31. August 2008 by admin.

My impression of NJ was dirty because everything I knew about NJ was the view from the Amtrak on my way to go to NY.  So, I basically did not know much about NJ. Last weekend, I had an opportunity to go to the Long Beach Island.  Initially, I imagined dirty place with cold water, but it turned out to be so nice.  I am not a big fan of crowded dirty beach like Ocean City.  Long Beach Island actually had many different beaches and they were all beautiful. Water was not that cold and it was a lot of fun.  Of course, it’s not beautiful like Jamaica or other beaches I have visited before. However, LBI is now my most favorite beach close to where I am.

Posted in I Love....., Travel | Print | 1 Comment »

16. July 2008 by admin.

It’s been almost a week since I arrived Kagoshima. Although it’s been about 20yrs since I lived here, I don’t see many changes. I enjoy visiting my family, but after 2 days or so, I am pretty bored AND it’s so humid here. I wear shorts in the States, but my mother asked me not to wear shorts here since I am “too old for that”. So I am wearing semi-long pants and walking around with a towel in my hand…  Only exciting thing was I bumped into an old friend I went to elementary school with last night at the town festival. He looked the same and I think I look just like 25 yrs ago. So, it was great to catch up and hear how all my other friends are doing nowadays. I pretty much lost in touch with everyone, so hopefully I can start getting in touch with people and go grab a drink or something when I visit here next time.  I enjoy eating great foods here, but I kind of can’t wait to go back to the States and wear whatever I want!! 

Posted in Japan | Print | 3 Comments »

30. June 2008 by admin.

I have never thought I’d attend a bike week in my life until this weekend.  I was invited to ride to the Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown, PA.  From Baltimore, it was about 3 hour ride.  I didn’t really know what bike week was like, but I have seen so many bikes and bikers! I even got to see the Budweiser Clydesdales. They were huge and I thought they were like the size of elephants…. Bikes were cool to look at and I got to taste Gob and Haluski which I have never had before.  This was actually my second visit to Johnstown and I really enjoyed friendly people and great scenery. I even got to see some cows up close for the first time.  For a city girl, the country life is pretty refreshing. Although I don’t think I can live the country life, I can definitely use them for my weekend get away.  It was a long ride and we hit a pretty severe thunderstorm on the way up. But, I really love riding and I look forward to going to this again next year.  Maybe by then, I’ll have my own license and bike! 

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19. June 2008 by admin.

I am going to Japan soon and I’m kind of nervous about it.  There are some things I don’t look forward to every year.  They are

1. Smoke.  I hate the smell of smoking and people do smoke more than here in the States
2. Manners. I’m so used to hold the door open to others and I always hate the fact that Japanese people don’t hold the door open!  I have slammed my face so many times…
3. My family is not very sensitive when it comes down to opinion. I am 5′4, 133 lbs which is still normal here in the States. But, I am definitely big in Japan. My family is very good at letting me know about that.  I am healthy, I play sports and I really don’t think I am “fat.”  Well, they still have no problem telling me how fat I am …….

These are just a few of things I don’t look forward to.  But, there are so many things I actually look forward to.  My number 1 priority is to spend time with my grandmother. She is getting old and I am always nervous since I feel like it’s the last time to see her. I am extremely close to her and if something happens to her, most likely, I won’t be able to make it home on time.  It’s sad, but I experienced that about a year ago when my grandfather passed away.  Just thinking about it breaks my heart…  Unfortunately, my children don’t speak much Japanese and all they want to do is shopping and sightseeing. Kagoshima is a fun town to visit and it’s beautiful.  But, more than anything, I just want to spend time with my grandmother. Each year, I look forward to doing so, but I also want to make sure that my kids have a fun time. So, I don’t get to spend as much as time possible with my grandmother….

Anyway, I can’t wait to go home and eat some ramen, yakiniku and my mother’s meals! I’m going to Okinawa for the first time this year, too and I am so excited to do that

Posted in Travel, Japan | Print | 2 Comments »

19. June 2008 by admin.

It’s been a while since I put my thoughts on here.  I have been pretty busy with work, workouts and “dating.” Yes, dating finally.  Well, I am seeing the same person I have been seeing since last Nov or so casually and we are officially dating now.

This time around, I am being extremely careful.  I am in my mid 30’s now and I kind of want to have a relationship that is just right for me.  This person I am seeing(let’s call him Mr.X) is basically perfect for me. I actually met him about 4-5 yrs ago and we somehow kept in touch.  He is someone I can respect and I can be myself comfortably around him. I have made a few mistakes in my life and I really think I am much more mature this time around. Who knows what’s going to happen, but this is definitely one relationship I won’t regret and he is someone I am simply lucky to have in my life. I still maintain my priorities straight and I am just letting things happen.

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20. May 2008 by admin.

O.K. “hate” is a strong word and I hardly ever use it. But, after the horrible experience today, I hate AirTran. I have never used them before as a carrier and I will never use them in the future.
This morning, I was booked to fly over to Seattle to meet clients. It was supposed to be productive and fun trip. I got to the airport an hour prior to departure. I already had checked in my ticket, but my company didn’t have her flight pre-checked in. So, since we were going to the same destination, I waited for her. We then went to the security line and it was very long. However, we still have 45 min prior to departure and our departing gate was right outside of the security check point. We got to the gate 15 min prior to departure. When we got there, there were 4 people in front of us and we didn’t know why the gate was closed and no one was around to help us. Next thing we know, there were over 10 of us looking around to see where AirTran employees were. One of us went to the nearest AirTran counter and the agent told her that they already closed the gate. An agent came out from the closed departure gate and told us that we were too late. Obviously, they gave away our seats to stand-by passengers. Now, they offered us different flights to get to Seattle, but they also told us that all of the flights are oversold and no guarantee. I was looking forward to visiting my clients, but I totally missed and I ended up cancel the entire trip. Sure, maybe it was meant to be, but all the employees at AirTran were extremely rude and I will never use them….ever.

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19. May 2008 by admin.

When I am in N.Y., I usually try getting authentic Japanese foods.  In Baltimore, it’s impossible to find the “real” Japanese restaurants, but it’s not too hard to do so in N.Y.

One of my favorite spots is Sushiden

It’s a little pricey, but I guess I have to treat myself every now and then. Also, I miss speaking in Japanese so this place is perfect b/c it’s always full of Japanese people and I feel at home.

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