Everything was a NEW experience for me, and more overwhelming that I could have prepared myself for. Nic was settled as he arrived in Maui a few months ahead of my arrival, going about his daily routine, working etc. I on the other hand felt completely out of my element. Living in a new state, far from all things familiar, friends, family, Diesel.....I was without a job, without a home, living out of boxes in desperate anticipation for what was coming next. Starting with a home of our own.
Then reality sunk in....I've never actually house hunted. I moved from the parent's, to the dorms in college, to the home in SD that I lived for the past 9 years. I had roots in San Diego, and have only lived in 2 towns my entire life. Now at 27 I was embarking on this journey where each day I was encountering "firsts". First time living with a boyfriend, first time living in a different state, first time not having a home of my own, first time feeling "homeless", first time without a single friend nearby, first time truly being bored. I was bored out of my mind waiting for Nic to come home from work everyday as he was the only sole I knew on this island. Wait...what?!?! Waiting for a boy to come home from work because I have no one to hang out with....? This was soooooo out of character for me. I truly felt a little lost. And finding myself was going to start with finding a job and a home.
Luckily the job came within about a week and a half's time.....the home, well that was weeks to follow. So I decided it was best to unpack a few of the boxes in Nic's room to feel a little more settled and make the best of this new beginning. This was home for now....could be worse right, I could not be on a beautiful island in the middle of the pacific ocean with gorgeous sunsets, beaches and palm trees galore. :)
We looked, and looked and looked....then finally it was down to TWO places. A condo and an ohana. Nic was pulling for the ohana....I just had a really hard time seeing past the current renters STUFF. It was dark and cluttered.....but Nic was convincing. After viewing the ohana for a second time and negotiating the price a little we finally landed!!! Move in date was still 3 weeks out, but we were over the moon with excitement. Our landlord is awesome and there is a yard for Diesel....but most importantly we are one block from the beach and have a second bedroom for our friends and family to visit us!
Here's our home sweet home....
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| Front view of ohana |
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| view looking from patio out towards street (our ohana is a back detached home - our landlord lives in front house) |
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| night view of our front patio (we also have a backyard...not pictured) |
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| enter house....view from front door |
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| view from back exit looking at living room and entry / dining area we were able to paint accent walls - i love it! |
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| view from hallway |
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| obvious kitchen....homemade soup on the stove |
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| small but functional bathroom |
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| our bedroom...it was baby blue before we painted.... our landlord is so nice to let us paint :) |
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| Nic in our not-so-decorated office / room for guets |
