Greetings from Tokyo!

Magome, Nagano-ken

Golden Week Selfie

"She didn't know where her heart would lead her, 

but she knew she had to find out." 

Hello! I'm back, and with lots of things to share! I recently got a message the other day from one of my Mom's friends noticing I hadn't blogged in a while, and wondering if I was OK. I figure this was a big push to get back into blogging and update everyone on the incredible journey I've been on these past four months. 

As of late April, I officially became a Tokyo resident! I am now working as an Associate Consultant for the IT Team of a global recruitment agency called Morgan McKinley (more info about my awesome team and company are linked). It's been a life changing, and time consuming adventure, but I finally have settled down and am happy to share it with you. 

First Day Back in Japan with Talia at the Dog Park, Gunma-ken

View from Westin, Tokyo-to

The timing of events this year has been nothing but surreal, and unexpected. Without a doubt, this past year has been the most challenging of my life. Even though a large part of me wants 2015 to be over, I realize that even in some of the darkest times there are always moments of joy and unexpected happiness. 

Long story short, my job found me. Back in November I received a message through LI from MMK's talent acquisition specialist for an initial phone call. One phone call led to a few skype interviews in my freezing Niigata apartment, which lead to a very crazy,and positive day of interviewing in Tokyo in February, and eventually a job offer in March while I was in the States. 

I took a huge leap of faith accepting this job opportunity, and deciding to move back to Japan. As detailed on this blog, I did not find my past situation in Niigata to be a positive experience. However, when the job offer proposed itself, I realized that I still have a lot of unfinished goals left in Japan. This new opportunity would allow me to have yet another fresh start, and change my perspective on a country that I now truly like. 

Aunt Trace, Myself, Aunt Yuko and Uncle Russell Kawahara

Moving back to Japan, especially from Niigata to Tokyo, was a challenge I have never experienced. Aunt Trace and I spent countless late nights Stateside planning my move, prepping as much as we could ahead of time to make it as smooth as possible. Contrary to many people's perspectives, there are a lot of extra steps that are required to move within Japan that are different than the States. Least to say, I have managed to move out of an apartment almost entirely by myself within a foreign country in a span of a week (and I will never repeat that process again if I can help it!).

I am very fortunate to have relatives in central Tokyo, the Kawahara's, who have really taken me under their wing and helped me get settled in Japan. I could not have successfully settled into my apartment without these two - I am infinitely thankful and grateful.

Golden Week with Angel and Rachel - Nagano-ken
Mary and Gary Visit Tokyo
Talia, Dan, Dave and Lee - Robot Restaurant, Shinjuku-ku

Despite not having an apartment for nearly the first month and a half in Tokyo, I still partook in quite a few excursions, and was lucky to have a lot of visitors. I've traveled to a few prefectures: Gifu, Nagano, Niigata, Kanagawa, Yamanashi - and all over Tokyo. I've seen, and done, some strange and interesting things - between Tokyo Disney Sea, Shinjuku's infamous Robot Restaurant, Explored Tokyo's man-made island of Odaiba, Cosmo Clock 21 in Yokohama, held Owl's in Ikebukeruo, hiked through Kiso Valley over golden week, and even managed to travel to Vietnam earlier this month! 

Outland Farewell Party - Yukiguni Crew
Brian and I at Ikefukero - Tokyo-to

It's hard for me to find words to describe the past four months - countless positive adjectives can be used, yet I simply call it an amazing re-introduction to Japan. I am grateful for the  memories I've managed to make, thanks to the friends and family featured in this post. As well as all of my co-workers, and especially my team, whom have invested so much energy into teaching me innumerable skills in such a short period of time. Not to forget, the huge support group of friends and family across the world who have sent me countless words of encouragement. 

The hardest part of the entire transition, aside from the move, was saying good-bye to a some of my closest friends here in Japan. Although Japan feels a bit lonelier without these folks, I have peace knowing it's not the last time I will see them. 

Dan and I - Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi-shi

This year has been filled with unexpected. The downs were extreme: Between the ending of a relationship, the feeling of being stuck in a work and living environment that I did not like, and the loss of my Mom.

Yet, I wouldn't have pulled through these situations if it hadn't been for the support of these individuals I met on JET. I learned a lot about myself partaking in this program, but what I will always take away from being on JET was the friends I made - and how much these people helped me through the rough times. 

Even though I still grieve and think about my Mom daily, I can proudly say that I am in a situation that I want to be in - and one my Mom would support. I realize even during dark times, life still has a way of sneaking in plenty of positives. Between my job, finding love, and most importantly realizing who my true friends are - continually helps me.

I have no clue what the rest of 2015 will hold, but I'll be share more with all of you as it unfolds!

Stories of Leslie

Mom and I (With Three Elbows)

1992

With Mother's Day here, I have felt a surplus of mixed emotions. Although many of these emotions are related to being sad and upset, all of them stem from unconditional love. I've learned through this process that everyone grieves and copes differently. For me, I decompress by staying absurdly busy, exercising daily, and of course treating myself to the occasional splurges that simply help put a smile on my face. Aside from activities that keep me preoccupied, I've come to learn it's extremely important to not bottle up emotions. In turn, I realize talking about death is a taboo topic that many people feel uncomfortable discussing. Yet, rather than focusing on death, I think it's vital to focus on life. 

Personally, I feel that I express myself best through writing. In lieu of people wanting to avoid verbally talking about my Mom, I've decided to create an outlet where those who wish, can talk about her through a medium most people feel comfortable in: writing. 

I created a gmail address that I encourage anyone to send messages too. Regardless of the degree you knew my Mother, the stories and thoughts are welcomed. In turn, if you didn't know her, but you know me, gladly feel free to write to me this way. 

Email: storiesofleslie@gmail.com

This email address is for me only. I've thoroughly enjoyed the miscellaneous memories and stories I've heard from friends and family members over the past couple of months. They provide insight into my Mother's life that I didn't get to experience. There is no pressure to contribute, but if you do I whole-heartedly will appreciate your help in painting a picture of the wonderful life my Mother lived.

Thank you to everyone for the continuos support and love sent my way. I look forward to reading.

Always,

Adrienne 

In Loving Memory: Leslie Reiko Chikahisa Foley

Leslie Reiko Chikahisa Foley
August 30, 1957 - March 6, 2015

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.

 All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

On March 6^th,  a truly phenomenal woman passed on. To me, she will always be known as my Mother. To others, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, an aunt, a best friend, but most of all as: Leslie.

In Winter of 2013, my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer. From the beginning her diagnosis was extreme. Yet, my mother along with a team of fantastic medical professionals and not to mention support from loved ones, fought against this horrid disease for the past two years. It wasn’t until the very end of her battle did the cancer truly take over her. In the last month of her life, it progressed rapidly, causing her breathing to decrease and weaken her entire system, which ultimately took her life.

Although this treacherous disease took my Mom’s life, in my mind, I will always consider her as a true warrior and in many ways, a survivor. Despite her young age, my Mom lived an incredible life, which no two years can detract from, nor redefine what my Mother is truly known for amongst her many achievements and qualities.

My Mom's Parents - Ray and Evelyn - Circa 1957

My Mom never liked being put in the spotlight. In preparation for her memorial, which was held this past Saturday, March 14^th, my Grandma, Aunt and I deliriously joked every night this week that she would be telling us we were "doing too much." Yet, since we all come from the same family, we, like her, are stubborn and refused to produce anything less than perfect. I’m fortunate to say, Saturday was just that in my eyes. 

Sisters - Then and Now

Leslie and Tracey

I've heard from many people how proud my Mom was of me. What I hope my Mom knows, is I too have always been very proud of her. I think my friends can attest I've done nothing but brag about my Mother's strength and great character over the years. She's always been my role model, and she always will be. 

Mom and I
1992 and 2015
(FYI: 1992 Were Probably Her Favorite Years Appearance Wise)

My Mom was an incredibly modest and selfless individual. Rarely, if ever did she complain or impose on others. Myself included. My Mom was a firm believer in letting me live my own life. Never once did she use her diagnosis as a way to get me to come home or visit more. Rather, my relationship with my Mother strengthened naturally. Throughout the past two years, she was always reluctant to tell me or show me how much pain and suffering she was going through. I’m incredibly fortunate that she was encouraged to ask me to return from Japan. Even though it was the hardest thing I ever will do in my life, I got to say good-bye to my Mother and tell her how much I loved and will always love her in her final days.

The Chikahisa Family 

I always knew my Mom was a strong and independent woman, but I cannot emphasize with enough compassion how true these defining characteristics are. Like many of us encounter in life, she too had her fair share of hardships. Yet, my Mom had many successes. For example, in the form of her career where she continually pushed the boundaries as a female professional. She ensured I was always on top of my academics, and supported me in all of my personal interests. Whether it be attending all of my martial arts tests and competitions over 11 years, or coming to every single one of my tennis matches in high school. She supported me in all of my endeavors. She encouraged me throughout UCSD, and was always at the ready when I would give her frantic phone calls in preparation for a job interview, to discuss relationship and friendship drama, or simply vent like all mother and daughters do with one another. She was an incredibly talented craftswoman, from sewing to knitting, and simply had an artistic eye. She and I got to see the world together, notable in Italy and Japan -two precious trips I'll always cherish with her. She accomplished a lot in life, but the parts of her life that I got to witness will always be the most memorable for me. 

Family
UCSD Graduation: Dad, Mom and I
Christmas 2012

One of my Mom's most notable characteristics, is that she was fantastic with communication and maintaining relationships. As I've slowly been sorting through her possessions, I've found boxes of cards, letters and gifts that my Mom's large network of family and friends have given her over the past couple of years. It's no surprise to me that she was loved by so many people, but discovering such precious items continually shows me what great character my Mom has had throughout her lifetime. 

Simply Leslie

Even though my Mom is no longer physically present in this world, I know she's here with me and all of those whom love her, she always will be. The bond and memories she shared with so many individuals, including myself, are truly everlasting. Her smile, her wit, her laugh, her sheer beauty inside and out will forever be a part of this world. 

Two of a Kind
Italy 2012
Japan 2014
Baby Comparison

In so many aspects of my life, my Mom knew me better than my own self. Because of that, she really helped shape me into being the person I am today. My Mom was the person who gave me my wings. She allowed me to be independent and trusted me to make the right choices. She instilled in me her own strength, stubbornness, and overall drive to succeed. She and I have always been two of a kind, and we always will be. Even though the pain of missing her will always sting, I know my Mom wouldn't want me to stop my life from moving forward even through this difficult time. I plan on spreading my wings and flying in the very near future. For now, I simply want to say: 

I love you Mom, always and forever. 

-A

Week 32: Nagano

 Views at Jigokudani, Nagano-ken

Me and My New Friend

The first weekend of February I went on a spontaneous trip to Nagano Prefecture with my friends Alicia and Brian. All three of us had been wanting to see the infamous Jigokudani, which translates to "Hell Valley," but really I call it the Monkey Onsen Park. We spent the night in Nagano and were able to see a large handful of monkeys, a lantern festival and of course eat our hearts out with local cuisine featuring handmade soba, chestnut rice, miso flavored goodies and apples!

Also, I made my second GoPro video this morning. It's shorter than my first, but I took the necessary YouTube precautions and bought the license for the song so it won't get taken down. Enjoy!

GoPro Video: Nagano 2015

Alicia, Brian and I Chilling By the Monkey Onsen

The Monkeys Get So Close! 

After driving about two hours from my place to Nagano, we explored Jigokudani for several hours. It takes a significant amount of time to get to the actual valley, but the slippery trek was definitely worth the countless photographs and glorious views of these creatures. The monkeys are clearly used to people. They get suspiciously close to you and are definitely not camera shy. The real challenge is capturing a photograph with them actually facing in your direction.

 Monkeys!

It was so much fun and challenging photographing these creatures. I thoroughly enjoyed waiting for more of them to hop in and out of the the natural onsen. As you can see from the selfie of Alicia, Brian and I - this is where all the tourists flock making it almost impossible to capture your shot. Least to say it was a nice dose of fresh air and truly an enjoyable experience. Or as Brian calls it, "A life changing Japan experience."



 Homemade Soba

We were all pretty "hangry," after the monkey park though and were determined to find some local soba. Alicia found a great place that was not only delicious but aesthetically pleasing. The soba noodles were exceptional and clearly made from scratch. Additionally, Alicia and I both ordered the local yasai tempura that was adorned with leaves and plants. I have never seen this type of tempura in Japan. They were all crispy and flavorful though.

Lantern Festival

At night we went to the lantern festival at the nearby temple. I admit I mainly used my GoPro when we were here so I didn't capture that many photographs. The highlight was lighting up different parts of the temple, as well as walking down the street to view these handmade lanterns. We bopped in and out of lots of shops and I was able to find some great omiyage for my family here. 

 Nagano Brunch of Champions
Restaurant Photograph Credit to Alicia 

I call this the brunch of champions. These sets were huge, and even though we were all a little hesitant about indulging in this much food, we caved pretty quickly. This restaurant came highly recommended from the owner of the Ryokan we stayed at. It did not disappoint. We continued to indulge in local specialities. My personal favorites were again the soba, tempura leaves and chestnut rice. Also the side of pork was a genuine surprise for me. 

Photo Credit: Brian

Least to say it was another successful trip for me! It was really fun exploring a neighboring part of Japan and seeing new sites. It was also great to travel with new people. Alicia and Brian were probably the most flexible and easy-going folks I've traveled with yet. They were both helpful and kind about giving me directions everywhere we went, despite being cramped in my tiny kei car. I had a great time with these two and hope to continue exploring various parts of Japan in the near future. 



Week 32: Mac & Singapore

  View from Level 33

We ate, we drank and looked fabulous the entire weekend. This became the catch phrase that I adopted for my wonderful long-weekend visit to Singapore. I was incredibly happy I got to reconnect and see one of my dearest friends and former study abroad roomie, Mac, after nearly seven months. Our long-distance friendship although not new, is not ideal. I was floored to have another great friend move to Asia. It was the end of Mac's first month in Singapore, and of course I jumped at the opportunity to visit! In classic Mac fashion, she planned such a well-thought out and food-drink related weekend that far exceeded my expectations!

To further document the trip, I edited and made a video using clips from my GoPro camera. It's my first video and it's definitely amateur. I am not sure why the text is super shackey in it either! However, I hope you enjoy it. I was told recently it may be taken down, due to copyright violation of the song (oops). I didn't realize how strict YouTube is with their rules. But, for now enjoy!

GoPro Video: Adrienne and Mac Asian Adventures #1



 Level 33 Flight

Craft Beer in Asia!

It took me about seven hours to fly down to Singapore. Immediately upon departing the plane, a wave of heat hit my entire body like an electric shock. Contrary to the constant numbing feeling that I struggle with in Niigata-ken, Singapore was quite the opposite! The weather was humid and up in the 80's, but overall pretty comfortable to be in. I ended up wearing shorts and dresses the entire weekend! Something I haven't done since first arriving in Japan last July.

In turn, Singapore is meticulous! I thought Japan was clean, but Singapore brings cleanliness to a new level. Additionally, English is the national langauge followed by Singlish, so the ease and comfort I felt in this country was overwhelming during my entire visit.



Night Views from 1-Altitude

 

I arrived bright and early Friday after taking a red-eye from Japan. Wearing too many layers and in desperate need for some coffee, Mac treated me to Starbucks and we chatted on her balcony in her amazing corporate housing suite. After a needed nap, I headed to her LinkedIn offices where I met some of her awesome co-workers and enjoyed the luxury of dining in their cafe. Post-LinkedIn we adventured up to Level 33 a rooftop brewery where we were both mesmerized by the views and captilized on the perfect photo opportunity.

In the evening we adventured up to the tallest bar in Singapore called 1-Altitude. We sipped our Singapore Slings, which were far too sweet, but easily made up for by the panoramic views and hilarious encounters with other foreigners adventuring in the city.

 Saturday Strolling

What continually amazed me about this country is the enormous diversity it possesses. At 50 years old, Singapore is truly an anomly in Asia. There were countless moments when I felt that I had been transported back to California, specifically San Francisco. It was refershing for me to not be stared at wherever I went, and not to mention that there were rarely any language barriers and almost too many types of cuisines to choose from (not that I was complaining...).

We got up early Saturday to capitalize on my time in Singapore. Our first stop was of course brunch at a wonderful cafe. I was floored to have such a western meal in a truly "hipster," coffee shop that exuded California vibes. My savory chive waffles were topped with bacon and eggs. I was beyond satisfied. Maybe too much so, since after failing to be served at a spa we adventured back to Mac's apartment to re-group and both took long cat naps. Rest assured, this didn't stop us too long and we opted for a more active and touristy outing at Gardens By The Bay.

 Gardens By The Bay Adventures

Gardens By the Bay is a very modern establishment. Apparently Singapore government held a contest to design the futuristic structures that are centered around  various vegetation and greenery. We spent all afternoon frolicking in and out of various planetariums and green houses, specifically the Supertree Grove, Flower Dome and Cloud Dome. It was fun to admire the various flora for Chinese New Year and get some fresh air while enjoying more unique and spectacular views.


 Afternoon Tea at The Marmalade Pantry

In pursuit of continuing to try as many places on Mac's list as possible, we freshened up and adventured out to the middle of Singapore with the intention of having afternoon tea at The Marmalade Pantry. We got the times for tea mixed up, and instead enjoyed their highly reviewed cupcakes and of course a glass of bubbly. It was a continuous celebration after all! The cupcakes were delicious and yet again, probably too much food. But, I couldn't resist either the coconut or chocolatey options so we both opted for two a piece.


 Saturday Night Dining
Mulled Wine at Operation Dagger

The bucket list continued into the evening where we hit another stellar restaurant. Mac was gracious enough to tell them it was my birthday and brought me out a candle adorned dessert and a free glass of bubbly (a huge gift in itself since Singapore prices their alcohol incredibly high). We enjoyed family style small plates, and were quite satisfied with the fresh and high quality ingredients. We finished the night at a secret bar that was almost impossible to find, called Operation Dagger. Only recognizable by a faintly sprayed upside-down crown icon on top of their door, it probably was one of my favorite places we went to due to its unique drink menu and underground location. Mac's mulled wine was made on the spot in front of us! Talk about getting bang for your buck just with the the preparation.



 Tanjong Beach Club
Sentosa Island



Sunday was spent primarily in Sentosa. We spent our late morning and early afternoon at Tanjong Beach Club sipping frozen margaritas and eating very classic brunch items. The beach was pristine and the water was incredibly clear. I was lame and didn't go all the way in for fear of getting sun burnt (which my "used to snow," skin did get anyway!), but regardless it was fantastic to be outside. I haven't lounged on the beach since graduating from UCSD, so it was both nostalgic and a relaxing experience.

Local Grub at Por Khee

For my last night we went local! Mac took me to a traditional restaurant called Por Khee that her coworkers took her when she initially came. Of course we ordered too much food, but it was absolutely delicious! These baby pork ribs were fall off the bone material, and not to mention all of our side dishes were delicious seasoned veggies that I couldn't stop snacking on.

Dynamic Duo at Our Finest

Least to say, it was a fantastic trip. I couldn't have asked for a better host to show me this wonderful country. I highly recommend Singapore to anyone who wants a very smooth transition into seeing Asia, or frankly a very easy country to navigate. We did a whole lot of activities, but what I cherished the most was our continuous conversations. It's refreshing to see an old friend and feel like no time has passed, and I am very grateful to have not only my ultimate travel partner, but a best friend in the same continent as me. After all, there are not many friends that have lived in three different continents together! I look forward to future Adrienne&Mac Asian adventures.

Thank you Mac, for sending me all the fabulous photos of us from our visit. About 1/2 of the photographs are credit to her.