January 4 2010 – Back to Hawaii, Return to Ka'imimoana and the 2010 Season Begins

New Year’s went by without much fanfare. "L", "I" and me did go to the Seahawks game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and it was nothing like the game in 2005 against the Colts. Of course, that was the Hawks Super Bowl year and fan enthusiasm was exhilarating. Even the game against the 49’ers last year had the same atmosphere. They lost that game in overtime and ever since, it was downhill for the team. You could tell that the game against the Titans did not mean much except for Chris Johnson’s goal to reach 2000 yards rushing for the season. The Titans running back achieved that and could have had a chance to break the all-time single season rushing record if his 62-yard touchdown dash was not called back on a questionable holding call. When is the NFL going to start using real professional full time referees instead of part timers? The incompetence is getting worse and their amateur status shows.

Last night being the last day at the house for a while was not an easy one. I said goodbye to "I" as he went back to Burlington to start the second and final semester of high school. "I" spent his Christmas vacation with us and we enjoyed having him at the house. We felt like a family unit for two weeks while he was there. The three of us went to see "Sherlock Holmes" on Saturday and then the Seahawks-Titans game on Sunday. By the time I return to Seattle he will have only a month left until graduation.

The glum feeling always sets in and trying to fall asleep to catch an early morning cab to the airport gets difficult. After the goodbyes you get the feeling that separation is the norm and that those treasured moments together was just a dream. No amount of technology with video phone calls and sorts will ever take the place of being there in person. It is tough and when I called “L” to tell her I arrived safely, she told me that a letter had come from Immigration. Her mood brightened up when we were informed that her son’s application has been received and will be under review. According to the web site, USCIS is working on applications received six months ago so we are anticipating a decision this summer. When he will come to the US, we do not know yet but we made a decision that I am to go get him and bring him to America. The goodbyes are excruciating and it would be agonizing for the wife to go through it again.

I am sailing on the Ka’imimoana to Apia, Samoa. The wife’s family is waiting for my arrival. I need to take my stepson to the photographers for his visa application. I am also taking copies of the documents to show him that the application is for real and not just idle chatter. “L” and I can put the goodbyes behind us when we think that this trip is for me to re-enforce her son that we still think about and love him. Tell him we did not abandon him and leave him behind. He is in care of his aunt and grandparents. However, the boy needs his mother and she needs him. The last time I saw him he was sitting atop his great grandparent’s grave crying that I was taking his mother away. We kept in touch with him, send him money and clothes, presents, and bought him a cell phone. I first met him when he was nine years old and he did not like me. We grew closer when I returned to Samoa in 2005 as I helped him with his English homework. I could not explain it to him in Samoan so I gave him the answers. Afterwards he would come to the wharf with his mother and told me he would miss me when I left. Last month during a cold spell in Seattle,”L” told her son that it was cold and his reply was that we were “lucky.” You could tell he has never worn a jacket and exposed to cold weather. I will ask him if we are lucky when he experiences his first winter.

I sailed on the Ka’imimoana two years ago doing the same route. I augmented for Mr. “H” who was transferring to another shop at the time. Mr. “W” took over and the ship is in magnificent shape. Coming back to the KA feels like going to a high school reunion. We will be maintaining buoys from eight degrees north to south latitude on the 155-degree longitude line. I will be on the ship for 17 days. We are going to leave tomorrow (Tuesday) morning for the fuel pier and be there most of the day. We will set sail for the open seas late tomorrow afternoon. I will do the same work I do on the Hi’ialakai. Morning comes fast and after a rocky plane ride from Seattle with very little sleep, I need to hit the rack and start at six in the morning. Departure days are usually long.

Aloha from Hawaii.