Saturday, May 2, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
And as for my life...
A new semester, and I feel like I'm getting off to a great start! I feel like I've been working hard to study Japanese and I incorporate it as much as possible into my daily life - reading magazines, watching TV shows, using Japanese websites. I'm currently reading the book つめたいよるに by Ekuni Kaori (my computer had too much trouble getting the correct kanji :-p). I like it a lot so far. I think since I'm already settled in, I don't have the need to go crazy socializing with the new kids, but I know enough to help them out with organizing stuff.
But despite all this excitingness, I'm hitting a rut of failllll - aka being the Wilma I am and getting caught up in boy drama. Nothing has happened but I've had some crushes on and off this year and I'm currently at the apex of one. :-( It sucks. It's really exciting when you see the person and see signs of interest, etc, but I HATE waiting around for the week to pass. All for it to build up to maybe even nothing. I hate feeling impatient like this, and I hate when things end in disappointment. :-( So this has put me in a funk for the past couple of days, but hopefully I'll calm down or get some good signals. This is slightly mirroring a crush I had last semester in that I'm seeing what I think are reallllyy positive signs but then either I don't reciprocate them well enough or I imagined them, and things could bomb. Eeeek! I always need to get these thoughts out in every medium possible whenever I'm wrapped up in them, but this is too public of a forum to say any more.
I want to stop acting like a middle school girl! I want to stop hallucinating my phone's vibrations! I want to stop the internet stalking! I want to stop bugging my friends about this! I want to stop looking at couples and date spots and wondering! I want to stop looking out the bus window and wondering who I could see by chance! I want to stop having hour long baths where all I do is listen to music and sigh! Most of all, I want to stop wishing I could relive memories, because thinking of all the wonderful moments in life you can never revisit is a very sad thing. :-(
In a ways, I'm happy that such an amazing thing is the cause of my down mood, rather than something actually unhappy.
But despite all this excitingness, I'm hitting a rut of failllll - aka being the Wilma I am and getting caught up in boy drama. Nothing has happened but I've had some crushes on and off this year and I'm currently at the apex of one. :-( It sucks. It's really exciting when you see the person and see signs of interest, etc, but I HATE waiting around for the week to pass. All for it to build up to maybe even nothing. I hate feeling impatient like this, and I hate when things end in disappointment. :-( So this has put me in a funk for the past couple of days, but hopefully I'll calm down or get some good signals. This is slightly mirroring a crush I had last semester in that I'm seeing what I think are reallllyy positive signs but then either I don't reciprocate them well enough or I imagined them, and things could bomb. Eeeek! I always need to get these thoughts out in every medium possible whenever I'm wrapped up in them, but this is too public of a forum to say any more.
I want to stop acting like a middle school girl! I want to stop hallucinating my phone's vibrations! I want to stop the internet stalking! I want to stop bugging my friends about this! I want to stop looking at couples and date spots and wondering! I want to stop looking out the bus window and wondering who I could see by chance! I want to stop having hour long baths where all I do is listen to music and sigh! Most of all, I want to stop wishing I could relive memories, because thinking of all the wonderful moments in life you can never revisit is a very sad thing. :-(
In a ways, I'm happy that such an amazing thing is the cause of my down mood, rather than something actually unhappy.
Shopping for clothes in Kyoto when you're a college female in poverty
Yet another "useful" post with my advice on how to survive Kyoto on a low budget! Hehehe. This time it's about shopping for clothes because lately I've been finding some pretty noteworthy but hidden places. Sure, everyone knows Shijo-Kawaramachi, but do you really want to be wearing something everyone else is, that costs about $50?
To get a general idea, back in America, I buy most of my stuff at Forever 21, and the necessities (jeans, etc) at Macy's. I know, not incredibly classy stuff, but I feel Forever 21 lets you choose your own unique personal style for cheap. :-)
I bought these shoes today (1350 yen)! They were in a store called something like "Honey" in the underrated, undervisited underground mall Zest that's around the Shiyakusho (this means a little north of Sanjo on Kawaramachi). Honey's clothes were very deal worthy, ranging from 500 yen for sale items, about 950-2000 yen for shirts, 2000 yen for jeans, and 2000-5000 yen for jackets. Shoes ranged from 500-2000 yen. Overall, amazing steals for Japanese clothing, and there was practical stuff like fancy shirts, bags, accessories, etc. I'm also just REALLY greatful to find shoes for my apparently size LLL feet (though L at this store - I'm a 9 1/2 in America and a 25-25.5 in Japan).
Breaking with my intro paragraph, here's something right off Teramachi - coming from the Shijo side, I believe. Clef de Sol has done me proud when the shopping urge hits. In front of the store are racks of cute clothes for 980-1980 yen. I'm never really interested in the stuff inside. These were each something like 980 yen (scarf included). One downside with most Japanese stores is that you can't try on shirts that are on sale.
While exploring yesterday, I ran into a recycle shop on Nishioji-Oike. I don't remember its name, but it was amazing, and had a lot of clothing for all ages. It also included kimonos, shoes, antiques/ceramics, music, electronics, furniture. ALL very reasonably priced. This trench coat was 300yen (meaning $3)!!!!! (look at the cute inside pattern!)
Another wonderful chain in the Teramachi area. Thank You Mart is down the Sanjo side - just go straight back from Kappa Zushi at Sanjo Kawaramachi. Thank You Mart is in a basement under the gross Shakey's pizza. Everything there is 390 yen. A lot of it is kitschy Spencer's gifts gag-like stuff, but there's also used clothes (including jeans), t-shirts, incense, accessories, hats, scarves and the like. Here's a long sweater I got for the 390yen they're asking for.
Last but not least - it's a little late now - but my sister and I obsessed over fukubukuro at the beginning of the year. Almost every store in Japan has these "lucky bags" that cost a set price and have a random jib jab of stuff from the store. Sometimes you know the general idea of the contents, sometimes it's a complete mystery. Starbucks and some random tofu store even had them. Every single one I got was successful (ranging from a 525yen one to a 3990 yen one). With clothes, I recommend you split the bag with someone in case of stuff not matching your style or size. I really liked the ones in 109-2 in Shibuya (Tokyo). Unfortunately I missed fuku-bukuros in Kyoto... except for the one shown here! It's a 3000yen fukubukuro from a chirimen store (the type of fabric) by Fushimi Inari shrine. It was an awesome deal and I have great omiyage! This particular bag included: a jewelry box, a pillow, 3 purses (of varying cuteness/elegance), 2 headbands, 2 cellphone straps, 1 t-shirt, and a scarf.
To get a general idea, back in America, I buy most of my stuff at Forever 21, and the necessities (jeans, etc) at Macy's. I know, not incredibly classy stuff, but I feel Forever 21 lets you choose your own unique personal style for cheap. :-)
I bought these shoes today (1350 yen)! They were in a store called something like "Honey" in the underrated, undervisited underground mall Zest that's around the Shiyakusho (this means a little north of Sanjo on Kawaramachi). Honey's clothes were very deal worthy, ranging from 500 yen for sale items, about 950-2000 yen for shirts, 2000 yen for jeans, and 2000-5000 yen for jackets. Shoes ranged from 500-2000 yen. Overall, amazing steals for Japanese clothing, and there was practical stuff like fancy shirts, bags, accessories, etc. I'm also just REALLY greatful to find shoes for my apparently size LLL feet (though L at this store - I'm a 9 1/2 in America and a 25-25.5 in Japan).
Breaking with my intro paragraph, here's something right off Teramachi - coming from the Shijo side, I believe. Clef de Sol has done me proud when the shopping urge hits. In front of the store are racks of cute clothes for 980-1980 yen. I'm never really interested in the stuff inside. These were each something like 980 yen (scarf included). One downside with most Japanese stores is that you can't try on shirts that are on sale.
While exploring yesterday, I ran into a recycle shop on Nishioji-Oike. I don't remember its name, but it was amazing, and had a lot of clothing for all ages. It also included kimonos, shoes, antiques/ceramics, music, electronics, furniture. ALL very reasonably priced. This trench coat was 300yen (meaning $3)!!!!! (look at the cute inside pattern!)
Another wonderful chain in the Teramachi area. Thank You Mart is down the Sanjo side - just go straight back from Kappa Zushi at Sanjo Kawaramachi. Thank You Mart is in a basement under the gross Shakey's pizza. Everything there is 390 yen. A lot of it is kitschy Spencer's gifts gag-like stuff, but there's also used clothes (including jeans), t-shirts, incense, accessories, hats, scarves and the like. Here's a long sweater I got for the 390yen they're asking for.
Last but not least - it's a little late now - but my sister and I obsessed over fukubukuro at the beginning of the year. Almost every store in Japan has these "lucky bags" that cost a set price and have a random jib jab of stuff from the store. Sometimes you know the general idea of the contents, sometimes it's a complete mystery. Starbucks and some random tofu store even had them. Every single one I got was successful (ranging from a 525yen one to a 3990 yen one). With clothes, I recommend you split the bag with someone in case of stuff not matching your style or size. I really liked the ones in 109-2 in Shibuya (Tokyo). Unfortunately I missed fuku-bukuros in Kyoto... except for the one shown here! It's a 3000yen fukubukuro from a chirimen store (the type of fabric) by Fushimi Inari shrine. It was an awesome deal and I have great omiyage! This particular bag included: a jewelry box, a pillow, 3 purses (of varying cuteness/elegance), 2 headbands, 2 cellphone straps, 1 t-shirt, and a scarf.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
And now how I'm actually doing
So now, a third and final post for the evening to make up for my uber lack of updates. And now I'm going to talk about how I'm actually doing! I've been on winter break for the past two weeks so I've been having a lot of fun and relaxing. My mom and sister came up to Kyoto and I showed them around to my favorite places. They're staying at a hotel really close to my apartment so it was really convenient to chill with them all the time.
We then went to Tokyo to celebrate New Years with relatives, and I've been hanging out with various friends (KCJS, Yale, Japan, Kyodai, etc). Here's a glimpse into one day:
Yesterday (I think?) my sister and I met up with Kay and Matt Strait of KCJS and we went around Odaiba. We had NO plan but ended up running into four different performances. The first was an overcrowded comedy thing so we left, but here are the other three. I apologize for the bad quality - they're videos from my prepaid cellphone! I'm hoping to hit up Akihabara for a new camera before I leave Tokyo.
We saw a not-yet-popular boy band perform in front of Fuji TV. This video is just of a two-person dance number but there are four guys total. Unfortunately this video is mostly my sister and I giggling, rather than the hot and rather effeminate dancing I should have instead captured.
We then went to the Toyota Mega something and randomly ended up seeing the shamisen group Hayate perform. They were mad cool! I'd buy their cd.
And then we went to Toyota's innovaction museum and saw their famous trumpeting robot
And then we traveled home into the sunset. Ahhh Japan! I have yet to be tired of this place.
We then went to Tokyo to celebrate New Years with relatives, and I've been hanging out with various friends (KCJS, Yale, Japan, Kyodai, etc). Here's a glimpse into one day:
Yesterday (I think?) my sister and I met up with Kay and Matt Strait of KCJS and we went around Odaiba. We had NO plan but ended up running into four different performances. The first was an overcrowded comedy thing so we left, but here are the other three. I apologize for the bad quality - they're videos from my prepaid cellphone! I'm hoping to hit up Akihabara for a new camera before I leave Tokyo.
We saw a not-yet-popular boy band perform in front of Fuji TV. This video is just of a two-person dance number but there are four guys total. Unfortunately this video is mostly my sister and I giggling, rather than the hot and rather effeminate dancing I should have instead captured.
We then went to the Toyota Mega something and randomly ended up seeing the shamisen group Hayate perform. They were mad cool! I'd buy their cd.
And then we went to Toyota's innovaction museum and saw their famous trumpeting robot
And then we traveled home into the sunset. Ahhh Japan! I have yet to be tired of this place.
Recent(ish) Japanese Entertainment Recommendations!
Post number two dun dun dun! Happy New Years by the way! I just turned 21 as well. :-)
So now I think I'd like to discuss some gems I've found in Japan since being here. Sure it's easy to say you like Mr. Children and Hana Yori Dango, but unless if you do a lot of research or really live here, it's hard to know what's good other than the stuff otakus yap about on the internet (no offense! Hehee). So here's what I've found to my liking at least!
Music:
9mm Parabellum Bullet - Living Dying Message - Recommended if you like The Fall of Troy, Receiving End of Sirens (melodic metal / punk)
凛として時雨（Rin toshite shigure) - Telecastic Fake Show - Recommended if you like The Mars Volta, The Blood Brothers (emocore with talented musicians, very high-pitched singing)
The Back Horn - Requiem - Punk, alternative. I like their older stuff, like this song.
Perfume - Dream Fighter - Just silly popular Japanese female electronica with good coordinated robotic dance moves. :-)
TV Shows:
I'm personally a fan of romances and comedies, not the mushy sad crying stuff or the school teacher stuff (though I've seen some, like Gokusen and Dragon Zakura). I would highly recommend:
Kimi wa Petto (You're My Pet / Tramps Like Us) - A romance about a woman who takes on a young boy as her "pet" and denies him his human emotions. The actors are amazing here (Matsumoto Jun, Koyuki) and one of those rare Japanese dramas that has a steady progression of action rather than building up to a mere kiss in the last episode. Recommended if you enjoyed hana yori dango, hana kimi, etc.
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (The Man Who Couldn't Marry) - a comedy about a very awkward architect (Abe Hiroshi) and an aging female doctor being failures at relationships.
Papa to Musume no Nanokakan (The 7 Days of Father and Daughter) - a comedy about a father and daughter getting into an accident and having their bodies get switched. It's hilarious seeing the father's personality in the girl trying to handle a lovelife, and an old man acting like a little girl and managing a company.
Proposal Daisakusen - a romance about a man who sees the love of his life getting married, and is given the chance to go back in time and alter the events of every photo in her wedding slideshow in order to stop her wedding from happening.
Honorable mentions:
Absolute Boyfriend - a romance about a woman at a cake company being used as a test subject for an ideal robotic boyfriend
Hotaru no Hikari - a chill romance about a girl who sucks at love being forced to live with her boss, who helps her out with her office romance
Yamadataro Monogatari - a comedy about an extremely poor high school boy who's mistaken at school for being incredibly rich.
Movies (dunno where you guys can find these unfortunately...):
Summer Time Machine Blues - A comedy about bored college kids finding a time machine and going back in time and messing with each other, with the key purpose of saving the remote to start the air conditioner.
Install - (slightly inappropriate movie - warning!) A movie about a high school drop out becoming a adult chatroom goddess with the help of an elementary school boy
Man, Woman, and the Wall - (an even more inappropriate movie - "pink film"!) A movie about a perv who stalks his neighbor and imagines her life based on what he hears through his thin wall, but ends up being her saviour. Surprisingly a pretty contemplative film that makes you think what is creepiness?
Stuff I found overrated:
Nobuta O Produce, Tada Kimi o Aishiteru, Hana Kimi, the Hana Yori Dango movie, the spinoff Death Note Movie (L Change the World)
Feel free to fight me over these!! :-)
So now I think I'd like to discuss some gems I've found in Japan since being here. Sure it's easy to say you like Mr. Children and Hana Yori Dango, but unless if you do a lot of research or really live here, it's hard to know what's good other than the stuff otakus yap about on the internet (no offense! Hehee). So here's what I've found to my liking at least!
Music:
9mm Parabellum Bullet - Living Dying Message - Recommended if you like The Fall of Troy, Receiving End of Sirens (melodic metal / punk)
凛として時雨（Rin toshite shigure) - Telecastic Fake Show - Recommended if you like The Mars Volta, The Blood Brothers (emocore with talented musicians, very high-pitched singing)
The Back Horn - Requiem - Punk, alternative. I like their older stuff, like this song.
Perfume - Dream Fighter - Just silly popular Japanese female electronica with good coordinated robotic dance moves. :-)
TV Shows:
I'm personally a fan of romances and comedies, not the mushy sad crying stuff or the school teacher stuff (though I've seen some, like Gokusen and Dragon Zakura). I would highly recommend:
Kimi wa Petto (You're My Pet / Tramps Like Us) - A romance about a woman who takes on a young boy as her "pet" and denies him his human emotions. The actors are amazing here (Matsumoto Jun, Koyuki) and one of those rare Japanese dramas that has a steady progression of action rather than building up to a mere kiss in the last episode. Recommended if you enjoyed hana yori dango, hana kimi, etc.
Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (The Man Who Couldn't Marry) - a comedy about a very awkward architect (Abe Hiroshi) and an aging female doctor being failures at relationships.
Papa to Musume no Nanokakan (The 7 Days of Father and Daughter) - a comedy about a father and daughter getting into an accident and having their bodies get switched. It's hilarious seeing the father's personality in the girl trying to handle a lovelife, and an old man acting like a little girl and managing a company.
Proposal Daisakusen - a romance about a man who sees the love of his life getting married, and is given the chance to go back in time and alter the events of every photo in her wedding slideshow in order to stop her wedding from happening.
Honorable mentions:
Absolute Boyfriend - a romance about a woman at a cake company being used as a test subject for an ideal robotic boyfriend
Hotaru no Hikari - a chill romance about a girl who sucks at love being forced to live with her boss, who helps her out with her office romance
Yamadataro Monogatari - a comedy about an extremely poor high school boy who's mistaken at school for being incredibly rich.
Movies (dunno where you guys can find these unfortunately...):
Summer Time Machine Blues - A comedy about bored college kids finding a time machine and going back in time and messing with each other, with the key purpose of saving the remote to start the air conditioner.
Install - (slightly inappropriate movie - warning!) A movie about a high school drop out becoming a adult chatroom goddess with the help of an elementary school boy
Man, Woman, and the Wall - (an even more inappropriate movie - "pink film"!) A movie about a perv who stalks his neighbor and imagines her life based on what he hears through his thin wall, but ends up being her saviour. Surprisingly a pretty contemplative film that makes you think what is creepiness?
Stuff I found overrated:
Nobuta O Produce, Tada Kimi o Aishiteru, Hana Kimi, the Hana Yori Dango movie, the spinoff Death Note Movie (L Change the World)
Feel free to fight me over these!! :-)
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