I cannot forget the construction paper.

It finally happened. There is finally Christmas music in my iTunes folder. I never really needed it when I lived at my house because my mom went overload on Christmas music from December 1'st till the arrival on the 25'th. Now that I no longer live at home, I found the strong desire to hear that music and I also found the need to spruce up the house with little decorations that I picked up. I like the whole concept of simplicity when it comes to...well...certain things. Christmas decor is one of those. My mom decorates extremely well, but there is so much of Christmas. It slaps you in the face when you walk in the door. Like I said, it's done extremely well, so it is more appealing versus repulsive. It's classy shit too, all very well themed. I literally walked up to a Christmas shelf, picked up four cute Christmas buy-me-downs and popped them up on various shelves, tables, and high speakers around the house. No regrets, it adds spirit, especially the little wreath I added on the door in the hallway.

So back to work has been a decent adjustment. It's always hard coming back from a vacation. I'm just exhausted. I worked way longer than anticipated today, but shit was just nuts. There was no avoiding getting out before 6. Or...7. I spent a ton of time with people-and boy did they have questions. I love it though. Initially, I hate the idea of going to the front to help someone, but I always am so glad I did. Some customers really stand out and I am so happy that they came in. But my favourite is when I give a first time shopper a really great experience. I know, that sentence sounds raunchy (or my mind is[forsure] always in the gutter) I feel like it locks them in, like I made someone visibly happier. That has to be the best thing. I know right away who the great people are. There is just a certain chemistry that happens, either you like the customer upon an ocular pat down* or you don't. Today a woman kind of scared me. She barked that she wanted these cookies...promptly. Eek Alert. Whatever. It is what it is. At the end of the day it will be a good paycheck. Or in two weeks it will be a good check. Damn.

On another note, while I decorated the house for Christmas, I feel extremely bad for Thanksgiving! I feel like it's a sad holiday because people tend to skip right over it. I plan on making a few hand turkeys tomorrow and taping them up around the house. I really hope I remember to get some construction paper. There will be purple turkeys.

I scored some really awesome leggings at Uni Qlo while I was in Japan. They were on sale for only $5 so I got three pairs. Check these out;

I love that and am again thankful that I was able to go back to Machida that last day to shop with my sister-in-law. My dad rejected shopping every chance he had and it was quite unfortunate. I'm glad that my last day was filled with some of my best purchases and a positive shopping experience. I actually am not a huge shopper. I like to be in and out and can generally spot whether or not I will have success in the first few minutes. I especially cannot stand a crowded shopping experience. It was hard in Harajuku in places like H&M and Forever 21 because there were just so many people there. I need room to think and mostly breathe when I shop. I prefer Good Will on a Monday afternoon around 1:00 pm.

But I wish Harajuku was a place I had access to all the time.

I finally uploaded my pictures.

*An 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' reference from season 5 episode 2. Hilarious episode.

Eleven hours in the air leaves behind the funk.

This is my last night in Japan.

The feeling is bittersweet to put it best ::que 'Bittersweet Symphony'::

I came to this country to see my niece for the first time, visit with my brother and sister in law, and to explore the wonderful territory that is a mere 13 hour plane ride West. I've had so much ocular excitement in the past week that falling asleep has been no trouble at all. I have fallen in love with Japanese fashion even more so than I thought was possible and I'm glad I was able to snag some fashion magazines from the area. I love the youth here, so unique and bubbly. The stores here are so bright and almost enough to make you dizzy, funky fashions adorn the walls and hangers. Harajuku is where my fashion mindset (and a piece of my heart) resides and I love the head to toe creativity that the people that fill Harajuku are able to pull off with such ease. I was so excited to capture a couple quick street shots of people. My suitcase is extremely packed, but I am so excited to dispense the souvenirs that I got for people. I literally cannot even believe that I was able to fit everything. I wanted to get everyone something, but it was so hard seeing that I had no time to save money or really prep at all before my trip. I did my best, but am anxious to see what everyones reactions are because I tried to get personal gifts for people. Those are the only gifts I can buy.

I feel like I can barely talk about Japan without the inclusion of pictures and I would prefer for those pictures to be my own. I am anxious to take snapshots of things that I bought while I was here once I get home. I am so excited to be in my house, see my kitty cat, and spend tons and tons of time with my best friend in the world. I will be so sad to leave such wonderful members of my family behind, but it will be reassuring to be reunited with the ones that I left behind for nine days. It is always so nice to get out of your own country for awhile. While I was gone, I realized how much bad mouthing I do about the U.S. of A. I really don't feel bad about it and I believe that it will take some sort of miracle for me to regain my patriotism.

I am anxious to be seated for 11 hours tomorrow on the journey home. The plane ride here was near abysmal, especially when I realized that the train cars here for a one hour journey allocate more room for your legs than a plane configured for international travel. How the hell is that even possible? Hopefully the ride home will be quicker in mindset (it usually is). I still think the biggest torture lays in the screens that have your little airplane moving at a snails pace across the screen and the miles you have left dwindling down slower than molasses. I just know that once the plane lands, I will have a smile from ear to ear, but perhaps a tear in my eye for the family that I won't see for some time to come.

I spent the last day in Machida shopping with my sister-in-law.

It was SO nice to ditch the boys so we could shop without hearing the "Okay we're ready." after three minutes of standing outside the stores. The malls here are amazing and it is floor after floor of great style and unique people and clothing. I wish I could come to Japan just to shop. It makes Forever 21 and H&M seem like a complete snooze.

On a completely different note; while I was here I indulged in buying a box of sour patch kids and I saw on the back that they have come out with a sour patch kids EXTREME?!

Trust me, I'm sure they are not sour at all, but I will remain optimistic until I try one.

It's hard to sour-ly satisfy the girl who has been eating lemons since three years of age.

I anticipate the wheels landing on American territory (as shocking as that may be), because I feel like I have a lot waiting for me back home! Hopefully I will be able to put some pictures up here soon! I am thankful that I got to spend some time here and see what exists on the other side of the time zone.