Hot Hot Hot

It's so hot here today! My Nana is here with me and we were cleaning up my study. We had to take a few breaks and get a fan out. We even went to the beach to cool off a little. Yesterday we had to say good-bye to cottage that Nana was renting for the month. It was so nice and peaceful there. We had a great time relaxing there!
Hopefully, I can get some of my pictures from Japan up here soon. I'll try to upload them soon! ^_^

Normal Life?

Hubby and I are back to our normal life here. However, our lives are not quite like anyone else. I was supposed to be cleaning up the house, but we went out to cut our trees back. It was something that we needed to do, so I don't mind so much, but then it started to rain on us. Not just any rain, but the kind that drenches you in seconds. There was even a tornado warning for our area.
I did manage to unpack some of my stuff and put it away. Some of my things were taken by home land security, but that's ok because my video game made it without a problem. Yes, I am the proud owner of Final Fantasy XII! It has not be released in the states yet, not until October! HA HA!!!! It's totally awesome! I love it!!!! Of course it's in Japanese, but I can understand it, so no problem! It has the most amazing graphic and the story is pretty sweet so far. I'm only an hour in but tonight I'll log more hours in! HA HA!!! I'm totally a video game freak! ^_^

U-N-P-A-C-K-I-N-G

I made it home three days ago at this point, but I'm not sure what day I'm on. Jet-lag hit me pretty good, so yesterday was the first day that I didn't"t totally miss or take a nap. My flight home was ok. My first seat mate was a really nice looking young man who was Japanese. He spoke really nice English as well. Then the flight attendant told him that there was a mistake and they were sorry, but he HAD to move to business class. Oh poor him! They can't make the same mistake for me could they, OH NO!
My new seat mate had a very odd odor coming from him. It wasn't b.o., but it sure wasn't pretty either! He didn't speak one word to me the whole flight. He didn't want to let me out to use the bathroom either, but he didn't get much choice over that one. So, I sat, slept and played my sudoku puzzles.
After arriving in Dallas I had to hurry though customs to make my connecting flight. I only had an hour and customs took that whole hour. I was fine with my passport check in, but getting my bags so they could ask me what I was bringing took FOREVER! I had to just dump them at the belt to change flights and race to get to the next terminal. However, they forgot to tell me that after customs I had left the secure area, so I had to try to get back though that line. Of course my carry-on of a rice cooker caused a problem. They wanted to see everything about it, but I told them please hurry. They of course took their time. But, I did make it thought that, and started to run ( I HATE RUNNING) to the sky link to get to the right terminal. When I got to the terminal they were calling my name to make the flight. They were holding it for me, and I just kept running ( did I say how much I HATE running?) but my carry-ons weighted more than me, so to keep running wasn't going to happen. I slowed down, but kept repeating "must make gate, must make gate". People stayed FAR away from me, I know, I looked crazed. You spent 11 hours on a flight then an hour in sercuity and run for your next plane and see how good you look! I did make that flight though, crazed and unkept, but I was there!
I made it home and my mom and dad picked me up at the airport. It was great to see them, but one we arrived at the baggage claim they were already paging the rep for that airline. Not a good sign. I had made it, but my bags had not.
I finally got my bags back yesterday. Almost everything in them was there, but a few snacks that my friends sent with me didn't make it. They ripped open a few of my gifts, and the paper is not replaceable. Oh well, I made it home and so did most of my stuff. Overall, it was a great trip.

Time to Say Good-bye

Yesterday, I left Sapporo and flew back to Tokyo. In Tokyo I met with two of my college friends that I haven't seen in 5 or 6 years! We only had a little time to hang out due to the fact that I already had a ticket for the train back to Osaka. It was very sad to leave Hokkaido again, but I know that someday I will be back.
My Tokyo friends were so happy and looked so good. Both of them were doing really well and it was lucky that I could see them at all!!! They took me out for coffee and sweets because I had eaten lunch with my very good friend in Sapporo before my flight. It was nice to catch up on what they have been doing and hear about the different people that we went to college with. It was great to see them!!!
After that I boarded my train, shinkansen, bound for Osaka. I had a reserved ticket so I didn't need to worry about finding a seat. However, my seatmate was an older man who smelled really weird. He kept looking at me so odd, so I just looked out the window. My train ride was 2 and 1/2 hours. After about an hour, my seatmate suddenly spoke to me in English. "Oh, you are American?" He said... hum, yeah? Turns out he use to live in the states and taught Japanese classicas at college. He hadn't used English in over 20 years he told me. He was nice, but he still smelled weird.
In Osaka it was raining pretty bad, so I took a taxi to my friend's house. I haven't seen her in 2 years so it was nice to get together again. We ate shabu-shabu for dinner. Shab-shabu is hot oil and then you dip meat or veggies in it to cook it, kind like fondu. It was really yummy! After that I TRIED to pack my stuff. HA HA!! I think the airport might laught at how much stuff I want to bring home. Oh well, I'll get it home somehow!
In an hour and a 1/2 my taxi will come to take me to the airport. I'm sad to leave but, my hubby is at home waiting for me!!! I can't wait to see him! Then after I unpack, we will go on vacation together next month! I have no idea where we are going as he has to plan where he wants to go! ^-^

Obihiro

I'm back in Sapporo now after having a wonderful time back in Obihiro. The buildings there might have changed a little, but the people didn't! After my last post I did go to onsen with my fomer student. The next day I got up relaxed for a while and then I went to Tokachi-Shimizu to meet another student. After visiting with her for a while I was back on the train to Obihiro. In Obihiro I met with my former co-workers and some of my fomer students. It was great to see them! The one started to cry when we saw each other, which of course made me cry too! We had the best time chilling, eating, and just having a great time together. After that I went back to my student's home in Tokachi-Shimizu.
The next day, Friday, I met with my friend who use to work in the CD shop in town. She was pregnut last time I saw her, and I have only seen her little girl in pictures. So, we had lunch at a Italian resturant and then we headed off to Rokkatei for some sweets. My friend does not know English so we had to use Japanese. We were fine for most of the time, but a few times we needed to think about how to explain our ideas! My Japanese is a little rusty, but I was able to get my ideas out... well, I think I got my ideas out *-*
After our sweets we went back to her house to relax and then her daughter came home school. Her daugther is SO shy! She was pretty scared of me at frist! I did have a good time meeting her. I am the first forgien person that she has even seen, so she was a little nervous to even talk around me. Getting to know her was fun anyway! She is the cutiest little girl! After that, it was off to Tomamu!
I met with my former student at Tomamu which is a resort hotel for skiiing and swimming. LAst night we went to a dinner show to see Yosakoi (Japanese dancing). The food was great and we got to help make the deseret. Then the troupe danced for us and if when they finished we wanted to learn we could try. My student made me do it, but it was so much fun! I had a great time!!! After that, I took a shower in the biggest bathroom I have ever seen. However, the shower was the size of a coffen, and the door got stuck so I was locked in the shower!!! I tried and tried to get out, but that door was not giving in! I fianally had to suck up my pride and yell for my student to get me out!!! It was pretty embarssing, but she was good about it. She didn't know I was yelling for help at frist (in Japanese), she thought I was singing in the shower!!!!!! @-@
Today we woke up, check out of the hotel and then were off to the water park that is part of the resort. It was totally awesome!!! There was a HUGE wave pool, where I lost my toe ring, and jacuzzis! We had such a nice time. My former student didn't swim in the wave pool, but I did! I had a great time! It was so relaxing! I was jsut floating with the waves and it was so nice to just chill out. Then I took the train back to Sapporo to see my friend for one more night of fun!
We went out to dinner and to a used book store so that I could update my collection of comics. Then she made me drive her car! I use to drive her car when I lived in Obihiro so it was really fun to drive again today! Now, we are just relaxing and laughing a lot. ^-^

My 2nd Home

I left Sapporo today on the train for Obihiro. I had mixed emotions as I was riding along. My heart felt like it would expload from happiness at points and at other points I worried that my friends here would still be the same as before. The only thing that has changed here are some of the buildings. I was so overcome with happiness that I cried as my friend drove me around. Of course she was laughing at me, but I don't care! We went to circle sushi agian, and I ate more eel.... YUMMY! I LOVE eel. It's so great! So then we met with another friend who I had no ideat that we were meeting with! She has a son now!!!! He's 2 years old and the cutest thing around! It was great! We went to Rokkatei for ice cream and it was just as good as I remembered! Tongiht after dinner we are going to go to onsen (public bath). I'm so happy about that! We are going to Tokachi Onsen, which is really great from what I've herad, but I've never been there. I'm so excited to go! I love onsen because I can relax there! ^-^

Sapporo

Yesterday I came to Sapporo. My friend came to pick me from the airport in her car. It was really great weather. Osaka and Tokyo were so unbearably HOT so, it's a nice change to not sweat everytime I move. It was rainny when I got here, but that was nothing compared to what happened when I meet another friend to make cookies at a sweets factory. It was really fun, but after it we finished it was pouring! I mean coming down in buckets! We had unbrellas but we were drenched!!! Then my friend took me to a used book shop so I could update my collection of comics and CD's. It's next to impossable to buy CD's of the Japanese groups that I like at home. After that, we went out to eat.... YEAH more eating!!! I love Japanese food! It's so YUMMY! After that, I took the train to my other friend's station so I could stay with her.
Today we went to Otaru. We took the train and I got to use my amanzing train pass again! That was the best thing I could EVER buy! It's really handy. In Otaru we bought a lot of stuff. Otaru is famous for it's glass. I bought a necklace and some gifts from my friends. We walked around a lot and for lunch we went to what I call "circle sushi". It's really called kaiten sushi, but all the plates are on a convayer belt that go around in a circle! So, that's why I call it circle sushi. I love it! I even tried a kind of duck sushi. It was great, tastes like ham. I eat so much everday! Then we headed home where her mom made us a wonderful meal of soba. I need to go on a diet when I get home!!! <*^-^*>

Tokyo Days

In Tokyo we went a little crazy! We went all around the city. First we went to Asakusa after meeting up with another friend of ours. She flew in ｆrom Fukuoka, adn I haven't seen her in 4 years as well... if fact I haven't seen any of my Japanese friends in 4 years. So after meeting up, we were off to lunch and then we ran around Asakusa. There are soooooooooooo many cute rabbit goods here I can't even begin to tell you about them! I went a little nuts shopping, but it was awesome! After that we headed over to Akihabura for MORE shopping! Ha ha, I LOVE shopping! I bought a new rice cooker for my hubby as a gift! He really loves my rice cooker that I bought when I am living here before, but it's too small for both of us. After that, we went to Yokohama for a wonderful fireworks display! It was so beautiful, but very dangous. There were soooooo many people and they all want to see the firworks so they are pushing and shoving. I was a little scared, but it was great anyway!
The next day we went to Kamakura. We saw the BIG buddha. It was my one friend's frist time to see . She had never been there, but my host family took me there when I was living in Tokyo. It was great to see it again! We also saw some temples, but I don't know the names of all of them! @-@ Too many names to remember!

In Tokyo

I made it to Tokyo! I saw my friend that I haven't seen in 4 years! It was great to meet her. We eat dinner together and then I met my former student and now I am staying in her aparment. Tomrrow we will tour the city! I am looking forward to it! ^-^

Kyoto & Tokyo

Yesterday I met up with a friend of mine in Kyoto. She was going to school in the states for a year and now she has returned to her home town of Kyoto. Yesterday she was my guide. It was great! We ate udon for lunch and then saw the sights. I bought more stuff to bring home... I didn't plan very well becaue my suitcase is tooooooo small for all my stuff! My host family in Osaka keeps laughing at me and my shopping problem. I told them I don't know when I can come back so I want to have no regrets about not getting something! I'm going to have to send a HUGE box home. Oh well! After seeing the sights in Kyoto we walked around the city. It was so beautiful because a festival was starting today. My friend and I went to izakaya for dinner. Izakaya is cheap food and beverages. It's a good place to hang out for a long time becasue everything is cheap! We had a mother load of food!! I've already gained TONS of weight! Everyone thinks you eat so healthy here, you do, but you eat so much! HA HA! My clothes are a little tight on me.
Today I'm going to meet with another friend that I haven't seen in 4 years. She was living the the town where I was working, but she has now moved to Tokyo. So, I'm taking the bullet train (shinkansen) to Tokyo. I will meet her for dinner (AHHH, more eating!) and then I'm meeting one of my old students and staying with her for the weekend. She has some big plans for us, with lots of eating! HA HA! She is going to take me around the city on Saturday. Of course that means more and more shopping! Then Sunday we are going to Kamakura to see the sights and that night go to a fireworks festival! It's major festival season here. Then Monday I have to say good-bye and fly to Hokkaido to see my old students and co-workers!
I can't get over how fast time is moving! I wake up and next thing I know it's midnight or 1 am and I'm going to bed again! Who put time on fast foward?

Lost In Japan

I made it! My flights were fine, except my first flight had to leave the runway due to this women wanted to get off once we started to pull away from the gate. Oh well, we made it to my connection adn I arrived safe and happy in Osaka. Yesterday my friend and I went shopping around Osaka and then we went to yosakoi practice. Yosakoi is tradational Japanese dance. It was pretty cool to watch. I did try a little bit, but it:s harder than it looks! Today I'm off to Kyoto to visit an other friend of mine. The past two days have jsut flowen by, but I'm not feeling jet lagged at all! ^-^

Packing Packing Packing!

Yesterday I had dance class. It was great, we are learning a dance with a tambourine. I'm very excited about that~making lots of noise is fun! @_@
Today I am packing up my stuff for my trip. I have many last minute things to do today. I had to see one of my friends last night and we had a little get together to say Bye for now! I have talked with many of my Japanese friends and I think that all my housing arrangements are set. I could be wrong on that though.... things are always in motion, so hopefully I'm set to go. I packed most of my clothes and some of the gifts I am taking. I have to make sure that I have enough gifts and souvenirs from here for them. I think they are just as excited as I am! I can't wait!
Sunday I will drive back to my hometown so that my parents can take me to the airport early Monday morning. My hubby has to work then, so he can't do it. Oh well.
Well, a few more things to do and then I'm set to go! I can't wait!

Crazy Rabbits

Today Hubby and I decided that we should groom the bunnies and clip their nails. Of course, they hate both of these things. Chanel was the funniest thing after her nails and her grooming was done we swear that she had gas. It was hilarious! Versace however was not as amused with us and put up a fight. Tira was really good about getting her nails done. Nesquick was scared as always, but he was good about it. They all got a reward of papaya tablets after their were done.

Knitting Circle

Today Nana and I have just been knitting. She's working on a fun fur scarf for my mom that I had started a while ago. I am working on my sock that I had to put down so I could finish the poncho. It's been a little chilly today, so it was nice to stay in and knit.

Finished!!!!

The poncho is DONE!!!!!! I wore it out to my car as my hubby snapped this pict. It came out pretty good. I'm glad it's done! ^_^

Fireworks!

Well, I'm still here at Nana's cottage. Yesterday was a great day! We saw a B-17 fly over the lake. I have never seen a real one flying before. I have seen a real one up close, but seeing it fly was awesome. I was amazed that that much metal could take off and stay in the air. It was very cool to see. Then, at night the whole lake was ringed by flares, so it was the Lake of Fire! It was beautiful! All the cottages had fireworks. It was a great night! Drinking, fireworks and family, how much better can it get? *^_^*

Lazy Days?

On Thursday my Nana came to visit us for the summer. She stayed with us on Friday and Saturday. Friday she decided that my house was still too messy and that "we" would clean it up. Oh my... We scrubbed, we vacuumed, and I cleaned litter boxes. After it was all said and done, we ordered ham pizza and knit together. On Saturday, Hubby and I drove her out to a little town East of Nowhere and helped her move into a summer cottage. My mom came down and met us there. Now we are all relaxing for the 4th here at this little cottage. It's been great fun so far. Tomorrow there will be fireworks and my great aunt and uncle are coming here too. Nana is making her potato salad today... YUMMY!!!! ^_^ I love her potato salad. It's been a whole year since she's come to visit us, so we pack as much fun in as we can in a short time. However, I'll miss some of her visit here since I'm off to Japan in a few days. ^_^