Trick or Treat!

Yesterday was Halloween, but I celebrated in on Saturday, the 27th. In the morning, I to Osaka since it was a good opportunity to hang out with Emi in her neck of the woods. We usually hang in Kyoto, but I want to go to Osaka more. Plan was lunch, then shop. Shopping will become VERY crucial as you will see.

First, I had an appointment in a section of Osaka known as "Universal City." Where Universal Studios Japan is located. Seriously, the minute I walked out of the JR Station (where I rode a train festooned with Spiderman) I felt like I just got off the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. And I KNOW the Magic Kingdom.

I felt so odd, so out of place. It was noisy and well...AMERICAN. It was Orlando, with Japanese subtitles. And instead of some tacky old-school Florida museum, we have the Takoyaki Musuem. The Grilled Octopus Museum. And since this IS Japan, there is a mascot whom I call Mr. Takoyaki and he is bloody cute. (P.S. takoyaki is delish. It's a Kansai thing, so you can't find it in Tokyo, as far as I know).

After leaving Orlando - erm, I mean Universal City, Osaka - I met up with Emi at the Shinsaibashi Apple store. I got there a bit early, so I fondled the new Nano's, which I haven't had the change to ogle properly yet. Lunch at a Mexican restuarant which was amazing, and then shopping at Uniqlo. While we were in the NOISY shopping arcade (I wanted to cover my ears), Emi and I passed by a Sanrio store. Scary, but cute. There was this HUGE Hello Kitty doll.

Apologizing to Emi for making her take this picture, I stood next to Kitty-chan and grinned.

Uniqlo is in NYC now and I actually didn't check it out when I was back home. However, if it's like how it is here - GO,GO,GO my fellow New Yorkers!!! Where else can you get quality pima cotton long sleeves to TEN DOLLARS? Their cashmere is quite nice too. And $20 merino sweaters in amazing jewel tones. I got 4 shirts and a straw Ralph Lauren/J.Crew-ish belt for just 500yen. That is less than 5 bucks.

I had to leave early to get ready for the Halloween party. I get back, realize I don't have much time to get dressed and proceeded to put on my Zara dress. Then I notice something: a small tear in the bust of the dress. I got SO mad and actually sad aloud, "*&$%#@ this!" Took the dress off (thank god the tag was still on, I never take tags off till I actually wear it), tossed it in the corner and looked in my cupboard. I needed to think of a costume. And FAST.

Lo and behold, thank god I dress preppy. And that I went shopping at Uniqlo. And got my vintage Chloe purse. And got a gold headband with a bow. And have (fake) pearls. And red lipstick.

I went as "French Riviera Chick from the 50's." Smoky eyeshadow and red lipstick, and ready to go! Uniqlo proved VERY important because all I had to do was look at the belt I got and the lightbulb turned on in my head. Below, is me strutting my stuff in our party's "Kyoto's Next Halloween Top Model Contest", looking my chic-y best:

Some of the girls complemented on my outfit, said I should dress more like this and that I embodied the whole French Riviera thing. Well, at least not too cartoonish, maybe. Secret: that "pin" is actually an earring that I stole from my mom - I saw it in her jewelry box poring over her 80s costume jewelry that is now "in," saw it and thought it would make a great pin.

I now have confidence to tuck in my shirt in that particular skirt - there is a bow that ties in the back and you sort of tuck your shirt in but I never do because I feel a bit self-conscious about the lower half of me.

Nonetheless the party was a blast. We all said it was better than going to a club - lot cheaper, no one smokes and we invite who we wanted to so no skeevy people either. Plus, no cover charge. We were all sore for the next two days because we were dancing so much. And we all plan to do it again - NO ONE complained about the music, and we had it quite loud.

Alas, I didn't win the contest. Wolverine did. His claws were out.

What Being in Japan Has Done to Me

For one thing that is the most obvious, is that I am more picky with my Japanese food. Mel and I went to our favorite Japanese restaurant and I couldn't stomach the tuna rolls. Mel still thinks they are great but the man has not eaten proper sushi, or whale sushi for that matter (I have eaten that in Shirahama).

It's just like the Chinese food here - American Chinese food is groos. I can't eat it. However, I had heard that the Chinese food in China is quite different so I will eat me next cup of egg-drop soup when I (finally!) get to Beijing. When that will be, I have no clue.

The second thing that I have noticed is that well I have become more, how shall we say...high-maintenance? The girls in Japan go all out when it comes to getting ready and while I am not the type of person who will fail an exam because I don't have my mascara on, I have started to pay a little more attention to what works and what doesn't.

Clinique had this "RSVP to Colour" event at the Macy's in Herald Square/34th Street last week and I wanted to go because in essence it was a consultation on what works and what doesn't. I like Clinique because it doesn't feel so makeup-ey and cakey and it's allergy free.

And what a consultation! My makeup artist was amazing and we tried both regular stuff to see what works on me and fun stuff. She put on green eyeshadow and while it sounds horrendous it actually was nice because I have green-ish/blue eyes. Makeup artist said it was a day look but for me, I don't wear eyeshadow during the day so I held off on it.

We also talked about skincare - I turn 23 in December and I figured might as well think about crows feet now as opposed to later. My maternal grandmother is 78 years old and has not a wrinkle save for some (very) fine age lines, and looks 65 because of it. Why? She took care of her skin. I didn't even get a tan this summer and I am glad I didn't. I even carry my sunglasses with me everywhere all year round because my eyes are sensitive and the minute I feel myself squinting, out of the bag they come. In Japan, no one wears sunglasses because they are related to the yakuza (Japanese mafia) but I already stick out so I really don't care.

I tried this eye cream thing from Clinique while I chatted with the makeup artist; told her that in Japan this stuff is twice or three times as expensive. And I learned that the hard way - the lipstick I got in Japan was 2800yen whereas here it was $14.50. And that lipstick (Rubelite) was really bright for day, I needed a daytime lipstick. Apparently, I have long eyelashes as well.

So this is my new make-up booty:
Long Last Lipstick in Ruby Glass (discontinued! I got the last tube, but I saw it at Century 21 in B'klyn)
Perfectly Real Makeup Foundation in Shade No. 8
Cream Shaper Eyeliner in Chocolate Lustre
High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara in Black
Touch Blush in Petal Cream
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Sugarplump (my lips are already quite full but I liked the color and I doubted the plump factor in these things, and its an alternative to the lipstick, and it doesn't feel goopy)
Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40
and...
I plan to get the Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio in Ebb and Flow come March when I return if its still there. When I was in Detroit, I picked up another tube of the City Block at the Duty Free because I have a feeling I will run out of that pretty quickly.

In toto...$124.08. I have never done that before, but the fact that I got the consultation made me feel good so I had tried on all the stuff beforehand made me feel confident.

We Now Returned to Your Regularly Scheduled Blogging

There was a really stupid reason for why I have been on hiatus for more than a week:

I couldn't blog from my laptop. Ringo was resting for a week.

Never mind that my sister has her own laptop - it's password locked and she won't let me use it (it's a 12" PowerBook and her baby). Never mind that we have wireless in the house: I couldn't get my laptop onto it for some damn reason, and now my sister tried the EXACT same thing that I kept on doing it for a week and she got it. Pfft.

Never mind that my mom has her PC always on the net - I HATE using regular computers. Never mind that I can also use Mel's laptop, however from the hours of 9-12 (around that time) the internet is off limits, so he can trade from home.

I just simply want to use MY laptop. I am used to it. Other laptop users could probably relate.

So, roundup of what I have been doing:

1) Flight: TWENTY-FOUR HOURS of travel, literally from door to door. There was a delay in Detroit because of some strange weather system, otherwise, it would have just been 21 hours. I ended up spending $50 on books from the Borders in the NWA terminal, and picked up a fancy Lancome travel compact with eyeshadow, lipstick and blush and a two pack of Clinique Happy (parfum) from the duty free. Because I wasn't going international, I had to pay the taxes (since I couldn't get this stuff at Kansai due to the stupid rules on cosmetics) but the taxes were cheaper than NYC. Going to get another Lancome compact when I go back to Japan, the colors suit me really nicely, and I get a nice rosy glow with the blush, very fresh.

I JUST made it under the weight limit, but I still had to leave those 10 books behind. Meh. However, I can say that I am pretty seasoned traveler, to go 24 hours and not look completely horrible and gross. And, I beat the jet-lag demons: I stayed up the entire night before my flight, drinking coffee, chatting with Elisa and watching Grey's Anatomy, so I was right proper tired when I got on the plane, and promptly clonked out. I am able to sleep on planes. So no jet-lag whatsoever when I leanded in NYC which was great!

2) Last Week: Started making the rounds to see people. Had dinner with Fordham girls, and the rest of us are planning to go to the Beer Garden over here in Astoria, the last one in NYC. So the rest of the Fordham people will come there, since everyone hasn't been to the Beer Garden yet and want to go. Saw my mom's godson and his family, and have started to drink the frappes like no tomorrow. I promised Alisa I would bring back a shaker and the Nescafe for frappe in Japan.

3)Personal: Eyebrows threaded, hair cut, nails manicured and pedicured (Essie's Capri). My mom was at the salon when my sister and I got our cuts, and she likes me with the golden highlights, and I am going back to get a half head of highlights. With the postponement of the wedding, I chopped my hair, got bangs and asked my stylist to use a razor to cut my hair to give it more oomph. Got my Neutrogena face stuff and it all FEELS good. Had steak too!

4) Mel and Maria: I got a Trek bike! I think its a 2007 or 2006 Trek Hybrid 7200. Mel and I split the cost and it was my anniversary gift. It was our 7 and a half year anniversary this past Sunday, and we spent it riding our bikes to Astoria Park and had lunch. And enjoying the East River view. It looks sorta like this:

However, the black is in blue. At first, I really didn't like it, but then I listened to the bike guys there and they know what they are talking about - I am too big for a women's bike since I am 5'9". It's either a men's bike, or a 20" step-through for me. However, I really couldn't get my leg over the men's bikes and I couldn't afford the nice women's road bikes that come in more sizes (like the one Mel has) so I stuck with the 20" and I am glad I got it.

It's got seat and front-wheel suspension, BIG comfy seat, and flat-proof tires. I'm going to add a rack to it in the back with maybe a side or top-pack so I can put my bag in, a light for night; say if I end up in Cambridge or Princeton, I can zip around like I do in Kyoto (I already zip around in Astoria, but I still need to get a lock, but Astoria and NYC has alot of bike paths, and Central Park is closed to vehicles on the weekends. I am going to try to increase my endurance to get over the Queensboro Bridge to get to Central Park and not rely on the subway). Kinda hard to get on and off, because now it the proper way to do it - I need a lot of space to extend my legs, so I need a big bike. The guys at the shop were aghast at my height. Not really sure if I am into the real hard-core cycling yet - however I got into cycling because that's all I do to get around in Kyoto - but it's a pretty good start, since I am on a hybrid bike.

4) Misc: I learned how to knit! Well all I know now is how to do a long-tail cast on and the knit stitch; this week, I am going to learn garter and purl from the girls in the local knitting group here. I have started a scarf for my mother on size 13 needles with a dark lemony-yellow yarn that my mom chose for her scarf. However, I got a little to cast-on happy when I finally figured it out, so my mom's scarf is going to be like a mini baby blanket, but she doesn't mind. However, I might run out of yarn, unless they restock at the crafts store here. Now that I got the hang of it, I am going to get a nicer/thinner yarn than I have now, on maybe size 9 needles.

Have I started studying yet? NOOOOO. (^_~). And now?

My Aunt Stella and Uncle George (the ones who actually ended up visiting me back in October) are here right now; I am blogging from the back porch of my house. How nice! So they, with my mother and sister they are looking at Google Earth and her dorm in Rome. Tomorrow, I go to Woodbury Common Outlets - woot!

My First Manicure*

*Warning: Mega girl alert. Those with testosterone might want to skip (although if you're interested in more Japan commentary, you are more than welcome to read).

My first real ever manicure was at my local hair salon when I was 15. It was about March, and I remember it being really cold, and because of that, I had to put on my jacket before the nail polish was applied because my mom and I had to get home, so we couldn't wait for the polish to dry. It was for my senior high school pictures and the color was Opi's Empire State Red - a deep plummy sort of red, though I go for Essie's Capri (orangey-red, great for summer) these days.

In Japan, a BASIC manicure will set you back about $30-$40. That's with filing, buffing and cuticle shaping - if you just get the color package, they just file your nails and put the polish on. Back home, I can go across the street anytime during business hours, fork over $25 (that's with tip) and get a whole on mani-pedi. With the bubble foot bath and a massage chair.

Since I am going to Tokyo, I was going to just say screw it, treat myself and fork over $100 for the mani-pedi. You heard me: ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Then I changed my mind - a real waste, since it would only last about a week, and I would be going home in a month regardless. For a mani-pedi. Oh, and it gets better (or worse, depending if you can't determine the sarcasm): the trend amongst "hip" and young Japanese women about my age is to festoon jewels, layers of polish in different designs AND 3D flowers per nail. On a fake nail of course. Takes acrylics to a WHOLE new level. That can run more than 100 dollars - and that's just a manicure.

I miss my semi-quasi bi-weekly mani-pedis ESPECIALLY in the summer, since its sandal season. I am still wearing shoes, but today I finally got nail polish. The nude-pink sort that is popular these days - in the States. In Japan, glitter and shimmer is more popular. I went to two combinis, a 100yen shop until I finally went to one of those chain Shiseido make-up stores that you see in local neighborhoods. The lady there practically pounced on me, trying to determine a nail polish. She (was pretty elderly) kept directing me to the shimmery stuff until I found one. The price? Twenty-five hundred yen.

I will NEVER pay that much for nail polish - I can get Essie at my local Bed Bath and Beyond for under $10, for crying out loud. Then I FINALLY found a nude-pink gloss and it was only 355yen. I picked up some nail polish remover at QQ (because I know I will make a mistake, and lo and behold, I did) and went to business. My first SUCCESSFUL self-manicure (I already put the clear base, filed and did the lotion thing last night, thinking that just clear would do, but dammit I wanted my nude-pink).

I feel complete (well almost - before I go to Tokyo, I will attempt to give myself a pedicure, since I either want to make sure this manicure is really dry or I will re-do it). Bring on summer! I have my manicure. And I didn't mess up either! Good way to cut down on the cost of manicures, though once in awhile to keep things in order is still necessary. You can bet where my first stop will be when I get home in August - my local nail salon (and haircut, hmm, pizza place, oh! the Greek food store, my favorite cafe...)

She`s A Lady...Oh,Oh,Oh, She`s a Lady...

Lipstick can really do wonders. It is quite a different experience, wearing lipstick, as opposed to chapstick/lip gloss.

Warning - for the male readers out there, mega-girly post to follow, yet it is related to Japn.

I have never really been one to go get make-up from the department stores. First, it is a wee pricey. Second, I do not like to be fawned over, even though the make-up ladies sure as hell know more than me. What I know about make-up can fit onto the head of a pin. I only do basics.

This Friday is `Drag Night` at Metro, the club that is in my neighborhood. I am going with my friend`s for a belated birthday celebration, and apparently, `Drag Night` is not only monumental, buta very big highlight for the club. I went there once before for `80s` night, although it was not until my friends an I clamored for Duran Duran/Madonna/Michael Jackson that the 80s music started. I went for a `prep-school mall rat` look then.

Drag Night, however, calls for more extreme measures. However, I am not going in drag - I think its easier for a guy to go as a girl than vice versa, since girls wear pants on a normal basis. I am eagerly awaiting Ingram`S transformation into J-girl drag; I suggested that instead of a skirt )which would be rather uncomfortable for him to wear the short-shorts and thigh high socks like the Japanese girls do here, sometimes to extreme. Colleen is going the same route; I do not have short shorts to speak for myself, and I don`t fit into the clothes here. However, I repaired my skinny jeans! My `costume` - if one would call it that - consists of said jeans, and hot pink ballet flats. I got a t-shirt from Loft that is like those that come from Urban Outfitters; a wee short and snug but it is a cute shirt. Got some accessories from Claire`s (which I think has more of a loyal follwoing amongst girls in their 20`s as opposed to the States, I remember outgrowing Claire`s when I was finishing high school), and then the make-up.

Like I said, Drag Night is all about being extreme. My t-shirt is a dull sort of hot-pink but quite vibrant and I am pairing it with an electric blue beaded necklace. The make-up that I do have is quite basic and muted since I obviously do not go all out on a daily basis. So, after Loft with Colleen (who got the appropriate J-girl knee high socks - seriously, the subject of socks in Japan totally warrants a separate post) I began to check out the little shops that sold cosmetics. And got sitcker shock. A basic tube of lipstick from Maybelline was 1500yen! I can get said tube for $7 max back home. Plus, they did not have the shade of red that I wanted - 40s style red. I have been wanting red lipstick for awhile, since it is something snazzy, quick and easy to put on and I guess just a little different. I have been trying to change my look and upgrade it a bit; that and I think being in Japan also played a role. Some women really go totally all out to the extreme on a daily basis, but I prefer a tiny punch.

I already knew that I wanted a new eyeliner from M.A.C. - it goes on really well and they have funky colors. I wanted a purple, (going to wear it with green eyeliner that I already have) because I can wear it again regularly. I am the type of person that tries to get as much function out of something, which is why at the end of the day despite my misgivings about department store make-up, I like it better because I can try it on and it`s better quality.

Eyeliner was quickly solved - I tried on two shades of a lavender, and chose `Heirloom` which went nice with my eyes (they are a greenish-blue) and while I can pile it on for Drag Night, it is also nice when its just barely there.

I checked out the red tube of lipstick at M.A.C. but passed it on. For kicks, I went to the Chanel counter, since I tried a bunch of reds once at Duty-Free (must, must take advantage of that this summer). Chanel at duty-free isn`t that bad, but at Takashimaya it was quite expensive. Off to Clinique - they have good stuff.

At first, I really couldn`t find the shade of red that I was looking for, then a Clinique lady popped up. I am always too polite, and asked her (in Japanese) if Clinique had a shade of red lipstick like this bottle of nailpolish that was right in front of me (and the perfect sahde of 40s red). She gestured Colleen and I to sit down at the counter, and went off to look. She came back with two lipsticks, and a smock to cover me with that prompted Colleen to say, `You look like you are about to eat a lobster.` The lady streaked the two shades of lipstick across her hand to show me what they looked like and I chose one that was darker. I couldn`t exactly find the words to say `Can I test it out please?` but I got far enough so that the lady could get it.

So now, I am wearing 40`s style red lipstick (Long Last in Rubellite, if anyone was interested). I am test-driving it right now for everyday use - everyday being class, though I wouldn`t wear it every day of the week. It was not as a deep a red as I thought - it is more sheer and light as opposed to the thick matte stuff. Of course for Drag Night I am going to pile it on. I think If I went for a red-red-red it would be too much. Plus, I got to try it before I bought it so its a good investment. A nice pop if you will.

However, lipstick - especially RED lipstick - does make one more aware, and more `ladylike` I think. Best explanation/comparison is that when you get a manicure, your movements with your hands are more `ladylike` I think so that the polish doesn`t chip. Same with lipstick - I am making sure that it doesn`t smear, which means taking more care in my actions and movements. Cool thing about the Clinique lipstick is that it doesn`t appear on the rims of cups and water bottles, and when I kissed my hand while wearing it to test that factor, it barely showed.

Lip gloss can get quite goopy, unless you get the kind that is a little more rigid. But now, I highly recommend Clinique, and now have a thing for lipstick. Especially red lipstick (going back to duty-free to check out the mega retro 40s ones from Chanel).

Drag Night is so totally going to be kicking.