It sucks. I wasn't even thinking about how much time I have left. Not until someone mentioned it to me. Then it really took me by surprise. Do I really only have like 2 weeks left? It really doesn't feel like that. Like, I know time is ticking but it just doesn't seem that SOON. I hate it. That's why I just want to spend my remaining days with everyone. I understand that it's summer vacation, people have to study, so I'll wait till we can. Besides, my schedule has already started to fill up. I'm already running low on free days, everyone wants to do stuff with me. Karaoke, purikura, etc. So, I'll be busy... not entirely sure that's a good thing.
In any case while at Akko's I typed up 2 blogs. I'll post them up tomorrow. I had so much fun there, I do regret not being able to stay there longer. Also for 3 days of my stay there another foreigner stayed at their house, a lady from Hungary. She's with some business related exchange program called EU. Akko's family does this every year, they take someone from this program for 3 days. The lady from Hungary though also brought along her 4 year old daughter with the program. So, there was me, plus 2 other foreigners in the house. I had to do some translating for the lady since she didn't know Japanese at al that well. She knows English because she said she studied in America for 4 years. I really did have a lot of fun at Akko's though. Explanations in those blogs.
As for today.
Simply... moved.
Today was the last day of school. I gave my goodbye speech. In my goodbye speech I mentioned that I thought going to an all-girls school would definitely not be fun because there were no guys. As soon as I said that EVERYONE laughed. This speech was said to the whole school. Yeah, on stage. Afterwards a few people came up to me and laughed saying how they couldn't believe I said that, that you don't say things like that here (in a good way). I'm glad I got them to laugh though. I see that as an accomplishment. I brought my DS to school today and so did about 4 other people. We all challenged each other at Mario Kart. I was given a party with Andrew (the other American here. He's been here for 4 years with a help-teach-English program and he's leaving the same day as me, I'll probably see him at the airport (haha)). We were given a poster that everyone signed. I have yet to read what everyone wrote. We entered the classroom and party poppers exploded, surprising me (haha). EXILE was played throughout. Once again everyone said a little something just like they did with Pat. I hugged everyone afterwards. And I saw the solar eclipse at school today. Really amazing I thought.
I'm really impressed with Andrew.
He's going home to America but then he's soon going to Taiwan to study Chinese for I think 4 years. It's that just AMAZING? This guy, I'm just thinking about how much he's accomplishing, what he's accomplishing, and I'm so jealous (haha). I want to do the same things as him. My next stop would be South Korea♥ He wants to work for the NGO. Sounds like fun actually. I've met so many people here who really made me think. Made me think of how many opportunities there are out there to do such amazing things, you just need to work hard to get there. I want to accomplish what he is too.
The day ended with the Kyuudou ichi and ni nen-sei and then English Club. At English Club I received a bracelet, a mug, and a... I'm not sure what to call it. It's not a poster... poster board like foldy thing? In any case, everyone wrote inside it.
For Kyuudou the ni-nensei asked for all the san-nensei to meet in the garden area of the school. This is where I was truly moved. I've never seen such people before. This may just be Japanese culture but I seriously don't think EVERY club does this sort of thing. For the san-nensei the ni and ichi-nensei gave us all a picture frame with a picture saying, "Thank you for everything! We will miss you!" Then it had the initials of all the san-nensei. It's just WOW. Then the san-nensei had something for me and Yuka, the ni-nensei going to America this year for an exchange. Photo albums. Yuka's was pretty small, but mine is HUGE and it's completely filled with pictures of just everyone from Kyuudou Club, mostly taken from Kyuudou. The cover has the word LOVE on it and pictures are inserted in them. I... I just don't know what to say. I've never... my words can't possibly explain how much these people have become to me. Kyuudou... everyone is just amazing. Incredible. I don't know how many times I've already flipped though the pages today. Then I received an envelop filled with letters from the ni and ichi-nensei. Short, small letters, but I was still happy. I've read all of those already. I have to take a picture of everything.
Then puri at Yokado. It was raining really bad and was soaked by the time I got there to meet with Tomoka, Asami, and Nojiri. Stupid me had no umbrella.
Then later today (it's like 3 am right now) I'm meeting up with 10 san-nensei from Kyuudou and we're all shooting fireworks at the ocean♥ We're also doing a BBQ too so first we're out shopping, 3 of us that is, at 12ish. Then everyone will probably show up around 3. We're making yakisoba♥ Today, I can't wait. It'll probably be the last time I see everyone together like this again. Probably the last time I'll see about 5 of them. How many times now that I've said this? Joining Kyuudou has seriously been the greatest decision I've made here. These people, my friends, are unbelievable. I don't want to part. Summer vacation isn't supposed to be a sad thing. さよなら。本当に言いたくない。みんなが大好き♥
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Japan Blog 70 (July 6, 2009) Next Level
Ayumi Hamasaki's song "Next Level" just came on my ipod.
So, today after school I'm going to Akko's house for 2 weeks. My 4th time changing houses. Originally the plan was to be there for a month but Rotary went against it, only letting me stay for 2 weeks. Bummer. Well, I'm kinda happy about that though. 'Cause that way I'll be back in the Tajiri area for summer vacation, closer to my more closer friends. We can ride our bikes to do something if we want, go to the ocean for example. It's amazingly close to where I live right now. Unlike back at the Fukaya's where I took that hour walk just to get there. The ocean is sooo close. I can't wait for the day we do fireworks(^^)
Not much has been happening.
Just the tests, and well, here at home something happened (haha). So, the first day the tests started I came home early. Kayo and Mami were home and they started talking about DDR. They got so curious about it that they went searching for the dance pad, game, and playstation. They found the playstation and dance pad but no games. Real letdown for them. So they thought of going to the Book Market to buy it (the Book Market sells old games, CDs, and books). So we went there but there were no DDR games. I wanted to look for some Sailor Moon mangas while I was there. And I found one! They had volume 6 there! Not much at all but then they also had volume 1 and 2 of the Sailor V manga! So, I grabbed all 3 books. Guess how much for one book? 55 yen! That's like 50 cents people. I wasn't expecting it to be THAT cheap. But in any case, I then suggested this other book/old video game/CD/DVD store that was down the road, Book Off. We went there and we found 3 different DDR games, they bought 2 of them. Came home, and we played DDR. Wow, I really missed it. The only thing that sucks though is that there's only like 8 songs available on each game and the songs aren't that great. But still, DDR.
Then Mami brought out their Nintendo. Not a Nintendo 64, the very first Nintendo. I haven't seen one of those things since I played with one as a kid. Last night I was playing the Bomber Man game with her on it. I suck. Badly. I kept killing myself because I walked too close to my own bombs or I trapped myself next to my own bomb. Then I kept stealing her lives (haha). Actually, her and Okaa-san are downstairs playing it now (they should get some sleep haha). It's veryyyy addicting.
Nocchan got me into another band. I guarantee if any of you look up this band on YouTube or wherever you're going to hate them. When Nocchn gave me the CD I wasn't expecting what I heard. To be honest, even when I first heard it I didn't like it, but it's grown on me now. I guess because I really like screaming in music and they sure do it a lot in this album "Second". The band is called "Midori" and a girl is singing throughout. Their music is hard to describe. It doesn't quite follow a tune most of the time, it becomes heavy punk to then hearing the piano and her screaming tones down or stays high. It's quite insane. You should check out a few songs just to check it out. Quite interesting and they aren't indie, they're major. I like them at least.
Sailor Moon again.
Today I went to Fukushima with Kayo and Okaa-san to pick up the grandmother at the grandfather's house. While in Fukushima we saw a Book Off and me and Kayo wanted to go. I wasn't expecting to find as many Sailor Moon mangas as I did. I bought 10 Sailor Moon mangas today. The only thing was that each book was 105 yen. Not as cheap as the Book Market but still, that's not a regular price, can't complain. I have all the books up to 15 except I don't own 1, 2, 3, or 11 yet. At Book Off I saw a pack of wrapped books. First 30 books of Inuyasha for just 1,300 yen. Mouth dropper. Do you realize how amazingly cheap that is?? I got ripped. 10 books of Sailor Moon for 1,055 yen.
At school Tomoka was telling me how she thinks she has the goblet that Sailor Moon had in the Super series. 4 of them. And if they weren't all icky and stuff she'd give one to me. Exciting, right?(^^) Well, I got a text from her today saying that "she has something she wants to give me tomorrow. But it's BIG, is that okay?" The goblet came in my head but then when I said that she sends back, "there's that but also something else". I'm sooo excited for tomorrow! I wonder what it is^^(haha) I feel like such a little kid. And I must sound like an idiot to a lot of people reading this. Oh well. To be honest, I don't even care about anime anymore. Sailor Moon is like the only anime I'll ever hang onto through my life. I probably won't watch it when I return back since it's been so long since I've watched anime. I've lost my interest.
But seriously, the Sailor Moon manga is such a romance manga. I was surprised to see how much of a romance manga it is and not such as a kid's manga in that sense.The manga makes Mamoru and Usagi look so much closer with each other. They killed the anime by not adding the cute scenes with Mamoru and Usagi. And the anime made Usagi-chan look so weak.
Tuesday I buy the new Perfume CD, Triangle. I listened to "Night Flight" today. I like the song but I just have this really bad feeling that the CD isn't going to be that great. Like, the GAME album will be A LOT better. I'm hoping I'm wrong about that. It's just, 4 of the songs on the album aren't new and there's only 9 songs on the album. In any case, I'll know for sure on Tuesday.
So yeah, 2 weeks until my next blog. I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun at Akko's. I told her we need to have a scary movie party and Erina and 2 other Kyuudou friends said they wanted to come over for it. I'm looking forward for it^^ My current Sailor Moon collection^^
So, today after school I'm going to Akko's house for 2 weeks. My 4th time changing houses. Originally the plan was to be there for a month but Rotary went against it, only letting me stay for 2 weeks. Bummer. Well, I'm kinda happy about that though. 'Cause that way I'll be back in the Tajiri area for summer vacation, closer to my more closer friends. We can ride our bikes to do something if we want, go to the ocean for example. It's amazingly close to where I live right now. Unlike back at the Fukaya's where I took that hour walk just to get there. The ocean is sooo close. I can't wait for the day we do fireworks(^^)
Not much has been happening.
Just the tests, and well, here at home something happened (haha). So, the first day the tests started I came home early. Kayo and Mami were home and they started talking about DDR. They got so curious about it that they went searching for the dance pad, game, and playstation. They found the playstation and dance pad but no games. Real letdown for them. So they thought of going to the Book Market to buy it (the Book Market sells old games, CDs, and books). So we went there but there were no DDR games. I wanted to look for some Sailor Moon mangas while I was there. And I found one! They had volume 6 there! Not much at all but then they also had volume 1 and 2 of the Sailor V manga! So, I grabbed all 3 books. Guess how much for one book? 55 yen! That's like 50 cents people. I wasn't expecting it to be THAT cheap. But in any case, I then suggested this other book/old video game/CD/DVD store that was down the road, Book Off. We went there and we found 3 different DDR games, they bought 2 of them. Came home, and we played DDR. Wow, I really missed it. The only thing that sucks though is that there's only like 8 songs available on each game and the songs aren't that great. But still, DDR.
Then Mami brought out their Nintendo. Not a Nintendo 64, the very first Nintendo. I haven't seen one of those things since I played with one as a kid. Last night I was playing the Bomber Man game with her on it. I suck. Badly. I kept killing myself because I walked too close to my own bombs or I trapped myself next to my own bomb. Then I kept stealing her lives (haha). Actually, her and Okaa-san are downstairs playing it now (they should get some sleep haha). It's veryyyy addicting.
Nocchan got me into another band. I guarantee if any of you look up this band on YouTube or wherever you're going to hate them. When Nocchn gave me the CD I wasn't expecting what I heard. To be honest, even when I first heard it I didn't like it, but it's grown on me now. I guess because I really like screaming in music and they sure do it a lot in this album "Second". The band is called "Midori" and a girl is singing throughout. Their music is hard to describe. It doesn't quite follow a tune most of the time, it becomes heavy punk to then hearing the piano and her screaming tones down or stays high. It's quite insane. You should check out a few songs just to check it out. Quite interesting and they aren't indie, they're major. I like them at least.
Sailor Moon again.
Today I went to Fukushima with Kayo and Okaa-san to pick up the grandmother at the grandfather's house. While in Fukushima we saw a Book Off and me and Kayo wanted to go. I wasn't expecting to find as many Sailor Moon mangas as I did. I bought 10 Sailor Moon mangas today. The only thing was that each book was 105 yen. Not as cheap as the Book Market but still, that's not a regular price, can't complain. I have all the books up to 15 except I don't own 1, 2, 3, or 11 yet. At Book Off I saw a pack of wrapped books. First 30 books of Inuyasha for just 1,300 yen. Mouth dropper. Do you realize how amazingly cheap that is?? I got ripped. 10 books of Sailor Moon for 1,055 yen.
At school Tomoka was telling me how she thinks she has the goblet that Sailor Moon had in the Super series. 4 of them. And if they weren't all icky and stuff she'd give one to me. Exciting, right?(^^) Well, I got a text from her today saying that "she has something she wants to give me tomorrow. But it's BIG, is that okay?" The goblet came in my head but then when I said that she sends back, "there's that but also something else". I'm sooo excited for tomorrow! I wonder what it is^^(haha) I feel like such a little kid. And I must sound like an idiot to a lot of people reading this. Oh well. To be honest, I don't even care about anime anymore. Sailor Moon is like the only anime I'll ever hang onto through my life. I probably won't watch it when I return back since it's been so long since I've watched anime. I've lost my interest.
But seriously, the Sailor Moon manga is such a romance manga. I was surprised to see how much of a romance manga it is and not such as a kid's manga in that sense.The manga makes Mamoru and Usagi look so much closer with each other. They killed the anime by not adding the cute scenes with Mamoru and Usagi. And the anime made Usagi-chan look so weak.
Tuesday I buy the new Perfume CD, Triangle. I listened to "Night Flight" today. I like the song but I just have this really bad feeling that the CD isn't going to be that great. Like, the GAME album will be A LOT better. I'm hoping I'm wrong about that. It's just, 4 of the songs on the album aren't new and there's only 9 songs on the album. In any case, I'll know for sure on Tuesday.
So yeah, 2 weeks until my next blog. I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun at Akko's. I told her we need to have a scary movie party and Erina and 2 other Kyuudou friends said they wanted to come over for it. I'm looking forward for it^^ My current Sailor Moon collection^^
Japan Blog 69 Let's catch up on Things {PART 2}
弓道部 / Two weeks ago was our final Kyuudou taikai (for the san-nensei at least) we all went and I took pictures since it would be our last. The ni-nensei made this awesome star-goodluck thing that must have like 500 small paper cranes hanging from it. They even made us a heart strap to put on our bags or somewhere that says in Japanese to "goodluck, hit the target!" well, that's not the exact meaning but close to it. Really awesome (picture below). Thing is too, we won! It's been awhile since Hitachi Niko won into the finals. And since we won, that meant that our school would participate in that Sunday's taikai! If we didn't win we wouldn't have participated. But unfortually that had to be the following Sunday. That Sunday was me and Nocchan's trip to Tokyo, RIN TOSHITE SHIGURE!!! So, that Sunday me and Nocchan went but we had to leave early, like 1-ish. So we didn't get to see the entire thing. In the end though we didn't win the taikai on Sunday, but in Ibaraki-ken our school placed #6 (^^). At the Sunday taikai Akko brought in UNO cards to play. I wanted to build a card castle when they were done. And I did. You should have seen it! I used ALL the cards (except 2 but that can't be helped) and it was sooo tall and awesome. As I was working on it, messing up, rebuilding, people were watching me. Then the pictures snapped away when I was done. Look at this thing! I have some weird obsession with card castle building. I love doing it. And I can't stop. And that was my last 2 taikais. It was a lot of fun, and I'm going to miss them.
ひろくん / Not much on this one. But after the Saturday taikai I met up with a ichi-nensei from Mito Ichiko, a reallyyy smart high school in Mito. His name is Hiro and he is CUTE♥ We took purikura together, and I surprised my friends who were still hanging around in Mito when they ran into me. I got a longgg stare from Yuka and her friends and then Nozomi (not the one I went to Tokyo with) asked me if he was my boyfriend when I stuck in the elevator with her and another friend. Embarrassing, haha. But I had fun^^ Picture of us in my album.
あっこちゃんの家、ひっこし / This coming Monday I'm going to Akko's house for 2 weeks. I probably won't have the internet at all. Two weeks with no blogs, no contact with America. I think it's going to be a lot of fun though so I'm excited. And I wanna be somewhere new for a little bit. Even the cigarette smoke is starting to bother me. Her dad knows English which is pretty awesome, but not really a good thing, depending on how much he wants to speak it with me. I say that now but in truth if he chooses to speak it with me I probably won't mind since he's the only one who knows it. Akko sure doesn't haha.
テスト / We have tests starting tomorrow. Yesterday I really felt like a student. I went to the library with Shiori (Lettuce), Kanako, and Ramosu to study. I tried to study math but yeah, I gave up after awhile and read Sailor Moon. Today Ikumi said she'd stay after school and teach me math if I wanted. YAY! So, Ikumi helped a bit today. Not sure if I'll fully get everything for the math test Tuesday but I'm gunna try. After the test I'm heading to Yokado to buy the new Perfume CD! Really it's to be released on Wednesday but since I preordered it I can get it a day early. Then after that I'm going to karaoke with Tomoka, Nojiri, and Asami (if others come, not sure). And some time after the tests we're going to the Book Market to find the Sailor Moon mangas! Exciting, right?
クラスマッチ / I mentioned about the Class Match awhile ago. I said my class was going to make Yattaman costumes and that I was super excited. A few weeks back we changed our mind because it would be difficult to move in it and the materials would be expensive. So we decided to do costumes from all different countries. We have a group of Cowboys, Arabians, Mexicans, and the Japanese who are wearing yukatas. I'm in the Cowboy group just because I wanna do it and it'll match me (haha). Kanako came up with the idea that we should have water guns with us. Not everyone is doing that but I agreed with her so we're doing it. It's going to be a lot of fun, only issue is that I've never sewn in my life. Making this costume is going to be hell. And Japanese dodge ball is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from American dodge ball. And I must say, for only throwing one ball around it's VERY scary. I'm doing dodge ball in the class match. When I signed up for it I didn't think it was different from American dodge ball. Japanese dodge ball is like American prisoner dodge ball. You have people in your area and then you send 4 people out to the other teams area on the outsides. The goal is to get everyone in the inside out. But if you're in the inside and you get hit out you're not "out", you move to the other teams area with the other outside people of your team and you try to get that team's inside people out. You're never "out" in this dodge ball. You just move to outside if you were inside. Sounds confusing, right? Just think of it as prisoner except when you hit someone from the prisoner's line you don't go back in.
And that was my 2 part blog catching up on a variety of things. I'll try for one more before my 2 week absence. YAY SAILOR MOON!!!
ひろくん / Not much on this one. But after the Saturday taikai I met up with a ichi-nensei from Mito Ichiko, a reallyyy smart high school in Mito. His name is Hiro and he is CUTE♥ We took purikura together, and I surprised my friends who were still hanging around in Mito when they ran into me. I got a longgg stare from Yuka and her friends and then Nozomi (not the one I went to Tokyo with) asked me if he was my boyfriend when I stuck in the elevator with her and another friend. Embarrassing, haha. But I had fun^^ Picture of us in my album.
あっこちゃんの家、ひっこし / This coming Monday I'm going to Akko's house for 2 weeks. I probably won't have the internet at all. Two weeks with no blogs, no contact with America. I think it's going to be a lot of fun though so I'm excited. And I wanna be somewhere new for a little bit. Even the cigarette smoke is starting to bother me. Her dad knows English which is pretty awesome, but not really a good thing, depending on how much he wants to speak it with me. I say that now but in truth if he chooses to speak it with me I probably won't mind since he's the only one who knows it. Akko sure doesn't haha.
テスト / We have tests starting tomorrow. Yesterday I really felt like a student. I went to the library with Shiori (Lettuce), Kanako, and Ramosu to study. I tried to study math but yeah, I gave up after awhile and read Sailor Moon. Today Ikumi said she'd stay after school and teach me math if I wanted. YAY! So, Ikumi helped a bit today. Not sure if I'll fully get everything for the math test Tuesday but I'm gunna try. After the test I'm heading to Yokado to buy the new Perfume CD! Really it's to be released on Wednesday but since I preordered it I can get it a day early. Then after that I'm going to karaoke with Tomoka, Nojiri, and Asami (if others come, not sure). And some time after the tests we're going to the Book Market to find the Sailor Moon mangas! Exciting, right?
クラスマッチ / I mentioned about the Class Match awhile ago. I said my class was going to make Yattaman costumes and that I was super excited. A few weeks back we changed our mind because it would be difficult to move in it and the materials would be expensive. So we decided to do costumes from all different countries. We have a group of Cowboys, Arabians, Mexicans, and the Japanese who are wearing yukatas. I'm in the Cowboy group just because I wanna do it and it'll match me (haha). Kanako came up with the idea that we should have water guns with us. Not everyone is doing that but I agreed with her so we're doing it. It's going to be a lot of fun, only issue is that I've never sewn in my life. Making this costume is going to be hell. And Japanese dodge ball is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from American dodge ball. And I must say, for only throwing one ball around it's VERY scary. I'm doing dodge ball in the class match. When I signed up for it I didn't think it was different from American dodge ball. Japanese dodge ball is like American prisoner dodge ball. You have people in your area and then you send 4 people out to the other teams area on the outsides. The goal is to get everyone in the inside out. But if you're in the inside and you get hit out you're not "out", you move to the other teams area with the other outside people of your team and you try to get that team's inside people out. You're never "out" in this dodge ball. You just move to outside if you were inside. Sounds confusing, right? Just think of it as prisoner except when you hit someone from the prisoner's line you don't go back in.
And that was my 2 part blog catching up on a variety of things. I'll try for one more before my 2 week absence. YAY SAILOR MOON!!!
Japan Blog 68 (July 1, 2009) Let's catch up on Things {PART 1}
I'm not getting enough sleep. That's very clear. I caught myself when my friend mentioned about blue circles under my eyes. Then I'm falling asleep in school WAYYY too often. Before I was able to study for a whole class and then half of the next, now I can't even last 20 mins. I can't even read a manga here without becoming tired. My eyes drop and I'm gone. And I HATE sleeping in school, too because then my stomach feels screwed up. Desk sleeping=apparently bad for my health. I know I don't get enough sleep. But that can't just be from just staying up late. At my last house I was up late usually everyday and I was fine the next morning. Something is just wrong. And then there's the fact that I don't eat supper until 9 at night most of the time. In any case, it's past 7 when I eat. It can't be helped but it's also not a good thing. So, what I'm saying is, I'm glad I'll be able to get away for 2 weeks. Not liking the fact that my closer friends live on the other side of the city but, hopefully I'll get "fixed".
It's been 3 weeks since I actually post "a blog". Two parter. 久しぶりな～
最近 / I'll go on about more recent things first. Sailor Moon. Okay, odd topic starter but it happened and now it's bad. It was Sunday, me and Kayo were home and she tossed a towel on the chair. Me, took a closer look, it was a Sailor Moon towel! I started talking to her about it, how I love Sailor Moon, and then she went a little on about it. After that she went to her room and came back with 3 mangas! Two are the original mangas and one is an anime manga. I'm at the moment reading them♥ The manga is sooo awesome, back in America I wanted to buy them but they are soo freaking RARE it's impossible to get the English versions without paying like $30 for one. heh. I don't need the English one's anymore. I decided that I'm buying the Sailor Moon mangas here. In the beginning I said I wanted the Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni series but not anymore. (1) Sailor Moon is wayyy more better^^ (2) Sailor Moon is OLD so I can go to the Book Market (tons of them here) and find it (my friends said it'll definitely be there) (3) Since it is so old and I'll be buying it at the Book Market it'll only be 100 yen! For one book! cheapcheapcheapcheap(^^) Manga here is cheap to begin with, America's gay. $10 for a book(><) Brand new books here are like 500 yen. Then! I totally forgot that there is a Sailor V manga! I LOVE SAILOR VENUS!!! She's my favorite of them all. So, I may be lucky and find that too☆ I already went on about Sailor Moon to my friends, asking who they liked and stuff. But it's sooo weird 'cause Sailor Moon is my elementary school generation thing. Here in Japan my friends knew it from preschool. So, the memory isn't engraved as well for them. The only thing I don't like about the manga though is that there is hardly any kanji in it. Since it's a kid manga that's why. All mangas now though have hiragana written next to the kanjis but it annoys me that this isn't like that. Ah well, still a cute manga(^^) I think I went on enough about Sailor Moon haha. Anyway! I have one request☆ I KNOW there are people reading who liked Sailor Moon. Watch episode 109!! For Minako (Sailor V) fans it's the most funniest episode ever! I watched it last night and laughed throughout it. Minako and Usagi-chan are just funny together.
パット / Pat went home on Saturday and I went with her to say goodbye. Going back to the Narita airport wasn't something I was looking forward to exactly (I'd have to come back again) but I wanted to see Pat before she left. I wanted to say goodbye. It's just, we've been through so much together since we met our first day here. We both didn't know Japanese that well, we were both exchange students. And she knows English. For those who don't remember Pat is from Thailand. I rewrote her goodbye letter 3 times before I thought I said the right words. So, there I was at the airport with her. Something funny, she brought her luggage with her but when she had to give the people it to load, it was over the weight limit. I don't know by how much but Rotary had to pay 60,000 yen to get her stuff on the plane, she didn't have the money. That's like $600! haha Poor Pat. And I saw a crow eating a dead bird, too. I officially hate crows. At school the Thursday before she left we had a party for her in our class. Everyone brought in food and made a Japan flag poster where everyone in the class wrote a message on it. At the party everyone said a little something to her, going by class number, and I was surprised by some of the people who cried. Like Chihiro, Kasumi, and Hana-chan, they are great people and nice, but we hardly talked with them. And the tears came from them. Badly. Before you realize it, there are already people who really recognize you there. You may not be close with them, but it shows that you existed to them. You meant SOMETHING if only a little in their life. At least, that's the conclusion I came up with. I don't want my day to come. You know, my friends already started bumming that I'm leaving too early. I'm leaving during summer break. During summer break there's supposedly all these awesome festivals with fireworks and everyone wants to go to them and they've been inviting me. Summer break seems to be a big deal. Unfortunately these festivals don't start until around the 12th. I'm gone the 9th. So, Tomoka, Nojiri, and Asami (if others come, not sure) plan on shooting fireworks one day at the ocean. My first Japanese hanabi (fireworks). These are my final days, my final month. I wonder if Pat was going through the same thoughts. She never said much, just the tears at the party and airport.
さくらんぼ取り / That Tuesday me and Pat went to another ken (practically a state) that's famous for cherries. It was a Rotary thing, so we went. I hate cherries so when we went to two cherry farms to pick cherries to eat, I didn't. But then we went to that town's Rotary meeting afterwords. On the way home we went up this mountain. I didn't think anything was special about it until we saw a bunch of monkeys on the road. Wherever we were, monkeys live on this mountain. I didn't get a picture though 'cause we were driving away, no where to park. And that was my adventure that day. Not a terrible way to get away from from school, especially Japanese lessons.
次part 2
It's been 3 weeks since I actually post "a blog". Two parter. 久しぶりな～
最近 / I'll go on about more recent things first. Sailor Moon. Okay, odd topic starter but it happened and now it's bad. It was Sunday, me and Kayo were home and she tossed a towel on the chair. Me, took a closer look, it was a Sailor Moon towel! I started talking to her about it, how I love Sailor Moon, and then she went a little on about it. After that she went to her room and came back with 3 mangas! Two are the original mangas and one is an anime manga. I'm at the moment reading them♥ The manga is sooo awesome, back in America I wanted to buy them but they are soo freaking RARE it's impossible to get the English versions without paying like $30 for one. heh. I don't need the English one's anymore. I decided that I'm buying the Sailor Moon mangas here. In the beginning I said I wanted the Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni series but not anymore. (1) Sailor Moon is wayyy more better^^ (2) Sailor Moon is OLD so I can go to the Book Market (tons of them here) and find it (my friends said it'll definitely be there) (3) Since it is so old and I'll be buying it at the Book Market it'll only be 100 yen! For one book! cheapcheapcheapcheap(^^) Manga here is cheap to begin with, America's gay. $10 for a book(><) Brand new books here are like 500 yen. Then! I totally forgot that there is a Sailor V manga! I LOVE SAILOR VENUS!!! She's my favorite of them all. So, I may be lucky and find that too☆ I already went on about Sailor Moon to my friends, asking who they liked and stuff. But it's sooo weird 'cause Sailor Moon is my elementary school generation thing. Here in Japan my friends knew it from preschool. So, the memory isn't engraved as well for them. The only thing I don't like about the manga though is that there is hardly any kanji in it. Since it's a kid manga that's why. All mangas now though have hiragana written next to the kanjis but it annoys me that this isn't like that. Ah well, still a cute manga(^^) I think I went on enough about Sailor Moon haha. Anyway! I have one request☆ I KNOW there are people reading who liked Sailor Moon. Watch episode 109!! For Minako (Sailor V) fans it's the most funniest episode ever! I watched it last night and laughed throughout it. Minako and Usagi-chan are just funny together.
パット / Pat went home on Saturday and I went with her to say goodbye. Going back to the Narita airport wasn't something I was looking forward to exactly (I'd have to come back again) but I wanted to see Pat before she left. I wanted to say goodbye. It's just, we've been through so much together since we met our first day here. We both didn't know Japanese that well, we were both exchange students. And she knows English. For those who don't remember Pat is from Thailand. I rewrote her goodbye letter 3 times before I thought I said the right words. So, there I was at the airport with her. Something funny, she brought her luggage with her but when she had to give the people it to load, it was over the weight limit. I don't know by how much but Rotary had to pay 60,000 yen to get her stuff on the plane, she didn't have the money. That's like $600! haha Poor Pat. And I saw a crow eating a dead bird, too. I officially hate crows. At school the Thursday before she left we had a party for her in our class. Everyone brought in food and made a Japan flag poster where everyone in the class wrote a message on it. At the party everyone said a little something to her, going by class number, and I was surprised by some of the people who cried. Like Chihiro, Kasumi, and Hana-chan, they are great people and nice, but we hardly talked with them. And the tears came from them. Badly. Before you realize it, there are already people who really recognize you there. You may not be close with them, but it shows that you existed to them. You meant SOMETHING if only a little in their life. At least, that's the conclusion I came up with. I don't want my day to come. You know, my friends already started bumming that I'm leaving too early. I'm leaving during summer break. During summer break there's supposedly all these awesome festivals with fireworks and everyone wants to go to them and they've been inviting me. Summer break seems to be a big deal. Unfortunately these festivals don't start until around the 12th. I'm gone the 9th. So, Tomoka, Nojiri, and Asami (if others come, not sure) plan on shooting fireworks one day at the ocean. My first Japanese hanabi (fireworks). These are my final days, my final month. I wonder if Pat was going through the same thoughts. She never said much, just the tears at the party and airport.
さくらんぼ取り / That Tuesday me and Pat went to another ken (practically a state) that's famous for cherries. It was a Rotary thing, so we went. I hate cherries so when we went to two cherry farms to pick cherries to eat, I didn't. But then we went to that town's Rotary meeting afterwords. On the way home we went up this mountain. I didn't think anything was special about it until we saw a bunch of monkeys on the road. Wherever we were, monkeys live on this mountain. I didn't get a picture though 'cause we were driving away, no where to park. And that was my adventure that day. Not a terrible way to get away from from school, especially Japanese lessons.
次part 2
Japan Blog 67 (June 26, 2009) 凛として時雨ライブ!!!!
すごかったすごかったすごかったFUCKING AWESOME!!!!!!!
It's been over 2 weeks now since my last blog. Sorry, sorry, but I have to start posting. I'll be posting another one tomorrow (if I have the time) just because I wanna talk about so much. But what is MOST important right now is the RIN TOSHITE SHIGURE LIVE!!!!! I went, I screamed, I got soaked in sweat, my elbow hit a girl's head several times, I jumped, I stepped on people's feet, I dropped my Mitsuya Cider while jumping, I bought a shirt, I bought a keitai strap, I bought a sticker and stuck it to the top of my computer, and I hugged Nozomi at the very end thanking her. 'Cause if it wasn't for her I would have never been able to go.
The live was just amazing.
It was raining all day so before we even got there we were starting to get soaked. The live started at 6 and we wanted to check the place out beforehand. We got in Tokyo around 3. Thank god we did. There was already a line to buy goods. We HAD to buy goods if we wanted any before the live because when the live was over we'd have to head right back to Ueno and take the train. No time to wait in line. So we got in line and some guy with a megaphone started announcing that they'd only be selling the goods until 4:30. Looked at the time, it was 3:30 now and the line was long and moving SLOW. We got worried. But we lucked out. Around 15 min. before he time limit went out we were able to buy. We bought shirts (check out my default picture^^). I got the live shirt while Nocchan just got a regular band shirt. And then we changed into them before the live. The wait to get in was unbearable. I just wanted to GET IN. When we did we found a place in the center. That was even more unbearable. But as soon as the lights went into complete blackness, the crowd pushed forward. And I mean PUSHED. This was my first live, by the way. I knew what to expect but it was A LOT more funner than I expected.
Me and Nocchan tried to push through to get up further but it was impossible. Everyone was already packed together tight. We were in the middle somewhere and eventually we separated away from each other. It was hard to see them. Everyone was tall and we weren't able to get very close. But the music is what counts too, not just seeing. The first song was played and the crowd already started jumping, swinging their right hand in the air. I'll be honest, I didn't get right into it right away (first live here) but by the 3rd-4th song I was jumping like crazy. The most impressive song they performed was probably 「DISCO FLIGHT」. Since that song was performed it's became one of my favorites. Definitely wayyy better live. I even got a new email and used that song title in it. But when that song was performed green streaks of light came over the crowd and everything really lit up. It was also the first song when the crowd really went crazy with the jumping, especially at the chorus. When it came for TK to scream the words "DISCO FLIGHT!" the entire crowd (including me) was screaming it with him. Damn, it was awesome!! Then the song 「Hysteric Phase Show」 was played and at the part where TK screams, "Wake up stupid!" it was like the music just stopped just for those words (it didn't stop though) and a white light flashed super fast, seizure-like. That was another extreme jumping song. After that was probably 「Xfile JPOP」. I was upset that that they didn't play 「a 7 days wonder」 but they played sooo many songs. Soooo many. It was great. It felt longer than 2 hours.
They talked a little in the middle. TK barely talked at all. I was a little surprised. After him was Miyoko. haha She was so cute. It seemed like she didn't know what to say and in the end she went on about the goods and "please buy them". Have you heard her voice?? I would have never guessed that that would be her screaming and stuff. Amazing. Then Pierre was last. Pierre is the drummer, by the way. Very interesting. He was the longest speaker and very funny. He even took a picture of us, the crowd. He went on about a variety of random things, making us in the end do some thing that the members of X-Japan (please tell me you have at least heard of that band) do at their lives.
By the end of the live I was DRENCHED in sweat. No lie. My shirt was sticking to me, my hair was a complete disaster, and I probably smelled bad. We went home with Nozomi's parents. They were in Tokyo that day so we met up with them in Ueno. I got to meet her parents (haha).
In any case, June 21, was seriously one of the best days of my life.
Rin Toshite Shigure is the greatest band EVER. And I think they've reached #1 on my list. Perfume has dropped to #2. I would love to see them perform again in November for their Tornado Z tour. Wonder if I can get a plane ticket to Japan (haha).
I couldn't get any pictures or video of the live because cameras weren't allowed. That sucked but I at least got to go so I'm happy^^
I'll post another blog within 2 days.
☆凛として時雨☆
It's been over 2 weeks now since my last blog. Sorry, sorry, but I have to start posting. I'll be posting another one tomorrow (if I have the time) just because I wanna talk about so much. But what is MOST important right now is the RIN TOSHITE SHIGURE LIVE!!!!! I went, I screamed, I got soaked in sweat, my elbow hit a girl's head several times, I jumped, I stepped on people's feet, I dropped my Mitsuya Cider while jumping, I bought a shirt, I bought a keitai strap, I bought a sticker and stuck it to the top of my computer, and I hugged Nozomi at the very end thanking her. 'Cause if it wasn't for her I would have never been able to go.
The live was just amazing.
It was raining all day so before we even got there we were starting to get soaked. The live started at 6 and we wanted to check the place out beforehand. We got in Tokyo around 3. Thank god we did. There was already a line to buy goods. We HAD to buy goods if we wanted any before the live because when the live was over we'd have to head right back to Ueno and take the train. No time to wait in line. So we got in line and some guy with a megaphone started announcing that they'd only be selling the goods until 4:30. Looked at the time, it was 3:30 now and the line was long and moving SLOW. We got worried. But we lucked out. Around 15 min. before he time limit went out we were able to buy. We bought shirts (check out my default picture^^). I got the live shirt while Nocchan just got a regular band shirt. And then we changed into them before the live. The wait to get in was unbearable. I just wanted to GET IN. When we did we found a place in the center. That was even more unbearable. But as soon as the lights went into complete blackness, the crowd pushed forward. And I mean PUSHED. This was my first live, by the way. I knew what to expect but it was A LOT more funner than I expected.
Me and Nocchan tried to push through to get up further but it was impossible. Everyone was already packed together tight. We were in the middle somewhere and eventually we separated away from each other. It was hard to see them. Everyone was tall and we weren't able to get very close. But the music is what counts too, not just seeing. The first song was played and the crowd already started jumping, swinging their right hand in the air. I'll be honest, I didn't get right into it right away (first live here) but by the 3rd-4th song I was jumping like crazy. The most impressive song they performed was probably 「DISCO FLIGHT」. Since that song was performed it's became one of my favorites. Definitely wayyy better live. I even got a new email and used that song title in it. But when that song was performed green streaks of light came over the crowd and everything really lit up. It was also the first song when the crowd really went crazy with the jumping, especially at the chorus. When it came for TK to scream the words "DISCO FLIGHT!" the entire crowd (including me) was screaming it with him. Damn, it was awesome!! Then the song 「Hysteric Phase Show」 was played and at the part where TK screams, "Wake up stupid!" it was like the music just stopped just for those words (it didn't stop though) and a white light flashed super fast, seizure-like. That was another extreme jumping song. After that was probably 「Xfile JPOP」. I was upset that that they didn't play 「a 7 days wonder」 but they played sooo many songs. Soooo many. It was great. It felt longer than 2 hours.
They talked a little in the middle. TK barely talked at all. I was a little surprised. After him was Miyoko. haha She was so cute. It seemed like she didn't know what to say and in the end she went on about the goods and "please buy them". Have you heard her voice?? I would have never guessed that that would be her screaming and stuff. Amazing. Then Pierre was last. Pierre is the drummer, by the way. Very interesting. He was the longest speaker and very funny. He even took a picture of us, the crowd. He went on about a variety of random things, making us in the end do some thing that the members of X-Japan (please tell me you have at least heard of that band) do at their lives.
By the end of the live I was DRENCHED in sweat. No lie. My shirt was sticking to me, my hair was a complete disaster, and I probably smelled bad. We went home with Nozomi's parents. They were in Tokyo that day so we met up with them in Ueno. I got to meet her parents (haha).
In any case, June 21, was seriously one of the best days of my life.
Rin Toshite Shigure is the greatest band EVER. And I think they've reached #1 on my list. Perfume has dropped to #2. I would love to see them perform again in November for their Tornado Z tour. Wonder if I can get a plane ticket to Japan (haha).
I couldn't get any pictures or video of the live because cameras weren't allowed. That sucked but I at least got to go so I'm happy^^
I'll post another blog within 2 days.
☆凛として時雨☆
Japan Blog 66 (June 14, 2009) Just 1 week away!!!
I screamed that to Nozomi when I went to club today. "Ato isshunkan!" Hell yeah, it's gunna be awesome. Here's the plan, we're taking a bus from Hitachi to Tokyo, when we get to Tokyo we'll have to take the train there, after that, we have to ride a monorail train. Then we're taking the express train home. I don't know what time we're leaving from Tokyo (probably earlier since it's by bus) but we're taking the very last train that leaves Tokyo home. That train is at 9 at night. I really hope the Live will be over in time. Nozomi said we may have to leave it early. It's going to be busy and a little confusing but ohmygod. ONE WEEK AWAY. All I've been listening to is Rin Toshite Shigure for these pass few weeks. The excitement is building.
As for other things.
I did ride my bike to school that next day. It actually wasn't that bad as I was expecting it to be. We took breaks like 3 times which was good. I was expecting it to be full through, no stops. Now THAT is suicide. But I really have started this diet. I'm riding my bike to school, not eating sweets, I'll lose this weight. Only bad thing about it now is that my jeans are looser now. Not good. I'm broke to buy new clothes and especially jeans which definitely won't fit me. I'm freaking 168 centimeters. Dame da(><).
(I don't feel like switching my keyboard options to Japanese just to type up hiragana and kanji. So, today it's going to be romaji)
Yesterday I went to see my school's Brass Band perform at the Civic Center. It was actually my first time at the Civic Center which is pretty bad considering how long I've been here already. But hey, I was impressed. It reminded me of Swing Girls (I really do love that movie) and then a song was played that was also in the movie. I skipped club and went with Natsuki from English Club. I've started going to that every Monday now too. Figured I'd help them (the 2 teachers) out with it. But while I was waiting outside the school (Natsuki and some other people took the English Toeic test that was held that day and I had to wait for her) outside the AU shop next to my school there was someone dressed in a bunny costume. He was like creeping us out when my friends (4 other friends of mine took the test and I saw them) and I really wanted a picture. So I dragged Mizuki in with me haha. He was like dancing around and acting weird. The 2 girls that were with him were laughing. I guess they were advertising for a new cell phone or something.
Then yesterday I really wanted to ride my bike and I figured, hey, lets go to the ocean! It was 6 at night. Tomoka and Asami weren't home so I decided to go myself. When I got there I thought I would take a picture until I saw like 5 kids climbing rocks. They were completely naked. I decided against a picture afterwards. Then there were 2 ladies on the road. If I snapped a picture before I saw those kids those ladies would have probably thought I was some pervert or something. I personally don't think it was THAT warm either to go be naked by the ocean. Anyway, that was my adventure. I returned home afterwards.
I've never mentioned my 2 months left mark. It's actually really sad. The 9th of this month was it. But... I really don't even want to consider that. Technically it's the 8th. The 9th I'm leaving, what else will I be doing? Nothing. So, really the 8th is my last day and every time I think about it... it's bad. I don't want to leave everyone. Too many memories, too many friends, this life, these smiles, these laughs... less than 2 months now... The month mark is already coming too fast. I don't like it. And then this adventure, probably the greatest adventure/experience I'll ever have in my life will be over. Mou ikkai yaritai. Subete... mata... kaeritakunai.
Maybe that's why I like riding my bike or walking on unfamiliar roads just to go somewhere. Just to move forward. Not going back. Dakara... Amerika ni kaeritakunai. Sore wa modosukoto. Susumukoto ja nai.
As for other things.
I did ride my bike to school that next day. It actually wasn't that bad as I was expecting it to be. We took breaks like 3 times which was good. I was expecting it to be full through, no stops. Now THAT is suicide. But I really have started this diet. I'm riding my bike to school, not eating sweets, I'll lose this weight. Only bad thing about it now is that my jeans are looser now. Not good. I'm broke to buy new clothes and especially jeans which definitely won't fit me. I'm freaking 168 centimeters. Dame da(><).
(I don't feel like switching my keyboard options to Japanese just to type up hiragana and kanji. So, today it's going to be romaji)
Yesterday I went to see my school's Brass Band perform at the Civic Center. It was actually my first time at the Civic Center which is pretty bad considering how long I've been here already. But hey, I was impressed. It reminded me of Swing Girls (I really do love that movie) and then a song was played that was also in the movie. I skipped club and went with Natsuki from English Club. I've started going to that every Monday now too. Figured I'd help them (the 2 teachers) out with it. But while I was waiting outside the school (Natsuki and some other people took the English Toeic test that was held that day and I had to wait for her) outside the AU shop next to my school there was someone dressed in a bunny costume. He was like creeping us out when my friends (4 other friends of mine took the test and I saw them) and I really wanted a picture. So I dragged Mizuki in with me haha. He was like dancing around and acting weird. The 2 girls that were with him were laughing. I guess they were advertising for a new cell phone or something.
Then yesterday I really wanted to ride my bike and I figured, hey, lets go to the ocean! It was 6 at night. Tomoka and Asami weren't home so I decided to go myself. When I got there I thought I would take a picture until I saw like 5 kids climbing rocks. They were completely naked. I decided against a picture afterwards. Then there were 2 ladies on the road. If I snapped a picture before I saw those kids those ladies would have probably thought I was some pervert or something. I personally don't think it was THAT warm either to go be naked by the ocean. Anyway, that was my adventure. I returned home afterwards.
I've never mentioned my 2 months left mark. It's actually really sad. The 9th of this month was it. But... I really don't even want to consider that. Technically it's the 8th. The 9th I'm leaving, what else will I be doing? Nothing. So, really the 8th is my last day and every time I think about it... it's bad. I don't want to leave everyone. Too many memories, too many friends, this life, these smiles, these laughs... less than 2 months now... The month mark is already coming too fast. I don't like it. And then this adventure, probably the greatest adventure/experience I'll ever have in my life will be over. Mou ikkai yaritai. Subete... mata... kaeritakunai.
Maybe that's why I like riding my bike or walking on unfamiliar roads just to go somewhere. Just to move forward. Not going back. Dakara... Amerika ni kaeritakunai. Sore wa modosukoto. Susumukoto ja nai.
Japan Blog 65 (June 8, 2009) A conversation I thought I'd never personally talk about haha
It's like committing suicide. That's the conclusion I came up with. What I'm about to do is probably (well, to me it is) equivalent to committing suicide. I'm going to start riding my bike to school. I'm crazy. Just riding the bus to school takes about 15 minutes, too. Riding the bike will be much longer(><). Well, I haven't actually full on decided that yet, that's why, after club tomorrow I'm going with Tomoka, Asami, and Asuka (we all call her Nojiri though) and riding my bike home. From there, I'll decide what the hell it is I want to do. It wouldn't be such an issue if there wasn't a problem with where I live. 坂。Lots and lots of hills. At night, I think I would be able to bear it. But in the morning when it's freakishly hot, sweat is an issue and smelling bad is an issue. Sure, I'd bring along my deodorant, but even that won't stop the sweat. But I'm not sure yet. To tell you the truth, I think I could handle the sweating issue but these hills... there's sooo many and a nice few of them are freaking STEEP. My legs will definitely give out. I really don't think they'll be able to handle the pressure. That's how weak I am.
And not to mention it's been over a month (maybe 2) since I stopped riding my bike. I'm out of shape again. I had my bike at Yokado (the mall by the Hitachi train station) all this time and today I finally decided to ride it back up to school just so it's there if I ever decide to ride it to club one day. That was hell. I didn't realize how badly I did become out of shape until now. But the main reason that I'm really considering riding my bike to school is because I gained weight. I will say that I definitely lost weight since I've been here but it's not by much and I started gaining again. Riding a bike everyday would definitively help me kill some calories and if I start watching what I eat, by the time I come back to America I should be at a pretty comfortable weight. I do think I'll give the bike ride to school a chance, for one day. Just to see if I can handle it. Then I think about Asako and Nozomi. They live farther than me and they ride their bikes to school. I'm not exactly sure how far but I know it's a good distance away. They are both incredebly thin. Jealous here. But it has to be from riding the bike. Has to. I'll be thinner too, just watch.
Yesterday the exchange student who went to Thailand from my class came back but she isn't coming to school until tomorrow. She came today and I got to meet her though. Wow. She has a facebook and I was talking to her a bit from there but when I saw her pictures there and then I saw her today, completely different. Unless I just forgot what her pictures looked like, my image was completely different. In any case, when some of my classmates went to see her they told her she lost weight. Her face supposedly lost weight. I was told the same thing many times already. When people look at my Rotary cards (I received name cards for me to hand out to everyone with my picture on it) everyone says I lost weight compared to that picture. I think we can say when you go on an exchange you lose weight from your face. That's a good thing.
I fixed my reservation on my Perfume CD today. I was talking to Mami the other night about how I made a mistake and she brought it up to me how they don't just reserve what they receive, they order more from the company. So I had to go back and fix it.
And I had a very interesting conversation with Yuka and Chie (both ni-nensei and both in Kyuudou Club) on our way to Yokado. Never thought I'd actually say what I did to anyone here. haha Wow that was probably bad. The topic was just random, it involved guys, and yeah (haha).
I forgot in my last blog to write about my trip to a curry restaurant on Saturday. So there's this curry place in Hitachi. It's know for making a really spicy version of any of the curry they sell. Well, I like really hot stuff. I even pour tons and tons of this red chili-like powder in my ramen and udon when I eat it. So I went for it. It wasn't spicy at all to me. Then I got Kayo to try it. She thought it was super spicy. I ordered green curry, by the way. I actually went and added a hells load more of chili power into it. It wasn't spicy enough for me. They thought I was crazy. My green curry then looked like brown curry after mixing it all it. I was then able to say that it was spicy. Very spicy. When you order the special hot curry at this place they ask to take your picture. So, in the end I got my picture taken with the two of them. If you ever get to go to Hitachi and find the curry restaurant, look at the pictures posted at the entrance inside. I'll be there. And while I was eating there 5 guys from some high school sat at the table behind me. They were reallyyyyy cute♥
Other things... I think I'm finally beginning to understand how to hit my targets in Kyuudou. I'm not hitting yet but I'm not terrible like I was either. I'm hoping soon I'll be able to hit all 4 before club is over. I'm glad it's a little longer than I thought it would be. Ikumi told me sometime in the beginning of July will be the last for the san-nensei.
And there's an issue going on with me changing to my next family. All of a sudden Rotary is like against it. I'm not sure on the details yet, I'l write about it in my next blog if I know more, but I was just told today that Rotary said will only let me stay there for like 2 weeks. What was the point of me looking for a family then? I'll just feel bad though if it's only for 2 weeks. What's wrong with the month? But whatever.
14 more days until Rin Toshite Shigure!!♥♥♥
And not to mention it's been over a month (maybe 2) since I stopped riding my bike. I'm out of shape again. I had my bike at Yokado (the mall by the Hitachi train station) all this time and today I finally decided to ride it back up to school just so it's there if I ever decide to ride it to club one day. That was hell. I didn't realize how badly I did become out of shape until now. But the main reason that I'm really considering riding my bike to school is because I gained weight. I will say that I definitely lost weight since I've been here but it's not by much and I started gaining again. Riding a bike everyday would definitively help me kill some calories and if I start watching what I eat, by the time I come back to America I should be at a pretty comfortable weight. I do think I'll give the bike ride to school a chance, for one day. Just to see if I can handle it. Then I think about Asako and Nozomi. They live farther than me and they ride their bikes to school. I'm not exactly sure how far but I know it's a good distance away. They are both incredebly thin. Jealous here. But it has to be from riding the bike. Has to. I'll be thinner too, just watch.
Yesterday the exchange student who went to Thailand from my class came back but she isn't coming to school until tomorrow. She came today and I got to meet her though. Wow. She has a facebook and I was talking to her a bit from there but when I saw her pictures there and then I saw her today, completely different. Unless I just forgot what her pictures looked like, my image was completely different. In any case, when some of my classmates went to see her they told her she lost weight. Her face supposedly lost weight. I was told the same thing many times already. When people look at my Rotary cards (I received name cards for me to hand out to everyone with my picture on it) everyone says I lost weight compared to that picture. I think we can say when you go on an exchange you lose weight from your face. That's a good thing.
I fixed my reservation on my Perfume CD today. I was talking to Mami the other night about how I made a mistake and she brought it up to me how they don't just reserve what they receive, they order more from the company. So I had to go back and fix it.
And I had a very interesting conversation with Yuka and Chie (both ni-nensei and both in Kyuudou Club) on our way to Yokado. Never thought I'd actually say what I did to anyone here. haha Wow that was probably bad. The topic was just random, it involved guys, and yeah (haha).
I forgot in my last blog to write about my trip to a curry restaurant on Saturday. So there's this curry place in Hitachi. It's know for making a really spicy version of any of the curry they sell. Well, I like really hot stuff. I even pour tons and tons of this red chili-like powder in my ramen and udon when I eat it. So I went for it. It wasn't spicy at all to me. Then I got Kayo to try it. She thought it was super spicy. I ordered green curry, by the way. I actually went and added a hells load more of chili power into it. It wasn't spicy enough for me. They thought I was crazy. My green curry then looked like brown curry after mixing it all it. I was then able to say that it was spicy. Very spicy. When you order the special hot curry at this place they ask to take your picture. So, in the end I got my picture taken with the two of them. If you ever get to go to Hitachi and find the curry restaurant, look at the pictures posted at the entrance inside. I'll be there. And while I was eating there 5 guys from some high school sat at the table behind me. They were reallyyyyy cute♥
Other things... I think I'm finally beginning to understand how to hit my targets in Kyuudou. I'm not hitting yet but I'm not terrible like I was either. I'm hoping soon I'll be able to hit all 4 before club is over. I'm glad it's a little longer than I thought it would be. Ikumi told me sometime in the beginning of July will be the last for the san-nensei.
And there's an issue going on with me changing to my next family. All of a sudden Rotary is like against it. I'm not sure on the details yet, I'l write about it in my next blog if I know more, but I was just told today that Rotary said will only let me stay there for like 2 weeks. What was the point of me looking for a family then? I'll just feel bad though if it's only for 2 weeks. What's wrong with the month? But whatever.
14 more days until Rin Toshite Shigure!!♥♥♥
Japan Blog 64 (June 4, 2009) Gotta love all girl high school rock bands
Because they're tons of fun.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during lunch the Light Music Club gave performances. Wednesday it was the ni-nensei then Thursday and Friday it was the san-nensei. There's 2 bands in each grade. So, Wednesday the 2 ni-nensei bands had to go half while the 2 san-nensei bands had their own days. Which makes sense anyway since by the end of June the san-nensei have to stop going to club. I'm going to be sad once I have to leave Kyuudou... but anyway, I went to watch them perform those 3 days and I had fun. It wasn't like the other ones. This time they performed in a classroom and the lights were off, the windows newspapered up, and everyone was standing, and unlike the other times where everyone sat down around the band and brought their lunch, you couldn't do it. Well, you could try but it would be difficult to eat. I really enjoyed Mizuki and Kei's group, maybe because they do more heavier songs. Throughout the days songs came from Shiina Ringo, DOES, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Nightmare, Yui, and others. Actually, thanks to going to the Friday show that's where I found out about DOES. They aren't V-kei either, check them out, kay? Very good. I recommend this song: 「曇天」.
I really regret something though. I told Mizuki awhile ago that I really wanted to go to one of her Lives in Mito. I found out the one day that there was one but it was such late notice for me (it was the day I was told) so I couldn't even try to go. Then I found out it was their last Live. -sigh- I really wanted to go, too. I was really impressed though these 3 days. I was just watching the drummers and I was like moved. haha 感動した、ちょっとおかしいかな。 Playing the drums looks super difficult and that's why I was so impressed. Then 2 of the bands each sang a song in English but I have no idea what they were. They did they're best, I'll say that, but I didn't understand them haha. Only able to discipher a few words. In any case I really enjoyed going. My hands got sore clapping to the beat of each song but well worth it. I even skipped out on meeting a teacher just to go on Thursday, thank god she wasn't that mad (or so it didn't seem she was). I think, THINK, they're one more live for the other san-nensei group in Mito. I'm going to try to go to that if I can. This is me with Mizuki and Kei's band. I look like crap (my right side of my hair has been all frizzed this week ><) and I'm wearing my gym uniform because we had gym right after lunch that day.
As for other news, 9mm Parabellum Bullet released their newest single 「Black Market Blues」 two days ago. Veryyyy good single. And today I just reserved my copy for Perfume's newest album♥ But I reserved the CD/DVD edition. But I'm regretting that because I'm like broke. Sure, the CD/DVD edition is only 500 yen more than just the CD edition but I could use that 500 for karaoke or for half of my train ticket to Mito before I leave. Or for purikura... the point is I made a mistake. So, even though I reserved it, the day I go for it I'm going to pick up the regular edition and be like, "sorry, I don't want the CD/DVD edition anymore." It's too late to go back and tell them I want to cancel it. And I'm in a big Plastic Tree mood now. I just downloaded two older albums of theirs today.
Then have you heard? All the gamer fans HAD to have heard already. The new Kingdom Hearts game for the Nintendo DS is out! 「Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days」 I can't tell you how much I want to buy it. I have my DS here, I love Kingdom Hearts, every time I see the commercial on TV I want it even more, I really want to buy it. And it would be my first Japanese game. And I think it would be so awesome being able to understand a lot of it. But of course, I'm broke. If I wasn't planning to buy the new Perfume album I would go out and buy it. So, that's what it came down to. Kingdom Hearts, or Perfume? Then I also thought, if I bought Kingdom Hearts, I would waste my time at home playing that instead of studying (even though playing it can be considered studying...) and then I thought, when I come back to America, I can just order it from there. I thought that would be a better idea. Perfume, is kinda important. I looked at the track listing for the album though and I'm a little disappointed. 4 singles from their previous single CDs are going to be on it. That's A LOT. So, from the total of 12 songs, minus 4. Then there's another version of 「Edge」 on it. Not that I hated Edge, I really like it, but that's minus 5 from the 12 now. But I think the album will be really good, nevertheless. So, you think Perfume is worth more than Kingdom Hearts? I'm not so sure, but I've already decided.
It's my host mother's birthday tomorrow so we'll be celebrating that. And since June started I also started my newest countdown. From today, there's only 16 more days until the greatest Live I will ever go to (probably^^). Hey, if I wasn't going to see 凛として時雨(Rin Toshite Shigure) I could buy Kingdom Hearts, haha. But seeing this group and hanging out with Nozomi is definitely wayyyy worth it. Not much has been happening lately but I'm going to try to post more this month since I'll be switching families next month and I don't think they'll have internet access at all. So, I'll do my best this month. I'll try to do/write about something exciting haha☆
じゃあ またね！
椎名林檎(Shiina Ringo) new album June 24th!♥
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during lunch the Light Music Club gave performances. Wednesday it was the ni-nensei then Thursday and Friday it was the san-nensei. There's 2 bands in each grade. So, Wednesday the 2 ni-nensei bands had to go half while the 2 san-nensei bands had their own days. Which makes sense anyway since by the end of June the san-nensei have to stop going to club. I'm going to be sad once I have to leave Kyuudou... but anyway, I went to watch them perform those 3 days and I had fun. It wasn't like the other ones. This time they performed in a classroom and the lights were off, the windows newspapered up, and everyone was standing, and unlike the other times where everyone sat down around the band and brought their lunch, you couldn't do it. Well, you could try but it would be difficult to eat. I really enjoyed Mizuki and Kei's group, maybe because they do more heavier songs. Throughout the days songs came from Shiina Ringo, DOES, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Nightmare, Yui, and others. Actually, thanks to going to the Friday show that's where I found out about DOES. They aren't V-kei either, check them out, kay? Very good. I recommend this song: 「曇天」.
I really regret something though. I told Mizuki awhile ago that I really wanted to go to one of her Lives in Mito. I found out the one day that there was one but it was such late notice for me (it was the day I was told) so I couldn't even try to go. Then I found out it was their last Live. -sigh- I really wanted to go, too. I was really impressed though these 3 days. I was just watching the drummers and I was like moved. haha 感動した、ちょっとおかしいかな。 Playing the drums looks super difficult and that's why I was so impressed. Then 2 of the bands each sang a song in English but I have no idea what they were. They did they're best, I'll say that, but I didn't understand them haha. Only able to discipher a few words. In any case I really enjoyed going. My hands got sore clapping to the beat of each song but well worth it. I even skipped out on meeting a teacher just to go on Thursday, thank god she wasn't that mad (or so it didn't seem she was). I think, THINK, they're one more live for the other san-nensei group in Mito. I'm going to try to go to that if I can. This is me with Mizuki and Kei's band. I look like crap (my right side of my hair has been all frizzed this week ><) and I'm wearing my gym uniform because we had gym right after lunch that day.
As for other news, 9mm Parabellum Bullet released their newest single 「Black Market Blues」 two days ago. Veryyyy good single. And today I just reserved my copy for Perfume's newest album♥ But I reserved the CD/DVD edition. But I'm regretting that because I'm like broke. Sure, the CD/DVD edition is only 500 yen more than just the CD edition but I could use that 500 for karaoke or for half of my train ticket to Mito before I leave. Or for purikura... the point is I made a mistake. So, even though I reserved it, the day I go for it I'm going to pick up the regular edition and be like, "sorry, I don't want the CD/DVD edition anymore." It's too late to go back and tell them I want to cancel it. And I'm in a big Plastic Tree mood now. I just downloaded two older albums of theirs today.
Then have you heard? All the gamer fans HAD to have heard already. The new Kingdom Hearts game for the Nintendo DS is out! 「Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days」 I can't tell you how much I want to buy it. I have my DS here, I love Kingdom Hearts, every time I see the commercial on TV I want it even more, I really want to buy it. And it would be my first Japanese game. And I think it would be so awesome being able to understand a lot of it. But of course, I'm broke. If I wasn't planning to buy the new Perfume album I would go out and buy it. So, that's what it came down to. Kingdom Hearts, or Perfume? Then I also thought, if I bought Kingdom Hearts, I would waste my time at home playing that instead of studying (even though playing it can be considered studying...) and then I thought, when I come back to America, I can just order it from there. I thought that would be a better idea. Perfume, is kinda important. I looked at the track listing for the album though and I'm a little disappointed. 4 singles from their previous single CDs are going to be on it. That's A LOT. So, from the total of 12 songs, minus 4. Then there's another version of 「Edge」 on it. Not that I hated Edge, I really like it, but that's minus 5 from the 12 now. But I think the album will be really good, nevertheless. So, you think Perfume is worth more than Kingdom Hearts? I'm not so sure, but I've already decided.
It's my host mother's birthday tomorrow so we'll be celebrating that. And since June started I also started my newest countdown. From today, there's only 16 more days until the greatest Live I will ever go to (probably^^). Hey, if I wasn't going to see 凛として時雨(Rin Toshite Shigure) I could buy Kingdom Hearts, haha. But seeing this group and hanging out with Nozomi is definitely wayyyy worth it. Not much has been happening lately but I'm going to try to post more this month since I'll be switching families next month and I don't think they'll have internet access at all. So, I'll do my best this month. I'll try to do/write about something exciting haha☆
じゃあ またね！
椎名林檎(Shiina Ringo) new album June 24th!♥
Japan Blog 63 (May 30, 2009) 椎名林檎♥♥
I should just rename my blogs to be Japanese music related since that's all I seem to talk about in these anymore. Actually, if that's all some random people care about, they should subscribe to me haha. Anyway, I'm going to go on about an artist right now. A few videos will be posted below. Check them out. After that I'll get on with my recent life.
Take a good look at the picture above. Her name is Shiina Ringo（椎名林檎）(In the picture Shiina is spelled as Shena but if you search her up you'll find it spelled as Shiina wayyy more often). Before I came to Japan I've "heard" of her. I never heard anything from her except one song though and until I started listening to it again I forgot that I knew it. Very good song by the way. Anyway, when I came to Japan I've heard more about her from Mizuki when I asked for some artist recommendations. After that, more recently in the year, I found out Nozomi is a huge fan of Shiina. That's when I thought about it. Since me and Nocchan (Nozomi; we have way to many nicknames for her oddly enough) have a bunch of music in common I thought I give her a try. To tell you the truth though, I thought I wouldn't like her. Wasn't my type of music, so I thought. I checked out a few videos on YouTube and stumbled onto her song 「本能」 (Honnou). Honnou is one of her most famous songs. And I was very impressed. The video surprised me, I couldn't believe that Shiina was that kind of outgoing person for videos, but then I realized that was the only one like that. I checked out some moe songs, and then checked out album track lists. I decided to go with the album Honnou is on since there was other songs I liked on it. It's her 2nd album, 「勝訴ストリップ」 (Shosou Strip), it was released in 2000. Yeah, that's how old Shiina is. I asked Nocchan to borrow it, received it, LOVE IT. I was addicted, still am. And I needed more. I wanted to listen to her 1st album 「無罪モラトリアム」, 1999 release, next then. Amazing. The very first song I heard of Shiina's is on that, 「歌舞伎町の女王」. If anyone has been listening to Japanese music for awhile I'm sure you've must have heard it. Not as famous as Honnou but still there.
My personal favorites though are, 「丸の内サディスティック」 and 「幸福論(悦楽編)」. Also, Shiina wasn't producing music for sometime. Well, solo that is. A few years back she produced her own band, you may have heard of it, "Tokyo Jihen". Mizuki tells me she perfers them better than Shiina's solo career. Shiina is the lead singer of the group. I personally don't like them. Tokyo Jihen does a cover of 「丸の内サディスティック」 and I listened to it. I prefer the original. Nocchan was stunned to hear me say that (so it seemed) but then said she didn't like them at first either but she liked them after she listened to more songs and that I should do the same. I listened to enough of them. No good, sorry. But this year she decided to release another solo album, it's being sold next month. And I listened to her current newest single and I can't say I like it. I'm almost afraid to listen to her more recent albums. Me right now, like the old Shiina Ringo. But I'm willing to give her newest album a chance when it's sold. So yeah, I really think you should check her out. She's really famous here in Japan. Everyone knows her. And she's not the type of heavy rock that I like. Here's some videos. She's my drug at the moment and I can't stop listening to her. She should be your drug too :D
本能
ギブス
丸の内サディスティック (this is the Tokyo Jihen version. It's still good, I just prefer the original better)
歌舞伎町の女王
Do I have you convinced yet of how great she is?? A drug, right?
As for my life, lets see. It's been soo long since I posted a blog. To tell yo the truth I don't even remember what I've been doing. Shiina Ringo has been attached to my eardrums all month. We had tests, during the time me and Pat couldn't take the tests we went to the library with the other 2 exchange students. And I got to talk with the Korean girl! Her name is Dami and her Japanese is super amazing! I'm jealous haha. But then after school that I suggested, "let's go to Yokado after this!". I really wanted to take Purikura with her and talk to her more. But she invited 3 of her other ichi-nensei friends to tag along. At first I didn't really like that but in the end it was A LOT of fun. I was talking a lot with them and I made my first ichi-nensei friends, woo! As for other things like, Kyuudou, I'm doing TERRIBLE. Simply terrible. I had to get new arrows because they became "unusable" because instead of hitting the dirt or mat it's flying wayyy too high and the arrows bend when they hit something hard like a wall. But that's really it. Ami let me borrow her Ayumi Hamasaki "Bests 2 -black-" CD. Something about a hidden track after the very last song. And Ami told me why Ayumi's music style changed! Her producers asked her to, it wasn't Ayumi's choice. The reason why they wanted her to change, I don't know, but I'll go with my previous thoughts on that. School's pretty boring. Oh! But about those tests, me and Pat only took the Math and English ones, but I'm soo happy that I can take the math tests now and actually "TRY". We're learning algebra in school and I remember most of it (yay!) but my test score was pretty bad haha. I got a 38☆ Accomplishment! Next time I'll do ways better though. I hope.
That's like it though... I think.
Oh! And I took my yearbook photo for my class yesterday. So, I'll be going in their yearbook as a student. I think that's pretty cool. And I'm happy about that.
Other things, I am getting mad at gym class. Since my gym class involves 3 classes it's too big and so our gym teacher decided to teach everyone how to hula dance. Oh yes. I can now tell you that I can do a full dance so some hula song. I'm sure you've heard of it, too, at least once in your life, but I don't know the name of it. Before all this I've heard it before. "Oh we're going, to the luki lau, luki luki luki luki luki luki lau~" That song.
So anyway, 椎名林檎 (Shiina Ringo) is worth the listen. Just watch the videos at least. She's good. Really good.
Japan Blog 62 (May 17, 2009) Perfume!!!♥♥♥
This blog has absolutely no point.
I'm just freaking unbelievably happy!
Perfume is releasing a brand new album before I have to go home!! That's why I'm happy. 2 of the greatest groups EVER have/are releasing brand new albums. This is seriously the greatest year ever. Now I can buy that, too. And I AM going to buy that album. IT'S PERFUME! They are my absolute favorite group, yes, even more better than Rin Toshite Shigure.I think that would be sooo freaking awesome if I could go see Perfume. That's impossible now, but, it would still be awesome.
I was listening to Perfume yesterday while studying (wow, that rarely happens anymore since I've been in this new house haha) ad I was listening to Perfume and it just clicked. I always just listened to them, dancing to their beat, but I actually understood most of the lyrics. It was scary that I just finally caught onto it like that.
The other day I was watching TV and Pino's (everyone knows Pino, right? The ice cream company^^) new commercial and once again, Perfume was on it! And it was a brand new song called "Night Flight". The full version isn't available anywhere yet, but it sounds great!
Here's an English translated version that I found for you guys. Then they talk a little at the end.
kyaa~!♥
I can't believe Perfume is releasing an album, too!!!
THIS IS SOOO EXCITING!!!
A~chan is the best♥
(2012 UPDATE: The video I originally had below was a preview of the commercial with backstage footage as well with the members of Perfume speaking, and the best part was that it was all English subtitled. Unfortunately, this too has been removed by YouTube so I replaced it with one of the many commercials made instead.)
Japan Blog 61 (May 14, 2009) 「just A moment」★★
Hang in there. The beginning I'm going to be rambling on.
I don't regret buying it AT ALL. I'll be honest, I hate the Japanese system of how they manage their music. Well, I like it but when it comes down to wanting a song or an album I hate it. The system is actually pretty smart for the artist though. An artist comes out with a single song and they're all famous and loved again. A CD is made and people who really want that song can buy it. That's where I hate it. Because, say I really love a song and I would LOVE to support the artist by buying it, but it's only a single CD. That's like 1,885 yen or something (I may be over exaggerating but it's definitely 1,000 something). I rather buy a CD that has more than 2 songs on it. I rather buy an "album". Just like America's system. An artist comes out with a new song, a new album comes out. Not just that song. Of course that also leads to why a lot of artists don't become popular again and may stop them from making more music because an album takes too long. Or there's Metro Station's situation which I have no idea what their problem is. That's the only downfall about only releasing albums.
But then, when you want to buy an album it's like almost freaking expensive. An album in America is what $15? You come here and it's double the price. What the heck. So, that's the reason I hate the system. Because I prefer albums and they are pricey. But look at this beautiful picture.
This people, is my first CD that I bought here and probably the GREATEST CD in the world. 凛として時雨 「ｊｕｓｔ Ａ ｍｏｍｅｎｔ」
It is just sooo amazing. The music is so just... I really have no words for it. It's just incredible. Brilliant. It's an album too, by the way. But I think if it was a single, just because it's 凛として時雨 I think I might have bought it. But I'm really glad it was an album they released and not a single. It's amazing. And the music changes so rapidly. For example, the last song "mib126", I was listening to it for the first time and I had mixed feelings about it. I didn't care for it but I still wanted to listen to the whole thing. At 2:45 the song just completely spinned, the pace became much faster and heavier and the singing seemed to blend much better with it.Then came the addition with screaming. This album has a lot more screaming in it too which is awesome♥ But that song reminded me of "Segio Echigo" from their first album "#4". That song did a complete spin off near the end too and it sounds simply amazing. I think my favorite song is probably "a 7 days wonder" but there are just sooo many other great songs, it's really hard to choose. The song "seacret cm" is pretty beautiful as well. Wow, the live is going to be one hell of a show.
I've been waiting for this CD ever since I found out the release date, Wednesday May 13th. I drew a countdown on my desk at school, changing the days away every morning, my host family has a white board for our daily schedule so I made a countdown there and on the day it was being sold I made it everyone's plan. My family was prepared for this day. I talked about it like everyday. And I made it a point to go right to Yokado after school to buy it. I was not waiting another day. Then on the way to pick up Kayo from work yesterday, I played it in my host mom's car and she says, "They sound terrible. They can't sing." Boooo. They are awesome and I think TK's and Kyoko's voice sound just perfect♥ Okay, rant done^^
So my last blog I posted was 11 days ago. I went to the AFS thing with Yuuka and there I met some other people, 3 from my school and 2 (a girl and a guy) from a school in Omika, クリースト I think that's the katakana of it. I've never tried spelling it before, I can only say it. But it's a really smart Christian school. Anyway, I became pretty good friends with them. At the AFS thing we had a BBQ and then went to some boat festival. Where did I go anyway...? I can't remember the city's name but it was like 4 stops after Takahagi but before Iwaki. It wasn't Iwaki that's for sure. But it was my first time taking the train up north. I always ride it south to Mito and so on. It was nice to have different scenery for once. The festival was pretty boring so when AFS told us we could go home, we all wanted to go for karaoke so that's what we did. Well planed to do. AFS took us to the festival by car, we were to return home on our own.
Question was, where the hell was the train station? No idea. After asking for directions we discover that the station is like 40 minutes away by walking. So we walked, got lost again, asked for more directions, ended up walking to far, then finally found the station. It was fun. But then I go on the train and I got a text from my host mom saying I couldn't go to karaoke. We were going to go in Hitachi. What kill. I really wanted to go but my host mom thought I was going to Badminton Club after Kyuudou the next day and she didn't want me out late and I'd be exhausted. I don't know where that came from but whatever. So, I didn't go.
Then I got my hair cut again.
In my attempts for change (which I seriously need to stop) about my looks and etc. I went for a complete change again and the best way to do that is to cut your hair. At first I only went to cut my bangs since they were super long but then I looked at a magazine and was like "OH! I wanna try this!" Wow did I get pretty disappointed after. Wayyyy too short. And I looked like a guy. That's bad. So, I HAD to do something about that. No way was I going to look like a guy like wayy too many girls already do. Solution: buy gell/wax. And I did. And I'm MUCH pleased with the results. I actually like my hair now, too. Kanako said it suits me really good (this was after I started using the gell) and everyone keeps asking me if I permed my hair. But everyone likes it, I like it, and it's a nice change♥
Then last week was some festival. Saturday was in Hitachi, then Sunday was in Taga. I was planning to go to the Hitachi one with Tomoka, Nozomi, Ikumi, Asami, etc. in the beginning then meet up with Yuuka, Ikumi (different Ikumi), Natsumi, and Mana (they are the AFS people) at night. But plans changed and I couldn't go to the festival at all (u_u) So, I went to the Taga one with the AFS group on Sunday. But we were too late. Natsumi and Mana were at a soccer tournament so we had to wait for them so by the time we went at like 5:30 it was already over. I only got to see 3 of the performers walking around. They were walking on these GIGANTICALLY tall stilts and 2 of the people were just creepy haha. They wore these weird costumes and makeup but I thought it was still pretty cool. I wish I could have seen more.
Last Friday was a Kyuudou taikai but I couldn't go. For reasons. So, now there's only 2 left. But technically only one for me. I can't go to the last one (how many times did I mention that?)
凛として時雨！！！！
If you can get the chance, seriously listen to this group. The CD is able to be downloaded at this site http://community.livejournal.com/jbums/tag/rin+toshite+shigure so for all the people who can't buy the CD, download it. You need a program like WinZip if you want to open it though. It's for all the albums the site offers. This is the greatest band in the world♥★♥★♥★
I don't regret buying it AT ALL. I'll be honest, I hate the Japanese system of how they manage their music. Well, I like it but when it comes down to wanting a song or an album I hate it. The system is actually pretty smart for the artist though. An artist comes out with a single song and they're all famous and loved again. A CD is made and people who really want that song can buy it. That's where I hate it. Because, say I really love a song and I would LOVE to support the artist by buying it, but it's only a single CD. That's like 1,885 yen or something (I may be over exaggerating but it's definitely 1,000 something). I rather buy a CD that has more than 2 songs on it. I rather buy an "album". Just like America's system. An artist comes out with a new song, a new album comes out. Not just that song. Of course that also leads to why a lot of artists don't become popular again and may stop them from making more music because an album takes too long. Or there's Metro Station's situation which I have no idea what their problem is. That's the only downfall about only releasing albums.
But then, when you want to buy an album it's like almost freaking expensive. An album in America is what $15? You come here and it's double the price. What the heck. So, that's the reason I hate the system. Because I prefer albums and they are pricey. But look at this beautiful picture.
This people, is my first CD that I bought here and probably the GREATEST CD in the world. 凛として時雨 「ｊｕｓｔ Ａ ｍｏｍｅｎｔ」
It is just sooo amazing. The music is so just... I really have no words for it. It's just incredible. Brilliant. It's an album too, by the way. But I think if it was a single, just because it's 凛として時雨 I think I might have bought it. But I'm really glad it was an album they released and not a single. It's amazing. And the music changes so rapidly. For example, the last song "mib126", I was listening to it for the first time and I had mixed feelings about it. I didn't care for it but I still wanted to listen to the whole thing. At 2:45 the song just completely spinned, the pace became much faster and heavier and the singing seemed to blend much better with it.Then came the addition with screaming. This album has a lot more screaming in it too which is awesome♥ But that song reminded me of "Segio Echigo" from their first album "#4". That song did a complete spin off near the end too and it sounds simply amazing. I think my favorite song is probably "a 7 days wonder" but there are just sooo many other great songs, it's really hard to choose. The song "seacret cm" is pretty beautiful as well. Wow, the live is going to be one hell of a show.
I've been waiting for this CD ever since I found out the release date, Wednesday May 13th. I drew a countdown on my desk at school, changing the days away every morning, my host family has a white board for our daily schedule so I made a countdown there and on the day it was being sold I made it everyone's plan. My family was prepared for this day. I talked about it like everyday. And I made it a point to go right to Yokado after school to buy it. I was not waiting another day. Then on the way to pick up Kayo from work yesterday, I played it in my host mom's car and she says, "They sound terrible. They can't sing." Boooo. They are awesome and I think TK's and Kyoko's voice sound just perfect♥ Okay, rant done^^
So my last blog I posted was 11 days ago. I went to the AFS thing with Yuuka and there I met some other people, 3 from my school and 2 (a girl and a guy) from a school in Omika, クリースト I think that's the katakana of it. I've never tried spelling it before, I can only say it. But it's a really smart Christian school. Anyway, I became pretty good friends with them. At the AFS thing we had a BBQ and then went to some boat festival. Where did I go anyway...? I can't remember the city's name but it was like 4 stops after Takahagi but before Iwaki. It wasn't Iwaki that's for sure. But it was my first time taking the train up north. I always ride it south to Mito and so on. It was nice to have different scenery for once. The festival was pretty boring so when AFS told us we could go home, we all wanted to go for karaoke so that's what we did. Well planed to do. AFS took us to the festival by car, we were to return home on our own.
Question was, where the hell was the train station? No idea. After asking for directions we discover that the station is like 40 minutes away by walking. So we walked, got lost again, asked for more directions, ended up walking to far, then finally found the station. It was fun. But then I go on the train and I got a text from my host mom saying I couldn't go to karaoke. We were going to go in Hitachi. What kill. I really wanted to go but my host mom thought I was going to Badminton Club after Kyuudou the next day and she didn't want me out late and I'd be exhausted. I don't know where that came from but whatever. So, I didn't go.
Then I got my hair cut again.
In my attempts for change (which I seriously need to stop) about my looks and etc. I went for a complete change again and the best way to do that is to cut your hair. At first I only went to cut my bangs since they were super long but then I looked at a magazine and was like "OH! I wanna try this!" Wow did I get pretty disappointed after. Wayyyy too short. And I looked like a guy. That's bad. So, I HAD to do something about that. No way was I going to look like a guy like wayy too many girls already do. Solution: buy gell/wax. And I did. And I'm MUCH pleased with the results. I actually like my hair now, too. Kanako said it suits me really good (this was after I started using the gell) and everyone keeps asking me if I permed my hair. But everyone likes it, I like it, and it's a nice change♥
Then last week was some festival. Saturday was in Hitachi, then Sunday was in Taga. I was planning to go to the Hitachi one with Tomoka, Nozomi, Ikumi, Asami, etc. in the beginning then meet up with Yuuka, Ikumi (different Ikumi), Natsumi, and Mana (they are the AFS people) at night. But plans changed and I couldn't go to the festival at all (u_u) So, I went to the Taga one with the AFS group on Sunday. But we were too late. Natsumi and Mana were at a soccer tournament so we had to wait for them so by the time we went at like 5:30 it was already over. I only got to see 3 of the performers walking around. They were walking on these GIGANTICALLY tall stilts and 2 of the people were just creepy haha. They wore these weird costumes and makeup but I thought it was still pretty cool. I wish I could have seen more.
Last Friday was a Kyuudou taikai but I couldn't go. For reasons. So, now there's only 2 left. But technically only one for me. I can't go to the last one (how many times did I mention that?)
凛として時雨！！！！
If you can get the chance, seriously listen to this group. The CD is able to be downloaded at this site http://community.livejournal.com/jbums/tag/rin+toshite+shigure so for all the people who can't buy the CD, download it. You need a program like WinZip if you want to open it though. It's for all the albums the site offers. This is the greatest band in the world♥★♥★♥★
Japan Blog 60 (May 3, 2009) 凛として時雨♥ Yes, again♥
This blog was only going to be about my trip to Harajuku at first, but 2 days ago the greatest thing happened! 凛として時雨 came out with a new single!!!! I was freaking out. But only the video was released. Actually, a new CD is being released, not just a single. And the date for that is May 13th♥ I haven't bought a CD yet here, only because I can download them free, and even though I can get this new CD online I'M DEFINITELY BUYING IT. This group is just too amazing, I don't think I loved a group so much befor and I never get tired of listening to them. I can't wait for the show. I showed Nozomi the video and we were both freaking. Their new single "JPOP Xfile" is INCREDIBLE. But NO ONE had it posted on YouTube yet! So, I posted it^^ Oh yeah, and I kinda gave up on my YouTube. It's just a hassle and it takes up too much of my time to make the videos. If I upload anything it'll be rare, like my 凛として時雨 video. That's rare for me. But since I'm soooo freaking happy about this song I'm posting the video here. Watch it. They are great♥ 10 more days until the CD♥ A little over a month for the show♥ 楽しみ♥
(2012 UPDATE: The original music video to the song "JPOP Xfile" was posted in my original blog but it's no longer available on YouTube at all. So this video is just of the song playing in the background while the boy plays the bass guitar parts)
Do you now see what I mean? FREAKING INCREDIBLE. じゃあ Onto Harajuku.
I love it there♥ There were so many V Kei stores I could have exploded. And I bought the cutest clothes♥ I just want to show everyone what I bought. But I like can't shop anywhere else but Harajuku now. It's the perfect place for me. And I went to the Sex Pot Revenge store^^ But I didn't buy anything (u_u) I know, sadnessでしょ？ Yesterday I went to the mall with Yuka and Minami after club and I met a group of guys, got the one's text address, and I find out he has a girlfriend afterwards. Grawr. What the hell. Why'd I choose the guy with the girlfriend. In like 2 hours I'm heading off with Yuka to some AFS meeting in some city I don't even know. She's the girl going to America as an exchange student August 11th. We found out that she's going in the Indiana/Michigan area but that's it. She's going 2 days after I leave which totally sucks. If we were the same day we DEFINITELY probably would have been riding the same plane and she has to stop and change planes in Chicago as well, just like me. I would have been fun together. Stupid plane ticket that I already bought. Okay, here are my clothes~♥
Put it all together and....♥
TA-DAAA!! I sorta felt all V kei-ish even though V kei is a lot more..."more". I'm reallyyyy happy with the shoes though♥ They were the most expensive thing but I'm unbelievably happy I got them. They don't exactly fit me like they should but the highest size they had was 25 cm. and I'm a 25.5. You can't find shoes really anything higher than 25 cm. that actually look freaking awesome, too. So I grabbed them. Do you see on them too, ARCHERY! Kyuudou is somewhat different but hey, it's close right? haha. This stuff was bought in Harajuku and Shibuya but most of it was Harajuku. The shoes and the earrings and the one necklace was in Shibuya♥
(2012 UPDATE: The original music video to the song "JPOP Xfile" was posted in my original blog but it's no longer available on YouTube at all. So this video is just of the song playing in the background while the boy plays the bass guitar parts)
Do you now see what I mean? FREAKING INCREDIBLE. じゃあ Onto Harajuku.
I love it there♥ There were so many V Kei stores I could have exploded. And I bought the cutest clothes♥ I just want to show everyone what I bought. But I like can't shop anywhere else but Harajuku now. It's the perfect place for me. And I went to the Sex Pot Revenge store^^ But I didn't buy anything (u_u) I know, sadnessでしょ？ Yesterday I went to the mall with Yuka and Minami after club and I met a group of guys, got the one's text address, and I find out he has a girlfriend afterwards. Grawr. What the hell. Why'd I choose the guy with the girlfriend. In like 2 hours I'm heading off with Yuka to some AFS meeting in some city I don't even know. She's the girl going to America as an exchange student August 11th. We found out that she's going in the Indiana/Michigan area but that's it. She's going 2 days after I leave which totally sucks. If we were the same day we DEFINITELY probably would have been riding the same plane and she has to stop and change planes in Chicago as well, just like me. I would have been fun together. Stupid plane ticket that I already bought. Okay, here are my clothes~♥
Put it all together and....♥
TA-DAAA!! I sorta felt all V kei-ish even though V kei is a lot more..."more". I'm reallyyyy happy with the shoes though♥ They were the most expensive thing but I'm unbelievably happy I got them. They don't exactly fit me like they should but the highest size they had was 25 cm. and I'm a 25.5. You can't find shoes really anything higher than 25 cm. that actually look freaking awesome, too. So I grabbed them. Do you see on them too, ARCHERY! Kyuudou is somewhat different but hey, it's close right? haha. This stuff was bought in Harajuku and Shibuya but most of it was Harajuku. The shoes and the earrings and the one necklace was in Shibuya♥
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Japan Blog 59 (April 25, 2009) Tokyo Disneyland and other random stuff
Well, lets see. When I ended my last blog I was going to Tsuchiura on some Rotary trip for 4 days. Tsuchiura isn't anything special before anyone goes thinking, "that's pretty cool". The only thing that I know about the place after going is that it's the 2nd biggest lake in Japan. While there we (me and Pat) stayed at some hotel. At this place we were supposed to meet a whole bunch of other exchange students. 5 were from New Zealand and 7 were from Thailand. But those exchange students were only here for 2 weeks. That's not fun. I say it now, going on an exchange to a foreign country isn't worth it if it's for such a short time. A year or a few months is more worth it for the expense. Not to mention, when you go on such a short exchange the people who set it up (ex: Rotay, AFS, etc.) make sure you get to experience going to such places and stuff. You don't get to experience LIFE. And in my opinion, that's the greatest opportunity, the greatest gift this year long exchange gives you. The friends you make, the laughs you share, right now, within the year. Right now, I can really care less about going to try new and different things, going to historic places, learning more about what makes Japan Japan. Sure, it's fun and all and I like doing it, but if I had to chose which I'd rather do, I'd put being with my friends top priority. To me, THIS is what makes Japan Japan. All these people, this LIFE. So, I feel bad for those people who don't get such an opportunity. Most of the time it is their decision whether to take a year long or not but, still. My reasons for loving Japan so much have changed sooo much from when I first arrived and before. I'm not in it for culture or experience like I was back then. It's all language now, because I want to communicate with everyone. And that's my reason for being here.
So anyway, at Tsuchiura we were experiencing things with the exchange students. They were moving all over Japan to see things and experience things and Tsuchiura was one stop. So, we made mochi, pottery, and soba with them. Then we had like 2-3 days of Rotary related meetings. I had to give 2 speeches. I love how I'm told to do speeches like 30 minutes before giving them. I was sitting in my seat scribbling down words before hand. A really smart school came those days. Well, a few people. They're part of a club and because of that club they do all these random things. I made some friends there and then we were told that for one day we'd be going to their school. I was really excited. So, our last day with this Rotary thing we went to Nihon something something High School. I got to see them again and right now it's pretty clear to them that I'm obsessed with the guys haha. Even my friends here in Hitachi have that engraved in their minds. Every time a group of guys go pass they turn to me asking if there were any good looking ones. At the school we did Shoudou (Calligraphy), and participated in Juudou and Kendou. Juudou is actually A LOT of fun. I was throwing this girl on her back haha. She was jumping up though so she would flip. But if I was that strong to flip her, that would just be so freaking cool. I thought I would have enjoyed kendou better since it's like using a sword and stuff but juudou was just too much fun. I met a girl who like Visual Kei and recently we've been emailing each other. If there's a band that will be performing around us, we're gunna try to go. Leaving them was pretty sad. Even only knowing them for that day we got really close, I was talking with them all day. And I didn't want to leave. I wanted to come back the next day to see them. This was the last picture of them.
We went for karaoke twice with the exchange students. I was amazed at how amazing the Thai exchange students were singing Korean. Since there's no Thai songs at karaoke they were singing Korean groups like Big Bang, Tohoshinki, Wonder Girls, and Super Junior. They can read Korean which was pretty awesome. And that was our time in Tsuchiura.
In gym we've been running like crazy and not actually playing sports yet which sucks. It's a test to see how well shaped we are. The actual test started on Tuesday but I gave up on running. I don't care if I get a bad score, I don't run. And I've officially decided to joining the Badmitting Club again in May. I'll only be there for 2 months and I only plan on going on the weekends after Kyuudou Club. I wouldn't miss Kyuudou for anything. And I think I may quit Sadou. I really do hate it. And I missed sooo many days already (I never want to go), when I went back last week I overheard the one teacher tell the other, "I thought she quit".
And I went to karaoke on the 18th with Nozomi, Kyaserin, and Asami. 6 hours at karaoke. THAT'S fun♥
Wednesday was the last Kyuudou taikai that the entire club could participate in. I made one hit there^^ I was really happy because I did it. And it was the last one I'll be participating in unless I suddenly become really good. In the following taikais only 5 people enter. And I took a picture with a cute guy♥ Everyone was shocked that I asked him to take a picture together. I'm a foreigner, I have the excuse for less embarrassment^^
And I guess it's onto Disney. Yesterday I went on my class trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Even though it says Tokyo, it's not in Tokyo, it's actually in Chiba. That was a lot of fun. I was a little upset that my class didn't chose Disney Sea instead of Land but I think Land was the better choice after yesterday. I walked around with Ayami, Kei, and Mizuki. We were only there from 10-4 which sucked (we were even late getting back to the bus haha). We got on like 4 rides and me and Mizuki went on this one ride called "Space Mountain". It's a rollarcoaster in the dark and it was SOO much fun. Then we rode a Pirates of the Caribbean (sorry for my terrible spelling). It was just like a boat ride around that was telling you a story. And no it wsn't on like a lake or river. Just some attraction that involved sitting in a boat. It was really cool though, all the robots looked just like the people but I was stunned when I was listening to these robots talked. IT WAS ALL IN ENGLISH. Everything. The original English voices were used when these robots spoke. Even at the end when you watch Jack Sparrow sitting on a chair and he talks to the people in the boat, IT'S ENGLISH! Same thing when we went on the Haunted Mansion ride, some parts of it were in English and my friends were like, "what is she saying?" to me. I couldn't translate it on the spot haha. And we rode the Buzz Lightyear lazer shooting ride. That was fun. That's it though. While waiting in line for Space Mountain me and Mizuki saw someone wearing a Tigger tail. We wanted it. We bought one after we got off the ride♥ We looked awesome and everyone after we came back to Hitachi thought they were cute♥
And that was Disney really.
There was a parade, too. And it was really cool, I took a bunch of pictures♥ I'll post an album up eventually. By the way, it would be soooo easy to get a job at Disney for a foreigner. ALL the characters were foreigners (except those who wear masks). I was watching Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Snow White and they were talking in English. I saw Jack Sparrow with his arm around some Japanese guy and it seemed like they were talking but I couldn't hear what language. Sooo easy. Maybe that's what I should do. Get a job at Tokyo Disneyland.
My class decided on the class match costumes on Wednesday while I was gone. And I'm glad with the outcome because I would have voted for it. We're doing Yattaman!!! I have some weird love for Yattaman. It's an anime but I hardly watch it, and it seems like a little kid show but it's fun to watch. I used to watch it every Monday after club but the stupid NHK changed the time to Sunday mornings at 7. No one's up then. But whatever. Tomorrow I'm going with Kayo to see the Yattaman movie, not the anime version. There is an anime one that just came out too but I wanna see the other one with PEOPLE. Hey, people who like Arashi, the character for Yattaman is some member of Arashi. I don't listen to them so I don't know who exactly. And then the 29th I'm going to Harajuku and Shibuya with Kayo and Mami. And soon it's Golden Week. I wonder what plans I'll have then.
And I found a new VK group. They're called Girugamesh and they are AMAZING. I love their MUSIC album. But right now, flumpool is what I'm listening to. They aren't VK at all but... it makes you want to smile and cry in a way.
So anyway, at Tsuchiura we were experiencing things with the exchange students. They were moving all over Japan to see things and experience things and Tsuchiura was one stop. So, we made mochi, pottery, and soba with them. Then we had like 2-3 days of Rotary related meetings. I had to give 2 speeches. I love how I'm told to do speeches like 30 minutes before giving them. I was sitting in my seat scribbling down words before hand. A really smart school came those days. Well, a few people. They're part of a club and because of that club they do all these random things. I made some friends there and then we were told that for one day we'd be going to their school. I was really excited. So, our last day with this Rotary thing we went to Nihon something something High School. I got to see them again and right now it's pretty clear to them that I'm obsessed with the guys haha. Even my friends here in Hitachi have that engraved in their minds. Every time a group of guys go pass they turn to me asking if there were any good looking ones. At the school we did Shoudou (Calligraphy), and participated in Juudou and Kendou. Juudou is actually A LOT of fun. I was throwing this girl on her back haha. She was jumping up though so she would flip. But if I was that strong to flip her, that would just be so freaking cool. I thought I would have enjoyed kendou better since it's like using a sword and stuff but juudou was just too much fun. I met a girl who like Visual Kei and recently we've been emailing each other. If there's a band that will be performing around us, we're gunna try to go. Leaving them was pretty sad. Even only knowing them for that day we got really close, I was talking with them all day. And I didn't want to leave. I wanted to come back the next day to see them. This was the last picture of them.
We went for karaoke twice with the exchange students. I was amazed at how amazing the Thai exchange students were singing Korean. Since there's no Thai songs at karaoke they were singing Korean groups like Big Bang, Tohoshinki, Wonder Girls, and Super Junior. They can read Korean which was pretty awesome. And that was our time in Tsuchiura.
In gym we've been running like crazy and not actually playing sports yet which sucks. It's a test to see how well shaped we are. The actual test started on Tuesday but I gave up on running. I don't care if I get a bad score, I don't run. And I've officially decided to joining the Badmitting Club again in May. I'll only be there for 2 months and I only plan on going on the weekends after Kyuudou Club. I wouldn't miss Kyuudou for anything. And I think I may quit Sadou. I really do hate it. And I missed sooo many days already (I never want to go), when I went back last week I overheard the one teacher tell the other, "I thought she quit".
And I went to karaoke on the 18th with Nozomi, Kyaserin, and Asami. 6 hours at karaoke. THAT'S fun♥
Wednesday was the last Kyuudou taikai that the entire club could participate in. I made one hit there^^ I was really happy because I did it. And it was the last one I'll be participating in unless I suddenly become really good. In the following taikais only 5 people enter. And I took a picture with a cute guy♥ Everyone was shocked that I asked him to take a picture together. I'm a foreigner, I have the excuse for less embarrassment^^
And I guess it's onto Disney. Yesterday I went on my class trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Even though it says Tokyo, it's not in Tokyo, it's actually in Chiba. That was a lot of fun. I was a little upset that my class didn't chose Disney Sea instead of Land but I think Land was the better choice after yesterday. I walked around with Ayami, Kei, and Mizuki. We were only there from 10-4 which sucked (we were even late getting back to the bus haha). We got on like 4 rides and me and Mizuki went on this one ride called "Space Mountain". It's a rollarcoaster in the dark and it was SOO much fun. Then we rode a Pirates of the Caribbean (sorry for my terrible spelling). It was just like a boat ride around that was telling you a story. And no it wsn't on like a lake or river. Just some attraction that involved sitting in a boat. It was really cool though, all the robots looked just like the people but I was stunned when I was listening to these robots talked. IT WAS ALL IN ENGLISH. Everything. The original English voices were used when these robots spoke. Even at the end when you watch Jack Sparrow sitting on a chair and he talks to the people in the boat, IT'S ENGLISH! Same thing when we went on the Haunted Mansion ride, some parts of it were in English and my friends were like, "what is she saying?" to me. I couldn't translate it on the spot haha. And we rode the Buzz Lightyear lazer shooting ride. That was fun. That's it though. While waiting in line for Space Mountain me and Mizuki saw someone wearing a Tigger tail. We wanted it. We bought one after we got off the ride♥ We looked awesome and everyone after we came back to Hitachi thought they were cute♥
And that was Disney really.
There was a parade, too. And it was really cool, I took a bunch of pictures♥ I'll post an album up eventually. By the way, it would be soooo easy to get a job at Disney for a foreigner. ALL the characters were foreigners (except those who wear masks). I was watching Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Snow White and they were talking in English. I saw Jack Sparrow with his arm around some Japanese guy and it seemed like they were talking but I couldn't hear what language. Sooo easy. Maybe that's what I should do. Get a job at Tokyo Disneyland.
My class decided on the class match costumes on Wednesday while I was gone. And I'm glad with the outcome because I would have voted for it. We're doing Yattaman!!! I have some weird love for Yattaman. It's an anime but I hardly watch it, and it seems like a little kid show but it's fun to watch. I used to watch it every Monday after club but the stupid NHK changed the time to Sunday mornings at 7. No one's up then. But whatever. Tomorrow I'm going with Kayo to see the Yattaman movie, not the anime version. There is an anime one that just came out too but I wanna see the other one with PEOPLE. Hey, people who like Arashi, the character for Yattaman is some member of Arashi. I don't listen to them so I don't know who exactly. And then the 29th I'm going to Harajuku and Shibuya with Kayo and Mami. And soon it's Golden Week. I wonder what plans I'll have then.
And I found a new VK group. They're called Girugamesh and they are AMAZING. I love their MUSIC album. But right now, flumpool is what I'm listening to. They aren't VK at all but... it makes you want to smile and cry in a way.
Japan Blog 58 (April 10, 2009) カピバラさん すごい友達♥
It's definitely been a long time. Lots of things happened, that's for sure. And yesterday was seriously one of my happiest days. Just because I saw the trouble they went through when they carried out the pot of corn soup that they handmade. But that was yesterday. Back to last week. There's going to be a lot of pictures♥
I seriously don't get much sleep here. ALWAYS up late talking with each other. My school days are going to become tiring. There were a lot of laughs, jokes about one another, it's just so much fun. I feel wayyy too comfortable. Which isn't necessarily a good thing on my behalf. I'm happy I feel comfortable and such, but when that happens my attitude can maybe seem ruder. Now I have to keep a watch on that. But there isn't that much to say about the family I think. But what did happen was the Hitachi Sakura Matsuri, April 4th! haha In the end I didn't even want to do it anymore. I was only in for it to wear the clothing it seemed to me. But I played my part with the children and then I saw my Kyuudou friends after it. Club ended and they came carrying their bows for the taikai the next day. I was glad haha. At that point though I was supposed to ride this big float but I didn't know when we (me and Pat) were supposed to get on it. So, after that I went to a Korean food stand and we at that. That's when I found out I was supposed to be there. Like 7 minutes before the show was over with the float, that's when I got on. The float then started to move, being pulled on ropes from people on the outside. Inside were the drummers and the flute players. I was supposed to help with the drums but yeah, totally forgot. This is the big float.
There were a bunch of these floats each representing a different part of Hitachi. I was part of Nishi (west). There was this huge group of foreigners there, too. It annoyed me when they took out their cameras to take a picture of me. This is what happened. Before we started the thing, off the street the group of us (Nishi members) had some kind of ceremony thing. I think it was like a blessing thing. Those foreigners were far away from us. I then see them raising their camera above everyone's heads to take a picture. But from the street all you would see is a bunch of people just standing there. The guy performing the ceremony was hidden behind the float. Then they were there again when we did the drums. I hate foreigners. I seriously wish I didn't even look like one. (okay, that's really rude. but it's the truth when I don't know them. Like, Pat's a foreigner but she's awesome. I didn't know these people. I don't mean to offend anyone)
At the festival I bought a Pikachu mask♥ That was one of my "need-to-buy-in-Japan" goals. A Pikachu mask at a matsuri (festival). Then, everyone has seen those goldfish catching games, right? I did it!^^ But I didn't catch anything (u_u) However Pat caught like 10 with the same paper scooper. I was like, "sugee Pat! That's not fair!" haha. My Japanese is really dirty. I keep using "e" at the endings when it should really be a "a" or "i". "Sugoi" is the proper way, not "sugee". I blame that on school. It's like high school slang, everyone says things like that and I just caught on. Not to mention Ibaraki is known as the ken with the most dirtiest Japanese spoken. But anyway I guess that's like it for the festival. Me and Pat went and took Purikura wearing our outfits We looked cool♥ There were a bunch of food stands and dancing groups there. And that was the festival. Not much to really say. The festival continued on the 5th but me and Pat couldn't go because we went to Iwaki to wear a kimono♥
I didn't think it was anything special. I was going to wear a kimono was all I thought. Nothing more. This was actually a mini fashion show thing. I didn't know that. Me and Pat were changed into kimonos then we had to show them off to a small group of people who came to watch. I thought it was troublesome in the beginning but I had fun in the end. The kimono was reallyyyy pretty♥
Tuesday was my birthday, I turned 18^^
I got happy birthday mail from Asami first and it's my favorite just because of the things she said. Asami really wants to smoke. She likes the smell of cigarettes for some reason but she said she's waiting until she's allowed to. The age to smoke in Japan is 20. I told her in America I can smoke at 18 and she added a comment about that saying, "18 Now you can smoke!". You can buy cigarettes here in vending machines but you need to scan your id through. Same thing if you want beer. But we found one cigg vending machine that doesn't require a card and we pass it after Kyuudou on the weekends. But she's set on waiting haha. On Tuesday I hung out with Yuka and Minami. We went to Yokado then to Kappa Zushi for sushi♥ It was fun and I received a kapibara-san coin purse and a wind-up like thing kapibara, and a money fan. I love Kapibara-san, by the way♥ It's a character here like Hello Kitty. Monday I also got to meet the South Korean exchange student! Me, Haruna, Asami, and Shiori (Letesu) went to meet her. She's super cute and here Japanese accent is seriously like dead on. But she only knows a little bit of Japanese. We're all writing here a letter in Korean haha. I had to use an online translator so what I want to say is probably completely off haha
My host family bought me a cake for my birthday on the 7th and I received a few things as well. Mami played happy birthday on the piano, too♥
There's other things I can say but I don't think they're THAT important. Besides from all the random chocolates and candy I received as gifts from my friends (I had to give most of it away because I would get fat) yesterday they had a small party for me at Kyuudou. It was supposed to be a surprise but I caught on pretty fast haha. Near the end of Kyuudou I was told to put my bow down and then everyone was told to stop what they were doing. I'm then surrounded by everyone and then they start singing happy birthday. At the last word the middle split apart and 3 people who supposedly weren't coming to club that day were standing outside with a GIGANTIC Kapibara-san stuffed animal and they popped those party cones where confetti flies out. Those 3. Erina, Nozomi, and Haruna. I was surprised to see that Kapibara stuffed animal, that's for sure. I saw the thing at Bulldog and it was 5,000 yen. I was going to buy it if it wasn't that much but also there was the problem of getting it home. I'm not kidding on how big this is. But I love it and I'm officially sleeping with it every night♥ Then after that, those 3 came out with a huge pot of corn soup. They said they made it themselves, not using the instant packets. That REALLY surprised me. They went through the trouble to make corn soup, too. It didn't taste that great but I was still unbelievably happy. And that was yesterday. So, I really enjoyed it all. And, after yesterday... I just have a completely different feeling right now. They're wayyy too kind. Everyone. The stuffed animal was from everyone in the club. They all pitched in with buying it. But yeah. I can't love everyone enough. I'll have an album up soon.
These are the 3 people who made the soup and the surprise appearance.
Erina, Nozomi, Haruna
See? The thing is humongous haha♥
I seriously don't get much sleep here. ALWAYS up late talking with each other. My school days are going to become tiring. There were a lot of laughs, jokes about one another, it's just so much fun. I feel wayyy too comfortable. Which isn't necessarily a good thing on my behalf. I'm happy I feel comfortable and such, but when that happens my attitude can maybe seem ruder. Now I have to keep a watch on that. But there isn't that much to say about the family I think. But what did happen was the Hitachi Sakura Matsuri, April 4th! haha In the end I didn't even want to do it anymore. I was only in for it to wear the clothing it seemed to me. But I played my part with the children and then I saw my Kyuudou friends after it. Club ended and they came carrying their bows for the taikai the next day. I was glad haha. At that point though I was supposed to ride this big float but I didn't know when we (me and Pat) were supposed to get on it. So, after that I went to a Korean food stand and we at that. That's when I found out I was supposed to be there. Like 7 minutes before the show was over with the float, that's when I got on. The float then started to move, being pulled on ropes from people on the outside. Inside were the drummers and the flute players. I was supposed to help with the drums but yeah, totally forgot. This is the big float.
There were a bunch of these floats each representing a different part of Hitachi. I was part of Nishi (west). There was this huge group of foreigners there, too. It annoyed me when they took out their cameras to take a picture of me. This is what happened. Before we started the thing, off the street the group of us (Nishi members) had some kind of ceremony thing. I think it was like a blessing thing. Those foreigners were far away from us. I then see them raising their camera above everyone's heads to take a picture. But from the street all you would see is a bunch of people just standing there. The guy performing the ceremony was hidden behind the float. Then they were there again when we did the drums. I hate foreigners. I seriously wish I didn't even look like one. (okay, that's really rude. but it's the truth when I don't know them. Like, Pat's a foreigner but she's awesome. I didn't know these people. I don't mean to offend anyone)
At the festival I bought a Pikachu mask♥ That was one of my "need-to-buy-in-Japan" goals. A Pikachu mask at a matsuri (festival). Then, everyone has seen those goldfish catching games, right? I did it!^^ But I didn't catch anything (u_u) However Pat caught like 10 with the same paper scooper. I was like, "sugee Pat! That's not fair!" haha. My Japanese is really dirty. I keep using "e" at the endings when it should really be a "a" or "i". "Sugoi" is the proper way, not "sugee". I blame that on school. It's like high school slang, everyone says things like that and I just caught on. Not to mention Ibaraki is known as the ken with the most dirtiest Japanese spoken. But anyway I guess that's like it for the festival. Me and Pat went and took Purikura wearing our outfits We looked cool♥ There were a bunch of food stands and dancing groups there. And that was the festival. Not much to really say. The festival continued on the 5th but me and Pat couldn't go because we went to Iwaki to wear a kimono♥
I didn't think it was anything special. I was going to wear a kimono was all I thought. Nothing more. This was actually a mini fashion show thing. I didn't know that. Me and Pat were changed into kimonos then we had to show them off to a small group of people who came to watch. I thought it was troublesome in the beginning but I had fun in the end. The kimono was reallyyyy pretty♥
Tuesday was my birthday, I turned 18^^
I got happy birthday mail from Asami first and it's my favorite just because of the things she said. Asami really wants to smoke. She likes the smell of cigarettes for some reason but she said she's waiting until she's allowed to. The age to smoke in Japan is 20. I told her in America I can smoke at 18 and she added a comment about that saying, "18 Now you can smoke!". You can buy cigarettes here in vending machines but you need to scan your id through. Same thing if you want beer. But we found one cigg vending machine that doesn't require a card and we pass it after Kyuudou on the weekends. But she's set on waiting haha. On Tuesday I hung out with Yuka and Minami. We went to Yokado then to Kappa Zushi for sushi♥ It was fun and I received a kapibara-san coin purse and a wind-up like thing kapibara, and a money fan. I love Kapibara-san, by the way♥ It's a character here like Hello Kitty. Monday I also got to meet the South Korean exchange student! Me, Haruna, Asami, and Shiori (Letesu) went to meet her. She's super cute and here Japanese accent is seriously like dead on. But she only knows a little bit of Japanese. We're all writing here a letter in Korean haha. I had to use an online translator so what I want to say is probably completely off haha
My host family bought me a cake for my birthday on the 7th and I received a few things as well. Mami played happy birthday on the piano, too♥
There's other things I can say but I don't think they're THAT important. Besides from all the random chocolates and candy I received as gifts from my friends (I had to give most of it away because I would get fat) yesterday they had a small party for me at Kyuudou. It was supposed to be a surprise but I caught on pretty fast haha. Near the end of Kyuudou I was told to put my bow down and then everyone was told to stop what they were doing. I'm then surrounded by everyone and then they start singing happy birthday. At the last word the middle split apart and 3 people who supposedly weren't coming to club that day were standing outside with a GIGANTIC Kapibara-san stuffed animal and they popped those party cones where confetti flies out. Those 3. Erina, Nozomi, and Haruna. I was surprised to see that Kapibara stuffed animal, that's for sure. I saw the thing at Bulldog and it was 5,000 yen. I was going to buy it if it wasn't that much but also there was the problem of getting it home. I'm not kidding on how big this is. But I love it and I'm officially sleeping with it every night♥ Then after that, those 3 came out with a huge pot of corn soup. They said they made it themselves, not using the instant packets. That REALLY surprised me. They went through the trouble to make corn soup, too. It didn't taste that great but I was still unbelievably happy. And that was yesterday. So, I really enjoyed it all. And, after yesterday... I just have a completely different feeling right now. They're wayyy too kind. Everyone. The stuffed animal was from everyone in the club. They all pitched in with buying it. But yeah. I can't love everyone enough. I'll have an album up soon.
These are the 3 people who made the soup and the surprise appearance.
Erina, Nozomi, Haruna
See? The thing is humongous haha♥
Japan Blog 57 (April 2, 2009) DDR exists♥♥♥
It's Yuumi's birthday today. Speaking of birthdays mine is all screwed up now. Thanks to Rotary. I had plans. Karaoke. Come back home late. Now I can't because at 6 at night I have to go to some stupid dinner with my first host dad. Sure, I can go and do karaoke that day anyway if I really want but that means I'd have to be home for 5:30. That's wayyy too early. So, yeah. That's screwed over. Then on the 11th I was going to go for sushi with my friends as a birthday thing. Nope. Can't do that either THANKS TO ROTARY. I have to go somewhere and it's for 2 days so I won't even be around. Rotary is really starting to annoy me. I'm just really mad though about my birthday. I realllyyyy wanted to have fun at karaoke and with my friends. But now I'm not. Lucky I'll be doing something though. We changed the 11th sushi plan to my birthday so the 3 of us (me and 2 ni-nensei [yay! I'm a san-nensei now!]) will at least be eating sushi. And if I have any time after that if we don't do something after it, I'm going to try to hook up with the others and figure out something to do. I just don't want to be home, that's my goal.
In any case, I did change families. The past 2 days here I didn't go to sleep until 3 because we were talking. It's really nice here so far. The girls are pretty awesome and the dog is really lovable♥ And actually, I thought the 3 people, one room thing was going to be much worse than what it is. The room's not really THAT small for 3 people. The beds are lined up against the wall and then in the front we can walk. The house is small though. 3 floors but small. The first floor consists of the furo and a bedroom where the mom sleeps and a toilet, the 2nd floor is the living room, a kitchen, and another toilet, and the grandmother sleeps there (she doesn't have a room), and the 3rd floor is our bedroom. Veryyy small house but it's nice. I think our last name is Takamatsuke... It's definitively Taka something. The dog's name is Maria, the 21 year old is Mami and the 22 year old is Kayo. Kayo makes my bento every morning which is nostalgic only because it's been a while since I've seen my bento haha. Mmm... what else kana... Oh! This is Maria^^
The day I came here some computer guy came and he did something with my computer along with the 2 the family has (one is Kayo's). But I have wireless internet which is GREAT because right now I am laying in my bed, under the blankets typing this up♥ But I think it will be less that I come on though. Today Kyuudou was canceled because of the weather this morning (but now the weather is fine haha) and only the grandmother is here and I was sleeping. Otherwise I wouldn't be doing this. My second day here they had a welcome party for me. Mami and Kayo took me for karaoke and the mom joined us for a bit. Holy crap can she sing, the mom! All of them were really good, especially Kayo. I was impressed when she sang Ayumi Hamasaki's "Days". When you can do Ayumi that's impressive. She has such a high voice. Then we had cake when we got home. I took purikura with them too but the puri machines at Sega are like millions of years old so they aren't very... cool/pretty/cute. The backgrounds that is. The wind is really strong today. Kyuudou would have sucked. Well, I know what I hate about living by the ocean now, the wind. There isn't one day without wind. It sucks.
Yesterday I was freaking out happy in my mind. I'm always saying how I can't eat sweets and stuff and that I don't do exercise. I weighed myself yesterday and I didn't like the number. But that's not the freaking out part. I was talking with Kayo and she was saying eat a lot and do excercise and then she asked me what I did in America since I said I didn't weigh this much. I brought up how the only exercise I did was DDR and that that's the only exercise I do unless I wanna go for a walk. She knew what DDR is. NO ONE knows what DDR is until I do into explanation about it and then they've only "heard of it". She knew it. But... then she said, "motteruyo" (we have it). -mouth drops open-
DO YOU SEE HOW EXCITED I AM!!??
DDR was the only thing I had to lose weight. DDR is one of the things I miss here just for fun too. They have DDR! They have a Playstation, not a PS2, but they have the dance pad and the game for it! Today when Mami comes home she said she'd go look for it. Oh my god. I never would have guessed something like this would happen.
I talk a lot more with Kayo. We seems to have a lot of things in common and since she did Kyuudou when she was in Junior High we can go on about that and she'll know exactly what I mean and we'll just talk about it. She went to Boston as an college exchange for a week in America, so she knows some English. More like words and not really as in speaking sentences (so it seems. I could be wrong). And then at karaoke she knew bands that I was singing, and she told me to sing an American song. So then I went searching for a song, chose one, and she just read the title "Still Waiting" and said "I love that song! Sum 41, right?". Woah. Then I sang Rin Toshite Shigure's "Telecastic Fake Show", she liked it and she now downloaded the ringtone. The 1st night here we were on YouTube and I introduced them to 9mm Parabellum Bullet's "Supernova", they liked that, and Metro Station's "Control". They LOVED that song. It's only my 4th day here today and it's already crazy.
Remember I said that my friend could host me? I asked Rotary about it and they're perfectly okay with it. I just have to decide whether to go for 1 or 2 months. I told Akko to decide on that. But we don't know yet. There's still time though. I'm really glad though. I do think though that I will have to go back to the Fukaya's before I leave. I think they told me something about that. But since I found another family it won't have to be for a month like was planned. Only for like a week or so. Which is okay, I'm fine with that. Besides, Akko lives reallyyy close to the Fukaya's which I found out. Like unbelievably close. Right now my house is really close to 3 of my friends, Tomoka, Asami, and Nojiri. And I'm surrounded by lots of houses. The first day I met up with Tomoka to find my bus stop and when I went home I tried to get into the wrong house haha. I thought it was mine and the door was locked and so I rang the doorbell and I'm like, It's Tasha, It's Tasha. But they didn't understand why I was saying that I guess so then I came to the conclusion it was the wrong house. They must have thought a foreigner was going to rob or kill them if I was let in haha. Anyway, I am the house next door. That was embarrassing.
In 2 days it's going to be the Sakura Matsuri, I'm going to be in the taiko performance. Then on Sunday I'm off to some other ken to wear a kimono. Who knows when I'll be able to type up again. Hopefully soon.
And last night me and Kayo were talking about Harajuku, looking online at clothes shops there, and I think we made it official that we're going the end of this month. Probably the 29th. YES! I've never been to Harajuku! But it's the #1 place on my list since I've came to Japan! Sex Pot Revenge here I come!
In any case, I did change families. The past 2 days here I didn't go to sleep until 3 because we were talking. It's really nice here so far. The girls are pretty awesome and the dog is really lovable♥ And actually, I thought the 3 people, one room thing was going to be much worse than what it is. The room's not really THAT small for 3 people. The beds are lined up against the wall and then in the front we can walk. The house is small though. 3 floors but small. The first floor consists of the furo and a bedroom where the mom sleeps and a toilet, the 2nd floor is the living room, a kitchen, and another toilet, and the grandmother sleeps there (she doesn't have a room), and the 3rd floor is our bedroom. Veryyy small house but it's nice. I think our last name is Takamatsuke... It's definitively Taka something. The dog's name is Maria, the 21 year old is Mami and the 22 year old is Kayo. Kayo makes my bento every morning which is nostalgic only because it's been a while since I've seen my bento haha. Mmm... what else kana... Oh! This is Maria^^
The day I came here some computer guy came and he did something with my computer along with the 2 the family has (one is Kayo's). But I have wireless internet which is GREAT because right now I am laying in my bed, under the blankets typing this up♥ But I think it will be less that I come on though. Today Kyuudou was canceled because of the weather this morning (but now the weather is fine haha) and only the grandmother is here and I was sleeping. Otherwise I wouldn't be doing this. My second day here they had a welcome party for me. Mami and Kayo took me for karaoke and the mom joined us for a bit. Holy crap can she sing, the mom! All of them were really good, especially Kayo. I was impressed when she sang Ayumi Hamasaki's "Days". When you can do Ayumi that's impressive. She has such a high voice. Then we had cake when we got home. I took purikura with them too but the puri machines at Sega are like millions of years old so they aren't very... cool/pretty/cute. The backgrounds that is. The wind is really strong today. Kyuudou would have sucked. Well, I know what I hate about living by the ocean now, the wind. There isn't one day without wind. It sucks.
Yesterday I was freaking out happy in my mind. I'm always saying how I can't eat sweets and stuff and that I don't do exercise. I weighed myself yesterday and I didn't like the number. But that's not the freaking out part. I was talking with Kayo and she was saying eat a lot and do excercise and then she asked me what I did in America since I said I didn't weigh this much. I brought up how the only exercise I did was DDR and that that's the only exercise I do unless I wanna go for a walk. She knew what DDR is. NO ONE knows what DDR is until I do into explanation about it and then they've only "heard of it". She knew it. But... then she said, "motteruyo" (we have it). -mouth drops open-
DO YOU SEE HOW EXCITED I AM!!??
DDR was the only thing I had to lose weight. DDR is one of the things I miss here just for fun too. They have DDR! They have a Playstation, not a PS2, but they have the dance pad and the game for it! Today when Mami comes home she said she'd go look for it. Oh my god. I never would have guessed something like this would happen.
I talk a lot more with Kayo. We seems to have a lot of things in common and since she did Kyuudou when she was in Junior High we can go on about that and she'll know exactly what I mean and we'll just talk about it. She went to Boston as an college exchange for a week in America, so she knows some English. More like words and not really as in speaking sentences (so it seems. I could be wrong). And then at karaoke she knew bands that I was singing, and she told me to sing an American song. So then I went searching for a song, chose one, and she just read the title "Still Waiting" and said "I love that song! Sum 41, right?". Woah. Then I sang Rin Toshite Shigure's "Telecastic Fake Show", she liked it and she now downloaded the ringtone. The 1st night here we were on YouTube and I introduced them to 9mm Parabellum Bullet's "Supernova", they liked that, and Metro Station's "Control". They LOVED that song. It's only my 4th day here today and it's already crazy.
Remember I said that my friend could host me? I asked Rotary about it and they're perfectly okay with it. I just have to decide whether to go for 1 or 2 months. I told Akko to decide on that. But we don't know yet. There's still time though. I'm really glad though. I do think though that I will have to go back to the Fukaya's before I leave. I think they told me something about that. But since I found another family it won't have to be for a month like was planned. Only for like a week or so. Which is okay, I'm fine with that. Besides, Akko lives reallyyy close to the Fukaya's which I found out. Like unbelievably close. Right now my house is really close to 3 of my friends, Tomoka, Asami, and Nojiri. And I'm surrounded by lots of houses. The first day I met up with Tomoka to find my bus stop and when I went home I tried to get into the wrong house haha. I thought it was mine and the door was locked and so I rang the doorbell and I'm like, It's Tasha, It's Tasha. But they didn't understand why I was saying that I guess so then I came to the conclusion it was the wrong house. They must have thought a foreigner was going to rob or kill them if I was let in haha. Anyway, I am the house next door. That was embarrassing.
In 2 days it's going to be the Sakura Matsuri, I'm going to be in the taiko performance. Then on Sunday I'm off to some other ken to wear a kimono. Who knows when I'll be able to type up again. Hopefully soon.
And last night me and Kayo were talking about Harajuku, looking online at clothes shops there, and I think we made it official that we're going the end of this month. Probably the 29th. YES! I've never been to Harajuku! But it's the #1 place on my list since I've came to Japan! Sex Pot Revenge here I come!
Japan Blog 56 (March 30, 2009) ひっこしします
Today I'm changing host families, in like a matter of hours. Well, I was packing yesterday and I got angry again. I hate packing because I'm always reminded that I OVER PACKED to come here. And I don't mean to put blame on people but it's not my fault either. I didn't want to bring half the stuff. nsnsfbs,fbsafbkjbf
I did accomplish a goal I set out for. When I came here I had my 3 suitcases, a duffel bag (the thing is hugeee), my computer bag, my school bag (but that's only filled with my school books so it doesn't really count) and a box. I limited myself to 3 suitcases. And I somehow did it! Thank god. But there are things I do have to carry. Nothing that big. Today will be... interesting. I wonder how I'll like the 3 people, 1 room deal.
Well, I was just thinking about college the other night and I came to thinking that I seriously don't watch anime anymore. I'm just wowed at that considering that I would waste hours on the computer and watching TV if it ever came on. Now I hardly careless. If it's on I "might" watch it. Otherwise I prefer studying. Yeah. Study. I rather waste my time listening to music and studying. I found a new hobby. And it's a creepy one. If I don't have the internet at my new house that's going to kill me. Not only for these blogs but how am I going to get new music?? (;_;) But hey! I can officially read and write Korean now! I don't understand what the hell the meaning is but I can read and write it! Sooo cool I think. Korean I discovered is soo unique. Have you looked at the way you spell? You would think there's a gazillion symbols but you actually build the pronunciation. That may sound confusing but if you look the language you'll understand. It's interesting but the language is hard to remember. I was trying to remember "hello" and I seriously couldn't do it. I remember it now but I must have written it like 50 times. Annyeonhaseyo! Freaking long.
I went to a BBQ of my family's relative Saturday and I went to the bathroom and when I opened the door the toilet lid flipped open!! It scared me but I was like, "holy crap! That's sooo cool!". So, when I was done I wanted to see it do it again so I closed the door then opened it again. Nothing happened. I know for a fact that lid flipped open. But... nothing happened...
I downloaded Utada's newest CD. Her style hasn't changed which is nice. It's all in English though and it's not that bad. I heard she performed on the Early Show last week! So, her album is being released in the US! She didn't give up on the US yet, huh? Maybe people will finally recognize her. That'll be something. Popular in Japan and the US.
The Japanese economy is in trouble. So, they gave the entire country a present^^ Everyone in the country received like $200 from the government. The point of that is, "we give you money to go and buy things to save the economy". Which is cool. But it's even cooler because I received 20,000 yen as well! I was all happy. All the new and fresh exchange students didn't revive it though. You had to be here for at least 6 months to receive this gift. I got l-u-c-k-y -sings- Well, I know what I'll be doing. 10,000 is going straight to Rin Toshite Shigure. I have to pay Nozomi yet for the ticket (whenever she comes back from Hokkaido) then the rest of that will go towards the train ticket. So, that's being saved up. The other 10,000 is going to be for going out. It's my birthday next Tuesday, 18 woo! And since we don't have school or club I plan on going to karaoke. I AM GOING TO KARAOKE. There's like 800 yen. I want to go for sushi, too but the friends I'm going to karaoke with, a few of them hate sushi. So, that's a no go. But 3 other friends in Kyuudou, they have their birthdays this month, too. I suggested "sushi!" so on the 11th after club we're going for sushi. Haruna isn't coming though (she's one of the birthday people) 'cause she hates sushi. But we grouped like 3 other people to come, too. Not to mention I have to buy gifts for them yet. I got a text last night from a girl in the English Club. I met her there but now I hardly see her. She wants to hang out during spring break. Then after club one day me, Erina, and another girl are going for ramen. Bus and train ticket, around 800 yen? Ramen, around 600 yen. I'm gunna be busy. And I have to go to Ikumi's house one day yet. Train to Takahagi... I have no idea how much that is.
And later this month is our class trip to Disney!!
I'm sooo excited♥ I've never been to Disney before and my first will be Tokyo's! I'll need to save money for that. And I wanna buy a book that does Korean. I saw one months ago at Book Ace.
My last night here I went out to eat. I was happy that sushi was served. But it was at the end that I felt saddened. That was the last time I was going to see the dad and I didn't know him that much but he was really nice. I shook his hand, and that was goodbye.
New house. New family.
New bus. Same Tajiri.
Once again, starting anew.
I did accomplish a goal I set out for. When I came here I had my 3 suitcases, a duffel bag (the thing is hugeee), my computer bag, my school bag (but that's only filled with my school books so it doesn't really count) and a box. I limited myself to 3 suitcases. And I somehow did it! Thank god. But there are things I do have to carry. Nothing that big. Today will be... interesting. I wonder how I'll like the 3 people, 1 room deal.
Well, I was just thinking about college the other night and I came to thinking that I seriously don't watch anime anymore. I'm just wowed at that considering that I would waste hours on the computer and watching TV if it ever came on. Now I hardly careless. If it's on I "might" watch it. Otherwise I prefer studying. Yeah. Study. I rather waste my time listening to music and studying. I found a new hobby. And it's a creepy one. If I don't have the internet at my new house that's going to kill me. Not only for these blogs but how am I going to get new music?? (;_;) But hey! I can officially read and write Korean now! I don't understand what the hell the meaning is but I can read and write it! Sooo cool I think. Korean I discovered is soo unique. Have you looked at the way you spell? You would think there's a gazillion symbols but you actually build the pronunciation. That may sound confusing but if you look the language you'll understand. It's interesting but the language is hard to remember. I was trying to remember "hello" and I seriously couldn't do it. I remember it now but I must have written it like 50 times. Annyeonhaseyo! Freaking long.
I went to a BBQ of my family's relative Saturday and I went to the bathroom and when I opened the door the toilet lid flipped open!! It scared me but I was like, "holy crap! That's sooo cool!". So, when I was done I wanted to see it do it again so I closed the door then opened it again. Nothing happened. I know for a fact that lid flipped open. But... nothing happened...
I downloaded Utada's newest CD. Her style hasn't changed which is nice. It's all in English though and it's not that bad. I heard she performed on the Early Show last week! So, her album is being released in the US! She didn't give up on the US yet, huh? Maybe people will finally recognize her. That'll be something. Popular in Japan and the US.
The Japanese economy is in trouble. So, they gave the entire country a present^^ Everyone in the country received like $200 from the government. The point of that is, "we give you money to go and buy things to save the economy". Which is cool. But it's even cooler because I received 20,000 yen as well! I was all happy. All the new and fresh exchange students didn't revive it though. You had to be here for at least 6 months to receive this gift. I got l-u-c-k-y -sings- Well, I know what I'll be doing. 10,000 is going straight to Rin Toshite Shigure. I have to pay Nozomi yet for the ticket (whenever she comes back from Hokkaido) then the rest of that will go towards the train ticket. So, that's being saved up. The other 10,000 is going to be for going out. It's my birthday next Tuesday, 18 woo! And since we don't have school or club I plan on going to karaoke. I AM GOING TO KARAOKE. There's like 800 yen. I want to go for sushi, too but the friends I'm going to karaoke with, a few of them hate sushi. So, that's a no go. But 3 other friends in Kyuudou, they have their birthdays this month, too. I suggested "sushi!" so on the 11th after club we're going for sushi. Haruna isn't coming though (she's one of the birthday people) 'cause she hates sushi. But we grouped like 3 other people to come, too. Not to mention I have to buy gifts for them yet. I got a text last night from a girl in the English Club. I met her there but now I hardly see her. She wants to hang out during spring break. Then after club one day me, Erina, and another girl are going for ramen. Bus and train ticket, around 800 yen? Ramen, around 600 yen. I'm gunna be busy. And I have to go to Ikumi's house one day yet. Train to Takahagi... I have no idea how much that is.
And later this month is our class trip to Disney!!
I'm sooo excited♥ I've never been to Disney before and my first will be Tokyo's! I'll need to save money for that. And I wanna buy a book that does Korean. I saw one months ago at Book Ace.
My last night here I went out to eat. I was happy that sushi was served. But it was at the end that I felt saddened. That was the last time I was going to see the dad and I didn't know him that much but he was really nice. I shook his hand, and that was goodbye.
New house. New family.
New bus. Same Tajiri.
Once again, starting anew.
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