books.

my life these days. geesh.

think learning by osmosis will really work?

stress.

fact. if only this was true.

instead i get fatter from ben and jerrys and red wine. o life choices, how you are ruining me.

techno.

Technology at its best... FaceTime connecting me back to Auburn. How did people survive before this?!

I had a great mini-reunion with some of my Auburn Engineering faves early this morning. How great it is to catch some of the comforts of home from so far away! And, I will forgive the certain individual I was talking to for letting me see all those visitors in my "natural" state.. aka sweats ready for bed.

cake.

"Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake!" -Unknown

Cake or wine.. it's close to the same, right? Tonight, I am celebrating reaching a quarter-century with a celebratory glass of red wine in my favorite wine glass and a sweet chick flick. Twenty-five sure seemed more exciting back when I was eighteen or even twenty. Now, it means I am half way to fifty, the oldest of the single sisters, and hopefully (emphasis on the hope) one year closer to whatever it is I am supposed to be doing with the rest of my life.

After another year here in the land of the Rising Sun, I am thankful for all of the opportunities I have had since I celebrated two-four in a small, Asian, Mexican restaurant. I have visited all over this part of the world, made some new friends here and back in America, met a sweet boy, realized an old dream, and had the best visitors ever last week. I have lots of great things to smile about and realize what a sweet birthday this quarter-century one really is. Though, I must confess I am much looking forward to celebrating two-six back at home with someone i love.

I hope your wish still comes true if you make it over wine instead of cake! :)

baby 2.

An update on Sweet baby Eve. She is home with Mommy and Daddy and absolutely precious! And, Eve obviously loves her accessories - a girl after my own heart! I cannot wait to be home to see Eve and her Mommy.

parentals.

Ron and Sarah came aaaaalllllll the way to Japan!!

This was the BEST early birthday present ever! We spent a week exploring every single form of public transportation, sweat our weight's worth walking up an island, saw Buddha, and even took a water taxi! I love when I have visitors and have an excuse to take a few days away from my Navy life to go out and see some of this crazy country I live in. During a very busy week, we had Thai, Peruvian, Italian, and American food all over Japan with quite amazing views. We went on a relentless search for the imperial palace, walked some, and also toured the glorious hunk of metal named eighty-five.

Fuji even gave us the privilege of showing itself through the haze with some glorious views from Midtown. Sarah and I got in some great Asain shopping, and Ron discovered the wine selection at Japanese grocery stores. The best was the amazing view of the nighttime Tokyo skyline seen from way up high in the Ritz. Tea time of course was good too!

I am so thankful to have such a wonderful family who loves me enough to add to the bucket list just for me. :)

baby.

My sister and her husband have welcomed baby Eve to the world!

Congratulations to the new parents! I love you all dearly and can't wait to be home to see you.

all.

 Stumbled upon this today. I think this about sums it all up. Life is scary and messy and downright terrifying at times, but is there really any other option than to go for it? 

So today is a reminder to give it all for the chance to achieve a dream, fall in love, reach the finish line, and take on life...

motivation.

While forcing myself to go for a run today, I started thinking about all the funny ways I find some motivation in my little Japanese life... even at times when I think it is so far off....

1. I was motivated to run today so I could get to my car sooner to drive home in AC.

2. I have been motivated to study for a different job because of how much I do not want to have my current one forever.

3. I am motivated not to eat crap so I don't have to replace those jeans that are just a bit more snug following summer cruise.

4. I am motivated to risk it all because I know the reward can be something wonderful.

Not too bad for a short jaunt into base. 

dream.

is it still ok to go for a dream? or does that just make you foolish?

either way, it's still crazy scary.

nice.

I swear it's not me; it's this job that makes me rude.... really I'm a nice person... or I was before THIS place.

back.

and i am back after a reeeeaaaalllly long few months.... 

I have learned a lot. And learned even more to work for what you want. It never amazes me how everyday underway is the same and yet everyday is different. This is probably what causes me to both love and hate this place so much. There are moments of complete reward and satisfaction that quickly are followed by moments of pure frustration and defeat. Maybe that is the point... to never really be comfortable. Otherwise, why would I keep working so hard?

But with the frustration comes some pretty neat experiences as well. This summer I have seen new parts of Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong... it's not everyday you get to see the sunset over part of China. I have also met people from all over, got a Korean BF (sorry J!), ran into Auburn folks in the middle of the Pacific, and made new friends as well. The world seems smaller and smaller, and the Navy certainly does as well. This job may not be forever, but it has been quite an experience and I have seen some fantastic places.

Hopefully the next time I am in these great places, it will be with my fave traveling companion.

mom.

happy mother's day to the best mom out there!

so lucky to have you to teach me and S what it means to be a strong and loving woman. i look up to you more than anyone else. you have taught us to never settle for less than our dreams and to never be afraid to take life on head first. your strength and passion are inspiring and give me something to strive for everyday. i don't know how you always did it, but you always made us your priority. we are so lucky to have you for our mom.

love you tons.

two.

It has been exactly two years since I graduated from Auburn. How is that possible that this much time has already passed? I thought I would have it all figured out and be all grown up by now...ha how funny that is. What a turn of events and adventure it has been since then. I have been to five new countries, moved to one of them, and taken on the craziest job I could ever have imagined. After all the pain and heartache, it has been a good two years.... bring it on for the next two.

strength.

"Where there is no struggle, there is no strength."

                          Oprah Winfrey

well said, lady. 

free.

FINALLY free from inspection times...for now. I have rejoined the part of society that sees the sun when it is up and does slightly more than just sleep at their home. As much as I enjoy my endless hours on good ship 85, I definitely enjoy the time away.

To make the lack of a seven day work week EVEN better, J came back to the land of the rising sun! :) 

We had the best time walking in the rain for hours on end, squeezing onto crowded trains, and getting lost...way lost when I was navigating. Needless to say he his better at punctuality, planning, and navigating.... I am really only around to get us lost and people watch on the trains...and pick out places to stop and shop. The shopping part I am very good at. The only downside is that my feet are way too big for Japanese shoes.

J and I discovered shrines and castles, shops, food stands, light houses, big cliffs, and even Octoberfest in Japan in April. What a Japanese adventure we had!

beauty.

this has got to be the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. the picture does it no justice.

I have never seen such a beautiful and peaceful place. Everything was perfect and just incredible to witness.

stupid.

i totally mean that... with love, of course   :)

stronger.

the best package showed up during a really really really long week.... my sweet mom sent me a great package with a bright pink note, chai tea pods, and a new cd with a post-it note telling me which one to listen to first because it always made her think of me....

so what if it made me cry?? so lucky to have such a great mom who knows just what to say exactly when i need to hear it.... even from a million miles away  :)

work.

I do apologize for the language. But, man does this describe the way I feel about the j-o-b some days...

therapy.

Sometimes just venting is all the therapy we need. I am so thankful those willing to listen... or at least pretend to listen. Love my friends and family more than words. :)

time.

These days it feels like time crawls every minute, but the days fly by. There are never enough hours in the day or days in the week. I am embarrassed (only slightly) to say that I packed up all of my Christmas decorations....today. What a good grownup I am! Figuring it out one day at a time...

sniffles.

Until further notice, I am NOT to be held responsible for the things that I do or say. It is only the drugs speaking... promise.