Hawaii Day

At my elementary school there were annual activities that took place in every grade.  One of these events that I remember more keenly than others was Hawaii day when I was in the second grade.  It entailed just what its name might imply.  All of the different classes grouped together and took a "trip" to Hawaii for a day filled with exotic fun and games.

We began our journey seated to the islands on the flight there.  Fortunately it lasted all of eight minutes instead of the eight hours it would have taken to get there.  Shortly upon arriving we set up our spot on the beach (or the gymnasium floor) with our beach towel, which we had been instructed to bring, in our   tropical clothes, that we had been instructed to wear.  The rest of the day turned into a magical island experience.  We had scavenger hunts on the island play ground, made colorful leis, and grass skirts.  Nothing could have topped the day of better than the poi snack in the afternoon.  It is fond memory that I am sure we all remember.

This day emphasized culture and knowledge that comes with exposure to different places.  I am unaware if that day was supposed to have education implications, probably because I was to busy attempting a hula dance.  I now realize the importance of travel in education.  I thank my parents for all of the opportunities that they have given my sister and I to see the world.  I feel that there is a very good connection between my time my family spent on trips and the well rounded academics that I take part in.

For years our spring break tips took my family all around the country, and only occasionally included time spent relaxing on a beach.  Even when we actually did go to Hawaii we spent a good deal of time hiking the Napali coast of Kauai.  Other trips consisted of museums and historical monuments that inspired imagination.  These trips encouraged me to imagine, and cause me to invest time in research both before and after trips.  I wanted to emulate my parents, who are both very smart in their own regard.

While I may have not realized it at the time, Hawaii day was the beginning of an adventure abroad that has brought me to thirty-some odd states and four countries outside the U.S.  I know that I have been very fortunate to see a variety of places and believe that my academics were positively affected by this. I am still a long way from getting, or even looking, for a job, but my experiences have given me an advantage and inspiration to find something that I will love.