"A VERY SPECIAL AND UNFORGETTABLE DAY"
what a blessing it was to have friends who made my birthday special!! i sepnt the whole day with these loving friends, many surprises, lots of good food, and so much fun!
even though i was just getting old"er", it wasn't that bad after all ;)
even though i was just getting old"er", it wasn't that bad after all ;)
『とっても特別で忘れられないような日』
みんな私の誕生日を特別な日としてくれた。なんて感謝なことだろう。愛に溢れた友達と、たくさんの驚きと、美味しい食事と、楽しさに包まれての一日だった。
１つ歳をとったというだけなんだけど、本当に祝福され歳をとるのも悪くないな･･･と思っちゃった。笑
since it was a holiday, it was crowded and also it was bit cold but we still had a good time together. right after lunch, while we were still at the restaurant, there was a first surprise - an unexpected present! since going to USJ was a present, i didn't expect there would be something more. it was a very sweet and thoughtful gift. after spending almost all day at USJ, we went to starbucks for a little while before going over to Yayoi's for dinner.
Yayoi kindly invited me to dinner to celebrate my birthday. when i got there, Mochiko was there just finishing up cooking. She urged me to sit down at the table... then, all sudden, the curtain opened and there outside of the window, a bunch of people were standing with a "Happy Birthday" sign in their hands!! without comrehending exactly what was going on, i just screamed!!! a small dinner at Yayoi's somehow turned into this huge surprise birthday party.
this (the pictures below) was my super scrumptious birthday dinner. three of my girl friends put alot of effort into making all these... they even went to a fish market to get fresh fish for sushi!! i was so impressed... and dinner was A---MAZING.
i deeply appreciated their love and hard work
to make this happen.
to make this happen.
これ(写真下)が、みんなが用意してくれた誕生日ディナー。3人の友達が昼の12時から準備をしてくれた。巻き寿司用の魚も、何と魚市場にまで行って購入してきたそう。彼女達の愛に感心し、感動し続けた夜だった。食事も全部とぉぉぉっても美味しかった☆
ヤヨ、佳奈ちゃん、モチコ、「your love and hard work」を本当にありがとう!!!!
these were the people at the party. from the left picture:
my roommates (Christi and Amanda); Masa, Sakaguchi, Jun; Yayoi, Kana, Aaron in the back and Mochiko.
これらがパーティーに来ていたメンバー。左の写真から･･･
ルームメイト達（クリスティとアマンダ）; マーちゃん、坂口、純君; ヤヨ、佳奈ちゃん、アロン（後ろで、『塊魂』の王様のフリをしている）、とモチコ。 みんな大好きな人たちです。
these were the highlights out of many fun and funny presents they gave me.
これらは、たくさん貰ったプレゼントの中でも特に面白かったもの達。かなり笑いました。ありがとう！！！
『毒』と書いてあるチョコ、、、でも良く見ると『青い海』と書いてある、、、（チョット見にくいけど）。
『スーパーサワーガム』は、、、そのまま。でも、絵が面白い!
そして、、、間違い探しができるトイレットペーパー。ふふふ☆
『ボイスチェンジャー』ではみんなで遊びました。
他にも色々たくさん貰っちゃって、、、、ただただ感謝の嵐でした。
2006-02-13 Monday
アマンダが自転車で通勤中車とぶつかった。ぶつかった時は何ともなく仕事に向かったそうだが、仕事場に着いて体に痛みが出てきたと泣いて電話して来た。、、、それで起きたから、最初は何が何だか分からなかったんだけど、すぐさま飛んで行って彼女を病院に連れて行った。幸い何の支障もなく、シップを貼って一日安静程度ですんだ。感謝なことだ･･･。彼女の助けになるのに日本語が話せて良かったと思った。そして、私の仕事が休みで直ぐに行けたし、一緒に祈る事ができて友達として側にいることができて良かった。
（写真は、レントゲンを撮っているところ。操作室に初めて入って、『はい良き吸ってぇ～、止めてぇ～』と指示までさせてもらっちゃった! 一番右の写真はアマンダのアバラ。そして、チョット影っぽく見えるのは彼女の心臓。心臓がドクドク動いてるのが見えて、感動し、、、一人でキャーキャー騒いでしまった。操作してた方、うるさくてスミマセンでした。）
ホッとしたので、病院帰りに二人でマクドナルトに行って『アメリカン』なランチ。笑 お互い全く違ったスケジュールを持つの中、こうして久々に二人でゆっくり一緒に時間を過ごせたし、ちょっとしたボーナスでしたな。
2006-02-14 Tuesday "Happy Valentine's Day!!!"
worked all day... then went to have Korean BBQ for dinner. Korean BBQ is much better (BY FAR... at least in my opinion) than chocolate or flowers.
一日中働いて、夜に焼肉を食べに行った。個人的な意見としては、焼肉の方がチョコレートやお花よりも遥かに美味しいし嬉しいと思う。なので、焼肉で食い倒れ決定! 笑
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came back to Osaka on the 10th, back to work on the 11th;
oh yes, just like we've done last two years, we had an end of the year party at the chaus. 
even though i couldn't stay that long, it was still fun to play with their kids and nice to talk with them. their "hilariousness" always makes me laugh so hard. i love spending time with them not only because they are funny but also because they are very encouraging.
after having dinner at the grays, i stopped by at the brittens. i wanted to see them before i left. mark and lori have been so sweet and always show great hospitality. when i'm over at their house, i do feel like a part of their family. what a privilege and a blessing to know them and to have fellowship with them as family members!
i love them! i thank God for them and for allowing me to be a part of their family. i had a great time staying with them (though i was sick for a little while). it is only because of God's goodness and kindness that i could get to know mike and kris at CBC four years ago and to be their lil sister. they are definitely one of a few who i can be "me" and talk about serious or funny - anything that's in my heart. it is simply a blessing to have someone like them - great examples follow, fun to be with, and huge enouragements - in my life. 
this is a street next to my parents' house. as you can see, it is a snow wonderland... super cold and didn't want to go out side at all. especially coming straight from LA, i felt its coldness unbearable. ok, i could handle it, but you know what i mean.
cousin, Akiko and i had lunch togeter. Korean BBQ, baby!
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火曜の朝早くに目が覚めたから、大丈夫だろうと思って目覚ましかけなかったら、、、ずっと寝てた(;-_-+ 
待ちに待った、、、
I met up with Megumi who I met the first time at a wedding back in June. She came to Osaka to to see her grandpa and some other people, so we decided to get together as well. We spent like... for 6, 7 hours in Nanba / Shinsaibashi area. We went window shopping, had takoyaki (octopus dumplings), and talked away as we walked being jostled in the crowds of people.
