• Missed posting yesterday because J and I took a girls’ trip out to higher elevations, colder temps and warm hot springs in Gunma’s Ikaho Onsen area.  It was a short trip out of Tokyo (about 1.5hrs from Ueno Station to Shibukawa). We did the famous 365 steps up and down from the shrine to the bottom and back. It is a popular tourist location in the fall, but it was still a lovely…

  • Missing the seasons or taking in the greenery has never been one of my sensory concerns. People have complained that living in the desert is so boring and bland; for me, it has never been an issue. As I stepped outside today for a short run and later met J for a bit of traditional tea in a park tucked in the midst of the city, I found that I truly do appreciate…

  • Smiling today as the sun shines in Tokyo. As I ride the train, I am keenly aware of those things I find nostalgic and wonder if I were to live here again would I eventually find things annoying or maintain my sense of warm fuzzy.  Generational gaps are seen as older generations sit without electronics in their hands people watching or reading the adverts on the walls/ceilings of the train cars. The younger…

  • I am back in Japan again after two years and it is amazing!! Not only do I love being with my BFF, my brother from another mother and my godson, but I also am loving the normalcy of life outside of the home. Now, granted, I have not yet left the house on my own, but going out last night and eating was lovely. Here are the things I have missed: Vending machines…

  • Since we are already a quarter into the year, I thought it would be prudent to do a bit of a check-in on my New Year’s Resolutions made. After all, why make them if I do not intend to check in or follow through? So, here they are (linked to the original) with some updates on my progress so far. ๐Ÿ™‚ Health: Well, the six-pack is in progress, but not quite there yet.…

  • Tonight I fly on my first proper holiday since December 2015! It’s been a crazy year and although it might not be the wisest thing to do – going on holiday now – I am going to be joyful for the opportunity and ability to do it anyway. I think I have done it as cheaply as I can with using Airmiles to buy my ticket and saving up portions of my yoga…

  • My gym days are a little by the wayside. However, my goal to tone my stomach is still coming along – through the yoga. ๐Ÿ˜‰ So, with a lot more yoga happening and a weekend of training before I head to Japan, I am taking a wee break still from the gym. I plan to do a bit more running/walking while on holiday, but the weights will have to wait until I get…

  • The other day I was sharing a bit of our challenging situation with a friend. Every time I do speak with a friend to update on our life or share our current story, they always comment on how calm I seem to be about everything. In fact, when they say it I realize it is true, I am very calm. So calm that it almost feels as if I might be in denial…

  • My fascination with religions stems back to my foster family days – the one just before I was adopted by my family now. Although later I would learn that they were Seventh Day Adventist, at the time I just knew that I went to church and started out in the church school.  Some time later I recalled the stories from Bible school and found a book that I had probably been given about…

  • Being sick is one of my most hated things in the world. When I was younger I never admitted it; therefore, illnesses would have to knock me out completely before I would stop to address them.  As a kid, I would only get bed-ridden sick, so that would usually mean that my mom would have to stay home to take care of me. I admit I loved this. Even now, when I am…

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