Goodbyes and Hellos

Today was the last business day of this fiscal year.

I'm so bad at saying good byes...but this time around, I'm the one leaving my sector. And although my new position will only mean that I have to move a little bit down the office and I can still see everyone everyday, it's still good bye.

Spring means an end to many thing here in Japan. It's not only the end of the fiscal year for most companies but also the end of the school year, which means graduation season. It also means that these plum blossoms won't be around anymore either.

But along with good byes bring a new round of hellos, which is always a little nerve wrecking and at the same time a wonderful thing. So I'm looking forward to the fresh new start I'll be facing starting next week. I'm excited for April because it means many new hellos...and also the cherry blossoms all of us are looking forward to!

Are you ready for April?

Enjoy looking at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

White Blossoms

These plum blossoms were in full bloom a few weeks ago.

Plum blossoms are called "Ume (Ooh-meh)" and they are loved by many Japanese as they signal the start of spring.

Don't they look lovely against the sky?

Enjoy looking at more beautiful skies all around the world here.

The Yamanote

JR Yamanote Line is the railway that makes a big loop within the 23 wards of Tokyo and consists of 29 stations. This is what it looks like coming into Shinjuku Station.

One of the most used train lines in Tokyo, the Yamanote train comes every 2-4 minutes. If you've ever been to Tokyo, you've probably been on it at least once!

Bare Branches

Hi Friends, how have you been?

I've been here in Shinjuku the whole time but wow...things got a little busy! Work is always a little chaotic in the spring, as most companies have their fiscal year end in March. Our company announced changes in personnel, which I hear is a very Japanese (do companies not shuffle their employees around in your country?), and it seems I'll be working in a whole new sector starting April. So I'm a little nervous and excited at the same time. Not to mention a little sad to be leaving my current position which was a lot of fun. But I'm optimistic my new position will be just as interesting!

Anyways, it's been raining off and on here in Shinjuku. It is definitely spring!

I've been taking black and white photos again since it's kind of dreary at times. I really liked how the bare branches were reflecting in the water puddles on my way to work the other day.

Is it spring where you are? Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

A Moment of Silence

Today we will observe a moment of silence at 2:46pm. 


Last year March 11th was a Friday and I was waiting for the subway with my boss at Nishi Shinjuku Station, planning to head to a forum, when the alarmingly loud buzzer sounded, signalling an earthquake to come. And it did.

Last Friday, I was once again standing at the same station with a co-worker, heading to the same forum that I ended up never reaching last year. This year, the subway came rolling into the station and we got on, heading to the forum.

But my heart was beating a mile a minute.