peace.

Peace: a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict.

So, inner peace could be described as the lack of violent inner conflict? This is the ultimate goal isn't it? This seems like such a simple thing but has proven, for me, to be quite a difficult task.


Not quite I year ago I was commissioned and "officially" joined the Navy, for better or for worse. I was certain it was much more for the worse, rather than better. The last year has been the greatest emotional roller coaster I have faced. I have dealt with changes in goals and directions, relationships, and even where I live, my time zone, and my day-to-day support network. I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out why and what this all means.... when I would feel better. I have looked for comfort in all directions even when it wasn't the best decision. I looked everywhere but inside. Today, not quite a year later, I stop the searching.


Today, I woke up and looked into the mirror at a girl who was smiling back at me. I stared for a moment before realizing the girl was actually me. I am, for better or worse, a year older a year stronger and a year happier. I was searching for a way to stand up on my own two feet and eventually I found it... only an ocean and a year away, plus some very good friends and family along the way.   :)

mom time.

What a wonderful way to spend a weekend in beautiful San Diego, with my favorite lady!

And, yes, we toured the Midway. Headphone and all.

welcome.

"Welcome to the United States...." 

What they should have said is, "Welcome back to your own country where you must get undressed, have all privacy violated, and have your possessions dug through  in the airport just to enter the country."

I am back in America! I am here just for a short time but fully plan to enjoy my few weeks in the San Diego sunshine with shopping, beaches, and a couple great visitors. :)

Ahhh.... how great to be back in The States, even for just a bit! This is the land where I can throw away trash however I want, read the street signs, order a pizza (with no mayo!), and get starbucks on nearly every street corner....

little things.

It's the little things that make me smile...

And, do I care that I bought these myself just to make my apartment a little more cheerful? Nope. :)

origami.

Origami (折り紙), from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper"; kami changes to gami due to rendaku) is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding.

My Disney Princess origami creation:

See, I told you I was practically Japanese.

ten.

It has been ten years today since I sat in Coach Rush's Speech Class my freshman year of high school in the Ag Barn and listened as the principal announced over the intercom that there had been an attack. It was in that classroom that I watched the second tower fall and learned what true hate and terror looks like.

I will never forget that moment. Our nation will never forget that day.

yummy.

bannana milk on the train? yes, please.

grownup.

Being a grownup is tiring.... today I got to work before dark and left after dark. Maybe I should have read the fine print way back when.... It is tiring and there is so much to figure out along the way about life and love...

"I guess when it comes down to it Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up These are the best days of our lives The only thing that matters is just following your heart And eventually you'll finally get it right." - The Ataris

Tomorrow I get to do it all again. Eventually, the big lesson here will kick in and I will get it right.

courteous.

Dear Americans,

Please take notes from the Japanese on how to handle yourself while using public transportation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

emily

safety.

O Japan, I feel safer already...

heart.

"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

 - Mother Teresa


Finding myself smiling a lot these days... feeling a little lighter, with a heart more healed and whole...

talas.

TYPHOON: a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean etween 180 and 100 degrees E.

And we headed out to sea again... running away from a storm that never hit Yoko... just swell.

I hope the areas hit have a steady recovering. There was a great deal of destruction felt further south in Japan, the same week the East Coast got rocked by Irene. There is so much destruction that can come with no notice and no apparent rhyme or reason. I am reminded how thankful I am for the safety all those that I love and my home here in Yoko.

part-time home.

A few pics of where I spend all my time away from home:

desk. yes, auburn comes with me, which i wear every sunday. :)

bed/rack...yes, ive hit my head more than once. and yes, i get made fun of for wearing the rain boots to work.

my "closet." very few pairs of shoes get to travel with me. it's tragic really.

can you say cozy? this makes the dorms look huge.