Making a comeback

Lately, I've just been so caught up with everything going on. A lot has been happening since November. The holidays came and went and they were awesome. I was able to go on a bunch of snowboarding trips, the main one being Lake Tahoe.

Before Tahoe, I was fortunate enough to make a trip to Vancouver to witness the 2010 Winter Olympics. I have to say, it was an amazing experience and even though I went alone, I didnt tour and see the events alone. Luckily, a good friend from college was going around the same time to visit one of our other friends. We took the same flight there and hung out most of the time. I stayed with my previous manager from NBC Olympics and she was a wonderful host. I'm totally lucky to have her as my mentor and my friend.

From Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 She was able to get her hands on a few tickets for the opening ceremony dress rehearsal and it was better than the live show. There were no technicality issues! My favorite thing that I ate in Vancouver was definitely poutine, but thats not anything you cant get here in NYC. Japadogs... now thats a specialty! From Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 Tahoe was my first trip out west to go boarding and it is so different. Going forward, I would like to make one trip per season to different mountains on the west coast... maybe even Europe! (we'll see about that) The mountains at Tahoe were so vast and even though there were a lot of people, it didnt feel that crowded. The bowls out in Tahoe were just awesome. Going out west really makes you a better snowboarder because conditions are better and you're just not afraid to try new things. With that, below are a few pictures from Tahoe, followed by a few photos from San Francisco which will always be a city that steals my heart.

I'll be back soon to update the rest of the time in between... stay tuned!

Not much of a writer

I'm not exactly much of a writer but when I read other people's blogs, it inspires me to write on my own. I've neglected this blog for a long time now, perhaps its because it reminds me of when I was in Japan. Living in Japan has made me realize how much I absolutely adore being home. Even though things become boring and unexciting after a while, but that happens when you are anywhere. If I had my choice, I'd pick up and move to Taiwan. Being that I have an awesome boyfriend who keeps me sane, its harder to just pick up at leave now.

Today, I hung out with a good friend who I keep in touch with and see every few weeks. Shes just one of those people that can make you feel comfortable even if you talk about a tough subject. She can make you laugh and cry all at once. There are just those people who you can get together with and its like you never left each other. Its like you can just go back to the last conversation you had and everything is the same. shes just one of these people. People come and go in life but only the important ones stay forever. As a friend, I always try to be there for my friends when they are in need. I know everyone is busy but sometimes when I need my friends, they're not around. It sucks but thats life right? There are also people I wish I can see more often but friendships are a two way street. If you dont put in the effort to make plans, I wont either because I wont see the worth in that friendship. Is that too harsh?

Anyway, maybe i'm just a hot mess. I miss Japan, I miss Hong Kong, I miss Taiwan but I wouldnt change the past for the world. It makes me me and if you dont like it, too bad.

With the holidays around the corner, it excites me to see all the decorations and all the holiday cheer. Ice skating, snowboarding, hot chocolate, and rockefeller xmas tree are all coming up. I cant wait for all the lights and the city to be fully decorated. Happpppy Early Holidays!! <3

The last month

I've been home about 6 weeks now and all has been pretty good. The weathers been a bit funky but its finally starting to cool down.

Started a new job at a Jewelry company as an HR Generalist for corporate. Its only been a week on the job and it seems to be going well.

I guess what I really wanted to write about was how everyone is different and the meaning of success is different for everyone. What does it mean to you?

Home Sweet Home

FINALLY HOME! :)

more later...

ABC's

My 5 year old kids singing the ABC song and coloring. whatt cutiess :)

Theres a first time for everything

I went to the onsen with Erin and Allison bright and early today. Onsens typically dont allow people to enter with tattoos because tattoos are often associated with the yakuza (gang). Erin has a few tattoos, nothing big and nothing that looks like it would be associated with the gangs. An old lady who was working at the onsen came over to use while we were showering and started talking to us in Japanese. She basically said tattoos arent allowed and that she'd have to leave or put on some clothes. Of course, we didnt understand her very well but the lady was convinced I was Japanese! I kept saying I dont speak Japanese and that I dont understand but she kept staring and talking directly to me as if I was lying to her. After a good 5 minutes, she left and we went about our business in the hot springs. While we were showering and getting ready to leave, she came over again and started talking to me only. She was spoke to me as if Allison and Erin werent there. I still told her I didnt understand and that I dont speak any Japanese. She didnt really care and jsut kept talking away. After two minutes of her nonsense, she came close to me and whispered something in my ear. Unfortunately, I dont have a clue what she said. I just thought that was super rude since I kept insisting I didnt understand. In the end, she still thought I was lying to her. Thats the first time its happened to me where someone thought I was lying! Its just frustrating and I didnt know what to do or say.

Most foreigners here have the opposite experience. Many ignorant Japanese people refuse or wont sit next to them on the train, or just stare at them becuase they look different. Up until now, I hadnt experienced that kind of discrimination. Sure, I've had people stop me to ask for directions or talk directly to me at restaurants (when I'm with other foreigners) but never anyone persisting that I do speak Japanese... I mean, wouldnt I know if I spoke Japanese?? Sheesh...

happy 7 months

Its been 7 months since I've been in Japan, a lot has happened in the last two months. i wont go into detail but in short, there has been mail theft, golden week, my sisters visit, and my decision to leave japan. Yes, that's right, I'm coming home baby!

My mail theft started happening back in February but I wasn't positive about it until mid April. I was in a rush for work one day, checked my mail, saw my electricity bill and left for work. After work around 9pm, I came home to an empty mailbox. Anyway, this whole ordeal happened and it wasnt taken care of and even still, I am still being charged late fees and making up for missing bills which is totally no fault and head office should take full responsibility for it, yet they are not.

On to bigger and better things, Golden week in Taiwan was super awesome! Hung out mostly with family, ate great food, what could be better! After Golden week, my sister flew with me back to Japan. We ate, we cooked, we went to onsens, fish market, etc. It was just a good time and nice to have another familiar face visit.

I do have to say tho... my apartment is not made for more than one person! Its just too cramped and you have no where to go! All in all, I'm happy that all my visitors could make it and it made Japan even more fun and special.

I'm trying to do as much as I can in the next few weeks but it'll be hard with packing and work still. See you all in NY July 15!!! Mark your calendars!