Happy Christmas & Merry New Year ...

Part of my negotiations for my second year contract was that I would be given three weeks of holiday vacation in the winter. I was fortunate enough to have my request honored and left for America on December 20th with no intentions of returning to Japan until January 11th ... and oh-so-very excited.


The flight back to the states kind of sucked. I had WAY TOO much luggage & navigating the airport with three suitcases is always difficult, no matter how many times you've done it and regardless of if you know exactly where you're going. Security sucked because I had to remove two coats (seriously), my snow boots, take my laptop out of the case, and open my large bag carry on suitcase for inspection. I was definitely that girl holding up the line and I hated it. Once I actually got on the plane I remembered that I had a middle seat (::vomit::) and I couldn't find my over the counter sleep aides. Great. This trip was starting out just great.


The flight took forever and once we started actually flying over America everyone started getting riled up about the weather, something I hadn't even really thought about. I started to get a little panicky remembering what happened last year when flight BARELY made it to Chicago and then we got stranded in Wisconsin in a snow storm. "Please just let me get to Des Moines. Please just let me get to Des Moines."

I did make it to Des Moines, barely. I got into Cedar Rapids on the last flight they allowed in (although I only got 1 of my suitcases) and then I got in my Kia Spectra rental and drove through what I felt like was a blizzard to get to Des Moines in time to meet up with some of my favorite people. I was so exhausted, yet I couldn't have been happier. Well, I might have been happier if I had both of my suitcases. :)

The next 3 weeks were a blur, but in a really, really good way. I felt like I spent SO much time in the car and it's because I did. I put like 3,000 miles on my rental and was driving back and forth from Des Moines on what felt like a daily basis, but I can honestly say I did almost everything I wanted to do, with the exception of making it to Cedar Falls. The snow got in my way every time. :(

I spent a lot of time in Sioux City with my family and my best friends. We frequented our favorite drinking establishments, carried on the tradition of Christmas bowling, sang karaoke on Christmas Eve, had a Mile's afternoon, and ate at all of the best places Sioux City has to offer ... Jerry's pizza, Little Chicago Deli, George's, Navarettes, Minervas & Town House.

My dad and I on Christmas Eve

Asian invasion ...

But the Japanese snacks weren't really all that popular. Whoops. I thought for sure they would be a hit. :)

Zach was unimpressed with the tiny crabs:

As was grandpa Ron.

And then there were the nights (or afternoons) of going out with great friends. I really, seriously have the best friends ever.

Danny & I ... taking in the 'scenery' that only Court Street has to offer:

Matt & I celebrating all that is Christmas:

Emily, Molly, Michell & I bowling on Christmas Night ... a tradition we take very seriously.

We've been doing it since high school!

And what would a trip to Sioux City be without an afternoon of schooners and chuck burgers at Mile's? It's aways smiles with Mile's.
Oh, AND Prince's ... we had a pretty stellar night drinking quarter beers with Joanie & Terry:

And of course I spent a lot of time with the family. My grandparents, Pam & Phil, my dad, my cousins, Zach and Kylee, my mom, my beautiful baby Madi (who's cute even when she's crying), Debbie & Greg and Mom & Dad. It was pretty much perfect.

Zach, Kylee & I trying to look normal:

and it didn't last long ... :)
I rang in the new year with Abby & Dan in Des Moines ... drinking perhaps a little too much champagne. :)
And had a girls reunion at Erin's house that could have only been more perfect if all of us could have been there. I love my girls from college. <3>

And I even found some time to trek up to Minneapolis with the fam and spend a Sunday at one of my favorite places in the entire world .. the Metrodome! We cheered on the Vikings to an awesome victory against the Giants right after Christmas. Merry Christmas to me.

Grandma Jee & Grandpa Steve at the game:
My mom & I got really excited about the game winning field goal.

And then there were all those great times I didn't photograph. Like playing Cribbage in my grandma's kitchen, watching movies with my sister, eating Taco Johns with Madi, 'shopping' at LoveSac with Matt, telling stories at Pam & Phil's, eating Twin Bings & hanging out in apartment 190. Sometimes life is so good.

much love

-tara-

xx