I had planned to write to catch a bit on what’s going on, but think it will have to wait until tomorrow. I am too tired for it now… π
-T π
Apr 282014
Apr 262014
I’m still alive and kicking. Just been a bit busy and distracted. Will be back on schedule one of these days! π
-T
Apr 212014
I believe I might be entering a funk. There’s no reason for it actually, but I have somehow lost some of my initial motivation and excitement since holiday.
Not sure what to write regarding this, but thought I’d release it out there and see if that helps to let it go! π
-T
Apr 182014
It’s been a very busy week with a bit of reflection required. This morning I finally had some time to sort out my head a little bit and it’s all good, though I think I am a bit melancholy….
Work
It’s always a bit tiring the first week of the term especially after coming back from two weeks of holiday. So, it’s a matter of returning to routine as well as getting things ready for classes. Surprisingly, I think I am pretty settled now in that area. However, now I need to focus on getting stuff sorted out for the changes coming in the fall….
Also, I am thinking to apply for a different job that has just been advertised. It’s a long shot for me, but it is definitely more in line with what I would like to be doing, so I am having some trouble getting up the gumption to go for it….
PhD
The good news here is that there is progress and I think I have finally shifted my brain enough to understand that I want to finish it. Since my supervisor is going on sabbatical next year, my absolute deadline is by fall…. So, that’s progress and I am quite motivated to get work done with it. π
Life
Without giving too much detail at the moment, things are quite good right now. However, it is requiring me to shift my routine a bit. So, I still need to work this out a bit more.
Overall, I can’t complain at all about how life is going! π
-T
Apr 152014
The time has been going quickly as I have been settling back into life in the Dhabs. I brought back with me a cold, so have been fighting to get rid of that. On a happier note, being reunited with my new beau has been very good! Awwwww!!! π
Apr 092014
It was back to the real world for the Suzuki household yesterday, so I took the time to actually get some PhD work done. Yep, you heard that right, I worked on my PhD!!! The morning was fairly quiet with that. Then, I headed out to meet J for lunch as our last lunch date for my visit. Of course, before I got on the train I needed to indulge in a little treat….
Then, we met near E’s school for an organic lunch, which was really tasty and I got to satisfy my curry craving. I think I’ve eaten nearly everything I possibly could here!
After that, I headed in to Shinjuku, which was not exactly planned before, but as I was meeting a grad school mate and former colleague in Yoyogi, it seemed worthwhile to make a stop. I had waaaaaay too much fun shopping at BicQlo (Bic Camer and Uni Qlo). I got to see the weirdness of Tokyo (see dog pic) Plus, then I went to Isetan’s B2 Beauty Apothecary for the organic health and body care products – wow!
So, I came back with quite a bit of loot and all caught up with Ro, which was really nice. Overall, a pretty good day survived in the pits of Tokyo central! π
Sadly, just one more day left and then it’s back to the Dhabs….
-T π
Apr 082014
From Days 9~11 we made a trip to Okinawa. It was mine and J’s second time to visit and E’s first. J found a really nice package that included a car rental, hotel with breakfasts + 1 lunch and a dolphin experience. Although it was still a little chilly for my liking, it was a great time and good to get away from the buzz of Tokyo life for a few days.
Now we are back in the cooler Tokyo temps with just a couple more days left before I have to return to reality. π
-T
Apr 072014
It has been a busy few days!
Friday (Day 8) was spent chillaxing at home for a few hours and then heading out for lunch with J.
We walked around in Tokyo (Omotesando) a bit, reminiscing of the old days when we would go out for a massage or drinks. We had a shocking experience at a Japanese souvenir shop, which rendered J miraculously speechless! Finally, we headed to pick up E from school.
We had a relaxing afternoon with a surprise delivery of a tasty beverage before my former Kanda student came over for dinner. It was so nice to catch up with her and surprise her with the fact that I speak Japanese. π
-T π
Apr 042014
Back in Tokyo and brought rain with me….WHAT?!
So, I had the morning to myself and managed to actually do some work. I know, shocking! π After a couple of hours of that, I went for a visit to the drugstore. Oh my gosh have I missed them?! I can spend so much time there wandering the aisles looking at what is possible. However, I must admit that going all natural and organic sort of takes away some of the joy….
Despite the rain, I did stop to enjoy the cherry blossoms, briefly.
In the afternoon, I meet up with J and we did some shopping after a lovely lunch. We went to pick up E at school and hit the grocery store. I saw these amazingly humongo breads!
Dinner was oden, which I haven’t had in ages, so it was all delish! Followed up by a gab session over a bottle of wine. Ahhhh, life is goood. π
-T π
Apr 032014
As part of my Japan visit, I decided to take the short two-hour flight over to Seoul to see my long-time adoptee friend, K. The last time I met up with her or had been to Korea was just before I moved to Abu Dhabi; thus it had been just over five years.
As always, we picked right up where we left off and reminisced on days of old when we were young campers at Holt Adoption Camp. It is amazing to think that we have been friends for almost thirty years!!!
I also did a bit of shopping and got to eat my favorite snack/treat of Hottok. I remembered eating them the first time I went to Korea in the middle of freezing winter. It was the one thing that gave me great joy at the end of the work day walking back to our hotel in the cold. π
When I first went to Korea in 2002(?), I stayed in the Insadong area, which is where I returned to do some shopping. One of the cool things about Insadong is the Starbucks sign. Back then I was a bit obsessed with Starbucks and loved the fact that this sign was in Korean since there had been some struggle regarding the fact it was in Korean. Apparently, Insadong wanted to preserve it’s traditional feel, but also have the draw of the coffee shop for all the tourists that come through. At the time, (maybe still?) it was the only Starbucks to not have its name in English.
The rest of my trip consisted of a whole lot of eating and drinking!
A big thanks to K and J for their hosting!
-T π
