kgil

One of my last weekends in Texas!   I spent time with my friend in San Antonio and got caught up on all the latest gossip...too good to share on the internet.  We went to a fantastic arts festival in downtown San Antonio.   Live bands, artists, poets, performers - really incredible and the weather was perfect.

After the festival, some friends came in from San Marcos and hung out a bit.  An absolutely magical night!

 

My first visit to the windy city.  I spent the weekend in full Irish mode.  I had an Irish breakfast, Guiness cupcakes, and yes, the cat had it coming!   The southside parade is well known in Chicago and lasted most of the day.   Thanks to the hospitality of Dyan's friends I felt completely pampered the whole time.  I was introduced to my newest addiction - Guitar Hero!!!

 

Andy is a friend from Japan who moved back home last summer.  He lives in a cottage on a few acres of land.  Two ponds and a lake within walking distance.  I am lucky to have friends from all over the world but always say you don't know someone until you see where they came from...Andy took me to his childhood home on a nature perserve.  I was a bit out of my element as there was ice everywhere and snow, lots of snow.

We share a love of the outdoors.  I jumped on ice, hiked through snow, stumbled more than once and saw Lake Michigan ice cubes.  This is all very exotic for a girl from Texas.

 

 

My friend got tickets to the BBQ cookoff.  For $30, it was all you could eat, all you could drink.  After a gorgeous plate of BBQ,  an assortment of libations, and a live band the night kicked up...great fun!

 

Why can't I pass up an animal without taking a picture?  I am especially fond of animal costumes...I'm not proud...I know I have a problem.  The bunny is an angora bunny...the owners shave the bunny, spin yarn and make stuff....and yes you can make stuff from cat hair!

 

 

A little family history...my great grandfather was city architect for Houston in the early 1900s.  He built this house for my greatgrandmother, my grandmother's mom.   I remember going to this house for dinner and family gatherings.  Granny died in the 80s and the family sold the property.  It is a miracle that it has not been torn down.  The latest rendition of the property is a jazz club.  I went in to see what was left of the house I remembered...this is a special place and I am glad it is still standing.

 

These are the ultimate nachos...this plate must weigh atleast five pounds....four types of meat and four types of cheese all the fixin's and don't forget the cheese surcharge!

 

 

My first Saturday night back in Texas.   I met up with friends in downtown Austin at a local gallery.  This gallery gives out plywood hearts to the community to design/decorate.   The hearts are then put on display in a silent auction that raises money for the gallery.  My friend is an art teacher in Austin, she had a whole wall of her students' work.  Pretty exciting.  Everyone walked away with an original peice made with love.

 

My grandma has broken free from senior living!  She went out and bought a house and has finally agreed to live with my aunt.   After years of  testing the senior circuit, after her husband died - downsizing from the big house and moving into a highrise downtown, setting up house in a senior apartment complex,  and the final straw the ultimate senior community, offering all things senior -  she has worked it out to live with my aunt - and return to the not so senior world.

This is a big step for her and I am really happy and excited for her and the home my aunt will make and her family will have to share with her.

 

 

I had a lovely brunch a few days before I left for Texas.  These people are why I continue to return to Tokyo.  We had  brunch at an English pub.  I handed out sweets from Australia, carmel koalas...snow falling outside, cozy pub inside...perfect! 

I had a wonderful opportunity to visit my friend, Katya, in Australia for her wedding.  She is now happily married to Renee.  We spent the day at the beach, walking along the cliffs.  What a fantastic day!

Mika gathered a group of us out in Shibuya on a Thrusday night.  This is a classic night out in Japan.  All you can eat, drink and sing!

 

 

If you haven't heard of the free hug movement...check it out...http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

On a night out in Shibuya, I stumbled apon these free hug guys and took advantage of their product!  Lots of love in the big city.

Feeling tired?  Low energy?  Generally needing a boost?  Try your hand at oxygen therapy aka the oxygen capsule!!!  Very Japanese!

 

Ian and Kazumi invited me to a football game shortly after returning to Tokyo.  These players are not the superstars we have in the US.  These games are played by leauges that are supported by the fans.  You can see the low attendance.   The biggest difference at this game was the size of the field, the beer girl kneels down to serve you beer from a portable keg on her back then bows when she leaves and ofcourse it is perfectly naturale for the young male fans to dress up as cheerleaders!

I had a break from Tokyo, spending most of my time in Texas  visiting friends and family.  These are my main peeps, lots of love!

Birthday at a British Pub in Shibuya

As many of you know, I worked at a language school last year.  My schedule saved me from the commuter crunch known so well by the Japanese.

This year I am but another cog in the machine.   A ten minute bike ride to the station, three trains and a twenty minute walk, make up both my morning and evening commutes.   I am able to sit down on one of my trains, the other two I am elbow to elbow with the Japanese making their way to work.

I am just another person being pushed and shoved on the train.  I do curse occasionally and have been known to push back feircely when given cause.

Needless to say I am moving closer to my campus next term.  Ideally, I would like to walk to work.

A dear friend, Andy, went home this summer. 

He has been a main dude in my social calendar and I miss him terribly.

Andy rounded up the troops and had a fabulous beach party to say good-bye to Japan.

My new home, Yokohama, had an anniversary for their port.  The first port to be opened to the rest of the world by Captain Perry himself.  The celebration centered around what the Japanese do best in the summertime - FIREWORKS and drinking!

Fireworks, lazar show, smoke machine and thousands of very docile Japanese citizens all reacting in the exact same way.   

I made quick friends with this gentleman on the way back to the subway amungst my fellow revelers.