Merry Christmas! Jen & A.J. are writing this from their cozy apartment in the heart of Tokyo, where they’ve now lived for almost six months!
2023 was another big year. In February, A.J. left his job at the Department of Commerce to try his hand in the private sector as a data analyst. He lived and worked with his family in Miami for six months and seriously considered becoming a “Florida man,” but fortunately was pulled back from the brink and joined Jen for their next diplomatic adventure. In June they moved to Tokyo, where Jen works in the U.S. Embassy Press Office.
Mother-daughter Alaskan cruise
A highlight of 2023 was Jen and A.J.’s first “Home Leave.” Home Leave is a month-long congressionally-mandated vacation for every diplomat after a tour abroad, to re-acclimate to the good ol’ U.S.A. They took full advantage, heading West to visit Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks. After, Jen went on to an Alaskan cruise with her mom to see glaciers, whales, and an almost-never-setting summer sun. Truly the trip of a lifetime!
So far in Japan, Jen and A.J. have hiked in the “Japanese Alps,” visited the stunning 10,000 orange-gated shrine in Kyoto, and eaten more bowls of ramen than they dare admit.
Mt Fuji in the background.
They are looking forward to hosting A.J.’s parents for the holidays, Jen’s parents for Cherry Blossom Season in the spring, and any other visitors who want to come experience the largest city in the world!
Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and cheers to 2024 - or rather, “kanpai!”
Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine