Returned

My flight back to Japan was long and uneventful, and every time I land here and breeze through security, customs and baggage, I'm reminded how much LAX needs to get it together. Ipod in, Backstreet Boys on (don't judge), Pasmo in hand, I flew through the airport to my train like the round eyed local I am.

I got back to my cold, stuffy apartment where I promptly showered, made some pasta and plopped down under the heater and blankets to watch some TV, allotting myself this night to zone out, putting off unpacking and tidying. A job I do remarkably well. I forced myself to say awake until at least 9pm, telling myself that tomorrow will be a new day.

And it was. Jeff and I took a trip to the store then created an AMAZING brunch. Our own Egg McMuffins with green Tabasco sauce I found at the foreign good store, strawberries, potatoes, orange juice and coffee, which has gotten increasingly better since I splurged at Starbucks and bought the hazelnut syrup.

 After some laundry and tidying, I felt like I needed to move. Cold though sunny, I decided a run was in order. After sitting 12 hours, my body was pretty much begging me to use it. Kim and I headed to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo for a lovely run and an afternoon outdoors.

Professional Train Riders

Yoyogi Koen

Tuesday was opening ceremonies, meaning an assembly in the gym, an extra long cleaning time, and no classes. It also meant the students went home at 11 and I got a special bento lunch. Score.

 It has been a relatively simple trip back, catching up with people and getting back in the grove of things. 

Returned,
Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Retired Bored Husband...hysterical chain letter sent from Paula. Chuckle guaranteed.

Google Search: Costco in Kashiwa

Tune: As Long As You Love Me By The Backstreet Boys

Accomplishment: doing better than I expected at Japanese class last night, working on my own little project

Obsessions: scratch off travel map from Tori, Mona Lisa Smile movie

Fiesta 25!

The night before my big departure back to Japan, we had a little birthday/goodbye party for me, marking the end of my 3 weeks at home. The lovely Salinas family offered to allow the celebration to be held at their casa, which is much more of a party house than mine ;) We decided to make it fiesta themed as I wanted Mexican food to be my last meal stateside. We brought out all things Mexican, including Tori's Dad, and had a grand time! 

[Eat...]

We had an amazing assortment of appetizers including Mariko's famous spicy tuna, and Tori's guacamole. Daniel worked the bar making margaritas with his super cool Magic Bullet. And that was all before the main course! We ordered meat from El Gringo and created our own taco bar. 

Tori's Guac.
The bowl alone could have been my dinner.

No one was going hungry.

[Smile...]

The Salinas'  had so many props de Meixco that we decided we just had to take advantage. We pinned up a huge Mexican flag blanket and aimed to take as many ridiculous pictures as we could. 

Mission accomplished.

Olé !

The Salinas Family

The Bohan Family

Getting organized. Got to make sure the tequilla bottle is visible.

Smile!

Family fun at its finest!

Fathers and daughters. 

Mothers and daughters.

[Be Merry!]

 After seeing the paper party hats at the store, I knew I had to enhance the party with a few more little treats, preferably ones that reminded people of their childhood. I grabbed a pin the tail on the donkey game which turned out to be a hit, and the Salinas' surprised me with a piñata!  A Dora the Explorer one no less!


First you spin...

...then you pin...

...then we laugh at how not even close you were to the actual tail location.

First you hang...                                                                                                                ...then you hit!

               

Elementary School Reunion

My Elementary School best friend, Kelli, who I hadn't seen in years, stopped by to say hola and partake in the fun. We grabbed Lauren and had a little Tulita photo shoot, during a conversation that primarily consisted of the phrase, `Remember when...?!`

Kelli, Kate and Lauren

No idea what we're doing.

Childhood BFF

And finally, no birthday party is complete without birthday cake, red velvet to be exact.

Thank you everyone for making this day so special,
(especially you Salinas'!!!)
Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Five Things We Learned About Back-to-Back Debates from CNN

Google Search: running in Tokyo

Tune: Marry the Night By Lady Gaga

Accomplishment: A successful trip back to Japan, and a lovely run in Yoyogi park

Obsessions: a few new candles that I got for Christmas, and my big brown boots

Birth Day

The other day, January 3 to be exact, I turned 25!

Whoa.

That was always the age I assigned to "real" people. I can now get into an R rated movie, vote, buy cigarettes and a lottery ticket, and porn for that matter, enlist in the military, drink, and finally, rent a car. That is officially the last thing on the, "I can't until I'm..." list.
Well, unless you count collect social security. But that seems a bit of a leep at the moment.

I had lovely mellow day of turning 25. Ran some errands, got my nails done and had a special family birthday. We figured out that on my birthday last year I was at the Taj Mahal. Awesome. We then figured out that I hadn't been at home with my parents on my actual birthday in 3 or 4 years, so this was special all the way around.

Birthday Nails.

My favorite car wash.

Birthday Dinner, pizza and beer.

Fam Bam.

It was such a special day! Having a little fiesta at my good friend's house on Friday, so I have that to look forward to before heading back to Japan on Saturday. Should be fun!

25, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Backers of CA Millionaire Tax Target Kardashian from Yahoo! News

Google Search: Costco Optometry 

Tune: Backstreet Boys CD...found it in my room and added it to my computer. Best decision I made all day.

Accomplishment: Getting food and decos for my party!

Obsessions: Backstreet Boys CD, Post Secret site, my sparkly nails

A Fresh Start

I have been home about two weeks now and am throughly enjoying my time here. Making the most of all that is around me, family, friends, food and dogs alike. It has been so special to spend some quality time with friends from far and wide who have all come together for the holidays.

Things with my little life in Kamagaya were becoming rather routine, predictable and cold. I was ready for a simple chance of pace. What better way to mix it up then heading back to my roots and the warmth of Redondo. This time last year I was in India, having the experience of a lifetime. In fact I figured out that this day last year I was visiting the Taj Mahal, pretty amazing right?! Though, that fabulous trip meant that I celebrated Christmas, New Years and my birthday all in India, and to be honest it was pretty much like those holidays never happened. So I was eager to get back in the spirit with friends and family, who celebrate the holidays in the way I grew up.

Home.

To make things more special, LA has welcomed me home with beautiful weather, including a small heat wave.

We had a lovely Christmas eve eating tamales and drinking wine with some other fabulous Redondo locals. While Christmas day was spent eating, and eating, and eating with our lovely friends that have become family. My fabulous friend Tori whose family was included in our Christmas festivities, wrote an excellent blog detailing the day. Click here to read her account of the day.

I have spent most of my time at home hangin with my parents and favorite dog. But I did get a few great chances to get out and enjoy the weather and a few of my favorite people.

Diana
@ Ave C, Redondo Beach

Lindsey
@ Terranea, Palos Verdes

Lindsey, Megan, Lauren and Kiana
@ Naja's, Redondo Beach Pier

 [New Years Eve]

To kick off the new year I headed to the Palos Verdes Resort, Terranea, for a new years party they were throwing. We all had so much fun drinking and dancing! But before heading out we had a little Bohan photo-shoot. 

New Years Eve!
The Fam
@ home, Redondo Beach

[New Years Day]

Just like every new years day, we woke up to watch the Rose Parade with our coffee, before heading out to the best meal I'll have all year. Every year we make our way to the lovely Namimoto's house to eat, mingle and watch football. It's a grand tradition!

The Bohans, Salinas, Carol
@ The Namimoto's House

A very happy guest!

Tori, me, Kristin and Derek
@ The Namimoto's House, Torrance

My favorite meal of the year!

I have had such a great time so far and still have a week to go! Hope you all are enjoying this special time of year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Refreshed, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

Google Search: El Gringo catering menu

Tune: International Love By Pitbull feat. Chris Brown

Accomplishment: Getting my parents Christmas presents they enjoy

Obsessions: When Parent's Text book that I got my parents for Christmas, Happ & Stahns Perfume from Anthropologie