Recently I returned to Japan from another exciting 10 nights in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon.  Thanks to the power of Facebook, I’ve had an opportunity to catch-up with many old friends I haven’t seen in a long time.  Through Facebook’s social network, I’ve been able to reconnect with friends from all over the world, including a recent drink in Portland with a friend from my childhood growing up in Warrenton, Oregon.  Warrenton is located on the northwest corner of the Oregon coast.  I attended elementary and junior high school in this small town, which has a population of approximately 5000 people, and only 300 students in the entire high school.  At some point, I plan to revisit my old hometown, write a blog about it and share some pictures – so stand-by for that!  Back to my trip to Seattle and Portland, this year’s events include spending time with my family, highlighted by a day at the Woodland Park Zoo with my niece, nephew and my friend’s family and kids!  After being all over Seattle, it was down to Portland, Oregon for the Tibetan West Coast Picnic, a little basketball, and a chance to spend time with some old childhood friends!  Good times!

Note:  A link to my Seattle and Portland 2010 picture album!