1,007 Stairs

That's how many we ascended and descended in order to see this beautiful scenery.

Carrick counted on our way out.

This is Hiji Falls.

Lovely.

My calves will never be the same.

On a side note: See that Mt. Dew in his hand? He makes me laugh, can't even go into the wilderness without a Mt. Dew. He's seriously addicted. When we are out of Mt. Dew at the house it is referred to as a "Dew Emergency" which is promptly followed by a trip to the store. He gets anxious when he's driving if he doesn't have a can with him.... sometimes he doesn't even open it, just holds it like his security blanket.

Three Years ago Today!

I ran off to North Carolina and got hitched in the Jacksonville Courthouse by a lady in sweatpants with a witness that I had just met 20 minutes prior! I wouldn't change any of it, and I'm amazed how I love my husband more each day.

Putting off a History Project

That's right... I should be working on my project, a power point about U.S. and world history, but I keep just staring at the computer screen and nothing is coming from my mind, so I'll update here :) It has been a while.

We're still no closer to getting a job or orders for Carrick. I'm still plugging away at school. I'm already done with one class this semester! Yeah!

We've had two weekends of staying inside because of typhoons, and another one coming this weekend. It's silly because the Japanese don't even blink an eye at these storms, and nothing really happens except rain, but the military has rules that we have to follow.

Last weekend was typhoon free though, and we got to go to an eisa festival. Eisa is a style of Japanese drumming. It also involves dancing and music from a stringed, guitar like instrument (I don't remember the name, and probably couldn't spell it anyway).

We had a great time with our friends, who are amazing. I feel so lucky that I got hooked up with these people. Even though they've lived on the other side of the world, we still have so much in common. We're all kind of crazy and weird at times which has made my life here so much better.

It's Coming!

This could get interesting. We've never been in a typhoon/hurricane, so we're not sure how it's going to go, but we're safely camped out in our cement bunker of a house and waiting.... Carrick gets today and possibly tomorrow off work depending on when Kompasu decides to show up so we're cuddling on the couch watching tv because there's not much else to do!

Re-purposing an old sheet

My other project this week: I took this old sheet from this....







to this! Now I have more places to store my shoes, and it didn't cost me anything!

First *Successful* Clothing Item

I did it! I finally conquered my fear of sewing actual clothing! I have sewn clothing before, but always with my Grandma's help (who taught me everything I know about sewing). This was not my first attempt, however. That occurred when we were living in Jacksonville, and I had just bought my machine. I was really ambitious and thought I could sew a dress. I bought a pattern and material, which turned out to be my downfall. It was a satin/silky mess. After I cut that pattern it just started unraveling, and I gave up.

But not this time!



I used two patterns out of a book and made up some of it as I went. The top is part of another dress pattern, but I didn't care for the bottom, and the bottom is from a skirt pattern.




Don't laugh too hard at my completely obvious zipper ;). After searching this island for a zipper and finally finding one I just wanted to be finished. I ignored the directions about an invisible zipper (I don't think I have the right pressure foot anyways), and I hand sewed this bad boy in. I'm happy with it. Also, it looks like it's separated at the top, but there is a hook there. I couldn't latch it by myself.

Expo Park Day

We went to Expo Park....

It was REALLY hot that day....

We saw old style Japanese houses....

There was this scary guy....

And a botanical garden....

We climbed to the top of a spiral building (or rode an elevator to the top)....

It was great, even though Carrick won't ever take a good picture........