The Moments

Today marks the first day of the Toronto International Film Festival! I SO wish I was back in Toronto for it!

Thought to make up for it, my favorite band will be having a concert on Nov 3 as part of a festival near a University in Tokyo! Waiting for tickets to go on sale now hehe!

YAY! CONCERTS!



One of my goals for the coming year is to see their solo concert a second time with standing seats which will cost me an arm and a leg, but damnit, I am going to do it! Ever since I got to stand in the third row for their concert in Ibaraki, I can't wait to do it again :p WAY in the back cheap ass tickets just won't do me anymore! lol

Why is it still so hot in my apartment?!?

The frustrated writer picked up a nearby pencil and began scribbling on the paper. It was time for the writing, the words that were kept pent up to be released.

“Why is everything coming out of this pencil wrong?!” a voice shouted out from under a pile of paper.

A piece of crumpled paper fell to the tatami floor as did the stressed out body. With hands resting on either side, a huge sigh was let out into the room filled with music and doubt. Writing, the must trusted and honest companion in the world has somehow took off on its own accord leaving nothing, not even a single drop of motivation left in the confused body resting on the cool wooden floors.

The paper remains unwritten and therefore incomplete for six whole days. The body which has long lifted from the ground began to grow heavier in a mixture of guilt, confusion, and slightly depressed.

At the stroke of midnight, the start of the 7th day also marks the end of everything.

The only words scribbled on the paper were clear and was the only things that the writer could convey.

“The moments, that’s all that ever stays in my memory. We crave such moments, and yet they end as abruptly as they come where we are only allowed to scribble down bits and pieces. With you, I wish these moments could continue forever. But when the moments become not enough, it’s time to move on knowing well in our minds, that it shall return to haunt us.”

So I returned home from dinner with my co workers and was talking to myself in the shower (yeah I do that sometimes) and I somehow came up with the perfect idea for a new story. I was so excited I was trying to get out of the shower as quick as possible which means I tripped over the ledge that leads into my shower which means I crashed into my laundry machine as I stumbled out which means I have a bruise on my arm and it looks like I experienced some major DV at home. lol

Kei kei look forward to it! ^_^

Oh yeah, today we passed by APINA and my co worker asked me what it was. The conversation went like this:

S: What is that place?
Me: Oh that's a game center
S: OMG
Me: What?!?
S: You said "Game center"?!?
Me: Yeah...oh...I mean
S: An arcade! Omg you are not Canadian are you? *note, S studied and lived in Vancouver
Me: ....I am....
S: Game center?!?! I'm so going to tell everyone at work tomorrow
Me:......I hate you

LOL
It was funny.

Should I go on little vacations from now until March of next year or should I save from now until March and then go all out on a couple weeks vacations?

On a totally different note, watermelons are wonderful here in Japan ^_^

Also, "There She Is STEP 4" is out!

When I first arrived in Japan, the summer sun was at it's best but because of my blazer and shirt combo for work, I stayed as pale as winter. Otsuka Ai was blaring on the radio and TV everywhere and her hit song Peach became the sign of my first summer here in Japan.




Now, today, marks the one year mark I have been in Suwa, Nagano. And of course, what do I come across today? Otsuka Ai...her new summer hit. I couldn't help but to feel as I did when I first arrived in Japan, excited and glad as ever to be here. Though the song is entirely different from the summer I arrived in Japan, I can't help but thought that it was great. I am now as tanned as I've ever been (including the summmer I was in Mexico) too.




Sometimes, I think music plays the greatest part of my life. I don't think I could ever love someone as much as I love music LOL

There is a new UNIQLO store opened in Harajuku! What's cool about it?



All the T-shirts are sold in their own cans like drinks from a konbini store!

Guess where Shelley will be going next month...?
lol

So it's been a while since I blogged. First big news, my elementary school friend who is one year older than me just got engaged! A huge congratz goes out to her and a big huge BOOO for having her engagement party while I'm still in Japan though there isn't much either of us could do about that.

People around me have been getting married left and right. Crazyness!

On another note, Obon is now over and it's back to work for me tomorrow. Can't wait till December for my next two visitors ^_^ That's right friends, time to reap the benefits of having your own tour guide and free housing in one of the most expensive countries in the world ^_^ Please ask for an application form for further screening process ;)

I live in the countryside and I lead a rather relax and enjoyable life. People here live here and usually stay here unless their job transfer them. It's a stable thing.

I think at one point or another, I just forgot how much people change. The more I realize this, the more I want to stay where I am. Safe, controlled, and wonderful place where people are constantly on a standstill with you. Sounds boring but damn it's important.

Let's think of the city for a moment. People work and work and of course here in Japan, after work they drink themselves to death. In Japan, you are bullied by your co workers if you don't drink. Why? Because you will not be able to show your "true self" if you don't drink. People put up this front ALL the time because damnit, we are asian. We are HELL BENT on putting our best feet forward so much so that we kill who we really are and what feelings we might be feeling. People are extremely two-faced (sorry I just saw Batman lol) until the moment they decide to jump in front of a moving train -__- The lack of connection to real people is growing and the amount of people who live in their own world is increasing.

-_-

I FREAKING LOVE PONYO!
I understood 90% of the Japanese in the movie! I love how high my listening skills are compared to my extremely poor speaking skills lol

But yeah....I'm going to marry Ponyo the movie. That and I'm considering buying some fishes now. BHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHA

Anyways, in the city for a few humid days. Give me a shout on the celly if you want something.

So Obon is coming up. For those who don't know, Obon is basically a week off (well for most people) and everyone returns to their hometown because the spirits of their dead relatives will be returning home during this time as well. For me, I'm not going back to my hometown because that's damn far, so instead I'll be visiting Tokyo for a few days and chilling with friends from there as well as a friend visiting from Canada.

I guess I won't be posting for a while but when I do, pictures will be posted :)
Everyone enjoy ur week

So I'm heading into Omiya tomorrow for a professional business training/meeting. I am okay when they talk about teaching but when it comes to business and money, I know I'm going to be bored for sure. That, and there is always more homework for the business meetings than there is for the trainings :p Will be waking up bright and early tomorrow :p Good thing Omiya is only 40 mins out of Tokyo.

Off topic but this is funny



Ok and lastly, so I need some thoughts on this:

"I was suppose to fall for you"

What do you think of that line? What is it suppose to mean? Nothing before, nothing afterwards, just that line. Said by someone who has someone in the middle of the night.

So I didn't go to sleep until 330ish the morning I was leaving for Ibaraki -_- I awake to the sounds of emails of friends who wanted to know time and place to meet in Ibaraki 4 hours later and had to get up. I slept most of the way to Shinjuku and then jumped onto the next train for Ibaraki! Before all the crazyness of the festival, I thought I would go and visit A and her one day old baby, K2 (not to be mistaken with K ^_^)



Cute little guy ^_^

Next!!!!!


The highlight of my weekend! I swear, I'm picking rock over anime any day!
I got up at 530 in the morning and STOOD for an hour on a train to get here! I then lined up for an hour to grab my Rock Fest gear - wristband, map and listing and got myself a t-shirt which I quickly changed into and of course, a keitai strap which I buy at every concert I have attended so far.





Yeah they hosed us down inbetween concerts cause it was so freaking hot. But that's only if you are in the front cause you can't sit and you are jumping the whole freaking time. Notice the picture...I was in the front LOL LOVED IT!

The people there were crazy nice too. There is a shuttle bus that takes you in between the four stages and I got a chance to talk to many strangers to and from. Most of them were surprised I came all the way from Nagano. Most of the people I talked to were from Ibaraki lol Though I did meet one girl from Hokkaido.

Now for the lives themselves!

First up, PERFUME

I wasn't planning on going to this. My friend thinks they're hot/cute. I thought they were fake and phony. Their music was okay thought. More techno than rock though. I really like this picture though. They are covering their face cause they know they are ugly lol Jokes. But still, entertaining and I would dance to their song in a club, but I would probably never pay to go to their independent concert. Plus, one of the girls songs exactly like how they sing and that could get annoying really quickly. But a created a pretty good hyped since they were the first show on the Lake Stage. I was pushing my way out 5 mins before they finished cause I had to rush over to the Grass Stage for CHATMONCHY. One of the staff yelled at the people leaving early for pushing. It was funny in English or Japanese cause he said "wagamama yamete kudsai" in a monotone, like he could care less kinda voice.

CHATMONCHY

After a show like perfume, I was truly glad to see Eechan on stage with her guitar and T-shirt and jeans. I told my friend that THAT is what hot/cute should be and he threw his towel at me -_- Anyways, a freakingish great show they put on. I got front area on a platform ! One of the best places in the front area! Though while moshing I slipped off the platform since the hosing earlier caused it to be very wet. But that's the good thing about the front area, people are so freaking close and packed in u can't really fall unless someone throws u lol anyways, an excellent set covering their debut song as well as their new single. Chatmonchy is love~

SEAMO!

So while chanting his name with everyone, I can't help but think his name sounds an awful lot like semen lol Anyways, he is a very charming guy and from the small time he was on stage, I think I developed a small crush on him lol Plus he looks cute and charming in pink ^_^ he had pink shoes to match that I really liked!


So puffy returns after touring the US and they opened their live with Green Day Basket Case. Their English isn't bad. And I remember them from way back when. They were probably one of the first Japanese band I heard along with The Brilliant Green.


RIP SLYME! THEY WERE FREAKING AWSOME! Not to mention there was HUGE mosh circle formed in the BACK of the concert. Sometimes, the most fun happens FAR away from the front. So there is this rule that you are not allowed to carry and pass people above your head lol Of course, we did just that, and of course moshing and causing chaos in the back. I ended up kicking some girl's shoes somewhere. Once the live was over, I emerged soaking wet and for some reason there was a huge bruise on my shoulder....LOL But so worth it.



There were a couple of smaller venues I went to such as a the DJ tent and other indie bands that I checked out. I was so tired that I passed out and missed 3 emails and call on my cell -_-

The memories shall live FOREVER!

Next is WONDERFEST. Now the main focus of that was GOOD SMILE COMPANY. I lined up and got the LIMITED EDITION WONDER FEST TOYS!



Once that was done and over with, I checked out the booth where people made their own PVC and damn...these people are talented. Here are just a FEW pictures...the rest I will upload later.






And of course, the Cosplay:





For the rest please check out HERE!! CLICK HERE!!!!!!

Came back to Tokyo and grabbed dinner with David and now back in Suwa! SO FREAKING TIRED! And I have many errands to run tomorrow NOOOOOO! LOL

FIRST OFF! My boss gave birth to a super cute baby boy last night at 240AM ! He is the cutest thing and I will be the first one outside of the family to go see him tomorrow ^_^ He shares part of my friend's KEI name. Another hint for said person to come to Tokyo...SOON! lol Excited. On that note...


I will be heading off tomorrow for my four hour trip to Ibaraki. I'm excited and at the same time, slightly drained knowing that I won't be sleeping properly for the next 48 hours.

First off:

Rock in Japan 2008
I will be attending Rock in Japan. Since the bag and body check will take place at 7AM, I am hoping to drag my sleepy body there by 7:30AM latest meaning I'll be up and out of the door by 6:30AM latest. This gives me a good 4 hours to check out the huge place and picking up a few things here and there before lining up for the concerts of the day. I feel slightly tired just thinking about that tho I'm still pretty hyped. Though the night before, I will be at a festival so God knows when I'll actually find the time to sleep. :p The line for me will be:

Perfume
チャットモンチー
SEAMO
ART-SCHOOL
RIP SLYME
Maybe food, but most likely I will pick up something if I haven't spent my budget on Goods hehehehh

WonderFest 2008 Summer
The second biggest event of this weekend will be WonderFest at Tokyo Big Sight. I'll be catching the 8ishAM train back to Tokyo the Sunday of and hopefully make it to the Big Sight by 11ish. There I will be picture taking and MAYBE some purchasing depending on my budget. I'm really glad my cell phone comes with an extra memory card that will hopefully hold all my pictures from these events.

Also will be meeting up with friends for dinner and coffee. If everything goes as plan, I'll be back in Suwa Sunday night maybe around midnight or a bit later. If not, I'll bunk with a friend and come back Monday afternoon.

Am I excited? Totally. Am I ready? I feel kinda like I am but I don't wanna be too sure with myself. I mean, I just got back home from getting together with a friend who came back to Japan for a week. Been drinking too -_-

Anyways, have a great weekend everyone and u know where to find me if it's urgent. Urgent as in you are dying. I will not answer to mails that say that you are bored -_- lol Just joking, it will just be a delayed reply :p

Was talking to a friend who had returned back to Canada, TO, about half a year ago from Japan. He is soooooo depressed about the Western way and we are trying to think of another way for him to come back since he's lacking a four year degree in University ><

Sigh...the "talk" about going back to Canada has been up and about lately since my co worker will be leaving soon in Nov. He tried to ask permission to stay longer today but it was a bit too late with the head office. Apparently, they have already hired the next teacher for the school to replace him already. He is looking for jobs in Tokyo at the moment.

I am so freaking stressed about coming back "home." I keep thinking, how could it possibly be home when I pay rent and started from no friends no nothing here. Here is my home. ><

I have already started researching on how to come back here, possibly for school for a year. LOL home is where the heart is and Suwa lake has dragged my heart down to the bottom of the lake and of course, I don't know how to swim. :p

And a totally different note



you see those people (or their hands waving in the air)? That is going to be me in 3 days! BOOYA! I will never get sick of watching ecchan play the guitar lol

Did I mention my friend and I are going to another concert in September? BHAHAHAHAHA...I <3 concerts!

So anyone knows me know that I have a small little tiny infatuation with sneakers. Japan provides me with the means to indulge in this hobby with New Balance's convenience store colorways. I'm surprised at myself for not noticing this earlier. Shoes that are color coded by the convenience stores around here like 7-11, AMPM and so on.


These are the ones I want. Family Mark Style lol


7-11


I've never been too fond of AMPM but these shoes still seem pretty nice.

Which ones do u like?

Anyways, I mentioned radwimps before and I finally found an MTV with english translations on it so you can read just how sweet these guys are lol



It would be cute if this was how we were first made

All I can say is that is a half a good day and half a bad day. I would go into detail but it will just tired me out.

I have to work early tmr and on Sunday. Errands on Monday.

Ever wonder what it's like to have two cute girls fighting over you?

Today, two of my cutest 5 year olds fought over who gets to sit on my lap. Seriously, it was entertaining. However, once they both tried jumping on me, it got a bit out of hand. So I told them to take turns. That resulted in many "I hate you" and tongue sticking throughout the class. I had a talk with their parents afterwards and hopefully this will somehow resolve itself by the start of next class. When I think back, I really wish someone was there recording that class. I would have liked to see it.

So tomorrow two of my two favorite students will be leaving me :( One is going to England and I have already drew up her goodbye and good luck card along with a "wish come true" kit kat. I love the limited edition stuff here.

Second student is my favorite out of everyone at the school and it will be the end of our private lessons together and she will be entering classes with other students. We hung out after our classes today and I spent the rest of my evening (and this morning I guess) making a reading "test" for her tomorrow which is actually the cutest congratulations cards I have ever made if I do say so myself. This along with a pile of chocolate that is chilling in my fridge. Tomorrow's class is actually just going to be one huge party tho we promised not to make too much noise so the rest of the staff don't find out and I won't get in trouble -_-

Heh Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day. The demand of private lessons have increased lately and tomorrow I will only be getting a half an hour break while the rest of the eight and a half hours I will be teaching non-stop.

can't wait lol

Ever wonder why things are the way they are?



Seven people have walked out of this door and died since last year. Why doesn't someone just get rid of this stupid door?!?

Another thing? Almost everything comes with some sort of manual here. In one of the manuals that I have read it saids

"FOR YOUR SAFETY AND COMFORT, IF YOU ARE ALIEN WHO
LIVE IN JAPAN, PLEASE ASK SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTAND THIS MANUAL TO MAKE DETAILED EXPLANATION FOR YOU".

Laugh.

You Are Chocolat Orange Pocky

Your attitude: funky and flavorful Rich and deep - yet zingy and zesty You are the perfect partner in crime

Not the high school, let's-dance-around-in-the-gym type lol

Suwa style!


My apartment is right behind those dancers lol


And I thought missing the Toronto Night Market was somewhat of a lost. This street festival lasted for blocks and damn, the food is way better lol


Ever had freshly fried potato ships on a stick?


Every time I have takoiyaki, she is there! My takoiyaki buddy!


I support the red cross hospital nursing school cause everyone I know goes there lol


One of my favorite pictures. I call it, Shelley Sharing. She is my friend's niece and accompanied me all night and of course, sharing everything I ate. I was told I spoiled kids and well..yeah I did. I brought ALL the food in all the colors she wanted! Sometimes I suspected she wanted the food because of the color and she probably wasn't sure what it was. :p But it was fun and I'm sure she had a big part in it ^_^ Plus you can't refuse a little girl in a hello kitty and fireworks yukata ^_^


One last look at the stage when the Red Cross Nursing School WON FIRST PRIZE! YAY!