Month: September 2012

The Tourist Day in Chicago

Starting off the day right.
(Tennyson knows what I like! haha)

Today was our day to do touristy stuff.
I love love love Chicago.
But I’ve never really done the touristy bit
so we headed out to shop, eat, and explore the city.

My first time at Millennium Park!
This place is great.
Because it has the Cloud Gate.
Best spot to take pictures ever.
(And trust me, we took hundreds!)

Isn’t this city gorgeous?
Maybe it’s because I work in real estate
but I love buildings and city skylines.
And this city has a ton of gorgeous buildings.

After walking around the city
we went back home so
Tennyson could get ready for his kickball game.

I thought it was going to be like
that kickball episode of Happy Endings
but we ended up at the beach!
Apparently their league does beach kickball!

Tennyson’s team didn’t win but
it was a close game.
And I had fun cheering them on 😀
After the game we met up with
Cesar and his coworkers.
At a Japanese restaurant.
Their servers were Thai…haha.

We had a fun day.
Can you tell from our expressions?

The Flight to Chicago

International flights are always really interesting.
Not that domestic flights in Japan aren’t.
But people are a lot more chatty on foreign flights.
On this flight from DC to Chicago
I got to sit next to a pilot in uniform.
He had just gotten off his shift in DC
and was heading home to Chicago for the weekend.
Always interesting meeting new people 😀

The flight was really short
and before I knew it
we were landing in O’hare
and Tennyson was outside waiting for me!

He was looking all handsome
because he came to pick me up after work.
Tennyson is the best.
He’s practically family the way
I can pretty much tell him anything.
Or maybe it’s just him.
I think he has that affect on a lot of people.
You know you can always count on him.

And I finally got to meet Remy!!!
Isn’t he so beautiful?
He’s the sweetest dog on earth.
And I don’t speak dog but…
I think he liked me, too.

When Cesar got back home
all three of us went to go get dinner.
Good ole American junk food!!!

The Good Bye in DC

DC is such a pretty city.
I love the old town houses.
Or any building built by brick, really.
It’s not the type of houses we build in Japan
and that makes them all the more special.
What is also special is that
I got to spend time with this cutie pie!
I feel so blessed to have such great friends
who live so far away but still treat me like family.
Technically we did grow up together.
But in a world where people tend to grow apart,
I love that we were given a chance to grow closer as adults.
Who knew?
Fifth grade best friends really ARE forever!
I just love this sweet familia dearly.
Cannot wait to see them again!
xx

The Birthday Party

Birthday parties are so awesome.
Even if the birthday girl is turning one
and will not remember how we stayed up past midnight
to get everything ready for the party.
And I’m guessing that’s why she has Auntie Kaori. Ha.
To remind her when she grows up
how her mom made all these amazing things
and her dad artistically decorated the whole apartment.
Just in case you didn’t notice
the theme of the party is Rainbow!
And isn’t this cake AMAZING???

It was a full house with many friends.
I thought it was hilarious how so many
single guys were there to celebrate Peanut’s birthday.
But then again, she is that cute.

I think she had a blast.
(Look at her opening her presents!)
Took a group picture after half of the people had left
but I really like this picture for some reason.
Happy first birthday Peanut!!! xx

The Flight to DC

I don’t know why but airplanes are the only ride
that I don’t get motion sickness on.
So I love to fly.
I even love the airport security check.
I’m guessing this is pretty rare.
But whatever.
Made it onto my flight to DC
and spent a lot of time gazing out the window.
Not so great, radiation-wise.
But who can blame me?
LOOK AT THIS VIEW!!!

So yeah.
Spent 13 hours
gazing out the window in awe
or sleeping or eating or watching Avengers.
(best. movie. ever.)
And finally got to meet Peanut.
Isn’t she the sweetest?
I was instantly in love.
Cannot believe how I was a bridesmaid just 2 years ago
and now they have a sweet baby turning 1 already!
Amazing.