K o k o r o

Monday, March 18, 2013

Photo blogging.

Just photos of myself and others while in Japan.

(First night in Japan, can you spot me?)

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Blarg. This whole jet lag thing is going to be the death of me. Woke up around 5:00PM and I was still tired, was planning on coming over to drop off some gifts but wasn't able to since it was so late and cold. Missed temple too, so I disappointed Tony and Tommy. Gomen! My uncle from Vietnam who hates boys came over to visit and I only found out when I called my mom to come pick me up at the airport. People say that my body stayed the same but my face has gotten plump/fuller? Some of them think it's because I'm in the love phase so I have that beautiful glow to my face and I'm just thinking..I have no one to love so I don't know what ya'll talkin' about! Family members from Vietnam are still asking about him, making it awkward for me. Even when I'm half way across the globe I still hear comments about him from other people - I don't wanna hear it ok? I don't wanna shit talk him, I don't wanna talk about him, I don't wanna hear stuff about him period. I don't hate him but I don't want to be reminded. I'm flattered that you shipped us together, I'm happy that you supported us but I can't even remember the memories we had except when something pops up and a memory replays itself for a second and then I forget. Maybe I've developed a skill for forgetting? Haha! My skin has been improving drastically though, thanks to a new found love from Japan! Haven't been doing much, need to catch up on my make-up work, organize everything, get my sleeping pattern back in sync because I'mma get fat from sitting here trying to upload all my photos and snacking on all the food I brought back from Japan teehee.

Bought myself a tanuki, expensive little thing!

Got some shades as well.

Kizuna.

Hello once again! I am back in my own little, comfy corner and majorly jet lagged.

My experience in Japan will never be forgotten, it has aged me but also given me hope for the future. Materialism and people come and go, that can't be changed. Even after years, the pain and injuries remain. Remembering does not mean to dwell but rather to review and learn from the past and remember the souls who faded from our lives. There will be times that you miss them, there will be times when you feel isolated and empty, it's okay because you are not alone. Memories still remain and hope can be found among the debris. The blacken skies will clear tomorrow and the birds will sing once more. Beauty, love, and life still exists beyond the tragedy. Support, kindness, and happiness are awaiting you; your heart's doors just have to open and accept them. There is life ahead of us all, join hands as bonds grow stronger and the future brighter.

Monday, March 11, 2013

School Day at Hachinohe

Right now Im on the shinkansen to hachinohe. We said goodbye to junko-san, sawabe-san, and otou-san aka fuda-san but i prefer to call him otousan. It feels pretty natural to speak japanese and the expressions come like second nature.I teared up a bit when I said

Draft I was typing up on my phone while on the shinkansen but wasn't able to finish since the internet kept cutting in and out. Will finish later on.
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When we arrived in Hachinohe the weather was very cold! My host sister attends a Catholic school, St. Ursula, which is about an hour away from their home. After school Sara, Riko, Kathy, and I went to purikura at the mall for a while then we went to karaoke with a bigger group of friends. There weren't many English songs that I could find like backstreet boys so I was a bit disappointed but they were a lively bunch and it was pretty fun. Afterwards Sara and I did a duet purikura at Lavie which came out pretty cute and I must admit I look really foreign compared to the natives even though I'm Asian haha! We had Oden which consisted of fish, tofu, daikon, and squid I believe? Afterwards we dressed up in fuzzy PJs and took photos. Since my mouth still consists of those darn canker sores and my Japanese is limited it takes a while to communicate. My host mom imitates me at times which is funny so I guess I sound funny in Japanese. I didn't bring my Tablet which has a dictionary so that was pretty dumb of me. I fell asleep around 11:00PM and I was seriously pooped out, I tried to stay up to write in my journal but I was just drained which is funny since back at home I would be up until 4:00AM.

Woke up what would be considered late, 7:00AM and I'm pretty tired which I'm not sure why. I kind of miss Sendai but it's okay. We'll meet again one day! Okaasan drove Sara and I half way to school then we caught a bus the rest of the way. We had first period which was reading or studying period I believe? Michael read and I just drew in his journal afterwards everybody met up in the meeting room and then we were taken to the computer lab and this is pretty much what we're doing now. I'm nervous for lunch since I don't want to eat anything really and I skipped out on breakfast because of my mouth. I'll talk to you guys soon, hopefully? Mata ne!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Greetings from Japan!

Hello again from Japan! I think it's been about a week since I've last updated anything. The internet has been laggy and I didn't have much time so gomen! It's been really fun and I wish I could upload some photos but I won't be able to since the internet usage is limited and uploading takes a while. I'll upload my photos later on when I return. I got sick the past few days so I was inactive with the activities in the program. I went to the hospital with D Sensei and Hiro-San. I've mostly been staying in Sendai so it saddens me to leave but I'm excited to meet my host family in Hachinohe, Aomori! We have to go our separate ways with Junko-San as well as she returns to Hokkaido. I hope to see our Japanese friends, the towns we visited that got struck with the tsunami to prosper again, and the people who helped me while getting lost in Sendai city.

Little mini update on last night's event. So after returning from TKP Garden City where we had our presentations, we got a chocolate fountain for dinner, and afterwards we headed out to go shopping around 7:00pm. It was freezing since I was only wearing a dress, light overweight coat, and tights. Regret! We looked around in the pet store and omo the puppies were so small but expensive! We shopped around in the clothing stores and went to the konbini and I tried to hold a conversation with the cashier but apparently it's uncommon to try to talk to strangers, especially to ask "Ogenki desuka?" cause he just started laughing hahaha. Now mind you, when we go shopping in Sendai we go alone without chapperones so I'm always the person speaking to Japanese people in the group of friends I tend to go with. We went into a arcade afterwards and the girls and I did purikura 3x. It was so fun! Came back to our hotel around 9:00pm and we didn't get in trouble and we did onsen afterwards to warm up. Our photos were so nooby though haha. Well I should get off soon. I'll upload photos and update more after I'm back in the States, wish I could update and upload photos. Mata ne!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Good-bye, Hello!

Just 3 more hours until I leave for my flight. I'm pretty anxious but at the same time feel like it's a dream! Got up at 8:00AM to head off to work, not sure why Tim had me working so early this week? I was suppose to get off at 6:00PM but I begged Chris to let me get off early so I could go home and well get things ready, ended up visiting John for a while before heading home. Got all my assignments ready and packed away in my backpack since I'll free time in the clouds plus I got a shitload of homework as well. Gave myself a full fledge beauty over - clay mask, bubble bath + bath crystals, it was so soothing! I won't be able to blog very much while in Japan but I will for sure blog about it throughly once I'm back and there will be a complete vlog/documentary so stay tuned!