Thanks to Mr. Gustav racing across the Gulf toward Louisiana, the port at Galvaston is closing until Wednesday. Therefore, Carnival had to move and shorten the cruise to a "cruise to nowhere" from Wednesday to Saturday; no port of calls, just out to sea, wait around a bit, then back home. Soooo not worth it.
So my 21st birthday cruise with my dad to Cozumel and Progresso is canceled. I am so bummed!
I'll just have to make sure my birthday weekend in Tokyo is ridiculously fun to make up for it. Sigh.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Let's Get Some Shoes
Oh my god, shoes. (If you don't know what I'm quoting, check YouTube.)
I have been shoe shopping like a madwoman, and I must say, I now have an awesome collection of kicks. Let me explain:
One of my biggest goals to complete while home for a month was to bulk up my wardrobe with Tokyo-appropriate apparel. At CMU, I can totally get away with wearing sorority t-shirts and hoodies 24/7, but in Tokyo, fashion is a very important expression of who you are and a lot of thought goes into one's outfit. Though I am obviously American and have no hope of blending in, fitting in and being stylish would be nice. So hoodies out, dressy shirts in.
I also felt pre-departure shopping was necessary because of my body type. As a 5'7" female with a medium build, I'm probably taller than 90% of the female Tokyo population, and my proportions are therefore quite different. It's already difficult to find regular jeans that fit me here, so I foresee problems in that area in Japan, and their shirts probably won't fit my torso very well either. So even though I love clothes shopping (whether or not I can afford it), I probably won't be doing much in Japan.
But I have no hope whatsoever in the shoe department.
I... am a size 11. Yes, you heard me, 11. A total injustice considering I'm not even model height. I find the shoes I like in my size about 5% of the time, including online shopping. There is no way any Tokyo store would carry my size, which sucks because their shoes are ADORABLE! It makes me cry inside.
Then I remember that handbags are one size fits all, and I feel a little better ^_^
Knowing this, I have been hitting up every mall in a 60-mile radius and all the online stores I know to look for heels, sneakers, and flats to go with all my outfits, in any situation. Though it's been a tough three weeks, I think I've got all the shoes I need. You may not understand how important this mission was to me, but trust me: there are others that feel the exact same way. I'm not weird, I'm just really picky about which shoes to pair with an outfit.
Even though purchasing multiple pairs of shoes within a three-week time period has put a small dent in my checking account (yay for birthday money), the knowledge that I have shoes for every outfit in my closet gives me a lovely surge of contentment and confidence. Shopper's high, I suppose. *sighs contentedly*
But if ombré heels go out of style in the next year, I'm gonna be in trouble... ^^;;;
I have been shoe shopping like a madwoman, and I must say, I now have an awesome collection of kicks. Let me explain:
One of my biggest goals to complete while home for a month was to bulk up my wardrobe with Tokyo-appropriate apparel. At CMU, I can totally get away with wearing sorority t-shirts and hoodies 24/7, but in Tokyo, fashion is a very important expression of who you are and a lot of thought goes into one's outfit. Though I am obviously American and have no hope of blending in, fitting in and being stylish would be nice. So hoodies out, dressy shirts in.
I also felt pre-departure shopping was necessary because of my body type. As a 5'7" female with a medium build, I'm probably taller than 90% of the female Tokyo population, and my proportions are therefore quite different. It's already difficult to find regular jeans that fit me here, so I foresee problems in that area in Japan, and their shirts probably won't fit my torso very well either. So even though I love clothes shopping (whether or not I can afford it), I probably won't be doing much in Japan.
But I have no hope whatsoever in the shoe department.
I... am a size 11. Yes, you heard me, 11. A total injustice considering I'm not even model height. I find the shoes I like in my size about 5% of the time, including online shopping. There is no way any Tokyo store would carry my size, which sucks because their shoes are ADORABLE! It makes me cry inside.
Then I remember that handbags are one size fits all, and I feel a little better ^_^
Knowing this, I have been hitting up every mall in a 60-mile radius and all the online stores I know to look for heels, sneakers, and flats to go with all my outfits, in any situation. Though it's been a tough three weeks, I think I've got all the shoes I need. You may not understand how important this mission was to me, but trust me: there are others that feel the exact same way. I'm not weird, I'm just really picky about which shoes to pair with an outfit.
Even though purchasing multiple pairs of shoes within a three-week time period has put a small dent in my checking account (yay for birthday money), the knowledge that I have shoes for every outfit in my closet gives me a lovely surge of contentment and confidence. Shopper's high, I suppose. *sighs contentedly*
But if ombré heels go out of style in the next year, I'm gonna be in trouble... ^^;;;
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
You know you're in Texas when...
The following paragraphs may have nothing to do with my travel plans, but I just had to mention this:
Yesterday, Mom and I decided drive to Baybrook Mall an hour away for a bit of shopping. It was a wonderful day for patrolling the mall: the sun was sizzling, the mosquitoes swarming, and the alligators were sunning themselves on the side of the road.
Yup, you heard me. Alligators.
Okay, so it was just one, but it was a HUGE sucker and he did not look happy! There we were, driving along, Mom scouting out cars to pass and me with my headphones blaring, when I suddenly spotted a huge American alligator sitting with its jaws open in the shoulder lane. We were stuck behind an eighteen-wheeler, so I didn't see the alligator until we were almost even with it. My eyes must have popped out of my head, I was so shocked!
We called our city's sheriff office and they said someone was already on the way; we weren't the first to notice the 14-footer about to take a bite out of a passing car.
Yesterday, Mom and I decided drive to Baybrook Mall an hour away for a bit of shopping. It was a wonderful day for patrolling the mall: the sun was sizzling, the mosquitoes swarming, and the alligators were sunning themselves on the side of the road.
Yup, you heard me. Alligators.
Okay, so it was just one, but it was a HUGE sucker and he did not look happy! There we were, driving along, Mom scouting out cars to pass and me with my headphones blaring, when I suddenly spotted a huge American alligator sitting with its jaws open in the shoulder lane. We were stuck behind an eighteen-wheeler, so I didn't see the alligator until we were almost even with it. My eyes must have popped out of my head, I was so shocked!
We called our city's sheriff office and they said someone was already on the way; we weren't the first to notice the 14-footer about to take a bite out of a passing car.
So yeah, not relevant to Tokyo, but it was the highlight of my day. Welcome to Texas.
These guys do not belong on highways!
These guys do not belong on highways!Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Preparations are underway!
Minna-san, konnichiwa!
I decided I'd put off making my first post until I got my dorm assignment; the email arrived this morning, so here it is!
For those who aren't aware, I'm preparing to travel to Tokyo, Japan in early September to participate in Keio University's Japanese Language Program for two semesters, ending on July 31, 2009. That's 11 months in Japan! I'm crazy excited, not to mention slightly terrified, but as a Japanese major, this will be the most important experience of my undergraduate career.
Here is the link for the program, if you're interested in applying: http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/nncenter/en/index.html?url=210.html
I'm really happy that I got into my top choice for dormitories. One of the big differences between going to school here at Carnegie Mellon and going to school in Tokyo is the ridiculous commute between school and the dorms. One of the reasons I requested Willing Setagaya is that it is only 50 minutes by train from campus, as opposed to the 60, 65, and even 75 minute commutes from the other dorms. Willing also has the largest rooms (21 sq. meters) and a kitchenette (one burner, a 2" fridge, and a 1"sq. sink). Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive, about $650 a month, but I decided it was worth it. One of the students from this past school year told me that Willing is the only dorm whose commute to campus takes you through Shibuya, Tokyo's #1 shopping and night life district! I plan on spending a great deal of my free time there.
Here are some photos of my dorm: http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/life/housing/picture_willing.html
The only "foreign countries" I've ever been to are Mexico and Canada, so traveling to Japan on my own, and staying there for 11 months straight, is a huge jump for me. I have to admit that I'm beginning to feel a bit nervous. But then I remember that my dorm will be filled with other English-speaking foreigners all in the same boat as me, and I feel better. Plus, my best friend, Mina, is going to be studying in Japan for a year as well, though in Nagoya, two hours away. She's been to Japan a couple of times before, so she's been giving me advice about Tokyo. And since she is going a week ahead of me, I'll have her cell phone number in Japan so if something... unfortunate happens after I arrive, I can call her for advice.
Though I'm staying in Japan for a full 11 months, Keio's semesters are set up so that I have all of February and March off. Instead of spending the money on a flight home, I plan on traveling around Japan and visiting some of the other islands. My mother is thinking about visiting me in February; she has also never left North America, but unlike me, doesn't speak a word of Japanese. I told her that if she comes, she has to try sushi. She may decide it isn't worth the risk!
One of my sorority sisters, Larissa, is also planning to come visit for Spring Break in March. She's a big fan of Japanese entertainment and culture, so we'll have tons of fun playing around Tokyo and traveling someplace like Kyoto. It will be cherry blossom time then, so maybe we can go to hanami, a cherry blossom viewing party where people socialize and drink sake under the cherry trees.
Well, that is a fairly lengthy post. I'll try to post again right before I leave. Watch out, Tokyo, I'll be there in 5 weeks!
I decided I'd put off making my first post until I got my dorm assignment; the email arrived this morning, so here it is!
For those who aren't aware, I'm preparing to travel to Tokyo, Japan in early September to participate in Keio University's Japanese Language Program for two semesters, ending on July 31, 2009. That's 11 months in Japan! I'm crazy excited, not to mention slightly terrified, but as a Japanese major, this will be the most important experience of my undergraduate career.
Here is the link for the program, if you're interested in applying: http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/nncenter/en/index.html?url=210.html
I'm really happy that I got into my top choice for dormitories. One of the big differences between going to school here at Carnegie Mellon and going to school in Tokyo is the ridiculous commute between school and the dorms. One of the reasons I requested Willing Setagaya is that it is only 50 minutes by train from campus, as opposed to the 60, 65, and even 75 minute commutes from the other dorms. Willing also has the largest rooms (21 sq. meters) and a kitchenette (one burner, a 2" fridge, and a 1"sq. sink). Unfortunately, it's also the most expensive, about $650 a month, but I decided it was worth it. One of the students from this past school year told me that Willing is the only dorm whose commute to campus takes you through Shibuya, Tokyo's #1 shopping and night life district! I plan on spending a great deal of my free time there.
Here are some photos of my dorm: http://www.ic.keio.ac.jp/en/life/housing/picture_willing.html
The only "foreign countries" I've ever been to are Mexico and Canada, so traveling to Japan on my own, and staying there for 11 months straight, is a huge jump for me. I have to admit that I'm beginning to feel a bit nervous. But then I remember that my dorm will be filled with other English-speaking foreigners all in the same boat as me, and I feel better. Plus, my best friend, Mina, is going to be studying in Japan for a year as well, though in Nagoya, two hours away. She's been to Japan a couple of times before, so she's been giving me advice about Tokyo. And since she is going a week ahead of me, I'll have her cell phone number in Japan so if something... unfortunate happens after I arrive, I can call her for advice.
Though I'm staying in Japan for a full 11 months, Keio's semesters are set up so that I have all of February and March off. Instead of spending the money on a flight home, I plan on traveling around Japan and visiting some of the other islands. My mother is thinking about visiting me in February; she has also never left North America, but unlike me, doesn't speak a word of Japanese. I told her that if she comes, she has to try sushi. She may decide it isn't worth the risk!
One of my sorority sisters, Larissa, is also planning to come visit for Spring Break in March. She's a big fan of Japanese entertainment and culture, so we'll have tons of fun playing around Tokyo and traveling someplace like Kyoto. It will be cherry blossom time then, so maybe we can go to hanami, a cherry blossom viewing party where people socialize and drink sake under the cherry trees.
Well, that is a fairly lengthy post. I'll try to post again right before I leave. Watch out, Tokyo, I'll be there in 5 weeks!
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