Crossing the Exciting Shibuya Pedestrian Scramble

So... this was all last April, just to give a time frame, and I visited Tokyo with my Mom and brothers.  Long story short, this is the second time I've been to Tokyo, and I had a list of things I'd previously done verses new things to try.  The Shibuya Pedestrian Scramble Crossing, found at Hachiko Square in Shibuya Tokyo, is the sort of thing that pops up on "to do" tourist lists.

It's a pedestrian crossing!  What's the big deal?!  Well, it's one of the most famous pedestrian crossings in the world, and on the weekend hundreds or so cross each light turn.  All the lights turn red, and you can walk any way you wish, cross or straight across when it's the pedestrians turn to go.  Everybody at once.  It's hard to describe what it's like.  I did it with Michael and Krista in 2015 and had a grand time.  So I wanted to take my Mom, Steven, and Ty.  I tried to explain what it's like, and they sort of got it, but since they let me do a lot of the planning I wanted to take them.

Heh, goodness, the reactions they all had as we crossed the first time!  There's a little adrenaline rush, all the energy of the people around you heading in crazy directions.  My Mom wanted to cross several times, so I'm not sure how many times we did cross.  Not too many times, but a few, and we laughed each time.

We wanted to see the crossing from a vintage point, because they exist, and we saw an above walkway, but couldn't figure out how to get to it.  We went into one building, went up several flights, one dead end after another, and then realized the time and decided to head back to the hotel unsuccessful.  Heh, this then led to the two plus hour escapade where we got on the wrong train twice, which I already blogged about.

Shibuya is a really fun place to visit.  On this trip we stuck to the crossing as we ran out of time and wanted to get back before train lines start shutting down.  The previous trip Michael, Krista, and I went into stores, ate at a steak restaurant where you stand the whole time with giant bibs, and found the coolest Disney store.  Disney stores in Japan are so cool and have completely different, unique inventory.

 They were amazed.

 Oh man, new bucket list item!!!!   Okay, this was the first time I'd seen these go-karts going about Tokyo.  We were like, "Are people really allowed to drive go-karts?! That's so cool!!"  Sure enough I get back to the States and suddenly little videos start popping up on Facebook about it... freaky.  But apparently you can ride go-karts, Mario Kart style, through both Tokyo and Osaka.  And now I really need to do this.  I want to return to Japan so bad.  Writing this blog post isn't helping.  But go-karting through Japan just seems amazing.

 Celebrating Hachi, the faithful dog.  It's a really cool story worth looking up.

 And if you read the story about our crazy train experience, this is us finally getting to the right spot after frustration and worry.  Oh man, I guess you haven't fully experienced Japan until you've realized you're on the wrong train at least once.  Just happy we got it worked out.

 Finally on the right train.  I do not look amused. :P

Disney!!!!!

I love the Tokyo Disney parks!!!!!!!!

Now I'm like... :\ I need to visit again.

Happily back at the hotel.

Jumanji: The Next Level, mini movie review

Rating: B-

Right now everyone is talking about Star Wars as it comes out tonight.  Personally I'm bracing for overwhelming disappointment, not wanting to see my childhood favorite franchise stomped all over in a disgraceful disrespectful way, so I wanted to see something fun.  Lighthearted.  A complete removal from the world, and in this way Jumanji: The Next Level succeeds.  

This latest Jumanji starts off with our previous senior high school students navigating the world of young adulthood.  Everyone is fine.  Everyone loving life beyond the game they survived.  Everyone except Spencer who's struggling in New York.  The idea of going back into a game he nearly died in would be a welcome departure.  He returns home to find he needs to share a bedroom with his grandpa who's recovering from surgery.  Spencer misses the person he was in the game.  Misses the power.  Misses the connection he had with his friends.  In a desperate move he finds the destroyed game console and begins to repair it, and in the process all his friends with a couple new individuals find themselves once again in Jumanji, some more thrilled, or less thereof, than others.

What I loved about the last movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, was how fresh it was.  Taking Jumanji from a board game to a video game was cool, the transition fun, silly, and innovative.  In this latest installment we get more of the same.  The movie is still fun and silly, but now it feels formulaic with some new twists, the story not as tight.  The stakes don't feel as high for some reason. 

I love the themes of family and friends with this latest Jumanji.  Bringing in Danny DeVito and Danny Glover as Eddie and Milo was fun, showing friendship from a new angle, and another way to bring ridiculousness to the game.

Junamji: The Next Level is a good family film, though I enjoyed the previous films a lot more overall. Some of the "deaths" felt thrown in for the sake of removing "lives," and because of this carelessness, and a certain repetitiveness of plot, I felt wanting by the end of this film.  Though, if you watch the end, they set up a possible new sequel that could bring freshness to the next movie, if there is one.  I wouldn't mind seeing more Jumanji in the future.

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for adventure action, suggestive content and some language.

For My Fellow Introverts

"You can't stay in your corner of the forest, waiting for others to come find you; you have to go to them sometimes." ~ A.A. Milne

Found this pouch at Disneyland in Critter Country, and it hit me in the feels.  The world is made up of Introverts and Extroverts.  We have different mental processes and different ways we take in energy.  There's positives and negatives with both.  I'm a happy introvert.  I do need people.  I get anxious when I'm alone too long, needing to get out, but I crave silence.  Solitude.  I love being alone with my thoughts.  They're pretty entertaining at times.  A negative aspect of introversion, that not all introverts deal with, mind, is too much isolation, which I sometimes find myself trapped.  Not good.  This quote is a good reminder.

Today a friend shared this quote online:

"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it.  If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place." ~ Anonymous.

We all have our trials and weaknesses to battle.

No matter what battle you find yourself fighting, let none of us get trapped in the same place.  It's not a good place to be.

Crepes with Cake in Harajuku, Tokyo Japan

When I went to Tokyo last April there were things I wanted to do this trip that didn't work out back in 2015.  There are so many great videos on YouTube and NHK World, and somewhere in the mix I learned about Harajuku crepes.  Delicious, overabundant morsels of goodness filled to the brim with cake, fruit, ice-cream, or whatever your heart desires.  There are so many crepe options while walking down Takeshita Street in Harajuku.  

On this trip I was with my Mom and brothers, and after walking through Takeshita Street both ways we settled on Sweet Box, though I'm sure the other stands would have been just as good.  I got a chocolate crepe with strawberries and it was so good.

My brother Steven loved it so much he got two crepes!!

Really, my bro was having a grand time.

And my Mom was having a blast, too. :0)

A few years ago I had crepes in France after visiting the Sacré-Coeur up on that hill where the artist paint.  Having crepes in France was a dream, but ultimately I was disappointed.  It was a little place, and maybe if I tried getting a crepe a second time it would have been good.  I was worried I would be disappointed with Harajuku crepes as well, as I've wanted to try them for years.  I was not disappointed!!  They're great and worth the venture and experience.

 Takeshita Street is a very short walk from Meiji shrine, another place worth visiting.  Really, between Harajuka and Shibuya, which are really close to each other, you can spend a day exploring these two areas.

 The entry to Takeshita Street.

 There are cat cafes everywhere, if you're into that sort of thing.  Two dollars for 10 minutes!  It's amusing, and I don't think I'd ever do it, but here it is.

 Just having a good time with my brothers.

 I wanted to try Wendy's once on the trip, just to see how it compares to the American version, but it didn't work out.

 We got Japanese food instead, which was pretty good.

Harajuku is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Tokyo Japan.

Don't be Discouraged by Weakness

"We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. The Lord gave us this remarkable assurance: "Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong" (Ether 12:37). But wishing for strength won't make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity."  ~ Russell M. Nelson, "Integrity of Heart", Ensign, August 1995.

I found this quote this last week and have been pondering it, though the bit I found was the first few sentences.  Just this morning the rest of this quote was discovered during an internet search, bringing more context.  Weakness is something I struggle with, since I'm constantly in a fight over what needs to be improved.  Past mistakes.  Time wasted.  Fear leading to missed opportunities.   Focusing on the wrong things.

Really, I've been looking at this all wrong, letting weakness master me, instead of mastering my weaknesses.  Honestly, I've never looked at weakness as a bad thing.  I remember having to write an essay in middle school, being asked if there was something about myself I would like to change.  I thought long and hard over it, and realized I wouldn't change anything.  What came to mind was my struggles in English, having to be taught to read in the 3rd grade and feeling so, so stupid.  Did I wish I was better at reading?  Do I wish this was something that wasn't difficult?

I persevered.  I was told it would take years to get up to grade level, and I didn't take this as a definite, as I worked hard and was up to grade level by the end of 4th grade.  I challenged my weakness and grew strong because of it.  If I was always good at reading this new strength would have never developed.  A building block of inner strength.  And then I thought about being bullied.  Being bullied over my faith.  Being bullied because in the past I made friends with a girl, being warned that if I did so they would make fun of me too, and becoming friends with her anyway.  In middle school did I wish to take away the times I was bullied?  And I realized I didn't want that, as the bullying built compassion towards others who are bullied.

My middle-grade self was so wise!!  (Where did I go wrong? :P )  I'm thinking of all my current weaknesses.  Again I'm facing a battle, though technically these battles never seem to end.  A different battle.  An inner battle that then, in turn, impresses upon the outer world.  I need to find my younger chutzpah.  We all have our mountains and hills, the rolling trials of life bringing new challenges and opportunities.  I am on a new mountain.  And as I climb I will master these obstacles.  (And suddenly I'm feeling a bit melodramatic, like I'm wearing a suit of armor, sword swinging, and I'm about to run off screaming.  You know, sometimes it really does feel like that.  Gotta make life a little more Epic).

Go fight your battles! Work hard, be honest, and don't be afraid.  Weak things can be made strong.

Frozen II, mini movie review

Rating: A

Frozen. I loved Frozen, the first, when it originally came out.  I gave that movie full marks as well.  But as time wore on I developed Frozen fatigue.  The movie was everywhere, especially in the parks.  It's all my nieces seemed to want to watch, and so myself and other members of the family would occasionally slip in Tangled and Lilo and Stitch as well.  (Actually, they do like Tangled.  Don't know how they really feel about Lilo and Stitch, though that's technically my favorite Disney movie. It's so well structured and so forth.)  When it was announced that Frozen was getting a sequel I had mixed feelings.  Glad for a new installment. Not excited for another Frozen wave.

Frozen II takes place a few years or so after the first, not entirely sure the time frame, but the characters are definitely older, as Olaf mentions throughout the film in cute ways.  We learn more about Elsa and Anna's childhood and parents.  We learn about the North and the magic that lies within.  And through all this Elsa hears a voice calling her into the unknown.

Without getting into spoilers, this movie is the perfect addition to the Frozen universe.  Both movies are good and strong in their own ways.  Different.  The elemental magic system introduced is really cool.  And it was nice learning more about Elsa and Anna's family.  All the characters grow in nice ways that compliments who they are as individuals.

There are more songs to be had in this new version.  Nice songs.  The music in the first installment are stronger, more standout-ish, but I enjoyed the music in this new movie as well.  They compliment the scenes they are in.

Overall I appreciate the new tone of this second movie.  Disney doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to animated sequels, the 90's are coming to mind, but this movie is a breath of fresh air.  More adventure, more mystery, but still clearly within the realm we've grown to love.  Though this is a sequel, and Entertainment is overrun with sequels, prequels, and remakes, I respect the originality and fun found in Frozen II.

Frozen II is a great family film to enjoy over this Holiday season and beyond.

MPAA: Rated PG for action/peril and some thematic elements.

Disneyland at Christmastime

Going to Disneyland a couple weeks ago was super spontaneous.

My parents were gone on a few week trip, and when they got back my Mom declared she wasn't in the Christmas spirit and needed a Disney Christmas fix, and then she asked me if I wanted to leave the next day.  I looked at her in disbelief.

 

We got annual passes for the first time last Summer, just to try it out, and decided that once this year we wanted to do a spontaneous trip.  When I was a kid I would have what was called "Disneyland days."  Days where I wasn't at Disneyland, but felt the weather was perfect for Disneyland, wishing I was there.  I have a lot of Disneyland days still, wishing I could be at the park, though I'm a couple States away.

 

Having experienced Halloween at Disneyland last October, realizing it truly isn't one of my favorite Holiday's, and I didn't enjoy Halloween in the parks, I was wishing to see Disneyland at Christmas.  My Mom and I want to get full use of our passes.  They're expensive!!  And we've already decided we don't want to buy them again.  Feeling the need to use them and not waste money is burdensome, and living an 11 hour drive or so away is just a tad far.  Souvenirs and food inside the parks are getting more expensive as well.  We went the week before Thanksgiving.  There was rain in the forecast.  The hotel we stay at was at the lower price point with availability.  So we decided to go for it and left the next day.

 Christmastime at Disneyland is truly magical.

Christmas is a wonderful time to visit.  It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion have fun makeovers.  The decorations are beautiful.  A couple times a night there's "snow" on Main Street USA.  And once when I was in New Orleans Square listening to the jazz band playing on a raft on the Rivers of America, there was "snow" there, too, which was a cool surprise.

And I love seeing Small World decked out in lights.

It's such a nice time to be at the parks.

Photos by Sarah and Robin Stufflebeam

The Importance of Courage

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage." ~ Maya Angelou 

I wonder if we're all more courageous than we know.

Being a Gryffindor I feel like there's something wrong with me when I'm lacking courage towards an endeavor, habit, change of life, etc.  And lately, as in these last several years, I feel like I've lacked a great deal of courage.  I did overcome a chronic pain situation, which is no small feat.  And while I was dealing with this pain I helped take care of my Grandpa for 6 years, which was important, but it felt like life was paused during this time.  After his passing my Mom and I took every opportunity to travel.  That's coming to an end.  And now I'm just staring at life, regretting letting time pass like this.  Regretting that I didn't face my fears better.  Regretting that my once courageous soul feels dampened.

Last week I was listening to the Latter-day Saints channel, formally the Mormon Channel, and there was a round table discussion.  Can't remember all who were involved, but something they were talking about really stood out.  This one man said, "Faith takes courage.  You can't have faith without courage."  And I lay there thinking about this, thinking about my faith.  I struggle.  Not in my testimony, but in feeling like I fit somewhere in this World, feeling like there's a place for me, and in the church.  Maybe one day I'll write about what it's like being a mid-single in a church that's all about family, but it's hard, and so very lonely.  I know I need to go to the mid-singles ward, that it's where I need to be, but I've been battling it, ward hopping instead. (Ward hopping is when you attend church meetings that aren't your ward, a different one each week.) Every week I take the sacrament, but I've been having a hard time facing going to my ward on a consistent basis.  I have faith.  I haven't given up.  My testimony is still strong.  I'm just lacking faith in finding my place.

But I still have faith.  And faith takes courage.  And I've witnessed and experienced miracles.  Even in my struggle I feel God's patient hand in my life.  I just got to have more courage.

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself.  Maybe I'm using more courage than I realize.  By not giving up.  By not losing hope.  By going to Church, even though the ward isn't my own, but I'm still holding on and not turning away.

So that's what I need to cling to.

Each step takes courage, no matter what path you or I may be on.  Each movement forward, no matter how small or great, takes a brave heart.  And sometimes, even when you find yourself standing still, clinging to that spot and not slipping downwards takes a great deal of courage as well.  And if you find yourself slipping just stop, look around, regain your bearings, breath, and try again.  That takes an incredible amount of courage, one of which we all possess.

Don't be hard on yourself.  And I'll try to not be hard on myself as well. ;0)  We're all more courageous than we know.