Genki!
(what's up!) Here are some long awaited pictures from Japan! Warning: this is a long post full of pictures! I got here on March 18 -- wow, its been three weeks since i've been here. Work is busy and it's hard working Tokyo hours and accomadating NY hours, but that's what i'm here to do -- so no complaining!  the apartment
I've been put up in corporate housing where everything is furnished and its right across from the office. I timed myself once and it literally took 5 mins from my door to my desk, yet i still get to work at 8:40am. heheh 
     My First Weekend
the first weekend i was here i went to Tsukiji fish market - the largest fish market in Japan and where they have the famous tuna auction. These fish go for THOUSANDS of dollars and its super fresh.. you have to be there before 6am to catch the action and then right after i went to have a sushi breakfast -- can't get any fresher!
       Sunday, i went to a food festival in Shibuya that featured all the great traditional food from around Japan.. needless to say there was a lot of yummy street food to sample... YUMMY! i literally walked around and ate the entire time 
        Shibuya is famous for thier four way crossing where you can see how powerful the human mass seems.when the light turns green, this is what happens..
 Sakura!
It's such a great time to be in Japan bc the weather is great and its Sakura season! Which means its Cherry Blossom season! it was so awesome to see these in person! they look like fluffy clouds.. A lot of people have hanami parties, which is basically an excuse to drink under the trees (like japanese ppl need an excuse to drink  ). I went to Aoyama Cemetary to see the beautiful blossoms. The reason the pictures are dark is bc i was working all day on saturday and FINALLY got to go out to see them. They only are around for a week then fall off and wither so i had to make the effort to go see them..
     
the last picture is where i spent 80% of my time -- my work building, Mori Tower. It's part of a larger complex calls Roppongi Hills, a mall/residences/restaurants/offices. Just Fun Stuff
So basically I have to pretend to live here so I do my best to take part in the local stuff. Below are pictures of my domestic life -- I have a eco-friendly grocery bag so I dont use plastic or paper -- its hello kitty of course. My favorite Sakura (Cherry Blossom Cake) from Starbucks. It's only available in Japan during cherry blossom season -- i wish they had it in the states.. SO DELISH!
 
what i love about this place is that it is very LACTOSE friendly. my fav ice cream - soy green tea and although this isnt lactose friendly, its still tasty - cheesecake bars!
 
i went to Omotesando this past weekend which is kinda like Soho.. nice designer stores, good restaurants, etc. I had something call diamante -- no idea what it really is but its scrumptious! and i love the service and presentation in japan.. no where else compares. everything is always so pretty and clean
Omotesando is also right next to Harajuku which is like the Village.. young ppl who dress in eccentric ways about sums it up. I saw Condomania last time i was in japan and i'm glad to see its still here.. I also discovered Wendy's in japan! of course they have the usual stuff plus all the japanese specialities..
 
and last but not least -- you cant go to japan without seeing Hello Kitty... any fanatic would love the Kiddy Land toy store where they have an ENTIRE floor devoted to Hello Kitty
there are vending machines galore around tokyo.. esp cigarette vending machines.. for ppl who are so concerned about health and well being, i find it odd
also, chopsticks are taken VERY seriously... if anyone wants their own personal chopstick, just let me know
i love just walking around and enjoying the day.. today i came across a festival in my work complex, of course more good food.. then i went to sit outside a bookstore to read. they have an INGENIOUS thing called a heater parasol -- its a gas burner which keeps you warm when you're sitting outside!
 
another day in Tokyo.. cant wait to come home though.. I miss NY!
 yes, there are no pictures of me.. thats bc when you travel alone, its hard to take pictures with people in it. haha. it's been ok being by myself all the time but i do miss my friends.. tokyo is nice, convienent and clean and everyone is nice but if you dont know the language, it can be a bit difficult to get around. i'm off to Korea from April 17-21 to visit family, then going to HK from May 2-9 for work, then coming back to NY from May 10-20, then back to Tokyo for another month. thanks to everyone for emailing me and keeping in touch! i'm glad for technology, it makes the world seem smaller... I MISS EVERYONE!! 
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