Sarah and I were in Tokyo last week to attend the Oakley 2008 Fall and Winter Product Show. I asked Sarah to join me and was so happy that she did. I managed to make her my assistant for the day, ha ha, thanks girl!! We had so much fun trying on new clothes, goggles and glasses from the new Oakley lineup.

The previous evening, we met Sarah's friend Alice, and my friend Kyoko for dinner at TGIF (thank god it's Friday) in Shibuya. Had a great western meal including potato skins and a hamburger. Later, after dinner we decided to try and find my friends surf bar. After some searching we found it. What a great little place tucked away in the seedy area of Shibuya. Will definitely recommend this place and go there again!! Thanks Natsuki!

After the Oakley show, I had several other appointments with sponsors which were all very positive for 2008. So many things to get going so little time, any volunteers to help me out????? Just kidding, it will all work out and stay tuned for the exciting plans.

This weekend, just chilling at home, need some rest and down time. Next weekend, I am going to complete my avalanche course!!! Take it easy.... VIEW ALL PICTURES HERE!!

Shingo, Sarah myself and a a very tanned Oakley staff member

Seki San and I

Check out these sexy glasses!!!

Sarah Mulholland, one of my best buds, looking pretty hot in new Oakley for women!!

I must mention that this hot chick has her own hot website called www.basecampphotography.com
You must check out her fabulous pictures!!!!!

A friend sent this to me, had to laugh, its the haircut of the year!!!!!!!!!

Hide San and Kyoko came from Tokyo this weekend to help me out and take some new shots of my new bike!!! We had a great day, a little cold and more snow than we expected, but got some nice shots. I love my new bike, it handles like a charm, can't wait to get some real riding in on it. Photo shoots are fun but hard work, it's like making movies, many retakes!!!!! Check out the new pics that Hide took of us over the weekend HERE!!! They are great!!!

After being outside in the cold all day, we jumped in the bath and started to get dinner going. Oga San came over and we pigged out with pasta, fish, potatoes, cheese, bread, salad, wine, crackers, chocolates, cookies, and rice cakes, oh my god! Later, to get over our fullness, we had some laughs playing with photo booth.

Check these crazy pictures out here....way too fun!!!

The next day, Ya-Chan and Oga San, braved it out after a few hours of sleep and hit the road for an early training session. You guys go!!!
The rest of us chilled out and had a great lazy morning over a big breakfast with several cups of coffee. We worked on the new pictures and did some computer work. The last thing we did was take some head shots for my new sponsor. Thanks all for a great weekend!!! Off to Tokyo tomorrow for the Oakley 2008 Fall and Winter Show, yippeeeeeeeee!!!!! (after work that is.... of course) See ya on Wednesday!!!

Head Shots!!

Yes, I am Specialized Officially!!

A nice head shot, thanks Hide San!

A serious shot!

Sweet Riders head coach left her mark on the first 3 days of the ARAC course. (Advanced Recreational Avalanche Course) Unfortunately, fighting a cold throughout the whole weekend left me only participating in half of it. However, the parts that I was able to attend I learned a lot and am really looking forward to the remaining two days of the course on the 2nd and 3rd of February. I would like to personally warn those going out in the back country to board or ski, to really have some knowledge of what is happening with the snow. It is really an eye opener to learn about weak layers of snow and what can happen when they give way. The day I missed, that morning a class 3 avalanche happened off the top of Norikura, Tsugaike Ski Area. It was massive, thank god it happened in the early morning when no one was around!!! Avalanches happen so KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!!!!! Enough of the preaching, here are more pictures here!!

Sarah, Bill, an excellent AVALANCHE specialist and our teacher, and I. Thanks Bill!! It was great to learn from you!!!!

Here it is, my new pink Specialized bike, isn't she sweet????? Can't wait to give her her first burn.... will have to wait after this weekend's avalanche course!!!!! Can't wait, thanks Specialized Japan!!!!

YEAH, I AM SPECIALIZED!!!!

Sam, Sarah, me and Andy after a killer day on our own huge kicker jump!!

Me in my new Oakley again and my Burton Fish. Made the day so much nicer!!

Me in the air after building a huge kicker off the back of Happo!!! This season, I have been out a few times and the Hakuba powder never seems to cease!!! I had two fantastic powder days and a day of jumping with some buds. Unfortunately, when I went to Tokyo for new year's, I missed one of the biggest powder days ever, New Year's Day. However, some friends said it was too much, and actually one good friend got stuck up to his neck in fresh powder and had to be rescued!!!! I know there will be more to come and look forward to the rest of this season.

This weekend I am going to take the English ARAC course. It is a five day advanced intensive avalanche course in Hakuba run by Evergreen-Outdoors, owned and run by good friends of mine. So I hope to be over my cold and ready for this course.

Other than that, I am back to work and so busy trying to plan this upcoming MTB season, stay tuned for some great future plans and events!!!!
MORE PICTURES HERE!!!

Here are five the of the best new year babes around!!!! This year I opted for something different at new year's. For four years now I have spent new years eve in Hakuba, so this year decided to hit a friends party which Marie organized, in Tokyo. Long story but a friend, Hugh, has this amazing mansion on the 26th floor with almost 360 degree views of Tokyo. This is where I celebrated the new year with some new friends. We had a blast, great countdown and didn't even make it out to a second party......

The next day I went to the Meijijingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park. It was so full of people, you wouldn't believe. Just went to see the crowd and of course say a private prayer for myself for the new year. Bought myself a omamori, which is like a good luck charm, and hopefully it will bring me the best of 2008!!! My motto for this year, is "Bring it on......hoping for health and happiness throughout the year for everyone!"

Hope you all had a great new year!! Enjoy more pictures here....

A bunch of us local cyclists gathered for the Mitsuwa Cycle Shop Bonenkai!! Just before new years we had a year end party with the staff, customers and others from the shop. Was great to see everyone and new news!!! Mitsuwa and Sweet Riders will do a joint event this year!!!
Yippee!! Stay tuned for more details......more pictures here