Ann's ☆ Opus

Surprise Me

2009-05-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

I feel like writing something, but I haven't for such a long time that I'm rusty and out of practice. Lately I've been avoiding beginning thoughts with 'how long has it been since...' how long has it been since I last blogged, how long has it been since I graduated, how long has it been since I had a Vivanno Orange Mango Banana w/ matcha from Starbucks? Enough time where I can go back yet? I avoid these type of thoughts to dilute the passing of time. In a time of Isolation and Efficiency I find myself seeking community and careless amusement. But I can't help but look back frequently to remember from which direction I came. I'm actually rolling against the Zeitgeist of my generation, I'm definitely not wearing a mask (even though two people of 2 degrees separation have caught it), and lately I fear I have little or no one to fear. There's nothing to keep me in line and that scares me. Did that strike a flicker of fear? If it did, I call you my friend.

As the World Turns...

2009-04-28T23:11:00.000-07:00

They're quite pretty when they're not drunk; I promise.

Today I've become a little more Northwestern: I bought my first North Face sweater.

I'm looking forward to Taking Woodstock, starring Demetri Martin and directed by Ang Lee an interesting mix but I like the ingredients; don't let me down!

Checkin' In

2009-03-01T02:49:00.000-08:00

Hey sorry sorry I've been busy; I swear. I just got home...So here's what happened tonight. I was at a party where I was unofficially bartending and this guy kept toasting it up with others and myself but he'd had a little more than he should've I guess. Anyway all of the sudden he went insane and it literally became a scene from Cops. He was on the floor trying to kick off everybody that was trying to calm him down. He ended up punching this kid and chipping his front tooth. Totally insane. Ok I'm tired...I'll try to check in next time with some better news. Night.

Pizza

2008-10-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

I'm rarely in a situation where I'm in the presence of pizza. Sometimes I have potent cravings for pizza. I wish an opportunity will present itself without a coupled sporting event.

Update: The gods must have heard me because this month it's been nothing but pizza. Free pizza galore. Ask and ye shall receive.

Got Hydrox?

2008-08-28T14:24:00.001-07:00

BadTimes@Work

2008-08-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

I used to not be able to blog at work because our IS department blocked it, but now for some reason I can. This will inevitably translate to more blogs...more emotional blogs like I'm about to spawn right now. I'm sort of being bullied at work...I know I know you'd think I'd be the one bulling right? But no, I'm being bullied. Very passive aggressively at that too. I'm very emotionally worn out. I don't really feel like standing up for myself, which I translate to mean somehow I feel I deserve it as well, (too Dr. Phil?) I've stopped speaking to this person, which is probably not helping, but how do you go back to speaking to someone after they intentionally set out to hurt you? He's a childish 50something manager...oh goodness.

so.

2008-08-15T23:04:00.001-07:00

I need to change the title of this blog, every time I see it it looks like an alliteration...

Anyway that's not the point.

From Sept. 29th to Oct. 15 the house in Vegas will be open to all who read this blog (a blanket statement but I'm going with it). The parents will be in Japan so this is the typical set up for a teen 80s sitcom, except better 'cause we're all 21. Actually so far over 21 not even excited about being over 21...

Requirements: A ticket to Vegas.

Finally...

2008-06-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

Sat, Jun 14

Ice Melters

2008-05-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

Juno (just watched it)
Cinema Paradiso
City Lights
Rudy
Field of Dreams
Mr. Holland's Opus

--ditsy seeking machismo--

2008-04-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

There should be a dating site where instead of listing your "selling points" people post their shortcomings. Most can agree there's a good side and a bad side to everyone. It's just that when people become attracted to one another they discover a negative quirk that they either can or cannot live with. When choosing to be friends with certain co-workers I find myself unconsciously choosing those that I can deal with their downside the best. Wouldn't it solve a lot of problems? It would minimize undesirable surprises and maximize pleasant surprises. Actually this goes against all human tendencies and innate desire. But I'm sure there's a guy out there that looks like a Zack Morris, doesn't know how to clean up after himself, expects a woman to cook, and loves cars more than anything. Nobody would mention this on eharmony.com; if this comes as a surprise, in the end there would be no matrimony for this man or there would be a foreseeable divorce. Isn't it good to know why in general you're not perfect? If it's acknowledged you're half-way there to solving it (although my shopping habits have been well acknowledged for years). At least it creates a window of communication where absence of recognition means it doesn't exist for that person. If acknowledged, what's annoying to some can be quite charming to others. People change; often times they don't. This site would be for all the unperfect people who are I suppose finished with their youthful flighty romance stage and ready to move on to a lifelong investment of their devotion. But I guess if you don't want kids, you can do whatever the heck you want.

Good Hunting.

F.Y.I

2008-04-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

E-Dawg	2-Mar
Leedo Sensei	27-Sep
Queenie	29-Aug
Mrs. Rabbit	28-Aug
The Boy	10-Apr
Jack	21-Mar
Turkey Enforcer	25-Feb
La Femme Pirate	6-Apr

...for my information really...

Good Hunting (for a birthday present)

Small Talk

2008-04-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

Small talk is just about as comfortable as a pap smear. Like visits to the woman doctor, getting my hair cut is something that has to be done periodically. I dread the questions, and as I emit my awkwardness it tends to unnerve those I'm conversing with. My experience has been that the more money I spend on a haircut, the more likely the stylist can hold their part and my part of the conversation. "Did you just come from work?" here we go... I feel bad at the end of it all, I take a quick glance at my new do and I dash out of there like I have a kid to pick up at daycare. I slam a huge tip and hope it makes up for a graceless thirty minutes or leave a little bit of mystery.

(sigh)

2008-04-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

I need a blog muse.

..long time no see

2008-01-29T22:19:00.000-08:00

Goodness I haven't written in forever...

I start to write but the inspiration fades a few lines in.

I can't wait to see everybody!! Well, I might not exactly show it when the time comes, but trust me I'm very excited to see you.

Not much to share about what's going on in my life..In terms of work, I'm finally at the point where I can call it my company and not just a company I work for. It's a freight forwarding company; I still don't know what that means but I've managed to get by without this understanding. I actually like my job. I have regular tasks as well as completely random tasks to keep it interesting. Even though the pay is kinda crappy, I see my self becoming more attached...by the lunches sometimes dinner, late house parties, free furniture, free salmon roe, my boss and I laughing ourselves to tears and control over the stationery. Then I see the old ladies that have been there forever, I wake up and I know I can't be them.

Good Hunting.

Writer's Strike

2007-12-05T22:31:00.000-08:00

What is there to do?

I've been going through my list of Must See Movies:

'Jesus Camp' - I wish I had some people around me to discuss this movie with.

'To Be and To Have' - A movie for our teacher friends, or if you're in a bad mood but not up for hardcore happy.

'Fire' - by Deepa Mehta a controversial film banned in India about lesbianism. (Maju keeps asking me if I'm lesbian. I've thought about it but at most I'm a gay man in a woman's body.)

...and why is 'Better Luck Tomorrow' in the Foreign Films section at Blockbuster? oye vey.

Good Hunting.

what's the plan, ann?

2007-10-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

Blogger still thinks I'm in Japan...Anyway, the reason I haven't blogged for so long is because there really isn't anything to blog about. Not that there was before, but there's really nothing to blog about. My social life is a Jessica away from flat-lining; I think my excitement peaked when Marc developed a love interest on Ugly Betty. The first two months I wouldn't call exciting more stressful, but I think I kept my cool. I gotta a job with 401-k and a nice insurance policy, a cute studio 3 min. away from work, and a car to take me there. Now I'm stressing over furniture, I can't decide on a color palate and Jessica is pressuring me. Work is okay even though I'm only an assistant and I have no authority what so ever but people think I do because I'm so scary and my job is basically to nag people. My social life is improving yet not my social skills. Tonight Jessica and I went bowling/billiards with the Mapili's + Minnie's brother + Vincent's Zambian friend later on (who talks more than Jessica by the way) and now I have somewhere to go for Thanksgiving. But I'm stressing a little since I have no confidence that I'll be able to talk to other people besides Vincent and Minnie. But even though I'm so socially awkward I'm almost retarded, I still don't feel the urge to try...yet..Washingtonians have made me like people more; maybe this was the perfect state to turn this cocooned misanthrope into the proverbial butterfly. Well maybe not but I just wanna say I'm glad to be here, and we'll see what happens (or doesn't happen) next.

Today...

2007-07-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

...was exams day, so i decided to take the day off and go to the local onsen. It was nice; I warmed up in the fizzy bath, sweated out toxins in the Mongolian sauna, had fresh kiwi juice, and read some Orwell in the napping area. Then I decided to really treat myself and get a body+facial massage. I've never had one before so I thought it was high time... I won't go into details, but she was quite thorough; it really didn't make sense to me. The only massages worth paying for are back, hand, feet, and face (this put me to sleep).

This past month has been dedicated to 'leaving:' meet and greets, farewell dinners, buying boxes, corresponding with my successor, packing the boxes, sorting my things only to donate 3/4 of it, planning my exit strategy, and passive aggressively quibbling with human resources. Now I'm avoiding the task at hand: reducing the box count.

In order to avoid parting with bits and pieces of myself as it feels like I've taken to filling said void with spurts of positive procrastination. I've learned so far that Washington's official muffin: blueberry and the state motto: 'by and by'...that's my kinda state. By and by i've also come to appreciate the world of ordering starbucks' esoteric concoctions; i'm ready to visit any of the 618 starbucks in Washington and stump any newbies with a self-important order. Actually i'd rather get a regular coffee, but it's nice to know i can order a customized 760cal monster if i wanted to...or at least that i can understand the guy that does...Yes this has been my attempt to study the ways of the Seattleite. Now that i've learned a bit about the stereotypical i'm ready to be reeducated.

by and by the packing will get done...

Globetrot

2007-05-28T03:09:00.000-07:00

Kiyomizu Temple Japan Countryside Small Kyoto Temple Himeji Castle Hiroshima Itsukushima Shrine Kyoto - Nijo Castle Kyoto - Ginkakuji Kyoto World Square Train Station Great Wall of China Silk Road - Mogao Grotto Silk Road - Mogao Taj Mahal Egypt - Abu Simbel Giza Pyramid Parthenon Rome - San Pietro in Vincoli Chateau de Versailles "Sun King" Louis XIV Milan Cathedral Milan Cathedral Milan Cathedral Rome Monument Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe The White House Streets of New York Accidents of NY Streets of NY

Twin Towers

my little trip around the world, and a side trip to the past. All for 25 bucks.

Leaving on a JET plane

2007-05-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

Ok I'm not leaving for another two months, but i've already entered leaving mode. I'm already a little nostalgic and i haven't even left yet. Looking over my time here i've neglected to do things on my 'things to do in japan' list. My cure to an unfinished list is to simply make another one, but this time a reflexive one -to remember the good and later the bad; first "Things I'll Miss" list: cake. packaging. combini food. being popular. english power. festivals. aeon. my stores. izakaya. the vegetables. kotatsu. funky clothes. light speed delivery. vegetable juice. hair products. biking. my rent. train. portions. service. aunt. free tissue. green-tea-flavored anything. underwear. the scale. making powerpoints. protected comfortable living. eating rice for lunch. cell. conveyor-belt sushi. onsen. pointcards. the smell. being called annchan. living in a house. some teachers. being energy efficient. mooching. the @ key location. answering journals. military time. metric measurements. japanese game shows. helping my grandma. writing my name in japanese. lunch w/ coworkers. having contacts put in by my optometrist. jyagabata. Family Marts fried chicken. Moss Burger. Then there's the "Things I Won't Miss:" the mullets. the unspoken. movie delay. sounding dumb (well..) the music. creepy neighbor. indoor shoes. garbage rules. yelping dog. shutdown at 9. collectivism. the comb over (i just wont look at Donald). high-pitched greetings. some teachers. talking slowly. not using contractions. the apostrophe key location (shift required). recent obsession w/ internet for anything U.S.American. changing into bathroom slippers. the question 'do you have a bf?' windows 98. japanese pizza. stares. biking in the rain. being bored at work. the winter (this could be an issue)

..but really i have no complaints it's been super sweet yet such a living soon cloys and i can't wait for my long dose of america.

good hunting.

Youth of Japan

2007-05-07T06:49:00.001-07:00

Egypt

2007-04-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

The beginning of our eight days in Egypt. We're 13hrs away from narita airport next to the Giza pyramids built approximately 4,500 years ago; this one by Khufu. Contrary to popular belief pyramids are not graves or tombs. Nobody was actually buried inside the pyramid, it's actually suppose to function more like a waiting area for the soul to accend towards the sun god Ra. And they were not built by slave labor. When the Nile flooded every year farmers didn't have much to do so they worked on the pyramid most likely in better conditions than working in Wal-Mart. Some excuses for missing work included drinking too much the previous blah blah blah I can go in deep due to excessive geeky research but i realized this could get annoying (although at some points i couldn't help myself) so here are some brief comments and photos out of the 450 we took... (It's not a new japanese perm, just windy)It was cold. We were going to go for a little joy ride but it started to rain! after our guide said it never does (maybe the climate change will make the sahara a huge oasis). At least the camel seems to be enjoying it. Ever wonder what the sphinx is looking at? - the KFC and pizza hut across the way.So before arriving i always wondered what Egyptian food entailed well this here is pretty much it. It looks like naan but it's referred to as eish bread here. You basically dip it in humus or eat it with a scoop of chopped vegetables. This green seaweedy stuff was good too. . . I have to say the best part of this trip was Abu Simbel, located in southern Egypt built by Ramsses II. Two days out of the year the sun shines inside to illuminate his statue and two other gods worshipped at the time. He's the only pharaoh that built a monument dedicated to his favorite wife Nefertari of equal size. We waited for nightfall to see the "Sound and Light" show, which had a cheesy ring but ended up being pretty amazing. You can see and hear how Ramsses II won the Battle of Kadesh right on the monuments he built to commemorate his victory and divinity. Another thing: this actually isn't the original location it was discovered. In the 1960s the whole thing was relocated to make way for the Aswan High Dam. The Felucca's make southern Egypt feel like your somewhere between Venice and Greece; you can sail quietly down the Nile without the buzzing motor. Crosses Christians graffitied onto various monuments.The sacred rock of goddess Isis located on Philae island. This was the first testimony of love, supposedly the reason the Christian Church hates it. Napoleon had to leave his mark and the coordinates of the temple. Hatshepsut's temple; a woman pharaoh who dressed like a man. There were only three woman who've ruled in ancient egypt, i think. A lot of her images were destroyed after her death. Her images didn't lie the sculptures even included the string for the fake beard. aren't they cute?Valley of Kings, this is amaaaaaaaazing. Unfortunately no photography allowed. A Nubian lunch rice with fish cooked in tomato-based sauce, pretty good. This drink was amazing, fresh guava, mango and strawberry; i got some jealous glances at my table.Since Ancient Egyptian history is so long, royalty from later dynasties would visit older one's ruins on vacay. This all used to be flushed with color, you can still see some on the roof.Ok maybe one of you knows what this second toilet is for. Most of the hotels we stayed at had them. My aunt asserts it's to wash your clothes; it does have a warm and cold nozzle. but I estimated it's a place to wash your feet for religous purposes. Give me some suggestions cuz this has been bothering me. The cottage-style resort we stayed at......quite nicethe veiw from our last hotel. i thought this was pretty cool.

Good Hunting.

Question:

2007-03-09T03:57:00.000-08:00

What would you do with $390M?

Hong Kong

2007-02-24T18:52:00.000-08:00

Hong Kong is exactly as you would imagine it. In Hong Kong there's only one must-see attraction and that's seeing the view from Victoria Peak. Of course we start off our first night eating al fresco; here we are perusing the foriegner-friendly menu.
We were so busy eating whatever it was we didn't realize there was a head amid the pieces we were eating. Of all the urban cities I've been this explains why there aren't a lot of pigeons around...Mmmmm...nothing better than street food. . or so we thought.well, if you insist. cool, are we ready for breakfast? Dim Sum in Hong Kong doesn't come around in a cart, it's all fresh, steamy, and not eatin' past lunch. Unlike trains in Japan, Hong Kong trains come every two minutes. Your only choices are to get out the subway or get on the adjacent train. There are only five lines in all of Hong Kong.
The Harbour (all the street names have British names). By the way getting here was a feat, we were following "subway" signs, but realized subway=pedestrian underpass and tube=the tunnel we know as the subway.
Chill Bruce, it's just a boat. Have you ever seen the move "Chungking Express?" Yea, I haven't either but apparently this is where it was filmed and it's fairly clean but you can tell it's the most morally sullied place in Hong Kong. Stepped into a famous cafe......and had this coffee; best coffee ever.This is the so-called "Flower Market" that they open during the New Year's celebration.. ...but they mostly sell cute blow ups also. . not so cute blow-ups like fire extinguishers, scissors, cutters, and those yellow wet-floor signs which i couldn't get a good picture of because it was so crowded it was too risky to take my eyes off my friends. Buy this, look at me.. Smoking has become prohibited in all public areas as of January 1, 2007, bars, nightclubs and massage parlors are exempt until 2009. This is the most famous dessert place and the waitresses know it. Among the seven desserts we ordered the picture on the menu for this one looked good it ended up being vanilla ice cream on top of rasperry jello but......there was a surprise inside. .pieces of the famously delicious and foul-smelling fruit durian..in the words of my friend in attendance "it smells like ass!" or as my other friend described it as "cat shit." I'm sorry I can't be internationally open-minded about this but i can't get passed the smell; maybe someday.This was by far the best dessert there: fresh mango wrapped in mochi meshed with cocoonut.The Harbour at night. . We're actually not on Hong Kong Island; Hong Kong has several islands, one of them is called Hong Kong. .We're watching the Hong Kong Island light show from Kowloon. All the buildings cooperate to do a 20min. light show (it's not as exciting as it sounds, it was actually pretty boring; a unanimous).Next morning Dim Sum once again, here I had the best spring rolls I had in my entire life (not even exaggerating) upon recommendation from a friend. The congee in the middle was amazing as well. I'm considering when I get old moving to Hong Kong just so I can drink tea, eat Dim Sum, and read the paper. This is the best dessert in Hong Kong by far it's a warm waffle with butter, peanut butter and condensed milk. Sounds simple but you can't find anything better.. We went to see the new years parade but the only good picture to come out of it was this kid on top of his dad's shoulders confirming his future in photography. we stopped by for a little snack..according to friend the HK McD's is the only one that serves breakfast all day; uhh heaven. This is their local specialty the red-bean pie. They also have curry burger and spicy chicken wings. This is a Buddhist vegetarian restaurant we randomly came across, she's serving us shark-fin soup (w/out sharks fin). The sunglasses i bought that I'll need in Egypt. They were originally priced at $HK3,000 at a legitimate looking store the guy said he would give me a discount, but decided to shop around it turns out it was priced at $HK1,200 at the DutyFree which is about $US150. We had to have dessert before we left so this is our last at the HK airport. "Mango delight:" fresh mango, mango sherbert, and mochi balls. JAL hasn't been doing good so I guess they decided to up their food quality; good move. This rivals the bibimbap on Korean Airlines. JAL meal: unagi, tororo soba, salad with good dressing, mango pudding, and two yummy peanut cookies (+all you can drink sake).

Thus concludes the account of my Hong Kong travels. A small portion of over 250 photos, 3days 2nights, and an expanded stomach. You'd be proud to hear the only thing i bought are the sunglasses and a cd. I really really really wanted a Gaucho Dior bag but i abstained.

Good Hunting.

Lady in the Rice Paddy

2007-02-21T00:58:00.000-08:00

So you know in every neighborhood there's a "scary" lady? Well, I think that lady is me. I don't think I've ever wronged any of my reticent neighbors, but for some reason when they see me coming...they flee. I mean immediately quit what they're doing, and scurry off in the other direction. I don't understand. I understand people find me frightening once they get to know me, but certainly not before. I was on my bike approaching my house and I noticed the grandma from the house in front of mine. She was looking up admiring the rare blue sky; but then she saw me coming and hurried as fast as her brittle hips would take her inside. While the elderly to run and hide my other neighbors love to stare at me through their car windows like its a one-way mirror and I'm the so called accident. I can't begin to imagine what kind of stories their making up about me after living here for a year and a half now. Perhaps I'm the subject of preemptive stories parents tell their children. If so, that's kinda cool.

...callipygian...

2007-02-08T00:31:00.000-08:00

a word introduced to me by a new JET (well not so new now) who belongs to the National SCRABBLE Association. I could possibly be the only person in my circle of friends to think this is totally cool so I won't talk about it any further. Just spreadin' the knowledge.

Anyway people (aka Times person of the Year), I've been away for awhile because this stupid blogger BETA crap has been keeping me off until I figured out a way in. Mind you, (using Allie's words) I've tried everything. I went to all the help links, read all articles that might be of some assistance, changed my passwords, tried to complain on a forum that only two people have managed to find so far, and profusely yelled at the beta blogger. But today I was determined and I didn't let the link "click here to continue" daunt me even though no matter how many times I clicked it showed absolutely no sign of a new page approaching. This is where I usually get worked up and quit, but today, I said hey what would happen if I right clicked and opened the link in a new window!? Ta dah~!

I have a feeling this is going to be long; I have a lot of pent up blog gotta let it out.

In November I went to see broadway RENT. If you don't know it you probably know the song from it "Seasons of Love" already even though you think you don't know it. The show was amazing, the reason I know this to be true is because even though I had a fever it was still worth watching. On the morning of the show I wasn't feeling too well but decided to go nonetheless. I was on the platform ready to switch trains when bleaaaah...on the platform and on myself. I tell my friend to leave me...I'm not going to make it, go.. But my Rent-obssessed friend wasn't about to let me give up, "no, Ann let's go!" the nice stationmaster is crouched next to me stalling the train waiting for my decision. So I go. I get on the train with bits of vomit on my jacket. My fellow passengers looked concerned as I boarded, but were kind enough to never directly look at me. I clean up as best as I can and I watch; and it was worth it. It was that good.

December I was craving some Christmas spirit so we cantered off to Tokyo Disneyland.

After mooching off my aunt for the winter break, we go see "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." We saw it in Japanese, but I reaaaaaaaaalllly liked it. Rent was very good, but Sweeney Todd has a touch of genius. No nauseating anecdotes for this show, but nonetheless good.

Up-comings: I'm headed for Hong Kong for Chinese New Years, and my aunt is taking me to Egypt in March. I'm actually so excited about this I can hardly contain myself. I've done so much research I can probably give the tour; had to fill the time with something. I've also turned in my papers to NOT recontract. It's official, I'm coming home! No aspirations to obtain a grad degree, but it seems like it's all the rage. What will I be doing once I return? Well I'm thinking any job in Human Resources where I can build some cred. Why HR? I think I'll do a decent job at it and I wont hate doing it for awhile. Maju still proposes I become a buyer, but shopping really isn't a skill. A good fashion sense is, but my fashion sense is at most debatable. So I've opted for a desk job, which I don't mind; I rather like toiling on pedantic details.

Movin' on. For those of you who've taken a fleeting gander at my callipygian teacher friend, I so to speak 'threw him a bone' and we went on a date; upon Allie's advice. Not only did the date have to be scheduled a month in advance, but he was...well boring. Also, it could be my imagination, but I think he kept looking at my boobs...the glimmer of eagerness in his eyes frightened me. (does this constitute a viable excuse?) mmmm Pass.

Ok that's about it fur now. I'll be hitting California shores in August. I don't really know what's in vogue in the states, but is Myspace the new Blogger? What's goin' on with Jess blogging on Myspace and neglecting her blogging duties at Blogger? hmmm the centripetal forces of Tila Tequila are greater than I suspected...maybe not.

Good Hunting.

Capitol City

2006-12-02T05:29:00.000-08:00

This is what I managed to take of my three day trip to Kyoto after politely dodging camera trajectories and quickly finding open space to set up my shot. The photos might suggest i went alone but my aunt was there...on the bus. Unfortunately she got sick. But walking quietly alone throughout Kyoto was the unintended therapy i needed. The photos don't do it justice of course, but they're for your vicarious enjoyment.

Good Hunting.

bitch session

2006-11-26T04:59:00.000-08:00

Warning: if you're not in a sympathetic mood save this for later. . .

Let's say you are really really into the show LOST, and there's another person that is really really into it. Then there's this other person that doesn't watch it at all and has no plans to. When the three of these people are out together would it not be a little annoying for them to talk about LOST like it's the greatest thing ever? Then continue to talk about other things that you know they're not interested in?

I've made an effort to watch some of these shows that seem to be the beginning and end of their lives, but i can never get as excited about them. At one point I was watching nine shows just to keep up...there were more to be watched. Then I decided that that was completely ridiculous, now I only watch "How I Met Your Mother" and "Ugly Betty." Which are two really cute shows that I recommend.

Let's say you were in Tokyo ready to go home, but the next train was in a minute and you needed time to get on a platform you couldn't locate. There's four people two figure out where they're going and rush off, one of the two gestures to come but the other two have no tickets and has no idea what's going on. The two are left to catch the next train, but wouldn't you have waited for them?

I have to admit it sounds petty but, isn't it the little things that count? It's times like these that I question if i'm being too sensitive or if i'm allowed to feel a little abandoned and let the perpetrators know. Yet i can't bring myself to since it would create grounds to mock me as they did with the other girl that was left with me. yes this sounds cowardly of all cowardliness, but think of how painful it is when it's not even out of love.

Let's say your planning a trip to Disneyland to see all the Christmas decorations, which by the way is very important to get you into the holiday spirit in a country that let's you welcome the new year without realizing christmas had already passed. Friday works for two, but just ends up not working for one. Yes Friday is ideal, but would you go on a school night so you can have the third person go?

I realize having the next day off is a very important factor in enjoying a trip to Disneyland, so my strategy for this is to just let it go and try to find others to go with. But still a little hurt that having the next day off or not going on a crowded weekend is more important than having me go with them..

Now the question 'why are you hanging out with these people?' may rise, and the answer to that is simply: within the JET community they're interests match mine the most. To be honest i felt i could become close with one of the two; there was a point where we talked a great deal. But later i realized i was a stand-in while the sister of the other was visiting. Making friends is easy, but sometimes you don't understand where people are coming from, you have nothing in common, they just want to sleep with you, or i just don't approve and that kinda narrows things down. Anyway, i'm still learning and trying to not 'take myself so seriously'. . . i have no idea what this means but i'm working on it.

To Allie: that's ok, i blog in bulk
To Ellie: it's definitely an experiment to see if the absence of distractions actually gets the job done quicker.
To Jessica: What!!
To Andy: I want to laugh too..
To Sammi: blog muse says blog
To Cassie: teacher, teacher, teacher, jess, ann. ..
To Uyennie: mashed potatoes!? target!! vegas!!! you're killing me!
To J&C: sorry if you ever read this...
To Pili: I just realized you had a blog...omg i'm going to spend saturday reading it

but now I must sleep.

The New Human Modification

2006-10-30T02:04:00.000-08:00

Lately there's more things I want to forget then remember. I guess turning off the thinking spout isn't always the solution, but ya know it's bliss. Anyway...

If Jessica's not doin' the reflectin' I will. Since it seems that Ellie's isn't doing much of it either, well at least not on her blog. .. the visit 'twas a little disorienting to interact with the girls who I know I know but were slightly different. Anyway it was... definitely a trip. I'm having a hard time reflecting on it, cuz it was all a blur, a jumble of emotions if you will. But it was interesting to see how we would work thrown into a different setting across the Pacific.

Pretty much all that happened can be seen on Ellie's blog with pictures. Although she left out an amazing game of 'global citizen' spades! It wasn't one of our most humanistic moments, but I think it was an 'almost peed my pants' kinda moment for all of us. Basically every round was dedicated to a certain culture with an appealing accent. For official rules and directions, come to the next trip.

Oh yea how we've changed. Hmmm...I can't quite pin point the changes we've gone through, but it feels like we have ya know.... well I'll start with the easy one: Ellie is definitely more confident proof she got naked (with a little help from Allison, this isn't as dirty as it may sound)...That's about all I can concretely comment on about any changes. But it seems Allie was holding back on talking about Nori too much or holding back on talking about something, and Jess wasn't in an outrageous outfit this time, which i felt was a substantial lacking feature in our reunion.

But I'm still reminded of their presence whenever I enter the Global Lounge (a local bar). This 'almost peed my pants' moment was induced by, I want to say massive amounts of alcohol, but more expectedly a lone shot. I don't quite remember what we were laughing about afterwards, but apparently it was so funny that we thought we'd share some of the fun by calling Allison in Aomori. What resulted was apprehensive looks from the bartender, an inquiry on if we were high, and a paragon don't drink and dial public service announcement. It wasn't that bad, I'm sure others have done worse, like host a 'no-pants' hour. On a side note: the good people of Global Lounge never mentioned this on any of my subsequent visits..

Yes occasionaly things went awry, they were mostly my fault but the girls didn't seem to mind too much or they hid it well because they didn't want to see me explode into a bloody pulp on the Tokyo pavement. But at least we accomplished what we do best: make a public spectacle of ourselves. Love story time by Allie on the train was pretty cool, I think the Japanese people were happy to get a free English lesson.

I have to admit something wasn't quite right though, but I can't really put my finger on it. All in all, I was glad to see the myoho sista, ms. glazier, and the duchess; jointly jessica-tachi. Enouragement is hard to come by, and even though Ellie thought every Asian man that talked to me had feelings for me deep inside, i appreciated it nonetheless. Oh yea and it was nice to get some unspoken support from my heathen brethren as well, but it seems they're on to her and I believe they're ready to shoot some incredibly encouraging literature at her in the near future.

It's become abundantly clear to me that it's time for me to return to my homeland. It's also become clear that on this trip we subliminally felt overcoming religious differences was implicitly uneasy, but i think we did a good job. Just an understatement i think we can all live with being said on a blog.

This blog sponsored by Sammie (no y's here, baby)

Ps. Disney, Obama, and Yunus spread the good news.

Message in a Tokkuri

2006-09-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

I recently came back from a 5 day trip up to Akita. A beautiful place. My distant relatives reside basically at the gateway of the last frontier. Anyway you know what I mean. Three of these five days we spent up in the mountains hiking; as a result I have thighs like the California governor. But suprisingly I wasn't tired at all, I guess cycling everywhere really get's your health in check.

This was my third time visiting and I've enjoyed every trip (even the eight hour drive) mostly because of this one waterfall; Yasunotaki. It was named after a handsome women, Yasu, who threw herself off the top of this waterfall because she could not be with her lover. I guess it's cliche but the waterfall itself is inspiring. Though it could be the 2hr hike that makes it look so.

At this gateway town of course I had absolutely no reception, which was nice in a way. I was able to communicate instead with most of my distant relatives, except for the grandpa who I didn't know what he was talking about 98% of the time, but we talked for hours. The lack of communication wasn't all bad after I had soft cream covered in a special local sake. A winning combination. But a little weirdness did surround this entire trip; my fellow travellers included my uncle, aunt, and my cousin-in-law (male). We slept in one room which is not really the weirdest part. The cousin-in-law didn't speak. I heard he was pretty quiet but in all 5days he might have said 10words. Once my aunt and uncle left us at the breakfast table..it made it to the top ten most uncomfortable occurances in my life. No where else to look but at the food.

And my aunt started to annoy me because she decided to start a self-assigned campaign to improve Ann. Like I'm not perfect already. Usually its my uncle annoying me in his obnoxious drunken stupor when not driving, and agitated when driving anticipating the next time he can have alcohol streaming down his throat.

On a depressing note, this is unforgiveable and lame but just pretend it took time to travel across the ocean. Cassie and Jessica HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! And congratulations Cassie for setting the date!

ps. wow how long ago was this? I was going to revise, but I accidently left it on the burner. A little crispy but enjoy. YAY! 2 more weeks until they come!!

Retail Alphabet Game 4th Edition

2006-08-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

Ok here it is, this is a collaborative work. Congrats.

Drum roll-------- ANSWERS:

A: Saturn
B: ABC
C: Canon
D: Glad
E: Zales
F: Ruffles
G: Lego
H: Yahoo!
I : Bic
J: Jif
K: Burger King
L: Google
M: Sam Adams
N: Nasa
O: Kinko’s
P: UPS
Q: Diary Queen
R: Walgreens
S: Sony
T: Citibank
U: Blockbusters
V: Volvo
W: Mountain Dew
X: Twix
Y: Lay’s

Z: Zenith

manifold

2006-08-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

HARRY POTTER
Sometimes I go for 24 or even 72 hrs at a time only speaking roughly 20 words a day. Thus when I want to speak to someone…words don't willingly come out right away. Since practice makes perfect, I’ve taken up a ritual where every night before I go to bed instead of simply reading Harry Potter, I read Harry Potter out loud (occassionally in a British accent). Lately the words ‘shoulder,’ ‘world,’ ‘roar,’ and ‘wizardry’ are giving me trouble. Should I be worried?

BROADWAY
We went to see Movin' Out. I missed hearing live music. I realized that all those songs that are used over and over again on movie soundtracks are Billy Joel songs. And it's no wonder they use them over and over again because they're amazing. The main vocal/piano was an understudy, but his voice was so expressive that it couldn't have been done better. Coincidentlly gay pride was going down in the same Tokyo area. Except we weren't too sure if there was actual pride because some people were covering their faces as they passed cameras. But I guess it's good they still have one... In November I'm seeing two Johnathan Larson's. Tick Tick Boom and Rent. The former in Japanese, latter in English.

JET
I just finished helping with out the Gunma orientation. Nothing interesting to report, which is what I'm reporting... no cute guys... Next week four days of English Camp up in the mountains...

SUA - New Class
I saw the 6th class aka class of 2010 in the Seikyo Shimbun. Someone will definitely be utilizing the handicap access this year, but it looks like she's on a battery operated type so it shouldn't be as hard as we imagined it to be. On a whole it looks like an older bunch, or they're tall or something. I get the mature and humble vibe from them. But surprised at their size...I wonder how many of their fellow applicants the 85 had to fight off to end up in this picture. Although few, they brought in some new countries: Poland, Romania (maybe he/she's a vampire), Malaysia, and Taiwan. Contribution noted.
Up to this point there was a way of making the class feel special somehow, but I gotta say you'd be hard pressed to find something special about this class in context of the founding (but I'm sure they will). It's official, half the school has never had the pleasure of being in our glorious company. Our influences are waring thin. I'm feeling detached, and these things I wonder: how their food is, if they still have core classes, if Phat can find students he likes, if the pool table is still alive, if there's a student that got in on his/her 6th try, which one's will date cafeteria workers, and who will question administrative authority and think they're the first. I guess wether they can change the school's future or not, I'm sure no matter what they will be forever changed. Anyway good luck to them, cuz it's easy to make traditions whereas changing them can be a lot harder.

Good Hunting.

It's SUMMER!

2006-08-03T04:43:00.000-07:00

It's Summer!

Internet in the home is life changing. I now have time to read over my past blogs to see what I have been sort of blindly writing, in which case my true self was revealed. And what a JERK I am!! I know I'm not supposed to, but I went back and tweeked parts so that I don't have to face the embarrassement again. I'm not quite sure what I intend to do about my unseemly mannerisms, but I guess the first step is to apologise. I'm sorry you had to put up with me all this time!! I'm just amazed that you have thus far. I'm still me, but maybe you guys'll now keep me around for amiable purposes rather than as a reminder that there's still evil in this world. I guess I noticed it a little while back, but it wasn't until I could actually sit down in solitude that I was able to really look. If these are the realizations that are promised in my future, than I can't wait to get older. Or I just need to edit. Don't get your hopes up, I'll change back to my old self possibly the minute I post this.

Everybody, check Sammie's blog, haha I made her do it. And what a pleasant surprise. We must find who this mystery man is in later blogs. Stay tuned for her next installment. I know it's a little late, but cheers to Cassie for her leap forward. And may I just say that Pili is amazing. I'm progressively feeling uncomfortable with my born-again-(or for the first time-)atheist self. How come leaving the gakkai is making me nice?

Anyway, overall a good cleaning day. And I added some photos while I tweeked the blemishes of my attitude. m(_ _)m <-- I learned something in Japan. Also I forgot to report from a loooong time ago that Billy is engaged to his junior high school classmate. He had his ring and everything... he just hasn't told his parents yet.

Quick update on JET: Old JETs leaving, new coming in. I am now the Tobu region rep. (a small portion of Gunma) And I speak Harry Potter now.

Good Hunting.

An Entry For The Soul (gag if you must)

2006-08-01T05:22:00.000-07:00

Warning: This entry contains commentary on the SGI and cheap maudlin speech.

I've been reading "Chicken Soup for the Soul" and let me tell you, I AM E-MO-TION-AL!! It totally made me want to be a better person. I'm sure this will ware off in a few hours, like once I wake-up tomorrow. But that's why I'm glad to have internet in my home now, so that I can seize these emotional moments and blog something that'll be a total embarrassment to me later. Confession: when I graduated I decided to go on a daimoku fast. I've been on my fast for a year now. To be honest I have my ups and downs, but now I don't dwell on them. I've always found that the physical position of chanting compelled my "soul" to become dependent on something else other than myself. Of course we are taught this is wrong, and even though I know it, I can't help it. Thus my reason to fast. (Instead of chant to overcome my dependence.)

As of now I feel I can be powerful as ever, even if I don't chant. And, I've never felt better about myself as I do now. Of course this is not a ploy of some kind to convince my readers (which I discovered I still have! Love ya guys!) that are striving toward buddhahood to quit. And I don't hate the SGI either. It's true what president Ikeda says, it's an organization for peace. But, it's not for me (not peace, but yeah...). I can't sit in front of the gohonzon and feel right with myself. Perhaps I will be told, more a reason to chant! I believe a community is necessary where one can feel at ease to drop our layers, but the religion is not for me. I will truly miss meetings; everyone's so damn nice! I wish there were such a community that will allow people to feel that way toward each other without the rules and retribution of religion restraining us.

I want to improve myself but not by means of religion. Aren't I allowed to believe that's possible? I want to be conscious of my actions and deliberate when carrying them out. This is the only way I can fully feel responsible for myself. I guess you can say I'm not strong enough to hold myself solely responsible with the gohonzon acting as a buffer. Yes, strength is necessary to be religious. And I don't have it, at least not that kind...

I feel I can do life with out it and still come out okay. I read something in the book about "the healing power;" (no really I haven't been possessed by a Tibetan monk) I believe this. Yes, we all have it and perhaps the gohonzon helps hone that power to heal others and ourselves. But I don't want to believe that just because I don't chant for you all, that my healing powers aren't reaching you just as strongly. I think about all of you quite often in my daily life, hoping for nothing but the best. Thus will the power to heal myself be any less?

Of course it's been implied that "bad things" will happen to me if I quit, but I will be doing no one harm if I do. If anyone it'll be me; thus if I do end up leading a miserable life, you have permission to tell your grandchildren of my story as yet another lesson not to stray. I'm convinced I've searched thoroughly in the depths of my soul to reach this conclusion. I've considered perhaps this is my way of not facing the gohonzon thus not facing myself. But then again, perhaps that's an excuse not to go with what I feel, derived from among many anecdotes I have been taught since my birth.

I feel great about being 'on my own,' but perhaps this is again an egotistical obsession with myself and strength. But, there are very convincing arguments for almost any idea. And, it's just the time for me to stop analyzing and decide. I will take away its philosophies, whether I like it or not, which some I do. Maybe I'll come to appreciate those philosophies I have yet to understand, but for now it's adios. Although I can say there never will be a religion I'm more proud to have been a part of: a religion for humanity; not a God but for the God within. Quite catchy. And just gotta add, ironically for the first time, I'm able to comfortably admire President Ikeda.

Sorry this is dragged on so long...

Now that I've gotten all your perfect comments, its just like me to disappoint all of you with an announcement to leave something related to something that binds us together. So I take it all back.

Good Hunting.

ps. to Uyennie: the title of the previous entry was a reference to Nathan's greatness for entering said school.
ps. to Ellie: I'll read that book soon (^_^;)

Harvard School of Education

2006-07-21T04:55:00.000-07:00

So I'm going up the stairs of the Kiryu Kaikan, fulfilling my once a month obligatory visit to the community center, purposely late so I don't have to listen to the people before sensei yelling at me... I guess I should have come earlier cuz all of the sudden I hear a familiar voice... English even....It was Nathan. It was Nathan the first non-Japanese person that I've ever seen up there before sensei's speech. I came late so I didn't get to hear the first half of his speech, but I jumped right in when he started saying that it is well known in American how stupid the Japanese media is... Maybe I had to be there for the first half to get this. I'm such a bitch I know. Nevertheless its always nice to see a familiar face on TV. I wasn't sure what the reaction of the crowd at the Kaikan was suppose to mean. There was an unsettling rustle of voices go up when he said that. It was either "did he just say Japanese people are stupid?" or "wow. so incredible that he recognizes that even if he's not Japanese!" I'm permanantly, irrevocably changed and molded by this religion. There's no escape.

When you translate what we call him it's "teacher." That's gotta be pretty creepy from an outsiders perspective. We're such a cult. Yea I'm in a dark place right now. For now the philosphy that comforts me the most is something that Lincoln said, "Do good and I feel good, do bad and I feel bad." Why can't it be that simple.

On a brighter note: yeeeeaaaaaahhhh!! Ellie and Jess are coming to Japan. They bought their ticket so I don't have to keep myself on a defensive for dissappointment.

P.S. To be honest, I'm a little sad that I'm not getting any comments on my blog anymore... It's basically been Uyen leaving comments for me all this time, which was definitely a endorphine booster! Next time someone leave a comment so I know at least one person is reading my crap!!

...yogiyo...

2006-07-01T22:47:00.000-07:00

I've been to Korea yeah-- Ineresting stuff I did worth mentioning? I went to the North Korean border. Which was pretty awesome. They built a new train station on the South Korean side so that a train line connecting Pyongyang and Seoul can go through, but North Korea isn't finished with their side. And...we went down to one of the tunnels that North Korea was digging to get to Seoul. Fortunately, they discovered it before it could get too far in. Kim Jong Il's workers would dig 1m a day. They would blow up parts with dynamite, but since they would hear it above they pretended they were testing dynamites up top. They would explode them simultaneously. Sneaky buggers. Hmmm...what else is worth mentioning? Korean men are mighty attractive. The mandatory two year military service do them goooooood. Oh yea Sammie, heard the news. Dude, most of us don't know how to do that, let alone on computer. I also went to the Seoul Tower... well I went to the Seoul Tower on the famous Nam Sam Cable Car but didn't actually go up the tower. Are any of you guys watching the World Cup? Pretty crazy that England lost to Portugal. I think it's time for another reunion.

Annoyed at myself for being too Emo. Apparently, flowage is the key to life. I just might agree on that.
Good Hunting.

A Quickie

2006-06-11T02:12:00.000-07:00

I've been reading over past blogs and I realized how much I babble. So I'll get straight to the point. I'm recontracting. My students are gradually getting bored with my presence. A teacher at my visiting high school, who is the first japanese man that I've seen with a hot ass (much less having one), is passive aggressively hitting on me and told me the other day that he's tired and "mou ippai ippai." I'm becoming too japanese for my own good. I officially had rats in the house for about a month. I got rid of the rats. My situation with the other ALTs is that groups, cliques, pairs are forming and I'm the odd left over, or so I feel. I've been asked to choose a side. Too much shit talking for my taste. But, I'm trying to make the best of it. Tis my life.

Who's commenting on my blogs?
Jess: I'm a Mind Control Master too...wouldn't you know it.
No Fumar: Are you reading my blog? Just don't go to my secret porno site.

Good Hunting.

The Inside Man

2006-06-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

So I saw the Inside Man a few minutes ago... it just came out this weekend here. I don't know what the reviews are like out there, but it was a good movie to me. For those in Ken Saragosa's American Cinema class (am I only talking to Ellie here?) I think its a good movie to watch. Spike Lee has definitely progressed as a director, does that sound too condescending? Ok so what was good about the movie. Spike Lee's still Spike Lee where he keeps talking about racial issues, but he doesn't make them as clear cut this time as in his awesome movie Do the Right Thing. Clive Owen in the end says "respect is the only 'secure?' currency." And that's basically the underlying theme of the movie; or at least that's what I got out of it. In any case I think it was better than Crash, and more "real" even though the plot was about a successful bank robbery. And may I just say, Clive Owen is hot! Overall I'd call it a successful movie.

ps. I heard... Ken was selling drugs on campus. Is this a fact or is this a bunch of crap. I hope its the latter.

Good Hunting.

JET 102

2006-06-09T03:28:00.000-07:00

Ok so I really need to get internet cuz I wanted wanted and wanted to blog for the past three days and as soon as I touched these lickable keyboards again in the oh so magnificent kiryu internet cafe, I just lost the will to. Or maybe it was because I got those complitments on the comments area and I made the indulging mistake of looking at them first.

I need to get in the mood... Oh yea so the three of us had the JET returners conference at Shinjuku and we stayed at the 5star or not so 5star Keio Plaza Hotel. Guess who we saw. No really guess. Hey is that? Then Allison yells in my ear "Oh My God!! it's Danny Habuki!!!" what? "Hiii guyyys, I soo Timosee (and was just about to avoid you all until Allison horned me in)." We small talk with the president of our university and make him talk to Rumiko on Allie's cellphone, while my ALT friend Jeff stands by in shock and confusion; not just at our president, but at the way Tim is acting.

We say goodbye to Habuki and we start our night out. As Tokyo smog sticks to my bodice Allison, Rumiko, Tim, and I walk towards Indian curry and nan. The food takes an hour to come out because every other JET is there also. But, it was all good cuz it created the opportune time to start a global citizen dialogue. So we talked about the Komeito Party, plastic poisoning, balance, Tim's mother chanting to sleep with David Bowie (and actually did), Bush, ignorance, Kehlen, and of course enzymes that break down carrots in Japan, well... Allison and Tim talked about those things anyway...

Overall I had fun at the conference, there were two beds and two people in my room which was good, but i was afraid Ryo might come over and sleep next to my roommate for lack of space... I also had the pleasure of having Mexican food, but the best part of the meal was the awesome Mariachi band singing 'La Vida es Carnival,' and 'Besa me.' The worst part was the artsy movie silently playing in the background, occasionally showing blood, death, and girls on toilet seats without pants.

Well keepin' it short since I think I might have given Andy glaucoma from my last blog. I expect I will not have much inspiration to write a blog from now on anyway since my sole source of inspiration is actually being with you guys. I enjoy our unspokens and our particular argot, taintful as it may be. Well I'm off to Korea next week.

ps. For some reason I think Sinan would marry me if I asked him to.

Hisashiburi

2006-05-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hisash my people. So I finally get to a computer where I can blog in peace. Presently, Jessica, Sammy, and Andy have gone on a walk while I figure out in my drunken stupor of what to put in my hisash blog. ...Andy's playlist is playing gakkai songs........ It's good to be back in the good 'ol bubble. Although getting here I was almost regretting it. Being in Japan for almost a year now has made me softer than downy towels. I felt like crying when the guys who straighten the luggages on the belt didn't grab my suitcase when I asked him nicely. He annoyingly said, "to late it already passed." Although after the customs checker said, "oh, from Las Vegaaas, very sin city." Even though it was a random comment and grammatically awkward I missed the little efforts to make small talk. But, then I really felt like crying when I saw Kimiko and Mitsuko and they left me there at the airport without any feelings of regret.

Anyway enough with the mushy talk. I wrote that a while back and now I'm at the Kiryu shady ass internet cafe in Kiryu for the first time cuz I realized how necessary it is for me to check up on your blogs more often and to blog myself. And let me just tell you about this internet cafe: to my left is a little closet space area shut off with an indian rug, under it I can see pillows, a guys folded legs and a flickering tv. Then to my right is a calendar of Japanese girls looking submissive and inviting. Hmmm yea I really need to get me some hand sanytizer after this. My whole body has probably been spermified the minute I walked in here.

Ok so this is mostly for Jess to report on Andy's brother (since he took me to the airport and I got a little more information after Ellie, Sammie, and I began the process of inducting him into our group). He definitely didnt seem to mind us asking him questions. Here we thought were interrogating him, but slightly masochistic he seemed to have enjoyed it and consequently kept asking for more. "What else?" he said. So we asked him a couple of questions and found out that he graduated with an IB degree, therefore asked him what grad school he would like to go to, he answered Harvard... We told him, "wrong answer." According to his big bro he's a genius. Ok whatever but he does speak better Japanese than Andy which Andy will promptly explain to you why. "What else?" he asked again with a little more vigor this time. So Ellie asks, "whats the first thing that comes to your mind when you see a bee that is just about to die in something something... (I actually dont think I know this inside joke)" He answers, "the bees about to die." Again we tell him, "wrong answer." He asks for the right answer, so Ellie and Sammie tell him, "I wanna go to grad school." Then we parted our ways with hugs. Good hugs definitely run in the Reker family. Eric ended up taking me to the airport, in the car I found out he likes Jazz, he can play like three instruments, his dream is to travel all the habitable continents, he wants to do the JET program, he's a good driver, he also listens to some Japanese music, and he danced half naked in a cabin somewhere with his friends while Kelly Clarkson was blasting on the boombox. Thus ends my report on Eric Reker. Oh yea and he seriously answered that he can do flips, backflips, handstands with his pinky...etc. I don't know what else, but since he can dance we established that he's not Ellie's future husband.

On to somethin' else... I'd say it was a pretty successful trip. My aunt called me when I got back and told me that she didn't recognize me in the newspaper because I was wearing a dress. jeez I'll never shed the tomboy will I, nor am I in a hurry to. It was good to see everybody sans Allie. I feel like the transition was complete between Maju and I: she has become, well, non-japanese and I have become japanese. And, Jessica took her earrings. Seeing everyone else was pretty cool too, nobody has really changed much. Since we were back for only a short time I thought I would be as nice as possible and behave unlike the phychopathic bitch that I'm used to being as much as possible, but I think many sokites were confused and dazed and couldn't figure out who the hell I was (maybe it was the haircut). The ceremony was pretty kool the speaker in my opinion was better than our speaker, I didn't fall asleep. He actually made jokes that were pretty funny and gave good advice at the same time. The "new and improved" Ode To Joy was pretty riveting, we all wondered if they were going to extend it to a whole 30min production for the next graduation. Soon it'll be the whole graduation. The second class created a tradition of their own to perform at their graduation ceremony. Probably wasn't a good idea since crying people shouldn't sing mariah carey solos from the movie Honey. And the finale, ohh the finale. Michelle told us that the finale was going to be exciting, "fireworks girls, fireworks!" True to her words there were fireworks... indoor fireworks. Too bad the faculty sitting on stage weren't informed... I think one of the woman faculty sitting on the edge peed her pants while fleeing for her life. Well whatever was in her pants didn't really have a chance to dry too quickly since the weather was pretty sordid, but good news to the graduates no sweatage. Congratulations Andy.

Soka gossip 402: Amitesh got married. Something possibly going on with Phat (wait does he read this? I remember giving him my address at one time; to confirm the gossip e-mail Jessica). Sally had been kicked out a month before she gave birth. Stanley no longer attends Soka. The Alumni center is now the "small conference room" for tax purposes. The curriculum is changing, again. Jessica has decided to become a writer, thanks to Gonzo. I feel like I'm missing a whole chunk... add in what you please.

Finally no trip to soka would be complete without Pili, at least once, mentioning his poop. Ellie snorting. Cassie talkin' to Ed on the phone. Andy drivin us somewhere. Ryo not saying no. Lisa taking care of us. Michael getting a li~ttle more attention from a dog than the rest of us. Jessica doin'...something weird. Sammie doin' something different from us because of mormonism. Uyen finger drumming everyone's back. And, Phat putting on women's clothing except this trip was not complete since Allie wasn't there to let out a juicy one.

Other things that happened. Pili, Jessica, and I ended up in the Long Beach fishmarket at 3 in the morning. One of Jessica's many many non-bright ideas that Jessica had on this trip. I blindly and dutifully followed as Jessica's Turkey Inforcer. The market finally opened and picked up around 4, 4:30am... we slept in the car while Pili bought the next days dinner, which he would cook for us to be eaten under Michelle's new awesome candle (with a touch of lamp) lit canopy thingy. Then a trip to Bar Maitai where I showed my Japanese Registration Card, the bouncer showcased the card to his buddies simultaneously showcasing me as the psycho FOB Asian trying to pass. But I got in, thank goodness cuz I would have missed Jessica's fa~bulous entrance into the bar wearing a disco ball on her body. A dress she found in the salvation army pile in 300 the day before. (I ended up scoring a Chinese/English dictionary, a book on Hitler, and a dress thingy only appropriate to wear in Japan as well.)

There were calm moments as well, back in dorm 375 aka Hotel Kwan, where a game of scrabble began amongst 20 people in a 100sqft. area. No spades, which has to be remedied next time. Besides losing my rings (Jessica?) and losing $13 in Andy's room, all in all twas a fantastic and cathartic trip. I managed to check off most things on my "to do" list: eat Taco Bell, eat Inn-n-Out, eat Boba, etc.. It went by in a flash or like a blast of indoor fireworks. I approx. slept a total of 9hrs in the 4days I was there. Now I'm back in Japan missing laughing out loud, but I'm ready for the world once again and I think, as the fortune cookie said "The world is ready to receive your talents (in bed)."

Good Hunting.

ps. hey! its a picture of me, jess, and maju!!

Curses of Being a Woman

2006-03-21T00:37:00.000-08:00

So I watched this kdrama recently that's what the people around me are doing to me: making me watch kdrama against my will. Anywho this one called My Name Is Sam Soon or something like that is really good. I'm here at a little cheap onsen place in Gunma that a whole bunch of us have gathered to enjoy the Mongolian Sauna that is incredible, but I can't go cuz ...lady's you know why. So here I am at Korona World internet cafe blogging. Not that I shouldn't be here since I haven't blogged in a month. Look at me babbling. I can't believe one of us has gone on to get a master's degree yay a little prestige in our midst! I really want to go to graduation guys.... I think I'm going to make the effort to try to make it. Since it will be pointless to attend any further graudations since I didn't associate with any student lower than a junior. hey I'm on my period let it be.

Me & Jeffs Birthday pictures.

Luvyaguys!

2006-01-24T22:27:00.000-08:00

Hey after I blogged I read your blogs and just gotta say that I luvyaguys!!! Sorry I didn't send xmas cards or new year cards or like even send those ecards or call someone... yea I'm not a horrible person really I'm not!! I'm in Japan for goodness sake all I did on new years is drink with my uncle. didn't feel any different the next day cuz we started drinking again in the morning... Man I miss you guys! uh...happy belated new year and...merry xmas and and early Valentines Day!!

General Hospital

2006-01-24T22:08:00.000-08:00

So a little while after I last blogged I was hit by a mean virus which made me throw up at least 15 times, feverish, and delirious. Naoko and Naoko's mom took care of me. Tokyo made me sick. Japan is really weird when it comes to illnesses. I was taken to the hospital by ambulence, which became understandable since I was told its a free service. so they put me on a stretcher. Then when I go to the ER all the nurses and docs were totally bored out of their minds, and then they took a look at me and they gave me the "oh my god stop over reacting" look. Excuse me I may not have a bullet wound but I deserve some... something I don't know. They at least gave me an IV drip. Anyway couldn't eat proper for a few days. Is this gettin' anyone excited?? yea well, I'm in Tokyo at an internet cafe because I'm going to see Jason Mraz in concert!! yea! uhhh...I have nothing else to blog about except that its blimey cold. But snow is kinda cool. I haven't been doing any cool stuff you're suppose to do while abroad. oh yea I'm in love with the starbucks manager at the local mall tee hee.

In Tokyo!

2006-01-03T23:17:00.000-08:00

Im in a internet cafe with Allison and Andy is being stupid and not calling!!!! If you havent noticed I stopped using the apostrophe since it is located as a shift on the number seven and Im too lazy to shift it every time I say Im. I wish I can be part of the book club now since Im reading books like crazy. Not as crazy as Jessica but crazy. Im finally being educated. The first thing we did in Tokyo was to go get some TGIF. We also found a carpet that Jessica would probably have bought. I drink a lot but I never drank so much in my life with my aunt and uncle. Ok since Allison just made fun of me for not blogging the juice Ill blog it. I had a date with this English guy whos hot. I mean hot. He asked me out on a date so we went to Dennys. Thats right laugh it up, but thats the hottest place in Kiryu girls (and guys). Conversation was good but hes too hot for me and he plays soccer, he snowboards, he skateboards(which is basically snowboarding on land), and he loves his parents... I dont think hes the right guy for me, do you?? And I have bad news guys: Im not shopping. Really Im not shopping. Im sending money home to pay my loans. But Im thinking about taking it easy, so that I can shop a little to keep my sanity. Also over some TGIF Cajun-fried Chicken Salad, Allison and I talked about moving to Seattle after JET (maybe) (oh and sorry Ellie we dont want to go to Portland). So Jessica get ready for some roommates. Were gonna be Sexy In the City of Seattle.

Quench the Crave

2005-12-05T22:58:00.000-08:00

I miss driving... I miss sound proof walls... I miss the Korean restaurant appetizers that don't exist in Japan... I miss seinfeld... I miss simpsons... and I miss taco bell!!! and I miss you guys of course. Oh but our son is coming xmas eve. (by the way note to Andy, call me when you get here since I assume you'll be spending xmas eve with la familia) Now there are occassional perks to being in Japan, cuz you can go to Tokyo and feel like you're at the center of everything. Like when I go to see Jason Mraz in January. that's right I have converted to a Jason Mraz fan, and I do not have the right to feel that I am truly a fan since he has been Ellie's husband for two years now.

Talking to Chester

2005-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

I get online occassionally when I stay the night at friends house. But Chester and Ryo have been the only people who've I've talked to, well mostly Chester. I'm talking to Chester now...and now Sheldon. Damn it where are you guys? I'm gonna be alone for X'mas guys...feel sorry for me. All the ALTs are going home, and I will be in Japan where there are no X'mas trees. Well hope ya'll had a nice Thanksgiving...it doesn't feel like the holidays here.... I need to be in the holiday spirit. Some of the teachers really can't speak English and it's beginning to annoy me. Because a lot of these kids are freakin' smart and I kNOW if they had a teacher that could speak English then they would be better at English and they might actually like it. It's sad I say something in class and some students understand me and they explain to the teacher who doesn't... These kids are awesome... well most of them. Japanese Soka students are not the only angelic one's, but I guess they're more extreme. More to come.

ps. if you want to read other ALTs blogs they're funnier cuz they have internet at their home and they blog about everything....everything meaning food. So here it is. cindyng.blogspot.com
and jeffsantilli.blogspot.com Damn it I can't put pics on here...

I'm here!!!!

2005-11-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

Still alive and kicking... I hate not being able to blog... Omg. oh yea Jess I got you a hanten for your late birthday... early X'mas.... congratualtions on getting a kool job! ...... gift. I haven't sent it yet so....winter might be over by the time it gets there... You know had to wait until payday which was today... whatelse..... Going to be alone for Xmas.....sad....

How to make a Ann
Ingredients:3 parts pride1 part courage5 parts energy
Method:Stir together in a glass tumbler with a salted rim. Add a little cocktail umbrella and a dash of wisdom

I like the dash of wisdom.... I MISSS you guuuuuuuyyyyyyssssssss!!!!!!

Longtime no see...

2005-11-11T23:45:00.000-08:00

ha.... I'm a shitty person I haven't blogged.... I really want to get internet but phone line is so expensive. Not really liking my blogs lately... getting lazy and can't really make them interesting. Anyway... sameO sameO here. ...how many more months until you guys get here?? Did I say congrats to you all for getting jobs? and Sammy's opting for a career change in Iraq or a hostess in Japan. I got some hooks up for ya sammy if you ever need. I CANT wait to watch Elizabethtown! It just came out today but... I don't have enough money. I have about $200 to last me until the 21st. ok well don't have any interesting to say.

My apologies...

2005-10-05T03:23:00.000-07:00

the onsen was really fun all the guys got drunk and we talked about pornos and politics.....oh yea and did you all know that Naomi has been with Yukio since senior year?? Went clubbing in Roppongi, there was a Japanese guy all G'd up wearing a shirt that said "I'm Black." Ok sorry I realize I've been blogging on and on I'm not concentrating on the content...haa...I need to get internet...so I can relax find my chi and type kick ass blogs... Anyway I'm glad you guys are starting to plan the trip to Japan!!

The Reunion Report

2005-09-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

Well... I did it. I'm in Tokyo this weekend again... and we just finished our mini reunion. So let me give you the lowdown on the Soka peeps. Kimiko is currently applying for graduate school and apparently she has some kind of essay due on Wed. (it's currently Sunday) she was freakin' out. Kacchan and Yumi works at the HQ and when she talks to Kacchan she says "um... Mr. Kawahara?" Seiji is at SUJ studying Japanese linguistics and wants to be a teacher. He works part time at a bar/restaurant. Yukio teaches little kids how to swim (he's a little cuter now, ask Allie) and when the first Ikea opens in Japan he will be working there. Mayumi and Tsuneko just got accepted to SUJs law school. They'll start in April. Amitesh works for an IT company, and he's working really hard. Mika and Hiroshi work at the Toda Inst. where Mika looks after Americ and Oceana, and Hiroshi looks after Europe. Aya just had her opening ceremony at Waseda Univ. and was told they were there to compete with each other so watch your back. Naomi is of course working for Hitachi, still in training. Sara C. is working for a translation company and she plans to stay in Japan for 5 more freakin' years. Yuta is working at his step-fathers company...I didn't listen after that. Sunny is studying Japanese at SUJ. SuhJin of course is teaching English to little kids and waking up in the morning humming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Sankichi is working at SUJ...dirty old man. I think that's it. Naoko was the only one I think that couldn't make it. oh yea and I spent $1,000 today at the department stores...I spent it on clothes, bags, and jewlery.

Buff and Burly

2005-09-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

ok ok Im sorry I haven't blogged in so long... so let's see what's going on.... did I say that I've been to Tokyo EVERY weekend so far..?? what else? ALTs are all hilarious. We laugh so much this guy said we look borderline retarded. me and Allie are going to be at the informal SUA reunion in Shinjuku...that means another weekend in Tokyo! See there's always one reason or another. I've been wearing dark nail polish but it starts to peel off in like two days so its really noticeable. this one girl in my class said, "fix your nails." (in Japanese) I bought a $400 trench coat from J.Crew in Odaiba. what else.

I recently read the Celestine Prophecy, it was good but it's a little scary too cuz I can see a lot of people getting into it deep and almost following it like a religion. and the author looks weird. Now I'm going to read the Da Vinci Code, yea I'm trying to catch up with you guys. what else...I decided I'm not going to get internet so I just have to wait until I can get my ass to the internet cafe which is really far. so ...it might be awhile before you see this. oh man...but I can't do anything in this town everywhere I go I see my students. That's another reason why I go all the way to Ota...its not that far but it adds up.

I'm going to a famous onsen with the second grade Japanese teachers. you know being on the other side I can see why the educational system fails. The only real education you can get is in College and up. I forgot, they found a body in the Kiryu river next to the bridge right next to school. Don't know the details. rumored spread among the ALTs and people started asking me how "I" found the body. I'm getting real lazy with my wordrobe again. I get paid today but I decided that I'm gonna put aside half of my paycheck and send it home never to return again. so I'm gonna try to save as much as possible. I've been biking or walking for all of my local traveling so my legs are extra buff..mmmm..mmm...

Youthful Harassment

2005-09-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

I'm sooo freakin' busy every freakin' day!! And Sammie you are NOT uninteresting! Oh my goodness they should do studies on you. no I'm just kidding. I'm sooo mad I can't blog. I mean I'm so mad That I can't blog. Anyway every weekend (except the first) I've went to Tokyo, so far and looks like I'm going to continue the trend. Soka peeps in Tokyo area are going to have a reunion...I'm slowly inching my way back into the Japanese community...but apparently they really don't hang out with each other either. I went out to lunch with Mika and Hiroshi who work at the Toda Institute and with Yumi who works at the actual headquarters building, oh yea and Kimiko came later, she's applying for graduate school right now.... she wants to be a world heritage protector ...or something along those lines. ummm....let's see what else is going on.

I think we're all going to Egypt. There are other trips planned to Korea, New Zealand, and Austrailia, but not going to those. I want to go to Egypt!! So I think we're going. Have you guys seen the 40yr. old Virgin? Was it good? What the hell is Allison up to? Hell, what the hell are you guys up to? not very many cute guys here, but there is this one guy that everyone is like waiting for me to hook up with. Its this Japanese guy that hangs out with all the ALTs, he's not an English leech but I don't know... He's really nice though...I think I'm gonna end up hurting his feelings, that's my Talent!! Well we'll see how it goes. might as well everyone else is hooking up.

Haven't been clubbing yet but really want to but weekends are basically booked with shopping and karaoke parties, and I'm going on an onsen trip with all the second year Japanese teachers. oh yea and I shamlessly flirt with one of them (he's married and has like a 7 yr. old boy). Actually we shamlessly flirt with each other. I need to keep myself entertained somehow!! I promise I won't be a home wreckor (wait is that how you spell that???) Anyway I hardly do shit around here...I thought I was going into the real world... well maybe not... damn it when am I going to get to the real world....maybe this IS the real world. What's this alleged real world all the adults were talking about?

I went to Yokohama and Chinatown too... it's definitely a must see spot. Mom flying in on Oct. 5th. Oh yea and there's an ALT here that passed the Mensa test... I don't know thought that was pretty kool. I'm going to Hokkaido for the snow festival too with my aunt we're going to go see the Ice bergs too (something about huge ice bergs float down from Russia and the water molecules in the air freeze so it looks rainbowy, auora?). I still don't like Japanese society...but thinking maybe I want to work in a Japanese company... what'd ya'll think? I kinda wanna work in a broadcasting company or an electronics company... I need to keep myself interested. and if I work in Tokyo I can be close to all the malls. oh the roaches are officially gone. I plugged off all the pipes and haven't seen one since. Congrats to Alli on getting a car. oh yea and the kids are really cute. the girls at Kirijo are really good they make my job easy... they' re a little shy at times but mostly cooperative and funny. The kids at Kiriko the tech. school they're "bad" but not like nasty bad. I've only met like two kids that are kinda annoying. after my presentation I asked, any questions? of course, do you have a boyfriend?? no. will you go out with one of us? no. can I have your phone number? no. who's you're type in this class? nobody. Teacher I want to go out with Ann-sensei. it's funny cuz the teacher just completely ignores these comments.

The Four Leaf Clover

2005-09-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Whenever I read Ellie's blog I get all emotional. Damn it Ellie. So Bob Denver died (Gilligan guy) its soooooooooo sad to think that someone from the first class is going to someday die... even before that the professors....I guess we already lost one. But....awww that's so sweet to think that the professors felt so attached to us. Awwwww!!! I wanna go back to Soka!!! Ellie were you in Oregon or were you visiting WuLa in California?? Anyway...so sad. So many fond memories....haa..... it's funny cuz when everybody was at orientation they were so excited to meet all the other JETs and talked about the peole who pulled out at teh last minute...it reminded me of the Soka family...I think they feel the same way...except I already had the bestest of the best experience so it doesn't feel as great....the one thing that sucks about having the awesomest four years of your life is that nothing will feel as great from now on... But then you'll always have the memory to look back on and plus we still have each other and an ACCREDITED liberal arts degree. whoo hoo. awww... soka friends are so AWESOME!! God I feel damn lucky.

High on Roaches

2005-09-01T21:46:00.000-07:00

I went to Tokyo spend like a hella of a lot of money...what else is new. I bought a bike finally I've been borrowing the schools ratty bicycle. But now I'm afraid to leave it anywhere since I think in Japan its considered very nice... It's basically a anarchistic playground. These past few days I've been losing the war against the roaches... Apparently they don't live in my house yet. They just come in from the sewage system when it starts raining outside. I just get soooo freaked out when I see....omg let me tell ya'll these roaches you have never seen before they're like the size of your fist man....well maybe not that big...but they're really really really big. so I've been on a killing rampage. Yesterday me my aunt, and my cousin sealed off a bunch of places and got like 4 kinds of Roach killing stuff.. we got a bomb, one of those sticky stuff, the one that has poisonous food, and of course I have 5 spray cans in the house right now. so far so good. When you're in Japan, don't ever stomp your feet near a big roach because they (instead of running away) will come charging toward you FULL speed. O M G. it was insane. They are the grossest things in the entire world. ew.. what else. as you can imagine in the JET world there's so much gossip if you're gone a day...you missed out on something. No...there's no gossip about me... I'm not a hoochie. but I wanna be. For some reason I can't type I'm becoming dislexic. so apparently everyone does pot.... I've starting to really understand that everyone really actually does smoke a lot of pot... it's as common as alcohol. Maybe even better for your health.... But it is illegal so ....that's that... My views have been scewed once again by the government. dude. they should just llegalize marijuana think of all the crime it would stop...well some anyway. But....I don't want everyone to be a pot head either.

It's Anne!

2005-08-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hello my lovely friends, I am doing very well. I hope you are too, I am having a great time with the students here and I am absolutely not afraid of them. And guess what now I have a pimp ::shit:: I mean a boyfriend, he takes care of me very well. I have made many friends here as well, they're mostly from Brazil and the Philippines, but they're really nice people...they're very hard working. So Allison is blogging for me....and I'm a prostitute unable to communicate to the only person who feels suspicious... of my lack of contact.

The Darkside

2005-08-27T03:57:00.000-07:00

Im here at the new Apple store in Ginza....they have like Djs here and everything its a little strange.... Im actually thinking about going to the dark side and getting a Mac and buying an ipod its like totally the new age. ....ok this conversation is like totally boring..... um..... I spent a lot of money at Tokyo today.....

La Cucaracha, La Cucaracha

2005-08-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Alright I haven't typed in English in a long time so....here I go. The Japapnese male teachers will not talk to me or even try to come near me with a ten feet pole!! What the hell is wrong with them? Examples: this one Physics teacher....or some odd reason he wanted to know my full name and the Kanji. so he asks the VP when he's like two feet away from me...and I hear my name so was like "what" then he comes talk to me. its like talking directly to me must be like a faux paux.... any way I don't get it. I'm closer in age to my students then the teachers so I almost want to just hang out with them....but I know that would be wrong... I still don't like the popular prissy girls no matter what age I am. its like they're so....I don't know how the hell do they get that way? I don't get it. Oh yea I saw the first raoch in the house......omg. while I was in the shower it was creepign up on me. I screamed; it was humongous. really people. I sprayed the whole bathroom.....it was steamy from the spray plus the steam from the water. it was huge...like a baby rat. ewww ok I'm getting chills just typing about it. I've made the decision to get internet in the house. oh yea I should fax the application. so on Monday I have to go to the ghetto school.....yea...it's a dangerous paradise...

I blogged: Times 10

2005-08-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

ok since there's a block on the schools computer I couldn't blog forever!! I've been e-mailing myself my own blogs so that when I can get on, BAM! Anyway I went to English camp (top English students from Gunma Prefecture high schools gather). It was fun, but be warned that when I return to the country I ...will...speak....like....this... apparently when you teach English for awhile you speak slow slow slow. I'm going to Tokyo this weekend.....watch out.....ok a little sleepy.

Another Blog

2005-08-16T23:40:00.000-07:00

for some reason I can't read Mitzis blog its the only blog thats blocked at the school. I do almost nothing at school.....well thats not true Im nerdy so I keep myself occupied by reading the JET hand book. Im going on camp with some of the Gunma English high school speakers. Lets see how well taht goes. I really have nothign to say.....Im just bored out of my mind. Oh yea and Congrats to Ellie on her new car....although I dont think she reads my blog, but thats ok... Im saying it anyway!!! grrrr....dude. Im bored. omg. eeeeeeeww. these are my feelings people. how come the typign test doesnt work anymore. ok... I should study japanese or something huh???....hey allie are you taking the national test thingy??? Its in december thats a little too soon for me. Everybody has somethign to do but me....the male English teachers wont even speak to me.....I wanna go do something...I wanna meet sexy japanese male friends from Gunma University so I have someone to flirt with. Well actually I flirt with the Maebashi Board of Education head, the History teacher here, and soon I will try to flirt with my aunts friends son who is about 30. mmmmmm yea old men why do I love them so much??? they're so unattractive when they're young.

To be Asian, or not to be Asian?

2005-08-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

at Tokyo orientation my roommate was Elisa, incredibly annoying theatre girl, cannot stop talking about herself or her accomplishments, never ever once does she ask about you. But I kept my cool which I am very proud of I managed to still talk to her. THEN on the bus from Tokyo to Gunma she's chatting with others I pretend like I'm sleeping. Guys in the back says yea its kool to be gaijin in Japan there are perks, then annoying girl says (in a rather loud voice), "Yea, I'm so glad I don't look Asian!"----------------- that's, when I decided I don't need to think about her or talk to her. But I kinda got to put her in her place when we had the big reception with all the Gunma prefectural big wigs, we were all gathering and it was me with Mizumura (important man) introducing me to the big wig japanese men as the person who can speak the best Japanese (for some reason she insists that she can speak better....) I talked it up with them. Happy ending. ps...I thought I was being a bitch for hating her, but afterwords the word on the JET grapevine is that they ALL hate her. Vindicated. Yet sad.

This is a Pen.

2005-08-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

So I'm suppose to correct something for the website and here's something the students wrote.... I quote "We are happily acting twice a week with tenn people. All memebers are working on teh practice hard so as not to waste the time of the valuable amount, though wtice a week are little We holds out aiming at winning a prize int eh rally thought we all are beginners." Go JAPAN!!!

XXXX University of America

2005-08-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

Ok so continuing: what happened at the Nomikai...it was generally pretty fun. One thing though they asked me what university I went to and of course I had to say SOKA university and they were like oh....there's one in America too??? I was like yea......and then one teacher said....oh then Daisaku Ikeda must be kamisama I was like noooooo not really.....end of story....I told him in theory that the school and the religion were separate. Was that enough? I don't know no body brought it up after that......

Steam!

2005-08-03T00:46:00.000-07:00

Man some people are annnnoooooyyyying...there's this one woman here that cannot address me even though without a doubt she knows that I speak Japanese. she would ask questions about me when I'm right there!!! a little annoying and the admin. basically human resources on the first floor this one particular lady there talks to me like I'm two....I know I look young but I ain't no toddler, talk to me like I'm conscious. sorry blowing off steam. We're going to a "nomikai" with the second year teachers....a little frightened....the motto "what happens at the enkai, stays at the enkai." I'm bored but I'm planning Septembers lessons...eeerrrr...Oh yea and everyone apparently saw and talked about my application therefore, they know that I went to Soka University.... ha.....now I always have to wonder when somebody snuffs me if it's because they don't like women or they don't like the Gakkai...........damn it. it's fuckin' scary here. I feel like a Nazi in downtown new york. Oh yea and I bought a $350 yukata...

Contact Me

2005-08-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

hishi-machi 4-2357-15 gunma-ken, kiryu-shi (yuubin bango) 376-0001 Cell: 090-4179-2719 call me or like mail me or like something I need human contact that I'm familiar with. My mail address to the phone anntakayama@ezweb.ne.jp uhhh yea REMEMBER that guys!! ok signin' off better do some work.

"English Leeches"

2005-07-31T23:20:00.000-07:00

I'm having fun going to Izakaya's and partys...but I've ran into several "English leeches" they only hang around you to practice English, they don't really want to hang out with you. Went to a picnic, then we went to the Cooks apartment and we basicallly fit like 40 people in this small ass apartment, THEN we all went Karaokeing....aren't these people crazy...I mean I'm all for going out one after the other but this is insane....I think I'm getting old....I'm the type of person that stays with the group until the very end but...I couldn't make it...they went to Denny's after the Karaoke, who knows where after...of course there were some hookups. Anyway...I'm still getting situated...I'm waiting out on a lot of things until I get my paycheck....like Soy Sauce. Also I found a thrift store for old school girl uniforms...if I find a cute one I'll get one for ya Jess. Any takers??? Actually for Halloween I was thinking of borrowing one and walk around school see if they notice (notice how I say this with anticipation that they actually might....). Anyway a lot of flirting going on...This one guy Nat is really cute...he's from the UK, I think I like accents.... a little superficial but hey that's what lifes about right girls!! Oh yea from time to time I'm like "should I shave my arms?" What'd ya'll think? Got my AU keitai. Living by yourself is pretty scary, like right now I'm still moving around the house like there's someoen living with me, but I bet in like 2months I'll be laying on the table watching tv........naked. Yoshi, ganbarimasu....should I go to the SGI.....meah.......

The Onion

2005-07-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

two articles in the Onion almost busted out laughing. http://www.theonion.com/news/index.php?issue=4130 (This is news in brief) Bush To London Bombers: 'Bring It On' WASHINGTON, DC resident Bush officially responded to the latest round of London transit bombings Monday, challenging terrorists to "do their worst." Said Bush, in a televised statement from the Oval Office: "The proud and resilient people of London can take anything the forces of evil and cowardice can throw at them. They will never live in fear of you. Bring it on." Prime Minister Tony Blair thanked Bush for his comments, inviting him to visit London and ride the Underground in a show of solidarity.

Yoda it.

2005-07-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

I'm bored shitless....like Alllie they haven't given me anything to do, I guess its understandable since the summer vacation isn't over yet. the guy next to me is talking about soccer but I can't keep up....I really don't have interest in anything....I need to care....give a shit so to speak. My predecessors pretty funny, he was encouraging me to take up smoking I was like oh yea for chatting and sort he's like no to give yourself cancer....I don't know just think of it being said in an liverpool accent. I don't have anything else to say. I guess I'm weird....I even feel weird in Japan so I must be werid....American I am. Change I did. oh yea I wanted to ask you guys what the hell is up with the ending of 2001: Space Odessey???

My Haunted Mansion

2005-07-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

Ok so the house is waaaaaaay to freaky yo, seriuosly no joke. the first time I saw it wasnt so bad since there were other people there and plus it was the day time. anyway....after everyone was gone and it was time for me to get to know the place....ooooooooo freakie dickie. First of all the house is way to big for me to even feel safe in you know what I mean? It's too big to spread out my presence so that the ghosts wont take over... it's a fuckin' old house it even has the otsukemono floor if you know what that is...I keep the lotion that I bought in the US there so it doesn't get too warm.

Did I already say the people at the school are totally nice?? Anyway it was hard getting situated apparently my predecessor wasn't joking when he said there's somebody crazy living behind me...he apparently cut the satellite cord that runs outside the house twice..and he has a speech impediment...oh yea and he occasionaly throws his garbage into my yard. I haven't had the wonderful chance of meeting this fellow but I hear about him from different sources. All "weird." I bought like a bunch of stuff from another ALT that's moving out for really cheap. so the tv and stereo helped to keep me company...I don't turn on the radio or tv too loud since "the guy" lives right behind me and you can basically hear everything like you were in the room so...my predecessor said he thinks thats why he cut the cord since it was too loud. I don't wanna run into him anytime soon so I just keep it down. On top of everything else there must be like 20,000 types of bugs in the house all together, you can do a whole biological study on the damn place....my very weird Administeration Vp said "think of it as camping in the wilderness"...I was like thanks man, you try living there. Oh yea and there was an after shock or maybe it was an earthquake....about a 4pointer they said. so do you stand under the doorway??? Does this rule apply to old broken down homes?

So in addition to the very cool and upbeat smarter girls school that I'm teaching at, I also have to teach at this technical school that is apparently a little different....welll they're not as smart and there are boys there....that's all my vp told me I was like ok so....they are boys there....I've seen plenty of those....I don't think any advances from little high school boys is gonna phase me any. well unless they're cute. sorry ew.. I wouldn't.

Dude, Where's My Country?

2005-07-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

Alirght so Im already in Japan and Im not really freaking out since the people at my school mostly consists of shy and really kool. My supervisors like around her mid-20s. Im already invited to a drinking party with my new collegues. The weirdest thing that happened to me while I was here was that when I was introduced to like non-English teachers my supervisor was like "dokushin nandesuyone"...meaning hes single ....ok.... (theyre already playing matchmaker) anyway they just finished cleaning the house and Im going to go see it today. You know how I was saying that the girls at the school are probably swooning over Dermot but....hes not that attractive so they wont be that dissappoited on that point anyway. Anyway I hope I have friends....some of the teaches here are really young; the youngest two people are the same age as I am. I can't believe I'm gonna be here for a year....I guess that's not that long since four years at Soka wasn't that long. man....it's in the air. we'll see what happens. what's going on with yall....

Here I Go, Here I Am

2005-07-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm here at the Keio Plaza hotel, its probably the nicest hotel that I've ever been in. We went out last night with Naoko, SJ, and Rumiko. We're gonna be here for about another 2days... a little bored... meeting people... it's very hot and humid as you all can imagine. Let's see... my plane was about 2hrs late, I played cards with two other Asian nerd boys on the plane (which was fun), I actually talked to people, the white people won't talk to me, the Asian and the black people don't seem to have a problem with me, the whole freakin' day I've been to workshops, and then dinner we stand waiting for speeches to finish and then we can drink, Tim was already drunk...Anyway, Hi from Allie and Timothy...Alli will blog later. Let's see what happens (next).... I will be out of contact for at least a week... signing off Houston.

The Boogey Man?

2005-07-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

So here are the pictures of the dreaded house, I'm a little frightened by the bathroom, does it frighten you?? If you look closely you can see the pit drop to hell under the boards...

Anyway I've been working for the temp agency for awhile and I've had three jobs each about 2days in length. It's fun ya'll, you should try it one time. They treat you like a god and offer you jobs left and right. Then when you go to your job sight if you don't do anything terribly wrong they'll offer you a full time job: seriously folks everytime I went to a job they asked if I can work there permanently. Today I was at the Regional Transportation Communications Department and basically I was a typist for managers from Phoenix, Sacramento, Las Vegas, and our beloved Orange County folks. It was fun, they were all old men and you know how much I like old men. Well these one's were sooooooooo cute I want my husbands to be like them, they're sooooo sweet! The OC guy offered me a job. They want me to do two more jobs that I have to turn down cuz you know what...she said it was a "high-profile job" what the hell does that mean?? But it sounds kinda kool...I've never had a "high-profile job" before...this is so much fun I almost considered not going to Japan, but at the pace I'm going I'm makin' about $70 a day not even close to Japan. Anyway definitely am recommending this. You get to have a different job each time, which is what I really need since I usually get bored of something on the third day the second day is pushing it. You also learn a lot too, today I basically learned how to put together a fleet of buses and what's needed to build one. It was funny listening in on their little "exec" meeting. They all have their little lingo. Actually the funny thing is it made me want to be in their line of work I was thinking hmmm...maybe I'll go to engineering school and become a 5M mechanic I don't know what that is but apparently it's fuckin' high paying as hell. Probably a lot of school though, shit. There was one woman there, she was from OC, but she was aggressive. You know she was kinda uptight, someone you don't want to piss off. It seemed like it was out of necessity. I'm not sure if I want to be that. Anyway just reporting my excitement.

Why, Oh why?!

2005-07-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

If I were to stay in Las Vegas, I would go see Jerry Seinfeld who's coming in August. If I were to stay in America I would go to my first dentist appointment. If I were to stay in Las Vegas I would save up to buy a white 3-series BMW. If I were to stay in Las Vegas I would watch "So You Think You Can Dance?" and keep watching "The Cut." If I were to stay in Las Vegas I would go see Avenue Q playing at the Wynn hotel coming August as well. But then I think of all other "things" I will be leaving........and aaalll is weeellll. I'm working.

Day of the Week

2005-07-11T13:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Official Monday!!!!

llegar a una decisión

2005-07-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm going with the house, $80 a month is too good to pass up and plus you guys gave me unanimous adivice to go for the house. I worked 13 hrs. straight for this temp agency I'm with now, the next day I worked a 15hrs. day until midnight, and the next day they wanted me to work from 5:30AM the next day. Can we say illegal? Anyway I will need the moola since I will need to buy a washer and other amenities since mr. predecessor is staying in Japan and will be taking my washer, etc. to his new place. I got my int'l driving permit, just in case I won't be driving...biking to work. I got nothin' here. Join the BookClub.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

2005-06-29T04:06:00.000-07:00

You guys have to help me...so I basically have two choices when it comes to housing: 1. I can live in an old house and pay $80 a month or 2. I can live in another location that's most likely better but pay $400-$500 a month (according to him should not be a problem on my salary). If I live in the house I would ride my bike 5-10min to school and 20min. to the center of the town (he suggests I get a car for rainy seasons, tch yea right and burn my savings). Also, if I move into the house I won't have to pay a big deposit. This is what he basically said about the house: "It's big, bigger than you need in fact. I trust with having been here you're familiar with tatami, well the living room is a massive 12 mat, bedroom 6 mat, spare room for drying clothes etc, big kitchen, small and quite grim bathroom. Hot water? No problem. Insulation? There is an air conditioner/ heater but only in the bedroom so the rest of the house is extremely cold in winter and unpleasant in summer. Other problems well the age and location of the house mean you get a fairfew interesting bugs and other small creatures for company, I'm not a fan of this particular feature! Again, because the house is old and detatched, in windy weather (which we get a lot of) the house kind of rattles noisily which can be quite scary. The location and traditional style of the house means you get very little ok no sunlight which can be a bit depressing and last on the list is a neighbour who is prone to occasional displays of psychosis." HaHaHaHa well as crazy as it might sound I'm rather torn. I'm okay with the heating situation. The only thing I don't like is the rattling and the exotic creepy crawlys that I will be rooming with, and the psychotic neighbor sort of scares me too...What should I do...?

Comments, Comments, Comments!!!

Kiryū

2005-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, people this is where I'm going. Which is not bad, it's in Eastern Gunma-ken which I think is the next prefecture over and it is very very close to my grandma and my aunt. whoo hoo. It is located on Honshu island, also on the Watarase River, and is known for its silk. The population in 2001 was 116,000 (that's not a lot is it?). I have been contacted by the "Kiryu Girls' HS"... my stomach is being taken over by butter flys... there is nothing in this world scarier than a bunch of evil conniving teenage girls, am I right or am I right?? Anyway, I'm about 90km away from Tokyo, which is probably like a 1-2hr train ride depending. Oh yea so after Curry House I went back to Maju's and found Marcos there, it was about 10:30pm and they convinced me to go play pool with them... I eventually got on 241 by 1AM and I reached home at 4:30AM (I even stoppped for gas and a potty break). There was nobody on the road, well some people. I was zoomin' at 90mph the whole time, the fastest must have been 110mph. It was goood. Andy sorry sorry sorry we didn't call ya... we were at Sam Woo's and thinkin' about ya... was I supposed to say that?? Anyway... of course everyone is welcome to visit me, I'll probably pick you guys up at the airport since I'm the closest, well actually I'll probably gather all the other SUAs that live in Tokyo and we'll PaaaaRRtaaay you know like we did all that time we were college students................

Thas it.

Posting Time!

2005-06-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

Observe the time of posting, you will notice that it is not during regular library hours. I finally took care of business on my own and got dial-up internet in our very own home! YAH!! I'm very excited...now I can do online shopping from the comfort of my bed. Well, a one month reunion, excited to see how ya'll have changed: husbands, kids, careers, houses in the hamptons? ok well I guess not too many changes. See ya soon.

Padre y Madre are both Driving me crazy!!!

MooLA

2005-06-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

ok ok ok, I caved...let's say about $200-$300 more than half of that was stuff that I actually needed...I'm starting to think I might actually have a problem...I've been watching t.v. a lot more lately and I always wonder how do these people who supposedly achieved the "American Dream" get there?? I was watching Oprah (yes, I like her show) and the guy that started the Reality TV craze in America was on, he's British, he did Survivor and the Apprentice and now he's going to do a show with Martha Stewart... anyway how does he do it?? Basically his advice was jump even if you only know 50% of what you're doing that's enough. Is this sound advice? I don't know...my SGI-Vegas friend who's a year older than me and went to Rice University landed a job at Budweiser's Marketing department and is now moving to New York, she has a English Literature degree, apparently it doesn't matter what degree you have as much as that you actually have one. This whole job thing "really burns my muffins." Nothing interesting going on, my aunt and grandmother unexpectedly came to Vegas well they were expected but since you know there is a little communication kink in our family we (mom and me) didn't know 'til the last minute. Hey Uyen I have all rights reserved to all embarassing pictures of me and any associated family members, but since you read my blog I'll let this one slide. And for Andy, so far the second one sounds the best. The first one might be a little hard since the EU and NAFTA are like not comparable...actually don't listen to me I don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but one thing that I think might work better especially for IS is you should find a partner and do (what are those things called that Phat did for Time and Space class?) these group sessions with your mentor: my regret not taking care of things sooner, would've had a better Capstone, well, in theory. So, um...when are we all meeting up again??? Is that too depressing of a question...

Is going to a SuperPawn a bad idea??

Action News

2005-06-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

Dude...Ellie's getting a lot of action lately...and people stop watching t.v. it's poisonous I'm telling you!! Except if it's "the cut" which I am going to watch religiously until I leave...it's Tommy Hillfiger's new reality show...I KNOW I'M ASHAMED!! but hey I'm keeping it down to one show...lately JET's starting to piss me off...too much freakin' work.../ I can't believe you guys still do parades up there...I'm starting to think graduate school...I got tricked the other day I called an 800 number off of one of those technical school commercials...so much shame...anyway I called just to get a pamphlet right, all of the sudden I'm scheduled to meet with the recruitment lady at the college tomorrow...how did this happen I don't know, I got nothing better to do... oh yea and my aunt and my grandmother are flying in on Tuesday...yes my father said, "nene and obaachan are coming on Tuesday" those were the words he spoke to my mother since how long I don't know...soooo am I supposed to act like everything's ok?? Are we going to go out to dinner, eat dinner together??? This'll be interesting...I watched "The Motorcycle Diaries" yesterday...slightly inspired to go Communist...well how 'bout socialist.

:: Things that I bought since I've been back::
1. Closer ($10.00)
2. Cutest most wonderful Kenneth Cole Leather Bag ($160.00 w/employee discount)
3. Inserts for Louis Vuitton Planner (which I had from before $30.00)

You can say it, aren't you guys proud of me!! Hey...that's not too bad for a 3 week period...is it? I've walked into the Forum Shops and parts of the Fashion Show Mall at least 5 times and this is all that I bought! I think I'm blogging too much, am I blogging too much?? I'm still too scared to call my high school friends...I think I'm too weird now...

The Turkey Enforcer

2005-06-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

So I frequent Jessica's blog...I don't know it's kinda like the news to me...also its a way to find a link to all my buddies since I still don't know how to do that on my own blog...anyway, I come across the turkey enforcer, oh that's an interesting title ::click:: oh yea it's me...How come I can't comment on Jessica's blog...what was I going to ask...I was going to ask what the number was. I have my second interview for the GAP right after this...now this Gap is located in the Ceasars Palace Forum Shops (it's kinda like the South Coast) so I have to walk by Victoria Secrets, Betsy Johnson, Lucky Brand, ect. almost everyday...can I do it, well let me tell ya'll there was a break through: I tried on a BCBG dress, DKNY shoes, and several Marc Jacobs items and I did not buy a single thing. That's right, I'm cured...well I guess not really; an addict is never cured...I'm starting to suffer from withdrawls: how are ya'll doing? I need updates! Like at least once a week for *&%^ sake. Ok I'll c ya'll later.

Bored Shitless

2005-06-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Ok is anybody else bored or is it just me?? I have absolutely nothing to do...I guess I could contact my old high school friends, but I haven't had the courage to interupt them...Allison seems busy, Ellie's probably making out shamelessly with this Matt character whom claims to be going over to his house to use free internet, and Jessica is probably as bored as I am...and what the hell is up with the waitress? I went to GAP to do a group interview...awkward and weird. Well the whole thing was somewhat interesting, I haven't had contact with regular people for a loooooooong time. They were really....I don't know...compensating?? Is that the right word, anyway it seemed like they had to be the way they are to make it in the world. Do I have to be like that too? The service industry is evil; the servicer is in a vulnerable position. One of the other girls was pregnant so the manager guy told her that he would giver her limited hours so she wouldn't have to be on her feet so long, then he laughed and said, "hehe, yea we're not evil [or something like that] here or anything" I was like uh...what about the children in Indonesia? Ok I have 35min. left on the clock...mmmm...mmmhmm...

One-liner: Past the time, burn a CD....

i got in...

2005-06-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Well, those bastards want me now! Sure, they made me wait like 9months, but I'll forgive them SUUUUURREEEE!! No seriously I thought about not going...but it's a good opportunity...a $36,000 opportunity to be exact...and when am I ever going to be able to do this ever again? I don't know where yet...I hope not too far into the boonies (no offense Allie). So does this mean that you guys will visit me too?? I'm not even sure if you guys are reading this blog...I gotta a comment from Uyen and Andy, YEA!!! I miss you guys too, but I think I'm still in denial...I'm hoping I'll be in denial until the next time I see you again... hehe..

One-liner: ALLLLLL BYYYYY MYYYY SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLFFFF

Vegas Baby

2005-05-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

I finally got to a computer!!! I feel like I'm on study abroad again...anyway I've been trying to clean up all the junk that's piled up in my room and on my bed...I had to sleep on the floor two nights in a row in fear that the boxes will come piling down on my in the night...I think I'm going to be working at GAP and at a Japanese restaurant owned by Koreans...which I later found out that the owner is an SGI member, I guess this is where name recognition comes in handy... Anyway so I have to save up money to get outta here and move to a better place like...southern California...sorry Jessica... Maybe I'll be here for like 3 months and move on. Man establishing yourself is hard... especially without credit... My father has excellent credit, his credit score is probably like an 800 (that's really good) but I have not spoken to him since I have moved back in his home...I know weird right. This is why I'm trying to get two jobs: 1) won't be at home that often 2) I can save money to leave. Sammy I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye (:: hug hug ::)! So when are we all going to get to see each other??? Oh yea and I didn't get to say goodbye to Phat...I wonder if he still reads this...if you do give me a holler.... Ok well that's it for now....oh yea one more thing I love that picture of you Ellie on the OC very becoming..

One-liner: If you get a job...hook me up please.....

Joke

2005-05-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

You know why there are no WalMarts in Iraq? Because they're all "Targets"

ALT/ERNATE

2005-04-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

What the hell?!?!? I'm on the Alternate-list!! That's the longer list!! Well Fuck them! I just got a call from God and they want me to be the next pontiff!! That's right I'm gonna be the first Asian American, woman, and Buddhist to be the leader of the 1.1 billion members of the Roman Catholic Faith...damn that's gonna look pretty good on my resume. JET will want me back after that! I'm mean I should have got on the short-list...who do they think I am? What did I do wrong?? It must have been that time I tried to jump the Consul...damn it, I thought I was scoring some points for that...I don't know, I'm having some reservations about becoming the next Pope though, I mean they're gonna put me in that Pope-mobile to protect all the eligible men out there from me...wait is that the other way around?? Anyway, my back-up plan isn't bad though...although I'm not sure if the red vestment will look too good on me, but that pope hat will make me taller...maybe JET will take me then...Also I would like to report that I have successfully avoided any contact with my father the 12 hours I was in vegas. Oh yea and finally I want to give a quick shout out to our friend we all know who I'm talking about that special tyrant that got dissed and dismissed by the chocolatey and magically delicious half-bear half-human Travis. Jessica don't worry someone better will come along, maybe a full bear next time! I'm JUST KIDDING! We all know that bears can't date humans! No no, in all seriousness they can't.

One-liner: It ain't no mArcha, it's March mothafucka - Radio Raheem

Good Hunting Guys.

Swearing Is Bad

2005-03-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

What the Fuck is goin' on 'ere?!!? Mothafucka?? Damn bitch...you gOn eat that?? Said Tommy to Sally...Sally says no Tommy you can have it if you want to, I don't mind. Tommy says well thanks bitch! That's fuckin' charishable of yer. So Tommy goes at the tasty lookin' fish sandwich like he just stole it from a convenient store...then Sally says 'hey Tommy...why don't you play with the other kids?' Tommy was shocked by this abrupt question "wadjyu say hoe?"..."say that one moe 'gain"...Sally was getting a little nervous, but she was a very nice girl so she politely asked again, 'um..why don't you play with the other kids?' Tommy said, "cuZ I can't stop cussin' ya fuckin' penis!" 'Oh,..ok' says Sally. Now the moral of the story is if you're not nice you'll end up with friends like Sally.

1-lina: Got Rice bitch, Got Rice?

Good HuntIn'

Impending Career Options

2005-03-06T02:09:00.000-08:00

How exciting is this! My first blog-list.
These are suggestions I've received thus far:

FBI Agent
Graphic Arts Designer
Actress
Cold-hearted Business woman
Photographer
Political Spin doctor
Ruler of the Underworld
Concubine
Marketing manager
Magazine writer
Japanese talk show host
Collumist
Host of the Weakest Link
Yakuza Boss
The person that throws knives in the circus
Restaurant Reviewer
Stripper/ Dominatrix
Manager of Artist/Band
Advertisement

One-liner: Will Travis join the Darkside?

The First Time

2005-03-06T01:31:00.000-08:00

I didn't tell you guys this but a couple of days ago I did it for the first time...I know I know it's a surprise! Isn't it crazy, I told you guys I had nothing to blog about but here it is. I guess I can tell you about a little bit of what happened...I thought it would be kind of gross and maybe even hurt a little but it didn't at all! I didn't even bleed! Nope. No siree, not meee I have really really strong gums apparently! It was hard, I mean difficult, getting the floss in between all the spaces, but IIII did it! Yup! Oh wait, hahhaaha waaaiiiit a minute...yoou didn't think...you pervert...what dirty minds you all have! Yea well I guess you can say I had a hot date with Mr. Oral-B (Satin Floss). On to more important things: I'd like to officially congratulate a very very pungent victory on the part of Michael J. O'Malley, which will go down in Soka history as a first, for getting a lap dance from two very excited ladies in front of all his friends...it don't get any better then that folks. Yea...when I saw that sight, I was happy for all them other little Irish boys out there that ever wished one day "I'm gonna get some fine booty rubbed up against me while all my friends are watchin'. " I'm sure everybody felt nothing but pure bliss when they saw.. O'Malley's little leprechaun hat bobbing up and down...up and down...up down...as they continued to stroke and brush their little butts...against his crotch. Yeeesss my friends let's remember this moment...with a moment of silence shall we.....................ahh...... Speaking of wonderful birthdays, mine was very very wonderful yet I cannot submit myself to write about it because it is too close to my heart, you understand don't you darlings?? Good. In conclusion I would like to make an announcement that I have for the second time fallin' in love with someone who unfortunately does not feel the same way towards me. Yes. 'tis sad I should say, 'tis very sad...I shall mope and groan about it within this cold exterior.

My one-liner: The Irish are lucky...

Leave 'em Laughing

2005-02-16T23:31:00.000-08:00

I got nothing to say about JET except the consul is HOT! oh yea baby. That's how I like 'em, 40 and with power! mmm mmm that's some goooood eatin' rhat dere. So yea, if you want to talk to or date a women like me, don't hesitate to call! I will be good to you, AND to your brother. Ok sorry I don't know what just came over me, oh it's the other brother. Ok sorry too much huh? Anyway! the JET interview was great! I made eye contact with each panel member pretty freakin' constantly, I answered all the questions except two with spitting accuracy (whatever the hell that means), and I made all of them smile and laugh at least once with my keen wit or my pimple colony....whichever. Yea so it was good, we got to make the other JET interviewees that were waiting in the lounge with us nervous because we were laughing and joking like it was the tonight show with Angel (she's the presentation lady that came to Soka and also the check in lady for the interviews) I think we made them more nervous then they already were so that was really fun (oh c'mon you know I'm a bitch, should I stop saying that?) Yea so it was alright, the two questions that I didn't answer with spitting accuracy was "if you had 5min to prepare a lesson on one president who would it be and why?" I said Abraham Lincoln because he was the man who started...no no no...ok so he was the president when the country was divided into the north and the south...and...so when they brought in new states they had to be either slave or non-slave state...yea so basically he changed the whole damn country to what it is today...fuckin' I don't know I learned this shit in junior high I'll research this shit when you give me the job! I think they liked the second part better. Then the sexiest man alive, well who I think is at least in the next 5min, asked me "if I were I naughty boy how would you discipline me?" I was like whaaaat? Are you serious? Well...no he didn't ask it like that but I said I'd play a game with the class and he asked for me to be more specific and I said, yea..I don't know at this point hot stuff. I think he liked the second part of that answer too. Yea so it was ok. In completely unrelated news Allison is teaching me how to drive a stick shift. This is my progress report: I stalled 80% of the time, I found the G-spot but I couldn't work it too well, and I almost ran over 2 under classmen...I should have huh we have too many of them anyway. And today my mother finally seriously said that she has provisional plans of leaving my father after she pays off her debts!! YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for this moment for a long time guys! It's finally come! I'm serious as a heart attack, trust me it'll free my mother and make her 10times better. Anyway that's my inappropriate, nasty, abrasive message to you all.

One liner: Sometimes I Just Get So Angry! --The Angry Girl

Good Hunting guys.

My First Blind Date

2005-02-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

So I just got back from my first blind date and well....I know what I don't want. Just kidding, JUST KIDDING! He was really nice, but I wouldn't go out with him again...I think he might actually be an inch smaller than me, which is why I think Pili set me up with him. It was weeeiiiirrrdd I felt like I had to kind of bend my knees slightly so he wouldn't feel bad. Basically this guy (Greg Tam) is a rich boy from Palles Verde, his house is apparently on the beach. He took me to a kinda lush lunch where there's $5 parking and $15 salads...yea, the food was good we should all go there sometime its called Las Brisas its overlooking Laguna Beach, the soup was gooooood. Anyway, he goes to UCI he's in his fifth year there as a computer something something major, he likes Bone-thugs and harmony (even though they don't make music anymore), and he plays video games. I think he's a nerd, but not a cool nerd...He was really nice the whole time, he was trying hard to keep up the conversation, but he kept apologizing for not entertaining me enough...yea...we had okay converstion but very sterile...and basically whatever he started talking about I knew more about it and that's not a good sign since I don't know much about this world, so basically I declared check-mate everytime. I need at least a little challenge just to feel like I'm actually in a relationship....Anyway continuing: He and Chinako went to the same high school and they were in orchestra together. We got lost trying to get to the restaurant, the one thing that did surprise me was that he actually made reservations at Las Brisas, that was pretty kool. After we ate while feeling bad that I wasn't eating a lot (I didn't want to, it was so freakin' expensive, I was planning to pay so I just had their soup) we went for a walk on the beach and we ended up at this like 'lovers cove' kinda area bleah couples were everywhere! They were all on top of each other and here we are walking amongst them...awkward. Anyway after that we took the long way home by taking the 405 instead of turing left on El Toro. I was wondering if I should hug him and say goodbye or what, but I ended up saying I had a good time and bolted out of there! I think he was confused of what to do next apparently (he also was a virgin to blind dates) so as I was walking toward 370 he didn't drive off until I motioned him to...NOT in a mean way! I was just trying to make him leave by pretending that I was giving him directions out of Soka (and out of my life). But, he was really nice...but I don't think he's passionate about anything...anyway I hate to admit it but I was NOT physically attracted to him....I guess nice guys do finish last...sorry mr. Tam; actually he's better off not being with a bitch like me. It was a good mild experience for a first blind date. Next time someone taller and interesting...

My one-liner: 4' 11" just don't cut it.

Good hunting!

Formal Apology

2005-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

This is a formal apology for finally getting the address right for this site. I know you have been awaiting my wonderful blog entries...I actually did a entry before this but for some reason it has been erased...bastards! I thought I make sporadic entries so that it looks like I'm keeping it up...let's see interesting things that happened to me today are....I woke up at 6:30am worked out for half and hour with Sammie on an empty stomach I thought I was gonna throw-up (I guess nothing) then when I was walking back a maintenance guy on a cart almost ran me over (really) Don't worry I gave him a dirty look he'll never forget, hehehe. Today is my first day on the job...I'm sccaared and I'm scary so I guess that balances out. Which brings me to Travis who is not afraid of me and have been trying to get him to join our group, but apparently there is dissention in the ranks about his over-qualified coolness. More discussion is needed on this. In related news I would like to find someway of joining the nerdiest boys in our school if not the world in their Risk game and also if possible their scrabble games as well (no Halo will be necessary). This concludes today's entry, I hope you all have enjoyed thoroughly and please leave any interesting, cynical, or funny comments on this entry. Good Hunting!

Ann

Oh yea my one-liner: $3.00 for a purse, them children working hard for Target.

Numero Uno

2005-01-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

I actually don't like doing this bloggy thingys, but since I am graduating in about 5 months why not...Need to keep in touch with my friends somehow. This is a little test blog entry...so um...what the hell are we suppose to talk about in these things? Do you guys actually read everything I say? Hmmm...so I can brainwash you but you would just think you're reading a blog ann is the greatest person in the world and should be the all high and mighty ruler that doesn't say anything. I can see this easily becoming a depressing undertaking...Maybe instead of writing a whole spiel of my interesting day I should stick to one-liners that basically describes my day. Here's my first one.

Sunday, January 2, 2005:
Bored shitless.

Happy New Years guys :0