tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24321501773449185872024-02-18T18:58:06.514-08:00Japan 2011-2012AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-16019728542596856422012-08-27T19:07:00.000-07:002012-08-27T19:09:09.809-07:00Japan Apartment Tour<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Japan Apartment Tour!!!</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">At last! The promised video of the tour for the apartment in Japan!!!! </span><br />
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Apartment was from November 2011-July 2012, and the dormitory was from September 2011-November 2011. <br />
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The apartment was two floors with three main rooms, bath, kitchen and washroom. We also had our own balcony (which I didn't include in the video.) <br />
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The rent was 45000yen a month (plus bills), which was a major steal compared to the price of some single room apartments. <br />
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Please enjoy! ^^</div>
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There are still tons of pics, videos and clippings I will be updating from my trip, so please keep an eye out! Just because I am back safely in the US, does not mean I am finished with updating! :D</div>
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<3<br />
Mimi</div>
AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-13005082915254874092012-04-28T21:56:00.002-07:002012-08-27T19:01:25.936-07:00Some More Survival Skills<div style="color: #b45f06;">
Well, I want to discuss a few topics here relevant to those who want to live in Japan in the future, but who think Japan is some things it's not.</div>
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Firstly, Japan is not all super-awesome when it comes to technology, even though Japan is rather tech-savvy in the media.</div>
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Some things to remember:</div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">*Japanese apartments and homes do not have good insulation. You will be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, unless you are willing to pay an EXPENSIVE heating and electric bill. You can run your heating for an hour everyday, and still end up with a bill around $100 a month. Space heaters are NOT the way to go, since they actually take up more electricity than a good heating unit.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Keep in mind that not all apartments and homes come with heating/cooling already installed, so you may have to pay extra for this depending on your landlord.</span><br />
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*Living in Japan can be cheap, or can be expensive. You make it what you want it. Groceries are not like in the West and the US, and you can't just go out and buy a bulk of food. Japanese people buy food day by day, and grocery shop per meal rather than per week or per month. Getting groceries can be more expensive than eating out if you don't budget yourself appropriately.<br />
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On average, Japan costs around $1200 a month, including apartment and bills (so long as the apartment is no more than 50000-65000 yen a month plus bills, and then food and transportation). BUDGET! BUDGET! BUDGET! SAVE THEM PENNIES!!!<br />
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Granted, because the USD does not have much gold to back it up, you are kind of going to be screwed when it comes to conversion into yen. Right now, the conversion is not very good. However, if you live in someplace OTHER than the US, you are good to go. </div>
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*In Japan, you pay for washing or drying. At your apartment complex (if you live in one), you may still have to pay for your wash, or if not your wash, your drying unit each time you use it. The washers and dryers are suuuuper tiny, so you are looking at a couple loads depending on how much you need to wash. My best advice to you is hang your clothes and bedding out instead of putting them in the dryer.</div>
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*Japan is full of discrimination, so expect to be stared at, turned away, ignored, or have comments thrown about you while they just assume you don't know any Japanese. This is tough, because not everyone does any of these things, but they DO exist in places. Do not be naive enough to think that you stick out like a sore thumb just because you are not Japanese, because that is not true. Japanese people are accustomed to foreigners in many places, and generally if you are in a more remote area, you will get more anti-foreigner or "oh cool!". Really depends on the person. <br />
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I HAVE been turned away many times because I am a foreigner. Even though I can speak some Japanese, they still turn a deaf ear and pretend they can't understand. Just because you speak Japanese, doesn't mean they will actually help you. The Japanese are VERY shy and VERY stressed, and when a foreigner comes into a shop, they pretty much have two options...<br />
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1). Risk speaking English and making a mistake, possibly losing ones' job...<br />
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2). Don't speak English, even if foreigner speaks fluent Japanese (doesn't matter because they are too nervous to listen to you anyway), turn away the foreigner and keep job.</div>
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Some places are just prejudice, but this IS illegal to discriminate this way. But they will still do it. </div>
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*"Gaijin" is not an acceptable term for a Japanese to call you or talk about you. The acceptable term is "Gaikokujin", and you should call them out on it if you hear someone referring to you this way. But keep in mind, there is a difference between "casual" and "non-casual" speaking. For example, my boss uses "Gaijin-san" in reference to me, letting me know she means no disrespect, but because I work in a casual joint this is okay. But when talking to some customers, she uses "Gaikokujin-san" because this is the polite term. <br />
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A few Japanese tend to be shocked when they hear us referring to ourselves as "Gaijin" rather than "Gaikokujin".</div>
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*If you are being stared at, do not hesitate to call them out on it. You can tell them that they are being rude, and please don't stare. After a while, you will learn different ways to say this without being rude, or, if you want to be rude, just tell THEM they are being rude and to not stare. (Or: "What are you looking at? Stop it!") </div>
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*Japanese Health Insurance is amazing, so use it if you've got it. Do NOT be afraid to see someone if you are ill. But know that there are certain things Japan doesn't seem to understand...<br />
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--) <b>Allergies: </b> Japan, for some reason, does not quite understand the meaning of ALLERGIES. They don't even have epee pens. They don't quite understand food allergies, so even if you ask them to keep the mayonnaise off the burger they will still put it on, only to wipe it off rather than make you a new one when you remind them you said "mayonezu nashi". I will talk a little more about this in a moment...</div>
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--)<b> Certain Psychological Disorders: </b> Japanese psychology is way different than Western psychology, so there are certain conditions that Japan doesn't quite get, or they are categorized differently and handled differently in Japan. I suggest you speak to a doctor when you get to Japan and find one who can work with you and your files and conditions through your stay. If a doctor knows you, more than likely they can help you better.</div>
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--) <b>Medications: </b> Japanese people naturally have a smaller bone and body structure than the average European or Westerner. So, because of this, medicine dosages are much different. Also, if you have a cold, you are less likely to find decongestants to help your poor, stuffy nose. This is because Japanese can not have a strong dose of decongestant due to the "stoned" side effects they can cause. So the dosage levels are much smaller than ours. You may want to ask a doctor if it is okay to take an extra dose to match your level. And... DECONGESTANTS ARE ILLEGAL TO IMPORT, so don't think you can just ask your parents to send you over some cold meds if they contain them. </div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000;">*"Nanimo Nashi" is what is used to let someone know you want no toppings or everything off of your food. However, this doesn't mean that they will actually listen. In Japan, the menus are pretty much set, and you don't really get the "do it your way". Sure, you can request things to be taken off, but the Japanese don't understand picky eaters or why someone would want something left off because they are allergic. YES, there ARE people who DO understand, but mostly they just smirk behind your back and not take it very seriously. I have a friend who is deathly allergic to tomatoes, and once she asked to take ketchup off because it could kill her, and they just laughed and still gave her the ketchup. When she took it back to them to get it remade, they just rolled their eyes and WIPED it off and gave the SAME burger back. Yes, that's right. Granted, it WILL depend on the place, the person, the cook and the server though. This isn't "set in stone", but it is common that you can not interchange any part of your meal.</span><br />
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I will be getting round to post some topics on the Nipponbashi Cosplay Festival and the Tokyo Dolpa 27 as well! But until then....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Party at the University</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBWwMrxZrSJ_1jdabdyV4KvMj6BUzXkF5GxELamceN0gbMmEWij_DqJJEWqf7VmfT2p6INuqhFNcYdFqiH8yWi5uVemgCSNVzFxe6a-R86X_mMrFDTbo-Q4qWObZ1cN4k7aMu-3tASHg/s1600/DSCF9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBWwMrxZrSJ_1jdabdyV4KvMj6BUzXkF5GxELamceN0gbMmEWij_DqJJEWqf7VmfT2p6INuqhFNcYdFqiH8yWi5uVemgCSNVzFxe6a-R86X_mMrFDTbo-Q4qWObZ1cN4k7aMu-3tASHg/s320/DSCF9049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takatsuki Station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn80JmVMQxjVP05gqyh-NaUVd1vobDjhCRdWrLHkxPB2SxZv1goNugb5ebU3V6CSTDCdSwyZoFolz-umoeFwNaexNlOwwqCcFXtuCgWmEtYblHopiqI1VxC3tqtz0bhrWF0DdJ7ipzIpU/s1600/DSCF9060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn80JmVMQxjVP05gqyh-NaUVd1vobDjhCRdWrLHkxPB2SxZv1goNugb5ebU3V6CSTDCdSwyZoFolz-umoeFwNaexNlOwwqCcFXtuCgWmEtYblHopiqI1VxC3tqtz0bhrWF0DdJ7ipzIpU/s320/DSCF9060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVov53Qs3g2yPAPpBiSN4SCi5pni6LK2AWK559tv9lyQNr5DXp_ME7-RAMBg4hcBiPZqBcQ-33IcBfzJHuCOIZlO4-W9yQk2C0zcWHJEZQIs5vr761e6DegDLv4SkuSrUjWweVQedrcI/s1600/DSCF9068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVov53Qs3g2yPAPpBiSN4SCi5pni6LK2AWK559tv9lyQNr5DXp_ME7-RAMBg4hcBiPZqBcQ-33IcBfzJHuCOIZlO4-W9yQk2C0zcWHJEZQIs5vr761e6DegDLv4SkuSrUjWweVQedrcI/s320/DSCF9068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama</td></tr>
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AAAnnndd...for those of you into the cosplay stuff... Here is some pics from the Cosplay Event being held at the Manga Museum in Kyoto. ^_^</div>
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<br />AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-1742971463525793952012-03-14T19:43:00.001-07:002012-03-14T21:17:51.914-07:00January-March Update<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I apologize for such slow updates, but I noticed that the slower, the longer the posts sometimes tend to be. lol </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So here is what is up since New Years! :D</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>JANUARY</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #76a5af;">January was difficult, because I had been in a huge state of depression since December, and Kandai and Webster thought it a good idea to send me home for a little while to recuperate. I left at the end of January on the 24 and wasn't scheduled to arrive back in Japan until the 12th of February. </span></div><div style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was excited to go home, because I really missed my family and things were getting really tough here, especially financially. For a while, I wasn't really eating, I had trouble sleeping, and stress with my two room mates was flying through the roof.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I took advantage of everything when I got home. :) <br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I got my F-22 a new faceup, and got to spend time with two good friends from the States. It was such a wonderful evening, and I thank the two of them very much. ^^ I am going to get them an omiyage before I get home. :) I owe them so much. ^^</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpravcpcdHn2Ah3YwX4xv6MEJbEuUH6zxG3zTSI9_3CzQK3YHPDQyKRo62kxyQYrY2cL3yk1ljHfv3usiF3gPC4vRsbvgQbvO01DO1rmUccPw9aobPNOndM0Y5wTRpNIlgOVS0PQCI80Y/s1600/Nikii_F22_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpravcpcdHn2Ah3YwX4xv6MEJbEuUH6zxG3zTSI9_3CzQK3YHPDQyKRo62kxyQYrY2cL3yk1ljHfv3usiF3gPC4vRsbvgQbvO01DO1rmUccPw9aobPNOndM0Y5wTRpNIlgOVS0PQCI80Y/s320/Nikii_F22_11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rogue's new faceup by Lady Samhainne. :)</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Went to a doll meet and got to see some of the other dolly owners again too. Had some super awesome conversations that day, and it was a nice change of pace. ^^ Also went to webster and hung out with Shelby. :)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Most of the time though, I was either at the library or at McDonald's stealing the internet. McDonald's food back home tastes really different too, and NOT in a good way. It is DISGUSTING. D: The food doesn't really have a taste, it is super bland, and everything is too greasy. @.@</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That was pretty much it though. Three weeks of lazing around and doing a lot of writing. :P lol</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>FEBRUARY:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">Coming back was a little nostalgic, and it is difficult to explain how I was feeling at the time. I was excited and ready to come back to Japan, but at the same time, I kinda wanted to stay with my family a little longer. I was having a bad feeling, but I wasn't sure what it was.</span></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Came back, and got right back into the schedule. Jet lag was a little iffy, but nothing too terrible. I never really got readjusted to American time, so it wasn't too hard to get adjusted here.</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> I'm getting pretty serious about buckling down and getting some writing done. I want to finish the first installation of my novel series and get Anthology of Faeries finished. Anthology of Faeries is complete writing wise, but now I need to get illustrations for the stories. I found someone I would love to work with, but she has her own projects, and I am unsure how she would like to work with me. :/ </div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This month, we did a lot of lazing around as well. I still felt a bit disconnected from my friends and I was missing my family again, but things were slowly moving along. I got the JASSO, and started hanging out with Cas a lot more. </div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The JASSO didn't last very long because of rent amount, and shopping for food in Japan is really expensive. Transportation can kill you easily as well.</div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So starting in Feb, I started applying seriously for a bunch of jobs.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Got my hair done again as well. They went MUCH too short for my tastes, but eventually I figured out how to style it so it was cute. ^_~ Got another straight perm with it as well. Hasn't broken off yet. lol But I have been taking good care of my hair, so it should be okay. ^^</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MARCH:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">I heard back from two jobs, and ended up having two interviews on the same day. Transportation for the whole day was nearly 2000円. I wanted to shoot myself. D: I didn't get the super awesome job, but I did get a temporary and small position at an English Cafe. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And just when things started to look up, my mom contacts me and tells me my grandma has a tumor over 8lbs, and one on her gall bladder and one on her kidney. Remember that horrible feeling I had before I left the US the second time??? She goes into surgery next Friday (US time), so I am really nervous and scared at the moment. A HUGE part of me wants to return home and stay until everything happens, but I know that isn't possible. I'm not the only one, one of the other ryugakusei is also having a difficult time with her grandma and cancer. Bad time of year, maybe?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Last Sunday was Dolpa Hometown Kyoto 9. It was epic. :) Sadly, I spent more money than I expected to, but we all did. lol I am making it work, and we made awesome new friends and now have a bigger support system.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh, and this friend? She cosplays. :D So now, we are going to do cosplay stuff with her. ^_~</div><div style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><u>Some things about cosplaying in Japan:</u></b><br />
<b><br />
*Japanese frown on those who cosplay on trains. Cosplay is NOT okay on trains.<br />
*Most places don't have a dressing room, but you can't cosplay on a train. :P<br />
*Best thing to do, wear something easy to slip in/out of, and get dressed at your location in bathroom or dressing room<br />
*Be prepared<br />
*Don't worry about those around you, but make sure you don't do anything dangerous or appear to be dangerous<br />
*Know your peeps. Get a group together or join a group (if you can). You will now have more fun, know more places, and have a support system. :)</b></div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a huge difference between cosplay and fashion in Japan. <br />
<br />
<b style="color: #20124d;"><u>Fashion includes, and is acceptable:</u><br />
<br />
*Nearly all forms of Lolita can be worn anywhere<br />
*Traditional Fashion<br />
*Gyaru/Other street fashions<br />
*regular stuff</b><br />
<br />
But costumes are not okay, though on Halloween you can possibly get away with this. :P </div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So yes! More cosplay stuff coming up! The Nipponbashi Festival is coming up at the end of this month. ^_~</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
I also have a job lead for a place from our new friend, Carrie. So maybe I will have a more solid job soon.</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I also had a trial lesson with a student from EREV, so I hope that goes well.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And the other day, I had a really strange phone call from a new number... I called the number back, and I got a guy on the other line. I figured he was the manager from the place Carrie referred me to, cause they had already responded saying they wanted to contact me. I heard from both around the same time. </div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I arrange a meeting with this person the next morning at 9am, thinking it is a job interview. When we get to the cafe (went to Starbucks), he asks me, "So how much do you charge?" </div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm like... ??? O.o APPARENTLY, it was a student who contacted me from a different place where I put up a profile. XD </div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is a professor at a college in another city, and is working on two university text books. He wants my help in editing his work and he also has offered to let me publish an article or two of something I have written if he likes it. He will pay me for the article(s) and I will be published, along with my name, in the text book. </div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the moment, he pays 3000円 in person lessons and 2000円 for internet sessions. </div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This really made my day yesterday. :)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some other stuff happened, but I can talk about them in another post. I don't have too many photos to post this time, so I apologize for that. Maybe I will take some and post them later. ^^</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-70707011334586908222012-01-09T21:45:00.000-08:002013-08-19T21:04:00.438-07:00The New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_uS91ATY4tr2xgriljEXEdmc3oi0-DMW1rPaxKY_j4iVRYIX-nAUaH9w5p34KPAA6o7unHw2Lcsglzf4Q3l6HM9BBSKEps3ZLZhRnmYnObbRCM9K5A4dlf0JSy6axBUts8hgYkmpO0s/s1600/DSCF8378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_uS91ATY4tr2xgriljEXEdmc3oi0-DMW1rPaxKY_j4iVRYIX-nAUaH9w5p34KPAA6o7unHw2Lcsglzf4Q3l6HM9BBSKEps3ZLZhRnmYnObbRCM9K5A4dlf0JSy6axBUts8hgYkmpO0s/s320/DSCF8378.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Tree made of lights!!! This was on the side of a building in Umeda. Had to get a picture!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Mer</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">ry C</span><span style="color: #38761d;">hris</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">tmas</span><span style="color: #38761d;">!!!</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">メリクリ</span><span style="color: #38761d;">スマス!</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">!!</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">あけおめ!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">明けましておめでとうございます!</span></b></div>
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I apologize for my late response and in not posting in December at all. >__< I had intended to, however I never actually go around to doing it. December was full of a bunch of melodrama and I was sick often, so I didn`t really feel up to posting. To make up for my lack of posts, I have made this blog particularly image heavy! Please enjoy! I wish everyone a belated happy holidays! <br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Last month, I ended up getting sick for about 4 weeks. O__o Eventually, I went to the doctor`s to get myself fixed. They gave me a bunch of medicine for a bunch of things. Headache, cough, stomach ache and nausea, antibiotics too. OMG THE COUGH SYRUP WAS AMAZING. O__o It tasted like PEACHES. PEACHES I TELL YOU! PEACHES!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLauk7LfcJ4U6amLrcbLJiZmXKz92z3cJU3zI4PfGgWS_DEtH4Oml6GTOnDq9Jp7SFI5SXUEyYFa9M1X1eOySkpsAWvl_uB8FI6qIlYOQrdLa5P1Bv0_tkQPHnYeTH0hWlWO8n53gCzwo/s1600/DSCF8333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLauk7LfcJ4U6amLrcbLJiZmXKz92z3cJU3zI4PfGgWS_DEtH4Oml6GTOnDq9Jp7SFI5SXUEyYFa9M1X1eOySkpsAWvl_uB8FI6qIlYOQrdLa5P1Bv0_tkQPHnYeTH0hWlWO8n53gCzwo/s320/DSCF8333.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AWESOME COUGH SYRUP OF AWESOME!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">And about a week later I was much better. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">I ended up missing quite a few classes, but I worked with my teachers to make sure I stayed up to date and ready for exams. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Winter break (冬休み) began a little strange. We had the Emperor`s Birthday on Friday, then Christmas Eve and Christmas on Sat/Sun. Then on Monday...school. Yeah. Seriously. And Tuesday? Winter Break officially started. O__o ONE day of classes... XD</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Christmas was uneventfual, really. I had a nice gift from Chami and Kris though. They went to Volks and got me a cute outfit I wanted for my SD girl. =^.^= She looks absolutely ADORABLE in it! I feel bad though, since I was unable to get them anything for Christmas, but I will make up for that when I am able, and I think they know that too. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMi_pSbiy1D6Z7I_9lH3GFEROFY2r3pk8tCOd77U2AY2bUOiS2GYRyk1CTvnGNj1ww6oLb77668GYsjPl4EvUfBUSbqJJxxlmMGO0aaBlLqrz7Mx0ETv-Vtm5kBFZqxkdg5iF1wbn02A/s1600/DSCF8366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMi_pSbiy1D6Z7I_9lH3GFEROFY2r3pk8tCOd77U2AY2bUOiS2GYRyk1CTvnGNj1ww6oLb77668GYsjPl4EvUfBUSbqJJxxlmMGO0aaBlLqrz7Mx0ETv-Vtm5kBFZqxkdg5iF1wbn02A/s320/DSCF8366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shabu Shabu in Umeda! My fav fancy place ta eat! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvZNXoMrWGtEkwBWIF6s_cAg7pUpSjhS65nomIwR3jpltucEz79IzXyKEc-BFZI7eYJlc2l7zYcaE70y5s8m9aTjWQ3JhiiVwdUIXsO4K6K4QskPSARLqu-uEYUe-7-Pd1JfNz7duFTc/s1600/DSCF8368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvZNXoMrWGtEkwBWIF6s_cAg7pUpSjhS65nomIwR3jpltucEz79IzXyKEc-BFZI7eYJlc2l7zYcaE70y5s8m9aTjWQ3JhiiVwdUIXsO4K6K4QskPSARLqu-uEYUe-7-Pd1JfNz7duFTc/s320/DSCF8368.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart, Cory, and Sam!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mcoJTCf_eunnhGv9ihcXiKD2DDWd2FRGDbhH7tYdBYN9Yblya25UkxETZkJ9EsbSGp3TlVk9nDjOPGz92r8oB8UHXZtxVOc-4tyF0NWP6ew1JPosP5e5H-R8Eul8Fuct6qUIvDR7lHc/s1600/DSCF8369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mcoJTCf_eunnhGv9ihcXiKD2DDWd2FRGDbhH7tYdBYN9Yblya25UkxETZkJ9EsbSGp3TlVk9nDjOPGz92r8oB8UHXZtxVOc-4tyF0NWP6ew1JPosP5e5H-R8Eul8Fuct6qUIvDR7lHc/s320/DSCF8369.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heh! Cory's face! ^_^</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvsAcAf3BiWFmhQP08A8sax1oQOwNSDYDzlBjAzwKgq5AioVLrqgicqbCW4CQhudSdD0E7wZk8iK1kWtQnshY2bBfCJSUgomXU3CodTa6DFFJarJSEXypaxBXsH-dKjmuLRh3zwZd4-U/s1600/DSCF8370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvsAcAf3BiWFmhQP08A8sax1oQOwNSDYDzlBjAzwKgq5AioVLrqgicqbCW4CQhudSdD0E7wZk8iK1kWtQnshY2bBfCJSUgomXU3CodTa6DFFJarJSEXypaxBXsH-dKjmuLRh3zwZd4-U/s320/DSCF8370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heh! SAM'S face now! I thought it was funny cause they BOTH made the same faces. XD</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #7f6000;">For fuyu yasumi, our friend Cory, who was one of the others with us when we were on the research team, came up to Osaka from Hiroshima and spent some time with us. ^_^ We went as a group to some shabu shabu in Umeda. This was a first-time for quite a few of the others, and it was fun and great! We all got stuffed! lol We had around four or five plates of meat (I think two or three of beef and one of chicken and pork). We all deemed that the chicken and pork were not as tasty as the beef, so we god more servings of beef after finishing our plate of half chick-half pork. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #7f6000;">The group consisted of Kris, Chami, Me, Bart, Sam and Cory. Wow! O__O Big group! We went on Christmas day to eat. ^^ Long wait, around an hour or so, but it was really worth it! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdB4QgKaIWeM5yD9fMq1TPRp5jiLEW0snza5WRxX9EYefYTIh6LouAscsA6bTnD4PMmNHkmLenZARDkHuVueVgYI3zu6T_mMqm14yGzeM14xxnVnglsZWhz1vVe874szIDWUSrPevFnLA/s1600/DSCF8372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdB4QgKaIWeM5yD9fMq1TPRp5jiLEW0snza5WRxX9EYefYTIh6LouAscsA6bTnD4PMmNHkmLenZARDkHuVueVgYI3zu6T_mMqm14yGzeM14xxnVnglsZWhz1vVe874szIDWUSrPevFnLA/s320/DSCF8372.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNQ063seULaUsFvHRB2zaXARD89QsitYy51I1LgiWY_oxw5V0AH5F4s0NHBHc7N5CJfniyVUgg5ALCiP5pKRXDDkPZoJw-NMoywMMVCHnGn7iSv1jAkJXrF2BvFsg-CkqeruMK_Pci70/s1600/DSCF8371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNQ063seULaUsFvHRB2zaXARD89QsitYy51I1LgiWY_oxw5V0AH5F4s0NHBHc7N5CJfniyVUgg5ALCiP5pKRXDDkPZoJw-NMoywMMVCHnGn7iSv1jAkJXrF2BvFsg-CkqeruMK_Pci70/s320/DSCF8371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kris and Chami</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC90RR3-S_8oXHd5rKMT4WPzYpHw4vkiHigXSETnu01P55CO4tgYY8g-l8ew4vThWQkgTl453JQIQSyY2Q19Hal7HqEgTu9N1JP6zXHzhdhnhqwupA7XmR55MEZVIWabfOkXJrvvpEdMg/s1600/DSCF8374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC90RR3-S_8oXHd5rKMT4WPzYpHw4vkiHigXSETnu01P55CO4tgYY8g-l8ew4vThWQkgTl453JQIQSyY2Q19Hal7HqEgTu9N1JP6zXHzhdhnhqwupA7XmR55MEZVIWabfOkXJrvvpEdMg/s320/DSCF8374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Chami. Hi Chami!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETXb7cQHfdoS-xBZjIGXsnPX9A2tBDWK4TU7Aj3s-qSrQ0o38jMcryt1B62eh9D0tkh1rnf-YTM9pFPHNHAlVdm6SOF7tWL8Tkr_hXCn7s01Lwv0eGyHZwT4fREiQjaArmAbdg93aG8g/s1600/DSCF8375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETXb7cQHfdoS-xBZjIGXsnPX9A2tBDWK4TU7Aj3s-qSrQ0o38jMcryt1B62eh9D0tkh1rnf-YTM9pFPHNHAlVdm6SOF7tWL8Tkr_hXCn7s01Lwv0eGyHZwT4fREiQjaArmAbdg93aG8g/s320/DSCF8375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shabu Shabu with Chicken (left) and Pork (right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff2gXI4Nm-woyWl_hLfU8YNU5mby3KYk_APHLHG8zJOtajs_PbuC27BX-1l3ExvgK5XOjUtSndbqEM2pgZpD1fdmmlRV4Y66CIaiaJgdGgMlxSvppew4zHv4nsLu8Zv3wQElC-EaB7T8/s1600/DSCF8376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff2gXI4Nm-woyWl_hLfU8YNU5mby3KYk_APHLHG8zJOtajs_PbuC27BX-1l3ExvgK5XOjUtSndbqEM2pgZpD1fdmmlRV4Y66CIaiaJgdGgMlxSvppew4zHv4nsLu8Zv3wQElC-EaB7T8/s320/DSCF8376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this was one of our last plates of meat. </td></tr>
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I spent another part of the Christmas break before New Years with a little bit of Karaoke. (At least I think it was before New Years... O__o) Went to a different place than we usually went to, and one that was a little more pricy...but MUCH more fancy! ^_~<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV4XKr0p3JF63PDDqPtGWkYzwDtPkjZnyOzT0x5KdCuoBTM7L3RO3CGU63GfnlyJhQ6Lgjq1rgh-2cTz5vBuYorgErKmJNhPithkCuBUgM7MePmRx_m066ZbL_p3mYBhCTymVJQ0jc9g/s1600/DSCF8390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV4XKr0p3JF63PDDqPtGWkYzwDtPkjZnyOzT0x5KdCuoBTM7L3RO3CGU63GfnlyJhQ6Lgjq1rgh-2cTz5vBuYorgErKmJNhPithkCuBUgM7MePmRx_m066ZbL_p3mYBhCTymVJQ0jc9g/s320/DSCF8390.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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For this round of Karaoke, by the end of the night, there was a rather large group (one larger than I am used to) that made their way in. Olly, Miho, Ben, Yuho, Anson, Tim, Celeste, and Me. *whistles* Wow!<br />
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Unfortunately, this place doesn't have some of the songs that I REALLY like to sing, and a lot of my fav Evanescence songs are not there. :( It makes me a sad panda. V_V I will probably just stick to the other place rather than this place unless I feel like going somewhere fancy to sing stuff. But mostly the other place. ^_~<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAg948R_wrH_GHuOx88UbxxJAqEAX1vKUHnf7xEUbLaRPX4LC4MLLcgRafHZL-2RhfC7dpDPypLhPMLiZfTsneLgqorcGoV-CCXT-FUe6S9AoawUhNZi6ma7GckuoMs4JfMOd2s0F6YM/s1600/DSCF8393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAg948R_wrH_GHuOx88UbxxJAqEAX1vKUHnf7xEUbLaRPX4LC4MLLcgRafHZL-2RhfC7dpDPypLhPMLiZfTsneLgqorcGoV-CCXT-FUe6S9AoawUhNZi6ma7GckuoMs4JfMOd2s0F6YM/s320/DSCF8393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(from right to left) Ben & Tim with Yuho, Celeste and Miho blending in cause of the camera!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqeDd_Z1KVCmpntLO1OLX1zn-WX1FpqBkGnjazMQgi9PhxU7LZTrHjb9O1lnsHaKYmR7kE8PoxEbiT7iCXuDS1tZ86Ji6zgBuJ1XqGRbgCtYYEWHWupr-aKUKV1mJEd2PKZo8qalISP0/s1600/DSCF8394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqeDd_Z1KVCmpntLO1OLX1zn-WX1FpqBkGnjazMQgi9PhxU7LZTrHjb9O1lnsHaKYmR7kE8PoxEbiT7iCXuDS1tZ86Ji6zgBuJ1XqGRbgCtYYEWHWupr-aKUKV1mJEd2PKZo8qalISP0/s320/DSCF8394.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Yuho! You're so fun! :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuho's hand with Anson an'da' mike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NLKujobJXq59ZJfTDKjc21bJOeEcMiUKezrlyaQ0h8GkoJzJDCeY34qeGwJVLvSUkYuOGMBQxY0-oQIYBqiLBdb3VQlyXMsOppa14nUdq8DDRCu7lNgi8gG8uLEoyk-DoM_N0Q329f4/s1600/DSCF8397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NLKujobJXq59ZJfTDKjc21bJOeEcMiUKezrlyaQ0h8GkoJzJDCeY34qeGwJVLvSUkYuOGMBQxY0-oQIYBqiLBdb3VQlyXMsOppa14nUdq8DDRCu7lNgi8gG8uLEoyk-DoM_N0Q329f4/s320/DSCF8397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*insert music and singing here* ^__^</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">New Year was a little more eventful. We went to Pontocho and had shabu shabu しゃぶしゃぶ and nomihoudai 飲み放題. The nomihoudai was a little unexpected, but it was still great. I drank enough, but not enough to completely knock me out. lol Pontocho was very lovely again, and I love walking up and down the long street of nothing but food and tea houses...EXPENSIVE food, mind you. O___o But it is in the middle of the Geiko district, so high expenses to be expected. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The SHABU SHABU MEAT!!!! YUSH!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RqyganCXllqerkxK8qhFPQE36z0Ggyn_MQE7_S9ljVOPlS84qlVUn7H1aw3e2jdmDVh8cHoQOEtbmPYdqhBlLOUs38M1rJ_rSh-9BX9_-RBIzOpRX-uLpm18X6GRhyphenhyphenCd_keeUpejNdY/s1600/DSCF8409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RqyganCXllqerkxK8qhFPQE36z0Ggyn_MQE7_S9ljVOPlS84qlVUn7H1aw3e2jdmDVh8cHoQOEtbmPYdqhBlLOUs38M1rJ_rSh-9BX9_-RBIzOpRX-uLpm18X6GRhyphenhyphenCd_keeUpejNdY/s320/DSCF8409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The veggies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The burner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1RwZ8dyGT7LtM3qiwz2XaFx-nt8a3Kyn7PWk_iNTcBZPi9MwbAIZ-GhArHtoPZ6d7LQfVyE60zoWcVY-dwMDaVdvgscRgZ35SmwJkgXH_edNWOSvcoW70FypG4XhrMDw6BFgpAw9uDo/s1600/DSCF8422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1RwZ8dyGT7LtM3qiwz2XaFx-nt8a3Kyn7PWk_iNTcBZPi9MwbAIZ-GhArHtoPZ6d7LQfVyE60zoWcVY-dwMDaVdvgscRgZ35SmwJkgXH_edNWOSvcoW70FypG4XhrMDw6BFgpAw9uDo/s320/DSCF8422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First drink for nomihoudai! Fuzzy Navel! ^_~</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I was hoping to do hatsumoude (first shrine/temple visit of the year), but I didn`t get the chance to. Then, yesterday, I missed Coming of Age. XD The two times I could really wear furisode, and I didn`t. @_@</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75;">I have been working a lot on my book recently, the Chigurashi Saga. I plan to have the book completely finished before I return home to the States, including editing and turning in the manuscript. Chigurashi Saga is my longest writing yet, and it is so very difficult to try and maintain enough focus to actually sit and write 60,000+ words. X__o That and with trying to finalize plot ideas and characterizations. All of this on top of my other work, Tales of Tir inna nOc. *sigh* So much to do!! O__o</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">I decided that once I leave (graduate), I will be coming back to Japan to teach english through a program. Which one, I am not sure yet, but I plan on applying for several different programs. Can`t hurt. Besides, the more I think about it, the more attracted to the idea of teaching that I am. I would like to learn fluent Osaka-ben and Kyo-ben as well as standard Japanese and Keigo, and I want to teach Japanese language in culture in University Level later down the line when I feel I have had enough English teaching. ^_^</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I was awareded the JASSO, which will be a huge help in helping me eat. Can`t wait. lol It is a stipend of 80,000円 a month for 3 months. Super helpful.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: blue;">We went to see the movie Genji Monogatari!!!!!!! It was beautiful movie! <3 I love Heian period and love to read/watch materials from and of that time. Genji was done quite well, even though it didn't follow along entirely with the original story....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: blue;">And....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: blue;">Abe no Seimei kept making an appearance! lol I love Seimei from Onmyouji, and to see Abe no Seimei with the same attitude as the Abe no Seimei from Onmyouji was a real refresher, if even hilarious. ^_^ He kept inserting himself into the tale when there was something supernatural happening. XD Obviously he isn't in the original story, and if he is he is not really mentioned, and he also appears in the newly released manga. The manga appears to follow the movie. </span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRjlazyGuwt9FPefESelUZkMu1EqrjqYUQiV1BgjWPpO4FVNek63IWZR7qsTQZBCZCnoHcZ8UR1EHyRc0WFGja-mTGPpert1LR4dhY_4OJv32COEfdzXmxGaENCW2DTvjFxWbFIwEP_c/s1600/DSCF8313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRjlazyGuwt9FPefESelUZkMu1EqrjqYUQiV1BgjWPpO4FVNek63IWZR7qsTQZBCZCnoHcZ8UR1EHyRc0WFGja-mTGPpert1LR4dhY_4OJv32COEfdzXmxGaENCW2DTvjFxWbFIwEP_c/s320/DSCF8313.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a picture of the lovely Tale of Genji display at the cinema!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Hmmm... What else.....<br />
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Took some pictures of the purikura machines in the Futabowl, along with the adorable kitteh's in some of the game machines. ^_^</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3_mxkMvwRm7nFpInL-ieGf1EZd8920_pmbc26UnutjbCTRC06H1zzfbr-EUw04u7ebU5IMxUmhG-eC9fmQZprW7FzxH7oWeCf1usIeztcvWEdrBnA5yyPthV4j2NZ530z56wdPYUJqU/s1600/DSCF8386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3_mxkMvwRm7nFpInL-ieGf1EZd8920_pmbc26UnutjbCTRC06H1zzfbr-EUw04u7ebU5IMxUmhG-eC9fmQZprW7FzxH7oWeCf1usIeztcvWEdrBnA5yyPthV4j2NZ530z56wdPYUJqU/s320/DSCF8386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blonde Sam won this for me! <3 Thank you so much, girl! ^_^</td></tr>
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What else...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of Chami (Sam) in kimono for New Year! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cas came with us on New Year</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Chocolate cake from the Combini!!! <3 105円</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very lovely sunset from our balcony. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awesome Beef Steak Plate at GB's Cafe in Kandaimae. A little taste of home when I get homesick. ^^</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome plate of fries at GB's Cafe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macha after a visit to Tenshi no Sato in Kyoto. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some sweets to go with the macha.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blonde Sam and Julie on the way home from the Ikeda Matsuri.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nihon Buyou Japan, 1st Performance [Ikeda Matsuri]: (from left to right) Shuangshuang, Minami-sensei, Me</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6bL8kYekwwpvpdzot7MMa9f2OXUECcX6TL4X4WXtXjt7BKJVs9DR-5MdD-vK5XomKh4WOpV6zmGw_EATlLAUpGQxamkyn5JzFSsg4tdYZXODVk7qR_eT5oGV39GLZpCW7Kj6zmCtsis/s1600/DSCF7893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6bL8kYekwwpvpdzot7MMa9f2OXUECcX6TL4X4WXtXjt7BKJVs9DR-5MdD-vK5XomKh4WOpV6zmGw_EATlLAUpGQxamkyn5JzFSsg4tdYZXODVk7qR_eT5oGV39GLZpCW7Kj6zmCtsis/s320/DSCF7893.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shuangshuang and I! Wow! I lost quite a bit of weight since then! (rejoice!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">I am thinking about picking up cosplaying again. I want to sell some things back home and change it out with new material. I have been fluctuating between depressed and homesick and my hobbies help me feel more at ease and happier. It is hard to cosplay here in Japan because of social expecations, norms and customs. It isn`t like I can just go out in cosplay and expect to be treated with interest. It will most likely end up being the other way around and me being treated with some type of scorn. I try hard to blend into society as much as I can, because I AM a foreigner and already being judged by others around me just for that. I don`t need to help draw negative attention to myself cause I want to cosplay in Japan.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Some cosplay ideas I had in mind...</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">*Gakupo (not sure which version)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">*Another Original</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">*Something aweomely steampunk or victorian</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">*Gackt Ghost (I know...blasphemy!)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">*Silent Hill Nurse<br />
*Kayako from The Grudge</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Been a little more interested in horror flicks lately when it comes to cosplay ideas. I would love to be able to try and cosplay something scary!! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;">Some random cosplays from before...</span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKNVI1vOROeJwM5F-zI2TGSLv7SmHUMRuY_gX1dRTOz8cfbhGtxOU4tF7ze_hU_mWtLRnLr4vEL1eJd1wbpYCTM6pezcRL6JDjLP8nxjeZCrUZ7DsYNxRECEGRBuzlzcTW6nEpjqnDrI/s1600/Anis1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKNVI1vOROeJwM5F-zI2TGSLv7SmHUMRuY_gX1dRTOz8cfbhGtxOU4tF7ze_hU_mWtLRnLr4vEL1eJd1wbpYCTM6pezcRL6JDjLP8nxjeZCrUZ7DsYNxRECEGRBuzlzcTW6nEpjqnDrI/s320/Anis1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yamamoto Anise (Barajou no Kiss)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRGPtUPuY6lYmlugul2HdHEraCndvfGw8SUuFR24nwpFHtiuL0Tqe8jbgy-MgOdpWkPnJzIvnyuS1H3_5iXt3Ox0ghEVRANtQutkO9mrHW_OBRRrbQipKSEJCOSpNMOWwVjf5bIvKdA0/s1600/41277_142065899168118_100000941267627_198069_805989_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRGPtUPuY6lYmlugul2HdHEraCndvfGw8SUuFR24nwpFHtiuL0Tqe8jbgy-MgOdpWkPnJzIvnyuS1H3_5iXt3Ox0ghEVRANtQutkO9mrHW_OBRRrbQipKSEJCOSpNMOWwVjf5bIvKdA0/s320/41277_142065899168118_100000941267627_198069_805989_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena Whittely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80e5mj4ne8bk-omp-Vbhk4q_pFmjh_QcM08oAKbafpDoHtpecqEVXFizzuUTJn2moqs7tmTCftsLawi11KUKz28KYmBRbkHQTH7nJzX-xb0ocOaCJ_IgQ17uvpBI_MzaT_W0rFKdE9Fw/s1600/47291_106180422777074_100001553512534_52826_7774472_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80e5mj4ne8bk-omp-Vbhk4q_pFmjh_QcM08oAKbafpDoHtpecqEVXFizzuUTJn2moqs7tmTCftsLawi11KUKz28KYmBRbkHQTH7nJzX-xb0ocOaCJ_IgQ17uvpBI_MzaT_W0rFKdE9Fw/s320/47291_106180422777074_100001553512534_52826_7774472_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciel Phantomhive (Kuroshitsuji)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHpMPCxqYj4mwLUx6C_seQbx6yBHuk_FIfZn5Q9MhCeOpwSpDxCM1pua_oimgu6Y4_gbf3lsIftdgT4kg70_LhQog5vmiZOvzLRIFAnYEVUYjdp2p5tvgKsuxAUtg5aSTPbW8MgYUkx0/s1600/Gothic_Victorian_Princess_X_by_MimiruCosplayDiary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHpMPCxqYj4mwLUx6C_seQbx6yBHuk_FIfZn5Q9MhCeOpwSpDxCM1pua_oimgu6Y4_gbf3lsIftdgT4kg70_LhQog5vmiZOvzLRIFAnYEVUYjdp2p5tvgKsuxAUtg5aSTPbW8MgYUkx0/s320/Gothic_Victorian_Princess_X_by_MimiruCosplayDiary.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena Whittely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV8dQL_XYNM6pHqr_dytcW6vQZLiGJP7tseXxz4GPKWN6QjNkcCuC-7nmOWX7vuAANeB_xmOHFeTp4UqsYxhQD8D6T0KjLqLo9KbhHzdzEBi0vX2_23FgAP9jmrjNcuEWUQv6cdILplY/s1600/Winter_Kaname_8_by_MimiruCosplayDiary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV8dQL_XYNM6pHqr_dytcW6vQZLiGJP7tseXxz4GPKWN6QjNkcCuC-7nmOWX7vuAANeB_xmOHFeTp4UqsYxhQD8D6T0KjLqLo9KbhHzdzEBi0vX2_23FgAP9jmrjNcuEWUQv6cdILplY/s320/Winter_Kaname_8_by_MimiruCosplayDiary.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaname Kuran (Vampire Knight)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZP7JLikwbEIM92jIgXzUJKlqXRQcI7hj_4phUUcGpGn_g1dO_k9t17R7kmvSntdy7JSgizLv8gYlaO5ZDpYvkqup0ED7pmqXAmVUuPSuDd6tm47-idO9pot9Fhl6ngRf-QjMJo-CQXE/s1600/Winter_Kaname_2_by_MimiruCosplayDiary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZP7JLikwbEIM92jIgXzUJKlqXRQcI7hj_4phUUcGpGn_g1dO_k9t17R7kmvSntdy7JSgizLv8gYlaO5ZDpYvkqup0ED7pmqXAmVUuPSuDd6tm47-idO9pot9Fhl6ngRf-QjMJo-CQXE/s320/Winter_Kaname_2_by_MimiruCosplayDiary.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaname Kuran (Vampire Knight)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqy2NJ88gy_SMLCGkB_jKx03t6kxhWreNZSPxBhVxbWBdlLOHLOLgbM4zAfacTQ28auGjFF4sMEwOLNkCkTFvUGbtoRScX0jDhcjzQ_uxQaN5ls7kquVxfYCVqvgesEjwdURIvf0ameQ/s1600/nevermorexvi_by_mimirucosplaydiary-d3d864g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqy2NJ88gy_SMLCGkB_jKx03t6kxhWreNZSPxBhVxbWBdlLOHLOLgbM4zAfacTQ28auGjFF4sMEwOLNkCkTFvUGbtoRScX0jDhcjzQ_uxQaN5ls7kquVxfYCVqvgesEjwdURIvf0ameQ/s320/nevermorexvi_by_mimirucosplaydiary-d3d864g.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevermore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNYR34OzmLLMeuxtpyIHlUP2AI9mORN35l8bA0fI9Kn1wvs9PgSRnvCyLurVAecXuQSY2Y15_Vpq0ssBRsLl43QtqkJ10uqOe5DzgE2FOUsRAbia4Mt9D2anZ9UN8i20X6cZylnXiXYM/s1600/nevermorexvii_by_mimirucosplaydiary-d3d867x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNYR34OzmLLMeuxtpyIHlUP2AI9mORN35l8bA0fI9Kn1wvs9PgSRnvCyLurVAecXuQSY2Y15_Vpq0ssBRsLl43QtqkJ10uqOe5DzgE2FOUsRAbia4Mt9D2anZ9UN8i20X6cZylnXiXYM/s320/nevermorexvii_by_mimirucosplaydiary-d3d867x.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevermore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #073763;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">Purikura</span> in cosplay? Now THAT IS an idea! ;D lol</span><br />
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I warned you that it was image heavy... >___><br />
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<3<br />
MimiAislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-35232091540206934192011-11-20T10:06:00.000-08:002012-08-27T19:02:02.907-07:00New Apartment<div style="color: #f6b26b;">
After a month and half of searching and cramming and stressing, we FINALLY moved into our new apartment!</div>
<div style="color: #f6b26b;">
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I don't have any actual pics for some reason, but I have a video walk through that I will upload soon, along with pics at a (soon) later date. ^_^</div>
<div style="color: #f6b26b;">
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<div style="color: #f6b26b;">
The apartment is amazing, and relatively large for a Japanese apartment. We have two floors, three rooms, two of them living rooms that we are using as bedrooms, kitchen, a bathroom (with shower, tub, faucet toilet) and..and...and...</div>
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AND...</div>
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<div style="color: #f6b26b;">
This:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh875L-CTCBidvah1YuJUKgjoVh-RaDh5VoQyPBQWYyeKCJaAY0941Z6sIoW3kkeQa2x7lXoTxNwcT4mBBno1ThfSIBhOjtr7AvysZT8A8ozfegXl4S2N8yTU10B-d81y8Eqyryw4gi1xU/s1600/DSCF8273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh875L-CTCBidvah1YuJUKgjoVh-RaDh5VoQyPBQWYyeKCJaAY0941Z6sIoW3kkeQa2x7lXoTxNwcT4mBBno1ThfSIBhOjtr7AvysZT8A8ozfegXl4S2N8yTU10B-d81y8Eqyryw4gi1xU/s320/DSCF8273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="color: #351c75;">
<b>A TATAMI ROOM!!! O.O A SIX MAT, FULL FLEDGED, AWESOME TATAMI ROOM!!!!! O.O </b></div>
<div style="color: #351c75;">
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<div style="color: #351c75;">
I can't help but to spazz when I unroll the futon for bed at night and look around...knowing that I am sleeping in a REAL tatami room...not a replica..not a plastic room...and not a room in the Sims game. XD The room is complete with sliding shoji that leads to the wooded floor and closet and balcony, sliding shoji windows and a sliding door and a display area... </div>
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*swoon*</div>
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It smells awesomely like straw. But I personally love the smell of straw. <3 </div>
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<span style="color: #45818e;">We ARE next to the highway, but the sound is not too much of a bother, and helps lull me to sleep at night with the humming. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i6mWBej0I6c8nhqEjkd7JhqcHGiPkfJ_jaQWZ1r0exk2EedUU0LetGxpOvuB4VLjWVNCSthBTgPKpAc-x6ukYalc5M_ebpEfIoSGiWAu0kvbnI8RQEpSKonXxuiPPcv7E4EtTjMDvMA/s1600/DSCF8276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i6mWBej0I6c8nhqEjkd7JhqcHGiPkfJ_jaQWZ1r0exk2EedUU0LetGxpOvuB4VLjWVNCSthBTgPKpAc-x6ukYalc5M_ebpEfIoSGiWAu0kvbnI8RQEpSKonXxuiPPcv7E4EtTjMDvMA/s320/DSCF8276.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kotatsu!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMooUrVe95xJmvqxXYGjxE_Qq8sEul35ED37PTigw7JWUCeDRf2kKHBkQSAC9lXdMCXStW-Y2IXX4TrlVynxCdHEnbBnPtl24zD_qGxuI0bRW0u1Qxwap4KU5Cq0FlaEXTowOQaj_jipc/s1600/DSCF8278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMooUrVe95xJmvqxXYGjxE_Qq8sEul35ED37PTigw7JWUCeDRf2kKHBkQSAC9lXdMCXStW-Y2IXX4TrlVynxCdHEnbBnPtl24zD_qGxuI0bRW0u1Qxwap4KU5Cq0FlaEXTowOQaj_jipc/s320/DSCF8278.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You remove the top of the table to put the blanket!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM-nr175BhorpgGBtzHueq-ohUVALMqQiDUMA81bP8NWYzPeeg41k2DxAqytoKPv_UIOKPOX9ydNd9jcVOaGs7VU2aJ3QcSGDxQHzbraFZqlYXFQLWPhKJolXCLGqqeUsrivFwl99ghg/s1600/DSCF8280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtM-nr175BhorpgGBtzHueq-ohUVALMqQiDUMA81bP8NWYzPeeg41k2DxAqytoKPv_UIOKPOX9ydNd9jcVOaGs7VU2aJ3QcSGDxQHzbraFZqlYXFQLWPhKJolXCLGqqeUsrivFwl99ghg/s320/DSCF8280.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFjGfkW9tPZFDeP8rrIY5AIHFB3MEmoFucStr4tFHyVY2IMteWYuTTo_xq8smSE7r8hyphenhyphenPC3RRI7m-Pas6AiCg2g_Btil8zz_uoiwmeqTX6u4eEetXhtABUnhytp8I1_V0jb5yFS3sGkc/s1600/DSCF8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFjGfkW9tPZFDeP8rrIY5AIHFB3MEmoFucStr4tFHyVY2IMteWYuTTo_xq8smSE7r8hyphenhyphenPC3RRI7m-Pas6AiCg2g_Btil8zz_uoiwmeqTX6u4eEetXhtABUnhytp8I1_V0jb5yFS3sGkc/s320/DSCF8285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kotatsu with a blanket! ^__^</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hntQhlmvCE0jGji7UeToMLHDEtmKpOl_G968HxAoypVbTkqQOcQ5Yz3T0yceUFFH89LZtKNFmNAhr5h3lg2M5-Cz25U-qQLJpgpvcxJmZYBLOaYbbgN2l_ex5fZc2QqICNQJCK3ojFQ/s1600/DSCF8286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hntQhlmvCE0jGji7UeToMLHDEtmKpOl_G968HxAoypVbTkqQOcQ5Yz3T0yceUFFH89LZtKNFmNAhr5h3lg2M5-Cz25U-qQLJpgpvcxJmZYBLOaYbbgN2l_ex5fZc2QqICNQJCK3ojFQ/s320/DSCF8286.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of kotatsu with blanket!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsDl3hEMN91y3R52wvYcKcg0W7mq-xSqga_6VgnwiSqVXingbcaefEwp3w1trJ4A6XhyRBWIGO22G1iJBsysl4PjcHp_yA1FtqIMruJhB0CqQNeCCCCBHWtaElRlEyp1GdqEgz6o_69U/s1600/DSCF8282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsDl3hEMN91y3R52wvYcKcg0W7mq-xSqga_6VgnwiSqVXingbcaefEwp3w1trJ4A6XhyRBWIGO22G1iJBsysl4PjcHp_yA1FtqIMruJhB0CqQNeCCCCBHWtaElRlEyp1GdqEgz6o_69U/s320/DSCF8282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome bed!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiJXAwwy0blQ7sCNovvAkikJ8H19sEMxpuBeh9DJc3T1HK3T1DR42_S1GGEHl_nJrKZv076JRdbxiGOPI2-zygrAvddB1Xi4Q-f5v5y4u_hKMyHhWamh5CaGsfqzKjHXU8h8HHiXsMVo/s1600/DSCF8281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKiJXAwwy0blQ7sCNovvAkikJ8H19sEMxpuBeh9DJc3T1HK3T1DR42_S1GGEHl_nJrKZv076JRdbxiGOPI2-zygrAvddB1Xi4Q-f5v5y4u_hKMyHhWamh5CaGsfqzKjHXU8h8HHiXsMVo/s320/DSCF8281.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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So, until I get those vids uploaded, I will end this entry relatively (and uncharacteristically) short. :(<br />
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<3<br />
MimiAislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-70433271623290178232011-11-08T10:38:00.000-08:002011-11-09T08:33:00.055-08:00Arrival of FCS F-22!<b style="color: red;">Please know that this post will be very image heavy!!! <3<3<3 </b><br />
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I didn't think I was supposed to pick up my doll until the 13th or so, so when I ended up getting a postcard in the mail from Volks saying that my girly was done, I was so excited that I wanted to pee myself! hahaha! Unfortunately, I couldn't just run to Nipponbashi to pick her up since I had an appointment at the Apaman Shop for settling on the apartment. But I will get to those details later! lol <br />
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<div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">So, after finishing what needed done at the Apaman Shop, I nearly <b><i>sprinted</i></b> my butt all the way back to the dorms and then tried getting my room mates to sprint with me all the way to Esaka Station. XD lol But I had waited 2 months for this!!! I had everything ready, everything I needed and wanted gathered for her arrival, and I was absolutely STOKED!</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">At the same time though, I was worried about the faceup. I was not sure exactly what to expect, and my doll is white skinned and the faceup may end up being too harsh for the skin tone. This is what bothered me the most about all of this.</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">The trains were not too terribly crowded when we got on, so we got to sit down for the many stops until Nipponbashi. We had to change trains at Namba though. The bad thing about all this?</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">It was 2 hours until closing time and I knew there was still a walk when we arrived at Nipponbashi. But the excitement was so much that I could barely contain myself!! D: </div><br />
<div style="color: #674ea7;">Sooo....arrival at Volks... I nearly thrusted the papers onto the desk (lol) and the ladies were highly amused at my excitement. :) The ladies who helped with my FCS process were there and were both just as excited as well to see how my F-22 turned out. :) </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"></div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">And when they brought the box out...and opened her up...(I swear I thought I was going to die when she took her time removing the Styrofoam. XP )...and she was beautiful! </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">The FCS came with some extras: wig brush, wig oil spray, cleaning eraser, birth certificate, booklet, and faceplate. (most dolls DO come with face plates when you buy them, especially if they are from company and have faceups. The face plates are a must have to protect a faceup.)</div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">The asked if I wanted to carry her or put her in the box and take her that way (I think...couldn't even PROCESS the Japanese because of my excitement.. ROFL ), and we ended up taking her in the box home. They gave us a really awesome Volks Tote Bag to put the box in and carry with. :) SUUUPER awesome! </div><div style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #674ea7;">I ended up purchasing a wig cap for her in addition to the rest of the stuff. The wig cap was only a few yen and I want to keep her head protected from stains at all costs. </div><br />
So then there was the ride home and....It.Was.<b style="color: red;">Hell</b>.<br />
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<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;">Probably seemed like a longer time than necessary since I was dying internally to get home and get playing with my new arrival. :) </div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #bf9000;">Granted, we stopped at McDonald's and browsed through Animate (as usual) before actually heading off in the direction of Esaka. </div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #bf9000;">On the train, we got in the Women's Only car. There was this guy that got on though, and he was standing a little too close for comfort. He would reach around the girls pretending to hold onto something as an excuse to be touching them, and then this other guy I wanted to punt when he ran onto the car and groped all the standing ladies while pretending to "push them aside" to "let him through". =_= OMG Makes me wonder though..wouldn't the ladies only cars be more prone to sexual advances since men know that there are only women on the cars, and the chances that they would protest are slimmer than it seems? Of all the women on that car, no one said anything to any of the men. I wonder why the hell all these geezers seem to think that this form of molestation is okay? Are they not getting it up at home? Are they not getting anyone at all? Gee. Wonder. Freggin. Why. *rolls eyes*</div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #bf9000;">So anyway...</div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #bf9000;">Getting into the dorm, I was exhilarated! I could literally feel my heart beating as quickly as it could the entire walk from Esaka Station. XD lol So when I got home to do the box opening ceremony, there was a huge sense of relief. But for some reason I feel as though I didn't enjoy as much as I could...I think I rushed it a little bit. PFFFFTTTTttt!</div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #bf9000;">Amanda, Shelby, Melissa, Sam and Kris were all there for it! 8D It was a party! lol </div><br />
<div style="color: #a64d79;">She is quite heavy...heavier than I expected. ^^ And absolutely gorgeous!</div><div style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #a64d79;">But the faceup was a little too harsh for her white skin. :( However, it was not terrible and is not terrible now. It just takes time to get used to the contrast of shading and...no pigment. O.O </div><div style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #a64d79;">After having her for two days now, I have started to realize that it may not be the faceup or skintone that is completely bothersome, but the fact that I do not have my other doll, Akira, here to complete the couple. </div><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;">In the storyline, Artemis (Rogue's real name) and Akira are engaged, but Akira gets killed in a battle before they married. Kuro no Hana (黒の花) is a love story between a princess and her knight. A romance that should have been forbidden, but they were betrothed due to political reasons. A great war breaks out between two planets, and Akira's death marks the end of the war and brings peace. But Artemis has been left behind, and eventually she dies of grief. Years later, she is reborn, and Akira returns as a "living" ghost to protect Artemis's reincarnation from those who wish to end the peaceful reign of the universe. The whole story is actually quite a train wreck, and even though I have been writing it for so long, I feel that it is far from complete. </div><div style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(btw...I know this is not necessary..however...please know that all materials are copyrighted and belong to me, Aislinn Riley and/or the Celtic Rose Project.)</span></i></b></div><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;">I ended up finding a doll for Akira before I actually found the perfect one for Rogue. He is a 60 cm Dollcot Loon. (<a href="http://dolkot.com/shop/step1.php?number=569" target="_blank">Dolkot Loon Default</a>) His faceup was repainted by my awesome friend Lady Samhainne, with lovely smokey eyes and BEAUTIFUL, luscious <span style="color: red;">lips</span>... Akira is just stunning and I can't wait to have him next to his beloved at last! <3<3<3 Oh the photoshoots and photostories!! 8D</div><br />
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So! Here is the box opening for everyone to see! :D<br />
<div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="color: blue;">Box Opening Ceremony: VOLKS FCS F-22</span><br style="color: blue;" /><span style="color: blue;">Rogue Riley</span></b></i></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaoxcoxmGoh7-dhvUvpTsIHxkqfY4aub7cxdDJDhmwHasBr7mjGXw564uVdMwKb6MIGKhdz7Q_cLt3gDltVB0cSQATZpJXlgFu9ucc7z_ccXfKASN86M78-ZdCYYv1VWO_H9p1E6yxW8/s1600/DSCF7968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaoxcoxmGoh7-dhvUvpTsIHxkqfY4aub7cxdDJDhmwHasBr7mjGXw564uVdMwKb6MIGKhdz7Q_cLt3gDltVB0cSQATZpJXlgFu9ucc7z_ccXfKASN86M78-ZdCYYv1VWO_H9p1E6yxW8/s320/DSCF7968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome Super Dollfie Tote! :D</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNq7SXnbvogfJ975oOEnfrWV0fwWAiHz5SFNvLM8VrJLnxN2Ub3xINn7eu9ibtePg3MM1avgIzG8aS5k_4lm9fqhUislpds4DtaZkV9CxXkfFbPPh1MOGeW85hEaf3E9tlw0sdgSVAggg/s1600/DSCF7970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNq7SXnbvogfJ975oOEnfrWV0fwWAiHz5SFNvLM8VrJLnxN2Ub3xINn7eu9ibtePg3MM1avgIzG8aS5k_4lm9fqhUislpds4DtaZkV9CxXkfFbPPh1MOGeW85hEaf3E9tlw0sdgSVAggg/s320/DSCF7970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflaXKKvhWCS5jB6psmMySpIrdiwYFLS_9MBIuk0iY_u5e6ii3uZR58I8IMrqSZme9Kdpy2UCnVREOsCjru3ps6tfWVeEhIEwE7oHEId0SYrslt4Ce0sEUSp1QZK8UsdaoxQFHoS2rEOs/s1600/DSCF7971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflaXKKvhWCS5jB6psmMySpIrdiwYFLS_9MBIuk0iY_u5e6ii3uZR58I8IMrqSZme9Kdpy2UCnVREOsCjru3ps6tfWVeEhIEwE7oHEId0SYrslt4Ce0sEUSp1QZK8UsdaoxQFHoS2rEOs/s320/DSCF7971.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm..I wonder what's'in here?</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9zvKeTn1Iv8wttT5z-UaxxBAF3-uwhrJIWSu5VzSUYMx5pj9zB5Gz8Ue9HkLGbJJM6-OEnQQ640BK0-czomacRGzm3dVtZUPrXRFALF-99kXwjZ-sow66flv8e0V-sytxgUlVKw3R5U/s1600/DSCF7974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9zvKeTn1Iv8wttT5z-UaxxBAF3-uwhrJIWSu5VzSUYMx5pj9zB5Gz8Ue9HkLGbJJM6-OEnQQ640BK0-czomacRGzm3dVtZUPrXRFALF-99kXwjZ-sow66flv8e0V-sytxgUlVKw3R5U/s320/DSCF7974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVZe8Nr6J5EDO7s40rywTYU-W9cj4JQk1oPHU_V1_tfPNSywfUzqfHq-jsHcUVyjUROt-8MSEjH23dwRL9KQZ09BYsBkkK9tFq53ejyqX9He6xz0iWICxL55W4NYG9O3Ugwrzh0jvajU/s1600/DSCF7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVZe8Nr6J5EDO7s40rywTYU-W9cj4JQk1oPHU_V1_tfPNSywfUzqfHq-jsHcUVyjUROt-8MSEjH23dwRL9KQZ09BYsBkkK9tFq53ejyqX9He6xz0iWICxL55W4NYG9O3Ugwrzh0jvajU/s320/DSCF7975.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two wigs, booklet, certificate, etc...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJqkG0-EtYVozmRV65RqW-rG3_PKxQYe5ypwmaYcC8abQiOcziguIqDjpMQv9KZdkcYJ1ROoyLH3v4KXa8Ags5tuAmzY3OnlfgIKvOHNZD5wziYLI2vgBCn2jn9XXQCiJg-TRoh0JEKc/s1600/DSCF7977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJqkG0-EtYVozmRV65RqW-rG3_PKxQYe5ypwmaYcC8abQiOcziguIqDjpMQv9KZdkcYJ1ROoyLH3v4KXa8Ags5tuAmzY3OnlfgIKvOHNZD5wziYLI2vgBCn2jn9XXQCiJg-TRoh0JEKc/s320/DSCF7977.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instruction and Care Manual</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ_daFqp8jm35C0Kh_oK5t5DPOyz3Wr3ZXoNXzvYalCReaWLsNDLgNewFj_CBR1kaCkXMsuQIDlBTf4pkEcyCHRf-6G9ooZEJhyABaCPQk35pNsn8ylJ2TAiVH6TlZnSt5v_s2JmzbCc/s1600/DSCF7978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJ_daFqp8jm35C0Kh_oK5t5DPOyz3Wr3ZXoNXzvYalCReaWLsNDLgNewFj_CBR1kaCkXMsuQIDlBTf4pkEcyCHRf-6G9ooZEJhyABaCPQk35pNsn8ylJ2TAiVH6TlZnSt5v_s2JmzbCc/s320/DSCF7978.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DAW! BIRTH CERTIFICATE! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SUwzeoNcZvGt6yra8xxdnPgeDjBfewBNNlUVPHxfdSAfDQmSVvXkM1_llb1CgWgeos8LU5F4LdrkelzH-bPrfg-uFIGKGq3kitu3YZIiisGCRhQysE_CxPn2zPk3msd4ASc4GtdVBJg/s1600/DSCF7979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SUwzeoNcZvGt6yra8xxdnPgeDjBfewBNNlUVPHxfdSAfDQmSVvXkM1_llb1CgWgeos8LU5F4LdrkelzH-bPrfg-uFIGKGq3kitu3YZIiisGCRhQysE_CxPn2zPk3msd4ASc4GtdVBJg/s320/DSCF7979.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EEEYEEES!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aJtYtuQYJEMEz44ibaY-Uay8EHetfKS-L0oEaqpJZcXjyttRuVwiPzTO0yTlz7SqFrftBz1GTffKCzXIrLeagDzCP_oaS1B6y1rR9yHaIO_AFlmZl4sl8fhUQm0S7Qa8FzNKQcfqGFE/s1600/DSCF7980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aJtYtuQYJEMEz44ibaY-Uay8EHetfKS-L0oEaqpJZcXjyttRuVwiPzTO0yTlz7SqFrftBz1GTffKCzXIrLeagDzCP_oaS1B6y1rR9yHaIO_AFlmZl4sl8fhUQm0S7Qa8FzNKQcfqGFE/s320/DSCF7980.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG! THERE SHE IS! :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7r_eNZJpfzRGBqjKO9ehl-kXhRsFvTFNMIrh5k2yNAzgmmhAhYrjVSz5U2AEsFWcrG7S0bBdRVfLV5ZGOoMqFpoY-7TM2DAaaZgYw6p_d5k-o_vaoiX6nNoEDniLGbVON0s_j2-naSE/s1600/DSCF7981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7r_eNZJpfzRGBqjKO9ehl-kXhRsFvTFNMIrh5k2yNAzgmmhAhYrjVSz5U2AEsFWcrG7S0bBdRVfLV5ZGOoMqFpoY-7TM2DAaaZgYw6p_d5k-o_vaoiX6nNoEDniLGbVON0s_j2-naSE/s320/DSCF7981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SQUEEE!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfEa3KAMY4ByGU9vlVjGdqcRRTjIxhvRIlei28XfHhUuI3liz-VZrnRrGNM-TIEhRVID7HwvLhOdNXotRyEm652m01-ApJU22GJ-hVrZ3Z11tBUNHB2MNa39ES-itnlVNv_QD2FUfvAo/s1600/DSCF7982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfEa3KAMY4ByGU9vlVjGdqcRRTjIxhvRIlei28XfHhUuI3liz-VZrnRrGNM-TIEhRVID7HwvLhOdNXotRyEm652m01-ApJU22GJ-hVrZ3Z11tBUNHB2MNa39ES-itnlVNv_QD2FUfvAo/s320/DSCF7982.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWIRYq8vc32477Uli04lIHr8uvUe7QPgX6PH91bqEjQcrFZY8wLMbqGzQFjWEyaoT3dyb5jruNH3tl71yBqF8wFJTgDgMa17EY2sL85krBHoJNWmPccoFSG7V87muKJjdciyeAAPhHBA/s1600/DSCF7983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWIRYq8vc32477Uli04lIHr8uvUe7QPgX6PH91bqEjQcrFZY8wLMbqGzQFjWEyaoT3dyb5jruNH3tl71yBqF8wFJTgDgMa17EY2sL85krBHoJNWmPccoFSG7V87muKJjdciyeAAPhHBA/s320/DSCF7983.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WELCOME HOME!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
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</div>And finally!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I present to you....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rogue Riley</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Japan Series I </b></span></i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qxfY7fAYyEkftHJX3PqIef64Aqmey7K5qVhjPCJec4vBLECTBuSYX6ZskiDvX_437Zn4kxPUFiP84FzGXSzNcaTps4GFupn1vWdmPayhcRcqzkhgafbEScKqL1OeR5OIQ5IYbuNmvQY/s1600/Roguecaged11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6aVkULZCoj_m5VaaaUAzaZQW9gh41BexTP4kYu87ya3chx3ikQMHiHO-BYrbm8DBz8MeyCUMLpGsCChG43ag3iWUwHamLv1ZmYERh94-oOpATZl34iqeYVO_9iJAUXtvtYxt2IvqyJU/s1600/JapanSaga3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6aVkULZCoj_m5VaaaUAzaZQW9gh41BexTP4kYu87ya3chx3ikQMHiHO-BYrbm8DBz8MeyCUMLpGsCChG43ag3iWUwHamLv1ZmYERh94-oOpATZl34iqeYVO_9iJAUXtvtYxt2IvqyJU/s320/JapanSaga3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5BiJo9Hd68aX8GO3PMYgOurmKM8gTAZEEcxv0s-aDXDwxjENoasUuPAkYVPzK-qoUvK-kzU620jxNLuQ4Qc9GJazn5UAWZf9IZufwydHeSW9oilyhSE_bNTgfsPftjjV8nG400WZRrg/s1600/JapanSaga5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5BiJo9Hd68aX8GO3PMYgOurmKM8gTAZEEcxv0s-aDXDwxjENoasUuPAkYVPzK-qoUvK-kzU620jxNLuQ4Qc9GJazn5UAWZf9IZufwydHeSW9oilyhSE_bNTgfsPftjjV8nG400WZRrg/s320/JapanSaga5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL4ngQHaNoNvWlWFPlW_U3sIKk3Jax4lBAE0d2oG_sFfbHL_Oa5d6FViWQHWr1LU5tHnahyphenhyphen1e4d2DqkqXOScycMrAVENr4EnjQvHs4m_Kx3iBDJLMlwkHHECb-k_bDhJvkqjQUTjis8c/s1600/JapanSaga2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL4ngQHaNoNvWlWFPlW_U3sIKk3Jax4lBAE0d2oG_sFfbHL_Oa5d6FViWQHWr1LU5tHnahyphenhyphen1e4d2DqkqXOScycMrAVENr4EnjQvHs4m_Kx3iBDJLMlwkHHECb-k_bDhJvkqjQUTjis8c/s320/JapanSaga2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Pd6s6hUTabixk85P-crrN2ZO6zoBQF_qtW-AG0g-GU5ohCI_OJ_ZMRboOerD52RmWJqMbLsWM76UPyI9KGacD-7O6a0WsZtc5OQoSTKbYPjYZXr4D4FSl5ehXM9Bfh2a9gqfsBHPqdU/s1600/JapanSaga4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Pd6s6hUTabixk85P-crrN2ZO6zoBQF_qtW-AG0g-GU5ohCI_OJ_ZMRboOerD52RmWJqMbLsWM76UPyI9KGacD-7O6a0WsZtc5OQoSTKbYPjYZXr4D4FSl5ehXM9Bfh2a9gqfsBHPqdU/s320/JapanSaga4.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-yIwB0KPaJz4eWHHs1MSnkRxptGapE6YEjn4ExYHMA2cV910Tr-qR2Y-3l-aRZq7wcxYsHI6fMGGzVaC_A-240WPzeAZFKkJJres77OlYyzXuyht7JHTdp7EGdjOSv2gDj6B1yW7qP8/s1600/JapanSaga1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-yIwB0KPaJz4eWHHs1MSnkRxptGapE6YEjn4ExYHMA2cV910Tr-qR2Y-3l-aRZq7wcxYsHI6fMGGzVaC_A-240WPzeAZFKkJJres77OlYyzXuyht7JHTdp7EGdjOSv2gDj6B1yW7qP8/s320/JapanSaga1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><i><b>My Memories of You Series</b></i></span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MUc5iDNjivAZyc3mw3exnF3mNzPl96rvLtFKX74qexMFTpcsSStfeWjhRqRUwMX1600KFVnQo-fpsVik0Xgoj8FG5AJkYJM7F0E_4yTJsjg5NsRJ0rqiOIaQwu4VFBN-M8G5mVKsQjE/s1600/RogueImage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MUc5iDNjivAZyc3mw3exnF3mNzPl96rvLtFKX74qexMFTpcsSStfeWjhRqRUwMX1600KFVnQo-fpsVik0Xgoj8FG5AJkYJM7F0E_4yTJsjg5NsRJ0rqiOIaQwu4VFBN-M8G5mVKsQjE/s320/RogueImage2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLZzzE-hkq0N-p3OGjcLm1FJDmeDIsqrcUmpyAZCW15g7S9OhGzhqIPaCUzXcJrzCGfMV1YsKegdg1Eu3iB8F0l1k0lkusEzpEBrgPb_5H8kdkpeWoFlGVVCh43eeJGM4MhegxWELDbs/s1600/RoguePortrait1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLZzzE-hkq0N-p3OGjcLm1FJDmeDIsqrcUmpyAZCW15g7S9OhGzhqIPaCUzXcJrzCGfMV1YsKegdg1Eu3iB8F0l1k0lkusEzpEBrgPb_5H8kdkpeWoFlGVVCh43eeJGM4MhegxWELDbs/s320/RoguePortrait1.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CWoRo7rUeiDpY2MJYmmo1VlwA66ZMSq7fMEARaJREVWQkniCIrIwsrgfijR5UHzlhIuZ2drV_8caeD4z_O30gNCEHbWWCnqXEZRZk5G8ObhPJJohcewLRcA1AHiP1Pn-AMEvNkXJZ0Q/s1600/RoguePortrait3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CWoRo7rUeiDpY2MJYmmo1VlwA66ZMSq7fMEARaJREVWQkniCIrIwsrgfijR5UHzlhIuZ2drV_8caeD4z_O30gNCEHbWWCnqXEZRZk5G8ObhPJJohcewLRcA1AHiP1Pn-AMEvNkXJZ0Q/s320/RoguePortrait3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i5lZpZouZGYvyCR_FzeeCLpYSrbc3duTf574IbSjqBZ3TktJNjHqQDsaIK_rImUAv9WHn_eO4lPwcsXwYXwXXaWAMkmLMAmenDSeDoKL5IdZCVSNxLOe0_eHypKs-_OlMLwUMFAq2Dw/s1600/Roguecaged11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i5lZpZouZGYvyCR_FzeeCLpYSrbc3duTf574IbSjqBZ3TktJNjHqQDsaIK_rImUAv9WHn_eO4lPwcsXwYXwXXaWAMkmLMAmenDSeDoKL5IdZCVSNxLOe0_eHypKs-_OlMLwUMFAq2Dw/s320/Roguecaged11.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9DCMs8fcfoIpI7ztzh9PFbb6P7_6bwuUP_UxQ_yByZJ2Pa1sPeJ79MR4CAgExxXXq1Ps_Z8sSfXc_dt0oqB5tRax9Bhyphenhyphen0zMVQ9JzF5a7-zbPvS939jLCBk2DTQFxtBcCwngd8RvZnQk/s1600/Roguecaged2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9DCMs8fcfoIpI7ztzh9PFbb6P7_6bwuUP_UxQ_yByZJ2Pa1sPeJ79MR4CAgExxXXq1Ps_Z8sSfXc_dt0oqB5tRax9Bhyphenhyphen0zMVQ9JzF5a7-zbPvS939jLCBk2DTQFxtBcCwngd8RvZnQk/s320/Roguecaged2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGiGCrQJDL5dA6AgzIyqCyJRL-ZTP6YJUhox9diqqN4JCt5LIkpzI8nsPu_c9CDiAoNRp4u9kGH51DXGnIoorNXZXUlKJL3T9_EZ2aOWxaFGGMIActHZ6awYFA-kC_IntfIoTumUQbmk/s1600/Roguecaged3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGiGCrQJDL5dA6AgzIyqCyJRL-ZTP6YJUhox9diqqN4JCt5LIkpzI8nsPu_c9CDiAoNRp4u9kGH51DXGnIoorNXZXUlKJL3T9_EZ2aOWxaFGGMIActHZ6awYFA-kC_IntfIoTumUQbmk/s320/Roguecaged3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<i>(I am going to leave this here for now, and then update the rest of it tomorrow. :) Plenty of things about the apartment to write!! <3)</i><br />
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<i style="color: #e06666;"><b><3<br />
Mimi</b></i><br />
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<i style="color: #e06666;"><b><span style="color: purple;">Associated Links:</span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?483731-Beginning-of-a-New-Era-I-%28Volks-FSC-F-22%29&p=8457726#post8457726" target="_blank">Den of Angels Gallery: Beginning of a New Era I </a> </span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?483478-My-Memories-of-You-%28Volks-FCS-F-22%29" target="_blank">Den of Angels Gallery: My Memories of You</a> </span></span></i></span><i style="color: #e06666;"><b> </b></i><br />
<div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.volks.co.jp/en/index.aspx" target="_blank">Volks Japan Website</a></i></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.angelden.net/fcs/fcs-sd10.html" target="_blank">Creating Dreams FCS Guide</a> </i></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://denofangels.com/forums" target="_blank">Den of Angels</a> </i></span></div><div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div>AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-45896084424729588582011-10-28T10:07:00.000-07:002011-10-30T11:24:28.014-07:00Yellow Fried Chickenz: Show Your Soul (Namba Hatch, Osaka)<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>(please beware of use of language in this post! I have a gazillion emotions to portray, and no words are able to correctly portray them. So please skip over them if they bother you. Also, please know that I will be going back and forth between Gackt and Gackt-san, so please do not take much mind to this. ^////^ I apologize if it bothers you.) </b></i></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>~Close your eyes ! Feel your soul ! All your love, SHOW YOUR HEART ! ~</b></i></span><br />
<b><br />
</b></div></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wow. It's been nearly an entire month since I have updated!! D: I am so sorry everyone!!!<br />
<br />
So. The live can be summed up in a single word: pure awesome. Then again, perhaps that is two words. But either way, the live can not be described or summed up (in actuality) with mere words.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How do I feel now that I have gotten to do the one thing I wanted to do before I died? Complete. This was the most enlightening experience for me since coming to Japan for the first time, but even THAT does not compare to the amount of completion I got from being able to be THERE. With HIM. Oniisama...</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And that is really how I do feel. Gackt is my oniisama <b><i>(I feel that oniiSAN is not formal enough. I feel uncomfortable using a less formal oniisan when referring to Gackt. I apologize if this bothers any one of you in any way, but this is something important to me, and I don't expect anyone to understand. :) So please just enjoy my review of the live. ^^)</i></b>. He has inspired me and helped me through the darkest times in my life. It is without a doubt that I would not be here if it were not for him. I have dedicated my life to thanking this man, and I feel that this was one step closer to that. I can not see this man as a sex symbol (that's just disgusting). I can not fathom seeing this man as a "god" as a lot of fans like to see him as. <i>Gackt is God</i>. Guh. =_= <b> I get</b> <b>so tired of hearing that</b>. </div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe it is because I have viewed the man as a brother figure and male influence in my life that I never had and never will have that I completely and totally am unable to comprehend the sexual symbolism, the eroticism, and the overall "hotness" that this man possesses. Maybe it is because I have a deep, soul-bound devotion and respect for the man and his music that I can not think of him as anything other than a big brother. </div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To be able to have gone....I can't begin to describe the swell of emotions inside of me...</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So instead, I am going to give you a brief recount of the day. ^^</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLmGTCN4gUGWwL0ILHCUAx-zhRTBUsQNA1eFJGBJohJ8_jQazoSzqyr4G3GSsR_EH_U4sMeubPIGW2NUUL7PB4MMQFVyNTUdeIvdnQTDv8yAn7sl_6lTtMwDTBMJwj32R9syNh73Erps/s1600/DSCF7914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLmGTCN4gUGWwL0ILHCUAx-zhRTBUsQNA1eFJGBJohJ8_jQazoSzqyr4G3GSsR_EH_U4sMeubPIGW2NUUL7PB4MMQFVyNTUdeIvdnQTDv8yAn7sl_6lTtMwDTBMJwj32R9syNh73Erps/s320/DSCF7914.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Namba Hatch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I wanted to go with Chammy and Kris, but they didn't have the money to go, so instead I went with a friend of a friend, Base バセ. She is super nice and awesome! :D She and I also have a lot of common interests, so the two of us hit off rather quickly and easily. ^^ </div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">The day before leaving, I had gotten my hair redone. Overall, I am SUPER happy with the results. :) It is now style-able, manageable, and CUTE!! Not to mention my head feels a ton lighter. lol I have always been fond of J-rock styles, and at LAST!!! I FINALLY GET ONE!!!! <3</span></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New hair.</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavALQFwbcZTdu-oaXw9BR7MZx9H6eOPRpMARnr6xl0LKrireaN4QFmLEu4VwO59ADRZMzQNCdJsyro6Hi1z5WkkhpWLGA5M2sJjpZad2WSq2FCaf18LV6rXcgd4jyCJPDAdC9MyvY6sU/s1600/Photo_00012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavALQFwbcZTdu-oaXw9BR7MZx9H6eOPRpMARnr6xl0LKrireaN4QFmLEu4VwO59ADRZMzQNCdJsyro6Hi1z5WkkhpWLGA5M2sJjpZad2WSq2FCaf18LV6rXcgd4jyCJPDAdC9MyvY6sU/s320/Photo_00012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To get to the live, we had to go to the Namba Hatch. We took Tengachaya and changed trains once. The fare was relatively expensive, but we HAD to get there some way. >.<</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since we arrived about 5-6 hours early, we went to go grab a bite after we peeked in on the Hatch and looked around. :) They were setting up the merchandise table at this time. No one else was there besides the staff. Japanese don't usually get to a concert a gazillion hours early like a lot of Americans do, at least, not that I have heard or noticed. There were also boxes with each of the band members' names on them, where fans could feel free to leave omiyage (gifts) for their favorite member(s). =^.^= </div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We walked from the Hatch, and walked...and walked....maybe it was not THAT much of a walk, but still... It was pretty far just to find a place to eat. There was a super expensive restaurant just outside, but we did not have the money for there. >.< So instead we went to the same gyudon place that is here in Kandaimae (not the matsuya). It was bigger, and much nicer. There was a wall separating eating space from kitchens and counter, and another wall separating two sections of the eating space. Base and I sat next to the wall close to the kitchen window.</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>(I had a bunch of stuff typed here about the awesomeness that occurred at the restaurant, but I am absolutely MORTIFIED and embarrassed and I can not bring myself to actually post it. :( )</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrvHWxZR_2yYRnNt5EZAZ1WFH_1GO_wquNQvMvBrWCv29pIATKtLdDrg1ksPQze69-wc4q2nPZRZaBAv6A_g-5ctvzPBYYy_fct66iw1WKvSPZTZfzz-eRB5RSJucnIsEkMV2CEBf6hU/s1600/DSCF7906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrvHWxZR_2yYRnNt5EZAZ1WFH_1GO_wquNQvMvBrWCv29pIATKtLdDrg1ksPQze69-wc4q2nPZRZaBAv6A_g-5ctvzPBYYy_fct66iw1WKvSPZTZfzz-eRB5RSJucnIsEkMV2CEBf6hU/s320/DSCF7906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating before heading to Kandaimae station. Maria and Sam. Aren't they just so cute!! \=^。^=/</td></tr>
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</div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So after leaving, we went to h.Naoto... I love that lolita/punk fashion brand, and it was great to have the opportunity to go in. ^_^ </div><div style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJ_R4SwW2e3t1oAuHvHHTC9Qalv5FhX2jUfFaBMVn1ha1DSVcGlMl42v7lW-RC4h9tF_2VA-omJi9x3v67Gv_fsNFk1CCFjWzEwMnC8XUoTIPgA8o-M3E9wUa_ASJqgWW3G1PDnlCgRM/s1600/DSCF7911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJ_R4SwW2e3t1oAuHvHHTC9Qalv5FhX2jUfFaBMVn1ha1DSVcGlMl42v7lW-RC4h9tF_2VA-omJi9x3v67Gv_fsNFk1CCFjWzEwMnC8XUoTIPgA8o-M3E9wUa_ASJqgWW3G1PDnlCgRM/s320/DSCF7911.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Namba Hatch about 4 hours before the show. (already taken my contact lens out. It really hurt. :()</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And then back to the Hatch.</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My left eye was hurting me since I first put in my circle lens. I was wearing two different ones, both of them really old. The blue one was fine, but the purple one had once dried out, and I was STUPID for putting that blasted thing in my eyeball. =_= All night my eye hurt hurt HURT. By the end, it was flaring red and I couldn't see out of it. I removed my eyelashes (fake ones. xP) on that side as well as the makeup to prevent further irritation. I actually wasn't bothered that my face looked lopsided with half maked-up and half not. I didn't care. My eye's health was in the balance!!! </div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we arrived back to the hatch, there were four people in line for the merch table. They nearly immediately let us all in by the time we got to the line. Perfect timing!! </div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUlKRTzW2PW0hhJDqc0rJeIEWA9vHxM6jH79aZKWqud6D2Sp9tGpiiajrm4e1K-5DCkYjDs9HCH7gXtrBSL-XAyURHVj7NOPEikVGbo99iTdSiEemvBtm27zk70lS1mXpqrc2V2hkmBQ/s1600/DSCF7918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUlKRTzW2PW0hhJDqc0rJeIEWA9vHxM6jH79aZKWqud6D2Sp9tGpiiajrm4e1K-5DCkYjDs9HCH7gXtrBSL-XAyURHVj7NOPEikVGbo99iTdSiEemvBtm27zk70lS1mXpqrc2V2hkmBQ/s320/DSCF7918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Osaka outside the Namba Hatch</td></tr>
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</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I ended up spending more than I should have. But I am a shopoholic, and I shop when I am nervous, depressed or having feelings of anxiety. I shop to quell these feelings, and I am aware that this is most likely a psychological conditioning at this point and I should most likely see someone about it before I do the exact same thing to my bank account that Gackt-san did to Malice Mizer's all those years ago... <i>(if you want details, GO READ HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY!! Jihaku.)</i><br />
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I ended up getting a t-shirt, a muscle shirt, a pillow, a mug, a poster, a towel, and (of course) the little YFC vibrator cellphone strap. XDDDDDDDDD Just for kicks and giggles! XD At the end of the live, I got a cd to further support Oniisama as my usual "thank you". </div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A coin locker was certainly in order.</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sooo..lining up. When I saw where we were placed with our number (1206 and 1207), I was horrified! D: SO many people would be in front of us, and we wouldn't be able to see!! D: I was beginning to think if it was worth it, and then I was able to slap myself out of the stupor and the stupid, train of thoughts. Why the hell WOULD IT <b>NOT</b> be worth it? I'm supporting oniisama! Even if I don't get to SEE him, at least my money is going to him and supporting him. </div><div style="color: #e69138; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="color: #e69138;">But when we got to the stage, I was extremely surprised to see that we were really close to the stage. Still had perfect view of everyone's faces, expressions, etc. So it was NOT bad. Though I would have liked to have been closer, you can't look a gift horse in the mouth.</div><div style="color: #e69138;"><br />
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<i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>~You are the reason that fills me. You are the meaning that gives me all. あなたがきたから~YFC</b></i></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we are standing there, waiting for the show to start. Gackt-san had made a commentary before the live to get us all riled up during equipment tuning. There were issues with the drums, so we ended up running 15 mins behind schedule. I know Gackt-san was probably throwing a shiz fit behind stage because suddenly he was standing at the edge of the stage (hard to NOT make out that arrogant posture and horrendous hair) and a bunch of technical men ran onto the stage to get the drums set. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And the show started. <br />
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<i style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>~The end of the day begins...~ YFC</b></i></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I thought JON was going to make me ralf up all the awesome gyudon I ate earlier. :( It is not because I dislike JON because he is not "Japanese" or not "Gackt-Job", it is because of his stereotypical, Euro-western Rock-star behaviour that I can't STAND his ass on that stage!! Gackt humps the stage or air. JON humps his HAND... =_= WTH? Certainly the live is sexual, but with everything that happened with JON, you would have thought they were filming a live action Boy's Love. =_= Not that I have a problem with it, but it was actually a bit disgusting. Maybe again, this has to do with my feelings for Gackt that are not sexual in any way. But still.... It was repulsing. :(</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At one point, JON decided to take it on himself to butt-rape (dryly) Gackt-san until both of them acted out fake orgasms.<br />
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<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><b>~Come forward. I'll be your wonder. I'll give you the pleasure. I want you. I want you.~ YFC</b></i></div></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You know, I don't think I should have a problem with it. I don't feel that I have that right. They can do whatever. But you want to know how it <i>feels</i>? </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Imagine your mother telling you about every single escapade she's ever had in bed, in DETAIL, and then FORCING you to watch her have hot, steamy, unadulterated SEX with your father (or her lover) and then proceed to force you to tell her what other positions you want them in....</b></span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yeah. It's like that. Does your brain hurt? Do you need some bleach? Sorry, Japan doesn't have awesome bleach. This will forever stain on the brain....</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe this is the overall problem? Or maybe it is also the issue I have that JON's voice kinda sounds like a dying, screeching cat? His voice broke a couple times during some of the songs, and it was really difficult to NOT cover my ears. :( He can sing certain songs, but his voice is not appropriate for attempting Gackt's traditional songs such as Vanilla and Mind Forest. He had a great voice when it came to newer songs that did not involve Gackt's originals or Gackt-only lyrics. He CAN sing, but just not something that requires Gackt's extreme vocal range. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">JON would rile the crowd, start little competitions, help Gackt give unadulterated fanservice, and in the meantime, get in trouble by the staff backstage..<br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Oh yea. The moment JON had girls fondling his crotch, patting his crotch, and grabbing his crotch and he made more attempts to keep them touching him, was the moment that the back-stage folks pulled him off of those poor girls. It was obvious that those gestures that JON had made were NOT appropriate for a family event...despite the dry humping, orgasm-simulating, and clothes shredding happening on the stage. XD But the touching had gone a little too far. Thighs, abs, etc were all fine. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At one point, the guys who were helping JON and Gackt keep from over heating accidentally knocked JON's ear piece out of his ear...he looked like he got extremely upset. >.< Poor guy. It had to have been embarrassing (even if just a little), frustrating, and probably messed up his count and what he was supposed to be doing. But accidents do happen. That is unavoidable. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am not so certain that I approve of this, but I completely understand why it is being done. Diversity, something completely new being brought to the Gackt-Job table, something fresh...I think it is a brilliant maneuver, and I think that it will cause great success.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkpZ4HimVCngbcIBzB9GPpzCPgpI_kK_ORa5W6c2fFJnPt74z6JYGV9BiDSjdcWUglpqc8IzoDB9iZZn4EvB93H1jou7wiPHnFi7x8Pi2VEZRe2_P8KkDqg3uSEAkhbnWkZbVlvaI7gg/s1600/DSCF7916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkpZ4HimVCngbcIBzB9GPpzCPgpI_kK_ORa5W6c2fFJnPt74z6JYGV9BiDSjdcWUglpqc8IzoDB9iZZn4EvB93H1jou7wiPHnFi7x8Pi2VEZRe2_P8KkDqg3uSEAkhbnWkZbVlvaI7gg/s320/DSCF7916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little more of Namba Hatch. We lined up on these steps by ticket number. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
However, I do NOT think that JON was/is trying to be better or out-do Gackt-san while on the stage. A lot of my friends seem to think so, but I don't. After watching the way the two of them work together, they both look as though they are equally dividing the work, the crowd and both having just as much fun together as the other. :) As much as I personally don't like some of what JON brings to the table, I don't have anything really much against him. ^.^ </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know that in Japan, fans have special chants and hand movements that go along with a certain artist. It pleases me that I am aware of the chants and movements that go along with Gackt's lives, and so I did not feel out of place. :) Not at all. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="color: black;">The live itself actually seemed a bit short, but probably because I was so into it and HAPPY...that I couldn't think of the time or how long it took.. Though I sincerely wish that my eye was not hurting so much. :(</div><br />
<i style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">~I want you! I need you! Want your kiss! Anything! And if there's anytime, you make me lose my mind! You turn me on. You shoot me. I need it, on my face. My master, I'll be your slave. Every night. Every way." YFC</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">During the live, there was a part where Gackt-san said "Do you want me!?" And JON looks to the other half of the venue and says, "No me! And he would start to get the fans to try and cheer for him. Gackt-san saw him and then he looked to the other half of the venue, and said, "Hey! You want ME, right!?" So everyone would cheer on that side! JON had his side boo Gackt-san when Gackt-san would have his side screaming for him, and vice versa. It was super fun! And when we would cheer for Gackt-san, JON made a disappointed face and said, "C'MON!?! WHAT!?! NOOOO!!! NO! NO!!! D:" lol The whole thing was great! lol</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Vanilla was super fun! Despite the odd duet, Vanilla was a high-energy, dance inducing, and smile stretching song! <3 As always! </span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before the live, I changed (like most of the others) into my YFC tshirt and (like most others) wore my YFC towel around my neck. ^_^ </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2PGI-KUWGuuS_ZL0k1ercddbxe_qxEIqVOqcXO4AEQ9YnzNAJgmw8yS1GsS2SGbFbtsgiS5iK8XXwAkyRPUz4Gj0eY4_05yNkSeykFR4kxyjVoQ32sv55AkqQzVI3EeQCaBvaQwNsg0/s1600/DSCF7908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2PGI-KUWGuuS_ZL0k1ercddbxe_qxEIqVOqcXO4AEQ9YnzNAJgmw8yS1GsS2SGbFbtsgiS5iK8XXwAkyRPUz4Gj0eY4_05yNkSeykFR4kxyjVoQ32sv55AkqQzVI3EeQCaBvaQwNsg0/s320/DSCF7908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was slightly disappointing when Mind Forest was, in fact, performed in English, but again, I think this has a lot to do with diversity in YFC and Gackt-Job. I don't personally like the English version of Mind Forest. Speaking of which, new English verse additions were added to EVER....Which was also a bit off-putting. >.< </div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Vanilla was awesome as usual. :) With Gackt-san's trademark flail and dance routine.</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Towards the end, Gackt-san changed his dialect to Osaka-ben! lol It was so cute!<br />
<div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666;">One thing I noticed that is different here than in the States (one of the MANY things...)...is that encores are so much different.. At least the crowds' behaviors. They are so...QUIET.. I don't think this is good. :( Encores should not be taken in a 'oh well' kind of way. There is great joy in screaming "ENCORE!" "ENCORE!" "ENCORE!" Or like during Dir en grey lives back home shout "ENKORU!" "ENKORU!" "ENKORU!" It lets the band know you WANT them there. Tells them you ARE interested. That you are fully into their show and you don't want them to leave. Therefore they gift you with another song or two.</div><div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666;">When Dir en grey first came to St. Louis, they were an opening band, but because we demanded an encore so strongly, they ended up playing more songs than the headlining band. :) </div></div><div style="color: #e06666; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="color: #e06666;">I didn't get pictures, but cameras are not allowed in. But I did get some pics of the Hatch outside. :) And Base got all sorts of pictures inside. XD I'm not sure how she did it though. :/ She got away with it and made it out in one piece. lol </div><div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;">So Japan!! <b>PLEASE LOVE YOUR BANDS!!! SCREAM FOR THE ENCORE!!! </b></div><div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #e06666;">Another difference I noticed was that during rock concerts, there is no pushing, shoving etc......not even real ROCKING. Hardly anyone actually touches each other..maybe it was because I was more towards the back?? But still, from what I could see, there was not much of a fuss. I didn't move from my spot all night. Back home, I would have shifted over to the other end of the room because of all the movement. So different.</div><div style="color: #e06666;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #e06666;">But I am not thinking these are bad things. :) They are merely culture differences. ^_^ </span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The realization that I was actually THERE did not hit me until I was standing in front of that stage, staring at the daunting, foreboding Yellow Fried Chickenz logo in a vibrant red. It was actually a bit creepy, and the creepy background music playing did not help the case. lol </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cried. A lot. Knowing that I was THERE. Actually being able to finally do this...it was and still is everything to me.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ERacfz99dV9aQV3SV-Dlq8nm4UT_L1k-xsxlu_DqVdyI6tchR01kCWf1Iao481XAPwcwUFpSMChzYT4_wR07mxu1flMOg7XmIPRA7cXBmAz8ndqJDOwvzleRV1ohRQi_JJ3fdwFQvGQ/s1600/DSCF7922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ERacfz99dV9aQV3SV-Dlq8nm4UT_L1k-xsxlu_DqVdyI6tchR01kCWf1Iao481XAPwcwUFpSMChzYT4_wR07mxu1flMOg7XmIPRA7cXBmAz8ndqJDOwvzleRV1ohRQi_JJ3fdwFQvGQ/s320/DSCF7922.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YFC Merchandise I got</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsrGx7CccA3O_pp1y2dIUROwU7FuwC7S64a6F8kH0U6e-m5FtceJpm-JA-DHE2N2L7MsGDdrC0qjDP39-XxDYVvrvJ5jgiy3aZz5NHvQWIRVoLSRNDbNcYoDPCmC0UDldje0xOreAFR4/s1600/DSCF7925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsrGx7CccA3O_pp1y2dIUROwU7FuwC7S64a6F8kH0U6e-m5FtceJpm-JA-DHE2N2L7MsGDdrC0qjDP39-XxDYVvrvJ5jgiy3aZz5NHvQWIRVoLSRNDbNcYoDPCmC0UDldje0xOreAFR4/s320/DSCF7925.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ぶるぶる...lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWcrNYqN4uLWWRbVyNzLq0kqspJpyXbTsSGn4YEiUa1VZLNa1XJ4S-4s2OZWoT6sbZbdQrpc8onurl6eoait9NhVUONHh-80xLEapzjQDcvZvIfs-LrUC8KsjGHPLU1vz_mTmtmSph7I/s1600/DSCF7923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWcrNYqN4uLWWRbVyNzLq0kqspJpyXbTsSGn4YEiUa1VZLNa1XJ4S-4s2OZWoT6sbZbdQrpc8onurl6eoait9NhVUONHh-80xLEapzjQDcvZvIfs-LrUC8KsjGHPLU1vz_mTmtmSph7I/s320/DSCF7923.JPG" width="320" />.</a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also donated to the Show Your Heart to help with the March 11 Disasters. Thus, the Show Your Heart sticker on top of the towel. The front two are shirts. The thing wrapped in plastic is a mini pillow.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzJ7-rqHTQsZW3QC1964PAu-vSqiAuWGw8Kmq_8AXm5Q43U1R7rvK-lvFiSgItuTUM2kAutudD9Oo8Y9RE5YvkzrlvJl0dIUfPatd543aP1IzJsmSY7HR38eYNk42U75t5-lDyFKQKj8/s1600/DSCF7944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzJ7-rqHTQsZW3QC1964PAu-vSqiAuWGw8Kmq_8AXm5Q43U1R7rvK-lvFiSgItuTUM2kAutudD9Oo8Y9RE5YvkzrlvJl0dIUfPatd543aP1IzJsmSY7HR38eYNk42U75t5-lDyFKQKj8/s320/DSCF7944.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show Your Heart is a charity created by Gackt and his team to help raise money, goods and other necessities for the disasters of March 11, 2011 and thereafter. All proceedings go towards Tohoku region and all effected families. </td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is still so much to cover about the live. But I don't think I can FULLY cover or explain it all...that and I am really excited to post this review. lol</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>But until the next one, I love you all!</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><3</span><br style="color: #ea9999;" /><span style="color: #ea9999;">Mimiru</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>~The end of the day<br />
Boku no koe wa<br />
As we make the way<br />
Ima mo anata ni<br />
The end of the day<br />
Todoite imasu ka<br />
As we make the way <br />
Living for tomorrow~<br />
~YFC</i></b></div><br />
<br />
Links:<br />
<a href="http://yellowfriedchickenz.com/top.html">Yellow Fried Chickenz Official Site</a><br />
<a href="http://gackt.com/">Dears</a><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-41303247566834501622011-09-30T10:20:00.000-07:002011-09-30T10:22:00.377-07:00Japan, September Updates!It's been a while since I have updated my blog, and I dearly apologize for that. >.< It has been REALLY busy here, and now there is so much to say. LOL<br />
<br />
SOoo... For the most exciting part....<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I AM PART OF GACKT DEARS....AND...</b></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BLOODY HELL I'M GOING TO HIS YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz LIVE ON OCTOBER 27!!!!! </b></span></div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47;">....</div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47;">.....</div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47;"><br />
:) I wish I could make a bigger happy face... LOL</div><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Alright, to the more fancy stuff....Getting concert tickets is sooo difficult here in Japan. In the US, it is so easy to secure a ticket for a concert, even if it is the day of you can still get tickets depending on who you are wanting to see. But here in Japan? HEEELLLZ no. You have to register for the fanclub (and sometimes it costs big money...), you have to register for Lawsons AND their ticket sites, and THEN...you have to HOPE you can get a ticket before they sell out, EVEN if you are in the fanclub. Usually, concert tickets in Japan sell out within seconds of them being released. So what happens first, is the fanclub members (and SOMETIMES general public), enter to win their tickets in a lottery. Firstly, you can't find ANY information about how the lottery works. ANYWHERE. So I am going to help yall out if you ever encounter this problem.<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf1Yv7lB44KmE_2venHDkYgAhg4PwbNoV1czX4mf6fOHRmbOTWDzUx7ME3MoaiA6kX1XsYAlm2Mcwp3z4I7uGiT_VPooDZ0Hg55H9UJ21GCtcl3FrQ1gv9XG1W0w5mVJS6ekZpR0b2c4/s1600/DSCF7763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf1Yv7lB44KmE_2venHDkYgAhg4PwbNoV1czX4mf6fOHRmbOTWDzUx7ME3MoaiA6kX1XsYAlm2Mcwp3z4I7uGiT_VPooDZ0Hg55H9UJ21GCtcl3FrQ1gv9XG1W0w5mVJS6ekZpR0b2c4/s320/DSCF7763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is envelope for tickets/fanclub tickets/ etc</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B8FaCqXnTCgqcgL6EfsOnQ891kXczATD9u7d-o0I-5VrUmSRKtwzPDZBw3gD4biPtBWAIE6Eh_xUk71ETeP2qkziMh7fBO0leyd6r4O6GMs9IxsDrqkAG1IxkXwrQ366jT9jTUu82-M/s1600/DSCF7764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B8FaCqXnTCgqcgL6EfsOnQ891kXczATD9u7d-o0I-5VrUmSRKtwzPDZBw3gD4biPtBWAIE6Eh_xUk71ETeP2qkziMh7fBO0leyd6r4O6GMs9IxsDrqkAG1IxkXwrQ366jT9jTUu82-M/s320/DSCF7764.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DEARS Fanclub confirmation. This is what you receive at Lawsons after you register for the club at the loppi machine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<u><b><br />
HOW THE JAPAN CONCERT TICKET LOTTERY WORKS:</b></u><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">With Lawsons and their Ticket site, you sometimes have the option to enter into a lottery to get your ticket(s). The lottery is usually open to fanclub members only, or fanclub members first, but either way, it is a hit or miss. It is completely random. Winners are randomly chosen and so are the seats. The good thing about this, is that the fanclub members don't get to steal all the good seats. The bad thing is, is that you could get the worst seating in the entire house. But that is the least of your worries. At least you have a better chance at securing the ticket. </span><br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><br />
Now here is where it gets hard to find information. When you register with Lawsons and their Ticket site, you have to register what bands you are interested in getting tickets and information for. Your band may or may not be registered. <br />
<br />
Also, when you go to enter the lottery, you <u><b>DO NOT PAY UNLESS YOU WIN THE TICKETS</b></u>. This information can't be found ANYWHERE in English, I tried. I just know this from experience. If you DO win the tickets, then the <b>money is automatically withdrawn from your credit card.</b> <br />
<br />
And now it gets even more trickier...If you win, you will receive a confirmation email from lawsons telling you what you won and how to go pick up your tickets as well as how much was drawn from your account. The tricky part? Getting the tickets.</div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000;">Go to a loppi machine usually found in Lawsons. The 100円 Lawsons do not carry the loppi machine (at least not that I can see). The loppi machine is ALL in Japanese, so make sure you have a denshi jishou, a person who can read kanji, know your kanji, or just be really good at guessing when you go to pick up your tickets. The machine will ask you for your four digit pin to confirm your tickets, will ask you for the 10 digit confirmation you received in your email, as well as some other information about you. Here is the most important..do NOT forget your credit card you used to pay. This is how they check to make sure YOU are the one who won the tickets, and not someone who is trying to steal them from you. So please do not forget:<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #cc0000;">1). 4 digit pin<br />
2). 10 digit confirmation number<br />
3). credit card used to pay</b><br />
<br />
Also know your address, phone number, DOB, etc. This is useful information when applying for fanclubs too.</div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000;">Once you have your tickets, you are good and set!!</div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000;">If you do NOT win your lottery, it is okay because you have a chance to purchase them later on their release date. For this, I suggest you purchase them within seconds of their release time, especially if it is for a famous artist like Gackt, Ayumi Hamasaki, X-Japan, SMAP, Kumi Koda, etc etc. These tickets sell out within seconds of being released, so be quick and be ready! There are actually people who wait at the loppi machines or at the computer on the ticket site, waiting for the release time to get their tickets. <br />
<br />
Also, Japanese are obsessed with their hobbies, especially when it comes to artists that they like. So they will follow their favorite artist to every live they have all over the world. They will also purchase tickets even if they have no intention of going to the concert. I know...It sucks...GOOD LUCK!</div><br />
<br />
<u><b>NIHON BUYOU</b></u><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Went to my first nihon buyou lesson tonight. I have been dancing nihon buyou for 5 years now, but I wanted to continue to learn here in Japan. I love to dance, and I love performing, so I was ecstatic to be able to continue dancing here. </span><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d;">It was sooo great! I made a really awesome friend who will be joining me in my lessons. :) She loves the things that I like too! We have a lot in common. She is from China, but lived in Japan for 5 years now. She likes shabu shabu, karaoke, and enka. :) She was really easy to get along with!!!! I can't wait to hang out with her again. ^.^</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
The sensei is super nice! I got served beer, some snacks... XD And then he told me that he will teach me a harder dance because I have been doing it for a while. He wants us to perform for a big festival at the end of October. SOOOO exciting, and a bit exhilarating too. Nerve wracking is another good word to use, I think. lol</div><div style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #38761d;">We learned a super short song tonight, and we are going to practice it a lot. :P </span><br />
<br />
<u><b><br style="color: #38761d;" /></b></u><br />
<u><b>TENSHI NO SATO 天使の里</b></u><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tenshi no Sato was absolutely gorgeous! The ride to Kyoto took a little long, because we missed our station and went to the wrong one. >.< We then had to take the bus to Kyoto Station, and get on the JR line to Sato. Tenshi no Sato was right next to the station. When you walk in, you are bombarded with beautiful gardens and traditional entranceway. Also bombarded with a tall, modern building in the middle of it all. . . </span><br />
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When you walk in, you check in at the window. If you are a VS member then you don't have to make a reservation. However, if you do not have a Volks paid membership, then you have to make a reservation ahead of time before you can come, and show id when you get there. <br />
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The shop was in the basement, and they have all of their one offs for the limited event displayed!!! <3 <br />
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Speaking on one-offs... O.M.G. They have showrooms everywhere, and they display all of their best versions and one-offs ever. Along with the limited clothes etc. It just makes you want to pee yourself. O.O It is so amazing! You are not allowed to take pictures though.</div><div style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">We met up with three very WONDERFUL ladies! They were so nice and helpful, and we all hung out and talked about dolls for a long while! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">When we went outside, we went to the gardens to take pictures. So beautiful. I have taken tons of pics and some video, but I am going to only upload a few of them for now.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtjmWk-cMByXSGwlal_jGOocptERdpH3EhpLJlz1HEsa1sTCeY0RvnqrJp3OGWH3sVcEs6ZsHRZ35taoAGxxrRMON-Kzrjl1WZh7OYbVVB162JPDyUqmyvXZZUbgTr6dDyJ0lGkEHJ0Y/s1600/DSCF7710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtjmWk-cMByXSGwlal_jGOocptERdpH3EhpLJlz1HEsa1sTCeY0RvnqrJp3OGWH3sVcEs6ZsHRZ35taoAGxxrRMON-Kzrjl1WZh7OYbVVB162JPDyUqmyvXZZUbgTr6dDyJ0lGkEHJ0Y/s320/DSCF7710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv801wDOQRV4_p1Wl9vOp7C46cZ6tAr3FvEom6xsUcbzBq3834RXN7iRfM-N4kfP-MCr7ItOXUui8qu_E7eOrPOmdWq-9p_E1NQl0Bx5USQs-bpRcEYbLOzkS24USkY5b5ALXMhpqrUk0/s1600/DSCF7705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv801wDOQRV4_p1Wl9vOp7C46cZ6tAr3FvEom6xsUcbzBq3834RXN7iRfM-N4kfP-MCr7ItOXUui8qu_E7eOrPOmdWq-9p_E1NQl0Bx5USQs-bpRcEYbLOzkS24USkY5b5ALXMhpqrUk0/s320/DSCF7705.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">After our visit to Tenshi no Sato, we went to a resturant in Kyoto that was famous for their pancakes. They were expensive, at about 750円 to 1000円 for two pancakes and a drink. @.@ You can also add desert to your set (in the US we call it a "meal"). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">But they were DELICIOUS!! The place was at a renovated onsen, and you could tell it used to be an onsen. :) Because of this, we could not take pictures of anything except our food. I don't have pics of my food at the moment to upload. I will have to get them from my friend's camera. :)</span><br />
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<br />
I think that is all for now. Classes are super, joined Kendo and found a guy I like... lol .. . Joining naginata club (I hope to anyway!), along with Sado club. ^_^ SUPER BUSY!!!<br />
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<br />
Mimiru<br />
<br />
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<b>Lawson Ticket Site </b><br />
<a href="https://l-tike.com/">https://l-tike.com</a>AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-13295592376291647402011-09-12T00:30:00.000-07:002011-09-12T00:30:34.908-07:00Osaka: Relaxing AroundToday was just a relax day, and we all decided that after yesterday's excursion, that we should just take the day and rest and hang out in the area. We checked out the Book Off next to the school, and I ended up finding a manga that I have been dying to get my hands on. :) <br />
<br />
I have Kaikan Phrase (Sensual Phrase in the US) in English, but I wanted the original, unedited Japanese release of the series. I ended up finding Volumes 1-3 of the thick, special release of the manga. A few volumes missing, but I at least started to find them. :) They were only 105 yen, and I decided it was a steal. I am a huge fan of Mayu Shinjo and her artwork, and I was ecstatic to find the original Kaikan Phrase. :)<br />
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After the Book Off, we went next door to the hyakuya to get some more stuff for school. Nothing really much here. <br />
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Then back to the gyudon shop for lunch. I love the food there. It is sooo cheap and affordable and GOOD. <br />
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That was about all we did for the day. Tomorrow we have to go get our Alien Registration and National Health Insurance. :P We may go hang out at the Mos Burger just to get out of the dorms.<br />
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<3<br />
MimiAislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-8711501066925841332011-09-11T07:39:00.000-07:002011-09-12T06:10:22.734-07:00Osaka: Nipponbashi and Volks<div style="color: #6aa84f;">Today was super exciting!!! Today was the day that we all decided to go and hunt out Volks, so that we can check out the famous Dollfie vender. And. It. Was. Awesome. </div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">But. Before that. ^.^</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #6aa84f;">We found a place just like a SukiYa right here in front of the university. This was a HUGE relief, and their gyudon is epic. ^.^ It was really nice and refreshing to taste real gyudon again. </div><br />
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*****<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Next, we found ourselves in need to find our way to Volks. Like yesterday, we took the Hyanku line to Osaka Station, and then we actually switched this time to the Midosouji line to Nanba Station. This was just the easy part though...<br />
</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We walked for what seemed like FOREVER. We ended up getting a little lost on Ota, because the directions said Ota Dori. But we didn't see the store. Finally I went to a hobby shop and got someone to show a map and direct us to the store. He was really nice and really helpful. And before that, we couldn't find Ota, and a really nice man at the conbini (convenience store) showed me where to go. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_h2C7VSOpM2KQCl2154SOBU4mIZDx6WfzQibj4k2zXsjgmi8G2SR-b9SB6bpKUbbBkXCgLsQ_dUkehLiCs8fRL-KKeh9CGKkH0w1lJBLyg5bPQOAOCr2OxJKQko0FQ1nuGcMYGS_KC8/s640/DSCF7594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_h2C7VSOpM2KQCl2154SOBU4mIZDx6WfzQibj4k2zXsjgmi8G2SR-b9SB6bpKUbbBkXCgLsQ_dUkehLiCs8fRL-KKeh9CGKkH0w1lJBLyg5bPQOAOCr2OxJKQko0FQ1nuGcMYGS_KC8/s320/DSCF7594.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gundam shop located down the street from Volks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">And WHALA! We turn the corner, and walk a little ways a BAM! GIANT VOLKS SIGN RIGHT IN THE FACE! lol It was hard to miss once you come up onto it.</span><br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPzBlQbvKx8p22vIgLXnpcvxifBJwLfBTXznSqStUKFWl9GTrYOeXk6rfW3pwgDB2ElciBh-JfbCH8acPW_F3PKPAduOG3xfo4FlVm87RzOmo3qrCnrgg6KWBG7zA8ijqwhS9rPSTluA/s640/DSCF7593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPzBlQbvKx8p22vIgLXnpcvxifBJwLfBTXznSqStUKFWl9GTrYOeXk6rfW3pwgDB2ElciBh-JfbCH8acPW_F3PKPAduOG3xfo4FlVm87RzOmo3qrCnrgg6KWBG7zA8ijqwhS9rPSTluA/s320/DSCF7593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volks: Tenshi no Sumika (Osaka Showroom)<br />
天使のすみか</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">The next hard part was going up the stairs.... seven flights... OMG.... But it was a good walk. </div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">When we got to the Dollfie Showroom, it was everything awesome. :) All of Volk's best molds on display all around the room. :) As standard, pictures are not allowed inside the showroom. There were two women working today, and I went to ask about how to do the Full Choice System for when I have saved up my money to come back...</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">And I got sat down and somehow ended up doing the FCS without really meaning to. O.O I was really worried about money at first, because it cost me 89,400¥. I was going to cancel and do it later (as intended), but it would cost me 10500¥ to cancel. So I had Ashy come with me to withdraw my money from Nephelin so that I could pay for it. We went back, and I began the wonderfully amazing process of getting my first Volks doll. :)</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">The nice lady spoke Japanese, but a little English, and we would communicate back and forth with computer translations and denshi jishou. She was really patient, nice, and helpful, and she explained every step of the way.<br />
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She showed me the first section of the binder, which showed me all of the available molds for the FCS. Of course, I went with F-22. I LOVE Kun, and have been wanting Kun for a little while now. F-22 is such an androgynous, cute and flexible mold that I immediate fell in love with it as both, a girl and a boy. At first, I was going to begin making Ciel. The next part was skin color, and then they showed me all of the available wigs. Originally, I was going to make Ciel Phantomhive, but decided against it halfway through and changed to making my original, Rogue. They don't have blue wigs, but I went with a lovely FCS only wig for the time being. <br />
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Then I chose the eyes. A really lovely blue, glass style. Then I got to choose the eye size, if they are to be glued or not, eyelash color and type, and if the eyes and lashes are to be glued in or not. Next is the sex. Boy or girl? I went with my first SD girl. ^.^ With a jointed body type and everything else double jointed. Next is arm length. I was going to get a case for the doll at first, but I decided to wait a while. I want to save for a violin doll case. They are soooo lovely and wonderful!</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">The faceup was one of my favorite parts of the FCS. I found a lovely faceup in the examples, and I took that and altered what I wanted from that. They have it just perfect. I can't wait to see it on the doll herself. I am sure she will be really lovely~! I am worried that her eyes may be a little too black. I told them a little black, but I almost think the brown would be better. :( I guess I will have to wait and see.</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">I figured I would wait on the clothing as well. I will get clothing at the Dollpa. :) I am wanting to get another kimono. <3 I have mine with me right now that she can wear for now. <br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">But that is the basics of the FCS. I can't believe I actually did it. It is kind of only JUST sinking in. O.o I should be able to pick her up around November 13. SO EXCITED.<br />
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We got to talking to the woman who guided me through my FCS. She has a little over 10 dolls! O.O She said that her dad thinks it's too expensive, and then laughed about it. lol I guess a lot of us doll owners who are younger can relate to that and see it as an inside joke. :) I am really thankful to her. She was super helpful and VERY kind and patient. :)<br />
</span></div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My DOD Twing-Key. I plan on making this character out of Volks F-22. ^.^ </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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*****<br />
<span style="color: #bf9000;">We went to McDonald's on the way back. We had a lot of fun people watching. :) We were pretty amazed at the area. It was the super awesome electric/anime district of Osaka. It was all anime, game, figure and hobby shops. Basically, the Akibahara of Osaka. :) It was really cool, really big, and really busy! Loved it! TONS of maid cafes. I heard Osaka was famous for some of their Maid Cafes. Maybe we will go to one this year. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait for it....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CREEPER!!! O.O</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu-NkjJfbtYE_qL5yNaEGDJ1YEmLw4HBZrzK9fIBWsOaTIKGm4AbO5_wHXhrryL_vkZw5xzae7AoYyrBTF_qB_4rBY60OT59IK6fCR2BmKe874s206DwoCOx7kpS9OF5KSMkOIeqIIzg/s640/DSCF7599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTu-NkjJfbtYE_qL5yNaEGDJ1YEmLw4HBZrzK9fIBWsOaTIKGm4AbO5_wHXhrryL_vkZw5xzae7AoYyrBTF_qB_4rBY60OT59IK6fCR2BmKe874s206DwoCOx7kpS9OF5KSMkOIeqIIzg/s320/DSCF7599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The way back was tiring. The train switched tracks on the way back, so we had to pay extra and double back. It turned a 30 minute ride into a hour and half ride from Umeda to the dorms. @.@ <br />
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But eh. It's Japan. It's big. It's busy. It's awesome. :)</div><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><3</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Mimiru</span>AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-52538039980198837672011-09-10T06:36:00.000-07:002011-09-10T06:36:27.468-07:00Osaka: Orientation Day 2 & a Little Umeda<div style="color: #0b5394;">Today was perhaps the most nerve wracking part of orientation....the placement test. @.@ I do NOT test well, and I freak out during them. *cry* But oh well. :) Whatever happens happens. It was not a pass or fail. The test did have different parts: Computer (listening, grammar, reading, vocabulary), Written, Oral interview. Ganbare minnasan! <br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">****</span></div><div style="color: #741b47;">After the placement test, I had to go and visit with the International Affairs Office and my advisor to discuss how to go about getting a job and joining Kendo club. I was curious because I heard that there was a weight limit to join certain clubs, and Bennett sensei was so funny! He started to "freak out" and go: "Oh my! I didn't know that I had a limit weight on my club! D: I wish I would have known about it before~!!" LOL He was really hilarious and helpful. I also mentioned to him about me wanting to take his naginata class. I love martial arts, and I am excited to continue to take martial arts here. ^.^<br />
</div><div style="color: #741b47;">Not only did I get to mention that I wanted to join kendo to the instructor, but I also got invited to take nihon buyou dance lessons from one of the other professors at Kansai University. :) I am VERY happy to continue to learn nihon buyou in Japan. <3 The professor was very happy that I learn and dance, and that I am interested in it. Nihon buyou is not as popular as it should be, and the society it is involved in is very closed. </div><br />
****<br />
<div style="color: #38761d;">Originally, we were going to go to Nipponbashi to find the Volks showroom, Tenshi no Sumika, but instead we hung out in Umeda for a while and grabbed some noms. We were famished by the time we got out of the placement tests and meetings, and then there was the ride to find a nice place to eat. We were supposed to go to a SukiYa, but we were not quite sure where it was located, and we were too hungry to go and look. Instead we went to Mos Burger, which was still nice, but more expensive than the SukiYa. <br />
<br />
Across from Mos Burger was the good ole' Animate store. ^.^ It was busy, but everyone was getting out of school and work, so of course it was rush hour.</div><br style="color: #38761d;" /><span style="color: #38761d;">I am happy to have been able to go back to Hep Five and get a new pair of earrings. I have been missing a pair for a while, and Hep Five has awesome earrings for cheaper than what you can get in the States. I just decided to save my money that way and get them here. ^.^</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">In the basement of Hep Five, is a huge shopping center connected to the stations, some other malls and tons of food places. </span><br style="color: #38761d;" /><br style="color: #38761d;" /><span style="color: #38761d;">The parfait at one of the many cafes was delicious! Minus the lots of fruit, but I don't particularly like fruit with ice cream and cake. >.< But either way, it was lovely! </span><br />
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****<br />
People here in Japan are very friendly and accommodating. There are the few that discriminate, but it is not really much of a deal to me. Discrimination is everywhere, it happens, nothing you can REALLY do about it except pity the person for their naiivety. <br />
<br />
I guess that is all for tonight. There was really a lot that happened today, but after a long day beginning at 6am, it is hard to really want to write minute detail. @.@ Perhaps I will update this post and elaborate a bit more tomorrow. ^.^<br />
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<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
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<3<br />
MimiruAislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-53985792457555422412011-09-09T15:44:00.000-07:002011-09-09T15:44:08.692-07:00Osaka: Orientation Day 1<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://mimirucosplaydiary.blogspot.com/2011/09/osaka-orientation-day-1.html">Osaka: Orientation Day 1</a> </h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #3d85c6;">I will be the first to admit, that studying abroad is VERY intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you have not done it before. Not that this is a bad thing, but it can easily cause a lot of stress, necessary and unnecessary. Most of this probably has a lot to do with culture shock, language barriers, little number of friends in the beginning, unsure where to get started or how to ask, etc. Even if you do know the language, it can still be difficult, especially when put in a region with a completely different dialect. Kansai-ben(関西べん) is much different than what we deem as "standard" Japanese, and it shows when speaking and listening to others speak. Some examples:<br />
<br />
<b>*<u>Thank you:</u> <i>arigatou </i>ありがとう -> <i>ookini </i>おおきに<br />
*<u>I like</u>: <i>suki desu</i> すきです -> <i>sukkyana </i>すっきゃな</b></div><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">It can be very different. Although, this also makes for an interesting, upcoming school year. :)</span><br />
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*****<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">Some tips for everyone if you decide to study abroad one day.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">*find yourself a good support system IN and OUT of the country you are going to. A good support system will help you when you are feeling culture shock, depression, jet lag, or emotional. </span><br style="color: #741b47;" /><br style="color: #741b47;" /><span style="color: #741b47;">*Budget and plan accordingly. How much will it cost? What is the rate of exchange? How much for transportation and how often will you be traveling or using a transit system? Food? Rent? Extra? All of this should be taken into consideration. Rate of exchange fluctuates everyday, and will effect your budget. Find out if you also are able to get a part time job. This can not only help you budget your money, but will also enhance your study abroad experience and will look super on your resume. :)</span><br style="color: #741b47;" /><br style="color: #741b47;" /><span style="color: #741b47;">*Bring extra shoes in case you need them. You won't always have time or money to just go out and buy new shoes. Bring an extra pair, especially if you plan on doing a lot of walking (such as in Japan).</span><br style="color: #741b47;" /><br style="color: #741b47;" /><span style="color: #741b47;">*Make sure to have a list of emergency contacts in and out of the country. Be sure to have a list of doctors, hospitals, etc and find out what your insurance covers overseas. This is very helpful in case anything happens. </span><br style="color: #741b47;" /><br style="color: #741b47;" /><span style="color: #741b47;">*Obey the rules/laws of both countries. Don't be stupid. You can't fix it.</span><br style="color: #741b47;" /><br style="color: #741b47;" /><span style="color: #741b47;">*Get out and meet people! Socialize! Especially in Japan! This is a very important part of your study abroad experience. Meet people, make friends or even SOs. No use spending all that money to recluse yourself. ^_~ This is also a very good way to learn the language and culture, as well as help ease culture shock. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">Those are just some basic tips. I will leave more from time to time. ^^ If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at:</span><br />
<br />
<u style="color: blue;">kirei-hanako@excite.co.jp</u> OR <u style="color: blue;">mimiruriley@excite.co.jp</u><br />
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*****<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">We had orientation today beginning at 1, with a lunch at noon. I am not much of an udon fan, since I prefer my noodles to be a bit crunchy and udon is as far from crunchy as you can get, but today's niku udon was delicious. :) It was 280 yen for a large bowl. Can't beat that with a wooden stick. ^_~ </span><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #cc0000;">Orientation was kinda half boring and half interesting. I mean, we were just reviewing a large packet of papers that we already read through a dozen times, along with some new info on cell phones and alien registration and national health insurance. It is about as basic and important that you can get, but at the same time...it felt like it would never end. lol<br />
<br />
I am thinking about getting a basic plan with an "au phone". It will be more affordable than others, and I can get unlimited calling to 3 other people. :) But at the moment, I need to make sure I can afford my year here. I am behind about $7000 and I have to come up with it somehow before I leave back to the States. This includes rent and remaining tuition amount. </div><br />
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*****<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #bf9000;">I am having some difficulties with coming up with the proper amounts. I can't ask my family for any more money since they don't have any, and I can't get student loans since I don't have a job (at the moment) and I don't have anyone who can co-sign. I am really worried about finances. I am not sure I will be able to come up with $7000 from working part time. My work visa will not go through for another three months, so I have to somehow come up with the money for rent from that time outward until I can save up enough worth in rent. Plus electric and linens utilities. *sigh* I wish I could get more scholarships. I have been applying, but it is really competitive, and it is difficult for people who need the scholarships to actually GET them. I'm a bit worried I may be screwed before I have to come back to the US.</div><br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;">Well, all of that aside... I have to study a little while for the Japanese language placement exams tomorrow. I have a feeling this is going to be another long day. @.@ It starts at 9am. I really hope I don't have to start from square A. >.< I will be greatly upset if I have to pay AGAIN for something I already know and already taken. It is really frustrating. I am worried about the exam, because I do NOT test well, and I get really nervous when it comes to taking a written or oral exam, ESPECIALLY an oral exam. I am scared that my inability to test properly will flunk me into a language class I am already familiar with, proficient in and comfortable with. I don't want to pay $40,000 to learn what I already know. >.< I want to learn what I DON'T already know. :) This is how I improve my knowledge and cultural experience. ^.^<br />
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<span style="color: black;">******</span></span><br />
<br />
Originally, we were planning to go to Umeda today, but we didn't get out of orientation until after 5pm. :( So instead we picked up some needed things at the <i>hyakuin </i>百いん (<i>hyaku ya</i> 百夜,<i> hyaku en ya </i>百円夜, etc). <br />
<br />
I'm a little hungry, but I am so sleepy and jet lagged. @.@ I am probably going to wait to eat until tomorrow after the exam. I think tomorrow, if the exams are not an ALL day thing, we will head out to Umeda to either the SukiYa or for some shabu shabu and treat ourselves before we no longer can. lol<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Today was a pretty good day, I'll say. Long though, since I woke up around 6am. It is hard to believe it is only 8:30pm. It feels SO much later. Once more, I blame the jet lag. :D<br />
<br />
oyasumi nasai minna san! <br />
おやすみなさいみんあさん!AislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432150177344918587.post-24013659918539761862011-09-09T15:42:00.001-07:002011-09-12T06:23:35.528-07:00Arrived: Osaka<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://mimirucosplaydiary.blogspot.com/2011/09/arrived-osaka.html">Arrived: Osaka</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div>Finally, after a looong process of applications, moving, and traveling, I have at last arrived safely in Osaka.<br />
<br />
The plane ride was very long. Overall it was a 17 hour trip. By the time we arrived at Kansai International, all 11 of us were ready to drop. We went from St. Louis to Dallas, Dallas to Tokyo, and then Tokyo/Narita International Airport to Kansai International Airport. The first two flights were on American Airlines, and then we switched to Japan Airlines for the domestic flight.<br />
<br />
We took a taxi from Kansai International to the dorms, however the total was nearly 200000 yen. I wanted to cry. That is a lot of money for the first day here. When we arrived at the dorms, they quickly got us settled into our rooms (the dorm manager was kind enough to help carry luggage). Unfortunately, immediately after everyone got settled in, we had to have a meeting for paperwork. I will tell you, no matter how much Japanese we knew (some of us are very fluent), being exhausted makes it very difficult to process what anyone is saying.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjWAwsT7-PMUzQyojHxWShGZuN6Bf7Z1fbru33pKFnEey55Rb3J0C5a1rHCLi9SJ005u-vSzeRgk1qV1Cb4DkxCh1xzsgFU9LHP6QS8hE5AV3ExPEHSrR_LiaSWybMIEIK9aIRhk_NAE/s640/DSCF7583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjWAwsT7-PMUzQyojHxWShGZuN6Bf7Z1fbru33pKFnEey55Rb3J0C5a1rHCLi9SJ005u-vSzeRgk1qV1Cb4DkxCh1xzsgFU9LHP6QS8hE5AV3ExPEHSrR_LiaSWybMIEIK9aIRhk_NAE/s320/DSCF7583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorm Main Hall</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddWmj5zmXsQVcUzNLMBtqtHKznmU_iKYmECcLYobhm4LgLE_e8IsRb8bTjTfHG7wVs1NFjvU1E-pdmCLPJZeGPtllaWKZfMb9RngY_6KyzyGeieM3OcGC2DiNwLycG7p56i0RQqy4jEA/s640/DSCF7584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddWmj5zmXsQVcUzNLMBtqtHKznmU_iKYmECcLYobhm4LgLE_e8IsRb8bTjTfHG7wVs1NFjvU1E-pdmCLPJZeGPtllaWKZfMb9RngY_6KyzyGeieM3OcGC2DiNwLycG7p56i0RQqy4jEA/s320/DSCF7584.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoe Lockers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuEPRkqCrk5njDrgsm525Vw1SP27PTDgrJ5aGMsEfbXKxybE9Nnr5JDwsnYkUsBXFxVTDCcx2Zs5WCO5s6V1B1JxSTl7W4aU58USDiQN7TH077gzgRzOgPMv6ptnYiizy5j-bW0N3RCc/s640/DSCF7585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuEPRkqCrk5njDrgsm525Vw1SP27PTDgrJ5aGMsEfbXKxybE9Nnr5JDwsnYkUsBXFxVTDCcx2Zs5WCO5s6V1B1JxSTl7W4aU58USDiQN7TH077gzgRzOgPMv6ptnYiizy5j-bW0N3RCc/s320/DSCF7585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWRBdpTfzqXQgGjwFvKZOTm-UeTj7NLtjHNdMOmynql-rK6APUvmrXan3FxZXCTzF67GdxXiiKcAeRdwRUwhhkPpTyPm7vPVQI4s9HmMtOMwSyCZy4lUnlfveQ7y8Jw5xlxmssgxj_M8/s640/DSCF7586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWRBdpTfzqXQgGjwFvKZOTm-UeTj7NLtjHNdMOmynql-rK6APUvmrXan3FxZXCTzF67GdxXiiKcAeRdwRUwhhkPpTyPm7vPVQI4s9HmMtOMwSyCZy4lUnlfveQ7y8Jw5xlxmssgxj_M8/s320/DSCF7586.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desk in front hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPIYtRDkEurbdxNjQDgJUAmInRMjZqTjxYEvZKRTV92HALXI25sPqeIKvqKQwsNMAu-7zbE4rVZOi5qTn4h6wNfF3D5aYFVyI_FaB8enuaIUR579LBTuD8lzV9ShpSwR4r7i1-q1v_Dg/s640/DSCF7587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPIYtRDkEurbdxNjQDgJUAmInRMjZqTjxYEvZKRTV92HALXI25sPqeIKvqKQwsNMAu-7zbE4rVZOi5qTn4h6wNfF3D5aYFVyI_FaB8enuaIUR579LBTuD8lzV9ShpSwR4r7i1-q1v_Dg/s320/DSCF7587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella area in front of door in main hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec9SYmyK38L92WFi7jSAC5tZXFIqVveOmwmSY1gXRJ_lJZrrQuuLdTpZYGC_9s3BO58iOWeDTsAYR7D57aaRTNJM239zTDJ6_2LAZev4Gfk1q1R-VTrn6Zl3jp4hZbIjo8MAKbdHG6rg/s512/DSCF7588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjec9SYmyK38L92WFi7jSAC5tZXFIqVveOmwmSY1gXRJ_lJZrrQuuLdTpZYGC_9s3BO58iOWeDTsAYR7D57aaRTNJM239zTDJ6_2LAZev4Gfk1q1R-VTrn6Zl3jp4hZbIjo8MAKbdHG6rg/s320/DSCF7588.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoe box in front of door in main area (lobby)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
There are plenty of others here in the dorm that are from the US, some from France and others from other places. There are a lot of Japanese students here as well. ^^<br />
<br />
The room is very cozy, and we have our own air conditioning (thank goodness!!!). Japanese air conditioning in main areas really sucks. It is really hot and humid, and the air in the building may only be one or two degrees cooler than outside. @.@ When walking into our own rooms, it is like walking into an ice box. lol<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61lrrdxR4SRRhYvInc-yXmmTd8_kEI-_coAVHNE8l9q7tZgYnMemJIxABR6dW3dClHNeEp9RxpbjH6ZeyClHZbJpa7i5zYFZbm8rvBjUi0ricQtl6eDdWS74tsHk2f7VmV1GtjgD5T_E/s640/DSCF7565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61lrrdxR4SRRhYvInc-yXmmTd8_kEI-_coAVHNE8l9q7tZgYnMemJIxABR6dW3dClHNeEp9RxpbjH6ZeyClHZbJpa7i5zYFZbm8rvBjUi0ricQtl6eDdWS74tsHk2f7VmV1GtjgD5T_E/s320/DSCF7565.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorm Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
Something that I didn't expect, was the culture shock when it came to the dorms. The rules are quite strict.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #cc0000;">*Not allowed outside after 11pm. The dorms become locked. If we are locked out more than once, then our parents are notified and we have to write a log in a book.<br />
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*No guys allowed in the building.<br />
<br />
*No eating in the dorm rooms, but for a fee, you can smoke. (I don't quite understand this part...)</b><br />
<br />
And so many others, but those are the ones that are most important. I do understand the difference in culture, thus the "parents being notified" part, but since we are from overseas, this may be a little difficult as well as pricy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxJiZldZo7JKG42QdAnvpT1VTK3B2JeLx_xFhaIIBEosBQLVTeyt6hNBsntuFQ1hWBeqgAAi1xGKrtG4W56v8En0WkIalfoWSQrOjbZ0iZPGGZPjtFW5O4lWLUdfxhmQgtt0Ysp7mNCk/s512/DSCF7579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxJiZldZo7JKG42QdAnvpT1VTK3B2JeLx_xFhaIIBEosBQLVTeyt6hNBsntuFQ1hWBeqgAAi1xGKrtG4W56v8En0WkIalfoWSQrOjbZ0iZPGGZPjtFW5O4lWLUdfxhmQgtt0Ysp7mNCk/s320/DSCF7579.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sign in and out" board</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWTpG1LDm-qVE_4HE-MYOlfhaiL1eEerkuPHqd9jGJ4voDxasttSIp0mkrHF9CN1u1ICv3Bs5TxraunkWpar_EYcOja0MFHr8-u1ZfapViFWv3RK2bhetAEWpE4mdkCkExOlRUTds5Fw/s512/DSCF7581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWTpG1LDm-qVE_4HE-MYOlfhaiL1eEerkuPHqd9jGJ4voDxasttSIp0mkrHF9CN1u1ICv3Bs5TxraunkWpar_EYcOja0MFHr8-u1ZfapViFWv3RK2bhetAEWpE4mdkCkExOlRUTds5Fw/s320/DSCF7581.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My name tag</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I am still trying to figure out and budget my finances. I have a few months' rent set aside, but I don't have too much more to spare. I am kind of worried about the later months. I do look forward to obtaining a few jobs, doing the Volks service, and tutoring. <br />
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I am still trying to figure out what clubs I want to join. I am leaning towards Kendo and Archery club. ^.^<br />
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<br />
Since I came back, I am very happy. It is very comforting to see places I have been before, eat foods I love, get the exercise that is harder to get back in the States, and even enjoy a culture that I really love and appreciate. This trip, though stressful, is entirely rewarding, and I would never have done it differently, nor will I ever regret it. <br />
<br />
I have orientation in a few. Then off to the Hyakuin (what the kids at Kansai U call the 100 yen stores) and then heading out to Umeda and Nihonbashi. I want to check out Volks, at least briefly before the weekend. Maybe shabu shabu tomorrow or something as an arrival treat. Plus, I also want to eat at the Sukiya. I miss eating at the Sukiya. The gyudon is amazing here. I had gyudon at the Japanese festival, but I really wanted to gag. It was not very appetizing. >.< I love real Japanese food.<br />
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~MimiruAislinnRileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11226936371111637114noreply@blogger.com0