I'm back!

I was here:

but now, I'm back. Sad panda.

I went home for a short visit to see the fam, since I didn't make it back around the holidays. It was great, as always, to see everyone and get my fill of yummy local food. My trips back home are usually spent at my dad's house, which is great in and of itself, however, not quite the true "Hawaiian vacation" most people get to enjoy while visiting my home state. I decided it was high time I get me one of those vacations. So right smack dab in the middle of my trip, I checked myself into a bonafide resort (which happens to be at my favorite beach spot) for a few blissful days of uninterrupted relaxation.

I didn't leave the hotel grounds for 3 days. It was fantastic! My little sister came over for a sleepover one night, and spend the whole next day with me. We had a great time. We started the morning with this:

And then meandered our way to the spa for massages and some quality time in the steam room. Aaaahhhh...

We also hung out by the pool, and the beach. Oh, and I even got in a little run (okay, jog/walk - hey, I'm just beginning!) one morning, on this great path that lines the lagoons that make up my favorite beachy area. With scenery like this, I could run everyday!

I don't know how or why I hadn't done this until now. Hello? In the end, it was a splurge, a ridiculous indulgence...and I would do it again (and plan to) in a heartbeat. I plan to make this a permanent stop whenever I go home. It's just too good to pass up. So this is what a real vacation is like!

More on the vacay later. Now I must attend to some 235 emails and many, many blog posts. So, I'll be stopping by soon to catch up with everyone. I've missed you guys!