sushi

This past Saturday a friend of mine, Cara, and I went and tried a new sushi place in Downtown OKC. The website for the place looked really awesome [www.sushineko.com] and we even had to make a reservation, but I wasn't too sure about it once I got there. I mean, the only times I've ever eaten sushi, I've been to the point of starvation -- meaning that whatever I ate (raw tuna, seaweed, rice, octopus, squid, etc, etc) would have tasted good. But this time -- no, this time -- I was eating sushi because I "liked" it. So what's the verdict?

I love it!! 

I'm just so glad I really honestly, truly love sushi! We split 4 different hand-rolls: Rainbow Roll, Spider Roll, Sassy Shrimp, and Tuna Roll. I was a BIG fan of the spider roll and sassy shrimp. I've had rainbow roll before, and liked it, but this past time I wasn't a fan. 

I bet most of you who have known me or think you know me are scratching your head and thinking, "Rachel does not seem like the adventurous eating type." And my reply is: "Yep, I am and I think that's what is going to make my future adventures in other countries so successful." If I had tried to live in another culture 4 years ago... I wouldn't be caught dead eating anything other than food I've already tasted and enjoy. But now, I'm game for almost anything! (well, except that rainbow roll :))

Time Machine

Well, another week has just flown by! I had dinner at Chipotle with a couple friends who are graduating with me in December, and we talked a lot about the fact that September is basically gone. Where did it go? At the same time, however, I've been feeling like time is passing very slowly. 

I've been making headway about future plans. I'm not really going to go into detail, because I feel like I touch on it so much, but just know, that I will be out of the country in a year's time. Whether I am in Mexico or Japan... it doesn't matter. I will be making some adventures for myself!

I've got a busy day tomorrow! Hopefully I can get everything done! Have a great weekend!

MmmBop!

I can't believe the weekend is already over! I had a great weekend, too! Starting on Thursday night, my social club (sorority-like club) had a rush event we call Masquerade. It's a lot of fun because all us girls can get dolled up! This year we had the event at a Mansion in Bethany, Oklahoma. It is such a nice house. I wish I had pics of the house, but instead, I have some pics of me and some friends at the event! 

Me, Alex, and Jenny

Alex and I doing the famous "Theta" pose!

Then Friday night, a group of us girls went to the Oklahoma State Fair. [FYI, TEXANS: This fair is nothing compared to the Texas State Fair. But it fills the void] We purposely planned to go on Friday night because Hanson was playing in concert that night! Now, if you don't know who Hanson is let me fill you in. Back in the day (oh, when I was in about 5th grade) there was a boy rock band called Hanson. It was three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma who sang hits like, "Mmmbop" and... well, basically that was it! You ever hear of the Jonas Brothers craze? The Hanson Brothers were on every 5th grade girls wall in poster form, and in every cassette player, too! Fast Forward about 10 years, and here's Hanson performing at the OK State Fair! I'll be honest, I don't think I was in love with them as much as I had thought... I barely knew any songs (about two!) and half the audience were kids who I know weren't even alive when Hanson was a popular band. However, we ended up about 5 rows from the stage, and we enjoyed listening to some new music. 

Japan

To Update all people who are interested:

I graduate in December of this year (3 months from now!) Anyone in the Edmond/OKC area that knows me is more than welcome to come!

What am I doing after graduation?

Good question. Right now, I am planning on applying to be an AET (Assistant English Teacher) in Japan. Want more information? I will be assisting an english teacher in a Japan school -- while getting paid! I'm basically hired by the Japanese government, and they pay $30,000 for a year's contract (about 10 months) -- TAX FREE! They pay for an apartment, airfare and vacation in October and January. I work in a classroom from 8am-5pm M-F. 

Why Japan? Why AET? How long will you be gone?

If I do two full contracts (20 months) I will most likely pay off all my loans for school. It would be fabulous to return to the USA after a couple years fresh and renewed from debts! The AET Program allows me to do this -- more than any other english teaching program. And if I do get accepted, I will be gone from Aug. 2009-June/July 2011. 

**Want more details?**

Please be praying for me as I apply for this position. Undergraduates all over different Christian campuses apply for this position, and I won't find out anything until January 1st. Please keep me in your prayers as I begin a long process of figuring out what to do with my life. Thanks!

Pictures!!

I got my new camera today! I ordered this about a week before my birthday (August 26th) so I've waited a while for this thing to get in! I'm so stinkin' excited!! I took 50 pictures with it today just playing with it, and let me tell you... it's a great Camera. I bought a Canon PowerShot SD750. A couple of my campers from 2nd session this summer had them, and I've wanted one for so long. Well, I got one and now I'm just so excited!! Here are a few pics I took today!

Pretty good quality pictures! Also, my friend (and neighbor) Alex and I have started our own cake decorating. There's been a few birthdays in my group of friends and we've been decorating some cookie cakes. I mix the frosting into different colors and Alex decorates. We've been pretty good so far! Here's the one we made today for my good friend, Ashley! She's 21, just in case you were wondering.

9/11

I remember the first time I watched Pearl Harbor. (You know, the movie with Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett.) I remember learning about WWI and WWII in history class. I remember learning about the Holocaust in 8th grade. I remember learning about The Alamo in 7th grade. I can go back as far as 3rd grade history -- story after story about the history of this world. But that's all they are to me... stories. But September 11, 2001 is not a story to me. It's something I experienced. Of course, I didn't live in New York City, and I don't even live anywhere close to the North East, but I can vividly remember everything about that day. From the early morning basketball practice to the time I laid down to sleep -- all of it is as vivid as the last 5 minutes. Sometimes I wonder, "What will I tell my children when they ask me about 9/11 after learning about it in school?" I remember asking my mother about the JFK shooting in Dallas, and I wonder if my children will be just as curious about 9/11 as I was about JFK. So, as we remember today, let's say a little prayer for those that were affected by the horrible event that happened 7 years ago. It's not cheesy to pray, and there are still people hurting from this event. May God bless all those who were directly involved with this incident, and may God continue to surround safety around all of us in this world.

Pray, also, for those affected by Hurricane Ike.