After a mere 30 hours between our apartment door and Kyohei's parent's restaurant for dinner, we were back! I was so tired during dinner last night though I could barely hold my eyes open. I ended up sleeping from 11pm-8:30. I wonder if being so impossibly tired, I beat jetlag completely? Usually I was up at like 5am. I guess we'll see if I fall asleep in my dinner tonight.
Kyohei with the luggage
"American Dog"= Corn Dog, my favorite! Only 105 yen! Which with how weak the dollar is right now, costs about $2. Ridiculous. I almost cried when I saw how much my $500 got me.
Anyway, we visited Kyohei's grandma and his grandpa's grave today. I already got the first, "I'll probably die pretty soon, so give me a baby," from his grandma out of the way.
grandma and I in her garden
because I love hydrangeas
ha ha, Kyohei and baby's breath
I also tried on the zoori (traditional Japanese dress-flops) that I'll wear tomorrow with the kimono.
They are worried about my feet hurting. Honestly, how could these possibly be as bad as heels?
Kyohei's mom made these little guys to hope for good weather for the wedding tomorrow. Wow, people really do this.
Despite Kyohei's mom sticking giant signs that say, "drive on the left side" Kyohei still forgot and went down the wrong side of the road. American has ruined him!
I also went to the place the reception is being held to practice my karaoke song.
Seriously?! How gorgeous is this place? Notice the bar in the back? 
I found my place setting. If you can read kanji, then you have a guess at my real name. No publishing, please!
Anyway, that is what is going on in Japan today. In a little bit we are going to meet up with some family for dinner.
Being back, as expected, is really bringing the nostalgia out. In Kyohei's room is a framed photo of him, his best friend, my group of JET best friends and I from this disastrous beach clean-up advertised as a cruise and artwalk. On the other wall hangs my hat from the pilgrimage. I saw a route marker for the pilgrimage already and I had a dream about my host mom. Being here makes me ache for those times so much. I'm only 30 and the pain of nostalgia is almost too incredible. I should definitely drink more with age.
Lot's of photos; beware! This past weekend, Kyohei and I went up to Boston on Thursday for the celebration of our long time friends' wedding
We got there too late for the cookout at her house 
But we did make it out a little bit. Here is a section of the album where we stand by things in Boston. Above: me in China town
Kyohei by Macy's
We got a fantastic Ramen shop recommendation from fukuoka_stars, thanks!
It turned out to be a whole group of little Japanese shops! How cool! Even though Kyohei and I would be in Japan in a week, we couldn't resist these great eats. Here is some green tea cake.... delightful.
Friday's photos = 'things that are red in Boston'
Here I am across from our hotel, The Langham. This hotel was sooooo nice. We had such a comfortable stay. I am not accustomed to such good service.
We stopped by the King's Chapel Burial Ground too. I really liked the old tombstones. I want something dark on mine like a skull or skeleton. Nowadays we go for angels and hearts. When did we get so soft?
Lobster for lunch. This was actually SUPER delicious.
that afternoon, I completed my Beer-pilgrimage to Sam Adams. It was everything I dreamed of.
sampling the different barley and hops that go into the brewing
Kyohei in front of the barrels where they age special beer
Whoh! Isn't that the guy from the commercials?!? I was so starstruck.
After the tour and info, we got free glasses and samples of beer. Of course they were all delicious. We even got to try a new kind they are testing before the put it on the market. 
cheers!
Before the rehearsal, El_nor gave Red (the other bridesmaid) and I these great clutches! What a great surprise
Flowers in the lobby of the Boston Harbor Hotel where the wedding and reception were held.
the happy couple at the rehearsal dinner
the day of the wedding, I was itching to go and see Boston Commons and the gardens.
You know, I'm ALWAYS up for seeing some gardens
I was not disappointed. It was beautiful.
I want to re-create this planter. I love pussy willow.
The bride! El_nor looks soooo beautiful. Her dress was spectacular.
So was her fastinator!
I just loved her flower arrangements and bouquets too.
roses, peonies and MINT, what a cool idea
newlyweds + justgotspaid (aka, awesome bridesmaid!)
I loved the cake toppers el_nor made-- inspired by her elementary school art project. too cute
1st dance
me, enjoying the heck out of some champagne and cake
our obligatory self-shot portrait of the night
Kyohei looking studly
The after party! By that time my hair was sufficiently rained on and it went back.
El_nor with her husband and brothers
I took this shot for you, HT
Nice entrance
Paul Revere! Someone had put jerseys on all the statues in Boston. It was awesome.
I took this shot for Sarah Stupid Palin. No, Paul Revere did not fire warning shots at the British so we could keep our arms, you idiot.
All in all, we had a great time at the wedding and in Boston. There were no major disasters or drama. It was so much fun to see friends and dance all night. I was really glad that I was picked to be a bridesmaid, the day felt really special for me too. Amazingly, El_nor was just down here Monday and Tuesday (yes RIGHT after her wedding) to defend her dissertation. Now she is Dr. & Mrs. El_nor! What a big week for my friend! Congrats!
this is a completely unrelated moth outside my apartment yesterday. This is the first time for me to see one of these beauties in person. I was thrilled.
Tonight Kyohei and I pack up and leave for Japan! I JUST got unpacked from Boston last night. Feeling a little bit insane, but what can you do, eh? This weekend is Maki, Kyohei's little sister's wedding! No promises, but will try to post while I am over there.
sigh, I can't believe I will be in Japan again in 36 hrs. Just two years ago RIGHT NOW I was somewhere in Kochi walking the 88 temple pilgrimage. I wonder if I will see any kindred pilgrims on the trail? I long to be walking again myself......
But for now 1) finish up this office work 2) pack 3) hit the road
This is from a statement by the U.S. Dept. of State about the U.S.' committment to human rights in Norkor. It was super long, so I cut the two most interesting paragraghs out and posted them here. I have to wonder how much the U.S. is accomplishing
Since 2004, the United States has resettled 120 North Korean refugees and their families [that's it!?]. We remain actively committed to ensuring that each North Korean refugee who is interested and eligible gains access to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. We continue to coordinate closely with host governments in the region to pursue every possible viable avenue to facilitate the admission of refugees from North Korea. For many individuals from North Korea, where to resettle is one of the first meaningful choices they are able to make, and the United States respects their decision on resettlement.
The United States remains deeply concerned about the plight of North Korean refugees and asylum seekers. Reports of the involuntary return of North Koreans from China to the DPRK, including victims of human trafficking, remain deeply disturbing, as these returnees often face serious consequences, including the possibility of imprisonment, torture, and even execution. We continue to urge China to adhere to its obligations as a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, including by not expelling or forcibly returning North Koreans who should be protected under those treaties. The United States is further troubled by the lack of access afforded to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to North Koreans, particularly in Northeast China, and we continue to urge the Chinese to cooperate with UNHCR in exercising its functions, including allowing access to North Korean asylum seekers. We regularly engage with other governments, NGOs and private groups who share our concerns.
Wow, I am really on top of things-- NOT! Anyway, here are some images from last weekend in Tampa
ah! So excited to see this! I was not disappointed. It was amazing!
Even the dessert at dinner was Hair themed (and delicious)
Oh, how I love cool bars with all small-brewery quality beer on tap! AND a clever name. Flash back to my mom always saying, "You kids are going to put me in the poor house!" and "You kids are driving me to drink!" Well..... how appropriate.
I love taking random beach shots.
Part of the joy is the surprise. It's usually so bright I can't see the screen on my camera. It's reminiscent of the days when you can to use film and get it developed.
After getting a tan, we went for pedicures. This is my most fancy one to date-- check out the hand-painted flower detail. Awesome, right?
so sad, yet funny in a twisted way. I guess they figured too many people had seen the green grass in China to lie about it. ha ha ha
Fish-gazing is one of North Korea's many pleasurable pastimes.Photo: KNS/AFP/Getty Images
A North Korean propaganda outlet recently reported that according to the results of a survey that they made up like all of their news, North Korea is the world's second-happiest country, while in dead last, at number 203, is the United States, where the appalling lack of forced-labor and reeducation camps has left the populace completely despondent. Oddly, the survey names China the happiest country on earth. North Korea can't win even in its own fantasies. [Newsfeed/Time]
A selection from a great article in the Altantic. It is all about the different ways people try and smuggle information in AND out of NorKor. A very interesting piece. I thought the following was pretty crafty:
Kim reaches into his pocket and shows me one of his specially programmed thumb drives. It will read “empty” when it is plugged in to a computer, just in case it falls into the hands of a border guard. When the savvy (or unsuspecting) user double-clicks on the logo, the program launches, and installs a file called “Welcome World” on his computer. (Some funders object to these surreptitious distribution techniques, fearing they might endanger innocent people.) Then there is the self-destruct option. “We set it to erase itself after a month, or after a certain number of downloads,” Kim explains, holding up one of the thumb drives. “Even if you are caught reading the e-book, the national security police won’t be able to trace it. After all, you can say that when you got it, you thought it was empty!”
It seems like every time we get someone out of NorKor, it is a different person who accomplishes it; Clinton, Carter and now Robert King. Maybe Kim Jong Il is just trying to see how many former presidents and diplomats he can meet.
Saturday, May 28th 2011, 4:56 PM
ashahid@nydailynews.com
My Turkish teacher is leaving and going back to Turkey this weekend. I've become friends with her and sincerely enjoyed our class. Alas, all good things must come to an end. She is having about 300 farewell parties, I've gone to a couple.
Kyohei at a Turkish restaurant for lunch (vaguely relative)
Dancing last night
Of the two nights I went out with her this week, both times we ended up a dance club. She must be good luck to me because I was asked to dance (politely) both times I went out! No one ever shows interest in me in Gainesville! I was so delighted. One little boy asked me what my major was and where I was from. Oh... how nice it is to be mistaken for a 20 year old!
Tonight, I'm going to Tampa to see Hair with my friend. I'm very excited about this. I've never seen Hair live. Sure, I've seen the movie and listened to the soundtrack about 3,500 times. I've always found this musical so emotive and cathartic. Plus the music is just damn good. Looking back on it, I got hooked on Hair right before I was about to go through my own racial and sexual revolution.
-" Mom, what do sodomy and fellatio mean?"
-" Look it up"
ha ha ha. I came of age listening to this soundtrack. Can't wait. I wonder if they will do the naked stuff? teehheee
Yesterday, Kyohei and I went shopping for presents for everyone in [the entire country of] Japan. This is one of those cultural points that makes me so glad I'm not from Asia. If I had to buy all my relatives name brand accessories and clothing every time I went home AND Christmas AND birthdays.... I would never go home.
Anyway, Ralph Lauren Polo had something nice
The front and back of their Japan relief t-shirt. I didn't have $100 that I wanted to invest in one, but the thought was appreciated. [the kanji characters = kibou= hope]
