Sakura!

So, I know it has been a while since I last blogged, but nothing out of the ordinary (or rather, my ordinary) has been occurring as of late until recently. Two weeks ago, temperatures were cold, trees were bare, work was work, I was hanging out with friends on my days off and in some evenings, going to dinner...as you do. I suppose the most out of the ordinary thing was that on Tuesday, March 29th, it was decently warm for one of the first times and I went out to the World Trade Center building to walk around that mall. It's much like the Tempozan mall close to the house, except there were fewer people walking around and a better restaurant selection. There is also this one import store where I was able to find fabric softener and febreze. They also carry some very random things like dark band-aids for people of color, cartoon socks, and a King Tut sleeping back/snuggie thing (to name a few).

Anywho, for the past 7 days, it has been getting slowly warmer and almost all of them have been somewhat sunny! Spring is arriving and with it, Sakura. Sakura is the cherry blossom season here in Japan and it is a very special time for the Japanese. Picnics occur daily in the parks to admire the flowers and coming of spring. The Cherry blossoms are also really symbolic to the Japanese as well!

This past "weekend" for me consisted of a morning trip to Ikea, getting my hair cut and dyed (I'm a blondie now...just for kicks and giggles), meeting up with my usual cast for a late lunch/early dinner, shopping around for some items that I've really been wanting to help make life easier, and going to Karaoke for the first time in Japan. It was a long, yet wonderful day! Wednesday, I took some time to myself and went to Osaka Castle Park which was beautiful! Next days off are both going to be trip days - one day for Kyoto/monkey mountain hopefully and the other for Mt. Yoshino - it is just south of Nara and is a mountain side just covered in Cherry blossoms. I was told by my friend, Charity, that this mountain is where she went a couple of years ago (with you Mickey...if you're reading this. Yes I'm going!!).

The rest of this blog is going to be told in pictures and captions. Enjoy! Missing everyone back in the states!!! Hope all is well!

This should speak for itself! The only thing I didn't get on my list, because I rode my bike and it was too big to carry (especially up the bridge near the house), was a mattress topper.

This picture above is for my friend, Brad. An advert for some coffee in a can...that's probably where most people get their coffee - if they don't make it themselves, that is. HA!

Out to Linner (lunch/dinner) with cast and friends! See the blonde?! :)

This way to Osaka Castle Park!!

This cool building houses the Museum of History. A museum about the history of Osaka City and surrounding areas. Didn't go, but it looks cool!

Osaka Castle amidst the urban skyline

A well inside the castle grounds. I noticed ladies taking out water and putting it on their hands and also pouring it on the side of the well...didn't know if there was some custom or symbolism there.

A path lined with Cherry blossoms near the main tower of the castle.

The outer moat of the castle, lined with beautiful trees!

View from the top of the castle, looking North.

One of the picnics I was telling you about that everyone has - as seen through the branches of the trees!

Another view from the top of the castle, featuring a dragon of sorts and the city.

The only time I was really aching for some friends to be there with me was when I spotted these. What a fun tourist photo!! :)

This pigeon was getting very bold. He hopped up on this man's lap looking for crumbs!

The castle with yours truly in the foreground.

This building looked like it was housing a wedding or something. All of these people were in tradition garb and someone (who looked to be a bride) was getting out of a van with her friends and mother (possibly?). The funny thing to me was that her friends said, "kawaii!!" This means cute... So, the bride wasn't beautiful, rapturous, gorgeous, or even pretty. She was cute. I thought that to be quite humorous!

Another vantage of the Castle as seen through a little garden.

This and the following two pictures were taken at the new grocery store in my neighborhood. This is what I have to deal with every time I go grocery shopping. It's a big ol' guessing game...for the most part.

What are these bottles? Are they all soy sauce, or are they different things?! Who knows!

This is one thing I DO know :)

That's all for now. The only other thing on my mind that I want to address is that I heard (via facebook) about congress maybe cutting the budget for the arts. I know our country is hurting financially (as I feel most of the world is), but do we really have to take away public funding for the fine arts? I don't know details so I can't form a truly educated opinion at this point, but knowing how enriched my life has been because of the arts that are somewhat (if not fully) funded by the government, it makes me sad to think of people not having that...even if it's only for a while. I do hope they find other ways to cut the budget...where's Dave when you need him? haha. My only thought on this issue (and most of you who know me know that I'm not really into politics and government) is that, before our government makes ANY decisions, whether it be policies about Health Care, going to War, where to cut budgets, or any other big decisions - they need to seriously consider all facets of the long term repercussions. They have a huge responsibility to our nation and us as citizens. That's all I have to say on that and despite my lack of knowledge, I feel that is a valid statement. :)

Happy Spring everyone!! Much love,

P