Hawai'i: Update 3

I truly believed this was going to be a much different update, but that's not the reality.  The reality is that we're not moving to Hawai'i.  I didn't get the job.

Shocked, let down and disappointed would be the best way to describe my feelings.  The longer I spent here, the more I saw how the good outweighed the bad, and how we could really settle here.  Yes, there are other jobs, and I've applied to a few, but I have a couple of great opportunities elsewhere, and while Hawai'i is our first choice, it's not a 'make it work at any cost' choice.

I drowned my sorrows by going for a swim.  In fact, it turned out to be one of the best swims yet, just under 3k in 40mins at a moderate effort.  That's a 1:23 per 100m or 53min for the 3.8k of an iron-distance swim.  That put a smile on my face :)

With any failure, there is opportunity to learn and improve.  So, I'll go back over my preparation and make sure it's better for the next set of interviews.  In the schedule are interviews for jobs in San Fran and NYC.  I can't guarantee I'll get one of those jobs, but I can guarantee that I'll be better prepared.

As Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude says, "Every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit."  So, we move on in search of greater opportunities.

Hawai'i: Update 2

30/30/30 Challenge

Swim 20

Bike 4

Run 30+

Getting straight to it, I'm having my first experience with "island time."  It's been two and a half weeks since my interview, so I followed up and no decision yet.  So, I'm waiting patiently (patience is a virtue!) and hoping to hear next week.  Keep you posted.

Meanwhile, I've come across a very good, high probability opportunity in NYC.  While it's not Hawai'i, there are obviously pluses and minuses to both places.  While Hawai'i remains our first choice, if the current situation drags into August, we may have to consider other options.

Other than that, a couple of recommendations if you like looking at awesome photos.  Check out a new buddy of mine, Manuel Gonzalez, on Instagram at 'gonzolenz'.  He takes amazing ocean, beach and water sports pics, and I think gets a beating from the waves while he does it.  You should also go to UnrealHawaii.com for great hiking, beach and generally incredible pics with some short, interesting dialog.

outdoor space, Art After Dark
pic from honolulumuesum.org

Finally, a few new Honolulu outings.  On Friday night, I hit Art After Dark which is an event with art, music, drinks and some activities at the Honolulu Museum of Art on the last Friday of every month from 18.00 - 21.00.  The museum has lots of open air, outdoor space to hang out, chat with friends and meet people, but you can also check out the art inside.  It was definitely cool, and if you like dressing up, which doesn't seem to happen on a daily basis here, put on your Friday night best and head on over.  If you do go, it's $10 at the door and you'll need your ID.

pic from obrhi.com

Because I went to the museum, I missed Eat the Street, a gathering of local food trucks also on the last Friday of every month.  Usually there's a different theme and it all takes place at 555 South Street, from 16.00 - 21.00.  So, if we end up living here, I think we'll try grabbing some food from a truck around 17 or 18.00 and then heading over to the museum.  Fingers crossed!

pic from frolichawaii.com

The Latest

30/30/30 Challenge
Swim 18
Bike 4
Run 30+

Feeling the Hawai'i vibe, it's Sunday, and I'm just chillin out.  Over the three weeks I've been here, the vibe has really won me over, and I feel like a high pressure finance job combined with this laid back culture outside the office is perfect for us, not to mention the year-round, outdoor training :)

That brings me to the job.  It's been two weeks since my last interview, and I'm waiting to hear a decision.  I'm planning to follow-up tomorrow to see where we stand.  Will keep you posted.

In the meantime, I've picked up a few other opportunities that I'm talking to people about (both in Hawai'i and on the US mainland) and made some time to check out the local scene like the Honolulu Night Market.

pic from www.streetgrindz.com

The Honolulu Night Market is a cool place to hang out and check out local designers, artists, musicians,  and grab some local grub from the food trucks.  If you find yourself in Honolulu on the third Saturday of any month, head down to 449 Cooke Street for this open air hang out.  Being 31, the vibe is a bit younger, but I didn't feel out of place.

lots to do!

good entertainment

Other than my life, there's tons going on around the sporting world.

First, a shout out to my buddy, Nikos, who won his age-group in the sprint race at the New Jersey State Triathlon this weekend!  Superbly done!  He took first in his group and finished top 10 out of 1,600 people.  Excellent!

Second, sticking with triathlon, the fastest iron-distance event, Challenge Roth, took place on Sunday in Roth, Germany.  Known for the huge crowds, 200,000+ spectators, Tour de France like support on some of the climbs and very fast times (recent years have required a sub-8hr finish for the overall win), it's considered one of the most important iron-distance races around, and is definitely on my bucket list.  Click to read about the MEN'S and WOMEN'S races.

Speaking of the Tour de France, it's going on right now!  Through about 15 stages, Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, from the Astana team is wearing the yellow jersey.  There have been a number of notables crashing out including Mark Cavendish and Alberto Contador.

Also, the Badwater Ultra-marathon, 135mi across Death Valley in the USA, was recently held.  And, as if 135mi/ 217k with 17,000ft/ 518m of climbing through some of the harshest conditions on earth isn't enough, acclaimed ultra-runner, Lisa Smith-Batchen, took on and completed the "quad," which is four crossings back-to-back-to-back!  She took this on in the name of Badwater4Goodwater, a charity she created to help increase the availability of clean water around the world.  Read more about her amazing feat HERE.

All this, not to mention all of the Ironman races including the European Championships which saw some great performances and shorter distance ITU Series where the Brownlees are getting back on track and American, Gwen Jorgensen took her fourth victory in a row!  All great stuff!

Perseverance

Had a tough swim yesterday, but broke it down into small pieces and slowly finished.  It felt great!

Ala Moana Beach Park
pic from www.to-hawaii.com

Being new to ocean swimming, I'm still getting comfortable being out there in the waves, in the vastness, sometimes all alone.  It's getting better, but there are still some fears (slightly unreasonable, I know) of being swept out to sea or bitten by something.  Anyway, yesterday was a mentally off day.  I wasn't 100% focused but had already decided to go for a 2k+ swim.

I got in the water just fine but within a few hundred meters my mind was battling, 'why are you doing this?' 'is this really enjoyable?' 'why don't you just quit?'  To fight off the negative thoughts, I decided to swim to the other end, 1k, and then stop and see how I was feeling.

Made the 1k and was feeling better, more relaxed.  So, I picked out a buoy and decided to swim there.  Got to that buoy, felt good, 'okay, let's go for the next buoy.'  After the next one, I decided to pick up the pace, 'wow, this is great!'

Finally, the shore where I started was within sight and the full 2k+ was completed.

Physically, exhausted.  Mentally, ecstatic!

Moral that I'll take from the day (also applicable to my job search), just keep going.  Break it down into little goals and pick them off one at a time.  You'll get there :)

30/30/30 Goal
Swim 15
Bike 4
Run 30+

Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude

Recently, for whatever reason, I've started reading like crazy.  The more I read, the more I realize there's ever more to read.  Crazy, huh.

With all of this uncertainty around our future (when we'll be back together, where we'll live, what job I'll be doing, etc.) and with a desire to maintain and improve my optimistic outlook, I've turned to self-help/ motivational books.  Like Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, the book I'm reading now, says, "motivation is like a fire: unless you continue to add fuel, it will go out."

pic from www.barnesandnoble.com

This is an older book, copyright 1960, written by Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone.  I'm new to this kind of reading, but apparently Hill has written a number of famous books while Stone built his own insurance company out of $100.  As I read through it, I'll pass on some helpful and inspiring notes and quotes.  So far, I've found this applicable to every part of my life from job hunting to athletics to simple conversation with folks.  Please enjoy!

Introduction
"The greatest secret to success is: there is no secret."
"It's impossible for you to conceive how far up is, except for the limitations of your own mind."

E Komo Mai

Welcome to Hawai'i!

E komo mai or 'welcome' in Hawai'ian.  I'm on the ground in this most gorgeous place!

Having been here a week, I'm starting to settle in a bit.  But, not too settled, I don't have a job yet!  I had my interview with one person last week and it went well, but one of the decision makers was sick, so I'll have another interview this week.  Fingers crossed!

Most of my time here has been spent prepping for interviews, but I've also been checking out the city.  Waikiki is obviously the tourist paradise that you imagine.  The business district is 15-20mins west of Waikiki by bus and very similar to the downtown of most cities.  The main differences being that here is relatively small and most business people wear Hawai'ian shirts.  Yes, seriously.  Business slacks and Hawai'ian shirts.

I'm staying between Waikiki and downtown (not sure if people here call it "downtown", but I will) in a very local and heavy traffic area.  It's not a long-term spot, but it's cheap, safe, has a grocery store, restaurants and the main bus lines nearby.

walking around Kaka'ako

Another place I checked out, which I doubt most tourists get to, is an area called Kaka'ako.  It's kind of the Shoreditch (London) or Lower East Side (NYC) of Honolulu complete with industrial/ warehouse buildings, street art and of course the relatively recent organic cafes with great coffee.  No hipsters, but it felt very homey.  To top it all off, they have a night market and food trucks at the end of every month, so hopefully I'm still around.

As for working out, I’ve been running, swimming and doing strength work down at Ala Moana Beach Park, which is about 15min walk straight down from my place.  It’s a nice beach, bigger than Waikiki and with less people, so great for swimming.  From one end to the other is just over 1km.  The water is relatively calm but moves enough to throw off a mainly pool-bound swimmer like me.  It’s incredible to do all this outside for free!

Ala Moana Beach Park
pic from www.hawaiiforvisitors.com

I also popped into a local tri/bike shop and picked up loads of info on races.  I’ve got some picked out, so let’s hope we’ll be here long term!

30/30/30 Challenge

Swim 13

Bike 4
Run 30+