Fresh off the boat

Desire photos

2011-05-04T20:34:00.019+09:00

I dropped my phone recently and cracked the screen. Most of my data is synched online but for a split second I had a terrible feeling that my phone was irreparably broken and all unsynched stuff, like photos, were lost.

I use the phone camera a lot but only keep photos that I like. Before I drop my phone again and REALLY lose all my data, I am backing them up here. Because the internet will be here forever.

These photos have stood the test of time these past 9 months.

My dad loves airports. Last fall, Haneda Airport opened its new international terminal. I live close by and spent a day with him admiring the physics of flight and the vast assortment of omiyage at every corner.

This is me making sure I look decent before a night out with friends. I had just returned from 8 weeks overseas and this photo made me realize that I managed to lose weight, despite living off hotel buffet breakfasts for the first 7 weeks, and cheese, roast chicken and red wine in France for the last.

The boys give me good auntie training.

New Years Day with dad and Daibutsu in Kamakura.

Ai is always up for a good photo op, especially when ice skating is involved.

I ran around this lake in Colorado a few times because I could. That's Pikes Peak in the background, the most visited mountain summit in North America according to its website.

I re-visited the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs during my Southwest business trip in February.

The magnitude-9 earthquake hit Japan four days after I returned from my spring business trip. These are university students hanging out in front of school, wondering if they have to go back to class, and probably wishing they had paid attention during the "What to do in an earthquake" video during orientation.

After the first big quake at 2:46pm, I went back inside our building to get my jacket and phone charger--a stupid idea in retrospect. My coworker's teddy bear was knocked over.

The filing cabinets had shaken open during the earthquake. Two floors above us on the fifth floor, entire cabinets toppled over.

The second big quake came a half hour later while we were waiting in a parking lot outside of our building. After watching a parked Hummer wobble like jello, our boss told us to go home. Trains weren't running yet so my coworkers and I went to our local standing bar.

An electronics shop showed coverage of the earthquake. News of the tsunami was not airing yet.

We knew it was a big earthquake, but we didn't know just how devastating it would turn out to be.

Thousands of people walked miles home that night since most trains weren't running.

The Sunday after the earthquake was sunny and warm, a beautiful spring day. I went running and celebrated my first sub-hour 10k with spicy sesame noodles at a nice Chinese restaurant. Mango pudding for dessert was on the house, a treat from the manager, one of my sister's good friends from grade school.

After lunch and amid aftershocks, coffee and banana bread and a conversation about the importance of closure in relationships.

Due to the earthquake, my sister's wedding got rescheduled from a chapel ceremony on Sunday to business casual at my office on Tuesday morning. I still got to be one of the witnesses. Because she was the only one who had her personal hanko with her that day, so did my coworker, who incidentally is from Sendai.

When the U.S. started voluntary evacuations of citizens out of Japan, half of me wanted to flee the country and half of me wanted to stay. (Because I am half-Japanese, see.) I compromised by getting out of Tokyo for a few days with my newlywed sister. My newlywed brother-in-law joined us a day later.

En route to our uncle's house in Okayama.

This view will never, ever, ever get old.

I met little cousin Rie for the first time in Okayama.

We spread out all the guest room futons to let them air out.

OMG FUTONS ARE THE BEST THING EVER.

Colonel Mustard, in the Study, with the Cat.

The greenest green I've ever seen is in a stream in Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu.

Having my Martha Stewart moment in my aunt and uncle's well-maintained English garden.

Back in Tokyo. Things are calmer and the full-bloom sakura make even Shibuya almost pretty.

I am about 8k into a 10k run here so I am out of breath already, but cherry blossoms like these really are breathtaking. These are the Somei Yoshino variety, Tokyo's official flower, with the palest pink blossoms against nearly black bark.

Everyone thinks you are an ugly concrete jungle, Tokyo. But I know you better.

All I need to know I learned from a once-in-a-millennium magnitute 9 earthquake

2011-04-07T20:23:00.007+09:00

Have an emergency communication plan with your family.

Keep an extra cell phone recharger at your office desk.

Don't keep waiting to give your dad the 3-day earthquake survival kit that you bought him 6 months ago.

If your train stops running right before Friday evening rush hour, have a drink with friends at the local standing bar to think things through.

You may need to cancel your wedding. And your engagement party, rehearsal dinner, ladies' bridal tea, family reunion, and wedding dinner. You may end up with a living room full of unused daisies, daffodils and chrysanthemums that you got for a great wholesale price, and your two dogs may eat them. You may not get to wear your wedding dress and recite vows in front of family and friends. You may need to replace a honeymoon with a panicked nuclear evacuation at your uncle's house. You may need to get your sister's coworker to be a witness for the marriage papers and go to city hall on a Tuesday morning in jeans and a hay fever mask instead of to a church on Sunday afternoon in a white dress and tux. But you can still be happily married if you like and love and respect each other, keep a sense of humor, and get the down payment back from the priest.

If you're jogging, you don't feel aftershocks less than magnitude 5.

Aftershocks are a great alarm clock.

Donate to a trustworthy charity.

Don't watch CNN.

Watch NHK World.

Life goes on.

Day 21

2011-03-04T09:37:00.024+09:00

These long business trips are fun, and for the most part I change zip codes too often to get bored or lonely. It does help to have family and friends living in many of the zip codes that I visit.

Most recently, I saw cousin Quinn and Uncle Bish in Park City, Utah. Last time I saw Quinn he was 12 years old and at least 12 inches shorter.

Uncle Bish is a super cool dude, lives to ski, and makes a mean spinach fettuccine and caprese. His house is full of good music and books, a cat named Tom Tom, and photos of Quinn.

Sometimes I get to see relatives I've never even met met before, like cousin Kai a few years ago in Germany. I had known about Kai for many years because he used to be my sister's pen pal growing up, and we are all Facebook friends. He lives outside Frankfurt with his wife, Jessika, and dalmatian, Gidget.

Kai was a great host and took me around to see many cool things: ancient castles, hillside vineyards, beer halls, a German male volleyball team, and swans swimming down the Main River.

Kai sometimes flies to Japan (I mean literally flies a plane to Japan: he is a pilot for Lufthansa), so hopefully I'll get to show him around Tokyo someday, too.

Going to the West Coast is always nice. Last fall, I was lucky to be in L.A. just when cousin Ashley was visiting cousin Nicole in Hermosa Beach. We spent a Sunday at Nicole's local sports bar, Barnacles, watching football, eating pho, and talking about boys. (Speaking of boys, dude on the right is CUTE)

Laney also lives in L.A., and having just seen her in Tokyo, it was great to continue the fun times. Which of course includes jumping photos, preferably with the Hollywood sign in the background.

Laney has been a friend of the family since she and Ai went to high school together. The three of us spent one summer all taking classes at UW, and I have many fond memories of us eating lunch after class at Saigon Deli, sunbathing and smoking at Golden Gardens, and critiquing each other's fashion. She's coming BACK to Tokyo in a few weeks to attend the wedding of the century.

With Facebook, Skype and email, it's easy to keep up with family and friends even if they live thousands of miles away. That being said, nothing beats seeing them in person.

And that being said, nothing beats going home after a long business trip.

All I need to know I learned from my business trips

2011-02-13T09:46:00.012+09:00

It's that time of year again. Business trip time.

I have learned a lot about packing and traveling efficiently from my current job. Among other things, it's one of the reasons I am happy that I do what I do.

Take packing: how much do you need for a month-long business/leisure trip that spans 2 continents and 4 countries? Would you think it all fits in a carry-on? I didn't, but it does. (Proof: Washington-Oregon-Italy-Germany-Switzerland Fall 2009. One very durable Samsonite rolling suitcase.)

I actually prefer to take a bigger, half-full suitcase, even if it means checking my luggage. Business trips are prime opportunities to stock up on shoes and clothes that fit, Arm & Hammer toothpaste, Aveda products, maid of honor dresses, Clif bars, Rice-A-Roni Mexican Style mix, Magic 8 balls, Swarovski crystal earrings, and other treasures from Nordstrom, Trader Joe's, and Banana Republic outlet stores.

I've now been on 8 overseas business trips and have come up with a pretty solid checklist to make packing easy and insure I don't forget anything really essential:

Passport
credit cards
driver's license
cash (these 4 are really all you need, plus the clothes on your back)
camera
phone
laptop
dressy flats
sneakers
one suit
Enough business-OK shirts, socks, undergarments, etc. to last between hotel washing machines
Yoga pants and a long sweater for days off
sunglasses/eyeglasses/contacts
swimsuit (should your business trip include Hawaii)
Puffy jacket that can be stuffed inside your luggage (should your business trip include Alaska, or Utah in February)
One set of simple jewelry: earrings, a necklace, a bracelet
Conditioner. Some hotels don't have complimentary conditioner, and I find that a fro is not acceptable for business meetings.

For a long flight, I make sure to bring these on board as carry-on:
Water
Small towel
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Face lotion and face mask. I find the dryness of airplane cabins even more unbearable than the limited leg room, Northwest Airlines flight attendants, Chicken or Beef.
Ear plugs. These make a huge difference. Have you ever noticed how LOUD an airplane is in-flight? What? You can't hear me? あんだって？
Earphones and an MP3 player, preferably loaded with a new playlist chosen by a friend with musical tastes similar to yours, or a Jack Flanders adventure.
Eye mask
Sandwich and snacks
Travel pillow. I recommend the REI self-inflating one. It has silicone grippers on the back for stability, can be half-inflated for easy folding to adjust size, and ... it's self-inflating! How cool. I have never been able to use those horseshoe-shaped pillows comfortably, but this one actually lets me take a nap.
A stylish travel wallet to organize your travel documents and foreign currency.

Interestingly, I find that I almost never read on flights. I much prefer to zone out on movies, music, or, if I can, sleep. As much as I enjoy a good novel or In Style magazine, I find it makes the time go slower. I wonder why.

Keeping packing to a minimum is essential, since I have to unpack and re-pack every few days. It feels good knowing that I can survive comfortably for weeks at a time with a simple but well-chosen set of essentials. As Antoine de Saint-Exupery, one of my favorite authors, says: He who would travel happily must travel light. Especially to make room for all the shopping I will do before I head home.

Long time, no see

2011-02-08T18:17:00.007+09:00

It has come to my attention that this blog actually has readers, even though I haven't updated in oh, a year. Thank you, especially those of you that take the time to read through the entire archive.

I thought I didn't have anything very interesting to post, but actually, a lot has happened since December 2009.

1) I moved out of beloved Shinonome Hills. I didn't quite make it to Kamakura, but I did make it to Kamata, which kind of sounds similar.
2) I visited several new countries, a principality and a Special Administrative Region: mainland China, Hong Kong, France, and Monaco.
3) My sister got a new boyfriend, and then a new fiance, and then a new house, and in just over a month I will be the maid of honor at their wedding!
4) I started snowboarding, Tibetan Heart Yoga, and running. I used to think that if a sport didn't involve hitting something, I would not enjoy it. You never know. I have also continued to surf, though not as much as I'd like to.
5) I turned 30, lost 6 kilos, and am in better shape than I've ever been, physically and mentally.
6) I continue to enjoy my job, Tokyo, my family, my friends, my coworkers. That sounds pretty good to me.

Thanks, 2010. 2011, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Gambarimasho.

Flashback 2009

2009-12-19T13:57:00.011+09:00

Anyone within 5 meters of me at last year's New Years party at Propaganda heard my resolution that I would get married in 2009 (woooooo!). I had had a few.

Unless Benicio visits Tokyo next week, sadly this will go unrealized. BUT, I made another resolution that I would travel more in 2009--if possible, every month. I didn't do too shabby.

JANUARY

On a 3-day weekend I took the train to Tochigi Prefecture, to Yunishigawa Onsen. That night a blizzard dumped a foot of snow on the ground, which I got to enjoy from the rotenburo.

FEBRUARY

To Gunma with Tokyo Gaijins for snowshoeing in Minakami. Snowshoe up the mountain, slide down on your bum!

In between, homemade curry and real snow-cones with blueberry syrup. (OK, this was March 1 but close enough)

MARCH-APRIL

I housesat for my coworker in Kitakamakura for two weeks, looking after their pets. A nice 45-minute trek away is Yuigahama beach. Their Plott Hound, Chico, and I spent a sunny Sunday watching surfers brave the chilly ocean.

Later in the month, just as the cherry trees blossomed, I went to the States on business. First to the Southwest, including Colorado Springs and its magnificent Pikes Peak.

Next to the Arizona deserts cities of Tucson and Phoenix.

Then up to Seattle, where the UW Quad was in its full glory.

I made it as far north as Victoria before heading back home.

MAY

No traveling in May, but I did start yoga during Golden Week. Let's count this as traveling... to enlightenment.

JUNE

Ah, June. June was Bali.

JULY
Back to the U.S. for bidness, this time to Baltimore. Hi, Mom!

I love frozen margaritas.

AUGUST
I turned 29. Traveling... to my thirties? In the meantime, meet my coworkers!

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER

Back AGAIN to the U.S., this time to the Sunshine State. I do love me some beaches.

SoCal included lunch with cousin Nicole and a stroll along Hermosa Pier.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

2 weeks catching up with office work in Tokyo, and back again, AGAIN, to the U.S. First to the Pacific Northwest, including a drive across the great State of Washington.

A perk of traveling so much for business is that occasionally, they send me to cool places I've never visited, like Europe. First stop, Italy. When in Rome, eat as the Romans do.

Overnight train to Germany, where I met cousin Kai for the first time.

Cities visited for work: Milan, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Hannover. Then a week of vacation, starting in Berlin.

With my Eurail Pass I made my way through Germany, down to the heart of the Alps in Interlaken.

Back to Italy to once again eat as the Romans do.

DECEMBER
It's been a busy year. I am going to enjoy this city I call home for the holidays, and stay put. Merry Christmas all, see you in 2010!

Dreams of Bali

2009-07-01T20:10:00.008+09:00

You know those dreams that are amazing and seem so real, and then you wake up and have to go to work?

I did have to fly back to Tokyo and the job, but I'm still dreaming about Bali.

My visit to Bali was decided rather quickly. I "had" to use up a week of vacation that expired in June (I know, woe is me). It being the slow time of year in the office, the timing was good.

My usual travel companion was busy. Hmmm, where can I go by myself but still meet people and have a good time? I'd started yoga again, had always wanted to surf, and my nomad of a coworker raved about Bali. Let's see how Google handles "Bali surf yoga retreat".

Go on, try it

After thinking it over a few days, I decided yes, I want to be a surf goddess. So I requested the time off, wired the money, bought the plane tickets, packed my bikini and sarong, and flew to paradise...

When you wake up to tropical birds serenading the sunrise, and someone makes you bacon and mango/coconut pancakes every morning with fresh-brewed Indonesian coffee, and drives you to the beach for surf lessons, and tells you where to find the best 10-dollar, 1.5-hour reflexology, and you come home to your private villa and freshly made bed every night, it's really easy to have a blast.

I had the best time surfing. I really, really loved it. It was like flying. The water was warm. The waves were crashing. The sun was hot. So were the surf instructors. And oh, what a workout.

Maybe I'm recovering from 16 years in Seattle, but the sunlight on my skin was like oxygen for my soul. And the sweet smiles of the Balinese, wherever I went. And the lithe kittehs strolling through the villa courtyard, staring at me with their squinty, kohl-rimmed eyes, as if to say, "Yes, yes, this will make excellent memories."

My week in paradise ended and I was back in Tokyo. I was bummed at first, but when I close my eyes, I am back on the beach. And there is surfing in Japan. And Bali is only 6.5 hours away.

To America

2009-05-10T12:25:00.005+09:00

I went back to the Southwest this spring. A quick drive outside of Denver is Red Rocks.

After Colorado I went to Arizona. I love the desert.

Outside of Phoenix is the stunning Bryce Thompson Arboretum.

I met some cutie pies on the trail.

The flora and fauna were just gorgeous.

Heeeey, Macarena.

Giant eucalyptus trees.

Teeny tiny pineapples.

!

Tucson was my favorite.

I got to see a friend from Tokyo who happened to be there (thanks Facebook!), and met Joe Odagiri's look-alike.

After that, off to Seattle and the great country of Canada!

UW Quad

2009-05-10T12:24:00.000+09:00

This is where I learned me some edumacation.

Spring

2009-05-10T12:20:00.003+09:00

我が母校ワシントン大学の満開桜

Cherry blossoms @ UW

2009-05-10T12:15:00.003+09:00

I was afraid I would miss the sakura altogether this year. No need to have worried!

Spring has sprung

2009-03-23T23:18:00.001+09:00

first blooms, originally uploaded by ninapod.

I saw a funny TV news clip the other day that epitomizes pointless Japanese officials officiating things.

Site is some park in Tokyo where the sakura have begun blooming. A government official arrives with an enormous camera, takes a few photos of a blooming sakura and announces to the news camera: 「桜が咲き始めました。以上です。」

I pass by a gazillion sakura on my way to work and this is probably the closest I will get to hanami this year. For those who will be in Tokyo next week, the river just north of Tennoz Isle station is great.

Yuigahama

2009-03-22T15:26:00.001+09:00

Yuigahama, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Chico the Plott Hound and I made it to the beach after a 2.5 hour trek on the 裏大仏 trail.

I♥Kamakura.

Chico

2009-03-22T15:25:00.000+09:00

Chico
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Chico was a big hit among Kamakura-ites.

Here he is doing his best Che pose.

Snowshoeing in Gunma

2009-03-08T09:10:00.004+09:00

Snoeshowing in Gunma
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Last Sunday for a day trip with the Tokyo Gaijins. Snowshoe up, slide on your booty down the mountain!
My abs hurt for a week afterward. (Congratulations to V, who found out she was carrying twins the next day (no connection with the snowshoeing))
Finished off with a soak in Takaragawa onsen and a 5-hour bus ride back to Shinjuku.
Fresh air and exercise wipes out all the stress from the workweek.

Editor's note: Gunma snowshoeing was in March; Yunishigawa early January; Naeba late December.

Yunishigawa snow

2009-03-08T09:05:00.003+09:00

Yunishigawa snow, originally uploaded by ninapod.

栃木に行ってきました。
A few hours away from warm, urban Tokyo is snowy, inaka Yunishigawa in Tochigi, an hour away from the more popular Kinugawa. I went on a very quiet Friday in early January just as a blizzard passed through. Rotenburo is that much better with falling snow silencing everything around you.

Fuji from Enoshima

2009-03-08T08:59:00.001+09:00

Fuji from Enoshima
Originally uploaded by ninapod

From Enoshima, packed with hatsumode-ing families and friends on New Years, Fuji at sunset.

Kent, Rebecca

2009-03-08T08:52:00.000+09:00

Kent, Rebecca
Originally uploaded by ninapod

The snow was icy and scarce in Naeba but it was a fun siblingx2 ski weekend anyway.

From the Dragondola

2009-03-08T08:51:00.001+09:00

From the dragon gondola
Originally uploaded by ninapod

The Dragondola took us to much better snow in Kagura. From the ropeway we spotted monkey tracks, wooden black bears and a beautiful jade-green lake.

apres ski @ Hotel Cho

2009-03-08T08:43:00.004+09:00

apres ski @naeba
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Kent and Ai brought lots of goodies (sparkling, wine, cheese) to share for apres-ski at our room in Hotel Cho.

pioneer square ducks

2009-03-08T08:34:00.001+09:00

pioneer square ducks
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Even the wooden ducks in Pioneer Square had their rain gear on.

seattle from west seattle

2009-03-08T08:32:00.001+09:00

seattle from west seattle, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Seattle was not very different from four years ago. Everyone still wore goretex, every day was cloudy with a chance of rain, and the best city views were from Alki Beach.

Happy Birthday

2009-02-20T20:17:00.003+09:00

In celebration of his birthday, my very own Best Of Ken Shimura YouTube Festival.

Let's start with a song!

Next, some calisthenics.

The best swan outfit EVER. Bjork, watch and learn.

うん、うまいっ！

スーパー志村

Family values.

このおじさん変なんです。

And another dance to wrap up. Best part is from 1.40.

Live long and prosper, Shimura!!!

Pacifica Pier

2009-02-01T11:59:00.001+09:00

pacifica pier, originally uploaded by ninapod.

From last October, on my biz trip to San Francisco. Pacifica pier at sunset. One of the Japanese teachers I visited lived in Pacifica and she invited me over for Shabbat supper. What a beautiful place to live.

jump if you love Oregon!

2008-11-12T04:17:00.001+09:00

like mother, like daughter
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Hi, havarti? I'm gouda.

2008-09-21T13:18:00.009+09:00

Hello, peeps. Summer is almost over, just a few more days of typhoon-induced humidity and then GLORIOUS AUTUMN!! Much of the next 2 months I will be in the US doin' my recruitin', but I will post again with photos from CA, OR and WA. YAY!

So, after Okinawa there were lots of fun things this summer. Many people came and left at work and I have a bunch of new co-peons. I went to my first GNO at Fujimamas, saw the Dark Knight, went to a few beer gardens, cut off my hair, played tennis on the hottest freaking day of the summer, celebrated a few birthdays, and celebrated a few weddings.

Last weekend was my cousin Midori's wedding, to longtime beau Takarin. The ceremony was held at Itsukushima Jinja, a world heritage site, on Miyajima, in her hometown of Hiroshima. It was surreal and beautiful.

The room where the ceremony took place was open to the public.

Holy world heritage site, batman.

The bride and groom's geta. Ghet-to!

All the fam was there. I seriously have gorgeous cousins.

Among the guests were James Bond and the Pink Panther.

So was our favorite little person, Yurine.

Bride and groom began in traditional kimonos.

Then later changed to Prince Charming and Ariel.

We took a boat to and from Miyajima and the hotel.

It was SUPER FUN.

So was the reception.

Ai and I sang A Whole New World, and Takarin serenaded Midori with a Kobukuro song. He took piano lessons just for this.

Madoka and Jesse documented the whole thing on video and film. I don't think they sat down for more than 5 minutes the whole day. Otsukaresamadesu.

And here are the sisters.

That should be all the weddings for this year. But you never know, there are still 3 months left of 2008 and Las Vegas is just a plane ride away.

Cheers peeps!

Miyakojima

2008-06-22T08:57:00.001+09:00

catamaran, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Spent a few days in Miyakojima with Ai. Green water, blue sky, yellow hibiscus and bright red skin (now a Tahitian tan).

Tokyo? Seattle?

2008-05-04T11:29:00.003+09:00

Bay and Highway
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Hard to tell, innit.

Bay and Highway

2008-05-04T11:29:00.001+09:00

Bay and Highway
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Tokyo

2008-04-28T20:42:00.001+09:00

Tokyo, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Paris? Non. C'est Tokyo a nuit.

father & daughter

2008-04-18T19:56:00.001+09:00

father & daughter
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Was flipping through my Flickr pics and could not resist posting this.

Little cousin Yuri and big cousin So.

Cute, or WHAT.

A Whole New World

2008-04-13T12:15:00.001+09:00

A whole new world
Originally uploaded by ninapod

I think what made Ai happiest on her 30th was finding her karaoke soul mates in Kiyo, Muti and Dudley.

Here they are singing one of the best karaoke duets, A Whole New World from Aladdin.

Other faves:
Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie
Time Warp from Rocky Horror
I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder
Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
Give It Away Now by Red Hot Chili Peppers
What it Takes by Aerosmith
島唄 by The Boom
My Sharona by The Knack

frozen waterfall

2008-04-06T12:11:00.001+09:00

frozen waterfall, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Photos from my recent biz trip to OR/CO.

It stays pretty cold in Colorado well into spring. In mid-March, Seven Falls outside of Colorado Springs was still mostly frozen.

hike behind GOTG

2008-04-06T12:09:00.001+09:00

hike behind GOTG, originally uploaded by ninapod.

I spent my free Sunday in Colorado here. Nice change from Tokyo.

Garden of the Gods

2008-04-06T12:08:00.001+09:00

Garden of the Gods, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Majestic red rocks in Colorado Springs.

Cadet Chapel

2008-04-06T12:07:00.003+09:00

Cadet Chapel, originally uploaded by ninapod.

At the USAFA. Profile looks like a jet; as a whole it looks like a radiator.

United State Air Force Academy

2008-04-06T12:07:00.001+09:00

United State Air Force Academy, originally uploaded by ninapod.

Drive down to the USAFA in Colorado Springs.

Oh you pretty thing

2007-12-16T10:31:00.001+09:00

This blog has not been of much use lately, so I am temporarily turning it into a David Bowie tribute website.

How I wish I was alive in the 70s to see this.

Familia

2007-09-30T07:02:00.001+09:00

love this family!
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Since moving here in 2005--two and half years ago, people--last weekend was the first time I've been more than a few miles outside of Tokyo?? Shame.

There are people as wonderful as these--cousins Midori & So, cousin-in-law Shiori and mini-cousin Yurine--to visit, in a city as pleasant as Hiroshima. Shame.

There are forest lodges to spend weekends at, built by retired boat designers who raise St. Bernese pups and served grilled smoked chickens and conduct weddings in their log cabins. Shame!

So where to next? After Okayama next weekend (auntie extraordinaire Mari and cousin Takara, precious as his name suggests), there is skiing in Hokkaido, sand dunes and paragliding in Tottori, awamori and goya in Okinawa, onsen in Kyushu, udon in Shikoku, Koya-san in Wakayama. Yokoso Japan, your campaign is working.

Iheartりんかい線

2007-09-04T23:46:00.001+09:00

I*heart*りんかい線
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Expensive (380 yen one way) and inconvenient (who goes from Osaki to Shinonome? (except me)) though it may be, the 10 commuters in Tokyo who ride to and from work on the Rinkai Line get to ride a train that's nearly empty and free of the human zombie sardine cans that is JR, Metro and Toei!!! I LOVE you random private underused train line, you!

Happy Beau-day

2007-09-02T15:37:00.001+09:00

Beau, Chris, Akiyo
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Beau's 25th at Junkadelic, the last day of a dizzyingly hot August and the end of the workweek, good friends, strangers who became new friends, guacamole and margaritas. Recipe for a perfect party.

Junkadelic!

2007-09-02T15:30:00.001+09:00

Junkadelic!
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Akiyo and Jon, spreading the peace & love.

Blue steel and the ladies

2007-09-02T15:20:00.001+09:00

Blue steel and the ladies
Originally uploaded by ninapod

"Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?"

more slurpees, please

2007-09-02T15:16:00.001+09:00

more slurpees, please
Originally uploaded by ninapod

I liked the banana frozen margarita the best, but I would like to go back for a few more pitchers to confirm this.

spot the bug

2007-08-25T08:54:00.001+09:00

spot the bug
Originally uploaded by ninapod

up on the 35th floor of our government-subsidized high rise, a surprising variety of critters find their way to the balcony plants. How did this twig worm make it up here? Inch by inch, floor by floor? Or was it chillin' as a wee larva in the basil/peppermint/parsley plant at the Viva Home garden center, not expecting such an uplifting experience once it came to?

Saturday afternoon clouds

2007-07-29T12:12:00.001+09:00

Saturday afternoon clouds
Originally uploaded by ninapod

Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere...

obi

2007-07-16T19:18:00.001+09:00

obi, originally uploaded by ninapod.

the three-day weekend started with a typhoon, followed by a wedding, Rocky Horror karaoke, new aquamarine earings, Harry Potter on the big screen, heavy-duty apartment cleaning, and ended on an earthquake.

the lovely bride, the dapper groom

2007-07-16T19:13:00.001+09:00

the lovely bride, the dapper groom.
Originally uploaded by ninapod

introducing Mr. and Mrs. John Wood.

legato lounge II

2007-07-16T19:12:00.001+09:00

legato lounge II
Originally uploaded by ninapod

chatting before the wedding.

rain drops, gardenia

2007-07-14T07:37:00.001+09:00

rain drops, gardenia
Originally uploaded by ninapod

the first bloom of the summer.

dedicated to friends John and Akiyo, who are getting married today.

issue No. 1

2007-07-02T20:12:00.001+09:00

issue No. 1
Originally uploaded by ninapod

my commute recently got longer by about thirty minutes.
Thirty extra minutes for me to enjoy my new subscription to the New Yorker!
Moms and early birthday presents are the best.

super good morning

2007-06-24T16:22:00.001+09:00

, originally uploaded by ninapod.

good morning

2007-06-23T07:49:00.001+09:00

shinonome sunrise, originally uploaded by ninapod.

it's the weekend♪

beer crawl

2007-06-23T00:10:00.001+09:00

beer crawl
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Have never been a beer drinker but could be converted with certain bottles.

my town

2007-06-18T19:50:00.001+09:00

my town
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Been almost a year since I and sisterpod moved to Shinonome.
Since then, one new high-rise condo has opened, another is built and awaiting its grand opening, and a third has broken ground.
It feels like Belltown, Seattle, circa 1997. Cranes everywhere!
Now all we need is a Starbucks on every corner♪ but to start with, just one is fine.
please....

new shoes

2007-06-12T21:29:00.001+09:00

new shoes
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

luckily there is a store near by with shoes my size. More expensive than most, but shoes are something that I really do not mind spending a little extra on. Painful feet are not fun.

The red peep-toe pumps are mine; the rainboots are Ai's.

amazing winehouse

2007-06-07T22:45:00.000+09:00

i just started listening to amy winehouse and now I can't stop. she's amazing.

sunrise, sunrise

2007-06-06T07:40:00.001+09:00

ageha sunrise
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

view from the ageha pool deck.

Silvie 1991-2007

2007-06-05T00:37:00.001+09:00

Silvie
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Silvester Brown. Silvenheimer. Silvio. Silviepoo.
Such a pretty face, such a sweet kitty.
Out of all the family pets, she was the most peaceful. Very level-headed. Aside from the occasional hair ball, nothing much bothered her. She was fearless and took no shit, especially not from the neighborhood dogs and vets wanting to poke her with needles.
I think that is why, when I think about her weak and unable to take care of herself anymore, I get really sad. Because that was so counter to who she was.
This little specimen of elegance graced our lives for almost 17 years. Thank you for your company, Silvie.

Chapuire hatsu live buji shuuryo!!

2007-05-04T18:02:00.001+09:00

Chapter11+HK
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Or, most excellent debut live, Chapter 11!

The sassy and intelligent girl rock duo pose with stage manager HK after their first live at Shimokitazawa's Mosaic live house.

Maki is an awesome drummer who is all smiles. She's on the left.
Suzy is the one with the butterfly about to alight on her head. She's the rockin' singer/guitarist/songwriter.

Shimokita full moon

2007-05-04T17:50:00.001+09:00

full moon Shimokita Stn.
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

through the roof of Shimokitazawa Station, heading home after Chapter 11's live at Mosaic.

seasons

2007-04-28T15:32:00.001+09:00

SN290015.jpg
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Just like that, the sakura are gone, and everything is green again. Finally getting some pleasant days, nice weather like early summer in Seattle.

This morning was windy but sunny, a good Saturday to start off Golden Week. Then these clouds rolled in, bringing lightning, thunder and rain.

the evil continues

2007-04-22T20:38:00.000+09:00

The game: Each player of this game starts off with ten weird things or habits or little known facts about yourself. People who get tagged must write in a blog of their own ten weird things or habits or little known facts as well as state this rule clearly. At the end you must choose six people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs! (Thanks Courtney and one thing that is probably not a little-known fact about me any more is that I am a major procrastinator).

When I was little, I wanted to be a ballerina. As a grown-up, I still want to be a ballerina! (or, bizarrely, a shepherdess)

I can do the splits. I'm very bendy.

I dropped out of high school my junior year, but managed to graduate from college on time. Go Huskies.

When I was 17, I spent four months going to high school aboard a schooner, starting in the Caribbean and ending in Boston. I hoisted sails, took noon sites, said argghhh, and got a fabulous tan and toned biceps. One of my favorite memories: sailing into Gloucester and waving to my Grandmother and great-Uncle and Aunt as they stood on their front lawn on the water, waiting for my boat to come in. Before that, I spent three months living on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, teaching kids at a BIA school, going to sweat lodges, making silver jewelry, hiking at White Sands, herding cattle on horseback and getting lost atop mesas. It was a great year.

The ocean scares me.

I could eat kabocha every day and never tire of it. Same goes for yogurt.

I don't like beer. I like red wine and bourbon on the rocks.

I enjoy singing in a chorale and hope to someday sing Mozart's "Requiem" again like I did in college. I am a second alto. I have also been known to do imitations of Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas.

The moment before I fall asleep and the second after I awake are two of my favorite times of day.

Conan O'Brien is my hero.

i tag: gina r, dan t, yuko m, beau m, mayumi o and mariana m.

Shinonome sakura

2007-04-03T22:10:00.001+09:00

Shinonome sakura
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

The night before, a fierce rain and windstorm was screaming through Shinonome. The blossoms got pretty roughed up, wrinkly and beginning to turn brown at the edges, but there is still nothing like the sight of blooming sakura.

Silvie

2007-04-01T10:43:00.001+09:00

Silvie
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

I was in the States with the two family kitties when the scary news broke about canned pet food causing kidney failure in cats and dogs.

Thankfully, Silvie and Atomik are picky eaters and prefer katsuobushi and tuna to cat food, so they were out of danger.

Silvie did have to go to the vet for an unrelated procedure, and had this funny blue collar on when we brought her home.

She was totally cool about it but it freaked out Atomik.

atomi

2007-04-01T10:37:00.001+09:00

atomi
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

our beloved, three-legged, utterly unique Atomik.
He is the best thing to hug, weighs the same as a sack of potatoes, soft like velvet and sooo warm.
He likes to roll around in the driveway and is often covered in dust.

parrot tulips

2007-04-01T10:03:00.001+09:00

parrot tulips
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

from a bouquet I took to Grandmom on my second-to-last day in DC.
they take my breath away!

god bless cancelled flights

2007-03-26T11:11:00.001+09:00

mom and me
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

because it meant I got to stay an extra day in the US, and mom and I got to hit up the National Gallery in downtown DC for a day of art appreciation.

this is an awesome, awesome town.

temple, tower

2007-03-14T22:46:00.005+09:00

temple, tower
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Akabanebashi has the Tokyo American Club, a Beemer dealer, the Russian Embassy, a couple of shrines/temples and, everywhere you look, Tokyo Tower.

If you can't sleep, count sheep. Don't count endangered animals, because you will run out.

2007-03-11T23:29:00.000+09:00

Mitch Hedberg, possibly the funniest man I have ever seen.

possessed at the piano

2007-02-24T15:53:00.000+09:00

Olga Kern competing at the 11th Van Cliburn International piano competition in 2001.
Amazing.

Last Sunday in Five Senses

2007-02-20T07:51:00.001+09:00

hot stones
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Sleet gray sky downpour, later brilliant sunshine. Round, flat, smooth, shiny black stones.

Wind chimes.

Iced tea with licorice and peppermint.

Cedar, sage, sweet grass and sandalwood.

Heated stones resting in my palms and back. Circulation pumping. Expert hands easing out all the pressure lodged in my muscles. Drifting in and out of semi-consciousness, completely relaxed.

This was my Sunday afternoon at Aveda salon in Aoyama, enjoying the gift certificate from miss Ai that I got for Christmas. Highly, highly recommend their hot stone massage, and also having a sister who gets you Aveda gift certificates.

Radiohead Night

2007-02-12T19:43:00.001+09:00

OAS
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Radiohead inspires a lot of passion from their fans. Not surprising since they *rock*.

SuperDeluxe hosted the fifth Radiohead Night, which I mentioned in thorough detail in a previous post. In addition to interviews, live video footage and a short documentary, a five-piece band called OAS played some covers.

WOW. I love Radiohead because their songs are so textured and moody and have amazing beats, and didn't think that a cover band could do them justice. But these dudes were channeling Radiohead. They were right on.

Setlist was Knives Out, Airbag, Paranoid Android, Wolf at the Door, Creep, and a bit from a new song.

Can't wait to see the real thing in concert some day.

Forget about the Super Bowl, give me Puppy Bowl III!!!

2007-02-05T22:38:00.000+09:00

Don't miss the half-time kitties.

MetPods

2007-02-04T10:48:00.001+09:00

MetPods
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Good chemistry is hard to find. The three Metropolis podpeople have certainly got it; just listen to the weekly Metpod.

The MetPod trio, Jordon, Suzy and Kong, along with guest Ninapod, met for a Higashi Shinjuku yakiniku dinner at Kouei, a longtime Uchida family favorite. Tonchan was where we really wanted to go, for the BEST samgyeopsal with endless sunny lettuce, goma leaves, garlic cloves, kimchi, sliced onions and red pepper to go with it (yes, you will stink afterwards, but you will be stinky and happy), but the line of people waiting out the back door was around 20 people too long, so we headed next door to Kouei. And you can do a lot worse than Kouei.

It was a really fun evening, with lots of smoky grilling and rounds of beer and shochu, and we ended by toasting with a bottle of Makkoli.

walking home

2007-02-04T10:33:00.001+09:00

I missed my stop and had to walk home; this was my view
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

What's the point of making the last train if you are going to fall asleep and miss your stop?

Thank goodness I was only one stop away from home when I came to my senses. Still, I had to backtrack 20 minutes at one am on Sunday morning in the cold.

But it was actually a really nice stroll. It felt good to walk off the makkoli, while cars and trucks zoomed by on the highway, and the wind made crazy patterns on the bay. A couple of midnight joggers passed by. It cleared my head and I slept like a baby!

I heard it on the MetPod

2007-02-01T22:25:00.000+09:00

Radiohead Night at SuperDeluxe!!

snazzy.

2007-02-01T22:00:00.000+09:00

mod.

2007-02-01T21:58:00.000+09:00

gorgeous.

2007-02-01T21:30:00.000+09:00

Julian Opie in orange

2007-02-01T19:40:00.001+09:00

Julian Opie orange
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Julian Opie seems to be pretty popular in Japan. He's had a few shows here, and has a few installments at businesses around town. When I walk by the Dentsu building in Shiodome on my way to a midday Starbucks, I like to look into the lobby at the digitized humans strolling in place. The same figures are more colorful over at Omotesando Hills.

love in New York

2007-01-21T21:23:00.000+09:00

My new favorite site: the "Vows" section of the New York Times.

Of course the NYT is only going to pick unions that are interesting, otherwise people wouldn't read them; with brides and bridegrooms who by themselves would make good profiles. I know not all marriages and the courtships leading up to them are as magical and destined-to-be as these sound. And I would like to see how the marriages actually turn out, after the wedding.

Still. Each story gets to me. I'm surprised how so many of the guys in the profiles are just as sweet and shy and silly about crushes and romance as the woman. And most have gone through failed relationships and disappointing one-sided crushes, and feel like they'll never find the real thing. But then gloriously, they do! And then I get teary and start daydreaming about wedding dresses and china patterns. I'm such a girl.

hall of wood and metal

2007-01-21T09:54:00.001+09:00

wood, metal hallway to parking lot
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Within the labyrinth of Roppongi Hills this wood-and-metal hallway led from one of the lower shopping levels to the parking lot.

The planners at Mori Building are certainly good at creating textures in their developments. There's the cobbly sandstone that makes up the main structure of RH; the blue lights that, over the course of a minute, trickles down the side of Mori Tower like a huge timer; digitized Julian Opie pedestrians figurines striding across the facade of Omotesando Hills. And my favorite, that I just discovered yesterday: from one of the upper balconies inside Omotesando Hills, look down at the wide flight of stairs on the ground level and the steps appear to be moving in waves, a trick of the lights. It was mesmerizing.

brigitte, calista, namie... eminem?

2007-01-19T23:08:00.001+09:00

celebrity look alikes, originally uploaded by ninapod.

best boss eva

2007-01-19T01:08:00.001+09:00

best boss eva
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

CoZmo's Cafe, Charlie sayonara party.

It's provocative. It gets the people GOING.

2007-01-19T00:19:00.000+09:00

T-minus 2007

2007-01-06T11:00:00.001+09:00

T-minus 2007
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Ready for takeoff.

Final sunset, 2006

2006-12-31T17:20:00.001+09:00

Final sunset, 2006
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets from home. Definitely a good new thing in my life from 2006.

Let's see, what else:

Seeing my Japanese relatives regularly. Getting to know them even better, getting to know their significant others and children.

Visiting mom's new house in Maryland, seeing Silvester and Atomers again.

Meeting new people, reconnecting with old acquaintances and friends. I like that in Tokyo, I can still see people I knew in Seattle.

Spinshell Night 2006.

Glitterball 2006.

The new flat with a so-funky flat mate.

Being in a fashion show, being models for a photo exhibit, being on the cover of some weekly magazine in Tokyo. I, like Miss Ai, like being in the spotlight. Word.

MacBook.

Oh and my best Christmas present, gift certificate for an Aveda Spa experience, from Miss Ai!!!! OOOOOH that will definitely be a 2007 highlight.

So much to look forward to. 2007. Here it goes.

Christmas Eve guests

2006-12-28T08:04:00.001+09:00

Chuchu
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

The always dashing Chuchu and the cuddly furball Popo.

2006-12-28T08:03:00.001+09:00

Popo
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Falkor in my coffee

2006-12-26T21:21:00.001+09:00

Falkor in my coffee
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

Sunday morning, Ai and I went to the Franciscan chapel in Roppongi for Christmas Eve morning mass. Apparently we had been there as kids on Christmas; both Mom and Ai said "I remember the doorway but not much else" (I did not remember the doorway. It was not particularly memorable this year either). The sermon, about the babies and little kids that everyone was at one time, was very well-done and it was nice to attend church after a long absence.

Our attempt at Christmas Eve Sunday Brunch at the Grand Hyatt's French Kitchen sans reservations was futile, so we walked over to the Hills to check out our options. Roy's brunch sounded tempting, and there was a very delicious view looking east towards Tokyo Tower, so we headed in. At 11:30am, there were plenty of tables open--an hour later the whole place was swarming with families, friends and couples.

Brunch was excellent, and so was the coffee with lots of foamy crema on top. And... who's that... Falkor??

Christmas gifts from Mom

2006-12-23T16:19:00.001+09:00

Christmas gifts from Mom
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

xmastime is here

2006-12-20T01:23:00.001+09:00

xmastime is here
Originally uploaded by ninapod.

“I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.”

It’s a lovely and heartbreaking song, one of my favorite Christmas carols. I never thought there would come a time when I’d be singing it about myself. Not be home for Christmas? Sacrilege! Now let’s bake some gingerbread and watch Elf.

Well, do you hear what I hear? Because I’m singing it now.

This winter, for the first time in 18 years, I am spending Christmas in Japan. There’ll be no snow and mistletoe, no presents under the tree—no tree, period.

Actually, I’m being a bit of a Scrooge. I will be home for Christmas—Tokyo is home again since I moved back last year, after living abroad for a long time. But for me, a die-hard, it’s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year Christmas fanatic, it’s just wrong not to take a trip to see family, to watch It’s a Wonderful Life and One Magic Christmas, get up early Christmas morning and spend the whole day in pajamas, eating stollen, giving and receiving presents.

I was an international school second grader the last time I spent December 25th in Japan. Back then, as we did every year, my Japanese dad put up Christmas lights on the roof (the only ones in the neighborhood) while my mom, a Washington, D.C. native, played the Julie Andrews Christmas album and dug out advent calendars. My sister and I wrote letters in shaky English to Santa and learned the words—phonetically—to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

I was in heaven, enchanted by the mix of religious mysticism and materialistic frenzy. It was also a tradition that came from my American mother, so it was foreign and exotic, a mysterious visitor that appeared every year bearing gifts. We were the only family in the neighborhood who celebrated Christmas as something more than just a commercial holiday, and it made me feel special, like I was in on a juicy secret that smelled of warm cinnamon and cloves and sounded of sleigh bells.

When my family moved to the States, to my delight the whole country got as giddy on the holiday spirit as I did. Christmases were often spent with my mother’s relatives on the East Coast, who also loved the holidays, so I came to equate the season not only with sacredness and a chance to score serious loot but also with family and togetherness.

The next 18 years brought the awkwardness of adolescence, my parent’s divorce, the self-absorbed angst of high school, the uncertainty of college and imminent adulthood. (There were lots of good times too) But each year, without fail, I could count on Christmas to emerge from the damp grey Seattle winters and fill me with the wonder that hadn’t waned since childhood. The magic of Christmas always remained with me.

But the Christmas I loved was an American—a Western—Christmas. I thought there wasn’t anything in Japan that could match it. Though I am pretty sure he has the same good memories of my childhood family Christmases as I do, the day held no significance for my father, who’d since moved back to Tokyo. He and everyone else here worked on Christmas like any other day, because for them, it pretty much was any other day. Maybe some people would eat buche de noel Christmas cake, buy presents for friends, and of course it’s a good excuse for parties. But it’s just not a part of the culture here.

When I moved back to Tokyo last year, something I’d always wanted to do, I assumed I’d head back to the States for Christmas. I did this the first year, and I must have been on Santa’s “nice” list because it was as jolly and merry as I could have hoped for.

But this year I knew I couldn’t afford the trip or ask for the time off from the bosses at my new workplace. The prospect of Christmas as just another typical Monday—commuting, hour for lunch, osakini at 6pm—sounded worse than, well, the day after Christmas.

So. I can either whimper and moan that I don’t get to have Christmas my way, or I can face the reality of being an adult, of expensive airfare and job obligations, and try to make the best of a Tokyo Christmas.

After all, this is a pretty cool city. And I’d be missing the whole point of the holiday if I thought there was only one time zone where I could enjoy it.

It won’t be the same, of course. But that’s a good thing, because it makes my favorite kind of Christmas—an American Christmas—special, something I have to work for and look forward to. It will be lighthearted and fun, with fabulous illuminations at shopping malls and special Christmas menus at my favorite restaurants. Hey, that’s a bonus right there—restaurants actually stay open on December 25th here, often with pretty amazing deals.

And in a way, it’s a sign that I’m grown up now. I have to learn to conjure the magic of Christmas on my own, without it being handed to me like the presents I got as a kid, wrapped and waiting for me beneath the tree. After all, it was my American mom who, pretty much on her own, created the Christmas for my family in Japan that I fell in love with.

It’s my turn now to make my own traditions, and see if there are others to share it with who get as much joy from Christmas as I do. And that is pretty lovely, if a little heartbreaking. Just like the song.

good things

2006-12-16T14:14:00.000+09:00

Buying gifts for people used to totally stress me out. Complete waste of time. (I mean, stressing out was a complete waste of time; not buying gifts)

It's a lot more fun now, because I think about the things I like, and there's at least a chance that the giftee will like it too. If not, it's the thought that counts, right? Plus, there is always re-gifting.

These are some of my favorite things that I have received, given, want to give, or want to get.

Complex Biz is a brand of hair accessories sold in Tokyo. Unlike most wimpy hair clips, these have the jaws of death that will grab your hair and never let go. Gorgeously ornamented--they remind me of Christmas ornaments, actually. Ai introduced me to them, and though they are very well-built and sturdy, she constantly has to buy new ones since Chuchu, with his metal fetish, keeps eating them.
This one is called the Crystal Jewel Dessert Clip, for 6,195 yen. Pricey, yes, but worth it.

happy feet

2006-12-16T14:13:00.000+09:00

Something is wrong with my right foot; the sole is always screaming with pain by the end of the day. Probably not helped by wearing pointy heels every day. But slipping this funny ball-on-a-band around my foot and rolling it around the pressure points, ooooooooooooooh. Marna's "Good Plus Lymph Massager for the back foot," 1,260 yen.

Pink panthers

2006-12-16T14:10:00.000+09:00

And for those pointy-heeled boots that are so pretty but hell for the feet, a pair of Pink Panthers keep them sitting up straight by the door and smelling nice. アイデア.com, 1,260 yen.

coach

2006-12-16T14:01:00.000+09:00

Pop gave me a pair of dark brown, lambskin, cashmere-lined Coach gloves about 10 years ago. Miraculously, I have not lost them. Amazingly, they are still as soft, warm and stylish as the minute I took them out of the box and tried them on. That's quality for you. $98.

Pumpkin Le Creuset

2006-12-16T13:43:00.000+09:00

Cinderella had pretty good luck with pumpkins, at least before midnight.
I think, yes, butternut squash soup would be the perfect recipe to serve in this Le Creuset pumpkin cocotte rond cast iron casserole. 27,000 yen. See pricey/worth it argument under Complex Biz.

Mariage Freres

2006-12-16T13:23:00.000+09:00

Good tea=can't go wrong. Mom is a tea fanatic, Pop always asks for black tea when he visits. Ai loves soba and chai tea. Haven't wars been fought over it?
Mariage Frères is quite popular here, and the apothecary-like shop in Ginza and their many department-store-basement stalls are great for gifts.
Ai gave me one of the silver tea spoons with a scalloped scoop, and their "chocolats des mandarins" chocolates (2,940 yen) with tea look and likely taste divine.
Their tea duos come in attractive patterned tins, boxed and ready to give. I recommend Coffret Lucky Number Tea, Oriental and Marco Polo.

Aveda

2006-12-16T13:20:00.000+09:00

I am often tempted to wear this as perfume. Everything from Aveda smells nice, and this hairspray not only works very well but is fragrant with "Aveda's own Pure-Fume Aroma with Jasmine, Rose, Certified Organic Ylang Ylang and Other Pure Flower and Plant Essences". Sweet. Called Style Elements in Japan for 2,730 yen; Brilliant Hair Spray in the States for $13.