Bento Bust!

I was planning on writing a blog about my trip to the Pacific Science Center, but then I realized that while I'm sure it was exciting to me, how on earth does that help everyone else? So what if I got to see all sorts of Gross things and the Grossology exhibit, and that I rode a bike on a tiny little rail two stories above the ground (terrifying - you gotta try it). What's most important is what did I learn? What can I possibly share with my tiny group of readers that will protect them in the future? I have one resounding answer.

Never eat Sushi with fruit in it. EVER.

Hmmm. I'll start from the beginning.

Jenny (neighbor and close friend) and I had decided earlier this year, when we realized that both of our husbands would be absent for most of the summer, that we would go all out exploring the surrounding areas. Afterall - why should we sit inside just because they aren't here? Seattle was first, and the military has great deals for a City Pass that allows us to go to several of the big Seattle attractions for a flat rate of $50.00. Seeing as how the Space Needle alone is somewhere in the range of $20.00 per person, this is a great deal if you use it.

For the next week we have four days planned crammed full of Seattle adventure. But aside from the actual activities we didn't plan for much else (food). Isn't it rather easy to find food in a big city? Of course it is. Our day was no exception. Not 5 minutes off of the ferry and we passed by an adorable little shop boasting Japanese Bento Boxes! CUTE!! YUM!! Okay, well, Dinner is settled. We'll go do the Pacific Science Center and then pick up our Bento Boxes as we head back to the Ferry and munch happily on our delicious rice balls and sushi on the ride home. Such a good plan!

After passing up Gyros (ugh they looked so good), and a Phoenix roll (shrimp Tempura, BBQ eel, and flying fish eggs all in one roll!), we somehow managed to make it back to the Bento place with empty bellies and full wallets. This was it! We walk in and are greeted by a little layered refrigerator ( you know, the kind that usually display deli sandwhiches and drinks in the airport) with probably a dozen little 'Bento Boxes'. And... that's it. Okay... so... not much of a selection - I guess I'll go without the rice balls... but that's okay! What are our choices? A little Japanese lady joins the mix with her charming smile and half-understandable english.

"So... what do you have?"

"Salmon with cream cheese, Tofu with omelet and ??, Oh, and of course our Pickles and asparagus!"

We determined that the mystery agreement above was something that she apparently didn't know the english name for and it looked completely unfamiliar to both of us. We were only slightly daunted by the lack of options, but the kids would never go for the Salmon... and I'll be honest, I wouldn't either!

"Ah... which would you recomend?"

"Oh.. Tofu omelet is great. So yummy. You will love."

Sold. But what for the kids? Tactfully I mention to Jenny that the kids probably wont go for the tofu option and she agrees that she will probably have to stop somewhere for else for them. This is when our Japanese sales lady pipes up.

"Oh! You must try fruit Sushi! So good, like candy! Kids will love."

Jenny: "Are those Mangos?"

Sales Lady: "Yes. Mangos. Very sweet. Very good."

Like Candy you say? Yum. So what if it sounds weird? If the sales lady says it's good then it MUST be good! Though.. why is there Wasabi and Ginger in there? Ah... oh well!

Sales Lady: "Also, you must try these with the nuts! They have pecans and walnuts in them. Delicious!"

Well.. now that she mentioned it, the nuts -do- look good. So into our pile they go, and we happily check out. What a great buy! Okay... so we basically just bought every option that the little place had, but they all look so good! I mean, who would ever have thought of fruit in sushi? I'm sure it is very innovative, and very authentic Japanese. I already feel posh with our little bags as we head down to get the kids something else to eat. Because I feel a bit starved I end up getting a little something at the Ivar's Fish Bar too (great food btw). Just so I get something substantial on top of the Sushi of course.

Now that we are all sitting down, Jenny and I are having our doubts. Fruit in Sushi? Wrapped in seaweed? Why did we think this was okay? I tried a pickle roll... and it was pretty good! I say as much and so we both get a little bit more brave. Nivek (her son) decides that he wants Mango so he eats it first (he may have had a little encouraging from us...). He manages to get it down with little to no effort, with only a mild grimace. Jenny and I are looking at eachother. Daring one or the other to go first. She caves and eats one with... prunes? fat raisens? figs? anyway, she tries it and her face tells all. Oh dear. My turn.

I pick a friendly looking roll at the top. It has cherries? Or possibly dried cranberries. This looks promising. BAD IDEA. Why ANYONE thought that fruit, seaweed and rice go together I'll never know. I'm relatively positive that the little Japanese lady woke up in the morning 10 Bento's short and decided to scrounge the house for options. I don't think that anyone would willingly eat these. I sank my teeth in.. chewed twice and spat it back out. I NEVER spit out food. Ewwwww! Surprisingly... the tofu omelet wrap was pretty good. And the mystery ingredient didn't ruin anything (thank goodness). The nuts were... edible. That's about all I can say about them. They didn't make me want to stop eating for the rest of my life, but they didn't really encourage the idea either. Maybe this is why everyone is so skinny in Japan!? Well... we are heading to Seattle several times in the next week... I dont see a stop at the Bento place in the future.

Obviously, the kids agree with us...

Just a little fun Outback.

Last night (as it's been for most nights this week), James and I went out to dinner, but we let Derek tag along. He is a part of the family now afterall. Don't get me wrong, I still cook, but we enjoy going out together and since we get to do it so rarely we like to cram in as many nights out as we can in the short time he is in. It also keeps the house considerably cleaner. Which means, more cuddle time, less clean time. I think both of us agree that this is a good decision.

So, we all stacked into the Tahoe for the quick ride to the Outback! But before we left I grabbed the camera. I've been slacking on the whole "bring the camera" thing in general. So with camera in tow, we went to dinner, ate, and returned home, without a single picture taken. Ugh. Oh well! Quick remedy? Photo shoot on the front steps! Only, I had to take the pictures, so here are Derek and James after our date night.

Date nights and Car Accidents

Yesterday was just one of those days. I have an entire week and a half off of work, and I'm enjoying the quiet time with James ( who has roughly that same amount of time in port). I truly treasure the simple conversations and the giggling that we share as newlyweds. It seems that whenever we are together there is always something to laugh at, it's kept my spirits up even when I know that he will be leaving again soon. At least I get to look forward to more inside jokes and exciting events when he returns. We decided that last night would be date-night. Though really, every night this week has been date night. It's almost like a honeymoon. I've saved up this paycheck so we have plenty of money and we enjoy going out and doing things that we don't get to do as often as we should. Simple things like walking around the mall (which always leads us to a video game store - or Barnes and Noble, both of our weaknesses), or going out to dinner. Last night was no exception. Red Lobster, followed by a quick trip to Target (me) and Game Stop (him) and then to Chucky Cheese for a birthday party. We only stayed an hour or so before we had to get back for a movie!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It's very funny. It is a bit lacking in excitement, but it definitely gives a big finish and the anticipation for the next movie that it should. James loved it as well. We both had a blast even though the movie theaters are lousy and we pay tons of money to sit in seats where you can't see past the person in front of you. I guess not everywhere can be as great as Utah when it comes to movies. It's just about my one complaint with the area here in Washington. Really lame Movie Theaters.

After the show it was around 10 and we were headed back using the back roads. I hate driving on the freeway at night. I feel blinded by the oncoming cars in my little escort, and though the thing runs like a trooper, I just don't like the mild panic when you literally can't see a foot in front of your windsheild. The back roads are a little better, though as I turned onto one of the roads near our house, a lady decided to exit the parking lot of a gas station right in front of me. Smart. We came within about 2 inches of her passenger side door before I was able to swerve slightly to the side and into the parking lot of the local bar, dodging parked vehicles and pedestrians alike and stopping. Completely white knuckled and terrified. The lady in the other car didn't even look at me. I'm sure she was embarassed, but I was worried more for her safety. Was she okay? James and I were in one piece after the near collision, but was she? Apparently: she drove off without a second thought for me in my little car. Nice.

It's been a long time since I was in a near accident and I hope that it's another long time before I'm in another one. I couldn't shop shaking on the way home, even though James assured me that had we hit her he would have made sure to break a bone so that he could be kept home from this underway. Blast. Is it healthy for a couple to cheer injuries? Probably not, but I know we aren't the only ones that do it, I think it must be a military thing. Either way, I'm glad that James and I are safe, and am more than greatful that we just replaced the brakes on the escort. This is the second time that little car has saved me, I think it will have a home with us forever. Thanks Dad. :) I guess no matter where you are, you are always watching out for your little girl. Sometimes it takes an accident to bring out focus on what's important. James and I are safe and healthy, and that's all that matters - as James said: "Objects are replaceable, you aren't." Buckle up everyone! Love,
Kara

Blog Prisoners - UNITE!

So much has happened since my last post. I started feeling overwhelmed and behind on updates. My pictures keep stacking up on the camera and in the meantime absolutely nothing gets done. Well.. I'm a blog prisoner no more! I'm liberating myself by doing an all inclusive update. And then I can start with a clean slate. I know that others of you have the same problem, so... I'm encouraging you to do the same. Shed the shackles of Blog Blues... and be free. Like me! :) Sooo, Update number one:

I no longer have a roommate!
My sweet Marissa actually left a few months ago to head back to Utah. I miss her lots but it was good to get a few days with James to myself when he got home. Which leads to update number two!

James was home for a whooole month.
We went to Seattle for Sushi, got a pet peacock (not purposefully it adopted us for a few days before it moved on to a neighbor who lives a few houses behind us.) We bought an X-box 360 and a new 40 inch TV - all James's idea of course. I think he's pretty happy to show off his new "toys". So I couldn't help but throw in a little snippet about it. I'm sure I'll get pictures up soon... cause the entertainment stand is beautiful...




We got a NEW roommate!
Derek Nichols is one of the guys on James's boat, and they work together in the same division. He's made a fun addition to the family. Because they are only going to be in port for two months of this entire year he didn't want to waste money on an apartment and instead decided to crash in our extra room. He may just have a matress on the floor and an old dresser, but he has a place to stay with nice people who care about his well being. He seems pleased to be apart of our little family, and James and I love having him around. I have a feeling that this arrangement will lead to having a life-long friend. Having a roommate isnt' too bad - especially because he doesn't mind being kicked out occasionally so that James and I can have our alone time. ;) Which probably happens more often than not! We fondly call him the family pet.


I got a Promotion!
For those of you who don't know I work for a company called: Spoiled Rotten Pet Sitting. ( Check out the website @ http://www.spoiledrottenpetsittingllc.com/ ) I'm officially a pet sitter, and now I'm also the Client Coordinator! This means I handle all customer service and set up jobs from scratch. Its a lot of fun but -really- busy, and I'm sure if you talk to me regularly you've heard me complain about it. Really though I have a wonderful job and I get paid to make sure that animals are taken care of.

My Horsie is coming in August!
I have a horse. Her name is Red. She lives in Utah, and I live in Washington. Well.... Not much longer! I found her a great barn called "Painted Valley Farms" and it's wonderful. The people are great and I found a fantastic price to get her shipped out here. YAY!










James lost a bunch of weight!
I figured that if -I- had lost a bunch of weight, I would probably blog about it, so I should do the same for my adorable husband. He had a busy underway for the first half of this year and while he was gone he started working out and never looked back. He lost over 3 inches around his already svelt frame, which left me wondering where on earth my husband went?! I'm not complaining though - he's always been cute. Now he's just that much better. ;)


Well, that just about rounds out the most important things, so I guess I'll say farewell until tomorrow... or later on this week as I already have a blog idea that I know I'm going to do. Hope you enjoyed reading my updates as much as I enjoyed being liberated from my chains...