Suprise Going Away Party

Last weekend I was totally surprised when my friends at the stable threw me a wonderful going away party.  Brad was totally in on it and made up a excuse to why we needed to be at the base by the barn on a Saturday and I totally bought it, but when he turned into the barn instead everyone was there in the driveway holding up balloons and a sign.  I was so shocked, happy and totally emotional.  It was the last thing I was expecting.  (You can really tell I wasn't expecting to be at the barn that day by my totally inappropriate barn outfit.)

Everyone in the driveway welcoming me.

The barn owner giving me a going away present - Okinawan Shisa Dogs.

My wonderful co-workers who put it all together - Karin, me, Aimee and Amanda.

Adorable, yummy cupcakes that say "We will miss you Eve"

Me and one of my favorite little boys on the planet and my former student, Max!

I love these precious girls so very much!

Awesome collage frame present with pictures from all 3 years of me and my favorite horse.

Giving my good friend Karin a big thank you hug!

The day was so special.  The girls decorated with pink and blue balloons and colorful tissue paper flowers.  They grilled chicken and everyone brought yummy sides and salads.  They were so sweet to make sure the food was full of fruit, veggies and beef/pork/processed meat free.  I could eat everything!  The whole thing was just amazing.  I felt so loved and appreciated.  I really did work super hard out at that barn for 3 years and it was so special that people let me know I meant as much to them as they do to me.  It will be really hard to leave all these amazing people I've grown so attached to. 

I've learned a lot, I've grown a lot, and I have made memories (good and bad) that I will never forget at this barn.  I don't think I've ever worked harder or been more invested at any job before.  I feel very grateful and lucky to have had this experience and to have gained life long friends in the process. 

Roll out the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!

What have I been up to this summer?  A lot.

Yesterday and today a typhoon has been coming through so I finally have some time to catch you up.

I celebrated my 28th birthday on June 30.  Spent the day learning to paddle board and relaxing on a beautiful beach.  Went to my favorite organic and vegan restaurant for dinner and they even came out with a special birthday plate for me! 

The next weekend we went on a belated birthday outing and went out on a boat for the day to snorkel the Karama Islands.  I went out on this boat last year when my friend was in town and had a great day, so I was excited to go again.  Except this time there were at least triple the amount of people and I got horribly sunburned even with 70 on.  Oops.  And this was the day we sadly discovered that our underwater camera bit the dust, so I only have a couple of pictures thanks to the fabulous iPhone. So incredibly beautiful out there! 

I've been taking a really fun and intense kickboxing and self defense class.  I'm addicted.  It's feels great to surround myself with strong and empowered women 2ce a week.  I'm learning how to pack a serious punch and how to ram my elbow into an attackers face.  It is an amazing stress outlet and I always come away from the class super sweaty and feeling powerful!  And as an added bonus the academy is right on the beach and I have stunning views on my walk to and from class.  I'm still doing yoga and running.  I love my new hot pink running shoes! And yes, of course I have pink boxing gloves.

I got to spend a lot of time with my friend Madie and her baby Addison.  I love that adorable baby to pieces!

Work is going great.  Busy, but great.  We had one summer camp group already and are getting ready for the second camp to start this week once the typhoon passes.

Check out the picture slide show I made from our camp week:


Lessons are going strong.  Keeps be busy!  I've haven't had a ton of time to fit in my own riding, but when I do Makoto and I have great rides.  It's summer, so the beach rides have been abundant! 

And seeing all those amazing horses on the Olympics is a huge motivation!  I LOVE the Olympics.

And here is a quick hello from Jade and her friend Zoey (who's visiting again while her parents are on vacation).  They are so adorable I can't stand it sometimes! 

I hope your summer is sun and fun filled!

Earth Day Beach Clean Up

Happy Earth Day!

I really wanted to do something for Earth Day this year and decided to try and clean up the beach where we take the horses.  Every time I do a beach ride I am shocked at the trash and crap all over this beach.  Totally trashed.  I'm not sure why this beach is more filthy than others, if its an area where things just naturally wash up, or what.  But, the trash is overwhelming.  You would really think that the Japanese would take better care of their coast, but unlike in the states the Japanese don't really seem to capitalize on beach front property.  In the states you'd find prime time homes, land and resorts.  Here sure there are some resorts, but for the most part the coast is commercial and used for factories and fishing.  Also, the Japanese are for the most part totally sun-phobic, completely covering themselves up in full body garb for doing anything outside from driving, exercising and even beach going. 

So, for Earth Day we asked the Mihara members to come on out and participate in lending a hand to make the beach better and safer for our horses, and at the same time making it better for the environment.

We picked up bag after bag of trash.  It was amazing and shocking the things we found and picked up.  So sad that people here have such total disregard of the negative impact of being a litter bug. 

Unfortunately we had an awful rainy day, so not the best turn out of volunteers, but even so we made a dramatic difference on that beach.  I made Dirt Cups (pudding, oreos, cool whip with a gummy worm on top) for our Earth Day snack.  Brad even came out and picked up trash with me, which was a pleasant shock.  It was a good thing he came too because I needed him to drive the farm truck for our trash pick up! 

The beach looks so much better and now we can feel better about bringing our horses down and not worry so much about what they may be stepping on... well, for a few days until people litter again!

Also, the barn owner decided to get a bunch of baby chicks!  They are tiny and adorable.  Not sure what his plans are for these little guys, but I love them and hope they don't turn into chicken dinner anytime soon.  Wouldn't mind some nice, fresh farm eggs.  Brad was so mean and wouldn't let me take one home, even for a night, even after I begged!  He said Jade would want to eat it, which is probably true. 

So then he brought me home my favorite flowers.  Ha.  He is so awesome.