10 Things I Love About Hawaii

*Disclaimer: This list may be more or less than 10 things, but the title just seemed appropriate to me.

I have never been told not to do a job simply because of superstition. But I seem to get a lot of that here. It's all too common to look behind the gift wrap counter at Macy's and see scraps of paper and ribbon. One day I had nothing to do so I asked for the broom so I could sweep, but the lady who was in charge for the night told me not to because it was bad luck. So I didn't have to do anything for the rest of the night because we had hardly any customers and I couldn't clean.

Hawaiians say "ya" after everything. Almost like saying "understand?" Except we don't usually say "understand?" after everything we talk about. It kind of starts to rub off on you too. I swear, by the time I come home I will be heard saying "you da kine broda, ya" and I will be completely serious as opposed to the joking tone I often use when saying things like that.

They call trash rubbish, and have rubbish bins instead of trash cans. Plastic bags are packages. White people are haoles ("how-lees"). And kids are keiki's. Do not ask me how to pronounce any street name that isn't on a military base.

Everyone is family. Old ladies are your aunties. People close to your age are your cousins.

Take off your shoes before entering in any house. There is no question about it. Some people back home make you take off your shoes, but some don't. Here it is just common practice.

You have to know the surf forecast. They even have it on the news.

It is raining in your front yard, but not in your backyard.

There is always a rainbow, and you can usually get to the end of it. Sadly however, all of the leprechauns must have been issued Capital One No Hassle Cards as I never see any pots of gold.

I am at the beach in the middle of winter.