Hello 2012, Hello New Start♥

Hello everyone!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope everyone had a great time. I spent the weekend with my boyfriend. We had a lot of fun, drinking champagne, watching weird Korean horror movies, having a yakiniku party, and just spending a lot of time enjoy each other's company ♥♥♥

We watched the ball drop in NYC (and whined that we weren't there) and I had my first ever kiss at Midnight!


Backing up a bit, how was everyone's Christmas? (or, if you don't celebrate Christmas, how was your [insert holiday here]? I'm curious to know how/if everyone celebrates during this time of year.)


This Christmas was full of Hello Kitty... Slippers, laptop case, keychain, bubble batch, my boyfriend even got me a cute plushie! My mom got me a sweet miniature tea set that was made in Okayama Prefecture in Japan!! I love it so much, but I'm scared to use it, haha!


As for resolutions, I've thought a lot and decided to make some new goals. Returning to Japan a.s.a.p. is no longer a top priority. I know, I know... Most people will probably wonder what could have changed my mind, but lets just say I know Japan is always going to be there and it will always be an option. However, for the time being, I have other things I want to do first.


That being said, the first one is this blog. I'm changing my focus. Some things in my life may be changing soon and I really want to focus on sharing my experiences and furthermore, sharing how I create a little bit of Japan back in the U.S. For example, my boyfriend is also a total Japan addict, so we often make yakiniku (though technically it's korean, whatev haha), make okonomiyaki, look for cool Japanese-inspired food, go to many Japanese restaurants, follow Japanese news...... I'm thinking about writing about things like how to make okonomiyaki at home, reviewing Japanese restaurants, etc.  That way, those of us who are not in Japan can have a little inspiration. I also have been seeing a lot more of the U.S. and doing a lot more things. A lot more activity means a lot more to write about and a lot more to share. 


My biggest goal is to de-clutter my life, starting with my body by dieting. I don't need those extra pounds and don't want those extra pounds so it's time to say bye-bye. Next is my closet. I have way too many clothes! And not enough that I enjoy wearing. And many more that are not going to fit. Next will be my things. Moving is in my near future and I just cannot bring myself to take all of this crap with me. Time to move the eff on~! I want to have what I need, what is important, and rid myself of the here, there, and in between.


Like I stated before, I want to focus on finishing my diet and reaching my goal. I am past the halfway point, now I just need to step it up a notch. No more making excuses. I want more action and completion! (just a note: I recently bought a looser fitting shirt, but it was an XS! I never thought I could wear an XS and it actually look good!)


I also want to start school. This is my second most important goal. By the end of this year, I will be on the track to getting my degree, come hell or high water, or so much debt I can't even think about it. I need to focus on getting it started.





And one last thing I'm going to work on is being more reliable. Having Google Reader on my phone has really ruined my commenting and posting on this blog. I hardly ever am on my actual laptop anymore. It's just so much easier to creepread than contribute.Well, creeping no more!!! I just deleted the app from my phone. I also want to be there more for the people in my life. I have a habit of disappearing for extended periods of time, which doesn't make my a very good friend. First goal: To mail out those letters I have been writing for over 2 months.


Here's to a new year, new beginnings and new experiences abound!
(≧∇≦)／□☆□＼(≧∇≦ )ｶﾝﾊﾟｰｲ!!

That one time in Japan... when they tried feeding me a giant fish head

お久しぶり～！ wayyy too Long time, no see! After my unannounced (and in my defense unintentional) hiatus came about, I had virtually no time to spend blogging. To be honest, I blame it on my smart phone. For most of my computer uses, it's way more convenient than a laptop, but for serious blogging, it's just too time consuming. I got busy with work, got my license, bought a car, have been through many emotions, changed life plans, lost 28 lbs, finally got to visit home again, and sadly, still have no concrete plans to visit Japan anytime soon(but lets keep our fingers crossed!)

Today I bring you a rather unique experience.... so I hope you will enjoy it!


I had been talking with my host mom about my Johnny’s obsession. Like, literal obsession. I have magazines, fan merch, watched all the dramas, memorized stupid facts about the members, even called them by their affectionate nicknames… I had (and still kinda have) a problem. But they’re just so hot and sexy and whatev, not even close to embarrassed.

I read online that recycle shops in Japan often have Johnny CDs and DVDs for wicked cheap prices. When I mentioned this to my host mom, she decided that we should go check one out. We drove to Kamisu City, which is just below Kashima.

I was in heaven!!! I found lots of things I wanted to buy, thought about buying, but I finally decided on two singles (the “Seishun Amigo” single from the dorama Nobuta wo Produce with YamaPi and Kamenashi and Daite Senorita, which is the first solo single of YamaPi) and the Never Ending Wonderful Story DVD from NEWS. (Totally NEWS no dai-fan much? Yeeeeep XD) 

L to R - Seishun Amigo, Never Ending Wonderful Story, and Daite Senorita

After making my purchases, my host mom took me to one of the restaurants that she owns. They were teaching me about the different kinds of food they made there and started showing me the meat. Then, all of a sudden, they showed me this giant fish HEAD! I’m not sure what kind of fish this was, but it’s just scary and creepy and was nothing I wanted to eat.

When they asked me “Tabete mimasen ka?”(Will you try eating it?), I almost died. Apparently, they even use parts of the head!!


Instead, my host mom ordered me lots and lots of chicken(some of which you can see in the picture) so all was good. But I decided to take a picture of the fish head because I had never, ever seen anything like it and haven’t ever since!

Long time no update!

This is a quick "hey, I'm not dead" post from my phone. Since I've started my job, it's been CRAZY. Not having a car is really getting to me(-_-;)

But!! Good news is that I am not making enough money so I can hopefully get one soon.

I've been working non-stop and on the weekends, been busy catching up on cleaning, laundry, etc. So I haven't had the chance to blog.

While I was waiting for my roommate to finish(we work at the same place, so we carpool), I typed up more than four blog posts, so please wait for those!

This weekend I should have more tine so I can set up for them to auto-post.

I haven't been able to see the boyfriend lately, so that has made me sad but next weekend we'll be reunited again! ＼(^_^)／やったっ！He's taking me for Old Bay wings from Union Jack's (a British-themed restaurant in Maryland) and then FRIED RICE!! At a fancy Chinese place. I'm so spoiled :)

You know, as I'm typing this, I've realized updating from my phone isn't so bad after all.... I might keep doing this.