This is a few days late, but Happy 2010! We flew back to the West Coast on Sunday, despite some minor complications here and there. The airport security line at Dulles Airport was ridiculous and it took us almost an hour to get to the checkpoint — the nation is on orange alert after the terrorist attempt on Christmas Day. Our flight also experienced some minor delays due to the gusty winds (40mph winds!). We arrived safe and in one piece, though, albeit exhausted.

This year, we rang in the New Year with a handful of my college friends at a New Years Gala hosted at the Harman Center for the Arts, the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, DC. With 5 hours of open bar, appetizers, dance music being spun by a great DJ, and the gorgeous glass decor of the theater, we celebrated New Years Eve in style. They even had a roaming illusionist and caricature artist!

ready to party
Ready for the New Year!

The Harman Center for the Arts
The Harman Center for the Arts in DC: with those glass walls, the place glows at night!

everyone! (minus Dan)
New Years Eve with some of my favorite Hokies!

Love these girls :)
Ladies, ladies, ladies!!!

with the hubby
with the hubby

The Countdown!

ladies with our champagne
Happy New Year!!! 新年明けましておめでとうございます！

A huge thanks to Hanna for chasing people down and getting the group together for the NYE celebration! We had a memorable time with everyone. 🙂 (For more photos, see my New Years Eve album on Flickr.)

I ended up being sick most of New Years Day — it seemed to be one of those 24-hour stomach flus, rather than a hangover as everyone suspected — and I couldn’t really enjoy any of my mom’s New Years cooking. (For those who don’t know, New Years celebration is a big deal for the Japanese.) I was feeling a little better by the evening, though, and had a fun time catching up with college friends at Pat and Theo’s for a potluck dinner and game night.

Pat's turn
Playing Taboo at Pat and Theo's place in Tysons Corner.

Eric and Jen
Eric and Jen are the cutest couple!

On our last night at home, we went with our family to Blue Ocean, the family’s favorite Japanese restaurant in the area. As always, it was delicious! 🙂

sushi boat from Blue Ocean
sushi boat from Blue Ocean

last dinner with the fam
the family at dinner

Dan's sushi and sashimi set
Can never get enough sushi!

mochi ice cream for dessert
Complimentary mochi ice cream dessert!

While we were at Dulles, we caught a glimpse of their new rail system that will be replacing the current people movers that transport passengers between terminals. Gorgeous!

cool new trains at Dulles
Dulles's new rail system (not in operation yet)

moment of truth
Dan had to try some Five Guys at Dulles before we left the East Coast.

He liked them
Five Guys gets Dan's stamp of approval.

Dan and I both had a wonderful time back in the DC area spending time with friends and family. Thank you to everyone who made time in their schedules to see us and catch up. We can’t wait until our next visit! 🙂 And of course, you are more than welcome to pay us a visit over here on the West Coast anytime.

May 2010 bring many more exciting and memorable moments for all of us!