Monday

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(Jen writing) Well, the weather in Tokyo is finally starting to get pretty cold. I was really enjoying the unusually warm winter that came as a result of so many typhoons this year. Jeremy and I decided to bare the cold and explore in Shinjuko and Sabuya. These are two of the trendiest spots in Tokyo. The city is currently lit up in preparation for Christmas and New Year's Day. Christmas is celebrated completely differently here. It's celebration style is a unique mix between New Year's Eve (to Americans) and Valentine's Day. There are a lot of heart light decorations and "Christmas" lingerie on display in the large department stores. On a side note, they celebrate New Years exactly the way we celebrate Christmas with our families. While Tokyo doesn't come even close to Manhattan around the holidays, it was nice to see the decorations and feel the festivity. Christmas music plays in almost all of the stores even though only the foreigners know them.

Our true quest for the day was to find some good books. We finally completed this mission. I am in love with the Tower Records bookstore in Tokyo! Finally, I found a liberal and diverse selection of reading material. To make things even better, they have a nice seating area setup so that we can sit and enjoy reading all of their magazines without the $13 charge that usually accompanies them. Apparently, this is the Japanese way and the workers welcome patrons to sit and read as long as they like. Next I want to visit a store called Magazine House. Apparently they have over 1200 magazines from around the world and you're free to take them into their coffee shop for browsing. This is our new (and improved) library!

Also today, we sat and enjoyed a hot Chai at the very same Starbucks that was used to film a scene in "Lost in Translation". The streets are a crowded as you seen in movies and I have never seen crosswalks like these before. Here they cross diagonally and vertically. Essentially, it is a pedestrian free-for-all. I really love Tokyo and I love that it is exactly what I thought it would be; neon billboards and all. The other thing I love most about being in Tokyo is seeing self expression again. In Korea, it was land of the clones. People looked almost the same and didn't express themselves through their being. I love that in Tokyo I can walk behind a woman wearing the traditional kimono and a punk at the same time. What's more, is that they all live together peacefully and have respect for each other.

On a side note, a friend of mine started a 10 things trend, so I thought I might add one. Living in Asia has given me a lot of time for introspection and thought I would make a list of things I will never take for granted again.

1. Being able to call family and friends (which are one in the same to me) all the time. On top of the 14+ hour time difference, we are now struggling with phone line and language barriers.
2. Having access to an enormous amount of education. Whether it be cheap magazines, a diverse selection at almost any bookstore, or the library.
3. Literacy. Being able to read, write, and understand is something to cherish!
4. Being able to find your comfort foods when you need them.
5. Watching football with my friends.
6. Having standard (Western) bathrooms. I'm so sick of squatting!
7. Having an oven to cook with (I have been so ungrateful!)
8. Being able to find bras that a.) fit and b.) don't come with an extra 3 inches of padding
9. Being able to comprehend what is going on at any given time. I have always been a rather perceptive and aware person, but here I usually don't have the slightest clue of what's going on (and Jeremy's usually worse...lol)
10. Being with family on the holidays!

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Photos

Tokyo Lights Up at Night
Just like you see in the movies.

The Intersection At Shibuya
This is the infamous intersection in the Shibuya area. It is a very popular shot in movies, such as "Lost in Translation".

The Masses
The masses of people out and about on New Year's Eve (and we were told EVERYONE would be home with their families...)