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

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

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!

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

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