MOM!

Mom came to Japan for about 12 days. We had a good time and were really busy. We went to Mt. Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and of course, Iwatsuki. Mom got to meet some of the mom's of my students as well as spend time with my boss. She also got to taste all sorts of foods and experience hay fever! The best part, aside from Mom-Katie time, was that she was here during the few weeks that the cherry blossoms are out. Sakura are beautiful and bloom overnight it seems. They last only for a week or so and there are many picnics- hanami, and festivals. We spent a lot of time in parks enjoying the blossoms. It was a great visit and it was sad to say goodbye. She made it home safely though.

We start the new semester on Monday. My schedule basically stays the same, with only a few minor changes. I'm starting to make plans and figure out what is next. We shall see.

Pictures! There's a lot of them guys. Sorry, but it took me 5 years to get mom to Asia.

Bullet train. Real fast.

Lunch in Gion, Kyoto. Where the geishas are. We didn't see any, although we did see many Kimono wearing ladies.

First station on Mt. Fuji.

Observatory in Osaka.

Sunset in Osaka.

Osaka Castle.

Telephone booth.

Osaka Castle MUSEUM.

Mama.

Spring time!

Dino chomp in Osaka.

Tromping around Osaka Castle.

That's me.

Enjoying the Sakura.

So happy that it's spring time!

Kyoto.

Going to a temple.

Big old tree.

Me and my mama.

Trying out the self timer on my camera. It works.

Ecstatic about an English Menu.  

Tempura.

I always have to tell mom to stop scribbling.

It's a good day to be a duck.

Golden Pavilion.

Golden pavilion in Kyoto.

Rain break.

Rock Garden. The small one. It was hard to photograph the big one.

Solved mom's back issues.

She was skeptical, but it worked.

A little pre-flight coffee in the park.

Beautiful.

Peace!

Mama.

Spring time.

Last stop in Kyoto.

Mom on the bridge.

Picnic in the park.

Tokyo Tower Look Down Window.

Tokyo Tower.

In Japanese Gardens.

With my boss.

Tea Ceremony.

Heading to lunch.

Frolicking.

Tourist street in Tokyo.

Some sake to end a great trip.

And of course, sashimi.