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Since this entry is backdated (the next few will be too), I don't have much to add so sorry for everyone who is expecting to be quite entertained.
The beginning of April was cherry blossom (sakura) time in Japan and let's just say that I am not the only person who thought them to be gorgeous. Pedestrian traffic increased by about 875%, making it even more time consuming to get anywhere (which I didn't think possible in Tokyo). Apparently even when you get to see the trees every year, it never gets old, which is kind of nice I suppose. It's very popular to have a hamani (picnic) under the trees, an experience I was glad I got to have with the family. And unlike in the US, where a picnic might typically consist of sandwiches or hot dogs, in Japan they go all out have a proper picnic; sashimi, vegetables, pasta, sushi, and the like. Yum!
Over the next few weeks, I was busy finishing up boring school projects and making plans for a visit from my Mom. I could hardly believe it when she arrived on the 25th. Unfortunately, I had exams over the next week, so
didn't get to spend nearly as much time with her as I would have liked. In addition, the combination of jet lag and raw fish apparently didn't agree with her, as she was very ill there for awhile. Let's just say I ate McDonald's more in the first week she was there than I had eaten my entire time in Japan.
The family loved having her there; she arrived with gifts which proved to be a big hit, especially English books for the kids. While they usually expressed little interest in learning English when I tried to teach them, they couldn't get enough of reading these books with my Mom! I didn't think the younger two could read at all! Either we should've had these books a heck of a lot earlier, or I am just not meant to be a teacher, ha. In addition, we made some typical "American" foods with stuff she had brought; macaroni and cheese, chocolate chip cookies, etc. They absolutely loved the stuff and couldn't get over how "easy and fast" it is to make! Ahhh, gotta love nearly ready made American food...
The first weekend she was there was my birthday and
the family threw a party for both myself and Shiori, who turns 12 in May. It was an enjoyable day, despite the fact that I really don't see any sense in getting any older. We had a huge spread of food and Heidi and Seiko came over, as well as the children's grandparents and a bunch of Shiori's friends. The biggest present of all though was having Mom there! It had been five months since I had seen her and while at times it has flown by, I really have missed her and my family a lot.
And then we were all off to Nikko, 2 hours north of Tokyo for a short 2 day/1 night trip...
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maycocksean
non-member comment
Those blossoms are gorgeous!
great photos, Lauren. Those cherry blossoms are beautiful. I really wish I'd been able to make it up to Japan. Oh well. I'll be passing through in a few weeks on my way to the States but it's not the same.