Haven't read a novel for the longest time and picked up this one before I left the US. My host family's 17 year old son was reading it and somehow the cover caught my eyes. A few pages into it and I'm glued to the satirical writing. And how to describe it... it's one of those books that you feel a little sad closing the last page on, if you've felt that way about a book as a child? Anyways, I'm hoping to check out the movie some time soon!

 

When the dust is kinda settling, it's all quite a blur how things just happened and here I am in a foreign city by myself. However, when I'm cornered to come up with one reason for my sudden move... why, it's because my favorite hair dresser moved back to Tokyo from New York last year and what's a girl to do but follow?

 

All joking aside, I'm really grateful that I've got one more place to go and see some familiar faces when I feel a bit down... And a truly happy place it is, Beach in 自由が丘, sister shop to Hairmates NY. The funny and friendly staff always cheers me up, but the best part is to play with Boo, the in-house doggie. Also referred to as 荻野部長 because of her favoriate seat at the door overlooking the whole floor.

 

- Picked up a plant called ケイトウ at little flower shop across the street from Beach

NY friends in town last Saturday night. Got to check out the cheesy Ninja Akasaka and was impressed by the in-house magician if not the place. IceBar Tokyo is a smaller version of N'ice Club Tremblant, run by the same Ice Hotel group. A pleasant surprise - the Escher style ice carvings on the walls.

優しい春　眩しい夏　淋しい秋　冬も

約束する　君の側で眠ろう

6/19-6/29

 

Worked in our new Shanghai office for a few days and visited Dalian for a software forum. Very much shocked by the 37C summer in Shanghai, having been away for 8 years and forgetting how it was... Dalian is scenery, friendly and offers great seafood, definitely worth a visit.   

 

Clockwise:

- View of Shanghai from 中信 building office 

- 星海広場, Dalian

- (As a comaprison, view of Tokyo from top of Ebisu Garden Tower)

- Urban Dream Capsule in Shanghai this year!

6/3-6/12

 

Clockwise:

- Sentinel Dome, Yosemite

- Bridal Veil, Yosemite

- Carmel at the Sea

- Russian River wineries

6/4-6/12

One week and I'm in love  

My next stop after Tokyo??

 

Clockwise:

- Lombard Street

- Sealions @ Fisherman's Wharf

- Goldengate

6/3-6/4

One day as a tourist in Manhattan

Went around to say proper goodbyes to the lovely museums and shops. Friends came to spend the evening with me in the W hotel lounge. Thank you for all, and I will miss you so much very...

 

- New Apple store on 5th Ave

- View of midtown from MoMA

5/29-6/3

Maine...the smell of pine...always.

 

Spent a few days with my dearest American mom and dad, the kids and cats. Also was lucky to meet up with my favorite professors at Bowdoin. Sweet memories of good times like this will keep me going  

 

- Good old Hubbard Hall

- Tammy and lobsters

Stones, taught me to fly.

Love, it taught me to cry.

So come on courage, teach me to be shy...

... It's not hard to grow,

when you know that you just dont know.

 

Damien Rice - O

It was a month ago on May 29th that I closed the door of my UES studio and added another comma to life. From Shanghai to Maine to New York, my journey took yet another turn and here I am, a month later, sitting in an empty apartment in Tokyo. After an unusually long Spring, Summer is finally here.

 

Once again, 從零開始?

Not so. I've already been blessed with the Step One --

 

 

- Sunset. UES Manhattan, April 06