glossy.

Only my sweet mom would understand that I NEEDED to see this great OPI article on the new Texas colors line!

Thanks Sarah :)

fire.

Sooo Domestic Failure Part 2.

Tonight, I had an ACTUAL FIRE in MY KITCHEN!!

If this isn't a sign that I am never destined to be a betty crocker, I do not know what is.

I had this great idea that I would make my own pita chips tonight by toasting pita bread pieces. HOW HARD CAN THIS BE?? Well for me, it was apparently too much to handle in this little kitchen. I got distracted with something and then before i knew it, all I could smell was gas. My alarm started to go off, but I was still not able to figure what was causing the smell or the alarm. THEN I looked down into my little fish grill. I was shocked to see the entire thing ENGULFED in FLAMES. In true Emily fashion I screamed and panicked.

Thankfully, J was on skype with me to offer wonderful advice in how to handle the situation. I shut all the power and gas off in the kitchen. Then he said, fire, put water on it. So, I poured a huge glass of water on it.... only to have a HUGE flame jump up!! I forgot to share the detail that there was grease in the bottom of the pan from previous cooking disasters... oops!

Following the engulfment of flames, I quickly shut the oven to watch the fire eventually put itself out. This was not before my back splash was blackened with smoke and my cooking pride ruined for good!! I am however fairly certain that J got a good laugh out of it when I got ANOTHER visit from the Japanese security company.

warning.

dear manager,

I don't read Japanese. Do not hold me responsible for not following your instructions. Thanks.

sincerely,

silly american on the 6th floor

forever.

some things really are forever, true love and amazing friendship.

i had the most perfect weekend with some of my favorite people in this whole world.

best wishes to my dear friend molly and her wonderful husband paul!

chaos.

family is organized chaos i think.

  but boy how i love them and love being home, even if it is too short.

distance.

dis·tance/ˈdistəns/

Noun:	An amount of space between two things or people.
Verb:	Make (someone or something) far off or remote in position or nature.
Synonyms:	interval - space - way - range - length - remoteness Distance has a multitude of definitions. It can be something you measure with a tool, see with your eyes, travel to on a plane, or feel with you heart. How is it that it is so messy navigating through life sometimes? Is that the whole point? Maybe it is. I have taken on this past year of my life in quite a unpredictable fashion... sometimes feeling like my life was in shambles. I have even used that exact descriptor at times. But, I make no apologies for how I try to make the best of what life throws my way. Distance has become quite the topic in my life this week. How does it make life better or worse? Does it make relationships impossible or that much better? Is it forever or is it temporary? There are so many questions about the word. This week has shown me that distance can be good and bad. It's not very fun at times, but it makes you stronger. I think it is just worth it.

adventure.

"Adventure: the pursuit of life."

- Daniel Roy Wiarda

The adventure is as scary as it is thrilling...

forward.

One year ago I posted this quote...

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to
Alice: I don't much care where.
The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.

I felt more lost and scared about my future than I ever had. I was in search of a path and plan. One year later, I read the rest of the conversation...

Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.
The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.

 I have been in Japan (and some semblance of the real world) for almost a year. I have learned a lot about me and life and how unfair it is sometimes. I have also seen how wonderful and full of love and happiness it can be. Life is full of laughter and tears and joy and sadness and.... it is not always about the destination. I have learned that it is more about the journey rather than where you are headed. After a year of Japanese and Navy adventures and mishaps, I still am left wondering so much about what comes next. But, I am ready to take on 2012 not worried about this as much as I am about enjoying what it is that I have right here, right now.

Here's to letting go and enjoying the ride, keeping one foot in front of the other.

So long as I keep moving forward, I will find where it is I am headed eventually.... and there is so much to enjoy and be grateful for along the way...

celebrate.

"Celebrate we will, cause life is short but sweet for certain..."

celebrate we did, with minor casualties to prove it.

who better to have rung in 2012 with than my two favorite younger sisters?

love you girls.