Christmas!

Another year I am in Tokyo for the Holidays. Every December on the 26th, I regret staying in town... 

But this year might be different. We already have a tree in the living room, a wreath  on our door (they are both REAL! Over budget, but anyway...), friends inviting us for Christmas dinner with turkey and gravy, and beautiful illuminations around Tokyo like this one--my favorite so far, a magic carpet in the air at Akasaka Sakas! 

And last but not least, I have my family. And I'm starting my own , too (no kids, but you know what I mean.) Some is better than none, so thank goodness for that!

(Oh and I'm also doing a GNO for the first time in ... in probably the same time I've dated the boy! Oops. Can't wait for that too. xo)

Ozenji

The mister and I took an impromptu trip to my hometown last month. We walked through Ozenji, a shrine about 5 minutes from our old house.
It was just the same as I remembered.

Good Things

Good things come in gigantic packages wrapped in wired ribbon and stacked ten feet high!

This weekend we found a beautiful chapel (at his alma mater) and a boisterous Italian restaurant all in Tokyo. Ceremony, check. Venue, check.

And then we found wedding bands.

And then he got encouraging news from work.

And then I got encouraging news from work.

No New York for me this winter--something I was looking forward to--but I can keep myself happily busy with what's on my plate now.

Now we wait to hear from the venue and Priest!

Photo is of room service brunch in Singapore a while back, another good thing!

Time Flies!

The Mister and I now in our third month of living at this adorable first home of ours! Still rental of course...

The boys are with us and as far as I can tell they are really enjoying this lifestyle--a 15 minute walk in the morning, a 30+ minute in the evening, two meals a day, and fresh water at all times. Poppo can even walk without a leash on more quiet streets!



My dear friend Elena came to visit from LA last month. It was amazing. We are the same after 7+ years. Like she said, the reunion could have been anywhere and it would have been just as great. Loved seeing the mister and she get along so well. (Pics to come...)

We still have no dates set for wedding or engagement parties but I think we'll have some loose plans relatively soon!

Dawghouse

I am in the doghouse.

I even have my dogs by my side for emphasis.

How do you say "sorry" so that you are forgiven?

Exhausted

I'm exhausted post-noon.

I can barely make myself do one task in the PM, if at all any.

Today I finally figured out bills, and made a separate online payment.

Mom I know we have a date to talk. I just don't think I can do it.

Why. The. Exhaustion.

Be Mine

I made these for my work people. I had a few left over so I brought them over to the 26-year old's. He said "You made these?? Nooo... You MADE these??" I lapped up every second of glory of course.

(FYI for him I made him a pretty good dinner, if I may say so myself, so I think it was OK that I did not originally make the tuxedo strawberries for him.) (I made vongole bianco w/ linguini, seared peppered tuna with basil, fresh mozzarella, and tomato, seared scallops wrapped in bacon, and roasted vegetables.) (Did I tell you he eats leftovers with a HUGE grin on his face??)

At 12:05, he said, "It's officially Valentine's Day, so I guess we can exchange cards now."

... Um, WHAT?! Did you just say exchange cards??

Oh, maaaannn...

It was a sweet card. It included keys to his apartment. That's funny because I'm never over at his place. Hi grandmom.

And FYI, I got him a card the next chance I could. I attempted to redeemed myself with mad word count. My card, however, did not include keys... except those to my heart!!

Hee hee no it included no keys whatsoever. Lucky for me, apparently he kinda likes me anyway.

So Far, So Good

First day we met, at a friend's wedding reception.
"Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend? Can I ask you out for a drink sometime?"

On suggestions for our first date.
"I had some ideas. How about hitting up a couple of funky bars in Naka Meguro? Or a nice dinner in Aoyama--your choice!"

When he didn't pick up my call, he texted:
"Bit jammed today as we're shortstaffed. Phone date tonight?"

Every morning between 7:30 and 8am while he's on his way to work, and usually I'm already at the office.
"Have a good day gorgeous."

After I told him I was nervous about meeting his friends and therefore I might be acting funny at dinner:
"What do you mean, you're acting funny all the time!"

followed by:
"And of course, I will make sure you're comfortable... I kinda like ya!"

After we met up with my friends one night; and also on another occasion, before going out to a party with a group of colleagues and friends.
"I love watching you with your friends. The way you laugh around them."

The other day when I asked him what he would have done if I was indeed married, or had a boyfriend, the first time we met.
"I probably would have asked you out anyway."

Men! I'm falling in love with one.

Peace

I gave my bus seat to a lady with a cane today, and received a loudspeaker thank you from the driver and applause from the fellow riders. 

Where's my m'f'ing Noble Peace Prize is all I'm saying...

The photo is from my hometown Nijigaoka in Kawasaki. Nina and I went back last weekend, for the first time in over a decade. Things I noticed: distances between landmarks were much less than I had remembered. And: bits and pieces of the neighborhood appear often in scenes of my dreams. And: I should go back more often.  

Picture Perfect

The 26-year old is a funny one. He is a regular at banker hangouts, but at the same time he doesn't like crowds and so when he can, he goes on day trips to 'get away'. Last Sunday we went into a small bakery near Enoshima where we discovered the World's Best Muffins (apricot-rasberry-cream cheese for me. Holy Jesus.) As I got in line to get some omiyage (apricot/raspberry/cream cheese for the pod as well), he asked if he could take a llittle walk around the corner while I checked out. We were at a small, mom n pop bakery, down an almost nonexistant alley, all of which was off a minor station on the Eno-Den line. And apparently the excitement rivaled that of Disneyland.

Later on, after dinner with him and a friend at his house, I was taking my time putting on my shoes etc before going home when he turned to me and said "are you STILL here?" I'll let you decide if you think he was kidding or not...

Told ya, he's a funny one!

Lady Gaga

I'm going gaga over this boy... And lovin' it.

PS he doesn't know I'm feeling this way of course. I may be gaga but
I'm still a lady about it!

Happy 2010

Here we are, the start of a new year.
The year of the Tigress!
Happy New Year to you and those close to your hearts.

(For me, that's all of you reading this right now.)