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Sandra Serrano's avatar

💬 LET'S DISCUSS: Which place drops your heart rate the second you arrive?

Jermaine Speed's avatar

That trip was exactly what we all needed... can't wait for the next time we get to visit our 2nd home again.

Sandra Serrano's avatar

It would be so great if we could go every Spring. The weather was perfect!

Brittany Viklund's avatar

So many lovely recs here!!! I also loved: "We didn’t just live here. We became here." 😭

I read Project Hail Mary in March, and my husband is reading it now. We hope to secure a babysitter and catch it while it's still in theaters!! Those Bieber songs were not yet on my radar, oooo yay, can't wait to listen. And eeek I am SO excited for you to read The Correspondent, SO SO excited for you.

Sandra Serrano's avatar

I promise it feels like you just become assimilated into the islands here! haha I can’t wait to dig into The Correspondent! It’s next on my list and may actually get to it on the flight back home today. You will loooove the movie for Project Hail Mary! Everyone I know that’s read the book before seeing the movie says they did a really good job. I’ll be interested to know what your favorite scene is after you watch it!

Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Every single word of this issue was delightful, but this is what I’m going to be thinking about for the rest of the day: “so many of us spend midlife grieving the places and versions of ourselves we left behind — the life before the move, before the kids grew up, before everything changed. We treat those chapters like losses. Like something we have to get over. But what if we don’t? What if some of those lives just... wait for us? What if the places that shaped us aren’t gone — they’re just holding our spot?” Thank you for sharing that chicken pasta recipe! It’s one of my family’s favorites!

Sandra Serrano's avatar

When I read that and think of Hawai’i, I feel one way. When I think of my brother, Angel, I feel something different. Whatever you feel when you read it, I hope you feel comfort or something good. 🫂💖 That chicken recipe is happening! It looks incredible. I’ll tag you when I make it!

Erin, Nomad Life's avatar

It's attractive and friendly at the same time. Win-win!! ✨

Erin, Nomad Life's avatar

Thank you for conveying the Aloha spirit of Hawai'i. 🌺 As someone who grew up in O'ahu, I too feel it is a place that always welcomes us home.

Sandra Serrano's avatar

Hawai’i is such a special place. It’s hard to describe to people who’ve never visited but easy to understand the feeling when you’re actually here. 🌺💖

Erin, Nomad Life's avatar

p.s. I love your branding, Sandra! 🤩

Sandra Serrano's avatar

Erin, thank you!!! 🥹 That makes me so happy! 💖 I never really know what my readers think so I always appreciate the feedback!

Ibtissam C.| In Transit's avatar

Loved reading this newsletter while sipping my coffee, it's like a dose of sunshine in this grey British morning. Such a beautiful homage to Hawaiʻi. You can really feel how deeply the island lives in your memories and in your heart. It made me want to book a flight immediately to experience the beauty of O’ahu for myself. Love all your recommendations and watched most of the shows/movies you listed apart from Landman and Poeple you meet on vacation. My teenage son asked if he could watch Saltburn and I said absolutely not, I am not prepared to pay for the therapy that would follow 😄

Sandra Serrano's avatar

🤣🤣🤣 Yes, save yourself all that therapy money! The worst part was that we were watching it in our living room, which doesn’t yet have curtains or blinds over the windows, so the whole neighborhood could see our 85” TV. I was dying a slow death of mortification while my husband laughed his ass off at me. 🤣 Seriously, Landman is amazing! It’s the perfect role for Billy Bob Thornton. But Angela and Ainsley are my faves. Can’t wait for Season 3! What’s been your favorite show lately?

Sara H's avatar

Hawaii is on my travel list! I just find it so expensive that I would need to let go of many luxuries that I like while traveling!

Sandra Serrano's avatar

It can definitely get really expensive! We use points for airfare and stay with friends. But when we lived here, we learned a few tricks the locals use to make travel a little more affordable. I’ll make sure the write about this in my Hawai’i newsletter. Curious: what luxuries do you like while traveling?