I blame insomnia

probably not the best time I could spend when I have mounting piles of essays (to write/edit) and presentations/research to worry about. my bad.

partially, I’ve felt a huge pit of guilt for, one, never updating this tumblr that I promised I would use, two, realizing I never update my facebook with JAPAN pictures, and three, feeling too lazy to do real “work”. I think the thought of the weekend (hence, no school) caused this procrastination.

so on to those “updates”. Well, I can’t believe it’s only ONE MONTH until I say a final さよなら to this place I’ve called home for the past three months. [insert long breathy, sigh] It seriously feels like a dream. For those that know (or didn’t) I had my big-two-one-birthday in November! And yes, I partied like it was 1999. Or more like, I partied and seriously was awake for 48+ hours straight. Believable —- yes. Ruining my health and well-being —- unfortunately, yes. But who says I sleep anyways?

Since homestay (please refer to previous photos/posts) I’ve been occupying my time with more adventures in TOKYO (I really wish my dorm was there instead of in the 田舎) taking purikura, going on スタバ runs, art museums/festivals outings, constant and disgusting eating and shopping habits, Studio Ghibli, neko cafes, shows, ごうコン, nabe parties, JR riding and everything in between. I’ve filled my closet with enough おみやげ to consider getting another suitcase to bring back home and I’ve taken enough pictures to make my current crap-of-a-computer lag times a million.

My impressions of Japan have not really changed, but made me realize that it’s more Western (in Tokyo/Yokohama anyway) than I ever imagined and that individuals can live in a virtual iPod/けたい でんわ bubble. Seriously, everyone is their own island here. I also find the safety in Japan, an amazing phenomenon. I mean, little kids probably three feet high are walking home alone, taking the JR and subway by themselves, and not to mention, its like 10 at night. Consumerism is a must and advertising is an understatement. It’s more like people are forced to buy something the minute they wake up that day because they’ve been brainwashed from all the conbinis, JR stations, and Arashi placement marketing.  The food is as delicious as I have hoped, but I feel like my foodie mentalities are telling me I’m not going to all the right spots. Probably need to venture more. My Japanese (to everyones surprise) is actually getting worse. No one but me, is to blame for that. Not only am I NOT taking Japanese (despite good-natured attempts to attend classes for a good two weeks), but also, when I meet Japanese people, I feel their urge to use and practice English and I end up doing more 英語 会話 練習 than more 日本語会話 練習. Again, my own fault. I think it works better when I feel like I am forced to use my Japanese, rather than when people know that I’m a 外人. haha. Halloween and Christmas comes exactly one month before it actually happens. I have probably seen more Christmas trees in one night, then I’ve seen at Christmas Tree Lane in America. They celebrate holidays like its someones birthday and everyone is invited. All these all-you-can-eat 食べ放題 places I drag myself into is making me rather out of shape (even though walking is a must here). And I seriously consume zero fruits and veggies. I found a store that sold the equivalent of a $50.00 square-shaped cantaloupe. I mean come on, who is going to purchase that anyway? There’s such things like decomposition and expiration dates, right?

But not to be too pessimistic, Japan is really like a wonderful mixtape that I never want to pause. There’s something different everyday and I discover new sounds and spaces that I never knew existed. I do a lot of travels alone too, (but I’ve also met some amazing and unforgettable friends) and I find it so natural here. I also have tons of stories (the good, the bad, and the ugly) but I’m saving that for my starbucks sess times when I return back to the States. :)

Anyways, I guess I’ll leave with a quote I’ve been trying to live up to, while I’m here. Mika-chan translated this for me from some insurance commercial before watching the very hilarious/bizarre Drag Me to Hell film. 

Regret the things you do, not the things you don’t do. 

(and yes, that is a picture of me taking a picture of myself in my room, with my turtle calendar trying to take a bite of my mirror and the strips of purikura I have beneath it.)