I'm back...

Hi readers! I got back from Japan...let's see...about a week ago. I'm sorry I haven't written since then. 

<twiddling thumbs>
<yawns>

What's that? You're tired of the suspense?

Okay, fine. I did survive the plane ride. I finally got to watch Muppets Most Wanted. The food was decent (every meal came with CHOCOLATE). The entertainment was all right--there was a fun trivia game, tons of movies, a flight tracker, and music to listen to. Landing was hard. I am one of those people whose ears hurt like crazy from the pressure change. Even when I'm chewing gum.

Our ginormous plane. Two levels. No, my family and I were on
the lower part.

We stayed in Tokyo, in the Shibuya neighborhood, the first few nights. We had a studio apartment with a deck and small bathroom. No fancy toilet. Yet. There was a big bed, a green couch that folded into a bed, and a closet with some mattresses that someone would have to sleep on.  

It was way cleaner before we got here. 0)__(0

Kathy and I even watched some Japanese TV. I liked the one where little were vegetables dancing and singing about (we think) a noodle shop.

One of my favorite Japanese candy was the Pocky--pretzel sticks dipped in melted chocolate or other coating. My favorite was, well, the chocolate type. You probably guessed.

Original chocolate Pocky (image from
here

That's all I really feel like writing right now...what are your plans for Thanksgiving? --Taryn

Happy (late) Halloween!

Dear readers, how was your Halloween? I went trick-or-treating with one of my many awesome friends, since Halloween is just sad around my neighborhood. Hardly anyone hands out candy these days. =( But in my friend's neighborhood (and the one we went to afterward), nearly everyone was celebrating All Hallow's Eve. (Yay!)

Kit-Kats, Almond Joys, and Butterfingers are probably definitely my favorite Halloween treats. Which is why I was soooo happy when one of the neighbors handed out this: 

The "giant" Kit-Kat, and a wrapper from a fun-size for
comparison. I ate the last one before realizing that I
might need it for a photo.

Quick question: why are the tiny candy bars called "fun size"? They're smaller than the other ones. Why are they fun?

My costume was (dun dun dun dah)...a bag of Sour Skittles! I made it myself, out of posterboard, paint, glue, construction paper, rainbow Duck Tape, and Sharpie ink. Oh, and more paint. 

I am holding a mini bag of Sour Skittles in the
picture. Can you see it?

On the back, I put very detailed nutrition information with Sharpie. 

A lot of people liked that! 

I can safely say that Kathy and I will be in a lot of trouble at the dentist's office this month. Just look at how much candy we've had: 

This is only part of it.

What's your favorite Halloween treat? --Taryn
P.S. Take the Taryn's Travels Halloween Quiz here.