How I Found Out I Was Pregnant and First Ultrasound Reactions [PREGNANCY Q&A]
How I Found Out I Was Pregnant and First Ultrasound Reactions [PREGNANCY Q&A]

[NOTE: At the time that this was written, I was 23 weeks.] I’m due in the beginning of June -- June 9th to be exact -- but I don’t trust that date so I’m just planning for the first two weeks of June! I’m really excited to have a summer baby! It couldn’t have worked out better. The weather will be mild, hopefully not too hot as our house doesn’t have air conditioning! Hello, house built in the 1890s! I love our old home, it’s super charming, but it does have its challenges and limitations! 

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lifestyle 2Lina Forrestalpregnancy
Spending One Day in Kyoto, Japan
Spending One Day in Kyoto, Japan

The train ride from Ichinami to Kyoto was much easier than some of the other long train journeys we were on in Japan. It was only one transfer, we road the JR line to Fukui, then took the Thunderbird express train to Kyoto. Honestly, anyone who ever tells you that traveling by train in Japan is “easy” is lying. Well, okay, so traveling in Japan by train is easy if you’re only going to major cities. The second you decide to travel out to the countryside you’re working with local trains and if you don’t speak Japanese, it can be rough to figure out where to go.

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travelLina ForrestalKYOTO, JAPAN, TRAVEL, MUSEUM Comment
Hiking to the Echizen Ono Castle Lookout
Hiking to the Echizen Ono Castle Lookout

If you’re visiting Japan and are looking for an “off the beaten path” adventure, this is a fun one for ya 

Nestled between a moody mountain range sits the sleepy city of Ōno, home to a stunning 1580’s Japanese castle. Echizen Ono Castle is famous for being known as the “castle in the sky”. In early mornings when the fog hangs low, you can see the castle appear to float above the clouds. However, this phenomenon only occurs about 10 times a year and most likely in the month of November.

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travelLina ForrestalHIKING, LOOKOUT, ECHIZEN ONO CASTLE, TRAVEL, JAPANComment
My 30th Birthday Trip! | Tokyo, Japan
My 30th Birthday Trip! | Tokyo, Japan

I’ve never been less embarrassed to love the things I love. It was my dream to come to Japan ever since I was little! I was obsessed with Pokemon, anime, and video games. Tokyo’s nerd heaven did not disappoint! I’m 30 years old and I still play video games, love Pokemon, Star Wars, anime, and all things chibi . Sometimes I feel like I have more in common with 12 year old boys than women my age. But in Tokyo, there are old men in business suits playing Pokemon Go, and arcades are packed as if they’re bars. Tokyo is pretty cool in my book 

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