There and Back Again

Hi. So, I've been gone for a good long while. Sorry about that... I swear I have my reasons! See, at the end of February I went back to the states to visit my parents for four weeks. And, I wasn't all that eager to broadcast to the world that my apartment here was going to be empty for that long. But, now that I'm all settled in again, I can recap the last month. Err... that really is an awful long time to be away...

Anyway! I spent most of my time vegging on the couch at home. Because, the rest of the household still had lives, and were going to work and school. However, there were some high lights! The first weekend I got back, my parents and I took the dog on a walk. It was a new trail, and it had a breathtaking view. And, it was nice to be able to hike with my family again.

 

I also got to see the second-to-last at-home game of the local college hockey team. Which is always a blast to go to. Though, much of my time at the game was spent quizzing my brother on what songs were playing over the loud speaker. There is something to be said for the music they play at hockey games.

 

The next weekend, my father and I went up north to look at apartments for my senior year of college! Yikes, time's gone by so fast. When we were finished signing the lease on my place for next year we were able to meet up with one of my best friends for a quick lunch. And, after that I took my father to "Piece, Love, and Chocolate". It's a chocolate shop that I frequent when I go to college in the states, and dad had never been before. So, we went and bought a slice of chocolate caramel torte cake to split between the two of us. 

 

It was very delicious. 

Jeff Dunham also came to town while I was home. And my father, because he knows how much my brother and I love this particular comedian, got us some really good seats to watch his show. It was a new act, and it was everything you could hope for from Dunham. Two thumbs up!!

The last activity on my adventure home was gun lessons. Before I went home, I had never handled a gun before. And, being able to handle a gun well was something I decided I needed to know. So, my father signed me up for a three hour all-women's gun class. The instructor was so nice, and I learned a lot. And, I was pretty proud of my target sheet after the practical part of the lesson. 

Then, I was back on the plane. Though the weather was snowy when I left Tokyo, it was beautiful when I returned! All of the sakura are blooming, and most days the weather is warm and sunny. So, I went with some of my friends to see the trees down by the river. They were so pretty. We also discovered an Inari shrine while wandering. I want to go back and see it once the sakura trees around the shrine bloom. 

Sadly, the flowers only stay fresh for about a week before rain and wind come and take them from the branches. This is the time of year where Japan is warm, but also incredibly rainy. So days are beginning to change between sun and overcast skies. 

Also, people are starting to move into the apartment complex for this coming semester. So far, I've met girls from Italy, Poland, Spain, and China. Pretty excited to see what new friends I make in the coming months!!

Adventures of Cooking

 So, everyone down here is back in school as of Monday. And college starts next week. I feel all alone.... I don't even leave for Japan until the middle of September. I make myself feel better by remembering that I will be in school until the end of next July- no summer break next year! So anyway, now I'm at home babysitting the hound dog while everyone else is out doing important things. I've become the lump of the family.




Except not really, 'cause Mom has used my being home for the summer as an excuse not to cook dinner- that's been my duty. Which has actually turned out to be pretty fun. I like looking up recipes and whipping up yummy food. Plus, that means I don't have to clean up after dinner- bonus! Tuesday was curry- the brother was not happy, but I thought it actually turned out really well. Lots of spices we don't usually eat. Lots of veggies. The house smelled like curry for two days though. Wednesdays dinner was crock pot steak (which wasn't anything to cheer about) and stuffed mushrooms- which I were informed were too cheesy. Except, stuffed mushrooms are Dad's favorite, so I've been told to find another recipe.  Tonight was seafood- crab cakes and buttered shrimp. YUM! Brother forgave me for serving curry. Funny, he's such a picky eater, but he loves seafood. Isn't that public enemy number one for picky eaters?

Now I'm off to find a chicken recipe for tomorrow. Enchiladas, pot pie, dumplings.... not sure yet!

Power in the Pink

Here's the funny- I don't usually wear pink. In fact, I had to go out and buy a pink shirt specifically for the rodeo a few weeks ago because I didn't have any pink. And yet, my work out clothes? Yeah, all pink. There is something about a hot hot pink, a pink so bright that people's eyes hurt, that really puts me in the mood to work out. And, I feel as if the more pink I wear, the more excited I get to work out. And so, my work out wardrobe has evolved to be mostly pink.

I'm not sure if it's normal to have a dominate color in your wardrobe, it certainly isn't like that in my every day clothes! But, for whatever reason, pink is my new go-to for working out. Well, for summer work out clothes. I was searching for a long sleeved shirt to run in for this winter, and I couldn't find any tops that I was pleased with. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I find something soon!



In other news, I brought all of my paper work to the Japanese consulate and am now waiting for my visa. They said it should be ready by Monday! Also, mom and I went to the bank and payed for the first five months of my apartment. With that all done, all I have to do now is inform the school of when my plane is due in! So scary that it's becoming so real! I even looked up where my dorm is. Looks like it's located in a more suburban part of Tokyo. About ten minutes from the train station, and maybe about ten minutes from a huge park- looks like I'm about to become an outdoor runner!

Old Bananas and Catching Up

 So we had these bananas on the counter. Yeah, they pretty much died three days ago. And I've been meaning to make them into banana bread for the same amount of time. Well, last night I finally did it. I didn't really use a recipe, because all the ones I found required a cup of sugar. A whole cup! So, I finally gave up on finding one and made one up. Easiest recipe ever! It's not terribly sweet, but it's got a great texture. Perfect with a little bit of honey.

                                      

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Banana Bread:                    In one bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and
1 cup Flour                         salt together. Set aside. In a second bowl,
1 tsp baking soda                mash bananas. Then, sprinkle cinnamon and
pinch of salt                        vanilla on top of it. Let marinate for a minute.
2 old bananas                     Then add applesauce. Mix well. Slowly add
1 cup applesauce                dry ingredients until just incorporated. Pour
1tbs cinnamon                    mixture into a small loaf pan. (Batter should
1 tsp vanilla                        fill up only about half of the container). If                
                                          desired, sprinkle more cinnamon and walnuts on top.                                                                                     Let bake for 50 to 55 min.

In other news! I caught up with an old friend today. We met for lunch at a Brazilian steakhouse called Tucanos. If you have never been to a Brazilian steakhouse, I highly recommend you do. They bring out meat faster then you can eat it. Though, the disclaimer here is that I've only ever been to Tucanos, but I love it every time I go! After that, we went to Mardel, a Christian bookstore. I had never been there before, but I really liked it. My friend and I both got the same devotional, so that we can work on it together while I'm away in Japan. Good to know that I'll have someone to keep me on track!
Hope you all had a happy Wednesday!

French Bakery

Yesterday, I didn't bring my camera with me when I went out. And I was so mad at myself about that later. After taking Abbey for a walk, mom and I decided to go to National Mill Dog Rescue for a while to help clean the kennel. This is where I volunteered in high school, and this is where my family adopted Abbey. The place is very near and dear to our hearts. Anyway, there were (of course) lots of very adorable dogs there and I wish I had gotten a picture with a few of them.

 Anyway, today was a day for errands. I was able to get my visa pictures taken. So the only thing left to do is to buy my ticket for Japan, and then I can go to the Japanese consulate and apply for the actual visa! After that, my mom and brother decided that they had been housebound too long. So we all went down to Old Colorado City together. We even found a pet supply store- but they didn't have the water carrying harness in the right size for Abbey.

I want to go here everyday!

While shopping, we found this adorable little French bakery, and decided to stop there for lunch. You see, mom and I are fanatics about French Onion soup, so we get it wherever we can. Doesn't matter if it's the middle of summer- French Onion soup is for every day of the year! Plus, the bakery had fresh bread loaves, and who doesn't love fresh bread? The soup was fantastic! So was the bread. The raspberry ice tea I order was surprisingly bland. But maybe I was a little spoiled because of how good the soup was!

  

That was the adventure for today, and I must say it was fun. I always love going to these little eclectic shops that they have in the popular parts of town. We didn't actually buy anything besides lunch while we were down there, but it was fun to window shop!

Steady Pace

 And the winner of the baseball game! Wasn't us, but I knew going in that the Rockies weren't going to do very well against the Giants. First placed team in the league versus that last placed team in the league- whatcha think was going to happen? But, I enjoyed the game! Though I should add a disclaimer. I don't go to the baseball game sort of watch the game and mostly chat with the people I go with. Oh no, I have a portable radio in, listening to the baseball commentators. This time, I was even able to snag the score card from my dad! In this household, baseball is NOT a social sport.

Because we are true, blue baseball fans we stayed to the end of the game. Which meant we didn't come home until about eleven o'clock. Which is very late for this gal. See, I'm usually in bed by nine. So I was a walking zombie by the time we came through the door. However, I wasn't so out of it that I couldn't reassure the hound dog that we were in fact not burglars. But, once I accomplished that mission  I was just able to brush my teeth and then stumble to bed.
   
This morning, I woke up late. 7:10! And, shockingly, I was the last one up. Well, except for the hound dog- but she is exceptionally lazy. Today, the weather forecast promised to be warmer than yesterday, so we decided an earlier walk was in order. Abbey was very pleased to know that this walk too had a river! Five miles later, we came home with an exhausted pooch. I spent the rest of the day reading another library book. This one too was by Charlaine Harris, but I like the Sookie Stackhouse series a lot more than the Aurora Teagarden books! My first eHold became available today; Divergent by Veronica Roth. Maybe I'll post a review once I finish reading it! Who knows?

Saturdays are for...

Baseball! And hiking. Today, the house didn't really wake up until about 8:30, so I had about two hours of quiet all by myself. Got to finish my book- Real Murders by Charlaine Harris. Let me tell you, it gave me nightmares, and I don't think I'll be continuing the series. It was interesting, and certainly a page turner, but I'm not a big fan of waking up in the middle of the night because the book was matter-of-fact in the way it described the deaths of the people in the books. Especially since the fictional deaths were all based on historical murders. Something about that combo gives me goosebumps.
On a brighter note, today has been beautiful! We've gotten a break from the scorching hot 90's and been blessed with temperatures somewhere in the mid-70's today. Perfect hound dog walking weather! So, after a late breakfast. We piled the hound in the car and set off to a beautiful creek hike about fifteen minutes away. And then had to promptly turn back around... someone *cough* mom *cough* forgot the dog leash. So, after we retrieved said leash, we went back to the park and took a nice hike by the creek. Abbey enjoys walking anywhere that she can tromp in water.

Enough with the pictures, please!

 Once we got back the poor hound dog got hosed off on the porch before being allowed inside. Now, she's crashed on the upstairs landing; keeping an eye out and an ear open for those nasty strangers that always pass by the house. Made some very delicious nachos for lunch, I think even mom had a bite or two. Hopefully it will be enough to tide me over until the hot dogs at the baseball game! Gotta go put on my Rockies' jersey! Buh-bye!

It's Heeeeere

Oh yes! Finally, I can actually start doing something! Starting.... next week. This week is for baseball, or at least tomorrow is. But next week, oh next week. I get to drive in to the BIG city to go to the Japanese consulate and start the visa process- once that is in my hands, I will be a very happy girl.
I got sick today. As in, head in the toilet bowl sick. I have no idea why. My workout today was no more intense than usual, and I didn't eat anything abnormal.  Besides the being sick physically part, you know what stinks about being sick? How much energy it takes out of you. I mean, I had a list- and actual list!- of things I wanted to get done today. Guess how many of those things happened? Yeah, none. I  haven't even finished the book I borrowed for my eReader, and I got it yesterday! Anyways, after having a ginger ale to help settle the stomach, I went and crashed for the next three and a half hours. Oh productivity- why have you deserted me? Maybe this weekend will be better- but I doubt it. Even during the summer, my mental state on the weekends is to just veg out. But now, I'm feeling a lot better. And since the day has been blown anyway, maybe I'll call it an early night and go try and finish reading that book I started yesterday...

Call the Papers!

    Finally, some good news! I got an email from my adviser saying that my study abroad packet is in- she should be mailing it to me today! Now, I have to really kick it into gear and get ready for Japan. Update my ids and credit cards so that they don't expire while I'm abroad, get my visa, pack my bags. Oh, and you know, get a plane ticket!
    Deep breath, I gotta have faith that it will all pull together. I finished reading my first library book on my eReader- I'm going to have to start making a list of all the books I want to read and see if they have digital copies! I hope that I can access the digital library while I'm abroad, or else I won't know how to get new books to read! Meanwhile, as I was reading the last few pages of my library book, I had some snuggly company and couldn't help but take a picture of my furry friends.

~Lazy Summer~

Okay, I had a salad for lunch. And usually I wouldn't bother to put it in a post, but it was soooo PRETTY!

It's funny, I swear I had an idea for a post BEFORE I sat down to write, but now I can't remember what I was even thinking about. Rockies tickets came in the mail today- hurray! Game on Saturday, let's hope we don't lose again (but don't hold your breath). Still waiting to hear anything about my study abroad packet. Trying to decide if I would be jumping the gun if I emailed my study abroad adviser to ask what's going on.
    On to a brighter note! I got a library card today, yay! There is something about libraries that intimidate me a little bit, but I'm always happy I've gone after I've been, ya know? ANYWAY, this particular library has an electronic library. Which means, if I can figure out how, I will be able to borrow books on my eReader. This will really help cut the book budget, or at least that's the hope!
    I did manage to go to the gym, after not going yesterday- it felt good. Didn't take the TRX class today, but used the TRX ropes with mom and Corbin. The class is just held so late, and I feel like I waste my entire day if I go to it. Also, took the hound dog for a walk around Quail Lake- this made Abbey very happy (and very muddy).
    Now, I'm off to go figure out how to rent eBooks. Buh-bye!

End of July Omens

Still waiting for my study abroad packet from Sophia University.... nail-biting. Meanwhile, Colorado decided to grant us all with a freak hail storm in the end of July...

July 30th- Colorado Springs, CO