2015
I'm going to split my recap into 3 parts:
Looking back at 2015 (1/3) ✿
Beautiful fireworks on the waterfront of Hong Kong rang in 2015 for me. We were in the middle of our Southeast Asia trip and scheduled it just so to ensure we don't miss the spectacular New Year Countdown in Hong Kong. I still remember the confetti-filled air filled with the cold breaths of tourists and locals alike (with advertisements of Line characters in the background). I cannot think of a better way to start off 2015.
Immediately after we return to Japan, my sister jumped across the pond to visit me. We did so much in the week and a half she was over that I might have to dedicate additional posts to them. One of the more memorable things was our overnight trip to Hakone where I introduced onsen (hot-springs) and ryokan (Japanese-style inn) to her. We were also able to overlook the majestic Mt.Fuji from our room and add black sulfur eggs that are said to prolong your lifespan by 7 years.
Kyari Pamyu Pamyu's 22nd birthday party in Ageha (one of the most popular clubs in Japan) marked the end of January 2015.
We celebrated our 100 days with our Rirakkuma. Since then, our addiction to Rirakkuma has deepened so significantly that the character permeated through our daily lives with its presence on our pencil cases, stationeries, messaging apps, and so forth.
In this month, there was also a pop-up Pikachu cafe in Roppongi Mori Tower. Any Pokemon fanatic would thoroughly enjoy this event as you can find original sketches of scenes from the show and order food in the shape of Pikachu.
Near Valentine's Day, we participated in Tokyo Restaurant Week when we were able to dine in a Michelin Star restaurant- Monna Lisa, located nearby Tokyo Station. For only $50 per person, we feasted on a luxurious French meal.
Following Valentine's Day, there is White Day. It is a day when the men have to reciprocate the girl's love on Valentine's Day. My most favorite present is a huge Rirakkuma pillow that I still use everyday. We also made a trip to Kawaguchi-ko where we had an overnight stay in a ryokan and a delicious sukiyaki dinner. The next day, we headed to the Fuji-Q amusement park for some g-force fun.
That month, we also had the rare opportunity to test-ride a Tesla. The car was so silent and smooth that the experience was unlike any other.
I will definitely write a separate post in regards to this, but a couple of friends and I experienced a Butler Cafe for the first time. Unlike their more commercially successful and renowned maid cafes, butler cafes were a little bit more obscure and dare I say it- high class. It's incredibly interesting how we were not able to even head to the bathrooms without an escort nor pour our own teas.
Spring is officially here and you know what that means. It's sakura (cherry blossom) season!
Depending on the temperature and your location in Japan, hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season can come sooner or later in the springtime. If you're a sakura fanatic, you can even chase them by traveling throughout the country to view the flowers at its full blossom.
April was also a time when I finalized my decision to halt my adventures in Japan to find better opportunities in America. Despite my love for the country and the countless amount of fun and adventure I've experienced in Japan, it was not sustainable. My salary was too low, which made paying back my student loans and building up a savings/retirement account near impossible.
Near the end of April, we went on a trip to Western Japan, specifically around the Kansai cities- Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe. The trip was very fast and we didn't spend time in each city as leisurely as I'd like, but it was a very productive trip where we hit some of the most famous landmarks and tried their trademark delicacies.
We continued to enjoy our Golden Week in Japan. This time- we explored Tokyo by exploring some popular and iconic places. Ueno Park, Roppongi, Omotesando, etc were all places we've visited or revisited. I also tried fishing for the first time in an aquarium. The aquarium was so huge sub -sectioned into many parts filled with many activities.
In May, I also helped organize an education hackathon with some co-workers. It was my first time even participating in a hackathon so it was a great learning experience. I was amazed by the quality of the apps some developers created. This opened up a new world of ed-tech that I researched and hoped to be a part of in my next career.
I enjoyed my final 2 weeks in Tokyo by overloading on shopping, traveling, revisiting favorite places, and eating my favorite Japanese food. I also met up with many friends and bid good-bye until the next time we meet. Before I knew it, I was on the plane with my suitcases without knowing at all what will happen in the next few months. I made a layover in Korea before heading to San Francisco.
...To be continued~
Recap of 2015: A Whirlwind Year of Unpredictable Changes
At times, 2015 felt like a marathon on an unpaved and risky road. This year- I've hosted multiple visitors to Tokyo, quit my job at Rakuten, moved to San Francisco unemployed, reached out to countless individuals for career advice, found a summer internship, signed 2 job offers, and logged in many transcontinental milages. 2015 was a whirlwind of a year and honestly speaking, I am so grateful and so lucky to have things unfold the way they did.
I'm going to split my recap into 3 parts:
- Jan-June- my time in Japan
- June- my brief trip to Korea
- June-Dec- my time back in America
Looking back at 2015 (1/3) ✿
JANUARY
Beautiful fireworks on the waterfront of Hong Kong rang in 2015 for me. We were in the middle of our Southeast Asia trip and scheduled it just so to ensure we don't miss the spectacular New Year Countdown in Hong Kong. I still remember the confetti-filled air filled with the cold breaths of tourists and locals alike (with advertisements of Line characters in the background). I cannot think of a better way to start off 2015.
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| Happy 2015! |
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| Hong Kong at Night |
Immediately after we return to Japan, my sister jumped across the pond to visit me. We did so much in the week and a half she was over that I might have to dedicate additional posts to them. One of the more memorable things was our overnight trip to Hakone where I introduced onsen (hot-springs) and ryokan (Japanese-style inn) to her. We were also able to overlook the majestic Mt.Fuji from our room and add black sulfur eggs that are said to prolong your lifespan by 7 years.
 |
| Cony and Brown at the Line Store in Harajuku. |
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| Mt.Fuji in all its glory. |
Kyari Pamyu Pamyu's 22nd birthday party in Ageha (one of the most popular clubs in Japan) marked the end of January 2015.
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| Happy Birthday Kyari~ |
FEBRUARY
We celebrated our 100 days with our Rirakkuma. Since then, our addiction to Rirakkuma has deepened so significantly that the character permeated through our daily lives with its presence on our pencil cases, stationeries, messaging apps, and so forth.
 |
| Happy 100 days <3. |
In this month, there was also a pop-up Pikachu cafe in Roppongi Mori Tower. Any Pokemon fanatic would thoroughly enjoy this event as you can find original sketches of scenes from the show and order food in the shape of Pikachu.
 |
| Me with my Pikachu Curry. |
Near Valentine's Day, we participated in Tokyo Restaurant Week when we were able to dine in a Michelin Star restaurant- Monna Lisa, located nearby Tokyo Station. For only $50 per person, we feasted on a luxurious French meal.
 |
| It's so beautiful. |
MARCH
Following Valentine's Day, there is White Day. It is a day when the men have to reciprocate the girl's love on Valentine's Day. My most favorite present is a huge Rirakkuma pillow that I still use everyday. We also made a trip to Kawaguchi-ko where we had an overnight stay in a ryokan and a delicious sukiyaki dinner. The next day, we headed to the Fuji-Q amusement park for some g-force fun.
 |
| Welcome to the family, Rirakkuma <3. |
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| The quietest car ever. |
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| Us in front of the Butler Cafe as we're not allowed to take photos indoor. |
APRIL
Spring is officially here and you know what that means. It's sakura (cherry blossom) season!
Depending on the temperature and your location in Japan, hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season can come sooner or later in the springtime. If you're a sakura fanatic, you can even chase them by traveling throughout the country to view the flowers at its full blossom.
 |
It's sakura season! |
April was also a time when I finalized my decision to halt my adventures in Japan to find better opportunities in America. Despite my love for the country and the countless amount of fun and adventure I've experienced in Japan, it was not sustainable. My salary was too low, which made paying back my student loans and building up a savings/retirement account near impossible.
Near the end of April, we went on a trip to Western Japan, specifically around the Kansai cities- Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe. The trip was very fast and we didn't spend time in each city as leisurely as I'd like, but it was a very productive trip where we hit some of the most famous landmarks and tried their trademark delicacies.
 |
| Don't let the cuteness fool you. They're vicious. |
MAY
We continued to enjoy our Golden Week in Japan. This time- we explored Tokyo by exploring some popular and iconic places. Ueno Park, Roppongi, Omotesando, etc were all places we've visited or revisited. I also tried fishing for the first time in an aquarium. The aquarium was so huge sub -sectioned into many parts filled with many activities.
 |
| Ahhh, help~ |
 |
| My first attempt at fishing. |
In May, I also helped organize an education hackathon with some co-workers. It was my first time even participating in a hackathon so it was a great learning experience. I was amazed by the quality of the apps some developers created. This opened up a new world of ed-tech that I researched and hoped to be a part of in my next career.
 |
| The midst of the hackathon. |
JUNE
I enjoyed my final 2 weeks in Tokyo by overloading on shopping, traveling, revisiting favorite places, and eating my favorite Japanese food. I also met up with many friends and bid good-bye until the next time we meet. Before I knew it, I was on the plane with my suitcases without knowing at all what will happen in the next few months. I made a layover in Korea before heading to San Francisco.
 |
| Sayonara~ Jiyugaoka. |
...To be continued~
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