Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto, Japan

All of these pictures were taken with my new Nikon camera. It totally kicks ass!

Paranoia

Okay, last week we had 3 fairly large earthquakes. As you know, I'm a fruitcake. I'm a slightly deranged, germ-a-phobe who is always wigging out about any little shift in the ground. So last week, when we had 3 earthquakes in 3 days, I was beside myself.

To me, a midget, Mexican, momma from Texas, there is nothing creepier or scarier than an earthquake. Seriously! There aren't very many things in the world that are constant, that's for sure, but the ground you walk on should never shake, shimmy, roll, rattle or grumble beneath your feet. THAT SHOULD NOT happen! Ever! PERIOD!

Unfortunately, I live in Tokyo, Japan. Yes, in the Ring of Fire! So, earthquakes are common. But 3 EARTHQUAKES IN 3 DAYS?! What the freak?!

So, in preparation for the big one--you know, the biggest freaking quake where Tokyo falls into the ocean, and my apartment building collapses on me, and I'm stuck under a pile of rubble forced to drink my own pee and eat nothing but Vienna sausages to stay alive, yes-that ONE...well, I checked and rechecked my emergency supplies, stocked up on water and even thought about going to confession. I only thought about it though, and that's half the battle. I figure if the big one happens, I want to die with a clear conscience. But since I'm only a half-ass Catholic, I never made it to church. In fact, the last time I went to confession, I was 15 years old and preparing to become a confirmed Catholic. I remember having to say WAY more Hail Marys and Our Fathers than the rest of the kids in my confirmation class. I just figured I was slightly more evil and disturbed than the rest of the kids. I guess nothing has changed. I digress.

So, I'm scared shitless about experiencing the BIG ONE. I have no desire to ever feel what that is like!

But if it does happen, know that I am prepared.

And if my building does collapse around me, to find me, just look for all the dogs. Dogs love Vienna sausages!

The dread-mill

So, I went to the gym and ran on the dread-mill. I felt like the poor hamster pictured here. It sucked, but at least I ran!

I was hoping to find my running mojo at the gym. Unfortunately, it wasn't there. But I've got to keep looking for it! Tokyo Marathon 2010 is only 6 months away!

Just what the doctor ordered

...running shoes.

They're on and laced up. I'm ready. Now I just have to get out the door.

Baby steps.

Rin has left the building

It's official, Rin's vacation is over. She is headed to the airport with Husband. Here are a few more pictures from her visit. Enjoy!
...wearing a Yukata at a festival in town...

...on the train...

...with the giant Buddha...

...in Kamakura...

...still in Kamakura...

...in Harajuku...

...in Roppongi...

...in my English class in Ome with Sister...

Here and there

Here are a few pictures I took this week. Enjoy!

While being held captive

...by the 14 year old, we went to Kyoto. Here are a few pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

So you think you can dance

Too busy. No time. I'm being held hostage by a 14 year old girl (Rin). I'll post more when I'm released from her death grip! Until then...don't use your hair dryer in the bathtub.

The lost car

This is a classic Weenie moment, so enjoy!

Sunday night I walked down to the parking lot to get in my car and go pick up Sister from the train station. But I couldn't find my car. It wasn't there in its usual spot. So, I went back upstairs and asked Husband if he had parked it in a different location. He said it was next to our van in the parking lot. I assured him that it wasn't there. We assumed my car had been stolen. But since I didn't have time to deal with the stolen car (I needed to pick up my sister at the train station), I hopped in our mini-van and headed for the train station.


As I was driving to the train station, I thought about all the possible scenarios for the location of my car. How could it have disappeared? Could it really be stolen? Surely my car would not get stolen in Japan, I thought to myself. So, I recounted all of the previous days' events. Then, it struck me like a lightning bolt: THE CAR IS STILL PARKED IN THE BASEMENT. HOLY SHIT!!


You see, on Saturday I went grocery shopping. I parked in the loading dock in the basement, so I could unload my groceries, and then take them up to our fifth floor apartment. After I unloaded the groceries, I returned back to the basement to take out the trash, but I never moved the car. Then, on Sunday afternoon, I didn't drive, Husband did. So, I never realized the car was missing until Sunday night when I had to pick up Sister.


When I realized the location of the car, I called Husband on my cell phone and told him to check in the basement.


When I arrived home, I drove under the building and there it was. IN THE LOADING DOCK! I quickly moved the car and ran upstairs.


I think Husband wanted to choke me. Luckily, Sister was there as a witness! Husband mentioned that he was about to call the police and report a stolen car. I can't imagine how the story would have turned out if he had!


Just another day in Weenie's World!

Visitors

This week is going to be extremely busy. On Monday, Sister is coming down from Akita Prefecture (Japan) and staying with us for about a week. Then, on Tuesday, Husband's cousin's 14 year old daughter comes to Japan (I'll call her Rin).

So, Rin will be here August 4-18. I'm very excited to have her come and stay with us. It might be a little awkward to have a young teenage girl staying with us, but I'm up for the challenge. After all, I'm young at heart, and Rin is very sweet. So, we should get along great. I've got tons of things planned for her visit here. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, all of us (Husband, me, Jude, Sister, and Rin) will be going to Kyoto. It should be a blast.

So, if my blog posts are few and far between, you will know why. But I'll be taking tons of pictures with my new camera and downloading them daily, hopefully.


But now I'm must go grocery shopping and continue cleaning my apartment. I hate to have a messy apartment when visitors come!