Home!

We arrived home this morning after a 6-1/2 hour, over the ocean, through the international date line return trip from Narita Airport. Everything went smoothly through customs and I showed the agent my declaration form with "Art Supplies" on it. Yep, my 27-inch, 43 lb. suitcase held about a dozen Copics and some Kokuyo tape and refills and I proudly declared them!

I actually screamed as we turned the corner at the Loft and there were the rows and rows of Copics--Sketch markers, Originals, and Ciaos. Felt badly that I scared a poor little old lady and politely shoved a teenager on the side just so I could marvel at the display. Then my daughter gave me a shopping basket and wished me well. I was in heaven.

Japan is the birthplace of Copics and Kokuyo tape, too. I watched a video on a new Kokuyo tape that you can stamp just a square of glue if you want to affix, say a postage stamp. Pretty cool. I'm sure it'll be making its way to the US very soon.

Oh, the food was great:

and the scenery was awesome and Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge are both marvelous structures.

But for me, getting my hands on those Copics was a definite highlight of the trip. I picked up twelve of my "most wanted" colors and my sweet hubby encouraged me to get more but I'm quite satisfied with what I got and managed to fill in more spaces on the Copics color chart (thank you, Maylee!)

We didn't get to see any changes in the colors of the foliage--our guide said October is too early--so we'll probably have to return to Japan in a few months to see that--and pick up more Copics!

Will post more pics after I get over this jetlag. It's good to be home.