My Trip to Hawai'i

My brother picked me up bright and early for an 8:30 am flight to Hawai'i. At about 7:30 I got in line to volunteer to get bumped. Luck was with me. I got bumped and moved to the 5:30 pm flight. I went home for a little bit (thanks to the taxi services of Jack W. and Cindy R.) and made it back to the airport by 2:45. I went through security and back to the desk to volunteer again to get bumped. Come on...I'm on summer break, I'm not doing anything else. The agent said he didn't need me but did put me in first class. I settled into my first class seat and had just finished my drink when the same agent came through first class. He asked if I still wanted to get bumped. Of course, I said yes. Off I went. The long and short of it? I made $600 dollars today (in airline credit) and will leave tomorrow for Honolulu in first class. I don't know why I only caught on to this now.

The Sailing Lifestyle

Several weeks ago, Jack took me and Kevin to go see the Thistle at the Leschi Marina. It was a gorgeous day and made me want to be on the water. Stunning, nee?

Jack & Jen's Thistle

The Accident

So Jack was out several weeks ago getting ready to sail. To get to the boat you have to cross several of these "things" (I don't know what to call them). Anyway, you can see that there is two pieces of wood with about a 10 inch gap between the two pieces. Well, Jack was walking to the boat, not really paying attention to wear he was walking and *bam* his one leg missed the platform and fell through the gap, injuring his...upper leg. Ouch.

My New Addiction

I recently found a new website called Librarything (www.librarything.com). On this site I can catalog all the books I own. It's simple to add books in to your library and the site allows you to add comments and reviews. Along with adding comments, the site also has the visual book cover as part of the catalog. While most people use the site to catalog books they own, I'm using it to include books I've read. Come and get sucked in with me.

Shiho got married!

Today was Shiho's day! Shiho, my roomate of 3 years, got hitched. She and Tim had a ceremony out in Granite Falls at the Tsubaki Shrine. Shiho's parents and sister flew in from Japan. It was a beautiful ceremony. Check out the pics below. By the way, I forgot my camera at home (not that the pics would have been any better) so I had to use my cell phone.

The Groom

Tim in his hakama.

Tsubaki Shrine

This is the main entrance to the shrine.

A Picture Share!

The Sickly Child

When did I become "that" kid? You know the kid. She's the one with the allergies and at the first sign of winter, she catches the first cold. While she may not look sickly, she has to take meds for chronic illnesses. I don't know when it happened, but I'm now that kid.

I knew that swimming around the pool could not be good for me, yet I had to do it everyday that I was in Houston. So you know that feeling where you have water in your ear cuz you can hear it sloshing when you're moving around? I had it, but I wasn't too bothered by it since I figured it would go away. It didn't. Instead, my ear started to hurt. A lot. It felt like a chopstick being jammed into my ear. Off I went to the clinic and 2 hours later I was diagnosed with an ear infection, and a case of ringworm. OMG. How did that happen????? I went to the store and picked up my four prescriptions. The one thing all the meds have in common is that they are all oily. The drops wouldn't be so bad if they didn't seep out of my ear. Gross, I know. The ringworm ointment has to be applied to my inner elbow which gets sticky whenever I bend my arm. I don't know how it happened, but I'm now that sick kid with all the meds.

Hot Houston Days

This is where I've been spending my days in Houston. Everyday at about 11:00 we hop into the pool and come out at about 3:00. I could do this all summer.

The Pool

Hinze BBQ

A couple of nights ago the gang headed over to Hinze BBQ. Some of the best BBQ I've had. I wasn't used to the "sweet tea," especially since I drink my tea unsweetened. Other than that, I'd go back again. See below for the picture of the food.

Uncle Jimmy and Aunt June

The Dinner Hosts

A shot of my cousin Carolyn and Rosemary.

A good look at the Dinner

BBQ Dinner

I selected the regular dinner combo: sliced beef, ribs, and three sides. The combo also came with a slice of white bread.

A Picture Share!

I am in Katy, TX visiting family. I am hanging with Chula the Chihuahua.

Second Verse, Same as the First

I haven't really done much since yesterday. Yet I feel no guilt. (smile). Tomorrow though, everything changes. I'll be at work cleaning the office, correcting papers, and getting ready for next year. It's still summer break, but even I realize that I can't eat Thai food and watch videos everyday.

By the way, I leave for Houston on Wednesday. I'm visiting my cousin and her family. She called today to let me know they are a bit cool...at 90 degrees. I can tell I'll be spending everyday at the pool. On June 20th, I leave for Hawaii. I'll check out the homestead and continue to work on my tan. Will be back in Seattle on June 29th.

The First Day of Summer

No more classes, no more books, no more students' dirty looks. Friday was the last day of summer school...I'm now officially on sumer break. While I enjoyed the summer intensive, it was looooong. So how did I celebrate? All too simply. I ordered Thai food, got a cold beverage and and vegged. I can see me doing this everyday.