From DC to LA

Last week I got to travel to DC AND LA!! I know, I'm a lucky gal. I had a blast in both cities, but I got to thinking how different the two were from each other. West coast vs. east coast, laid back vs. uptight, all fun vs. all business (I may be over exaggerating so please don't be offended if you're from either city because, don't get me wrong- I love them both). You get the idea. I came to realize these drastic differences while shuffling through the contents of my bag. Each city had pretty similar weather, but I had packed like I had a split personality. Here's how it went down:

VS. 

I had two amazing trips and I get to head back to DC next week! Yeee! <3

Yikes

Eek, Sorry guys. I've totally neglected you this last month. There's been quite a few changes recently. I know, that's no excuse, but... 
Last month was very busy- I officially cut ties with the boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend), moved into a new place, and got a wonderful new job as the Marketing Manager for a small start-up. It took awhile to get settled, but I'm starting to get back to a routine and will try not to neglect you any longer. 
Just last week I got to go to Washington D.C. on my first big work trip! I was only there for two days, but I was able to sneak away and be a tourist for a bit! It was my first time on the east coast! So fun!

While I was there I even got to see Obama's motorcade drive by! He waved at us from his limo! So cool!

Wish I was Here Wednesday

Wish I was...

on a jet plane flying around the world.

This Weekend: The Sisters Rodeo & Mt.Hood

This weekend Chris and I got to visit some wonderful friends in beautiful Bend, Oregon. 

We had so much fun and made some wonderful memories. 

Here are some snapshots from the weekend!

Mount Hood 

Mount Hood seen from Government Camp

Chris waiting for the clouds to pass by

The Sisters Rodeo! 

You'll never guess what luck we had at the Rodeo! While in line to buy tickets for the Rodeo a family came up to us and offered us their tickets! And those tickets ended up being front row seats! Woohoo! Not bad for my first Rodeo.

The Queen and Princess of the Rodeo

In the stands
 (as usual, I'm starving for attention while Chris is on the phone)

A bit hard to see, but if you look closely you can see the Three Sisters

 

This field was so beautiful. The colors were so vibrant and alive. There is nothing like the beauty of spring.<3

Next weekend should be another exciting one. My classmates, Chris and I are heading back to Bend for an official vacation full of adventure, relaxation, and lots of fun. 

Asia Through My Eyes

These birds were perched just outside the train station in Kamakura.
 I was in disbelief that someone had actually knit them  outfits
AND that no one had stolen or vandalized them. xoxo #OnlyInJapan

Hi Chicas! So I've been thinking about how to let you in on all the awesome stuff I saw during my radtastic trip to Asia. I've decided that instead of writing all about my trip it might be more enjoyable just to see my trip. So I've created a compilation of my favorite pictures on tumblr for you to check out. Let me know what you think!

http://asiathroughmyeyes2011.tumblr.com/

Traveling is Exhausting

 

Fresh off the plane and sick as ever...Figures. Trip updates are soon to come! Promise! So happy to be home.

Konichiwa from Tokyo

Ater 11 hours on the plane the moment had finally come; I could see our destination. I looked down 10,000 feet to see what this new land beheld and....I swear we were back in Portland! It was cloudy and dreary, farmland covering the landscape. But, the flight attendant assured me that we were, indeed, in Japan.



So excited with anticipation, I gathered up my neck pillow, the delicious brownies I'd collected on the plane, and my books and set out for Tokyo!

 By the time we had arrived at the hotel it was 2am in Oregon, but only dinner time here. So I fought the fatigue, and stepped out onto the street in search of some traditional ramen noodles.

 After walking a short distance we (some of my classmates and I) stumbled upon a restaurant with a crowd of Japanese businessmen and woman waiting so be sat.

We decide to join the line. When we get to the front we can see a vending machine that we must order our meal from before being admitted into the restaurant. So I insert cash into the machine and press the button with the least auspicious looking picture of ramen. I enter the restaurant through the automatic sliding glass door and take a seat at a table.




Ramen!



The food arrives quickly and after taking a picture of my meal (like a total tourist), I grab for the utensils...AHHHH! Chopsticks!!! How the HELL do I use these things!?!? I should've taken some kind of training to learn how to use these little sticks because, oh man, it was a complete disaster. And probably quite humorous to watch. Needless to say, I was not feeling very interculturally adept. I manage to sufficiently fill my belly with the ramen, fish broth, bamboos shoots, seaweed and mystery meat and head back to the hotel for a VERY long awaited sleep.

Shinjuku District

Shibuya District

Shinjuku

Should have some better pics soon! I keep forgetting my camera so I've been using other people's cameras...Whoops.  Anyways, I'll write soon!

Explorations & Observations from Tokyo



Michelle, I, & Jenny in Shinjuku

Observations from Tokyo

• Japan drives on the left side of the street! And, boy, do they drive fast!

• You can buy anything and everything out of a vending machine

• Walk with a purpose in Toyko. The people walk briskly and collisions are eminent. No one loiters or visits on the street or in the subway stations.
• No eye contact. Japanese walk with their eyes always focused on the floor. (Although I witnessed a few eyes stray from the floor to look at us, silly Americans looking like lost little puppies.)

•  You can smoke in any restaurant, but it is not allowed on the street...

• The Japanese are all about comfort when it comes to the bathroom. The first time using the toilet in my hotel room was an experience. I sat down on the toilet and quickly jumped back up with surprise. The toilet seat was heated! And a heated bum came as quite a surprise.  The bathroom is also equipped with a heated mirror that does not fog over while you are using the shower!
  
  

   
  

  
  

  Shibuya



Shibuya Square



•  SEA GRAPES!!!  These little seaweed creatures are so delicious! They pop in your mouth!



Sea Grapes!



Garden at the hotel

Not feeling too well today. Must've gotten a bug, but hopefully I'll be back in action tomorrow!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Oh Hi Lovelies

Just thought I'd let you know I'll be on a hiatus until the end of March.

I'm off to China, Korea, Japan, Cambodia & Thailand with my school cohort.

It's going to be an amazing trip and I will surely share pictures whenever I can! 

Here's a preview of some of the beautiful sites I'll be visiting

Cambodia

Thailand

Thailand

China

China

Can't believe I get to go to so many places! I never thought I'd be heading to Asia! 
So exciting! 
& Don't worry, I'll bring you back a present :)