Acts of Kindness

There is this elderly woman in my graduate seminar - Japanese of course. We chatted a few times and I learned she has a daughter studying in the United States. When I got back from my month long break in Japan she asked how it was seeing The Aussie and how my vacation was. She is very sweet.

A few weeks ago, she asked me if I was going back home for Christmas. There is a phrase in Japanese that goes, "mottanai" - "wasteful." I said that, because I am returning home for good in March, I was back home for a month in August, so there is no point for me going home for Christmas, hence: mottanai.

Today, she surprised me. When I finally settled myself into my seat for class she gave me a small package in a pink bag. "For Christmas," I think she said in English. I told her that she really didn't have to, and I was very shocked. I wasn't really sure what was in the package, but she asked me if I liked Japanese things and wagashi (Japanese paper). I said I did. I always admire the stuff at Kinokuniya back home but it's really overpriced. Now that I am here, I am distracted by the other great Japanese stuff to appreciate the more traditional goods - wagashi, for example.

I opened the package when I got home. What a surprise! In it were two fans, a small wagashi notebook, a large wagashi notebook, a small sewing kit in a chirimen fabric packet, a small chirimen fabric covered box and two small charms. Most of the smaller items were held in a pretty pouch.In the larger notebook (red, with a pattern of irises), there was something written inside in Japanese script. I picked out a few things here and there, but I couldn't read the whole thing - it was in the calligraphic style. I am going to go to Prof. S's house on Monday with the rest of the class for a little party; I think I will ask his wife who is Japanese if she can read it for me.It was very nice of her to do that and I am still quite surprised. As I was opening the small packages, I noticed that one of the fans (the blue and red one) looked gently used - it didn't have the 'spring' that the pink one did. Perhaps, it was one of her own? I like to think so. Maybe a memento, like what was written in the book.

It's My Birthday and I'll Eat Ice Cream if I Want To

You know how one can tell if she is really, truly, 23?

The age changed automatically in her blogger profile. On a blue note, grad apps have made me so wound-up that several months ago, my friend and I figured out that I was having my quarter-life crisis (there was a point that I was considering to screw academia and go to law school, which for my friend was a troubling reaction to see from me, considering I never said a peep about law school before). I have always been a bit mature for my age (so people tell me) so I wasn't surprised that it came at 22 as opposed to 25.

I am 23. Hmm. Interesting. It has a nice ring to it. 22 is still too close to 21, the "Yeah! I'm finally legal! LET'S PARTY!" age.

Life is like wine - it gets better with age.

And I truly mean that. I am still in my early 20's but 20-22 was awkward. I'm looking forward to my mid and late 20s.

For my birthday, I celebrated twice. Last Friday, I went with Waiyee for Indian food, and to the Light-Up at Kiyomizu-Dera. Kiyo is very famous for it's fall foliage. So famous that the place is crowded with tourists and the temple extends it's hours till 9:30pm with strategic lighting displays. For all its touristyness, it was very pretty. That white stick in the third picture is Kyoto Tower. It's downright ghastly close-up, but gorgeous at night. The view of the city from Kiyo is amazing (I have been there once before when Justine came in June).

The Indian food? DELICIOUS. I have had a craving for Indian food for while. It's a chain, and they opened a branch in mine and Waiyee's neighborhood. Reason number 13454 why I love my neighborhood. Affordable (1300yen for a dinner set), AUTHENTIC (it's run by Indians) and tasty (with 5 different levels of spicy; I had level 3) Indian food.

After Kiyomizu, we walked up back to Shijo and had cake, to which Waiyee treated me at Lipton. I had a waffle with bananas, vanilla and chocolate mousse ice cream and chocolate syrup and English Breakfast tea. I was stuffed.

Today, I went to Very Berry on Nijo-Kawaramachi with some girls from the study abroad class that I became friends with. Very Berry is an institution, with American style sundaes. I always make it a point to have ice cream on my birthday; as a winter baby I never really had ice cream cakes as a kid. Now, I make sure I have ice cream every year.

Most of them had not been to the Nijo-Kawaramachi branch (it is a chain, I have been to the one in Teramachi). Alisa and I went to it the first time in September, and loved it. It was in a restored machiya which adds a lot of charm to the place.

Yum! Emily and I split a club sandwich of cream cheese, avocado and salsa - on my way back home, I stopped at the supermarket and got the ingredients for it, hmm, might make one again! We also split a raspberry sundae.

I had a lot of fun. I also got some cute gifts which they really, truly didn't have to, but it was very nice of them. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of the sundaes, but don't worry. Very Berry won't be going anywhere and I KNOW I am going back. Again. Many. more. times. In the meantime, you can drool over their menu.

When I got back home, I actually wanted to listen to some classical music, but I deleted some stuff off my iTunes in a deleting frenzy (I still have the CDs back home). So I browsed on iTunes and picked out Yo-Yo Ma's "Bach: The Cello Suites." Amazing, relaxing music to listen too. I heard some other stuff which was good, but for now a solo cello is good for concentration. I might get this Renaissance chorale CD in a week or two, once my mind is not so frazzled anymore.

I submitted School E, aka the application from hell. Thank god that one is done.
Tomorrow: School D. By the end of this week is Schools B and H for sure (I want to mail out my supplementary materials, THEN click the "submit" button.)

By the end of this weekend, I will have Schools A and G done. All that is left are essays for this fellowship (since I had to submit SOMETHING for that for School E, I have it like 90% done) and financial aid application, which all the schools don't require.

I Wonder How Turkeys Say "Gobble Gobble" in Japanese

Or in my case, Turkish.

In lieu of a turkey dinner, Ingram, Alisa, Ted and myself went to have Turkish food. For Thanksgiving. According to Alisa, she put in "turkey" and "Kyoto" into the Google searchbar, and a Turkish restaurant is what she got.

For it certainly turned out to be an expedition. We got to the restaurant, only to realize that we needed reservations, even though the place was crowded. Japan is very weird in this respect - there are certain rules and even the Japanese don't get them.

So Alisa gave the lady her cell number and we trooped back outside, in search of a replacement. Thing is, this is the busiest weekend in Kyoto and all the tourists were out in force. Again, it's momiji madness - the autumn leaves. Pfft. My inner New Yorker says "Go away, tourists! Shoo! How can you NOT hear my bicycle bell!"

This Thanksgiving, I didn't need to take the bus down to Kyoto Station. It took me an hour last year!

But it took about an hour's wait for the Turkey - I mean, Turkish food. Good things come to those who wait because we were traipsing from place to place only to find they were full when Alisa's phone rang. Mmmm...Turkish food! Almost like Greek so I was really happy.

Lamb and chicken souvlaki, hummus, yogurt dip, the works. Not exactly turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes, but the company was the most important thing. To be around friends and have a good time, even if you are in a foreign country, where the largest oven to cook the smallest turkey is practically non-existent. For that I was thankful. We all had laughs and shared memories and overall had a great time.

This Thanksgiving was quite different from last year. Last year I spend it with friends and their mothers and had both turkey and then blowfish the next day - quite different experiences, but being with them was like being with family, and reminded me how mine wasn't there. Add that I was barely two months in Japan and I actually cried from all the emotion surrounding the holiday and being away as I walked home from the bus back to the house that I lived when I first got here. I actually felt very much alone then, and lost.

But now, while I miss my family - and thankful for their support in me being here - it doesn't hurt so much. I am not being cold, but rather thinking that I have changed and grown up a lot during my time here. Being away from family during the holidays does suck, but it happens. I think I am better at dealing with things like that, as if I have gained my footing on my own in this world, and can stand up by myself.

I am also thankful for living in this city and having the opportunity to live here; if it weren't for the scholarship, I would most certainly not be here. Kyoto is great for students and wonderful overall; it's not like Osaka or Tokyo, this big fancy metropolises. There are so many things happening and even though the tourists are annoying I know they are crucial to keep the vibe going. This place is not just filled with little old ladies in kimono. It's a thriving city with a distinct heartbeat.

And because I live in this city, I get to see things that I normally do not see on a regular basis since I grew up in a major metropolis. There are lights everywhere in NYC even in the quiet neighborhoods such as mine and you really can't see the stars, save for Venus and the moon. Lately, on my bike rides back home at night, I noticed that on clear nights, the sky glittered.

When I was in high school I had to prepare for this one event at the science competition, which involved my partner and I memorizing the constellations. I was pretty good at it; I forgot most of them, but when I looked up at the sky tonight, I recognized the Big Dipper.

I had seen it several times before in the past few weeks, but this was the first time that it was as clear as day. Not a cloud in the sky, and the moon was particularly bright. I never get to see a lot of stars, but tonight was spectacular.

It may sound silly, but for that I am also thankful.

Fall is Here

I started up a new project, for my sister: an iPod cozy. On DPNs (double-pointed needles). Quite ambitious, since I am STILL not done with The Aussie's scarf (never knit a 6 foot long scarf with finger weight yarn!). After several attempts, curses and watching a video on the use of DPNs, I finally figured out how to knit with 5 pointy sticks. I showed my mom via webcam and she was astonished. So was I. DPNs are cool. I don't think I will ever do socks via Magic Loop.

This morning was a meeting of a new Kyoto Stitch'n'Bitch group. Me and two others, met up at the Sanjo Starbucks and knitted for 2 hours. One of the girls uses Magic Loop for her socks, and expressed concern at the possibility of my poking my eye out. We showed each other our projects, and upon further examination of the yarn for The Aussie's scarf (I brought a new skein with the label still on it because I am almost done with my current ball), we learned that it's not just wool, but it consists of mohair (ok, thats normal) and REINDEER. That's what "tonakkai" means. Cool and weird at the same time.

After, I went to Seria (love that 100yen store) and rode my bike back home. It was a beautiful day; and the leaves are really starting to change. So I thought I would end here (and my day of relaxation, back to the grad school grind tomorrow) with some photos of Kyoto in autumn. Hopefully, there will still be momiji (the maple trees) that are red by my birthday which is in two weeks; according to Prof. S. they are turning late this year. Ginko trees, which line Kawabata-dori, turn a luscious gold.

O-Yasumi, Yo.

It's late and I need to get to bed. Random stuff:

1) I want the Phildar patterns for the swing jacket, the sailor sweater and the Cabo Marine. And I want them now. (^_~).

2) Red sangria is good. Red sangria with grapefruit is even better. Red sangria, with grapefruit that emits a crapload of more sangria when you bite down on it and is indicative that the fruit was not put in for show, and has properly soaked up the sangria is the best.

3) Vanilla gelato with fresh espresso poured over it from a REAL espresso machine (not that Starbucks crap - not to knock Starbucks overall, but the stuff in Japan is so bad!) is beautiful.

4) I had the best cheeseburger and bite of french toast in my life.

5) Going out to dinner is fun. Going with a friend who loves to eat is even better. Going with a friend who loves to eat in great places that are mere steps away in our neighborhood (we both live in the same 'hood, but different parts of it) is bloody AWESOME.

6) My sister compares the possible neighborhood that she might get an apartment in Rome for next semester as "Flatiron, but close to Chelsea." The other option is in "Chelsea." I turn around and describe my neighborhood as "Park Slope, with a university attached," or "Morningside Heights, but the more residential area, west of Broadway."

O-yasumi, yo*.

(*"Good night!")

Fits and Starts

I seem to be working on my grad applications in fits and starts. A half hour here, an hour there. My draft is done, and now I am fixing it which makes me happy (thanks to a friend with amazing editing capabilities, London Adviser hasn't responded yet) so it will prob be done this week. Maybe. I try not to cry or be terrified of them too much - I have done that and now I am ready to bring it.

I have given myself two days - or rather an afternoon and a day - known as "Grad Apps Day." I will hunker down, and just work on grad apps. I plan to do these twice a week - Wednesday afternoons and all day Friday - till the deadline. Hopefully, I will get ALOT done, since I am planning to print out all related papers and forms on Tuesday and maybe even the paper version of the applications so that I don't have to go online. Thus, I am not tempted by internet demons and I can work on my apps in a cafe. Time to hunker down, and kick some application booty.

Fits and starts is also representative in my knitting. Mel's scarf is going by really slowly, simply because the yarn is so thin and it takes forever (I think it's fingering weight). Not so sure if I will finish it so it's mailed by Christmas, considering the other project I want to make for him. Then, I made one slipper which was meant for me, and I realized that I have too much yarn (I got enough for two pairs incidentally), so then I decided to give them to a friend and then make another pair for me.

Might I add that I LOVE Takumi needles? My new size 10 needles (JPN13) are by Takumi and they were a joy to knit with. I LOVE wooden needles. Can't wait to get to my Takumi circulars, though my DPN's are another brand since they were cheaper. I can totally tell the difference between my 100yen needles and the Takumi's. Dream is to replace 100yen needles with Lantern Moon needles - I think I am a wooden needles knitter.

My sister saw them over Skype and wanted a pair, so I will finish this pair, mail them to her in my little care package that has been sitting on my floor for a month, then make the other pair for my friend. The slippers are a really quick and affordable knit (and turns out I bought enough yarn for two pairs), so it's no matter if I don't get my own pair later rather than sooner. I have to admit, I think I did the overcast stitch quite nicely.

Maybe I will also make a pair of slippers for Mel for Christmas and birthday (he is December, like me). It's DIY this year, though I will be getting him a model Shinkansen train set (but I am waiting to see if they made a model of the newest version of the Shinkansen which came out in July and is f*&$-ing fast). I got him a 19th-century Japanese train engine last year. As you can tell, he collects train sets; I have actually gotten all of them for him too. Guys are hard to shop for, unless they have hobbies.

In other news, I went to Emi's school's November Festival. It involved a lot of eating, and Japanese kids speaking to me in English the minute they saw me. Nonetheless, it was fun. I got there a bit early, so I walked around the (hilly) campus which is in the NE part of Kyoto, carved into the mountains; I found a pond and sat down. I had my knitting with me and my camera; my new banner is a (edited) photo of the pond. It was such a gorgeous say, and so serene, I wanted a photo of myself there. So, I figured out the self-timer and took a photo of myself. The unfortunate thing is, the background noise was not serene silence, but Japanese college boys playing REALLY BAD rock music. Luckily, photos don't emit sound.

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.

Decisions, Decisions

So it has been confirmed, I am going to the party this Saturday - woot, woot!

In retrospect, this is actually my first real "grown-up Halloween party" which is cause for more excitement.

Another idea: I go as "Gossip Girl" herself, or some combination of all my ideas thrown in - the hipster part of the "damaged socialite" would be in what I wear, and my story is that I cam from a charity benefit yes, but in the Meatpacking District, or Brooklyn. The Gossip Girl part? Have no clue, but I should be texting my friends away during the evening with gossip, Gossip Girl style - possibly?

Halle-bloody-lujah

It did NOT rain.

Or rather, it rained again when I was at El Coyote, but it did not rain when I rode my bike there, or when I came home. Thank god.

PS. Bailey's with milk is an awesome drink. Slight kick but not too strong. I have discovered that I despise strong drinks.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

...come again on a day when I am not supposed to be going out!

First, it was the night I went to Sam&Dave (a club) a few weeks ago when Chen came back. I took a taxi because I wanted to treat myself. And tonight, it's Salsa dancing at the usual place, El Coyote for my Russian friend Uly's birthday. I want to wear my Tory's but it's bloody nuts out there. Pfft.

How the heck is a girl supposed to look nice when it's raining cats and dogs! I am NOT going to risk my nice shoes in this mess; there is a big spot on my riding boots now that doesn't seem to go away when my wet shoes fell on it and I didn't notice till it was too late.

It has been raining ALL DAY LONG. Since exactly 9:18am according to my keitai. And not just a drizzle - a proper pissdown!

How do I know the exact time?

I had my koto lesson this morning (today, I learned a Japanese lullaby - now I need to get the words to it to file away into my brain for future reference). I woke up to the sound of rain and thought, "Dammit, have to spend 500yen on the one-day bus pass" (I need to take two buses to get all the way down to the Kujo/Tofukiji area, a little south of Kyoto station).

Then, as I got outside my apartment, I noticed that there wasn't any rain. So, I hopped on my bike, knowing somewhat that I am risking it. It was a "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation: if I take the bus, it won't rain. If I ride my bike, then it will rain.

It started to rain, just as I arrived at my teacher's house. Ok, I thought, it's just going to be for awhile and there will be a lull long enough for me to get to Ogawa on Sanjo for some coffee and to dry off.

Man, the Shinto god of rain must hate me, if there is one. Since I am not sure, I invoke Zeus as the person upstairs that hates me at the moment.

It has not stopped all day. Good thing I know how to ride my bike whilst holding my umbrella; I went slowly and meandered through the traffic without a hitch, save crashing on my ankle which I did to myself but it doesn't hurt now.

My legs were soaked (the umbrella only works on keeping your upper half dry, since you are still pedaling). The stuff inside my Herve Bag (waterproof it is NOT) is soaked. I felt like a cold, drowned rat.

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!

Not a Strand of Orange Hair to be Found.

"Manly men" are a rarity in Japan. You know the sort, like Jeffrey Dean Morgan - buff, broad shouldered and muscular, but not in an Ah-nold sort of way. Just Jeffrey Dean Morgan (yeah, you know he was hot in that episode when Meredith was dead with the puppy dog look on his face). Or even the tall, lean and muscular types.

Instead of broad shoulders, you usually see skinny little twigs that look like I can break them in half. And I am a weakling. Or, you get blah "sarari-men" in their suits. Eh. Or, the most popular of all are the peacocks. Male peacocks are rather showy sort of bird - they pull out all the stops to get attention and show off all their plumage. Well, the male Japanese peacock has orange hair, orange skin, too much gel, maybe plucked brows, ripped jeans, strange t-shirts, the man purse hanging off the belt, chuncky chains, pointy shoes made out of "interesting" leather, and on and on and on. Seriously. Their girl counterparts are just as bad. And just like normal peacocks, they stick out.

My new friend Emi doesn't like these sorts of guys - the peacocks and the twigs. She likes "manly men" (many of which I think she had the opportunity to see back when she was in Cali studying abroad). This begs the question: in what sense can you find "manly men" in Japan?

The college rugby team. Or any sort of hardcore sport - American football (yes, they actually have "Ame-futo"), soccer, etc. etc. Even the traditional Japanese sports like kendo. But this Sunday it was rugby. When we first met, she told me about the game between her school (Kyoto Sangyo, aka Kyosan) and Doshisha Uni - well 2 of Doshisha Uni's rugby players were arrested in an abduction attempt, so the team was changed to Ryugoku Uni. It was the 36th Annual Kyoto Rugby Festival, with a match at the elementary, junior high, high school and college level.

Prior to that, I got my parasol. And thank got I got it that day because it was damn hot. So, the teams walk out in single file, each guy holding a little kids hand also in rugby uniform. I have seen this at professional rugby matches - the little kids with the players - on tv or on YouTube and I always wondered whats up with the little kids and rugby players. No matter, little kids are cute.

I know two facts about rugby: the scrum and a try. A "try" is the equivalent of "GOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL" (to imitate the famous South American sportscaster) in soccer. The scrum is when the two teams sort of gang up on one anther, the ball is tossed in underneath and then the free-for-all for the ball begins. Mel explained it to me - he used to play rugby back when he was in PNG/Australia. And has a scar on his forehead from a rugby cleat to prove it. "It" being that rugby is downright dangerous, especially since the only sort of protection that the players wear is the standard stuff, the very sturdy rugby jersey (I love them, I want one in my size for myself) and tight shorts that they wear under their short-shorts. But like I was chatting with Emi's friend about "manly man" scars have character. Buff. And tough. Manly men. And not a strand of orange hair to be found. Thank god, no peacocks at least for 80 minutes.

Before the match began, the players on the two teams tossed rugby balls with their signatures into the stands. I protected myself with my parasol, but if I had known what they were going to do, I would have certainly tried to catch one, since one fell less than three feet away from me. Oh well.

The results? Kyoto Sangyo Daigaku kicked Ryugoku Daigaku's bum: 77 to 23. And a very enjoyable first rugby match; I told my classmate who is Australian that I went to a rugby match yesterday and he practically jumped for joy.

Queens of the Dance Hall

As much as drag queens are fun, I hate and envy them.

Why?

They have way better legs, know how to wear high heels and know how to put makeup on better than any other girl.

BOO!

That said and out of my system, Drag Night was AWESOME. I do not know where to begin, so I will begin at the beginning:

Ingram and I went to Colleen's dorm for a house dinner. After, we all met up at my place (I bounced early so I can take a shower) and got ready. We finished up the preparations at Ingram's apartment, since he decided at the last minute that he wasn't going to go all J-girl drag - instead, wear a white shirt with a tie on the top and the skirt/j-socks on the bottom. I got a peek at the socks and holy crap. They were black but somewhat sheer and there was a pattern that made it look like there were ribbons tied around his legs. However, I did see the original outfit, complete with frilly shirt and I was totally aghast, and rendered speechless. The day you see your male friend in drag is a day worth remembering.

Colleen wanted to wear a shirt and tie, and I realized at the last minute that I wanted a tie to go with the whole drag theme, but the only sort of tie that would work with my outfit was the skinny, emo-indie sort of ties. I had a bit of a hipster look going. Colleen pulled off the tie very nicely, paired with the short-shorts and knee high socks with open toed sandals - perfect J-Girl style!

Ingram only let me put a wee bit of purple eyeshadow - WIMP! If you are reading this, I am still very dissappointed in you. I drew some stars on Colleen's face with my eyeliner and put some of the red lipstick that I got. I am not the best at makeup (I would have loved to put on fake eyelashes) but I tried my best.

I had done my make-up at my place: green and purple eyeliner and said red lipstick. To get a sense of my outfit, behold! I really like this picture alot. You can't see it in the photo, but my shoes were the same color, if not brighter than my shirt. As for the lipstick, I piled it on in the spirit of the evening, but I love wearing it everyday, I feel quite glamourous with it. I might get another shade of red when I go back home this summer, but in a more muted red; I took a look at the American Clinique website and saw that the lipstick that I got is 50% cheaper in the States. Bah.

The three of use got there before 11pm; the admission was 2000yen (because of the event, last time I was there it was only 600yen) but we got two tickets for drinks. I had a Skyy Blue, and when Chen came with her boyfriend who was visiting from Malaysia (what a cute couple!), the both of use did a tequila shot - and it was right proper Jose Cuervo which is quite pricey in Japan. I did not get any other drinks so it was actually a pretty good deal.

At first, there was only Colleen, Ingram and I (and Ingram's friend Kit with some Japanese girls) and a bunch of other people sitting around a table and this creepy gaijin guy who kept looking at Colleen and I. Turns out, those people sitting around the table were kids on the Semester at Sea program, and Japan was their last leg. They had barely any money because they didn't know that there were hardly an international ATMs to be had (only at the post office) so they got coolers from the 100yen shop and filled them with drinks. They were rather loud and obnoxious, actually, going up to Japanese people and asking them all these questions. They sure loved Ingram though, when he took off is pants in front of everyone to reveal the skirt for a "sneak preview" of what was to come when the party started.

It was not so crowded and Ingram had some misgivings about his skirt at first (which he was wearing underneath regular clothes) and went to ask if it truly was drag night; it was, but going to start at midnight. Well worth the wait! Alisa and her friends arrived as well, and the place was getting crowded. Then the techno music (which was bad techno music, where was the MADONNA?!?! It was Drag Night!)stopped, and the attention was turned to the stage. The drag queens have arrived. These guys were the first two and my favorites. Most of the performances involved lip-syncing; some was good and some was bad or atrocious. During the other performances, I saw Banana Queen stadning off to the side - handing off my camera to Chen, I went up to him and politely asked if we could take a picture together:
Now this is something I would have never thought of doing.

One of the most unfortunate parts of the evening was that the jeans that I was wearing ripped for the fourth time. They were my Japanese Denim Matchstick jeans from J.Crew and I had gained weight during my first semester here and with the bike riding, the denim faded and got worn out. I got it fixed back home the first time and repaired the second and third ones myself, but the fourth rip was the final straw. Jeans should not get worn out like this within 6 months of purchase. Doesn't help much that they are my favorites, but next time I am going to get skinnys that have a wee bit of stretch (but not too much,then they get all saggy), something like Citizens, or even Levis. I like the color of my skinny jeans as well, but I think I will definitely check out Levis since they have jeans in that particular shade of blue.

Ay, Carrumba!

Chen was able to wrangle a few friends together to go to El Coyote, a place just off Sanjo last Friday to go salsa dancing.

Salsa dancing? In Kyoto? Yep, things such as that do exist here in Geisha-land. Too bad the international scene is overrun with French cafe's/boulageries, Italian restuarants, Korean BBQ and Thai, Indian and Mexican. Still no Greek to be had. The salsa teacher was Cuban, spoke fluent Japanese, can really move and had a hat that reminded me of the Jazz playing boyfriend with ADD that Carrie once dated who lived in Queens (yeah!) on SATC.

Unfortunately, I discovered a few things about myself when it comes to salsa dancing:

I cannot move. I have no rhythm, and I have two left feet. Especially when I wear heels - I don't wear heels that often. I am a student, why should I? But girls in Japan do wear heels alot, so I might wear my pretty Lucia J.Crew sandals more often, but it's kinda hard to ride a bike whilst wearing heels because your feet slip off the pedals (I learned that the hard way), and I don't think I can handle that for a 45 minute ride to Rits. Plus, on the occasions when I do ride the bus to school it will either be a) raining or b) hot so my feet will either swell. Oh well.

So the salsa lesson began (it was free for the evening, otherwise it would be 1000yen + 1 drink) and the teacher was going quite fast. I wasn't moving fast enough so I was caught by surprise, tripped on my heels and almost fell, and somewhat shocked my left ankle. So I sat down for a bit and missed out on the part where you pair up with people to dance. I did dance with the girls though later on and it was quite fun.

The music was a mix of salsa and rhumba, and later they hit on the reggaeton and actually played "Lamada" by Kona (I actually have that song for sentimental purposes: when I was 5, I took dance classes and the advanced students danced to that song for a recital and did the famous Dirty Dancing lift, since apparently, the "Lambada" was all the rage in 1989. Imagine my delight when I used Wikipedia to find the exact song that they used in the recital.) When the reggaeton and the other Spanish/Hispanic music started, I felt like I was back in NYC - most of the music I was sort of familiar with since when I do go out to clubs/cafes/bars this is what they play about 50% of the time.

The dancing was good - some of the Japanese can really move! Totally different from the time I went to Metro (600yen and you get 2 drinks and a cd, plus it's near my apartment, 5 minute bike ride). There was this one couple - the guy looked like he came straight out of the South Bronx or Washington Heights and the girl was I believe Eastern European/Russian - and they were awesome: fast steps, total coordination and lifts as well. The floor eventually cleared to make room for them. It was amazing to watch. El Coyote wasn't seedy, the music was good, the drinks were cheap and strong so all in all, despite my fall, it was a good evening.

An Unintended Hike

Chen just moved into her new apartment recently in the Kita-Shirakawa area (slightly NE of me, near Ginkakuji) so she invited me over to watch "La Maison du Himiko," a Japanese movie starring Joe Odagiri (:::sigh:::, the HAIR!).

She showed me on the mapbook that I have where she lives - obviously, no one goes by addresses here. I started to head on up towards her place, but I must have missed the bridge (she lives on the other side of a small river), and ended up on the side of a highway in the hills, with no cell phone reception, twisty roads, a fear of death, and halfway to Lake Biwa.

Even though I was scared out of my wits (cars going at 50kph at you, anyone?), the scenery was quite nice and very peaceful. It reminded me of Florina again, my dad's hometown in northern Greece which has mountains and roads like the one I was on. When I called Chen - before I lost cell phone reception - and told her that I was on a road with alot of twists, cars and a bamboo grove, she was like, "Umm...where?"

I passed a small temple on my way and when I looked on the map, it had the temple as a marker - wooooo, I was CLEARLY off the map. I was about 30 minutes on foot away from Chen's place; it got so hilly at one point during my upward trek I just got off my bike and began to walk. I was in a flimsy little shirt because it got hot for me in spite of the fact that it was 55 degrees and then it started to rain.

Lovely.

I decided to turn around and head back to the main road, where I met Chen. Going downhill on my bike took only 10 minutes or even less - but I was going so fast and it was so steep and twisty at some points that I had to hold my bike brakes to slow me down.

Chen did point out to me that the road was the way to Lake Biwa if you wanted to do it by bike, but it is a bit dangerous, and I don't have a proper mountain bike nor the stamina to do the trip.

Sing, Sing!

So I finally sucked it up and overcame my "I hate karaoke" mantra.

Ingram texted me the other day asking if I wanted to go to karaoke on Monday (today). Since that was the day of my last test, relatively cheap and I wanted a way to unwind from all the exam broo-ha-ha, I figured why not. Suck it up and sing.

The playlist, as far as I can remember:

"Bye, Bye Bye"
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
"As Long as You Love Me"
"Twist & Shout"
"House of Velocity"
"Man! I Feel Like a Woman"
"Addicted"
"We Will Rock You"
"Spice Up Your Life"
"Please Mr. Postman"
"Material Girl"
"Barbie Girl"
"Around the World"

The first song that I sang was "Spice Up Your Life" by the Spice Girls (might as well sing the stupidest sngs out there) but it's a hard song to do karaoke to, so I got a little dicsouraged. Then I saw ATC's "Around the World," and started to get into it. Everyone really got into "Addicted" by Simple Plan, but we (the Americans/Canadian amongst us) were aghast at the spelling mistake in the lyrics:

"I'm a d*ck, I'm addicted to you"

That was HILARIOUS - we lost our momento after the second time that popped up. Oh, Engrish. Gotta love it. Next time I go to karaoke I am going to make sure that song is up - not only so that I can sing along to it, because it's a really good song to karaoke to - but to take a picture of that particular line and post it on this site that calls for "Engrish" submissions. Hehe.

I had to leave early, but literally, people can stay there for HOURS. There is a one drink minimum but they also have food and dessert as well. The room that we were in was really cool - at first it seems like a normal room with wallpapered walls, but when the lights dimmed and the blacklights turned on:


Glow in the dark sea theme! I felt like I was in an aquarium.

Beef: It's What's for Tabehodai

Japanese Lesson #12 (I think):

1) Tabehodai: ALL.YOU.CAN.EAT.

Other than the nice, juicy steaks that I had back when I was home for Christmas - prompting my mother to comment that I am eating too much red meat, but there isn't much to be had on this side of the sea regardless - I don't and haven't had the chance to eat red meat ever since I left for Japan. Like beef for example. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Yum yum. My "farewell" dinner cooked by Mel back in October was a steak, potatoes au gratin, corn and A-1 steak sauce.

Of course a lot of red meat is bad for you, and it's really expensive here so I don't bother. It's chicken and fish for me, with the occasional meatballs.

On Saturday, the day before the "my bathroom is flooded" fiasco, I went to Prof. S.'s house in Gion (I love that house) for a presentation on a course that he is preparing for next fall: Kyoto's Modern History. When he told me about it, I had the following reactions (internally of course):

1) My mouth dropped.
2) I began to hate those future KCJS kids, damn lucky people.
3) "PLEASE PLEASE can I just at least sit in on the class? I will be quiet, not say a peep and do all the readings and the homework!"

Just as I was getting the balls to ask if I can sit in the back corner of the J-pod next fall, he turns around and says, "You know, since you are doing this exact thing, you could be my TA, help out with the students, etc...."

So my internal reactions changed to the following:

"HOLY CRAP, REALLY?!?! Thank you so much this is such an awesome opportunity!!!"

First off, I'll get more hands-on-force-me-to-think in depth study. Secondly, I would get paid (not that it matters, hell I would have done it for free since it's such a great oppoortunity). Thirdly, its nice "shiny" (as Cat would say) TA experience that would look great on my resume and grad school apps. This was all before vacation but I really didn't say anything till now because of the presentation and that it is still all up in the air. Scheduling and all, but I will make this fit. Not like I have to take zillions of classes, especially in Fall '07.

Fourhtly, I have now more resources to look at. Part of the presentation included a tentative syllabus. What was cool was that about half of the stuff can be found in my bibliography. At least I know I am doing something right. ;-)

The presentation was in Japanese but I got about 50% of the specifics and a good general sense about it. Prof. S. actually introduced me (and this other student) to the crowd of the academic people attending and actually passed around two copies of my thesis (the edited/long one, as of June 2006). At first I was a wee bit surprised but I figured fine by me. One woman actually took a copy, saying that my work was very interesting. I also met a girl, who said that she was in the seminar hosted by my professor at Ritsumeikan (Prof. S. asked me who was my teacher in front of the whole crowd when introducing me); I asked what kind of teacher he was and she said "Very kind." That's a relief - one guy mysteriously guffawed loudly when I said my teacher's name to the crowd.

After, I called Alisa and asked if she was still up for watching Grey's Anatomy together. She totally forgot, saying that she was at Fuji Daimaru with Ted and Tracy (two JETs) - but since I had told her that I was on Shijo anyway, want to come for dinner? (We watched GA the next day).

No prob, I said. Sounded like fun. And now, Fuji Daimaru is my new favorite department store. I want to buy stuff from there, and furnish my future house/apartment with that stuff. Japanese house stuff is awesome.

We all got hungry. MEGA hungry. And we wanted to pig out. So Ted knew this Korean BBQ tabehodai place for about 2000yen. We had to wait a bit when we got inside, but it was totally worth it. We had a starter of three plates of meat and kimchi veggies, and THEN comes the all-you-can-eat. My favorite was this beef called "Den-niku" which uses the characters for "heaven" and "meat" so Alisa and I called it "heavenly meat." It sure was heavenly!

The Japanese are smart about tabehodai. To prevent customers from staying there FOREVER, there is a 90-minute time limit. Fine by us. We got stuffed, and we had all three desserts on the tabehodai menu.

That was the best meal I have ever had while going out for dinner in Japan. Gotta love tabehodai.

Take it When You Get it

FINALLY!

No more rain.

But when I went to see Noh/Kyogen on Thurdsay it was pissing down proper. I REALLY need rainboots and that little thing that attaches my umbrella to my bike - imagine when it's rainy season come June and I have to go to Ritsumeikan. I really don't want to spend money on the bus, especially when I have the bike in the first place.

So I convinced Colleen to go to "the theatre," Japanese style. She told me about it at the weekly Ki-Zu-Na tea party and said it was free. She had some reservations about it since she has a paper to write (in Japanese! I tremble, though my essays are getting a bit better) and has to hand it in by Wednesday.

Colleen: Um...I don't know, I have my paper....
Me: This is a RARE opportunity. You take it when you get it! When are you going to be able to see Noh and Kyogen for FREE?

So off we went, with some kids from the Nikkensei group (Japanese Studies, 1 year Monbusho students). We walked. The blocks here are really long. Three days later, and my Uggs are still drying. I really need rainboots.


Turns out, the free Noh and Kyogen was sponsored by Kyodai and was offered to the Kyodai community (and I guess whoever knew someone who was in Kyodai in one form or another). The hall where the performances were held were specifically for Noh and Kyogen.

Kyogen is a form of comedy - it is always performed before Noh, which is VERY slow and VERY serious. The Kyogen piece was about a man and wife who were in the midst of a nasty fight and it then becomes a question of who is going to commit suicide with a sickle. I understood maybe like 1% of the dialogue since it was a bit arcane, but I did get one sentence, and laughed along with everyone else.

After the intermission, the Noh performance began. It was abut a priest who was walking around the ruins of an old palace, and meets up with Lady Rokujo, one of Prince Genji's lovers from "The Tale of Genji." I have tried to read that thing for several years on end now; it is a good book. So, since I knew a bit of the story, I was very interested.

The whole thing started at 6:30pm. It was 9pm, and Lady Rokujo JUST arrived on the stage. I told you it was long. Colleen and I left because it was late; the weather was still crap and I was getting a bit antsy. But I do know where the theatre is and I might go back again.

So, Noh and Kyogen are down. I am learning the koto. Need to see kabuki and sumo, and geisha dances. There is a tournament in Osaka in March.

Chanting for a Viennese Coffee

I really wanted to stay at the reception for the conference on Saturday night, but I had made another engagement that I couldn’t get out of, and was really looking forward to as well.

I had probably mentioned something about an International Poetry Festival going on at a café near my house. Colleen knows a guy from Okinawa (and when I met him, the first thing that came to my head was “He doesn’t look like Japanese” and Colleen conferred, Okinawans are different) and was hosting a poetry festival and was looking for people that speak other languages. Colleen had mentioned me to him and I emailed, interested. One way or another, I ended up chanting in Ancient Greek Andromache’s speech to Hector from Book 6 of Homer’s “The Iliad.” I was last; each of us had to explain what the poem meant in either English or Japanese. I knew that I had to do that but at the last minute, decided to do my explanation of the passage in Japanese. With a little bit of help from Jesse (another kid on the Monbusho) I was able to pull it off pretty nicely, for last minute. Maybe that’s a good sign.

I did it because this was something that I would not have done normally at home; Colleen had mentioned that the café culture in Kyoto is really good and she wanted to “get in on it” and to some extent, so did I. The café where the poetry festival was held at was amazing – I felt like I was at an old café in Europe. It was very homey and the building it was in actually had a turret-style room and on the outside was red ivy. I definitely plan to go there again – maybe next weekend when I have to study for my midterm and try to tackle an article from Nippon VOGUE. It’s closer to me than is Sanjo Starbucks or Ogawa, and a lot homier. It has a great atmosphere.

There was an artist there sketching each of the speakers. Afterwards, I asked if I could see the drawing he made of me out of curiosity, and I ended up bringing it home with me.

It’s tacked onto my wall in my apartment now and when I move home in 2008, I plan to frame it (as my Kate Spade ads from Nippon VOGUE; I like the design of the advertisements, and I am a Kate Spade junkie. To each her own fix).

"I Got Munchies"

No, I did not get drunk and then get the munchies. Haven't even had a cup of sake yet, and I prefer plum wine nevertheless.

Colleen's friend Haru said the above statement, at the sushi-on-a-conveyor-belt place.

Sushi-on-aconveyor-belt has become my friend. For 525 yen I get full. And I eat sushi.

Yeah baby! :::Bad Austin Powers Imitation goes HERE:::

Austin Powers aside, last night was fun. I went bowling with Ingram, Colleen and Colleen's two friends Haru and Shu.

Haru is very good. According to Colleen's blog he was on the bowling team in JHS and HS - reminds me of a high school classmate who was into bowlin. I forgot most of what I learned from the "old timers" at my local bowling alley, and sorely missed my glittery green bowling ball. I'm a lefty. Makes things a bit difficult.

Case in point: when Ellie and Kathy used to play softball back in the ICYP days, I ended up playing righty because I was not part of ICYP and thus, did not have my own glove. I always had to borrow, so I played righty. I am a switch-hitter, though I keep forgetting which is right and which is left.

No matter. Point being, the world is made for rightys, and us southpaws either have to shell out the dough (though Mel got my bowling ball for me) to get the lefty versions or customized versions of stuff, or we have to adapt. It's a mixture of both.

Still, my bowling ball back home is cool. Its emerald green. With glitter. And no one else can use it because it's for a LEFTY.

:::Evil Grin:::

Sometimes being a lefty pays off. There is no one around most of the time that can borrow your stuff (at least in terms of sports) unless they want to play ass-backwards. Ergo, lefties are more versatile. We have to adapt to a world made for righties, and we can still switch back comfortably when lefty stuff presents itself.

However, that does not mean I will operate power tools beyond an electric drill. Operating power tools made for righties is the cause for the highest occurence of injury and death amongst lefties. I heard that somewhere and since then, I take no chances.

I digress.

Ingram took the cake when he put on this costume thing that was designed to make you look like a human bowling pin. Not only did he wear the bowling in costume, he wore the PINK bowling pin costume, complete with tartan skirt and bow.

I actually got a few strikes - Mel would be proud. He kicks my butt at bowling all the time. I think I had a personal score of 137 after two games.

Haha. I suck at bowling. But its fun. Another good part was when Colleen fell on her butt, and when Ingram threw back the ball so hard it fell out of his hand and onto the floor. No one got hurt though thank god.

At dinner (sushi-on-a-conveyor belt) Colleen, Ingram and I were teaching Haru the concept of "I got the munchies" and what a "sketchy person" is. However, things got a little bit lost in translation, and Haru ended up saying "All japanese are sketchy." I was sending a text at the time, and my head just popped up in amazament. Colleen and Ingram quickly rectified the situation.

"Munchies" was easy to explain, as Haru told us that whenever he drinks beer (as he was at the moment) he gets hungry. So, Colleen and I pretty much said that "In the States, when that happens, we say 'I have the munchies'".