Filling the Daruma's Eye

or "Why you won't be getting any more updates for the next two weeks or so."

When I first bought my daruma, it had blank eyes. When you have a goal, first you color in one of your daruma's eyes. When your goal is accomplished, you fill in the other eye.

This is my daruma.

When I was on Winter Break, I really wanted to go to Tokyo, but I didn't want to go alone. So I didn't go. However, I did go to a temple on New Years and buy a daruma. Filling in the daruma's eye, I decided that I was Going To Tokyo.

And now, during Spring Break, I and a bunch of my friends are headed off to Tokyo. Everything's been planned, we're going everywhere from the Ghibli Museum to the Imperial Palace. There will be lots of pictures AND lots of text. It will be six days of fun and joy.

However, I feel that my suitcase will be better off holding clothes and souvenirs than my laptop--so I will not have immediate internet access while in Tokyo. So, no blog posts.

The week after Spring Break is when all my midterms are. Since I am currently taking 5 classes, there will also be no posts that week as well (unless I miraculously decide that I do not need to study and don't need good grades ever again).

And then there will probably just be a week or half a week of recovery. And then there will be posts! Glorious, glorious posts!

So I ask patience from you (and those of you who know me in real life, please stop badgering Dad! He doesn't run my posting schedule!) with a rewarding six to eight posts in April.

Thanks to all!

A Day Downtown

Today I met up with an old friend from Beloit—Ann. She’s taking a brief visit in Japan after teaching in China and went to Kansai Gaidai about two years ago! In addition to Ann and I, LA and Isa, a new student, joined us as we made our way to Kappa Sushi—the local kaitenzushi restaurant. After that, we made our way down to Hirakatashieki for some shopping!

Of course, shopping is one of my bigger weaknesses. But I managed to get gifts for some people who I haven’t managed to find gifts yet for as well as a new purse because my old one is starting to fray around the edges (cheap! I wish I had gotten a better one!). I also found some cute craft items and a book of felt critter patterns. It doesn’t even matter that they are in Japanese because sewing instructions are practically universal! There are some really cute patterns I can’t wait to try out!

In other news: I’ve fixed my earrings that were too small, one of my roommates finally arrived, and I’m really annoyed that after living in the same room for a month, I was made to pack up, move out, and then move back in for a period of one week only. (>_<) I’m living out of my suitcase yet again!

Dorming Yet Again

Today I made my way from Okaasan's to the dorms of Seminar House Two. Surprisingly, despite shipping a fair amount of stuff back home, I still came out with more luggage than I started with. -_-;; Ugh. I wish I didn't collect stuff like a snowball, but I love what I have!

Surprisingly, Okaasan sent me off with a big bang--she packed me lunch and dinner along with a whole box of edible goodies!

All of this is edible and to be used in a kitchen--I'm practically set for a week!

Here's dinner--yakisoba and delicious!

And that's not including the haori and scarf (pictures finally taken!) that she got for me!

Details of the shibori

I'm all settled in now and I'm glad after the hecticness of the day. :)

O.O

Last night I received a surprise—Okaasan had a gift for me! And that is how I learned the payoffs of being a historical culture nerd. 

What did I get?

Okaasan bought me a NEW HAORI and SCARF in a shibori pattern (shibori is also known as “tie-dye”  in the West, but Japan’s style is so unique and quintessential “Japan” that they seem like different ways of cloth dying, in my mind). I was blown away. She told me I was the first student she had done this for because I had shown an interest in the culture.

This is the shibori dying pattern, not from my haori or scarf, unfortunately... Each of these little circles is created by tying a tiny rope around the fabric before dying...pretty intricate, ne?

I was blown away. The scarf is a gorgeous mix of pink, red, and orange, while the haori is a light red. I couldn’t stop smiling. I am bouncing off the walls. It is so pretty and I am so happy; I am basically incoherent with descriptive words to describe how I feel right now. Awestruck, bashful, cheery, delighted, elated…I could go on for the entire alphabet!

I don't have any pictures yet, but I will!

I spent most of today figuring how to pack all of my stuff (plus the stuff my family sent for winter) into two little suitcases....I think I accumulate waaaaay too much stuff way to quickly. -_-

Leaving at 4am

Yep, so tonight's my last night in the ol' US of A. I'm really excited to be going, despite having to leave at ungodly o'clock in the morning (that's 4am for all of you who didn't read the title...). So, I'm just going to stay up all night and crash on the plane. Healthy, no. Fun bonding time with the little sister, yes! Family has been calling me all day, despite the hecticness of the packing. It's been really nice to hear from everyone. :D

Yesterday was very busy with Mom, Em, and I rushing all over Madison looking for good omiyage (which is a type of souvenir/gift that is traditionally given at first meetings and after travel) to give to my host family. We finally found some very nice important chocolates and a picture book of Wisconsin for the coffee table. I hope they like it!

I also got a manicure and pedicure at a luxurious day spa. Mom got a massage and Em also got a manicure. Her nails are blue and shiny. My nails are pink and sparkly. When Mom saw them, she said, "I don't know why I'm surprised you got your nails that color, but I am." Silly Mom. Pink and sparkly shall rule the world one day!

Back to packing, as of 6:47pm (that's right now for me), I have all three bags packed and put in the trunk of our car. My purse is sitting  next to me and it's almost ready to go. Oh my, I'm so excited, I can barely wait!

My next post will be from Japan~!

Two Weeks~!

A word to the wise--never try to dye rice krispie treats. They will only dye your mouth and your lips and your teeth, making you look like the walking dead.

This post is because I'm thrilled. I've only two weeks left before I go to Japan. Yesterday, Mom and I got luggage. It's so nifty! One's a green roller/duffle/backpack. The other one's purple and has four wheels so you can roll it around without having to drag it. This is especially important because I'm taking a year's worth of clothing (or trying to at least!).

Mom's garden is in full swing with the zinnias blooming beautifully.

 And then here's one of our daily, hard-working visitors!

I've decided it's a little too much trouble to mark every single one of my photos, but please ask me before you use them. It's only common courtesy, so I think everyone should be fine with this...

Two weeks!!