I Have Returned! Kind of....

 Konbanwa (Good evening/こんばんわ)!

 It's been a few months since I last posted in here. But, sadly, it's been very difficult for me to write because I live in the suburbs and my life is...pretty boring, for the most part, lol! I wish it wasn't like this, but, what can you do? The constant summer heat definitely doesn't help.

Anyway...we celebrated my parents' birthdays, a couple weekends ago, now. We went to this Italian restaurant, in town, that I have never heard of. I even grabbed a few photos 😊.

First off, this restaurant was on an upper floor of the building (if I remember, correctly, this building is three restaurants...or two....), so we got a bit of a nice view!

The restaurant, itself...called Trattoria di Cat...was very nice. And, we went at a time of the day when there was hardly anybody around, so we had a fairly quiet meal. It didn't start getting crowded until right as we were leaving, so that's cool.

Real roses at the center of every table. I love it 🌹. And, bonus! Roses are actually my favorite flower.

I tried my first actual cocktail, here! This is called the Cosmic Cosmo...and it was very good. Not gonna lie, I kinda wanted another one, lol! And I'm glad I ended up choosing this one because I was nervous that I wouldn't like a cocktail, and I had no idea how this one was going to taste or feel in my chest.

I am not too new at alcohol. I've had Southern Comfort, before (albeit, mixed with 7-Up...thank you, Dad), and daiquiris. I like both + now, this cocktail. Oh! And I can do a bit of light beer, and red ale. I've learned, however, that I do not like wine. It doesn't matter what kind because I have even tried light wine. It all just sits too heavily in my chest. I can't do it, Cap'n! I am very thankful, though, that I am not at all the type of person who will drink more than at least two glasses of alcohol, and it probably helps that I'm pretty picky about the drinks, too. 🤣

My dinner was this delicious tortellini. This included mushrooms and sausage, which I skipped because I have never been a fan of either of those. And yes, the pasta in here is three different colors, lol!

This was also the day I tried mussels and calamari, for the first time! My sister had this meal...I have no idea what it's called...that included mussels and calamari, and she let me try one of each. M'kay, where have these things been, all my life? How could child me miss out on them, completely, until now?

When I say that I will survive in Japan, I mean it. I am such a seafood person! When they're not breaded, of course...I kinda grew out of breaded foods. I mean...salmon, calamari (squid, really), mussels...probably octopus, but I don't know because I don't know where I would have access to them in US restaurants...especially here, in the south. At least, I've never seen it. But anyway...seaweed, I'm trying to learn to like avocado, and Lord knows that I love my noodles and rice.

Yeah...someday, I pray to visit Japan. Food-wise, I know what I like, so I'll know what I'll eat, over there. Exercise-wise, I know all that walking would do me a ton of overdue good.

All I'm really missing, now, is the finance to get there. I hate how expensive plane tickets are....

And I went off the tracks. Back to the restaurant.

Dessert was just as good as dinner. This is vanilla gelato, drizzled in...I honestly don't know what. I thought it was caramel, but I didn't think it had that sweet-and-sticky...ness...that caramel usually has. Well, anyway, it was yummy!

My dad had this slice of lemon cake that I grabbed a photo of...because why not. I only got a taste of the frosting, so I don't have a real opinion on this treat, lol! I know that the frosting was thick, but actually pretty good!

And that's all the photos that I got at Trattoria di Cat. I'd go there, again! I know I'd definitely have the Cosmic Cosmo, again 👀. I'm just sayin'.

There's like a little vegan café in Japan that I'm interested in checking out, someday. This place is called ANANA'S Coffee Vegan Tokyo. Now...I am not vegan, I admit. I also admit that I love my meat and dairy. It's just how I grew up. With that being said, I have learned to like at least a couple of vegan foods in my life. Vegan pastries and vegan cheese pizza. They're pretty good! Sadly expensive, though (why is being healthy so damn expensive, these days? It's not right), which is why I don't get a chance to get any, these days. We used to have a cute little vegan coffee and pastries café in town, called Nerdy Bird (or Birdy...I can't remember which). But sadly, they closed like, several years ago, now. If I remember, correctly (probably not, knowing my brain), I think the reason being is they went bankrupt or something...or, they weren't getting enough customers...gosh, I don't remember. But they did have some good stuff, there!

Anyway, if I ever get the chance to visit Japan, I am definitely going to check out ANANA'S. It looks like a very cute place, and their sweets and drinks look yummy!

Here's a sneak peek of what this adorable-looking place has (photo taken by them). This is a matcha latte, and it looks so yummy (I also love that coaster)! I really want to try it 😭! Ahh, someday....

If you aren't in Japan, but are curious about ANANA'S, here's their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ananas_tokyo_/?hl=en 

They also have Twitter and a shop website!

Well...I think this post is long enough, lol! I apologies for my rambling. Oddly enough, I tend to ramble more online than I do in real life...or so it feels like to me. I will now end this post with a couple photos of a recent outfit of mine...one of those photos including one of my pups 🤣.

Pup's name is Nicky 💜💙.

Thank you for reading, everyone! I hope you have a good week!

✨

Emjei's Super Short Post: Moving Start

Hullo! How are you, this weekend?

Today's post is super short as I am a little busy. I had said, the other day, that I wanted to start packing during the weekend. So, now, here I am. Lol!

Today's outfit is camo pattern! I got the leggings at Walmart, but I don't remember where or how I got the shirt. It's old, though...can you tell? The reddish-orange letters have faded over the years 🤣. 

I've somewhat packed most of my shoes, now. I don't think I'll close this box up until the just before we move...I still have a pair of boots I might throw in there.

I will probably tackle my closet, tomorrow, at some point.

What are you doing, this weekend?

Thank you for reading! 😊

✨️

Overdue Post!

 Hello, hello!

 I apologize for not posting! I try to keep this blog from seeming repetitive and too boring...but, it's just not easy to do when you live in the suburbs and are currently jobless 🙃, so life is just boring, in general. Lol!

 We are also in the midst (is that the right word?) of packing and moving as we had just recently bought a house...we're no longer renters after May! I think.... I plan on finally starting to pack my room, this weekend. I hate packing, especially on my own as then, it never gets done until the last minute 😅.

That's not a great thing.

 Anyway, this last weekend, we went up north! I know, you're probably thinking, "What? Up north, again? Weren't you just up there?" Well, yes, but that was for my cousin's wedding. This time, we went up there to celebrate my grandpa's 90th birthday.

You read that, correctly. 90! It seems like my grandpa is determined to live past 100, lol!

Love you, Papa!! And Happy Birthday!! 🎂🎊✨

I took a bunch of photos...or so, I feel like.

 It rained on our way up, but if I remember correctly (I'm probably not, lol), the skies cleared up as soon as we neared our hotel!

 Last Friday night, we met up with my aunt for dinner, and went to a place called, "Olympic Star Restaurant".

 I had their cream of chicken soup, which was really yummy! I also hadn't had cream of chicken soup in a very long time, so this was good. I rarely have soup at restaurants, honestly. I'm not sure why....

 The soup was a side that came with my meal, which I did not get a photo of because it's the same thing I got for Saturday's linner (lunch + dinner), lol!

 This was our view from the hotel room, that evening. My camera doesn't seem to like picking up sunset colors because this sunset was actually a bit redder-orange than the photo, here. Lol!

 My brother and I had shared a hotel room, for once. We were both up late-ish, Friday night, enjoying a marathon of "Family Guy" 🤣. My brother and I very rarely get chances to spend time, together. Up until recently, he's been hanging out with his friends on weekends, and he's so tired from work on weekdays that we don't really do anything, together, like watch movies or something.

 So, sharing a hotel room was a really nice change...and "Family Guy" is one of the few things he and I have in common.

 We did bring dessert back to the hotel. This is rice pudding, and it was super yummy! I hadn't had rice pudding since I was a kid, so...bonus memories!

 Saturday was my grandpa's birthday celebration. Although, we didn't meet up with everyone until about late lunchtime.

 This was my outfit for the party. The leggings are from Walmart, I believe...I ordered the turtleneck from a site called "YesStyle" (I've yet to have a negative or a meh experience from ordering clothes from there...then again, the last time I did was only the second time)...and the boots I got from a store in the mall called, "The Shoe Department Store". I think! I'm 90% sure that's what the store is called, lol! Oh, yeah, and the butterfly necklace is something my mom gave me...I bought the ring on my pointer finger from a store in Gatlinburg (I don't remember the store's name), and the other ring I bought at a fair that happens, once in a while, in town. It's probably my favorite ring that I've ever owned!

 I am trying to be a bit more fashionable or slightly mature with my clothes. Especially since it's so hard to find stuff in my style that's affordable or actually fits me (shoes/boots being the hardest, like my gosh! C'mon, fashion industry!).

Anyway....

 This is where we went to for linner. I haven't been here probably since I was a kid, and I vaguely remember the food being good. And it still is!! If you live in Illinois, and you like/love Italian food, I recommend this place!

 Here's a random photo of a salad that I took. Literally everyone except me had it, lol! (I'm not and have never been a salad person...sorry 😅). 

 This was my meal, there: Cheese ravioli (childhood favorite) with salmon, and a glass of water (not shown). I ate almost everything, lol! Definitely all 3 (or...4) of those ravioli, most of that fish, and I didn't touch the lemon (I don't like lemon...not like that, anyway).

  There was something for everybody, over there! My brother had pepperoni pizza, and he was the only one who ate it 🤣. That's just about as Italian/Sicilian as he's willing to get, lol!

 The restaurant had tiramisu, there...which, I really wanted, but was unable to get because we were having dessert and coffee, later. Oh, well. Next time, I guess.

 After linner, we went over to Grandpa's house for pretty much the rest of the day (of course, that is what you do when visiting family: you stay at their place all day, lol!). I haven't been to my grandpa's house in many years...probably 10 if not over that...so the nostalgia was very real, there! Very little has changed, but that's fine. I do miss visiting there, though...I remember doing it, almost pretty often, growing up!

This is cannoli cake that a family member made.

It was good!

And then, of course, with every visit to my grandpa's house or everytime he visits us...there's coffee 🤣.

 Proof, lol! This set is so cute and beautiful, though, what the fudge! (The urge to swear, since I am 26, is strong, LOL!)

 Sadly, a little while after coffee, we had to go back to the hotel as we did have a 7-hour drive back home, the next day. I didn't really take any more photos after visiting Grandpa's house.

 I always hate having to leave Illinois. It's so expensive, there, nowadays...but it's the state I grew up in and spent at least half of my teenage life in. I miss going to all the huge family gatherings, despite the noise (I guess it's a really good thing my cousins, brother, and I are all grown up, now, lol! So no more kiddlings)...and, I really miss visiting my grandparents' houses, where said gatherings were usually held.

 Would I go back to living in Illinois? Probably not.... At least, not unless Illinois decides to stop being California 2.0. I think for now, I'm just happy going up there to visit family...which rarely happens, sadly, as my parents, siblings, pups, and I live in a different state, these past 10 years and counting. Not only that, but there's also time off from work to remember.

I'm not looking forward to that: working at least 90% of the year. Lol! Nooo, my freedom!!

 Eh, whatever. I've got life goals I wanna achieve hopefully before I turn 40...or, 50.

Saturday was fun! I'm hoping to see family, again, soon!

 Which...I don't think should be too long, now, because my mom wants to hold a house party or something after we move into the new place, so the whole family will be coming down, if they can! Now, I wonder what food plans are going to be.... And dessert?

Oh, gosh! People are gonna wanna see my new room! Nooo!!! 

🤣🤣🤣

 I think that's all for this post. I have social studies class in a couple of hours, and today's rainy weather (yes, it's raining, again) is making me sleepy. I just wanted to post about what's been happening, recently...and also because it's been a while since I last blogged 😅.

Hopefully, the new place will give me more opportunities to take more interesting photos to share.

Below are random extra photos I took over this past weekend.

Thank you, everyone, for reading! Have a good rest of the week and weekend!

 C.I.A. recently released this song, and uh...needless to say, I kinda kept listening to it during the trip up north and even on the way home. Lol!

It's catchy. 

Dammit, C.I.A. 🤣🤣.

 The song is called "Samaraba"...it won't leave my head. It is on Spotify, though (yeah, my subscription on there ran out the day we went home, and a part of me died inside since I can't afford to renew it, lol!)!

Nightmare Subject

Good evening!

Today was...not a fantastic day. I took the GED math test for a 2nd try, today...and somehow, I still failed. It just infuriated me. But I can't, and won't, blame my teachers because they are really good teachers! It's the system that's BS. Sadly, I get one last chance for this year. I swear, if I don't pass the 3rd time around, I'm gonna quit and throw hands.

Ok, not really...'cause I'm not a quitter, no matter how much I might despise something. I also am not nearly strong enough to actually throw hands with...well, anybody, really. Lol!

The weather, today, didn't particularly help my mood after the test. It was cold and rainy, all day...I don't think spring knows how to make up it's mind. It's April, now, so one would think that warm and sunny weather would start being constant, by now.

Go on vacation, rain! Just let the sun and warmth stay, for a while! Geez!

Anyway....

This was today's outfit: mostly denim, lol!

The jacket is from Old Navy, the shirt is Kane Brown (a singer) merch that my dad had brought home, one day...and I think the skinny jeans are from Walmart or something, lol!

This chain is actually part of my crossbody purse...I had no idea the chain could be detached until I noticed it, today! I've been wanting a chain for my jeans for so many years! Now, I can just use this one! I would like a silver one, too, at some point. Ah, someday....

Nerdy keychains, lol! The spiked starry one is from "Kingdom Hearts", and the golden one is the Libra Celestial Spirit key from "Fairy Tail". I'm a Libra sun, lol!

I do have the Gemini Celestial keychain, somewhere. I'll probably add it with Libra, at some point. My moon is a Gemini. My rising is Leo...though, I never understood the whole "rising" thing.

Personally, I have never really believed in zodiacs...but, I do think that they are fun to read about.

To end today, I'm eating leftover pizza from Papa John's. Felt like I kinda needed it after my math fail, this afternoon.

I'll probably head to bed, afterwards. I'm tired...today was busy, and this weather is only making me sleepy.

Well, now, I shall finish dinner! Thank you, so much, for reading!

Oyasumi!

Goodnight!

 

🌙

Pastel & Pasta

Math class was fine. The teacher has been going over similar problems that the actual test has with us so that the next time we take it, we'll have a higher chance of passing it. Crossing my fingers I'll pass, the second time around!

This was today's look.

This is the first time in a long time since I last wore pastel colors. It's also been a long time since I last wore these Dr. Martens, lol! The leggings are from Walmart, and I bought the shirt from a mall store called "Delia's", years ago. The choker I've had for years, too, and I believe I bought it from Hot Topic.

This is just a random photo I managed to grab after class.

It was so nice. today! 70+-degrees Fahrenheit! Sadly, it looks like spring isn't quite ready to stick around as it's supposed to get cold, again, starting tomorrow.... Not cool, spring!

Tonight's dinner is marinara pasta 😋. The Italian (Sicilian?) in me is happy, lol!

I wonder if I should consider making monthly goals...even if it's just one. But what should April's goal(s) be? Outside of trying to get my GED, lol! 

Do you have any goals for April?

Well, now, I must finish dinner so that I can try to go to bed early. My sleep schedule is so messed up...and it's hard for me to fix it. Maybe I can get manage to get at least 9 hours? Lol!

In that case, goodnight! Oyasumi!

🌙

Part III: Home

Good afternoon!

I thought I had posted about Day 3, but I guess not until now, lol!

Nothing much happened on Sunday, the day we came home from the trip, other than the 5-hour drive. Before leaving the hotel, we had breakfast with family in the lobby, then we said our goodbyes.

This was the outfit I wore, that day. Same grey shirt, but with jeans instead of leggings, this time, lol!

This was my breakfast from the lobby. Fruit Loops have always been a childhood favorite of mine, and I always have it with eggs every time I go to a hotel 😂. Childish, I know...but I don't really care 🤷.

We stopped, once, on the trip home for lunch. We had Dairy Queen for the first time in a long time! I didn't eat a whole lot, other than a cheeseburger and this yummy vanilla ice cream, lol!

Growing up, my favorite ice cream flavors were chocolate, mint, and rocky road. But nowadays, I think vanilla has taken over, as well as I think cookie dough. Every once in a very long while, I'll have peanut-butter ice cream, if it's available.

We drove past and over quite a few lakes, on the way home (many farms, too). I managed to get this photo of a boat! Not sure what kind it is...I have no knowledge of boats, but that's ok.

The sun was shining, and it looked like such a nice day on Sunday! I hope spring has finally decided to stay warm and this nice, from now on...as much as I don't mind rain, I've seen quite enough of it and grey skies for a good long while 🤣

Well, I think that's all for the posts on my trip up north! I had fun, spending time with family and seeing my cousin get married! Part of me wishes there could have been a bit of time for her and I to chat and catch up, since it's become so rare for us to do so, nowadays. But, it's alright. She has a life of her own, now...and someday, so will I...I hope.

Tonight, I have math class, so I must prepare for it. Thank you for reading my blog!

Have a good day or night!

✨

Part II: Wedding!

Welcome to Part 2!

It was the day of my little cousin's wedding! I couldn't believe she was getting married, and I felt like it was only recently that she, her sister, my brother, and I were all growing up and hanging out, together, as kids!

My favorite memory of us is when we would just pretend to be Mystic Force Power Rangers, lol! My cousins would be pink and blue, while I usually chose red. My brother was never really into "Power Rangers", so he didn't really join us in our superhero shenanigans 😂.

My other favorite memories were, of course, every family gathering we ever had at my grandmother's house. I usually stayed away from the noise, and stuck with Dad, for the most part...but the gatherings were still fun!

My cousins had also gotten me into shows like "iCarly" and "Victorious", and we would sometimes watch them, together. 

I kinda miss those days....

A rare selfie that I actually kinda like, lol! My mom had done my hair for the wedding, that morning.

And this was my wedding outfit. I wanted to try out an actual suit, but we were never able to go out and buy wedding clothes before the trip...so, this was all I had, lol!

Below are some photos I took before the ceremony began.

The ceremony was beautiful, and my little cousin looked gorgeous in her dress! Although...I suppose she's not so little, anymore. The first out of the four of us kids to get married. Wow.... It still feels a bit unreal. 

There were some adorable mini cupcakes and charcuterie cups for snacks after the ceremony. I only took a few cupcakes as it was all I was hungry for...but, I also didn't want to fill up before dinner. The cupcakes were yummy! They had fillings like cookie dough and strawberry, and I think mint, as well. I had 2 of the strawberry ones, and only one of the cookie dough cupcakes.

Just some wedding decor that looked very nice and simple.

This was the bride and groom's wedding cake. It was so cute!

This is a wedding altar that was used for pictures. Someone on the groom's side of the family was a photographer, I think. Many, many photos were taken.

I, myself, took a bunch of photos...mostly of the bride and groom, but for privacy reasons, I will not share them.

After the wedding, my family and I (except the bride and groom) went out to dinner to a place that was right next door to the hotel: "Engrained Brewery". 

I rarely get the chance to have red beer, and I've never had "Engrained" until that evening. This red ale was surprisingly yummy! 

For dinner, I had their salmon, which was also very yummy (I love salmon, anyway, so 😂). I didn't know the meal came with peppers, though, so I couldn't really touch the rice 😭. I don't like peppers....

This is a peanut-butter cheesecake that I had for dessert. It was really good, but I couldn't finish it as the slice was bigger than I had imagined :").Oh, well, I guess.

And that's all for Part 2! I hadn't been to a wedding, before this, since I was a toddler, so this weekend was fun! I miss hanging out with my cousins, but they have lives of their own, now, so it's really just my brother and I, despite not having much in common with each other.

See you in Part 3!