Tag: life

University Info

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"Rice University Presentation" Round Rock, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
 “Rice University Presentation” Round Rock, 2018

こなばんは。How’s it going?

This evening we attended a presentation about Rice University. It was a general information session which universities often give to prospective students and their parents, describing what the university has to offer, the academic highlights, campus life, and financial information.

Bay is interested in Architecture and Rice is the #6 ranked school for Architecture, so it’s on the list of potential schools. I think it would be a great choice, but the Architecture program is 6 years instead of 4, so not sure if that is an advantage or not. Rice is only a few hours away by car, so he’ll still be close by, but I don’t think Bay has any interest in living in Houston (or Texas for that matter).

Anyway, we’re starting to prepare for applications. It’s hard to imagine that a year from now, Bay will be in college and most likely staying in the dorms far away from home! 😮 They grow up so fast…

I hope you had a nice weekend!

またね～

Sailor Moon Nite 2

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"Sailor Moon S: The Movie" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/13 sec, ISO3200
 “Sailor Moon S: The Movie” Austin, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Tonight Mikey and I went to see a special screening “Sailor Moon Super S: The Movie” at the theater. Last week we saw the first and second Sailor Moon movies, which were really fun, so I was looking forward to this third one.

The story was pretty good, roughly following the story of The Pied Piper, in which sleeping kids are lured by the flute song of a stranger and kidnapped. As it turns out, Chibisua is taken with the rest of the kids, so it’s up to Sailor Moon and the rest of the gang, including the Sailor Moon Outer Senshi Sailor Pluto, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Uranus. I think that was my favorite part, seeing those three appear, and hearing Sailor Pluto use her “Dead Scream” attack. Very cool!

I would say that I liked this movie even more than its predecessors. It had a ton of action, funny scenes, and interesting villains. Plus the “dream coffins” were super creepy. 😱 Highly recommended movie, especially for anime fans!

I hope you had a great day!

またね～

Summer Mode and Running Shoes

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"Summer Evening Sun" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
 “Summer Evening Sun” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Well, it’s August and we are in full summer mode here in Texas. The temperatures are in the mid to upper 90s so not too bad yet. I actually love the heat, but it makes it a little more difficult to go running. 🏃 Today I went out when the temperature was 92° F and it was kind of tough. Usually, that kind of heat doesn’t bother me too much, but since I just wasn’t feeling it, and also I just started running more consistently last month, I took it easy and walked for the second half of my 2-miler.

Walking around the neighborhood is fun though – I like seeing how everyone takes care of/neglects their yards and lawns. 😝 Exercising is a lot more fun if I don’t think about calories/working out, but just enjoy being outdoors.

Speaking of running, it’s time (long overdue, actually) to replace my On Cloud running shoes. 👟 These have been the best running shoes I’ve ever owned, so I think I will just get a new pair of them. Instead of my light grey/orange/white, I am getting the navy/white color scheme. I think they look nice!

I took my Converse High Tops and On Cloud running shoes to New York, and of course the running shoes were way more comfortable. So I am looking forward to using the new ones not only for running, but for traveling. Yay!

Today’s photo is of the evening sun coming into the kitchen. The sun sets after 8 pm now, so we get a lovely light to end the day. 😀

I hope you had a nice Saturday!

またね～

Takoyaki and a Creature

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"Takoyaki" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2, 1/70 sec, ISO200
 “Takoyaki” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

It’s amazing to me how Mariko can seemingly easily create a delicious dinner for the whole family without even thinking about it. I would have to plan way in advance, and then my cooking repertoire is limited to just a few things. But tonight Mariko made takoyaki using our takoyaki pan, and since we don’t have octopus, she used cubes of bratwurst that we had in the freezer, corn, and cheese. And it was delicious!!!

Takoyaki is really special, and to be able to whip this up for dinner is amazing to me. Thank you Mariko!

In other news, I was playing around with the Fujifilm X-T10 and took this photo. It’s a cat toy, but what is it supposed to be? A mouse? A snowball with tail? Whatever it is, the sunlight illuminating it from behind is what caught my attention.

"Creature" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2, 1/400 sec, ISO400
 “Creature” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

Shopping, Cooking, and Driving

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”Three Girls" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/20 sec, ISO3200
 ”Three Girls” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today went by so quickly! Even though I woke up fairly early (before 8 am), there was so much to do.

First, opening the mail that had collected for me the past week, a little freelance work, vacuuming, and breaking down cardboard boxes kept me busy before the kids woke up. Next, it was off to the market to buy ingredients for dinner, then to the mall to find some black slacks for Koa. Who knew it could be so difficult! We went to five stores before finding a pair that fit and wasn’t crazy expensive.

By that time it was early afternoon and time to get cooking! Mariko was going to a potluck and requested I make barbacoa meat for tacos. It was fairly easy to make, and with the Instant Pot, it was fast too. I love that pressure cooker!

But before dinner, I went out driving with Bay. We need to really finish up and get him his license soon (hopefully before September). He has to finish some online classes, and we just need a few more hours of driving (and parallel parking) before he can take his driving test. So we are on a fast track to get it done. On the plus side, Bay is a really good driver, so I’m not too worried about him on the road.

After we returned home, it was taco time! The barbacoa meat was tender and yummy, but honestly, I’d take carnitas over barbacoa any day of the week.

In the evening, I had three large piles of laundry to fold, and that brings us up to the present. It’s 11:24 and I need to wrap this up.

I hope you had a nice Sunday!

おやすみ！

Celebrating

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"Sparkly" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO2000
 “Sparkly” Austin, 2018
"Fireworks" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/3.2, 1/8 sec, ISO800
 “Fireworks” Austin, 2018
"Sparklers" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec, ISO3200
 “Sparklers” Austin, 2018
"Little One" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/110 sec, ISO3200
 “Little One” Austin, 2018
"Tacos and Hashi" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.2, 1/110 sec, ISO3200
 “Tacos and Hashi” Austin, 2018
"Refreshments" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.2, 1/160 sec, ISO2500
 “Refreshments” Austin, 2018
"Soccer Shochu" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.5, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
 “Soccer Shochu” Austin, 2018
"Enjoying Outside" Austin, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2.8, 1/40 sec, ISO3200
 “Enjoying Outside” Austin, 2018

Slow Monday

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"Fresh Bread" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/75 sec, ISO3200
 “Fresh Bread” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

It’s a holiday week here in the States as we celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday. Because of that, a lot of people are taking vacation, and the office is very quiet. Not only are there fewer people here, but the overall mood is laid back since those of us still here are looking forward to a relaxing Wednesday. It’s a good feeling!

Honestly, I can’t get very excited about this year’s Independence Day, as I truly despise our current government administration. I don’t believe it reflects the values that the forefathers envisioned. On that note, here’s an excellent podcast episode that succinctly summarizes the state of the country, and my feelings about it. It’s Sarah Kendzior as the guest on The Rob Burgess Show. She’s one of the people that I trust and is always a compassionate voice of reason in this time of lies and cruelty.

I didn’t intend this blog post to be political, but I believe our government has shifted from a flawed but functioning democracy towards an authoritarian state, where our system of checks and balances has been compromised. But we can still vote and protest, and while the First Amendment still exists in the Constitution, I will write about it.

🇺🇸

Today’s photo speaks for itself. But I wish you all could smell the wonderful aroma of freshly-baked bread that has filled the house! ❤🍞

またね～