Tokyo

 We ended the trip in Tokyo, which offered a completely different vibe from the serenity and history of Kyoto and Hiroshima. Mostly, I was struck with the number of people in motion around the city. We visited the famous intersection at Shibuya where multiple crosswalks are in use at one time. We experienced the busiest train station in the city, where more than 3 million people pass through each day. The number of vending machines (which sold beer) was also astounding. Convenience is key!

The view from my hotel room ... mind the reflection of the drapes.

Hiroshima

Rain on Tuesday set the stage for a somber visit to Hiroshima, the site of the Atomic Bomb drop in 1945. We saw the Atomic Bomb Dome, which is one of the only structures remaining from the blast. Then, we walked through the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. We learned about thousands of people who lost their lives during the attack and the city's efforts for world peace.

Kyoto

We visited Kyoto on our first full day in Japan. Kyoto is about a 30-minute train ride from Osaka, where we were staying. The Kyoto train station was a destination in itself. The architecture was stunning (and enormous).

Our first stop (outside of the station), was Kinkaku-ji, or "Temple of the Golden Pavillion," which is a famous Buddist temple. (We traveled by taxi, which was a pristine car driven by a polite, white-gloved driver.) The temple and scenary were breathtaking and set the stage for a discussion about the crossroads of history, culture and technology. (We learned that Kyoto was a source of inspiration for Apple Founder Steve Jobs.)

From the Golden Pavillion, we walked to the Zen rock gardens at Ryoan-ji, a temple built more than 500 years ago. The rock garden features 15 giant rocks, but you can only see 14 from any one perspective -- an important lesson for young journalists.

The Food

Aside from the amazing Japanese history and culture, I was also struck by the food. I was most looking forward to trying different Japanese cuisine, and it did not disappoint. From the pastry shops to the savory rice bowls to creamy tofu to melt-in-your-mouth tuna sashimi, everything was delicious.

My Trip East

I just returned from a whirlwind tour of Japan, traveling with nine students from across the country who won the Roy W. Howard National Reporting Competition. The Indiana University School of Journalism organizes the trip, which is sponsored by the Scripps Howard Foundation.

One of my biggest takeaways from the Land of the Rising Sun is how people treated each other with respect. There is virtually no crime in Japan. Trains run on time. The sidewalks and streets are clean. We would be walking around in one of the busiest cities in the world and hear no sirens or horns.

Celebrating 40

Forty years. Two houses. Three children. Seven grandchildren. One garage full of tools. My parents have good reason to celebrate. Yet my brothers and I are the ones who are so lucky. We were raised by the most loving, generous parents imaginable. They set a standard for what a happy marriage should be.  There have been some tough times, but there have been many more good times. In honor of their 40th anniversary, we wanted to celebrate our family. In lieu of a big party, my brothers and I took our parents out for an evening on the town and an intimate dinner with just us kids (and no grandkids). I think it was a good surprise, and we had the chance to toast to the next 40 years.

Three!

We held a Little 500-themed party for Max's 3rd birthday. We got him a balance bike, which he loves. And he loved being surrounded by his friends and family. Thanks to all who made it a special day!!!