Saturday, April 23, 2016

First month back after Japan

I think I've finally recovered from my post Japan depression. Man it was so hard getting back into real life after getting home, I've never had that feeling so strongly with any other holiday. I also think our Japan holiday was unique in that I wasn't ready to come home. Usually after a long holiday no matter how amazing it was I'm kind of relieved to get back into routine, a proper diet, and my own bed. I think I could have stayed another month in Japan.

Rob and Jan's Wedding
What a beautiful wedding. Rob and Jan got married on a friend's farm about an hour south of Perth. I think it's the most genuine wedding I've ever seen, complete with custom made Fibonacci sequence rings by Rob, a Fresh Prince inspired rap by Jenny, and a gate crashing kangaroo having the time of her life eating the flowers.

Rob and Jan's Wedding

Rob and Jan's Wedding

The ceremony was gorgeous, Rob and the groomsmen had very unique and elegant suits with elbow patches, and Jan looked incredible in her dainty lace top and pleated skirt with pearl buttons. They made a great choice on food and drinks, with the Eat no Evil food truck making the best wedding food I've ever had, and Colonial beer making a big appearance. 

Rob and Jan's Wedding

Rob and Jan's Wedding

It was also my first experience camping in a tent. Rob and Jan were awesome enough to set up a tent city made up of all the guests' tents so that we didn't have to do any hard work when we arrived.

Rob and Jan's Wedding

I was quite tentative about the idea, but thought it would be fun and didn't want to be too much of a princess about it. Well... I hated it. I don't think it helped that the guest in the tent next to us was spewing IN his tent the whole night, the air mattress was so bouncy that I would flip over completely every time Andrew moved, it was raining (and the toilet was a porterloo that was quite hard to use especially without my contacts in), and I got bitten by an evil mystery bug that left a big jellyfish-like sting on my neck. But I was very brave and I survived! I don't think I'll ever go camping.

The Room at Luna Leederville
Next year I'll have to force more people to come to this, it's such a fun night! Our little group of friends has grown as people have become The Roomies and have started bringing their own friends along to watch the worst movie ever.

The Ninja Academy
For our first software department social event I organised a freestyle session at the Ninja Academy. We had a pretty good turn out and had fun trying to figure out all the crazy obstacles. I love how excited everyone got when they conquered an obstacle (in particular the perspex wall which Andrew and Anne managed to get!). I really like it there and would like to start taking some classes with the guys who run it who I am completely in awe of.

The Ninja Academy

The Ninja Academy

The Ninja Academy

The Ninja Academy

Feral Tusk Day at The Bird
So this was actually meant to be Feral Tusk Day at Petition. We were planning to get to Petition at 6pm but I got a message from Andrew P saying it was all sold out at around 5:15pm after tapping at 4pm. Andrew managed to crack the hints on Facebook and figure out that The Bird were probably going to have a keg of Feral's limited release 11% double IPA. We got there and there luckily was still half a keg left so we each got a pint and also bought one for Andrew P who had missed out at Petition (for 2 years in a row) and was about to get on the train home.

It wasn't a gimmick, Tusk was delicious. 

Tusk Day

Tusk Day

So I've almost made it through our first month back. I think keeping busy is the key to keeping PJD at bay, and other than this fun stuff work is definitely making sure that that's happening.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Japan - Ueno to Hong Kong to Perth

We spent our last day in Japan in Ueno park appreciating the cherry blossoms, it was magical. 

Japan - Ueno (Cherry Blossoms)

Japan - Ueno (Cherry Blossoms)

Japan - Ueno (Cherry Blossoms)

Japan - Ueno (Cherry Blossoms)

Japan - Ueno (Cherry Blossoms)

We even saw Cool Japan being filmed!

Japan - Ueno (Cherry Blossoms)

Some last minute musings on our trip to Japan:

  • Andrew is an exceptional travel agent
  • A 500ml Suntory 9% "Strong" drink costs 150 yen ($1.50 AUD)
  • Japanese people don't mind waiting in line
  • I can live without a hair straightener for at least 1 month
  • 7eleven, Family Mart, Lawsons have great meals but Seico mart has the best
  • Train stations can be horrendous labyrinths of doom, especially Shinjuku
  • The imperial castle does not exist
  • Fake food splays outside of restaurants are an absolute winner of an idea
  • I could easily live off of Japanese food bus would probably spend my salary on giant apples and $10 strawberries
  • People have no shame when taking photos
  • There's no trash, but plenty of smut
  • I would definitely buy a Toyota
  • Buddhism and Shinto are my favourite religions
  • Bowing is a really natural show of appreciation
  • Serious TV programs will still have silly noises and cartoon characters
  • I will never get a tattoo so that I can always go to Onsen (funnily enough piercings are A-OK)
  • Sumo is a very riveting sport
  • I like skiing but I'm very scared of dying from skiing
  • Air BnB is a great way to travel
  • Shinkansen is a great way to travel
  • Bunny Island is the home of my soul
We just got home to sunny Perth and luckily we had a spare key with my dad because our luggage got delayed and our house keys were in checked luggage! Our trip wasn't all that long but the smells and sounds of Perth have made me so happy to be home. I think our Japan trip may be my favourite holiday yet.