Moving!!!

Hello bloging friends!

The inability to post new photos to my blog has given me the push to host my own site and own my domain name..... which means..... I've got a brand spanken new Blog!

It's more user friendly, easier to comment, easier to navigate, even has a search bar!  In other words, this is going to be so much fun!  And easier for you to tell me what you're up to as well!

So bookmark this site, follow me, or just remember my clever name to see what I'm upto in Japan!

http://www.yourblogstalker.com/

I've been stalking blogs for forever, so it seems fitting :)

I hope to see you there!

-Britta

Fun Time in Biloxi

After Nathan and I found the USS Biloxi, we stopped in at the Hard Rock Cafe to have our first Hard Rock experience.... and to be frozen by the air conditioning.  I don't recommend sweating and than sitting under an air-conditioner.  It was sooo cold!

The food was amazing though. Definitely worth freezing our buns off.

We than walked up the beach while we waited for the time to come to go to our next destination.

This made me laugh so hard.  Alley, I would have had the same response if I was asked that way.

Biloxi, you're so classy.

So next was the Beau Rivage.  I think it's the fanciest place in Biloxi.

They had a cirque-style show that was in town called Fata Morgana.

We got there super early and just sat and chatted in the not-super-cold-air-conditioning while we waited for show time.

It was such a fun show!   I now have dreams about being a ribbon dancer.  In my dreams, I'm pretty awesome and I have Michele Obama's muscular arms.

So if you are in Biloxi, I'd check em out.  Totally worth it.

USS Biloxi Adventure

Before the summer rains could stop us, Nathan and I went out in search of the superstructure, or mast-like-thingy, from the USS Biloxi.  My Grandpa Harline severed in the Navy on that ship and I really wanted to see it.  We tried to go the last time I was out there, but as you may remember, I got sick from sitting next to some sneezer on the plane and wasn't able to make the long walk.

The weather was really hot, and really muggy in Biloxi, Mississippi.

There were still tons of marti gras beads in the streets, hanging in trees, and even around the necks of hobos.

Most of Biloxi has recovered from Katrina, but there is definitely evidence that she was there.

We had to take a break when we found these benches... we both looked like we had just gone for a swim in our clothes, we were so sweaty.  Was that too much information?  Sorry, but it really was really hot and humid.

Right when we thought that we might have taken a wrong turn, I saw it!

It had a plaque out front that talked about the battles it was in, where it was built, who the commanding officers were, and other fun stuff.

My favorite story is about the Japanese suicide plane that crashed into the ship carrying a 1,000 pound bomb that landed on top of the fuel tank.... and didn't blow up.  Lucky ship huh?

They even cleaned up the bomb and put it up on display on the ship.

I would have done the same.  Look at what didn't blow us up! ha-ha!  There's a picture of the bomb on this previous blog post, it's the fourth picture down.

I don't know what happened to the bomb, but I'd like to think it's the gray bomb looking thing above the plaque, that I am standing next to.

I showed Grandpa this picture below and he said that the bomb looking thing could be it.  So, I'm going to pretend that it is.

We had tons of fun..... well at least I had tons of fun.  Nathan didn't have as much of the excitement level as I did to make him forgot about the blaring heat.

You can see the sweat just glistening off my face, but I don't care.  I found my Grandpa's ship.

While I walked around and took a million pictures, Nathan chilaxed on a bench.

Then we went to cool off in the ocean.... but it was kinda gross looking.... so just his feet went in.

I just looked at it....

It was a beautiful hot day.

A Weekend With My Husband

I got to spend last weekend with my favorite person.

I definitely have been away from him long enough to forget about some of the wonderful things that I love about him.

Things like inconvenient hugs while I'm in the middle of doing something like putting on a sweater or brushing my teeth.

Although it is kinda frustrating to stop whatever I'm doing to be loved on.... I'm sure it wont take me long to learn to love it again.

He is my best friend.

And!!! We just found out that his training is going to be done on September 10th!  I love September 10th!

There is the matter of him needing to pass a test to be officially done, and paperwork that needs to be processed before we can for realsies move on to the part of moving..... but still, the end is near and I am so excited to be able to just be near him.

It was a wonderful weekend.

Amadeus, Yes, This is a Real Bird

This is Amadeus.  He's the sweetest little guy.  He's a Lady Ross Turraco that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.

And his Beautiful face is a show stopper.

He's the first bird to greet all us workerbees in morning as everyone comes into work.

He's one of our foster birds that came to us because he needed a good home.  He has only one leg and so his enclosure is specially made so that he can maneuver around easily.

He will be your best friend if you share some blueberries with him.  They are his favorite.

The Happiest Place On Earth

Disneyland!  My family and I had a vacation to The Land.  It was everything we dreamed it would be.

The new Cars Land makes you feel like you are in the movie.  Particularly when you see Lightning McQueen and Mater driving around the streets.

I was the only one to get soaked on that ride with the rapids (that I can't remember the name of), where you bump and splash around for a little bit and then at the very end when you think that you might be getting away with just a wet rump, you actually end up being the only one that has a fire-hydrant of water come crashing down from above.

.... I guess that would be me, not you.  

I just wanted you to feel my pain.

This is my wet back side.... you could literally ring me out.  

Now I need the blow-dry ride..... that doesn't exist.

Or just a pair of extra large, child sized, mini mouse shorts.  They were the only pants I could find to change into.  I've never been so glad that I've got a white girl's booty.  It be flat!  And it fit into those kiddy pants.

Yea!

We rode all the classics and must rides and throughly enjoyed every moment.

Checked out the bench where Disney first thought up Disneyland.  He didn't like that he had to sit and watch while the kids had fun so he wanted to create a place where the parents could have fun with the kids.  Success Disney, ya done good.

Yikes!  Sister's scary driving.  Well, actually she could be quite good at driving, but since she's 16 it's fun to pretend that she's bad at it.

Yikes!  Everyone off the roads!  She's on the loose!

tehehe...

This is my Disney breakfast.  It was sooooo good.  Oatmeal cakes with a berry compote.

I wish I could eat breakfast in Disneyland at the Carnation Cafe everyday.

Merida!  This was a goal of mine on this visit, to see Merida and her curly hair!  Check that off my life's list of things to do.

We saw storm troopers and the next thing I knew, my sister was running after them trying to get a picture.  They were on their way to a show and weren't able to stop for a picture so she ran beside them  and hopped and yelled at me to hurry up and take a picture until we got this next shot.

I think I should consider a job with the paparazzi.   Yeah, I got skills.

She's never looked happier.

Especially when compared to the face she gave me later that day.

Hehe, she didn't like how slow I drive.  It was funny.

We ended the trip with a concert directed by the one and only Goofy.  I love Goofy.  I think my favorite Disney movie would have to be A Goofy Movie.  It makes me smile. Maybe because Goofy is silly like my dad.

I loved our summer vacation even though next time, I will be sure to bring an extra pair of pants and more supportive foot wear.  Ouch! my feet were not happy campers, but everything else was wonderful.

Bird Bath

Do you remember that opera singer I work with?  Well, today was a particularly hot day so when we were outside doing bird enrichment, Shannon (my coworker) pulled out this wonderful misting contraption that makes Shayna into the happiest little bird. 

Shayna had so much fun cooling off in the sunshine today, that I had to take a video and post it. 

Enjoy!  We did :)