Merry New Years Eve.

This is what Japan looks like right now.

Perks of being foreign.

A packed train but no one wants to be near you. I have a nice two foot radius of room around me. Do I stink!?

Nanae

The kids are into Legos in a big way.

Sign.

Now, without being able to read what this sign says, I am pretty sure you can guess.

Lost watch.

I lost my watch on the train last night. Someone found it and turned it into the train master's office. Toto, I have a feeling that we are not in Spokane anymore!

Blending.

I have been enjoying wearing my sunglasses and my earbuds while I am out walking. Thinking maybe I will blend in more. But, if you look around you notice that most people wearing sunglasses are foreigners. Damn.

Fuji.

Took a drive to see the mountain today. It has magical powers. It makes you feel like living in Japan is not as crazy as it sometimes feels. Feels like nature. Then the traffic knocks it down a bit, but it is still worth the drive.

Balls.

Please insert joke here.

Drinking

It has been proven. Drinking merlot out of a happy glass makes you happy. Try it.

Happy Thanksgiving

Tonight there will be a taco feast, just like the pilgrims.

Subway. As in train and not sandwich.

The train platform has excellent wifi. Observe.

Not bad for a white girl from Spokane.

Miyo likes plain sushi rolls. I do not have the heart to order them when we are out. We usually just get her cucumber rolls and remove the cucumber. Now we can make them at home too. Look at how happy Miyo looks while eating them!?

And then there was dog.

So, you live in Japan. Now what?

I do not really have much to say.  No interesting pictures to show you.  I just want you to know that we are still here.  We are still in Pajan.  We have been here a year already.  We did spend 54 days back in Washington, but we just had our Japanniversary here on September 29.  I would like to say that I will take more pictures or give you more attention, but I am having a hard time.  I have told you before that it is not all sunshine and roses.  Sometimes it is more like rain and cockroaches.

Final US beer.

Spokane. Bye.

Campin'

Midnight Century pictures.

I finished at 8:30am.
Exhausted and super sore.

All the hills seemed longer than before.

The bike worked awesome.
My legs didn't.

Always a challenging ride.
But a beautiful thing.

After dinner

I promised myself.....

No flowers ever.

A scene seen from my bike

Thursday mornin'

Miyo hand

Loungin'

Sunday stroll

Friday morning

Where is Patrick!?

Good thing the baby is cute.

Patrick is sick.  I thought he was not so sick, but he is pretty sick.  Sick enough, that they put him on some IV fluids and antibiotics.   Today is his last round of medicine at the hospital and I know he is feeling better because he decided to ride his bike there.  I do not really have much to say other than that.  I am pretty excited to go back to Spokane.  We leave at the end on June.  I am worried about what to do with our apartment while we are gone.  I am scared that is will turn into a roach hotel.  I keep everything very clean.  But these suckers are an unknown enemy to me.  I know how to deal with mice and such from my experiences in Spokane.  But, ROACHES!?  Argh.  That is all.

Day 22

It rained rained rained. So I didn't didn't didn't ride ride ride my bike bike bike.

Day 20 or 21

Somehow, I'm a day off. Today's the 21st, but it's supposed to be Day 20. Oh well. Who cares. Today was a short errand to the bank and cell phone store for a new toy. Flatted for the 3rd time this week.

Not mine.

Forgot the key to my lock so used one of these bike parking things. When you slide the bike in a little claw-type thing clamps the front wheel in place. Costs a buck for 3 hours. 

Day 19 night

Next destination.

I love stopping by small train stations at night. Empty and quiet.

Day 19 afternoon

Bike ride number 2 didn't happen but a walk to the park happened instead.

All is well when it ends in ice cream.