Anniversaries of Sorts

I know, I know, I've done that thing again where I have a surge of posting and then disappear. I told you that I'd be back to the grind once my holiday finished!

The funny thing about blogging is that it's my outlet for various reasons: mobile, unassuming, comforting and familiar. The flip side is that anyone can stumble upon my blog and all of a sudden I feel pressure to always be interesting, funny, and entertaining; things that I rarely am with intention. I mean, really, are you laughing with me or...?



Anyways, a few things have happened in the past month or so:

August 23rd, I celebrated my 2 year anniversary in Japan!  I can't believe I've lived in Japan longer than any other country (other than my beloved US of A) and it's felt like a blur.  I know everyone says that, but it's really freaking me out how time passes.  I'm still the worst student ever in learning and absorbing the language but I'm working at it.

August 23rd was also my 3 year anniversary with The Boy in which I do have a story to go along with it. It consists of a beautiful yet slightly embarrassing dinner that just continues to prove to me that I am not quite the graceful grown-up yet, despite my fancy dress.  Happy 3 years to us!

***

Anyways, I've kind of had my head down and out of sight, even socially.  Summer blazed through but I barely noticed because I only went to the beach once (versus last year's almost-every-weekend-at-our-beach-house).  Maybe it's because I'm preparing myself to savor what's coming up because I feel that this year is going to blow by me before I know it.  

What am I suggesting? Well, visitors. LOTS of visitors who will be staying with us for the rest of the year and while I know having guests can be tiring, I love housing friends and family.

And dare I say that I'm actually looking forward to Winter this year?  Picking up a winter sport sure does help.

I'm also going to be visiting beautiful California this weekend for a good 10 days and I cannot wait to see my beautiful friends and binge on everything made of sunshine and rainbows (like In N Out, Target, and sale shopping). 

Until next time...!

My iPhone Apps and the Art of a "Selfie"

Not to rub it in or anything, but this is my view right now:

I'm laying between an infinity pool, a bar and the ocean. How perfect is that? Well, if it's any comfort my vacation will end soon and it'll be back to the daily grind.

Pack One Week into a Carry-On Suitcase

I've lived out of a suitcase for 3 months and out of a carry-on suitcase for one month. I less of a master packer and more of excellent shover-of-stuff into nooks and crannies. Still, I underestimated as usual and thought that packing for a one week tropical getaway would a piece of cake. 

Live from Koh Tao, Thailand - Part 2

I've been testing out this new and improved Blogger app and it's been a mixed review so far. It's definitely improved with its photo posting abilities but it's also failed to automatically save a post I'd nearly finished. /annoyed

Anyways, we've been lucky with the weather forecasts so far but today is a day for lounging about our bungalow. It's much too grey to wander far from room service.

Live from Koh Thao, Thailand - Part 1

By the wonders of technology, I'm writing this while drinking watermelon juice and overlooking a private bay on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand. I can officially say,"I'm on holiday!!!" (3 exclamation marks necessary)

The past week has been a blur; feeling like both the longest and the shortest week "ever," I've been hustlin' to do last minute errands and work hand-over before catching our midnight flight. 

Almost 16 hours later, we made it to our bungalow in Koh Tao:

First order of business? FOOD! I love Thai food and have yet to find a satisfactory restaurant in Tokyo so I immediately ordered a few of my favorite things for dinner:

1. Young fresh coconut

2. Tom kha soup

3. Green curry

4. Fried fish

All were everything I could have hoped for: delicious.

I've been reminded of why I miss SEA!  Now it's time for me to run off and find a dive center for tomorrow and more food to devour. Bye for now!