Konnichiwa!

so i made it out of Davis intact after rushing to finish my thesis followed by 2 madcap days of packing and moving! but alas, i have now been spoiled by United Business Class, which i had the luck of upgrading to on my 10-hour flight to Tokyo. entrance into the Red Carpet Club was the 1st benefit beginning with the offer of a cocktail at 9:30am and followed by a chance to catch up on espn sportscenter (did not know about the brawl in madison square garden or that the deal with Matsuzaka went through for $52 million) while having breakfast. this was followed by the in-flight perks of free champagne, an obento box lunch, free champagne, free wine, full-reclining seat, free champagne, 3x as many movie options, free champagne, a toiletry kit with slippers, toothpaste, toothbrush, tissues, and socks, free champagne, constant refills of water in an actual glass, and did i mention the free champagne? what will i do when i return to Economy Class?!?

well, i am in Tokyo now, which is in full xmas regalia. beautiful city with an interesting mix of new technology and old world architecture. the women are always dressed to the nines with their louis vuitton bags...i thought i was overdressed in Davis...and the men are always dressed in black. everyone is always so courteous, not seeming to mind that i respond to their "o-genkidesu ka (how are you)?" or "ohayō gozaimasu (good morning)!" with "hi!" which also sounds like "hai (yes)!". and the food is incredible, but not just their sushi/sashimi! the soba noodles and the ice cream mochi and these delicious things that resemble belgium waffle batter surrounding sweet red bean paste that have been shaped into birds, pagodas, and lanterns. besides, how can you go wrong in a country that has a techno-dancing painter with his own beatbox (i wish i could post the video) and tells you to...