iPhone dump {America Part 1}

I've been back in the US for 3 weeks now and this is the 1st free minute I've had with internet access since I arrived.  I'm having a great time but missing my husband {and my puppy, and my friends, and my students...} and eagerly awaiting his arrival next week!

My trip started with a glorious 3 seats to myself.  It doesn't get much better than that when you have a 14 hour flight!

The most beautiful weather was awaiting me on the other side of the pond

I wasted no time and spent my 1st day in the States seeing this amazing man sing!  I love me some Tyrone Wells!

My bestie took care of some necessary grooming for me

Then we celebrated her 30th birthday!  {thanks for holding off on the party until I arrived, Rob!}

I had some necessary purchases to make while in the US and I think I've got everything on my list checked off after day at the outlet mall!

A rare mothers day was spent WITH my mom {and my sister}

I took Jetson {our Jetta} for a road trip to Ft Bragg and he hit the big 50K just days after his 3rd birthday

At the end of that 9 hour drive were some of my favorite kids in the whole world.  I was overjoyed that they remembered me and loved me as though I hadn't been missing from their lives for the last 2 years 

I also got to spend some time with 2 of my future in-laws {Carla, in the middle, is marrying Jason's cousin and Lauren, on the right, is marrying Jason's brother in September}

It is so sweet to see this skyline when driving "home"

I returned to Cincinnati just in time to celebrate my other bestie's 30th birthday!

Summer finally made an appearance here, I took advantage!

I made some time for a quick WOD

I checked some things off my 30by30 list, including making my grandmother's homemade relish

A FAAAAANTASTIC day was spend with some of my favorite ladies. Seriously, these ladies rock my socks!

{I never ever ever paint my fingernails because it chips within 24 hours but I decided to try something new and I'm now OBSESSED with this shellac nail polish!  If you haven't tried it, you should!}

Then it was time for another road trip, this time to Ft Campbell to visit my brother-in-law 

It was a BLAZING hot Memorial day weekend in TN so we spent some time at the pool

So glad I got to see my friend, Jaz, while I was there.  It doesn't happen very often!

7 years ago, my husband took me on a date {our 1st} to the Taste of Cincinnati so it's always nice to get back there and enjoy some yummy food!  I just barely squeezed it in after a long drive back from Ft Campbell but I'm so glad I did!

30 by 30 {4 months}

4 months!  That all the time I have left!

Progress so far {12/30}

Health/Fitness {0/5}

1} take a yoga class 

2} complete a 5K {Training has begun. Race day: 07APR12.  Signed up to "run" a Warrior Dash while I'm "home" for my brother's wedding}

3} climb Mt Fuji {ordered these super fun new hiking boots so I can break them in...that's a start right?!?}

4} do 1 unassisted pull up

5} pass the Army PT test for my gender/age group {looked this one up, I need to run 2 miles in 20:30, do 17 push-ups in 2 minutes and 45 sit-ups in 2 minutes...I have some training to do!}

Food {4/6}

6} learn to cook lobster {DONE 16Dec11}

7} make gnocchi from scratch {DONE 8Dec11}

8} learn to make grandma's relish

9} try 5 new foods {DONE} 1. natto beans.  2. umeboshi.  3. ratatouille (I know, I know, I'd never had it before and now I'm obsessed).  4. collard greens 5. turnips

10} make Pioneer Woman's homemade cinnamon rolls 

11} learn to make 5 traditional Japanese dishes, including sushi {DONE}  1.sushi rolls. 2. inarizushi. 3. omelet (they're slightly different than the omelets we eat in the States) 4. tempura 5. shabu shabu

Travel {2/8}

12} drink the Absynth we bought in Prague 3 years ago 

13} visit at least 3 new countries {2/3} 1. Taipei. 2. Australia

14} learn enough Japanese to carry on at least a 5 minute conversation

15} visit Disney (Tokyo Disney will have to do)

16} visit Hiroshima

17} snorkle the Great Barrier Reef {DONE July2011}

18} ride an elephant in Thailand (this and #17 are trips that will help knock off # 13 as well and are sort of in the early planning stage.  If our vacation locations change, these will have to be changed as well)

19} visit a Japanese Onsen (hot spring) {DONE 31Dec11}

Random {6/11}

20} get out of debt (ALMOST THERE!  STUPID STUDENT LOANS!) still working on this one but we're on track to be done before I turn 30 =}

21} get caught up on my scrapbooks and stay current

22} read 50 books {39/50 and looking for recommendations!}

23} find out my blood type {DONE 3Mar12, I'm O+ for those that are curious}

24} design a logo for BleuDress (or pay someone else to) {DONE 5Mar12}

25} MASTER all the functions on my camera {DONE 16Oct11 thanks to this class}

26} solve the Rubik's cube or complete a crossword puzzle without any help {DONE 26Apr12 so what if it was in People magazine, I did it!}

27} save $20K {I have come to terms with the idea that this one is not going to happen thanks to the trips we will be making to the US next year.  I'm not happy about it, but it's a fact}

28} watch all of the Star Wars movies (I've only seen the newest one)

29} renew my CPR certification and keep it current {DONE 10Mar12}

30} be paid for a photograph {DONE 7JAN12}

another weekend recap

This was the 2nd weekend in a row that was jam packed full of fun!

Friday we ordered pizza and played domino's with our neighbors

Then went to a going away/just because party at a friends house

On our way home, we ran into a group of co-ops heading to the community club and decided to join them.  I freaking love these guys! {and really need a good point and shoot!}

Saturday was an incredibly long and incredibly fun day!

We started out at he Giant Kite Festival at Sagami River to celebrate the Japanese holiday, Children's day

That last kite weighs about 2,000+ pounds and required close to 100 people to fly it....it was amazing to watch them get it in the air!

Jason finally got to try taiko today...I think I was more excited than he was though!

After the kite festival, I attended a baby shower

I love this onsie! {In case you can't read it, it says "Made in Japan with American parts"}

Then I met back up with Jason and we headed to a roller derby bout that was held here on our base

HIP...

CHECK!

I'd never seen roller derby IRL before and I have to admit I had no clue what was going on most of the time. Even still, I had an absolute blast out there today!

We ended our Saturday with a relaxing dinner and the company of our wonderful neighbors

I can't believe I leave for the States in 2 days!  Time to start packing!