We recently returned from our trip to California! It had been a little over two years since we last visited the West Coast, so it was long overdue and we have really missed the Bay Area, including all of our friends and family there. We were so glad we could spend a week in Northern California, catching up with loved ones and seeing familiar sights and eating all the good food we’ve missed from the area.
We woke up early the morning of Friday, May 15th to go to Dulles to catch our flight to San Francisco.
Riding the shuttle to the terminal:
Despite how early it was, Mio was hyper and running around the airport. She got especially excited about this rainbow wall at Dulles.
Collapsed on the floor.
…only to jump back on her feet to run around again!
Waiting at the gate to board our flight
This was Mirei’s first flight ever! We were all a little anxious about how she’d do, but she did surprisingly well and was well-behaved for most of it.
We had told Mio we were going to be visiting California in the days and weeks before the trip, so she was really excited!
We arrived in the afternoon and spent the first couple days of our trip around our favorite city!
Arriving in San Francisco!
Dan’s parents came to pick us up!
 We were pretty hungry when we landed, so our first order of business was of course…
In-N-Out Burger!
Thirsty Mio
Mirei dipping her fries
She’s so independent now and loves to eat food on her own, whether it be using her fingers, a spoon, or a fork!
On Saturday, we spent the morning in Japantown — probably the part of San Francisco I spent the most time in when we lived in California. So many good memories of shopping around, browsing Kinokuniya bookstore, eating delicious Japanese food, attending the annual, Cherry Blossom Festival there, volunteering with Japanese American organizations like Nakayoshi… it’s really a place that is close to our heart, so I’m so glad we could stop by and visit this time, since we weren’t able to our last trip.
At Japantown’s Peace Plaza in San Francisco
We also wanted to stop to see the Golden Gate Bridge, so we drove through the Presidio, hopping that the fog would clear…
Missed this view!
We left our hearts in San Francisco… We missed our favorite city!
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 for the New Year!
The Harman Center for the Arts in DC: with those glass walls, the place glows at night!
New Years Eve with some of my favorite Hokies!
Ladies, ladies, ladies!!!
with the hubby
The Countdown!
Happy New Year!!! 新年明ã‘ã¾ã—ã¦ãŠã‚ã§ã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ï¼
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.
Playing Taboo at Pat and Theo's place in Tysons Corner.
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
the family at dinner
Can never get enough sushi!
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!
Dulles's new rail system (not in operation yet)
Dan had to try some Five Guys at Dulles before we left the East Coast.
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!
