2008....final agenda completed. (check!)

its already new years even here in japan, and not sure what the blog would post it. it mite still be the 30th if this is under the US time.

I wanted to go to the TOKYO TOWER and go up the stairway since i heard that it is possible to do that. this was actually one of my "agendas" i wanted to tackle for the year 2008.

--- this is 333m tall. pretty high, eh?

So i went up on the 27th, it was a nice liberating feeling. it only was 600 steps and we can only go up to the middle main observatory which is 150m from the ground.
thats me as i was going up to the 531st step...almost there.

--- this is called the "look-down" window. yup indeed. nice.

The tower is 333m and it just so happens to be its 50TH ANNIVERSARY since it was built. kinda was hoping that it wasnt too hyped up because usually in japan, once its on the news or ppl "talk" about it, EVERYONE just goes....! but i went early and it wasnt too bad. so yes, the climbing wasnt bad at all. it was good. the view was gorgeous being it was crisy and chilly/a bit windy.

Mt. Fuji in the view, 360degree view of tokyo and its nearyby prefectures....quite nice.

man-o-man, its gonna be 2009 in about 11hours....new year's resolution......***year 2009 will be an exciting year, where i will have lots more smiles, i hope***

Back in Japan...and the cold winter Christmas...

its really odd that i cant feel the holiday spirit at all this year, but oh well. Back in japan and it is starting to get cold.....not loving it. brrrr.... yea and it sure doesnt help when i was in Hawaii - even where it was thunderstorm during my visit in Honolulu, the temperature is is not in the comparison as to Japan's december temp. Im gonna go try to tackle my another agenda - to go climb up the Tokyo tower. I hear its the 50th anniversary year this year. Kinda crazy.

Here are some photos of my recent events. yay for my baking days revival!!!

** we made these with Apple sauce instead of butter; quite good. its good to say that these are healthy and makes you wanna take like 4 cookies. haaa.

--marc trying a fresh one from the oven.

At Yen Sushi - met up with Marc and his co-workers for Lunch. The crazy "hungry Roll" craziness. Never see this type of sushi in Japan-land. niiice. =P

i must say, this is pure team work yoga*wink*

The bestest time...of course<3

*Some things i didnt get to post for the December event(japan land):
- KAMAKURA : saw the big Buddha and posed with the fella. haaa, cant imagine that the other one in Nara pefecture is NOTHING compared to this one......GINORMOUS!!!!!!!!! i bet. Cant wait to tackle this location soon on my possible mission. (hopefully when the weather gets warmer)

---the red leaves of japanese autumn
--- this was this 'macrobiotic meal' i had at this little cute diner there. awwww...soo many little veggies and so cute.

Agenda Completed....*check*

got up at 2AM and then off to the starting line for the race day. its done and it was nice. the weather turned out to be quite nice by the end towards the goal but it started to rain during the race. so definitely the "poncho style". the 10K walk was a good morning brisk walk as the sun started to rise along the ocean. and i realized that perhaps i already have been walking close to 10K on a daily baisi in japan now. i finished in less than 2hrs.

goodie-.



< here is my "vegetarian meal" from the airplane coming back. i loooved all the veggies. hahaha, but ppl only give veggies when its considered vegetarian. lol.

the "honolulu" adventure

maaaaan, being able to just wear a t-shirt&capris during the month of December. Japan's december sure sucks but hahaha its nice being back in the U.S. of A! here im in Waikiki's hotel room getting ready for the Honolulu Marathon/10K walk tomorrow.
weather though: thunderstorm (crossing fingers for tomorrows 5AM)
10K was actually not all that frightning when we tried to test-out the route the second day we got in to Hawaii.

i think id wanna try the real full marathon before i turn 30 for sure.....will get back about this one.
i just love that everything is in English. =)

***Adventure in Honolulu: so-called "detours" before the race day

- Cuban food in Waikiki, Soul de Cuba. OOOOH Plantains!!!!!! (juan knows the real deal! lucky...i loved the salmon too)

wow already December...

its been quite a while since i last wrote.

so lemme update now that i got internet connection. *phew*

Things been going allritey for me here in Japan. Slowly taking things step by step, day-to-day...trying to organize my thoughts about my next step in life. I am going on "mini-adventures" -- getting out more and also going on long walks and strolling around the area and just discovering things each and everyday. I just love walking around since you get to really see some of the sights you have been missing out on if you were either taking the train or driving. Walking on your own 2 feet sure makes you experience the whole new surrounding, i think.

I am already about a 1 week away from the Honolulu marathon, and preping for this 10K event, and now back at my parents' house trying to pack. I sure hope that when i get to Honolulu on the 8th, i will remain "trying to stay fit" for the actual race day. Haaa hope there won't be too many tempting Hawaiian treats....hee hee.

Its actually been nice since i have been able to catch up with a few of my co-workers from my old job. I sure am thankful for these meetings and the connection I have made with them. It sure is amazing how caring they are and would even take the time of day out of their busy schedule to keep me in their thoughts. *aww* Also its ironic that I am actually getting coffee or going out more than before NOW that i have left the company, haha. But i guess this means im more stress-free and have even the chance to feel happy. Im in a better place in life where I can take a breather and appreicate the better side of Japan.

I can feel the winter weather starting to creep in.....today it started to get all rainy and thundery. It is supposed to get super cold from tomorrow. Man-o-man, im actually a bit scared to go from 1)cold japan -> 2)warm somewhat humid hawaii -> )back to japan land in its COLDEST time of the year.

wish me luck.

November 2008:
*discovering crazy ass slide. check and see if you can see my mother waving at the end.

*Japanese UKIYOE exhibition - one of the bestest ones sponsered from the Boston museum. saw the real Hokusai(11/13)

*A REAL NICE day out with my dad - he came and visited me at my apartment and we went on a little adventure around my neighborhood. There is a huge historic temple&shrines. it was a real nice bonding day with my dad and for the first time ever, i was able to really converse with dad. (11-19)

very tranquil and peaceful....

*found the fishmarket 2 stops away from my apartment

....and some of the other interesting things ive been seeing lately...

this is the awesomest mug i have ever seen in my life.....the koalaface is on the bottom so i had to flip it up to see what face it was. oh my gosh. very japan.

this is just great.