Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday!! Happy day!! She's celebrating in Korea this year (she just arrived a few days ago for her year-long stay. If you want to read about her adventures there, visit Korea According to Margaret). Mom, I hope you have a great day today and get to do something fun to celebrate! I love you!

The holy grail of desserts:

I've just been alerted to the fact that The Cheesecake Factory now has a Red Velvet Cheesecake- and I left the country without trying it. You have no idea how much I'm kicking myself right now. Seriously- think about it. Red Velvet cake. Cheesecake. Cream cheese frosting. All in one. Are you running to the Cheesecake Factory to try this bad boy yet? You really should be. And tell me how it is; I'll live vicariously through your delectable description.

In other news, this is our lovely laptop post-United flight from Baltimore to Tokyo:

Unfortunately, that is not a cool abstract desktop image. It is a smashed-in screen. Thank you United flight attendants for forcing me to check my carry-on bag at the gate because you ran out of room for luggage on the plane, and a big thank you as well to the always delicate baggage handlers for treating my belongings with such love and care. Hey, it's not like they RUINED it- the top left-hand corner of the computer is still completely functional. Who needs the rest of the screen anyway?

If only I had a piece of red velvet cheesecake to drown my sorrows in...

Misawa Sunrise

I snapped this photo right outside our house this morning as the sun was rising. I must say, living here is not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.

Anniversary Gift!

Isn't it beautiful?? I'm so in love!!! With the bag, and my husband. :) Thank you thank you thank you Corey!! It's absolutely UNREAL that we've been married for a whole year already. This has been a seriously amazing 365 days, and I couldn't have dreamed in my wildest imagination for a more happy and complete first year as husband and wife. And to think, it's only the beginning...

Home Again

Well I'm back from my trip to the states. I got home around midnight yesterday after 28 long hours of travel (very, very long hours). Luckily everything went smoothly, and I must say it feels really nice to be back home (it would be nicer if my husband had come back with me, but I guueeesss I can wait another 2 weeks until he gets here). 

I had a great time on both coasts! It was so good to see all my friends and family in CA that I've been missing like crazy. I got to spend tons of time with my sister even though she was crazy busy getting ready for her first year teaching:

I had sleepovers, bike rides, many meals and fun times with my best buddy Stanley:I got to spend time with my parents AND my cousins for two weeks, which was awesome. I got to see my baby cousin start walking by herself for the first time and took in a looooot of cuteness while I was there!I got to enjoy a meal and margaritas with some of the best ladies in NorCal: And tons of other fun stuff. It was a great two weeks in California!

My time on the east coast was short, but great! Corey and I had a couple of days to ourselves in Maryland before heading up to Massachusetts to visit his family over Labor Day weekend. It was a great visit and I'm really glad we got the opportunity to see all of them, even if it was short. It's been way too long! I didn't remember to take many pictures, but here's Corey and his sister: 

While in Mass., Corey and I spent our first anniversary together at the wedding of a childhood friend of Corey's, and we had a really good time! The couple made a special announcement congratulating us on our anniversary and presented us with a rose, and we got to dance the night away and bring back all the memories of OUR wedding. It was great! 

Now after all that, I'm back in Japan feeling refreshed and happy to be back (although I miss everyone already of course). Can't wait for the next trip!