The other day while driving, the sky was lit up by the setting sun and with the surrounding cloud formation it was just … breathtakingly beautiful.

I’d also just like to make clear that I am not advocating the taking of photos while driving. :P

A special song with two of my homeboyzzzz (singing video for today inspired by Thinh):

Hope everyone had a great day! :)

The move has consisted of several parts:

1. Packing – man, so not fun (thanks Lous for helping)

2. Moving Phase 1 – 1st group of friends (thanks Eddy and the Cheng clan – both the Texan and Brazilian branches!!)

3. Moving Phase 2 – 2nd group of friends armed with big truck for the heavy stuff (thank you to all my muscle-y friends!!)

4. Cleaning the Old Apt – man, SO not fun (thanks Eddy for bringing the cleaning gear and getting down and dirty in there with me!!)

5. Unpacking – still cleaning the old apt, so haven’t gotten around to this part yet. The new apartment looks like a hurricane hit it … which I guess it did … the Caroline Move-In Hurricane …

How the heck did I accumulate so much STUFF?!

Here are some of my muscle-y friends in action. Will and Donnie are carrying the heaviest item of furniture that I own (and that thing is EMPTY, btw!), while Chris provides a buffer should Donnie fall back, and Vicki um, provides a buffer for if Chris falls back? :)

My friends even brought refreshments, helped me re-assemble my bed, and change out my incandescent bulbs to fluorescents. Plus my new roommate has started organizing the kitchen. I have a lot to go, but the move has been going way more smoothly than I imagined. Thanks friends!!!!!

I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT MOVING INTO MY NEW PLACE!! :)

Meet Tony.

I’ve just met him too, but I just HAD to get a pic with his arms.

Hahahah. Yay for me not being the only funny face in the picture!

I got a very special voicemail today that will be fun to listen to again and again (for me, anyway).

That’s my cousin’s son, Connor. He calls me “ah-yi”. Oh, I love that boy. :)

Techie note: I couldn’t figure out how to make an easy to listen audio file, so I was lame and made one of those Youtube videos that just puts a photo there as a placeholder. Sorry!!

Apparently, in Japanese culture, it is actually POLITE to slurp your noodles loudly to show appreciation for the delicious food served to you. In stark contrast, we Westerners frown upon such loud noises while eating and are trained to do just the opposite – eat silently. It’s been funny watching Hiroko instinctively slurp all noodles placed in front of her. So we decided to try and copy her.

Who did the best job? You decide!! :)

I just couldn’t resist!

Happy birthday, Hiroko!! Thank you(?) for making my cheeks and stomach hurt from laughing too hard and too much!!

Snow in Houston?!?! Like, real snow?!?! OK, well, it's the most real snow that we've probably ever had.

Here's a little festive cheer for ya - watch the volume on those speakers:

I think my favorite Christmas Carol is "Let It Snow". I just love the idea of snuggling up in front of a fireplace while it's all stormy outside. :)