Snapshots from the Weekend

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was pretty good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Here are some quick snapshots of what I was up to.

I had to wait a few hours for Jake's plane from Korea to get in, so it was a perfect excuse to relax at my favorite bagel place and get in some thrift shopping. I discovered that American vintage items here are pricey. Like $300 for one small wooden chair. It is so fun to look at all of the cool things, though.

I picked up Jake late Saturday afternoon. He surprised me with these fleece-lined leggings from Korea because he knows my legging obsession. They are so comfy, even if they are kind of interesting colors.

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day. We woke up and decided to take Lexie down to the beach. It was lowtide and so picturesque.

I've been doing really well with my eating, but the girl scouts tempted me into buying some cookies. I love girl scout cookies and look forward to them every year, so I didn't feel too bad.

After lunch at our favorite sushi-go-round and a shopping trip to the new Walmart type store, we headed to check out some beautiful scenery and for Jake to try out his new fishing pole.

Our good friends just got to the island and we are so excited! We took them to see the beach and to all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. It isn't easy making friends here, so we are so glad to have some more great friends to share this beautiful place with!

I have a full week of subbing ahead and I am so excited! I love being in the classroom! 

High Five For Friday 12/13

Another week down. Only one more until we are in Thailand! I don't feel prepared yet, so I might be running around like a crazy person next week getting ready. 

{ONE}

Today I have the Blog Baton on Instagram. If you want to learn more about it, go on over to Mason Like the Jar and check it out. I will be posting lots of fun pictures so follow The Blog Baton on Instagram to see what exciting things I post. Should be fun!

{TWO}

I forgot to share that last week I was approved to start subbing at the schools on base here. I'm not exactly sure when I will start getting calls to come in, but I am excited! It will be nice to get back into the classroom, even if it's not my own classroom. Of course, it will be challenging and make me sad at times that I haven't gotten the opportunity to have my own classroom yet, but it will be nice to still have a flexible schedule. 

{THREE}

It's been really rainy and cold this week. I feel like the weather here alternates between sunny and warm and absolutely beautiful to cold, rainy, and dreary. Still not missing snow though. When it rains, it is hard for me to get motivated to do anything. I would way rather snuggle with my dog and watch Netflix all day. Enter the most comfortable outfit in existence. When I first got these cheetah leggings from Brickyard Buffalo, I didn't know what I was going to do with them since animal print isn't really my thing, but I don't think I've taken them off since I got them. They are so comfortable! I haven't gotten the courage to wear them in public, though. 

{FOUR}

Like I said, I've been slightly attached to Netflix every this week. I started watching Hart of Dixie and love it! Makes me miss the good ole' South. I also have been enjoying all of the Christmas movies that were just added. Have you seen I'll Be Home For Christmas with Jonathan Taylor Thomas? I forgot how much I loved it! It's on Netflix, if you didn't know! It might be my favorite after Home Alone. And something that I am embarrassed to admit, I had never seen Christmas Vacation all the way through. I watched it all the other day so now I don't have to hide that secret. Another confession, I hate the movie Elf. Some of you are probably cringing, but it just is a bit over the top for me. Call me a fun sucker if you would like. 

{FIVE}

I have been so horrible about working out lately. I really have no excuse, it just doesn't happen. I had been doing so well with my running. I was running around 3 miles 4 times a week. I didn't go for a couple of days and then a couple of days turned into weeks. I keep telling myself I will at least go to Zumba class, but that hasn't happened either. What was I thinking planning a beach vacation in the middle of winter? Pale+holiday weight=Not swimsuit ready. Thankfully I have still been eating fairly well or I would be in real trouble. Green smoothies every morning and as little processed foods as possible. I have been really bad about the sweets lately though, so I already know what my New Year's resolution will be. I've never had a sweets problem before, but right now I am out of hand! I am ready for the New Year to have a little bit of a reset and get back on track!

I did have a bagel from my favorite place the other day. It is always a nice treat when I am missing home!

We have some fun things planned for this weekend and Jake doesn't have to work! I can't wait

What is your favorite holiday movie? What's your go-to comfy outfit? Have you thought about your NY resolutions yet?

Linking up with Lauren, Darci, Jasmine, and Jennie

High Five For Friday 11/8

This week was a good one! It reminded me to enjoy the simple things and embrace every opportunity.

{ONE}

Last week I discovered a wonderful little bagel place, Cactus Eatrip. Bagel sandwiches are a definite win in my book, so I was so excited to find it! It is a nice change from all of the ramen and the sushi we have been eating. This week I had a fabulous lunch date with some new and old friends at this fun place. We ate our delicious sandwiches, chatted for a long time, and were enticed by the smells of fresh baked cookies. What a fun day and a fun place!

{TWO}

I love all of the fresh produce markets out in town. They have produce that I love and things I have never tried. The prices are great for fresh produce. It is a nice change from the commissary produce that is less than fresh and goes bad very quickly. The local tangerines are in season and the best ones I have ever tasted! I have already eaten all the ones I got and want to go back immediately to get some more!

My produce stand haul

{THREE}

This week I shared more on my clean eating lifestyle in A Day in the Life of My Stomach. It has been harder to eat clean here than I would have expected. It is nice to have the produce stands, but we don't have access to food we are used to at all times. We have the commissary that has American food that has been shipped in, but selection is limited and things often hold up the arrival of goods. Also, that means that food isn't always as fresh as I would like it to be. 

Exhibit A. Notice the empty shelves and the two measly Chobani yogurts(peach, yuck). It is hard when the products you love and are used to are not within your reach. On a side note, you should see how people fight over products here. Let's just say, there was quite the battle for Pumpkin Spice Creamer as soon as it came in. And people fighting on Facebook over seasonal creamer hoarders. Quite entertaining. When I struggle with the idea that we don't have access to everything we want, I remember to be thankful for the items we do have access too.

I have been taking full advantage of all of the squash that has been in stock. Butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and zucchini, I have been eating it all. Roasted butternut squash is by far my favorite out of them all.

Acorn squash, maybe my least favorite of all the squash, but this was a good recipe

{FOUR}

With the delay of food products at the commissary, also came a delay in mail. It has been taking some packages 8 weeks to get here! Remember my Columbus Day finds? After almost 4 weeks, I got my J. Crew package! Oh happy day! It is so fun to go look in your mailbox and see that lovely little J.Crew package. 

The colorblock elbow-patch sweater is cream in the front and mint in the back with brown elbow patches. It may possibly be my favorite item of clothing ever. This package was exciting, but the last package on my list of things I had been waiting to receive. This is kind of sad, considering I can't do much more online shopping due to a certain exciting, expensive event coming up.

{FIVE}

That leads me to the exciting, expensive event. We are going to Thailand for Christmas and New Years! We are so, so excited and can't believe it is actually happening. 

This Lonely Planet book was given to me as a gift when we found out we were moving to Japan and it has been so helpful!

One day Jake mentioned we should plan a trip, and the next day our flight was booked. It was an exhilarating 24 hours. We will be traveling to Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. If anyone has any suggestions on things to see, places to eat or stay, please let us know! We are excited to cross something off of our travel bucket list. 

Don't have many plans for the weekend. We will see where it takes me. Have a good one!

Linking up with Lauren, Darci, and Jennie