I MOVED

I'm still in Japan but I've just moved to a new area in TOKYO!!! "Why should I care," you ask? Well because that means a new apartment tour!! YAY *Kermit the Frog arms* New apartment tour video coming soon. By soon I mean as soon as my apartment is not consistently messy (or I just don't care that it's messy, whichever comes first).

Kittymermaid -_<

AAAAHHHHH! Real Earthquakes!

Earthquakes are a REAL thing here in the land of the rising sun. For someone like me, who had only experienced 1 earthquake before moving to Japan it is quite an eye opener to experience them weekly. It is also quite rattling (pun intended).

The number one rule in an earthquake is one that is followed so well here: stay calm. It seems simple but just staying calm & thinking rationally can literally save lives. Most earthquakes are nothing to worry about. Honestly, most people sleep through them. I on the other hand am not one of those lucky bastards. I wake up every single time and panic just a little. Then, I can't sleep for hours. There are a few things you can do to lessen the panic.

• Know where your emergency evacuation location is. A nearby school, library, government building? Find out from your city's website.
• Prepare an emergency kit at home. Some non perishables, a change of clothes, flashlight, spare keys, hard copies of maps & phone numbers, hard copies of important documents (passport, ID, insurance cards, credit cards), some extra cash if you can. 
• Do a drill. I know it sounds excessive but all those fire drills in elementary school weren't for nothing. Practicing what to do in an emergency beforehand makes going through it for real a lot less stressful. 

On a lighter note: Check out the Chris & Kristen show while we talk quickly and lightheartedly about earthquakes & escape kits. 

To make a donation to the JAPAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND please click here

Kittymermaid -_<

How to make the absolute MOST of your Golden Week!

What IS Golden Week?

For most foreigners it’s just an extended vacation from work. Some time to relax, travel or catch up on all the things you’ve been putting off. But really, Golden Week is so much more!

April 29th: Day of Showa which is in of the Showa era Emperor Hirohito’s birthday.

May 2nd: Constitution Day celebrates the enactment of the 1947 Constitution of Japan.

May 4th: Greenery Day commemorating the birthday of a Showa era emperor by celebrating his love of nature.

May 5th: Children’s Day is a wonderful day to celebrate children and their wonderful innocence. (You will most definitely see carp banners flying)

How can I take part in these wonderful holidays and enjoy every moment of Golden Week? Ask no more. Here are some sure fire steps to ensure you have a great Golden Week.

1. Party!!!!

Celebrating emperors’ birthday is not small potatoes! You need to do it up big! Whatever a great celebration is to you do it. Club? DO IT! Bar? DO IT! Movie marathon in your pajamas? DO IT!

2. Visit a museum!

Learn more about Japan & it’s LONG history. Come develop a deeper understanding of what shaped Japan into becoming the place it is today.

3. Hug a tree! Have a picnic!

Thought the cherry blossoms have fallen is it still a great time to visit a park and have a much quieter picnic, either with a good book or a group of friends.

4. Embrace your inner child!

They are calling to you. Remind yourself of something you loved as a child. Cars? Movies? Dolls? Rediscover what used to make you laugh or smile uncontrollably.

5. SLEEP!

No vacation is complete in my opinion without an almost unhealthy amount of sleep. Recharge before you head back to the real world. It’s sleep deprived out there.

If all else fails, wander around your neighborhood and see what your city has planned.

HAPPY GOLDEN WEEK!

Kittymermaid -_<

Kamakura Daibutsu

Kamakura Daibutsu

So big and so awesome. It was utterly amazing to be in the presence of such a wonderful and meaningful . Visiting the second largest Buddha in Japan was inspiring and humbling. I'm lucky to experience such miraculous places in my lifetime. The Kamakura Daibutsu was once enclosed in a temple. When war and rage plagued the city the temple fell. But, the Daibutsu still stood. There it has stood and will continue to stand for all of eternity. I am in shock in awe that something of this magnitude was built so long ago and continues to stand, bring people together and rejuvenate life.

Kamakura Daibutsu's shoes

SIDEBAR: Follow the momentous
 occasion of visiting the Kamakura Daibutsu I decided to partake in a famous matcha ice cream. Feeling even more adventurous I opted for the swirl cone with matcha and sweet potato flavor. I know purple sweet potato flavored ice cream what kind of misguided decisions am a making with my life? Well probably the best one I've ever made. I mean this ice cream is reason enough for me to  never leave. Everything you thought you knew about ice cream is a lie. Japan is holding out on the world and you know what I don't blame them.

DINOSAURS!!

Every other country in the world should be afraid....very afraid. Japan has not only revived dinosaurs from extinction but they have tamed them for kiddie rides and overall amusement. If you aren't shaking in your boots yet then just looky here.

Finding my Groove

I have arrived and am doing so much better than well. I've settled in at work and into my 125sq ft apartment. It is even more awesome than I had ever hoped. It's tiny and compact and I love it. It's plenty of room for me and I figured out how to use all of the appliances. What more can a girl ask for? Please check out my apartment tour. I have put in a few homey touches but still have a lot of decorating left to do. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
 xoxo

Scramble

Now that the Christmas craze is over I will try to scramble and have my final doctor's visits, eye exams, and get all other things in order. I can't believe I even have things to get in order. I really sat down and had the conversation with the hardest person to tell this to in the world.....my dog. I just don't feel like he really understood me when I said I would be gone for a year. I've been told dogs don't how to tell time but we'll shall see. (no I am not a crazy person who thinks dogs are people... but Chuy is people, he has clothes, and a tie) It continues to become more & more real and soon the countdown to my departure will begin. I'm not ready.