Inky Marina!

Hey everyone! Labor Day weekend is like summer's last hurrah. Luckily, I didn't spend it alone. My friend Maiki (remember her from this post?) was visiting New York City for a hula competition. She had a few days free at the end of her trip, so she came to stay with me and hang out.



Maiki came over late on Friday night. We both had to go straight to bed, but on Saturday morning, we were ready for adventure. I decided to take Mike for a hike at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. It's one of my family's favorite places in New York City. My friends Violet and Sophie have also gone there with me. In this photo, you can see Jamaica Bay and the Broad Channel neighborhood behind us.



Isn't Maiki pretty? I'm so glad she was able to stop by. Since she lives in Hawaii, we don't get to see each other very often. She comes to the mainland fairly often for hula competitions, but I've never been to Hawaii. I'd love to go someday!



Jamaica Bay is beautiful. I love seeing the migrating geese and ducks. The seagulls are there year round, but they're fun too.



I picked up a Junior Ranger book for Mike, so she could earn her first badge. She did all the activities for Jamaica Bay, but unfortunately, when we went back to the ranger station, it was closed! Mike said it was a sign she'll be back in NYC again; she'll have to pick up her badge then.



On Sunday, I took Maiki into Manhattan. We went to the American Museum of Natural History. We checked out the exhibit on Pacific People (I think that was Mike's favorite), where they had an amazing feathered cape from Hawaii. Then, we explored the part of the museum with exhibits on Africa and Asia. I was surprised- they actually have a small Siberian section! They even had artifacts from my people- the Nanai.

After the museum, we went to Rockefeller Center. Maiki had always wanted to try a Magnolia cupcake, so we each got one and took them by a large fountain to enjoy. While we were eating, Mike told me about one of her friends from Hawaii- Coral. Coral is originally from New Zealand, but she spent two years living in Hawaii, where she met Maiki at a dance competition. Now, Coral has moved to New York City with her father and she's hoping to get into a pre-professional ballet school! Maiki said we'd really get along, so she gave me Coral's phone number.

It was great seeing Maiki! (Also, I had grown a lot since we last saw one another- look how much taller I am than Maiki!) I was sad to say goodbye to her this afternoon. She made me promise to call Coral. I'm pretty nervous about it- what if she doesn't like me? Have you guys ever met someone new through a friend?