Riding a bike in Mainz, Germany
Here is an update since I’ve been home from my European month-long trip. I’ve been home for about three weeks and it’s been strange. I love being home. Hawai’i is where my heart will always be, but I found myself feeling a little depressed after my trip. i guess because I was on an extreme high of traveling so long then snapping back to reality. Anyway, I’m glad to be home and secretly planning on going another trip next summer.
Three weeks and this is what I’ve experienced:
- I realized that I am quite attached to my dog, Scruffy. I missed him a lot when I was gone.
I still haven’t fully unpacked. Man, I need to clean up my room, asap!- I got sick. I blame the weather change. I’m happy that I never got sick on my trip, except that one time I got really bad food poisoning.
It’s a watch. No, it’s an iPod….It’s both!
- I bought myself an iPod Nano, because my iPod Touch was dying. RIP iPod Touch.
- I had to take my dad to the ER, because an acupuncturist hit his sciatic nerve. Not to worry, because….
he is up and walking around, ever so slowly. His doctor anticipates three months of healing time.
- With that said…I may not be going back to school this semester to help take care of my dad. That’s what daughters do.
- I found out that I lost my job due to budget cuts, but my boss is fighting to get my job back.
- While I was sick, I rediscovered how awesome American Chopper is…or was. Honestly, I don’t like that father and son are not talking to each other, but I get it.
I’m slowly starting to eat healthier. I made this awesome quinoa salad.
- I’ve been on this rampage on finding a good protein powder for women trying to lose weight. So far, Jay Robb has been that man!
- My blog was on the local news. Well, long story short, I raved about this Aloha Maid Coconut Water with Pineapple months ago. There is a recent recall due to “funky smell”. The news station needed a photo and I guess I was the only one that had one. Go figure.
- Guess who is still coming around…my favorite stray, Buddy. He lost quite a bit of weight while I was gone. I have to fatten him up. I’m debating if I should buy some fatty can food.
- Looks who hating the Hawai’i buckle it up law.
- Canon’s newest camera, the T4i. I really want it…bad.
- iPad 5. I don’t want this as bad as the camera, but it’s still an obsession.
- Fitness Guinea Pig on YouTube. Each week, they put to the test an fitness equipment or diet. Last week, they tested out a raw meal company. This week, UFC kinnect workouts.
- Dexter and Walking Dead. They are coming out around the same time.
- ComicCon. I wish I was there!
- These spicy Sriracha Peas from Target. So hot, but I can’t stop eating them.
- Renato Laranja. He makes me laugh.
- MMA spoofs. I love it.
That’s pretty much it. I’m slowly writing my travel adventures, but I’m a little fuzzy on Prague and Krakow. Apparently, they look almost exactly alike. So, I might just by pass that and write about Italy.
Another thing that I will be doing is watching 100 Movies. I was inspired by Jaina from Time Well Spent, who is currently half way done with her 100 movie challenge. Stay tuned for that one as well.
I’m glad to be back blogging and commenting….it’s keeping those traveling blues away, so keep them coming!
After such an amazing trip, it’s understandable to feel a little depressed coming back home. I would be as well. You had a fantastic trip! Planning another one is always a good cure for the back home blues.
Congrats on your blog being on local news! Local blogger! A bit of press is always a good thing
Hearing about everything going on at SDCC is killing me! I want to go again. It’s been 3 years since I went!
Funnily enough, I went the same year that Fogs went!
Ooo, and yay for the 100 movies! I can be a personal cheering section if you ever feel like you need one
LOL. Any press is good press. It was cool to see my blog on the news.
Man, it’s killing me that I’m not going to Comic-Con. What kills me more is the boys at 3 Guys, 1 Movie aren’t going. LOL I think we should plan for all of us (Fogs, 3 guys, and an other “movie bloggers”) to meet up there. I think that would be a fun blogger’s meet up. Hummm, this could be possible, right?
Thanks for your motivation. I felt like I was taking your idea, so I wasn’t sure how you were going to feel about that. I’m not going to lie, but this is a pretty tough challenge for me. i can’t wait to try it, tho.
Are you planning on attending the Olympics? I’m so jealous.
Sorry to hear about your dad Jen, that makes me not want to try acupuncture.
That pic of your unpacked stuff in your room makes me feel better about my garage
I feel the same way about acupuncture. I don’t want to try it, but my dad didn’t do his research. Plus, he doesn’t speak English (or Chinese) very well, so maybe there was some miscommunication between the two. I mean, there are a lot of factors that could’ve happened. Thanks for the well wishes. he can’t believe how much people cared about his well-being.
I’m glad my mess makes your mess comfortable. It’s not really a mess, right? It’s an organized mess. I can still find anything.
Budget cuts darn you deficit! Sorry that you are dealing with such a mix of emotions being back. Can’t be easy coming back to a messed situation, but you will make it through. Glad to here that your dad is okay. Hope to see you soon. Lots of love, positive thoughts, and hugs!
Damn you, B.F. and D.I. LOL Nah, I know B.T-L is fighting for my job with B.F. B.F. can’t show favoritism, too. So, I understand what he is trying to do. I just can’t believe they are cutting down on Student Assistants first. Like Mike said, “we are the cheapest labor that the school can get!” I’m sure it will all workout in the end.
He is slowly getting better, so that’s a good thing. I can’t wait to see your face! You + me + Batman = perfect BFF time
Totally understand post-travel blues. Hope you find your stride in “normal” life again. Sorry about your job and your dad. Geez. When it rains it pours
. Hope you get that Canon T4i!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who needs an iPad 
I’m slowly getting over my travel blues. As everyday goes by, it gets easier. I guess time does heal all. LOL
I’m starting to realize that losing my job is like a blessing in disguise. I would feel so guilty leaving my dad behind alone in the house. I’m always thinking someone might break in the house, even tho, I live in a very safe neighborhood. But that’s what worry-warts do….we worry! LOL
Yay, who needs an iPad…lame! LOL One day…I’m going to get that camera, then I can take photos like you.
Sorry for the extra long comment…
WELCOME HOME! Glad you’re back, and back to blogging
I would for sure miss H&H&H if I was gone for that long! That iPod Nano watch is the cutest! I thought about getting one for the gym, but I pretty much just use my iPhone for everything.
Hope you’re dad recovers soon & well! It’s a big sacrifice for you to give up the semester to take care of him. Just don’t make the mistake of skipping too many semesters like me haha! And losing your job, too? Yikes! If she gets your job back, will you still be able to work even if you’re not a student? Hope so! But part-time jobs (since you’re talking care of your dad most of the time) are easy enough to come by in the mean time!
And hopefully the news photo will help bring some new readers to your blog
I read very briefly about the T4i. I was bummed, for a second, that I no longer had the newest one, but I’m having too much fun with my T3i to complain
And Renato Laranja! He’s the freaking best. Follow him on Twitter, he’s hilarious! Have you ever seen his Eddie Bravo videos? They’re so great. Especially the ones with Joe Rogan (Joe Hogan) and Ronda Rousey (Honda Housey) hahaha!
Take care, girl. Let’s get together soon! xo
Yay to long comments! It looks like the kind of comments I leave sometimes.
It’s good to be home. I’m in love with my nano. I’m not a watch wear-er, but I’m in love with it. I usually use it when I need to be hands-free, like walking the dogs. I want to get a prettier band, one day.
My dad is getting better slowly, so I’m grateful for that. We are going to pick up a wheelchair for him, so he can get out of the house more. I don’t want him to re-injury himself. Thanks for the well wishes.
Maybe losing my job is a bless in disguise. Now I don’t feel guilty for leaving my dad behind while I work….
T4i would be a nice addition to my camera collection, but I’m debating if I should buy the T3i. Because it’s going to be way cheaper. I haven’t bought it yet. I don’t see myself buying it anytime soon, but when I do, let’s go out and start shooting!
OMG, Renato Laranja makes me laugh all day. My friend, Ron, can mimic the Brazilian accent. He is always quoting Renato. “Joe Hogan!” LOL I need to watch those Eddie Bravo videos. I never seen them together, but I love Joe Hogan videos.
YES!!! let’s get together soon, in-between your two jobs.
Welcome back Jen! I think it is completely natural to feel a bit letdown after anything completes. I get that way even after a really intense book, like I don’t know what to do with myself now.
I’m sorry to hear about the job situation, I hope it works itself out or you find something else that works for you.
I miss my doggies too when I go away, they are just such a bright spot in each day.
Not to be pessimistic but if you don’t unpack right away, you kind of get used to it and the luggage becomes a permanent “dresser”
HAHA. I think my luggage became my permanent dresser. I was living out of it for a month, so I’m so used to having my things in a bag. LOL Anyway, you are right. I’m going to clean it up this weekend. Finally, a weekend to myself…well, sorta.
The post travel blues are slowly going away.
Thanks for the well wishes on my job. I’m sure it will work out all in the end. It always does.
I can’t believe your blog was on the news! That is so freaking awesome!
Sorry you got food poisoning on your trip, the worst.
Most of all, I hope you dad will be alright and that you’ll be able to hit the books this semester.
GWEN, welcome back home! Getting food poisoning at home is way better than traveling. Luckily, I had a bathroom in my room. If it was down the hall, man, I’ll be so miserable.
Thanks for your well wishes with my pops. He is slowly (oh, ever so slowly) getting better. His appetite is down because his lack of exercise. So, I’m trying to figure out how to increase his appetite.
omg i loooove quinoa it’s so good (for you)!c
Isn’t it soooo good! I can’t eat it alone. I always have to make it into a salad or something.
yea! it’s really good paired with something else, otherwise it’s a little bland by itself.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tex-Mex-Quinoa-Salad/Detail.aspx
OMG, thank you for this recipe. I’m going to try it tomorrow night! It looks so yummy!!!!!! I love anything tex-mex…so I can’t wait. Thanks, C!
I love this list!! Great to see what you’re up to now that you’re back. Nice to have some things to keep yourself busy. Cool about being on the news, too. Congrats on that.
Thanks!!! It’s great to be back. It was a nice surprise to be on the news…somewhat. LOL