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+about me+
name: Erin
+contact+
AOL: Gingitsune18@aol.com
gmail: ShadeKeiko@gmail.com
msn: rainbowgingi@hotmail.com
AIM: rainbowstargingi
+links+
I have henceforth removed links. You know where to find them. ^.~
+tagboard+
+previous posts+ +schedule+
+archives+ +counter+
Monday, June 20, 2005
beverley hills at LAST
mood: x_x
listening to: nothing
>.> So, here I am, sitting in the computer room of the Beverley Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Here is what has happened thus far today:
I woke up and I got ready to leave. Madre drove us to the airport after I ate a little breakfast, and I gave her a big hug. I almost cried, but I didn't really have the time to, if you know what I mean. Padre and I went inside the airport to check my trés cool rolling duffel orange. However, it turns out that my ticket was registered as me traveling alone ala "unacompanied minor." Liars. So, I ended up having to get a new seat assignment or some weird crapo (??), and I ended up sitting 9 rows behind padre. In the middle seat. Little did I know what certain d00m lay ahead for me. But now that is besides the point.
After taking off all of my clothes in security, we proceeded to our gate. I saw a glimpse of Xiao. Turns out she and Micki were on the same flight as me, although I didn't get a chance to talk to them. Since dad was ahead of me, and a Supreme Platinum Member Deluxe, he got to board before me. After waiting like 20 minutes, I finally showed my ticket to the lady, and proceeded to the ramp thingy. I then proceeded to wait another 15 minutes to actually GET ON the fracking plane. I swear to you that was the LONGEST time I've waited to get onto a plane.
When I finally got to my seat, and got everything settled, I was sitting next to a nice black lady on the right (aisle) yet no one was yet on my left (window). However, just as I was thinking this strange fact, a very large man walked by. Oh, how I prayed he would not sit his fat ass next to me. I prayed for those short moments where there was still hope. But alack, fate took over and he motioned to that seat. I somewhat reluctantly got up with the nice black lady, and he went into the seat. Or...he attempted to. Once I was settled again I realized that his fat was pretty much bleeding over into about 3 inches of my personal space. Not only did the armrest not go all of the way down (he didn't fit into the whole seat, obviously), his fat ass arm was pretty much in my face the entire flight. His thighs were about the size of my dog, and his arms were as fat as MY thighs. Another testimony to his extreme fatness was the fact that he had about five chins (I kid you not), and his watch was on the loosest it could go, yet it still looked like it was cutting off his circulation. HOLY CRAP. It was horrible. Not to mention that he breathed like every breath was a struggle, and there was chest hair puffing out of his shirt, and onto one of his chins (there wasn't really a neck, you see). He tried to make conversation with me, but I was too distracted by his five chins that I didn't really make an effort to talk back. >.>
After about 3 hours I was still sitting there, very, very still, as to avoid any contact with his fat. Now, the airplane seats are pretty big for me...but this time, I swear to you I felt cramped because of him. Anyways, I couldn't take it anymore. I got out of the seat, and wandered around. I visited Padre and complained about "Fat Blob" (as I nicknamed him). Then, I went to the bathroom, as an excuse to stay away from "Fat Blob" as much as possible. Then, I visited Padre again. I asked him how much longer he thought the flight was. He said about 2 hours. OH GOD HELP ME NOW. However, I ran out of excuses to stay out of my seat, so I returned, yet again, to sitting next to "Fat Blob."
About 2 hours later (still sitting very still, and very bored of course) the pilot announced our descent. YIPPEEEE!!! I almost jumped with joy, although then I remembered I was sitting next to Fat Blob, and was trying to avoid all movement.
After we landed, I got my bag pretty quickly, and then Padre and I proceeded to get a taxi. We got to the hotel about an 45 minutes ago, and now I'm in here blogging. This is very risky, blogging, since he's right next door on the other computer. Luckily, I type fast, so I haven't been in here very long.
I'm not sure what we're going to do next, although apparently Madre made reservations for us to eat dinner at a restarutant called "Boa"
OK, I have to go now!!
-Erin
Erin
managed to blog @ 2:40 AM
4
comments
Sunday, June 19, 2005
tomorrow. O_O
mood 
listening to: "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay
Holy CORAPON. I leave tomorrow for L.A.! O_O I'm almost finished packing. I finished my scrapbook, finally, and I'm just getting all of the rest of my stuffs together.
This is my last day in my home for six weeks.
Nothing much else going on except for last minute things, and finishing up packing.
I'm leaving tomorrow. Holy CRAP.
-Erin
Erin
managed to blog @ 1:12 PM
3
comments
Saturday, June 18, 2005
packing, packing...packing.
mood: 
listening to: "Talk" by Coldplay
Sorry I didn't blog earlier. I woke up at 12:30 for some reason, and then my dad made me work in the yard. AGAIN. >.> At least I only had to put crap bushes and prickley weeds in large black trashbags. It could have been a lot worse. o.O;
So I've been packing a lot. I'm almost finished. I just need to wait for some stuff to finish drying in the dryer, and then I need to get my straightener and some shampoo/conditioner. I hope I'll be able to fit everything I need. The stupid box of tampons takes up so much room. Since Japanese people don't really use tampons, I've decided to bring my own. Plus, I've heard rumours that tampons in some foreign countries...*cries* don't have APPLICATORS! ;____; holy crap. So, as you can see, my box of tampax pearls are a necesity. >.>
I'm planning on studying a lot on the flight. Like memorizing a thousand commonly used kanji or something. Plus I'm hoping to have a fully charged iPod for the flight. Hopefully they have good movies on there. My eyebrow waxer Stacy said that when she went in March that she watched 7 movies that consisted of National Treasure, Lemony Snicket Unfortunate Events whatever, and a bunch of others that are mildly good. That's a good sign. ^^; I wish I had one of those mini DVD players like Allison-Not-Really-My-Aunt-Flight-Attendant does. >.> I bet she takes good advantage of that on her little trans-continental flights that she does. >.> *dripping in really mean sarcasm* >.>
I got Coldplay's new CD, X&Y. Rei said she wanted me to bring some CDs, and we could, you know share interests or whatever. Now, I haven't bought an American CD willingly in like 3 or 4 years, so frankly my NOW 7 was a bit outdated. o.O I do have Pepper's Ghost's "SHAKE THE HAND THAT SHOOK THE WORLD" so I'm planning on bringing that. And that stupid signed copy of Ashlee Simpson's CD whatever it may be called that I got at the concert a couple o' months ago. However, I wanted to get Coldplay's new CD anyways, since I must say, I love Coldplay dearly, and they are like the only American people I'll listen to besides Pepper's Ghost. Actually, let me correct that. They are the only American people I listen to who are well known. Although you never know with Pepper's Ghost! I do hope they get their own big tour soon. Like mega popularity would be awesome for them. But I digress.
Anyways, X&Y, to put it bluntly is fracking* awesome. I LOVE IT. I've been listening to it nonstop for a day now. It's so good. No wonder it's the #1 selling album in the world right now. IT ROCKS. GO AND BUY IT. I fracking* love Coldplay. I'm glad I got it. Now I can share the Coldplay goodness with Rei-san. Not that she can't get Coldplay in Japan. ^^;
Speaking of Rei-san, I got another email from her today. She's so cute and funny. I can't wait to meet her. She sounds so nice. I'm looking forward to going to a CHUNICI DORAGONS game with her. And her school festival. I've always wanted to go to a Japanese High School festival! Like in all of those anime!! <3<3>.> Don't tell the 'rents, though. They've been saying that I must be getting nervous by now, but I've shot them down. I don't want my overinflated pride to shrivel. At least not yet. o.O;
THE COUNTDOWN:
1 (fracking) day until I fly to L.A.
2 days until Gateway Orientation
3 days until I fly to Japan!
I can't believe I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. It's so surreal...
I made a lot of progress on my scrapbook last night. I'm almost finished...I just need to decorate the pages I made some more with writing and whatnot. So I'd better do that now. ^^;
For now,
Erin
*the usage of "fracking" was used just for YOU Eileen!! Thanks for being such an avid blogger-buddy!!
Erin
managed to blog @ 3:26 PM
2
comments
Friday, June 17, 2005
m(_ _)m <--this is how I am every day
mood: 
listening to: "Connected" by 浜崎あゆみ
I got another email from Rei-san today. Here goes it:
Dear Erin v(^^)v
Thanks for your e-mail!!
I' sorry my mistake. m(_ _)m
My favorite Disney character is Chip.
I like Minnie Mouse too. (^_<)
My favorite baseball team is CHUNICHI DORAGONS!!!!
I have learned piano since I was three years old. Last year, I made like Pirates of caribbean. The year before last, I made jazz.
Do you play piano??
Last year, I began to learn the drum.
It is very pleasant!!\(^o^)/
From REI
I think she meant Chunichi Dragons, not Doragons. But that's how one would pronounce it in Japanese. ^^; I looked 'em up. Here is their website. ^.^ I'll probably be seeing the DORAGONS in the Nagoya Dome sometime during my stay there. That should be fun! \(^o^)/
I love those little smilies that she (and Japanese people in general) make! They're so inventive and cute! I'm going to be using them a lot from now on. Mkay?
Now, I'm not really sure what she meant when she said, "last year I made like Pirates of the Caribbean." However, I have honed my Engrish-reading skillz to their utmost ability these days, so I think what she meant was that she played a piano piece that was from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean. I dunno. I haven't seen that movie in a while, so I know not from piano pieces. >.>
Well, I have to go to the mall again for the 3rd fracking time this week, so I must leave you now. But fear not. I will be back~!
THE COUNTDOWN:
2 days until I fly to L.A.!
3 days until Gateway Orientation!
4 days until I fly to Japan! v(^_<)v
For now.
-エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 1:02 AM
1
comments
Thursday, June 16, 2005
新しい ヘアカット！！
mood: 
listening to: "Daybreak (Orion Too Remix)" by 浜崎あゆみ
今日 は 新しい ヘアカット があるよ！見てよ！！
Today I got a new hair cut! LOOKIE!
[1] [2]
好きだの？
Like it?
Hope so, since I'm going to be sporting it for a while. I decided to go with bangs again, like I did last summer. They'll probably grow out in a week, but whatever. I
I think I'm going to use one of those pictures as my 4x3 cm photo I have to bring with to make my I.C. Nagoya I.D. card or whatever.
Speaking of photos...I better work on my scrapbook. O_O;
バイバイ！
-エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 6:58 PM
1
comments
"lucky-as-hell" should be my middle name.
mood:
listening to: "And Then" by 浜崎あゆみ
Either that or "laugh-in-the-face-of-math-department."
So, apparently Ms. Gray just called my home and said to madre that my lowest level math class conflicts with my Honors Spanish class. Now, since I obviously want to take this class (I mean, I'm getting tutoring and whatnot with Izzy to the B in August) this whole lower-level math thing is not going to work out. SO, luckily Ms. Gray shares this concern, and thus recommended 4 hours of math to stay in the Accelerated Track Path Express. Now, this basically means after 6 weeks of intense instant immersion Japanese classes and studying and language and whatnot, I come home to have Spanish tutoring and math tutoring all throughout August. Zippity-doo-dah.
And the best part? (well, besides me staying in the class) My mom recommended Ms. Crabtree to tutor me AND it's FREE because it was a scheduling conflict!! YES!!! Although I'm sure my mom will give Ms. Crabtree a nice tip because she is da bomb, to put it bluntly.
I find this whole scenario quite HILARIOUS if I do say so myself. I laugh in the face of the Math Department. HO HO HO!
On another front that actually relates to the subject of this blog, I got another email from Rei today. Her favorite actresses are Keira Knightley (sp?) and Natalie Portman. Her favorite movies include Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom of the Opera, and Titanic. I think you'd like this girl, Eileen! ROFL.
Also, apparently I'm going to go to Tokyo Disneyland with her and friend(s) on July 21st, or sometime around there~!! That should be loads o' fun. Now I just have to think of a good way to causually bring up a-nation in a conversation. Too bad ORANGE RANGE isn't part of Avex. I wonder if she likes any Avex liscenced people. Perhaps she likes EXILE or TM Revolution or TRF or something like that?
Rei also is planning on studying in the US next year for a semester or perhaps even a year, through AFS. I was saying to madre that if this whole thing goes well that we should offer to host her. I mean, it'd be nice to see her again. Probably. LOL, I haven't even met her yet. :P
Yesterday was my last Japanese class before I leave. It was a bittersweet moment. Sensei was like "Ganbatte!" and I was like "Ganbarimasu!" ;-; I'ma miss her. She's such an amazing person. I hope I can impress her with my mad Japanese skillz when I get back.
Today I have a haircut appointment. I'm psyched to get a hot new style before my trip. ^.^
THE COUNTDOWN:
3 days until I fly to L.A.
4 days until the Gateway Orientation
5 days until I fly to Japan!
Well, I must part.
じゃね！
-エリン
P to the S: I'm not sure if I already said this little factoid or not, but what the heck. I switched my little "audioblogger" thing to this blog so if I cannot reach a compy the first few days, I'll just call in on some payphone for $157 a minute. XP
Erin
managed to blog @ 2:25 PM
2
comments
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
huzzah!
mood: 
listening to: "Asterisk" by ORANGE RANGE
HUZZAH! I got an email from Rei-san today. Here it is, in its entirety:
DEAR Erin
Hi!! My name is Rei Fujita.
I'm really happy to get your letter.
I'm sorry I took so long to answer but I've been very busy.
I'm excited to be with you during this summer.
I'd like to tell you about myself.
I'm 14years old and go all-girl private school like you do.
I used to be member of tennis team,but this year I changed into handball club.
It is very hard,but I made some senior.
They are kind to me.(*^3^)/~☆
So,I like them !!
I like music too.
My favorite musician is ORANGE RANGE.
Do you know them? (They are boys-band)
Their tone is wonderful!!
So,I love them.
When you come here,you sometimes
When you come here, you sometimes listen to their music.
Now,do you like movies?
I love movies,too.
And I love Orland Bloom,Won Bin and MattDamon.
Do you have favorite actor or actress?
Write soon.
From Rei
She sounds so NICE! I haven't replied yet because I just got it. I have to get ready for my Japanese lesson too. I'll probably reply when I get back.
THE COUNTDOWN:
4 days until I go to L.A.
5 days until Gateway Orientation
6 days until I go to Japan!
In other words, this time next week I will be in Japan. Holy mother of crap.
じゃ! いってきます!
-エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 2:10 PM
2
comments
GRRRades...
mood: 
listening to: "DO THE MOTION" by BoA
ROFL. I got grades today. Worse than expected. However, in the end, the final grades weren't SO bad. I mean, besides French and Math.
First of all, I got bad grades on pretty much all of my exams, relatively speaking. For instance, I got a C+ in French. Heh. Maybe because I didn't do the last three pages. Anyways, that sucked since I got a B+ average in that class when I know I can get at least an A- if not an A. Secondly, I scored a D (of course) on my Math exam. I thought I at least got a C. o_O
However, the final grades weren't SO bad, as I said before. Although French and Physics definitely below par.
English: A-
French: B+
Spanish: A
Geometry: C
Physics: B
History: A-
So, three A's, two B's, and a C. I actually got Honors for the year, meaning my entire thing averaged out to a B+. But I know I can do better. And next year, you mark my words, I will. YOU HEAR THAT BOUSSE??
On other fronts, I got roughly $300 worth of yen in the mail from Almost today. She sent a list along with it, so I'ma going to buy her many a cool thing in Japan. =) I'm also planning on finishing el scrapbook. So I'd better get to it~!
-エリン
P to the S. last night I was up until around 3:30 or 4:00 reading this. It's fracking hilarious, so READ IT! :P
Erin
managed to blog @ 1:03 PM
0
comments
I feel so accomplished!
mood: 
listening to: the sound of my incredibly slow printer
This morning (or shall I say, yesterday morning) I was a wreck. I was totally stressed to the out. However, as the day went by, miraculously, more and more things got done! I actually did things of need/importance! Although I didn't really work on the scrapbook at all, there are much less things I need to do, as of yet. 見て ください。
1. get an italian charm bracelet with one charm for Rei-san (I actually thought of something!!)
2. make a packing list / try to pack everything into my brand-new trés cool rolling duffle orange
3. finish scrapbook
4. pack host family gifts
5. go to mall for last minute clothings (shorts. i need good shorts people.)
Today (OK, a couple of hours ago) I went to the mall avec madre, Kelsey y Carey for my aforementioned brand-new trés cool rolling duffle orange and other delights. I ended up also getting a cute brown tanktop that had a cute gold design that says "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Willie Wonka" on it. I almost got these cute pants to go with it, but they didn't have my size. GRR. The only condolence that I gave myself was the fact that that I could fit into the 0...it was just too tight! ^^;;; *sigh*
OK. I'ma go to bed now. I hope I get an email from Host Mom Takako or Rei-san or Chihiro-san soon.
バイバイィィィ~!
♥erin / エリン (pronounced eh-reeeen fools!)
Erin
managed to blog @ 12:45 AM
1
comments
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
yay! I actually did something productive!
mood:
listening to:"Feel fine!" by 倉木麻衣
I actually accomplished some things today (as you can see by more crossed out items on the list in the below post). =) How exciting. I might even get more done since there is still time left in the day~! I'm hoping to perhaps finish my scrapbook, or at least most of it, since I have glossy paper and printing cartridges in. I just have to make my mommy put in the cartridges in for me, since that's the one thing relating to computers that I am very inept at doing. I'm such a blasphemer. :O
I got a camera case too~! Finally I can stop using my Texas A&M beanie hat as a makeshift "case" if you can even call it that. *smiles fondly at new case* It even has a place to put memory cards and whatnot. ^.^
Tomorrow is my last Japanese lesson before leave. O_O Holy Crapoli. Speaking of things that end in -oli, go here. Very random, but HILARIOUS.
Also, my padre and madre (what?! not ME?! BLASPHEMERS.) got another email from Host Mom Takako today. Her English seemed even more weird and choppy than before (no engrish quite yet though), but from what she said I gathered that:
1. Rei is going to be busy with school while I am there
2. Host Father is going to be busy with work
3. It may just be me and Host Mom Takako for a while XD ROFL.
4. Rei's school ends July 25th, the same day as mine. So after that she wants to do something together with me. *cougha-nationcough*
Well, I had better get working on teh l33t scrapbook~!
じゃ!
-エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 5:45 PM
1
comments
stress is crap.
mood: 
listening to: "Maybe...maybe not!?" by BoA
OK. Right now I'm uberly stressed out. I can't even describe how stressed out I am. I feel like I have been doing NOTHING to prepare, and I'm leaving in 6 days, and holy CRAP. So, to make myself feel better, and perhaps a bit more organized, I'm going to put down my to-do list. With some things I've already done on it crossed out, so I feel more accomplished than I really am.
Japan Preparations To-Do List 1. Travel store -- plug adaptors (?)2. Godiva Chocolates for Host Mom
3. Gift for Rei -- ??4. Staples -- color & black cartridges, HP glossy printing paper
5. Bank -- withdraw money; deposit check6. Macy’s -- luggage
7. Make packing list
8. Finish scrapbook
9. Wrap host family gifts
10. go to Old Navy or something to get more shorts11. Make address list12. make a copy of the Host Family questionnaire to take to Sensei's for the next lesson13. get some small-sized toiletries (razors, deoderant, facewash, etc.)
Also, it's official. I'm going to see the stars tall fences and oversized bushes with Micki & Co. When I go to L.A. with Padre, we're going to be staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel, too! That's where all of the famous people go~! ^_^ I hope I see someone famous. Preferably from ALIAS.
I researched my school in Japan that I'm going to, called I.C. Nagoya. Check out some pictures --> [1] [2] [3]
Another update is that my dad recieved an email from my host mom. He forwarded it to me and my mom. It said, you know, hello, how are you, my name is Takako, Rei wants to talk to you, choppy english, etc. It also said that she had tried to send and e-mail twice to my mom, but apparently my mom didn't recieve them. o_O; So I sent an email back to her in Japanese/English, and I haven't received a reply yet. >.< I hope she got it. I haven't recieved a reply from Chihiro either. I wonder if it has something to do with AOL and Japan. Because I've been conversing fine with Korean Eileen on Gmail, and she's in Korea! =_=; Whatever.
Well, I'd better get ready for the day. I have a whole lotta crap to do. ;___;
-Erin
Erin
managed to blog @ 11:04 AM
8
comments
Monday, June 13, 2005
I GOOGLED HIM.
mood: O_O
listening to: "Next Step" by BoA
OMFG! So on the host family sheet, it said by Host Father, Yuzo Fujita (藤田 雄三) was a member of the board of directors of a company called "Fujita Special Steel Company." Now I came to the conclusion that probably his father created this company, considering his last name is Fujita. Now, after a couple of searches on Google using the romanzied version of his name, I came up with nothing. I mean, after all, there are probably a million Yuzo Fujitas in the world. HOWEVER, I came up with the idea of searching for him using kanji, and then putting 名古屋 (Nagoya) next to it, to narrow down my search. I quickly found this (it's translated using the automatic Google translator). Anyways, if you check the fourth name down, it says "Fujita Man Three" that's because the literal translation of the name "Yuzo" means, well, "雄," first of all means "masculine, male, superior, leader, blah blah blah." Then, if you use common sense, "三" obviously means three. So Man Three. Got it? OK.
So the forth one down not only lists his name as the president, but the company's address, phone number and WEBSITE.
That's a translated version too. Now, I then happened to click on president's greeting, and VOILA! A picture of my Host Father came up! O_O! I matched the picture of him I had in my little packet, and it was a match! O_O Holy crap. This is so weird.
Sorry, I just had to share my findings with you. This is so weird!!
-Erin
Erin
managed to blog @ 11:48 AM
3
comments
one week and counting. down.
mood:
listening to: 「真実の詩」 by Do As Infinity
Today was my second-to-last 日本語 のクラス. Quite sad, actually. I'm going to miss Sensei. I cannot imagine going to Japan without her, even though I've only been once. I will never forget that trip. Although I was such a major (and I mean MAJOR) gaijin, it was still very fun since it was just me and her. We had many adventures. Including that time I was attacked by the deer on Miyajima, and we ran away so fast that Sensei forgot her favourite pink scarf. And that time when we traveled all around Kyoto and saw pretty much everything except the Imperial Palace in one day. And that shady masseuse (who owned the chain of masseuse schools) who we met in Nikko who was with those two ladies, and we travled around with them (and went in his [western, people WESTERN.] CAR!?!?! And he treated us to a DRINK!?!?!). That was really weird. o_O
Anyways I'll stop reminiscing now.
ALSO, guess what? My mom has been corresponding via email with Micki's mom (you know the other person besides Xiao who I met at the AFS Pre-Departure Orientation). Anyways, they've been writing to each other, and his mom asked my mom if she needed any help with me when I go to L.A. Because, you see, although I'm flying over with my dad on the 20th, he has to leave the morning of the 21st to go to Texas. Thus, I will be alone in L.A. So anywho, Micki's mom offered if I'd like to come with her, her daughter (who is 16) and her daugher's two friends (also 16), and Micki to take a tour of the Star's Homes (or, as my mom says it, their tall fences and oversized bushes). So my mom replied and said that'd be GREAT. So I think I'm going to be seeing celebrities tall fences and oversized bushes that morning before she drops Micki and me off at the hotel for the Gateway Orientation. Rock, rock on. :P
I emailed Chihiro the other day, but I haven't heard back from her, as of yet. I hope her email is still the same. o_O
The Countdown:
7 days until I leave for L.A.
8 days until the Gateway Orientation
9 days until I leave for Japan!
It's surreal. I mean, one week from now, I'm going to be flying to L.A. Holy CRAP.
Well, there are still things to do. I need to finish that scrapbook. I need a new color cartridge for my printer, dammit!! >.
OK, I'd better do something a bit more productive.
じゃ ねぇぇぇぇ~! ☆
-エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 10:53 AM
0
comments
Sunday, June 12, 2005
let the preparations continue
mood: 
listening to:
I talked to Xiao (a.k.a. C.L.; Xiao is pronounced C.L., apparently) today on AIM. We talked for a while, and in our conversation she asked about my host family; like if I had recieved the info yet. I said yeah. I asked how her family was. She said she had a host sister her age, a host mom, dad, grandmother, and brother. She seemed a bit disappointed because she's in Fukuoka (where Ayumi Hamasaki is from), but it's like rural Fukuoka, and they are very agricultural. Like growing their own eggplants agricultural. I felt kinda bad, because she wanted to be on the main island, and I'm guessing more urban. She was also wondering what kind of gifts to get her host family. I gave her a couple of ideas. I hope her situation gets better.
Interesting how things turned out, though. I mean, Xiao is in Fukuoka, Micki is in Osaka, and I'm in Nagoya. I dunno. I just imagined things differently I guess. I was kind of hoping to be in Tokyo, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. I love Tokyo, though. Maybe we'll take a day trip up there or something. I mean, it's only an hour and a half away on the Shinkansen. I really want to go to Harajuku (teen hangout; a really cool and fun place...kind of like South Street in a way, except cooler and better) and have some crepes and see a gothic lolita, even buy a cute gothic lolita outfit or something. I want to go to Shibuya (a popular section of town) and Ginza (equivalent of New York's 5th Avenue, or L.A.'s Rodeo Drive) , and I want to see Tokyo Tower again. I love Akihabara, of course, since it's the Electric City. Talk about amazing electronic items (and they're Duty Free if you present your passport~!) Anyways, enough of my Tokyo fantasizing.
I'm obviously hoping to go to the Aichi Expo which has been going on since March, and continues until September. I'm pretty sure I'll be going to that, considering these people LIVE in Nagoya (in the Aichi prefecture thing), and since it's a really popular attraction these days. And of course, a-nation is on July 30th...Xiao is lucky in that department. Fukuoka is practically next door to Oita.
Also in my conversation with Xiao I asked her how her Japanese was going. She said she could say "Hello my name is Xiao," "How are you," "What is this," and "I don't understand." At this point I was:
a) feeling really nervous for her
b) thanking myself for taking Japanese for 3 years. THANK YOU SELF!
Although I'm definitely (and I stress that) no Japanese expert, being able to conjugate verbs in past, present, た, たい , て and ている forms helps a lot, not to mention knowing good vocab, and listening to Japanese music helps too. Also since I've been to Japan before. But to tell you the truth I wasn't ready for that back then. I won't get into that, though. Maybe another day.
Xiao does have an advantage though. Since she speaks/writes Mandarin, she already knows practically all of the kanji. All she has to do is relearn the Japanese pronounciation. And being bilingual in itself is an advantage, especially in this case since Mandarin is an East Asian language.
Another front.
At Borders today I got a fashion magazine for Rei-san. Now all I have to do is think of something else nice for her, and get chocolates for my host mom. As you can see, I'm not so sure what to call my host mom and host dad. Perhaps I will call them Okaasan and Otousan? Perhaps I will call them both Fujita-san. Maybe just Takako-san and Yuzo-san, but I doubt it. I'll have to ask them. o_O
WELL...I am hungry at the moment. I think I'll go get a snack, and then study some Japanese!
じゃねぇぇぇぇ~!
-Erin
Erin
managed to blog @ 5:44 PM
2
comments
Saturday, June 11, 2005
like the new l00k?
mood: 
listening to: 「 黒毛和牛上塩タン焼680円 」 by 大塚 愛
Well, as you may have noticed, I have finally fixed the stupid character problem that has been illuding me for months!! I'm not really sure how I did it though. :P Took me about 1.5 hours, or perhaps more in order to fix it though. x_x
I have my blogger already set to Tokyo time, which I believe is the same as Nagoya time. =D This thing is so convenient! Also, kudos to Peter for being the first commenter on nagoya n00b!
Last night I actually started on the scrapbook I'm taking to show my host family. I already had the book, the thing is that there was nothing really in it. So I added in a bunch of pictures of my penpal ちひろ and whatnot. I also added in all of the letters she has sent me. Which was a lot, since we've been corresponding for over 3 years. I'm hoping to do some more work on it today, like adding in a bunch of stuff of my friends and things like that. Also the ticket stubs to Star Wars and the Pepper's Ghost show and the Dalí Exhibit that I've been keeping scattered around my room. I also want to dedicate sections to FINAL FANTASY X/X-2, and of course Star Wars and ALIAS.
The Countdown:
9 days until I fly to L.A.
10 days until the Gateway Orientation.
11 days until I go to Japan!
Well, I'd better get back to that scrapbook. There are also many other preparations to be made. I'm getting really stressed out over this!! x_x
じゃ ね.
-エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 2:54 AM
4
comments
Thursday, June 09, 2005
nagoya n00b grand opening!
mood:
listening to: 「 ビー玉 」 by 大塚 愛
ナゴヤ ヌーブ へ ようこそ！！ ☆☆
私 の名前 はエリン で 名古屋 に 行き に勉強 をする。 私 の 旅行 は 6月22日
から 8月7日まで です。 I hope to update this blog as much as I can while I am there, but if I'm not able to, I'm also keeping a writing diary so that I will be able to copy all of my entries to here later on if needed. ^.^ The layout I made for this blog is still under construction right now, so this blogger template will have to suffice until I finish.
14 days until I leave for Japan!
I'm going to work on that layout now. It's looking pretty good!
じゃね！☆
~ エリン
Erin
managed to blog @ 10:31 AM
0
comments
location: Nagoya, Japan
blurb: I'm an American High School girl spending 6 weeks in Nagoya, Japan.
Yes, I know Tokyo Tower isn't in Nagoya, but since I've never been to Nagoya before
(stopping briefly at the train station doesn't count, OK??) I couldn't find any
good pictures that represent it well. Which brings me to my point: I'm a newbie to Nagoya.
(thus the name, nagoya n00b. am I not the cleverest person you've ever met?) Anyways, bear
with me people. This is going to be a long six weeks!
going: June 22, 2005
returning: August 7th, 2005
click here for my full
profile!
