Inexpensive Adventures

My husband and I have been struggling with infertility for the past 19 months and we were recently told that we need to find more adventure in our lives. So, in keeping in line with my favorite thing to do (make lists), we have started a list of Adventures to embark on that cost under $100. So far, I think our list is...not very adventurous:

1. Go get ice cream
2. Run (probably walk) a 5K
3. Visit our local, world-famous museum
4. Farmer's Market
5. Amusement Park (rip cord?)
6. Go see a movie

We really sound lame if one of our adventures is going to get ice-cream. Our real adventures involve moving abroad and/or traveling internationally. Obviously, though, this is a little over the $100 budget. Got any ideas?

My Love Affair with Candles

I love candles. I guess I have a pretty sensitive nose - or else my husband just can't smell anything. My favorite kind of candles are ones that remind me of fall. My favorite candle smell has always been Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin, but really anything with cinnamon, autumn, even Christmas candles make me happy.



Last year, I tried the famous Circle E Candles out of Fredericksburg, Texas. While I felt the smell was nicely distributed throughout the room and the candle had a even burn to it, I just couldn't latch on to any of the actual smells.



Then, I came across Pickwick. Pickwick is a Kansas City company. I think the candles are only sold at David Gregory in Fairway, Kansas, but I could be wrong. Anyhow, every single candle I smelled, I loved. Even smells I would normally not be attracted to smelled so good in the Pickwick line. An added bonus is their packaging. They are clean (no cheese included) and even make a nice gift for a guy (like my brother who finally moved out on his own - yeah Brian!) These candles are a little pricey, in my opinion. They only cost $22 but it's not that big of a candle. I find myself not caring, though, because the smell is SO good! If you are in KC or shopping online, check out Pickwick Candles.

Design Dilemma

So, as I've mentioned before, my husband is a designer and therefore is very specific in his likes and dislikes. He happens to like modern design. Not a great thing, considering I like more country-esque things, like cows, wheat, moose. I'm not saying I love all thing country. In fact, I do appreciate more tailored looks, clean lines, etc. But, the challenge at our house is how to combine our tastes. With a designer for a husband, which I consider a blessing and not a curse, I cannot simply go buy pillows for the couch or new sheets for the bed. This is something my mom did and I don't know if my dad ever noticed. Instead, if I choose to purchase an item, it must first pass the rigors of my husband. Do you think he'd like these things or should I keep looking?

Thanks Starbucks!

A while ago I went into the Bucks to get "my usual" (a tall, no-water chai) when I grabbed a few of those free songs that they offer. What a great promotion for new artists. I don't think Priscilla Ahn is a new artist, per say, but she was new to me. I loved this song and thought I'd share it.

London anyone?

I feel like I've been fortunate to have done a fair amount of international travel. The one place I am desperate to visit, however, is England! I'm thinking 2012 for the London Olympics.

The problem I'm having with this is that I would have to expose my eyes to their logo. Is something wrong with me or is their logo a little...kooky? Granted, I have a designer for a husband who is constantly training and challenging me in color, branding techniques, logos, etc. I also understand that the 80's are coming back...whatever. But, c'mon! Bright pink, difficult to read...it's just not good.

I know I'm biased but I really liked the 1998 Nagano Olympics. I was living in Tokyo at the time and the atmosphere was electric. Plus, those cute little snowlet owls as the mascot was fun and entertaining.
I have no doubt that the London Olympics will be amazing and I would love to visit. I even have a friend who has been working on the London Olympic Committee for years now. I know the enormous amount of controversy this logo has presented the city of London so I'm apprehensive to ask him about it. I'm just hoping I will grow to like their logo by 2012. How do you feel?

Pretty Presentation

I have been tutoring two Japanese teenagers this summer and it's been a lot of fun. The Japanese have a high respect for packaging and presentation. You would never see a Japanese give a gift without it looking beautiful, regardless of what was inside; Gifts of money are no exception. Each week I look forward to getting paid. Of course, it's great to get the money, but I love to see the beautiful creation their mother has created. She uses origami paper and discreetly hides my check inside.

I realize this practice won't win any "sustainabilty" awards but I think the art of wrapping in Japanese society reveals so much about their culture. Open up a bag of cookies - each cookie is nicely wrapped. Taking a lunchbox to school? In Japan, it would be wrapped up in a furoshiki. Giving a gift of money in a formal situation requires the use of a special envelope, called shugibukuro.

Even Japanese homes can be considered a "wrapping". The deeper inside the home you are allowed, the closer you must be to the family.

But, I digress, I just love my little envelopes. Which one do you like best?

Has anyone heard of the Shimizu Pyramid? Japan has developed the plans for an enormous pyramid to sit in Tokyo Bay and house close to one million people.

A huge hollow structure that could withstand tsunami, hurricane and earthquake, this structure would be made out of carbon nanotubes.

This dream city would ease the strain on Tokyo, where people are packed in like sardines. It also has the potential to save thousands of lives by blocking strong tsunami waves from crashing into the "mainland".

Although there aren't plans to build this pyramid yet, the Japanese are always testing their design and engineering feats. I love thinking about how amazing it would be see Shimizu built and maybe even move there myself. Driverless pods could torpedo people throughout the structure and...imagine the views. I love the Japanese!