Happy New Year!

-
Happy New Year! We've been enjoying some family time since Bonj had a little time off of work.  We weren't especially organized with our time, so we didn't explore as much as we'd intended. We hopped the train and explored Machida a little bit more, we took to the streets and meandered through the ride paddy's and fields near our house, came across some temples and shrines, spent New Year's Eve in Tokyo, and New Year's day at a ginormous park. It was nice to have a little down time as well, since we normally try to cram as much as possible into the weekend and it feels very hectic and exhausting.

It's January 2nd here and I've been reflecting on my expectations for the year. What do I want to accomplish, habits to break or implement, travel goals, parenting goals, marriage goals, budget... I'm a chronic list person.  I love to write things down and check them off as I accomplish them (sometimes I even write something down I've already done that day just so I can check it off...).  I know I definitely want to practice calligraphy and brush lettering at least 3 days a week.  I really want to improve and I know it requires practice, practice, and more practice.  I also want to sit down with the calendar and plan out trips.  Otherwise we find ourselves asking each other on Friday night what we're doing that weekend.  It drives me nuts! Anyway, lots to mull over! Anyone else reflecting on their expectations?

Here's a bunch of photos from this past week here in Japan! 
Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower mascot

Alleyway in Machida




Butcher shop





Steep staircase to the shrine






Octopus balls! They were delicous!

Shinjuku




Walking a strangers dog.  


Watching some ducks





Awesome tree house in the park






Trying matcha ice cream.  He wasn't a fan.



Comments

  1. Steve OJanuary 5, 2018 at 12:59 AM

    What fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GrandmaJanuary 5, 2018 at 1:04 AM

    Wow that is a fun park!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deborah LemmerJanuary 5, 2018 at 10:51 AM

    Japan sure seems to have incredible parks for kids! I wish the US had those kinds of parks. Jimmy tells me that in Japan they don't worry about the public vandalizing or being destructive to public places - they just don't do it. Perhaps that is one reason why they have such gorgeous public places. Love seeing all the different food you are open to trying! It looks so beautiful there!

    Glad you are making those lists so you can experience this adventure to the fullest!

    You know what Rick Steve says, "“Travel is rich with learning opportunities, and the ultimate sourvenir is a broader perspective.”

    “Ideally, travel broadens our perspectives personally, culturally, and politically. Suddenly, the palette with which we paint the story of our lives has more colors.”

    And my absolute very favorite, "“Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something is not to your liking, change your liking.”

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fushimi Inari

-
Image
See, I told you I'd continue! Our second day we got up early and had toast! Mum was hoping the coffee came with free refills, but no such luck.  I'd heard we should get to Fushimi Inari early in order to avoid the crowds, so we packed up our stuff and left it in the luggage room at the ryokan. Then we jumped on the train.  When we got to our stop, it was a little later than I'd hoped to get there. There were a good number of people, but not overwhelming crowds.  Phew! Street vendors were just starting to get their booths prepped.  We looked around the base area of Fushimi Inari and then started our hike to the top.  I hadn't researched too much about it, I'd just heard there were a lot of stairs.  Yes, there were A LOT of stairs! So glad I don't ever bother with a stroller here, it would've been impossible here if we had one. Fushimi Inari is famous for the thousands of Tori gates that lead to the top. Generally a shrine will just have one or two. We took...
Read more

First Earthquake!

-
Image
Last night I was lying in bed watching a show, when I thought the wind picked up suddenly and started rattling the windows. Then the doors started to rattle.  Then it dawned on me it was an earthquake! Turns out it was a 4.1 near Yokohama (where we went to the Christmas market). It didn't wake the cub, so that was a relief (it didn't wake Bonj either...). I woke him up afterwards and said "Was that an earthquake?" He was out of it and just said "Umm, yeah sure," and went back to snoring away. I'm sure that was just the first of many, but for me it was a memorable experience! I'm not really sure what this all means, but gives a visual anyway.
Read more

Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) and Hanami

-
Image
In Japanese the cherry blossoms are called "Sakura." Oh my, pictures cannot do these trees justice! It is absolutely breathtaking! They only bloom for about 10 days before the petals start to fall and it looks like it's snowing! We went with our neighbors in to Tokyo to the Yasukuni shrine.  The 'official' cherry blossom tree is here that they use to declare that the trees in Tokyo are in full bloom.  The grounds of the shrine are stunning! Mum bought a fortune for 100Y and tied it up with the others.  She bought a few good luck charms for souvenirs as well. After walking around the Yasukuni shrine, we attempted to find a place to have lunch.  It was the first weekend of Sakura in Tokyo though, so we couldn't find any place with availability.  I suggested we hit up a grocery store and have a picnic, or "Hanami" as the Japanese call it. Hanami is only when you have a picnic under the cherry blossoms. It ended up being the perfect lunch! So much fun an...
Read more