Mister Donut

He tastes as good as he looks, JSYK

So, thanks to my good friend Risa, I've developed a bit of an obsession.  Many of you who know me or have seen my facebook or Twitter posts might already know that I have fallen head-over-heels in love with the Japanese doughnut chain Mister Donut.  I feel like I annoy people with how much I talk about this place, so I feel like an explanation of my love is in order.

First, let me give you a brief history of my knowledge and relationship with Mister Donut.  When I first came to Japan in 2008, I heard some people talking about this place.  It seemed like nothing special, so I (STUPIDLY) never went during that time.  When I moved back here, my friend Risa and I went to the LaLaPort in Chiba.  It was there I first entered a Mister Donut store.  Surprisingly, we didn't have any donuts, since we had just eaten a delicious okonomiyaki meal.  We saw there was an appetizing drink selection, including a new item which was an icy fruit flavored "drink", but more like a sno-cone in a glass.  The line was long (a common trend in almost all Mister Donut stores I go to, since they're so damn GOOD), and while we were waiting, I had a good chance to stare longingly at the doughnuts.  They were perfectly made, had appetizing flavors, and some of them were just darn cute!!!  Risa was telling me about this one doughnut called a "pon de ring".  It basically looks like a doughnut ring made out of little balls.  She was telling me how it was different from a normal doughnut because of the texture.  I'll admit, I didn't quite believe her, having had many a doughnut in my time, but I was still intrigued.  I vowed to go to one and give this famous "pon de ring" a try (as well as eat and adorable teddy bear head!).

How glad I was to have given it a try.  Pon de rings are like nothing I've ever had before.  They have this unique soft texture that is just absolutely fantastic!!!  They come in a variety of flavors, and can be super cheap during Mister Donut's numerous sales.  In other words: if you ever come to Japan, it is your DUTY to try one of these!!!  Besides the pon de rings, the other doughnuts are delectable as well.  My favorites so far are the honey churro, strawberry ring, green tea bear head, and the chocolate french crullers.  They're all just so fantastically made with perfect presentation and cheap prices.  Every time I enter one, I get this rush of joy at all of the variety!!!

In addition to their wonderful selection, Mister Donut offers a point card system as well.  You can trade in these precious points for cool things that change every month or so.  I currently have 87 points and am hoping to save up enough for the coveted "Pon de Lion" plush toy!!!!  Agghhhh, I hope that some day, lovely readers, we can go forth together and partake in the utter joy that is Mister Donut.

DON'T YOU JUST WANNA EAT 'EM!?!?

The one in the bottom left corner is a Pon De Ring.  DELICIOUS!

Finally....

So, I know I haven't blogged in a longgggg time, but it's constantly been on my mind.  I want to update this as much for me as for everyone else.  I want this to remind me of where I've come from and what I've done.  Anyways....  This picture above was taken from one of my many excursions since I last posted.  Almost every single day since I've been here, I've gone out, with 90% of the time it being with friends.  It's addicting, and I kinda need to slow down, mainly for energy's and money's sake.  But if "hanging out with friends is taking up too much of my time" is my biggest problem, well, it's a good problem to have XD  I'm absolutely in a completely different place than when I started this blog.  Now that I'm settled in socially, I feel so much better.  Knowing that I'm not alone and that friends are just a phone-call away makes me feel so good.  Plus, I'm moving to a much bigger room (that's actually furnished!!!) at the end of the month.  AND it's just a floor below me!!!!  So yeah, I'm pretty much settled (still gotta straighten out my current room and get insurance).  I'm loving every day.

Well, since that was more of my personal feelings, let me put a from-memory list of some of the things I've done so far since I last posted:

1. Went to Sanrio Puroland, the Hello Kitty theme-park
2. Went to my favorite area of Tokyo, Kichijoji, TWICE in one week!!!!
3. Ate giant gyoza on one of those occasions
4. Racked up 75 points at Mister Donut, my favorite eating place EVER
5. Met Aimi's (the girl on the right in the pic above) dad and ate Okinawan food
6. Played with a bunch of puppies at a mall in Chiba with my friend Risa
7. Izakaya'd it up with my blog-spiration, Caroline Josephine
8. Stayed overnight at a karaoke place till the first train the next morning
9. Taught my first kids lessons with terrible results but unbearably cute children
10. Was disappointed by the Tokyo Game Show....  So not worth it :(
11. Embarrassed myself culturally and linguistically in front of many people
12. Had an uncontrollable laughing fit for 5 minutes at a curry restaurant
13. Learned the etiquette of a hot spring/bath house/went to a hot spring/bath house in Tokyo

So, yeah....  I've done a lot in the past 5 weeks.  I've also lost almost 20lbs ^_^  More detailed posts to come!!!  I've just gotta find my camera...