Tips, Tricks, and Highlights of Maui, Hawaii

Maui is a great place to visit any time of the year. I went this past time in September. The weather was perfect for hiking and walking around the towns. During the hottest part of the afternoon, it was perfect for swimming before it got too windy with a bit of a chill from the breeze later in the evening.

Where to stay?

I would recommend staying in either Wailea or Kaanapali Beach. Wailea is more luxurious and laid back, where Kaanapali has everything to offer with lovely world-class hotels as well. The beach in Wailea is better if you enjoy soft sand and water that is not rocky. Whether you stay in Wailea or Kaanapali, you will want to visit each other. I would highly recommend renting a car while in Maui unless you plan on never leaving your hotel.

Where to eat?

There is a ton of great local restaurants around the island. Here are my top picks:

Geste Shrimp Truck; Order the Garlic Shrimp (Near Airport)
Longhi’s; Skip dinner, order the Macadamia Nut Pie (Wailea)
Nalu’s South Shore Grill; Order the Stuffed French Toast (Kihei)
If you are staying at the Hyatt Regency; all their restaurants are good

The places that I would skip that were highly recommended:

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop; Had three different pies, all boring
Tobi’s Shaved Ice & Poke; Nothing remarkable, I have had way better in Seattle
Longhi’s; For dinner, it was okay but way overpriced
Honoapiilani Food Truck; Hooked; Poke was grey and was not good

Our Favorite Drive:

We took a scenic drive almost every day, some were just okay, and there was this one that stood out! We skipped going to Hana during Covid, as they have asked tourists not to visit Hana.

Instead, we did the Kahekili Highway that goes to the North Shore.

The North Shore is considered a beautiful, rugged road that offers spectacular ocean views in an uncharted landscape. If you’re up for an adventure, you’ll love the narrow lanes and curves of the Kahekili Highway, especially with all the jaw-dropping vistas along the way! Start in Kapalua and head north towards Honolua Bay (One of the top spots for surfing and snorkeling). Then, take a peek at Nakalele Blowhole, take a dip in the Olivine Pools, and pick up some delicious banana bread in the nearby town of Kahakuloa for the drive back! Finally, you can make a circle that will take you back to Lahaina, passing the Airport.

Snokorling:

Don’t miss out on snorkeling while in Hawaii! We took a tour that took us out to the middle of the ocean with reefs, and it was stunning! There were turtles all around us, which was so cool to see! If you go in winter and take this tour, you will be able to see humpback whales and hear them singing while you are in the water.

Tour Company: Quick Silver

If you plan on spending most of your vacation at the beach, I would highly recommend renting a set of snorkeling gear so you can go out on your own. There are plenty of places around the island to snorkel right off the shore with turtles, reefs, and fishes of all colors. Just make sure you don’t come close to the turtles or fish, DO NOT TOUCH THEM! Also, always wear reef-safe sunscreen, nothing that sprays!

Snorkel Report Maui

Slaughterhouse Beach; Best for Turtles
Ho’okipaHo’okipa Beach; Best for Turtles
Honolua Bay; Overall variety of reef and fish
Mokulē’ia Bay; Overall variety of reed and fish

Sunsets:

Sunsets are charming across the island; I would recommend picking a new place every night to watch them and not eat dinner during them unless you can see it. You will regret missing even one on your trip.

Top things to do:

Go to a Luau; they are all about the same, so pick one in your price range; they range from $150-$400 per-person
Go to Cowboy Town (Makawao), then make your way to Paia
Must try poke, comment your favorite poke place in Maui we tried a few, and all were disappointing

Jewish Walking Tour; Paris (Half-Day)

Jewish History is complexed and dates back to the beginning of creation. In most cities around the world, especially in European cities, there will be a Jewish quarter. In the 19th and 20th centuries, primarily the Jews would live in this part of the city. France is no expectation to this. The Jewish quarter of Paris is called Le Marais between the 3rd and 4th Arr.

Today this area is made up of excellent Jewish bakeries, restaurants, museums, and shopping. Overall it is a high tourist location not just for the Jewish culture, but the locals seem to enjoy the increased traffic flow of the nightlife from the restaurants and name-brand shopping stores.

During the Second World War, most of the Jewish population of Paris lived in the Le Marais district. When the Jews were sent away to the various camps across Europe, they were first in a holding area. This was a local arena they would use for sporting events that is close to the Eiffel Tower, which is not that close to Le Marais; since the war, they have torn down the arena, and you can visit where it once was for a memorial of the deportation of Jews out of Paris. This will not be included in the tour as it is not within walking distance from Le Marais; I will have the address at the bottom if you want to visit the memorial. While you are taking your walk through the streets of Le Marais, you will notice little gold squares with names on them. These are to represent the Jews that lived in those apartments during the war.

The objective of this tour is to appreciate Jewish art and culture, not focusing on the Second World War. However, we will see essential sites and artifices that pertain to that period in History as well. Additionally, we will stop and see other historical or popular attractions in the Le Marais district. While on this tour, be open to seeing and experiencing the life of a Jew in Paris today.

Our tour will begin at Metro Stop Rambteau.

Museum of Jewish Art and History followed by the Garden of Anne-Frank.

This museum primarily celebrates and remembers the beautiful works of Jewish artists across Europe who came to Paris to study and embrace themselves around like-minded artists. This is not a holocaust museum, there is one in Paris, but as I mentioned above, this tour celebrates Jewish life and arts.

Highlights of the museum:

Each artist’s journey they had to make to get to Paris to study their trade from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Abstract art in Cubism style from the 1920s
The sketches the Jewish prisoners made while at Auschwitz.
You go through the museum learning and see the work of about 20 artists throughout 1900-1940. When you arrive at the end of the exhibition, you learn out of the 100+ Jewish art students, only about five from Paris originally were able to escape to NYC during the start of the war. A partnership the USA and France created to protect Jewish artists. Unfortunately, most of the remaining artists we learned about through their stories and work did not survive the war.
Once you finish at the museum, around the corner, there is a garden dedicated to the young life of Anne-Frank. The garden is simple, nothing too exciting, unlike the other gardens and parks across Paris. But take a break and embrace the beauty of it.

Address:

Hôtel de Saint-Aignan, 71 Rue du Temple, 75003 Paris, France

Phone +33 1 53 01 86 53

Web Visit website

Take a Lunch Break

Enjoy a falafel or traditional Yiddish babka in one of the pletzl’s always-crowded eateries, and browse books or other items in one of the shops on Rue des Rosiers or Rue des Ecouffes.

Enjoy a stop at a local bakery

This stop would be my highlight, the art of baking has always caught my interest. It is actual science and art, especially when it comes to local bakeries geared towards someone’s heritage and culture; they pour their heart and life into their bakeries. Here are a few recommendations on what to order and where to go.

Sacha Finkelsztajn – La Boutique Jaune (27 rue des rosiers) What to order: Cheesecake

Boulangerie Murciano (16 rue des rosiers) What to order: Apfelstrudel

Visit the Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue

This historic synagogue, like many important Jewish sites in Paris, in the Marais district. Inaugurated in 1914, It was designed by renowned French architect Hector Guimard a year earlier and features a facade with distinctively modern, art-deco elements. Guimard is best-known for having designed many of Paris’ most elaborate Metro (subway) entrances.

It was commissioned by a local community of Orthodox Jews, mostly of Eastern European, Polish and Russian origin, following a wave of immigration from the area to Paris at the beginning of the 20th century.

Inside, ornate furnishings such as chandeliers and benches are also the design of Guimard.

The synagogue remains an important place of worship in Paris and was deemed a historic monument by the French government in 1989. It has also seen periods of tragedy: on the evening of Yom Kippur in 1941, during the French occupation by Nazi Germany, it was dynamited alongside six other synagogues in the capital.

Address:

10 Rue Pavée, 75004 Paris, France Phone

+33 1 48 87 21 54

Web Visit website

Museum Picasso

Opened in 1985 in the 17th-century Hôtels Sale, the Picasso Museum was closed in 2009 after a famous art theft. It only reopened (with better security, we hope) in 2015. The elegant mansion is the perfect place to peek into Picasso’s monumental treasure trove of his paintings, sculptures, love letters, poetry, and photography.

Guide to Picasso

Optional: Vélodrome d’Hiver Memorial Site

Address: Prom. du Quai de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, France

After this tour, I hope you learned something new that you can pass along about the lives of French Jews from decades past and today.

What is Lupus and Hemochromatosis? And how does it affect me?

Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by Lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Iron overload is usually caused by an inherited condition called hemochromatosis. Excess iron can poison organs, leading to cancer, irregular heartbeat, and liver cirrhosis. Symptoms are related to conditions that arise from iron overloads, such as diabetes, darkening of the skin, abnormal heart rhythm, or arthritis. Iron can be dropped to safe levels by regularly removing blood from the body.

It is still unknown how one can get Lupus. However, it is primarily genetic or environmental. It is a disease with zero cures, but there are some great treatment options if you can afford them. The average yearly cost for someone with Lupus in the United States is $50,000. Five million people globally have Lupus, 90% of us are women, and you are three times more likely to have Lupus if you are a black woman. It takes on average six years to be diagnosed because it is a disease with 1,000 faces. More than half of those with lupus report consulting four or more different health care providers about their lupus symptoms before being accurately diagnosed. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among people with Lupus, and 60% of all people with Lupus will develop kidney or liver complications.

How does it affect me?

I was officially diagnosed with Lupus and Hemochromatosis at the end of 2020. However, I have been getting tested since I was 18 (a total of 6 years, which is average). The reason why it takes so long is not that your doctor does not believe you; it is just challenging to be diagnosed, and life gets in the way, or at least the was the case with me. It isn’t a simple blood test; it is multiple tests, waiting to see your symptoms, going to this specialist and then this specialist and conducting this test and then this test and then a few more tests.

I originally went to the doctor as a Freshman in college because I could not keep up with my peers, partying and drinking. I told everyone it was because I did not like it, so I would always stay behind, but the truth was my body couldn’t handle it. I would end up being sick for a week. I did not know why this was happening. I was young and thought to be in good health. Well, like any 18-year-old, I didn’t keep up with doctors very well. One year later, I was in Croatia and got extremely ill. I thought it was just sun stoke and rested and was back to enjoying my vacation a few days later. When I got back to the states, I went back to my doctor in Portland, explained that my body had not felt right ever since. She told me to start tracking how I feel for the next year and when I get ill, what happens. Over the next two years, I would again get highly ill while in Macedonia and Mexico City with the same symptoms: racing heart, rash, fever, swelling of my joints, just overall exhausted where I could not move. My ex was not supportive of whatever was happening since I was young and should not be feeling ill all the time. But, he was right, something was wrong, and I had to fix it. The doctor explained that sun exposure could cause Lupus to flare, which combined with all of my other symptoms day today, she had enough to go on to start the process of testing me for Lupus.

However, I moved to NYC and lost health care coverage that was easily accessible. So I had to stop my plan and my testing. Was this a smart move? Probably not, but like any 22-year-old, I was going to do what I wanted; nothing was going to stop me. It was now the summer of 2019, and I broke out in a terrible rash that would not go away; it was mixed with always being tired and not being able to do much. This was my first summer in NYC, and it is so hot and humid.

As soon as the fall hit, I felt better, and the rash went away, so I again told myself I was okay. That fall 2019, I decide to go somewhere every weekend in October; I was in Portland, then Los Angeles, then Montreal, then Paris. The day I arrived in Paris, I started to notice a rash on my legs, a rash I had never seen before. I also got again very ill the day I arrived. I believe it was just a nasty cold, but that virus was the virus that told my body to attack because she is not listening. I got back to NYC, the rash spreading on my legs. I was fixing my shoe at work a few days later, and my colleague saw my rash and immediately thought I had the plaque and made me sit in the back of the office. I was about a month into this rash spreading all over my body; it looked like I had some crazy disease, but it was just on my legs and torso so that I could cover it. I kept thinking I need to fly back to California to see a doctor because I can’t pay out of pocket here in NYC. I booked a flight for two weeks from that point.

The stress of my life right then caused this virus to attack, and this rash spread everywhere, and it had swelled my entire body. My shoes did not fit anymore, and I could not walk from the pain and swelling. I went to the emergency room in November 2019, and she explained I had Lupus or Leukemia. I knew then it was Lupus; I had my Oregon and California doctors already testing me, now this NYC doctor confirming it all. I flew home for a week in December 2019 to officially be serious and finish my testing to get treatment. Then covid hit, and all testing was put on hold, so once again, I was back to square one. Eventually, testing and tracking came back, and I was able to be diagnosed in October 2020.

Since my treatments started in October 2020, I have not had much of any issues, no flares, I should say, and no rashes (thank God!). I get tired from time to time; I still have never partied or overly drank, it became customary to me, and I don’t mind it. I have learned when to stay no and sit something out. I would say 95% of the time, I am just fine and can do anything! Not saying I want to climb a mountain, but I think nowadays I could, whereas five years ago, I knew I would not be able to.

Since the Lupus/Hemochromatosis I have primarily attacks my skin cells and liver, I can not consume iron or liquor often. This has been a significant adjustment as so many foods we eat have iron in them and not being able to enjoy a martini anymore. However, I can have iron enriched foods on special occasions, and I allow myself a few glasses of wine each month. I will live with Lupus my entire life, I am blessed I did catch it early, and my treatments are working as they are designed.

I am praying for a cure, especially for the women who suffer a lot more than I do.

Two weeks solo in Paris; did I learn anything and what is next?

I spent two week alone in my favorite city; Paris. I decided to go on a complete whim, well actually the guy I was talking to for a couple months decided he was not quite over his ex…I was upset so I bought a ticket to Paris that same day we “ended” if we were even a thing. Thinking well at least I can be sad in my favorite city. Well that was in spring and I went in late summer. Safe to say I had totally forgotten him; even his name by the time I went. However, I think this is really when you decide to make these rash decisions like buying a plane ticket randomly with no plan. Most of my decisions in life have been fast and rash but I have yet to be disappointed.

This was the longest trip I have taken solo, even though living in NYC seemed like a never ending solo holiday. I think when people take solo trips they except to find themselves or feel liberated. I am not sure if I am just so used to being alone that it doesn’t matter where I am in the world I feel the same but Paris had no change in myself though whatsoever. I am very content with my life and happiness and who I have become; so maybe I am just not searching to find myself. I was there to enjoy every pastry I could get my hands on and that is exactly what I did; successful trip.

Like I said I went with no plans, no itinerary. I woke up each day thinking okay what is on the agenda for today. That is my favorite type of traveling when I have already been to that location several times. This does not mean I did not do tourist things, I just was not on a strict agenda or time table. I did take a visit to Versailles and the Louvre. I also did new things I had never done before like go to the Jewish Art and Culture Museum that I enjoyed immensely.

I was working remote West Coast hours (5pm-1am) I thought that was going to be difficult but honestly it was amazing! I had all day to do whatever I wanted and then work at night. This was nice because I typically wouldn’t go out every night past 10pm anyways; especially alone. I am someone who never feels unsafe; I would go anywhere and think no one would ever hurt me. I think that is why I am able to do so much on my own; the lack of fear. However, I am realistic and I know I should play it safe and not risk something I would not enjoy anyways. So, I did not feel like I was missing out on anything by working nights.

But the question I am asking myself is did I learn anything? I learned that I can travel alone for an extended period of time; hints me going back to Europe in a few short weeks for four months. I might learn something or find my new self during that trip. I highly doubt it though; again my focus will be on trying all the strudel and burek and just seeing these new cities. I suppose I will let you all know. It would be cool to have some type of movie moment or fall helplessly in love with a stranger on holiday. Maybe I will try and make that happen…

Amazon! Do I love it or hate it? Plus the hiring process

I have been working at corporate Amazon for less than a year, but a year at Amazon feels like forever. Most people last two to four years on average, I have been told. I think that is mostly in tech roles. I work on the Amazon Fashion Tech initiatives team in a non-tech role. I genuinely love my job and everyone I work with. Of course, there are those days that end in tears and wanting to give up, but at Amazon, you are never alone. There is a village of support around every corner which has made my experience so far worth wild.

I don’t want this post to be propaganda on why you should also work for Amazon. So instead, I want to share my thoughts and explain why I changed my mind about Amazon over the past year.
Before working for Amazon, I was not too fond of the company for everything it was. I had never even made a purchase before working there. Everyone knew don’t discuss Amazon with me because, generally, I was not too fond of it. It wasn’t so much they were taking from small businesses, but rather the fear of them taking over so many entities here in America.

In reality, they are not taking small businesses away that happened decades ago with Target and Walmart. If we want to say Amazon will put Walmart and Target out of business, I highly doubt it they are both billion-dollar companies that continue to grow; there is a need for online retail just as much as in-person shopping. I utilize both equally. That thought is still in my mind for my taking over reviews, but I’m not viewing it as a terrible thing. Amazon has more than a million employees with average incomes higher than similar roles elsewhere. They give great benefits and the best maternity leave I have ever seen in America (it truly is on par with Europe, incredible). They have offices globally and helping local and state economies to grow. They help small businesses flourish and continue to partner with small businesses to develop their platform.

In a year, this is what I have noticed and experienced. I genuinely do feel valuable at Amazon, and, at the moment, I’m planning on staying for a long while. Also, I have made over 100 purchases. It is like a drug that I don’t like, and they make it too easy!

For anyone curious about my hiring process:
1. Applied via LinkedIn, Late August 2020
2. Got an email from a recruiter; asking me to write a short answer essay, Late August 2020
3. First interview; with someone who had my job title I was applying for; you hear back within 24 hours if you get put through to the next round, early September 2020
4. I passed! Next was five interviews in one day, you hear back within five business days, mid-September 2020
5. I passed! However, the position was filled. Since I passed the loop interviews. I didn’t have to re-apply. The next open position that they felt I would succeed in, they would let me know, mid-September 2020
6. The recruiter did inform me this next set of open positions can take 2-3 rejections before you find a leader that matches well with you. She kept me updated weekly on the process on when she expects new positions to open
7. I waited about six weeks, finally got a call that a position was open, but she warned me that this is the first leader I’ll be interviewing with, and most people don’t get their first one. Late October 2020
8. I interviewed with this leader and the lead EA on the team. I got the offer that day or the next day; I don’t remember. So, in other words, I never did get rejected, which was a nice feeling. Early November 2020
9. November 30th was my first day

Who Am I?

I’m 25. Single. Female. American.

I was raised in Southern California with an incredible set of parents, with two brothers and a sister. The joke is I was raised as a single child since I am much younger than my siblings and I have an extremely close bond with both of my parents. With that came being an aunt at 13, now I have 4 nieces and 4 nephews all that I love dearly but don’t see as often as I would hope.

When I was 7 we started attending the Christian church, something most of my family has adopted since then. We kept our Jewish heritage close to us, remembering important events and dates. Ultimately choosing the Jewish faith for myself as an adult . My mother’s side are Yugoslavian Jews (nowadays Croatian/Slovenian) my father is Hungarian (maybe German) it got iffy there during the war, our last name changed and stories got mixed or maybe hidden with the fear of being deported back to Europe. Regardless I value families struggles and heritage.

I studied at Portland State University, graduating with my Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science, Criminology, and Social Science. I have always had a passion for Fashion my entire life. In high school I even designed and sold clothing I made, even ended up in the hands of Kylie Jenner and the LA Fashion Magazine. However, I felt that idea of continuing with this path was risky and offered no security. I opted for a career in policing, I worked for the department for two years as a domestic violence advocate, realized this is not for me, I will support it but I can no longer dedicate my life to this career.

During this time, my ex-boyfriend and I decided to go our separate ways (that is a nice way of saying what the truth really was). I was left with a shattered heart. When you feel like you have lost it all that is when you can only gain and you make large life decisions. I decided to quite my job, try my hand in fashion and move to New York City. I did not have much of a savings, I went with very little and had hopes I would make it rather quickly, it was a gamble I was ready to take. I knew I could always go back home to California. I’m not someone to acknowledge failure, just an opportunity that did not fully come to plan. I had enough to survive for about one month and that was barely. I applied for thousands of jobs. Some liked me but ghosted me (classic) and others I was just another girl trying to make it with zero fashion buying experience. I eventually found a position a week before I got my flight to NY, it was a simple sales position at Rebecca Taylor. I knew my monthly income wouldn’t even pay my rent in the city (at the time the east village). On my flight to New York I decided to apply for one last position, for giggles. When I arrived that afternoon they called, I went in for the interview, left, got called back to meet with the CEO, then was offered the position that day. As we all know if you get offered a position the day you interviewed, never a good sign, but ultimately the salary was double and it didn’t matter to me. I was in NYC for 24 hours and my dreams were partly coming true.

My experience in NYC was pure magic and happiness. It was like living in a movie, I met incredible people that will be lifelong friends. One day I felt like I was playing the part of Adam Sandler in uncut gems and other days I felt like I was Serena Van der Woodson. The saying is true you can be anything you want to be in the city.

Covid hit-we all know what life was like in NY then, at this time I had just started my new position at Justin Alexander; a bridal gown company. I worked remote until August then I was officially laid-off. I thought I was blessed to make it that far, little did I know covid would still be happening. The day I got laid-off was the day I applied for Amazon. I knew I would be having to apply for thousands of positions again as I had done before. It is cut-throat especially during covid in NYC (fall 2020). I decided I wanted to take a break for a couple of months, by this point I had plenty of savings to last me well into Spring 2021 so I was in no real rush to jump on any random job. Well anyways that didn’t happen the very next day; about 30 hours into my unemployment and I get a call from Amazon wanting to set me up with an interview. I was shocked, but excited. After countless interviews and tests and weeks of going back and fourth I was hired. I did take a month off before my start date I enjoyed the warmth of Miami.

Since then I went to Seattle for an extended period of time; realized no I do not want to be here longer than I promised I would give it. Once I felt like I had enough I went to Europe for six months to work remotely. Now I am back in NYC full-time and it feels so good to be “home”.

My life I’m living is the ultimate joy, there is nothing I can complain about, and even when I do I remind myself this is everything I had ever wished for.