Going to Japan
Lucretia and I are leaving for Japan tomorrow. I’ve been jokingly calling this trip a “Look-at-me-I-have-a-wife Tour.” All kidding aside, this is the trip that we have been meaning to make since we got married in August 2005. My father has been wanting to gather all the extended family members who couldn’t come to the wedding in Seattle, and hold some kind of a mini reception in Japan. We had a very ambitious plan last year to go to Germany for the World Cup, and then to Japan in one trip. Eventually the common sense set in and we had to abandon the Japan part (FIFA couldn’t move the soccer tournament — what jerks!).
So anyway we booked this trip back in March, but the timing couldn’t be worse from the work point of view. Of course the big project I was supposed to work on has gotten pushed, and now it’s slated to kick off in mid July, when the original schedule would have had me finished with it by now. We’re in the middle of trying to recruit so we can grow our department and handle the crazy amount of work that’s been pouring in. So I’ve been working rather hard during the past few weeks to make up for it. The reality is everything will be just fine, but it’s still difficult not to feel guilty about the whole thing. I’m usually pretty good at separating work and personal stuff in my head, but I have a feeling I’ll be dragging this one a bit.
The other concern is that it’s been five years since the last time I was in Japan. What that means is more people to visit, and more souvenirs to bring. Not that I don’t enjoy bringing gifts to people, but I feel uneasy when I don’t even know what these people might appreciate or exactly who to buy gifts for, even. I will be seeing some of my cousins whom I haven’t seen in over 12 years. I don’t even know how old some of them are. Here is a (not-so-complete) list of what Lucretia and I are packing to give to various people:
- 20+ bags of Tully’s coffee
- 9 boxes of smoked salmon
- 5 boxes of Aplets & Cotlets candy (by request)
- 4 Starbucks (original Pike Place location) mugs
- Kenji Johjima bobblehead
- Various t-shirts, including Mariners, Seahawks, and general Seattle related
- Various toys for my nephew and niece, including Blockus
- NY Cosmos t-shirt from Thorwbackmax.com
In addition, we sent 20+ sets of photo-frame coasters from Crate & Barrel. We knew those would be way too heavy and cumbersome to carry. We’re glad we did that — we still have enough goods to fill one whole suitcase.
So there are certainly some crummy things about this whole thing — but wait! I’m also very excited about the trip. For one, I’m super relieved to be finally taking a vacation. I was starting to feel really burnt out, so no matter what I said above I’m NOT feeling guilty about taking a break. I’m also glad we’re going to Japan of all places. There’s a lot I want to do (ride the sick-looking bullet trains) and buy (hopefully some DS games). Obviously spending time with family is something I’m looking forward to. I’m definitely enthusiastic about the next three weeks.
Check my Flickr page for photos. We’ll do our best to upload as often as possible!
