whitelines paper.

do you remember my apartment wall in japan? the one i covered with ticket stubs, post cards, drawings from students, letters from home, etc... ? well, when i moved back to the states i decided to keep my favorite things from that wall & use them in a memorable way. last weekend i bought a whitelines® paper notebook (a must have) & covered it with my favorite keepsakes from my japanese apartment wall. every time i use this notebook it brings back happy memories of my amazing time in japan. i love it!

missing you.

its only been a week since i left japan & i already miss it terribly!

here are the things i miss the most:

fuji san.

engRish.

the food (are you surprised?).

my precious students.

trees, moss & bamboo.

beer (& kuni...).

the people.

so long, farewell.

so, this is my last week teaching in japan & therefore, a week of constant sobbing. i am absolutely heart broken to part ways with my precious students & say goodbye to their mommies. a while ago, i decided to make all my students farewell cards with our picture & a personalized note inside. i figured this was a perfect goodbye/good job present, & also a great way for them to remember me... forever!

onsen weekend.

last weekend i went with my friend, sandy to a wonderful beach/hot spring resort, shirahama. it was the most relaxing weekend - all we did was go to onsen, eat, relax on the beach & enjoy beautiful japan. sadly, it was my last vacation in japan but a perfect way to say sayonara!

2 hilarious strangers who helped us find our hotel.

the view from our hotel.

an onsen on the beach.

sakinoyu - an awesome onsen, which overlooked the ocean.

ramen for dinner (of course).

our beach spot... amazing!

sandy & i.

the sunset in front of engetsu-to.

相撲

so, i went to sumo last weekend. it was bazaar. it was confusing. it was loud.

& i loved it!

road trip.

a few weekends ago, one of my favorite families took me on a road trip to magome & tsumago.these towns are located in the kiso valley (which runs along the japanese alps) & were major road connections between tokyo & kyoto in the edo period. the area is absolutely beautiful & so well restored. it was awesome walking down the cobble stone streets, passing by the ancient homes & shops.

the otani family.

an old cafe.

go (my student) & i in a crazy chair.

missy (my friend) & i with our favorite hats.

buying senbei (japanese rice snack - which is amazing!).

a gorgeous view of the japanese alps & the old roofs.

this lady was 92 & still working! she was the cutest.

okinawa.

i just returned from the most amazing vacation with my two gorgeous friends, branda & anthea. we went to the beautiful island of okinawa where everything is perfect: the weather, the food, the people, the ocean, the sun, etc... it was an awesome vacation filled with snorkeling, swimming, dancing, eating, shopping & tanning. it was absolutely beautiful & i want to go back tomorrow.

little birds.

my lovely friends took me to a bird park the other day. i just uploaded these photos & decided i must share.

... have a wonderful weekend!