it's not life that matters but the journey...

So, here's some good news for a change:

MY CAR PASSED THE EMISSIONS TEST!!!!!!!!!

I'm so freaking happy now. Of course now that it's all over, and I don't have to worry anymore, I've got that total tiredness from the release of stress that's been building inside for weeks now. i've been so stressed about that stupid car and how much I'd have to pay to pass that test. here's the story: Friday after work, I drove 40 minutes to the other Nissan dealership and bought a second part it was worth the drive because I saved $40 on the part), and on Saturday morning I dropped off my car and the parts at Midas. I picked up the car at 2:30 in the afternoon - the manager of Midas, Jim, told me that he didn't need me to pay until I'd passed the emissions test. The engine light didn't come back on, even after we drove into the city and back yesterday, or after my drive to work today. So after work I drove over and got right through the emissions test within 10 minutes! Yay! With the inspection by the dealership, plus the cost of the two parts, I've already paid nearly $300 - and I should owe Midas about $100 for putting in the parts. But altogether, that's half as much as the dealership wanted me to pay. So I'm happy. One thing to cross off my list of obligations.

Other good news: my husband was so happy with his guitar lesson yesterday, and he's already learned so much. He's even decided that he'll pay for me to take voice lessons at the same school! It's my birthday present he said! So starting in June, I'll start taking voice lessons for eight weeks. I'm super excited!

I still have two more classes, and a final exam. Then school will be crossed off my list. And I think I can finally get some resolution on this 2004 tax issue that's been plaguing me for so long - my tax accountant said the tax advocate should get an answer from the IRS by the end of May. Resolutions all around... so I can really relax, study Japanese, sing, and have a good summer. I just hope I can find someone to see the Harry Potter movie with me.

Happy Monday night everyone!!

Ten years ago this week, in Japan, my lovely Leo was born. I remember it well... I went away for a few days during Japan's Golden Week to visit some friends in Tokyo and Yokohama. Before I went away, I'd been feeding a stray cat, which I'd named Yuki (she was white - and Yuki is the Japanese word for snow). I had been too busy with work and life to notice that Yuki had gotten quite fat. Well, when I got back from my trip, I realized Yuki hadn't been fat... she was pregnant. I'd left a box with an old blanket out on my veranda for Yuki to sleep in, and when I got back from my trip, first thing I did was to check the veranda for Yuki. But I didn't see Yuki... instead I saw six tiny kittens!! Yuki weaned them for awhile, and then she disappeared...and I was left with six kitties to find homes for. In Japan, it's very difficult to find homes for stray kitties, but luckily my good friend Naomi had a pet grooming shop, so with her help, I found homes for four of the kitties, and I kept two of them: a boy (Leo) and a girl (Hana). One year later, I returned to the U.S. and brought both kitties with me. Within one month, Hana had been hit by a car and was killed. But Leo's been with me ever since.

In honor of Leo's 10th birthday, I'm posting a picspam of him through the years, which goes back about seven years - sadly I don't have pics of him as a kitten scanned into my computer.

I hope you enjoy it!!

( follow me to the cuteness )