Friday, November 12, 2010

Just a really great day!

On Wednesday morning, I headed into Tokyo, going to the U.S. Embassy to give some training to a group of 12 people.  Nothing lifts my spirits like a trip to T-town.  I love everything about that place. I love driving through the crowded streets, I could sit in traffic for hours, just soaking up all the big city vibes.  I can, and have, wander aimlessly for hours, and never run out of things interesting things to see.

This was my first trip to the Embassy, and I got a really nice tour of the whole place before the class started.  The training went off without a hitch, I even used candy to keep everyone's attention.  I'd ask questions about the material I had covered, and the first correct answer got a piece of candy. There's nothing funnier than grown men, in suits and ties, competing for a mini Snickers bar!

After class, we all walked through Roppongi to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch.  The weather was absolutely perfect, a beautiful, crisp, clear autumn day.  At HRC I had the greasiest, cheesiest, most delicious burger I've had in a long, long time.  We took the scenic route back to the Embassy, to walk off the burger brick now lodged in my belly.

After the Embassy, I headed for the New Sanno, my home away from home, for a mani/pedi.  The foot massage that came w/ the pedi was heavenly after all the walking we'd done!

When I finished in the salon, I popped into the little liquor store at the NS to stock up on my favorite wine coolers, Fuzzy Navel flavor, which I can no longer get here at home.  

Then is was time to head to Okachimachi to meet the ever lovely Cecelia.  I'd been to Okachimachi a few times, but it was great to see some of C's favorite stores.  We parked ourselves at Starbucks and chatted   the evening away over caramel fraps and hot tea.  It was so great to see Cecelia, I can talk to her about absolutely anything with no fear of judgement.  A visit with her never fails to soothe my frazzled emotions, calm my fears that I'm complete nut-job and encourage me to just keep on keepin' on.  I'm so lucky to have met her and to be able to count her as a friend (Thanks Lil!).

All too soon, it was time to head for home.  I hopped on the subway back to Hiro-o, got my car from the NS (free parking, in the middle of Tokyo!!!), and made excellent time back to the base, not a spot of traffic!  

When I got home, the girls had rustled up dinner for themselves and E (Gabi picks him up from daycare most days), and had him bathed, in his jammies, and settled in front of  an episode of Pink Panther, all with no prompting from me. (yes, I paid them handsomely).

I was in bed by 9:30p, even though the next day was a holiday!  It was the perfect end to a perfect day!  (And somehow, I slept until nearly 11:00a the next morning!  That never, EVER happens!)

5 comments:

shinshu life said...

Wow! What a day. Although I just about choked on my tea hearing you say 'I love driving in Tokyo.' @_@ You're one adventure loving chic, yeah? Me? I don't even drive to Nagano!

And I think everyone could do with a little bit of Candace in their life every now and again, yeah?

Gaijin Wife said...

Awesome day. Well done men in suits, well done Tokyo, well done friend, well done kids and bloody well done you. These kinds of days keep us going. And ditto Heather - your drove? in downtown Tokyo? You crazy woman. I am so used to driving in a town with only two sets of traffic lights I think I'd panic :)

cameramom said...

Believe it or not, I'm jealous reading about your adventures in the city, even sitting in traffic in Tokyo! I miss Japan so much!

I'd give up my favorite pair of shoes right now to spend a night at the Sanno!

What could be better than grown men jumping eagerly around you for a mini Snickers?

I've said it before, but your kids are SO GREAT! What a great day, indeed!

Cecilia said...

It was great to see you.
You are such a bundle of 'can do' positive energy.

And as I said to you before... luck is often created. And you are reaping rewards of you effort.

More power to you !

You're an inspiration :)

Robin Vistnes said...

You are somebody! You are the boss-lady. I need you to hook me up with an embassy job!