August 9, 2009
Well, I am!
I had a most pleasant day today celebrating my birthday the best way… just me and my schmoo!
Jared fixed breakfast this morning. Scrambled eggs, potatoes o’brien and a side of strawberries & bananas. Yum!
We then ventured out to see Julie & Julia at the AMC Burbank 16. The movie was pretty good! Apparently it was over 2 hours long, but it didn’t seem like it. I personally got wrapped up in the storytelling and enjoyed it thoroughly. I ate too many SweeTarts, thought and my tongue is still stinging hours later!
We did a bit of shopping and then had dinner at P.F. Chang in Sherman Oaks. Always tasty. Especially the salt & pepper calamari.
Well, that’s about all I have to say about the day. I’m going to try and make the most out of the last year of my 20’s. Kind of a scary thought that I’ll be 30 next year, but also exciting. I’m looking forward to my 30’s, but in the mean time and I’m going to make the most out still being “in my 20’s!”
Leave a Comment » | 
Uncategorized | 
Permalink
Posted by Tim
May 10, 2009
Tim and I have been back in the states for about two weeks now. I miss Japan just about anytime I am in a pubic venue. Most notably the other day when I stopped by Disneyland on the way back from meeting my family in Irvine for lunch and a movie. (Sidenote: Don’t see Monsters vs. Aliens unless you like you’re animated fare with no emotional attachment to any characters.) It amazes me that people consciously throw trash on the ground. If someone can give me a logical explanation for doing this, please let me hear it because I cannot justify any reason for doing this.
Tangent: I really think that the grafitti situation in L.A. is getting rediculous. You can’t drive a mile without seeing a wall or mural destroyed with gang writing all over it. I feel like there is nothing being done at all about it. I just find this release here about a law that was just passed that “is designed to provide local governments the ability to recover criminal restitution from graffiti offenders … the bill would amend state law to allow government entities that remove and clean graffiti on private property to recoup their costs from the responsible graffiti vandals through criminal restitution.”
Um, that’s all well and good, but I’m thinking that this needs to be taken to a higher level. Do they always know who did the graffiti? Because if they do somehow, I am thinking a lot more needs to be done than a slap on the wrist and forcing them to buy a bucket of paint. I think officers should be allowed to shoot people caught doing graffiti in the foot. Right there. With spray can in hand. And then they have to clean up the graffiti and blood. They might think twice about doing it again.
Anyway… I look forward to getting back to clean, friendly Japan someday, but for now I’m thinking about next years vacation. Tim and I have been talking about a cruise… but might save that for 2011.
Leave a Comment » | 
Uncategorized | Tagged: L.A. | 
Permalink
Posted by Jared
April 28, 2009
We’re at the airport waiting to board to head back to California. I’m sad to leave but a little happy to get back to my own bed and have some things back in order. There are definitely things I am going to miss here. I love the way people treat each other and it seems that people take pride in their city. There is no litter and hardly any grafiti in Tokyo. The train/subway system is amazing, too! You can get almost anywhere without a car. And, I did not see one rude girl on her cell phone talking so loud that you can’t help but hear her entire conversation.
I really loved the vibe of the city. It will be missed, but I’m sure I will be back one day.
Now time for some Tylenol PM and 9 hours of flying. We get into LAX Los Angeles time before we even leave Japan time.
1 Comment | Japan | Permalink
Posted by Jared
April 27, 2009
Our last night in Japan we had a friend of a friend show us around a bit. We ended up meeting up with some of his friends and having a really good time. We had some drinks, went to a hole in the wall Thai restaurant and then back to some bars, the last being a karaoke bar. I actually sang (I say that lightly!), which is something I would never do it the States.
The bars in Japan are really small, with room generally for about 10-15 people. It makes it really interesting and a lot easier to get to know the people around you. Everyone is really friendly and up for some fun.
Wind beneath my wings…
Phil and Asia — two fabulous new friends
Thai food in Japan — SO good!
Tim… with drinks and hat!
Leave a Comment » | 
Japan | 
Permalink
Posted by Jared
April 27, 2009
After the Disney offices we were off to Sanrio Puroland. It was… Interesting. Not quite what I expected. It was sort of like a super-sized Chuck E. Cheeses with tons of stage shows. We went on the boat ride and it was something I will never forget. A few pics below…
Leave a Comment » | Japan | Tagged: Hello Kitty, Sanrio Puroland | Permalink
Posted by Jared
April 26, 2009
Woke up early this morning an headed to some Disney offices to meet some co-workers of Tim’s. We met the team from Disney Destinations International. They were all really nice and gave us a little tour of the offices.
While walking around I spotted a page of the Disney Newsreel, an internal Disney publication I help with.
Photos of the view from thief offices below.
Leave a Comment » | Japan | Tagged: disney | Permalink
Posted by Jared
April 26, 2009
We made it back to Tokyo and did lots today! The Harajuku district was pretty fun. Very busy and packed with stores of all sorts. The Harajuku Girls (and boys!) were fabulous, though not as many were out as I thought would be.
After that we went to LaQua, which is a outdoor theme park/mall we stumbeled upon. They had a ferris wheel there, the “Big-O” (seriously that was it’s name!) that was huge and gave great views of the city. There was a rollercoaster there, the Thunder Dolphin, but it was closed. That made me sad!
We were going to go to Tokyo Tower but the views from the Big-O were so great we decided to go back to the hotel and relax a bit before heading out to dinner.
Dinner was great. I finally got some Miso soup and tempura. I had been trying to get some all trip. We all watched Tim try to use chopsticks and eat tempura/udon. He had tofu, too! (We’re all very proud!) We came back to the hotel and had a drink at the bar where I nearly passed out due to smoke inhalation.
Now it’s time for bed! We’re getting up early go head to the Disney offices to meet some co-works that Tim has worked with at Adventures by Disney. Then it’s off to Sanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty land!!)!
1 Comment | Japan | Tagged: harajuku, Tokyo | Permalink
Posted by Jared
