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They Tell Me I’m Beautiful

14 Jun

Well, I hate to have to tell you this, but I can never, ever live in Korea.  It’s impossible. It’ll never work. For one thing, I’d never stop getting distracted by so many cute guys.  And real gentlemen too!  I fell full onto a dude on the subway today (and I’m no lightweight) and he didn’t say anything even remotely close to Ooomph.  Instead he had me hold onto his shoulder straps for his book bag and talked with me the rest of the trip. Smiling. With gorgeous eyes. Did I mention he was hot?!?

See! I told you I would get sidetracked. Back to what I was saying.  I just cannot make a home here because my head would be so big there would be no living with me. Seriously.  I was stopped 6+ times today (no exaggeration) for people wanting to touch my hair (I’m blonde in a sea of Black-headed people) and tell me how “shiny” and “yeoppuda” (pretty in Korean). That or they wanted to feel my skin (I’m pretty much pure German and extremely fair) to tell me how “pure” and “white” and “oohhhh” it was.  People kept telling me how beautiful I was all day long.   And let me tell you, boy did I eat it up.  Kinda put a bounce in my step and I can’t stop smiling.  That would never happen in the US. 

I even got felt up!  I went to the Dragon Hill Spa today (where you are naked in the women’s rooms) and wasn’t looking while putting my stuff in the locker. Suddenly this hand grabs on to parts better left unmentioned. I look down and see the cutest kid. A 1-2 year old boy had gotten away from his mom and was staring back and forth between me and her. He had a hold of me and just wouldn’t let go. 0_0 I think it’s cause I”m blonde and he’s not used to it? The Mother died of embarrassment. I’m pretty sure she’s still red in the face.  So was I. Talk about Awkward! But the grannies in the room cracked up and couldn’t stop rolling on the floor laughing.  At least he blew me kisses goodbye so he’s not a total grab and run.  Lol!

Sayonara Japan!

12 Jun

Two days ago, I officially made my sad goodbyes to the wonderful people I met in Kyoto.  I had the opportunity to meet some amazing folks, both in the program (like my absolutely fabulous roommate) and on the streets of the city itself (like our totally sweet and awesome hair cutter/stylist at the Noel Salon on Shijo-dori near the corner of Shijo and Senbon–you should definitely check her out).  I got some amazing pictures and great adventures were had by all 🙂  Everything from washing our hair in Shampoo and then Body Wash because it looked like Conditioner (stupid look alike bottles) to finding a restaurant that offered Beef Tongue and Grilled Horse meat (true story–it also served beef gristle; you know the stuff you cannot eat off your steak?!?).   We got lost so many times, but every time met someone or ran into some awesome landmark that made up for it.  We found new favorite restaurants (Anri in Porta at Kyoto Station is DELICIOUS!), favorite hang-outs (loved wandering around the riverside at Arashiyama), and new best friends.  

To Japan: I Salute You For A Wonderful Time!

Chishaku-In and Sanjusangendo

7 Jun Chishaku-In

Chishaku-In and Sanjusangendo:

Kyoto’s Most Famous Garden and Temple

It’s funny, but when they told me I would be visiting Kyoto’s most famous gardens; somehow my brain was picturing a type of botanical garden such as you would see in the U.S.  You know, open rows upon rows of flowers, all arranged carefully around small stone water fountains.  Suffice to say, I had it more or less completely wrong (kind of like when they said I was going to a monkey zoo and instead took me hiking to the top of a mountain to see them in their natural habitat mid-forest).

The Chishaku-In garden is actually rather small and compact, but what there is of it is stunning.  Carefully interwoven around some lovely temple buildings and tucked up against one of the many mountains in the area, the gardens consist of small Continue reading

Waffle Fish: Essentially Japanese

29 May

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Haha, had a little fun today!  My roommate and I went wandering and we finally got the chance to try these fish-shaped waffle treats.  We’ve been dying to try them for a while, but they usually are filled with this bean paste that doesn’t sound too appetizing.  However, today the little shop across from the hotel offered the ones filled with chocolate so we took a chance and grabbed one on the spot.  It cost 100 yen (approx. $1), and was pretty good.  I thought it was a little bland (literally a pancake filled with cheap chocolate), but I think it has a lot of potential.  I want to try making one with sweeter pancake batter and perhaps a more flavorful chocolate.  Still, I had fish-shaped waffles! How awesome is that?!?

Walking the Streets of Kyoto

26 May

Went for a walk outside yesterday (Sunday here) and I ended up travelling quite a ways up and down the streets. Walked down Sanjo street (where I live) to Karasuma Street and then back up Shijo Street. Saw a couple places I want to check out tomorrow! But I also saw some really cool random things that I thought I’d share. So here is a glimpse of the streets of Kyoto!

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10 Things I Will Miss About Japan (and 1 Thing I Won’t)

25 May

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6. Vending Machines

Vending Machine

Cigarette Vending Machine

Holy cow, there is just no way to describe all of the things you can get in vending machines here in Japan. Continue reading

10 Things I Will Miss About Japan (and 1 Thing I Won’t)

25 May

Page 1Arashiy

Is it possible to fall in love with a country in just two weeks?  In some ways, Japan is very similar to the US. Every other block has the old, familiar sight of a Starbucks, McDonald’s, Seven-Eleven Convenience Store, and bus stops.  Go to a store and you’ll find Pringles and Doritos chips, Tide laundry soap, Dove shampoo, and Apple computers.   Afternoon tv shows tend to be some serious drama that is reminiscent of US soap operas.  Despite the language barrier, you can always still recognize that look from a Japanese mother towards her child that means innately “sit still.”  

Sharp

Recognize this company? Take a look at your local TV store!

 But at the same time, there is something so unique, so different about life in Japan.  So here are 10 things Continue reading

Life In Japan: Week One is Done!

22 May

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Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!  I swore to myself that I would keep this blog updated as I went about my trip and I totally screwed up. I just realized I haven’t posted in weeks, and I sincerely apologize!  Everything has just been so incredibly hectic.  But I hereby promise that from now on I will keep everything updated and going, and I will get up the stuff I haven’t posted on.

The trip getting here was one problem after another; if I didn’t know better I’d swear a poltergeist was working against me.

It started when I started working on getting my Chinese visa. Continue reading

True Friendship

19 May

True Friendship

Friendship is hard to depict and hard to define, but these two were a great example :) They were laughing and joking with one another, and I couldn’t help but capture it on film. They seemed like great kids.  To be so close to each other, content in each other’s company, and comfortable around each other is a truly amazing gift.

Getting a Chinese Tourism Visa (for US Natural Citizens)

14 May

Passport

US Passport

For someone who wants to work in China after graduation, I have to admit, I’m none to desperate to run through the whole getting a Visa thing again any time soon.  I mean, oh my word, that was a total disaster from start to finish.  Since the process outlined on their website is a heck of a confusing mess, I failed to realize that it would end up taking me weeks to get my Passport and Visa back. I literally only got it the day before my flight; and that was after calling my senator who called higher-ups who called higher-ups to track it down and then stopping the postal services to grab ahold of it. What a mess! In the hopes of helping clarify the process for some other poor soul Continue reading