knees. (I know that this “set-up” sounds like an excuse…. but it’s not.) We then carried the gear and hiked half-way up the mountain. This totally killed me. I was gassed! My legs were shot. Finally, we made it to the face of the mountain. The view was spectacular! I was able to recover, and successfully climb the “beginner’s rock.” It was fun. I was very appreciative of the opportunity to do something like this in such a beautiful place. End of story right? Another “Disney happy ending….”

Nope. Bruddah Darrin, (a world-class triathlete) and Tim , (the most in-shape P.E. teacher in the state) thought it would be cool if our team climbed to the top of the mountain. We were already half-way there…. So we did. The team blitzed to the top. Lynne, Mimi, and Melia (the wahines on the team) led the way. I on the other hand, was running on empty. I dreaded every inch of the way. My pants were too tight! I felt like a running back trying to score with two tacklers hanging onto his legs…. Bruddah Cy was compassionate enough to fake that he was as out-of-shape as I was. He advised me to tie my shoes (I never tie my shoe laces….) That made a huge difference. I then rolled up my pants, and made it to the top. Thank god!

Lunch was great! We went to Sandy’s Beach and had a cook out. As soon as I parked, I peeled off my baseball pants and threw it away in the dumpster. We chomped down on misoyaki chicken, rib-eye steak, and rice. Bruddah Nate and I drank coconut water and Pepsi. All in all, it was a fun, awesome, and an amazing day….