Monday, January 31st

This is one of the sculptures I saw at the Teien museum gardens. I found out that they were only closed to set up the next exhibit, Typographic Posters of the 20th Century. I may go back to see it, as it would be interesting to see graphics with Japanese characters.

Lots is happening, and I haven't had much free time to put together a full accounting of my adventures. Taught my Level 1 seminar this weekend, with 28 participants and an intense program. They were all wonderful and we crammed quite a bit of information and processes into the two days. It was a heart-bursting moment when I called each of them by name (pronounced in pretty good Japanese I do think!) and handed them their certificates of completion. The Japanese work hard to be good students and love to have something to show for their accomplishments.

Here's a couple critters that caught my eye on a recent excursion. Pet shop poodle - not even sure which end we are looking at here!!!!

And turtle lion - guardian outside a garden gate.


It is super freezing here, down to zero C, or 32 degrees F, in the daytime. With all of the tall buildings, it's hard to get into the sun, and even when you do, it's still cold, with a chill breeze whirling from the shadows. Last time I was here, it was off the charts hot and humid. Quite the contrast.

I'll post again, hopefully tomorrow, as I have taken a bunch of photos the last couple days.

Sayonara for now...

Tuesday, January 25

Just spent a couple fun days off, and time to take loads of photos which I will post over the next few work days.

These taxis caught my eye as I was walking down the street next to a huge cemetery. They lined both sides of the street, out of service. As Monty Python would say, they're "not dead, they're just resting!" Eerie juxtaposition though, as many of the drivers looked like they were!











This is me at the Tokyo Dome Amusement Park, with my Japanese friend, Mina. We weren't there for the rides, just dinner. But I plan on taking Steve for a whirl when he gets to town. We met up with a group of French, British, Japanese, and Americans for a dinner at the Tokyo Dome Hotel. Believe it or not, when choosing a special place to take me, they took me to a Sizzler Restaurant. Now I know why people say that eating out in Japan is expensive - the salad bar (no sizzling steaks) was $30. There was however a redeeming factor, which was a desert bar with a fountain of chocolate that you put your bowl of ice cream under. Yum. This was a reunion of sorts, with the folks I met and traveled with last trip. Several will be attending my seminars, so we had a lively conversation.


These two shots are from The Teien Art Museum. After much walking and traveling on the subway, I was disappointed to discover that the building part was closed for the winter, and I only had access to the gardens. However, this outdoor serenity was probably just what I needed. I pretty much had the place to myself and I imagined that it was "my" estate, rather than Prince Asaka's! The building shown here is a little tea house in the Japanese style gardens, and the white sculpture was added to the estate later. The main building was an art deco style house filled with 18th & 19th century art, kind of like a Hearst or Hollywood mansion. Apparently, there are many wealthy merchant families who have converted their estates and private collections to museum status in order to maintain Japanese treasures rather than allow them to be sold and exported as was very prevalent when Japan reopened trade with the west in the late 1800s.

I've got two days of sessions ahead of me, with Friday off, and then I teach my Level 1 seminar on the weekend. I am please that there are a good number of people signing up and I am hopeful that I will have a quality group of students. The Japanese are very open-hearted and eager to learn. I am looking forward to it.

More to post soon...

Thursday, January 20

I got lucky with this photo of a bird in the plum blossoms - feeding time at the Aoyama Cemetery! Not sure if they were after the nectar or bugs. It isn't as cold as it's been, though I'm still bundling up in my wool coat, hat and boots.

Yesterday, had my first full day of client sessions, again working with an interpreter. I am always amazed at how a person can think in two languages at once, especially the mix of Japanese and English. The sentence structure is entirely different.

It is such a contrast for me, when I am walking around in the city, the people seem entirely aloof and detached. I often feel like a ghost, or at least a deaf mute. But when I am sitting with a total stranger who has come to me for help, there is an immediate and profound connection which fills my heart with a sense of belonging here. I guess that's why I love the work that I am doing.

The evening before, at the introductory seminar, I was delightfully surprised to have a very full room of new and return clients. As a sample of my clairvoyant sessions, I picked people out of the audience and gave them mini-readings, a little insight and advice on the spot. Easier for me than following my lecture notes!

Today was a free day, so I set out on the subway, headed to the Ginza district. This is one of the busiest, high-end shopping and high-tech business areas, right near the Imperial Palace and center of Tokyo. Blocks and blocks of tall glass buildings, flashing every designer name and electronics business known to man, with marching crowds of Japanese dressed in classy black. Glad I left my red coat at home! I would have stuck out like a zit on a model's face!

The photo of the pretty Japanese boy is an ad for 'Romeo & Juliet' - probably a uniquely amusing live production. I visited a museum with a special exhibit of Japanese screens and ceramics from the 1600s. I've seen photos in books, but there is something spectacular about seeing the gold leaf screens painted with flowers and grasses, large and in person. The museum lobby on the 9th floor looks out over the Imperial Palace Gardens. You can't see buildings, mostly trees surrounded by a stone wall that is more like a hillside, and then a wide moat. Quite a construction project.

After the museum, I met my 'Marfa' friend, Takako, for lunch. She is working in the Ginza area, and told me to meet her at 'The Apple Store.' It was only 20 stories high with a giant Apple logo on it, so it was a little hard to find! Dining out is always an adventure. I'm never sure what I am eating by what it looks like. Good to be a 'convenientarian' in this land!

The next three days in a row, I will be doing more client sessions. Should be interesting.

Monday - Jan. 17

Went for a brisk...and I mean BRISK...walk on Sunday. It looks nice in the photos, but it was freezing and windy. Needed to find some nature amidst the bizillions of high fashion urban crowds. I revisited the Roppongi Hills shopping area, a modern complex, including these sweet gardens. Amazed to find things blooming.

Camellias on the left, not sure what the yellow blossoms are. That's the Roppongi Tower in the background. It's my landmark building, 52 stories tall, so I don't get too lost as I wander around.

Monday, I had lunch with a couple ladies from work. I think they called the style of food Shabu shabu. That's where there's a boiling pot of water in the middle of the table and they serve you a platter of raw meat, noodles and vegies. You hold stuff in the water with your chopsticks until it's cooked, then bring it out and dip it into sauces. Yum! And it's right up my alley - I get to play with my food, I don't eat too fast and the meal never gets cold!

Here's what part of dinner looked like last night - not even sure what kind of mushrooms they are! The most exotic things (to me) are inexpensive, but things we take for granted as cheap and available, like spam and peanut butter, are off the charts expensive.

Tomorrow I begin my work...first event is an evening seminar which is designed as an introduction to me and my work. I'll be presenting my SoulShift Healing Process, and doing some mini-readings with volunteers from the audience.

Thanks for checking in. I love to read your posts.

Sunday morning activity

Woke early this morning to 'party' sounds down on the street. Looks like there is an late night venue in the building across the street, and so, when they miss the last subway train back home (around 1 am) they simply play all night and catch the morning ones.

It was fun to watch the hip & cool outfits piling out, especially the two young men who - apparently on a dare - were both stripped down to only shorts and shoes. It's around 35 degrees here, so it was truly a show of 'manliness!' Great to see some silliness. . . and so on it went, with one beginning to hop about, greeting others on the streets, while the other stood still and toughed it out. Finally, the stoic one gave in and put on his shirt, and threw a shirt to the 'hopper,' but no dice. He simply threw back the shirt and kept dancing about.

Looks like the 'hopper' won out in more ways than one, because a cute young lady wrapped him up in the coat she was still wearing.

Ah, modern Japanese chivalry!

Off the plane

Arrived yesterday in Tokyo . . . all is easier the second time.

Isn't that the way it is with just about everything. Good to remember when faced with something new and a little scary or difficult.

More soon, still not all here - part of me is still up in the air over the Aleutians!

On my way....

In the scramble of last minute details...making the transition from western culture to the east.

A note of intention...that all those who come into contact with me during my journey be able to see clearly into the open mind and heart that I carry with me...and that I be able to see clearly into theirs.

More to come soon.

New Year's message

2011 is the time to let go.

If you are holding on tight . . . ask yourself, "why?" Maybe it's just out of habit, or fear of the unknown. Dare to dream. Dare to imagine something greater. Be brave enough to let go. Be free to grab on as wonderful opportunities come your way.