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

Greetings from Sacramento, CA. My mom and I arrived at the supremely early hour of 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning after a 20-hour train ride from Seattle. Our train trip was really fun - we saw some amazing scenery out of our little roommette windows, met some interesting people during mealtimes, and enjoyed a complimentary glass of wine while sitting in the observation car. We had lots of chances to read and just relax and forget our problems. The only complaint we had was that neither of us could get any sleep at night. In our very small private roommette, the seats fold out to a bottom bunk, and then a top bunk pulls out from the wall. I offered to sleep on the top bunk; but between the movement of the train (which made me queasy) and the fact that i could hardly move (because the ceiling of the bunk was only a few feet from my head) or sit up at all, I didn't sleep more than possibly an hour or so. But last night I slept like the dead - 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep in this comfy little bed in my aunt and uncle's condo. All day Tuesday was spent just resting at home, then my cousin's family came for dinner. And today, I spent the whole day with my good friend Joie, who I haven't seen for 12 years! We were friends in high school and college, and have been in touch over the years, but just haven't managed to get together. We had a great lunch at a crepery, then shopped in Old Town Folsom, and then walked around mid-town Sacramento before having a delicious Chicago-style pizza and a glass of wine. And the best news of all: I realized that I was confused about our departure time on Saturday, and instead of leaving around noon (which is what I thought, we are actually leaving Sacramento at midnight Saturday night (yes, Midnight!!), so we're here all day Saturday and have more time to spend with family and friends. I can even meet Joie again!

The rest of the week will be spent seeing other family and just enjoying the gorgeous weather - even though it rained all day Tuesday (the day we arrived), the clouds rolled away today and it warmed up, and tomorrow will be up to 79 degrees! I look forward to sitting in the sun and watching the ducks outside my aunt and uncle's place. Their condo sits on a little pond, and it's so peaceful.

So I do hope to catch up on all of your lives soon. I hope everyone is having a great week.

wow - I have only one week left of my vacation. I can't believe how fast it's gone. I'm not doing much at all, but still having a lovely time. In some ways I'm not ready to go back to my life in Japan - the heat, the schools, the lack of independence, etc... I think I've completely forgotten Japanese in just two weeks (well not really, but it feels that way!).
But in some ways, I'm also ready to get back to my cat, my husband, and to a routine again. It's where my life is currently, so I can't avoid it forever.

Since I wrote last, things have been pretty slow. Saturday we went to the downtown farmer's market in the morning - and then in the evening went to dinner at a Thai restaurant with my family. I ate too much, but it was nice. Sunday I couldn't fathom another day of sitting around the house, so I suggested to my mom that we get out somewhere. We ended up driving just about 20 minutes west of town to a park called Salt Creek, which is right next to the water. I made egg salad and some cookies, and we packed up a picnic lunch with all kinds of food and met my aunt, uncle and cousin Ben out there for a nice little picnic by the woods, with a view of the water. It was a nice afternoon!

Monday we went out to Sequim, the nearest town with shops, to do some shopping. We had a little lunch at a cafe (with peach pie for dessert!), and then went to JC Penneys where I bought some new Levi's and a few other things. I couldn't find any underwear, so I'm having to order them online. This area is seriously lacking in shops, and we don't want to take the time to drive 1 1/2 hours to the nearest mall.

really I can't say where much of my time has gone. My mom and I have been just hanging out a lot at home and watching movies - and talking. It's just what I wanted to do, so I'm not bored at all. otherwise, I've done some reorganizing of my things that are stored here - and just a lot of relaxing.

I'm talking to my husband every afternoon by phone, and spending lots of time researching the whole green card process - because we might be having to go through it all again next year if he wants to return here. After much going back and forth, we've decided it's best if he doesn't return to the U.S. now to get his re-entry permit. He would have to be here for about two months - he would have to stay in my mom's house without a car or job or anything to do. With him here, I'd be living in his parent's house without him to help me with things. It would just be too awkward for both of us to be apart like that. So he's continuing to look for work in Japan, and I'll finish out my contract, and then we'll make a decision...

that's about all for now.

I haven't heard from many of you - I guess it's summer and busy. But please drop by and say hi. I miss you all!

I had my final work commitment today (until September that is) - three team-teaching demonstrations with another Japanese teacher in front of a group of other elementary school teachers. I was nervous and didn't want to do it - I knew it would be hot, and my mind has only been on my trip tomorrow (as well as other issues here at home...) But in the end, I didn't need to worry at all - it turned out to be surprisingly fun and very rewarding! And we actually were able to do the first two hours in an air-conditioned room. Although with more than 20 people in there, it was still hot! Yet the teachers participated whole-heartedly and had a great time singing songs and playing games, just like the kids do! I can't believe how nice the teachers were, and how grateful they were for my lessons! They genuinely thanked me over and over, and the principal especially was super nice. He even seemed to be having a great time during the lessons! I wish that the junior high school teachers were even half as nice and grateful as these elementary teachers are. Thank goodness I'll be teaching twice a week at elementary schools in the fall - I really don't like that junior high school!

Anyway - just wanted to do a quick, fly-by post to say that I'm off to the U.S. of A. tomorrow!! So I'll be offline for at least a couple days, and probably won't be posting on LJ too much... though i do plan to post at least once from my sister's and a few times while I'm at my mom's. I'm super behind on LJ and will only get more behind with this trip - but I'll be back! in three weeks...

I was gonna post a few pictures that I have on my computer, but photobucket was nicely doing maintenance when I went there just now, so they'll have to wait! Oh well - it was just sunsets, bugs and my cat!

so anyway - bye for now! happy August everyone!

I better post these before I get so busy I forget. I've been a bit down in the dumps this weekend, so that's why I am so late...

anyway, most of these pics are of my adorable nephew Cameron - I wish I had more time with him, he's growing so fast, and changing. It was great having a couple days with him though, and also I got to see my mom, dad, brother, aunt, uncle, and even my cousin Lynn who I hardly ever see. that was a big bonus!

Trip details and pictures are ( behind the cut )

well at least farewell for a few days. Starting tomorrow, I'm off to Seattle and Port Angeles, Washington tomorrow to see my family for a few days. And I just realized that I totally forgot to let everyone know that I'm gonna be gone. With my job search (which sucks -nothing is happening at all!), work, and life - and preparing for this trip tomorrow - I've been so busy I haven't even been on LJ for two or three days! So if you're wondering where I've been, or why I'm not replying to posts or emails or replies, or anything, that's why...

I'll be leaving my house at 6 a.m. tomorrow, and taking two flights and hopefully arriving in Port Angeles at my parent's house by mid afternoon. Sadly I get only about two days with my Dad and brother, and then Mom and I will drive to Seattle Saturday afternoon to stay with Allison (my sister) and Cameron (my nephew). Cameron's just about 13 months, and walking up a storm, so I can't wait to see him again! I'll stay only through Monday morning and then return to cold Chicago (it's going to be subzero temps) and my job and job search. I don't even know if my work will get done while I'm gone - but hey, I'm not thinking about that now!

oh, and friend_of_frodo, if you're reading this - I won't be able to post a daily actor poll Sunday or Monday, so if you can do it, great! If you are busy, don't worry about it. I can just post a little mini-poll from my sister's house or something. I'll email you on Saturday and see what your schedule is like.

So hopefully when I return next week I will post pics, and try to catch up on all of your lives. I hope everyone is well and staying warm and busy and healthy!!

let's see... now that I've caught you up on current and future stuff, here are some details from my cousin's visit, and also my wonderful trip to Washington to visit my family.

( my cousin's visit )

( trip to Washington )

( photos of Cameron )

( the rest of the trip )

sorry this was long - but hope you enjoyed the photos!!