KRIS + MEL

Right after I got back from HAWAII, my cousin Kristi and good friend Melissa came to Japan to hang out! Actually, I saw Kristi in Hawaii and then we were able to spend more time together in Japan which was awesome!  

I worked during the week while they explored Kyoto and Osaka...but on Saturday we all spent the day together in Hakone!! YEEEAHHHHH. We bought the full day round trip ticket to go all over Hakone and it was epic. definitely recommend that if you ever go to Hakone.

We arrived in Hakone...saw fujisan (through some clouds haha!) and rode a boat on lake Ashi! 

Mel also looked up this hotel nearby that was having an epic flower festival and it was truly stunning! 

Oh, I forgot to mention...we went to Hakone Open Air Museum, which is one of the coolest and most random places I've been to in Japan! We knew we had to take a pic on the Egg sculpture or what I like to call "EGG BED" haha. And we also got some amazing icecream with crunchy honey coated bread at the bottom from Bakery and Table right on lake Ashi. We sat in the sun and soaked up all that glorious weather...and we kept saying "is this real life?!" 

We ended our Hakone day at a local onsen recommended by a lady at the train station. It was so relaxing to soak in the steaming hot onsen water and immerse ourselves in the very very Japanese culture of public bathing HAHA. 

On Sunday we had a full Tokyo day and hopped on an early train so we didn't waste any time. Our first stop was breakfast...or more like dessert at Dominique Ansel bakery!

This weeks cronut was UNREALLLLLL....something crazy like matcha with vanilla and passion fruit cream ...sooooo gooooood. And the tomato bread, frozen smoore and Amann were amazing PER USUAL. Thank you DOMINIQUE! 

I also took Kris and Mel to my favorite view of Shibuya (Hikaria building) and to Nakamegs for some good legit Oni Bus coffee. We then walked through the scramble about 1,000 times taking a bazillion photos and timelapse videos and having the best time ever. 

Other things we did were....eat at a bunch of crazy good places (shabu shabu, udon, tempura, etc), did some damage shopping, Mel lost her phone but luckily we found it nicely wrapped at UNIQLO (go Japan!), and a spent plenty of time chatting and catching up. The pic on the LEFT is hilarious because people always tell Mel and I that we look alike...which is 100% true. We turned our twin-ness up a level by matching and trying to stand the same...but let's be real, we don't really have to try hard at all to look alike HAHA. And the pic on the RIGHT is the gift they gave me on the last night they were here....WAHHHHHH. The cutest pouch, my FAVORITE HAND CREAM!, and three pairs of the best kind of socks. Do they know me or do they know me???

Such a blessing to have these two in Tokyo!! come back pls!!!!

HAWAII V/V

Last but not least...part V of V!! 

After mothers day, my dad schedule a special day for us and we all went out on our own little boat right out past waikiki!! (all of those pics are on my gopro which I'll hopefully post soon!) It was such a fun time being out on the open ocean. After a long morning out at sea, we grubbed on some amazing food at Nicos. Clockwise from top left: my amazing BEEF STEW! Katsu for the kiddos, jens crazy furikake covered fish (ahi?) and stac's loco moco! A hit all around.

Right down the street from Nicos was another HE>I shop and then....DuH*DUH*DUH*.....

LILIHAAAAAA BAKERY!!!!!

Everytime auntie Julie goes to Hawaii, she brings back a box of frozen liliha cream puffs and they taste amazing. So, you could imagine my excitement when I finally got to try them fresh for the first time. INSANE. The cream on the inside is what really gets me. Also, their donuts (that look like the ones from Mr. Donut in Japan) were bomb and so was the guava cake. AHHH!!! 

Koko head right in front of our house! 

A big reason why we went to Hawaii at this time was to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday! (she doesnt look a day past 45 though). My dad planned an awesome dinner with everyone at SIDE STREET INN and we had a straight FEAST! Two of the standout dishes were the fried pork chops and the really really good brownie dessert. I even had a beer with my brothers for probably the first time in my life - special moment haha! 

Happy birthday mom!! we love you!!! 

The next day...we all woke up early a hit BOGARTS right away. Their acai bowl are amazing and I really wish I could start every morning eating that! Lenny was lookin so cute posing for photos out in front of the store!

love them! After fuelling up on b-fast, we all drove through the island (beautiful drive up towards Pali) and over to Kaliua beach, which has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. 

Right when I came up over the hill and looked out over the water I just started jumping like a mad woman. haha. I could not believe how CLEAR and BLUE that water was!!! MANNNNNN!

A really fun part was that mom was able to take her scooter out to a lookout point and watch us play in the sand a little. I loved that moment. 

Hunty is really turning into a little man! Love him so much. 

Cam was fearless and wanted to splash all in the waves without his floatie on! We spend a few hours playing in the insane water at Kailua. After a while, it started to get too windy so we called it a day and headed to our next stop...

DAHHH ISLAND SNOW BRADDAHHHH. Classic snow cone. cant be beat. Also, shoutout to the HIC slippers I bought at Alamoana. I remember making slippers at that exact spot 10 years ago and I used them every day growing up. I love how you can pick any color strap and sole and make it your own. A Hawaiian staple! 

This was so cute...we said, "Komae pic!" and Len jumped right in! haha. 

We had been teaching them SHAKA all week and they finally sorta got it! 

Man, that drive back the coast is insane. Hawaii- you're outta this world. 

Ok not sure where my dad got these from...but he somehow bought the most amazing POI DONUTS....REAL REAL REAL REAL GOOD. 

alright...so here we are on my last day in Hawaii. so sad :( The kids had such a good time at Hanauma Bay on our first day, so we decided to go there again. We made sure to go before 7am to beat the crowd and not have to pay to enter. 

My mom had been wanting a shot like this so we finally got it by coaxing them with tic tacs haha! 

Cam lookin so handsome with his sunscreen face and Eden giving me the smolder!! hAHHA she cracks me up. 

I was really grateful to spend some quality time with my siblings. We've been so fortunate to grow not only as a family, but as friends as well. We often joke, make fun of each other, complain about pet peeves and what not, but truly- my siblings are my favorite people in the world and theres no one else I'd rather spend time with than them! 

We spent a few hours there and then rolled outta there so I could go back and finish packing. Then we hit up our last food spot ...

Okata bento!! A true hole in the wall place that makes everything to order. Legit mom and pop kinda place. 

It took a while, so while we were waiting my bro got a nice coffee frapp at Coffee Talk, which is also shown on Terrace House Aloha State! haha. 

The food was really saucy and amazing and true home cooking. But the funny thing is...or what you can't tell by looking at these photos...is that...

...at this precise time I was having a mild panic attack. Ok, more like emotional panic mode. Let me explain...The food took wayyyy longer than expected. Mind you, it was 11:30am or so and I had to catch at flight around 3:00pm. On top of that, I was sad to leave my family and head back to Japan and I was bummed they were all going to stay on the island a few more days and experience Aulai Disney Resort while I went back solo. So anyway, we're rushing outta there trying to figure out if we'd eat at a park or what not, and my dad ended up scratching a parked car on the way out of the parking area. Right as I heard the sound *crunnchhhhh*, I could feel this flood of emotion just swell up inside of me!!  It was crazy. That's probably the first time, or one of a very few times, where that kind of emotion just came over me and I couldnt hold it in. It was a combo of being sad that my dad scratched the car, with panic about the time frame, with having to leave my family, and no one else feeling that same way since they all see eachother every day at home anyway! haha. So the tears came and I mean, they reaaaaally came and I think I scared my family a bit because they were probably thinking "what the heack amie? it was just a little scratch" 

so anyway through my tears I tried to explain what I was feeling. How the love I had for my family kind of overwhelmed me, and how I wanted our last moments on the island together to be chill and fun and not full of insurance talk or trying to calm down a very obviously angry man and woman whose car we hit. The time felt so precious to me, like every moment I wanted to keep in a capsule forever...and that was all heightened because I live in Japan- just me. Like I said, for my fam it's different, since they're always together at home. But for me, the time felt extra special and meaningful so to end on that note just tipped me over the emotional edge! haha...well I said my goodbyes through teary eyes (this is becoming my go-to farwell routine, oh sheesh) and mom and dad drove me to the airport.

and that my friends...is the truth behind the photos that you could never tell just by looking at them. But despite those unexpected last few hours of the trip, those tears felt good, they felt like love...you know those tears you can't hold back because your heart just swells with gratitude. Yeah, those tears. And those are good tears to feel!! 

so Hawaii 2017 with the Komae crew...that's a wrap! What an incredible week. All glory to God for blessing us with family, for providing us with every need, for keeping us safe, for showing us His beautiful creation, and for showering us with His unending love!!! What a God we serve!!! 

HAWAII IV/V

One of the best parts of this trip to Hawaii was spending time with the kiddos. They really are growing so fast and learning so much every single day. I love seeing their personalities shine, how different they are, but how much they love spending time together. 

They were really into their water pens that turned plain paper into colorful paintings! And of course, they love their youtube videos!

This girl!! Eden has the most amazing spunky personality. My siblings all agree that she has the personality of a 5 year old, stuck in the body of a 10 month old!! HAHA! 

We had to make a stop at Waiola shaved ice!! It's one of the best on the island. 

The lams met up with us to indulge on this amazing treat. 

sweaty and so cute 

GLORRYYYYYY!!!! I got the icecream bowl with POG and lilikoi flavor with condensend milk and lihing on top!! best order ever. 

Can't go to Hawaii and not get the dried plum seeds. I grew up snacking on these amazing treats...definitely an acquired taste, but us Komaes love these! 

here's the house we stayed at. It was beautiful! 

the guys finally got poke one night for dinner and I finally got my kahlua pork sandwich!! yumz.

MOTHERS DAY! 

For mothers day sunday morning, my dad went back to cafe Moena and picked up a few giant pancakes! They tasted amazing and all of us gathered around the kitchen to have a big mothers day breakfast celebrating the lovely mamas in our lives. 

D and I had fun and made the kids Mickey pancakes! I should do this everytime...makes cooking much more fun!

After breakfast we all sat down and dad led us in a devo. Then we shared what we loved about mom. That was a really sweet time and I was so thankful to send mothers day with my mom (who is so amazing!) in Hawaii. Thank you Lord! 

We relaxed a little that afternoon and dad even went out to the back dock to throw his line out!

The whole fam came over to watch some bball and it felt like we were all back in CA together enjoying all the chaos of 15+ people under one roof. 

The lovely mamas of the family! Mom, Stac, Jen, Grandma Lam, and Auntie Julie! 

Big group shot...I love all the kiddos faces haha!! Also, I look terribly pale next to Kacie! 

So for our mothers day dinner we headed into Waikiki to eat at a famous Udon shop that had a line of at least 20 people in it! dang! 

Beef + egg...bomb!!

My bros doing the perfect noodle hunch

D and his magical uncle powers! Eden loves it. 

We got some bomb green tea ice cream and roamed the streets of Waikiki that night. We even went to...

...88 TEES!! AKA Where Avian from Terrance House works. It was funny being in the store since we've seen it on TV haha! 

We got back home that night and my mom sat down at the dinning room table to patiently help Hunter with his homework. I loved seeing that moment with her and Hunty because it really encapsulated the heart of my mom. She has always taken care of not only use 4 Komae kids, but also all our cousins, family friends...and now the next generation. What a blessing it has been to grow up under her love and care. Thanks for everything mom - I love you so much!

one last post coming up next...! 

HAWAII III/V

Part III! Posting these photos has been taking me longer than I anticipated...mostly due to the fact that since coming back from Hawaii, my schedule has been jam packed! After my cousin Kristi and our good friend Mel came and stayed with me for a few days, the North High School group came and they're here all week until Friday. Wow! It's been a whirlwind and so much has happened...so I'm getting these posts out when I can. For now...here's part III of V ...

Good morning sleepy heads! I love waking up to these kiddos. 

So on our next morning (second full day in Hawaii) my brothers decided to wake up early and go shoot some hoops at a local spot that my brother-in-law's friend, Josh, showed them. I quickly jumped on the chance to join them because bball in hawaii with my bros!?? Cant pass that up! 

We cruised just 5 minutes from our house to this spot, which my brothers quickly dubbed "THE WORST COURT IN THE BEST SPOT" which I had to agree with haha. 

D and I had some fun taking jumping shots. I think it's safe to say my photo of him is wayyyy better than his photo of me HAHA. 

The four of them mostly played while I shot around with my camera because the views were so amazing!! A bball court right near the ocean with palm trees surrounding it and views all around...sick. It was such a fun way to start our morning and I was thankful for time with my brothers doing what we all love. 

After our morning bball sesh, we headed back to the house to meet up with everyone and go on a family hike to MAKAPU'U! 

This hike was so perfect for the kiddos. The road is newly paved perfectly, the incline is gradual, and the views over that deep blue water were just out of this world!!! 

Little camby looking out over the ocean. 

I love this pic! Cam is a little model...you too Jen.

In about 35 minutes we got to the top - Hunter hiked the whole way without being carried haha! The view at the top was too good to be true. 

The boys definitely needed sunglasses...but I'm pretty sure they have enough suncreen on them to last all week.

cute cousins! And nice dads to hold them on their shoulder. 

My sis is due with her 3rd girl in August and it was fun to take a bunch of pics of her bump! She makes pregnancy look easy! 

At the base of the hike there is a MAKAPU'U lookout where we met up with my parents and my auntie, uncle and cousins for this awesome group shot!! This is the whole crew...and it was so fun being on the island with them. My auntie and uncle have lived next door to us (literally next door) for my entire life, and we've been lucky to spend so much time together. Thank you Lord! 

Kac, Kyle, Auntie Julie, Uncle Darin and Kris... love you guys. 

By this point we were all ready to grub...so we hit up diamond head market for the best plate lunches and snacks. My mom said "this is the best charsiu chicken I have ever had" haha! And I got the veggie plate because big grilled veggies like this are hard to come by in Japan! It was bomb. 

Also from diamond head market ...Josh introduced us to the most insane (huge) scones with chunks of cream cheese in them (OMG) and Kac showed us the mochi cake that I could definitely eat every single day. 

And I'll end this part III with this cute face :) Love you Eden! 

HAWAII II/V

So, after our sunrise hike in Lanikai on our first full day in Hawaii, we knew the first place we had to go was Hanauma Bay. Lucky for us, it was LITERALLY a 5 minute drive from our house!! So D and I drove back and met up with the fam who was already there by 6:45am because if you get there before 7 it's free! 

The girls were so cute in their matching suits...Eden's one piece was amazing haha and Lenny kept posing for the camera like a true model! 

The biggest cousin kissing the littlest. 

Boys pic!

girls turn!

Hanauma bay was PERFECT for the kiddos!! The water there is so calm and they loved jumping safely in and out of the waves. 

GOD'S CREATION IS INSANE!!! 

Hunty lookin so happy on the tram back up the hill.

We stayed at Hanauma until about 9am or so...and it was crazy to think we had the WHOLE day ahead of us still haha! But we had already packed in a hike and 2hr beach sesh...ahhh the beauty of waking up early! By this time we were all starving though, so we hit up Moena cafe right near our house and had a bomb brunch. 

MOENA CAFE : clockwise....Pineapple sausage hash, the amazing and GIANT Chantilly pancake, Portuguese sausage and eggs, and the most popular dish the short rib loco moco!! It was all really good and would totally recommend this place for anyone looking for brunch in Hawaii Kai. 

After brunch we went on a little drive and hit up the North Shore to go to the OG HE>I store, Giovannis, and get some acai. 

It was my first time visiting the OG HE>I store on the North Shore and I was so stoked that I bought a shirt, hat, bag, and a few gifts. I love that this company not only reminds me of the power of God in my life and how HE is truly GREATER than I in every situation...but it also reminds me of Hawaii and the beauty of these islands! 

After shopping, we walked just a block down the street to hit up the famous Giovannis shrimp truck. The bro's got iced coffees to cool down and we met up with our cousin Kacie (who goes to UH) and her boyfriend.

I, of course, passed on the garlic shrimp, but everyone else grubbed on this famous North Shore dish. 

Little Lenny noodle sippin on her juice. Love her!

And just when you thought we ate enough...Kacie took us to an Acai place (CRISPY GRINDS) down the street and I was 100% in acai heaven with my Acai + BLUEBERRIES+BANANA+PEANUT BUTTER+CHOCOLATE CHIPS....amazing. Stac got the Pitaya which was so refreshing and Kacies bf Russell got the Acai with pollen on top! So beautiful and so good. 

We headed back home after a jam packed day...can you believe we did all of that in one day?? We literally did...Lanikai Hike, Hanauma Bay, Moena Cafe, North Shore, HE>I, Giovannis, Crispy Grinds...and then to cap off the night we went out to dinner with my Dad's cousin and his family. They took us out to eat Chinese food and I loved this pic of all the adults in their Hawaiian gear! 

What a day. So thankful for all these memories made with my family! On to part III...