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Welcome Party & Otanjobi

"We travel some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls"- Anais Nin

I am happy to say I have officially partied with the Japanese, the Japanese way! The last two weeks have been so much fun, two Fridays ago I went to my welcome party. It was so sweet all my section workers showed up (minus one actually) and they made a beautiful welcome banner with my name and roses! We ate a lot of good food, relaxed, got to know each other better and ended dinner with a surprise - a delicious birthday (Otanjobi) cake for me! ( Omaigaaa it was so good, the frosting was whipped cream! yasssss! I don't really like the oeey gooey frosting back in the states...so this was perfect!) We enjoyed some cake and got ready to go on to my first "snack bar" experience.
With my Kacho.

Some of the food at my welcome party.

My section co-workers.

More of my section co-workers.

My delicious surprise birthday cake! 

Snack bars, are essentially bars in Japan, you pay a flat fee to get in (usually the equivalent of $30 USD) and you drink all you want and you are given small snack like foods (popcorn, chips, chocolate, cheese etc.) These venues are tiny, fitting no more than like 15 people, so it's very nice and intimate. they all have their "snack mama" or waiter/host. 
After party at the snack bar.

Snack Bar crew.

Playing with snapchat filters.



The snack bar was the after party to my welcome party dinner, It was such a good time. I got to really know some of my coworkers and talk to our main Kacho ( big section boss), he is sooooo chill! I truly have been blessed with a group of wonderful co-workers, kind, gentle and so friendly. 

On the weekends I checked out a bunch of fun secondhand stores, my goodness so much anime stuff. I keep thinking about all my anime loving friends- COME VISIT... you will not regret it- so much to see and buy. Also there is kids at these secondhand stores playing and trading cards it is so interesting to watch and it looks like they are really having a blast. 
Sailor Moon errrthang.


This bag was so cute, lol.

I keep eating a lot of good food but something new I  tried was RAW HORSE! ehhhhhhh. Never did I ever think I would eat horse, especially sashimi style. I love horses! but, none the less I ate it. Now now before you start judging me remember that to really learn about other cultures and truly embrace and immerse oneself , we must always be as open-minded as possible. We must not judge other cultures on what is different from what we know or is comfortable and "acceptable" to us. I mean when I lived in India cows were sacred there, and not food in most parts ( some restaurants had cow beef to cater to westerners) ....Anyway the horse meat was alright, tasted kinda like beef jerky only of course it was softer. 
Here is it! Raw horse meat.

I finally got to visit Hirosaki Park, it is a very famous spot in Japan to come enjoy the views during cherry blossom season, so I will definitely be back. It was gorgeous and very peaceful. 
Hirosaki Park entrance











Goodness I really have done a lot these past two weeks....

I did a photoshoot for a brochure, lol.



I had a bread that looked and tasted like a Mexican concha.
Actually this was softer and better than a concha.


I went to shop for apples from the local kids at the Farmers Market ( the kids grow them and care for them then sell them, what a great skill to have!)


I went on a beautiful hike.















End of hike tower to see the views.


Can you see the ocean?

Hiking buddies.

I went to my first karaoke. 

And finally I tried a lot of new yummy food! and I can't get enough of the desserts around here.  
Restaurant right around the corner from where I live, Daihachi.
Treating myself with dessert from Tatsuya

This bread with whipped cream, "waffle"

Pudding filled fish, gifted to me by a coworker for my bday.

I love peaches and Hello Kitty!

Soft serve pay for the photoshoot!
Ramen from the restaurant next to me.

More pink car goals

Mount Iwaki view from Hirosaki.
Sunsets.

Delicious conbini (convenience store) matcha iced latte!





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