A Day Trip Made Perfect

On the last day of summer, we decided to make a day trip to Kiso, a valley-town that's just an hour drive.


Lunch time! After a very long wait, might I add.


A very old house that is very old-Japanese style.



And here, we visited a ravine that was divine (see how I just rhymed?).


A little hike down a path ...


... and


Ta-da!


They should have filmed The Lord of the Rings here.


Thank you, T, for a wonderful summer time!

Until next time,

Sak

Visit to Okazaki

Was in Okazaki during summer break. My impression on my future hometown in-law? Two words. Bloody hot!

Got me worried for my future visitation here that will have to happen.

But the park around the castle was nice.


Until next time,

Sak

Summer Begins

They gave us an unusually long 9-day summer break this year, from 7th to 15th, and with my regular Tuesday off combined, I have a whopping 10-day vacation!

A pregnant colleague went on a maternity leave last month and I was covering for her the whole month and was working 6 days a week, and occasionally doing seminars on Sundays. I don't want to complain, but I was stretching myself a little too far. So I could really, really, really use this break. On my days off I am usually thinking about my work in one way or the other; what to do and how to do them. But I've decided to cut out all senses in me that have anything to do with work for the 10 precious days that I have. Have a great summer, me!

Until next time,

Sak

List of 10 - Summer Faves

The heat is extra-ridiculous this year, and one so desperately needs to find something to be positive about the hottest time of the year, so here I go.

1) water melons
2) tank tops for PJ
3) cumulonimbus in blue, blue sky
4) summer dresses
5) cicadas shrilling afar
6) C.C. lemon
7) Chanel shades
8) fresh veggies from mom's patch
9) hiyashi chuka
10) the long lasting day time

Have a great summer, and stay cool!

until next time,

Sak

A Hotspring Getaway

Was totally a spur-of-the-monent thing that we just packed up and went to Kusatsu.





Loved every moment of the two-day vacation. Thank you, T!

Until next time,

Sak

Speech! II

With my speech, I made her cry ...

... and myself.


Oh bloody hell. Thank K for taking those pics...

Anyway, with the dress breath-taking and the champagne delicious, the wedding was simply beautiful.

Until next time,

Sak

Speech!

My blog has been seldom updated of late. I thank you, my faithful readers, for stopping by and checking this page periodically, and I apologize that I have let you down. The truth is that a lot is on my plate right now, and writing takes back seat to spacing out when given time.

But finally! I have an easier week going on, so yay for me! I am gonna take this opportunity to work on a piece that I postponed long enough: a wedding speech that I am giving come Sunday as a maid of honor. My beloved friend is getting married, and I am so happy for her that I already tear up at the thought of her walking down the isle by her father.

This is the third time I am doing a speech for a friend. As honored as I am, it ain't a walk in the park for me for two reasons. One, I am such a cry baby. And two, I want to make it good.

Here I am at the dining table, using my brainless head to be as creative as I can with my very limited Japanese vocabularies. My bride friend already told me that I don't have to go for the traditional or properness with my speech, so I am solely aiming for the best original wedding speech of the year here... Wish me luck!

Until next time,

Sak

Fashion Report - Kate Spade Necklace

My love for Kate Spade was heightened when I saw this back in March. I have been wearing this everywhere on weekends. Will be my signature statement this summer.


Until next time,

Sak

Cheers To Decisions!

With Y tying a knot and K with a bun in her oven, and myself with a rock on my finger, it was a perfect time for all three of us girls to have a semi-bachelorette party last week. When K got married last year, we celebrated it at our favorite resort hotel Risonare, and we thought for this time we should do the same.

Three of us come a long way. A celebration was in need indeed.


We toasted countlessly "to decisions."


Champaign never tasted better.

With my heartful thanks to our friendship, congratulations, Y and K!

Until next time,

Sak

A Delivery a la SF

Nothing gets me going better than a package delivery from a distant friend. Go ahead and debate me on this.

This time, my soul sister E in San Fran got me a belated birthday present.

Amazon Kindle!!



Is this the greatest or what? Until E told me via e-mail a while back about this, I didn't even know what this was. After a bit of internet surfing, I was in love, and could hardly wait for its arrival.

I have been meaning to get back on reading this year, so this is a great start. Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooo much, E! You've literally "kindled" my heart and soul!

Until next time,

Sak