Happy Birthday to me!
No one guessed. You have to think BIG, people! Thanks to all of you for your good wishes and fun suggestions. Molly and I both had a good time pulling the wool over your eyes. (It is a fiber blog, after all!)
So here I am at 9:00am, Thursday, sitting at Molly's little, low table by the space heater, two-finger typing on her laptop, which I am so uncomfortable with! I was scheduled to arrive last evening at 6:00pm and then hop the 20 minute ferry from the airport to her little town. However, a computer glitch developed while we were on the runway in Detroit which resulted in a 4 hour delay and an eventual plane switch. Which made for a real dash upon my arrival to catch the last trains of the night to our destination! We got to Moll's place at midnight, and didn't get to bed till 2:00, some of that time dedicated to reacquainting me with how to turn on the gas & hot water, finding her extra key and teaching me how to use the cell phone she rented for my two week stay. Which, because I'm so technologically deficient, involved more than a cursory overview. (I still haven't figured out the voice mail on my own phone. If you call and I don't answer, please call back. I know, pathetic.)
Molly flew out of here on her bike a while ago, headed for school and a full day of work. I'll unpack and settle in...I came alone, *girls' visit*...and then head out for an afternoon of poking around her little town. Tonight I'll be a guest at her tea ceremony class and tomorrow I'll be spending the day with her at school. Then some real adventures, but you'll have to come back for those.
I still can't get over no one guessing this! I've been so busy preparing for the trip, I haven't kept up with my email or comments. My apologies. And my content's been thin...no time for knitting!...must pack/shop/find Molly's yearbook & ballet flats/worry that I'm forgetting something/brush up on Japanese/cook & freeze meals/review instructions for washing machine, dryer, sump pump alarm, etc with M/fret that I must be forgetting something/shop/clean/I must be forgetting something!! I'll pick a winner when my random number generator comes home from work. But no one guessed! Didn't I tell you I'd need these for sitting at a computer in a cold room?
Japanese homes have no central heating. Perfect place for a January jaunt!
Oh, that's wonderful!!! I was sooo not thinking big enough. Yay!!! Happy happy happy birthday dance and song for you!
Posted by:Chris | January 18, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Wow! I've just been perusing amazon.jp and it's sparked my curiosity about Japan. Take lots of pictures of the fabric, etc!
Posted by:Kate | January 18, 2006 at 08:37 PM
And happy birthday!
Posted by:Kate | January 18, 2006 at 08:38 PM
Happy Birthday! What a perfect way to celebrate. Have a great time!
Posted by:Cordelia | January 18, 2006 at 08:42 PM
Outstanding!! Now that is definately a great way to celebrate any birthday! Have a happy one! :)
Posted by:myra | January 18, 2006 at 08:53 PM
What an incredible birthday surprise! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I happen to know what one of your adventures is going to be, and I am so delighted! HAVE FUN and stay warm if you can!
Posted by:Mariko | January 18, 2006 at 09:14 PM
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful treat of a trip!
Posted by:Samantha | January 18, 2006 at 09:17 PM
NO WAY! I can't believe you are in Japan! I can't wait to hear all about it. Happy Birthday and hi to Molly!
Posted by:Emily | January 18, 2006 at 09:27 PM
oh, wow! enjoy! and happy birthday to you!
Posted by:jess | January 18, 2006 at 09:37 PM
The Perfect gift! Have a great time! Happy Birthday!
Japanese homes have no central heating? really?
Posted by:sandy | January 18, 2006 at 09:51 PM
Ugh, glad that's out. What a hard secret to keep!!
Posted by:molly! | January 18, 2006 at 10:05 PM
Molly sort of clued me in and I STILL didn't get it. LOL. Have a blast and Happy Birthday!
Posted by:Carole | January 18, 2006 at 10:56 PM
*I* can't beleive no one guessed this either! I didn't remember to put a guess in for myself, but I hadn't thought of this. What a wonderful bday gift!
Enjoy!
I can't wait to see more pictures!
Posted by:Jeni | January 18, 2006 at 11:50 PM
Wow! What fun! And Happy Birthday. Enjoy your visit.
Posted by:Siri | January 19, 2006 at 01:41 AM
Happy Birthday!!
Posted by:Isela | January 19, 2006 at 02:41 AM
Happy Birthday to you! (why am I always late when its important? argh!)
Enjoy the trip and say hi to Molly from me.
Posted by:Cassie | January 19, 2006 at 07:38 AM
Oh, you two lucky girls! Have a wonderful visit. I thought you were looking for suggestions...and silly me was thinking closer to home! How wonderful for Molly, too!
Posted by:Cindra | January 19, 2006 at 07:45 AM
wow!
give her a hug from me...
you lucky girls!
Posted by:blackbird | January 19, 2006 at 08:05 AM
Happy, happy day! What a wonderful birthday treat!
Posted by:Leslie | January 19, 2006 at 09:00 AM
Happy Birthday! Honestly, I thought of mentioning a trip to Japan, but I thought it was too extravagant. Glad to see you know how to treat yourself. You deserve it!
Posted by:Annie | January 19, 2006 at 09:18 AM
Because I'm such a tightwad, I never would have thought of suggesting it. Glad you chose to celebrate your birthday in style!
Happy birthday!
Posted by:Liz | January 19, 2006 at 09:42 AM
happy birthday! i know you two crazy kids will have a great time! can't wait to see all the incriminating photos! and p.s. i sent you an email today
Posted by:carolyn | January 19, 2006 at 10:00 AM
Happy Birthday & have a wonderful visit! (I'm jealous! I'd be buying up all the fabric I could find if I were there with you :)
Posted by:Julie | January 19, 2006 at 11:25 AM
That is fantastic!!!! What a wonderful birthday gift! Happy birthday again!!!!
Posted by:Scribbles & Bits | January 19, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Good for you!! Enjoy your birthday.
Posted by:margene | January 19, 2006 at 11:58 AM
Happy birthday! What a great present, to be with your daughter in Japan!
Posted by:Janine | January 19, 2006 at 02:36 PM
Brrr, I've never been to Japan in January, but when I was there in Nov. I know what you mean about cold houses. Better drink lots of hot saki for the Bday!
Posted by:PaMdora | January 19, 2006 at 02:57 PM
What a marvelous gift to yourself. Happy birthday! Have lots and lots of fun.
Posted by:juno | January 19, 2006 at 03:11 PM
Wow! Now that's the way to celebrate a birthday!! HAVE FUN (and stay warm)!!
Posted by:Vicki | January 19, 2006 at 03:28 PM
That's just too awesome. Hope you both have a wonderful time! Happy Birthday indeed!
And the central heating thing... a (real-life) JETter friend told me his cottage was 40-ish degrees F with the space heater going full blast. In the same room. Considering how much of Japan is cold in the winter, I don't understand why they don't do more insulation. Totally baffles me. Completely.
Posted by:freecia | January 19, 2006 at 05:35 PM
Yay! You made it to Japan! Welcome! Hope you and Molly have a great time on all your adventures!! and thanks for bringing our yarn too! : )
Posted by:becky | January 19, 2006 at 10:31 PM
WOW!!!SO VERY COOL!!!
Big fat Duh on my part!!! Best ever Birthday wishes!! Have a great time!!YEAY for both of you!!!!!
Posted by:schnoobie | January 19, 2006 at 11:23 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Have a great, lovely and fun time!!!
Posted by:Sonia | January 21, 2006 at 07:16 AM