IT'S HERE!

THE NEW YEAR!
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
あけましておめでとうございます！！！

Even though its almost the middle of January! Oops!

I hope the holidays treated you well. Mine were pretty close to perfect, I just returned from a 12 day trip to Boston, MA to visit Mr. Marine in his hometown! It was soo much fun and I wish I could post pictures but unfortunatly you will have to visit my Facebook to see them because the internet is so slow here! Here's two and a list of things I did while there!

-Spent two days in a lovely lovebird sort of getaway in Cape Cod

-Had New Year's Eve Dinner at the Melting Pot... YUMMY!

-Had my first real New Year's Kiss at midnight on the boardwalk of Boston Harbor lit by fireworks! Beat that Hollywood! It was magical!

-Celebrated my Marine's birthday... it was early but we were together!

-Had a drink in the bar "Where everybody knows your name!" CHEERS!

-Visited the New England Aquarium

-Toured Cape Cod Beer and Samuel Adams Breweries! Don't say no to free beer! And a cute glass to take home!

-Ate in an Irish Pub, Doyles! It was yummy!

-Rode a Party Trolley!

-Visited the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum: No pictures of course but there was enough tapestry, mideval and French art to make me practically jump up and down squealing with delight... I wish Gab's could have come... we'd probably still be there. I couldn't buy a photobook or anything... cause the gift shop was being remodeled... oh well I just have to go back! Visit them here: http://www.gardnermuseum.org/

-Went on dates with Reagan! Wow! It was wonderful to actually be doing couple things, like dinner, movies and such.

-Went ice skating in Boston Common: He fell twice but I didn't fall once!!!

-Ate more Italian cakes then is probably healthy for my waistline! But soooo delicious!!

-Shopping shopping shopping, but only a little buying thank goodness!!

-Ate chicken feet and shark fin soup! They were both delicious!!!!

And most importantly... I got to spend some quality time with Reagan... there was copious amounts of snuggling!

It was a wonderful trip and I can't wait till I can see him again!!!

PS: I'm not making New Year's Resolutions, I'm just making reachable goals for this year, taking it one month at a time! I will blog about them next time!

List of the Year!

I'm updating, it seems like a small miracle in itself considering the whirlwind my life has turned into. So rather then trying to chronologically organize what has happened since my last post we are going to make a list of what has happened and what to expect. Subsequent posts will be prodominately pictures with some talk about the events, they may or may not be in order... in all honestly I'm just trying to clambor back of to the top of the hill of life!

WHAT HAS HAPPENED:

-I was able to spend some time with my grandmother before she passed away in mid-November, I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers, and even more thankful that the Lord has taken her to a better place.

-I spent Thanksgiving in San Deigo... I accomplished one of the items on my Life Long To-Do List... I saw the PANDAS at the San Diego Zoo!!!! I only took like 300 photos of their pudgy cuteness.

-I visited a mission in Calfornia, San Juan Capistrano, it was a breathtaking experience, something that I will blog about it once I take time to fully contemplate the experience.

-I was able to spend a whole week with Mr. Marine. It was a wonderful week... my cousin Annette says that long distance relationships are the best... "It really is a series of honeymoons and fairytale endings" And I totally agree with her.

-I was able to do one of my favorite things with Reagan, walk together... I miss it so much its nice to just hold hands and slowly stroll in the moonlight... or sit by a fire outside... even though its cold.

-I made it through my junior year of college. I will be a senior next semester! I recieved A's in both Chaucer and Shakespeare! And while not A's I recieved B+'s in my Phonology and Morphology grad level course and Japanese! I worked hard and it payed off!

-I said goodbye to all my lovely friends from Japan its always sad to see them go, but I look forward to seeing them this summer!

-I have stepped up as the President of the Japan Club... it is something I have wanted for quite sometime... I was happy to have our former President but yes I was a bit disappointed I didn't have a shot in the beginning, but now I will make the most of this opportunity...

-However in recent events I think a friendship was permently broken, but I'm not sure if it was truely a friendship or not.

-I saw BLACK SWAN with Gabs. It was INCREDIBLE!!!!! Everyone GO! See it NOW!!!

WHAT IS HAPPENING:

-I'm back at home spending some much needed time with my family. My mother is struggling over the loss of her own mother, but I am happy to be here, and to the best we can to make the holidays happy.

-I'm getting excited for Christmas

-I'm busting a move on some scholarship stuff, and getting my Japan Club and academic ducks in a row!

-I'm preparing for a trip to Boston to see Reagan... I can't wait! I get to meet his parents and see the big ol' city of Boston! I can hardly wait the remaining SEVEN days!!!

-I'm going after Christmas shopping with Anna a Japanese exchange student it will be tons of fun!

WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING:

-I will begin making plans to travel to Japan in the summer, as well as saving money for said trip.

-I will be applying to attend Midori Kai tea school in Kyoto Japan after my graduation

-I will be taking 16 credit hours next term

-I will reach my wieght goal of becoming something between a size 7 to a 9!!

-Mr. Marine, will no longer be a Marine... that's gonna be a big change for us both!

-I will be changing the name of my blog

As you can see, my life is full of change and its coming at rapidfire! And even though somethings haven't gone well, I'm going to take one of my favorite heroine's advice,

"I'll think about that tomorrow... after all tomorrow is another day"

Love and best wishes this holiday season... and I hope you all take a few hours to relax, take a deep breath and enjoy something truely beautiful in what little remains of this year.

UPDATE:

I know it seems like I have fallen off the edge of the Earth... and I kinda have. Its been horrible, hectic, and a whirlwind of laughter, saddness and hopes.

I will post copiously in two weeks to make up for this and get you all caught up on my life!!

Hang tight! I'll be back from the World's End soon!

Could you...

In the past couple of days I have had some devestating news about my grandmother. She went into the hospital on Monday, for some pain in her side. They found a tumor in her colon. Thankfully it wasn't blocking anything, but I just got a call from my mom saying that she has a bacteria that was caused by the tumor that they can't do much to treat. They also declared her unfit for surgery based on her other health problems and her age. She has currently been moved to a hospis where they are making her comfortable.

I am planning to be flying out in the coming days (Saturday) so that I can spend some time with her.

However I would also greatly appreiciate it if you would keep my grandmother in your thoughts and prayers. I'm not well stocked in faith but I would greatly appreicate it if you would help me let God know our family's desire for her to be comfortable and as happy as she can before she returns to Him.

This will be hard, and I am hoping I can count on you for some support along the way. I'm doing my best to be strong for me and my family but I may need a hand to hold to help me get there.

So. Change In Plans

Class seems like its nearly killing me! So much work but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, graduation is just over a year away! But I will be thankful for Thanksgiving break with Reagan and my family in San Diego!

I've been pretty negligent in my posting here my blogger but yesterday I had tea ceremony (at Tom's outdoor tea room it was a beautiful autmn day PERFECT for tea!! I wanted to cry it was so perfect!) and because of it I think I'm about to make a huge life decision.

As you all know, I've been wanting to teach in Japan for so long and I'm actually getting excited to teach as I work more with students, like those in the IEP here at CSU. I know it will be totally different in Japan but I really wanna do this.

That being said, yesterday's tea conversation turned to the Midori Kai Tea School and their scholarship for foreign tea students. There has been a little conversation about it with Mike-先生 and Christy-先生 has spoken of it, and I've always thought it was a neat opportunity, as I really am developing a passion for Japanese Tea Ceremony. However yesterday really has convinced me that its something I feel I should pursue further... like apply for it, further. Everyone in the tea group (at least those present) support the idea, including Mike who seemed really excited that I want to apply.

I would spend a year in Kyoto tuition, room, board, meals and living expenses covered (1,000 dollars a month), and everyday of that year I would spend every waking moment with tea. Mike said it would be difficult especially for the women as we live in a dormitory with pretty strict rules (like a curfew), and do a lot of cleaning but that wouldn't really bother me.

I would be in KYOTO of all places!!! This is a place in Japan that has really fascinated me, there is just so much tradition and a uniqueness that I can't place on anywhere else. I would get to experience so much and be in the company of some of the most talented people in our tea lineage. Also Sayumi lives there! I would get to see her like all the time, and I do miss her soo much.

Another thing aside from the aspect of studying a new found passion, once that year is up, I may take an apprenticeship with a sweet shop in Kyoto (if possible), since the sweets are one of my favorite things about tea. There is a tea teacher in Boston who when I go to visit Reagan I may have a chance to meet, and he is an expert in making sweets) So that would put me at least a year and a half from teaching in Japan which was my original plan. However I feel that I just can't pass this up and it seems like the perfect time for me to take on a challenge like this. I would be in Japan regardless, just instead of working I would be pursuing a passion.

I'm pretty sure my parents would say go for it because they always support me (and I love them for that) and I know I can count on Reagan to support me, he doesn't understand I don't think but he's happy when I'm happy and is always willing to understand and support me. So I guess I have to break the news. I've been thinking about it for awhile and now with only a year of school left I think now its time to start working towards it.

So much for having plans right?

Getting Dolled Up!

So as I'm sure you can tell life has been keeping me so busy that I can barely catch up let alone blog. But today as I have barracaded myself in my apartment for some studying and such I am taking a short break to post a little of what I've been up to.

A few weeks ago CSU's ASAP and CSU Swing Society hosted a concert with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy as the headliner! It was wonderful and while swing isn't my favorite it was a lot of fun dancing the night away. Gab's and I even ventured to dress up vintage for the event!

On the 23rd of this month I attended the Wild Goose Masqarude Ball with Gab's and some friends. This was much more to my taste as far as dancing goes... and I love polkas and fast waltz! But a note to self make sure you get the dress done well ahead of the day. Sewing on trim three hours before is no fun. And my hair was delightful!

Yesterday our tiny apartment was filled to the brim with Japanese exchange students and Japanese language students for a pumpkin carving/Halloween party! It was lots of fun and I will post pictures in another post early next week.

Tonight in North Carolina is Mr. Marine's last USMC Birthday Ball, this time next year he will be a college student and working towards becoming an officer in the Air Force. Its so odd thinking that soon he won't be a Marine anymore... well officially, am I ready to make this transition and such a big life step with him? I honestly can't say, I'm pretty scared for the future, but I really should focus on today, and maybe just tomorrow and let things come as they may.

Well that's really all I have time to chat about, its time to hit the books yet again! And I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog... any suggestions?

PS: It looks like I'm gaining weight... I need to get back into the gym.... sigh.

Chaji

Yesterday, like many of my Saturdays I woke up early and did some errands with Gabs, this weeks errands were these, lovely cream gloves for the traditional Ball on the 23rd of this month. The local vintage store had a lovely gold pair however they were just a tad too tight. These will go perfectly with my rich crimson dress (which I still have barely to start on)

And then the afternoon. I ventured to my Tea Ceremony teacher's house where there was a a couple of fantastic surprises, not only were Sara, Zelly, Tony, Roy and Mike there, the wonderful Christy先生 from the San Francisco tea group was there and we were all dressed to the nines in kimono. It was a wonderful experience to practice the most formal tea gathering a Chaji together. It was something I had never experienced before and while it was a dry run so all of our lovely meal was effortless and invisible I still found much to look forward too. My eyes were opened to lacquerware and how extensive the amount is needed for this event, and all new ettiquete even two different types of chopsticks.

It is always a magical experience learning under my teacher and then the added treat of Christy先生's overflowing knowledge practically astounds me. She has the perfect answer for almost any situation and there is always an exciting story to go with what we are doing. Not to mention how involved she is with tea, she's met people in the tea world that I can only hope to sneak a peek at. Doing tea with her makes me want set everything aside and apply for the Midori Kai Tea School, maybe I will save for a couple of years and then apply... it seems like such a wonderful way to put a solid foundation to my tea studies. I miss basking in the knowledge of others.

The practice while knowledgeable was exhausting as well. I have little bruises (battle wounds) from sitting seiza, but that is part of the territory and the aches afterwards are always worth it. Yesterday I also had a wonderful suprise, a member from our group Tom recently spent a few days in Kyoto, and Mike先生 presented me with a Kobukusa that Tom had selected (Tom couldn't be there yesterday) It was beautiful I actually teared up it was so suprising to be given such a lovely gift when I felt I did nothing to deserve it. It is overwhelming the amount of kindess and respect that people in tea have, I can only hope to gain some of that and bring it into my own life. I need to research the name of the gorgeous pattern 先生offered to tell me but it will be more meaningful to me I think if I look it up myself, my group has done so much for me already