Happy Holidays!

I've been asked this a few times today: "Did you get everything you wanted?"

Absolutely! Love, forgiveness, friends, and family. The priceless things that don't come with a gift receipt or tag. Christmas feels a lot different as you get older. I truly enjoy giving rather than receiving. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for all the gifts I got! But there wasn't much I wanted to begin with. Oh and this little baby below is worth mentioning:

Hi Teacup! She's small, sweet, and soft! She came with a companion, which I'd rather not show because she's a beastly one who likes to bite. So she doesn't deserve to be on my blog. Teacup bit me once too, but we were even the moment I dropped her from 4 feet in the air. Yikes!
As much as I wanted to keep this little hamster, I knew it was best to return it. I've had my fair share of hamsters and I can't fathom the thought of watching another one die. Not my fault! They only live 2 years or so and my last one died of a tumor. =(

Besides, I'm always on the go and I can't tend to a pet.
Have fun being quarantined at Petsmart little one!

I guess that's it for this year...Eager for 2009 to be over, I'm escaping:
Vegas- 12/27 - 12/30
OC & Disneyland- 12/30 - 01/01

Merry Christmas everyone and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

=P

I've taken account all of the fuck ups that I've come across this year and all I can think of is: Never a failure, always a lesson.

This year needs to end already. 2009 was not fine.

Excursions!

After months of discussing and planning with my gal pals, we've finally made it official! Flights booked for Shanghai and Beijing for Spring 2010. And so...the google docs get started and travel books to be read. It definitely brings light into my life and it's exactly what I need.

To grandma's house we go...

This past weekend, I went down to SoCal and it's been a while since I did a road trip down there since I usually get there via airbus. I must say, driving is much easier when you have the beautiful California coast to look at. The weather was surprisingly warm. 80 degrees in mid December! Seriously. We are truly blessed here in Cali.
It went by so fast and I enjoyed every moment of it. There was definitely something really different about this trip down south. Maybe it has been the smoothest and quietest trip by far. Westminster is a mecca of delicious Vietnamese culture and yummy food. More importantly, my grandparents are there! ohh yes! Durian shake. yummmm

I come down there so much I should just live there =) Day 2, on our way down to San Diego, we passed by Camp Pendleton! My sissy is going to be there tomorrow! She's actually on a plane right now...leaving Japan, for good! I am stoked beyond belief to have her home. On the way back home, we stopped by Pismo Beach because my bro wanted to buy 5 quarts of Splash's famous clam chowder. Although the ride home on the 101 was super long, he drove the whole way =) and I got to take pics and sleep.

Epiphany

I've had a sudden intuitive perception into the reality of things. Unbelievable...you think you know someone, but you really don't. To me, that is one of the scariest things to deal with. How well do you know the people you surround yourself with? Do they turn out to be who they claim they are? Do they keep secrets from you that could break you? My advice is to look before you leap. Change does not happen that quickly. I was mistaken. But with all things in life, I truly believe that there is a reason behind it all and if you really want something to happen, it will fall into place. I was wrong to even question the goodness in my life. My questions have been answered and there is no doubt in my mind. Life is too short to take things for granted. I pray for those who those who cheat themselves through life and who are untrue in nature.

Gift of giving

I feel so good about Christmas shopping this year. I finished the list for my beloved family and friends, so there will be NO last minute chaotic trips to the mall! It truly feels good to give, especially to those in real need. Since I felt like I wasn't very good this year, I grabbed two tags from the giving tree at church. I had to get a gift for a 4 year old boy and a 7 year old girl. I didn't know how difficult it could be to shop for kids. Maybe it's because I forgot how it is to be a kid and what they like to do. It was overwhelming. Toys these days are so fancy! I grew up with a very active imagination, stuffed animals and linking logs, in which I was completely satisfied with. Anyway, after standing in the toy aisle for half an hour, I picked up some board games and this cool jewelry making kit! I hope these kids enjoy it. I'm also happy to know that there's nothing I want for Christmas this year and I have everything that I could ask for =) Thank YOU.

Tickle your brain...

with these books! I thought I'd share some of my all time favs:

For dirty laughs. If you're in the mood for some raunchy and disgustingly hilarious short stories of a bachelor:


The Facts. This is a raw "IN YOUR FACE," tell it all book about how to change your lifestyle

"Of course it's easier to socialize after you've had a few drinks. But being a fat pig will hinder you sober or drunk. Beer is for frat boys, not skinny bitches. It makes you fat, bloated and farty. Why do you think when kids go away to colege they gain the "freshman fifteen?" Beer, duh." -Rory Freedman, Kim Barnouin


For inspiration:

"When you know that language, it's easy to believe that someone in the world awaits you, whether it's in the middle of the desert or in some great city...without such love, one's dreams would have no meaning." -Paul Coelho

*SIGH*

I'm relieved. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

In a perfect world...

I would have my cake and I'd eat it. All of it. AND I'd lick the plate after I were finished.

But it's not a perfect world and it will never come close to one. Lately, I've been presented with these thought provoking situations. What if this...what if that... I've been told that I think too much, but I can't help it. Thinking too much can get you into trouble, but not thinking enough can do just as much damage. As I was studying earlier, my mind started to wander. I thought...that in a perfect world, I could be challenged everyday, passionately. I could have love and security and be completely happy. I would know who "the one" is. I could go back in time and right my wrongs. I could have babies and not end up with stretch marks and a fat ass. People would accept and embrace aging. Violence will be no more. In a perfect world, I would be able to freeze time, whenever time was right.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving weekend is going to be wonderful. The plethora of yummy foods, family, and friends. What am I thankful for?



I am thankful to have loved and been loved.

2nd Chances

Who out there is deserving of a 2nd chance? I have faith in the goodness of people and if that prevails, then yes, 2nd chances should be given. It's just a matter of when the change can happen and if it is enough to make a difference. I for one, am an advocate of change. YES WE CAN! Change was the apparent theme of 2009. I've seen transformations within others and more importantly within myself. Physically or mentally, I am always happy to see something different. Take for example, a certain someone disappears from your life and then shows up again, a completely different person...a better person. It's refreshing. It's like metamorphosis. When a tadpole becomes a frog! But then I start to wonder, how does this change happen so rapidly? Perhaps it was already happening right before my eyes and I too blinded to notice because of the mishaps of the past. Perhaps I simply took this for granted and didn't appreciate it until it was gone. Story of our lives.

Diaspora

Today's inspiration comes from a movie I just saw with my brother and mom: The Dust of Life. It was an independent Vietnamese film, which tells the story of young teens, torn from their home country in the Vietnam War. They try to make a living here, but end up disappointing and ruining everything that their parents sacrificed for them. I was suddenly reminded of the inexplicable hardships that my parents endured to get to here, so that we could have a better life. I tend to forget that and take them for granted.

It's my Friday

I finally got the chance to catch up with a one of my gfs today. I <3 Frannie. Last I saw her, I was at Caeser's Garden in Vegas. I was standing next to her at the alter as she promised herself to the man of her dreams. I wonder if I'll ever find the man of my dreams or maybe I've found him already and I just don't know it. But I have a feeling!

Anyway, we went to Crawdaddy and filled ourselves up with all the crawfish, shrimp and raw oyster goodness. Now I'm sitting in my room with a pint of ice cream next to me, watching the Lakers/Suns game on TV and blogging about nothing in particular, because my mind is clear and I am as happy as a clam. As I should be! It's been a long crazy week and I'm glad that it's the weekend. 4 day weekend to be exact =) I don't know why I'm in such a good mood right now. It could be that I'm in my own bed. With the remodeling still going on in the house, I haven't been sleeping at home and it feels weird. Strangers in and out of my house, things boxed up and debris everywhere. There's no other place I'd rather be right now.

Milestones

Today, one of us turned 25. She's the first one too! Unbelievable. I met her in Kindergarten. We were only 5 years old then...20 years later, I'm happy to say that we've remained close ever since. In all fairness, I saw her in her birthday suit today at Burke Williams =) Still looking good girlfriend!! Gravity and age haven't had an affect on you at all and I can't even tell that you've hit quarter century. Happy 25th Diana!


Which makes me think...I'm about to turn 25! No more excuses for foolish behavior. I'm on the brink of being a full on adult and there's no looking back. LOL excuse me for I tend to get dramatic. All for fun though. My list of things to do before quarter life milestone:

1. TBA

I am.

We definitely change as we get older, but only to a certain extent. Perhaps I can only speak for myself, but I've noticed that the behaviors and characteristics that I've had as a child still remain until this day. I was a crybaby, I'll have to admit. Nowadays, I still have my moments where I just need to cry. Even if for no reason, I'll do it because it makes me feel better. So when I ask for just 10 minutes alone, please be so kind. I had a mean streak when I was a kid. I still do. I always liked doing things that would scare me or give me a rush of adrenaline. Anything to get my heart beating fast. I always wanted to jump off of high places, so that I could pretend that I was flying, just for that split second. I've always had an active imagination and always had a liking for new and exciting things. I still do. I've made some mental notes of people who I've known for most of my life and I've realized that they too, have tendencies that will never change. Find out what those factors are and see what one's own "self" really means.

A lesson learned everyday

Selflessness- It takes a man to put others before himself. Sacrifice- Doing anything to ensure the safety of your loved ones. Strength- To be able to hold back and not let your anger overpower your ability to reason and to remain calm. Protection- Looking out for the well being of others, no matter how frustrated you are. Maturity- Being able to walk away when conflict stares you straight in the eye. Love- If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not love. Who rages and destroys everything in his pathway to make sure that others feel the pain and repercussions that he feels? It doesn’t matter who gets hurt, as long as there is someone to hurt. Savage- Like an animal who tears and rips things up and smashes objects. What is a piece of paper with writing on it? What is a photograph? A box of words? Was it worth it? He fails to realize that there is more below the surface that is untouchable. Bruises form and they heal. Tears fall and then dry up. Life goes on. But the series of painful events are embedded.

Running

I could not fathom running a marathon. 26.2 miles to be exact. I can barely run a mile under 10 minutes and doing so makes me wheezy. My sissy's got some stamina. She did the marathon in 4.5 hours with some obstacles in the way...(runs while running if ya know what i mean). It was so awesome to see over 30,000 people running all over Washington D.C., intertwining through the nation's monuments. It was beautiful. There were people of all ages, backgrounds, and even ppl with disabilities. Their strength and endurance is truly remarkable. I wonder what goes through their minds and what they think about when over the 26 miles. What is the driving force that compels them to keep on going? Everyone's story is different.

At one point, my brother and I caught a glimpse of Annie taking a turn around the Washington monument, we darted towards her and ran by my side. My brother snapped pictures of her and I held a sign up to cheer her on. I'll keep that moment in my memory forever.

destination: Washingon D.C.

A much needed getaway. Funny, I always think that I need a vacation. Really, life isn't tough at all, but I'm just hooked on traveling and seeing different places. I remember taking my first trip to the East Coast, about 4 years ago. I HATED the flight, but over the years, it's gotten a lot better. No more need for those sleeping pills! Now, I get excited to hop on a plane, no matter how short or long the flight may be. All I know is that wherever I'm going, I'll have a great time.

So far, D.C. has been great. Right when we got here, we went to the famous Ben's Chili Bowl. I saw it on the Man Vs. Food just last week and knew that we had to try it out. It was fingerlickin' good! I really like how this place manages to keep their prices low even when it's become a D.C. landmark.

It's absolutely beautiful here. Historical monuments take me back to my grade school years where we learned about U.S. history. There are so many trees here and you can see a kaleiedescope of fall colors its leaves. I like California, but we never get to see a true change of seasons.

What a weekend

Friday night was one of those unforgettable and wild times that my girlfriends and I tend to have every so often. This time, it was on Broadway, SF. It started off as a chill night, to meet my friends up for a birthday celebration (Happy Bday Suzan, Ann O. and Kristel!) I was never a fan of Broadway because it's an absolute cock fest there and it's always swarmed with cars and cops. Oh, let's not forget, parking is impossible. But Friday night, we had nothing to complain about. Found free parking within a few minutes and being that the streets had too much testosterone, we got into every club/bar for free and practically got hookups with drinks all night from the promoters and bar tenders. Sweet! We even got lured into a strip club. Broadway Showgirls was the name I think. Surprisingly, the strippers were pretty hot. We sat in their plush couches and giggled like little school girls. HAHAH. Well, maybe just MyChi and I, since it was our first time. I never thought I'd set foot in a place like that, but it was fun and I'd do it again. Anyway, the night went on, more bars and clubs and finally meeting up with the birthday girls @ Apartment 24. Pablo, the promoter gave us a dozen drink tickets, more than half of which I used to pour alchy down Suzan's throat. Man, she held her own and got "buzzed". My hero. Our night ended @ a bombass Chinese food restaurant. Gotta love New Sun Hong Kong! Next thing you know, it was 3am. What can I say...it's always a good time with my lovers.




20 years ago...October 17, 1989. I had just come home from the babysitter's. Annie was standing next to me in the dining room when the violent shaking began. My dad grabbed us and ran outside. We hung on the swing set and were oblivious to what was going on.

You'll never forget where you were that day...no matter how many decades pass.

2 bodies, 1 heart.

Two people put on this Earth, meant for each other. How does that work? Do we leave it up to chance to meet that one person and wait for the connection to unravel itself? Or do we take it upon ourselves to make it happen because time is ticking and that other person is conveniently there? I see these scenarios happening all the time and I wonder if there is a right or a wrong.

I can say that one person that I've met in my life happened by chance. Our relationship was never forced upon and it came as naturally as can be. At first, it didn't go smoothly, but some force of attraction brought us close and we've been best friends ever since.


She gets me and I love her to death

Cleanse.

Last night was one of those long, emotional gut wrenching nights. As I was driving home, I had this sudden urge roll down my window and chuck a 5 pound ceramic cupcake out into the open road. Why? Well...it was rolling around on the passenger seat floor. This boy had taken it from me some odd years ago and it was just returned. (I sculpted this cupcake back in college for a pottery class). It was just sitting in my car. What use would I have of it? It was heavy, purposeless, and excess baggage that I didn't need. I was okay without it. I haven't even noticed its absence. There was something invigorating about seeing it smash into dozens of little bits and pieces. I continued to drive off. Looking into the rear view mirror, I saw broken pieces tumbled and scattered around. A huge sigh of relief came over me. It felt so good.

Moving on, looking forward and never backward. I was motivated to clean my room today. In more preparation for the remodeling in my house. When I came home from JP, our entire kitchen had been transformed. In 2 weeks, when I leave to the East coast, more work will be done on the house, so my mom told me to pack up all the things in my room. I managed to throw out bags and bags of clothes and junk. I came across a lot of things I had forgotten about. Old letters, pictures, and keepsakes. For a moment there, I was lost in time. Reminiscing about memories and moments of the past. I kept most of it. Not sure why. What was the point? Like that cupcake, it was useless, excess baggage that needed to be disposed of.

Stop. Think. Appreciate.

Did you know that yesterday, October 7, marked the 9th year anniversary of the War in Afghanistan? The day that our former idiot president Bush declared war as a retaliation of the 9/11 attack. Where were you when you heard the news of the falling Twin Towers? I vaguely remember sitting in Senor A's Spanish II class. He had the radio on and we were just listening quietly, in utter shock. Our Spanish lesson was put aside that day, as we all discussed the tragic event that took place that early morning.

It's unbelievable how American men and women are out there, fighting everyday for these past 9 years. We tend to forget this as we are all consumed by our own lives. What seems safe and quiet here on the home front, is much different overseas. Can you imagine? Living in fear every single day. Wondering when the horror will end.

I have always respected those who have risked their lives to protect our country. But when I was in Okinawa, I found an even greater respect for all of them. I never understood why anyone would want to give up their lives to be put in such a life threatening situation. It takes an incredible amount of strength and courage. One Marine explained to me what the War was really about and what they were fighting for. It's beyond the oil, "hidden weapons", and urgency to prove that Americans are not to be messed with. The reasons? Long story short...they are fighting for the common good for both sides. After some more heart felt conversations with some of the Marines on my sister's base, I understood why they made the decision in the first place. It almost brought a tear to my eye. I was happy to hear that they had the chance to experience and accomplish things that I could only dream of. I was sad to hear that some of their friends had been deployed to the Middle East...never to return again. Some have made it a life career to be active in the Marines, anticipating the next destination and excited to retire one day, to reap the benefits. Others are counting the days until they can get out and return home. Their stories, their journeys, their courage and hard work have been unrecognized and unappreciated.



Annie...if you're reading this, I'm really proud of you and I can't wait for you to come home in 3 months =)

Bittersweet

Most frequently asked questions: How does it feel to be home? How was Japan?

I continue to count my blessings as I reflect on my adventures in Japan. There were so many amazing experiences that I had and pictures or blogs will not do it justice. Don't be victimized by your 9-5 or whatever obligations you may have. I encourage you to do something for yourself. Take a break from YOUR life and see the infinite possibilities that LIFE really has to offer. Don't be scared to take a leap because the important people and things in your life will still be there and will always be there. Nothing will change, but the new state of mind you'll have will take you to new lengths and horizons.

The most important thing that I've gotten out of this experience is appreciation. I had a lot of time to myself and I thought about what I had back home and what I had in front of me. I opened my eyes to all that the land had to offer. I noticed the smallest things, like a little hermit crab camouflaged in the white sand. Had I not looked at the sand to appreciate its purity, I would not have seen the hermit crab. I wouldn't have picked it up to put it in a safe place. The guys standing around playing Frisbee would have probably stepped on it. I appreciated the clear night sky behind the towering skyscrapers and flashing neon lights. I admired the mom and pop noodle houses, where the entire family was involved in running the business until late hours of the night. I appreciated the little 7 year old girl who walked around with a pitcher of water to make sure that every guest had their glasses filled.

For the whole time I was gone, I was completely relaxed and revitalized. I had plenty of time to clear my mind and to refocus. And now, I am inspired.

It is good to be home because I actually see familiar faces and I have friends to talk to. I love how we can just pick up from where we left off. I truly appreciate the good people in my life and I hold my loved ones closer. I've learned that there's more to life than stupid petty drama and I'm not going to waste a thought or breath on any of that. I know what's good for me and what's not. And instead of making up excuses of why I can't do this, or that...I'm just going to do it. Fuck it!

Like I said, it is good to be home, but if given the chance to embark on another foreign adventure, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Anyone care to join? =)

14 hours later...

"Welcome home Ma'am" said the guy @ Customs Security, SFO.

Geez, do I really look like a Ma'am? I prefer Miss. He proceeds to ask me about how I was doing. I stare at him blankly, then I try to give him a genuine smile and say, "I'm fine, thx." But really, he was too cheery for me. I was groggy and my butt was hurting from the long flight. At least the seat next to me was vacant =) I got to stretch out a bit more.

Hmm...
I left with 63 lbs of luggage and I came back with 94 lbs...which meant I could have bought 6 more pounds of goodies.

Random

The island has so much to offer. So much to do and lots of activities. I love how people are always active here. I could definitely spend another month here just to see it all. I've taken a break from the beach because I'm getting pretty dark. The sun is just so strong here.

I got nail art done on my toes! It was at this place called Cocock Nails. The K is SILENT! So it's Coco. I was very impressed by the end result. There was a thick book of nail art samples to choose from. The ladies here could put anything on your nails. Some even had pearls and piercings on their nails and huge rhinestones. It was 3-D nail art. I opted for the simple one. The book had pictures of cartoon characters that you could have painted, down to your pinky toe! As tempted as I was to get hooked up with a Hello Kitty design...I settled for this:

And yes...those are my sissy's plain Jane toes. I wanted to treat her out to a pedi session, but she refused. =(

I also got a massage, that was greatly needed from all of the physical activity and uncomfortable beds I've been sleeping in. Uh...that sounded wrong didn't it? lol. Anyway! Soooo sissy and I went to this place called Jasmine Thai massage. I've never had a Thai massage before so I was pretty stoked. I opted for the hot oil massage. What an experience! Good and bad. Good because she really stimulated and rejuvenated my body. Thai massage technique is done with many parts of the body and pressure points. Not only did she use her hands, but elbows, knees and the feet to break the energy flow blockages and stimulate the circulation of energy in my body. At one point, she got on the massage bed and stretched me out in crazy ways I didn't think I was capable of doing. The only bad thing about my experience is that she wasn't very careful about my nudity and comfort level. OMG she would just pull off my towel at times and readjust or flip me over without a warning. I wasn't that bothered by it since she was really nice and was doing a great job. Besides, I think the Onsen have desensitized me from being bare but naked.

Horse sashimi...Not so Oishi

Sadly...one of my weaknesses: Wimpy taste buds and a weak tolerance for consuming things out of the norm. Anyone who knows me well can say that I throw up easily when drinking. Sometimes it's because I've had one too many, which doesn't even amount to much! Most times, it's because I can't stand the taste of it. I guess I have really bad gag reflexes. Before I set foot in JP, I told myself that I'd try at to eat at least 1 thing that would scare me. I'm proud to say that I've accomplished just that...kinda.

This past weekend, Hiromi (Annie's island friend) took us to a restaurant where you'll only find the locals eating at. It was hidden away in the cuts, up some windy roads. The restaurant was very traditional and had one small kitchen opening up to the dining area. Most of the restaurants here are like set up like that. It adds experience and personality to the place, not to mention the reassurance of cleanliness and quality food. It was a small quaint restaurant with one cook and one server. We sat at the bar directly facing the chef. Hiromi chatted with him and did all of the ordering. Next thing you know, horse sashimi was placed in front of me.

I've been curious about raw horse meat, a specialty in Japan. It had a strong odor...deep pink color with lots of marbling. First piece, I just picked it up and put it in my mouth. It was cold and chewy. Was it ever going to break up into smaller pieces? Nope. At that point, I just swallowed it. It was gamy and fatty. The taste lingered in the back of my mouth. I chased it with some hot sake and beer. I gave it another chance. Picked up a 2nd piece and dipped it soy sauce. Again, It didn't taste any better so I chased it with some more sake. I was done. No more raw horse meat. It wasn't awful or anything. It just doesn't sit well with me. And I'm sure my breath was funky. After that the chef brought out delicious plates of fried squid, fish heads, oysters, pig's feet, and fish sashimi.

After dinner, we went back down the windy dark road. Annie and Hiromi's son decided to have a burping contest. Oh my gahh...it sounded like they were gagging. I started gagging! I threw up...and then proceeded to throw up for quite some time after tasting the horse meat come up. Was it the Sake? Was it the horsemeat? I'll never know. I guess I could try the horse sashimi again, w/o the sake to see if my body can take it, but I'm cool. Once is enough.

Although I felt sick by the end of the night and had to skip out on some Karaoke, I'm proud of myself for actually trying something bizarre. Oh! Yesterday, I had black ink squid curry! It was black on rice. It wasn't bad either...I couldn't eat a lot of it because I was paranoid that the squid ink would stick on my teeth and stain it.

Oishi =)

What I love most about the food here is that there is so much of it and it's all within reasonable price. It's true what they say, everything's more expensive here, but not the food. And even if it were pricey, the quality and taste of it won't be disappointing. Anyway, you can easily get full off of $10, which is commonly a whole set (drink, appetizer, and main dish). Restaurants open late, even on weekdays. There are food vendors with their little stands in grocery stores and even the arcade machines spit out bowls of noodles or bags of shrimp chips as its prize.


The first week here, it was Me vs. The Toilet. And yes...the toilet won. My digestive system did not comply to the new and different foods I was consuming, but it was well worth it. Often times, I didn't even know what I was eating. For the most part, I can say that I've been living off lots of Japanese hot soba - bowls of buckwheat flour noodles in a pork, beef, or soy sauce broth. I love that stuff and can eat it everyday. The other staple of food here is sushi of course and it's always fresh.


Sukiyaki is on my top 5 list of things to eat while in Japan.

We went out to this Nepal restaurant one day and it was so good. I had the chicken curry and it came out with naan bread that was bigger than my entire plate and then some! Curry anywhere in JP is a guaranteed win.

Then there's DESSERT. Where to begin!? There's a huge variety of cream puffs, ice cream, crepes, and other treats I don't even know the English translation to. I love how they always make it right in front of you, so you know it's fresh. The desserts are often presented very artistically, even if it only cost $2. I'm not sure if it's because of the heat and humidity here in Okinawa, but ice cream is absolutely divine. I've seen some of the most interesting flavors and forms that Ice cream can come in here. My fav? 1) These little fish shaped pastries with custard piped inside. 2) Ice cream and chocolate packed inside a waffle and then frozen until it's crisp. 3) The crepes!


Much to my surprise, I've had THE BEST burger in Tokyo. Zest Burger was the name of the restaurant and we found it walking down an alley of little shops and restaurants located near the subway station of Hiro-o. The meat was so juicy and the bun was perfect. Mmmm.. I'm salivating just thinking about it. The biggest difference between the Zest burger and burgers I've had in the States is that it didn't make me feel shitty after eating it. It tasted healthy and deeeeelicious.


And what's up with Tokyo Banana? People were buying them by the boxes! These things were EVERYWHERE in Tokyo and the people who were selling them dressed in business attire and acted like they were selling jewelry. I'm guessing it was a classy treat? But they looked like Twinkies to me. We got a box just to find out what the hype was all about. oooooooo yes. I understand their fancy advertisements and intricate packaging. Outside is a fluffy sponge cake. Inside is a creamy banana custard, made with all natural bananas. It's so fresh that the expiration date is always 10 days from it being put on shelf. No one has to worry about this though, because you could finish the entire box in one day...easy!

Nostalgia

We couldn't leave without experiencing Tokyo Disneyland! We were there for nearly 10 hours and the time went by really fast. What was impressive, was the excitement and energy that the park staff had, all day long. Every person working a concession stand, a show, or a ride was extremely polite and happy to be there. Whether it was truly how they felt or not, the impression they gave seemed very genuine. I can see that with all the work and skill that the Japanese have. They take great pride in whatever they do and execute things as perfectly as possible. I admire that.

Being that everything was in Japanese made the experience that much more entertaining. Have you ever heard Captain Jack Sparrow speak Japanese? Or have you heard Stitch sing in Japanese? All I know is that Tokyo Disneyland is very unique. Where else can you find girls wearing pumps and stiletto boots to an amusement park?


The electric parade and fireworks topped off the night and truly made our day at Disneyland....magical =) The creativity of Japanese products did not stop at this American establishment. Annie and I were astonished by all of the cute and clever gifts and gadgets that were being sold at every corner of the park. I wanted to buy it all!



My new goal is to go to all of the Disneylands in the world...next up? Paris, Hong Kong, Orlando =)