Things that make you Smile

A lot of things make me smile. I smile when I get mail, drink chai, go to work, leave work, meet a friend, get a phone call :)

but sometimes I smile extra big... these smiles are reserved for the unexpected things in life. Today, as I was walking down my street a man riding his bicycle passed me. This is usually a normal part of life in a city.... but this man was riding a 7 foot tall bike with a HUGE disco ball extending up from his handle bars and a loud boom box playing! He was dressed normally (not as a clown or anything) and I have let myself believe that he was just enjoying riding his bike! My grin was huge as I turned into the apartments and wondered about this man. I hope he enjoyed his ride as much as I did! :D

Feels Like Home...

Dad, me, and Mom at Kinkokuji

Court, me and Mom at Kinosaki (Hot Springs Village)

me and Court at Amanohashidate

the infamous hawk (yes, my heart still races when i see this)

I was finally able to return to Japan after moving away 7 years ago! What a rush of emotions it was to be back. Japan has always felt like "home" to me, but I wasn't sure if it would still be familiar... 

On my flight from O'Hare to Narita (a flight i have taken many times!) I truly felt as though I was heading home. I guess I like back in a place where I can't understand everything, where I can impress people by being myself (a caucasian!) and where everything is new and adventurous. 

It was so incredible to be able to share this trip with Courtney- her laughter will always be remembered in my memories of these 10 days! (even if it was usually directed towards me...)

Highlights from the trip include: being dive-bombed by a hawk, going to 5 hot springs in one night while also walking through a quaint Japanese village in yukatas and geta, talking in Japlish, seeing old teachers and their families, eating so much food!, seeing mom and dad

It definitely was great to be home, and difficult to come back to reality. I'm already anxiously awaiting my next trip to the land of the rising sun