#jblog

When did you feel the most like yourself?

When, thinking back over your life, were you the very best version of yourself?

This is me at 49, in January 2010, atop Mount Diablo, close to where I grew up near San Francisco, CA. The BF and I had just returned from a sailing vacation in the Bahamas when I found out my mom’s breast cancer had spread to her brain and that she had only a few months left to live.

I dropped everything and moved back to my parent’s house. I’m glad that I did. It was awful, and great, with lots of black humor, confusion and tears. My life however seemed crystal clear at this point. We were all focused on making my mom’s death the best it could be.

My mom died a week after this photo was taken.

I don’t know that I was the best version of myself, at this point, I don’t think I’ve changed versions much over the years.

Maybe that’s my problem!

Well, I arrived. The plane was delayed by about 20 minutes. The plane ride it self wasnt that bad. Great food(i ordered the vegetarian meal) and i watched a movie (fantastic beasts and where to find them) i did try to rest and sleep as much as possible but i didnt sleep at all. The older Japanese couple next to me were very nice, the man was a little short so everytime he needed something from the overhead compartement he would stand on his chair and the flight attendent would come over in panic 😂😂 As I was landing, nothing but mist and grey clouds… oh and rain (I thought i LEFT Belgium?) The first challenge was even getting my luggage back. Customs took a long time (big line). Everything was fine, i got permition to enter Japan 😎 Igot my suitcase, and went to look for the first atm i saw. Got myself some cash and then went on to the train station. It took me a while to figure out what ticket to buy and where i needed to go. (Yaay for english speaking staff) Skyline train to Ueno and from there the hibaya line to hatchobori(i now have a pasmo card!!!). My hostel is right at the station (i still managed to first walk the other way..) there’s a kfc really close by. Checked in at Wise owl Hostels. (They have a real owl at the counter, its soooo pretty) its 20u when i finally got to the hostel. Too late for some exploring( also im really tired, didnt sleep on the plane at all) i found a convenience store, bought a drink and a granola bar (what a dinner) and decided to go back to the hostel, take a shower and just go to bed early.

It is now locally 4u27 as I am typing this. Im not sure what i will do today, im near akihabara and ginza so maybe a little exploring of those two areas. The weather predicts sun today. Lets hope 😎