here's to winter (moving on).

our first signs of Spring - today in Frick Park

When I saw the first green sprouts this week, I had mixed emotions. I was excited, but at the same time I felt a twinge of disappointment.

It seems so unlike me, but I have to confess: I loved Pittsburgh in the winter. Loved it. I loved waking up, stumbling into the kitchen, filling up the tea kettle with water, turning on the gas, and looking out the window to see white.

White. Falling from the sky, covering the ground, clinging to the trees, hiding my car, decorating my neighbor's roof.

I loved taking a hot shower while looking out the window at the snow. I loved pulling on ski socks under my jeans, thinking to myself that no one had to know. I loved slipping on my knee-length down jacket every single day and smelling the familiar smell of 'warm'. I loved opening the door and feeling the crisp air on my face. I loved walking with Brad and the dogs when we had the parks and the sidewalks to ourselves. I loved hanging out with friends inside while the snow was falling outside. I loved wrapping big, thick scarves around my neck. I loved driving home at night as the city lights lit up the falling snow.

For months, the temperature here rarely rose above freezing, and most mornings, it was about 15 degrees outside. If I would have known that before we moved, I might have stayed home. However, there's something really special about doing something different, and I can honestly say that I loved growing and adjusting and learning. The first day that the temperature was 70 here, I said to Brad, "I miss winter already" and then I thought "crazy but true!"

Now, the first green sprouts are showing their heads, and the temperature is in the 50s every day, but my first winter has been etched in my mind as wonderful. This Spring, I will not miss scraping my windshield every morning, and I will not complain about packing away my puffy jackets; but, I will absolutely miss the sweet feeling of falling snow on my cheeks and the sensation of newness.

So, here's to winter. And also, here's to winter moving on. We'll miss it while it's gone, but in the meantime.... hiking! running! biking! open windows! cotton dresses! flip flops! yippee!

the last day...

Dad and I are home safe and sound! After being in airports/airplanes 30-ish hours straight with no sleep, I felt more sick and tired than ever! But, I slept all day yesterday, and now I am back to life and back to work today.

I know you are probably all sick of Japan pictures by now, but I have one more day to share. The day after the wedding, Naoko and Masaki toured us around Tokyo with another couple from Auburn who came to the wedding. I must say, I am in LOVE with that city - it's like New York but cleaner and more modern. And, the people are so, so nice. I would love to go back some day. Here are some highlights:


a view of Tokyo from the Imperial Palace


Japanese pines


the imperial palace






the chopsticks store - amazing!


some of these babies were seriously expensive


more cherry blossoms


dad on one of the many trains


having afternoon tea


my sweet friend


the restaurants provided baskets for your stuff


this one is for mom...


we loved the posterior-spraying toilets...


...and considered bringing one home with us


a wonderful day!!


Tokyo at night - the view from dinner

Wedding Day

Okay, as promised, more wedding pictures!

Naoko and Masaki's wedding took place three stages - a ceremony, reception, and after-party. The ceremony was very traditional and was held in a shrine. The reception was more modern with a white wedding dress, the giving of the bride by the father, a traditional wedding party, and lots of good food. The after-party was for more casual guests who might not have attended the wedding. It overlooked Tokyo and once again had wonderful food!

Here are some pictures!


before the ceremony


before the ceremony


before the ceremony


after the ceremony with the families


with the priest and family


Naoko's father waiting on the ceremony to begin


everyone wore these shoes at the shrine


the reception at the Tokyo Opera Palace


Naoko and Masaki entering the reception


the wedding party


eating the cake


waiting on the after-party to begin




Naoko and Masaki arrive


giving the toast

A wonderful day.

It's 11:30 Saturday night, and I'm about to fall asleep standing up, but I wanted to post a picture from the wedding today. It was truly an unbelievable event - a traditional ceremony in an ancient shrine, a reception at the Tokyo Opera House, and an after-party on the 52nd floor of a skyscraper overlooking Tokyo's "times square."

Here's one picture of the beautiful bride... more to come!!

making memories take 2.

Today has been a wonderful day. Dad and I navigated the train from Fujisawa to Tokyo with all our bags, we made it to our hotel, which is amazing, we had a wonderful lunch, and then we walked around the city a bit and saw a) Starbucks b) Mcdonalds c) Kentucky Fried Chicken and d) Krispy Kreme. We felt right at home.

Here are a few pictures.

Making Memories!!

Hi!

It's 11:00am on Friday here in Japan - I tell you, it was a little wierd to lose a day of my life on a big plane over the pacific ocean! You get on when it's 10:00am on Tuesday. You get off and it's 1:30pm on Wednesday! Crazy!

Dad and I made it safe and sound, and Naoko has been a wonderful tour guide. We've visited a beautiful ancient capital - Kamakura, a modern beach city - Yokohama, saw some beautiful temples and shrines, ate some amazing food, put our bare feet in the sand on the beach, and took a sunset boat ride in the bay. What more could we want?!

Today, dad and I are going to be touring around Tokyo by ourselves as Naoko prepares for the wedding tomorrow. Here are a few pictures of our adventures so far. As the Thompson family always says, "we're making memories!"