So I arrived at Narita airport and boarded a train that took me straight into the heart of Tokyo. I got off at Tokyo station and transferred to the Tokyo Metro, and successfully made my way to Harajuku district, most well-known for it's quirky fashion shops and youth Tokyo culture. I had only changed over 100USD for the day, and was already running pretty low at this point. I guess I grossly underestimated how expensive everything was, so I strolled down Takeshita Street to witness some of the absurd things for sale. I saw a McDonald's and tried to pass by, but my lack of good 'ole American-style fastfood, and my lack of money sent me straight in to enjoy a Big Mac and some fries. McDonald's had never tasted so good; I think the key to vastly enjoying such unhealthy food is to deprive yourself of it for a year. Next, I walked around the corner to visit Meiji Shrine, which was absolutely breathtaking. I snapped a couple illegal photos inside the actual shrine before security came over and not-so-politely told me to leave. 
It was really great to walk down these winding gravel roads, feeling like I was deep in the forest, but actually being in the center of one of the most bustling cities in the world.
After the shrine I wandered around nearby Shibuya district, amazed at the excellent shopping (and equally amazed at the exorbitant prices). When I later asked my father about where we used to live in Toyko, I was informed that Shibuya district is where our family spent a lot of time (we lived in an apartment complex on the outskirts of Shibuya). I guess some eerie sort of fate pulled me towards the area where I spent some very formative years. :)
I made it back to Narita Airport alive, but with significantly less money, then hopped on the plane back to the states.
I got to experience everything I wanted and more when I was home: seeing family, walking through a blizzard, going to great concerts, having fun in New York City with great friends, bonding with my sister, etc etc. I'm so grateful so have had the time and the money to make a trip home and accomplish so much.
Currently, I am sitting on my bed in my Hanoi apartment with a heater blasting warm air on my face. I thought I would be prepared for Hanoi's winter after walking around in NYC and NJ in the snow, but the coldness still hit me by surprise. This time though, I wisened up and brought my winter jacket, hat, gloves, and multiple sweaters. The real killer is the lack of insulation, so my house is literally the same temperature as it is outside, which is now a chilling 57 degrees. This little space heater was definitely worth the 23 dollars.
I met with some friends over lunch to get more information about my dear friend Phuong who passed away a couple days before I got back. I never really dealt with her passing in America because it seemed so distant, and somehow not real. But upon return to Vietnam, the whole thing kind of just slapped me in the face, and I'm feeling very thankful that I have such wonderful friends here who are going through all the grief with me. On Saturday a bunch of us will be going to her house to console her mother, light incense, and pray for her. I'm looking forward to this, as I feel it might give me some closure. As of now, I feel like I am in some sort of limbo, hearing the news but with no evidence to back anything up.
Oh, and I forgot to mention one of the things that I did not miss about Hanoi- the constant construction noises! Gosh, what bliss to wake up to a quiet house, definitely took that for granted when I was home.
Now I am going to run to the store to stock up my fridge, since I don't think I can survive on pickles and eggs for too long...
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