Hanami anyone?

 {Cherry Blossoms in DC. Spring 2009}

Yes, please!

Hanami is a centuries old Japanese custom of admiring the beautiful sakura, or cherry blossoms.  Even though hanamis were originally for viewing the cherry blossoms, nowadays people seem to go to hanami parties for the food and sake.

Since the cherry trees have been blossoming for a couple of months (at least it feels like it), a friend of mine decided to have a hanami party. Unfortunately it was a typical Seattle evening full of wind and rain, so we weren't really able to see cherry blossoms. Despite the weather, the evening ended up being fabulous.


Mary had gone to Uwajimaya, the famous Asian grocery store that's provided Seattle Asian goods since1928 (pretty cool, huh?) and bought a ton of cool Japanese treats. I felt like I was in Taiwan again with all the Pocky and Hello Pandas.

We also learned how to roll our own sushi (hoorah!) and watched a very cute Japanese flick called Linda, Linda, Linda. Even though Linda, Linda, Linda wasn't Death Note, it was still very good.

Here are some more pictures of the evening:

Despite what it may look like, there was no sake involved. Girl Scout's honor. We were pretty excited to try out Ramune, though. It tasted like candy in liquid form. Enough sugar to hype anyone up for a week. 

{Me, Matt, and my sushi roll (not in that particular order). It was pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.}

 

{The whole crew chillin' like villains.}

Here's to the Japanese and their 

fabulous custom of

Hanami!

I have a feeling...

 {It's Spring in February!}

Not that tonight's gonna be a good night, as the Black Eye'd Peas sing, but that this year is going to be THE  year.

Having turned the grand number of 27 on the 27th of February, this is my birthday year. What that entails, I'm not entirely sure, but as my friend Connie has told me, it is destined to be full of  luck.

I can handle that. 


And great things have already happened. I'm living in a beautiful part of the country, winter has been spring, I have awesome friends, two dear friends are now married, and I've landed my dream job which I'll be starting the beginning of May. I don't think it can get much better than that, but you know, if it does, I won't complain.

Here's to birthday years, especially this one!

Is it summer?

Or is it just me?

Today it hit a remarkable 72 degrees. Quite unheard of for this town that is known for gray skies, and miserable rain all winter and spring long.

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the sweet smell of flowers is permeating the air. I definitely had an extra bounce in my step on my walk home from the bus stop.

With the coming of warmer weather, I couldn't listen to the same ol' tunes. Funny how that happens. Does anyone else have different songs or playlists that they listen too for the different seasons? Well I sure do. Today it was a random mixture of Lady Gaga, Blonde Redhead, The Bird and the Bee, Passion Pit and The Temper Trap.

What are you listening too?