Our first snowboarding trip to the famed Sapporo and it was a blast.  AK, Minni from Korea, JiYoung and I headed up for a weekend of snow and fun. It was definitely a little more cold than we’re used to now, but clearly we bundled up and braved the elements with Nike technology and one big lamb scarf thing!!  Personally, I had a mini-triathalon of snowboarding, surfing and eating… my body is so sore, full and feeling ill.  See all the pics here.

a beautiful saturday afternoon and a stroll through the student art exhibits at the NACT. Some interesting stuff – maybe the next great one??  See a couple more pics in the Album.

It’s the new year and time for us to head to a temple and return the good luck arrow we got last year.  We headed to Meiji shrine, one of the main and bigger ones in Tokyo.  Very cool as the sun goes down and very crowded.

Some more pictures from a couple of days with the McCormick girls. They are growing up so fast that it’s crazy. So cute and funny…

JiYoung and Mom are holding Kimchi class this month and it’s truly authentic.  The Park and Park farmers are up early to clear the cabbage, dry it out in the sun and “kimchi-ize” it.  I don’t know what they do, but the Niki’s Kitchen people love it and it is really delicious!!

JiYoung at the Tokyo Institute of Technology to take her BIG Level 2 Japanese Test.  This is the day when every student from around the world takes the test for their Japanese accreditation.  Then after the test, even though it’s multiple choice, they make you wait 2 months to get the results.  So annoying!!  Good Luck!!

Thanksgiving in the states. Shopping, Dining, Ambulances, home cooked turkeys, friends and WholeFoods. A unique traveling experience that we will laugh about for a long time… highlighted by a genuine NYC Ambulance ride due to some cold weather, a little too much red wine and not enough blood pressure flowing through the body!  Merry Merry!!  Happy Happy!!

See all the photos here.

JiYoung and I off on a stroll in Roppongi. I love the crisp air and the chance to wear some new clothing.

Ooh Ahh. JiYoung and I attended the US Marine Corp. Ball in Tokyo. So interesting to see all the guys, accompanying escorts and general festivities. The Corp. mascot was there – the bulldog – which was big highlight.