Last month I moved to Yoyogi, which is pretty much in the heart of Tokyo. I can walk to Shibuya and Shinjuku within minutes and I have easy access to all of Tokyo. This move made my commute to work go from a 1 hour and 15 minute train ride to a 15 minute ride. Time is money in this city and I've got 2 more extra hours per day now! I love living here -- Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine is right down my street and I walk through both every day. I walk to/from either Shibuya or Shinjuku every day as well. I love walking lately. It frees my mind and I feel really healthy doing so. Something about walking in the city is so captivating.
I've also been going out and meeting lots of new people lately. People from all types of genres from fashion gurus to pro basketball players to salary men. I'm like a sponge, absorbing all that this city has to offer. I play basketball at a gym near my house every Tuesday with pro basketball players and other city folk who come for a pick up game. I also dance hula once a week with women who are obsessed with Hawaii. And I go out with my friends a lot and somehow my network has become as big as the iPhone's network. I am truly living the life right now.
My friends have been so good to me recently. I realized that I have a great group of close Hawaii friends that live in Japan that I can rely on like my family. Besides that group, my coworkers have grown to become more than just faces at work but real friends outside of our uniform. And my Japanese group of friends have really opened their arms and treat me like their own with lots of patience and care. Why am I so lucky to meet such great people?
The city has changed me to become much more independent, more than I have ever been before. I am able to do so many things with confidence and without thinking twice. I have picked up hobbies and made different groups of friends. I love to read novels and other books on my spare time now. I really do have a great life even if it feels so bland.
I am a city girl. A TOKYO GIRL.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
First post in 2010...
Dear All Who Read This Blog (or should I just say: Dear Aunty Bobbie),
It's been 2 months since I updated my blog. I'm sorry for the lack of entertainment that my blog gives you. I've been so busy lately that I've had no time to even sit down and use the computer leisurely. Today is a national holiday, the day Japan was founded, so I have the day off and I am finally catching up on all my emails and obviously updating my blog.
I was thinking about this topic recently. One year ago I was in Hokkaido with the Okada's - playing in the snow, enjoying the Sapporo yuki matsuri, relaxing every night at an onsen, eating food like there will be a famine the next day, exploring new places in northern Japan, making great memories with my family and of course falling in love with Japan. I can't believe its been one year since we went on that trip. I can remember when our tour guide announced that it was a national holiday, one year came and went, and its the same day one year later... today! It's so crazy how much things can change in one year.
After my swine flu (my last update on this blog), I went home for 5 days to spend Christmas with my family. That trip was so enjoyable! I was so glad to spend time with my family and friends... and to get out of this fast paced city for a while. You can't go wrong with Hawaii. I can go on and on about how great my trip was, but I will just want to go to home again, so just rest assure that I had a great Christmas with the nest family members in the world.
When I returned to Japan, I went back to working Monday through Saturday. I have been working so much, even my father would be proud of me. I'm so amazed that I can wake up every morning at 7 am and get through the day and do it all over again the next day. This is definitely an experience that I won't ever forget. I've been working hard, but also been going out much more than last year. On the weekends (or should I say Saturday nights) I meet up with various friends and go out in Tokyo. I have met so many new people in the last 2 months than I ever did in the 6 months I was here last year. Its fun going out and having fun once in a while. Last year I thought working and saving money was everything and I would rarely go out, but I realized that I needed to enjoy my time while I am here so I made it a goal in 2010 to go out and have fun. So far I think my goal is on point!
Here's a picture of me and my cousin Alanna. We had dinner in Roppongi last Saturday.
Let me now rant about the weather in Tokyo/Chiba/Saitama. It's absolutely FREEZING every day here. On February 1st it snowed for the first time in 2 years here! It only snowed for about 4 hours so it wasn't much, but still I had to go play in the snow since I've never lived in a place where it snowed. It was a winter wonderland for one day/night and the snow melted by the next afternoon. But 2 days later, on February 3rd it snowed again! Once again, it melted by the next day. It's also supposed to snow again tonight! I'm sure it will melt by tomorrow again though. Nonetheless, I'm excited and I am loving this weather while it lasts, although secretly I can't wait for spring!
My first snowy night! This is in front of my train station:
As you can see, I was EXCITED!
The morning after... so beautiful.
In about a month Aunty Bobbie, Uncle Jiro, Randal, Donna and Lance will be coming to Japan! I will meet them by shinkansen in Nagoya and then we we will go back to Tokyo. It should be a very great week! I'm so excited to take a vacation with them again (*-*)
I'll update more often... I promise! I'm loving life here in Japan and I am so glad I took this challenge upon myself!
LOVE.
It's been 2 months since I updated my blog. I'm sorry for the lack of entertainment that my blog gives you. I've been so busy lately that I've had no time to even sit down and use the computer leisurely. Today is a national holiday, the day Japan was founded, so I have the day off and I am finally catching up on all my emails and obviously updating my blog.
I was thinking about this topic recently. One year ago I was in Hokkaido with the Okada's - playing in the snow, enjoying the Sapporo yuki matsuri, relaxing every night at an onsen, eating food like there will be a famine the next day, exploring new places in northern Japan, making great memories with my family and of course falling in love with Japan. I can't believe its been one year since we went on that trip. I can remember when our tour guide announced that it was a national holiday, one year came and went, and its the same day one year later... today! It's so crazy how much things can change in one year.
After my swine flu (my last update on this blog), I went home for 5 days to spend Christmas with my family. That trip was so enjoyable! I was so glad to spend time with my family and friends... and to get out of this fast paced city for a while. You can't go wrong with Hawaii. I can go on and on about how great my trip was, but I will just want to go to home again, so just rest assure that I had a great Christmas with the nest family members in the world.
When I returned to Japan, I went back to working Monday through Saturday. I have been working so much, even my father would be proud of me. I'm so amazed that I can wake up every morning at 7 am and get through the day and do it all over again the next day. This is definitely an experience that I won't ever forget. I've been working hard, but also been going out much more than last year. On the weekends (or should I say Saturday nights) I meet up with various friends and go out in Tokyo. I have met so many new people in the last 2 months than I ever did in the 6 months I was here last year. Its fun going out and having fun once in a while. Last year I thought working and saving money was everything and I would rarely go out, but I realized that I needed to enjoy my time while I am here so I made it a goal in 2010 to go out and have fun. So far I think my goal is on point!
Here's a picture of me and my cousin Alanna. We had dinner in Roppongi last Saturday.
Let me now rant about the weather in Tokyo/Chiba/Saitama. It's absolutely FREEZING every day here. On February 1st it snowed for the first time in 2 years here! It only snowed for about 4 hours so it wasn't much, but still I had to go play in the snow since I've never lived in a place where it snowed. It was a winter wonderland for one day/night and the snow melted by the next afternoon. But 2 days later, on February 3rd it snowed again! Once again, it melted by the next day. It's also supposed to snow again tonight! I'm sure it will melt by tomorrow again though. Nonetheless, I'm excited and I am loving this weather while it lasts, although secretly I can't wait for spring!
My first snowy night! This is in front of my train station:
As you can see, I was EXCITED!
The morning after... so beautiful.
In about a month Aunty Bobbie, Uncle Jiro, Randal, Donna and Lance will be coming to Japan! I will meet them by shinkansen in Nagoya and then we we will go back to Tokyo. It should be a very great week! I'm so excited to take a vacation with them again (*-*)
I'll update more often... I promise! I'm loving life here in Japan and I am so glad I took this challenge upon myself!
LOVE.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Swine Flu
It's my first day staying home, or house arrested, whatever you want to call it. My doctor said I have to rest/not go out for 2 days after my fever is gone. It's only my first day and I think I'll have at least 2 or 3 more days like this. I'm bored out of my mind. So far I've watched Japanese movies/dramas, checked my email like every minute, window shopped online, dreamed about shopping in Ginza when I feel better, drank tons of water and Aquarious, checked my temperature every hour, and thought to myself how the f*ck did I get the swine flu in Japan?!
Since I'm so bored, I want to educate you all on the symptoms I had and how it felt before I went to the hospital. It all started with a cough. Not the normal petty cough, but the "I just smoked a fatty" or "smoker's cough". I had that cough for a day or two and thought I was just catching a cold so I took some over the counter medicine and sucked on some cough drops. Then yesterday morning, I woke up with the same cough and I felt like I had a fever, not to mention my body felt like I ran a marathon the day before and I was aching from head to toe. I took my temperature at 9am and it was 99.1 or something like that. Since it wasn't that high, I decided to go back to sleep and try to sleep it out, but at the same time, I was like, "I have a fever, my body aches, I have a cough... this is definitely the flu." So before I went to sleep again I checked online what the symptoms of the flu was and to no surprise, it was all the symptoms I had. I finally went back to sleep after telling myself I'm OK and it's not the damn flu. I woke up at around noon and took my temperature again and it was 100.6 and this time I woke up feeling shittier than before. I can't really remember what happened between noon and 2pm, but I woke up at 2pm and took my final temperature before going to the hospital and it was 101.8 and I so I thought, "It's time."
I could hardly walk to the hospital, if anything I looked like those 80 year old Japanese grandmas who's back is so hunched they become 3'5''. I was surprised that I could speak to the nurses and doctor in Japanese and tell them my symptoms and answer their questions. Anyway, the funny grandpa doctor took my flu test and it came out positive and he said, "あ〜やっぱりインフルエンザだ！” or "Ah, after all its the flu (influenza)!" He even tried to speak English to me, which made me laugh, but I couldn't laugh and all that I could do was cough instead.
So here I am, the day after, with a slight fever, the same nagging cough and a sore body. I haven't eaten anything real for the past 2 days and I don't feel like eating anything so I almost force myself to eat some yogurt or jelly (jello like foods) because I need to eat something small with my medicine.
I just researched online how many people in Japan have the swine flu and since May, about 11 million people have reported positive. And about 100 of those 11 million people with the swine flu have died, including someone in their 20s! I honestly thought the swine flu was such a joke and that I would NEVER get it in my life because I am young and healthy -- I thought the swine flu hit children and the elderly. Apparently I was so wrong and I am not god-like after all. I almost laughed at people who wore masks everywhere (on the train, shopping, at school), but now here I am a mask wearing, influenza sickened person who looks like I've been homeless for a week. (see picture)
Since I'm so bored, I want to educate you all on the symptoms I had and how it felt before I went to the hospital. It all started with a cough. Not the normal petty cough, but the "I just smoked a fatty" or "smoker's cough". I had that cough for a day or two and thought I was just catching a cold so I took some over the counter medicine and sucked on some cough drops. Then yesterday morning, I woke up with the same cough and I felt like I had a fever, not to mention my body felt like I ran a marathon the day before and I was aching from head to toe. I took my temperature at 9am and it was 99.1 or something like that. Since it wasn't that high, I decided to go back to sleep and try to sleep it out, but at the same time, I was like, "I have a fever, my body aches, I have a cough... this is definitely the flu." So before I went to sleep again I checked online what the symptoms of the flu was and to no surprise, it was all the symptoms I had. I finally went back to sleep after telling myself I'm OK and it's not the damn flu. I woke up at around noon and took my temperature again and it was 100.6 and this time I woke up feeling shittier than before. I can't really remember what happened between noon and 2pm, but I woke up at 2pm and took my final temperature before going to the hospital and it was 101.8 and I so I thought, "It's time."
I could hardly walk to the hospital, if anything I looked like those 80 year old Japanese grandmas who's back is so hunched they become 3'5''. I was surprised that I could speak to the nurses and doctor in Japanese and tell them my symptoms and answer their questions. Anyway, the funny grandpa doctor took my flu test and it came out positive and he said, "あ〜やっぱりインフルエンザだ！” or "Ah, after all its the flu (influenza)!" He even tried to speak English to me, which made me laugh, but I couldn't laugh and all that I could do was cough instead.
So here I am, the day after, with a slight fever, the same nagging cough and a sore body. I haven't eaten anything real for the past 2 days and I don't feel like eating anything so I almost force myself to eat some yogurt or jelly (jello like foods) because I need to eat something small with my medicine.
I just researched online how many people in Japan have the swine flu and since May, about 11 million people have reported positive. And about 100 of those 11 million people with the swine flu have died, including someone in their 20s! I honestly thought the swine flu was such a joke and that I would NEVER get it in my life because I am young and healthy -- I thought the swine flu hit children and the elderly. Apparently I was so wrong and I am not god-like after all. I almost laughed at people who wore masks everywhere (on the train, shopping, at school), but now here I am a mask wearing, influenza sickened person who looks like I've been homeless for a week. (see picture)
Monday, November 30, 2009
久しぶりだね！
久しぶりです！ (It's been a while!)
I have another blog that I update more often... but I write all in Japanese, as a practice to be able to speak and write better, so thats why I haven't updated this blog as often.
Anyway, my trip home last month was great. I got to see people I wanted to see and I got to do things that I wanted to do, although one week in Hawaii is definitely too short. There's nothing like Hawaii. And I can say that with confidence, after living in Los Angeles for 5 years and Japan for 6 months, and having traveled to many places. Hawaii is truly the best place to live. BUT, as I stay strong to that opinion, I also feel strongly that one must go out and experience life outside of Hawaii to truly understand the beauty and happiness of the islands. Without living away from the islands, you can't appreciate what Hawaii has to offer. Thus, my want to go away to LA for college and now live in Japan. I know what Hawaii has to offer and I will return one day, but for now I want to spread my wings and experience things that I could never do or see being isolated on the tiny island of Oahu. I enjoyed my 5 years in LA and I'm enjoying every day here in Japan as well. I have no regrets and I'm happy for my decisions.
I didn't intend on writing an essay about Hawaii, but something inside of me told me to explain why I decided to move to Japan. Many people have asked me why I'm living here and why I'm not living in paradise instead. And each time, I explain what I just wrote and some people understand, and some people don't. I get bored of things fast -- my hair, my nail color, cameras, fashion, music, etc -- and living in Hawaii this year from February to July was to routine for me. I need change. I need excitement. I need challenges. Although change, excitement and challenges enhances my anxiety disorder, I just keep on fighting and trying my hardest at life's battles. I am so proud of my achievements and failures. My parents and family have given me so much - they have made my roots strong with education, values, morals and belief - and that is why I am able to do what I do today.
I will endure my first Christmas AND New Years away from Hawaii and my family and friends this year. I am, of course, sad and have wishes to be at home in the sun with good food and good company, but for once I feel like I can be alone and try something new. I actually want to experience this holiday season in a different city, or country for that matter. For 22 years I have had Christmas in Hawaii, and for 21 years I have rung in the New Year there too (last year I was in LA). For my 23rd year of life, I want to be the first one in my family to say, "Happy 2010!", 19 hours before Hawaii rings in the new year. For some reason, this year I am strong!
There have been many challenges I have experienced in the past 6 months here in Japan and I have much more battles to go, but every day I am thankful for life and for the people who have made me who I am today. Don't think that a day goes by and I don't think about you, because I think about you all every day. I may not speak to you or send an email everyday, but I thank you for supporting me and raising me to become who I am, So thank you Mom, Dad, Derek, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandpa Kazunaga, Aunty Bobbie and Uncle Jiro, Randal, Lance, Aunty Lisa and Uncle Allen, Sachi, Kevin, Uncle Ross and Aunty Janet, Chase and of course Jesus Christ -- Thank you all for all your unconditional love.
Now, I'm going to cook dinner, eat, and sleep knowing tomorrow will be a better day!
LOVE.
I have another blog that I update more often... but I write all in Japanese, as a practice to be able to speak and write better, so thats why I haven't updated this blog as often.
Anyway, my trip home last month was great. I got to see people I wanted to see and I got to do things that I wanted to do, although one week in Hawaii is definitely too short. There's nothing like Hawaii. And I can say that with confidence, after living in Los Angeles for 5 years and Japan for 6 months, and having traveled to many places. Hawaii is truly the best place to live. BUT, as I stay strong to that opinion, I also feel strongly that one must go out and experience life outside of Hawaii to truly understand the beauty and happiness of the islands. Without living away from the islands, you can't appreciate what Hawaii has to offer. Thus, my want to go away to LA for college and now live in Japan. I know what Hawaii has to offer and I will return one day, but for now I want to spread my wings and experience things that I could never do or see being isolated on the tiny island of Oahu. I enjoyed my 5 years in LA and I'm enjoying every day here in Japan as well. I have no regrets and I'm happy for my decisions.
I didn't intend on writing an essay about Hawaii, but something inside of me told me to explain why I decided to move to Japan. Many people have asked me why I'm living here and why I'm not living in paradise instead. And each time, I explain what I just wrote and some people understand, and some people don't. I get bored of things fast -- my hair, my nail color, cameras, fashion, music, etc -- and living in Hawaii this year from February to July was to routine for me. I need change. I need excitement. I need challenges. Although change, excitement and challenges enhances my anxiety disorder, I just keep on fighting and trying my hardest at life's battles. I am so proud of my achievements and failures. My parents and family have given me so much - they have made my roots strong with education, values, morals and belief - and that is why I am able to do what I do today.
I will endure my first Christmas AND New Years away from Hawaii and my family and friends this year. I am, of course, sad and have wishes to be at home in the sun with good food and good company, but for once I feel like I can be alone and try something new. I actually want to experience this holiday season in a different city, or country for that matter. For 22 years I have had Christmas in Hawaii, and for 21 years I have rung in the New Year there too (last year I was in LA). For my 23rd year of life, I want to be the first one in my family to say, "Happy 2010!", 19 hours before Hawaii rings in the new year. For some reason, this year I am strong!
There have been many challenges I have experienced in the past 6 months here in Japan and I have much more battles to go, but every day I am thankful for life and for the people who have made me who I am today. Don't think that a day goes by and I don't think about you, because I think about you all every day. I may not speak to you or send an email everyday, but I thank you for supporting me and raising me to become who I am, So thank you Mom, Dad, Derek, Grandma, Grandpa, Grandpa Kazunaga, Aunty Bobbie and Uncle Jiro, Randal, Lance, Aunty Lisa and Uncle Allen, Sachi, Kevin, Uncle Ross and Aunty Janet, Chase and of course Jesus Christ -- Thank you all for all your unconditional love.
Now, I'm going to cook dinner, eat, and sleep knowing tomorrow will be a better day!
LOVE.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
One Week!
In one week I'll be back home on the beautiful rock called Oahu! 本当に待てないよ！(I seriously can't wait!)
Just thought I make a list of things I want to do, in no particular order:
- beach/surf everyday
- eat shave ice at least 3 times
- go shopping! (clothes in Japan are expensive!)
- walk my dog everyday
- get a haircut at Paul Brown
- get a mani/pedi
- go out with my friends
- cook dinner with my mom
- go fishing with my dad
- sleep in my parents bed with our dog too, yes I'm a 23 year old baby.
- drink POG juice till I get sick of making shishi
- catch up on American TV!!
- RELAX!
I pretty much can't wait to get back into the water and see my parents, dog, family and friends. It just started to get cold in Tokyo so I'm definitely wanting some warm weather! See you all soon! ♥
Just thought I make a list of things I want to do, in no particular order:
- beach/surf everyday
- eat shave ice at least 3 times
- go shopping! (clothes in Japan are expensive!)
- walk my dog everyday
- get a haircut at Paul Brown
- get a mani/pedi
- go out with my friends
- cook dinner with my mom
- go fishing with my dad
- sleep in my parents bed with our dog too, yes I'm a 23 year old baby.
- drink POG juice till I get sick of making shishi
- catch up on American TV!!
- RELAX!
I pretty much can't wait to get back into the water and see my parents, dog, family and friends. It just started to get cold in Tokyo so I'm definitely wanting some warm weather! See you all soon! ♥
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Dad!!
パパ、お誕生日おめでとう!!
(Dad, Happy Birthday!!)
Hope you have a great birthday... I'm so blessed to have a loving dad like you! You taught me so much and have given me more than I could have ever needed, and for that I'm so grateful for you! You're the best dad in the world and I'm so glad you're mine! Love you so much!
Can't wait to go to the beach with you and go fishing, cook dinners, play with ChaiChai, and everything else. See you in 12 days!
Happy Birthday Pops!
(Dad, Happy Birthday!!)
Hope you have a great birthday... I'm so blessed to have a loving dad like you! You taught me so much and have given me more than I could have ever needed, and for that I'm so grateful for you! You're the best dad in the world and I'm so glad you're mine! Love you so much!
Can't wait to go to the beach with you and go fishing, cook dinners, play with ChaiChai, and everything else. See you in 12 days!
Happy Birthday Pops!
Friday, October 2, 2009
This one's for you, Mom and Dad.
So after years and years of my dad telling me to "stop cracking my neck", I finally realized I really need to stop. I'm pretty sure I crack my neck every day and have been doing so for many years now; it's almost like second nature to me. I crack my neck without thinking -- it's really like breathing to me.
However, yesterday I cracked my neck and ended up with a painful stiff neck. I thought I slep awkwardly, but I was wrong because when I woke up I can clearly remember that my neck was fine. In the afternoon my neck became sore and I couldn't look up or towards the side. I iced my neck, took a hot shower and massaged the affected areas. This morning when I woke up, it was still painful, but I could move it a little more. It almost feels like the first time my chiropractor adjusted my neck, but 10 times worse.
Thank you mom and dad for always telling me what's right and I'm sorry for not listening to you, but trust me, from today on out I will (try) not crack my neck again! Love you! XOXO.
However, yesterday I cracked my neck and ended up with a painful stiff neck. I thought I slep awkwardly, but I was wrong because when I woke up I can clearly remember that my neck was fine. In the afternoon my neck became sore and I couldn't look up or towards the side. I iced my neck, took a hot shower and massaged the affected areas. This morning when I woke up, it was still painful, but I could move it a little more. It almost feels like the first time my chiropractor adjusted my neck, but 10 times worse.
Thank you mom and dad for always telling me what's right and I'm sorry for not listening to you, but trust me, from today on out I will (try) not crack my neck again! Love you! XOXO.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
