I Heart Japan

Donghae, South Korea - July 2010

2010-09-08T11:22:00.000+09:00

Donghae, South Korea – July 2010

Another USS John S. McCain port brought little me to a new location! I had traveled to South Korea last October. What an amazing country! When Josh told me they were going to be in port there I said I was in!

It was an adventure from the beginning because the ship was not in Seoul. They docked at in a port in Donghae, South Korea. Ever heard of Donghae? I hadn’t except for this past year of knowing Josh. The ticket was bought and I was on my way to this beautiful country!

I took the 2 hour flight to Seoul which was NO problem! After landing in South Korea and talking with my family via skype – I was off to the buses to buy a ticket and on my way to Josh on the east coast of South Korea. After a few hours, I finally made it to the east coast! I arrived at our hotel and Josh wasn’t there ☹ He had run to the store to get some drinks and snacks! Yay!

The next day we relaxed in our room and ate a very yummy breakfast. The hotel included a buffet breakfast of various Korean and Western foods. After relaxing and drinking coffee, we put on our swim clothes and headed for the beach! We enjoyed an Italian lunch over looking the ocean. We sat and talked for the longest time about everything. We were very entertained by the staff at the restaurant. This one guy in particular had a hilarious hair cut! We called him pumpkin head – this is one of those you had to be there moments! We thought it was hilarious and STILL refer to this guy!

After our very looooong lunch, we headed down to the beach where we found an open spot to lay down and relax. A strange thing we saw was that everyone was swimming in their clothes – I mean everyone…why? We have no idea! Ha ha! The only thing we concluded was the water was so cold but we went in anyway! We put our toes in and then went up to our towel to get ready to run into the water. We ran and I screamed because it was so cold! We had fun for a few minutes then it was enough! We could just enjoy from the sand ☺ We were laying and talking and then I saw someone…DANNY! Danny is a friend of Josh’s from another ship ☺ I said, “OMG. Is that Danny?” So we popped up and ran over to him!

After chatting with Danny, Josh and I enjoyed a beer over looking the beach. Josh ordered some chicken – it was delicious! We invited Danny over to talk with us. We chatted for a bit and then he went back to the group of guys he was with. We headed back to the hotel for showers and rest before heading out for the evening! Downtown Donghae is a WILD place – just kidding! It’s quite quiet! =) We went out for some drinks and had a blast playing a drinking game that we created on the spot. We were definitely a little tipsy. We talked until sunrise…

The next day was a very relaxing day. We ate at this DELICIOUS buffet. It was mainly Japanese food and a bit of Korean – yum! We enjoyed downtown Donghae and drank coffee and ate dessert.

In the evening, we went to this VERY neat placed called Candlestick Rock. We took a taxi to this area. We watched the sunset and took in the wonderful site! The ocean here was crystal clear with the rocks jutting out of the water – very picturesque! We then had help trying to get a taxi but no luck! However, through broken English…we were directed to the bus station ☺ We took a bus for a while until we felt like getting off the bus ☺ It was then off to the 2 KM long fish market! We walked around the saw all the fishermen and their fish, ☺ they tried to sell it to Josh and I but we were only interested in looking at it.

We found a locals restaurant and sat on the floor of this particular restaurant. We had no idea what to order, so I pointed to what our “neighbors” were having and we ate just that! It was a spicy fish stew. We had rice, kimchi, and other pickled vegetables! We also had soju – a sake type Korean drink! What a night this was! We headed back to the hotel after dinner and redeemed our drink tickets ☺ we drank beer in the lobby (we had free drinks every day but had not used them yet) and chatted for a while. I met a couple from Josh’s ship. Matt works on the ship and his wife Marcie was with him visiting. We met and were introduced and were able to travel together back to the Seoul.

The next morning, we took a cab to the port where the USS John S. McCain was. I said my good-byes to Josh and haven’t seen him since ☹ 44 more days and he will be home! I miss him but am so lucky to have been able to travel to South Korea to see him for 2 days!

Josh's 26th Birthday!

2010-09-08T10:42:00.002+09:00

Nagano – June 2010

Josh’s 26th birthday brought on a VERY relaxing trip to a not so far away place. I told Josh that we should do something very special for his birthday. I did a little Internet research and presented a few ideas :) We both agreed a relaxing weekend in Nagano would be the best!

Josh and I met in Tokyo at Tokyo station. We bought our shinkansen (bullet train) tickets and were well on our way! The first day brought us to a little artist village called Obuse. We enjoyed the day going to the Hokusai museum, drinking sake at the sake factory, and talking over coffee and cake! We walked around the cobble stone streets and soaked in some good ole’ Japanese culture!

We had dinner reservations at our ryokan (onsen hotel). We stayed in a very old ryokan near Jigokudani monkey park. We had reservations to enjoy Kaiseki – a traditional multi course meal from Kyoto. It was included in the price of our room. When we arrived at Yudanaka station where we were welcomed by a staff member of the ryokan. He picked us up and took us to the gorgeous hotel!

We checked in and were taken to our room. There was tea and confectionaries waiting for us. We nibbled and took a rest until dinnertime. We changed into our yukatas – cotton kimono. We were allowed to wear the yukatas around the hotel premise and also within the town. So, with that said, we wore our yukatas to dinner! We had a private room and enjoyed SO many different types of food! Think of all the Japanese food you have ever eaten and add about 20 more items! Ha ha! We were able to sample fish, meat, tempura, vegetables, tofu, soups, rice, desert, and beer!

We took a stroll in our yukatas after dinner. Then we were able to sample all the various baths. There were 8 baths in total within our very own ryokan. The onsens, or public bath, are separated by gender. They had 4 male and 4 female baths. At 9 PM and 9 AM they clean and switch the gender. You can tell each bath as it has the kanji (and color coated) for male and female on the outside of the door. There were inside and outside onsens! It was very relaxing! We really enjoyed this! =)

The next morning we wore our yukatas down to breakfast. We enjoyed a nice western style breakfast in the same little private room we had eaten in the night before. After breakfast it was time for a little nap, a little bath, and time to head to the monkey park!

It was kind of hot that day. We walked the 45 minutes up the hill to the monkey park. We strolled around and were surprised a few times by monkeys. There was a geyser and hot springs all around! We walked up to where all the monkeys were! They were adorable and literally monkeying around! They were simply adorable! Josh and I stopped at a vending machine and got a beer. We sat down and enjoyed the beer before heading all the way back down the hill. My knee was hurting…so an idea popped into my head! Why not hitch hike!? I mean, come on!, Japan is one of the safest countries in the world – why not!? So we did just that. I explained that my knee was hurting and that we wanted a ride down the “mountain” and he said okay!

We had not had lunch yet so we found this adorable little curry shop café that our hotel recommended on the city map. The café can hold about 10 people – this is no joke! It was an adorable café and Josh and I split the curry set lunch. She gave us cherries as a service item! Cherries in Japan are so delicious – you know why? They come from America ;) hahahaha!

After lunch we enjoyed hoping around more onsens and then we had massages scheduled. We both enjoyed those separately . While Josh was getting his massage, I decorated our room to surprise him when he returned! I had brought a lot of things with me to decorate the room to make it extra special for him! He really loved it and appreciated what I did for him! I had balloons, streamers, wine…

After our relaxing massages and rest we went out into town and had a glorious sushi dinner for Josh’s birthday! It was huge! We were also able to go and eat there in our yukatas! It was such a memorable journey to Nagano!

The next day we walked around the town and drank coffee at a small café near the station. We then said good-bye to Yudanaka station and were well on our way to Nagano city where we hung out for part of the day and then found ourselves back in Tokyo!

What an AWESOME way to celebrate a birthday!! =)

2010-09-08T09:45:00.001+09:00

Reporting from Hong Kong in 2.5 days…

May was certainly a very exciting month for me! It was a lot of travel and time spent with Josh! The USS John S. McCain was to set sail for the land of egg tarts! That’s right – Hong Kong!

It didn’t take much convincing to get me to go to Hong Kong once more. I really loved HK the first time I went over a year ago with Annelyse! I ordered the LUXE GUIDE HONG KONG and we researched for a good place to stay. It brought us to this London style flat in a hotel called Hotel Jen. The hotel is located about 10 minutes by taxi from the city center.

A four hour and a few minutes flight later, I was in Hong Kong. I had a welcome committee from Josh, Henry, and Mitchell! It was a wonderful surprise. We went to the hotel first, changed, and were on our way out for a night on the town! We went to Wan Chai. I was in Wan Chai the year before as the friend I was visiting, Becky, was living in that area. It was fun to revisit that place. We went out for a bit of dancing and drinking and then discovered we were quite hungry. I told Josh that I remembered a restaurant called the Flying Saucer! Low and behold it was right above our heads! Ha ha! So we went in for a late night breakfast!

The next day took us to Kowloon. We took the star ferry across the river and hopped on a bus. We went to far but that was okay because we discovered a new part of town! We wandered around and I introduced Josh to egg tarts! Egg tarts are a pastry filled treat with egg custard in the center! YUM!

We finally found what we were looking for! The JADE MARKET! We bought a few gifts and had fun bargaining our way through the market! After shopping we went to the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea. It is “the thing to do” when going to Hong Kong. We sat there for about two hours enjoying conversation, tea, sandwiches, and cakes! After tea, Josh suggested we walk around and look at the shops in the hotel. That lead us to Harry Winston and Tiffany & CO. I especially had fun oogling over the diamonds at Harry Winston. Josh then took me to Tiffany’s =) It was our anniversary in a few days. He told me I could pick something out (within a budget). We selected this gorgeous bangle! I have worn it almost every day since! What an AWESOME day that was!!

In the evening we found ourselves out on the town at a place called “DRAGON BAR”. It was in a very trendy area of town. We hopped around different bars and clubs. We were dressed to impress and really enjoyed our evening out!

The second day brought us to a very lovely restaurant for brunch! We ordered a few dishes and of course shared. We always share food that way we get to try a bunch of different things! We walked around after brunch soaking up the rich culture in Hong Kong. It is a beautiful blend of east and west ☺ The evening took us to Kowloon where we took in the sites and smells of the night market! I bought a bag and two paintings! After a lot of bargaining it was time for dinner! Our one requirement was that we could drink San Miguel ☺ We found a restaurant and didn’t really get a choice in whether or not we wanted to stay. We asked if they had San Miguel and that translated as sit down and 2 seconds later we will give you two HUGE San Miguels! We ate seafood and rice. Then it was back over to the HK side and drinks at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel! It was a great way to end 2 wonderful days!

The last day we enjoyed a dim sum lunch. You can’t go to Hong Kong, China without eating dim sum. Dim sum is like Chinese tapas. You order several small dishes and they come out to you! We ordered dumplings, duck, and goose at this one restaurant. It is a “famous” place to enjoy dim sum! We REALLY enjoyed this meal! It was the epitome of Hong Kong food to a T. It was then off to the airport for me and back to Narita!

Can’t beat two trips in one month! What a lovely trip to Hong Kong that was!

2010-09-08T09:17:00.001+09:00

Catching up…

Spring brought two amazing trips with Josh. Every year in Japan there is a holiday called “Golden Week” . There are several holidays strung together and we are able to take a few days off of work and travel if we so wish!

Josh and I contacted a travel agency called No.1 Travel. I have used this company before as they are very good at finding great deals. We asked about what would be the most cost efficient trip for us and it lead us to the US commonwealth of Saipan.

Josh and I were sold on this right away. I had found a guide book in my apartment left from the girl before me. I was casually looking through it when I discovered that the Hyatt offered military discounts. YES! I called and asked how much a room would cost in this particular week in May. The military discount slashed the rooms price to less than half! So needless to say, Josh said cool and we were on our merry way!

Several weeks of anticipation, two duffel bags packed, and a bus ride to Narita later, we were on our way to a little America less than three hours away! We arrived very late at night and enjoyed a very late night snack from a place called D.J.s Deli , a 24h snack shop located in our hotel lobby. We took our snacks out on the beach to enjoy the sound of the ocean…

We saw many little black lumpy things on the ground. Then one moved!! We soon realized that FROGS surrounded us! Ha ha ha! Throughout our trip it became a game of how many frogs we would see on our way from the beach back to the hotel lobby!

Our 6 days spent in the American/Japanese paradise were days that I will never forget. We enjoyed eating local foods and fruits! I loved trying coconut out of a coconut for the first time! We loved laying on the beach and swimming in the cool waters of the south Pacific. We went to Managaha island and enjoyed seeing the WWII wreckage. We rented a car for a day to discover the island. We went hiking and even rode jet skis! The trip of course wasn’t complete without going to Hard Rock café and enjoying a Cinco de Mayo fiesta! We also discovered a “new” beer to us – The very delicious San Miguel from the Philippines! A few nights were spent throwing darts, playing pool, and even doing a litttttlllleeee gambling!

The sunsets were gorgeous, the people very friendly, the sites wonderful, the company phenomenal, and I can honestly say this was one of the best vacations I have ever taken! =)

I <3>

April Showers...bring CHERRY BLOSSOMS

2010-04-12T09:12:00.005+09:00

Upon arriving back in little Itako, I was greeted with rain, and more rain, clouds, rain, wind, cold...

However, the only good thing weather wise about being back in Japan are the Cherry BLOSSOMS! My entire street was blooming with these gorgeous, mysteriously beautiful, wonders :)

I have been enjoying them as much as possible despite the rain, clouds, and wind. I came back from America at the perfect time as they were just coming into full bloom! This past week, I woke up early due to jet lag, and decided to make good use of my mornings. I went on either a run or a bike ride every morning this past week! I took my camera most mornings and loved the early morning sun last Thursday.

I enjoyed hanami parties (literally picnics under the cherry blossoms) both in Tokyo on Saturday and Kamisu on Sunday. The weather on Saturday was mostly cloudy with a few minutes of sun! I went to yoyogi koen in Harajuku with a few friends followed by an outing to TGIFridays in Ueno. Yesterday was spent in the sun in Kamisu! We enjoyed picnics and sports! I really liked throwing a baseball around, running, and playing frisbee. I also really enjoyed taking pictures of the beautiful flowers! We had a solid 4 hours of sun before a storm quickly rolled in over our picnic. We saw the clouds coming and quickly pack our party up!

I need to get most of my pictures developed! However, here is a start of the season from my digital camera!

Check them all out! ----> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038158&id=54500082&l=8f8f162f08

Home Sweet Home America March 2010

2010-04-09T15:48:00.004+09:00

Well, it had been a year since I had visited my lovely country of America. Living in Japan is amazing and when you aren't thinking about America and everything good that comes from this country it is sometimes out of sight out of mind especially when it comes to goods :)

Since meeting Josh, I have had the ability to visit the US Navy Base in Yokosuka several times. I have had the opportunity to eat at chili's and buy American goods. I have also had more exposure to foreigners down there than in my little rice field town :) I think it has helped me dealing with reverse culture shock.

When I went home a year ago I had a little difficulty resorting back to my old American ways. It is only natural when you live in an extremely foreign country with a new language, new food, new style, new people, new looks, new everything really. This year was different and pretty easy :) I think it because of having the base to go to I've been able to hold on to and cherish some of what is at home.

When I went home I did not go crazy eating or buying food products I was missing. Funny enough the only two products I did buy was tea and rice...TEA AND RICE?! Yes, I know I live in the country of tea and rice! However, it isn't the same! I bought jasmine rice and tea as it is a little more difficult to buy those items here. If you do find them it is very expensive! tazo and chai

My trip home was lovely visiting with family members I have not seen in forever and also friends for that sake! It was great going to all my favorite restaurants, shopping, getting manicures and pedicures (at a very reasonable price!), the weather, driving my car, going to a hockey game, catching up with some of my SCA classmates!, seeing Laura Varnell!, getting flowers from Josh from Korea, drawing, being in Nashville, and mostly being with close family and friends!

I spent a majority of my time relaxing and catching up :) I ate lunch with my mom at her school, my father down at his office, with my sister, and with friends!

Being away from home is hard at times but makes me realize all sorts of things being gone. It is an indifferent feeling really - just different. America is a great country and I am happy to be from there but am also so lucky and happy to be living in Japan. Japan has made me realize how lucky I am and has given me a different perspective on life. I am happy that I continue to live here in Japan and discover who I am becoming!

I miss you guys!

To view pictures from March look here:
----> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037558&id=54500082&l=7186422783

March Maddness in Japan

2010-04-09T14:08:00.004+09:00

March brought many fun times! I feel like I always say this! But I really am always having fun - no matter where I am!!

The first weekend there was a dinner party and clubbing in Tokyo! My friend Andrew who lives in the town next to Itako told many of us about a dinner party one of his Japanese friends was hosting in Ebisu. Ebisu is a really nice part of Tokyo. There is a huge French influence here and is a very lovely place to have an afternoon coffee, shop, or eat dinner! So we started the night there with an all you can eat and drink special for 2 hours :) We ate, drank, and mingled!

After dinner, we all met back up at ALIFE. Alife is a club near Roppongi Hills that caters to foreigners but is not limited to foreigners! We enjoyed an evening of laughing, dancing, and having a really fun time! Alife has a really good vibe and an awesome environment giving you three options because of the three floors it offers! About 5:00AM we left the club and got something to eat. However, Josh and I managed to loose our crowd :( We ran into Lawson's convinence store to buy an umbrella to stay dry and when we came out no one was to be found :( After our long night out we got a snack at a fast food restaurant - big mistake...my tummy hurt!! Hence why I do not eat fast food any more! We crashed at the New Sanno and enjoyed a lazy Sunday in Yokosuka and baked a cake! :)

The next weekend, Emily and I made an adventure up north to Mito (the capitol of Ibaraki) to view even MORE plum blossoms! We met at the facility where we usually have our JET meetings. There is a neat little family owned cafe around the corner where we usually eat during the meetings. We decided to go there because lunch is delicious and for a set it is only 1000 yen (about $10). After our yummy salad, baked chicken, rice, and apple crisp lunch we headed over to the park! We viewed SOOO many trees. It was raining and that put a little damper on things but didn't stop us from enjoying walking around, eating ice cream and crepes, and shopping in the gift store!

After our meeting in Mito, we went back to our cities, got ready, and headed south into Tokyo for a night of fun!

The third weekend in March was a very special weekend. I was invited by Josh to attend the US Navy Supply Corps. Ball in Tokyo. The ball took place on Saturday at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo. The New Sanno is in the neighborhood of Hiro-o. It is a really nice area full of foreigners. Josh and I checked in and enjoyed a late lunch at Cicada restaurant. We had a wonderful lunch set and coffee. We had great conversation and then walked around Hiro-o. I wanted about an hour and a half to get ready for the ball so soon after lunch we headed back to the hotel so I could turn into a princess! I wore my senior year prom dress and Josh was in his uniform! He looked so handsome!

The ball started about 6:00 with a social hour. We met some of Josh's friends down in the ball room and enjoyed wine and beer with them. We tried to get in line for professional pictures but it was too long so we waited until after dinner.

Our table was really neat! It was all Japanese people for a while. I was sitting between the oldest and youngest officers at the ball. The oldest officer was a Japanese man. He was really sweet. They were happy I could speak Japanese which put them at ease. We could speak both English and Japanese so it was a very good experience for all of us! There was a cake cutting ceremony to start off the evening. Josh, along with a few other officers, went to cut the cake. They all joined hands around a sword and cut the cake. It was a really neat experience. I honestly can say, I never thought in my life time I would have ANY ties to the military in anyway. I understand I've had family members in the military but for me in my person life - never saw it coming!

We enjoyed salad, a steak dinner, and the strawberry short cake that the officers had cut. Josh and I took pictures after dinner before the tea and sake ceremonies! We took really fun pictures! The one we chose is a really cute pic of him dipping me :) - you'll see them soon! After we took pictures we enjoyed a tea ceremony performance. Since I live her as a "Japanese resident" I get to experience these sorts of things first hand. However, I think it was neat for everyone who doesn't get to enjoy this to take part and see how it is done!

After the tea ceremony, we had a sake ceremony. We were all given towels with American and Japanese flags on them. We were to wrap them around our heads! So we did! The pictures turned out so well! The little towels were in little wooden boxes. We used the wooden boxes as a sake cup. They passed out jars of sake for every table. We toasted to everything. From the Supply Corps., friends and family, the dead, the missing, - everything! It was a neat toast since I'd never experienced this.

This was ALL followed by door prizes and dancing :) Josh and I danced for a little while and then went to the hotel bar for a beer :) We were going to go out with friends but by the time it was all said and done, we were tired and happy and didn't go out :)

The next week, Josh and I enjoyed dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel as it was our last evening together before he went to see and I flew home to America. We had dinner overlooking downtown. It was beautiful - check out the pics! We did a wine tasting where we tasted 4 wines and chose one for a full glass. We shared a set menu meal and finished the evening at the Mandarin Oriental bar with live music and a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne! It was a nice send off and I am still waiting for him to come back from his 5 week journey!

Then it was home sweet home America for me! I will post March pictures in my next entry! <3

Fun in February

2010-04-09T11:55:00.003+09:00

After Osaka, February continued to bring all sorts of fun!

The first weekend of February was really special :) As if the past weekend wasn't! I went down to Yokosuka to hang out with Josh and his friends. On Saturday, we had free time so I suggested we take a very small trip to Zushi which is 11 minutes by train from Yokosuka :) There are beautiful beaches there and one delicious Italian restaurant. We arrived in Zushi and took a taxi to the water :) We enjoyed lunch looking out over the turqoise water with the mountains in the distance. I am very envious that Josh has a beach with such clear water near his place. We watched the wind surfers as they made attempts to catch some waves. It was a really beautiful site! We sat and enjoyed salad, pizza, and pasta! After lunch we took a walk on the beach :) We wrote sayings in the sand and ran around on the beach. We wanted coffee and cake after lunch but decided to play on the beach first. We couldn't really find anywhere else to get a nice coffee so we went back to the Italian restaurant! hee hee! We enjoyed coffee and chocolate cake! After our lovely afternoon we headed back to Yokosuka. We met up with a few of Josh's friends and went to play billards! Sunday brought a wonderful brunch at the Officers club followed by lots of talking and relaxation!

The second weekend of February, Josh and I celebrated Valentine's day in Tokyo! I had a long weekend and started the weekend by traveling down to see Josh in Yokosuka. On Thursday February 12th, Josh was working so I had made an appointment in Tokyo to get my hair cut. It was nice to see my old hair dressers as I hadn't seen them since last August! Yikes! So with my healthy hair, I went and enjoyed lunch at the organic cafe that is down stairs and up the street from the hair salon. I didn't stay in Tokyo the rest of the afternoon but went back to Yokosuka to enjoy the rest of the afternoon with Josh :) On Friday February 13th, Josh and I met for lunch! We went to chili's and were able to enjoy a long lunch before he had to go back to work. I decided I wanted my nails done and therefore did! It was by far the most expensive manicure and pedicure I've ever had! It is not worth having a mani and a pedi in Japan! I met Josh after work and then we headed up to Tokyo together!!

We stayed at the ANA Intercontinental hotel in Roppongi :) We enjoyed dinner at the restaurant in the hotel and had a very relaxing evening at one of the lounges in the Hotel! There was live music and we enjoyed a drink and even split a cigar! That was a fun first experience for me :) We enjoyed talking and spending the evening together. Saturday brought eating and shopping around in Roppongi. We had lunch with John (Amari) at Rigalletto's in Roppongi Hills. We sat for a long time until we both decided we could use a nap! We got ready for the evening and went to the most delicious spot of a restaurant. We went to the California style restaurant cafe called California Yoshi Grill. We enjoyed a 6 or 7 course meal (I can't remember, ha ha) and wine. It was a very relaxing and lovely Valentine's Day! After we went to Ferria, a lounge/club in Roppongi. It clearly wasn't "happening" yet but we stayed for a bit before heading back to the ANA for another evening of live entertainment at a different lounge called the Manhattan lounge. It was time well spent and we really enjoyed our weekend together :)

The third weekend of Feb, Josh came up to Itako and we went to Erin's Koto concert. Koto is a traditional Japanese instrument. It kind of looks like a guitar/harp but on the ground. Josh, myself, and one other girl Michelle were the only ones invited into the concert. It is a very beautiful sounding instrument, very haunting. I had a go at it after the concert! It was pretty much a private concert by their class for us! It was a great experience! After, we went out to lunch. The restaurant appeared to be in a Japanese garden. It was beautiful. We sat on the ground and enjoyed sushi, chowamushi (custard soup), and a desert. Josh and I relaxed the rest of the weekend in Itako :)

The last weekend of Febuary brought a small trip to a pretty neat location called Odawara, never heard of it - neither had we! I typed in Plum Blossoms in Kanagawa Prefecture and was given this location. Josh, Natalie (another officer of the USN), and I took on this adventure Saturday morning. It was a cloudy morning but it didn't stop us from going on our adventure. We traveled about an hour and half before we arrived in Odawara. This town is near Mt. Fuji. However, it was cloudy so we could not see Fuji :( The plum trees were beautiful. Plum trees look very similar to cherry blossoms however, they are about a month earlier. We saw on the map that there was a gelato factory which immediately drew in ALL of us! So we headed that way to enjoy two scoops of gelato each! We needed lunch but decided to go there first. As time went on, we did not find a restaurant. We were walking along the road to find a supposedly famous/popular temple which wasn't much of anything when we arrived. I asked a man where there were restaurants and he said not much was around but if we held on he would take us...

...We were laughing at this thought but I told the two of them that this happens a lot, we can trust Japanese people for the most part...so we waited for him to go get his car. Let me paint you a picture: work clothing, country side, barns, shacks (if you will), COUNTRY SIDE, small, narrow roads...We were all expecting this man to drive out of his garage with a truck that would barely fit all of us but instead were greeted with a SILVER MERCEDES BENDZ! I laughed and said, "yep, yakuza (Japanese mafia)". He offered to take us to his friends ramen place. I asked was there anything near the train station. He said there were a few options but the first place he took us to was closed. They he said lets go to the ramen place. I asked how far and he said 20 minutes away! I said no thank you and he pointed us to another hole in the wall! It was literally a restaurant with 2 tables and a small seating place in the back! Natalie and I split a ramen and Josh had a rice bowl with meat and egg on top! We also drank sake and had a blast talking with these 4 old, chain smoking, country bumpkin Japanese people! IT was amazing!

After lunch, we wandered back into the plum orchard :) We bought a bottle of umeshu (plum wine) and opened one bottle to take pictures in the orchard fields :) After meandering for about an hour and a half we headed back to Yokosuka! It was a really fun day spent with Natalie and Josh!

To see all the pictures from my February adventures look here!
----> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037401&id=54500082&l=13303f981e

End of January Osaka Trip with Josh

2010-04-07T15:26:00.005+09:00

The very end of January brought a wonderful trip to Osaka :)

I asked Josh of all the cities he wanted to travel to right away, which city would it be. He said Osaka. I said okay, let's go! So not much planning and a little time later we found ourselves on a shinkansen headed to Osaka! :D We enjoyed pizza and a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne!

We arrived late Friday night and checked into the New Otani Hotel over looking Osaka Castle after a bit of an adventure:) We arrived at Shin-Osaka station and needed to get to Osaka station. I asked a lady if the train we were going to get on was headed to Osaka station. She said yes. I knew it was only a four minute ride and when more than four minutes had past, I was a bit concerned! We were actually headed on a high speed train to KYOTO! WHAT!? Why?! So, 30 minutes later and two sleepy people later, we arrived in Kyoto. We had to wait about 25 minutes for the next train back. We decided to celebrate the mistake with grapefruit Chu-hi. The train came and we were on our way back to Osaka.

WE FINALLY made it to the hotel about 1AM via taxi. It makes for a funny story. Needless to say we slept in a bit on Saturday morning. We had a wonderful American Breakfast in the room and then got ready for the day! We went out to one of the main districts of Osaka. We walked and lazed around all day just enjoying the sun and our awesome lunch! Everywhere we went was closed for lunch except for this little, hidden hole in the wall nabe type restaurant. We sat for a really long time enjoying nabe (japanese soup/stew), various meats, vegetables, rice, and other unidentifiable goodies! We walked around a bit more and then went to another cafe for chocolate milkshakes! They were delicious! We took the train back and walked to our hotel, by this point we were a bit tired and wanted a nap before we went to the observation deck for dinner.

The view of Osaka castle at night is spectacular. Check out the pictures below! We got ready and took a taxi over to the observation deck. We had reservations pretty late that over looked Osaka. Osaka is a much slower paced city, lots to do, very sweet people, fantastic food, great walking, and just a very enjoyable city!

We took a taxi to the observation deck and took the elevator to the top floor which is about 38 or 39 stories up, I think. We walked around the top deck inside, not out, and went and enjoyed a several course meal at Stardust cafe. We had bread, salad, vegetables, steak, dessert, and wine :) It was a lovely evening with great conversation and beautiful views! We went back to the hotel and drank champagne at the Castle Bar. It was a really neat bar!

On Sunday, we had a really relaxing brunch in the hotel over looking Osaka castle and the surrounding areas. It was a cool and misty morning which was perfect to curling up in a sweater and jeans and enjoying the gourmet brunch! After brunch we slowly walked over to the castle in the rain. There was a marathon going on in which I thought these people were insane because it had started to rain. We walked up to the castle, bought tickets, and walked around the 8 floors of the castle. After the castle, we sauntered back to the hotel for afternoon coffee and cake. We sat and talked for a long time before casually going to the train station to catch the shinkasen back to Tokyo!

It was a wonderful weekend spent with Josh in a fantastic city! As always, I continue to love Japan!!

Check out photos here ----> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037018&id=54500082&l=d667b03fb4

January 2010 Itako, Tokyo, Yokosuka, & Kamakura

2010-04-07T14:48:00.003+09:00

Tokyo

January brought cold weather but really fun times with friends that didn't stop us from going out and enjoying Japan!

Before going to London I had invited a lot of friends out for a New Years Bash after we were all back in the country and over our various jet lags :) I wanted to enjoy dinner, costume karaoke, and go clubbing all of which I assumed other people would want to do too! :) I was right!

About 25 people showed up for the event! The evening started in Roppongi at an Italian restaurant called La Boheme. It is a nice little chain restaurant in Tokyo that is great for parties! We enjoy dinner once we all located the restaurant! It took us awhile to find it! We stayed there for about 2 hours enjoying Italian food and wine and other various cocktails! We then paid (that was a joke, no kidding it took forever to collect all the money) and walked to the costume karaoke joint about 10 minutes down the road.

I must tell you that karaoke in Japan is much different than any other country I've experienced it in. In Japan, you are assigned a room and are allowed a minimum of usually an hour. You have couches, cushions, a TV (or more), and an electronic box which holds all of the songs that you select and enter into the TV...then the magic begins UNLESS YOU ARE DOING COSTUME KARAOKE! At this particular venue, we had our room (for all 20+ people) and about 200 costumes available to us! I also had a coupon for wine and sake for everyone. Needless to say it was a very entertaining two hours! Check out the pics on the link below!!

We then went to an awesome club in Roppongi near Roppongi Hills. The club's name is Alife. It is a club that caters to westerners but is not limited to foreigners. We had a blast dancing until 5 in the morning then enjoying ramen before all heading home to our various cities! Needless to say it was a lovely BASH and a great way to bring in 2010 again in Japan!! :)
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Yokosuka & Kamakura with Emily and Erin!! <3>

A little information for you :) Yokosuka is south of Tokyo about one hour via trains. It is the home to one of the US Navy Bases. It is a beautiful area with the ocean near by, good shopping, and great eats!

Kamakura is a town south west of Tokyo about one hour. There is alot of history here including many temples and The Great Buddha. The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara's Todaiji Temple.

The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tidal wave in the 14th and 15th centuries. So, since 1495, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.

We enjoyed Kamakura very much. We walked a lot and had a great lunch! We happened to stumble across this adorable cafe and eat a western style lunch of soup and sandwiches! We then walked around some more and headed back in the early evening.

We went out to dinner in Yokohama on Saturday evening. We were all pretty tired after dinner and decided to go back to Josh's apartment and call it a night.

On Sunday we enjoyed the US Navy base. Josh checked all of us in and we went and enjoyed lunch at Chili's. We then did some shopping and had Starbucks together. We took a nap and then headed home to our various apartments about 6:00.

It was a lovely weekend spent in Kanagawa prefecture!!

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Itako

The end of the month was very fun! I have an elective class at Hinode for both 2nd (US 8th grade) and 3rd (US 9th grade) grades. I am the primary teacher and can teach the students about pretty much anything! My students really wanted to know about American junk food. I chose two dishes that we could create, eat, and clean up in a 50 minute period. We made Mac-N-Cheese and banana splits! The students and I had a great time with this class!

You can check out all of the pictures in the link below!! :)

To see ALL of the adventures from January click here!!
----> http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=2036959&id=54500082

Christmas in London with the Parkers 2009

2009-12-30T20:25:00.004+09:00

Well, as always it has been months since I've updated my blog so I am going to try to capture a bit of what has been going on since December! YIKES!

Christmas was lovely and a majority of it was spent in the little area of Chelsea where my sister, Kathryn, lives. She is a graduated student at Christie's. The entire Parker family flew from both ends of the globe and met in London! I flew from Tokyo while mom and dad flew from Nashville! One flight and many hours later I found myself in the London Heathrow airport! I was greeted by my family with big smiles and hugs!

We spent the chilly days walking the streets of London enjoying market places, fantastic pubs, drinking wine and beer along with coffee and tea and a mulled wine too, and the special less well know areas of London like Notting Hill and Primrose Hill! We laughed and watched movies and even enjoyed the snow three times!

Christmas was spent in Kathryn's apartment snuggling by our lovely pointsetta "tree". We placed all of the presents under our beautiful tree and enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Whole Foods. We ate turkey, stuffing, dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potatoes, and delicious bread! We listened to Christmas music and enjoy staying curled up in our pajamas :)

I spent a total of almost three weeks in London. I enjoyed meeting Kathryn's friends, nights out dancing, nights in snuggling with sissy and watching movies, eating out, drinking Starbucks, going to small pubs, riding in taxis, walking around, going to Kensington High Street, eating at Whole Foods (Lord, I miss that STORE!) and really just enjoying the life of a "Londoner" not a "tourist".

To check out all the photos click on the links below!:

Traveling Play

2009-12-30T19:27:00.007+09:00

I was brought back to my elementary and junior high school days when I was told the afternoon was free because of entertainment.

A play was being brought to our school. To my amazement when I reached the gymnasium the entire stage had been transformed into an unrecognizable Itako 2nd JHS stage. It was incredible. I was quite excited that the next two hours of my afternoon were going to be spent being entertained by Japanese actors. You would think this would be quite the headache but it ended up being rather pleasurable. I knew that some of my students were involved because in 3rd period they said they needed to go to "dance practice".

The play was called Asian Paradise. It was a perfect little play in which I was able to kind of follow. That is the lovely thing with expressions, music, and setting you can usually figure out what it is about when you are unable to comprehend the language. It was a nice play because it was so cold outside (who am I kidding it was freezing inside too...I was bundled up to my nose in my scarf and jacket) but they did a great job of depicting a very hot atmosphere.

The gist of the play was there was this hostel which the old woman ran it included all the relationships and interactions that people would perhaps have on a day to day basis. It included conflict and love. The hostel housed people from all over the world. The acting was good from what I could see and understand and I was honestly very happy to have spent my afternoon watching it!

Here are a few pictures from the play! My students were even involved at the very end!! Really fun! :)

A Weekend With the US NAVY in Yokosuka, Japan

2009-11-30T09:19:00.003+09:00

Well it was my turn to finally make the adventurous 2.5 hour trip down to Yokosuka-Chuo to visit Josh and his friends! You may be asking yourself where in the heck is that...

Yokosuka is approximately an hour south of Tokyo and 25 minutes south of Yokohama. It houses the US NAVY base and is actually a quaint little area!

The weekend was lovely and so relaxed! I woke up early on Saturday morning and made the trek down. Josh had just moved into his new apartment after 96 days on the ship. He had a friend help him move a few things into his new place as I was on my way down. When I arrived we hung out for a bit before going onto base.

As an American living in the rice fields of Japan going to base is actually quite overwhelming. We walked down the street passing Japanese and all sorts of foreign shops and cafes. We walked over a bridge and before I knew it we were at the gates of base. I needed to get a visitor pass...a few hoops later we were on our way.

We hoped in a base cab and headed over to chili's. It was a delicious and overwhelming experience! We enjoyed a salad and fajitas and beautiful views of the ocean. We talked and had what seemed to be 5 refills and made a little list for things that Josh needed in his apartment.

We walked around base looking in stores, renting movies, and enjoying a people watching Starbucks date. It was really quite the experience to be on base as I have not seen anything THAT American since America itself. The military personnel are clearly very comfortable and potentially could never leave the base if they wanted to.

After a day of shopping for the apartment and enjoying the little America we went back to Josh's apartment. We were both pretty tired and were going to go out to eat until Josh joking proposed eating chili, salad, and honey bunches of oats for dinner. To his surprise I took him up on this little proposal, we popped open a bottle of wine, put on the ipod, lit a candle, and enjoyed our meal of chili, salad, and honey bunches of oats :) It was a fun night!

The next day we were going to go to the Officer's Brunch. Long story short we were unable to attend that brunch due to one of the girls (civilian) not being able to get a pass to go on base. Josh being the sweet guy that he is suggested we all just eat brunch off base :)

We walked towards the train station where there are several restaurants. We went to an Italian restaurant and ate salad, pizza, and tiramisu! We had fantastic views of the ocean as we were up high and after brunch we had another Starbucks date :)

The rest of the day was relaxing. We napped, ran a few errands, ate subway for dinner, and watched the modern day Romeo and Juliet. Then it was back to my Japanese life style in the rice fields of Japan :)

I had a great weekend in little America and can't wait for my next visit! :)

After brunch I got everyone to strike a silly pose :) Josh seems to be the only "normal" pose of everyone =D

Nate and Delia

Jordan :)

Thanksgiving in Tokyo: November 26, 2009 <3

2009-11-27T13:49:00.004+09:00

*gooble, gobble*

Thanksgiving is always a fun time of the year to join with friends and family and enjoy a spectacular meal followed by hours of football, food comas, and the potential outing for a movie. That is if you can haul yourself out of the recliner and head for the show on time but...

...if you live in Japan Thanksgiving is a little different. Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday it is celebrated in America NOT Thanksgiving. It is hilarious to me when friends and family back home ask me if I have Thanksgiving and Christmas off. It is sad and somewhat humorous to say that I don't. It makes since Japan does not celebrate giving thanks for the harvest season nor is it a Christan country both of these resulting in the 4th Thursday of November and the 25th of December as official work days.

I however took the afternoon of the 26th off to spend with my new and awesome guy, Josh :) We had a wonderful evening set up in Tokyo. We got dressed up and enjoyed a fantastic meal over looking Tokyo at a Hawaiian restaurant called Roy's. Roy's is on the 5th Floor in the West Walk of Roppongi Hills. We were filled with happiness over the food and wine selection. We feasted on vegetables, bread, mashed potatoes, and turkey as we gave thanks for our friends, family, and our new relationship. We had fun and did a wine pairing with our meal. We drank four different wines. We started the night with bubbly intermixed with red and white and ended one sweet note with a delicious deep port wine accompanied with a pumpkin pie and a chocolate torte.

The evening was incredible. Tokyo was illuminated for Christmas which made the evening even more magical. It certainly was a Thanksgiving never to forget. I am sad I was unable to be with friends and family from home but know that we gave a toast to you on Thanksgiving night!

Cheers, I miss you all!!

Aunt Cyd & Uncle D Show Up in Itako! What are the chances?!

2009-11-27T13:29:00.003+09:00

It all started a year and four almost five months ago when I decided to leave on this adventure to Japan...

Aunt Cydney and Uncle David (my cool California aunt and uncle...my mom's brother and his wife) had been making threats for a very loooong time to come visit :) I kept encouraging these threats until one day it became true.

My aunt and uncle had retired from their many years of teaching in California. They decided to take an around the world tour for a little over a month...they started in London with my sister and worked their way around the world to facinating places like Finland, Turkey, Jordan, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and wound up in little WEEEEE ole ITAKO!

They told me they were sorry for seeing Kathryn first as she had only been gone from America for merely a MONTH! Uncle David's reasoning is that they have always liked her more because she is well, taller. :) His compensation on their disappointment on my end is rent at a very discounted rate at their condo that they own for the next 5 years. I think I may take up the offer! :)

I had a meeting the day they arrived in Japan. I had them take the bus from Narita to Itako. When I got home from my meeting they were at Itako Hotel and I picked them up and brought them back to my apartment. We hung out a bit while we waited for Hitomi to come pick us up! We wasted no time getting the party started! It was my JTE's 26th birthday! We were invited to her birthday party! Needless to say much food and many beers later we were all very happy and really enjoyed our time together.

The next few days consisted of showing them my town and taking them to all the neat little ins and outs of my area. We enjoyed a home cooked meal, sitting on the floor, enjoying chocolate croissants, the water front, drinking, eating, laughing, and just enjoying being with each other. I had a blast taking picture club pictures with them and really enjoying this time with them.

The older I get the more and more I am appreciating my family. I am learning the quirks and that not everyone is perfect. I have found out more information about my family and am just simply growing to love my family more and more. It is fun getting older because your understanding of life and your perspetion is always changing. It is really a joy :)

I really hope they come back for another visit! I need to upload some more photos but they are on another memory card. I am writing this blog actually from London so when I return to Japan I will upload more photos. I will leave you with one photo from the subway in Tokyo!

I love my family =D

Yokohama Oktoberfest - October 17, 2009

2009-11-09T16:26:00.006+09:00

Yay! Oktoberfest 2009!

The weekend started at my new friend Stephanie's apartment in Hiro-o. I went down to Tokyo on Friday night and met her there. Stephanie is an ex-JET. We met at an art show last spring. We had not had the opportunity to hang out and we decided this particular weekend would be it! I left my apt. right after school and headed into town! I got there right around dinner time. I dropped my bag at her apartment and we instantly reconnected! It was a lovely night!

We were going to stay in and have a quiet night. We walked around Roppongi Hills and even played in a toy pet shop =D Literally the cutest, smallest pets you will ever see! I held a $3,000 Yorkie and Steph fell in love with a bull dog :) We continued down the street convinced we knew where Gonpachi was. Gonpachi is an izakaya that we both wanted to go to...one moment led to the next and we found ourselves meandering around Akasuka =D We landed upon all these really need streets and found an amazing Vietnamese restaurant. We split dinner and enjoyed drinks :)

We continued our walk around the city...My night ended with a sunrise =D

I slept in on Saturday morning. What I didn't mention was Steph's boyfriend had a friend from France visiting. It is not a hot french guy but rather a french (very french) girl. Stephanie currently works for a contemporary art gallery in Yokohama. She is an intern there. Saturday was our day to go and enjoy art and then head to the Oktoberfest celebration in Yokohama! So, Stephanie went on ahead and I went down with Aurelia a little bit later. We enjoyed the contemporary art presentations. Around 4:30 we left and headed to the festival. We met up with a few friends that we somehow mutually know :) Its amazing how big yet how small the Tokyo circuit actually is!

Stephanie enjoying her beer!

Me, Stephanie, & Brita @ Oktoberfest 2009!!!
All the people at the Party! So Many!!
I thought this was too cute!!
We got into the gates of Oktoberfest and found Brita and Anna with a few of their friends! It was already a "sh*t" show to say the least relatively early on! We headed for the beer tents and got our beer! I started with a delicious Oktoberfest pilsner and an eins, zwei, drei PROST (cheers) :) Stephanie and I walked around the grounds and were talking and laughing. It is an interesting feeling never seeing foreigners but then being completely surrounded by them.

We were ready for round two and it began to rain. We were standing inside talking about how many people in this world lack common sense. We turned around and laughed at the same time because we saw these three guys behind us. One of which looked like he was lacking in the common sense department. We slyly turned around and then the three guy approached us. We were soon talking with Jordon, Josh, & Shane. All three naval officers in Yokosuka and from the continental USA! It turned into a very entertaining night full of cheers, fun, COMMON SENSE and friends!

The rain continued and so did the conversations and beer. It was one of the most fun nights of my life. Soon I found myself with Josh. Stephanie had headed back to Tokyo and Josh and I were left talking and enjoying each others company. Then after a long while of smiling, laughing, drinking, and talking...we too headed back into Tokyo. Josh didn't need to come into Tokyo but he wanted to make sure I made it back safe and sound =D

Josh and I after a long night of fun!! =D We are gettin' tired and loopy at this point! I realize this is a pretty unflattering picture of the two of us BUT it's the only one I've got from the evening!

Before we knew it the trains had closed down and we found ourselves drinking (accidentally) white hot chocolate in the Starbucks at the very busy Hachiko exit crossing in Shibuya. I wanted plain Hot Cocoa. We stayed there in Shibuya talking for what seemed hours. We stayed warm inside and then ventured outside to get some food. We walked and talked and even tried to find a karaoke bar or Internet cafe to go relax in while we waited for the trains to open. We were out of luck and found another cafe to go hang out in. We had stayed up all night talking and laughing.

At 5:30 AM the trains opened...we still had to wait a little bit more. At that point we said good-bye and had already exchanged numbers and such. I thought he would be a fun one to keep around so why not ;) With a hug and a smile we walked on opposite sides of the tracks and laughed at each other from across the tracks while waiting for our trains. My train came first and then I rode off into the distance with a smile and a wave...

This is Josh and I at Bay's Quarter in Yokohama =D We enjoyed a Hawaiian meal over looking Yokohama! It was so much fun! =D

...we are still talking =D

I have to say Oktoberfest was completely unexpected! It was such a fun night and I am so happy that I went! I will definitely be going back next year!!

My 24th Birthday BASH!

2009-11-09T16:25:00.004+09:00

My 24th birthday was fantastic! It was filled with tons of friends, food, singing, and dancing. The weekend started in Itako with a wonderful dinner at Allison's House. John, Andrew, Erin, Kate and I went and enjoyed various food! I shared the steak dinner with Erin! It was amazing! Nice and tender! Great! Then Venecia and Nobuko surprised me with a present and a presentation from Venecia on the trumpet. She played Happy Birthday to You on the trumpet! It was a wonderful birthday surprise!

After dinner we went to Jelly Bean for a few hours of karaoke! We sang, drank, and ate our way through the next two or three hours! It was time to go home and relax and prepare for a weekend in Tokyo!

Saturday morning I relaxed at home and then got ready for a big night out in Tokyo with my friends!! I met Kate and Erin on the bus to Tokyo. We took about a 5:30 PM bus into Tokyo. I was wearing a bright red dress and was ready for a night of anything! Dinner was around 8:00 in Hiro-o, a wealthy neighborhood near where we would spend an evening of dancing. We ate dinner at Salsita, a cozy little mexican restaurant in which 18 of my friends came out for an amazing dinner! I enjoyed two enchiladas and chips and salsa! I also brought a coupon for everyone to receive a free glass of wine!! We all enjoyed this dinner and then went on to Daikanyama!

We partied at Club Air. It was an anniversary party for the club! Clubbing in Japan is definitely an interesting experience! Many of my friends did not enjoy the club but its always a situation in which you have to just go with the flow. It is completely different from the western world. I drank Moet & Chandon champagne all night :) I danced until the wee hours of the morning with my friends. I even made a new hilarious friend! The sun was out when we came out of the club. At that point, I came back to Itako and slept all day. It was a blast of a weekend!!!

This 24th year of my life so far has been incredible, unexpected, and lovely! I can't wait to see what else it has in store!!! =D

My golden birthday is next! 25 on the 25th! Lord knows what I'm going to do for that!!

Stay tuned! More to come =D

Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kobe, Nara, & Kyoto - Kansai - OH My!

2009-11-09T16:25:00.003+09:00

Aki and I had been talking for a really long time about enjoying a drip together. We wanted to go somewhere new and exciting. Bali was #1 on our list but by the time we wanted to buy tickets it was too expensive, too far, and too everything we weren't wanting right then and there. We looked at Okinawa. Again, too expensive. It was then I decided we should make a trip over to Kansai! We made plans to visit Kobe with a side trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima =D It was at that point plans were made, a hotel was reserved, and we were on our way on September 19th to the lovely Hiroshima & Miyajima. We made plans to stay until Tuesday September 22 but my plans later changed with a return trip to Kyoto and a new trip to Nara and a new leaving date of September 23rd! It was by far one of the most enjoyable trips I've made in Japan! Well worth the visit but don't expect to come back to Kanto with money. It was quite expensive but worth every yen! Again, like my other posts, I will post pictures with captions. I want to give you details but because of time and trying to catch up I will provide photos to walk you through my adventure. It was so memorable and I simply can't wait to get back to Kansai! The food, the people, the culture, the pace of life, everything is different and has a bit of sparkle in Kansai. I love it!

The Parker Family United At Last!

2009-11-09T16:24:00.016+09:00

I suppose this is better late than never...I am finally reporting and catching up on my blog from the summer! I realize it is ALMOST Christmas and I am hoping to see my family in LONDON!! But here goes...

My family arrived in Narita in mid July and we shared such an amazing time together. We were able to experience so much in my town, Tokyo, and with our trip to Nagano-ken. We enjoyed incredible food and happy memories. We went to the beach and reflected at shrines :). We shared so many laughs and simply enjoyed each others company. They met so many of my friends and "family" here in Japan. My family has a much better understanding now as to why I love Japan so much. They were able to meet almost everyone that has had an effect on me while I've been in Japan. They understand why I am having a difficult time decided if I will stay a third year or not. I don't have just a temporary situation here. I am building a life. A life that has made me so happy. I of course miss my family and am so entirely lucky to have a family that as the will and the funds to come visit for three weeks! I am going to include pictures of our trip with captions for each picture. I will also include the facebook link so you can enjoy all the pictures from our trip! I am sorry this is a short update but I need to update so much! The trip was one of a life time and I am so happy that my family is well, healthy, and wanting to see the world! Dad said he was surprised that he liked it SO much and is already wanting to come back to visit me again!

*captions to come*

Just To Make You Laugh =D

2009-10-26T19:16:00.002+09:00

Thanks mom for sending this to me! I hope everyone else gets as big a laugh out of it as we did! Love and miss you all :) xo

1. Men are NOT mind readers.
FIRST & FOREMOST RULE

1. Learn to work the toilet seat.
You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down.
You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports, It's like the full moon
or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something
Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both.
If you already know best how to do it , just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials...

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.
We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1.. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine.... Really .

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Football
or Cricket.

1.. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Updates!!!

2009-10-14T21:11:00.000+09:00

Hey everyone!!

I know it has been FOREVER since I have updated my blog. This is due to a few things! I had an extremely busy summer vacation (I know you are thinking, Lauren, summer was over 2 months ago) but to be fair I really have not had the Internet access at my apartment! My Internet cut out at the end of August. I had a wonderful visit with my AMAZING family! They came to visit me here in Japan for 3 weeks and then their visit was followed by two of my best friends ALLIE & Mary Ellen coming to Japan to visit for 2 weeks!! This was ALL followed by a trip to Thailand as you know I already blogged about. Please be patient as I want to catch you all up to speed on my blog! I know that a TON has happened since I last wrote you! Two huge events being that I traveled to Kansai area of Japan. I went to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kobe, Nara & Kyoto! I have many great stories to tell from that trip along with my 24th birthday party! Work is back in full swing and am loving every moment. I am off to Seoul, South Korea in 2 weeks to visit 3 friends! I will also be joining a new fellow southern girl JET living in Nara! All my adventures are going to be updated, captured, and have pictures ASAP!

My Internet was fixed last week after 5 weeks of NOTHING! That was very painful but I lived and managed and after all the pain and suffering of no Internet at home and a $250 phone bill...my power chord of 5 years decided to die! LIFE IS STILL WONDERFUL! I realized this is a small battle but a battle nonetheless. I am still genki (happy/fine) as ever and am off to Oktoberfest 2009 in Yokohama this weekend! I will be meeting with a former JET who I met once at an art show last spring. She was also suffering in the same ways as I in the fact that we don't get along with a lot of the people on our program. I am looking forward to see her and hanging out with her! Her name is Stephanie :)

I am back to Japanese class and to the gym! It feels great to be back on a "normal" schedule with my really fun weekends interspersed!

...LOTS more to come! PROMISE!!!

LOVE AND MISS YOU ALLL!!!!!!!!!!! xoxox

WHAT'S UP in the WORLD of LAUREN?!?!

My Birthday Dinner @ Salsita in Hiroo, TOKYO! September 26, 2009!

My Birthday Dinner in Itako @ Alice's House

Love in Miyajima!

Aki and I @ Port of Kobe! September 19, 2009!

Me @ Phi Phi Island, Phuket, Thailand - August 27, 2009!

Night Out in Tokyo with Mary Ellen & Allison! FERIA TOKYO in ROPPONGI!

My ADORABLE Family in JAPAN!!! Sawara, Chiba @ Kittei Restaurant

Phuket, Thailand: A Week in Paradise

2009-09-03T17:05:00.000+09:00

**Need to Edit**

Paradise

If the east directly smacked the west right upside the face with the most differing of cultures and scenery then we find ourselves right here. I leave you in suspense because I am not finished. I feel that if you were to take say the UAE and India and bread them into their own country you would find yourself smack dab in the center of Phuket, Thailand.

I landed this morning at about 10:30 A.M. via Thai Airways into the Phuket Int. airport. I had spent the night in Bangkok the night before due to conflicts with my package I bought exactly three days ago. I did not check any luggage so I was off to start this once in a life time experience. I found a counter further down off the beaten path of sweat soaked, dark tanned Thais waving their signs to hire their company’s car right then and there. I was determined to find something not so forward. I found a nice company at the very end. It seemed trustworthy for all I could see or imagine. So, 550 Baht later I was on my way to Surin beach.

I climbed into the backseat of this silver limo like sedan. I handed him the slip that I received from the counter inside and then I was off to start this spontaneous adventure. It was on our way through the city that I realized this magical happenstance of east meeting west and my comparison of UAE meeting India and creating what lays right ahead and all around – Phuket.

We were headed to Surin when all of a sudden we made a sudden stop off. I was a bit confused but was not worrying…yet. Seeing as I am a single, 23, WHITE female when your male driver stops off at this random yellow hut on the side of the road you have to ask questions. Before I had a chance to worry a young Thai lady named Boom approached the car. She assured me that I had nothing to worry about and to come on inside. I was thinking, “What, ugh, I have everything here in the car.” And once more before I could really thing about it too hard, she said in almost perfect Thai accented English, “Oh, I get the driver and tell him to lock car”. So, I grabbed my purse and laptop bag and went in. It was low and behold a travel agency.

From the get go I was of course skeptical and realizing that maybe I was about to get ripped off or taken for. But because my driver could not speak English with me or make good conversation he wanted to make sure I had all the proper travel plans if I so wanted. I wasn’t angry, seeing as this is an adventure after all, I just looked at the information and explained to her that I was really looking forward to a vacation of doing NOTHING  She gave me her card and said she was willing to help me out to make my time here fun and relaxing. She even offered to make an appointment with her manicurist in town and we could go together. Whether this was a scam or not I don’t really care because she doesn’t have any of my information and in the end it was completely harmless. After this whirlwind, it was back in the cab and off to Surin Beach – where we were heading before this intermittent stop.

We flipped a U-turn and I was thrown for a loop and was starting to doubt the honesty of this place – something I should be doing anyway and I am but I wanted to be wrong. I kept telling myself that I was in a private, hired car so I couldn’t be that bad. We continued to breeze by run down buildings and 5 star resorts. The scenery is something completely out of the movies. You seem like you are in poverty (which, I mean we are) and then living the life of the rich and famous. After this 30 or so minute adventure we finally reached the hotel. I knew based on the pictures from the internet that this was it. Paradise at my finger tips. I walked in and haven’t looked back.

I was instantly greeted with smiles and adorable Thai accented English. I feel fortunate that they all speak English here, something that is a change from Japan. It is good and bad – I can address that later. I was greeted with an ice, cold towel to wash my hands and face and then I started signing some necessary papers and then was handed a welcome drink. I giggled a little because it is strange this whole process of growing up and crossing over into adulthood. I reserved breakfast every morning and signed one sheet and I was then being lead to my room on the 2nd floor.

I settled in just a bit with one of the biggest smiles on my face, checked out my gorgeous view of hotel pool and sanctuary. I grabbed a quick lunch from the MoMo 2go, ate in my room, and then headed down stairs. I was distracted by the thought of a massage and was promising myself I would do something nice for me on the first day. So I booked a 5:00 P.M. massage and then headed to the turquoise abyss that lay in front of me.

100 Baht later, I found myself being helped by the cabana boys. They arranged a chair for me right by the water. I mean I was practically in the waves. It was amazing. I listened to music, went for a dip, and enjoyed a Thai beer. I smiled and realized for one of the first times in my life that I am truly in what it means to be in paradise. Sure, it is different for everyone but this is the closest thing I have ever been to paradise. I continued this whole process of day dreaming, swimming, and listening to music for about 2 and a half hours.

I then bought a little dress from the vendors – bargained it down. It is a white, tie in a few different ways sundress with beautiful red flowers with butterflies just placed ever so nicely on the dress. I drank a diet coke and went for one last swim and then called it quits because of my massage. I had to drag myself away from the sandy shores and take a shower so I could go relax in an hour of pure bliss.

The driver was a bit late picking me up but it wasn’t worth the effort of being upset. I wasn’t, I just waited patiently and then arrived about 3 minutes later to this gorgeous, upscale spa. It was most definitely different from America. I was a bit exposed and was a little uncomfortable at times because of this feeling of exposure to the masseuse. I just let her do her thang and it felt absolutely wonderful. It is by far (I know you aren’t terribly shocked) one of the best massages I have ever had. It was too short because of the guy that didn’t get me on time but as I said, I am in paradise so, se la vie!

After sipping a delicious hot, Thai tea, I was sent back to the resort. I was quite ready for dinner and the masseuse said to not shower for a few hours as so to let the oils sink in. I had remembered seeing a pedicure station on the beach and decided to see if it was still open. Indeed as one of the most gorgeous sunsets was occurring right in front of my very eyes, I was invited to enjoy at 200 Baht pedicure. There are tables, beachside, to lay on and have your tootsies and your fingers done. I was in complete awe at how relaxed I was as I was laying on this beachside bed getting a pedicure for under $10 while the sun was setting with all shades of pink, orange, and blue and the clouds forming shapes I have never seen. This was by far the most enjoyable pedicure I have ever had.

After the delightful sunset accompanied by a great pedicure I was hungry from something healthy and delicious to eat for dinner. I decided to take a walk down the main road by the beach to see what I could find. I wanted to wonder a bit and not settle with the first thing that came my way. I walked for enough to reach two of the internet’s claim to fame restaurants here in Surin beach. I went to Taste for dinner and asked if I could still enjoy the 99 Baht cocktail even though I was 11 minutes late. They were great and said no problem. I sat on the beach just watching the waves come in. I enjoyed the most delicious vegetable salad once could ever imaging eating and then just sat and listened to what was around me. You would think you would be lonely by yourself in paradise but there is so much here to occupy your mind that it is hard to be lonely. I took a short walk on the beach and then decided it was in my best interest to get headed back.

I walked down the main street that was before lit by the afterglow of the sunset. It was dark in parts and light in others. There were foreigners and Thais. Sometimes as couples, sometimes just as one, and others as a group of friends. I was not bothered at all. It was amazing. I just continued on my way back to the Marriott. I was guided by huge billowing lanterns that lined the beaten path between the beach and the hotel. I was instantly greeted by the hotel staff and went to my room.

My night ends here, now, on the balcony of my room. The wind is elegant. The trees illuminated. And I end, here now, listening to Natalie Imbruglias, “Torn” while eating a huge, soft, melt in your mouth oatmeal raisin cookie.

Life is good. It is beautiful. Good night 

Day 2

I woke up around 8:30 and opened the black out shades to another day here in beautiful Thailand. Not surprising but I was greeted by a grey sky which is probably why I did not wake up any earlier than I did. I made myself a cup of red coffee and laid in my over plush king size bed with my super soft, waffle material robe. I watched an Oprah episode on loving yourself. It was an episode just released after the New Year about weight loss. Oprah and others were saying that weight gain has nothing to do with how many potato chips you eat but rather how much you truly love yourself. Well, assuming this is true I should go back to Japan rather small 

I sauntered down to breakfast around 10:00 and enjoyed and American Buffet of literally everything under the Thai sun – it was practically everything you could find. I sat and enjoyed the scenery around me which consisted of happy couples, a few families, and of course my own company. I was seating facing the huge swimming pool surrounded by an abyss of palm trees. It was lovely.

After breakfast I went to the front desk to ask a few questions about getting a few things tailor made. They asked me if I wanted cheap and around the hotel or for a price and the distance. Well, I said the latter of the two because I want something that will last and not fall apart right away. The next thing I knew a phone call was being made to Mister Singh’s Tailor shop and I had a reservation to be picked up in 30 minutes. I hustled my butt upstairs, took a shower, and quickly threw myself together to go face the famous tailor shop located 25 minutes away in Patong. I hurried downstairs and the next thing I knew I was whisked away in a shuttle bus (free of service) to Mister Singh’s tailor shop.

Upon arrival I was greeted by friendly faces (of course probably thinking stupid American) and guided to a plush leather chair to choose what I wanted made for me. I chose diet coke to drink and was concentrated on my mission to have clothing made for me. After about 30 minutes I had what I thought was a reasonable amount of clothing picked out to be made for me. After having everything totaled I nearly passed out. I had asked for 2 dresses, a skirt, and a jacket and it was about $700. I nearly died. I revaluated my situation and decided on getting two blazers. I thought classic and perfect. I ordered and had fitted a ¾ length chocolate brown blazer and a long sleeve black blazer, both single breasted and double buttoned. I was pleased with my choice and have a fitting tomorrow at 5:00. I was then sent back in the shuttle to my hotel where I made plans for the rest of my day.

I asked a few questions upon my return those including how to say hello and thank you in Thai. Sawasdee Ka is hello and Krobkhun Ka is thank you. I am happy (as I know the locals are) to know two very helpful and kind words. I came back to my room, thought about what to do today and was out on the main drag before I knew it. I walked down the street to find myself at a little café. I chose the coconut and chicken soup with a side order of Thai rice and a Perrier with fresh squeezed lime. I sat and sat and just soaked with the kindness of the Thai people. I enjoyed the local flavors while being pampers like a princess. It was amazing.

After lunch, I walked around in a few shops only to realize that I was almost 4:00 and the sun was out. I decided to head back to the hotel, slap on my swimsuit, and hit the beach! I read in my book Confessions of a Shopaholic. I am glad I do not have her extreme problem and no I am not in denial. I am just simply glad I do not have her spending problem. After my relaxing hour or so at the beach, I decided to go get an hour massage for 400 baht (about $12). The sun was setting and I was treated by the same women who had helped me yesterday. There wasn’t a crowd and all I could hear were the waves crashing against the shore and the vague club music in the near distance of the restaurants preparing for this evening. I laid, smiled, and love literally every moment of this pampering experience.

I talked with the locals for a bit after my massage and then lazed my massaged (literally) butt back to the hotel. I found myself at the gorgeous bar asking for a glass of white wine. I had 15 minutes before happy hour was over so I inquired about the “free” drink you get when you buy one during this happy hour session. I just asked for a double wine which has served me well and this is what you are reading. The result of my two glasses of wine, impaired, writing. I took it and came up to my room. I wanted to get a calling card so I could call back to America to friends and family. I enjoyed I am sure about $100 worth of talk time but it was worth it because I was able to talk to Kathryn, my mom, and my Annelyse .

I am now here, in my hotel room, eating yet another cookie. In fact, I just finished it! I ate a peanut butter cookie. It was big, sweet, and soft. Delicious. I am going to turn on the TV, put on my pajamas, and go to sleep early so I can wake up to another beautiful day here in paradise to have to do this hectic schedule again tomorrow. I really do hate my life  ha ha. Just kidding. Signing off from my room in paradise.

Love, hugs, and smiles.

Day 3

Well, I went to bed early last night and woke up naturally at about 6:30 this morning. I lay in bed watching BBC news, Oprah, and the cooking channel. It is a pleasure to watch these show as back home in Japan I do not have this such luxury of watching English channels in my apartment. I suppose I get order satellite TV but in the end of it all it is just TV. Anyway, I relaxed for a long while before going to the gym for a nice 35 minute workout. I grabbed my iPod and was off to the treadmill that over looked the beautiful pool area. The workout was just what I needed to jump start my day. After my workout I went back to my room to take a nice, hot shower and go enjoy breakfast.

I walked down to breakfast as I did yesterday. I enjoyed an omelet with all the fixings imaginable. I also enjoyed tea, fruits, and the array of gorgeous foods they had out on the breakfast buffet. After breakfast I decided I needed a small nap before hitting the beach. I napped until 11:30 then hauled my butt up, put on my black bikini, and was off across the street to endless welcoming of the guards and turquoise waves. I sat on a chair. Read my book. Shut my eyes. I enjoyed the sun for a mere 20 minutes before it began to rain.

As it began to rain, I was walking out of the water. This is where I met the first of a few interesting characters that I met along my journey in Thailand. A lady with leather dark skin and a white bikini smiled and said hello. Her name is Jan. Jan from England. We began to chit chat, as women do, and gathered our belongings as one of the big storms was starting to come in. I decided it was time for lunch and a drink under the patio. I took my book and thought I would see where the day would take me.

I saw Jan inside under the patio. My intentions were to sit across from her at the table beside her until she invited me to have a seat with her for lunch. Seeing as was just the two of us in this dimly lit restaurant I decided this could be a fun opportunity, so why not?

Jan ordered the fried rice with pork. She said to me, “I’m going to be bad. I never do this. I am going to order a Gin and Tonic.” I smiled and said, “It is raining on our party outside so I suppose we can party inside”. We laughed. I too ordered fried rice but I had mine with prawns instead. It took only but a few minutes for the Thai rice and drinks to come. The rice could not have tasted any better. Imagine Royal Thai fried rice and multiply 5 times the deliciousness and you find yourself at what I found to be the most delectable rice I’ve ever eaten. To top it off it was only about $3.

We sat there for a long time with the rain falling all around us but not on us. We could see the waves crashing violently against the ocean’s shore. The big, gray riptides have rolled in because of the dreaded monsoon season. However, this did not deter us from enjoying our afternoon. We sat and talked about everything from traveling to movies to family life and enjoying the single life. She has three daughters and is a TA for a school in England. She enjoys her summers traveling the world and this summer she came to Thailand for 6 glorious weeks. She is one of those people that because of their demeanor that you will never forget. She was a fabulous character her leathered skin and all 

After about an hour and a half of chitter chatter, we decided to go to the lou and then back out to the beautiful, white sandy beach. She opted for a massage while I was waiting my turn for a manicure. I continued to “sun” (I pretended because it was cloudy) myself until about 4:00 when it was time for me to come up under the canopy to the dear women who were doing all of my beauty treatments.

They lay down new sheets and a soft pillow upon a table top for me. They had moved up across the street under the canopies because of the rain. I enjoyed a 30 minute manicure before it was time for me to run back to the hotel, change clothes, and go into Patong to get fitted for my blazers at Mister Singh’s Tailor Shop.

At 5:00, one of the adorable drivers from Mister Singh’s Tailor Shop came to pick me up. We drove the 25 minute drive, twisting and turning around sharp turns in the road. We started at the peak of the hill and twisted around looking down and out at the spectacular views of Kamala and Patong beaches. The water was still turquoise despite the rain, I find that amazing seeing as in America or most places in the world that when it rains the water become murky.

I find myself at Mister Singh’s at about 5:30. I am taking inside and greeted by the man himself. He asks me if I want something to drink. I took a diet coke. I waited my turn for my fitting and as I was I found the most fantastic pattern. I wanted a vest made out of it. So, that I did . After my fitting for my blazers I was fitted for my vest. It did not take long and before I knew it, I was twisting and turning back up the cliffs to Surin Beach.

When I arrived back at my hotel, I needed to exchange some money from yen to baht. When I was at the counter, a gentleman told me, “hey, you know there is an exchange just around the corner”. Of course I didn’t know  otherwise, I would have gone. I had seen him in the hotel before and he asked me if I had been out to Patong. He comes to Phuket about once a month. I said no I hadn’t and he asked me if I’d like to go. I said sure.

Being a single girl and single traveler you must feel out the situation and make sure it is a safe one. We met up around 9:00 and enjoyed a drink in the lobby of the courtyard. His name is Paul. Paul from Ireland. We talked and he was telling me about his sons and his wife. So don’t worry, no shady business! He was a perfectly nice gentleman! Anyway, he asked me if I had ridden in a tuk tuk yet. I said no. We walked to the end of the street and grabbed one into Patong. It is a small, red car with open seating. It was really fun twisting and turning around the same streets that I had previously been going around in a bus.

Imagine a mini Shinjuku or Las Vegas and you have found yourself in Patong. The wild neon lights reflecting upon the rain soaked streets and many more interesting people. From foreigners to he/shes it was an interesting crowd. We walked around and enjoyed the streets people. It is a pretty seedy area you could say, but, I felt entirely safe. I was able to pet two iguanas and fold a lemur monkey. I have several pictures with the monkey. If they did not get so big, I would enjoy having one as a pet. They are absolutely adorable. He just climbed all over me  His little hands were so cute. Aaawww! I’m getting all smiley just thinking about it.

We continued to hop around looking at the various shops, bars, night clubs, gentlemen clubs, and met some other people along the way. We all stayed together and had a fantastic evening. We hopped back in a tuk tuk and I just got back a little while ago. I have a tour tomorrow of Phi Phi National Park. I am quite excited to see what is in store.

Time for sleep so I can enjoy the tour tomorrow. Good night Phuket 

Day 4

“Bring, Bring” went the phone at 7:45 A.M. I had slept through my alarm and my small, shuttle bus was waiting for me at the front of the hotel. I apologized to the other couple that was waiting in the bus. I figured this was going to be a long bus ride…

We began talking a little and were mostly sitting and observing what started out to be a crummy day with clouds and showers. We were riding along when we suddenly had to stop. Out of my window was an adorable parade of elementary school children with the occasional adult to keep everything in order. It was a parade for Ramadan, I am assuming. I had no idea that it was the “season” for Ramadan. It was an adorable parade with children happily walking down the street, waving, and smiling.

We rode in the bus for a little over an hour before we finally reached the marina. We soon were boarding our various boats and were off on our rainy island adventure. The day began pretty crummy. We were wearing our ponchos as we blasted over the choppy waves to our first island. We arrived about 10:00 and had about 45 minutes to venture around the first location. We were on Maya Island which is part of Phi Phi Island. I had met the only other English speaking person on the boat. His name is Gerry. He is also the one American I have met while being in Thailand. The entire rest of the boat was filled with bitter looking Russians. I am not sure why but a majority of the time I feel like they are never enjoying themselves! Anyway, we docked our boat and hopped out.

We were presented with a few options of being able to swim, stay on the beach, or walk back to see another cove. I wanted to do some walking because I knew that we would be able to swim later. The walk back to the other cove was amazing. I left my sandals on the boat and only brought my camera. I walked as the soft sand crumbled beneath my footsteps. It was pretty much close to magical. The scenery around me looked a bit like Jurassic Park with the huge, towering rocks with trees and sand. Just a bit further back we came upon some rocks. We had to climb over the pokey, little things then the big ones before we could climb the ladder to the top.

Once we got to the wooden ladder, we had to climb about 15 steps which were covered in rubber to protect our feet and also to prevent us from sliding. Just when I thought this could not have been worth it due to the pain of walking over the rocks, I got to the top and my breath was taken away. It was by far one of the most beautiful views I have ever witnessed. We took pictures and just enjoyed the view of the huge rocks covered with trees and moss jutting out of the crystal clear water. I stood there and realized that I was in Thailand, alone, enjoying this amazing place…

Then we had to walk back down the ladder, over the big rocks, and over the little rocks back to the smooth, white sand. The sand felt great after walking over the treacherous rocks. It was time to walk back and get on the boat for our next island adventure. Next up was the island that became famous because of the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. We boarded the boat and zipped off.

We rode for awhile when all of a sudden we were entering into this breathtakingly beautiful cove. It looked like a postcard and like one of the scenes straight out of the movie “The Beach”. The water was a crystal clear turquoise in which you could see to the bottom. The blue and yellow fish fluttered happily around our boat as we were coming into the cove. We stopped for about half an hour to jump in and enjoy the warm turquoise water.

The water was very deep so we did not have to fear anything around us. It felt great to jump off the side of the boat into the wonderfully warm water. It was quite salty as I swam around and bits of water seep into your mouth. Blahk!  Regardless, it was amazing looking up and seeing the rocks and looking out to see an old Thai fishing boat. The scene is only something I can even try to describe to you. The pictures don’t even really do it justice either but it will simply have to do. We were back on the boat and off to Monkey Island.

Monkey Island is exactly what is says. It is an island filled with small monkeys. Our tour guides gave us fruits to be able to feed the monkeys. They were a bit aggressive but come on we are people…with food! Of course they are going to be aggressive they are all fighting for our food! We stayed there about 20 minutes just long enough to feed them and get pictures. Then we were off to our destination to go snorkeling.

I am not sure where it was that we went snorkeling but it was great. The weather was only cooperating half of the day. If the sun had been out once we reached our destination for snorkeling it would have been better. But, it wasn’t and that is okay. We reached our destination and I simply could not be bothered to put on my flippers. I am not entirely a fan because they hurt my feet sometimes so I decided it would feel good to let my feet just flip through the water naturally. I grabbed my mask, slipped it over my head, and jumped in!

It was amazingly clear and the fish were all around. You could feel a few of them nibble on your toes one even bit my shoulder. It was kind of funny because it was such a small bite but you could definitely feel it. It was great to see all the coral reefs and all the various tropical fish. I had never been snorkeling in what quite so clear ever in my life. The reefs were far enough down that you did not have a fear of running into them especially since I decided to snorkel barefoot.

I snorkeled for a good thirty or forty minutes before I came back up on the boat. It was now time for lunch. We zipped over to another part of Phi Phi where we were able to eat a beautiful lunch with every type of Thai food. It was delicious. We sat out over looking the vast ocean. After lunch, I walked along the coast and climbed over some rocks. I sat down, took some pictures so that when I get stressed back in Japan or whenever in my life, I can remember that moment and how I felt.

It is an amazing feeling when you are traveling alone. I love traveling with friends and family but it is completely different when you are alone. When you are alone you are your own schedule not any one else. You can take all the time in the world to reflect on whatever it is that is going on in your life. I spend so much of my time with other people that this trip really was very rewarding. Sure, I saw people and have had conversation but in general I have chosen to spend my time alone and in silence. When you are in such a beautiful place there is no need for conversation when really it is nice to sit in silence and take in everything that is around.

After lunch it was a bit rainy so we jetted over to another island which there was a bar and a café. I enjoyed a coffee as I watched the rain fall all around me. I love rain and the sound of it when I am in a comfortable place. A place where I do not have to commute. A place exactly like where I was. I understand where we get the word paradise and how it is applied.

We enjoyed drinks and around 4:00 headed back to the marina. At this point, I was absolutely exhausted and wanted to simply take a nap. Once we got back, I had a personal sedan take me back to my hotel. The ride home took about 30 minutes. His English was quite good but I simply wasn’t in the mood to talk. At one point, I did tell him he could turn on the music. It was nice looking out over the coast and zipping around the corners of the rode back to the hotel while listening to music.

There was quite a bit of rain and about 25 minutes into our journey we ran into a small problem. What lay ahead of us was what seemed to be a scene out of national geographic. I felt like I was a in a scene in Africa or India. The streets were flooded with brown water as people carried food in their shirts and on their heads to sift through all of the water. We had to drive through this water which was knee deep on most people. I could feel the water racing under the floorboards. It was certainly an eerie feeling. We made it through just fine. Unfortunately, I only have one picture for show.

I made it back safe and sound to my hotel room. I immediately slipped into my night gown and hopped into my fluffy king size bed. I pressed the “at your service” button and asked for a wake up call at 6:00 P.M. I was starting to not feel very good so decided to sleep for about an hour. The phone call came far too soon and I just lay in bed with a horrible not in my stomach. I could not move. I lay there until 7:00 when at that point I wanted some noodles.

I went down to the MoMo2Go café to get some noodles. I got back to my room, heated them up, had one bite, was disgusted and went back to bed for an extremely deep sleep. I watched the discovery channel, Oprah, and BBC News before I fell asleep again until 8:15 this next morning…

Day 5

Today was nice and relaxing. I decided if it were rainy, I would go shopping and if it were sunny I would go to the beach. Unfortunately it was rainy. I started my day by calling in an in-room breakfast. I ordered toast, cereal, and fruit juice. I hopped in the shower and like clock work it was there in my room in twenty minutes, as promised.

I sat in my waffle material robe in my overstuffed chair and enjoyed this great breakfast since I had not been able to enjoy dinner the night before. I watched the travel channel again and switched between that, the biggest loser, and Oprah. You never really know how much you “miss” television until it is gone. I have never been one to sit in front of the television for hours but sometimes it is a nice mindless tool in which to entertain yourself or help wind down.

I then got ready for the day, as I had my last fitting for all of my clothing. Fortunately, they brought everything to me and I was able to try on everything at the hotel and tell them if size was okay or not. I am still uncertain about the shoulder pads in the blazers but I think it is no problem. I gave them the last of what I owed them and they were off. It took 15 minutes and they had everything for me this evening. I then ventured out to The Plaza Surin which is a nice boutique mall. I shopped around and found a few wonderful things to bring home. I stayed about two hours before venturing back towards the hotel.

On my way back I stumbled across the Lemongrass House which is a store that sells amazing spa products. I tested almost everything in the store before decided on what I really wanted to bring back to Japan with me. I also found this beautiful white, linen shirt with the company’s logo and name in Thai. I bought it because it looks very bohemian and artsy and because I cannot read what is on the back of the shirt, it is not touristy to me  I then ventured back the shop fronts with friendly staff that welcomes me everyday. As I walked into the hotel, I was greeting with the usual greetings and one particular member asked me a quick question. She knew that my flight was not until later tomorrow night and asked if I would like to keep my room until 5:00 P.M. I was floored and kindly accepted this offer – FREE.OF.CHARGE! With a smile, I went to my room, put on my bikini, and headed to the pool.

I enjoyed happy hour by the pool and decided to catch one of the last sunsets I may be able to enjoy in Thailand. As the black clouds began to role in the sun beautifully set behind the thundering beasts. Once dark, the rain began to pour as I sat inside Catch Beach Club enjoying the pouring rain hitting the porch of the restaurant. I enjoyed a gorgeous meal of red curry lobster and salad. It was simply incredible.

I just walked back under the illuminated lanterns that guided my way gently back to the front steps of the hotel. I was, as always, helped across the street and greeted by the taxi drivers at the stand next to the hotel. I always say “Sawasdee Ka” (hello) and end at my hotel with a “Kap Khun Ka” (thank you). Thai people really are so nice. I was a little afraid as a single traveler that I was going to not be able to say that about the Thais. They really do have your best interest at hand - always smiling and greeting wanting to be genuinely nice and make a basic living. I can safely say that I would love to go back to Thailand and enjoy the company of the natives. It is a wonderful country.

Good night and talk to you tomorrow for my last day here in Thailand.

Day 6

I returned to my room last night only to realize that house keeping innocently forgot to give me a new breakfast menu to fill out and put on the door. I realized my first two mornings that going to the breakfast buffet was a bit expensive and not needed. I discovered the in-room dining and decided it was a much better experience. I could sit in the privacy of my own room and enjoy the beautifully delectable meal in my room while once again I was curled up in my waffle material robe, watching television, with my glass doors wide open to the world and I was sitting there, alone, indulging in mango and papaya on my last day in paradise – it was heavenly.

I packed my bag, changed into my bikini, and went to the beach. I got in a little bit of sun and reading before the clouds really rolled in. I could see in the near distance where the rain line was. I decided it would be a good idea to move inside and not within two minutes was it pouring rain. I sat and drank the rest of the diet coke I had ordered and then decided to order that same prawn fried rice I had ordered before. I sat there bundled up in my towel reading Confessions of a Shopaholic. My food came and I enjoyed it slowly as I enjoy every last morsel of that rice. It was then time for the last of my beauty treatments.

I went to my ladies Bang, Ko, and No (pronunciation not proper spelling). These were the ladies that have been mending and bending me all week long. I decided I was a little full from lunch and started in with a 30 minute foot massage, followed by a 30 minute back massage, ending with a wonderful pedicure. I sat under the canopy looking out over the water between the showers and the rays. After my beauty treatments I went and lounged on a chair.

Since my toes were wet, I sat in a lounge chair up on deck that over looked all of Surin beach. I lay there with my eyes closed allowing the sun to seep into my skin and into my bones. I didn’t listen to music but rather the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

They finally had to put a sign in the water warning swimmers and surfers from the dangers of the riptide. I had witnessed two kids almost drown and be whisked away by the huge waves. Lifeguards and their parents dove in the water after them. They were finally brought back into safety and the sign was placed immediately after. It was interesting to see the reaction of everyone. The parents got massages after the incident. I don’t blame them.

At 4:00, I went back to my room to shower and pack my bag. I looked around and walked the pathway one last time before I had to go back into the hotel one final time. I finished packing and called one of the sweet bell captains to come get my bags. I could have carried them myself but decided since the service was there to go ahead and take full advantage of it. I left the hotel at 5:00 to go enjoy my last hour in paradise. As the clouds were separating and the sun was setting and went to Catch one last time.

I sat on a white leather couch with a wicker base. I enjoyed a Singha beer while the sun was setting. It was glistening in the waves and created a moment of pixie dust across the surface. There was a gorgeous moon doggie (rainbow in the clouds) as the sun continued to rest against the backdrop of the clouds. I sat there, smiled, and couldn’t believe that I had just taken a week vacation, alone, to a country so foreign and different; I kind of wanted to cry at the beauty of this very moment. To see where I am in my life. It is fun. It is wonderful. It is miraculous  I love my life. I hope to keep saying this very phrase when I am on my death bed at the age of 102 

At 6:10, I had to break away and say good-bye to this wondrous place. I walked slowly back up the path for which was officially the last time I would walk. I said good-bye to the hotel staff and thanked them for their amazing hospitality, for making me feel so welcome and honestly “at home”. I got into my “cab” and was off to the airport at 6:17.

My driver apologized for being late. I laughed. He spoke wonderful English and at the end of the ride gave me his business card so I could give him a call and he would come pick me up from the airport the next time I came. I thought it was sweet. I took his card and put it in my wallet. I placed my hands in the prayer position one last time, smiled, and said “Kap Khun Ka” (thank you). I wheeled my bags into the terminal and checked my one box of spa goodies. I had a small dinner and then went through security to my gate and waited for my flight to Bangkok. This was the first of what ended up being many flights for me.

I boarded the plane and within a short while I was up in the air and then on the ground in Bangkok. I had checked my box through to Narita so I was able to grab my bags and go straight to my hotel. I was greeted by a massive rain storm when I finally made it through the terminal and to the bus. It died down enough to safely get out at the hotel but picked up again by the time I reached my room. I got ready for bed and did not think another thing of it. I hit the “dial a smile” button and ordered a wake up call for about 5:00. My flight was at 6:50 so I needed to leave the hotel no later than 5:30…

Day 7

I checked out and thought I was in the clear to race to the airport and get checked in…

Irises, Laughter, BBQ, & Beers

2009-07-13T15:30:00.000+09:00

The final day of the Iris festival was a great day. Everything went smoothly. We had several breaks and laughed all day. We greeted the last of the visitors and ate ice cream sandwiches. We casually walked the dusty sidewalks and observed what was left of the dying iris. It was rainy and then sunny then rainy again. It was a day of joyfulness and of sadness. We had the crowing of the Iris princesses. They both recieved trips to Korea =D Pretty cool. After everything was said and done we rejoiced with a fantastic BBQ under the terrace. It was pouring rain but spirits were high. Beer and food didn't stop until 9. We had a blast enjoying this last day together.

I really did learn a lot from this experience. As much as I am indeed happy to have my weekends back to myself, I will miss seeing the girls. My Japanese level went up significantly, I made really great new friends, AND I can now tie my own Yukata! I think this experience really was life changing in a really great way! I am considering doing it again next year! I saved money, made money, and had a really fantastic time!

Here are some pictures for you from that last day =D Enjoy.

Resigning The Crown

2009-07-09T14:56:00.000+09:00

As many of you know, I participated in a month and a half long Iris Festival here in Itako. Well, I am happy to say I can finally step down as princess and go back to my normal life here in Japan. The paparazzis will need to put away their cameras until next year when the princesses will come out again. Many people have asked me about next year and I will not do it again. Especially since it was a volunteer job. If there was money involved I would perhaps give it a second thought. June 27 & June 28th were the final days of the festival. Those two days were a blast - in the evenings at least!

During the days we did our typical routines. On Saturday Sapana, the Iris daughter from Nepal, had invited Aya and I over to make dinner at her house in Ushibori with her son and her husband. I went home after the festival to change clothes and meet them. We had a blast! We made homemade curry, nepalese chips, okonomiyaki, and watermelon! The most fun part was cooking and talking together. We are connected through Japanese and a little bit of English. It was great going back and forth between the languages as I normally do on a day to day basis! So here are some fun pictures for you!!

Finding Happiness in the Smallest Pleasures

2009-06-24T10:22:00.000+09:00

...however, sometimes those smallest pleasures come with a price tag and a rather large one at that!

Story:

With the iris festival in full swing, I am constantly being exposed to new things, new people, and new places. I have met a local artist in Itako. Her name is KOZU. She is a really cool, hip, groovy lady. We, the iris princesses, eat in the back of her studio during the iris festival. We have gotten to know her and her art. I, being an artist, asked her where she bought her supplies. I have been nervous because I thought I needed to go to Tokyo and if I needed to do that a) it would be very expensive and b) I would not be able to buy as much because I could not be caught DEAD driving into Tokyo.

I have become friends with KOZU over the past few weeks. She expressed that it would be fun to go together to go to her store that she knows of. Low and behold, it is a home store called Joyful Honda. There, you can find a world of art supplies for a reasonable price. A lot of money and some time later, I am now fully stocked with new art supplies so I can being my art carrier once more. It has been difficult to get started again because of several obstacles. I am sick of making excuses and now I have no excuse. My goal is to have an art show here in Japan during my stay. I hope to have an exhibit perhaps at my school, locally, or even in Tokyo. It is a realistic goal, I just have to work hard at it.

I am very pleased to say that finally after over a year of rest, I am ready to start painting again. I was sad this past year that I wasn't painting. But now that part of my life can come back to life. It is an incredible feeling that only some of you will understand. But if you are passionate about anything, you know how hard it is to put something like that on hold.

I.AM.HAPPY.

This is a quick 25 minute drawing I did using charcol and water color. I have never had the patience for watercolor so now I am going to try experimenting with it. Wish me luck! Here goes nothin' =D

Suigo no Akari ~ Festival of Lights

2009-06-24T09:46:00.000+09:00

Last Saturday after the Iris Festival was over for the day, thousands of candles were lite to illuminate the iris garden. I am not sure the meaning of the candles but there was a wedding procession. I met with my friend from Nepal, Sapana. She came with her son and her husband. We walked around and enjoyed the lights together. We shared some food and laughed with her son. It was great to see many people that saw me in my yukata during the day and then have them see me again as a "normal" person just enjoying the sites. Here are some pictures from that evening. It was very fun and I am glad I was able to spend it with Sapana, my new friend. She has invited me over to her home for dinner this Saturday - traditional Nepalise food :)

Here you are:

Dancin' in the Street

2009-06-19T14:32:00.000+09:00

...with the sun shining bright and the flowers all in sight.

Last Saturday, June 13, was a really fun and big day in Itako. John and I had invited a ton of our friends from all over Ibaraki to come and enjoy the iris festival. That day was an exceptional day for many reasons. It was a gorgeous day. The sun was bright and beautiful. Annelyse came and had stayed the night with me on Friday night. We went out of eat with John and then started making some preparations for the party. Annelyse and John were true rock stars to help out and put everything together. We arranged furniture and started making food. We made everything from guacamole to pasta salad. John came over on Saturday and helped make food while I wasn't there.

During the festival, Annelyse and I were dressed up in our yukatas. She had one from when she was here before. Osaki san helped her get into it and we paraded around the festival together greeting people and taking tons of pictures. She was able to earn a bento lunch by helping pass out brochures to the guests of Itako. It was really fun having her there! I even taught her the edo period dance and we danced together in the town's dance competition. The competition went on for three hours she was so sweet to stick around and dance for about half of the competition. We danced from 4 to 7 and then there was an awards ceremony for the best dancers/costumes!

It was just such a fantastic day to have the whole town of Itako to come out and support each other and be a part of such a big day. It was great seeing my students and have them shout my name from the side of the street while I was dancing amongst the ayame princesses. My cheeks hurt at the end of the day because I had been smiling literally all day long. My feet have definitely become accustomed to the geta. The first weekend my feet hurt so much but now I am getting used to them and don't mind them so much!

This week has been very busy and this weekend will be hopefully not so busy aside from the iris festival. 2 weekends left! Tonight I am going to a going away party for my good friend Shota. He is leaving for Jordon for two years next week. We are having a proper farewell for him tonight!

Until next time!!

The British Invasion: Lily Allen 2009 Shibuya O-East

2009-06-19T13:28:00.000+09:00

Well, a few months back (i.e. January) I was looking up who was coming to Japan - concerts that is. Low and behold I saw that the up and coming star, Lily Allen was going to grace Tokyo with her presence on June 5th, 2009. I immediately told Annelyse, as Lily is one of our favorite singers and we have known about her for some time now even though she is now just exploding. As the winter months passed, weeks became days then hours and it was fast forwarded into space to June 5th, 2009 before we even knew it!

It was a rainy Friday evening. We both left school immediately and booked it to Tokyo. We had reserved a hotel in Shinjuku because we were uncertain how long the concert would actually last. Annelyse got there before me and was able to check in for us. Shinjuku is the biggest train station in the world so it took me a minute to grab hold of my barrings and understand where I needed to be. I was running late due to Friday night traffic and the rain certainly did not help things.

I ran up into the hotel, dropped my bag off, quickly changed into my outfit and we were out the door in a taxi on our way to Shibuya O-East theater. Our taxi driver was fantastic. I do not mean driving (he was good driver too) but his English was amazing! Many people in Japan, you will find out if you visit me, are not great at speaking English. It is rare to find someone who is actually fluent in English. Our driver was provided the most entertaining cab ride. He dropped us off at the koban (police) station just outside of Shibuya eki (station). We asked where Shibuya O-East was and we were on our way darting in and out of the millions of umbrellas clouded above us. It was really an incredible site to see all the umbrellas contrasting against the neon lights of Shibuya.

Once inside, we checked in at "the list" and were on our way to listen to Lily rock out for the next hour and half. O-East is a nice little venue. It is a club on the weekends and also a music venue. It was very intimate and wonderfully set up to have not a single bad seat in the house! We walked until we found the perfect spot to see her, dance, and sing the night away. Lily Allen's lyrics are some of the most original lyrics I have ever heard. They are mind blowing, vulgar, and sweet all at once. She is an adorable girl (she is our age) and has rockin' stage presence. She really knows how to work her crowd and we just had the best time!

After the concert, we went out and enjoyed a delicious dinner at a restaurant called Elephant in Shibuya. It was an ethnic restaurant providing many different nations of foods. We ordered several dished, dug in, and went back to the hotel to rest and talk. It was an enjoyable evening despite the rain. I needed to go to bed early because I had sports day the next day...or so I thought.

I woke up and was out of the hotel by 5:50 AM to be able to catch the first bus back to Itako. In the midst of going back to Tokyo Sta. I received a call saying that Sports Day was cancelled. I took advantage of the day to rest and enjoy myself and take a mini break from the Ayame Princess...

Hinode JHS Sports Day 2009 ~ A Day Without Rain :)

2009-06-17T08:21:00.000+09:00

Every year, the tents are brought out, the field is cleaned, and the kids get mentally and physically ready to have one day of kicking butt out on the dirt. It is a day of many relay races, dance competitions, tears, fighting, and laughter. It is an intense day for everyone as everyone is competing (fighting) to be # 1.

The festival was to be held on Saturday the 6th but because of horrible weather conditions it was postponed until further notice. Well, as luck may have it, Sunday was gorgeous. We never seem to see the blue sky these days as we are well into our rainy season. The rain is tiresome but many Japanese will tell you that we are having a light rain year.

I arrived at school around 8:20. Most everyone else had been there well before that. I was not competing, I was only a cheerleader. Most teachers do not compete but rather are there to facilitate the day's activities. The day was fantastic. I often think that many of the relays that are performed here in Japan would never be allowed to happen in America due to every one filing law suites. The story is not complicated nor does it need many details. The sun felt wonderful, the bento box lunch was delicious, and helping out wherever I could was really fun! It was a great day had by all!

I was able to participated in the PTA race. A few of the kids did not have a parent, friend, or sibling there. I was able to step in and participate in the 3 legged race! I was part of blue team and we really pulled through all the way to #1! It was fun sharing the victory with team blue! After the day was over, we all pitched in and broke everything down. I went home at 5:30 and took a quick shower and met all of the teachers at a fun Izakaiya around 6:30. We enjoyed many foods and drinks. A lot of teachers were funny to say the very least. The tiring day made a lot of people drink. It was very interesting to see! =D I stayed until 10:30, called Daiko, and went home.

Sports Day 2009 @ Hinode Junior High School was one of the best days I have had while living here in Japan. It was a day of unity and I felt included and helpful - it was a wonderful feeling.

Self Portraits

2009-06-11T14:34:00.001+09:00

As you know, I am an artist and with that I tend to do things a little differently. A few afternoons one week I had fun experimenting doing some self-portraits. Here you go:

Ayame Matsuri June 2009: Life As An Iris Princess

2009-06-11T13:06:00.001+09:00

Late May and the month of June bring a beautiful and magical flare to the city of Itako. The months prior, many workers tended to the fields of the precious Ayame (iris) and created a magical concoction. In those months prior to the annual festival the mayor of Itako, Mr. Matsuda, kindly asked me to be one of the princesses of the iris festival. This is an honor and refusal is very rude and pretty much not an option. When asked to do something in Japan, it is very difficult to say no.

I gladly accepted the role as I was sitting in a karaoke room in the "Jelly Bean" restaurant with John and many hilariously intoxicated Board of Education workers. We had an enjoyable evening of singing, eating, and drinking followed with the request of my presence every weekend at the iris festival.
The months have passed since that cold, rainy night and I am now standing amongst the irises every Saturday and Sunday. A typical day for me is to wake up at 6:30 and take a shower for the pre-preparation of me becoming a princess. The next step is I meet Osaki san (below left), one of the old Itako ladies, at her English school at 7:30 and she helps me into my yukata. A yukata is a summer time kimono (see above). It is made of cotton and is light and airy. There is also another foreigner, her name is Khalilah (ka-lil-lah) and she is a new ALT from Alabama. We dress at the English school and are on our way to the festival by about 8:15. The day begins officially at 8:30.
At 8:30, all 14 of us beautiful iris princesses meet in our navy blue yukatas that have various colored iris on them and a bright yellow obe belt. I must admit we are a very beautiful batch of girls. We help each other make sure the fold of our yukatas are perfect and then we prepair for the day. We put together phamplets and walk around the ground of the iris park. We "meet and greet" the many visitors that come to our town.

We walk around in groups of three. This has made a significant difference on my Japanese. I can tell that I am improving day in and day out. I am placed in a situation where I am forced to speak Japanese. It is fun when the people from Tokyo come up because they begin to speak English to me! It is a fun experience for me. I also take the time to speak to the children for various reasons. I am sure that not all of them want to be at an iris festival, I am sure I can think of about 300 + things they'd rather be doing. I try to speak to them in English as I know a majority of this country is learning English in school. Anyway I look at it it is a great experience to learn Japanese and share the experience to Japanese people of having interactions with foreigners.
The foreigners are great and fun to meet; however, I really enjoy talking with the iris princesses. We are all about the same age and of course are doing very different things. It is with talking to them that I really want to improve my Japanese. They are really fun girls and we try on both ends of the English - Japanese spectrum and always meet in the middle of some wonderful mix of the two. It has been a fun experience over all.

Throughout the day, many different events happen. The biggest event is the irises themselves. There are over 500 different types of irises that bloom in the park. They range in color from white, purple, and yellow. Another big event is the bridal procession. Every year, many brides from across Japan want to be traditionally "sent off" on their big day. The procession begins at the top of the stairs and slowly (and I mean slowly) winds through the iris garden as she is being lead by a friend, her father, and followed by her mother. Traditional Edo period music is played during the procession. The procession ends with the bride being sent down the river in a boat to her husband waiting at the end. These are mostly real weddings but occasionally there are "fake" brides to fill the position. Also, some brides do not get married that day but rather later in the summer or fall.
Many vendors come to the area and sell the top festival foods. I enjoy Japanese festival food much more than I do America festival food. In Japan, it is so fresh and the variety is unbelievable! I always look forward to the festivals throughout the year so i can simply enjoy the food. It is difficult being the iris princess as I am not able to enjoy the festival food.
I am working from like I said 8:30 and our part in the festival does not end until 5:00. This is a volunteer job. We enjoy bento lunches and have a few snack/rest breaks. The hardest part of being in a yukata are the shoes. The geta are traditional wooden sandals. We wear the proper socks but my feet still ache at the end of it all. We are standing for a very long time after all. The event is rain or shine and yes we are outside and no there is hardly any covering to protect us from the weather. An umbrella has become my best friend through this all. I have done the festival for 2 weekends now. This past weekend I did not participate because we had a sports festival at Hinode Junior High School. I will post on that later. The festival will keep continue throughout the end of the month. This weekend, 13th, I have invited a lot of my foreign friends to come from various parts of Ibaraki and Tokyo to come partake in the fun! It should be a really good turn out :)

until next time...XO

Beijing: "The Final Stretch" May 5 - 10

2009-06-01T16:46:00.000+09:00

Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine before you sit down to read this novelette =D

The taxi that took us to the airport in Shanghai was unbelievably fast! We arrived in at the airport early for our flight! I mean, yes, that is what you are supposed to do...

Anyway, we checked in and went through customs. We sat down a little cafe near our gate and ate breakfast and wrote postcards for about an hour before we needed to board the plane. Our plane was scheduled to take off at noon and land in Beijing at 2:00 PM. We were right on time. The flight was quick and easy! Once we landed we went to baggage claim, grabbed our bags, and were nicely greeted by Annelyse's uncle, Tim and his driver. They were so kind and took the time out of their day to drive us to Jimmy's apartment. Jimmy is a really great friend of mine from Lake Forest College. I have known him since the 1st day of school! We have had many great times together and this was just the start of another great time together!

It took us a while to find his apartment as it is tucked inside a bit. But have no fear, we found it! Jimmy is currently studying Chinese at Peking University. He will be finished in July and doesn't quite know what his next step is other than completing his MBA in Chicago. We finally made it and Jimmy was awaiting our arrival. We were greeted with big hugs and kisses from Jimmy (he is French after all). It was also Jimmy's birthday! We set our stuff down and then went over to a rooftop terrace cafe to enjoy a tea, Annelyse got a salad, and Jimmy got a sandwich. We stayed for a bit and then Jimmy told us he needed to study for a while before we could go out to enjoy his birthday! Annelyse and I were totally fine with this as we wanted to go take naps!

After naps, we pulled ourselves quickly together and went down to La Bamba =D It is a Mexican restaurant near Jimmy's apartment. We met there with new friends, enjoyed Mexican food, and celebrated cinco de Mayo and Jimmy's 23rd birthday! We enjoyed fajitas and margaritas! It was fantastic considering we don't have Mexican food in Japan so it was a real treat! After dinner, we went with friends to this big open courtyard of vendors and tables. We enjoyed a drink outside, learned a new Chinese hand game, and then went to a dance club. Jimmy and his friends wanted to go so there we went! We danced, laughed, and really enjoyed ourselves! Annelyse and I always have a great time no matter what we are doing as long as we are together!!

The next day started out well! We went to Lush cafe, an incredible 24/7 cafe just literally down the street from Jimmy's apartment. Annelyse and I enjoyed an hearty breakfast of veggie bagels. When I say veggie bagel that is it! It was a bagel piled high with carrots, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms (?), cheese, the WHOLE 9 YARDS! It was incredible! I also enjoyed fruit and a small pineapple juice.

After the great breakfast we grabbed our handy Starbucks map that Jimmy had given us and we set out into the big city of Beijing on our own! We hailed a cab and were off to Jingshan Park. Jingshan Park is one of the many famous land marks in Beijing. It is at the top of the Dragon Line that runs through the city. Only famous and monumental buildings can be built upon this line. We walked around the flowers and then climbed to the top of Jingshan hill. At the top of this hill one of the emperors once hanged himself. We walked around the temple, looked at the beautiful golden buddha, and had phenomenal views of the Forbidden City. Jimmy had planned the perfect route so we would literally just walk in straight lines that day. We tried to stay straight...

...it didn't always work out...

As we discovered once we were down at the bottom on Jingshan Park, crossing the street, and wandering into the depths of the Forbidden City. Well, everything started out fantastic and actual the entire day was wonderful. We entered the massive structure. We curved around and didn't go straight so this is where we encountered a few problems (we figured that out later). We ran into a sweet guy (later found out we were maybe scammed) he told us there was a student art show going on in the building next to the one we were next to so he told us to go have a look. Well, Annelyse and I love art so we headed on over. I just recently read in a magazine that you should always buy a piece of art wherever you travel because it will bring back instant moments of happiness you had while you were in that place! I think it is a fantastic idea and so my hobby as an art collector has begun! =D

When we walked in we were warmly greeted by some university students. They told us that they were here in Beijing from Xian and were on a traveling art show in China. They were saving money/making money for a trip to Switzerland with their University art class this summer. Believable or not, I was able to buy some art! It was really fun to look through the pieces of art and we were then on our way.

We walked around in a little bit of another circle, down a few alley ways, and found ourselves back at the beginning. We took a water/Popsicle break and decided to try to get out of the Forbidden City. We were unsure at how big this place really was - clearly! We then made the plan to just follow what Jimmy said and "Just walked straight" that we did and after about an hour or so we found ourselves facing the face of Mao and at the foot of Tienanmen Square. The Forbidden City was massive and fantastic. As I sometimes say in Japan and I guess what Jimmy and his friends say in China once you have seen one temple you have seen them all. In the Forbidden City right when you thought you were finished another courtyard would open up with lots of housing to open up to another massive housing courtyard that then opened into another. It was impressively massive and historical. It was fascinating walking through, we really enjoyed it. Once past the painting and opening gate of the Forbidden City we were walking under the road via a cross way and popped up at the top of Tienanmen Square. We walked and saw Tienanmen Square for a little bit and then decided we needed a break! We hailed a cab to the area of Hou Hai. Jimmy told us to end our day here...

Hou Hai is a gorgeous area of Beijing. It is very peaceful and surrounded by a man made lake, weeping willows, brilliant hot pink flowers, an oriental Starbucks, and lovely cafes. When we first entered the area we were intrigued by this adorable boutique. We went in to see what we could find. We were both still on the search for gifts for friends and family (and ourselves!) I found two things. I found this really beautiful bookmark for Aki and this absolutely fabulous necklace! It has a gold chain (not typically me) and this oh-so-cute green camera charm with a diamond as the shutter. It is so cute! I had to have it (I am wearing it as I write!). Annelyse found a wonderful piece of Jade for her mother. After our adventure into the cute boutique, Annelyse and I were a bit hungry at that point and enjoyed a pumpkin soup and diet coke/ginger ale by the water front. It was so peaceful and of course we enjoyed talking about all the many delightful things we always end up talking about. We sat and relaxed and then decided to walk around only to stop not too much further away from the cafe we were originally at!

We had passed the Cafe Buffalo on our way to the cafe we had just been at. There were fantastic views and seats at this cafe restaurant. We decided to just take our time here because we had nothing else planned and could just enjoy talking, wine, and tapas type foods. So that we did! We ordered appetizers and drinks and sat there enjoying people watching, soaking in Hou Hai, and the atmosphere around us. We spoke for three hours about everything and just enjoyed the moment. This was probably one of my favorite evenings with Annelyse. It was a true, honest talk about life. It was fantastic. While we were at dinner (backing up) we were sitting there looking out over the water and the walkway that was next to us and low and behold a couple that had been in the check-in line in Shanghai with us walked by our cafe. They were an adorable, young couple from Canada (very beautiful couple) and we called them over and talked with them for a little while. It was just so funny because the man said well hopefully we will run into each other in Beijing - AND WE DID! Just my luck!

After dinner we went back to Jimmy's apartment and relaxed. Jimmy was in the middle of finals when we arrived so he was unable to hang out with us the first two days. However, it was nice because it gave Annelyse and I time to discover the city on our own! It was time to rest up for our big day the next day - Olympic Stadium, Summer Palace, Peking University followed with a big night out on the town!

The morning began in an interesting manner. We woke up to no water! I called Jimmy and felt bad because he was about to take an exam (we were able to call Jimmy because he lent us his extra cell phone). He came home quickly and called his land lord. Annelyse and I decided we were not thaaat dirty and could handle ourselves, enjoy the day, and then come back and shower. I took a small bird bath. Jimmy has one of those water tanks you see in offices that have both cold and hot water. so I filled up a bowl and took a bird bath :) and brushed my teeth. It wasn't long until we were out adventuring around. Our first stop on our lovely Starbucks map was the 2008 Beijing Olympic stadium and water cube. We hailed a cab and were off!

Once we arrived at the stadium we had to walk over the over pass to get to the other side. We took many pictures along the way and enjoyed the walk. We discovered the tickets were a bit difficult to obtain because of location. We started on one side and then had to walk around the entire cube to get to the other side to get tickets. Once we finally got tickets we had to walk all the way back around to enter the cube. It was a bit annoying but we did it anyway! It was cool inside, kind of like the feeling you get when you are in an aquarium. I enjoyed the peaceful lighting and going to see the inside of the Olympic swimming pool. After the pool, we walked over to the Birds Nest (Olympic stadium), bought tickets, and went in. I must admit I enjoyed the outside of the stadium much more than the inside of the stadium. The outside is so magnificent with the bent metal beams twisting in and out of one another. The inside looks like a typical American Football stadium - a little disappointed but cool nonetheless!

We stayed in the Olympic area for a few hours because it is quiet spread out! After our fill of Olympic glory we set out on our next adventure to Summer Palace which is about 20 minutes by taxi from the stadium. It was a good opportunity for Annelyse and I to rest our feet and relax from the heat. Beijing is hot but it is dry so it is a comfortable heat unlike hot and humid Japan. Once we got to Summer Palace, I was starving and we were kinda cranky (I was at least) so our first mission was to get food. The problem was that our stupid taxi driver did not drop us at the Summer Palace but rather somewhere really quite far from the palace and we had to walk for what seemed ages before we found anything that remotely resembled the entrance to the Palace. Okay, back on track, so we found a little noodle shop and enjoyed cold noodles while looking out over the beautiful Summer Palace lake. We were people watching and observed this guy writing Kanji with two long sticks that had to have been filled with water and maybe a little ink. He was writing two characters at a time and would explain what they meant to the onlookers. After we finished lunch, we went and enjoyed his demonstration.

Annelyse and I strolled around and wanted to take a boat ride out on the lake. We decided we were too tired to actually pedal a pedal boat and wanted to just be taken across the lake. We walked and enjoyed the views of the architecture and then finally reached a ticket booth for the boat! We bought tickets and boarded this crazy, yellow dragon shaped boat! We were surrounded by Chinese people and it was a bit intense, we sat very close to each other and just smiled at everyone looking at us. We enjoyed the ride and the cool breeze brushing against our skin. We got off the boat and started to find the exit. It is a huge place! Once, outside we found a MARKED taxi and got in. There were a few guys outside the palace gates trying to get us to get into their unmarked cabs (I was thinking YEAH RIGHT sucker!). We were on our way back to Jimmy's to rest up a bit before we were going to meet him at Peking University so we could have a good tour of the campus.

We met Jimmy right at 4 and he took us around to some of his buildings and around this gorgeous area that has a lake and a pagoda. We walked, enjoyed, talked, took pictures, and then headed back to Jimmy's to take showers and rest up before our big night out with Jimmy.

Our night out was wonderful. We started at a place called "Let's Burger" it was the most gourmet burger shop I have ever witnessed/been able to enjoy in my life. Annelyse and I ordered these colossal burgers! They were meat, Foie gras, lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado sauce, and a shrimp on top! It was delicious and I could only eat half, the other half was saved for a lunch or a snack for the next day. After dinner, Jimmy took us to this cute Mexican Catina in this same area where we enjoyed the burgers. He ordered us the biggest margaritas I have ever consumed! I enjoyed a raspberry margarita ( a real first! ). The restaurant was beautiful with candles and an open roof looking at the stars and the big moon. Annelyse was not feeling well and decided to go home early. Jimmy and I continued on our escapade!

We got Annelyse into a cab and sent her on her way! Jimmy and I went to three more places! We went to this little hole in the wall bar called Butterfly. It was very trendy but so small. He then took me to this rooftop terrace bar/restaurant where we sat outside and enjoyed a live band and caught up on times past! It was wonderful to hang out just with Jimmy. We next moved on to The China Doll. It was a neat bar with cool lighting and music. After that it was time to go home as we were both err...pretty tired! =D

The next morning we all slept in just a bit and then had Carlos (one of Jimmy's fantastically awesome good friends) meet us! We went across town in about a 40 minute taxi to an incredible restaurant called the LAN Club. This place is phenomenal. It is full of funky art and a terrific interior designer! We had lunch here and took turns walking around this museum of a restaurant/club. I am really glad Jimmy took us there - just up his alley and mine too!

After LAN Club, we split off from the boys and went to a place called The Hutongs. The Hutongs are a very ancient place in Beijing. It is the former housing of the elite class in Beijing. The homes are all inter connected and have the same design front. A wash of grey covers the exteriors of these homes to keep with the feeling of one. There is also a contrasting red liner that borders the doors and the walls. In times past, like I said, these were homes for the elite. Today they are filled with some of the 18 million people that occupy Beijing. With the population booming, housing is becoming more scarce. We paid for a tour knowing that they were big and we were short on time. Annelyse had plans to meet with her uncle for dinner and I had plans to help get Jimmy's house party ready for his party he was hosting in the evening.

We paid about $25 for an hour tour + guide of the Hutongs. We enjoyed a rickshaw ride through the narrow, pathed and unpathed alley ways, we saw the daily life of the people living in the Hutongs. We made many stops along the way. We even visited with a woman living in the Hutongs. We were invited into her home to speak with her and enjoy her home. Her husband is an artist so we were able to admire his works. Since I was holding in my mind what I had said about collecting art, I decided to buy one of his pieces. It is a simple ink drawing of a man meditating under the stars. I really just related to this and was very much at peace with this painting. I knew that if I did not buy it I would regret it. It was my favorite thing I bought in Beijing. The tour continued and we became as acquainted with the area as one can only having one hour. It was a peaceful journey and we learned a lot. We stopped and took pictures along the way as the Hutongs/Hou Hai area have many great photo ops. Our tour came to a wonderful end and it was time to hail a cab and get the heck back to Jimmy's!

Annelyse quickly got ready because it took awhile with traffic to get back to Jimmy's place. I took a nap, then took my time getting ready and then Marie (another one of Jimmy's great friends) came over to help with the preparations of the party. Marie and Carlos were my favorite of Jimmy's friends! Marie is from France and Carlos is from Chile. It is fun making such international friends! We were having a Mexican Themed Party! Then people started coming over about 8:30 - 9:00 for the party to begin. Annelyse came back about 10:30 and had had a great evening with her Uncle! They enjoyed Korean BBQ! She came back in the midst of the party, it was fun! I had told myself not to go out but I had met a very cute French guy amongst all the frenchies (Marie & Jimmy too!) and was easily convinced to go out to a dance club. We danced and had such a blast! I did not get home until the sun had come up. We were dancing, smiling, laughing, singing...it was fantastic. I began to regret it only when I had to wake up 2 hours later!

Annelyse came into my room and I was dead to the world asleep and she took a shower and came back in to wake me up. She got a phone call from her uncle tell her that he was going to be at our apartment in 15 minutes. 1-5 M-I-N-U-T-E-S!!!! AAAAA! So I had to fly out of bed take the world's fastest shower, get dressed, and go down stairs! WOOOHA! But we made it and were on our way to guess where: THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA! Annelyse and her uncle had arranged the trip the night before when they were together at his hotel/apartment. We had a personal tour guide and bus shuttle to The Great Wall. We went to a section of the wall called Mutinayu. It is about an hour and a half outside of Beijing. We all slept on the way out there and then tried to wake up just a bit once we arrived. The area was breath taking (literally - ha ha). Our tour guide helped us get tickets and on the cable car we went! We actual rode in the very car that Bill Clinton rode in 1998. Kinda cool! Better him then BUSH! hee hee.

Once we got to the top, we had a talk about how there was an easy way to walk and a difficult way to walk. Our tour guide had more faith in us than I think she should have had and said we should take the difficult route. So, we were off! Tim, Annelyse's uncle, needed to stop and he told us to carry on. We figured we had done Fuji so how hard could this be..right?! RIGHT!? So we were walking and walking for about 45 minutes when we finally got to the VERY HIGH STEEP part of the wall. We looked at each other said oh my (@&*$%&#) how are we going to do this?! We DID FUJI! So we huffed and puffed up. It wasn't until we got to the VERY VERY VERY STEEEEEP stairs that we really had a struggle. Lesson learned: NEVER, and I mean never, climb The GREAT WALL on 2 hours of sleep!! :) Looking back, it was worht the fun but good lord at that time it was insane! We made it to the top and it was victorious!! I felt we had accomplished a lot! It was fantastic! We climbed back down (that was the easy part) and met Tim and the tour guide to go back into Beijing for a lunch at the hotel.

We went to an Italian restaurant in the hotel complex and enjoyed salad and pizza. It was really tastey pizza which is a rarity now that I live in Japan! We don't get the opportunity to eat really good pizza. We took an hour break and then met our tour guide again for 3 hour tour of the HUTONGs. Annelyse and I laughed because we had just done the tour the day before. This time was three hours so it was different in some regards but the exact same in others. But the nice thing is that we ended the tour with a fabulous tea ceremony. We were able to see the art of the Chinese tea ceremony. It is very different then that of the Japanese. We were able to sample 4 different teas. I bought some Jasmine - it was wonderful. After we partook in this event it was time to say good-bye to our adorable guide, hannah (I love how they change their names).

We sat in traffic for a while getting back to Jimmy's apartment. Once we got back we were completely exhausted and decided to pop in a movie and relax. Jimmy was recovering from his birthday and we had a very chilled out evening. We met a few of Jimmy's friends for sushi right down the street. At this point, Annelyse and I were very homesick for Japan. I really enjoyed my time in China and would go again. However, it was time to go back. Eating Japanese food was just the cherry on top of me wanting to go back and have life return to normal. After dinner, we came home and packed up our bags. We went to bed early because we had a very early flight back to Narita. I said my good-byes to Jimmy and his friends and of course told him all the good, sappy stuff you tell people when you have to say good-bye. It was off to sleep for us and home sweet home Japan...

...the next day (our final day) was the straw that broke the camels back! First of all, we had to wake up really early. Since I was ready early, I decided to go get one of those veggie bagels for Annelyse and I to split because we were craving another one! One last one! When I got there, there were so many drunk people from the night before and their orders where in before mine. I waits over 30 minutes FOR A VEGGIE BAGEL! So, I was already in a mood. The night before, we tried finding our terminal online because apparently the two terminals are very far apart. Jimmy was pretty certain that the terminal he directed us to would be okay. Well, our taxi driver gets us there and its the wrong terminal. We had to go find the bus and go back to the other terminal which was about 15 minutes by bus. Once we finally reached the check-in desk it was a major check of our bags and then I didn't have a seat assignment! It just kept going and going with the bad streak...next I got to the gate and they told me the gate was CLOSED (what do you mean?!) and I was like ugh, I need a seat! So FINALLY, I got a seat. Annelyse was sweet and got us Starbucks and then they said you can't bring it on board - WHAT!? What nonsense is that!? THEN, we were ready for take off and going as fast as possible when suddenly our plane came to an earth shattering hault. I was scared out of my brains. I thought we were about to die. Apparently we did not have enough power to take off. We then circled for the next hour waiting to take off. Once in the air, it was one of the most turbulent rides I have ever experienced and then just then after about 5 hours of living hell we found ourselves back in the beautiful glory of Japan. Oh HOME SWEET HOME JAPAN! It was amazing. We laughed when we went through customs because we could speak Japanese again! And read again. It was just so nice to be back!

I had about an hour to kill before my bus back to Itako. So I went to LUSH, a beauty good smell store, and bought a body scrub so I could go home and take a very relaxing bath.

China was incredible. An unforgetable trip. I am so happy I was able to see Becky & Jimmy and spend the trip with Annelyse. I of course would love to share this trip with so many other people but it just isn't possible. It was the trip of a life time and I am looking forward to telling you about my other trips to come. I know that within this next year I am planning on making a trip to Korea and to Okinawa (southern island in Japan).

I can't believe I finally finished writing on this trip! I am sorry it has taken so long but now you can fully enjoy the incredible stories and experiences of Hong Kong, Shanghai, & Beijing. Now all I need to do is add some pictures!

I love you all! I miss you! Until next time...

Sha-Sha-Shanghai! May 2 - 5

2009-05-28T14:14:00.000+09:00

Annelyse and I started with a small layover just north of Hong Kong. After getting our luggage and re-checking in we found ourselves in a small cafe before our flight to Shanghai!

Before we knew it, it was time to board our plane and head on to Shanghai. The flight was pretty short. The interesting thing in China is that you get a FULL meal regardless of how long the flight. Even our little jump of a flight from Hong Kong they gave us a huge thing of crackers and bottle water - the flight was only 30 minutes!! At this point, swine flu inspections were in full swing. We were often finding ourselves delayed because of inspection officials needing to do their job.

Once in Shanghai and through baggage claim we got in line for a taxi. We both forgot to exchange money at the airport and the taxi line was moving quickly. Since we were now on mainland China, the currency changed. We hopped in the taxi and showed him we only had credit card. He was a little upset at first and we figured out between the language barrier that we could exchange Japanese Yen for RMB at the hotel - we did just that. After about a 40 minute taxi ride we found ourselves at the ever so lush Sofitel Hyland Shanghai. The hotel is located in a terrific part of town and best of all it was only $100 a night for us to share this amazing room in a 4 star hotel!

We checked-in to the hotel, gave them our passports for copying, and were on our way up to our room! We had intentions of going out since it was Saturday night but decided we needed to take naps first! Before that we decided to go downstairs to ask a few questions and make reservations for the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe and get directions to a few Jazz clubs! Then it was time for a nap...After the first attempt of waking up we decided we did not want to go out and that we had plenty of time to party in Shanghai. I said that we should go get some food and remembered seeing a Haagen Daas downstairs on the main floor of the hotel. So we both got really excited and were cracking up out of being sleep deprived and loopy! We put on jackets and went down stairs.

It was a rainy evening but quite a beautiful view with the neon lights of Shanghai glowing through the haze of the rain. We found ourselves very comfortable and quite content sharing a banana Sunday with 3 scoops of ice cream, 2 bananas, strawberries, almonds, and a little whip cream. It was heavenly and hit the spot for two tired girlies! We then decided that we should have some actual food since we had not eaten dinner yet. We walked out on the main road of Nanjing road. We were hassled by street vendors. We figured out if you say nothing - they go away! We let them stuff themselves with their fake purses and watches. That was my only gripe about Shanghai in the area of our hotel was,"ohh, pretty lady come to my shop I give you good price on watch...purse...etc."...

It was on to "subway" for us. We were tired, it was raining, and we did not feel like figuring out where other food was. We saw it, bought a 6" sub and split that for dinner - it was fantastic. We went back to the hotel and enjoyed the movie "Shallow Hale" it was a cute movie staring Gwenth Paltrow and Jack Black it was then sleepy time for us so we could enjoy our first full day in Shanghai.

The next morning we woke up, showered, watched the news on swine flu, and were out of our hotel to go explore this new city! We first stopped at Madeline's cafe down in the bottom of our hotel to enjoy croissants and then find the subway station so we could start our day. I had found a lot of information online prior to us going to Shanghai. I read up on a street that was chalk full of sweet boutiques and fantastic restaurants. We took the subway a few stops, grabbed a taxi, and were off to this oh so (apparently) cool crossing.

When we first got there we were somewhat unsure which direction to walk in. We started heading West. The area is loaded with embassy's so the roads are sweetly lined with gorgeous trees and little courtyards. Not too long after we began our adventurous walk we came across a nail salon. Annelyse and I looked at each other, started laughing, and went in for a delightful manicure and I also indulged in a polish change on my tootsies :) There was a pair of German friends sitting across from us. We spoke with them for a little while. I also savored a diet coke! Diet coke is impossible and I mean impossible to find in Japan any more. They have added stupid orange flavoring to ever stinking bottle in this country! So, it is better for me not to drink it I know but I was able to really enjoy it in China!

Anyway, after our wonderful morning/early afternoon of being pampered in the adorable, very European salon, we continued our walk down this delightful road. We hit a dead end and decided we needed to just turn around. House after house, shop after shop, we decided to enjoy a delicious Thai lunch. The restaurant was gorgeous. We ate outside near this beautiful canopy with flowers and water surrounding us in every direction. We had our own little private abyss or so it seemed. We savored so many fantastic flavors. We shared spring rolls and two different curries. We even had Thai tea! We were going to enjoy dessert but decided we had a lot more walking to do and we should get a move on.

As we strolled down this glorious, old street, we came across various street vendors. It was nice to see fruits being sold out of a cart. Well, not too much further down the street we ran into a Chocolaterie :) That had my name written all over it!! We went in for a look and came out with a custom box just for us! The lady had prepackaged boxes or we could select various flavored chocolates. It was 10 for about $10. My favorite was the grand mariner flavor - woowha it was good! We continued on down the street for a while longer, grabbed a Starbucks, and then headed on home.

The walk was marvelous, the trees, city people, alley ways, and just having Annelyse by my side was fantastic! She makes quite the travel partner! I really adore her company. A few subway stops later we found ourselves back on Nanjing Road. We headed back to the Sofitel to refresh our feet and ourselves with a nap and some chocolate and about an hour and a half later we were off to the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe!

Annelyse and I dolled ourselves up to the 9s! We wore cute dresses and decided we were going to have a great night out on the town! The evening started in a taxi and ended in a taxi with a few taxis in between! Taxis are the best means of transportation in China. They are quick and cheap! The theater was about 25 minutes away. It was a small theater. It was beautiful with red velvet seats and thick draped curtains. We waited about 20 minutes before the crazy show began.

The show was incredible! From people being thrown around, to being stacked up on each other, to spinning dishes, to jumping through hoops, to balancing acts, it was just phenomenal! After the show we walked around for a bit trying to avoid hobos and grab a cab! It took us a while but we finally went to a hotel, stood in a taxi line, and about 15 minutes later were on our way to the world trade center for a cocktail at the Park Hyatt Hotel! The views would have been amazing had the clouds not been in the way. It was still a gorgeous bar with amazing hospitality. Our cocktails were delicious cocktails entailed something along the lines of egg whites in a silver gin fizz for Annelyse and whiskey and cherries in a Mississippi something another cocktail for me - the combination of our 2 drinks set the mood for an amazingly fun night!

After cocktails it was on to yet another adventure. We went to the ever so beautiful bathroom (seriously, Park Hyatt knows how to create bathrooms) and then went through the lobby to grab another cab to the jazz club we were then going to. Annelyse and I after a while realized that we were back over by the theater where we had just come. Well, apparently our taxi driver could not find the jazz club but fortunately we had the number! The jazz club had moved from that location all the way back over by The Bund and our hotel area. A little annoying but WELL worth the mix up! Annelyse and I are so easy going that it really doesn't matter where we are going.

We finally made it to the House of Jazz & Blues where we spent the rest of this incredible night together! We ordered a few items for dinner. We each had pumpkin soup and for our main entree we split the lasagna! We sat center stage at the Jazz club. We were both in heaven. We are both big fans of Jazz music so this was really fun for us! The artists were mostly from America and there was one guy from Japan. It was a jam band type session and different artists kept cycling in and out of sets. Well, me being me, I got up and asked one of the guys that was not playing at the time if Annelyse could get up and sing on stage. Low and behold she closed out the night with the band singing, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It was a perfect ending to our amazing day! I have the song on video but think its too big to upload on to here. We finally made it home after some great wine and good music!! It was good night for us and on to temples in the morning.

In the morning, we started out a little slow and a little broken as we were having a little difficulty figuring out the subway system. But we finally got back on track! We started our day at a very famous temple in Shanghai called Longhua Temple. It is about 1,700 years old. We enjoyed the pagoda, the temple, all the small rooms within the temple, and saw some Buddhist monks hard at work. It was interesting for me to see people praying. This is a new experience for me to witness Buddhism and the rituals that go along with it. I also enjoy Chinese architecture with the extreme roof tops and beautiful colors.

After Longhua temple, it was on to the Jade temple for us! At the Jade Buddha temple we experienced a bit of haggling but I ignored it as best as I could. We went in and enjoyed the Buddha. I was very offended by a German at this site so I am trying to block this part of the day out of my mind as best as possible. I personally enjoyed the red lanterns against the yellow painted walls with the dark wood lining - it was striking. I also enjoyed seeing the monks in their traditional, ornate garb - it was beautiful.

After the Jade Buddha temple, it was on to Yu Garden and Bazaar. We had not had lunch yet and it was nearing 3 o'clock but I was just really in a bad mood after the Jade Buddha temple. Once we reached Yu Garden we walked around for a place to eat. We found a dim sum place and enjoyed a cheap lunch there followed by a frappacino to brighten myself up! It was then heading into the "bazaar", a fascinating market place in Shanghai. The architecture was just beautiful there. Red buildings and strong, striking rooftops surrounded by canals of water - just gorgeous.

Annelyse and I had a great time bargaining through the market place. I made out like a bandit! I bought several things for myself, my family, and of course omiagye for teachers/friends back in Japan! After we finished at the Yu Bazaar it was time to head back to the hotel for a nice little rest before another incredible night out in Shanghai!

We dressed up one more night. This time we were headed for The Bund for a dinner reservation at the New Heights restaurant out on their patio. We wore dark jeans and cute tops :) We enjoyed spectacular views of Shanghai at night - it was a breath taking view over The Bund, the harbor, and the TV tower. We enjoyed duck spring rolls (YUM) and a delicious seafood, glass noodle, curry type dish. The restaurant was very chic and we sat under tall heaters and took in what was all around us. We sat and talked for a long time as we seem to do :) We are just so excellent at keep each other company!

After dinner we went downstairs and across the street to Glamour Bar at M on The Bund! We had such a blast at this little lounge bar! We ordered wine and gin & tonics (our staples) and took in this adorable little bar. At one point we both had our boogie shoes on and felt like dancing, so we did! hee hee! We stayed and people watched and observed the "interestingness" of this bar. The bar counter and above was entirely made of mirrors. There were tons of interesting angles! After dinner and the bar we headed over to Rouge bar which was on our way home. We did not have a drink there but just admired the views. The neatest part was the walk up to the bar once inside the building. There was a spiral staircase that had a bike statue that consisted of bikes interwoven with one another - pretty cool!

Then it was time to wrap things up...we needed to go back to Sofitel and get our beauty rest as it was time to pack up and head out to Beijing!

Shanghai was amazing and now that I am back in Japan talking about it, I would go again. When I was in China I wasn't sure if I'd go back again. I of course have many other places I need to go first BUT I would go back to Shanghai...

Next up - Beijing!

Here We Go! Golden Week 2009 ~ Hong Kong: April 29 - May 2nd =D

2009-05-24T19:57:00.000+09:00

Bare with me as this will take me some time to fully explain the entire trip. I will update then update again and then probably update again. I have been extremely busy these past two weeks since being back in Japan. We have now started the beginning of the Ayame (Iris) festival and I am very busy with that along with school, Japanese class, and Ikebana.

Okay now that that is finished I can begin =D

Annelyse and I met at the airport around 4:30 on Wednesday April 29th. We had been excitedly awaiting this trip for so long and the day was finally here and ours! We killed a bit of time at the airport by exchanging Japanese Yen to Hong Kong Dollars. We also went to the book store and indulged in some Starbucks! Starbucks is a delicacy for us as it is a treat because we don't have it at our finger tips like we do back in the states. I like that because it saves me money and calories! After doing a few things at Narita it was time to sit at the gate and get ready to board! We were disappointed as we were not sitting next to each other on the plane :( Because of the swine flu they had to put the flight to a halt for an hour - ugh. After an hour we finally took off around 7:30. The flight was four hours long and we were able to enjoy our special meals as we had checked the box on the Internet check-out page for our reservation that we wanted low salt meals :). I watched the movie "Doubt". My dad had told me what a great flick it was. So, I decided to check it out - it was fantastic! Having gone to an all girls Catholic school it brought back memories but also brought about the issue of priests and the speculations of little boys. It was very well done and Meryl Strep was good as always.

*Four hours later* Annelyse and I found ourselves in Hong Kong! Becky, a good friend from Lake Forest, met us at the airport. However, she was not there when we immediately got off the plane. Luckily, the couple that was sitting next to me on the plane saw us and asked if we needed to borrow their cell phone. Fortunately, we were able to get a hold of Becky and she was about 5 minutes away! We bought tickets to go into the Wanchai area of Hong Kong. It took about half an hour I'd say to get to her area of town. We then took a really cheap taxi cab to her apartment. It is unbelievable to see how cheap taxis are and all transportation for that matter!

After arriving at Becky's apartment, we waited a few minutes before going upstairs because we needed to give them our passport to copy so they knew we were with Becky. Becky's flat, I should say, is incredible. It is paid for by her law firm :) Since Hong Kong was once a territory of England her apartment has very much the feel of a flat in London. It is a fully furnished apartment with the works! I was expecting a so so apartment but was sure wrong! :) After setting our bags down, Becky gave us a tour of the complex and took us upstairs to the outdoor terrace to give us a great view of Hong Kong at night. She pointed out some good restaurants, the train station, Victoria Peak, and gave us good directions and advice to get around the city.
We went back downstairs and chatted until about 3:30 in the morning. Keep in mind that we did not even land until about 11:00 -11:30.

On Thursday, Becky had work and Annelyse and I slept in until about 9:00, I think (this is now about a month ago and I am recalling what I can!). We took showers and made ourselves cute as we were venturing into a new city! We left around 11 and went to The Flying Pan, a restaurant that Becky recommended for good western style food. Annelyse and I walked over, about 5 minutes from Becky's apartment, and enjoyed this delicious restaurant. We split an eggs Benedict, juices, fruit, and coffee. It was a fantastic way to jump start our day and our trip. I must say that Annelyse really is the ultimate travel buddy. She is so even tempered and just goes with the flow of things. We work really well together. I am going to miss her because it is so hard to find people that you FULLY click with.

After an hour or so we were on the road again, walking :) We headed towards the harbor so we could cross over into Kowloon via the ferry. We, of course, had our Starbucks fix. We each tried an steamed almond soy milk latte. It was interesting :). We arrived at the ferry after walking for a bit and bought tickets. So cheap! It was only 2.30 Hong Kong Dollars which is not even 50 cents to travel across the way.

Once we arrived we asked for directions to the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery. On our way, we were distracted...We walked into this little mall and found all sorts of ivory! It was really interesting to see the intricate detail of the ivory from the carving to the detail of ivory painting. We stayed in there for a while because it was like a mini museum of ivory. After that lovely distraction we were off to the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery via the train. Once again so cheap! :) After about 30 minutes we were at the Monastery. It is to be found on top of one of the beautiful hills surrounding Hong Kong. Annelyse took a cab to the Monastery because the station master said it was a 15 minute walk, we did not know where we were going, taxis are cheap, and we were some what short on time!

...30 seconds later we were at the Monastery. Okay like a minute, literally! It was so funny. The cab driver gave us the funniest look like you stupid foreigners its right there! But we didn't know and the cab only cost us $2! We took pictures all the way up to the top of the hill. Buddha was certainly happy! It was really neat to see all the different faces of Buddha :) We definitely had some fun with them. We were naming them all the way up and down. We even took our picture with a few of them! We stayed about an hour before we needed to head back down and take a train back to the Kowloon stop to go back over to Wanchai to meet Becky!

We took a cab from the harbor over to Becky's work. Hong Kong by taxi is fun! It is a great way to see the city for a great price! Hong Kong is chalk full of designer duds, lush accommodations, and gorgeous high rises! Traffic was pretty bad over to Becky's office. Here is when I want to tell you about Becky and her job. Becky and I had mutual friend at LFC and became friends when I was a freshman and she was a junior :) We were both really good friends with the Delta Chi boys at LFC. After she graduated from LFC she began working with Meyer Brown Law Firm in Chicago. Last year she was offered the same position in HK for 6 months and so she took it! She has been in Hong Kong since January and has really loved the change! She has the opportunity to extend her contract but I am not sure whether she will do that or not. SOOO....

We finally reached her building and met her co-workers! We went out for a fantastic 8 course + extra meal at the Peking Garden restaurant. It was by far our most expensive meal the entire trip and rightly so! We enjoyed all sorts of traditional Chinese food and even Peking Duck and Beggar's chicken! Beggar's chicken is a old tradition dating way back to...who knows when :) ANYWAY, it is wrapped in lotus leaves, dipped in mud and then baked! It is the most delicious chicken I think I have ever eaten. It was so tender and savory! :) It was fantastic!

After our very long, delicious dinner it was time to take the trolley up to an adorable lounge called Sparks! :) Hong Kong is very hilly :) The are we went to was built up on a hill. It was like stairs. There would be an opening then a road then go up further then an opening with another road. It was so quaint! We enjoyed delicious champagne cocktails, talked for a few hours, and enjoyed great company! It was another really late night but fortunately we slept in just a bit and Friday was a holiday for Hong Kong so Becky was luckily able to hang out with us all day long!! :)

Friday was quite the adventure again! We started the morning with showers and egg tarts! Egg tarts are officially my new savory/sweet treat! It is a pastry shell with a custard egg filling - amazing! Thank goodness we were walking all over the place! After the little savory treat it was on to The Flying Pan once more! :) I enjoyed eggs rancheros :) Something I definitely can not get in Japan! or well not as easily as I was able to get in Hong Kong!

It was time for our adventure up Victoria Peak! We stood in line and bought tickets to take the train up to the top of Victoria Peak. WOW! What a fantastic time we had! We started the day at Madame Tussuad's Wax Museum. Becky had never been and Annelyse went last summer in D.C. I had made my way to a the wax museum in New York when I was a senior in high school! We had an absolutely blast taking pictures with the stars and playing dress up! We came to this one dancer and there was a room to put on tutus. I decided to wear the bright pink tutu through the entire exhibit! We took pictures with people like Brad and Angelina, Sumo Wrestlers, Tiger Woods, Obama, The Royal Family, Hitler, Picasso, Rembrandt, and my personal favorite, me punching George Bush in the face :) It was a nice feeling! We spent so much time in there just joking around and having fun! We even went through the SCREAM haunted house. It was really scary! We had to hold on to each other's shoulders because people and objects would jump out at us and they didn't want us grabbing at the people that jumped out at us! We were laughing and screaming the entire time! When we exited, David Beckham was standing there (in his sexy wax self) and I went in for a hug! hee hee. We finished the museum and bought a few pictures for fun!

It was then up to the observation deck! The day could not have been more beautiful! The wind was fantastic and the sun was out and bright! We had such a fun time with Becky! THANK YOU BECKY for showing us such a great time on Friday (this was only the afternoon and I am not even done!) After the museum and the peak we enjoyed ice cream in waffle cones, bought drinks, and were headed back down the mountain! I am really glad we were able to see the mountain! Once we were down off the mountain Becky took us to this really beautiful part of Hong Kong. It was probably my favorite part of Hong Kong because the views reminded me of Greece.

We took a bus over to Stanley Market area. The bus winded in and out and around the hills. There were mansions and gorgeous views of the water below. The sun was kissing the waves as the sun was beginning to set over the island of Hong Kong. Stanley has a really fantastic market and great restaurants! Once we arrived we started walking through the market place :) I made my first attempts at bargaining at this cute little silk shop where Annelyse decided to try on a traditional, silk dress :) which she ended up buying and I am so glad she did! I had been seeing silk robes around the day before and earlier in the day on Friday. I decided I wanted one and therefore looked in this little shop! I saw it and it was mine! It is a royal blue silk with gorgeous flowers and a peacock - pictures to come! I bargained down just a little bit. I felt a little strange doing it but it worked! :) Since I asked they just gave the price to Annelyse. So I ended up buying a gorgeous silk robe for $25!!! I am sure I still got ripped off but in America that robe would cost a ton! along with Annelye's dress!!

We continued to walk around the market and then walked along the water front. The sun had almost fully set when we walked out of the market place. We decided we needed to figure out dinner because it was almost 7:00 and we needed to back up time, etc. in terms of going back and going out with Becky to Felix Bar at the Peninsula Hotel. We found an adorable Western/Asian Fusion restaurant on the water front. I along with Becky enjoyed an incredible curry meal. Annelyse ordered the set menu with all sorts of goodies! The windows were open, a cool air creeped its way in, we had fantastic conversation, and a great time all together. Stanley market is a must go if you ever go to Hong Kong! I am glad that we had Becky because we would have definitely not gone to this keep sake because we would have not know about it!

After dinner we worked our way back up to the bus. After our very windy trip back to Wanchai it was time to get ready to go out and wake Annelyse up! It took a tiny bit of convincing but not much because I am really over getting people to go out. If you want to go you will go, if not you won't! It's that simple and not worth my energy of getting you to come or not! We'd love to have you but its your choice in the end of it all! In the end, after hardly any convincing we went out to the Felix Bar. Now, John had told me this bar was a must go! The bar was nice but not the best. He said the bathrooms were incredible. However, they are different from the girls. He didn't know that but based on his description and what I experienced they are most definitely different! It was still fun to go to the #1 bar in Hong Kong! After we enjoyed our cocktails we went back to Wanchai and walked around in "college" central. It seemed like a row of bars you'd find in a college town. We each had one more drink and then called it a day! Back to Becky's place we went to then sleep and wake up to a new experience!

On Saturday morning, we packed and took our stuff to this really neat check in service. It is a service in the center of town that takes your luggage for you to the airport. It is a real check-in counter just doesn't have the plane there. It is so you do not have to lug your baggage everywhere. Once we had our luggage squared away it was off to a breakfast/brunch/lunch of dim sum. Dim sum is a traditional Chinese way of eating. Dim sum consists of different entrees that are served on carts that come around the restaurant. The ladies offer different things from rice, to soup, to chicken, to pork, and little dough stuffed pastries filled with meat! It was a really fun experience and so China! It was my first time with anything like this. Annelyse had experineced this before back in the states. It was an fantastic way to finish our time in Hong Kong with Becky.

I'd definitely go back to Hong Kong especially since you do not need a visa! :) It was then off to the airport via the train and on our way to our next CRAZY adventure in Shanghai! Shanghai we were on our own :) I have another university friend in Shanghai but things did not work out to see him.

Stay tuned, Shanghai is up next!!

Tokyo: 3 weeks in a row! Now, its time to say "good-bye" and say "Hello, CHINA!"

2009-04-28T11:26:00.000+09:00

Last week was a nice week :)

I will start with last Thursday. After school, I enjoyed going to Art Club with the four students that makeup art club! We were goofing around in the hallway and also in the art room! My "stained glass" was ready and we played with it (pictures below). I stayed until 4:30 and then went to the pool for a swim. Below are Ayano, Yoshie, Kenta, Tsukasa, & me! ...above
down low...

Hinode Art Room!

Playing with my stained glass. Ayano about to eat it as Yoshie and Tsukasa look on in amusement! Ha Ha!

Kenta calling someone because I'm about to eat the cupcake on my nose!

After my swim, I ended up with a bit of a party at my house! I had John, Andrew, Erin, Zac, and Hitomi over to my home. Zac and Hitomi are new characters in my blog in this story of my life. Zac lives up north in Hitachi and Hitomi lives in Choshi which is an hour south of me! So, they are far apart but everyone came to my house, we went to the grocery store, and then cooked a huge feast!

Meat balls that Hitomi and Erin mixed together!

Hitomi and I from Zac's perspective - WOW we are short! or rather WOW he is tall!!!

I offered Zac my pink apron :) lookin' good. Ha ha.

Angelic - I think not!

Chow time!!!

Zac made two different pasta sauces and pasta. We enjoyed funfetti cake too! I had bought a box when I went home and we had that for dessert. Hitomi and Andrew helped Erin and I finish the last of our JET Japanese tests. Test # 6 is finished for the most part and I will send it in this afternoon!!! I will now have a completion of beginning Japanese and receive a certificate that I can slap on my resume - nice!

I had company until about midnight and then went to sleep!

Friday, was a decent day had four classes and then the afternoon free. I had ikebana in the afternoon and had to rush my lesson just a bit because I had an enkai.

My 7th Ikebana lesson!

The enkai was with my Board of Education. There were over 50 people there. Speeches were made and awards were awarded (John & I = clueless). We just smiled and then the kampai came! Kampai = cheers in Japanese. After the kampai, we began eating. Many people came around and poured us drinks and chatted with us. This is customary of enkais. We were sitting on the ground with delicious food in front of us. We talked and laughed for a good 3 hours...

all the food lined up ready to eat...but first we must have several speeches, awards, and a kampai!

Our new supervisor! Mr. Ikeda :)

Our old supervisor - Mr. Yamada

Itako Buds!!

Shin & John. Shin's English is quite good!

...it was then off to the 2nd party. I had not yet been to a "2nd" party after an enkai. I joined several Japanese people connected to the Board of Education and we went to karaoke. I had a blast! We were singing and drinking red wine. It was the most Japanese I have spoken since living here. I love John but it was nice not having him there because I had to really speak Japanese - or try anyway. I was there until about 12:00 and then I got a taxi with my supervisor back to my apartment and then he went on to his home. It was such a fun experience other than I had to wake up at 7:00 for school...ugh.

Board of Education members!

Haruko, Me, & Shin!! Karaoke!

On Saturday, we had PTA here at school. I had to come in after a night of mayhem (ha ha ha) and teach four classes - it was rough. Then in the afternoon I had to sit in a meeting for an hour and a half not understanding a single thing that was being discussed. So, needless to say Saturday was a rough day at school.

Saturday after school, I went home quickly, changed clothes, and was off to Tokyo for the evening. I had found this really cute restaurant online and wanted to know if Annelyse and Chika wanted to join me! So we met at Tiki Tiki in Shinjuku at 6:00. I was running late from school and didn't make it until about 6:45. We stayed until 8:30 and enjoyed many tapas like meals along with really cute, tropical cocktails! A must go to if anyone visits me! We were also able to enjoy two different Hawaiian/Polynesian dances.

rainy day in Tokyo

Hawaiian dancers

my cute cocktail :)

Annelyse and I!!! Can't wait for CHINA!

Chika and her cute hummingbird drink!

adorable!

Polynesian Dance

The bathroom :) This place was great!

Opening

bar

After dinner, we walked around Shinjuku for a long while before I said good-bye to them and met up with other friends in Ebisu to party at UNIT in Nakameguro/Ebisu area. While I was waiting for the other crowd to meet me in Ebisu, I found this cute, chic, little bar/restaurant called Medusa across from Ebisu Sta.

Medusa - real jellyfish! How cool!!!!

Champagne

I went in to enjoy a drink before the others joined me :) I met the others about midnight and we were off to UNIT to see Hash and others DJ. I was able to get everyone in for 2500 yen as opposed to the 3500 yen. I signed us up on the guest list prior to us going.

I personally had a great time hearing various DJs. Tokyo is definitely a different type of place in terms of clubbing. It is way different then the western world. It is a nice difference, just different. I enjoyed watching Hash DJ and seeing the others too. Half of our group wasn't too happy and decided to leave which was totally fine. I respect that others like different things and to be honest it was just fine. I had a blast with Cat, Adam, and Rene. They are fellow Ibaraki JETs. We danced until day break and had breakfast before heading off in our various directions.

Hash DJing the night away!

Cat and I!

Dawn has broken but we aren't done yet!! Red Bar then Breakfast!

Rene at Red Bar

Wow, we were up all night! Crazy kids we are!!! Enjoying a small breakfast at dare I say McDonalds - I actually dispise the place!

Being in Tokyo is really fun for me. I am really beginning to sort things out above ground as well as underground. I enjoy being able to walk place to place as opposed to taking the train. Taking cabs is good because I can see how to get place to place above ground. I am still loving Tokyo more and more.

I am glad to be making friends in Tokyo because it gives me more options for hanging out. With JET its about half and half with who all goes to Tokyo and who doesn't. I am trying to be more open with meeting people and accepting of others - honestly, its just really hard. I am very happy with the few very good friends I have made.

With that said, I am getting sad about Annelyse leaving (sorry Annelyse, I know your reading thing). I absolutely love this girl and know we will be friends forever. She really gets me and I really get her. We make great travel buddies and are great companions. I hope that in 10 or 15 years time once we have families and what not that we can make plans to travel somewhere again. She is fantastic and I am really going to miss her next year. I haven't clicked with anyone quite like Annelyse here. It is a shame so I am currently on the search for her replacement :) hee hee.

So, Sunday was very nice. I made it home by about 9 AM and had a nice shower and went to sleep for about 7 hours. I enjoyed the evening by running a few errands, a bubble bath, and watching Sex and the City. I went to sleep about 1 because I actually didn't have school yesterday since I had to work on Saturday.

Right before sunset out running errands.

The karaoke bar I went to on Friday night with the BoE members!

Yesterday was quite nice. I woke up at 10:30 :) I spoke with dad and mom for a bit. They were watching Mona Lisa's smile. We spoke for about an hour - it was nice as always. Dad filled me in on this Swine Flu - interesting to say the least. Hope we are not effected, as always we will just see. After speaking with dad and mom, I got ready for the day and was off in the search of Geeta, an Indian Restaurant in Kashima. With luck and a bit of searching, I finally found it. It is truly run by Indian people and I had a nice lunch special of 3 different curries, rice, salad, and naan. It was nice to have a different type of food for a change :) After lunch, I went in search of a nice spot of beach. I found a nice spot and laid in the sun for a bit and read and listened to music for a bit. I then went driving again as when I was in search of the Indian Restaurant I found an American style restaurant. I stopped in for a shake to see what this place was all about. It is a really fun diner style restaurant. The owner was really cool. He speaks some English so it was nice to have an English/Japanese conversation. I stayed about 45 minutes and then went home for a nap and to prepare for a motorcycle ride with Andrew. Andrew and I went for a ride along the coast to Hasaki and then turned around and went for sushi at genki!!

My delicious Indian lunch!

Beaches of Kashima

Starting to get cloudy. I really wanted to take the drift wood but it was too far into the ground and I couldn't lift it :(

The American style restaurant that I found! Their menu looks great!

The gorgeous sunset yesterday. The sky looked like it was on fire!! :)

Today has been an okay day. I was awoken this morning at 6:40 AM to a pretty big earthquake. I had a few things fall but nothing major. I am still getting used to them! I was looking forward to having a majority of the day free to prepare for my vacation to China tomorrow. However, I ended up having 2 extra classes today which has given me hardly any prep time :(

I am really looking forward to the next two weeks. I will be traveling with Annelyse to China. We are first starting out in Hong Kong and staying with Becky, one of my good friends from LFC. We will have so much fun there enjoying the modern day city. We will be there April 29 - May 2nd. We will then fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai and stay from May 2nd to May 5th. I am really looking forward to Shanghai. Shanghai has many places that seem like they scream "Lauren Parker" so I am really looking forward to the French Concession and The Bund. We do not have friends in Shanghai so we will be staying at the Sofitel on Nanjing Road. We will then fly to Beijing May 5th and return to Japan on the 10th. We will be staying with my really good friend Jimmy, another LFC friend and also be visiting with Annelyse's uncle who is also living in Beijing. Jimmy's birthday is on the 5th so we will be able to help him celebrate which is really exciting!

I will be away from email and definitely this blog for the next two weeks. Be looking forward to updates on May 10th! I will post stories and pictures that day assuming I have Internet when I get home (you all know my Internet is sometimes screwy). I am really looking forward to this experience as I would have never really thought to visit China before moving to Japan. I will miss you all. Feel free to comment when and where you can! Looking forward to sharing my stories and pictures with you!

Until next time...I will love and miss you all! Hugs!!!

"Advice To My 21 [23]- YEAR-OLD SELF..."

2009-04-20T20:54:00.000+09:00

I was reading an article in the March 2009 issue of ELLE...

I liked what this woman had to say about herself now that she is 38 years old and looking back at herself when she was 21 and the advice she would have given herself...

Raffaell Barker, novelist:
'In no particular order, here are some things I wish I'd known when I was you: you will forget brilliant ideas, so write them down; you don't have to try so hard, you can take a day off sometimes and just have fun - it's allowed; Michael Van Clarke does the best haircuts in London; saying 'I'm sorry' matters; saying 'I love you' matters more; a homemade cake is a gift of love; walk tall; speak low and wear good underwear.'

Louise Wener, novelist and ex-rock star:
'Stop worrying so much. Embrace the risks. Have the courage to celebrate your mistakes. It will hardly matter which road you take, as long as you roar along it with passion and at full speed. Listen to more David Bowie: 'Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years'.

Jane Fallon, novelist and TV writer/producer:
'I wish i'd realised my life wasn't going to be over when I turned 30; that there'd still be time to achieve what I wanted; that it wasn't too late to start learning the piano or anything else. I could be proficient in just about everything now.'

Susan Ward Davies, ELLE travel editor:
'Never go to one party when you can go to three. And if you love someone, tell them. It's better to risk a moment's embarrassment than live a life of regret.'

As I sit here or stand here I am glad to gain advice and knowledge from people looking back on their lives and what they had wished they had done. Gives me the confidence to keep going forth and reaching for my dreams.

I.LOVE.MY.LIFE.

(I Sometimes Think) TOKYO Is More So My Home Than ITAKO! =D

2009-04-20T13:21:00.000+09:00

Yet another great weekend was had here in Japan!

Friday started out by me going into Tokyo. I took the day off on Friday because I needed to go get my passport from the Chinese Embassy. I arrived in Tokyo around 10:00 and headed over to Roppongi Hills where I paid an obscene amount of money for my Visa - $150, ugh. Oh well, I've decided it helps cover some nights in a hotel that I will not be spending thanks to Becky and Jimmy letting us stay in their homes!! I then had to come back to Itako for a doctors appointment at 2:00.

After my appointment, I ran around doing a few things for Friday evening. It was John and Kate's birthday on Friday and Erin's on Saturday. I bought a cake and had their names written on it! I then took it to Kaiya, the Italian/French restaurant, to have it be a surprise for everyone. I did not tell John that I was inviting others. He assumed that it would just be him and I at dinner. I had Erin and Kate meet me earlier at my home and I dropped them at the restaurant first. Then went and got John. Aki and one of the new teachers at Itako 1st joined us! So it was a nice surprise party for everyone :) We enjoyed great food and company. After dinner, Erin, Kate and I went to Karaoke in Itako. There is a BIG, BRIGHT Karaoke place that I have been a little skeptical to go but it actual was really fun! I am glad that we went. After Karaoke, we came back to my house and watched Twilight. It was then time for sleep as we were getting up early to go into TOKYO!

John and I at KAIYA

John about to enjoy his birthday dinner!
OUR AMAZING HAMBURG STEAK DINNER!!

John and his Itako 1st teachers!!
Erin, Kate, and I - BIrthday Girls!

The Birthday Cake I bought everyone! It was so delicious!!

Ta Da - YUM!

Aki and I!!!!!!!! I love Aki!!

At Karaoke in Itako after dinner!
On Saturday, Erin went ahead around 9:30. I could not be bothered to leave THHAAAT early on a Saturday morning. Kate and I took our time getting ready and ate breakfast then headed on down. I was dying to go to this little place called Daikanyama. I had read so many fantastic things about it online. It has a very European feel to it with all the various boutiques and cafes - right up my alley! Kate and I walked around and asked for directions to Cafe Michelangelo. Great cafe it was! The interior was so Europe and absolutely adorable. We enjoyed a set lunch with soup and sandwiches - they were delicious.

Cafe Michaelangelo in Daikanyama

Outside view later in the evening :) So European!
After lunch we walked around and took a look in most of the boutiques. I bought some really cute black summer sandals (good for the beach) and a sench belt. I am in the midst of finding some good accessories. One such accessory is a fedora hat - I think this will take me a while but I think they are just so cute.

Kate and I trying on fedoras in Daikanyama - lovin' them! Erin met up with us around 4:00. We decided it was time for some coffee and cake. We found a neat little cafe called Dessert Bar F. The woman runs the cafe herself and we ended up ordering the dessert course - expensive but well worth it! It consisted of a small cheese cake, a lemon tart with berries and sweet basil sauce, and a homemade chocolate chip cookie. I also decided to do the wine pairing - heaven on your tongue.

One of the three course desserts I enjoyed! Lemon tart with berries and sweet basil sauce.
One thing in my life that I have decided to do is start enjoying the small (and the big) spoils of life. I enjoy good food and good wine - so why deprive myself?! We only get one life right and if we are constantly worried about money we don't get to enjoy these sweet things. I have decided that spending a little extra to make myself blissfully happy is completely and totally 100% worth my money!
After this glorious bakery/ dessert bar we continued to shop around in the boutiques and simply enjoy what was around us. We goofed around in stores and took pictures almost everywhere as you can see below! It was a great time :)

In the midst of walking around, I saw this shop with a lady trying on wedding dresses. I loved this. As much as I complain about my friends getting married now (deep down, I am waiting for my turn but really can't wait! - mixed emotions)
I really loved this window display

Playing around in Daikanyama. This was the center of an shopping center.

...Erin...

...Then we played in the park

After shopping around both window and actual, we were off to Shibuya to meet up with Hash to go to dinner. Hash had a great place in mind but unfortunately it was closed so we enjoyed a Turkish restaurant in the basement of this same restaurant. We enjoyed humus and other delicious Mediterranean foods. I swear I could move to the Mediterranean and just be so happy.

Dinner was followed with the decision to stay up all night as apposed to coming back to Itako early or getting a hotel. We went to various lounges (3 to be exact) all in Daikanyama/Nakameguro area. The crowds in these bars are very artsy chic. These people have interesting stories on why they are in Tokyo - great stories though. It is inspiring me to continue with my art studies and simply become more artsy. It is fun :) The night was spent drinking red wine and dancing away... Charry blossoms :) The very end of them in Nakameguro.
When dawn broke we were still in the lounges, fortunately the one we were in did not have windows so we could not see how entirely bright it was outside until we came outside. We were able to leave and be back to Tokyo station by the 6:50 train. I was back at home and in bed (after a shower) and asleep by about 9. I slept until 3 and woke myself up - rather easily actually and then went to the grocery store. I bought food to make a great dinner last night. I made steak, brown rice, and caprese salad - yum mozzarella cheese!!! I was in bed around 9 and painted my nails while watching Mama Mia. I am going to watch the other half of Mama Mia tonight after dinner and perhaps watch another movie...

Hope you enjoyed my adventures from this weekend!! I know I did. I am getting more and more ideas for when people visit! It is really fun getting to know a city. I would love to move into Tokyo for a year - it would be amazing I believe. Until next time, I will be studying Japanese, eating good food, teaching English, and having an enkai on Friday night - more stories to come as always!

Tokyo Weekends Make Some of the BEST Memories

2009-04-13T13:35:00.000+09:00

On Friday after school I had an Ikebana lesson at Yamada sensei's home - per usual. I really am continuing to really enjoy her class. I am hoping to bring what I learn back with me to my cafe/boutique that I will one day have and enjoy for myself.

After Ikebana, Aki met John and I in Kashima. We went to this adorable little Italian restaurant. Aki and I had been once before back in the winter. The weather is warming up and becoming so nice. We were able to sit outside on their patio with a small heater - fantastic! I am looking forward to taking my family there and any other visitors! Great price on food :) John and I enjoyed pizzas and Aki enjoyed pasta. We then decided we had a taste for some dessert. So dessert was had by all :) Aki and I had tirimasu and John and cheese cake! After dinner, it was time to go home.

When I got home, I called my parents and my sister and then went to sleep because I had a busy weekend ahead of me!

On Saturday morning, the weather was gorgeous. Yoko came and picked me up and I had my kimono fitting for the Iris Festival. The Iris Festival will be every Saturday and Sunday of June. I am excited though because I get to keep my yukata (summer time kimono)! I would hope so seeing as it is sized just for me! :)

After the fitting, I came home and packed a small bag to go to Tokyo. I was meeting friends in Yoyogi park in Harajuku for a picnic - I had 2 groups of friends meeting in various parts of the park! I got down to Tokyo around 2 and went and checked in at my hotel. I then got to Yoyogi park around 3. We enjoyed snacks, drinks, and great conversation! :) I jumped from the first group to the second group and met new people in between.

Emily and I at Yoyogi Koen :)

Emily and I again - enjoying STRAIGHT FANTA :) STEVE!!! My new friend! We've known each other but NEVER see each other! (Steve, hope you enjoy seeing your BEAU-TI-FUL face on my PAGE!)I really enjoyed making new friends. After long conversation in the beautiful park, dusk began to set and before we knew it it was dark. I was able to enjoy going to an art opening in shibuya with these new friends! After we went to the art opening we wandered over to Great Burger - this amazing hamburger (how did you guess) restaurant was incredible. HUGE menu :) really nice selection. After dinner, we wandered over to the standing bar where we finished out the night with drinks such as oolong tea and shochu and red wine. I then wandered back to my hotel about 12:15 and went to bed around 1:00 :) It was a really fun day!

On Sunday (yesterday), I met Annelyse, Chika, and Ana (LFC friend!) in Meguro to enjoy a day of feasting together for the Easter holiday. We met around 11:30 at the station and had to wait until noon to get into the pub. We were able to enjoy roast beef, lamb, pork, veggies, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, rolls, and various gravies for the meat! It was 2,000 yen per person about $20. We also all enjoyed a drink. We sat and talked at the London Pub for a very long time.

Ana and I at the London Pub in Meguro

Me, Chika, and Annelyse enjoying Easter brunch! Ana, a fellow art major from LFC, was here in Japan visiting her old host family! She was able to break away from them and hang out with us for the day! She mentioned a nice hookah place in Shimo Kitazawa - about 4 stops west from Harajuku. We went to the little town and were uncertain as to were this place was. We asked a police man and he didn't know but some how after a little while, Chika found some land marks on a blog on her keitei (cell) and we showed it to the police man and he was able to direct us to the shisha bar :)

We ordered mint and mixed fruit hookahs to begin with. We decided the mint was too strong so we changed to chocolate mint which was a much smoother, richer flavor - very nice. It was an adorable cafe - very small and intimate! We stayed there for a few hours. After we left there we shopped around in the really cute boutiques that are in the area!
After Shimo Kitazawa we were off to Yoyogi Uehara. This place is where I was able to enjoy eggs benedict with my new friend Hash a few weeks back. This station is only 2 stops between Harajuku and Shimo Kitazawa. We went to the west park cafe and had dinner with Hash. This restaurant is a very European inspired restaurant. The prices are good and the meal portions are great! We stayed there for a while and talked some more. It was now 7:00 at this time and we decided we all needed to get back to our various towns!
Once we left and said our good-byes, I had to go back to my hotel and pick up my bag. I was then off to Tokyo station to come back to good ole Itako! I was home sweet home around 10 and in bed, lights out at 11 :)

It was really a fantastic weekend - I had a blast, but hey when do I not?! I am looking forward to helping John celebrate his birthday this weekend! I am also looking forward to the preparation of my trip to China with Annelyse! I have 16 days until I leave - yikes!, how exciting!! :)

As always, stay tuned for more of my adventures!! :)

xoxox

Sakura: Cherry Blossom Season!

2009-04-10T09:56:00.001+09:00

Well, since I have been back, the weather has just been gorgeous and the cherry blossoms are in FULL bloom! I took last weekend to rest at home and recover from jet lag. I had an enkai this week (welcome party for new teachers) and have really been killing time at work because the students do not really start class again until next Monday. I have two classes today! 3rd and 5th periods. I will be teaching 1st grade! I am very excited as I already know a majority of the new 1st graders.

Let me rewind just a bit. As you read below graduation was about a month ago for the 3rd grade students. Those students are now 1st graders in high school. We just had the end of our school year and are now starting our new school year. We have new teachers and new students! It is an exciting time for us! SO, with that said, I am at Hinode JHS now and I taught the 6th graders at Hinode Elementary. Those students are now here at Hinode JHS! I am at a complete advantage of having already met them, eaten lunch with them, and taught them. OKAY - now that that's over...

Yesterday, was the day the cherry blossoms would be at their peak. I called John after being trapped in the office all day to see if he wanted to go cherry blossom viewing. He said yes and to figure out where this park was that was high on a hill in Itako. We found out and actually it is a hill where Hokusai - famous Japanese artist - painted one of the 36 views of Fuji. It was amazing to go where he had once been - and its in my own town for Pete's sake! We walked around the park and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset! I will post pictures below from yesterday's adventures and also Wednesday Erin and I got together and viewed them at night :)

I have decided that spring is my favorite season in this country. It is really just a very happy time, gorgeous weather, great clothes, great surroundings! Everything is just nice!

This weekend I am going to Tokyo - I know you are so surprised! To enjoy a cherry blossom picnic with some of my friends in Yoyogi park in Harajuku. I am also going to try and get to Ueno and perhaps Hibiya Parks also! Sunday, for Easter, I am meeting Annelyse and friends in Meguro at the London Pub for all you can eat lamb for about $20! Ana, one of my fellow art friends from LFC, is in Japan right now visiting her host family she once stayed with. She will be joining us for brunch! I am very excited to see her!! It is nice to know you have friends around the world! She is currently a Fulbright scholar in Romania! Can't wait to see her!!

It shall certainly be an interesting Easter! This is my 2nd Easter spent out of the states. Two years ago, I was in Greece - WOW, that was quite a day! That is too long of a story :) Great times to come this weekend! Enjoy this pictures below! Happy Easter and Happy whatever to whatever you decide to celebrate this weekend and always :)

My street in Hinode :)

My street =D My taxi drivers keep taking me down this street and told me to come here during the sakura season! They are right - it is gorgeous! The trees narrow as you go further down :) They are so dainty and magical! John and I just goofying around near Itako 2nd! The sun is beginning to set in Ushibori. John and I made many adventures around Itako in various locations!

A nice statue with Sakura in the background!

The sun is setting. Japanese sunsets and sunrises really are some of the best in the world =D

I love the lanterns that illuminate the path ways once the sun has set :)

Erin and I in Chiba!

Viewing Sakura at night in Chiba! Really cool! :)

Erin and I!

*Friends*

Home Sweet Home: Japan to America and Back to Japan

2009-04-09T09:36:00.000+09:00

WOW! Long time NO UPDATE :) It has been a terrific past month.

I finished up teaching at Itako 2nd last month by March 18th :) On the 18th I was homeward bound. I left school a bit early on the 18th and was able to park my car and get a ride to the airport with a friend. It was a beautiful day and I was really excited to be going back stateside.

I arrived at the airport with plenty of time to check in and make it to my airplane. I was instantly "harassed" by the American Express counter in Narita. I started speaking Japanese to them and that made it even worse. The sales rep told me that I was really cute. Need less to say I was definitely skeezed out by this one.

After putting everything in order I was off to my gate :) The reverse culture shock, as us foreigners have been warned about, began to sink in. I saw this horribly over weight guy shoving an ice cream cone down his throat and smacking his lips in the process - GROSS! THEN, there was this girl sitting on the floor speaking to this guy that was sitting on the floor - she too was smacking but this time it was gum! I was already annoyed before I even left NARITA. HOW SAD IS THAT?! hahaha.

I then found myself comfortably on the plane to Chicago. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous. An 11 hour flight, 2 movies, and a few moments of shut eye later, I found myself in Chicago! I had a four hour lay over so my dear friend Kate came and met me at the airport and we had dinner at the Hilton! As I waited for her I went into the bathroom and got cleaned up - it was nice to change clothes, wash face, etc.

My first meal back I had a Cobb salad and spinach dip - it was marvelous! We had a great time just talking and enjoying each others company. It was then time for me to depart for NASHVILLE! It was very surreal having woken up in my bed in Japan and was falling asleep in my bed in America - funny feeling of having two homes in two entirely different countries :)

It was really great to have my family meet me in the Nashville airport - tons of love and excitement! I was surprisingly not that tired and stayed up until about 12:30 and slept all the way through until noon the next day. Some how I really ROCKED at kicking jet lag in the butt. I really didn't experience too much of it.

The next day I stayed in my pj's and watched junk day time TV - oh how I have NOT missed that. I then pulled myself together and went and had coffee with my mom at our little cafe up the street, the one where "Nicole and Keith" are often spotted. Allie, my best friend from high school, came and met us there after she finished work!

The next few days were spent catching up with friends from Nashville, eating at my favorite restaurants, getting my nails done!, going to movies, watching movies at home, shopping, sleeping, and just enjoying being at home with my family.

My first Saturday evening back was nice! I went to my favorite restaurant with my parents and kitty kat. I enjoyed a delicious Mahi Mahi with all creations of flavor surrounding this great fish. It was then out for a night with the girls. We went to this adorable wine bar called Rumors then it was off to Tabolih's for hookah :)

Sunday was spent sleeping in. In the afternoon, my family and I went to see the new Julia Roberts/Clive Owen flick. Then we enjoyed MEXICAN food after that. It was great to eat Mexican food but I guess it has been sooo long since I have actually enjoyed it that it was actually way too much food and not as satisfying as I would have hoped!

The next week I spent with my mom because she had her spring break! We had a great week together just doing what we usually do, talking, eating, drinking coffee, and shopping. We had a great time and some really good conversations. We were able to go to the factory in Franklin for chicken salad and to Starbucks in green hills for a nice afternoon spent outside talking over coffee. We also walked around Hillsboro village looking at cute shoes and jewelry in Posh, Pangaea, and Fire Finch!

I spent a few evenings in hillsboro village at Jackson's, Bosco's, and Cabana - great restaurants for long conversation and good drinks! Some of my best memories ever have come from nights spent in Hillsboro Village - a must when going through Nashville!

On Thursday, We went up to Minnesota as a family to spend the weekend with my only remaining grandparent - my Grandma Parker. The older I get, the more people I loose (naturally) and the closer I am becoming with my family. It is important for me to see the ones I love, tell them thank you for being in my life, and to tell them simply, "I love you". I feel far too many times we are unable to have a really good heartfelt good-bye with the ones we really love for whatever reason that may be.

We spent Friday at the nursing home with Grandma Parker. She was in very high spirits. She was in much better shape then I was expecting. She was very witty and smiling. She looks happy for the state that she is in. She has made friends and is supported by an extremely caring staff. It was so fun being able to sit there with Kat and talk with her. The older I get the funnier my grandma seems. I understand her humor more and more. She is wonderful.

Friday night we went to my aunt, uncle, and cousin's house in Maple Grove. We enjoyed a take out dinner courtesy of Applebee's - actually NOT BAD! I had a native fish to MN called Walleye - it was extremely good! Ben, another cousin, was so sweet to drive all the way up to MN from Des Moines. It was really great to see him! Ben is a professor at a college in Iowa. We all talked, watched basketball, and went home.

On Saturday, Kathryn stayed back to work on her graduate school applications and we took grandma out to lunch. It was a nice lunch with Mom, Dad, Ben, and Grandma. We then enjoyed some talk back at the nursing home and then it was time to say our good-byes. I am really glad we were able to spend time with her.

My trip home was purposefully to go home and see my family of course but to fly to MN to see my grandmother. You just simply don't know when someones life will end. She just turned 92 on March 17th. She looks AMAZING for 92 :) It was a great trip and we managed to skip the snow!!

The next week I spent seeing friends, having lunch with mom and friends, shopping for things to bring back to Japan, going out in the evenings with friends, getting my nails and hair done :), eating SUSHI, and just enjoying the gorgeous weather before coming back to the gorgeous weather we are currently experiencing in Japan!

On Tuesday afternoon, I had the pleasure of seeing my Great Aunt Ann. She looks amazing! She is 82 years old. We talked for 3.5 hours. It was really nice being able to sit and just talk with her. She is our southern belle aunt. She full of life and terrific stories. We really enjoyed our time with one another.

It was really great to go home. The culture shock issue really wasn't that bad. Americans and people of the world come in all shapes and sizes. However, now living in Japan it is rare to see an severely overweight person. That was difficult to see overweight, poorly dressed individuals. Oh well, what are you gonna do? I suppose just continue on with life in your own way - the way you want to live your own life and I guess I do. I was just blindsided a few times by what people decided to put on when they woke up that morning and the amount of weight they have on their bodies...ANYWAY :)

I left Thursday morning on the 2nd of April and arrived in Japan on the 3rd in the afternoon. I was worse coming back to Japan with the whole jet lag thing. I was able to watch a few good movies on the plane and slept only about 3 hours (same as going back to the US). I love getting on international flights because it means you are going somewhere exciting - well for me anyway. It was very comforting to know that I still have my home in America and I have my home here in Japan. That way, I was never having to be really sad when I left either place knowing I will go back to both at least for this next year and 4 months.

Thank you to everyone back home that I was able to see! It was great to see you all! Know that you ALL have a standing invitation to come visit me whenever you'd like! I miss you guys so much and love you tons! However, I am so glad to be back in Japan - I really am happy here - I think that reflects on my face and in my stories. I can't tell you how many times everyone at home kept saying how young I look. I suppose its because I am not stressed in Japan. I love my life, I love what I am doing, I suppose when that happens it prevents wear and tear on your body and face :)

Love you =D

Itako 2nd Graduation

2009-03-10T15:09:00.001+09:00

March 10, 2009 -

Freshly pressed uniforms, flowers all in place, a combination of tears and smiles - the day begins.

Happiness, sadness, nervousness - it's all around. Old doors close while new ones open. I have never once experienced this day in my life. Yet, I have experienced this event several times in my life. Tradition is different in Japan and therefore the coming of a graduation day is as well. We have our traditional moments in the ceremony as do the Japanese - its just different.

Today is a day of reflection, as it always is on Graduation day. I look out into the sea of black heads and realize I fit in quite well. From head to toe the boys are dressed in their black uniforms and the girls in their navy blue. The teachers are in black head to toe and I too from head to toe, am wearing a black velvet jacket, the black dress I interviewed in for JET, black hose, and patent leather black shoes...I can't forget my pearl necklace. I have conformed. I have conformed to the ideals of the Japanese. However, I still have my own flair and individuality (that I refuse to give up, just simply tame down) and therefore can't say I have completely conformed. I chose to paint my nails red - rebel. In ways I fit in and in others I am simply different for obvious reasons. From behind, many will say I look Japanese. However, the moment I turn around I am immediately separated from that potential.

The hugs and the love that is being expressed to me today is unbelievable. It is amazing to realize how wanted you are. Having the girls hug me is typical but even the boys are hugging me. The salty tears are rolling down the beautiful faces of these children. They tell me they love me. and that they will never forget me. Tell me how that is not a tear jerker...I too began to shed some tears through the smile afixed upon my freckled face.

The pure fact and need of being wanted is a hope of all humans. Being the ONE foreigner in my school makes this really come alive. When you are mixed among the rest it is difficult to sometimes stand out amongst the rest. I have made an impact on these children's lives and I will honestly never forget this day. It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining bright - and the first of many chapters of my life in Japan has come to a happy, hopeful end.

I am coming home to America next week and I certainly feel it is at an appropriate time in the year. It is the end of my first school year. I came in the middle of the year and its nice to be part of the end of this particular year. I am so glad I have chosen to stay another year. One year simply is not enough. I have invested so much time and effort into my relationships here that it would simply be a shame just to up and leave them here...

I leave you with this:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Attributed to Mark Twain, unconfirmed