Life in Japan

I just returned from spending the last week in Utah.  I went to spend some time with my mother after her most recent stroke.  I stayed with Alex and Stacey in Provo, so I made a daily “Trip to Bountiful.”  Last Wednesday, I was feeling particularly sad, it’s hard watching my my mom suffer.  I decided that cupcakes might lift my spirits.  Of course I know that it is called emotional eating!  I made two quick stops in Salt Lake on my way to Bountiful.  The first stop was at  So Cupcake at 3939 Highland Drive.  I purchased three cupcakes, Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate and Key Lime.

So Cupcake's Cinnamon Sugar

So Cupcake's Chocolate

So Cupcake's Key Lime

The next stop was at Mini’s at 14 East 8th South where I purchased six mini cupcakes.  (Mini’s only makes mini cupcakes-hence the name of the store).  Mini’s motto is “Cupcakes Make You Happy.”  I tend to agree.  Just being in Mini’s made me feel happy and it had nothing to do with wanting to consume large quantities of cupcakes.  It was fun just looking at the tiny cakes and taking in the fun decor of the shop.  I selected Tainted Love, S’more, Chocoholic, Snowball, Diva and Pretty in Pink.

Mini's Tainted Love

Mini's S'more

Mini's Chocoholic

Mini's Snowball

Mini's Diva

Mini's Pretty in Pink

My personal favorites ended up being So Cupcake’s Key Lime and Mini’s Chocoholic.  So if you are ever in Salt Lake City stop by one of these great shops and see if cupcakes make you happy.  Well,  I am off to make my own famous lemon cupcakes for my eight year old friend, Maurielle’s baptism.

Nope, it wasn’t popcorn!  I love Friday and Saturday mornings.  I teach seminary Monday-Thursday at 6:00am and this prevents me from getting out to exercise as early as I like.   That is actually the only sacrifice I make by teaching early morning seminary because I love every member of my fabulous class and love being with them at 6:00am.   I look forward to Friday and Saturday so I can get out before everyone starts out to go to school and work.  Remember I live in the heart of a city of 12 million people!  This time of year early is 6:30am.  During the months then when it gets light earlier and it’s hotter, early is 5:00am.  So today when I looked out the window this is what I saw:

My Street

I saw this too and thought my grandaughter, Aimee, would like it because of the color.  I am sure Bob the Builder would be envious of this purple and pink digger!  I have no idea why they are digging up the parking lot next door.  I hope its not to build an apartment building to block my already limited view.

The Digger

It has been dreary and rainy all week and I truly was hoping for a beautiful day since I have to be out a lot today.  I thought about staying in and doing the Beach Body DVD, but then read something in an email about making excuses for not getting out and exercising.  (doing Beach Body is always a half- hearted attempt at working out for me).  So I put on yoga pants, my Boston University hoodie with the hood up and topped it with a fleece and gloves and headed out.  It was just a light rain and so I enjoyed my walk around my neighborhood.  I love early morning in Tokyo.  Mostly, I don’t see many people; a few shopkeepers sweeping their sidewalks, delivery men and a few other early risers.  I love smelling the wonderful aroma coming from the many bakeries.  Walking in the rain was exhilarating.  I am glad I didn’t use the rain as an excuse today because now it’s snowing!