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.

That Road Trip to Ehime

My sister and I went on a road trip!
First time heading “home” to Ehime
(because my parents moved down there this spring).
And we drove there in Y’s tiny car!
Things happened.
We got stuck in early morning traffic,
We spend way too much time
exploringalmost every service area.
And we did not realize that
Shizuoka prefecture would go on
forever and ever.
But.
Y picked up the speed in the end
and we somehow got there in 10 hours!
(I think blasting Lady Gaga and singing along helped) 
I had a great time!

Family photo!
So good to be back together again!
(I definitely need to practice my selfie technique)

Here we are just the girls
heading out to shop!
(You know we weren’t back for hours)

I never realized it but
Ehime has beautiful mountains.
My mom said that the mountains in Ehime
were very feminine compared to up north in Akita.
I think she may be right.
We spent the whole week just relaxing at home,
watching the Olympics (of course),
or just chatting and catching up!
We also had family dinners
with uncles and aunts who live near by.
(My daddy grew up in Ehime)
It was a really short summer (obon) vacation
but it was great seeing everybody!
Can’t wait to come back again at the end of the year! x

That Afternoon at Seibuen Pool

Summer should always include a day at the pool.
Even if you’re an adult.
Reading books and relaxing by the pool is the best.
Is it weird that I packed a lunch?
I made the world famous Jumbo Onigiri,
(it’s onigiri with croquette, shiso kombu, and cheese!)
and chips and cookies.
I am not into healthy at the moment, apparently.
Whenever we come here, my bestie D and I usually
grab a float and just bobble along the lazy river.
It’s like sitting in a cafe and chatting
expect even better because we in a pool!
Seibuen Pool, we’ll be back! x

That Summer Sangria Day

That time I tried making sangria.
Truthfully, I think I just made it because
I needed a reason to buy all these fruits at once.
(fruits are really expensive in Tokyo)
Don’t they look beautiful?
I ended up only being able to wait a couple of hours
and before I knew it, I was drinking the sangria.
It was good.
And the fruits beautiful.
I need more sangria days in my life!

That Summer Weekend in Miyagi

Coffee is definitely a must
when driving from Tokyo to Miyagi 
from 11pm on a Friday night.
(well, I slept most of the way…)
But really really excited to be back in Yamamoto.

We always stay with a local friend
and make breakfast together.
Yum.
Volunteering to help out local farmers.
Ready to get down and dirty.

This was my first time stepping into a plastic greenhouse.
We were helping out at a strawberry farm.
Learned so many new things
both about farming strawberries and building greenhouses.

Working all day under the sun was very hot.

But the cool breeze from the ocean
made it much easier on us.

We filled planters with soil for the strawberries
to prepare it for the planting process.
It’s amazing how much you can acomplish
when you’re all working together.
It’s the best.

I learned that the greenhouse is a very complex structure.
Like how you can remove the
entire front wall to bring large machines inside.
Or how heavy the actual wall is.
The farmers who deal with this are amazing.

After our working hours
we were actually given an award!
We got to taste strawberry jam
made from strawberries picked from this farm.
And it was delicious!!!
Yamamoto strawberries really are the best!!!

K wearing her Yamamoto tshirt.
It says
“Bring our Hearts Together.”

We stopped by the local fishing port.
Yamamoto’s only fishing port.
Entrance was prohibited until a while ago
but now that the rebuilding of the embankment has begun
there were actually a few boats floating in the port.
We stood there a moment
looking at the boats.
“Every time I come back there’s one more boat,”
K said in a quiet tone.
For some reason what she said made an impression on me
as we sat there, listening to the sound of waves.
Looking out to sea.

Before dinner, we stopped by an onsen.
The rotenburo (outdoor onsen) felt amazing
after a day of working under the sun.

Meeting up with our
local volunteer friends for dinner.

Stopping by the supermarket for a nightcap 🙂

The next day we helped clear a field.
Again, everything is so fast
when we all work together as a group.

Shimi-ten (凍天) is a local treat.
It’s a doughnut with sweet bean paste inside.
So delicious.
Group picture, including the dog.
So blessed to have this opportunity.
To come here with friends
and to interact with local acquaintances.
Yamamoto, I’ll be back soon. x