The Land Of Dreamers

Chapter 1

You could say that I'm normal. That everything in my life is normal. But you'd be lying, because it's not. It's not everyday some girl gets plucked from her normal, small town home in Georgia and sent to a tropical paradise so she can finally meet her family and "dig your roots" as my mom says. Trying to convince me by stealing my favorite's band third album name? Not a good choice, Mom.
    I'll admit, I miss my Hawaiian family dearly, but I'd never even been on a plane! And now we're just up and moving everything to an archipelago 4,508 miles away. Of course I'm excited but any trip like this is terrifying. I'll be most excited for the surf though. I've always loved to surf and of course living in Georgia doesn't present many opportunities. I'm sad to leave my home but this will all definitely be an adventure.
  
                                  ~~~~~~~~

    A 10 hour plane ride later, we arrive at the airport. The boring, boring airport. Nothing happens here, except that we get leis. The leis were cool. Mine was blue, my favorite color! Yeah, I just went little girl over some flowers. That's me. Then we get checked, bags get checked, which takes forever because we have so many. Not to mention waiting and waiting and waiting until we can finally leave. For whatever reason, I do not know. I mean, come on Parents! What are you doing? Wall watching? Lets gooooo!
      A 45 minute drive to my Grandparent's ocean front mansion. That's what years of hard work and smart money saving does for you. And of course it's amazing! A beautiful house in beautiful Hawaii on the beautiful water. This. Is. The. Best.

My room. A big, pale yellow room on the second floor with a balcony looking towards the water. A big queen size bed sits in the middle of my room, with the head board against the wall. It's magnificent! The head board alone is gorgeous. It's beautifully detailed with rich, dark brown wood shaped like vines and leaves with a pineapple at the top center. The sheets are white and a thin, pale yellow comforter covers it. The floor is a light tan hardwood floor that feels cool and gentle on my bare feet. A white carpet stretches in a large border around my bed. It too is soft and gentle. Two thin, white curtains billow softly around the open doors to my balcony. As I walk out onto the cool wood deck, the sound of the waves grow louder. Two lounge chairs sit on either side of the deck, facing the teal, blue ocean. I walk back into my room and over to a large, white sliding door. I slide it open. I gasp in delight at what I find. My very own master bathroom! (I always had to share with my younger brother.) It has a shower encased in glass walls, a large triangular bathtub, a toilet, obviously, and a big white vanity that stretches across the North wall. A large mirror following it.

"Kupuna," short for Kupunawahine. That's Hawaiian for Grandmother.

"It's beautiful!"

"We knew you'd love it, Lani!" She said with a huge smile on her face.

"I will leave you to settle down. Come join us downstairs when you're finished."

"Okay. Thank you so much, Kupuna!"

"Kuu kaikamahine." That means, "my girl". She's called me that ever since I was little. Kupuna smiled again and left my room, leaving the door open behind her.

   I flop down on my bed and look up. A big brown Oasis fan hangs from the ceiling. You know, those ones that look like the fanning paddles from movies that servants use to fan the Queen? Yeah that, so cool! In the corner between my balcony and bathroom is a tall white dresser with a small, flat screen TV resting on top. Even cooler! On the other corner beside my balcony, is another dresser. This one is shorter though. Beside that is what appears to be a closet. I get up and open the sliding door. It's glorious! It's like a whole other room! Big and spacious! I walk in it. To my right is a light switch, I flick it on. A bright light appears from a crystal chandelier. I have a chandelier in my closet. This is amazing! Rows of shelves and hanger racks circle the perimeter of my closet. One rack is already filled with some new clothes, and also to my delight, a new wet suit! I don't think I'll have any problem adjusting here. I turn the light off and decide to go down stairs.
"I heard you like your room."
"I love it! Thank you so much Kupunakāne!" My Grandfather beams at me and chuckles his deep laugh. He gives me a big hug and ruffles my hair.
"We have one more surprise for you,"
"Really?" I ask surprised. They've already given me more than I could ask them for.
"Come on." I follow my grandparents through the sliding door leading out to the deck. (which also leads to the beach)  My 10 year old brother, Jacob follows me, obviously curious about my present.
"Don't worry, Jacob. We got you something too." His face immediately brightens with delight.
"Kupunakāne! Kupuna!" In front of me a beautiful teal blue and bright white surfboard sits, gleaming in the sunlight. It's a Maverick 8'0" to be exact. It had to have cost them a fortune! Though it probably wouldn't be a fortune to them. They live the luxury life. And boy am I glad, because they mostly buy me and my brother stuff. Best Grandparents ever.
"Oh my gosh! Thank you so much!" I squeal. This is the best present ever, and my new teal and black rip curl wetsuit matches it perfectly. I give them both big hugs, thanking them over and over.
"Jacob,"
"Yes?" His voice is thick with excitement. Kupunakāne hands him a medium sized box wrapped in blue and red paper with a white ribbon on the top. Jacob flashes his big white smile.
"Thank you Nana! Thank you Papa!" Kupuna and Kupunakāne were always to hard for him to say so he sticks to good old English.
When the paper is all torn away, he is left with a shiny red, remote control truck.