---- Quarter Void -----

Last

2011-09-29T00:46:00.001+09:00

A halloween donut at two friends place in the middle of their packing. They leave tomorrow and why did I feel so incredibly sad?
Maybe because I'm leaving soon as well. Lots of goodbyes nowadays... ugh.
I need to change that goodbye to see you soon instead.

GO

2011-09-25T22:21:00.001+09:00

Graduation gift to myself!
I have a lot of love for this man and his music.

Graduated!

2011-09-22T19:05:00.000+09:00

Today, I graduated my Japanese school after two years!
I'm finished and done with it!
Although I still have so much to learn I was able to reach N1 level, so I'm pretty satisfied with it.

There was no ceremony or anything, since I just finished after a regular semester and not in spring when everyone usually graduates. So, I held a little speech, I got the diploma and cards with messages from everyone in the class, and then it was just uhm ok bye. It's what I expected, I've only been with this class for one semester (i.e. 3 months) so there's not exactly any bonds there haha. (Except for my one friend in class though) But I got a really heart warming message from my favorite teacher!

I still can't really grasp that I've graduated, but I guess it will sunk in soon. I'm going back next week to pick up my grades and a few other things too.
Damn... I have mixed feelings about this too..!
Anyway, now 2 years of Japanese studies are over!

Typhoon

2011-09-21T13:59:00.000+09:00

Holy sh--
It's coming right at us! (Tokyo is at the cross)
Weather warnings for Nakano: Heavy rain (inundation), flood, storm.
This typhoon better be over by morning because I'm not missing my last day of school!

So long, see you soon

2011-09-20T00:27:00.000+09:00

This weekend has been so much fun! Saturday, I was invited to a nomikai in Shinjuku from a friend and met lots of new fun people! After that me and my friend went to Current where suddenly a jazz band walked in and held a surprise mini live. And after that I went clubbing in Shibuya for a couple of hours before taking the morning train home. And Sunday, I went for yakiniku and lots of drinks in Koiwa! Today, Monday, is a national holiday so I've been resting up watching True Blood all day.
It's been tons of fun, I really want to enjoy myself the last time...

Yes, I've really somehow been reluctant writing about this, and also since probably the rest of the world already know... After graduating next week I'll have a couple of weeks free time, and then I'm going back to Sweden. I cancelled my apartment last week and soon I'll have to start sorting out what to pack or send home.
The plan is to get a job and work my ass off that those 5-6 months, before I come back for college. Because if I just get student allowance from CSN, I'm really going. I've finally found something I want to do with my life, and it feels great!

It doesn't feel as great leaving the country though... I'm very sad about it and I guess that's why I haven't really allowed myself to think about it. But even if I don't, in just three weeks I'm boarding a plane to Sweden!
Of course I can't wait to meet my family and friends back home, but at the same time I'm basically leaving my life that I'm so happy with behind... or something. I don't know, as you would understand it's very mixed feelings about this.
But I'm coming back soon so I'm must stay positive!

A few stuff

2011-09-16T22:16:00.002+09:00

My tonsillitis is gone! But that was a nasty case indeed, I could barely speak for several days. This ice cream, however, is awesome and might be one of the best I've eaten and yes, eating ice cream when having tonsillitis is probably the only sensible to do.

The other day me and Jaz took purikura but the machine weren't quite as happy as we were, since the ink had run out so we had to call a staff. But he gave us chocolate candy so no harm.

And this is a silly keychain I got as a present from my teacher. I'm gonna say this again. I got a present from my teacher, who's the most serious and strictest and sometimes scariest teacher at school. But he's also my favorite teacher! He's the only one who's actually got angry at my classmates when they behave extremely disrespectful.... My class, yes, is an entry of it's own, I can tell you there's been a lot of frustration from my part. But! This teacher came up to me after class this week and told me that even though my class is awful, because I've been there he's been able to look forward having it and when I graduate he's gonna miss me! Now, who wouldn't be happy hearing that from one's favorite teacher?

Speaking of, I graduate school next week.
Next week?!
Next week.

Recap

2011-09-12T14:37:00.000+09:00

Sometimes it happens that you've just been so busy you've barely have time to sit down, and that's been my past week. At least it feels like it, and when I did have time to sit down I've been to tired to blog. Also I've got a nasty case of tonsillitis, so it feels a bit crap right now.

But last week I got the result for the Japanese Language Profiency Test (JLPT) and I cleared it! I just took N2, but I had a pretty big marginal so it feels good.

Last week a friend of mine who's been living in Korea for the past 6 months stayed at my place, and we've been all over the town! Finally checked out some of the bars that's around my school; why haven't I done that earlier? A couple of them were awesome.

A picture of Yoyogi kouen at night from a party this weekend, full moon complete with loads of bats flying around.

Today we went to do X-ray with school, to check for tuberculosis. It's mandatory in Japan, although I think I'm already vaccinated?
Anyway, it all ended within an hour which was good, now I'm at home with my tonsils aching like there's no tomorrow.

And other than that, still busy with preparations for college.... So. Much. Paperwork. Certificates and papers that need to be sent here and there and everywhere... Agh.

Shinjuku pose

2011-09-05T00:23:00.002+09:00

You know what?
Never mind the last post.
From now on, when I'm wearing these pants, I'll always pose like this instead.

Sunday

2011-09-04T16:30:00.001+09:00

Not my usual style but who cares. This way I can almost pretend I'm all fit and healthy, while in reality I'm on my way to the cake buffet!

Dat lunch set

2011-08-31T20:49:00.002+09:00

I don't always eat lunch sets, but when I do I eat it all.

Shopping spree

2011-08-30T20:46:00.005+09:00

That is right folks, I allowed myself some shopping!
Guess where?
...the 300 yen store.
Hardcore stuff.

A room spray (or what's it called) that says Citrus but smells like candy. Now my apartment smells like candy. Yummeh.
And a cute case for my hanko!

Yes! I'd completely forgotten all about it, but I found it lying around yesterday. I think I bought it just after I came to Japan two years ago... and then I forgot it, it's never been used.
Hanko is a stamp with your name on it, and Japanese people use this instead of writing signatures. There's special stores for them, or you can find cheap ones with the most common names here and there. I went to a special store since I had to special order one with my name.
The little case I bought today has ink too, so it's ready to use at any time!

And there we have it!
I'm not sure why I bought it, I have no use for it since foreigners never need hanko and can just squish a little signature instead on all kinds official papers. I'm also not sure why I ordered my given name instead of my family name... but I guess it was because my family name is quite long.
Oh well. Fun thing to have!

I also popped into Donki and bought a tracksuit for a mere 2000 yen.
Oh no, don't worry, I'm not gonna use this for exercising! Haha, really now... But it'll be nice to wear at home, or if you suddenly need to go to the konbini at 2 in the morning. So if you see a ~~suspicious~~ person in the middle of the night wearing a shiny black track suit with even more shiny gold details, yea that's probably me.

Butterflies

2011-08-29T18:30:00.000+09:00

Today I had lunch in Shinjuku with my friend Junko. She surprised me by giving me... a yukata! And a bag and obi decoration! Just like that! (The obi on the picture is from my other yukata set) And this is some nice quality from Odakyu as well. Quite different than the white one I bought at Shimamura, haha! I also find it amusing that there's butterflies on both of them..!
Oh wow, when's the next matsuri? I wanna wear it now!

Also, dat lunch set.

Koenji awa odori

2011-08-29T18:18:00.000+09:00

This Saturday me and some friends went to the awa odori in Koenji! It's one of Tokyo's biggest matsuri, so there was loads of people. Of corse, dressed up for the occasion!

Rebelling at the "Keep out" sign

Yukata is so nice to wear, it's easy to put on and while it was still nice to take off, it's not at all uncomfortable to wear.

Sooo many people! Had a bit of a hard time seeing the all the dancers. There's so many different dances and dancers, it went on for three hours but we didn't watch it all.

Drinking at a local jub! I love Koenji, the atmosphere is just so wonderful. If I didn't like Nakano this much, I'd want to live in Koenji! (But they're right next to each other so it's okay anyway.)
Later we went to a darts bar, and then I made my way home while the others went to para para.

I get so happy every time I see people in yukata or jinbei! And at matsuri, there's a lot of men wearing it too! A young couple in yukata is just so cute, don't you think?
(....I'm not talking about me and Jaz here.)

Yesterday I went to a friend's friend's live event in Shimokitazawa, but stupid as I am I didn't take pictures, not even of the afterparty... I might get some from another friend, so I can write about that more later.
See ya!

Tuesday

2011-08-23T20:55:00.000+09:00

Yesterday was a sports day with the school, nothing that deserves an entry of its own. I don't get why they persist in having those sports days, it's so boring. Even if you happen to like volleyball (yes, volleyball.) you still gotta stand around for ages waiting for your class' turn to have a match.
Meh.

Here's what I did today - my part time work as a tranlsator. I do voice recordings a couple of hours each time. I could also take a picture of the office and my other workspace but I guess everyone already knows what a computer looks like.

IN OTHER NEWS
I just spoke to my friend on the phone who just came back from a trip to her hometown Sendai, where she picked up her old kimono and obi she wore two times when she was 20 years old. She's 65 now and doesn't have any daughters so she's giving them to me! As in a real silk kimono with matching obi that I gave up the thought of owning because they're so ridiculously expensive!
AH so grateful and surprised and excited and I haven 't even seen it yet but hnnnnggg!!

Hana no mai

2011-08-21T18:23:00.002+09:00

The other day I met with my friend Sakura! After some karaoke we went to Hana no mai in Kabukichou. Really nice place, great recommendation if anyone's interested. Nice interiour, friendly staff, tasty food, not that cheap but still reasonable prices.

Cutest

And a great view of west Shinjuku! (17th floor)

Actually the whole reason we picked that izakaya was that they currently have a collaboration with Hakuouki, that Sakura absolutely loves. So there was some serious moe going on there, i tell ya...!

The drinks were tasty but too weak, haha.

Their salmon sashimi was the best I've ever tasted. I'm not even kidding.
I always order salmon sashimi at izakayas, it's one of my absolute favorite dishes, but this just took the price! I could eat this for the rest of my life...

Also this sausage in melted cheese with bread thing, deeeelish!

Nighttime over Shinjuku...
Yea that's me in the window.

Yes.
I can't believe I just made a whole picture entry about one visit to an izakaya, haha.
But it feels like this day was kinda important in a way... It's when I realized that the path I'm about to choose is very difficult and will certainly not be easy in any way whatsoever. BUT.
That I want to do it anyway.

Will make an entry about that later
Peace out ☆

The ears

2011-08-19T16:21:00.002+09:00

This Monday I was enjoying myself in Shinjuku.
My burns are allright now! Not completely healed yet, but it doesn't hurt anymore so all is good. This Monday it was still hurting, but I couldn't stand being inside anymore.

We went to Mysterious and later Arabian Rock, two themed izakayas (I think you can guess the themes) who has really nice interiour although the food isn't all that special to be honest.
Before that I met my friend I went to Alta and had a mini shopping spree, some new earrings so I could make some updates on my ears! And that is about what I allow my self to shop these days, I'm on a super strict saving budget. My plan is to start college next year, but it's a lot of money involved...

Quarter Void report: nothing new.

2011-08-13T17:45:00.002+09:00

The products that might have helped prevent my limbs from rot and fall off all together!

No but really, has this week been painful or what... and it's not even healed yet! My feet and the lower back of my calves looks like a warzone, something noone would go near. But the rest of the burned parts are fine now, I've shed skin on my nose two times already and my hands and arms has got a super tan, compared to my other white milk white skin, haha.
I probably should've seen a doctor, but a few days ago I couldn't even stand up for a few seconds, and now there's no real point anyway, I think.
Due to my extreme inactivity, I've gotten insomnia deluxe as well so now I'm sleep deprived too!
Yea this is kindof a depressing entry, but I just want people to know of my SUFFERING.
Also I've been all alone the whole time. Boo.
What a waste of my summer holiday...
:(

Ushijima-kun

2011-08-11T21:01:00.001+09:00

Remember that awfully good but seriously depressing manga I blogged about? Well it's gonna be a liveaction movie, with no other than Takayuki Yamada in the leading role! Eff yeah!

Akigawa river bonkura BBQ

2011-08-09T12:59:00.001+09:00

Sunday was the barbeque at Akigawa river! All the way off to Musashi-Itsukaichi, kindof countryside with beautiful mountains and lots of delinquents loitering around in the middle of the nights. I actually went there the night before to meet up with some friends and spend the night. When I think about it now, I have no idea why I did that, but I guess you have to sleep by the riverside at some point in your life... or something. And the dawn was just stunningly beautiful.

Sunday morning all the other people arrived, and there was some serious bbq time!

Oh man just look at those shining white legs, blinding everyone in sight.. no wonder I got burned so bad.

Sitting in the river was so nice and cool in the heat.

Food!

Group shot!

It was tons of fun but oh did I have to pay for it with this super nasty burn...
Actually at the subway on my way home this random (Japanese) woman came up to me and started saying "Oh dear you seem to have burned yourself very bad, you must quickly go home and put ice on it..!!" and then she interrupted herself with "Oh but maybe, yes... I think it's already too late..."
Wha
Well she was right, today is day two and my feet are still red and super swollen, I can't even stand up let alone walk around without intense pain, oh dear where is this gonna end...

Campus Summit 2011

2011-08-08T17:38:00.001+09:00

Last friday I went to Campus Summit at Shibuya O-EAST, a huge gyaru event that I got a free ticket from Jaz. All the famous models were there, and the model bands and some other performances.

CiEL and PLAY-Z performed, both being absolute crap, haha.
Also, I'm not a fan of playback..

And she needs to have a cheeseburger or two.

There were a lot of people there, but over all it was kinda boring. It'd be more fun if you were able to mingle around a bit more... but everyone just stared at the stage with a blank stare.

It was kinda hilarious that all the gyarus in the hall had spent around three years fixing their hair and makeup, but me, due to some other business I hadn't even have time to wash my hair, haha.
Well! At least there was free alcohol!

BURNSS

2011-08-07T22:20:00.001+09:00

I've had the best of times this weekend, ending with today's barbeque up by the river in the mountains! So much fun BUT my skin didn't think so...
I've got the worst sunburn of my life, more red than, than the reddest thing you can ever imagine, and my legs, arms AND face is on fire! This actually feels more like an actual burn than just a sunburn oooh this might have been one of the most meanest things I've done to my body. I'm sorry, body.

I guess I need to head out tomorrow to a drug store and see if I can find some gel or something, although to be honest I don't really want to put myself under the sun for the rest of my life. In the mean time, I might just spend the night taking an endless cold shower!

Kishis

2011-08-04T00:49:00.002+09:00

I'm still left in a Kishidan wonder world!
I wanna go again...

And if you're not already following my tumblr, check it out right here!
I post a lot of ~~Kishidan~~ my drawings and sketches ~~of Kishidan~~

I also shamelessly stole the above picture from Show's blog.

I also started a twitter! Look under the picture to the right
Follow if you want ~

Kishidan vs Nightmare @ Shibuya-AX

2011-08-02T20:49:00.002+09:00

That is right folks, I went to another Kishidan live! This time, an event with Nightmare!
I was pretty excited since I hadn't seen Nightmare before. I arrived to the venue 18:50 because waiting is tiresome and I always stand in the back anyway, and I got a relly nice place in the sold out Shibuya-AX (that takes 1'500 people), where I could see the whole stage and everything very clear!

So, there was the same opening act as the last time, and then Nightmare came on stage. They were wearing white gakuran uniforms! Awesome. They didn't play so many old songs which was a bit disappointing for me, but they were a nice live act and Yomi's voice is of course something special. But I don't know, they didn't quite do it for me. Probably because I'm not as into major VK bands as I was some years ago..

And after Nightmare finished, Kishidan came on stage and everything became at least 20% cooler, oh my godness, be still my beating heart!!
No really. I got just as bewildered as the last time, if not more! Like last time, Bousou Skyline Phantom was the first song and I'm very serious when I say my heart wasn't calm for one second.
They'd changed a couple of songs from the setlist, and they had different uniforms after the break, otherwhise the show (hehe pun) was the same as last time.
NOT THAT I'M COMPLAINING
I can watch them for ever and ever and EVER. ♥

Tokyo parliament

2011-08-01T00:34:00.001+09:00

Today I met with a friend of mine, and since it was Sunday but we wanted to go somewhere there weren't crowded, we went to... the parliament! And later on to Hibiya for food.
Yes.
There surely. Weren't any people around.
But we had a great time anyway!

I sometimes wear skirts

2011-07-31T00:39:00.002+09:00

I remember a time when people used to think I was a guy, but that never happens anymore.

Far east lullaby

2011-07-30T17:22:00.001+09:00

Went to KYOKUTOU GIRL FRIEND's last live at Shinjuku Loft yeterday.
Last live.
They're disbanding, meaning there will be no more concerts and no more music releases from one of the best bands there is. They're all I want in a band! I don't even think there's a single tune with them that I don't like. Their disbandment is just so not cool.
Their concert however, was! I'm always mesmerized when they're on stage in front of me. Rinda's voice is amazing! Loft is a great live space too, and I'm always happy to see a very mixed audience. Aaah I can't believe I'll never see them live again, it's just too sad....

Afterwards me and some friends went to Orenchi koi, then Ryuichi called me and we went to that rock bar in Shibuya. And today, just now, I took out my extensions.
Over and out.

Happy birthday to me!

2011-07-27T22:33:00.001+09:00

Well! As said, I've been occupying myself with some stuff lately, but I've also had time to have a birthday! Yesterday on the 26th, I turned 21☆

I started out by eating cake for breakfast (hah!!) and then in school my most strict teacher, Kubo-sensei, sang for me! It was great. After school me and Jas had some purikura, and then Jubeat was played.

A lot! There are days that's not ment for Jubeat-ing, but generally I just love this game and can't get enough playing it!

Then we headed to Nakano for food and drinks.

Huge glass Nihon-shu for a mere 200 yen

Later on we headed back to Takadanobaba, met the others and went to Orenchi kuru? that's a sister izakaya to my favorite Orenchi koi, that's located just nearby!

My birthday cake! We had the birthday special, meaning that at one point they turn off the lights in the whole place, drags the birthday person to the center of attention, turn on the birthday song and then everyone (including all the other customers present) sing together! It's awesome. And embarrassing, but mostly awesome!

I also got a bottle of champange, with a picture of us all on it! That was a really nice surprise! But unfortunately I forgot to bring it home with me... And they didn't have it when I came back today (to get my camera that I also forgot, ehe.), but at least I have a picture of it, haha.

Yes. I'm now 21 years old, and it feels a bit weird! When I moved to Tokyo I was just 19... and soon, two years have passed! It feels like the blink of an eye, but at the same time like I've always been here.
I hadn't planned on doing some big thing about my birthday this year, but in the end it turned out to be a real birthday bananza! Well, you only turn 21 once in your life!

Blurry, but I just love Kevin's face in this picture!

JackRose Friday

2011-07-16T00:30:00.002+09:00

My new darling from JackRose! A bag that's pretending it's a riders jacket! I find it awesome. I've also been eyeing it ever since it came out some months ago, so now I finally bought it and kinda messed up this months budget yey. (I'm currently in saving mode, trying to do my best.) But I really needed a new bag this summer so it's okay.
I met my french friend Kevin after school in Harajuku! He and I have one very big thing in common: the love for JackRose! So we went there together and hanged around, made some serious shopping, talked about the clothings, talked with all the JackRose guys... it was AWESOME. I believe it's the first time I've met someone with the same kind of feelings as me and it felt great haha!
Tenchou-san was also there of course, and he said he'd wondering where I'd been all this time. Now that I think about it, twas the first time I went there in ages! But in the time I haven't been very active on the blog, I've been pretty occupied with other business...

Here's from Omotesando Hills! We sat around in there (because aircon) a while, but it sure is a really cool designed building.

Kishidan x Plastic Tree @ Shibuya O-EAST

2011-07-15T22:51:00.001+09:00

Oh my, people.

So this Wednesday I went to Shibuya O-EAST to se Kishidan, oh yes, Kishidan live!Or to be more precise, Kishidan vs PlasticTree!
It started with Kishidan's dancers (with Hoshikuzu in a gothic lolita outfit hah) doing a sketch about fighting over which band is the best, it was pretty funny. Then, Plastic Tree came on stage and made a real good performance. Yes, I love PT and all but I've seen them live twice before and this time I didn't came for their sake so I'm not gonna talk so much about them now. They played Ghost though which made me happy!

After PT there was another little sketch, and then...
AND THEN---

Oh my heart when Show and Hikaru went on stage OH.
I don't even remember what song they played first, I only remember how they started dancing, and Tommy is so darn tall and Ranma's hair is fabulous. But I remember that the second song was Kisarazu Sally!
Show has an amazing precense on stage and his and Hikaru's dancing is just, that's just, that's just perfect. Later on, the three dancers (having changed into their gakuran uniforms of course) went on stage, Show said it's "dancing time!" and they played Koibito, YES! Finally got to hear it live! Followed by Aishite naito, hnnnggg that was quite possibly the best performance I've ever seen all categories. Holy crap I love that song.
Ranma also sang one song! (Don't remember what though, bah) And after that, they played Bousou yotarou kumikyoku~Quarrel Bomber~ (ugh long title) Show and Hikaru went on stage twice as tall (sitting on the shoulders on two people, wearing extra long jackets) and it was hilarious when they started shouting and dancing, I still laugh when I think about it hihi!

And lastly, of course, they played One Night Carnival! And it was so great seeing it live! In the last parts, they went silent and listened to the audience sing the chorus in unison, which was actually pretty impressive. Then, Show held an long MC that was actually pretty heart moving, thanking everyone from the bottom of his heart. He held a lot of MC's that was hilarious, I can't recite them all but he said tons funny stuff, but this last one seemed pretty earnest.

Aaaand lastly, at the encore, they called Plastic Tree back on stage, and everyone played Baka ni natta no ni together! (Although they'd changed the lyrics to 中学まではまともだったのに hihi) I always love it when bands play together, and this was no exception~! Afterwards, when thanking the audience and each other and so on, Kishidan members seemed a bit shy and was going to shake hands, since PT are their seniors, but Ryuutarou just ran around hugging everyone instead, haha!

And then they all left the stage and it all ended and the world seemed a little bit brighter.
I'm not kidding about that, I've been having this cuddly feeling inside ever since, Kishidan live is a whole other business and damn, they have the power to make one happy OH AND DID I MENTION SHOW'S SMILE

I said to myself before the concert: no merch!
Hah, who was I trying to fool. T-shirt for me!

Weekend

2011-07-08T16:49:00.000+09:00

I'm having trouble deciding what course I should study if/when I start college... The options are either to choose one that I think seem most interesting and what I'd probably like the most, or to choose one that is the easiest to get a job! I mean, the second option also seems like fun and something I could consider doing, and the first one is a bit more uncertain carrier-wise. But the first one seems more fun... damnit, I really can't decide! And I'm so caught up in visiting schools and doing research on my own and worrying about money and start preparing for paperwork, it feels like I need a rest from my brain although I kinda should make a decision soon. Ugh.

Today I tried on my yukata. I wanna go to hanabi.

EVERYONE CAN PACK UP AND GO HOME BECAUSE

2011-07-02T17:00:00.005+09:00

I'M GONNA SEE KISHIDAN.

KISHIDAN!

I'm gonna see Kishidan.
I'm gonna see KISHIDAN LIVE!

When I got home I had to actually jump around for a bit. This is it, folks!!
They're celebrating 10 year anniversary this year, and so they're doing a tour with 2-man lives with a lot (a LOT) of famous bands. I entered a few pre-booking lotteries, but didn't get any of them, and so today at 10:00 sharp I sat at the computer ready to order but then e+ and ticket pia were overloaded with traffic! That was some pretty frustrating 20 minutes of refreshing pages.
BUT THEN IT HAPPENED
I successfully managed to book a ticket!
And I ran down to Family Mart and paid and now I have it in my hand!

Kishidan vs Plastic Tree!
I'm reeeeaaaally excited to see how that will turn out~! And the theme is 「中学まではまともだったのに。」 aaaah can't handle--
(Also because did I mention KISHIDAN!)

And they're playing at freakin Shibuya O-EAST which is awesome because that place is not that big! Oh my oh my I'm gonna see Kishidan liveee!

... and I think I'll look at this entry later and shake my head, but this needed to be ranted about because I'm gonna se Kishidan live hnnggg.

Friday

2011-07-01T19:16:00.000+09:00

There's a lot of space in between my blog entries lately! I have a lot to think about nowadays, as The Future is slowly starting to become somewhat clear to me. And, as always, when I've got some new plans or decided on something, I get excited and nervous and thus lose ability to sleep, so I'm pretty sleep deprived these days too, haha.

Yesterday was the last day of the term too (lots and lots of tests), so now I've only got the last 3-month term left on my Japanese language school! Can't believe how fast it went, but at the same time how much I was able to develop and understand new things about myself during this time. (Looks like something I can write a bit entry about haha!)

The picture is from yesterday when me and Jas went out in Takadanobaba! Awesome izakaya (from the same company as my all time favorite Orenchi koi) and we bought tickets for a special anniversary event there in a couple of weeks. Really looking forward to that!

In other news I'm taking the JLPT on Sunday, wish me luck!

Disney Sea picture post

2011-06-25T20:08:00.001+09:00

The first thing I did after arriving to Disney Sea was to put my hair in a ponytail - there was some serious wind that day! Someone told me there was a typhoon on the west coast so maybe that had something to do with it. Anyway, I got my share of bitchslaps from the wind!

Ahoy

Tower of Terror was the best ride. Apart from that, the other rides we went to were okay but not superb.

Queuing

Apu! Was so happy to take our picture wih him! I'd secretly wished to see Jafar, but I guess there's more characters walking around at Disney Land.

Over all, I think I like Disney Sea better than Disney Land. There's no parades at Disney Sea, but I didn't get that strong vibe of plastic and fake I felt so uncomfortable with at Disney Land. But still, I'm still not sure I'd pay money to go back to the Disney resort, haha...

Oh and the sunburn? It was really hot and sunny that day, but thanks to Elizabeth Arden SPF 500000+++++, my face was allright~! ...however my arms and neck were not. Think boiled lobster, and there you have me!

Flashback

2011-06-23T22:43:00.002+09:00

About one year ago I was at Disney land, and I got sunburnt like there was no tomorrow, bright red! (Think bioled lobster) Let's hope that won't be the case tomorrow, as I'm going back again as the annual school trip to the Disney resort. This year, it'll be Disney sea!Speaking of, as the whole country is in saving electricity mode (at least 15% must be cut, or there'll have to be blackouts), you'd think that they'd do something with the Disney resort as it in one day swallows 55'000 homes worth electricity... Take some days off? Skip/cut down on the light parade? But maybe that's just my opinion. Let's see tomorrow if they're thinking about any of that.

Tabi

2011-06-20T23:03:00.001+09:00

Today I did a lot of voice recording at work, so whoever wants to learn swedish from that company will have to listen to my sweet voice.(^_-)〜☆ Hehe.

I also recieved super oshare tabi socks today! I may be wearing yukata later, but Im not showing my bare feet, no way, nope.

Why!

2011-06-19T23:09:00.001+09:00

Bad thing: My computer is dying. Again.

Good thing it happened on a sunday evening so I at least dont have to be bored. Gaki no tsukai is the highlight of the weekend!♪

Gaki no tsukai

2011-06-17T22:03:00.000+09:00

This is me when I watch the batsu games. Doesn't matter how many times I do, I burst out every time! I wonder if I'm a trouble to my neighbours...
But anyway, I will surely get some nice abs out of this!

Budget shopping and free candy

2011-06-14T17:22:00.002+09:00

I almost cannot believe that now that I've done some eagerly awaited shopping, I went to... Shimamura! What has happened to me, being the brand whore that I am?
But, the times are changing, and sometimes your budget's gotta change with it. I'm trying my best to save for The Future, so I have to think twice of what I buy nowadays, instead of just getting whatever I like eheh.

But Shimamura does have some pretty nice stuff! Some of their brands are really cool, they have a lot of 2-piece sets for low prices and the quality is decent too, I'd go as far as to say it'd be the same if you went to 109.
Today, the result of my little shopping spree was a dress set, a shirt set, pants, underpants, headband, my regular lashes, and a yukata set (yukata + obi + geta). That is a total of 11 (eleven!) items! For the price of... well, the same amount of money I use to buy one (1!) shirt or something for. Not bad!

The yukata set looks really nice, can't wait to try it out! (cuz summer = hanabi yay)

Today I also opened an account at a Japanese bank, since my new job requires it. My name was too long to fit in... but I got free candy!

I'd like to make a reservation.

2011-06-13T23:05:00.000+09:00

Today was the first day at my new part time job as a translator. Five hours of translating simple expressions and phrases - no problem! I guess some good ol' office work suits me better than stressing around in a restaurant. (Also the pay is much better!)

And yesterday I went to another open college!
I think I'm surely, but very very slowly, starting to figure out what I want to to with my life. Well, at least for a another couple of years, and that's good enough for me.
I've been in a pretty gloomy state lately, but all that makes me feel kinda happy again! All day! And that... results in me getting some insomnia again. Mrgh.

Small update

2011-06-10T22:22:00.000+09:00

Last Monday was Sweden's national day! And last sunday, me and some friends went to the Swedish embassy, for celebration. Well, for swedish food to be more precise. It was pretty nice, and a lot of swedish people were gathered.

Also, I've got a new job! I now work as a translator (swedish - english)! I do think that office work will suit me better than being hall staff... Not so much stressing about.

And the humidity is killing me as usual, but other than that... well I have been drawing a lot, so if you haven't checked my new tumblr yet, go ahead and do that~!

Tequila house

2011-06-08T21:29:00.001+09:00

Hanged around Koenji today, and stumbled upon a place called Tequila House. As the name suggests, they specialize in tequila and had so many different brands, even very refined ones that apparently cannot be found very easy. Of course we had to go, even though there was no tequila for me I had a choco banana milk shake drink (....don't judge me.) and the most delicous chicken taco rice! That was some real bad ass guacamole, I tell ya!
Also sitting outside because summer yay!

Koenji is second hand/vintage heaven in Tokyo, and in one shop I found a whole collection of gakuran uniforms! Ah! I was in heaven!! I seriously could've bought every single one of them! But I put a strain on myself. How would that look, a silly foreigner buying about 15 gakuran jackets?
Didn't think so.

......but one day...

Drawings

2011-06-06T21:03:00.000+09:00

I've created a tumblr!
I need to practice drawing, a lot, so that's why I made it.
I plan to post a lot over there, so please have a little look!

http://spader7.tumblr.com/

Yeah!

Kinda sorta study

2011-06-05T01:08:00.003+09:00

About last entry, I almost feel silly writing such things when my wise readers come and say so sensible things. In particular my reader Hanna, who, not only this time but also last time I went on about it, tells me things that makes me think how I ever thought in another way. Guess it just proves that it's no good sitting alone with your depressing thoughts, but to share it with someone to get some new light over the situation!

Today me and Emelie and Malin went to Jonathan's in Takadanobaba for studies! I've reached the conclusion that it's nearly impossible for me to get shiet done alone (as in regular studying, not cramming stuff in for tests and such) and it's also nice to just hang out. Family resturants are awesome places to hang out.

AND ALSO YUMMEH

We sat there for a good 3,5 hours or something, but it kinda didn't feel like I couldn't accomplish as much as I wanted... silly kanij's, they just pass right through my brain. Best way for me to learn kanji is to repeat repeat repeat, which is also what I'm not so good at forcing myself to do. Haha.... wow. Silly little brain, would you just remember them already! I guess the limit was at around ~1000, and now my brain's memory card is all filled up... no good. Where can I get a bigger card?

As of that, let's finish this silly little unimportant entry with an outfit pic taken by Emelie! In the dark outside Family Mart = blurry, but never mind that! I felt like summer; skirts and headbands and oversize shirt and sandalettes and all that.
Now if the humidity would just back off please and thank you!

Down down down

2011-06-03T17:34:00.001+09:00

This week has been a downwards spiral for me.
I'm thinking a lot (too much?) about The Future, and when I think a lot about it I always start to feel frustrated, and this time I started to think that; some things are so messed up in this country, but on the other hand things are messed up back home as well, and when I think about it, it's just messed up everywhere = wherever I decide to go, things will always be messed up resulting in me being unhappy.

HAH this sounds so silly when I read it like this, but this is seriously what has been going around in my head lately. And I felt like writing that down so that maybe some other thoughts will take its place, because this is no good way of thinking! The only thing it does is it's making me feel down and I lose my spirit. Also my lower back is hurting and that isn't helping either.

I'm going to a few more open colleges at two schools I'm interested in the following weeks, we'll see if it leads to something. I actually attended one at Waseda university yesterday (well not open college, but a 説明会 and I'm not sure how to translate that orz) and I could conclude that although the thought of going to one of the most famous universities in Tokyo feels kinda nice, I didn't feel the slightest interested at all of any of the courses haha. Maybe I'm not cut out for academic studies. ...or maybe I'm just lazy. orz

So there's why I've been silent lately, I really hate falling into thoughts like these, but sometimes I just can't help myself... Woe me, etc. It's to the point where I find myself thinking "Oh I wish something nice would happen for a change!" when in reality, small nice happening does occur around me all the time, and I'm just too silly to see that.
Oh but that back problem is not one of 'em.

/Personal rant

闇金ウシジマ君

2011-05-30T19:43:00.002+09:00

Bought 闇金ワシジマ君 (roughly translated to "Loan shark Ushijima") that I hadn't read before, I liked the artwork and thought it looked interesting. Turned out to be pretty good! But... very realistic and dark and heavy and it made me believe that there really is no hope for humanity and what a horrible, horrible world we live in oh god.
Quick, on with some My Little Pony FiM before I lose myself to the dark!!

Glasses

2011-05-29T15:56:00.002+09:00

Wait, hang on just a second; I was out clubbing, wearing... glasses?
Yes, unfortunately, on friday I fell asleep wearing my contacts so that the next day my left eye was all red, and me (also being all paranoid about going blind) had to go without contacts.
It's just that I hate wearing my glasses.
I cannot feel pretty in them! Doesn't matter what I do, I only become super self aware and feel ugly.
Of course I know why, since I got contacts in junior high I've only worn glasses when I'm at home or feel sick or with no make up and so on, resulting with my brain thinking that glasses = fugly. I don't hate glasses in general, on the contrary I always think other people look really great in glasses, but when it comes to me, it's just a no go. I don't want to think like that, but it's hard to break a habit...
Ugh, come on now left eye, recover soon so I can put in those plastic bits in my eyes again!

Strike that pose to forget about glasses

Starfire

2011-05-29T14:43:00.002+09:00

Yesterday I got to use my member's card I created over one year ago; I went to Starfire, a para para club in Ginza. Yes, para para once again! Been over a year since I last went, and well... I've somehow managed to make some friends in the community so it's not boring to go, but I don't dance and the music is too loud for talking, so yea.

Last time I was in Ginza was when I went to the kabuki theatre, so that's a pretty big contrast haha.

Jubeat knit

2011-05-26T20:31:00.002+09:00

I'm not sure why, but Jubeat is just the perfect arcade game for me! It's so much fun and I never tire of it. Well I've only been playing for a couple of weeks or so, but...
It feels suited for me; I already play at extreme! (I also cleared Albida on the first try! /brag) But this is my favorite tune:
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Sadly, the person in this video is not me (I've never got a full combo orz) but this is how many 100yen coins and afternoons has been spent.

In other news, today there was a cockroach in my classrom, a typhoon seems to be on its way, and tomorrow I'm going to Hachiouji.
See ya☆

Heels

2011-05-25T22:03:00.000+09:00

These shoes I bought in Sweden last summer are the most comfortable ones I've ever put my feet in! I walked them to death (death of the shoes, not me) last year, but now when it's warm I want to use them more more more, so the other day I went to the shoemaker nearby to repair the heels. Turns out that he, 20 or so years ago, lived in Finland for a year and used to go to Sweden a lot!

Today when I came to get my shoes we continued our talk, mostly about classical music and Swedish violinists. Then he gave me a discount on the shoes, and made me promise to let him repair all of my future worn out heels!

And when I made my way home, a man at one of the small local resturants just randomly happily greeted me, and all this on top of earlier karaoke, ice cream and current perfect weather, this afternoon was just made for a Perfect Mood!☆

I'll pass on the earthquake, thanks...

2011-05-25T16:36:00.001+09:00

Today we went with school to the disaster prevention center in Ikebukuro again, it's mandatory once a year. Watched a short disaster movie, and got to practive how to escape a fire, how to handle a fire extinguisher, and how to protect oneself during an earthquake. Although this time, I passed on the earthquake simulation room. I got pretty shaked up last year I did it even though it was a practice, and when I watched the other people dashing under the table, I noticed that the shock from the Great Tohoku Earthquake two months ago is actually still fresh in mind... So, thanks but no thanks.

Speaking of earthquakes, there's not as many larger tremors in Tokyo anymore which is nice, although it still occurs more often than before. But one thing I've noticed after all this, is that I should be very greatful if a M5 or higher doesn't hit in the middle of the night. Whenever a pretty big (M3~4 or so) strikes while I'm asleep, and I wake up because of my whole house and bed shaking, my reaction is pretty much like "Hmmm.... whaa....mmm.... zzzz." and then I fall sound asleep again. So if a big one hits Tokyo when I'm sleeping - I'm as good as dead!

To lighten up the mood, if anyone has ever wondered how to use a Japanese style toilet, have some instructions provided by the Ikebukuro disaster prevention center!

1. <- Front Back ->
2. Stand over the bowel
3. Put your pants down to ankle
4. Squat down over the bowel
5. Do it!
CAUTION!! If you lost balance you gonnna fall down on shit!

Tuesday

2011-05-24T23:10:00.000+09:00

So Jaz is moving in with her boyfriend in Chiba, and Max is moving to a house provided by his job in Koenji, meaning the end of the Thunderdome and that I'm alone in lovely Shin-Nakano again...! That feels pretty sad, they lived just three minutes from my house, so now I can't pop in for some random chatting, gaming and nabe-party anymore. Sad.

In other news, there is no other news really, except my research and thinking about The Future and so on. But I think that I might come a tiny bit closer to something that looks almost like a desicion! So I'm gonna wonder and ponder some more, and see where it all leads me.

Also, Karaoke-kan, sometimes you're so random and gives us the strangest rooms, like a super sophisticated one suited for a party for 10 people or more!

Kyokutou Awesomeness

2011-05-20T23:40:00.003+09:00

Went to a live today with my friend Martin! Feels like a long time ago. (Well, it was.)(Wait, when I think about it, it was super duper long ago!) Kyokutou Girl Friend had a live event, since they are disbanding soon.
What?
Yes, one of my absolute favorite bands are disbanding. That's no good at all.

There was a few other bands playing, Munimuni was great but I couldn't care less about the other ones.
The live house though, Anti knock in Shinjuku, is one of the worst places I've been to, I think! The stage etc was nice but the sound was just horrible, too rough with no acoustics whatsoever and it actually made my ears hurt.

But just as horrible the live house was, the band was awesome. Kyokuto Girl Friend, my dear readers, is a live act worth watching! They have such presence on stage, and Darinda's characteristic voice is so beautiful, both when singing and screaming. Also, the bassist Sally is the very definition of cool.
Their music is fantastic, and them as a live act is candy for my heart and soul, and they're disbanding in July.
NOT COOL.
Sure, they've got that alter ego band Far East Kanojo (...mhm.) but I don't know anything about that yet so I can't say anything.
Kyokutou Girl Friend's last live - I will be there or I will be square!

焼き鳥丼

2011-05-19T19:01:00.000+09:00

There's this super small place along the way from my home to Nakano station, doesn't look much, but the food looked nice and so I've always been somewhat curious to try it out. Every time me and Jaz walked by, we've said We need to try that out! but then, there was no time, or it was closed, and... one year passed...
But today was the day!
It was nice, and tasty. ...Except that the chicken was a little bit burnt.

Goodbye sleep

2011-05-19T18:55:00.000+09:00

FINALLY
Amazon US, you are the slowest. Ever.

Kanji and future

2011-05-18T20:56:00.002+09:00

This week we got the Kanji for advanced level (N1), finally a book instead of the damn print compilations, but on the other hand it weighs about three ton. In it, another 1000 kanji's to learn, 8 every day. Eight?! I look back at the happy times at intermediate level where we only had to learn 6 a day... But now eight! All work and no play makes Ylva forget all her kanji.

Speaking of, there's less than half a year left on my 2 year course now.
...and I'm still wondering what the heck I'm gonna do afterwards. I mean, with my life! For so long, I had this dream of moving to Tokyo and live there. And then I fulfilled my dream ~~and lived happily ever after~~, but in the midst of my happiness I didn't find a new dream.
There's lots of things I'd like to do, millions of educations I want to take and jobs I want to have, but I have yet to find that one thing I feel passionate about and ready to fight for. I know I don't have to decide, I know I have my whole life left, but still, soon I should start making decisions or I'll be sure to find myself in a situation I don't like. Well, even if I do it wouldn't matter at all if I at the same time worked myself to achieve a goal, than if I'd just sit around wishing I did something else.

But still, even if I find something I love and could imagine myself doing, even if not for the rest of my life than at least for a very long time, something to put all my effort (and money...) in, when I think closer and more practical about it I get scared of The Future and doesn't dare to make a definite decision.

So that leaves me just stamping around the same spot, while time slowly passes by...

There. Felt good to write this, because I think (and worry) about this every single day.

OTL

WIP

2011-05-17T15:38:00.002+09:00

Drawing beautiful ladies - my antidrug.

昼ビール

2011-05-16T21:44:00.000+09:00

Thanks for the comments about my hair!
It's actually the first time I've got some real extentions, so I'm still kinda in the middle of figuring out how to work it, so to speak. But long hair feels so good, I'm happy I did it.
Here's also a super boring everyday outfit, because my brain doesn't usually work on Monday mornings orz. But I'm pretending my long hair makes it all super interesting!

Today has been an ordinary nice day. Some karaoke after school, and then I leveled up at Jubeat (yey!) at the gamecenter in Big Box. Also, rice-omelette-dunno thing that was delicious at a very cozy place near the station, complete with a Carlsberg. Starting off the week strong!

Suddenly: hair!

2011-05-14T18:16:00.000+09:00

I have long hair!

And I love it! I actually planned just to get some to get a bit more volume and not so much length, but Ryuichi advised me to go with long hair, and since I trust that man with not only my hair but my life and soul as well, I did as he suggested and I sure wasn't disappointed!

I like how they had hair in the exact same color as my hair. He also gave me a cut and a hair treatment for free (!), and of course y'all know I'm talking about Radical and that everyone who wants a cut should go there yes.

Different light, same pose

Can I be 20 next year as well?

2011-05-11T01:46:00.001+09:00

It's come to the point now where I've forgotten how incredibly uncomfortable it is to wear and just remembers how amazingly beautiful it is. I've seen a lot of people wearing kimono the last week, and it just makes me want to get right back into my furisode! Or at least just have it in my hands and stare at it forever... yes, that could work as well.

Sis

2011-05-10T14:58:00.002+09:00

Yesterday I said goodbye to my sister at Narita airport, and now I'm alone in my apartment again. But the week she's been here has been so much fun, and we've done a lot of stuff together!

Well, as always, all good things come to an end.
See you next time!

Thursday - National museum

2011-05-06T22:17:00.002+09:00

Sensoji and sis

2011-05-04T19:32:00.000+09:00

My sister's in town! Yeah!
She's staying for a week, and there will be some touristy stuff going on indeed!

Today we took the Sumida river cruise. The weather is just lovely, and it was very nice to go there again.

The beerglass, golden poo, and sky tree perfectly hidden by some other building.

My sister makes food for us all the time!

KITTEH

And Sensoji temple in Asakusa. As you know, it's Golden week i.e. the one week when the whole Japan has vacation at the same time = PEOPLE. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. At Sensoji as well, huge tourist spot... Man, so much people just makes me irritated. I managed to snap some pictures that looked somewhat peaceful though!

Well, both me ans sis got tired of the people, so we went back to Nakano and did some karaoke instead!

Valborgsmässoafton

2011-05-01T13:59:00.003+09:00

Don't be messin
with mah duckface

Dear blog.
Yesterday was a day packed with happenings!

I started out by successfully going outside with my hair back. I have some serious issues with my face and ears yes, but I'm teaching myself to don't care and I managed to stay comfortable with the updo almost the whole day!

So it was Valborg (um... Walpurgis Night?) which is a Northern European traditional um... day. When people basically have a bonfire and drink alcohol. Well, I never go out on this day especially, but my friend Jens invited me to Yoyogi kouen where a bunch of people had taken this day as a perfect excuse to hang out in the park and have loads of fun! I love chillaxing in the park, and there we were until it got dark.

Now, suddenly I had a couple of hours by myself to kill, and in my somewhat tipsy condition I thought it'd be a great idea to go to JackRose before they were closing in 10 minutes. Which was an excellent idea! I hadn't been there since we went out, and so I hanged around with them while they closed the store and made the accountings haha. Afterwards, tenchou-san and I went to Starbucks, before he went home and I went to Takadanobaba where me, Malin and Matilda met up at Orenchi koi! My favorite drink koko doko (hehe) was yellow, which made us confused, but other than that it was great as usual.

In the middle of all that, I sent a mail to Ryuichi asking if he wanted to join. Fortunately, he was out drinking as well, at a rock bar he's been talking a lot about that I've been wanting to go to, so me an Matilda jumped on the Yamanote line. Got lost in Shibuya for a while trying to find the place, until he met up with us and we finally got there. It was a nice place with nice staff, but the company was even better!

And then, well you know, it became ~~late~~ early, light outside and time to make our way home, all good things come to an end etc etc.
But this day was so great, definately qualify to the Top 5, and I'll look back on this day and quite possibly become all happy! Yea well maybe except the fact that I leveled down on Jubeat.

久々渋谷

2011-04-29T00:38:00.000+09:00

Today after school I went to Shibuya (which was a pretty long time ago? Yes.) and met up with Sarah! She is just as sweet and lovely as she seems like in her blog, and we went to Starbucks and had a nice time talking a lot about a lot of things.

Purikura was also taken, but man, some days are just not your purikura day... Well, what can you do!
I had fun and hope to see her again soon!

Gale

2011-04-28T22:48:00.001+09:00

Now what is that skirt doing right there, hm? Although today's wind was nothing compared to yesterday, the gale was so strong that it actually hurt when it hit me right in the face and I almost fell over. Thanks for the bitchslap, haha!

On a more personal note, my self esteem has been going somewhat up and down lately. I'm happy to say it's actually been mostly up, although I need to work on it more. I'm also trying to start liking my face a bit more by pulling back my hair sometimes instead of having it in my face all the time. Let's see how long I let this pic stay up!

Hair

2011-04-27T16:10:00.003+09:00

Speaking of hair, I got nostalgic and looked in old picture folders, back when I stopped going to hair salons to cut the hair myself in Visual kei inspired hairstyles. If the 17 year old me would see me now, with my natural hair color just parted down the middle (!) in a not very outstanding way, I might've just laughed and continue to tease and spray like there was no tomorrow.

I don't think I'd like to go back to something like that (well at least not now) but I kinda miss doing some shiet with my hair all the time... Maybe it's finally time for me to do something, anything, with my hair again!

Radical!

2011-04-25T22:28:00.003+09:00

Today I went back to hair-make Radical (aka best hair salon in recorded history) for an appointment, and Ryuichi (aka best hair dresser in recorded history) made my hair alive again.
Do you remember last post about it? Of course you do!

And today was juuuust as amazing! He cut off so much hair, but I've still got it all left!
HOW DOES HE DO IT
Oh my godness.
Once again, I walk the streets with the best hair cut in recorded history.
Mmm yes.

The Weekend

2011-04-25T15:55:00.000+09:00

So... how did it happen that I've had the most awesome weekend in about 500 years, but the only picture I have is of the frog I ate? How will I remember this!

I'll make a note to my future self:

- 1200yen nomihoudai in Nakano, quick visit to Bull's, some interesting mails.
- 80's bar, finding the best place in town: Nakano Café, meeting interesting people.
- Nakano sun plaza and Broadway, Nakano Café again, Bar Place (but what kind of name is that hah) in Takadanobaba, izakaya in Koenji, and Omi.
And today I've started to play Jubeat and wonder why I haven't done that before. (Seriously.)

Oh wait today isn't even over yet!
This weekend was so awesome I think I need to take a power nap now.

Thank you Book Off

2011-04-23T12:47:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I went into Book Off for a minute, and found Lonely Night with Kishidan for 250 yen and Shinjin with Kreva for 500 yen. Original price 3000 yen each! I don't care one single bit that someone else has used these before me, especially since second hand items here, at least from my experience, is either in top condition or no difference than if I'd bought them new. Excellent!

Oh and speaking of Kreva, here's a song I always have to keep a strain on myself not to listen to it every minute of the day.

Someone explain to me how music can be this GOOD?!
IT JUST FEELS SO RIGHT

Tenchou-san denial

2011-04-21T19:21:00.000+09:00

Well this is a late post, but.
Last Friday I was out drinking with tenchou-san! It feels like such a long time ago now so I don't know really what to write but...
I could conclude once again that tenchou-san is so weak to alcohol although he pretend he's not, and that Wataba is probably one of the most stupid people I know of hah! Mhm, we went to Orenchi koi and later for some karaoke, it was loads of fun and ウゴンの力 is the shiet.

Somehow Max always gets along very well with the Japanese boys haha

Karaoke life!

2011-04-20T20:19:00.004+09:00

So as I've probably written before, at Karaoke-kan one block from my school in Takadanobaba, they have super cheap karaoke (80 yen per hour) meaning there has indeed been some after school sessions there, yes. Nothing beats a couple of hours karaoke after reading N1 grammar since morning! The price at Karaoke-kan depends on where it is, but apart from that I think it's my favorite place due to the party lights, flashy interiour design, awesome party lights, the staff uniforms, and the super awesome party lights.

But if you know what I'm singing
here you'll get 300 points.

So anyway.
The list of songs you can sing goes on forever and ever and ever, but there are always some songs I just have to sing, y'know. Well, I have a lot of such songs actually. (I can honestly say that the times I go to karaoke without singing at least one song with Kishidan are so few I can't even bother to remember. Yes.) Although what songs that is also changes with time! About one year ago I always sang DJ Ozma, but lately there haven't been much of that. Until today when I tried E.YO.NE!! for the first time actually, and I immediately feel that this one's gonna stick!

Then there's also some songs that I enjoy singing now that was almost impossible to sing when I first moved to Japan in 2009, and that, my dear readers, is a pleasure and a joy! Like this one here, aw yeah, this one's gonna stick as well.

Aah damn, they are just so awesome. As in "be still my beating heart"-awesome.

Now, there's tons and tons and tons of more songs that I usually sing or sing sometimes or want to sing, but we wouldn't want me to make this entry take up more space, now would we.
What's your favorite song at karaoke?

Monday with Watanabe-sensei

2011-04-18T21:31:00.003+09:00

After spending some time with Jaz at the gamecenter in Nakano Broadway, and after running into Satoshi whom I haven't seen for three ages, and also seeing Harada from across the platform, I headed back to Takadanobaba to meet Watanabe-sensei!
We had tea, and then went to eat dinner, all while talking about everything and nothing. I'm so happy how quick we went from student - teacher and how natural it feels to be friends with her, like we've known each other for a long, long time, and how we can talk about exactly everything, even though we're so much unlike! I'm so happy I became friends with her and I have a feeling she feels the same.

I also know how boring a textpost is, so here's what I ate for lunch.

I fell

2011-04-17T18:07:00.001+09:00

I never thought I'd like Michael Cera, I always thought he was too cute and uh, maybe a little too much hipster for my taste (can I say that?), but when I was in Sweden on spring break me and a friend watched Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and he had just been in frame for a split second and, I couldn't help myself but to just fall head over heels! Oh! Be still, my beating heart! Twas a long time ago since I fangirled something/someone, but now it feels like I'm 12 years old again and I, I mean, just look at that smile and those eyes!
Okay, this weekend has been very unproductive for me, so excuse my outburst of fangirling while I go watch some Michael Cera movies while giggling like a schoolgirl.

Puriface

2011-04-16T18:17:00.001+09:00

There's always different levels of seriosity when you take purikura. There's the ordinary when you just pretend you're very pretty...

Or when you just show your true self.

Somehow I think I like the latter one better, hurr.

いきなりすずじゅん

2011-04-15T17:06:00.000+09:00

So me and Jaz were eating lunch at a place near school, when suddenly: Suzujun!
That sure was a pleasant surprise!
He and his wife got a baby just two days after the march 11 earthquake.

And yes, beer for lunch because it's friday and why not!

Update from a Tokyo in spring

2011-04-14T19:16:00.002+09:00

Ah.. so wonderful weather! Walking through the rain of sakura petals swirling down in the warm sunshine, man it feels great to be alive! If only it would continue like this through summer... Spring here is like summer in Sweden haha. But, it's only spring, and it will become much hotter still.
But that doesn't affect my mood right now!
So here's some pictures that didn't get an entry of their own.

Awkward model pose. The stockings are awesome though! Family Mart ftw, bwahaha.

A flyer in the mailbox asking to not overconsume.

"Fabulous, sparkling, tingling sexy life with NYX! oh~ la~ la~ Who can resist me?"
Doesn't really show in this photo but GLITTER OH MY GOD SO MUCH GLITTER YAY

Got invitaded to a friend's birthday party!
She always writes so cute mails I just wanna hug my phone.

Lately, I've become pretty good at doing the Awkward Face myself. Maybe I'm a natural!

Peace out!

This necklace

2011-04-13T20:22:00.001+09:00

Just. This necklace. Bought one year ago.

A while ago when at JackRose, Harada complimented me for it and asked if it was Justin Davis. To which I answered that actually, nope, this necklace is from JackRose! Hah, that was an embarrassing moment for him, mainly because he's the one who makes the accessories there!

Today when I went there after school, tenchou-san complimented me for it, said that it looked expensive and asked where it was from. He didn't believe it was JackRose until I showed him the brand tag!

This necklace might be a much better buy than I originally thought.

School!

2011-04-12T16:01:00.002+09:00

I think I've forgot to mention that school has started again, last Thursday that is! Only 6 (less than half) were there first, but three others has come back since then. Right now there's only Chinese people again, but I think there are a couple of Koreans too. Okabe-sensei praised me today for being a European that's in the highest level, hah. Speaking of, yes, I'm in 上級 now, the highest level! I don't have any problems (yet) but I know where I fail: I need to expand my vocabulary of words in the field of politics and business and the like!

My new class is great though, they don't talk in class, they listen to the teacher and are active in discussions! (As for me, I've always been the quiet one in the classroom...) They don't sleep or eat or speak to each other in chinese during class either. YES. Feels good! Much more fun to go to school now.

Oh and if you thought you'd seen enough sakura trees from me,
you thought ooooh so wrong!
Just by the school me and Malin stumbled upon these beautys!

The river is full of flower petals

Frog king makes silly face under sakura tree

オムライス

2011-04-11T20:49:00.000+09:00

Found a small lunch place just near the school, where, I'm not sure but, everything looked very eco and handmade. I had the best omuraisu I've ever tasted. In my entire life!

Shaky

2011-04-11T18:33:00.001+09:00

There really is no stopping the earthquakes, was a rather big one (again!) just now. There's plenty of smaller ones, the other day when I was just strolling around at home I felt three of 'em, and we get pretty bad ones (magnitude 4 or 5 or higher) every other day it feels like. Who was it that said we're gonna have these aftershakes for another 6 months or so? It's been 1 month today since the horrible Big One. I guess until they've got full control over at the nuclear plant in Fukushima you I feel 100% safe again, but in Tokyo everything is cool, and if I'm gonna go around being scared shitless of earthquakes all the time, then deciding to move to Japan wouldn't have been a very good idea. Right.

So this post wasn't really gonna be about earthquakes, but about saying that I'm over my ex, if I even was sad to begin with, so no need to feel sorry for that, if you ever did.

Hanami nr 2

2011-04-11T16:28:00.002+09:00

Yesterday we went out for hanami in Yoyogi kouen again! Since the flowers hadn't come in full bloom yet last week, naturally there was more people this weekend, and oh my so many of them! People everywhere, and the queue to the toilets were just insane haha.

I must admit though that I don't think Yoyogi is the best place for hanami you can find, there's more trees in Ueno for example (where I was last year), but still it was fun!

Sakura flavoured chu-hi, yummeh

We sat by the pond, but later on went to a group of people that some in our group knew (I think), and after that, me and Martin stumbled upon another group that we hanged out with for a while. I turned down an offer to go eat ramen with them, might've been a bad idea but on the other hand it was a bit late and school next day.
~~RESPONSIBLE ADULT~~

But the highlight of that hanami might've been that time when, while it was starting to get dark, this guy went straight out in the pond with his bicycle, completely naked I might add, went up on a small platform and then dived headfirst into the water, all this while lots and lots of bats were flying around above our heads! I have to admit, that felt pretty weird. Yes.

Sakura 2011 picture post

2011-04-09T16:41:00.003+09:00

The sakura season is here as you know, and yesterday me and Jasmine went out to enjoy the beautiful trees in full bloom. The wind was very strong that day, so it made the flower petals rain down around us as we walked.

We started out in Arai, and went to a temple.
I bought a fortune that said my future will bring luck!

Oden for lunch under the sakura trees at the park next to the shrine

Then we walked along Nakano doori, there was sakura trees all the way!

It's so overwhelming, the beauty of these flowers is just outstanding! It almost felt unreal at some points, like we were in a tv drama or something. The ~~obsession~~ fascination of sakura is so easy to understand when you stand next to the flowers with the wonderful smell, and walk under the trees that drops petals around you.

At the park. Since it's no big centers around here and it was a weekday, there weren't so much peopleout, making it even more peaceful.

Took the bus back to Nakano

...where we went to Starbucks, because the sakura frappuchino tastes like HEAVEN
Also my hair was all messed up because of the strong winds haha.

And we ended it with a couple of hours karaoke at Moco moco! (Hawaiian themed karaoke place bwahaha)

I swear I have enough pictures to last for 3 years or something.
Ah, but I just can't get enough. I guess for me (too) sakura is like beauty personified. ..in a tree.

The end

2011-04-07T21:52:00.000+09:00

Okay. As some already knows, me and Ryo broke up.
The reason being... well. Apparently we had so different ambitions regarding the future and such things, that I guess it wouldn't have worked out for much longer anyway. And thus, maybe it was best that it ended now.
It all happened kinda fast, but. There's not much to do about that. The sakura is blooming and I don't want to be sad.

Just to let it out

2011-04-05T23:17:00.000+09:00

Funny how when I imagine a worst case scenario and then think that "naah, that can't happen, that's just me overreacting", it happens!
Well thank you, life, for tricking me again.

Hanami in Yoyogi

2011-04-05T22:28:00.003+09:00

Sunday. Can't really believe I went to hanami just a few hours after I came back to Japan haha! Ah... just look at my fresh 15-min-sleep-in-30-hours face! Lovely.

Just some more

2011-04-05T19:49:00.003+09:00

I didn't do much shopping while in Sweden, but I did find a couple of things. Like this t-shirt! Off-white, with animal skulls and skeleton parts on polariod photos as print! Nice one. Found it at Gina tricot, where I'd never thought I'd see something like this.

I also bought a long skirt (a skirt!) yes a skirt.

omg shoes

2011-04-04T19:37:00.001+09:00

So when in Sweden, I bought some shoes because a few pairs I've got doesn't have much longer left to live (including the ones from Gadget Grow, boo)

Flat sandals for summer.

Wedge heels because it's so comfortable.

And a pair that I actually ordered some time before the big earthquake:

Vivienne Westwood black loafers in PVC!
Oh my gosh so shiny! ♥
A bit long since they're in men's size (I think) but I don't think that'll be any big problem.
Hurrr.

Tadaima

2011-04-04T18:55:00.000+09:00

Some shops and the subway are spars with the light, some cigarette brands are sold out, but apart from that everything is just the same in Tokyo. Ryo met me at the airport, and while taking the train home, for a moment I got this really strong feeling of having come back home again.

Oh, another thing that's different is that a neighbour house is tored down.

And in my mailbox, a gift package with a white towel and a letter, with info about how long the construction work will last and apologies for any inconvenience or noise it may cause. Ah, Japan... ♥

Oh... hello!

2011-04-04T14:49:00.000+09:00

Back on track in Tokyo!
Arrived yesterday morning going to hanami (with no sleep for over 24h) after a quick turn home to leave stuff, and today I woke up after having slept for 18 hours! Talk about over sleeping... I don't feel so fresh today so I'll update about stuff later on when my head is a bit clearer again.

How many heart attacks are healthy?

2011-03-28T19:15:00.006+09:00

This video is basically me during Amnesia.

I MEAN JUST HOW SCARY CAN A GAME BE, HUH???
I THINK IT'S ME AND NOT DANIEL WHO'S GOING INSANE HERE OK

Then when I'm in a desperate need to calm my nerves,
I'll watch some My Little Pony.

Ah... Okay. All is good!

Nothing new

2011-03-25T19:25:00.000+09:00

Since I can't transfer any photos you'll have to do without them for a while, but. On the other hand I can blog extra much when I go back! Speaking of, I've bought a ticket home now, my plane will depart the 2nd April and arrive the 3rd in the morning.
And well. I'm continuing just chillin' killin' over here... Eating yummy food, baking a lot, tomorrow there's a small reunion for my high school class, and now I think I'm gonna report a commercial that's so incredibly sexist I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it.

Peace out!

Quiet life

2011-03-22T20:47:00.001+09:00

As the title says, I'm living a quiet life in Borlänge at the moment. I hang out with my friends, eat some good food, and, well, not much more. I think I needed this, a break from everything. But the quiet life makes me think even more, about the future and what I want to do, although I still can't come up with any real answer. My (only two) friends are apparently also going to move away, so except for my mom and dad there will be absolutely nothing for me left in this town. But where do I want to be? I don't know...
That's what I'm thinking about right now, while the huge piles of snow is melting outside.

Also, I worked out yesterday but forgot to stretch and today I have killing aches in my calfs... So that's what you get for trying to be fit, huh?!?

Yakiniku earthquake

2011-03-20T00:24:00.001+09:00

The night before going to Narita airport, my friend and Jaz boyfriend Hiroshi let us stay over at his place in Chiba. We went out to eat yakiniku at a place nearby, when another huge earthquake decided to surprise us. I hear they're gonna continue for a month or so...

But we had a nice time!

Mmmm yakiniku

My fridge after having jumping around after the big one, one week ago... Now that I'm in Sweden, I must say it feels good to take a brake from all the quakes!

BRB

2011-03-19T06:41:00.000+09:00

Okay, so.
To calm down my parents and everyone who worries too much, I've gone to Sweden for a while now, until things has settled down more. It was a long trip and I'm dead tired, so I'll write more later.

In the mean time... snow! Everywhere!!

Stop it

2011-03-14T16:29:00.000+09:00

Of course, the danger isn't really over yet, and I'm still nervous, but what makes me irritated and even more nervous is that the (...mostly western, I think) media just exaggerate the situation and blows unnecessary fear in the public. Panicking and spreading unconfirmed rumors aren't helping. Please and thanks.

Afterquakes

2011-03-13T12:59:00.002+09:00

Just now the earthquake this friday was upgraded to a magnitude 9.0. The biggest in Japan in recorded history... This still feels so unreal. I've been staying over at Jaz and Max, since there's no way I felt like being alone with after shakes all the time. Things seem to have calm down now though, there's just the lightest warning of tsunami. But there's risk for acid rain since the oil refinery in Chiba was on fire, and I'm still not sure how safe the nuclear reactor in Fukushima is...
We have the TV news on at all time.
The footage from up north in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima... just makes me want to cry. Whole cities just washed away.

But here in Tokyo it's fine so far, though 5 people have died, houses here and there have collapsed or got damaged and so on. And there's not much food in the stores.
Friday evening and night was mental. Me and Jaz went out to get food, and whole Ome-kaido, the big street, was just packed with people walking home from work since no trains were running, and the only food left was pudding.

And the quake itself... Before that I just couldn't imagine how it feels, how much it shakes. How my house was shaking as if it was made of paper. When I think back it was just scary as hell, but during the quake I wasn't that scared, I think I was a bit in shock. But all is well with me, I just wish there wouldn't be any more earthquakes now.

Earthquake over 8

2011-03-11T16:42:00.007+09:00

It's been over 1,5 hours since the big earthquake that went up to 8.8 at the epicenter, but there's still big aftershakes. Here in Nakano, it was "only" almost 6... but 6 is not just your every day shake. I'm still frightened as hell, what started out as just small shakes escalated in to huge ones, shaking my house violently for several minutes! I sat under my desk all the time, while my stuff fell down around me. Watched my fridge and worried it'd fall over, but luckily it seems earthquake safe. But it did move itself freakin 20 cm...

There's nothing but earthquake information on every channel on TV where the newscasters all wears helmets, warning everyone to stay away from the seaside and rivers. I see horrifying scenes of fires and 10m high tsunamis...
It's been almost 2 hours since the hit, but there's still aftershakes. (and some of them are big as well!)
Ok... I need it to stop shaking now so I can calm my nerves!!

White day (kinda)

2011-03-11T14:37:00.000+09:00

Ryo is working on Monday, the 14th of March, so we had our White Day date yesterday instead. Went to Takashimaya and I had a pretty epic plate of assorted strawberry sweets and desserts, and Ryo had a chocolat parfait, at Takano fruits parlor. We felt a bit misplaced though, since it's a fine dining place, and everyone except us were older refined ladies. It's one thing to go dine at Takashimaya with my old refined lady friend, and one thing to go with my boyfriend who's style makes everyone there think he's a delinquent.
Sooo after we finished we went out (well, after a visit to Vivienne Westwood of course) and strolled around west Shinjuku instead.

As a present (although it didn't really have to do with white day haha) I got an air moisturizer! Which is really needed since the air is so dry. It makes my place much more nicer to be in and is good to my body, since this morning I woke up and was just a bit tired! (That's amazing!) It's also good for not catching colds, well needed, I think I'm about to catch a nasty one because my bronchus is hurting pretty bad.

And you can turn on lights that changes color woho! Oh and did I mention the face? The face!!

There's just one week left in school before spring break now! The gruaduation ceremony was this wednesday for those who quit, and we've got our new classes now, kinda unofficial before the next semester. I like it way better than my last, so all is good.

Sensei

2011-03-09T19:00:00.001+09:00

I hanged out with my teacher yesterday after school. We went to Kichijouji, did some window shopping, had dinner, and went to a small live house to see Sofi Persson.
I really like to be with Watanabe-sensei, she's not only super nice and completely adorable, she also feels good to talk to. I'm currently thinking ~~a lot~~ too much about my future and stuff, I've talked to a few poeple about it, and thought and thought, a but I've only got headaches. But then I talked to Watanabe-sensei, and... suddenly, I think my mind has become at least a little bit clear! I think that, I now know a bit more what I want! Not sure of the details so I'm still worrying, but oh. It feels so much better.

Christon Café

2011-03-06T14:41:00.001+09:00

I've wanted to go to Christon Café for a long time but never got away to do it, but yesterday when me and Ryo was going to an izakaya in Shinjuku, we stumbled across it and went there instead.

Tokyo Decadence is held there, but usually it's just an izakaya. It says restaurant Christon Café, but I'd call it izakaya instead.

The interior was just as I'd imagined: every christian/gothic/european church-looking thing all stuffed together so it doesn't look authentic at all, haha. But it was really gorgeous, I liked the design and concept of everything! I should've gone there dressed in EGA and it would all be perfect. (They played some techno clubmusic though that didn't really fit in.)

They had lots of original drinks that all looked awesome, and ours tasted great! We took five different foods, that tasted good but didn't really leave a lasting impression. (Except for the hot anchovy sauce, that was just delicious!) The service was great but kinda slow.
Just thought of as an izakaya it wasn't very special and I wouldn't need to go again, but as a themed izakaya with amazing concept, design and interior, I definately want to go back! So, thumbs up for Christon Café.