Alexa and I met up at Totto Ramen for dinner Friday night. Klane had a combined youth activity to attend at the church, so I was free to talk Alexa’s ear off all about my trip to Utah. It was good to get out and try something new, and good to see my friend. The girl just warms my heart.

You know what else warmed my heart? That amazing ramen from Totto! It was so good, and the perfect meal for such a cold day. Putting my freezing hands around that warm bowl was one of the best parts of the experience. That, or when we were walking out and one of the Japanese chefs called out, “Arigatou!” and without thinking I called back, “Dou itashimashite!” as I waved and walked out the door. All thanks to my dad’s coaching in a few Japanese phrases we used in his office regularly (he’s fluent, thanks to his missionary service there). The little exchange reminded me of my dad and made me smile.

Other things that made me smile: the way the light reflected off the buildings across the street, and the mounted policeman writing parking tickets whose horse waited until just the right moment to let out a very startling “neigh!” as people were walking by, making a few unsuspecting pedestrians jump a mile high. It was hilarious.