September

Wow, August 6th....it's been a while. What's been going on? The weather has started to cool off here although we are getting slammed with rain at the moment. Big typhoon somewhere out there in the Pacific Ocean. It's a Wedndesday night, well, Thursday morning actually. I had a few late calls at work and plan on sleeping in a bit in the morning so thought I could watch The 40-Year Old Virgin or write on my blog. I chose to do the later because I miss everyone but also because I've heard that The 40-Year Old Virgin is not that good?!

You might be wondering what I've been up to (or maybe you don't care...but then again, why would you be reading if you didn't care, right?) so I'll give you the very short version of my late summer. After Fuji, I spent a week in London for work (my last business trip for a while, I think) and then went over to the States for a week. And yes, it was right around the time of all business with liquids and airplane explosives. I know. My timing is, as always, impeccible. It was fine though, no plastic bag or staring at the seat in front of me for 12 hours. It did prohibit my duty free shopping which would normally not be a problem in the least as I would not classify myself as a "duty-free shopper" (although I always like to stop at the duty-free shop as much as I love the perfect airport pick up :)) but I did want to buy some Moulton Brown handwash and lotion. No way. No liquids on any flights bound for the US so I'm stuck with my Dial. Couple of fantastic days in PA, playing lots of golf, and shopping and then up to NY for 3 days to work. It was great to be back, I do miss one of the coolest cities in the world, but was also looking forward to coming back "home"...which was certainly a nice feeling.

A big night out in Roppongi my first weekend back and then a weekend to Seoul. I would love to say that it was great fun but I would be lying. Seoul is really cool but the fact that I was with three other (work) friends and we were on a Japanese package weekend with at least numerous stops at various DFSs (duty-free shopping! and not at the airport!) was almost more than I could handle. The food was great though and I will be going back to Seoul and Korea to do it properly...but that's all I'm going to say about the weekend because I have to tell my dad about it first.

Saw Madge here last week which was pretty cool. The woman's in amazing shape and I am now going to yoga as many times a week as possible! The Japanese and concerts though....bor-ing. The whole audience participation thing DOES NOT work. They wouldn't even sing for Madonna!! It was kind of sad as we are singing our heads off, I look around and no-one-is-singing. Not a one. And no encore...just lights on immediately and the loudspeaker telling you over and over and over again to be careful walking down the stairs. It was still cool...and I Love New York absolutely rocked (but maybe I'm biased). Tokyo loves Madge!

My excitement at the moment is planning our trip to Uzbekistan. We have the flight booked and are leaving on October 6th which is almost 1 week away! This is going to be the first 2 week vacation I have taken for a long time (except for that year and a half thing) so I'm really, really excited. We are planning to go trekking in Tajikistan (in the Fann Mountains) and are working out details with a tour group now. Probably a little too last minute but I think it should all work out. Got to think about packing this weekend, not going to be an easy task.

Anyway, there you go...a quick update on life in Tokyo. I'm hoping for lots of responses or e-mails about how everyone is, how the Eagles are doing, what color the leaves are now, and what's going on at home or where ever you are! Hope everyone is well! Miss you all! xoxoxo