Back home for Christmas

Its really good to be back. I could do without the jet lag though. I think my body is handling it a lot better than I thought. I might actually be fully functional tomorrow!

Today I went to RCC to see some friends. A lot of people were happy to see me (some more than other... -_-;) I was surprised. It's always cool to see old classmates. However sometimes I wonder, some of these people where there before or around the same time I attended RCC. Why are they still there? I can never get over that. This small town really isnt anything. It's pretty sad.

Anyway Lara and I went around the mall and saw the "The Princess and the Frog." I'm not just saying this because it is the 1st African American Disney princess and all but it was an amazing movie. The colors were beautiful and the animation amazing as always. This is totally a classic that I can't wait to show my kids, this is of course after I am happily married to TOP.

Im gonna try working on my Japanese this vacation. I dont wanna lose what little I did learn. I can tell next semester is gonna be even harder.

Seeing colors # Se7en .. because I can~

Yup I am leaving soon! The last few weeks have been crazy as heck. I now know what NOT to do next semester. Anyway here is my vlog.

Vlog # 6

Yup long time no see. Here is vlog # 6

So close to Big Bang

I have always kept the notion that Korea is right next door to Japan and that some of my favorite artist come and promote here. A few weeks ago I got the chance to see F.T. Island live and do a review on it which all of you reading this should go and comment on ASAP at www.MayPang-AMIN.com

Anyway, Today I was planing on going to some Japan Music Week opening party thingy poop but no one really knew where it was. I was lucky that one of my classmates just happened to call me for some peer help with the midterm. This classmate is actually a promoter of the club this event was being held at and is even going to perform there on Friday (who knew...) He told me to come by around 6.

So before Raamyn and I set out on our journey through Shibuya another friend tells me that Big Bang is going to be at the NHK studio in Shibuya around 6.... yeah. Of course I keep my cool but dang, Im out the door and I just got word that my future husband .. errrr ummm TOP and company will be with in a 1 mile radius. Interesting

So Raamyn and I pretty much can't find where the Japan Music Week is being held and decided to try and see what was up at NHK but sadly you needed special tickets to get into the filming.

Of course I was slightly upset but got over it quickly. It was too short notice and I was not feeling ready to even accidentally run into them. And yes I have met people who just happen to be eating at the same restaurant as Se7en and have full blown conversations with JaeBum and not even realize it. I had on my Big Bang sneakers and I was wearing my TOP socks. I wasnt in any position to meet these fashion divas. So I am actually glad I didn't see them today.

This is a shout to my girls of 16OURS! We made a promise to get Big Bang in 1 year. We have about 8 months to do it and I believe we can! It's just that when this does happen I want us all to be together when it does.

Vlog # 5

This weekend was a lot of fun.

Vlog #4

Honestly I am totally NOT plotting to kidnap this boy and his delicious voice, really........

Part time job!

Let it be known that I have found a part time job! It's off the books so yeah.... I work at an English cafe. I basically sit down and have as much coffee and tea as I want while talking to Japanese people in English. This is so that they can practice listening and speaking with an actual native speaker.

The students/customers vary in age but I usually get older businessmen. I must say that I did get an attractive surgeon on Sunday and a nice guy who manages retired baseball players. I even met a lady who a stage writer for the Japanese version of Chicago.

It usually gets repetitive though. I'm usually greeted and then asked the same questions such as how long I have been here, where I am from, what school I go to, whats my major, and why did I pick Japan. My story doesnt change lol.

I feel bad since I'm not really into politics, history or the economy so its hard to find things to talk about with the older men but ah... I can discuss one thing with the ladies and that would be Johnny's Entertainment (JE) It's so embarrassing! I still can't believe I was such a big fan back then... Oh well

I hate the Ontakesan Dorms!

OK RANT MODE! Gosh! The people here are awesome I am not gonna lie. Aki is also the most awesome-est dorm manager ever but these facilities are garbage!

The walls are paper thin so you can hear just about everything (in detail) on your floor. The kitchen is ALWAYS a mess. Just about everyone knows who the few messy people are in the dorm and they always keep the kitchen like crap! Honestly, I only cook in the morning when no one is in there and it is still somewhat decent from the kitchen duty the night before.

The showers! OMG! are horrible! There is hair everywhere! Now I know its good to wash and do a nice comb out but at least be decent enough to TRY and rinse the hair down the drain! Nope... Not at Ontakesan dorms. Huge freaking clumps fresh off the comb.

Roaches!(and spiders) Yes...I have seen more roaches at my stay here in these dorms in the past month than I have seen in my entire life! There are so many of them I started naming them after the members of Super Junior (THATS HOW MANY THERE ARE!) I'm actually running out of Super Junior names so I'm gonna move on to Exile now.

We paid so much money for this crap. It's not fair. Anyone looking to go to TUJ I suggest a home stay or finding an apartment. Do anything to avoid staying at Ontakesan! Say NO to Sakura house!

Good Hair

I had a small web chat conversation with a guy from Taiwan the other day. I was surprised when he said he was more interested in African American girls than Caucasian ones. However, he did say that he was intrigued because of what he has seen on TV. I shutter at that thought because I haven't really watched US TV in a year so I have no idea how Black women are being portrayed now days but, I wouldn't be surprised if nothing has changed.

As we continued talk about school and other interest I touched my hair. Yes my freshly washed and twisted hair full of spring and bounce. He said "woah! you must have put in a lot of hair gel right?" I gave a confused look and replied " uhh ahaha no, my hair naturally does this." (with a little help form some shea butter which I will be running out soon so someone please send me a care package!)

I pulled out a strand to show him just how long the coil stretched and reached my shoulder. He looked in amazement. I also explained briefly how the long straight hair that he sees on Black women on TV usually goes through a chemical or heating process. "Even Beyonce?!" he said. I could only laugh out loud for that one because it was just that awesome! "Yes, even Beyonce..."

And this is why I am so excited that this movie is finally coming out! Chris Rock brings us a documentary about "Good Hair" Hopefully it will open up some eyes.

Another vlog. I had a lot of fun in Yokohama the other day. I need to go again with money so I can actually do some Christmas shopping.

Vlog #2

I'm so glad I have found a temporary solution to my hair dryness. My hair has been screaming for moisture ever since I arrived. Lets see what wash-n-go's look like with this stuff.

Japanese class is no joke. Everyday there is a quiz and everyday there is homework to hand in. If you spell one thing wrong there is no partial credit, the whole answer is wrong! I'll need to make some Japanese friends soon to help me out.

And no joke but everyone is on a DS. On the train there must be 2 out of 15 people will be on one and most of the time its an adult and not a child. I just think that is so awesome!

What I think of TUJ so far

Alright here goes my honest opinion of the school so far. It is very unorganized, understaffed and understocked. Maybe they had no idea that there would be so many students coming in this fall but come on! The idea of this school is great. Study at an American University in Tokyo but, maybe it was glorified a little too much or maybe thats just to target the Study Abroad students who only stay here for a semester.

Maybe I was just too used to the idea of my small community college. It had a simple book store that may have been over priced but it was never out of stock. If we couldnt afford the books we could at hit up the library where the teachers would put them on reserve. There was definitely more than 2 advisers available for walk in advising and it had more than just 2 office buildings for a campus.

I do understand that this whole "Japan Admit" thing is still very new. However I feel its going to take another 10 years before this whole system is worked out. I guess I'm just a lab rat in all of this. I also hear that it calms down after a while and that Fall is always the craziest time for the staff. No kidding there.

Being here has made me more independent. I have to learn to work with what I have and that isnt a lot. Im actually pretty broke right now. All I can do is pretty much go to and from school and eat what ever my mom sent in a care package this afternoon. At least the school is helping us apply for work permits which is going to be a big help. Let's hope I get a job soon so that I can enjoy Tokyo more!

Tokyo Update!

Sorry for not updating. I have been in Tokyo for a little over a week now. It's been pretty hectic with applying for alien registration and advisement for courses. I made a video to make things easier.

Heading to Tokyo

This is it! Now the journey starts. It's been over 3 years since my last visit and I will finally be able to live my dream of going back to Japan and learning the language. My flight leaves at 12:30pm tomorrow and its non-stop thank the lord.

My friends have been coming over and saying goodbye. Thanks again guys for taking the time out to come see me, although I will be back for winter and summer vacation! Don't forget that!

Whats on my head?

No, it's not carpet, cotton, or cauliflower. It is made with the same protein that is on ever other person's head. It can do so many things like stretch, spiral, shrink and coil. Whats on my head is hair.

And this is how I'm starting my first post on this blog. Here I am, this is me. I'm going to use this blog to tell you how I feel in general about whatever is on my mind. Don't expect perfect grammar, spelling and punctuation. This is for me, not for work or school. Let me rock!

This is whats on my mind.

I just got through a henna treatment and a twist up session. During the 2+hours of doing my own hair tonight I had plenty of time to think and reflect on the day's events. I reflected on my day at the beach with my friends. I had lots of fun on the long car ride and playing in the water. Thats just it. The water. What would happen to this batch of curls on my head when that salt water made contact?

The friends with me on that trip are very dear to me but, there are just somethings they will not be able to fully understand about me. I also feel it would be a waste of time to even try to explain. So upon showering off the salt water I passed around some conditioner I had brought along and boy did it smell awesome! My hair decided to do what it naturally does. Can I blame it?

In the car the other girls were looking to comb their hair. 1a type of hair. Since I chopped off my perm I would only carry a pick with me and I wouldn't use it often. I also didn't have it with me a this time. Why bother? I would have just ended up racking my hair and shedding like a dog all over the place. Not very attractive so lets just let the coils set in and shrink as the water intended.

Passing the comb around. "Jess do you need it?" No no, its fine. Watch the curls set in magically. Laughing another comment is said such as "We actually comb our hair." Ha! we would be here all day if you wanted me to comb it to be as straight as yours. However I said nothing. I love you but, you would never understand even if I were to explain.

I think about what life would be if I had kept that perm in. I wouldn't have been able to have as much fun as I did yesterday in the water. Water would have been my enemy. Water and I were enemies for years. Now I love it more than ever. I can dance in the rain and not care. This feeling is so good.