the whole time in japan, we were pretty much wearing slippers. it’s august so supposed to be really hot beach weather? not this year. it was super cold and super raining. my slippers on the left, and Miwa-san’s slippers on the right. small difference? haha.

so i get home this morning and watch the news. one police man shot dead and 3 guys get away. it’s no longer safe to be a police officer in america these days.

and the stock market crashes again! omg!

once again, want to thank our We Are One team for the wonderful time in tohoku. isn’t it so amazing on all the progress guys? we’ve been there through the saddest times ever, and to see things improving gradually and see the happy smiles glowing even more, it’s such a great thing to experience first hand. it’s always a happy drive home.

our saturday night fever in ishinomaki was wonderful. our group getting bigger, better, and happier. it’s incredible how karaoke and friends mixed together can bring out the best of everyone. a night to remember! want to thank our friends, especially Naomi-san and Azumi-san. we’ve only known each other for 4.5 years but it seems like we’ve been friends forever.

was also nice to take a spin into kobuchihama and visit the Kimura-san family. awesome smiles from everyone! i’m so happy!

i got back to tokyo late and just hit the wall. so tired i didn’t even want to take another step anywhere. was so stoked to find a big nice tub in my room. thank you Miwa-san for finding me such a great room to relax in.

have you ever lied down on a bed and got stuck? i mean, my mind wanted to get back up but my body was glued to my bed. Unizo Hotel in Ginza for 8800 or $72/night. the best unagi restaurant on one side, and the best ramen restaurant on the other side. the perfect place i’ll stay at again for sure.

i had some time to kill one afternoon so i went to big camera to play around with the printing machine. just plug in your iPhone and print away! cool! i wish i had one of these at my house.

japan always amazes me. the best of the best service in the world. i watch, i learn, and i try to do the same thing when i get back to hawaii.

so stoked! found a natural lawson in Hiro-o.

walked in and found kombucha! omg, i was so happy!

i was looking around for years for kombucha in japan. now i found it and now i’ll drink it everyday. it was pretty good too. not as good as my homemade one, but better than nothing. here is the asian pear and ginger flavor.

the traditional flavor was better for me. 400 yen/each is pretty expensive, but you can’t put a price on a good thing for your health.

then jumped on a train yesterday to head to nagoya airport. another rainy and dark day.

stopped by shin-fuji to have lunch with Toda-san and Takami-san. of course, we ate at my favorite cake restaurant. i ate 10 desserts along with my mentaiko/mushroom pasta. overate again.

then went to the mall to stop by Hula Hawaii. lot’s of smiles and lots of aloha in this shop! thank you Toda-san and Takami-san!

and in the same mall is my free massage machine. thank you Nojima for always updating the massage chairs! i love it!

jumped back on the train again for the 2.5 hour ride and then arrived at nagoya airport to get my flight back to hawaii. i couldn’t believe how empty it was!!! i thought it was closed when i pulled up. i could have counted around 20 people in the whole airport.

it was so quiet and peaceful waiting for my flight. i had my noise cancellation headphones on watching a movie. OMG, i almost missed my flight!

i get on, take my seat, and had a great relaxing flight!

i swear, riding on delta is like sleeping at a hotel. the best seat, pillow, and blanket. heavenly!

i wake up, open my eyes, and look out the window. omg, i was so happy to see home!

i haven’t seen the blue sky for a week!!!! feels so good! going to jump into the ocean. have a wonderful day!

  
Traveling around with friends is fun! We will do anything, try anything, and love everything. On this particular day, we chose to concrete surf the big new wall. Matsu vs. Miwasan
Then it was my turn. If you don’t surf, you would probably roll down this wall. Have to keep your knees bent at all times. Watch out Miwa-san! 
  
We all made it down safely. Gosh, can’t wait to get back into the ocean!