nashville part II

so many more pictures to post - click on the link above to view them all...

Nasvhille was the perfect getaway. i needed a break from school and time to readjust to 'living' again. time with my family and relatives was much needed too. school is much too time consuming, think i need to diversify my interests a bit! above, the bride-to-be enjoys one last 'single' nite on the town. (nashville's 'strip' is quite impressive, tons of honkytonk, boot-stompin, hat-tippin' tunes)
my aunt kathy & family: one big party
the whole Parry clan: left to right (georgia/virginia Parry's: kevin, mary, shannon, me, dave, mom, dad, mike and bryan) do you see how gorgeous the weather is for NEARLY-NOVEMBER!!! 85 degrees yesterday! incredible!

xoxooxoxxoXOXOoxoOXOoxooxoXOXoxoOXooxooxoo

wedding in nashVEGAS

My cousin Sara got married this weekend. All of the Parry's went out to Nashville to help celebrate the special day! Above, all of my cousins---from left (Bryan, Shannon, Meredith, Sara, JOEL (my new cousin-in-law), Eric, me and Mike.
My crazy cousin-in-law Meredith. (Joel is cousin-in-law #2!)
My cousin Shannon--she's a beauty!
Mike & I---several drinks later...

My aunt/Sara's mother, Kathy, looked smashing!

we're not in kansas anymore

I have recently backed up all picture files from the last year. I have a few pictures left on my computer and will try to share these over the next few months. Here are a few pictures, moments in time, in which it hit me,

"We're not in Kansas anymore."

View from above Denali State Park in Alaska - returning from Japan.

First time seeing glacial rivers.
One of the Great Wonders of the World: Rightfully so.
Taneichi, Japan: Rice paddies, grassy mountains and water (below).

Shanghai's "The Bund": The economic hub of superpower China. I adjusted the colors a wee bit, but the juxtaposition of new and old buildings and omnipresent pollution like I had yet to experience made for great photos, and a few asmtha attacks.

time flies

graduate school is NOT a nice 'welcome back ' present. tonite i was perusing some old pictures, reminiscing over the beautiful Asian sights, and found a few moments that are worth posting twice; like......staying in a beach bungalow in koh samui, thailand
... climbing The Great Wall on Christmas Day
...living the simple life in a remote and gorgeous village
...hanging out with my students

(who proved to be excellent japanese teachers)

...fishing & boating - living on, in, and near water - just like Minnesota!

i have so many more pictures to post, but so little time.

i miss Asia. i miss Japan. but i miss Taneichi the most.

relaxin in rural mn

L-R: Shinobu, Justin & TBird
Huge thanks to Justin for putting us up for the evening @ his humble abode. Fabulous times, thoughtful conversation, superb food (Venison-helper = a first for both me AND Shinobu), bottomless drinks...Justin you are the HOST with the MOST! Thanks again for giving us an excuse to get away from suburbiaworld for a minute, and get doses of deer, horses, turkeys, goats and dogs!

I'm looking forward to the next hangout, your place or mine, anytime!

せいざとうまーはじめて！
the mood, the dudes, the tunes...bliss
My best buddies

nearly a decade of friendship later & yet time proves to be on our side

たのしかったです！ありがとうございました！

the remnants of a glacial ridge - just the tip of the iceberg...

my family

a family feast: i despise cooking, BUT treated my family nonetheless to a Chinese/Japanese cuisine of Asian flavors and textures tonight. ultimatley, i thought it was more delicious

than they did. which means = more leftovers for me!

thanks for coming over. we get along so well, its almost a shame we don't live together! ;) despite the distance (in miles), to borrow from Led Zeppelin, there's still a 'WHOLE LOTTA LOVE" between us all! love you guys! xoxxoxoxoxoxo

Malaysia Nite

The first of many 'culture nights' @ SCSU. Malaysia night was a success! Delicious food, beautiful colors and intense drumming!
My friend Tomoko loved the fishballs, pictured far left. I tried them but was instantly reminded of Japanese food...Shinobu and Tomoko polished off the plate while I waited patiently for more curry! L-R: Shinobu, Xiaoyang & Tomoko

Shinobu and I are in the same ESL Master's program, Xiaoyang is a "visiting scholar from China" here to do some observations of our western ways, and Tomoko recently moved from Japan, to live with her husband in Sartell. I've said it many times, but I am very thankful for great new friends to share stories and culture with here in Minnesota....its almost like I never left Asia. ;)

it's fall...finally!

Ryo & I headed out to Quarry Park to take in some of the fall colors. I think the colors peaked about a week ago, but it was still nice to relax amongst the peaceful solitude of the water, forests and rocks.
Fall is here! And in Minnesota--that means winter is just around the corner!
This weekend is probably the last of the 'warmer temperatures'...so I plan to be outside as much as possible! I have been working so hard the last month, it is time to take a SHORT break and gather my bearings once more!
peace

my new home

For the last 2 months, I have been living out of 2 suitcases. Finally, last weekend, I moved into my new apartment! My friends and students in Japan asked me to put pictures of my new home on here. So, here are a few pictures of my new place of residence for the next year or so...and some differences in this apartment and the house I lived in Japan ;)

The entrance to our apartment - living room, kitchen is to the right. I enjoyed the cozy house in Japan, but there is SO much space in this apartment. Having carpet is also a bonus! The tatami mat floors are beautiful but not comfortable!
My bedroom has many Japanese pictures - friends - gifts - students - artifacts and souvenoirs. My bed is the BEST part of the room! I have difficulty sleeping, but this bed is INCREDIBLY comfortable!

Yes, one year on a 3-inch cushion (futon) was enough!

The Asian flare is also in my bathroom, pictured below.

(Complete with flushing toilet!)
I LOVED living on the ocean in Japan, BUT the beautiful woods and river behind our apartment is also quite nice. The fall colors are here!

Friends and family in JAPAN: thank you for checking my blog! I enjoy reading your emails and seeing your pictures too! Talk to you soon!

my dad

~ one of my best friends ~