My mom's birthday

My mom's birthday was in January, and this is from when we went out to eat at a nice Japanese restaurant. I really liked the atmosphere of this place 'cause it's out in the middle of nowhere, so it's really quiet, and you can enjoy a quiet conversation while gazing out at a beautiful Japanese garden.

If you're not vegetarian, then they have a ton of selections from seafood to dishes with meat, but if you're a vegetarian, I'd say your main purpose of going to this place is for the atmosphere, not the food, since your only selection is udon (and that wasn't even on the menu, I had to ask for it) and tofu. Even then, I'd say it's totally worth it.

Trip to Utoro, Hokkaido

Made a stop at a rest area ... there was a Sponge Bob snow statue.

On the way to Utoro.

So peaceful.

Half the waterfall was frozen.

This half was frozen.

My friend from jr. high did all the driving for me...thanks!

Breathtaking view

See the sea ice in the distance?

There were lots of wild deer.
Unlike the deer in Nara though, they don't come close, but they don't run away either.

It was snowing from the ground-up!

Walking on the sea ice and swimming.
I'm wearing a "dry suit" so unlike wetsuits, you stay dry (some water seeped in from my sleeves), but after an hour of being in the freezing water, I felt like I turned into ice myself.
Cool experience though.

The sea ice finally arrived!

Animal tracks.
I was so into following the tracks that I wasn't looking where I was walking, and fell hip-deep into the snow after I took this picture.

Love walking in the snow...the only sound you hear are your own footsteps. There's something really relaxing about that.

I felt like I stepped into a different world when I came to this spot.

I wish I could live in a log house in a place like this.
It was absolutely beautiful.

More wild deer.

The sea ice finally reached shore.
This last day was the coldest of all the days.

By the sea.

Had a great time.
I think Hokkaido may be the one place in Japan I could actually live in and feel like I belong.
Hope I'll get to go again someday!

Eeew!

I just don't understand who would wander about shopping, and suddenly think "oh! look here! This is JUST the drink I wanted to try!"

Interesting....

So this is a drink called...

"Gun Gun Gurt"
HOW did they come up with a product name like THAT?!

Kyoto Jan. 26 or was it 27th?

Took a visiting lecturer from the States to Kyoto back in Jan.

The Japanese gardens are so pretty!

Love the bamboo forests! They make this really pretty sound, like wood chimes.

Went into a temple we came across...

...and it had a really pretty garden.

Amazingly, they let you walk into the tatami mat rooms, except there was a little sign that said "no sleeping." Ooh, come on, let us take a nap!

Disneyland Dec. 23, 24 2008

Went to Disneyland and Disney Sea in Chiba with some co-workers and friends, around X-mas last year. Was super-crowded, but went with a Disney fanatic who knew how to get around just the right way so that we didn't have to wait much in line or miss any of the big events. It's cool visiting the place with this Disney fanatic friend (not shown in the pic, btw), 'cause you get to see all these shows you didn't even know existed. We all had a lot of fun.

How cute!

Such a cute kitten! A student brought it by for us to see.

Back in October...

This is from back in October when we had a halloween party with the kids. All the kids were on a sugar-high and loving it!