US travels

We started our trip to the US by traveling up to Tokyo. There I was able to meet with a musician for my research and we hung out with Keiko. The three of us headed to Odaiba, a man-made island filled with shopping malls, amusement parks, and office buildings. We picked up some Starbucks and wandered around buying last minute items for our trip. 

Keiko and I in front of the mini-Statue of Liberty.

Our flight didn't leave until 8:00 PM Monday night, so we had some time to explore the Narita area. After dumping our suitcases in storage at the airport, we backtracked on the train to the town of Narita. In the midst of a rain storm, we visited Shinshō-ji, a Buddhist temple. The temple complex is pretty elaborate and has some incredible garden/rock sculpture areas. After burning up some energy walking around in the rain and re-fueling with some ramen, we headed back to the airport to begin our long travels. 

On February 20th, we got married in Sacramento. It was a great day; filled with awkward pictures, family, celebratory eating and drinking, and (for us) jet lag.

The family wedding party.

Wasabi modeling our wedding rings.

Two days later, we jetted off to the Midwest. We were greeted at the airport by my friend Tara and spent a great evening hanging with some of my girls and their SOs.

Beginning what was to be a week of serious Midwest beer sampling.

Wasabi is always making friends.

The next day Richard headed to Madison for a "dude-hang," while my friends threw me an engagement party/wedding shower/bachelorette party all in one evening.

Cupcake tower!

The evening was capped off by some Wii dancing, as modeled below by two pros.

The next day we celebrated Christmas in Milwaukee with my family. More great food and company! Then we headed to Madison for library time and more beer drinking. 

Tabasco and Wasabi reunited and exploring a common interest-cryptozoology.

 From Madison, we took a quick trip through Chicago (Hi Brenda, Colin, Joe!) before hitting our 3rd state that week-Indiana. More family, good food, and catching up.

Don't believe her sweatshirt. We're in Indiana.

The following day we headed back to the airport and headed to California. It was a crazy busy week in the Midwest, but it was so good to see everyone!

For the 3 days I had in California we were treated to great weather. On Friday, we headed down to San Francisco to apply for Richard's visa at the Japanese consulate.

Post-visa application lunch at the Buena Vista Cafe.

March 3rd was Richard and Ruth's mother's birthday, so we headed to one of her favorite places-the coast.

Siblings and surf.

One of the many gorgeous views at Bodega Bay.

They say couples start dressing alike...I don't believe it.

On Monday I headed back to Japan and Richard returned 1 1/2 weeks later. Our trip ended as it began, with bentos on a bullet train.

Richard's lunch: pork cutlet bento.

We've been pretty busy since our return to Japan, so there are more blog posts coming up!