March/ April Randoms

As our time in Champaign-Urbana draws closer to the end, I've been reflecting on some things. What will I miss bout this little town? What will we not have in St Louis that was so accessible here? What are some of the things I should do before I leave? Is there anything I left undone?

We've had so many wonderful memories here, but it's been almost 7 years, and although this town has treated us well, it's time for the next stage in our lives. In just a few short months, we'll be packing up and moving to a different state and a bigger city. Many great things on our horizon and the best is yet to come. 

Here are some little memories from March and April 2016.

Steak and kale salad with blue cheese

Lucky Charms cupcakes for St Patty's

BLT salad

Finally warm enough to drink outside

Birthday brunch at Rooster in St Louis

Birthday ice cream at Jeni's

My coworkers are so cute

Rick's Bakery Alfajores: Shortbread with dulce de leche and coconut

Mini tacos

Art Party Studio painting time

Swordfish with tomato and squash salad

Purple donuts, cuz FedEx

Roasted veggies

Goofing off for employee appreciation

Fly my prettys

Always with the treats

Coconut melon mojito

We play board games on the floor. Gose and Dead of Winter

Finally eating Papa Del's Pizza

Art Party Studio, part 2

No, thank you!

Many things will be changing the next time I post a bi-monthly wrap-up. But good things do not happen without change. As Spring turns into Summer, we will turn into Missourans. Ekk.

Akemi-chan

Hawaii April 2016

This was my first trip home since quitting the airline industry. It's an oddly soothing to know you can catch a flight without fear of being stranded at the airport. We even took a later flight for that reason. Weird huh?

Anyway, we drove from Illinois to Indianapolis, flew to Phoenix and overnighted before flying to Honolulu the next day. Yeah, four time zones in 24 hours. Anyway, here's a photo summary of our week in Hawaii. 

Got spoiled on our Hawaiian airlines flight. I always look forward to the juice.

Landed in Honolulu. Time to eat! Lunch with the family at The Pig and the Lady.

P&L Pho

Catfish, green papaya salad, chicken banh mi and french dip. Amazing!

Chocolate mind ice cream swirl and begneits

Hawaiian style buffet, with the green bottle :-P

Mom's kimchi soup

Unlce Bryan and Aunty Carly with the Bobo

Bryan's favorite: mochi ice cream

Breakfast by Mom: Apple pancakes with Portuguese sausage and bacon

Poke feast at home

Hanging out at Uncle Bo's in Haleiwa with Roann

Kalua pork wonton nachos with POG belini

Li Hing martini, oh yeah

Hanging out on the North Shore with my boy

We found a turtle right at sunset

Brunch at Koko Head Cafe with the fam and bestie. French toast and Coffee & Doughnuts

Elvis's Revenge: Peanut butter and fried banana with bacon

Bi bim bap and Koko moco skillets

Don buri chen

Waikiki time with bestie

Sunning ourselves with this view

Of course I got some Coconut Mocha Starbucks in Waikiki

It would not be right if we didn't go to Mai Tai's

Lychee martini with calamari

Seafood buffet. YES!!!

Dessert part 1

Thanks for dinner bestie!

Breakfast of champions: papaya, cream puff and coconut water

Dinner with old college buddies

Hiking Pillbox with Dad

We made it!

View of Lanikai

Shave ice time!

Cheers to our last night in Honolulu at Gyu Kaku

All the meat!

Gelato at Ala Moana

Aloha Hawaii

We were so happy to be able to come home for some family time. Nothing makes me feel more like myself than spending time with my family. The island breeze and Hawaiian sun don't hurt either. 

This will probably be our last trip home as Illinoians. Soon we'll be heading down to Missouri and heading onto our newest adventures.

Akemi-chan