Earthquake

                I suppose it takes something as massive as an 8.9 earthquake and a tsunami on the Richter scale to make me update this blog.  As it was- there was no updates because I wasn’t doing much of anything so far- save trying to get L’arc~en~Ciel tickets for their concert in May.  Now I fear even making it to May.

                Anna, my friend from college, had just come in this past Saturday to visit Tokyo and sightsee things that she would be interested in.  As it was- we visited everything anime and Visual Kei related: Mandrake in Shibuya, Takeshita dori in Harajuku (including an expensive visit to Yellow House she left at MY house lol), Akihabara’s Electric Town, and Ikebukuro’s main street (didn’t go into Sunshine City).  After a trip to Tokyo Disneyland on Thursday, we decided that we were going to head back to Akihabara on Friday to get more Gachapon Gundams for her.  These things are very tiny but quite adorable Gundams that you have to put together.  I wouldn’t mind a few for myself XD.

                Anyways- we woke up late because we were both exhausted (and I didn’t want to get up- my hip’s been KILLING ME for a while now if I keep moving for a long period of time), and basically ran to hop on the train to Shibuya, catching the Yamanote line towards Akihabara (Akiba).  In the midst of all this, I was texting a sick Tyesha asking if she wished to come and that we’d meet her in Akiba and had just texted an okay to her getting ready when we reached the stop Yurakucho- which is somewhere between Tokyo and Shinagawa I think.  We were only about 6-8 minutes by train away from Akiba- sitting in the priority seating area (it was empty save for us basically) as we chatted back and forth about the person joining us and what we were going to do when we got there.  Suddenly the train began to move from side to side as the Yamanote line going in the other direction began to come into Yurakucho and my reaction was “Hey!  Anna- check it out- it’s an earthquake!”  We’ve had small ones up until this point so I felt very safe in a way.

                But the train continued to shake and move unnaturally- the doors stuck open and Anna and I finally (after about 10-20 seconds) abandoned our seats in favor of the station’s more stable platform- feeling a sense of panic run through me.  I’d never been though such a large quake before and all I could do was press myself against the office on the platform and stare at the train as it moved and the ground below us moved as well.  I know that my adrenaline continued pumping for a while afterwards as most of us moved back onto the train curiously and cautiously.  Only a couple minutes later- with men running up and down the train- were we basically told that it would stop running (as indicated by everyone exiting the train).

                So Anna and I made our way down into the train station to look up at the TVs- moving over to one side when suddenly the ground began to move again.  There was an immediate rush towards the station exits- everything turned off so that people could run through away from the now dangerous building.  In the distance, Tokyo Tower swayed with the might of this aftershock.   Anna and I now stood on the street in front of the station- looking up at a Bic Camera store and multiple large buildings in the cold.  Everyone had simply stopped where they were and it was strange seeing so many people simply STOPPED in the middle of Tokyo.  We stood- wondering what to do next as we watched some signs shake with the movements of the ground again and I rocked back and forth on my shoes (a pair of Shape-ups).  I felt nervous and worried but strangely excited I suppose for what was going on- I think that was the adrenaline speaking however.

                After this smaller aftershock, a Japanese woman moved up to us and asked us in good English if we were okay- to which we replied that we were shaken up and were okay.  She started a conversation with the two of us which a man from Switzerland joined in- stating that he had been up in a club or glass shop (couldn’t figure out which) and all of the glass in the store broke.  It put terrifying ideas in both mine and Anna’s heads of the glass running up the buildings above our heads falling down onto people with another quake.  Soon after, we all went our separate ways- the man walking towards the still slightly moving Tokyo Tower- and the woman walking across the street through the buildings- leaving Anna and I standing at this station.

                We decided to go back inside to see if we could wait for the JR to run again, moving up to the top platform but staying close to the stairs just in case another quake happened.  Eventually we grew tired of waiting- the lights in the train being turned off and everything as it sat there.  We moved back downstairs- continuing to wait for some news about the train beginning to move somehow.  For the next 9 hours- we stayed in Yurakucho, shivering and cold on the stairs- moving into Bic Camera afterwards until we were kicked out of there and then trying to continue finding a way home.  When none was found, we decided upon food- quickly eating at the closest non-jammed place we could find which turned out to be VERY expensive.  Which sucked.  Majorly.  Not like we wanted to eat there though but we didn’t know any other way home to Shibuya (Ikenoue station afterwards).

                After that- we could see that the Yamanote line wasn’t running- so we finally decided to buck up and start asking (in broken Japanese) questions to the attendants.  We (I) asked how to get to Shibuya and the answer was apparently the Ginza line- a subway.  One would think it wouldn’t run but we ignored that and ran into Yurakucho’s metro line station instead- quickly beginning to sweat our brains out from the heat there.  The Ginza line was found quickly and we tried to run down to it and found ourselves faced with a train literally PACKED with people.  Unfortunately- I was unsure of where this train went and IF it would go.

                So I walked up to the attendant there and asked if the train went to Shibuya which turned into a conversation like this “eto~~… kono densha wa… ano… Shibuya ni ikimasuka?” (not even sure if I said half of that correctly at the time but I TRIED).  And his reply was a bunch of Japanese I didn’t understand save for a word that sounded like “congested”.  Which made me reply “a…ah… gomen nasai- wakarimasen…”  Which he apparently took as not HEARING him… *sigh* so he repeated everything he said and then did the traditional arms in an X posture which means “it ain’t happenin’” if my experiences of getting shoved out of clothing sections in Harajuku have taught me anything.  So my report to Anna: “…I don’t think it goes to Shibuya… I think he said that it’s got too many people.”  So we stood there and watched a couple of trains go by- watching the people literally pack into them like sardines- more than anything I’d ever seen before.

                Then I got the bright idea to try to get to Harajuku.  We could walk from there to Shibuya easily.  Unfortunately- the attendant couldn’t understand a thing I said apparently and was just as confused as I was… I think… either that or he just said no again and probably wondered why I wanted to go to Harajuku.  So in light of this- the two of us decided to hop on the train anyways and just get further towards Shibuya instead of just sitting and waiting for nothing.  Thank you random intuition though, since as we rode the train (with me in almost heat stroke MISERY) we came to realize that it WAS going to go to Shibuya and that we COULD get home.

                I now question what the HECK that guy was saying.  But anyways- we wound up in Shibuya- happy to be closer to home if not on our way home.  We then started towards the Keio Inokashira line with fingers crossed.  In shock- we found a large LINE of people throughout the whole station as we descended from where the Yamanote and Ginza lines were.  Come to find out- as we moved over towards the Inokashira part of the station- that this large line was for the Keio line.  A simple “kono… line… wa… Inokashira sen desu ka?” in broken Japanese got the point across to the policeman who nodded and said that it was the line for the train.  Anna and I immediately hopped onto this line and hugged each other going “We’re going home! We’re going home!” or… technically to my home.

                This line however, was wrapped extremely far around the station’s insides and it took the two of us about an hour to get through the line to actually get on the train.  But nevertheless, we were on the train and on our way home.  We were so happy.  We got off at Ikenoue with a quick “Sumimasen” and an “Arigatou gozaimasu” from me and Anna- hugged again and started for my dorm.  All in all, it was a long day… so the Skype conversation and the phone calls that took place upon reaching home were even more tiring.  We were exhausted but happy to be alive and safe at home.  So happy.

                Even so- I dropped Anna off today (Sunday) at Narita Airport Terminal 1.  The line for her flight was LITERALLY wrapped around the terminal.  LITERALLY.  It must have been at least two or three or MORE football fields long.  It took about 2 hours to get through this new line and get Anna all checked in before I saw her off through security and sat down to wait for her call that her flight was okay and was going to leave on time.  Upon receiving this message and call- I left Narita and began home- feeling awfully lonely and sick to my stomach. 

                Now- I’m alone in a dangerous situation.  I wish I could’ve climbed in her luggage.  But it’s all right- I plan on trying to stick it out and continue through- despite not having much food to eat or anything and the blackouts that will start tomorrow and last for 3 hours each day.  I continue to feel as if the ground is moving beneath my feet and begin to panic each time I move myself without knowing it.  I feel like I’m all bundled up into knots and I feel absolutely terrified.  The coffee didn’t help.

                I now need to clean my room, do the rest of my laundry and pack an emergency bag- just in case- as well as contact the US embassy to see what I should do in this situation.  But that requires a phone card that I need to get tomorrow morning- which will also be expensive.  Hopefully I will be all right. 

                                - One lost and scared American

Concert Report!

                Omg it’s been a while since I’ve updated.  I looked and saw that my last one was the day after Miyavi and it’s now almost mid-January.  It seems I never made that post about the GazettE and Luna Sea that I said I was going to >.< well this is going to be that post and I’m going to post a second one probably (hopefully) in a couple of days with all the going’s on otherwise.  SO the concert report! (SIS! AVERT YOUR EYES!... if you’re reading this that is…)

                Luna Sea was great!  I was on the floor of the Tokyo Dome and right up close to part of the stage.  I wasn’t in the front of the stage but I was in a great position- considering there was only two chairs in my row and I was closest to the stage- right beside a railing.  The German/French/American people in front of me honestly pissed me the HELL off when I got back to my seat after spending some time in the lobby with Tyesha.  I’ve never gotten such weird looks from foreigners before and in fact- in the case of the three German girls- the one saw me and immediately turned to her friend and had her look at me too.  I’m almost curious about wtf they were expecting or what they were exactly looking at.  I’m an American white girl with blue eyes.  You’re GERMAN- you shouldn’t be shocked by this ><!!

                Anyways- the concert was great.  I felt more like just a music lover instead of a major fan but it was sill enjoyable and they even played Rosier I believe (either that or it was In my Dream… or both XD).  And I actually made some new favorites while I was there- though I don’t have a complete setlist of what they played unfortunately.  Time is Dead did stick with me though and it became a new favorite of mine due to the concert.  I have to be honest though- J, the bassist of Luna Sea, became one of my new favorite people lol.  I love Sugizo but J overtook him for the night.  At the beginning there was a large choir of people and eventually they all moved away to leave our five band members standing in the middle- it was a stunning opening and led up through a night of memories for those in the Dome I believe- as the members were styled more Visual Kei- more like the original “Lunacy”.

                As I’m not a big Luna Sea fan- I can’t tell you what songs they played, save for those that I knew but it was surprisingly harder rock than what I thought it would be.  Sugizo and J frequented the platforms nearby me- which made me happy.  I think one of the best moments for me (being a fan of bassists) was when Inoran was at the end of the platform near me- Sugizo on the far right- and I’m pretty sure Ryuichi was on the middle one- or still on the stage itself.  J decided to follow after Inoran but only moved a little down the platform- with no spotlight on him.  It was almost funny when he tried to get my area of the crowd pumped up (on both sides of this platform) and no one saw him.  He seemed slightly disappointed- so- it being me and me loving bassists- I immediately did a spastic, bouncy and yelly cheer for him.  Idk if it was me or someone else but he seemed to cheer up a little lol.  It was also amazing when it was just J and Shinya onstage- where Shinya had just done an amazing drum solo (LOTSA fire) and the bassist proceeded to try and make one section of the crowd cheer for him louder than the others- proceeding to flip the softer section off if he was impressed with the screams from the former section.  And I’ll admit that I felt REALLY special at the end of the concert- even if it wasn’t actually pointed towards me but- J walked partially down my platform at the end and basically I cheered as loud as I could for him- slightly bouncing and being spastic at the same time and he smiled and pointed at me (or in my general direction).  Overall it was a great night!

                …Save for ONE thing.  A camera… should be a CERTAIN distance away from one’s face.  I had a cameraman come up and take a picture- while I was cheering for Sugizo towards the end of the concert- and the LENSE of the camera can’t have been more than half a foot from my face.  I also seem to have popular with the rest of the video and camera men/women- as I found myself being filmed almost constantly.  So when the DVD for Luna Sea’s (“Lunacy” at this live) comes out for this concert- be sure to check out some of it and see if you can spot me.  Considering how much I was flimed- I’d be shocked if I WASN’T in it.

                Onto the next night!  Gazerock!  YES!  I finally got into the hall and found myself very confused and lost- as my ticket said something very different (and I was still tired from Luna Sea and also- I had come down with a mild cold at the beginning of the week >< that did NOT bode well for the concerts) from Tyesha’s and most of what I knew.  Come to find out- since I had gone through the gaikokujin ticket sales- I had ended up with a spot on the arena floor once again.  Oh man was I estatic!  I felt horrible though- as Tyesha had bought a regular ticket and ended up deep in the stands somewhere.  She threatened my existence though if I kept apologizing for it so I did stop apologizing… eventually lol.

                Anyways- since I DID get another foreign ticket- I was- once again- surrounded by foreigners… save that it wasn’t so bad this time around as most were nicer and less rude than what had happened the previous night.  For this one- I was on the opposite side of where I had sat the last night- though it seems that there are three pillar things… I’m not sure… all I knew what that while I was on the right side of the stage the last night- I was on the left side of the stage- in FRONT of the stage this night.  The middle platform wasn’t that far away to my right (just a section over) and the stage wasn’t TOO far in front of me- probably about the same distance from the last night.

                So- onward and forward!  I don’t have a setlist for this one either- but I knew a LOT more songs… less than I should’ve (as I was lacking in listening to the new singles and tend to just stick to my MP3 player (which did NOT include a lot of the songs that they played unfortunately).  I felt like a mega-Gazerock failure had happened on my part ;_; but it was still a great concert.  I have to say that the performance of this night as compared to Lunacy the previous was almost incomparable.  It was an amazing laser show lol.  I’m being quite serious when I say such a thing- we started off with outlining the background box before the band walked out and then the concert started after a few words.  There was IMMEDIATE headbanging… which I joined in on ^.^v I’m such a bad child.  I’ll be honest.  I’d buy a DVD of this simply to see what I missed while I was headbanging.  There was also lovely fanservice onstage between different band members.  One of the hardest things for me- who doesn’t watch the live videos for GazettE or ever been to any other of their concerts- was picking up on the puri (the hand/body movements that the fans make to songs- I’m almost sure that puri refers solely to the hand movements but I’m using body here for a reason).

                The highlight of the night for me was hearing Pledge though.  I CRIED.  The song is already so beautiful and then to hear it live in such a matter… it was overwhelming.  Another highlight was Bathroom right after it… it felt like I had been sucked into another world with that song.  As the song started- a beam of white light shot down the middle of the area- over the platform to my right as the intro began playing and the beam slowly opened up and looked like a piece of the sky- pure white though with clouds floating through/across it.  It was something so vivid and beautiful- I really did feel as if another world had just appeared above my head and I couldn’t help but simply stare and allow myself to be pulled along.  An absolute FAVORITE song of mine, Filth in the Beauty was also played and there was LOTSA fire with this one too.  The entire audience called for an encore together “An-co-re! An-co-re!”- clapping our hands on the re to make sure that we kept together for the GazettE to come back out. And they did- performing a SIX song encore, followed by another two song encore, which included, of course, Linda.  Now Linda has one of the MOST complicated puri I’ve seen in my life- one where you clapped and jumped in time with the music, which tended to be hard to do sometimes after being so exhausted from the rest of the concert.  But it was so much fun for that song that I just let myself go- even though my arms and neck were screaming for mercy from my energeticness.  I had to keep telling myself that I wasn’t tired- that I didn’t need to sit and relax for a bit- that I could keep going.  The final song was Miseinen and I was happy to hear it.  Kare uta had played right before- so both of these songs seemed to just completely calm the audience down.

                At the end, Ruki spoke about how long of a journey this was for them and how happy they were to be in the Tokyo Dome at this time- tripping over his words as his throat caught with tears.  And even though I know I didn’t understand the words at the time- I felt the same as he did- his emotions reached out and touched all of us.  I felt the tears welling up in my throat and I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t cry.  Then I watched as each band member broke down in tears on stage and felt myself crying as well- especially after Reita curled up onstage in an attempt not to cry- pulling his hood over his head and turning away from everyone as Ruki spoke.  Aoi left and came back a few times but all in all- I’ve never felt so moved by a group of people before in my life.  It was a wonderful experience that I’m so happy I could be a part of.  An amusing anecdote to everyone crying was the fact that I watched Uruha’s makeup run on one of the big screens while finding out later that my makeup had stayed perfect lol.

                Overall, it turned into one of the best experiences of my life and I’m happy that I could go to such an event.  Both events actually.  It was worth the next week of being laid-up in bed with pain and exhaustion.  So that’s my concert report!  I will update again soon so that things that AREN’T music take priority in this blog again lol.

                                -  One Happy American

Concerts!

                This comes after a while of not uploading I do believe.  I really need to get better at updating this thing lol.

                First off, yesterday, I saw Miyavi in concert at the Liquidroom.  So freaking awesome!  I’ve never been so amazed by an artist that I’m actually not that fond of.  Tyesha’s a big fan though and it was her first concert so it was a lot of fun- and I was especially happy that it was a general admission concert (aka- standing room only) instead of one with seats- which I’m sure that the Tokyo Dome will be.  Miyavi put a lot of energy into the whole setlist- even stating that he was tired about half-way through (“Tsukareru~~” XD <3).  The whole concert started so fast that it was almost dreamlike to watch him onstage, singing and playing guitar.  And dear god did he PLAY GUITAR.  I dare risk it to say that he’s one of the best guitar players in the world.  His style is sooo original but it’s so awesome at the same time.  It’s truly amazing to watch him play and I have to say- for me- that was one of the best experiences of the night.  I fell in love with his song Gravity though as it was played live- just Miyavi and the guitar with touches of Bobo on drums.  So beautiful and almost painfully heartbreaking.  I found myself swaying with the beat and being completely entranced by this one song.  The whole concert just kind of swept me away and didn’t bring me back- my entire body aches and my throat’s killing me from screaming so much.  I especially loved the whole call and response with “What’s my/his name?”  It was so great to have so much fun at a concert.  Especially when he decided to wander over (mind you it’s JUST Miyavi and the drummer on-stage) and lay all over Bobo- making sure his hair was annoying the hell out of the man (it’s long and under a black hat- still awesome though) or when he started going “What’s his name?” while gesturing at Bobo.  Be aware that I didn’t know this man’s name up until the audience screamed “Bobo!”.  Shortly afterwards was Miyavi calling “What’s my name?” “What’s my fucking name?” and having so much fun with it.  He seemed like he enjoyed calling that out in English way too much- especially the “fucking” in the middle of it.  It made me laugh because I was sure that not too many people in the audience understand this term or what it means to the full extent like Tyesha and I do- since we’re from America.

                On another note- as of this moment- I have a FREE live that I’m attending at the Tokyo Dome by Luna Sea (or as they’ll be called at this concert “Lunacy”… same band tho).  I’m also not a big Luna Sea fan but I couldn’t resist seeing Sugizo in person and also may I mention again… it’s FREE!!!! FREE PEOPLE!!!...  I think there’s a drink fee but that’s it.  That’s a (excuse me) hell of a lot cheaper than any ticket price you can give me (which usually has a drink fee anyways).  I’m only hoping that they play a few of my favorite songs- such as Tonight and Storm.  Either way- I’m sure I’ll walk away satisfied because it’s a major band that I’m seeing for free.  Oh!  And it’s a Kurofuku live.  Kurofuku means EXACTLY what it says lol one must wear BLACK clothing to the live.  I have JUST the outfit planned out. <3

                Lastly- the GazettE Tokyo Dome concert is the day after Luna Sea’s free live.  I’m going to be SO freaking exhausted that I’m worried about how I’ll be at this concert.  I plan on eating lots of salty things and drinking LOTS of water.  I will buy a big thing of water to drink after the Luna Sea concert and bring throat lozenges as well for my poor throat that’s still recovering from Miyavi.  I’m even more excited for GazettE though as they’re one of my favorite bands.  I really want to hear Guren live- or Nakigahara- or Leech- or… I give up- I’d love to just see them- and I’m getting my wish. 

                Only one other band-related wish to be granted and I will MAKE that one happen.  I swear I will see L’arc~en~Ciel live in-concert.  Not VAMPS, not Tetsuya, not Ken, not Acid Android.  I wish to see the four as a unit onstage- as Laruku.  I love this band so much- and I love all the solo projects but they aren’t the same as seeing Hyde, Tetsuya, Ken, and Yukihiro on-stage together.  I can’t wait to see if they’re going to put tour dates up soon.  I’m really hoping that they do.  I want to see them so much.  Their first live is a fanclub only and I couldn’t afford to join the fanclub and THEN the live for the ticket.  I wish to see them so much though- they’re my absolute favorite band. 

                Ah~~ enough doting on my bands and lives XD I’m doing good otherwise though- save for the exhaustion from the concert yesterday lol.  It’ll go away eventually- hopefully long before Luna Sea and GazettE though.  I don’t know why everything has to happen in December. 

                Anyways!  It’ll be a GREAT month.  I’ll probably update next after Luna Sea and the GazettE have rocked my brain from its skull.  I’ll be on break by then lol.

                                 -One rocked-out American Girl

Sophia University Christmas Lights (Dec 2nd)

                Yaay!  Another post!  I swear I’ll remember to do these more often or something eventually.  But then they’d be VERY short and VERY boring I think.  So maybe it’s good just to post every couple of weeks?  Just for everyone to be aware of me not forgetting this page?  Hmmm sounds good to me.  XD By the way- the campus now has Christmas lights! 

                Midterms were not fun.  Even with my take-home one- I was feeling a little too exhausted/under-the-weather mentally to do too well on it.  I feel really bad about it.  I know I should’ve done better but…  I honestly didn’t feel up to it.  My Japanese midterms went well however- despite the fact that I probably should’ve studied more (same problem).  I also hated the fact that I had a regular vocabulary test RIGHT after the midterms were over… that was a bunch of BS honestly.  There is also a speech that I have to make for Japanese (aka- create script) and a book I have to read for Culture and Identity.  On the other hand… My website is like… half done? XD I do not kid when I say this.  The home page and History of Visual Kei pages look pretty good, along with the Oshare and Dark Visual pages.  There have been LOTS of pictures added onto the site so far and I plan on adding more.  <3  I think I REALLY like web design, which is interesting cos I’m not really looking at the code so much when I work on it- though I want to be a programmer…  Maybe I should become a professional web designer instead?

Unrelated but LOOK A MICROWAVE!

                Anyways.  Picked up an amazingly awesome origami book involving fantasy creatures and stuff along with some paper.  I now have something ELSE to do in my nonexistent free time. <3 I have a cute purple ghost sitting next to my ‘dying’ plant.  At least I think it’s dying.  Poor Kuro-kun doesn’t look very good.  The green leaves are very splotchy and some of the new bright green ones have fallen off.  I feel depressed at this.  I think it’s not getting enough sunlight probably but… it’s been so cold outside that I didn’t have the heart to stick it out in the cold just for some sunlight.  I really dislike the cold btw.  I hate being cold XD I’m so cold naturally that this kinda sucks but I’m waiting for it to get worse.

                So in 12 days (well 11 at this point of the day) I get to go to a Miyavi concert.  And then on the 25^th, I MAY possibly be going to a FREE kurofuku live for Luna Sea <3 (FREEEEEEE), and then on the 26^th is the GazettE, the BIG one <3.  They have a new poster up in Shibuya for The Pledge (which is an amazing song- go listen to it NOW) and I got a picture of it after an argument with my camera.  Honestly the thing can be so flipping picky about HOW it takes the picture.  If I’m zoomed in too far- it will NOT take the picture and I don’t understand why.  >< It’s fine though- I got a picture.

This is above my door basically

                Well for the most interesting news of the day.  When I came home today (Dec 2^nd) from being out with Tyesha in Shibuya all evening- I had a very much unexpected guest outside my door.  An adorable gecko. <3 It was up so far on the wall that I struggled to take pictures of it so those didn’t come out very well.  I managed to catch it and took better pictures of it in my room.  But upon seeing the color of its (as I’m unaware of how to tell the difference between male and female) skin change so drastically from the original white to a more patterned look- I decided to keep it safe here.  It’s simply too cold outside for a reptile and I cannot in good conscience simply “let it go”.  I think I’d cry if I found it later dead.  It may not live much longer with me but… I think it’s got a better chance than out in the cold. <3 so it now has overtaken my small Nanao’s Honey Doughnut box that I got on a whim.  Something is very strange about this- it’s the perfect size for it for overnight care.  Tomorrow I go to Ikebukuro with Tyesha to see if I can get some supplies for it.  I hope it’ll be okay until then.

-          One Reptile-loving, Caring American

PS – It’s SOOOOOO CUTE <33333333333

Concerning Food and Classes

The Gundam is completed and sitting next to my plant… well… sitting isn’t the correct term. Precariously balancing is the correct term. I honestly didn’t have that much to do on it and I just kinda put it off for a bit. So… since I found it slightly addictive to put all those pieces together- I got another one. It’s the “on fire” (aka it’s PINK again) version of the samurai I was looking at earlier. I could’ve gotten the regular black and red version but it was like… 200 yen more. So I didn’t want it lol. I’m going to try to take more pictures this time as I’m putting it together to show how intricate it is. ^^v It’s pretty complicated but I find it oddly fun.


My plant is STILL growing. I’m in amazement. The leaves that were red are even taking on more of a dark green tint. Maybe it’s confused about what time of the year it is? I’m not sure but it sure is growing. I think I’ve unknowingly nicknamed the thing Kuru-kun lol. It works. XD

I’ve found some more Japanese sweets that I’m obsessed with lol. Well sweets in the relative term. I keep eating a rice ball for “lunch” and found that there are some interesting things in rice balls. Like a large chunk of chicken for example <3. Thinking on chicken… there are these chicken wraps at school that I’m really fond of! They’re fantastically good, with chicken and ranch dressing and lettuce and stuff. At least I think they’re good. Well I found out that they’re not ALL chicken. There’s a strange version of it with beef meat, ketchup, and something else. I was NOT so fond of that x.x in fact- I was mildly disgusted. It still ate it though <.< it was 200 yen. On the other hand, everything I’ve grabbed from the bread and sweets section has turned out good o.o if not surprising sometimes as one of the “bread” things that I grabbed quickly one day had a large chunk of MEAT in it and BBQ sauce ._. very strange. Anyways- I grabbed two things that I took pictures of- one being this dough-like thing “mocchiinyo” as the package reads in katakana- which was a set of four items. They were very dough-like and each one had a small filling of a kind of sweet cream cheese. From the corner grocery store however came the best surprise. The package was decorated for winter but I found the Japanese version of those white little Debbie cakes <3 It was extremely delicious and almost addicting. But it was basically a large Debbie Cake XD I loved it. Anyways~ classes are going well. I got Dreamweaver to use for my one class and I’ve currently got a good quarter to a third of my website done. I need to adjust backgrounds and make it look “pretty” but basically I’ll be done in a bit. I need to work on my home page the most I think for this Thursday to show to the teacher- as of the moment there’s nothing but links on it ><;;; I need to put a background and text under the links to the other parts of my site. As for the rest of the site- I’ve got to figure out how to stick pictures in decently around text and I’ll be good. I’ve got all the pictures I need, I just need to figure out how to use them. I also need to type up a history of Visual Kei, which I have partially written out right now. I have all of my subsections written out and some of the pictures decided but I’ve got to figure out better how it’s all working together. The other thing is- I didn’t realize how big of a project I picked. I keep finding NEW genres of Visual Kei each time I turn around. It’s a strange thing but I think I now have about 20 subcategories but I’m only including about~ 8 on the site… maybe. Some are subcategories of others. It’ll all work out though ^.^v

As for other classes… Japanese is going well- midterms start tomorrow with an oral exam and continue from there for the following two days I believe. As for my culture class, my midterm probably did NOT go well, as one of the documents for the test I didn’t read and it took up a WHOLE 20 point question. I felt very stupid and like I was going to fail at that moment. It wasn’t my fault Japanese took over during the time I was supposed to read that. On the other hand- the rest of the test I think I did well on, including the other two 20 point questions and the 8 fill in the blank (of which I answered 7 cos I really just couldn’t remember the one). In Literature, our test is a take-home exam basically on Genji and the small amount of other stuff we’ve read. Since I’ve been so website obsessed lately, I failed to read the most of the last four chapters (two of those chapters being about 40 pages EACH) and it didn’t help that the teacher failed to open them up to people for that weekend either. I felt very disinclined to read after that, even though I was beginning to like Genji.

I did pick up a book for me to translate over my breaks during the year- it’s an L’arc~en~Ciel book about their early days or something like that. I haven’t gotten around too much to it yet but I glanced through and it’s basically all text. It looks like it was published JUST after Yukihiro joined the band, as it talks about “Dive to Blue” at the end and the three main people in it are Hyde, Ken, and Tetsu. It looks like a good project I think lol. I also picked up SID’s hikari CD for cheap XD well kinda cheap lol. I actually kinda like this album quite a bit ^^v.

I keep writing in my free time though- all sorts of different story beginnings- endings, etc. It’s kinda annoying to keep having new ideas pop up when all I want to do is have ideas for Misfortune’s Fortune and get back to work on it. There are a couple I have some high hopes for, since they’ve started pretty decently but… I’m not really looking for too much in it honestly. I want Misfortune’s Fortune back on track mainly.

This thing has rambled on too long XD I think I’m just typing whatever comes to mind at this point as I’m fairly exhausted today. I think I may lay down for a bit before studying or working on my website. Hopefully studying.

- One American girl

PS- (knew it was coming- didn’t you?) I got the WEIRDEST look on the train today. This older man did a literal either triple or quadruple take and stared when he saw me and my bag, even though I’d been standing next to him the WHOLE time. I went to put my bag on as my stop was coming up and rearranged my bags while listening to my music and watched him out of the corner of my do the traditional “foreigner double-take”. What he did next surprised the hell out of me. He glanced at my bag, did a double-take on that and then looked from me to the bag a couple of times as if he was going to say something. I felt like going “YEAH SO WHAT I HAVE REITA ON MY BAG?!”… but that would be highly rude- especially if he was going to say something completely different like “Your bag hit my newspaper.”… not like I can hear anything with my music going and I like it that way.
.... btw... PICTURES!! XD

Random news

So Tyesha helped me figure out how to get my air conditioner to heat instead, so now it’s warming my room nicely. I’m very happy because now my room is warm and I don’t have to curl up under the covers and wear piles of clothing all the time inside as well as outside. Strangely enough- my plant is STILL growing. It’s quite amazing- I put it out in the cold too by accident- but it’s just growing and growing and growing. I’ve got a couple more posters up on the walls (ones of HYDE now) so it feels a bit more like home in a weird way- with all the flyers and posters.

Classes are going well, not sure what else to say lol. I’m watching a lot more TV than I used to thanks to Tyesha as well because whenever she comes over- she always turns it on the second she’s slightly sitting. So I now watch it a lot now- even if I put it on mute and just listen to music instead and just slightly watch it from the corner of my eye. The commercials are entertaining and some of the things on TV are entertaining too. I’ve found quite a few anime on some different channels, including Naruto, Soul Eater, and one called Star Driver. I have no clue about what the last one is about and any that I don’t know what they are either. There was one about soccer on today too, something like “Giant killing” I think was the title.

Ah and yesterday I was random and bought a Gundam to build, on top of getting one for someone else. It was disappointed when I found out it was a light pink, but it looks very cool. So it’s like… half built right now. It’s distracting. I wanted one I saw a week or so ago that had a very samurai style, with a sword and gear and everything. It was black and grey but looked amazing, but the store seemed not to have any in stock. Though I’m not sure how to ask lol. Oh well. I’m happy with what I got, I just wish it wasn’t PINK.

Oh- went into another Book Off yesterday and found a ton of PSX games. I’m tempted to buy a couple and take them home, along with some PS2 games. But the problem with this is that I’m that THAT fluent in Japanese. I’d be struggling to understand the game and how to play, which really sucks. I do want to play some of these games though- they look amazing. I thought about picking up another L’arc~en~Ciel album, but~~… I forgot what I already had. -.- I felt slightly stupid. There still isn’t a “cheap” SID album I can pick up since they’re so popular now. I can’t find another GazettE album for cheap either sadly enough. I’d go for Stacked Rubbish I think but… it’s fine~~.

For dinner I’m usually eating some variation of instant noodles. Though I will admit that they’re VERY good as compared to the American variety. There are so many different flavors and different kinds that are delicious. I’ve found a couple I don’t like though and I’m careful to avoid them lol. Mainly because they’re kind of spicy and I don’t go well for spicy. The curry place down the street is really cool too, the food is always good as well. I haven’t cooked in a little while and I plan on doing so this week for Thursday, but I’m still lacking a bento box… I really need to work on that.

So anyways~~… I’m watching TV, classes are going fine, I’m eating instant noodles for dinner usually, and I feel at home… kinda lol. It’s not really home but I can pretend for the year. I do enjoy it here and I feel happy being here. My commuters pass lets me access two very cool areas (Harajuku and Shibuya) any amount of times for basically ‘free’. I love going there and I want to explore more areas along my line honestly. I think it’d be a lot of fun.

So- my boring entry is over and seems to take up more room than I thought it would lol. I’ll see if I can remember to update this next week or something, idk. Depends on what happens in the next week. I’ll probably update with the completed Gundam.

- One (not-so) Lost American

PS - …..hm. I got nothing XD

Food and Jewlery

Hello again all! As a girl who has lived in one of the stable areas of the world- as in no earthquakes- I did feel very nervous coming to Tokyo. It’s a strange feeling to have the world shake under you lol. As you call tell, I experienced my first earthquake tonight- as far as I could tell (as I was woken up by the shaking) it wasn’t too rough- then again, I couldn’t tell because I was asleep.

I’ve been very worn out lately. ^^;;; I think it’s from either doing too much or somehow still getting adjusted to Tokyo time- not sure yet but I’m leaning towards the latter option. I just finished my five day weekend and was only at school for 2 days though! I feel very odd being this tired with that sort of break. But then again- I had lots of people talking to me on and off at all times of the day during it lol so it might not be a surprise that I’m exhausted. I do want to go to this one restaurant in Shibuya again though <3 It had the most delicious food and for cheap too! It’s called Tengu. I went there with Tyesha on Tuesday and it took us about an hour to find the place because her guidebook is WRONG… horribly horribly WRONG.

Anyways- I had some grilled squid, some yakitori with leeks, and a taste of both items that Tyesha ordered, crab fried rice (think chicken fried rice- now replace the chicken with crab) and mango ice cream. The crab fried rice was all right, it was a very odd combination for me, but the mango ice cream tasted as if it was made there on the spot for each person. It was very fresh and delicious! My squid was fantastic, grilled to perfection with a mayonnaise dipping “sauce” and the yakitori was surprisingly good, it was on skewers and roasted. The leeks looked a little black on the outside but it actually added to their flavor- they were very delicious and I’ve never had leeks before. All in all, it was a great experience that I’d love to repeat.

I’ve recently figured out that my old necklace (because of it being a cord necklace) was actually damaging my neck slightly. The necklace itself is kind of dirty now and it keeps making my neck dirty- which kind of ticks me off. So I’ve been in the market for a new necklace (for cheap) for a bit now and I found it on Tuesday before we went and ate. It’s very cool looking- it’s like a flame with rings on it. I’ve also bought three ear cuffs of varying designs. One is very simple, it simply looks like I have 3 more piercings, the second one has a black stone on it and pointed black item hanging from it, the third is really pretty with a butterfly and a couple of chains hanging from it. I’ll see if I can put pictures up later lol.

So! I’m thinking that I’m going to play some emulated Pokemon Emerald and read my book for my Culture and Identity class.

It’s a very boring book x.x

- One Lost American

PS – still waiting on the microwave… I’d REALLY like to have it. I also need to buy a bento box to take food to school…