U.F.O.

So, I received a slightly delayed birthday gift yesterday, and it was without a doubt one of my fav's. As many of you may know, my Japanese heritage was only recently discovered. Okay, okay. So my so-called Japanese heritage is actually quite debatable and most definitely unofficial, however all that aside, as a result of my brief time cohabiting with my favorite Amerasian family, I discovered I am a lover of all things Japanese. One of my most favorite discoveries (well, beside the CD of Okinawan music I still have yet to get a copy of) is U.F.O (pronounced Yoo-fo). Although it seems simple, just a ramen-like version of Japanese style noodles w/ sauce, it is to die for....literally! At a whopping 2130 mg, the sodium alone might kill me. But seriously, it's worth it. Sooooo goood!!!!! Of course, cooking is always a bit of guessing game as the directions are all in Japanese, but if you can make ramen, it really isn't that hard to figure out. I just kind of guess on the measurements. So, now that I have made myself good and hungry, I think I might just have to make a box of my oh-so-fav dish. Five stars and highly recommended!!!!! (uh, that is unless you are on a low-sodium diet :)

Lost & Found

My evening started out very much like any other

typical Thursday night...relatively dull. I came home from work, changed, and then checked my email before sitting  down at my machine for a bit of practice. After some excellent Jury practice, I opted for a break and took my pooch out for his evening walk. We were no more than a couple blocks into our walk when I found we had an extra companion. Much to my surprise, a large, black lab decided to join our journey and began to follow us on our walk. I was a little alarmed by the whole scenario. He had no collar, no tags and I had no clue who the owner was. I began asking people along the way and even knocked on a few doors to see if anyone could claim him, but I had no luck. So, when I arrived home, and I still had this extra sidekick, I decided to try and at least get him into my backyard so I could stop and think of what to do next.

 

After a quick regroup, I took a photo of him on my cell phone and started canvassing the neighborhood for the owner. I asked just about anyone and everyone, and at one point, I even thought I had found the owner. The individual walked all the way down to my house, just to discover, it wasn't his dog after all. My reaction was "Ugh....now what?!" I had a huge black lab in my backyard and nobody claiming him. I started to panic. I called the SPCA to get info but quickly decided that was not the way to go since they will put a dog down if not claimed or adopted within a certain amount of time. It was too late for a shelter as they were all closed for the night, so I decided I would try to keep him overnight and find a shelter in the morning.

 

In the meantime, I posted a lost and found add on Craigslist, as well as took photos of the dog and made a flyer. By this point, quite a bit of time had passed and it was getting late, but I went to Kinko's and had some flyers printed up and around 10 o'clock at night I started walking the neighborhood again, posting the flyers. There was still quite a bit of activity so I felt I would be safe enough. 

The shortened version, is along the way I passed a house with a group of people out front and it seemed they were just hangin' out. So, I decided to ask if they had by chance lost a dog....to my surprise, I FOUND THE OWNERS!!!!!!!! The entire group practically jumped out of their seats. I guess they had been out looking and somehow our paths never crossed. Saying they were quite relieved would be an understatement. It seemed they must have been sitting there quite dejected after a search for their lost dog turned up nothing. They couldn't have been more happy. I was quite relieved myself. As a dog owner myself, I can only imagine how devastated I would be if I lost my pooch. So after several hours of stress, it all worked out. We all walked back to my place to get their dog. The dad even told me, he was so grateful as this pooch was like his first grandchild. Even the dog was excited....so excited that he jumped my fence and ran to greet them. It was a classic Kleenex moment for sure. It felt pretty darn good to know that I had helped a family and their four-legged friend reunite.

So, yes, I am exhausted and basically didn't do anything else, but mentally and emotionally I am relieved, happy and content. The lost dog is now home safe and sound with his family, where he belongs.

Lesson of the day: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS keep a collar and tags on your furry friend!

So close, yet so far away

In class this evening we reviewed all the requirements for graduation. It was exciting to think that I have actually made it to the point where it almost feels like the end is in sight. Just discussing completion requirements made me feel like I was on the verge of being dangerously close yet, somehow it still seems so far away. Just because we are discussing exit level speed tests and internships doesn't mean I am at the finish line. I still have a daunting 9 tests standing between me and 225. Nonetheless, it was still strangely inspiring and motivating, which is something I most definitely need at this very moment. 

I am encouraged by the words of Harriet Beacher Stowe.

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you,

till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer

never give up then,

for that is just the time and place that the tide will turn.