Today was such a hectic day, but it yielded many rewards for the whole delegation. I tossed and turned the night before, trying to force my body into an exhausted sleep stage because of the time change, and succeeded in getting 8 broken hours of Dreamland. I woke up at 8:30 am, my mind set on organizing my temporary room as I gathered my disorientated thoughts whilst driving away any residual fatigue.
The small room accommodated for what I unpacked. I placed clothes on hangers, folded socks together, and withdrew gifts hidden amongst the suitcases. I placed my luggage close to a space beneath the window seat before heading downstairs with 2 more gifts steadied quietly in my arms.
Eriko was already awake, her translator and paperwork neatly covering the table top, as I approached. She greeted with questions of a good hostess.
"Would you like something to drink?" I accepted the tea, and once breakfast was established with different flavored breads- pan with sesame, pan with raisins--we began a conversation about the different aspects of our lives. She asked about cereal and I asked about her family as I skimmed over translated pieces of her speech for later on.
It was very peaceful, enjoying great bread and bananas and sharing stories about my life.
At 11 am, we set up the iron, and as I ironed my business attire, she watched curiously, asking me questions about my life and sending me smiling when she thought of a word she couldn't translate. At 11:30 am, we separated to change and pack our things together for our big trip to Odawara's City Hall. We set out at 12:30 pm towards Chris, another City delegate like myself, whose host family was nearby. They drove us to City Hall, and from there, we began a lengthy tour of the building.
We met Shoko, an able and devoted member of Odawara's International Friendship Association. She went through our schedule for our stay in Odawara before we went to meet the mayor and the council members.
At first, I assumed the mayor was one of the three older people seated at the head of the long table. The real mayor entered shortly after, and I was taken aback. The mayor looked quite young, especially when he broke into a smile. He was quite handsome, with his smoothed black hair, small black eyes, and broad shoulders, and I was immediately smitten.
He understood much English, though limited in responding, and after introductions to the City Council, we introduced ourselves in Japanese. I was the first to go.
I introduced myself with my name, age, and school in attendance before bowing, and the introduction was one I would have to repeat 2 more times later on. The mayor gave us gifts, traditional wooden sweet plates, and we imparted a small box of chocolates and a T-shirt to him.
Soon, we were being ushered into a smaller room and repeated the same process, accepting gifts from the vice chairman of the Assembly. We left to tour the rest of City Hall, and soon enough, we were off towards the International Lounge, our destination for the Welcome Party planned by the Odawara delegates. We helped set up, moving chairs and tables to make the room look more presentable. I was impressed with the girls. They held a blueprint for the tables and chairs. I felt more reassured by the preparedness.
As more people from the City Hall came to assist we were called by Shoko-san to follow her. We traveled down the stairs and onto the streets in search of a shoe store. The shoe store we stopped at was filled with brown and black colored shoes. It had few sneakers, but an immense amount of semi-formal and business casual shoe wear.
Shoko-san approached the store clerk and politely asked for indoor shoes. Indoor shoes are shoes used to walk around inside buildings. We would need them for our volunteering activities the following days. The store clerk returned with several boxes in her arms. Kelsey and I wore the same size and Chris and Jason wore large sizes. In Japan, shoe size is in centimeters. We had to look at the current shoes we were wearing to locate the tag with our shoe size in it. I ordered a pair of blue and white indoor shoes and Kelsey ordered red ones. The entire time we went through shoes, the store clerk serviced us mostly on her knees in a polite, waiting manner.
She watched us speak in English, and when we finally decided what shoes we wanted, she hurriedly collected the many boxes and shoes already sprawled out in front of her and awaited us at the counter.
Shoko-san purchased the shoes, which were cheap--only 8,000 yen per shoe or less than $8 in American money--and she trekked us past the buildings we exited earlier.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
July 22nd, 2008: Getting to Japan! Excitement!
When we landed, the excitement built up again inspite of the 11-hour flight and the warning ache in my stomach. Once the plane made an anticlimatic landing, we set foot on the Land of Japan. We followed the masses over flat escalators for 200meters before climbing down stairs to go through our passport check-in, and finger-printing and photo. We claimed our luggage and made a quick trip through customs before wheeling our bags out into an immaculate hallway and a clearing of people looking for their loved ones. Eriko and Risa ran up to us, holding out signs with our names on it.
"Kochira wa..." and I went on to introduce everyone else in Japanese before we exchanged our US dollars for yen. My $370 yielded 38,000 yen for me. We left and went straight through the trains that stemmed like roots from underneath the Narita Airport.
We spent another 4 hours waring through Japanese people, most of which were businessmen and a few yukata-clad festival goers. We talked to the two girls as we held round plastic rings for support and swayed with the trains many stops and go's. Eriko, an English major, held a better grasp of the language, translating the long explanations of certain questions in Japanese to Risa whenever possible. Risa, with her bright smile, was quite the fashionista out of the two girls. She wore white high heels that seemed to be pulled out of a fairy bridal magazine, a brown tunic, and black shorts that peeked out from the tunic's chocolate material.
The trains weren't packed like I assumed. We simply rode, watching lights zoom past our eyes with pictures and Nihongo splayed across billboards and signs. There was nothing disinteresting to look at. On our last train ride on an express train, we snacked on sandwiches with the crust cut neatly from the rest of the bread. It was good, but the long trip over the Pacific Ocean and the multiple train transfers began to take its toll on me. I napped between stares out the window, enjoying the feel of my body succumbing to the fatigue.
After the last train, we hurried down several stairs to be greeted by a group of Japanese people, all happy to see us. There was a lot of commotion, and I'm certain we made passerby head turns. We introduced ourselves, becoming excited from the bubbly energy from the crown, and nervously introduced ourselves with the knowledge that our train-bouncing had ended.
Many pictures, laughter, and introductions later, my host family--Eriko and her parents--lead me to their car and loaded my two bags into it. We chatted as Eriko's father, Papa-san as I call him, wounded down the narrow streets of Odawara, driving on the left hand side. It was completely different driving in Japan versus driving on the right side in America.
Arriving "home", I took off my shoes when I entered and followed Eriko up to my room with my luggage. They had prepared a small room for me, equipped with a futon, a flower rug, small drawers, a small bedside table, and an electric fan. I unpacked the gifts I brought and gave them to the family. I gave the parents a bottle of American wine, Eriko a few small gifts, and T-shirts I designed, and See's Candies lollipops to all. Apparently, See's Candies is a highly expensive brand in Japan, and it is a common gift to Japanese people from both tourists and Japanese alike.
Once the gifts were exchanged, Eriko showed me how to use the shower. It was very different to say the least, from an American shower. You sat on a plastic bench and switched the water between facet or shower modes. I stood up to accommodate the rather awkward seating. I was in desperate need of a shower after 48 hours since my last one.
In the Japanese shower, once finished scrubbing and washing my hair, I dried myself with a small thin towelette before entering the room attached holding a regular towel to dry everything. I felt at ease and warm after my shower and proceeded to talk to Eriko about the next day's activities. Soon, her mother announced that she was retiring to bed and before long, Eriko was showing me how to turn on the fan for 3 hour timing, if needed. I finally drew the thin covers they supplied with the futon over my body, and once my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.
"Kochira wa..." and I went on to introduce everyone else in Japanese before we exchanged our US dollars for yen. My $370 yielded 38,000 yen for me. We left and went straight through the trains that stemmed like roots from underneath the Narita Airport.
We spent another 4 hours waring through Japanese people, most of which were businessmen and a few yukata-clad festival goers. We talked to the two girls as we held round plastic rings for support and swayed with the trains many stops and go's. Eriko, an English major, held a better grasp of the language, translating the long explanations of certain questions in Japanese to Risa whenever possible. Risa, with her bright smile, was quite the fashionista out of the two girls. She wore white high heels that seemed to be pulled out of a fairy bridal magazine, a brown tunic, and black shorts that peeked out from the tunic's chocolate material.
The trains weren't packed like I assumed. We simply rode, watching lights zoom past our eyes with pictures and Nihongo splayed across billboards and signs. There was nothing disinteresting to look at. On our last train ride on an express train, we snacked on sandwiches with the crust cut neatly from the rest of the bread. It was good, but the long trip over the Pacific Ocean and the multiple train transfers began to take its toll on me. I napped between stares out the window, enjoying the feel of my body succumbing to the fatigue.
After the last train, we hurried down several stairs to be greeted by a group of Japanese people, all happy to see us. There was a lot of commotion, and I'm certain we made passerby head turns. We introduced ourselves, becoming excited from the bubbly energy from the crown, and nervously introduced ourselves with the knowledge that our train-bouncing had ended.
Many pictures, laughter, and introductions later, my host family--Eriko and her parents--lead me to their car and loaded my two bags into it. We chatted as Eriko's father, Papa-san as I call him, wounded down the narrow streets of Odawara, driving on the left hand side. It was completely different driving in Japan versus driving on the right side in America.
Arriving "home", I took off my shoes when I entered and followed Eriko up to my room with my luggage. They had prepared a small room for me, equipped with a futon, a flower rug, small drawers, a small bedside table, and an electric fan. I unpacked the gifts I brought and gave them to the family. I gave the parents a bottle of American wine, Eriko a few small gifts, and T-shirts I designed, and See's Candies lollipops to all. Apparently, See's Candies is a highly expensive brand in Japan, and it is a common gift to Japanese people from both tourists and Japanese alike.
Once the gifts were exchanged, Eriko showed me how to use the shower. It was very different to say the least, from an American shower. You sat on a plastic bench and switched the water between facet or shower modes. I stood up to accommodate the rather awkward seating. I was in desperate need of a shower after 48 hours since my last one.
In the Japanese shower, once finished scrubbing and washing my hair, I dried myself with a small thin towelette before entering the room attached holding a regular towel to dry everything. I felt at ease and warm after my shower and proceeded to talk to Eriko about the next day's activities. Soon, her mother announced that she was retiring to bed and before long, Eriko was showing me how to turn on the fan for 3 hour timing, if needed. I finally drew the thin covers they supplied with the futon over my body, and once my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Countdown
One more day. One more day until I met my counterpart in Japan for a two-week escapade of cultural immersion, language interpretations, and Hello Kitty.
Somehow, I feel calm about the trip. Other people are more excited than I am sometimes--"Take me with you!", "Buy me some shoes", "The Land of Hello Kitty"--that I'm almost compelled to deviate from their happiness by feeling calm and tranquil.
Money, money, money is making my life a bit stressful, and overall, takes away from the full excitement of this trip. I don't think people realize this, but going to a different country costs $$. Not one $. Not two $$. Excessive $. I only add this in because it is something for those going abroad to think about. It costs money. But if you really want to do it, money shouldn't stand in your way.
You know, there was no way I was going to go to Japan unless it was study abroad, and that takes forever to go through at my school. I'm glad this opportunity presented itself to me, amidst the chaos of campaigning and student organizations and other activities known as my life.
I spent most of yesterday revising the presentation. It's pretty straight-cut, like homestyle french fries, but it's classic and simple. It's just about packing now--where the hell are my panties? I could had sworn I had at least 20 of them--and picking out what shirts to wear, what pants to bring, what dress might work. It's all about guessing and logical thinking (that negates itself, really).
Today, after church, I picked up the T-shirts. They looked good, better than the first design I did because they couldn't use it. Now, I just have to figure out how I'm going to wrap it and all that good jazz. Apparently, when giving gifts in Japan, Japanese people really love gifts, well, gift-wrapped, no matter how small the item is. I have to do that today.
Plus, my mom is buying me a digital camera today! Hooray! We're upgrading from our broken, $50 Radio Shack dealt, digital Casio camera. I wanted a Digital SLR, but lo and behold, they are mighty expensive, and I don't have time to bid on Ebay and wait for snail mail to deliver the goods.
I just need some more time to steady myself because the preparations are toying with my mind. Don't get me wrong. It's there though, the excitement, buried underneath the hustle and bustle of preparations.
Now, if you excuse me, I have to clean my room (because no one else will) and find more of my missing panties.
Somehow, I feel calm about the trip. Other people are more excited than I am sometimes--"Take me with you!", "Buy me some shoes", "The Land of Hello Kitty"--that I'm almost compelled to deviate from their happiness by feeling calm and tranquil.
Money, money, money is making my life a bit stressful, and overall, takes away from the full excitement of this trip. I don't think people realize this, but going to a different country costs $$. Not one $. Not two $$. Excessive $. I only add this in because it is something for those going abroad to think about. It costs money. But if you really want to do it, money shouldn't stand in your way.
You know, there was no way I was going to go to Japan unless it was study abroad, and that takes forever to go through at my school. I'm glad this opportunity presented itself to me, amidst the chaos of campaigning and student organizations and other activities known as my life.
I spent most of yesterday revising the presentation. It's pretty straight-cut, like homestyle french fries, but it's classic and simple. It's just about packing now--where the hell are my panties? I could had sworn I had at least 20 of them--and picking out what shirts to wear, what pants to bring, what dress might work. It's all about guessing and logical thinking (that negates itself, really).
Today, after church, I picked up the T-shirts. They looked good, better than the first design I did because they couldn't use it. Now, I just have to figure out how I'm going to wrap it and all that good jazz. Apparently, when giving gifts in Japan, Japanese people really love gifts, well, gift-wrapped, no matter how small the item is. I have to do that today.
Plus, my mom is buying me a digital camera today! Hooray! We're upgrading from our broken, $50 Radio Shack dealt, digital Casio camera. I wanted a Digital SLR, but lo and behold, they are mighty expensive, and I don't have time to bid on Ebay and wait for snail mail to deliver the goods.
I just need some more time to steady myself because the preparations are toying with my mind. Don't get me wrong. It's there though, the excitement, buried underneath the hustle and bustle of preparations.
Now, if you excuse me, I have to clean my room (because no one else will) and find more of my missing panties.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Electrical Plugs and Family
One of my electrical sockets looked like it had a black eye. Several months before, I had placed a DC output plug into the unsuspecting socket and returned to find the innocent electrical outlet with its left prong hole browned from burning.
Luckily, like a good American, I covered the ugly scar with a cheap makeover. Thank Home Depot for supplying people who charred electrical sockets.
Looking at what I have now, my trip to Japan is proving to be very pricey, even with only paying for half of a thousand dollar flight and spending money for the time in Japan.
Just preparing my room is taking its toll on my financial status. I've lived with my mother and younger brother since I came to California, and we've always met the short end of the monetary stick. My father skimped on the child support and my mother had to start from scratch in careers. I don't even remember how my mom managed to bring us up one rough year that only made $10,000 in one year, and feed all of us and keep a roof above our heads. The situation isn't the same, but this recession has hit us hard. I don't factor in food whenever I budget. It's not like I've never starved before. I'll make it somehow.
So, this trip has to be my focus point and I have to throw everything into it because then, the money wouldn't matter. It's funny how people say, money doesn't matter, but we really can't find much happiness if money is the only thing to get us what we need. I don't honestly believe that happiness stems from dollars, but still, as capitalistic as this country it is, it's only natural to strive to get as much as possible.
Although, I wouldn't use it as a way to say, "Hey, I'm more successful than you because I have more zeros behind a number."
I guess the most fun I have is with my family, especially my brothers. My older brother always embellishes his stories that are outrageous and funny. My younger brother's humor is more subtle but it's still roll-on-the-floor funny.
I wonder if I'll get to enjoy that sense of family with my Japanese host family. I'm paired with the oldest Japanese student, who is 20, and she has a younger brother. I don't know if she'll like any of my gifts, but hopefully, everything works out.
Luckily, like a good American, I covered the ugly scar with a cheap makeover. Thank Home Depot for supplying people who charred electrical sockets.
Looking at what I have now, my trip to Japan is proving to be very pricey, even with only paying for half of a thousand dollar flight and spending money for the time in Japan.
Just preparing my room is taking its toll on my financial status. I've lived with my mother and younger brother since I came to California, and we've always met the short end of the monetary stick. My father skimped on the child support and my mother had to start from scratch in careers. I don't even remember how my mom managed to bring us up one rough year that only made $10,000 in one year, and feed all of us and keep a roof above our heads. The situation isn't the same, but this recession has hit us hard. I don't factor in food whenever I budget. It's not like I've never starved before. I'll make it somehow.
So, this trip has to be my focus point and I have to throw everything into it because then, the money wouldn't matter. It's funny how people say, money doesn't matter, but we really can't find much happiness if money is the only thing to get us what we need. I don't honestly believe that happiness stems from dollars, but still, as capitalistic as this country it is, it's only natural to strive to get as much as possible.
Although, I wouldn't use it as a way to say, "Hey, I'm more successful than you because I have more zeros behind a number."
I guess the most fun I have is with my family, especially my brothers. My older brother always embellishes his stories that are outrageous and funny. My younger brother's humor is more subtle but it's still roll-on-the-floor funny.
I wonder if I'll get to enjoy that sense of family with my Japanese host family. I'm paired with the oldest Japanese student, who is 20, and she has a younger brother. I don't know if she'll like any of my gifts, but hopefully, everything works out.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Reading
I'm always on the run, always moving, once I get a momentum. Go to work. Call the store. Meet the clerks. Get a quote. Worry about money. Think about mileage. Call someone else. Raise my voice at a customer service assistant unintentionally. Compose myself. Work through some money issues. Worry about money.
And then, once I get a chance to take a break and become bored, I'm already being rushed off somewhere else.
Everyone asks me how I do it all. I really don't know. I just know I have to be busy to get things done. I don't tend to think, "How am I going to get it done?" I normally think, "How much can I get done?" Somehow, God blesses me with the ability to complete tasks as best I can and as efficiently as I do.
But I admire the moments when I force myself to step outside of the computer, the TV, technology in general, and move, dance, peel myself away from things that are just so trivial when you really think about it. That's what makes me feel like I'm alive, and alive for reasons of my own. It's my chance to be selfish.
This trip, this adventure into the unknown called Japan, is my selfish trip out of America into somewhere that's, well, I don't know. It's just another place. I can travel their by books, like Shizuka's Daughter, but I can't set my feet down on the earth in that land.
Between the calls, money issues, studying Japanese, and bouts of boredom and business, today, I read a chapter from Three Cups of Tea. It's a book that I have wanted to read since someone from KPBS told me about it. They gave it to me for free for a short commercial, and now, I'm hooked. I read one chapter today. I took myself out of the Japanese, the dollar-signs, and the multiples of problems upon problems to read it. I turned off the TV, the computer, and sat on the stoop that served as a miniature porch and read. It calmed nerves that I didn't notice were tense from the rampant blows of my life.
Finally, when the chapter ended, I went inside and returned to reality. It seems rather comical at how I switch modes completely.
Yesterday, I was ready for the Union Tribune, the photo shoot for the paper, and the multiple questions and listening ears of the City Commissioners. I was nervous beyond reasoning, just to give one presentation, as usual, and once it was over, it was almost as though a weight had been lifted.
I dread presentations. I used to have an anxiety disorder, and finally, after high school, I broke through it. My speech is always too fast, in spite of my mind telling my body to calm down. I tend to move my hands to calm nerves, and it helps, but I still feel my heart beat in my ears and the heat in my body become intolerable. I only believe that I am a good speaker and move on with that. If I get stoned for bad speaking skills, then so be it, I tried.
I think that the presentation was childish, in my opinion. We selected pictures from the photos all of us took and made a DVD slide show out of it. We spoke over the pictures, but because we didn't bother practicing with the slide show, of course, the slide show was off from our adlib. We talked about 5 categories: food, culture, shopping, recreation, and education in the City. Why was I the only one who didn't read off of anything? I felt that the essays everyone else wrote--minus one of the two males of the delegation--were too long winded and too fancy. Well, that's what you expect when it's 3 recent high school graduates versus a college senior. I took a backseat to leading the presentation off, but now, I'm going to have to take some more leadership on this.
I do consider myself a leader, not because I know how to lead, because I really doubt that ability, but I know how to follow. I would hope to believe that I am a servant leader, and I am adamant in teaching others to believe in themselves. I mean, it's the only way you'll really figure yourself out, once you realize that you need to love yourself before you can love/lead others.
Of course, these are just my opinions. I only wish to enjoy the life God has given to me. I hope that everything will turn out all right.
And then, once I get a chance to take a break and become bored, I'm already being rushed off somewhere else.
Everyone asks me how I do it all. I really don't know. I just know I have to be busy to get things done. I don't tend to think, "How am I going to get it done?" I normally think, "How much can I get done?" Somehow, God blesses me with the ability to complete tasks as best I can and as efficiently as I do.
But I admire the moments when I force myself to step outside of the computer, the TV, technology in general, and move, dance, peel myself away from things that are just so trivial when you really think about it. That's what makes me feel like I'm alive, and alive for reasons of my own. It's my chance to be selfish.
This trip, this adventure into the unknown called Japan, is my selfish trip out of America into somewhere that's, well, I don't know. It's just another place. I can travel their by books, like Shizuka's Daughter, but I can't set my feet down on the earth in that land.
Between the calls, money issues, studying Japanese, and bouts of boredom and business, today, I read a chapter from Three Cups of Tea. It's a book that I have wanted to read since someone from KPBS told me about it. They gave it to me for free for a short commercial, and now, I'm hooked. I read one chapter today. I took myself out of the Japanese, the dollar-signs, and the multiples of problems upon problems to read it. I turned off the TV, the computer, and sat on the stoop that served as a miniature porch and read. It calmed nerves that I didn't notice were tense from the rampant blows of my life.Finally, when the chapter ended, I went inside and returned to reality. It seems rather comical at how I switch modes completely.
Yesterday, I was ready for the Union Tribune, the photo shoot for the paper, and the multiple questions and listening ears of the City Commissioners. I was nervous beyond reasoning, just to give one presentation, as usual, and once it was over, it was almost as though a weight had been lifted.
I dread presentations. I used to have an anxiety disorder, and finally, after high school, I broke through it. My speech is always too fast, in spite of my mind telling my body to calm down. I tend to move my hands to calm nerves, and it helps, but I still feel my heart beat in my ears and the heat in my body become intolerable. I only believe that I am a good speaker and move on with that. If I get stoned for bad speaking skills, then so be it, I tried.
I think that the presentation was childish, in my opinion. We selected pictures from the photos all of us took and made a DVD slide show out of it. We spoke over the pictures, but because we didn't bother practicing with the slide show, of course, the slide show was off from our adlib. We talked about 5 categories: food, culture, shopping, recreation, and education in the City. Why was I the only one who didn't read off of anything? I felt that the essays everyone else wrote--minus one of the two males of the delegation--were too long winded and too fancy. Well, that's what you expect when it's 3 recent high school graduates versus a college senior. I took a backseat to leading the presentation off, but now, I'm going to have to take some more leadership on this.
I do consider myself a leader, not because I know how to lead, because I really doubt that ability, but I know how to follow. I would hope to believe that I am a servant leader, and I am adamant in teaching others to believe in themselves. I mean, it's the only way you'll really figure yourself out, once you realize that you need to love yourself before you can love/lead others.
Of course, these are just my opinions. I only wish to enjoy the life God has given to me. I hope that everything will turn out all right.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Marketing and Promotions
I didn't really think of going to Japan was a big deal. But then again, if things weren't a big deal, I wouldn't have my phone dying as people from the Union Tribune call and email me. The funniest thing is that we're not even done with our presentation and we give it today.
I'm not really surprised. After all, besides me, everyone else is a recent high school graduate. I can be a procrastinating college student, while the other three could be procrastinating high school grads. Still, it's no excuse for us to not be done today, and that's something I believe more time would have taken cared of.
I bought T-shirts yesterday from American Apparel and Pink Zone so that we can get them printed with the design I created. I'm happy to make shirts. I want to start my own T-shirt business this year, hopefully, and this is a great start. I've done T-shirts for other events too, but they were just on campus. Now, I want to branch out a little bit more...
Well, seeing that I have to go to work before meeting up with the other City ambassadors, I'm off. Short and sweet, ne?
I'm not really surprised. After all, besides me, everyone else is a recent high school graduate. I can be a procrastinating college student, while the other three could be procrastinating high school grads. Still, it's no excuse for us to not be done today, and that's something I believe more time would have taken cared of.
I bought T-shirts yesterday from American Apparel and Pink Zone so that we can get them printed with the design I created. I'm happy to make shirts. I want to start my own T-shirt business this year, hopefully, and this is a great start. I've done T-shirts for other events too, but they were just on campus. Now, I want to branch out a little bit more...
Well, seeing that I have to go to work before meeting up with the other City ambassadors, I'm off. Short and sweet, ne?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Presentations, Presentations, Presentations
A little over 3 weeks left, and I'm going crazy with excitement! Everyone keeps coming up to me and saying, "You're excited to go to Japan, huh?"
What an understatement!
This one Tokyopop representative at the American Library Association Convention had the tenacity to say, "Going to Japan is a lot better than Comic-Con."
Please, don't insult me. It's way better! Like 20 times better! But I love my Comic-Con. I'm considering sending someone to Comic-Con for me just so I can say that I sent someone in my place. This will be the first time in 7 years that I will be missing out on Comic-Con International. 7 years!!
With Japan right around the corner, I'm getting more and more anxious. I still haven't paid for everything, and I'm worried that I won't be able to because of my low, low, low financial status. It's only $575, but still, that's a lot to me. I'm hoping that the stimulus check will help cover the costs, but I still haven't gotten it yet!
I hope that my next paycheck will take care of everything, and I'll be ok. Besides the money part, I'm preparing for the presentation to the City council out there. I'm the "Food Commissioner" so I talk about what types of food is in the city that I live in.
Johnny Carino's, check. Daphne's Greek Cafe, check. A million taco shops, check.
It's pretty easy to put a presentation together. All you have to do is look up the restaurant on the website, snap a couple of pictures for a Powerpoint presentation, and ta-da! You have a presentation! Only requires about one-tenth of your brain cells, if you do it just right.
I'm using the rest of my brain cells to decipher how to speak Japanese or Nihongo.
My brother bought me an audio series on learning to speak Japanese just for when I drive around the City the many aimless hours that I do. Surprisingly, it's hard, because they go "slowly" but it's not slow enough! It's easy like Karuma desu--"It is a car"--to Oki karuma desu, and I forget what it means, but I can say it! Japanese is harder than I remember it being...
Sadness...
I'm getting there, slowly and surely, and I believe that things will work out...
Is anyone up for attending Comic-Con in San Diego for me? (Message me if you are!)
What an understatement!
This one Tokyopop representative at the American Library Association Convention had the tenacity to say, "Going to Japan is a lot better than Comic-Con."
Please, don't insult me. It's way better! Like 20 times better! But I love my Comic-Con. I'm considering sending someone to Comic-Con for me just so I can say that I sent someone in my place. This will be the first time in 7 years that I will be missing out on Comic-Con International. 7 years!!
With Japan right around the corner, I'm getting more and more anxious. I still haven't paid for everything, and I'm worried that I won't be able to because of my low, low, low financial status. It's only $575, but still, that's a lot to me. I'm hoping that the stimulus check will help cover the costs, but I still haven't gotten it yet!
I hope that my next paycheck will take care of everything, and I'll be ok. Besides the money part, I'm preparing for the presentation to the City council out there. I'm the "Food Commissioner" so I talk about what types of food is in the city that I live in.
Johnny Carino's, check. Daphne's Greek Cafe, check. A million taco shops, check.It's pretty easy to put a presentation together. All you have to do is look up the restaurant on the website, snap a couple of pictures for a Powerpoint presentation, and ta-da! You have a presentation! Only requires about one-tenth of your brain cells, if you do it just right.
I'm using the rest of my brain cells to decipher how to speak Japanese or Nihongo.
My brother bought me an audio series on learning to speak Japanese just for when I drive around the City the many aimless hours that I do. Surprisingly, it's hard, because they go "slowly" but it's not slow enough! It's easy like Karuma desu--"It is a car"--to Oki karuma desu, and I forget what it means, but I can say it! Japanese is harder than I remember it being...
Sadness...
I'm getting there, slowly and surely, and I believe that things will work out...
Is anyone up for attending Comic-Con in San Diego for me? (Message me if you are!)
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