Hiromi Usagi!

Apparently, I was not ready for my friend’s wedding–what I should wear, how to get there, booking a train ticket and so on– I asked Kaori to help many things–bascically asking a lot of questions about a wedding here. I have been to a wedding a long time ago—10 years ago? OMG… But now I am old enough to know how to attend a Japanese wedding. I am very excited about it, because many people from Cornell College will be there, and Kamakura is a really cool place to visit, and of course I am very happy for Sayaka.

So I was hanging out with Kaori pretty much all day along after acupuncture this moring. I can’t believe that I got sort of lost while driving–too many new roads–on my way to her place (I drove on the other side–it is a secret!! don’t tell anyone–). I cooked lunch at her place and we ate it together. Since she is not fond of vegetables, especially carrot, I made—stir fried rice with mushroom, sesame lemon cole slaw, and sweet potato hash with tofu. She liked it! and we sort of ate too much to be productive afterward, hahaha… I suggested that we should be cafeinated to be able to be awake, so we went to DOux Cafe. I thanked Shiho, the owner of the cafe who mentioned me and my blog on her site, and asked her many questions about how she started this cafe. She showed us the pictures of progress from the office space to the cafe. She loves making everything out of scratch, and I was very impressed that she did most of the carpentry work. What is really amazed me is that she had a great taste on interior design and cafe menu. It is called talent, I believe. I love people who have great tastes.

At the cafe, Kaori showed me the mini-sketch book that she kept what she did in Chicago last year when she came to visit me. There are many amazing drawings of my friends, foods, buildings, and even a map of my apartment and very nice descriptions on it. She minimized maps and plans by photocopying and nicely pasted on the book. I really miss my friends in Chicago…. She drew Harper’s face, Matiss’ face, Marcia’s face, and druvis too. I was like…ohhh…

While I was doing that, two pretty ladies came in the cafe, and I glanced at them and turned back to where I was, and then…OMG I turned around again. Here they are! they were my coworkers from the tv and radio station where I used to work!! I haven’t seen them for a good 6 years! What a surprise! They looked the same and sounded the same as before. We promised to get together soon. I worked there only 3 1/2 years, but that was such an intensive part of my life, so it meant a lot to me. I liked this surprise! I felt bad that I lost in touch with them. Oh well, now I am catching it up, right?

After the cafe, we went to a Home depot-type place in order for Kaori to get pieces of wood. She is making a wooden box for her friend. I was browsing around, thinking about what kind of stuff that I need when I find an apartment for myself in Tokyo. Harper told me that he wouldn’t come visit me unless I move to Tokyo, hahaha. well, there is no club in my hometown for sure, but many cute girls…

Kaori gave me manicure and pedicure for the wedding. They are a combination of dark beige and gold polishes and very sparkly. She can do such a detailed work, which I am not good at… we are good at different things…

It was a fun day, and I realized that it had been over one week since I came back from Chicago. I feel better about being here and excited about getting a job and moving to Tokyo. Please come visit me, my friends those who don’t live in Tokyo. I will show you around!!!