Category: Link LOVE

December Link Love

Pressing pause for a  moment on my Melbourne photos to say hello to December!

Last month was a fun (and fast!) month filled with many friends visiting Tokyo. I got to hang out with friends from Kobe, San Francisco, and Canada (both Vancouver AND Toronto!). I have a couple of posts coming up about all that but I had a great time. I didn’t have an official Thanksgiving dinner this year (thank god!) but it felt like the whole month was a big friendsgiving celebration for me!

Now December is one of my favorite months because of all the merriness that ensues (whoop!) and getting to be with family (whoop whoop!). Although it is also one of the most exhausting months because merriness ensues in the form of bonenkai and I have to travel to be with family. Not that I don’t love a good bonenkai and a reason to travel. But when the bonenkai comes multiple days in a row, it can wear a girl down. And I know you’ve heard of the horrors of holiday travel, oh let me count the ways.

But the pros always far out way the cons, so it’s all good. I am really looking forward to this season of being merry, eating nabe, and ending this year with my family in Okinawa!

What are you plans for this holiday? x

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– I wish I were a bird.

– Breathtaking in-flight safety video.

– What time is it?

– Track your new year’s resolutions on a Daruma Calendar.

– My favorite movie during the holidays…maybe ever! (What’s yours?)

The November Link Love

Hello November!!!
It’s so chilly in Tokyo now! All the more so because I just got back from Singapore, which was very much the humid-town I heard it would be.
I flew in to Tokyo yesterday morning and went straight to work after a quick shower at the airport. Then after work I dashed to a nomikai, dragging my luggage with me, before finally getting home around midnight. I was deep in sleep before I could even think it’s good to be home!
Well, I can’t wait to share my Melbourne and Singapore trip with you. I’m hoping this month will be a slow and relaxing one. All I want to do is wear sweaters, drink lattes, and read a good book.
It’s another three day weekend here in Tokyo so I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend! xx

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– What do you usually eat for breakfast?

– How to cook fall vegetables. Yum.

– Someone has taken our beloved nabe dish to a whole new level.

– Wes Anderson Palettes…need I say more?

– Beautiful photos of cities with a twist.

– Snarky Puppy is now in my life.

The October Link Love

Heigh ho October is here!
How are you all doing? I am in a rut regarding blog posts…but on the other hand I’ve been quite busy with everyday life. Septermber was a blur of fun with high school friends (weddings are reunions these days) and one nomikai after another as another fiscal half-year comes to a close and company shuffles are announced.
But I am ready and excited for October because I am off to Australia at the end of the month! Yay! I haven’t been there since 2003, when I went to Brisbane for a few weeks. This time I am headed to Melbourne to attend my darling friend’s wedding. So so excited. I also get to stop by Singapore on my way back, which is also another country I’ve never been to!
Have you ever been to Melbourne or Singapore? I’d love any suggestions!
It is quite chilly in Tokyo already and I am going to have to dig out my sweaters and knits. But I do think that food always tastes better once we hit fall, something about the cold weather and warm comfort food. Oh, and don’t forget all the nashi (Japanese pear), kyoho (Japanese grapes), and kaki (Japanese persimmon)…my favorite fall fruits! Yum!
I hope you’re all enjoying all this fall deliciousness, too! xx

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– Starting off this month once again at this tennis tournament.

– This butternut queso looks amazing.

– Surprising facts from these maps.

– #AskLena about feminism.

– David Parkinson’s love letter to Japan. (via)

– Sometimes I pretend I have a fire place with this on my computer screen.

The September Link Love


Hello there September!

I could have sworn I had a few more weeks of my birthday month…but alas it is over and we are heading straight into fall, it seems. Not sure how I feel about this.

Last month, my Obon break consisted of three flights, five airports, and a typhoon! So much for swimming in the ocean every day. But I did get to spend quite a bit of time on or around the Seto Inland Sea, so I can’t really complain. And there is nothing like the joy of seeing good friends and family to fill your day with smiles! So glad I got to see everyone!

This month we have two holidays in Japan, the Respect for the Aged Day is on the 15th and the Autumn Equinox is on the 23rd. It’s a little early but I’m planning on doing a big fall cleaning of my apartment because I’ll be away again at the end of the year (which is when we usually do our big once-a-year house cleaning in Japan). And also because my optometrist may have mentioned that my blood tested positive for house dust and mold allergies last week. Is that even a thing? (My itchy eyes seem to be telling me yes.)

I’m also looking forward to another wedding and catching up with high school friends this month! What are you up to in September? Hope there’s less rain and more sun this month! x

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– Ready-to-eat version of the rice curry from my university cafeteria is now on sale.

– Trying to remember these yoga moves at work.

– This music video by Cameroonian singer-songwriter Irma is amazing.

– Would love to go on a long trip with just a carry-on!

– Imabari posts coming soon!

The August Link Love

Yipee! August is here!
I know I always say how fast time flies every month but last month surprisingly felt like it would last forever. July was much too long for me. Its like this every year though because I cannot wait for August to start. The reason for this is that, not only is August a month filled with festivals and fireworks throughout Japan, it is also my birthday month! (That’s right, I don’t just celebrate my birthday…I celebrate the whole month!) Yay!
This month I’ll be getting a lot of family time. My baby sister is staying with me for a bit before she heads off to work for most of the summer at a hospital (she’s studying nursing in college). It’s nice having her here, even though my apartment is tiny. I always forget how nice it is to have someone here and getting to use “Tada-i-ma (I’m home!)” when I come home! 
I’m also going home to Imabari with my other sister during Obon break, which is the only time my sister can get time off of work. If you can avoid Obon travel in Japan, I would suggest you do. Super expensive and transportation is crazy crowded. But since my parents live in rural Japan, once I get there it’s all about the slow life, which I’m looking forward to. Can’t wait to bond with family and go swimming in the ocean!
Do you have any plans for Obon and/or summer break? x
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– “Freed from everything, the plants shall head to the space.”

– Seoul has a library filled with books on travel, architecture, and photography!

– This looks delicious!

– Beautiful book covers…you can never have too many Jane Austen books!

– Curious how this experiment worked out.

– Storm clouds and thunder in my apartment? Yes, please!

The July Link Love

Hello to the second half of year 2014!

Can you believe that the year is already half over? Seriously, hold your horses 2014! It’s almost impossible to keep up. Last month was full of crazy busy days, crazy weird weather, and crazy fun weekends. I have so many blog posts in draft, it’s…again, crazy. I really need to get a move on.

But I decided to celebrate and kick off July with a swim during my lunch hour! Yay! I was completely out of shape and couldn’t do as many laps as I wanted to…but it felt amazing! So refreshing to be in the water. I’m hoping to finally get the hang of the freestyle breathing technique. Sunshine, swimming goggles, and I are going to be the best of friends this summer!

Do you have any projects or goals for this summer? x

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– Curious about this library that serves drinks in Shibuya! (link in Japanese)

– Weird books, anyone?

– Have you tried the new Häagen-Dazs flavor already?

– Went to see this movie and loved it!

– These origami brooches.

– Have you ever written a letter to your younger self?

– Learning about a blogger friend’s writing life and now thinking about mine! x

The June Link Love

Happy first day of June!
How are you all doing? Can you believe we are almost half done with this year? What.
So crazy how last month flew by so quickly. It was such a whirlwind (most of which I’ve yet to post here), I barely had time to breath. So much fun though!
Well, you know what June means in Tokyo…the rainy season is a comin’! I’m hoping the rain will give me a reason to relax a bit more this month. Although that may have to wait as I’m kicking off this month by heading up to Nasu for a wedding!
I wish you all an amazing month, too! x

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– Japan is getting a new public holiday! Yay!

– Which team are you rooting for at the World Cup 2014?

– Gorgeous typeface carved out of books.

– These flip flops are my summer dream come true.

The May Link Love

May is here!!!

Last month was a fabulous frenzy of pink petals and amazing weather (in my mind, beautiful days eliminated the stinky cold ones and now I don’t even remember them). I love spring.

This month is Golden Week in Japan! It’s a holiday combo of Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, and Children’s Day. Last year, I was in Okinawa with my family during Golden Week but this year it’s just going to be me and my sisters, who are both in the greater Tokyo area. We’re having a sleepover and exploring a bit of Chiba together!

Holidays are great but travelling during this week can be incredibly stressful  at times because it is not only expensive but crowded wherever you go (especially transportation!). So this year we decided to skip the stress and do some relaxing locally. I think we’ll need this vacation to rejuvenate us enough to brave travelling back home during Obon, which is another intense holiday week in Japan.

Also, later this month I’ll be going to Kagoshima to see my best friend. We’re also taking a short trip together to Yakushima, which I’ve never been to, so I’m really looking forward to this!

Hope you’re all enjoying the holidays and/or spring days, too! x

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– Crossing my fingers this film comes to Japan.

– Nakizumo, who can cry the hardest?

– My love for avocado grows daily and this looks delicious.

– The Oldest Living Things in the World are fascinating.

– Lately I am tempted to do this.

– We now have beautifully cut pattern seaweed in Japan!

The April Link Love

It’s April, and no, I’m not fooling you at all. It’s really here, how fast was that?
I have to tell you though, I am on cloud nine lately. The sun, the sky, the blossoms. I love it all. I can’t even complain about the occasional sneeze or two because nothing can bring me down when spring comes around!
In addition all the spring excitement, my sisters were in town and we had a big sleepover last weekend. We went to see a movie (we saw One Chance!), did a little hanami here and there, and had a really great lazy picnic on one of the warmest days ever. It was the absolute best day for a picnic. 
April is here right as the cherry blossoms in Tokyo hit their peak blossom season. I’m looking forward to another month of fun with friends and maybe a few more moments of hanami, too. (Beware of multiple sakura posts!)
Do you have any plans for hanami? Wishing you all an amazing April! xx

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– Determined to master the card game Daifugo (do you know how to play?).

– This and tax hike should make for an interesting year in Japan.

– When volcanoes explode flower petals.

– Beautiful and delicious maps of countries.

– Every wonder what Japanese college kids are eating?

– I’ve always loved sumo and think these photos are gorgeous.

The March Link Love

March is here!
I am very optimistic about this month for various reasons. It’s a season for change and new direction. I always feel like I lose myself a little during the winter, just trying to get through the cold days without all together hibernating. But I’m ready to step outside and be active again!
This spring my baby sister is starting her first year of college, which is mind-boggling to me. How did she grow up so fast? But she’ll be staying with me for a bit before she starts her semester in April so I’m looking forward to that.
Hope you’re all ready to officially welcome spring! x

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– This song can’t help but make you happy!

– I love that I’m reading books again…The History of Love is my next book.

– This frame by frame of the Olympics is amazing.

– This hotel looks unbelievably cool.

– Can’t exactly say wrong answer…so funny! (it’s in Japanese though)

– 1972 Seishun Gunkanjima