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Today.. Very different from a normal 11th of July day but fun none the less. Nami and I woke up quite late and were 30 mins late to our reservation at Shuji`s resturant. But like all good places, when you have the hook ups you can pretty much arrive anytime you want.

We had no idea what name the table was booked under so we mentioned shuji and the waiter smiled and lead us to our table. It was seated outside with speical chairs (coloured ones as opposed to everyone elses plain white ones). Once seated we were then approached by a different waiter who reconized me and asked what we would like to drink. We ordered and were just about to ask for a menu when the waiter said it was all taken care of. Although i was a little unsure I thought it was great, as we didnt have to think or choose.

We started with an entree of fish, two kinds of meat veges and egg omlette. Each tasting unqiuely different. I couldnt desribe you the flavours just know that they were great. We could only wonder what Shuji had instore for us next....

Then the main arrived, two kinds of spagetti. One on the left was a Chicken and corn with a salty kinda flavouring and the other, Meat sauce with seafood. Both nice, and extremely filling.

Then Shuji came out to wish us happy birthday. He was allowed to sit with us for a while as he timed his break so that he could hang. There was actually a little confusion as to who`s birthday it was but thats another story. We basically just kicked back and reminisced on our old times together. Since I`ve known him everytime in auckland Ive taken him out to a food court for dinner. It use to be quite a big thing, but i guess times change when you start making money.

Shuji ducked back inside and came out with another two dishes.. Another Main... This was their version of a "Surf n Turf". Japanese fish lightly fried with special sauces on top of a selection of mixed veges (broc, cauli, pumpkin, baby corn, bak choi etc). THe meat was cooked medium rare with an amazing gravy and potato mash under neath. It was great. But we were maxed out (although we still managed to finish it all) hehe.

Then the biggest surprise, desert!!!. Gelato, jelly and cake. Had candles and Shuji and some of the waiters gathered around and sung happy birthday.

It was ROckinG!. Shuji really looked after us. The meal costs next to nothing. SHUJI ROCKS Just organizing so much food, considering what I liked, being able to sit with us, sing etc... Man... Couldnt thank him enough. If hes still working there when you guys come over I`ll take ya fo sho!..

Buzzing from lunch we waited in the rain for Nami`s dad. Who had kindly driven up to tokyo to drive us to a baseball game. We met him shook hands etc and waited in the car for Aki. Nami and I both werent expecting her (as Aki and her dad had arranged to meet before her dad met us) but yeah, she was cool. After just arriving from Vietnam she had that glowing look that one gets after just traveling. We looked at photos and Aki ended up joining us to watch the baseball. Which i was happy with, i felt a lot more comfortable with her around.

It was a 2 hr drive or so up north, we talked, slept and went to 7-11 where we brought tea and coffee.. I dont ride in cars very often in Japan so it was quite an experience in itself.

When we arrived at the dome, we were ushered to VIP parking and ran into Nami`s uncle and Aunty. I also got to meet Hana (one of Nami`s cousins children) again. She was sooo cute. Hana was shy when we first met, but after a couple of minutes she was back to her usual self. She reconized me and was educating me on her likes and dis-likes. This conversation was in Japanese however she can speak english and given shes only 5, i think she`ll be the only one in Nami`s family who i`ll be able to talk to properly as she gets older.

The game had just started, so we rushed along to our seats. There were three ticket checks along the way.

Nami`s dad had got us wicked seats. They were soft (Sofa like) right behind the backstop. The crowd was loud and after years of playing "Triple play" with puggy I knew the rules inside out.

Mid way through the game, Nami`s aunty took us all out for dinner. It was a buffet and Hana and I ran wild on the ice machine and noodles. Although Nami and I were full from dinner we couldnt help but stuff ourselves some more. Her aunty got everyone to cheers and wished "happy birthday" in english...

When we got back to the game we were lucky as nothing had happened. We sat back down and watched our team slowly fill up the bases. Once all three were filled, 2 outs had accumulated and

the batter was on 2 balls and 2 strikes and then.... WHAM!!!.. Straight out da PAARRKK!!!.. WHOO HOOO...!! WE yelled, clapped and waved our hands. (our team was down one) and that was the winning hit (unfortunately Nami`s dad had his head down when the big shot took place hehe). We then decided to leave before the game ended to beat the traffic.

Upon our departure there was a massive bang and fireworks started shooting and more bangs, although these fireworks werent up in the sky nor had the game ended.. We just saw crowds rushing towards us, so we quickly got our tickets for the train and said our goodbyes and thanx and jumped on.. (if it was anything big we`d hear about it on the news).

2hrs later we arrived home and in the front of my door was a parcel from nz... My family had sent me biscuts, boxers, a mouse and Prison break and hereos dvds etc (cheers puggy!!). What pefect timing.. Aparently Aki came home for one hour and in that time the parcel arrived, normally we dont answer the door but Aki felt like she needed to answer it.. COol huh!!..

So while today was without the usual Sixth sense, long islands, hip hop music, stacks of text messages and family gathering etc Nami and her family were great, i felt at home and got to experience a live game as well as a nice dinner. Nami was extremely thoughtful and Shuji... ROCKED MY DAY!.. I also got a few emails and e-cards.. Cheers.. Peace.....