So let's face up to reality, I have spent my winter months curled up in my house like a hermit wearing at least 4 layers of clothing, while watching old X-Files episodes, and teaching myself how to knit. I'm proud to say I can now add "knitting" to the list of commonalities I share with members of AARP, along with:
- Crocheting
-Complaining about knee pain
- Talking about characters on TV shows I watch as if they are close personal acquaintances
- My inability to function past 11pm
- The fact that I still write letters...
However, it will be pretty cool when a few years down the road I can start knitting my very own festive holiday sweaters, adorned with snowmen and reindeer. Of course, everyone has to start somewhere. So "thumbs up" to me for learning the "knit" stitch...
I decided to break up this rather anti-social routine of mine and head up to Tokyo for Valentine's Day. So on a sunny Tuesday afternoon I hopped a plane and after 90 minutes I found myself at the Tokyo Haneda Airport, where a rather handsome young man (also known as Winston) ran across a crowded plaza and kissed me in front of an entire tour group.
Winston and I on the train headed out of Haneda Airport
Winston still had class that day so we headed to Azabu-juban (where Winston's school is). Now, across the street from Temple University-Tokyo, there is an adorable hole in the wall Falafel place run by the sweetest little guy from Israel. After 6 long months without Hummus, this bento lunch was a sight for sore eyes....or in this case a lonely hummus deprived stomach.
Hummus!
After Winston finished class we decided to head to Shibuya. Shibuya is sort of the Time Square of Tokyo, and single-handedly the most crowded place I've ever been in my entire life. When people cross the street they don't really use the cross walks, they just sort of swarm across the road, like bees. It's a bit intimidating.
While strolling through the crowded streets of Shibuya, Winston and I happened upon this store. I think the name speaks for itself.
Needless to say a few of these condom varieties were outright scary. Creative, but scary.
Winston and I spent the rest of the day walking around various areas of Tokyo and eventually ended up in Shinjuku.
We found our way to the roof of a really tall building. The view would have been a lot prettier without the bars.
After walking around for the better part of a day we were both pretty tired, so we stopped in at an over-priced Irish bar for a pint.
That night Winston and I headed to Hiro to meet up with my dear friend Nicole and her fiance Greg.
Greg and Nicole were nice enough to take us to this AMAZING American Japanese fusion restaurant. For those of you who've seen "Kill Bill: Volume 1," this is the restaurant that inspired the set from the end, where Beatrix Kiddo slaughters "The Crazy 88" while dressed like Bruce Lee from "Game of Death." Any restaurant that has the SLIGHTEST bit to do with Kung-fu is cool in my book.
Words can't describe how wonderful it was to see Nicole. We met in college and studied abroad together in Vienna. As luck would have it, we're both living in Japan. After dinner Winston headed back to his host family's house to do some homework, Greg headed back to their apartment to relax, and Nicole and I walked through Roppongi arm in arm.
The beautiful Nicole and I, with Tokyo Tower in the background
The next night Nicole, Greg, and I had dinner. The thing I love about Greg and Nicole is that they are just a low-key as I am. So after dinner we simply headed back to their apartment and watched "30 days of Night."
Greg and Nicole =0)
I've lost count of how many countries we've shared beers together in...
Before I knew it Friday had rolled around and it was time to meet up with Winston once again. Nicole and I opted to get in the last of our "girl time," and found an adorable little French themed pastry shop. That's the great thing about Tokyo, you can find anything.
Two espressos and a delicious cream filled chocolate ball of goodness.
That night Greg, Nicole, Winston and I met Winston's friend Taka back in Shibuya. Taka is a design student, and used Winston as his model for his graduation fashion show.
Taka, Winston, Me, and Greg
haha, I believe Nicole's exact words were, "why you no love me?!"
Winston and Taka!
oh how I adore this girl.
We had absolutely PERFECT weather on Valentine's Day. It was so warm we spent the day in our t-shirts. Our first stop was a temple in Ueno with a huge flea market. We stopped a few times for street vendor food, of course...
Winston's big Valentine's Day surprise was a picnic at the Imperial Palace, which was adorable. We stopped and picked up some sandwiches and fruit, and sat barefoot in the grass for a few hours. We also took lots of one-armed couple pictures.
Now until Winston came along I wasn't really one for romantic-ish stuff. In fact last year (upon my request) we ate cheap sushi and saw the new "Rambo" movie on the big screen. So instead of spending a lot of money we'd rather save for the apartment (Winston is moving in April, and I'm moving in with him in July!) we opted to eat cheap.
By sheer luck we found this little restaurant by our hotel. It was a lot like Denny's, but with Italian food. We split a 2 salads, pasta, and a pizza for less that $20. We were quite proud.
For dessert we just stopped at a little coffee shop and split some cheesecake and chocolate cake.
The next day I flew back home to the boonies and un-packed. Now, Winston and I have been talking about my move to Tokyo for awhile now. But it wasn't until this visit to Tokyo that it really hit me that I'm actually going. It actually seems close enough to be excited about.
I can't wait to trade living alone in a paper house with a car for living with a cute boy in a shoebox sized apartment with a bike.
