Aloha!

July was a busy month.  I went to a family reunion in Colorado.  It had been almost 15 years since I had last seen some of my family members, so it was really great to catch up with them.  We enjoyed going to the zoo, playing some great games, eating, and just a little hiking around the family cabin in the Rocky Mountains.

After that, I flew to Detroit and spent time with one of my oldest and dearest friends.  It was a very short trip, but we managed to pack the time full of activities like going to the farmers' market and having a cooking contest with mystery ingredients, a la one of our favorite TV shows, "Chopped".  We also drove to Windsor, Canada, to visit another good friend of mine.  My Canadian friend was one of the first people I met while living in Japan, and though we didn't live in the same town for more than just a few months, she has also become very dear to me.

I then flew back to Denver, where I met 2 college friends; one flew in from Santa Fe, the other from Chicago.  We went to "Casa Bonita", a crazy Mexican restaurant, and we also went putt-putt golfing.  It had been over 15 years since the three of us were together, but it felt like no time had passed.

I said goodbye to my friends and returned to my folks' place for a few days of final packing and organization, then said goodbye to them and flew to Honolulu.

I hope to say hello to friends and family when they come visit me here!  This, of course, includes friends & family I didn't get to see this summer, especially those who live in faraway places like Japan and Philadelphia...

My first week here was spent at the YMCA. (I just can't leave you, YMCA.) I rented a cheap room while searching for a place to live.  It was touch-and-go trying to get a good apartment at a reasonable rate before August 1st.  Luckily, the place I liked & wanted the most was granted to me on the 30th!  Saaaafe!

I got a car, I got a bed, and I got a drafting table that needs repaired already. (I'm very angry about the drafting table.) I have my tools, books, & paintbrushes, and I have my LOVELY Shouten Zabuton, but I don't have any other furniture.  I'm waiting 1 more month for K to arrive, so that we can shop for furniture together.

I found a Target, a place for good Eggs Benedict, and a Scrabble Club.  I still need to find a used mystery bookstore, a place for good bagels, and some friends.

I registered for classes last week and I start classes next Monday.  I just can't decide what I'm looking forward to more: being a student again, or getting chairs.