I must say I am getting bored of sitting around and not doing all too much. My tattoo is just starting to scab and peel from what I can see. I have not taken off my hoodie since I last showered…which was the day before yesterday. I am thinking about showering today, but it just makes me cold so I really don’t want to plus my head is kind of itchy. I hope its just dandruff, or something. I looked for lice and it does not look like there are any bugs just like dry skin in my hair. I also don’t want to shower because I don’t want to get the tattoo wet even though I can completely avoid that. I should get it wet I suppose though because I smell from that pit like the smelly kid in class. I can’t was it with soap or scrub it for reasons that will wreck the tattoo. I hope it comes out really well. I tried doing my homework a bit today and I’m pretty sure I am doing most of it wrong but it might be right so I just do it anyways. Then there are the parts that I have no idea so I am waiting until I can get a tutor. Yuki said she would help me but I am kind of embarrassed to receive her help. I suppose I should, I just don’t want to seem stupid. I suppose its more stupid not getting help. Also when I try talking people they don’t know what I’m saying half the time and when I asked someone to say it to them for me in Japanese it’s exactly what I said!! But I don’t know maybe they can’t understand my accent.
I can’t wait until the tattoo is healed and then I can get back to my normal life style of exercising and walking around the area more finding parks and such to view. I’m going to be so out of shape when P.E starts again from doing nothing for 2 weeks; also walking up the stairs to class at the Sayama campus is going to be fun. I counted and there are 132 steps going one way, (down is the easiest, other then the fact that you don’t want to trip and fall down I think you would die). Oh and so much for the trees loosing their leaves the here Bamboo and other trees that in Canada would die in a flash are considered “evergreen trees”…but then again there are evergreen trees in the tropics. I mean all that word means is that a tree stays green all year round. I just figured it was going to be like Canadian boreal areas (naive me) with coniferous evergreens. So yea, only like 1/4th of the vegetation has lost its leaves. I mean there are roses still blooming. Next year I hope it snows a lot so I can play in it back at home ha-ha.
Here is a website if you are interested in learning about some of the traditions of the Japanese New Year festivities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_New_Year
Tomorrow I get to start celebrate it, so I will take as many photos as I can like my Mummy would like. I love you
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Suprises Rock
You know what I find somewhat pathetic, is the fact that right now I wish I could be at home with my family. I suppose this has something to do with the fact that I know it is Christmas, and I am lacking that warming feeling that only your house and your family and friends can give you. I mean, unless I die before I go back to Canada and see everyone, when I am there I know I will be bored at times and wish I was in some other place. I just wish one could always be 100% satisfied with what is going on in their life at all times. Is that even possible? I mean like I don’t want to go home because this is a great experience and such, I just wish I could share it with someone physically. Perhaps when classes start again I will make a steady friend. I am mostly likely also extra lonely because my room is cold even though I have the heat at 24 degrees Celsius. I can’t put on another sweater either because of the tattoo, it would be too restricting, and so I just have a loose zip up on. I can’t bathe in a warm bath either for obvious tattoo care reasons. I think I am also extra bored because all I can do for the next weeks is keeping my left arm up as much as possible and immobile. Thus I am doing homework and it’s hard without a tutor because I am guessing a certain things and every other word I end up having to locate in the back so I can find what page the translation is on. The tattoo is so amazingly great. Oh mail! Sweet Hurrah! I just received the new bitch and ecologist magazine, just when I was getting bored out of my mind I get interesting reading material. I mean I have books but I also really enjoy current events on issues/articles I care about like the ecology and the feminism. Both seemingly go hand in hand together if you ask me. Anyways, that perked my mood up ha-ha same with ranting a bit. Hurrah, I’m glad that I could share this moment with all of you as it happens. Now I’m happy. I love bitch, it always makes me feel good about myself and it comes at about the right time because it’s quarterly so just when I’m starting to feel down about certain things going on it cheers me up and gives me extra esteem. Anyway…back to homework. Maybe a friend will fall from the sky for me. Merry Christmas (although it is the 26th for me today, its Christmas Evening for all of you North Americans) Love you
Monday, December 24, 2007
Now To Start Healing....
My God. I offically feel like I can say Im pretty motherfuckin tough (ha) for getting a tattoo in my armpit. I sat for about 7-6 1/2 hours with a couple short breaks inbetween. It was really interesting getting a tattoo all by myself. Since the tattoo artisit did not speak any english, and I did not feel like trying to speak japanese because I cant really say anything interesting and then I dont know what they are saying when they reply half the time. It looks so sweet. So I really only had myself to talk to in my head, or through the pain, I found the best thing to do during super pain was not to think at all and just accept. Ha-ha, I am waiting for him to post the photos they took of the tattoo on the web because right now its hard to take a photo of and its all bloody. This morning I woke up and I had brought my armpit down in my sleep alittle bit (like the equivelent of having my hand on my hip) and uugh I checked it out in the mirror and it was like a pile of bloody ooze in my arm pit. So I rinsed it mostly all off and Im just airing out my arm pit for the time being. I am suppose to go down to Namba (because its X-mas today) to meet some girls for lunch but I am seriously reconsidering. Its funny I was so excited for so long to get the tattoo and now that I am in pain I just want it to heal and Im like...damn 2 (1) weeks of healing is going to blow. Its so amazingly pretty though, I love it. They also gave me some stickers and their last T-shirt which is a Japanese medium but I think it will just be like a tightish bellyshirt. Anyways wish me quick healings. Loves Justine.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Shaving is for Babies...
Dude, I…Justine Lynn Bouchard totally just shaved BOTH of my armpits in the bathtub about 20mins ago. Insane I know, but it had to be done for the tattoo. I feel like a prepubescent child. People who shave their entire bodies are freaks. I could not imagine shaving all of my pubic hair off…that’s just creepy. I mean I understand the sexual appeal for some people all smooth and junk, but on so many different levels I feel it’s just wrong. Too I look extremely odd, now my pubes are lonely. I mean I have not shaved my leg hair but it’s not exactly like you can see it. Too I did not realize how lightly coloured my armpit hair was. Anyways my arm pits feel weird. A tiny, minuscule really, bit tender understandable though I mean I stopped shaving in Grade 11, and I started in grade 6/7ish. Also I don’t see why people don’t shave their heads as well if their argument for why they shave everything else is because their (the) hair is gross or they like the smooth feeling. DUDE! I’m getting my tattoo tomorrow so excite! I’m going to be in such pain! Ha-ha I love it. Thank you all so much for your X-mas gift for those who contributed to it! Loves you all, I will check in tomorrow to describe to you the entire ordeal. Wish the pain away for me! Love Hugs and Kisses
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Just taken him easy...
Yah! Its break time! Hurrah!
So on Friday Mr.Ohta cancelled for some reason (hurray) and I was able to get out of class an hour and a half early which is always nice. Too it was good because every Friday now I have been dreading somewhat because he gets mad at me ha-ha. Wait that’s not funny...
So on Saturday I went and helped out with an interview for possible Japanese exchange students and then I went and walked around some random parks in the area and came home. The next day I went to a Concert for international music festival, or something or other that was okay. On Monday I met up with a student who wanted to interview me and asked me some questions. Some questions are things like describing the Canadian culture, which is multicultural so I always tell them it depends on each family’s heritage for what traditions they celebrate. My most favourite question is what I find weird about the Japanese culture. That would be the fact that they rarely touch each other. They always bow and rarely shake hands and I never see friends hugging. I have seen two couples that were in a type of embrace or holding hands. So then after people find that I think that it is a bit odd that they don’t touch they end up going out of their way to touch me. Ha-ha this is kind of funny because I know it’s not genuine and it’s somewhat awkward and a little forced on their part.
On Tuesday I did not really do too much but I went to a near by shopping center to see if I could get large amounts of money out at one time from my debit card and had no luck. So I will just have to use the post office which only lets me take out sums of $100.00 at a time. Every time I use the service it costs me $2.50 which is better because it was costing me $8.00 Canadian. I need to use the machine 8 times to get the proper amount of money I need for my tattoo and grocery money/bills for the rest of the month until I can get cash from the University. I get my tattoo on December 24th at 1pm, IM SOOOOOOOO EXCITED~! Oh I finally found a razor and the cheapest on was $8.50 roughly. Oh well I hope the shaving goes well ha-ha, I’m more afraid of that then the actual tattoo.
Today I went into Namba to see how long it would take me to walk to the tattoo parlour so I could make and educate myself on how much time I would need to have for traveling and walking and such to be on time. When I went up into the tattoo shop some man was running around in his ginch I did not think anything of it really until about an hour later and was like….sweet. Ha-ha oh I’m so excited! I also bought my first cup of coffee of sorts today in like…I don’t know…since I ‘accidentally’ ate coconut which I then happened to be allergic to and my throat closed up half way. It was not that good it was a gingerbread latte from star bucks with soymilk. I don’t even really like coffee. Watch this tomorrow I will find myself buying some because I am addicted. I found some shirts that said ‘I (heart) NAKED” I was tempted but no. I am going to go to the second hand shop in the area and see if I can find any cool band t-shirts for when I get my tattoo because I need a loose fitting top. I saw my time slot for when I should be getting the tattoo and it looked like only 4 hours…so I’m hoping that means he is a speedy artist.
Anyways tomorrow I am going to pick up more groceries, and take out monies I need. Possibly mail some post cards out that I bought today! Oh yea…and do my homework! I better not forget about that! Love you guys and thank you for all who sent me X-mas cards and gifts. Love you all so much! Feel free to visit anytime, free room and board! I’ll even cook nutritious cruelty-free/wheat-free food! Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm!
Love
So on Friday Mr.Ohta cancelled for some reason (hurray) and I was able to get out of class an hour and a half early which is always nice. Too it was good because every Friday now I have been dreading somewhat because he gets mad at me ha-ha. Wait that’s not funny...
So on Saturday I went and helped out with an interview for possible Japanese exchange students and then I went and walked around some random parks in the area and came home. The next day I went to a Concert for international music festival, or something or other that was okay. On Monday I met up with a student who wanted to interview me and asked me some questions. Some questions are things like describing the Canadian culture, which is multicultural so I always tell them it depends on each family’s heritage for what traditions they celebrate. My most favourite question is what I find weird about the Japanese culture. That would be the fact that they rarely touch each other. They always bow and rarely shake hands and I never see friends hugging. I have seen two couples that were in a type of embrace or holding hands. So then after people find that I think that it is a bit odd that they don’t touch they end up going out of their way to touch me. Ha-ha this is kind of funny because I know it’s not genuine and it’s somewhat awkward and a little forced on their part.
On Tuesday I did not really do too much but I went to a near by shopping center to see if I could get large amounts of money out at one time from my debit card and had no luck. So I will just have to use the post office which only lets me take out sums of $100.00 at a time. Every time I use the service it costs me $2.50 which is better because it was costing me $8.00 Canadian. I need to use the machine 8 times to get the proper amount of money I need for my tattoo and grocery money/bills for the rest of the month until I can get cash from the University. I get my tattoo on December 24th at 1pm, IM SOOOOOOOO EXCITED~! Oh I finally found a razor and the cheapest on was $8.50 roughly. Oh well I hope the shaving goes well ha-ha, I’m more afraid of that then the actual tattoo.
Today I went into Namba to see how long it would take me to walk to the tattoo parlour so I could make and educate myself on how much time I would need to have for traveling and walking and such to be on time. When I went up into the tattoo shop some man was running around in his ginch I did not think anything of it really until about an hour later and was like….sweet. Ha-ha oh I’m so excited! I also bought my first cup of coffee of sorts today in like…I don’t know…since I ‘accidentally’ ate coconut which I then happened to be allergic to and my throat closed up half way. It was not that good it was a gingerbread latte from star bucks with soymilk. I don’t even really like coffee. Watch this tomorrow I will find myself buying some because I am addicted. I found some shirts that said ‘I (heart) NAKED” I was tempted but no. I am going to go to the second hand shop in the area and see if I can find any cool band t-shirts for when I get my tattoo because I need a loose fitting top. I saw my time slot for when I should be getting the tattoo and it looked like only 4 hours…so I’m hoping that means he is a speedy artist.
Anyways tomorrow I am going to pick up more groceries, and take out monies I need. Possibly mail some post cards out that I bought today! Oh yea…and do my homework! I better not forget about that! Love you guys and thank you for all who sent me X-mas cards and gifts. Love you all so much! Feel free to visit anytime, free room and board! I’ll even cook nutritious cruelty-free/wheat-free food! Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm!
Love
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
My back hurts...I miss couches
I have decided, finally why the houses hear look so familiar. Has any one watched ‘The Labyrinth” directed by Jim Henson (brilliant)? Well if you have ever watched far enough into the movie you will find yourself viewing the goblin city. That’s kind of what all the houses are kind of like here, very vertical and little and cramped together, narrow streets, little features. Thought I might share that with you. Speaking of sharing, I totally miss having someone who lodges in the same house as you because I find I’m too lazy to walk to the grocery store and wash the dishes. I just forced myself to wash the dishes that took about an hour, and I realized my dish towel was filthy so I could not use it to dry the dishes. They are all drying out in my shower/bath room. Not to mention my fingers are all water soggy. I also have no idea how Blake managed to wash the dishes, because the sink is pretty low, I mean I’m not that tall but it’s somewhat uncomfortable and begins to hurt washing the dishes all hunched over. At least I have clean dishes now.
Yesterday for some reason I woke up at 5am and could not sleep, and then that afternoon once my classes were finally done I was going to have a nap but it was interrupted. Seems on Friday I had said I would go to Kobe with one of the Korean boys and his friends. So I did that, it was okay, Kobe seems prettier then Osaka (down town area). I’m not really too sure though because it was dark out by the time we got there. I did not get home that night until 11pm and then I could not fall asleep for a while because I was over tired so that sucked. P.E today was okay except for the fact that I was tired. As well I got in trouble for hitting the volleyball with my foot, although I got in trouble before because I stopped the game when someone else hit the volleyball with their foot. I was then told it was part of the new rules in volleyball and its okay but then I got in trouble for it today because I could kick someone in the head. Oh well whatever, I don’t have to play volleyball for a while. Unless we play it in tomorrows P.E class…I hope not. I don’t much like volleyball. I mean not because I’m bad at it or anything, just not my thing. The only team sport I really like is baseball.
Anyways I have some interviews on Friday, and I think Saturday I have to help pick out students to go on exchange or help with the interviewing process. Might I add I’m almost 100% sure I was the only one that applied for this exchange so I’m not even sure if I’m usually what they would have sent. Hopefully Mr. Ohta won’t raise his voice at me getting mad because I’m not 100% sure on some random information, or was never interested in some random information that he is positive is a vital thing to know. Such as, what brand of clocks time the Olympic Race’s. I mean personally I’m more interested in the psychical capabilities of the contestants, and yes I know forms of measurement makes those things impressive. I never once thought “gee that’s an impressive clock that can time down to a tenth of a second, I wonder what brand it is” for me its more of “gee that’s an impressive human being that can do that in such and such a time, I wonder what country that person is from”. And honestly my favourite sports of the Olympics are diving and gymnastics the more “artsy” if you must of the bunch which is not timed but judged by people. I wonder if Blake had such problems with him, or the other girls. Ha Oh well. I’ll post an update later because I’m super cool and you all care what I’m typing. Ha and scoff.
Yesterday for some reason I woke up at 5am and could not sleep, and then that afternoon once my classes were finally done I was going to have a nap but it was interrupted. Seems on Friday I had said I would go to Kobe with one of the Korean boys and his friends. So I did that, it was okay, Kobe seems prettier then Osaka (down town area). I’m not really too sure though because it was dark out by the time we got there. I did not get home that night until 11pm and then I could not fall asleep for a while because I was over tired so that sucked. P.E today was okay except for the fact that I was tired. As well I got in trouble for hitting the volleyball with my foot, although I got in trouble before because I stopped the game when someone else hit the volleyball with their foot. I was then told it was part of the new rules in volleyball and its okay but then I got in trouble for it today because I could kick someone in the head. Oh well whatever, I don’t have to play volleyball for a while. Unless we play it in tomorrows P.E class…I hope not. I don’t much like volleyball. I mean not because I’m bad at it or anything, just not my thing. The only team sport I really like is baseball.
Anyways I have some interviews on Friday, and I think Saturday I have to help pick out students to go on exchange or help with the interviewing process. Might I add I’m almost 100% sure I was the only one that applied for this exchange so I’m not even sure if I’m usually what they would have sent. Hopefully Mr. Ohta won’t raise his voice at me getting mad because I’m not 100% sure on some random information, or was never interested in some random information that he is positive is a vital thing to know. Such as, what brand of clocks time the Olympic Race’s. I mean personally I’m more interested in the psychical capabilities of the contestants, and yes I know forms of measurement makes those things impressive. I never once thought “gee that’s an impressive clock that can time down to a tenth of a second, I wonder what brand it is” for me its more of “gee that’s an impressive human being that can do that in such and such a time, I wonder what country that person is from”. And honestly my favourite sports of the Olympics are diving and gymnastics the more “artsy” if you must of the bunch which is not timed but judged by people. I wonder if Blake had such problems with him, or the other girls. Ha Oh well. I’ll post an update later because I’m super cool and you all care what I’m typing. Ha and scoff.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Dude I’m totally a bored eater…or an over eater. Actually I’m totally triggering my overeating tendencies by eating sugar. Today I found these amazing like sugar covered peanuts. Then it just went down from there, I love sugar so much I just don’t know how to go around it! At least I am not being an alcoholic so that is good. I have not had a drink in 2 weeks, and I have not been drunk in 3! I just don’t think I am going to drink anymore while I’m here. Or at least not until I get my tattoo. (I’m so excited for my tattoo!)
Today when I was looking in the art gallery in the area there was this nice old dog in the store visiting with some people. Her name was Annie and she was fourteen years old, and when I went to pet her after letting her smell me she immediately shook my hand which was nice. She was a really nice cute dog, made me miss Lucy dog! Before that I went into a little crafty store and bought some bobby pins that have decorations on them for my hair (when it gets a bit longer) and I bought this one really sweet pin that was on a really old post card written on January 9th 1913.
I believe it came from the USA, due to a stamp being from the USA for 1 cent. It was addressed to a J.R Higgins Saq. In Winnipeg (Canada in case you don’t know for some reason). The letter says: “Dlear[sic] Rus. It is raining today looks more like home this is the first rain I have seen it has rained (I think it says –here) before (something I can’t make out) the night. Onto (I think is says -lives) Yours Lovingly (I think it says –Jaci.).” So that is basically what I can make out from the tiny handwriting. On the front of the post card it reads ‘H(the h is a nice fancy dressed up letter like you see on the first letter in scrolls)ere’s a little message for your eye alone I am thinking of you always tho far away from home.’ It’s so freaking cool, the tag on it says in English 1910’S German Post Card Vitage[sic] Swarovski. It cost me 23$ but that’s okay because I got a really nice pin that the Swarovski company makes. I think I am going to frame it when I get home. I was first intrigued by the nice little bobby pin/what the post card said but when I flipped it over and read what the person wrote. It seems just so metaphorical to me. I felt touched like I knew the person, and I suppose that it was sent to Canada (from what I assume was the USA because it has a postage stamp from there). Oh it’s so cool!
Other then that Mino was beautiful and I felt ways more comfortable then I have felt in a really long time getting to walk in a beautiful forest off “the mainstream cement beaten track” although the main path was cement. It reminded me somewhat of nelson but with less buildings and such going up the actual mountain. Also once you keep on walking a pit higher off until the top where there is a road there is a hiking trail! I made Michelle come up with me most of the way but then she said I could carry on and I did. When I reached the top, I noticed there were a couple more paths that one could go hiking on so I totally want to go back there with someone when they come and visit me and go hiking. Don’t worry its not that intense. On the top of that path there was a look out post, so I climbed the stairs excited to see more wide open land…nothing but forest! Reality checked in though when I gazed upon endless urban sprawl. Tear* I thought I was far out in the forest when realistically in the distance through the haze you can see giant sky scrappers and planes coming in for landings…endless city. I figure maybe if we climbed up the other mountains there would be forest. I did not see a path going the other way but when I go back I am going to find out. I hope I would be disgustedly disappointed. It severely made me miss Canada. When I come home someone please take me up a mountain so I can see endless forest again and breathe a sigh of relief.
As well on Monday I got to join this man named Sadamune Yuto who works at the university and speaks very good English (that little boy that I have a photo of in one of my Kyoto albums, the one I went on a tour with, well that is his son). He invited me to come out with his class who he is teaching to become English teachers from what I understand. We went out to a small garden close by that they tend to, because it shows good care just like how one needs to tend children’s needs. That was the motive behind it, anyways I helped fertilize STRAWBERRIES~! Yummy, so he said in May I can come around anytime I want and eat them…ha-ha…he should have never said that too me! As well for helping out I received a giant Japanese radish, so that was good. I hope I can go out with them again, I really enjoyed gardening. Odd that you can garden in December, ha-ha for me anyways! Well that is what has been going on lately so I will talk to you all later, I hope people are reading this…otherwise it is pointless almost for me to write this. Anyway…I Love you all!
Today when I was looking in the art gallery in the area there was this nice old dog in the store visiting with some people. Her name was Annie and she was fourteen years old, and when I went to pet her after letting her smell me she immediately shook my hand which was nice. She was a really nice cute dog, made me miss Lucy dog! Before that I went into a little crafty store and bought some bobby pins that have decorations on them for my hair (when it gets a bit longer) and I bought this one really sweet pin that was on a really old post card written on January 9th 1913.
I believe it came from the USA, due to a stamp being from the USA for 1 cent. It was addressed to a J.R Higgins Saq. In Winnipeg (Canada in case you don’t know for some reason). The letter says: “Dlear[sic] Rus. It is raining today looks more like home this is the first rain I have seen it has rained (I think it says –here) before (something I can’t make out) the night. Onto (I think is says -lives) Yours Lovingly (I think it says –Jaci.).” So that is basically what I can make out from the tiny handwriting. On the front of the post card it reads ‘H(the h is a nice fancy dressed up letter like you see on the first letter in scrolls)ere’s a little message for your eye alone I am thinking of you always tho far away from home.’ It’s so freaking cool, the tag on it says in English 1910’S German Post Card Vitage[sic] Swarovski. It cost me 23$ but that’s okay because I got a really nice pin that the Swarovski company makes. I think I am going to frame it when I get home. I was first intrigued by the nice little bobby pin/what the post card said but when I flipped it over and read what the person wrote. It seems just so metaphorical to me. I felt touched like I knew the person, and I suppose that it was sent to Canada (from what I assume was the USA because it has a postage stamp from there). Oh it’s so cool!
Other then that Mino was beautiful and I felt ways more comfortable then I have felt in a really long time getting to walk in a beautiful forest off “the mainstream cement beaten track” although the main path was cement. It reminded me somewhat of nelson but with less buildings and such going up the actual mountain. Also once you keep on walking a pit higher off until the top where there is a road there is a hiking trail! I made Michelle come up with me most of the way but then she said I could carry on and I did. When I reached the top, I noticed there were a couple more paths that one could go hiking on so I totally want to go back there with someone when they come and visit me and go hiking. Don’t worry its not that intense. On the top of that path there was a look out post, so I climbed the stairs excited to see more wide open land…nothing but forest! Reality checked in though when I gazed upon endless urban sprawl. Tear* I thought I was far out in the forest when realistically in the distance through the haze you can see giant sky scrappers and planes coming in for landings…endless city. I figure maybe if we climbed up the other mountains there would be forest. I did not see a path going the other way but when I go back I am going to find out. I hope I would be disgustedly disappointed. It severely made me miss Canada. When I come home someone please take me up a mountain so I can see endless forest again and breathe a sigh of relief.
As well on Monday I got to join this man named Sadamune Yuto who works at the university and speaks very good English (that little boy that I have a photo of in one of my Kyoto albums, the one I went on a tour with, well that is his son). He invited me to come out with his class who he is teaching to become English teachers from what I understand. We went out to a small garden close by that they tend to, because it shows good care just like how one needs to tend children’s needs. That was the motive behind it, anyways I helped fertilize STRAWBERRIES~! Yummy, so he said in May I can come around anytime I want and eat them…ha-ha…he should have never said that too me! As well for helping out I received a giant Japanese radish, so that was good. I hope I can go out with them again, I really enjoyed gardening. Odd that you can garden in December, ha-ha for me anyways! Well that is what has been going on lately so I will talk to you all later, I hope people are reading this…otherwise it is pointless almost for me to write this. Anyway…I Love you all!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Weirdo
Well I’m super cool and was tired tonight because I woke up at 7am for some reason on a Saturday when the evening before I went to bed around 12:30. So I decided to go to sleep around 8:50pm. I woke up because I had to pee and since then have been tossing and turning for a while so finally decided to look at the clock and it was only 11pm. So now I’m awake from my power nap and what not, made some organic peppermint tea. Lately I have been hanging out in my room in the evenings, like always but now it’s starting to seem repetitive. I mean all I really do is hang out on the net because I have nothing too inspiring to do other then that. I would draw but I’m not too inspired here at times. It’s not like I can go out in the evenings and do things anyways because it’s expensive to go into Namba more then once or twice a week (which I prefer to do on the weekends) and then the only thing to really do there is go shopping; I’m not into shopping.
Today Michelle and I went into Umeda and went to an exhibition of like…preserved body parts via orient style. I was expecting it to be like the one the Vancouver was hosting for a bit from the German artist who was using the bodies in various normal activities and such but this one was different and oriental as all of the specimens appeared to be of such decent. It was really interesting to look at and made me what to point out to everyone how bloody disgusting it is to eat meat. The people meat looked like some sort of thick beef jerky. So yeah vegetarians you meat eaters are disgusting, I mean really unless you produce your own meat you really might be eating a human. So although the exhibition was pretty cool (I wish I could have read the information) it was also somewhat disturbing as they were real people at one point. I was also amazed at how little they were, half the time I kept thinking they were 12 year olds bodies but it’s just because this culture is built so much smaller then North Americans.
Tomorrow we are going up to Minnow. I don’t think it’s spelled like that but it should be fine. So hopefully the weather will be decent enough. This morning it was unbelievably warm out for Dec.1st I was almost in disarray. The afternoon/evening cooled right off though. It’s odd to be somewhere where there is maybe 3 months of winter and mostly summer; complete opposite of Dawson Creek.
The old man that teaches me last block on Fridays definitely does not really like me. Ha he totally got mad at me and told me I was a bad student or incompetent. Even though his class is not a formal class and we basically talked about what kind of food he likes. He also basically told me I was difficult to try and show Japanese culture because I can’t eat any of the food, which he often reminds me with such disappointment in his voice. He was mad at me because I did not know the name of the temples I went to in Kyoto and was upset that I don’t carry a notebook with me 24/7 and write down everything I see. He also told me that my parents must be disappointed in me that I can’t tell them what temples I am all seeing when go to Kyoto. My parents don’t care which temple I have gazed upon, nor would it really register in their minds, like in one ear and out the other. He also ragged on me for not being interested in what kind of dead fish there are in the markets, or looking at them. Even though I pointed out I’m vegan, he still thinks I should go look and find out what kind of fish they kill. It’s really depressing seeing large fish in small tanks and over crowed tanks at that. Not to mention knowing their fate. I did not argue with him, I just agreed and took it. So I’m going to try and a carry a notebook with me tomorrow and take “notes” on things, I think I’ll draw beside it…so to appease the old man. Once he left though the lady in the room that over heard my lecture agreed with me that it’s so unnecessary or unimportant to take such notes down. I mean if someone actually finds something that interesting they tend to make mental notes, or go out of there way to make sure they remember such information. I don’t know, whatever we are just too very different people with out personal views and interests which kind of blows because I’m into art, nature and equality and he so is not. Oh well! It’s still somewhat interesting the things he tells me about when he’s not lecturing me on how incompetent, unsuccessful and useless my information I give to other people must be/ I am.
So I’ll write tomorrow again about Minnow. Loves you people, come visit me for X-mass. Oh yea I also found out my tattoo is going to be about 70,000yen. So that’s like $700.00…with the exchange rate I get though it will end up being around 620$ or something I reckon. Feel free to send me X-mass money so I can afford the tattoo! Love you
Today Michelle and I went into Umeda and went to an exhibition of like…preserved body parts via orient style. I was expecting it to be like the one the Vancouver was hosting for a bit from the German artist who was using the bodies in various normal activities and such but this one was different and oriental as all of the specimens appeared to be of such decent. It was really interesting to look at and made me what to point out to everyone how bloody disgusting it is to eat meat. The people meat looked like some sort of thick beef jerky. So yeah vegetarians you meat eaters are disgusting, I mean really unless you produce your own meat you really might be eating a human. So although the exhibition was pretty cool (I wish I could have read the information) it was also somewhat disturbing as they were real people at one point. I was also amazed at how little they were, half the time I kept thinking they were 12 year olds bodies but it’s just because this culture is built so much smaller then North Americans.
Tomorrow we are going up to Minnow. I don’t think it’s spelled like that but it should be fine. So hopefully the weather will be decent enough. This morning it was unbelievably warm out for Dec.1st I was almost in disarray. The afternoon/evening cooled right off though. It’s odd to be somewhere where there is maybe 3 months of winter and mostly summer; complete opposite of Dawson Creek.
The old man that teaches me last block on Fridays definitely does not really like me. Ha he totally got mad at me and told me I was a bad student or incompetent. Even though his class is not a formal class and we basically talked about what kind of food he likes. He also basically told me I was difficult to try and show Japanese culture because I can’t eat any of the food, which he often reminds me with such disappointment in his voice. He was mad at me because I did not know the name of the temples I went to in Kyoto and was upset that I don’t carry a notebook with me 24/7 and write down everything I see. He also told me that my parents must be disappointed in me that I can’t tell them what temples I am all seeing when go to Kyoto. My parents don’t care which temple I have gazed upon, nor would it really register in their minds, like in one ear and out the other. He also ragged on me for not being interested in what kind of dead fish there are in the markets, or looking at them. Even though I pointed out I’m vegan, he still thinks I should go look and find out what kind of fish they kill. It’s really depressing seeing large fish in small tanks and over crowed tanks at that. Not to mention knowing their fate. I did not argue with him, I just agreed and took it. So I’m going to try and a carry a notebook with me tomorrow and take “notes” on things, I think I’ll draw beside it…so to appease the old man. Once he left though the lady in the room that over heard my lecture agreed with me that it’s so unnecessary or unimportant to take such notes down. I mean if someone actually finds something that interesting they tend to make mental notes, or go out of there way to make sure they remember such information. I don’t know, whatever we are just too very different people with out personal views and interests which kind of blows because I’m into art, nature and equality and he so is not. Oh well! It’s still somewhat interesting the things he tells me about when he’s not lecturing me on how incompetent, unsuccessful and useless my information I give to other people must be/ I am.
So I’ll write tomorrow again about Minnow. Loves you people, come visit me for X-mass. Oh yea I also found out my tattoo is going to be about 70,000yen. So that’s like $700.00…with the exchange rate I get though it will end up being around 620$ or something I reckon. Feel free to send me X-mass money so I can afford the tattoo! Love you
Saturday, November 24, 2007
lodgers welcome!
It’s cold in my room today, just like this entire month really. I figure I have become use to being cold over warm here. I could turn on my heater, but I feel like I’m wasting energy just because I would like to be a touch more comfortable when I really don’t need it to live. Speaking of living tomorrow I have to go buy a bunch of groceries as my supplies have dwindled. On Friday night I went with Michelle to Namba for dinner at Zorro’s. It was decently good other then the fact that (although Michelle called ahead and told them about my dietary needs) this time they forgot about my wheat allergy or something. Assuming they knew I was allergic to wheat because we called, I ate the dough because I assumed it was some other type of flour. It was delicious but I totally ended up feeling extremely nauseated, like cheese grater tummy craps, bloated and wanting to kind of throw up. So I felt like that for about 2 hours and by the time I arrived home it mostly stopped.
Okay I gave in and turned the heat on. Yesterday I went to Kyoto with Ayumi, Miku and Dong Yong. On the way there on the bus I was showing them where Mandy had all her belly button pierced. Dong Yong then said something to Ayumi and Ayumi looked at me kind of funny and asked if I wanted to know what he said, so of course. Anyways he said I had gained wait or something and wanted to know if I gained wait…umm no I have not. He then asked if I was sure and then when the last time I weighed myself. Which happen to be like 2 weeks ago or so at Michelle’s. I don’t think I’ve gained wait, oh well whatever. I just think he has never seen my tummy before and because I squished it where my belly button was to show where she was pierced he did not realize I had fat or something. The comment did not really help as well since all the girls here have a way tinier bone structure and such things. Oh well whatever I’m happy with myself. Other then those comments the trip was nice because we did not go into the main part of Kyoto and near the edge of the city in the more mountainous area.
After that Ayumi, Miku and I went out for some supper. Dong Young went to Namba to buy new suits…or something for some reason. His parents are really rich, lucky guy. The food was good; I had two drinks and a salad with tofu and avocado, tomatoes and such. After that I had to find my way back to Kongo station, which kind of freaked me out a bit. I had to switch train lines. I asked some people and got on the right train but totally thought I was on the wrong one for about 10 min’s until a man that helped me earlier buy the proper ticket, showed me that I was good. So I was a little bit stressed. Once I arrived at Kongo I missed the last bus by about 10 minutes so I had to walk home. Luckily it is usually warmer in our area then Kyoto so the walk home was not bad at all. Then I went to sleep. You can see photos on my face book of the trip.
This morning Eileen and Cara called me it was so nice to hear from both of them and made me happy! I love you guys, miss you too! So…I was wondering if anyone would like to visit me for Christmas that would be super wonderful! Free room and board! I will cook for you! You can sleep on my bed, please I’m lonely…..ha. Please come you would make my year. I love you all!
Okay I gave in and turned the heat on. Yesterday I went to Kyoto with Ayumi, Miku and Dong Yong. On the way there on the bus I was showing them where Mandy had all her belly button pierced. Dong Yong then said something to Ayumi and Ayumi looked at me kind of funny and asked if I wanted to know what he said, so of course. Anyways he said I had gained wait or something and wanted to know if I gained wait…umm no I have not. He then asked if I was sure and then when the last time I weighed myself. Which happen to be like 2 weeks ago or so at Michelle’s. I don’t think I’ve gained wait, oh well whatever. I just think he has never seen my tummy before and because I squished it where my belly button was to show where she was pierced he did not realize I had fat or something. The comment did not really help as well since all the girls here have a way tinier bone structure and such things. Oh well whatever I’m happy with myself. Other then those comments the trip was nice because we did not go into the main part of Kyoto and near the edge of the city in the more mountainous area.
After that Ayumi, Miku and I went out for some supper. Dong Young went to Namba to buy new suits…or something for some reason. His parents are really rich, lucky guy. The food was good; I had two drinks and a salad with tofu and avocado, tomatoes and such. After that I had to find my way back to Kongo station, which kind of freaked me out a bit. I had to switch train lines. I asked some people and got on the right train but totally thought I was on the wrong one for about 10 min’s until a man that helped me earlier buy the proper ticket, showed me that I was good. So I was a little bit stressed. Once I arrived at Kongo I missed the last bus by about 10 minutes so I had to walk home. Luckily it is usually warmer in our area then Kyoto so the walk home was not bad at all. Then I went to sleep. You can see photos on my face book of the trip.
This morning Eileen and Cara called me it was so nice to hear from both of them and made me happy! I love you guys, miss you too! So…I was wondering if anyone would like to visit me for Christmas that would be super wonderful! Free room and board! I will cook for you! You can sleep on my bed, please I’m lonely…..ha. Please come you would make my year. I love you all!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Lonely and Learning to Cope
I tell you there is nothing more satisfying then getting a care package from your family! Thank you mom! It was way better then Christmas because you know someone is actually thinking about you and giving you something you need. They are not just remembering because it’s a holiday that tells you to give people things to show your appreciation!
Last weekend I went to Kyoto with Michelle and the university on a bus trip to see places that are not really to widely known about in the city. So that was interesting enough, we had a lunch included in the excursion but I was really unable to eat most of it so I brought my own snacks. You can see a photo of the food in my face book album “More Kyoto”. On Sunday I went to watch and listen to an Orchestra play, there was also a choir and some Opera towards the end of the show.
Today I lost one of my mittens so I have to go buy a new pair. It is rather chilly so I am going to find a nice think pair; I saw some in a nice EastAsain / Buddhist / Muslim / Indian store. I think they are made of wool and I am assuming them to be fair trade. Hopefully there is still some there, as well I need some slippers for the floor is chilly. Right now I have two pairs of angora socks on. I have been pretty lonely for the last week and a half, today I am feeling better. Today I somewhat got to hang out with some people, such as a girl that went to FSJ on exchange I get along with and her birthday is the same as mine…so that is a plus. Then I also had Kazuko as a tutor today and actually had homework so there was something for me to learn, and I helped her out. I explained the difference between whether, either, neither. That was fun, so hopefully I did that right, ha. I used two different pens for explaining the difference and when to use either and neither…
I decided that I am so lazy towards the dishes and when I live on my own I have to have a dishwasher an electronic one. I prefer vacuuming and doing laundry over the dishes. I’m not to sure why, I just know it’s a pain in the butt…I think it’s because I’m getting some what wet when I do it, I dont really like getting wet in the first place; Its hard enough forcing myself to shower some days..ha..ha. Anyways, I’m trying to keep a more positive outlook on life with my loneliness and I know it will pass and I have some friends here I just don’t have a best buddy around. I mostly miss the physical interaction between your loved ones; I have not had a real good hug since I was in Canada. I know I can hug other people but they kind of just leave me feeling worse because I can completely sense that the connection and feeling behind the given hug are not there. That’s okay though, it’s not like I want to come home or anything. Someone should come VISIT me during my break….
Loves you animals!
Last weekend I went to Kyoto with Michelle and the university on a bus trip to see places that are not really to widely known about in the city. So that was interesting enough, we had a lunch included in the excursion but I was really unable to eat most of it so I brought my own snacks. You can see a photo of the food in my face book album “More Kyoto”. On Sunday I went to watch and listen to an Orchestra play, there was also a choir and some Opera towards the end of the show.
Today I lost one of my mittens so I have to go buy a new pair. It is rather chilly so I am going to find a nice think pair; I saw some in a nice EastAsain / Buddhist / Muslim / Indian store. I think they are made of wool and I am assuming them to be fair trade. Hopefully there is still some there, as well I need some slippers for the floor is chilly. Right now I have two pairs of angora socks on. I have been pretty lonely for the last week and a half, today I am feeling better. Today I somewhat got to hang out with some people, such as a girl that went to FSJ on exchange I get along with and her birthday is the same as mine…so that is a plus. Then I also had Kazuko as a tutor today and actually had homework so there was something for me to learn, and I helped her out. I explained the difference between whether, either, neither. That was fun, so hopefully I did that right, ha. I used two different pens for explaining the difference and when to use either and neither…
I decided that I am so lazy towards the dishes and when I live on my own I have to have a dishwasher an electronic one. I prefer vacuuming and doing laundry over the dishes. I’m not to sure why, I just know it’s a pain in the butt…I think it’s because I’m getting some what wet when I do it, I dont really like getting wet in the first place; Its hard enough forcing myself to shower some days..ha..ha. Anyways, I’m trying to keep a more positive outlook on life with my loneliness and I know it will pass and I have some friends here I just don’t have a best buddy around. I mostly miss the physical interaction between your loved ones; I have not had a real good hug since I was in Canada. I know I can hug other people but they kind of just leave me feeling worse because I can completely sense that the connection and feeling behind the given hug are not there. That’s okay though, it’s not like I want to come home or anything. Someone should come VISIT me during my break….
Loves you animals!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Buzzzzz
So this weekend on Saturday Michelle and I went to see and art exhibit but ended up going to the wrong part of town to the wrong museum…so we are going to try again and go sometime next week. This weekend I am going on a tour to Kyoto again with the University that I had to pay for, and then on Sunday Michelle and I will go to Minno (I’m not sure how it is spelt). This is a good time of year to go to all of those places because of the changing of the leaves. Other then going to the wrong place this weekend I booked a tattoo appointment for December 24th.
The tattoo artist is drawing me up a Traditional Japanese Dragon that is going to sit mostly in my arm pit and then have its head coming up my arm a little bit and her tail down my ribs. He will send me the drawing over the net and then I can say how I like it and what I may want changed or added. This is his website if you were interested in his skill level I personally think they are the best Dragons I have ever seen but…you can correct me if I’m wrong. http://www.desperadotattoo.com/gallery_dragon.html
I’m unsure at this point what he will ask for it, I’m expecting it to be expensive so if you feel like sending me a Christmas present send money and it will go towards my souvenir, ha. It’s funny because I am so excited about it, it’s like how you feel when you’re a little kid and you know Christmas is in a month and a half. I think about it before I got to sleep and such and when I wake up, I definitely need to get less excited at this point because it’s so far away! It’s going to hurt so bad, I’m sooooo excited ha-ha. Although personally I like getting tattoos in really painful spots because then I feel I’m tough, because I’m cool like that.
Anyways, yup that’s about all I got. Other then I have a Japanese test tomorrow that I have been studying a lot for today so I hope that I will do well! Enjoy the snow for me, talk to you later!
The tattoo artist is drawing me up a Traditional Japanese Dragon that is going to sit mostly in my arm pit and then have its head coming up my arm a little bit and her tail down my ribs. He will send me the drawing over the net and then I can say how I like it and what I may want changed or added. This is his website if you were interested in his skill level I personally think they are the best Dragons I have ever seen but…you can correct me if I’m wrong. http://www.desperadotattoo.com/gallery_dragon.html
I’m unsure at this point what he will ask for it, I’m expecting it to be expensive so if you feel like sending me a Christmas present send money and it will go towards my souvenir, ha. It’s funny because I am so excited about it, it’s like how you feel when you’re a little kid and you know Christmas is in a month and a half. I think about it before I got to sleep and such and when I wake up, I definitely need to get less excited at this point because it’s so far away! It’s going to hurt so bad, I’m sooooo excited ha-ha. Although personally I like getting tattoos in really painful spots because then I feel I’m tough, because I’m cool like that.
Anyways, yup that’s about all I got. Other then I have a Japanese test tomorrow that I have been studying a lot for today so I hope that I will do well! Enjoy the snow for me, talk to you later!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
I saw some fat asses on Sunday
Welcome again to my life…or what I let you know about my life. Well Yesterday I went to a Sumo Wrestling match with Michelle and Dong Yong. It was against the universities in Osaka area, first the B classes fought and then the A. The A class were the most interesting to watch because they had the most experience and or were the best to make the team. Some of them were extremely overweight but in decent shape as they were athletes. One of the A team competitors was the tallest and biggest Japanese man I have ever gazed upon. He was a wall no one could faze him. He only really had a bit of a beer belly and then was all muscle. All in all I would suggest going to a real Sumo match they are rather fun to watch. Oh and your aloud to grab your opponents neck and hit them in the face, pushing style open palmed. It’s still rather violent, one man was bleeding from the head from a head butt and then another has a bloody nose.
As for noses mine is often cold in the apartment, today it seems to be warmer but this weekend was freezing so I bundled up a lot. I am sleepy and have been addicted again to junk food from eating so much candy on Halloween and the following days after so I have to try and wean myself again. Oh the candy addict I am! Anyways that’s really all I have to say other then I wish I had a large oven and oven baking dishes but I don’t so I can not make half of the recopies I want to…oh well. I miss you guys! seeu
As for noses mine is often cold in the apartment, today it seems to be warmer but this weekend was freezing so I bundled up a lot. I am sleepy and have been addicted again to junk food from eating so much candy on Halloween and the following days after so I have to try and wean myself again. Oh the candy addict I am! Anyways that’s really all I have to say other then I wish I had a large oven and oven baking dishes but I don’t so I can not make half of the recopies I want to…oh well. I miss you guys! seeu
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Sleepy
So we had a Halloween party on Tuesday, it was really fun. The Japanese when they have parties make lots of food to eat unfortunately I can’t eat any of it because of my allergies and ethical choices. Us Canadians, unless you’re at a dinner party, tend just to drink and randomly order pizza at some insane hour of the night all drunken. So I ended up getting sick towards the end of my night and then passing out! But that’s fine because it was so fun, I realized that I did not eat anything that day since 4:30ish and that might have been why…and copious drinks. So I woke up in the morning and did not feel very sick at all and managed to go to PE slightly uncoordinated but able to participate. As well I realized I had may face drawn on by Ayumi and Dong Yong which he told me today. There mistake was using makeup or something because it came off really easy and basically was not there in the morning. I just noticed some random lines around the side off my ear area.
Wednesday night (Halloween) I had to go out for dinner with Shelly and Peter and Jim. Peter and Jim are born Americans but permeate residents in Japan. Jim is 73 years old and can talk my ear off, just like Michelle. I wonder if people think I am rude because I’m not constantly talking, rattling on and on about things that don’t really matter. Lately I have met people that are really into history and learning about such things, which I am too but I slightly take history for a grain of salt. Ever since I have read George Orwell’s 1984 I have realized that history is really just his story, or her story for that matter. It actually should be changed to a non gender word I think. I find I live in the now a lot more here, then waiting for the future. I am slowly getting Japanese and trying to speak it more. My English seems to be suffering, it’s hard for me to speak out loud or something or maybe I was just nervous around Shelly because she gave me the scholarship and I know I was the only one who wanted it so…
I had a dream I was in the dark in some woods lost, or disorientated and soon fog cleared and I figured out where I was. It was a very weird feeling and I’m not sure what it meant. I dream about my friends lots, and today was the first time I dreamt about my apartment so that must mean I am comfortable and settled now. I am slowly starting to Miss Canada though, I think it’s because it’s still so warm here. Today was a break though it rained and is cold, thus my apartment is cold so I keep up the layers. Anyways, I’m rambling on and I miss you guys, feel free to come visit me towards the end of December. I will have a winter break…yup. Ha-ha loves you all!
Wednesday night (Halloween) I had to go out for dinner with Shelly and Peter and Jim. Peter and Jim are born Americans but permeate residents in Japan. Jim is 73 years old and can talk my ear off, just like Michelle. I wonder if people think I am rude because I’m not constantly talking, rattling on and on about things that don’t really matter. Lately I have met people that are really into history and learning about such things, which I am too but I slightly take history for a grain of salt. Ever since I have read George Orwell’s 1984 I have realized that history is really just his story, or her story for that matter. It actually should be changed to a non gender word I think. I find I live in the now a lot more here, then waiting for the future. I am slowly getting Japanese and trying to speak it more. My English seems to be suffering, it’s hard for me to speak out loud or something or maybe I was just nervous around Shelly because she gave me the scholarship and I know I was the only one who wanted it so…
I had a dream I was in the dark in some woods lost, or disorientated and soon fog cleared and I figured out where I was. It was a very weird feeling and I’m not sure what it meant. I dream about my friends lots, and today was the first time I dreamt about my apartment so that must mean I am comfortable and settled now. I am slowly starting to Miss Canada though, I think it’s because it’s still so warm here. Today was a break though it rained and is cold, thus my apartment is cold so I keep up the layers. Anyways, I’m rambling on and I miss you guys, feel free to come visit me towards the end of December. I will have a winter break…yup. Ha-ha loves you all!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Cursed.....?
So my period has been over for about a week now and I’m back to my normal not super depressive self! This weekend I went with Michelle to Namba and did some shopping. I bought some art supplies (hurray I was so excited). I also got a wonderful deal on a dress. There is a shop near where I live and I was looking inside at this dress I liked a lot but it was roughly $102.00 so I definitely knew I could not afford it and did not buy it. While we were in Namba I found the same dress at a different store on sale for basically 60% off! So I got it for just under $40. It is really pretty and has velvet. On the way home there was a detour because a helicopter had crashed somewhere near or on the train line we take to get home. So it took us an hour and a half going on a different train, then taking a bus, and then getting on another train to Kongo to get home. Michelle things I am jinxed with the trains, because other then that time I got lost (not my fault) she got us on a wrong train which has never happened to her. So she thinks I am bad luck. Ha-ha, so whatever I don’t think I am. I’m going on the trains again on Wednesday to have a meeting with Shelly the lady who gave me the scholarship (or selected me) and old man is accompanying me on the trip so we will see what happens with that.
Tonight I went for the tea ceremony lesson at Yuki’s and I get to go every single time to try and learn the entire process in one year! Lucky me, because I’m sure the lessons are expensive. After that we went out for Dinner, Yuki’s treat, which was nice of her. On the way out the door she called her son Kay down (the last time he drove me home) and he came for dinner with us. When I stepped out of the kitchen I heard her say something in Japanese and then “fall in love” to him or something. Then when we were out for dinner they were asking me about arranged marriage and what I thought about it kind of. So I told them the story about how one of my mothers Chinese friends was in arranged to marry someone but she told her parents to shove it when she was in Canada and did not have to, and that she was lucky. Ha, so I hope they realize I am against it. So I don’t know if I am being slightly paranoid or if they actually are trying to set me up with there son who is 26 years old. I personally think I’m a little to free spirited/wild for the average Asian boy, and they seem to be 30 years behind in the feminism department.
So I am having people over for a Halloween party the day before Halloween and I’m going to try and make sure I am not hung over for PE the next day. Ha, my outfit is my red long johns with my red corset over top, and a ribbon tail with a cardboard tip in a spade type shape, and then some wicked red sparkly rose coloured glasses that have like horns on them so they look devilish. This is good because I’m dressing up as a devil and I’ll carry around a little fork, and I’m putting my front bangs into two little horns with some gel or something. I can’t seem to find a pumpkin in the store though, oh well maybe I’ll have better luck tomorrow. Well that’s about it, next weekend I get to go see a Sumo wrestling match! That will be interesting. Loves you all!
Tonight I went for the tea ceremony lesson at Yuki’s and I get to go every single time to try and learn the entire process in one year! Lucky me, because I’m sure the lessons are expensive. After that we went out for Dinner, Yuki’s treat, which was nice of her. On the way out the door she called her son Kay down (the last time he drove me home) and he came for dinner with us. When I stepped out of the kitchen I heard her say something in Japanese and then “fall in love” to him or something. Then when we were out for dinner they were asking me about arranged marriage and what I thought about it kind of. So I told them the story about how one of my mothers Chinese friends was in arranged to marry someone but she told her parents to shove it when she was in Canada and did not have to, and that she was lucky. Ha, so I hope they realize I am against it. So I don’t know if I am being slightly paranoid or if they actually are trying to set me up with there son who is 26 years old. I personally think I’m a little to free spirited/wild for the average Asian boy, and they seem to be 30 years behind in the feminism department.
So I am having people over for a Halloween party the day before Halloween and I’m going to try and make sure I am not hung over for PE the next day. Ha, my outfit is my red long johns with my red corset over top, and a ribbon tail with a cardboard tip in a spade type shape, and then some wicked red sparkly rose coloured glasses that have like horns on them so they look devilish. This is good because I’m dressing up as a devil and I’ll carry around a little fork, and I’m putting my front bangs into two little horns with some gel or something. I can’t seem to find a pumpkin in the store though, oh well maybe I’ll have better luck tomorrow. Well that’s about it, next weekend I get to go see a Sumo wrestling match! That will be interesting. Loves you all!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Send me Cuddles
So I’m menstruating for the second time here, I count it as the first though because I was already menstruating when I arrived for the first week in Japan. I was telling my mother and possibly my friends that I knew the first time I was going to get my period was hard, and it is. Other then being sore, like always I feel depressed and it does not really help when there is no one around to cuddle you, and cuddles keep me sane. I have not been cuddled since who knows when (about a month ago). I wonder if prostitutes get paid to cuddle. On top of being lonely and depressed, I am some what lacking patience which means I am just irritable. This mostly shows up when people I talk to are trying to talk to me in English and not doing well at all and not telling me what I asked them or anything close to what I asked them but going into great depth to try and do so. Also when they are (thank you!) helping me with my school work but sounding out the letters with me as I am so that I cannot hear myself think ! That really drives me insane. One of my Sensei’s does this (she is a wonderful teacher) but I just can’t learn when you tell me the word right away in this language I like to sound it out. Rant rants rant…
So my room is messy and I am tired because I believe I am still suffering from jet leg as sometimes I am exhausted around 8-9pm and go to bed at about 9:30ish but then wake up 2 hours later and then can not pass out again until 3 or 4 am. Thus I am tired today because that is what happened last night. I need to vacuum and pick up things but I don’t really have the energy too, maybe I will do it tomorrow. Tomorrow there is supposable no school my sensei today told me not to go to school tomorrow but the one on Tuesday said yes school. So I’m just not going to go and see what happens. Anyways I should go and eat some protein because along with my period comes sugary food carbohydrate cravings that are super high in calorie and low in nutrients which is again another reason why I am probably tired! Loves you all, send me cuddles please to keep me sane!
So my room is messy and I am tired because I believe I am still suffering from jet leg as sometimes I am exhausted around 8-9pm and go to bed at about 9:30ish but then wake up 2 hours later and then can not pass out again until 3 or 4 am. Thus I am tired today because that is what happened last night. I need to vacuum and pick up things but I don’t really have the energy too, maybe I will do it tomorrow. Tomorrow there is supposable no school my sensei today told me not to go to school tomorrow but the one on Tuesday said yes school. So I’m just not going to go and see what happens. Anyways I should go and eat some protein because along with my period comes sugary food carbohydrate cravings that are super high in calorie and low in nutrients which is again another reason why I am probably tired! Loves you all, send me cuddles please to keep me sane!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Uh..stress wheres you out..plus bad sleep
So this weekend was interesting and tiring. On Friday night Michelle and I went out to Zorro’s with her other Australian friend Anna and she was lovely. I had fun and drank margaritas which I love. Then we came home and I went to be right away because I was tired from the long day with full classes and such. On Saturday I got up and met Kazuko (one of my tutors) at Mamba to take me to Kyoto. I have a bunch of photos from the excursion that will be once again on my Face Book account. It was nice and then we went out for a drink at Zorro’s. Then we headed home.
Kazuko told me to get on the same train as her and that it would take me to Kongo (the station I’m to get off at) some minutes after her stop. Wrong. So we got on the trains late in the first place and by the time I came to the end of that line, I realized it was not the right train and I was in the middle of now where Japan. The man who made me get off the train was no help at all. To my great fortune a group of Americans saw me from another train that was on its way home but stopped for 5 minutes. Zack who is from Pennsylvania told me I could stay with him and his friends/girlfriend at his house, so I jumped on their train and got to stay in some shelter. I guess where I was there was no hotels, no nothing really the next day I realized once I could see things. I was extremely far away from where I was supposed to be. So my sleep was not very great as I was on a tiny couch (tiny) and had to sleep with my clothing on and had not brushed my teeth forever. So today (the next morning) they brought me to the train station and we figured out where I had to go, but then again I missed the stop because someone told me it was not right and blah. It looked different to me because I was on a side of the station I did not know existed. So I decided after going back and forth on various trains just to start out in Namba again, but had to take a local (which takes forever because it stops at every single tiny station) there and back.
Finally I got home into my apartment. I was supposed to go hiking at 9:00am and by this time it was 1:00pm. So I called Michelle and she was ecstatic and then she would be right there she just had to call a TONNE of people and the police because everyone was looking for me. Uhhhh so that made me feel bad, not that I was not stressed out exhausted and had not eaten anything since I was out with Kazuko around lunch. So everything is fine and straightened out and people gave me their phone numbers so that they would not have to worry next time and think of the worst. I mean I was excited to come to Japan on a scholarship for the first time travelling because then I would have a structure and assistance but I did not realize that as I was told the University is reliable for me because here I am still underage, which made me want to go traveling without any assistance; that way no one would worry if I was 12 hours late. Anyways, and the male teacher that was going to take me hiking said I was probably drunk and that’s why I did not show up and he things that because I supposable told him that one day I was late for class because I was drinking the night before. First of all I never said that to him, and I have never been late for a class. My alarm clock did not wake me up on the first day but the Koreans woke me up and I got to class on time I just had not eaten breakfast and such. So now I have to go talk to him and ask why he said that and apologize. Even though it was not really my fault (well I suppose for not double checking and just believing Kazuko’s word) it was just a big mistake.
Now they all think I am incompetent and an idiot girl “because the girls are the ones that always have the problems” whatever. They also thought it was extremely risky for me to stay at someone’s house because I could have been raped. Which yes I realize, but I could get rapped going into someone’s office because they want to have a word with me at the university. Plus I in no way got a weird vibe from him and both had their girlfriends with them which means nothing, but is still a little something. Okay so whatever it was still fun and a funny stressful annoying story to tell. And no at not one point I was scared or felt lost, I knew I was in the same province…ha-ha and eventually I could find my way back, I was just annoyed. Anyways loves you all!
Kazuko told me to get on the same train as her and that it would take me to Kongo (the station I’m to get off at) some minutes after her stop. Wrong. So we got on the trains late in the first place and by the time I came to the end of that line, I realized it was not the right train and I was in the middle of now where Japan. The man who made me get off the train was no help at all. To my great fortune a group of Americans saw me from another train that was on its way home but stopped for 5 minutes. Zack who is from Pennsylvania told me I could stay with him and his friends/girlfriend at his house, so I jumped on their train and got to stay in some shelter. I guess where I was there was no hotels, no nothing really the next day I realized once I could see things. I was extremely far away from where I was supposed to be. So my sleep was not very great as I was on a tiny couch (tiny) and had to sleep with my clothing on and had not brushed my teeth forever. So today (the next morning) they brought me to the train station and we figured out where I had to go, but then again I missed the stop because someone told me it was not right and blah. It looked different to me because I was on a side of the station I did not know existed. So I decided after going back and forth on various trains just to start out in Namba again, but had to take a local (which takes forever because it stops at every single tiny station) there and back.
Finally I got home into my apartment. I was supposed to go hiking at 9:00am and by this time it was 1:00pm. So I called Michelle and she was ecstatic and then she would be right there she just had to call a TONNE of people and the police because everyone was looking for me. Uhhhh so that made me feel bad, not that I was not stressed out exhausted and had not eaten anything since I was out with Kazuko around lunch. So everything is fine and straightened out and people gave me their phone numbers so that they would not have to worry next time and think of the worst. I mean I was excited to come to Japan on a scholarship for the first time travelling because then I would have a structure and assistance but I did not realize that as I was told the University is reliable for me because here I am still underage, which made me want to go traveling without any assistance; that way no one would worry if I was 12 hours late. Anyways, and the male teacher that was going to take me hiking said I was probably drunk and that’s why I did not show up and he things that because I supposable told him that one day I was late for class because I was drinking the night before. First of all I never said that to him, and I have never been late for a class. My alarm clock did not wake me up on the first day but the Koreans woke me up and I got to class on time I just had not eaten breakfast and such. So now I have to go talk to him and ask why he said that and apologize. Even though it was not really my fault (well I suppose for not double checking and just believing Kazuko’s word) it was just a big mistake.
Now they all think I am incompetent and an idiot girl “because the girls are the ones that always have the problems” whatever. They also thought it was extremely risky for me to stay at someone’s house because I could have been raped. Which yes I realize, but I could get rapped going into someone’s office because they want to have a word with me at the university. Plus I in no way got a weird vibe from him and both had their girlfriends with them which means nothing, but is still a little something. Okay so whatever it was still fun and a funny stressful annoying story to tell. And no at not one point I was scared or felt lost, I knew I was in the same province…ha-ha and eventually I could find my way back, I was just annoyed. Anyways loves you all!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Random day of the week
So I’m single for the first time in 4 years. Hurray...other then the fact that you crush the other person at times but it’s for the best. So I had PE today, nobody runs in the class during our three minute jog. I pass everyone, oh wait I just realized my legs are a lot longer then the females plus I enjoy eating food and have reserves to burn unlike some of the toothpicks in my class haha. There is nothing wrong with being thin! I enjoy the muscle training best; I've never really been one for team work such as volleyball which we are learning. Too being a baseball player at heart it takes a lot out of me not to try and catch the ball, which sounds silly but...it happens. Today Yumi (You-me) took me out to try and take money out of my debit card but non of that banks would take it so I just went to the University to get my scholarship money (thank you TGU!) and will live off that for the lot. We then went out for lunch which she bought me! (Thank you!) Everyone is extremely generous and nice here. As well it was hard with my vegan wheat/nut free needs when dinning out but the restaurant made sure there was no milk or meat product in my tomato risotto that I ordered. Too the chef came out and gave me extra veggies because she felt sorry for me! So that was nice, some corn and then odd seaweed that somewhat looked like centipedes. I received my first bill and you simply go to your local convenience store and pay the bill there. It’s under $15.00 so that is good. This Friday I will be going out with Michelle (the Australian English teacher) and one of her friends to Namba for dinner. Michelle has called the restaurant ahead and asked them to prepare me a vegan wheat free est. Meal. How lovely, people are extremely nice at trying to make me feel welcome. I did not do so well on my hiragana test as for the dictation part of it. I mean you try it; I received 100% percent on knowing what the characters are and such but it’s difficult. Now I must learn Katakana! Ha oh so much learning, I love it! I had my first dream that I was pointing to things and telling people what they were, or asking whose they were because that is really all I know how to do. Great tools at making friends really…ahh joke. Today a lady let me pet her puppy and people have been telling me I am cute so that is nice. Anyways oh Saturday I am going to Kyoto with Kazuko my Tutor on Mondays (although I definitely tutor her more English then she teaches me Japanese but I have not any homework on those days so far). On Sunday a very eager male teacher is going to take us (Michelle and I) on a hike somewhere in or out of the Osaka city (I’m hoping on a mountain!). So I will take pictures of everything and post them on my face book account. Thank you for reading about my life sorry I can’t make it more literarily interesting. See you all one day!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Saturday...alone
So its the weekend now and very hott. I have a Hiragana test on tuesday that I need to study for. Today I wondered around the town alittle bit although I do feel slightly ill, Im unsure if its from all the smog here or the heat, or I have been eating something containing an allergen of mine. I cant sleep in here I always wake up around like 6-8am. Still have no friends, I was thinking that I have not said a word to anyone today but then realized that just before I was going to head out some Jehovah witnesses stopped by who spoke english and gave me there book. He asked me what I thought of natural disastars and that most people know that god controls them and within the booklets I can learn how to prevent them, scoff. I donno maybe people could stop contributing to global warming and the frequency of intense weather related evens might calm down alittle. I just took the book and whatever. I did not realise that that beilef made it over here. anyways when I went into the art gallery that is near by I found a flyer with Mucha all over it and it looks like (I can not read the Japanese yet,well understand it anyways) that there is going to be a showing of his work~! Oh my, would I be extatic if that in fact is what this flyer is about so I am going to ask one of the Korean students who is rather fluent in Japanese if its the real thing. I cant believe how hot it is here in October, by body misses the cool autumn....oh well I think it comes in like...November. Anyways feel free to come and visit me I dont have any friends yet because of the Language barrier and would enjoy the entertainment. Loves you all!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
What can I say. Alot and not to much I suppose. I honestly find it hard writinging about myself particularly in a journal I have. I must force myself to keep a "record" of sorts about my life. I personally would like to leave evidence of my life not through words but through a drawing or painting...fine art. I dont have any friends in Japan yet, well peers anyways. Michelle the Austy takes me around places sometimes and I have watched a movie over at her apartment. I have classes on Tuseday to Friday. I have Japanese language courses, two P.E and one calligraphy class. So far I have only done one calligraphy class but I tell you, I lust to take the black ink and splash and smear it into an expression of my emtyness and fullness while here. I find myself being sucked into the blackness of the ink wishing I could sink in it. Which reminds me of a quote by Bruce Cockburn - "Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight. You gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight." I went to the barber yesterday and shaved off all my hair again. Makes me feel better to have no hair. Two of the Korean boys laught at me and then the other one wish me not to cut my hair. People look at me less here then people do in Dawson. I like it. Everyone is decently nice. Anyways I'll try and write about me life every couple of days...and I decided since this blogger is coming up in Japanese still I do not really know at all how to navagate it and so you'll have to see all my photos on facebook. By the by my camara sucks ....okay loves. peace out
Monday, September 17, 2007
i made it
okay first of all. im not going to get my own interenet connection until my alien card comes through in about a month so im here at the university trying to navigate through japanese script...something that it a little tough since i have not yet learned many words if any. so i cant find capital lock. anywho i just about missed my flight to osaka from san fransico due to it being delayed two hours but i got on and im here. my luggage is comming tonight a day late because it did not have time to get on the plane. i will post some pictures later but did not realize i was comming here today and could use the computer. my apartment is really sweet and definitally big enough for one person. some lovely korean boys took me shopping one of them was the most help because he wants to be a linguist and has some english. little but enough to help me. anyways. ill post more later today i am just signing up for classes and it is still really hot out and will be for a while so says the locals about thrity degrees or higher. anyways peace oh and i got to sit with a lovely mother and her one year old babay so cute!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
....
Okay, so Im slowly trying to get everything together for my long trip away. Is it a trip or would you say I have moved? I guess its moving. I have to call the airplane to tell them all of my special dietry needs (that costs $25 extra to make a change). I was looking on the menu at air canada, and they do have gluten free meals and some lactose free meals but they are all seperate so I hope that they can figure something out for me. I got my period today! (yeah) the only thing that would ruin this oppertunity for me would be if I got pregnate before I left. Yah pro-choice! by the way the USA needs to stop being so misogynistic and give women their right to choose. I made some saskatoon pie, im excited to eat it..anyways. 23 more days til I am gone off the continent....
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Look I made a blogg!
Okay so as some ppl have requested I am starting ablog before I go to Japan...so I have one and everyone can read it because im so interesting...*cough cough*.any way.......
yup, i'll post more later please exuse any ranting that goes on, or swearing or obtuse ideas. ha...yes. wohoo I have a blog..im so cool.
yup, i'll post more later please exuse any ranting that goes on, or swearing or obtuse ideas. ha...yes. wohoo I have a blog..im so cool.
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