That Tokyo trip I took 2 weeks ago, heh.

I haven't posted in a long time. I'm so sorry!!!
I went to Tokyo but I didn't do much there. The Shinkansen (bullet train) is amazing to ride on. I've never been on something that goes so fast ... well maybe an airplane, but you don't really feel like you're moving so fast on one of those, especially in the air. It was amazing. My favorite part of the trip actually!
Anyway, I went to Akihabara which is known for anime. I wasn't impressed. Maybe I didn't get to see enough. Either way, I headed to Shibuya where I shopped till I dropped. Bought some high end fashion at BAPE, some CDs for my dad and then I went to Harajuku simply for the soccer shop next to the train station. Literally almost shed tears in the store. Aomori is so miserable.
So I'm going back this weekend and plan to do more, and take more pictures. I only took a few, which I'll upload now:
This is a friend I met in Tokyo, Kotaro. He took me to an English bar and we watched a Premier League match. There are soooo many foreigners in Tokyo and it was wonderful to see people who looked like me.

My hotel room. Not so bad.

Oh, dear.

The legend of Hachiko, who was a real dog and the story is true - even if my aunt doesn't believe it. Proof is here, sweet thing.

My favorite sign, on the trains. The trains are SO CROWDED AT NIGHT... there is absolutely no personal space. Had some old man pressed up against me and everything -- ew. Fortunately during the day, they're some breathing room. It is funny to watch people getting caught in the doors as they close. That guy? Happened to him. Serves him right!

Lastly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU <3

Winter Festival

Sorry it's been a few days, but I've been busy!!
Last weekend was the winter festival here in Aomori, where they carve lanterns in the snow and light them up at night. They also make cool sculptures. I got to go with Miwa and her boys and got some great pictures...

We had fun!!! Next entry (tomorrow, for sure) I'll post my meat grilling party pics :) Interesting stuff there.

Sad image.

I was walking to work and wondered in my head if I'd run into the 2 pigeons I ran into last week where I fed them a few Goldfish crackers. I walked up to the opening near the post office and one lone pigeon literally came running, then flying over to me. And I 'awwww'd' and took out some goldfish to feed it... and I noticed there was a giant flock of crows hunkered over ... another dead pigeon. Totally eating it. I think the image of that little pigeon running, then FLYING to me, seeming like it was wanting help, will stick with me forever. It makes me want to cry even now - I just know that was its friend. So I stuck around as the other crows came flying over and waited for the pigeon to eat the big pieces before walking off. The crows don't actually come near people, but the pigeons do. Poor thing.

Anyway, I was stranded on the train going to Hirosaki for an hour, then got to my business class a hour late, then ended up (luckily!) leaving work early, spending 45 minutes in a cab and then 2 hours on a bus to come home. There's been a terrible blizzard since around 3:30 this afternoon. I've never been in something so massive - there was thundersnow and lots of lightening, which would have been super COOL, if I wasn't car sick, on the verge of throwing up in a cab. NICE. I swear if I have to go through this again, I'm qutting right then and there.

Here's hoping my lone pigeon can make it through this storm - and the rest of the winter.