Christmas 2012

My first Christmas in Japan is wrapping up and it has been wonderful! My parents traveled from the US to spend it with me and I have been showing them around and celebrating the holidays with them and many of the new friends I have made here.

Each year, I design my own Christmas Card, but over the last couple years I have mailed fewer and fewer out due to my being so last minute! This year, I had planned to be proactive and started working on my 2012 Christmas card in January...little did I know that the year would throw me a big curve ball and I wouldn't finish it until Christmas Eve! This year is an all E-card year that I am sharing here and on FB with my friends and family around the globe. Hopefully I can get fully settled in 2013 and be ready to send out a Christmas card in December 2013!

Tough Stuff

So it has been a rough day for me. At lunch it was starting to rain and I stopped by my BQ to pick up a jacket before I headed back to work and saw my answering machine light flashing. I took a quick listen and it was my dad asking me to call him. I knew instantly that something was wrong and that I needed to talk to him sooner rather than later. I called him when I got to work and found out the news we had all been waiting on; the biopsy he had about 2 weeks ago confirmed prostate cancer. It was caught early, which is good, but I am still just numb from it all and can't seem to stop crying. Needless to say it has been a rough day and I am looking forward to talking to my parents again tomorrow. Being out here is so hard because I want to be there with them and hug them and know that everything is going to be okay, but instead I am thousands of miles away praying for them and waiting for news as it comes.

Week 15: A Fourteener (July 18-24)

On Friday, the 23rd, I met some family to ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway up to 14,115 feet. It was a wonderful afternoon of silliness with my nephew of the train and spectacular views from the summit. It is a little pricey, $33 for adults, but was a wonderful experience I recommend to all.

The tracks going up. At the steepest spot the tracks are at a 26 degree angle.

Another Train Coming Down

The Train Behind Ours

View from the top. On a clear day you can see 150+ miles away

My Nephew, E, running his gummy bear sugar high off at the top

Summit Sign

A new friend named "Pike"

Week 13: Rocky Mountian High Colorado (July 4 - July 10)

This week was all about hanging out with my brother and nephew (my SIL was out of town for a memorial service).

Take me off the road...
On Thursday, my brother took my dad and I off roading on the mountain across the valley from Beaver Creek Resort. I had never been off-raoding and had a smashing time. We made it up to the treeline of aspens and there were a few patches of snow, even though it is the middle of July. I only needed to use the "ohh poop" handle a few times when we were coming done some rocks that were more than a little steep.

Pitch a tent and roast some s'mores...
A few days later, on Saturday, I went camping with the boys up past an area called Berry Creek in Edwards, CO. My nephew LOVES camping and well I LOVE my nephew so even though I detest camping, along I went. We had gorgeous views of the valley and endured a rain storm that forced us inside the truck for our dinner of hot dogs and corn on the cob. I slept less than well, but did manage to stay warm under TWO sleeping bags. Right before a bedtime story of Walter the Farting Dog we indulged in s'mores over the camp stove.

Week 12: Sunrise on the Arches (June 27-July 3)

On Thursday (July 1) my dad and I ventured to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah bright and early to hike and take in the sunrise. It was a beautiful day with 2 short hikes and 1 that challenged us. I was absolutely in awe at the size and stature of the arches and mesmerized by the colors of the jagged rocks.