Oh the Memories

This morning I woke up and made myself a cup of tea (my usual), but this time I had a Bagelful with it. The taste of it sent me straight back to Japan. I swear I use to eat Bagelfuls religiously every morning, before work.

I miss life in Japan.

I know!! I know!! It's been ages!!

So, you've probably been wondering what I have been up to lately and the answer is, NOTHING! I know it's been forever since I posted something, 14 days to be exact, but it's been out of pure laziness. lol! I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I suppose everyone gets that way every now and then. Nevertheless, I promise this week I will give you an overdose of post.......Stay tuned!!

What was in your lunch box?

Can you remember when you were in Elementary and your mom would make your lunch for school? Do you remember what would be in your lunch box? I can!! Most kids at my school had things like potato chips, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies, an apple, and maybe some carrots in their lunch boxes. And everything would be wrapped up in foil, cling, or zip lock bags. Do you remember? Well, here in Japan it's a little different (maybe a lot). I don't think any of the kids have seen a lunch like ours.

For Japanese, presentation is everything. The lunches our moms made us would be frowned upon. When I first started teaching here and lunchtime rolled around my jaw dropped. I was so fascinated with the kid’s lunches. All the moms put so much time and effort into preparing their kid's lunches it's unreal. Everything is so detailed! It would make anyone want to eat their lunch. You know what, just check out the pics for yourself.

Above is one of my student's lunches. Cool Right? I told you it's all about presentation!

These 2 pics I found on the web of Japanese school kids lunch. Presentation is key!!

Nothing Can Stop Me...

These past few days I have been, well, kind of sick. I lost my voice on Thursday and I was literally down to a whisper. I didn't go to work that day and tried every remedy under the sun to make it come back. However, nothing seemed to work. That is until, I remembered one of my grandma's remendies. Yep, I had some Jamaican Rum (Joncrow Batty), lemon, and honey and guess what..............IT WORKED!! I was up and running in no time lol!! Anyway, with all of that being said, I felt well enough to go out this weekend and paint the town red with my friends. GOOD TIMES!!

Pics below....









It's time to roll out... Say Cheese!My friend getting hit on outside TGI-FRIDAYAhhhh!!Click!! Click!!Smooches!! My 2 Good Friends here in Japan The journey back home on the train at 5:30a.m can we say TIRED!!

Just Had One of Those Days!

It was just one of those days for me...............

Early this morning, this guy down the street from me (Japanese guy) pissed me off!! I was quite okay up until that point. I had just left the house for work and had eaten a really good breakfast (oats and tea....yummy right?). I had also just finished watching Whitney Houston on Good Morning America. It was a good day in the making!! Then here comes this freaking guy ruining my perfectly good morning. After that my day pretty much spiraled downward. I know your probably wondering what happened, but I can't be bothered to list the events that took place nor relive them. It just wasn't a good day.

Now, when I got home from work I had a good cry, went toilet, and had some nice hot English Tea, and BBQ for dinner and now I feel tons better!!

Takosanguchi (city in Japan)

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to Takosanguchi. It was so much fun!! I had a really great time. I went to a Trick Art Museum and experienced the art of illusion like never before. I also, got to go to the very top of Mount Tako on one of Japan's steepest cable lifts. Can we say scary! Whew!!

BEER GARDEN

Beer Garden is perched on the very top of Mount Tako overlooking the valley below.

Once we made it to the top, we ate at a nice restaurant called Beer Garden, which overlooked the city. It was really nice, but unfortunately it had rained earlier and it was very misty, so we couldn't see much. Nevertheless, I got to enjoy 2 hours of all you can eat and drink (alcohol of course). We had a really great time. Pics coming soon!

Kitson in Japan?? Really?

Today, one of my kids came into class with a KITSON backpack. I asked one of the Japanese teachers if they had a Kitson store here and guess what.............THEY DO!! It just opened up! Yay!! You know what this means right? I will be heading out to Kitson's soon!! I just gotta figure out where it is first.........

A Forgotten Post....Sorry!

About a month ago, we took the kids on a weekend Summer Retreat to the country side of Japan. I can't exactly remember the name of where we were, but it was somewhere close to Mt. Fuju. I was dreading it the entire week, but when the day actually came, we all had a blast. We visited a farm, played games, watched fireworks, and ate traditional Japanese food. Oh my god, how could I forget this part................I also took a nude bath with my co-workers and boss at a Japanese Bath House (AHHHHH!!!).

Click here and check out the pics

The Skinny On Hiroshima

So, as promised down below is a link to my pics of Hiroshima, but first I want to give you a brief history lesson on the country. Where is Hiroshima?
Hiroshima is Southwest of Tokyo.

Why is Hiroshima so significant?
Hiroshima is significant in history because on August 6, 1945 it was attacked by the U.S. using a nuclear atomic bomb (nicknamed "Fat Boy"). Over 100,000 people were killed after the bomb detonated. It is only 1 of 2 cities that has ever been attacked by a nuclear weapon. This bomb is what ended the Second World War.

Why did the U.S. bomb Hirsoshima?
The U.S bombed Hiroshima for several reasons, but the two most significant reasons were....
1. To put an immediate end to WWII
2. And because on December 7th 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor killing thousands of U.S. civilians and troops. Unprepared, the U.S. abruptly entered into the Second World War.

Alright, so that is a very brief non-detailed explanation of what went down in Hiroshima.

Click here to see pics...

Only in Harajuku....

"

I went to Harajuku today, to do some unnecessary shopping and guess what I saw standing in front of me?? Yep, Harajuku girls. Check out the pics below sorry, I wasn't bold enough to take frontal pics!

For those that don't know, Harajuku girls have a very outrageous style. They often mix and match a lot of different styles using things they bought from vintage shops and very high priced designer clothing stores. It's extreme and surreal. Check it out!

And the Two Traveled Back Home by the Bullet Train All the Way to Tokyo.....THE END!

Well, sadly my trip to Hiroshima has come to an end. I had a great time! That is aside from "Alex" having something like “Swine Flu” and being bed ridden, blowing his nose, coughing, and contaminating everything in sight most of the trip!

Let’s see, I got to see the majority of what I wanted to see (Atomic-Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Shopping Center, and Peace Memorial Park) and enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. You know, there is nothing like seeing and experiencing history you have read about, it’s one of the best feelings ever.

Overall, Hiroshima was a quiet place and as expected the people were very friendly, well that is with the exception of one lady (at the museum) that nearly got cussed out, but that’s another story. Anyway, with my growling stomach, feet cold from the air on this train, hair looking a hot mess, and Alex blowing his nose, I think it’s time for me to end this post. More about my trip coming soon!!!

The Bullet Train and Life...

Today, we are on our way to Hiroshima via the Bullet Train. Now, aside from its shape, I understand why they call it the Bullet Train! Can we say fast!! You actually feel like your flying at the speed of a bullet. I can’t keep my eyes on any one object long enough to get a glimpse. Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating a little! Seriously though, it is pretty fast.

Who would have thought I would be traveling on the fastest train in the world. NOT ME!! I remember seeing and hearing about it on TV, but never thought in a million years I would be cruising on it. I can say, I am truly thankful for my experience here in Japan. I have learned so much about the country and not to mention myself. I feel as though, I am truly starting to understand the meaning of life.

This is what I know, life is like a painting and we are the artist. I also know, I'd rather live life than merely exist in it. As the artist of my life, I have complete control over what appears on my canvas and it is up to me to make it a Masterpiece!

EARTHQUAKE?? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Oh my goodness, this morning I was awoken around 5:00 to everything around me moving. I was experiencing my 2nd Earthquake within 3 days here in Japan. SCARY!!! It felt like a strong thunder shaking everything. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it felt like the longest seconds ever!

Wii BBQ

So, last weekend, Alex and I had a Wii BBQ here at the house. Yep, Wii BBQ!! I figured it would be something different and fun to do. It went really well. All 20 people I invited showed up and we had a blast. We had tons of food and tons of alcohol to party the night away. Hence, the night ended around 5a.m the next morning. I know right!! Check out the pics below.........Enjoy!

Me with my co-workers.....

What's a BBQ without Dominoes


My boss fell in love instantly..

We had a good time

The Jackson 7

I probably forgot to mention this, but my co-workers and I had been practicing for quite sometime now for our big debut. Today, we performed at one of Fuchu's biggest festivals "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5, except we had seven in our group and "Thriller" lol. Anyway, the performance went off without a hitch. Actually, I take that back, my boss was stressing waaaay too hard and pissing everyone off. However, when all was said and done, we had a great time and she eventually chilled out. Here is a snid bit of our performance and a few pics. Oh yeah, and my kids performed too....check them out also. They sang both English and Japanese songs...."You are my Sunshine" & "Konobori".

Us with M.J.... Latoya and Janet

Back stage

Our audience...

The Jackson 7

Maybe we should have been the Supremes???

Little M.J. (my boss's oldest son)

Me in my hot a$$ sweater! ARGH!! Thanks Boss!!

Okay check us out..........






The other video of THE JACKSON 7 is coming soon!!! SORRY!!

My New Fixation......Japanese Manicure pt. 2

Previously, do you remember me telling you that one of my co-workers promised to do my nails? Well, I decided to do it myself. I went out the other day and bought my own little starter kit. Well, it's not actually a "REAL"starter kit, it's MY STARTER KIT!! Anyway, I plan on doing my toes on Sunday and I promise to post pics of the outcome.

Doutour

Today, I decided to stop by one of my favorite hangout spots Doutour Gourmet Coffee Shop. Ohhh I love this place!! They have the best coffee ever!! It's better than Starbucks. However, there is a downside; it is usually always busy and noisy and often hard to find a seat.

At Doutour you will see all walks of life sipping on coffee; the young, the old, and the grumpy. Nevertheless, it's a great place to go and do some work or simply to chit chat with your friends over a nice hot or cold drink.

Expresso with marshmallows and carmel on top. My fav!!

Fun!! Fun!! Fun!!

This past weekend, I was convinced to go out on the town with my friends. So, I ended up in Shinjuku and Roppongi for the night!

First, we started our loooonnnnnnggg night out in Shinjuku (one of Japan's busiest prefectures) on the rooftop of an eighth floor building. Man, wasn't it nice!! Once we made it to the top floor, there were several restaurants aligning the rooftop of this building. The sight was spectacular. There were tons of restaurants to choose from such as; Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, and Malaysian restaurants. All of this while the moon sat right above us as we ate and listened to music.

Several Umeshu's later, we left and went to Roppongi to party the night away. I didn't get home until after 7:00 the next morning. Whew!! What a night!! (Umeshu is a Japanese drink made from unriped plums. It's sooo good! It has a sweet and sour taste.