3/30/12

Spring has sprung!

Yesterday was our last day off EVER in Japan. It is both a relief (because we'll be in the US soon) but also a little heartbreaking. It is a beautiful, charming country that I have come to adore. Its culture, its customs, and most of all its people. And, of course, the cherry blossoms. Oh boy. This has been a dream of mine since before I found out the tour would be going to Japan, and last year I missed it due to the earthquake and our consequential trip to Michigan. Yesterday, we spent the entire day (after watching the Red Wings, of course!) walking around Ohori Park and Fukuoka Castle Ruins.
Please for give me for posting so many pictures. I am enamored with how romantic and beautiful the little pink sakura flowers are. They are just beginning to bloom, and I'm sorry to say we'll miss the full bloom, but I definitely got my fill of the glorious blossoms.
We started at Fukuoka Castle, walking toward Ohori Park.




































If you click on this picture, you can see yellow pollen on her cute nose!
























That's Fukuoka Tower in the background.












Fukuoka Castle Ruins






























Lanterns that local children painted.












This one was Sophie's favorite (this week, anyway!)























































































































































At Ohori, we stopped for the compulsory frappuccino at the park Starbucks. I had an orange brûlée one, a kind they don't have in the US. We walked around some more, regarded the (2000 at least) amazingly cute long-haired dachshunds, and Jim and Sophie wanted to go on the swan boats.













Sorry, Sophie!









































































Afterwards, we dined at the restaurant on the lake in the park and walked around some more. The sun was setting soon, so we decided to go back through the castle ruins, past the cherry blossom garden. Once dusk arrived, the lanterns were lit up as were the trees by the entrance.

This picture was graciously taken by an English-speaking man, before hearing Sophie proclaim "He has a big tummy!" Oh boy!












The many submarines -- I mean, koi.
























Notice the sunset in the background. Jim takes nice pictures!














































































The lanterns lit up.












The blossom trees were lit as well.
























Overall, it was a beautiful day filled with many wonderful memories that will last a lifetime! I can cross that off my bucket list!

3/19/12

Transitions

As our year abroad comes to a close, the transition back to living in the United States is going to be difficult. Here are a few differences I will notice once we're stateside.

1. Look left, not right, before crossing the street.
2. I'll no longer need to bow after saying thank you.
3. Tipping will no longer be considered an insult, but is required.
4. I can drive again. And get my hair cut, eyebrows waxed, nails done... We have a Prius, which is what they drive here, but the trucks are so tiny, they look like toys. Some are even purple!


















5. I don't have to go to six different stores for the things I need.
6. I can actually hand my money to the cashier; or just swipe my card myself. I don't have to put it in the little tray.












7. Baseball games will be much less exciting. Each team has their own little songs for each player and some plays even. Also, they blow up balloons and let them go.




























8. Use the entrance doors on the right, not the left. Same with walking on the sidewalks.
9. We won't be surprised when we want and get strawberry ice cream, instead of bean.
Yes, bean.














10. There will be more options than just a few shades of black/brown in the hair coloring aisle.















11. Hockey games will be on late at night, not the next morning.
12. It will take less than 5 hours to dry the clothes, because I won't have to hang up every single sock in the shower to dry.
13. Most every place is stroller-friendly.
14. I don't have to carry an Alien Registration Card (ARC) with me or have to go to the Ward Office to change our address in every city we live. On a related note, we will not need to apply and pay for re-entry permits for our passports for travel outside of Japan anymore.
15. I'll be able to buy women's shoes in my size. YAY!
16. Just a small section in grocery stores will be fish, instead of almost the whole thing. It will smell better as well. I like fish and cooking, but I don't know it well enough to know what it is without a label (or a sign in Japanese). This, on the other hand, I'll pass.


















17. Japanese people LOVE their dogs, especially long-haired dachshunds! They are EVERYWHERE!


















18. Popcorn isn't flavored with soy sauce. Bleck.

















19. Income taxes.
20. Bigger apartments, which means a bigger bed! But no heated toilet seats with lots of buttons.
21. I will miss Yoshinoya. Their beef and rice bowl is simple but delicious! Perfection.















22. We won't have the ability to see 10 random women wearing (beautiful) kimonos on the streets.


















23. I will miss the accidentally funny t-shirts and reusable bags. Like, WHAAA?!?!


















24. We won't be able to see 50 people (of all genders and ages) singing and dancing along to JPop videos on the street.
25. Japanese strawberries are the most exquisite tasting fruit I've ever had. I will miss those!












26. The nutso candy they have available, like green tea Kit Kats and Pocky!
























27. No train system, therefore no Shinkansen. It was fast and very comfortable.
28. I'll be able to bake and decorate cupcakes. I will miss my cupcake maker tho!

















29. I absolutely love the dichotomy of the traditional nestled in with the modern. Huge stainless steel skyscrapers sitting right next to wooden shrines. This is photo was taken in Shinjuku, and was not taken by me.


















30. And the biggest thing I will miss is the attention Sophie gets from the Japanese women. I've never heard the word "kawaii" (cute) more in my entire life! I can't say they blame them!


















I will truly miss this country and hope to have the opportunity to visit again!