7 lbs. 10 ounces (I think....)
^___^
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
While waiting in the aptly named waiting room
for the baby!
Because Allie keeps doing these things and at the moment it's more exciting than cleaning....
I'll only tag Allie so she can see I did it, but all y'all feel free to participate.
1. Your REAL NAME:
Amanda Jaclyn Martin
2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother and fathers middle names)
Marisa Rosa Lowell
3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Jose Lawrence
4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Maram
5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Yellow Cat
6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Jaclyn Seattle (^^****)
7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Green Milk Shake (^^**** I'm just not cool)
8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Amin
9.ROCK STAR NAME: (current pets name, current street name)
Maynard Meridian (Obviously must become man to be rock star)
10. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Charlie .... dunno >.<
11.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)
Ama-izzle
12.YOUR IRAQI.. NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name, last two letters of your first name then last three letters of your last name)
Mrjadatin -- That's kinda an offensive question...
13.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Margaret
Because Allie keeps doing these things and at the moment it's more exciting than cleaning....
I'll only tag Allie so she can see I did it, but all y'all feel free to participate.
1. Your REAL NAME:
Amanda Jaclyn Martin
2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother and fathers middle names)
Marisa Rosa Lowell
3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Jose Lawrence
4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Maram
5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Yellow Cat
6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Jaclyn Seattle (^^****)
7.SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Green Milk Shake (^^**** I'm just not cool)
8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Amin
9.ROCK STAR NAME: (current pets name, current street name)
Maynard Meridian (Obviously must become man to be rock star)
10. PORN NAME: (1st pet, street you grew up on)
Charlie .... dunno >.<
11.YOUR GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)
Ama-izzle
12.YOUR IRAQI.. NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, first two letters of your middle name, last two letters of your first name then last three letters of your last name)
Mrjadatin -- That's kinda an offensive question...
13.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Margaret
Monday, February 16, 2009
Not much to update on...
Still editing, still dieting, still tired tired tired. Maybe am still making up for lost time? It is a crazy mongoose of a world.
The baby still has not come! I continue to read Inkheart. Vick Vancouver Season Three has begun on Youtube. Hoorah!
<3
The baby still has not come! I continue to read Inkheart. Vick Vancouver Season Three has begun on Youtube. Hoorah!
<3
Thursday, February 12, 2009
*?*
Clark: Superman is what I can do. Clark is who I am.
-Lois and Clark
Will post more later?
Later-
Not much to report. Burn Notice was intense tonight- le sigh (in a good way). Last week's was just not as intense as usual, and my veins didn't get the exercise they expected. Plus, Michael pretended to be a doctor this week, which just made him that much hotter. Anyway...
Still editing? Still reading? Not much really- just waiting for the baby!
<3
-Lois and Clark
Will post more later?
Later-
Not much to report. Burn Notice was intense tonight- le sigh (in a good way). Last week's was just not as intense as usual, and my veins didn't get the exercise they expected. Plus, Michael pretended to be a doctor this week, which just made him that much hotter. Anyway...
Still editing? Still reading? Not much really- just waiting for the baby!
<3
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Today's Cryptoquote
not that I want to you to cheat... anyway, I liked it:
Perhaps it's done already, perhaps they have said me already, perhaps they have carried me to the threshold of my story, before the door that opens on my story, that would surprise me, if it opens, it will be I, it will be the silence, where I am, I don't know, I'll never know, in the silence you don't know, you must go on, I can't go on, I'll go on.
--From "The Unnamable", Samuel Beckett
Perhaps it's done already, perhaps they have said me already, perhaps they have carried me to the threshold of my story, before the door that opens on my story, that would surprise me, if it opens, it will be I, it will be the silence, where I am, I don't know, I'll never know, in the silence you don't know, you must go on, I can't go on, I'll go on.
--From "The Unnamable", Samuel Beckett
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
*Must Get to Bed Early*
So can lie in bed without sleeping for longer period of time. Which will do wonders for my sanity? Or not...
In any event, I'm trying to figure all this craziness out with graduation and classes for next quarter and how Tokyo studying-ness will end up on my transcript. It is a mess- gyah! Still my AIST 200, the INTRO class, has not shown up properly on my program eval, which determines whether or not I ACTUALLY graduate or not (versus just being accepted TO graduate.) Do not actually know for sure when I will graduate, provided all this messy doesn't prevent it/send me into summer school in a bad way. Oh, June 14th app. Wonder why they haven't really told us....
Am working on editing. Have almost posted first chapters for your peering little eyes many a time, but have held back, on account of various silly factors. They're too silly to tell, yet I shan't post these chapters nonetheless. Oh, what a worry wart. Yeegh.
Diet, day two. Do I look thinner in text? If you print this, then I'll practically be 2-dimensional. But that'd ruin my sci fi brain, so let's just keep this between us and between the *waves*. Oh, tech.
Must to sleep with myself get! Must also finish disc one of season three of Lois and Clark tomorrow so as to be able to return it to the library on Thursday. Wonder if I can renew the other two discs I checked out, but then again, I oughtn't, since I'll be picking up Firefly, the complete series. Whatever happened to getting a season watched a week? Oh, right, I'm being a lazy bum what that doesn't study, which = am watching v. little tv. Am freak of nature.
<3
R: Inkheart- Cornelia Funke
In any event, I'm trying to figure all this craziness out with graduation and classes for next quarter and how Tokyo studying-ness will end up on my transcript. It is a mess- gyah! Still my AIST 200, the INTRO class, has not shown up properly on my program eval, which determines whether or not I ACTUALLY graduate or not (versus just being accepted TO graduate.) Do not actually know for sure when I will graduate, provided all this messy doesn't prevent it/send me into summer school in a bad way. Oh, June 14th app. Wonder why they haven't really told us....
Am working on editing. Have almost posted first chapters for your peering little eyes many a time, but have held back, on account of various silly factors. They're too silly to tell, yet I shan't post these chapters nonetheless. Oh, what a worry wart. Yeegh.
Diet, day two. Do I look thinner in text? If you print this, then I'll practically be 2-dimensional. But that'd ruin my sci fi brain, so let's just keep this between us and between the *waves*. Oh, tech.
Must to sleep with myself get! Must also finish disc one of season three of Lois and Clark tomorrow so as to be able to return it to the library on Thursday. Wonder if I can renew the other two discs I checked out, but then again, I oughtn't, since I'll be picking up Firefly, the complete series. Whatever happened to getting a season watched a week? Oh, right, I'm being a lazy bum what that doesn't study, which = am watching v. little tv. Am freak of nature.
<3
R: Inkheart- Cornelia Funke
Monday, February 9, 2009
Stupid Inspiration
It's all stupid, this inspiration, because it is guiding me towards the task of completing my children's fantasy novel, because those, if you didn't know, are getting published like hot cakes these days (do hot cakes get published? I'm sure I've seen a picture in a magazine or two. Then again, am not entirely sure that I know what a hot cake is...). Then you get movie deals, and, acc. IMDB which has a pic of Cornelia Funke on the set of Inkheart, you get to *be on the set* (in case of Funke, get to see the galacial [spell check says this isn't okay, but it's galacial like a galaxy. One L. Must be correct] hotness of Brendan Fraser [I don't even look up the spellings of names anymore, because I just drop so many.]). I want to be on set. Am v. jealous because, quite frankly, am not hugely impressed by Funke's other works and am not entirely sure that the Inkheart book on which the lovely film was based isn't an entire work of crap. Thusly, I need only publish a children's fantasy book that is part of a trilogy or more, and shall then meet sexy movie stars. Le sigh.
In any event, have begun to recognize that necessary changes must occur within my crappy novel for it to be on the less crappy level of those getting published and turned into movies with attractive stars. Am now studying a few classics, new and old, though am not including Alice in Wonderland on grounds that it is secretly a philosophy book nor Wrinkle in Time because I cannot stand the author reading her own book on the audio version because, for the love of Pete, she has an ugly voice. Mean though it may be, had I the chance, I would not possibly take the opp. to read my own work because, simply, actors in possession of lovely voices will do it for you. (Dragon Rider was narrated by Brendan Fraser.-- just looked up spelling btw). Anyway, I am now looking at:
1The Neverending Story- Michael Ende
2Peter and the Starcatchers- Barry and Pearson (not a movie yet, but WILL be v. soon)
3Harry Potter (the first)
4The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson #1)- Riordan (upcoming movie)
5Howl's Moving Castle- Diana Wynne Jones (as in Ghibli movie fame)
6James and the Giant Peach- Roald Dahl (I really liked the movie tho' I do not know if it was successful)
7The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe- Lewis
8The Princess and the Goblin- George MacDonald (Which has a film, but ought get another soon, I should think.)
Now, let us see if we can find patterns.
Family: James (6), Harry, and, obviously, Peter are orphans, which is popular amongst heroes. However, Whatshisface (1),Sophie (5- oh, but her stepmother is the living parent. Hrm. That is unique, isn't it?), and Irene (8) are each missing just the one parent. Plus, they are all under the age of 18. Hrm. My heroine is a senior citizen- fail. Furthermore, apart from Sophie (5) and the Narnian kids, are only children. Percy (4) discovers half-siblings along the way, but I think that is merely on account of his dad being a god and all. Hrm.
Conclusion: Probably need some orphans without siblings, and preferably one or more child near the center of the story.
Beginning:
1Neverending- Bastian (aha, I remembered it) goes to the bookstore, and steals the book. The story mostly takes place in the book... I don't remember much about that hero, save his horse, and that he probably is an orphan.
2Peter- Massive character intros, background, and a quickly forward-moving story line. The kids get aboard the boat where the adventures take place. (Just wondered where my copy of Peter Pan has run off to..)
3Harry- THE PAST (this seems a common theme in movie versions of a lot of these books). Baby Harry is dropped off with the Dursleys. The reader is v. confused.
4Lightning- We get info on some strange circumstances surrounding Percy and weird things start happening. V. fast forward-moving plotline.
5Howl- We learn, from the nameless narrator, that Sophie is destined to fail and get a full look at her past leading up to her employment in her dead father's shop. Also background info on the eponymous Howl.
6James- Backstory on poor James and how his parents are eaten by a rhinoceros. He is sent to live with his aunts. We quickly learn how much his life sucks.
7Lion- The kids are on their way to live with their... great uncle? or something. We don't get much backstory, actually. They're mostly just curious. Oh, AND Lucy makes her way to Narnia... app. in the first chapter.
8The Princess and the Goblin- We get a lot of info about the past of the kingdom and the demeanor of the princess from a nameless narrator, who supposes things aren't quite as they seem.
Conclusion: Options =
1 Flashback!
2 Fairy-tale like narrative beginning
3 Fast forward-moving plot!
Magical Elements: With Harry, Neverending (in the book within the book, anyway), and Howl- the sky is the limit magic-wise. Anything can happen because these are magical worlds. A lot can also happen in Lion, because Narnia is magical as well, but there are limits to this magic (ex. Lucy must use the gift salve given to her if she wants to save people, but sometimes she is too late, and if she runs out, it's simply gone). Lightning also has seemingly limitless magic, but only for those who are gods or demi-gods, or are somehow related to the whole mess. Even Zeus, however, cannot save his daughter's life, but merely can turn her into a tree (they tell you this early on), so even the gods are limited. In Peter, magic exists but is special, and hard to find. I think that the fairy dust is the only magical thing, in fact, though it is not called that in this particular tale. And only v. special people even know that magic exists, which is Harry Potter-esque. I think the only magical elements in James are the growing/talking bugs and the growing peach. Other than that, having one's parents eaten by a rhinoceros seems a bit magical. As for the Princess and the Goblin, the existence of goblins suggests a lot, but really there isn't much magic apart from that provided by Irene's grandmother, who is a ghost, I think (?)
So, you can get magic from:
a) magical people (wizards, witches, etc.)
b) magical creatures
c) magical objects
d) magical places
e) gods/demons/demi-gods
f) ghosts
In mine, the magic comes from a person but is directed at objects. Hm. V. confusing.
Sidekicks:
1Neverending- Atreyu (the hero in the book Bastian reads) has his horse and gets help from many people along the way. Though the horse seems to be the only continuous companion, though, Atreyu ultimately faces his challenges alone.
2Peter- He has Molly, who's like Wendy, except her name is Molly, and I don't think she has brothers. She might be the real hero actually... it's hard to tell because they are both v. important. So, I guess you have an equal status partnership thing going on?
3Harry- Obviously, we have Ron and Hermione, though Harry faces final battle all alone with the other two stuck behind.
4Lightning- Percy has Annabeth and Grover, plus a few other people with one person who betrays him in the midst. Um, there are two final battles? One is actually alone alone, the other has Annabeth off to the side, just kinda watching, which isn't half so lame in context.
5Howl- Actually, Sophie's pretty much alone a lot of the time, but lives with Howl, Calcifer, and Michael. But her curse makes it so she can't tell anyone what's ailing her, so...? I think Howl fights the final battle but Sophie ends up saving him AFTER that, which makes her unique.
6James- Um, he has the bugs. They all work together because a big theme is teamwork, though James has all the master ideas.
7Princess and the Goblin- I don't remember! Um, I think that Curdie's the big hero in the end, though, but he MUST have help because he's against an army of goblins. I think the king's army helps... But Curdie figures out their weak point, yay! I'm sure the Princess does... something? to help.
Conclusion: If you've got an army of baddies, like mine has, then the main character needs a lot of help, though can beat major baddie alone?
Ugh, it is late. I will think more on this later, and probably start the rewrite. Yugh!
<3
BTW, finished Letters from a Young Poet. Now reading Inkheart in attempt to become magical-writing genius. Wish me luck.
<3 again...
In any event, have begun to recognize that necessary changes must occur within my crappy novel for it to be on the less crappy level of those getting published and turned into movies with attractive stars. Am now studying a few classics, new and old, though am not including Alice in Wonderland on grounds that it is secretly a philosophy book nor Wrinkle in Time because I cannot stand the author reading her own book on the audio version because, for the love of Pete, she has an ugly voice. Mean though it may be, had I the chance, I would not possibly take the opp. to read my own work because, simply, actors in possession of lovely voices will do it for you. (Dragon Rider was narrated by Brendan Fraser.-- just looked up spelling btw). Anyway, I am now looking at:
1The Neverending Story- Michael Ende
2Peter and the Starcatchers- Barry and Pearson (not a movie yet, but WILL be v. soon)
3Harry Potter (the first)
4The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson #1)- Riordan (upcoming movie)
5Howl's Moving Castle- Diana Wynne Jones (as in Ghibli movie fame)
6James and the Giant Peach- Roald Dahl (I really liked the movie tho' I do not know if it was successful)
7The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe- Lewis
8The Princess and the Goblin- George MacDonald (Which has a film, but ought get another soon, I should think.)
Now, let us see if we can find patterns.
Family: James (6), Harry, and, obviously, Peter are orphans, which is popular amongst heroes. However, Whatshisface (1),Sophie (5- oh, but her stepmother is the living parent. Hrm. That is unique, isn't it?), and Irene (8) are each missing just the one parent. Plus, they are all under the age of 18. Hrm. My heroine is a senior citizen- fail. Furthermore, apart from Sophie (5) and the Narnian kids, are only children. Percy (4) discovers half-siblings along the way, but I think that is merely on account of his dad being a god and all. Hrm.
Conclusion: Probably need some orphans without siblings, and preferably one or more child near the center of the story.
Beginning:
1Neverending- Bastian (aha, I remembered it) goes to the bookstore, and steals the book. The story mostly takes place in the book... I don't remember much about that hero, save his horse, and that he probably is an orphan.
2Peter- Massive character intros, background, and a quickly forward-moving story line. The kids get aboard the boat where the adventures take place. (Just wondered where my copy of Peter Pan has run off to..)
3Harry- THE PAST (this seems a common theme in movie versions of a lot of these books). Baby Harry is dropped off with the Dursleys. The reader is v. confused.
4Lightning- We get info on some strange circumstances surrounding Percy and weird things start happening. V. fast forward-moving plotline.
5Howl- We learn, from the nameless narrator, that Sophie is destined to fail and get a full look at her past leading up to her employment in her dead father's shop. Also background info on the eponymous Howl.
6James- Backstory on poor James and how his parents are eaten by a rhinoceros. He is sent to live with his aunts. We quickly learn how much his life sucks.
7Lion- The kids are on their way to live with their... great uncle? or something. We don't get much backstory, actually. They're mostly just curious. Oh, AND Lucy makes her way to Narnia... app. in the first chapter.
8The Princess and the Goblin- We get a lot of info about the past of the kingdom and the demeanor of the princess from a nameless narrator, who supposes things aren't quite as they seem.
Conclusion: Options =
1 Flashback!
2 Fairy-tale like narrative beginning
3 Fast forward-moving plot!
Magical Elements: With Harry, Neverending (in the book within the book, anyway), and Howl- the sky is the limit magic-wise. Anything can happen because these are magical worlds. A lot can also happen in Lion, because Narnia is magical as well, but there are limits to this magic (ex. Lucy must use the gift salve given to her if she wants to save people, but sometimes she is too late, and if she runs out, it's simply gone). Lightning also has seemingly limitless magic, but only for those who are gods or demi-gods, or are somehow related to the whole mess. Even Zeus, however, cannot save his daughter's life, but merely can turn her into a tree (they tell you this early on), so even the gods are limited. In Peter, magic exists but is special, and hard to find. I think that the fairy dust is the only magical thing, in fact, though it is not called that in this particular tale. And only v. special people even know that magic exists, which is Harry Potter-esque. I think the only magical elements in James are the growing/talking bugs and the growing peach. Other than that, having one's parents eaten by a rhinoceros seems a bit magical. As for the Princess and the Goblin, the existence of goblins suggests a lot, but really there isn't much magic apart from that provided by Irene's grandmother, who is a ghost, I think (?)
So, you can get magic from:
a) magical people (wizards, witches, etc.)
b) magical creatures
c) magical objects
d) magical places
e) gods/demons/demi-gods
f) ghosts
In mine, the magic comes from a person but is directed at objects. Hm. V. confusing.
Sidekicks:
1Neverending- Atreyu (the hero in the book Bastian reads) has his horse and gets help from many people along the way. Though the horse seems to be the only continuous companion, though, Atreyu ultimately faces his challenges alone.
2Peter- He has Molly, who's like Wendy, except her name is Molly, and I don't think she has brothers. She might be the real hero actually... it's hard to tell because they are both v. important. So, I guess you have an equal status partnership thing going on?
3Harry- Obviously, we have Ron and Hermione, though Harry faces final battle all alone with the other two stuck behind.
4Lightning- Percy has Annabeth and Grover, plus a few other people with one person who betrays him in the midst. Um, there are two final battles? One is actually alone alone, the other has Annabeth off to the side, just kinda watching, which isn't half so lame in context.
5Howl- Actually, Sophie's pretty much alone a lot of the time, but lives with Howl, Calcifer, and Michael. But her curse makes it so she can't tell anyone what's ailing her, so...? I think Howl fights the final battle but Sophie ends up saving him AFTER that, which makes her unique.
6James- Um, he has the bugs. They all work together because a big theme is teamwork, though James has all the master ideas.
7Princess and the Goblin- I don't remember! Um, I think that Curdie's the big hero in the end, though, but he MUST have help because he's against an army of goblins. I think the king's army helps... But Curdie figures out their weak point, yay! I'm sure the Princess does... something? to help.
Conclusion: If you've got an army of baddies, like mine has, then the main character needs a lot of help, though can beat major baddie alone?
Ugh, it is late. I will think more on this later, and probably start the rewrite. Yugh!
<3
BTW, finished Letters from a Young Poet. Now reading Inkheart in attempt to become magical-writing genius. Wish me luck.
<3 again...
*Must... Update...*
But it just seems silly, since everyone I was keeping informed through this blog whilest in Japan now lives v. close to me and is in touch in non-electrical ways. Gah, but you see, my writing has gotten all insane today. I cannot make sense at all, which I assume is simply a result of reading poor translations or reading Japanese and poorly translating in my head. Perhaps it is simply the case that no one can translate Japanese elegantly, least of all me.
Anyway, must find a book club. I had one in Tokyo, you know. There are some in the North Seattle area but they seem to read silly books a lot (seriously. I'm not just being hyper critical.). I don't know. Maybe I ought to suck it up and read things that don't interest me more. Or not. Dang, feeling indignant- rawr.
Also, there are some Japanese-speaking groups in the area which probably end up a lot cheaper for practicing one's language skills (or lack thereof) than tutoring. So will perhaps not increase tutoring time but, instead, join one of these groups?
Must also find new job. Ah, there goes the Hemingway-esque fragmentary writing style. I knew it would return. In any event, there are many jobs in daycare with people going back to work and all, and most seem to pay in the range that I'm hoping to slip into. Slight panic at thought of panic.
On the South Beach diet. First two weeks= carb flush-type thing. Since it is the official day one, I cannot tell you if it goes well or not. We shall see? I get my graduation gown May 26th-ish, so I suppose that'll be the goal for the weight I want gone to be zapped. Or turned into muscle. Those are the options. I suppose, it could all float into my hair as well. That would be interesting....
Paperwork on law suit= death. 25 pages of death. Will not cry. Or will now cry, and it was a typo?
OH, and on the airplane, I got sick. Yes, v. As in, ran to the bathroom, could not read, could not listen to music sick. I did watch movies though, except they only let you see a max of three and the audio was off for Rachel Getting Married. So, I ended up seeing The Secret Life of Bees (I got about 75% because the audio was off on that too, a bit), Flash of Genius (the Greg Kinnear one with the windshield wipers), and Max Payne, because there were really no other choices by the time the third movie rolled around. Ah, it was gloriously terrible. There's a new drug on the streets. 99% of people who take it are chopped into a zillion pieces (mind you, somehow by the drug itself). 1% become invincible (except, apparently to Mark Wahlberg, who plays Detective Max Payne, yes that is his real name, who kills many of these immortals?!?!?). Hm, I wonder what random hero of the movie will turn out to be in that 1% by the end of the movie?
And the fellow frowns all the time except in one flashback scene before his wife and daughter were killed, in which you learn that Mark Walberg really is a cutie patoot, but only when he smiles. So, why would he be in a movie that required so much moping? He cannot brood, He is not David Boreanaz. Hells no.
I'll try to put some more info-ness-ish-esque-whatever later. Peace
<3
Edit: Oh, and I finished Atonement, and liked it a great deal. Also read The Great Blue Yonder, which was short, and alright. Wasn't genius, but I liked it. Kayoko gave it to me <3
Now, I read Letters to a Young Poet by Ranier Maria Rilke
Anyway, must find a book club. I had one in Tokyo, you know. There are some in the North Seattle area but they seem to read silly books a lot (seriously. I'm not just being hyper critical.). I don't know. Maybe I ought to suck it up and read things that don't interest me more. Or not. Dang, feeling indignant- rawr.
Also, there are some Japanese-speaking groups in the area which probably end up a lot cheaper for practicing one's language skills (or lack thereof) than tutoring. So will perhaps not increase tutoring time but, instead, join one of these groups?
Must also find new job. Ah, there goes the Hemingway-esque fragmentary writing style. I knew it would return. In any event, there are many jobs in daycare with people going back to work and all, and most seem to pay in the range that I'm hoping to slip into. Slight panic at thought of panic.
On the South Beach diet. First two weeks= carb flush-type thing. Since it is the official day one, I cannot tell you if it goes well or not. We shall see? I get my graduation gown May 26th-ish, so I suppose that'll be the goal for the weight I want gone to be zapped. Or turned into muscle. Those are the options. I suppose, it could all float into my hair as well. That would be interesting....
Paperwork on law suit= death. 25 pages of death. Will not cry. Or will now cry, and it was a typo?
OH, and on the airplane, I got sick. Yes, v. As in, ran to the bathroom, could not read, could not listen to music sick. I did watch movies though, except they only let you see a max of three and the audio was off for Rachel Getting Married. So, I ended up seeing The Secret Life of Bees (I got about 75% because the audio was off on that too, a bit), Flash of Genius (the Greg Kinnear one with the windshield wipers), and Max Payne, because there were really no other choices by the time the third movie rolled around. Ah, it was gloriously terrible. There's a new drug on the streets. 99% of people who take it are chopped into a zillion pieces (mind you, somehow by the drug itself). 1% become invincible (except, apparently to Mark Wahlberg, who plays Detective Max Payne, yes that is his real name, who kills many of these immortals?!?!?). Hm, I wonder what random hero of the movie will turn out to be in that 1% by the end of the movie?
And the fellow frowns all the time except in one flashback scene before his wife and daughter were killed, in which you learn that Mark Walberg really is a cutie patoot, but only when he smiles. So, why would he be in a movie that required so much moping? He cannot brood, He is not David Boreanaz. Hells no.
I'll try to put some more info-ness-ish-esque-whatever later. Peace
<3
Edit: Oh, and I finished Atonement, and liked it a great deal. Also read The Great Blue Yonder, which was short, and alright. Wasn't genius, but I liked it. Kayoko gave it to me <3
Now, I read Letters to a Young Poet by Ranier Maria Rilke
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
*I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane*
Don't know when I'll be back again/ Oh, babe, I hate to goooooooooooooooooooo.
Anyway, I'm leaving today at 5:40PM Tokyo time and arriving in Seattle 9:15 AM today (O.o) Seattle time. In't that crazy? Anyway, I forgot to post because I was busy packing and stuff. Must finish Atonement now. Peace!
<3
Anyway, I'm leaving today at 5:40PM Tokyo time and arriving in Seattle 9:15 AM today (O.o) Seattle time. In't that crazy? Anyway, I forgot to post because I was busy packing and stuff. Must finish Atonement now. Peace!
<3
Monday, February 2, 2009
*Pooped*
From sightseeing. Came home at 6:00 today because I got so sightseed out. So many errands to do tomorrow too! Must list them in a bit, so as not to forget anything. Day after tomorrow is the RETURN day.
Today, Kayoko and I journeyed West (or East or North or South... or the same with lower case letters to begin with) to Mitaka to the Ghibli Museum. Which is a *magical* place, though you cannot take pictures within. You can, however, buy postcards, which are essentially pictures other people have taken of crap you may or may not be interested in having pictures of, that you have to fork out the cash for. I did buy some postcards, so I'll scan those when I get back to show to you.
Anyway, I saw the cutest mini-film (you get to see one for free with your ticket) called Mizugumo Monmon (水グモもんもん）(it is the SECOND film shown in pre-view, with the water spider):
Pic:
The title means "Water Spider Monmon". A water spider is a real bug! Isn't it cute in the movie!? Even though the real ones are scary. I really liked the movie, but you can't get it anywhere (I already tried the torrents and etc but if you are talented enough to find it, I'll scream in happy way.... you know what I mean). He falls in love with one of those bugs that skates on the top of the water and saves her from a fish! Then she takes him on a skating ride and ends up having to save him from a fish. V. short (15 mins) with no dialogue but V. CUTE!!!! I got some merchandise to show y'all when I return.
(More pics on this page, halfwayish down: http://www.ghibliworld.com/newsarchive3.html)
Anyway, the Ghibli Museum had a lot of exhibits showing how the magic of animation works. Miyazaki is not afraid of people stealing his animation secrets or anything! You can see the whole process! Also, the buildings are full of fun little details like a random bridge, cages around the staircases, a giant robot (actually, God of Protection... but he LOOKS like a robot), etc. The care was also v. reasonably priced and tasty, with cute details as well- like a wood-burning stove with a kettle on top. ^___^
Went to a lot of Book Offs because Kayoko is looking for something. Got pooped!
Pics of Mt. Takao from my cell phone: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054159&l=98482&id=32404300
Ghibli Museum pics (but v. few, as result of no camera rule): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054160&l=16ae0&id=32404300
To do tomorrow:
Clean bathroom and room to be spotless for departure
Do laundry to have clean clothes in luggage in case of thorough examination by airport peoples
Cancel cell phone (3-4 hours- gah!) and pay bill
Take disposable camera to one hour photo shop down street to drop off
Pick up photos ^^*
PACK!!!
Take out trash that has accumulated during stay (O.O aka school work that's been handed back plus plastic bottles of finals writingness)
Send e-mails to profs with attached papers JUST IN CASE (am not paranoid am not paranoid)
Confirm flight details and reprint a few more times (not paranoid...)
Stop by university to sign for February scholarship moneys
Pack up non-returning books in bag for M. to donate to school
Weigh luggage O.o pray that it will be under weight limit!!!!!!
E-mail Kayoko for breakfast plans on Wed.
Ask mom to make sure I haven't forgotten v. important randomness!!!!!!!!!!!!! <--- deserving of that many exclamation points.
<3
R: Atonement
L: Typing....
Today, Kayoko and I journeyed West (or East or North or South... or the same with lower case letters to begin with) to Mitaka to the Ghibli Museum. Which is a *magical* place, though you cannot take pictures within. You can, however, buy postcards, which are essentially pictures other people have taken of crap you may or may not be interested in having pictures of, that you have to fork out the cash for. I did buy some postcards, so I'll scan those when I get back to show to you.
Anyway, I saw the cutest mini-film (you get to see one for free with your ticket) called Mizugumo Monmon (水グモもんもん）(it is the SECOND film shown in pre-view, with the water spider):
Pic:
The title means "Water Spider Monmon". A water spider is a real bug! Isn't it cute in the movie!? Even though the real ones are scary. I really liked the movie, but you can't get it anywhere (I already tried the torrents and etc but if you are talented enough to find it, I'll scream in happy way.... you know what I mean). He falls in love with one of those bugs that skates on the top of the water and saves her from a fish! Then she takes him on a skating ride and ends up having to save him from a fish. V. short (15 mins) with no dialogue but V. CUTE!!!! I got some merchandise to show y'all when I return.
(More pics on this page, halfwayish down: http://www.ghibliworld.com/newsarchive3.html)
Anyway, the Ghibli Museum had a lot of exhibits showing how the magic of animation works. Miyazaki is not afraid of people stealing his animation secrets or anything! You can see the whole process! Also, the buildings are full of fun little details like a random bridge, cages around the staircases, a giant robot (actually, God of Protection... but he LOOKS like a robot), etc. The care was also v. reasonably priced and tasty, with cute details as well- like a wood-burning stove with a kettle on top. ^___^
Went to a lot of Book Offs because Kayoko is looking for something. Got pooped!
Pics of Mt. Takao from my cell phone: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054159&l=98482&id=32404300
Ghibli Museum pics (but v. few, as result of no camera rule): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2054160&l=16ae0&id=32404300
To do tomorrow:
Clean bathroom and room to be spotless for departure
Do laundry to have clean clothes in luggage in case of thorough examination by airport peoples
Cancel cell phone (3-4 hours- gah!) and pay bill
Take disposable camera to one hour photo shop down street to drop off
Pick up photos ^^*
PACK!!!
Take out trash that has accumulated during stay (O.O aka school work that's been handed back plus plastic bottles of finals writingness)
Send e-mails to profs with attached papers JUST IN CASE (am not paranoid am not paranoid)
Confirm flight details and reprint a few more times (not paranoid...)
Stop by university to sign for February scholarship moneys
Pack up non-returning books in bag for M. to donate to school
Weigh luggage O.o pray that it will be under weight limit!!!!!!
E-mail Kayoko for breakfast plans on Wed.
Ask mom to make sure I haven't forgotten v. important randomness!!!!!!!!!!!!! <--- deserving of that many exclamation points.
<3
R: Atonement
L: Typing....
Sunday, February 1, 2009
*Oof!*
We did a lot today. Let me explain in detail:
First off, there was an earthquake this morning, if you didn't know, off the coast of Japan, what that was felt throughout Tokyo. I felt it! HOWEVER, thought I was just shivering because it was freezing last night O.o Seriously, I remember waking up and thinking: "Is that an earthquake? Am I shivering? Or is that an earthquake? Eh, must be shiveringness." Then going back to sleep....
Went to school to turn in my papes. Entrance exams start next week so it was CRAZY crowded. Teachers did not yet have the drop boxes out for papers, so I put them in respective teachers' mail slots. Hope that's ok? Anyway, am officially done! Fwee!
I met Kayoko at the Shinjuku Southern Terrace Starbucks, where we got breakfast and some coffee, which we ate outside, as it was randomly v. sunny today, though windy (enough so as to cause a TRAIN ACCIDENT O.o)-- 10:00. Took Keio Line to Mt. Takao. BTW, forgot camera O.O so I took a lot of pics on my cell and bought disposable. Will need to find a one-hour photo nearby. I hear that x-rays at the airport ruin film- is this true? Vicious rumor? A sweet and sexy mix of both? (what?!) Trip took about an hour.
Took the cable cars up the part of Mt. Takao that you cannot climb (is too treacherous and steep) which must've been about a mile straight up-ish. Apparently it's the steepest climbing cable car in the world. And that's something to write home about (a-ok sign being flashed). Took prob. fifteen minutes.
This is where it got intense. Because, see, I figured that it couldn't be that much farther, but was actually like... a zillion miles. Kilometers> miles right? Um, and it was muddy from raining all last week and there were lots of roots sticking up and no handrail or anything so I figured I would probably die. Maybe I did die, and just don't know it. Eek! It was beautiful tho!
Saw the aforementioned Monkey Park, which was amazing, even though you were pretty far away from the monkeys. They had LOTS of baby monkeys: (MONKEYS). And they were REALLY funny. These two babies were fighting and they were coming up on their friend, who was the tiniest thing ever, and they just kinda trampled him. When they noticed him, they decided he would be more fun to fight with, and he just stood there with this "?" look on his face. Soooo cute! The monkey keeper was funny too- he was talking about how the monkeys have never tried bananas because, if they do, they won't eat the regular food anymore! He called them snobby! ^___^
Also ate at this restaurant that was apparently featured in a popular Japanese drama (I'll put more info on this later, once I've researched). Had Tanuki Udon for cheap and also Amezake (Lit. Sweet Sake) which, actually, didn't have any alcohol, even though sake in Japanese actually means alcohol. Confusing enough for ya?
Got to the top of Mt. Takao and saw Mt. Fuji!!!!! App. this is incredibly rare and I'm a lucky goose. I have some pics of it on disposable camera and phone that I'll put up later. Got a really nice shot with crap camera (^^*). Vending machines galore (actually, LOTS of stores all the way up!!) but expensive. Bought tea anyway- peh.
Coming down was rough! And the waterfall I told you about was kinda lame, to be honest, but the old bridge was GREAT. It was so rickety! We made it sway a little (obviously have no fear of heights). Took pics. It was pretty awesome.
Instead of taking the cable cars down that last treacherous stretch, we took the chair lifts, which are just like skiing ones except we were going down, not wearing skis, nor above snow. So, if we fell, it was a major ouch-possibility/death. But there was no bar or anything!!! You just held on, until you got over it, and then got cocky and took pictures (^^* I'll post them later). It was really kinda scary except (maybe because of the elevation?) I was just hyper. Then Kayoko got hyper. Then we stopped clinging to the bar....
Took train back, which was a LOT longer on the return (Kayoko fell asleep, I read some more of Atonement... which btw I'm reading. Oops...). We decided to go to Ginza to get pics of the Kabuki theatre and try an Okinawan restaurant. And that, my friends, is where it gets all crazy.
Because we went to the Kabuki theatre and just decided we should probably see a show. So, for ten bucks, we got "standing room only" tickets, which actually included seats (????? I don't think they quite understand what "standing" in Japanese means??? Though Japanese... it was all v. strange). For four more bucks, got the English-audio guide, which helped a lot.
The play was about these samurai and their lord going unda covuh as wandering monks to get past their enemy's border to visit some guy for military help. But the border guard knows that the enemy and his posse are coming in disguise at monks, so he's just been killing off any monk that tries to get through (which cannot be good for his karma, btw, but he had his orders). Anyway, the head retainer for the lord tries to trick the border guard by reciting from the sutra, doing a longevity dance, reading a proclamation, etc. and the border guard is convinced. However, someone recognizes the lord, who is in disguise as a servant, and the group is called back. To prove that the lord is a servant, the loyal retainer hits him with a stick, which, the British lady on my headset explained, means that he'll later have to kill himself in shame. The border guard is unconvinced but, deeply moved by the retainer's loyalty to his lord (that he's willing to kill himself to get the group through!), the border guard lets them pass, and gives them a bunch of sake (and the retainer gets drunk, which is understandable, given his probable suicide in the near future). HOWEVER, the lord pardons the retainer and says that he's too important to be allowed to kill himself. HOWEVER, the border guard has to kill himself for letting the group through, which he knew when he did the act, so he turned out to be an okay guy (he dies AFTER the curtain falls).
It was a little draggy what with the sutras being read and all, but the music was fantastic and it was v. interesting. I think if I hadn't climbed a mountain earlier in the day, it would have been more enjoyable (not that it wasn't). So, I've seem kabuki. Hoorah for me.
Then we went to the Okinawa restaurant, which was tasty. Kayoko and I wanted to try the local drink of Okinawa (specialty drink, whatevs). So I didn't like it, but I forced it down. But Kayoko figured that meant I liked it, so she poured hers in my cup!!! She was so happy that I liked it and she wouldn't have to waste the money- so I drank hers too. I think it was a special sake-type thing. Anyway, possibly a little drunk. Obviously am turning into alcoholic. O.o Or not.
Am home now! Going to Ghibli Museum+ tomorrow. I cannot say where the day shall take us! App. we are unpredictable, sim. to wind or Martha Stewart.
<3
R: Atonement, btw. Which I think I mentioned in a btw earlier this message.....
First off, there was an earthquake this morning, if you didn't know, off the coast of Japan, what that was felt throughout Tokyo. I felt it! HOWEVER, thought I was just shivering because it was freezing last night O.o Seriously, I remember waking up and thinking: "Is that an earthquake? Am I shivering? Or is that an earthquake? Eh, must be shiveringness." Then going back to sleep....
Went to school to turn in my papes. Entrance exams start next week so it was CRAZY crowded. Teachers did not yet have the drop boxes out for papers, so I put them in respective teachers' mail slots. Hope that's ok? Anyway, am officially done! Fwee!
I met Kayoko at the Shinjuku Southern Terrace Starbucks, where we got breakfast and some coffee, which we ate outside, as it was randomly v. sunny today, though windy (enough so as to cause a TRAIN ACCIDENT O.o)-- 10:00. Took Keio Line to Mt. Takao. BTW, forgot camera O.O so I took a lot of pics on my cell and bought disposable. Will need to find a one-hour photo nearby. I hear that x-rays at the airport ruin film- is this true? Vicious rumor? A sweet and sexy mix of both? (what?!) Trip took about an hour.
Took the cable cars up the part of Mt. Takao that you cannot climb (is too treacherous and steep) which must've been about a mile straight up-ish. Apparently it's the steepest climbing cable car in the world. And that's something to write home about (a-ok sign being flashed). Took prob. fifteen minutes.
This is where it got intense. Because, see, I figured that it couldn't be that much farther, but was actually like... a zillion miles. Kilometers> miles right? Um, and it was muddy from raining all last week and there were lots of roots sticking up and no handrail or anything so I figured I would probably die. Maybe I did die, and just don't know it. Eek! It was beautiful tho!
Saw the aforementioned Monkey Park, which was amazing, even though you were pretty far away from the monkeys. They had LOTS of baby monkeys: (MONKEYS). And they were REALLY funny. These two babies were fighting and they were coming up on their friend, who was the tiniest thing ever, and they just kinda trampled him. When they noticed him, they decided he would be more fun to fight with, and he just stood there with this "?" look on his face. Soooo cute! The monkey keeper was funny too- he was talking about how the monkeys have never tried bananas because, if they do, they won't eat the regular food anymore! He called them snobby! ^___^
Also ate at this restaurant that was apparently featured in a popular Japanese drama (I'll put more info on this later, once I've researched). Had Tanuki Udon for cheap and also Amezake (Lit. Sweet Sake) which, actually, didn't have any alcohol, even though sake in Japanese actually means alcohol. Confusing enough for ya?
Got to the top of Mt. Takao and saw Mt. Fuji!!!!! App. this is incredibly rare and I'm a lucky goose. I have some pics of it on disposable camera and phone that I'll put up later. Got a really nice shot with crap camera (^^*). Vending machines galore (actually, LOTS of stores all the way up!!) but expensive. Bought tea anyway- peh.
Coming down was rough! And the waterfall I told you about was kinda lame, to be honest, but the old bridge was GREAT. It was so rickety! We made it sway a little (obviously have no fear of heights). Took pics. It was pretty awesome.
Instead of taking the cable cars down that last treacherous stretch, we took the chair lifts, which are just like skiing ones except we were going down, not wearing skis, nor above snow. So, if we fell, it was a major ouch-possibility/death. But there was no bar or anything!!! You just held on, until you got over it, and then got cocky and took pictures (^^* I'll post them later). It was really kinda scary except (maybe because of the elevation?) I was just hyper. Then Kayoko got hyper. Then we stopped clinging to the bar....
Took train back, which was a LOT longer on the return (Kayoko fell asleep, I read some more of Atonement... which btw I'm reading. Oops...). We decided to go to Ginza to get pics of the Kabuki theatre and try an Okinawan restaurant. And that, my friends, is where it gets all crazy.
Because we went to the Kabuki theatre and just decided we should probably see a show. So, for ten bucks, we got "standing room only" tickets, which actually included seats (????? I don't think they quite understand what "standing" in Japanese means??? Though Japanese... it was all v. strange). For four more bucks, got the English-audio guide, which helped a lot.
The play was about these samurai and their lord going unda covuh as wandering monks to get past their enemy's border to visit some guy for military help. But the border guard knows that the enemy and his posse are coming in disguise at monks, so he's just been killing off any monk that tries to get through (which cannot be good for his karma, btw, but he had his orders). Anyway, the head retainer for the lord tries to trick the border guard by reciting from the sutra, doing a longevity dance, reading a proclamation, etc. and the border guard is convinced. However, someone recognizes the lord, who is in disguise as a servant, and the group is called back. To prove that the lord is a servant, the loyal retainer hits him with a stick, which, the British lady on my headset explained, means that he'll later have to kill himself in shame. The border guard is unconvinced but, deeply moved by the retainer's loyalty to his lord (that he's willing to kill himself to get the group through!), the border guard lets them pass, and gives them a bunch of sake (and the retainer gets drunk, which is understandable, given his probable suicide in the near future). HOWEVER, the lord pardons the retainer and says that he's too important to be allowed to kill himself. HOWEVER, the border guard has to kill himself for letting the group through, which he knew when he did the act, so he turned out to be an okay guy (he dies AFTER the curtain falls).
It was a little draggy what with the sutras being read and all, but the music was fantastic and it was v. interesting. I think if I hadn't climbed a mountain earlier in the day, it would have been more enjoyable (not that it wasn't). So, I've seem kabuki. Hoorah for me.
Then we went to the Okinawa restaurant, which was tasty. Kayoko and I wanted to try the local drink of Okinawa (specialty drink, whatevs). So I didn't like it, but I forced it down. But Kayoko figured that meant I liked it, so she poured hers in my cup!!! She was so happy that I liked it and she wouldn't have to waste the money- so I drank hers too. I think it was a special sake-type thing. Anyway, possibly a little drunk. Obviously am turning into alcoholic. O.o Or not.
Am home now! Going to Ghibli Museum+ tomorrow. I cannot say where the day shall take us! App. we are unpredictable, sim. to wind or Martha Stewart.
<3
R: Atonement, btw. Which I think I mentioned in a btw earlier this message.....
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