12.21.2012

(lack of) christmas

fujie//where i'm headed
 
our family is doing things a little differently this year for christmas.
there is no tree up in my house.
the boxes full of decorations are still in the garage.
and we aren't buying eachother presents this year.
it sounds like we're scrooges but we're really not.
promise.
but this year we're going to Japan to visit my dad's family. after 4 looong years i will finally get to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. but since they aren't christian, christmas means nothing to them. it's a regular day where people get up and go to work. it's a little sad but they sure know how to celebrate new years ;)
but between me and the moment i walk through their door is four airports, three flights, two layovers, and one already tired girl who will be traveling by herself. wish me luck! and merry christmas season to YOU :)

12.18.2012

snow pictures: the good and the bad

it snowed last night! it rarely snows and stays snowy in my hometown so this was a huuuge deal. my brother was playing around with the camera so we decided to take some pictures.
i clearly don't do serious and love my cat way too much.
 
 





12.17.2012

back at home

well everything went smoothly. except for my two items of luggage, my life has been boxed up and put into storage. i left my apartment squeaky clean (well...the portion i cleaned) and said my good-byes. it was definitely bittersweet. i've met some incredible people the last couple of years and it's odd to think that i won't see them for almost two years. not to mention that they will probably be graduated/married when i get back. but that's how life works.
 
now i'm back at home, sleeping on a couch in the guest room. back to hanging out with my more-hilarious-than-i-remember parents, back to rain, back to baby duty, and back to cat loving. i've already eaten more the past two days than i have in the past week and it feels great. i leave for japan in 4 days and i am readayyy to go. but in the meantime, i'm going to enjoy me some of this.
 


 
**the baby my mom takes care of and the cat we're cat sitting.

12.15.2012

time to move, time for change

my apartment is quiet, there are boxes everywhere, and i'm snuggled in bed. today will consist of packing up my life from the past 3 years and i'm not quite ready to face it yet. two of my roommates have already gone home for christmas and the other is at work. so much has happened the past two months and now that it's all really happening, it's a little surreal. major life changes, the decision to serve a mission, and the decision to go home beforehand. the past two weeks have been emotional, stressful, and exhausting but it was a learning experience and am content with how things have turned out. i'm slowly learning that sometimes you just need to rely on Heavenly Father and things will always work out, even if you have no idea how or why.

so here i am, done with finals and wrapping up my life here in provo for the time being. saying goodbye to the people i'm close with has been hard but i know i'm making the right decision and that we'll see eachother again eventually. i'm getting on the plane on saturday and i'm so excited to see my family. i haven't seen my family since july and it's high time i spend some quality time with those guys. not to mention, my family in japan who i will be seeing in exactly a week!! so many exciting things to come in the upcoming weeks. but right now, my closet is staring me down so...

12.05.2012

CALLED TO SERVE


Dear Sister Sugihara,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Japan Sapporo Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, April 24, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Japanese language.

I'm so incredibly excited and humbled to be embarking on this new adventure. Teaching the people of Sapporo about Jesus Christ will be a wonderful experience. I'm grateful for this opportunity to grow spiritually and do what Heavenly Father would like me to do. If you want to know more about what I will be doing, this has some pretty great information :)

12.03.2012

countdown

 
2 days until i know my fate for the next 18 months.
3 days until classes are over.
10 days until finals are over.
12 days until i'm home in seattle.
19 days until i leave for japan.
come at me bro.
oh and you could say i'm a little bit excited.

12.02.2012

a little bit of fall in december

remember this post? well we got the rest of the group photos so here they are!
 







 
what can i say...we're a crazy bunch ;)
love these ladies.