Simply Mad About...Family & Celebrations!

Hello!  It has been a while, hasn't it?  Well, I have recently gotten back from a trip to see mine and Trey's family in the US.  I spent three happy weeks with them, celebrating birthdays, spending quality time with my parents and Trey's and showcasing the latest Simply Mad Jewelry designs.

I told you Fla. was relaxing!

After two relaxing days in Florida, I flew to Puerto Rico to see my crazy, loud and awesome family.  The main reason I chose these dates to visit, was to surprise my dad for his 70th birthday and surprise him I did!  I also surprised my mom.  My dad and my sister share the same birthday so I got to celebrate hers as well.  The day after my arrival, my brother and his family also arrive as a surprise and over the weekend we treated my dad to yet another surprise - a "sailor themed" birthday party with friends, family and lots of dancing music so the "dancing king" (i.e. my dad) indulge and show off his dance moves.

dad and my sister blowing b-day candles with mom

the "dancing king" and I

Going to Puerto Rico is hectic and busy...there is always something to do; we are always going to or coming from somewhere.  But it is always good...the goings and comings are usually to one of my sisters' house to sit around the dining table sharing stories, catching up, cracking jokes and drinking wine.  And if we are not going to one of my sisters' house then we are going to a local restaurant for a "much-missed-and-deliciously-heavy-meal-of-rice, beans and fried plantains".  It doesn't matter where we go to or where we come from, I cherish these moments and hold them dear to my heart.

After the my dad's birthday party, it was time to get to work.  I had a week to prepare for Simply Mad's 4th Annual Bazaar in Puerto Rico.  It is always a great opportunity to catch up with friends and to meet new ones and this particular year the event got covered by the lifestyle section of the major local newspaper - El Nuevo Dia.  I was a happy camper and the Bazaar was total success!

at the Bazaar

sparkly necklaces

choices!

After the Bazaar...I had two full days to spend with my parents who have recently retired.  It was, to my delight, a full 48 hours of uninterrupted, quality time with them.

On my way back to Tokyo, it was time to pay Trey's parents a second visit...especially his dad whose birthday was the day after I arrived.  Lucky me!  I get to spend birthdays with both our dads!!!  Those two extra days in Florida were relaxing, winding me down and getting me ready for the upcoming days which were filled with airports, hotels and a very loooonggg flight back home.

Birthday dinner for Jay in Fla.

birthday hug!

From Florida I flew to Boston on the same day the first "Boston Marathon Bomber" was killed...ay ay ay!  I made my flight with some fear but a lot of excitement because I was meeting my nephew Eric Andres who was scheduled to tour one of the colleges in town.  The day we arrived, we were holed up in the hotel room following the request from the police to stay indoors.  It looked safe outside but every store and business was closed.  It gave us a chance to nap, talk and bond over room service lunch complete with wine and beer - why not?  We had a nice dinner together and via You Tube he introduced me to Hannibal, a very funny comedian I had never heard of.  By the end of the night, the second suspect had been arrested and we were FREE and psyched to see a little bit of Boston the following morning.  And so we did, we got up early and strolled around downtown Boston - what a great city.  Beautiful brick architecture and small shops lining Newbury Street.  What a treat it was for me to have that time with him, to get to know him better and to help him with college selection process.

Eric & I in Boston Common

I have been back in Tokyo now for a week.  Between jet lag, a very good book I am reading and a general feel of "I-am-completely-out-of-my-routine-and-I-don't-know-how-to-fall-back-into-it", it always takes me a while...but here I am...I AM BACK!!!

Have lots of things to share with you...new jewelry and an exciting promotion I did with Macho Spouse for Mother's Day!  

Christmas Eve in Tokyo - 2012

One of the best things about moving to Tokyo was the fact that the move came with an instantaneous circle of friends and I was automatically welcomed into it.  There are about 25 girls working in Trey's office here in Tokyo and from the moment I landed here they have offered me their friendship, welcomed me into their community and most recently they have celebrated Christmas Eve with us.  They are beautiful, outgoing, smart and funny women and so a good time is guaranteed anytime they are around.

the house is ready...

Trey and I decided to stay in Japan for the Holidays this year.  With his busy work schedule and all the traveling he has done this year, the last thing we wanted to do was to pack again!  Of course, the decision was not easy as we both agree the Holidays are more meaningful with loved ones around.  Trey and I have a good time together just the two of us, but the Holiday spirit has to be shared and spread to the masses :o).  So we decided to surround ourselves with loved friends this year.  Christmas is not widely celebrated in Japan/Tokyo...I mean, the city is decorated and there seems to be a shopping frenzy in the last 4 weeks but in general they don't put up Christmas trees or exchange Christmas presents at home.  That didn't stop the group from joining us on Christmas Eve and celebrating the Holiday as it if was their own.

Our 6 guests (all girls; Trey and Huey (our puppy) were the only boys and they stuck together the whole night!) arrived with gifts...and by gifts I mean alcohol and sweets mainly :).  They say Japanese women have 2 stomachs, one for regular food and one for dessert - if that's the case then I can easily pass for Japanese!  We got sparkling wine, traditional Japanese cookies, cheese and crackers, ice cream (12 individually packaged ice cream servings in 12 different flavors), more cookies (ginger bread cookies & sugar cookies), flowers and the cutest miniature "bakery display" handmade by the mother of one of the girls - by the way "the girls" have names - Yuki & Yumi, Makoto, Yuko & Yoko and little Mayu - Yuko's daughter celebrated Christmas Eve with us.  They are awesome!

they are here!

Trey surrounded by Japanese beauties...

We had very non-traditional appetizers and dinner followed by home made brownies, cookies, ice cream and apple pie while a Nat King Cole CD packed with Christmas classics played in the background and The Polar Express played on the TV silently - I love that movie!  I bought the apple pie in an attempt to treat our guests so at least a sliver of American tradition only to find out - upon closer inspection of the box - that it was "Hecho en Méjico" - hahaha!!!!

pasta, salmon & broccoli for Xmas dinner....hmmmmm

Somehow as the night progressed and the sparkling wine AND non-sparkling wine AND the beer supply was depleted, we ended up jamming to Don Henley and the Eagles...not very Christmas-sey but a lot of fun!

Christmas Eve in Tokyo - 2012 lacked most - actually all - of the elements of how we traditionally celebrate Christmas back at home, but it was full of warmth, friendship, good chatter, great company and a lot of laughter - a VERY special Christmas thanks to this group of VERY lovely ladies!

Merry Christmas!  メリークリスマス! (Merīkurisumasu!)

New Year's is next!  I am excited for 2013...Actually the beginning of a New Year is always exciting...a clean slate and fresh start.  A new set of 12 months full of endless possibilities!

This will most likely be the last posting of this year so I want to wish you all a 2013 full of love, happiness, unexpected magic and good health!

{ PICTURES } to see more pictures from Christmas Eve and to meet, Yuki, Yumi, Yoko, Yuko, Makoto and Mayu, click here.  I posted them on Simply Mad Jewelry's page on Facebook :o)

Next time, I will tell you about New Year's in Tokyo (Bonenkai) - which they DO celebrate.  Until then, enjoy your holidays, and go out and explore an place you have never been to.