I don:t speak Japanese, but i do speak Starbucks

Okay, so my post before this was probably not even posted long enough that anyone has read it before this one. I know, it:s early where you are. There was debate about a trip to the Starbucks, I caved. I went.
there is something about a place like that though, for probably the first time since i got here, i ordered knowing that i was going to end up with what i wanted. I didn:t have to muddle my way through various japanese words, nor was I stared at blankly when i said some of my favourite words (Chai Latte with Soy milk, please), So im satisfied. And i also picked up a new travel mug to add to my collection... it:s a kyoto one. It:ll go with my Osaka one that:s at home. Alright, i:m off to do something.... i:m thinking bed time... later gators

Memoirs of this Geisha

Travelling....travelling....travelling

Found a computer with internet in the lobby of my hotel.... please enjoy.... said the man behind the counter. Don:t mind if i do.

Yesterday it poured with rain. The sad part is we were in Miyajima which is a small island known for it:s beauty and hiking trails. Rain mixed with large snowflakes were not a deterrent from sightseeing, just from　hiking 6 hours to the top of a mountain. The island was gorgeous though....even in the rain. We saw the famous floating temple. Also went to the aquarium and wandered around the island. The hotel we stayed in was traditionally japanese... we slept on futons on the floor... ate sushi (the real kind, not the maki rolls i usually eat) and Nabe (kind of like a hotpot)along with all sorts of different fish, pickles and thankfully, rice for dinner.... Dinner was quite a feast and some of the stuff required me to pretend i was on fear factor before i ventured to eating it. Nonetheless, I was glad for the experience.
Today we came to Kyoto. Im liking the city so far. I even found some Geisha! Photos to follow. Also see some Sumo wrestlers in the train station the other day. Unfortunately, it:s the wrong time of year to watch a match, or even an exhibition.
Wandered our way home through an area known for shopping and hanging out. I went to the Louis Vuitton Store... just for the fun of it. There is a Starbucks in our hotel.. lol, i feel myself breaking down. I think i might take the lonely planet guide book and park myself down with a chai latte..... there is something warm and inviting about a starbucks no matter where you are. I:ve had a lot of green tea this trip... a chai latte would be a nice change...
So tomorrow we:re off to more temples, more Kyoto....more adventures.... many more to stories to come

Life in Japan

Well, i've been in japan for a couple of days now, so i thought it was about time that I updated my blog. It's different here... everything is so over stimulating. it's a sea of colour, noise, and smell. I've forgotten what it's like to be in a country where you don't speak the language, and are even unable to read. Eating at restaurants is interesting. Thank God a lot of them have photos on their menu or at the front... you actually choose what you want from the photos or the display. Other than that, the only japanese i've picked up is hello (konichiwa) , goodbye (sayonara), thank you (arigato gozimus), yes (hai). We're getting by though. And my attempts to say thankyou in japanese always earn me a smile, i can't help but wonder if it has to do with the way i've massacred their language, or the appreciation of an attempt?
We spent our first couple of days in Shizuoka. Doing some shopping and some sightseeing. We went to a shrine that was pretty cool. We also climbed 105 steps to get to the top of it. It was a good climb... worth the view. There is also a castle that we went to see... not much left of it now. it's pretty neat to imagine how it would have been with Samaraui running around. I'd really like to see a samarai, i'll keep my eyes peeled though.
Last night we went out for dinner and to someone's going away party. This involved a drunken night of Kareoke with about 20 of Christies friends. Funny stuff indeed. Thankfully you get a small room for all the people you came with. then you pay a flat rate and get to drink all you can drink for an hour or two. funny stuff indeed.

My parents arrive in Shizuoka tomorrow. That's when we'll be surprising my dad. Then from there, the real part of the trip begins. We've got rail passes, so we'll be off to Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo, maybe some other places too. IT should be good times
Stories and pictures to follow.... Sayonara!

Rob Thomas Hair

There you were standing, with your rob thomas hair
controlled chaos radiates and there you are. devastatingly unaware of me. And seemingly oblivious to your surroundings.
I watch you from behind, and survey your casually worn dress shirt, your slightly faded pants and the way you intently focus on the work you're doing.
Casually I approach to ask you a question. One question answered, so many more unasked. Hoping to get a glimpse of your nametag. Surely, you have a name worth knowing. The badge is flipped the wrong way, i glance again, hoping it has flipped around and now i'll have an answer to my number one question. I glance one more time, but to no avail.
I return to my station. Where I can only see you from a distance.
But my favourite thing to look at, is your Rob Thomas Hair.

all sorts of things in my head

Today, my ipod stopped working. That's right. I'm devastated. So i fished out the manual, read some advice, tried it, it didn't work. Then i went to the online support, tried some stuff there, still can't figure it out. I'm gonna contact them tomorrow. Looks like it's going to have to go in to get fixed. I can't live without it. I hate technology which makes me dependant on it.

So in the other news, i realized one of my friends looks like a hobbit... except he's not small. I'm pretty sure his feet would be furry, but i've never seen him without his shoes on. It's funny, because everytime i run into him at the Superstore (quite often), we chat for about 10-30 mins... and so i was gonna say, we should hang out sometime. But then would that look like i was trying to 'pick up'. he's just a nice guy, good to talk to. I just want to be friends.

I am tired of being in school. So i'm avoiding school work in all ways, shapes and forms. So far, it's working out for me. My grades on the other hand, no so much. meh. what can you do? As long as I graduate.

Today was pancake Tuesday. I forgot to eat pancakes. I love pancakes.

Tomorrow is Wednesday. I have a lot of class. I'll have to get up in the morning to finish the reading. And then I have class from 1-5, then i'll work till 11:30.

I'm trying to write a cover letter. I need to come off as Funny and charming, witty yet sophisticated. If i land the job, or an internship with the company, i'm going to be one step closer to my dream of naming nailpolish colours which will eventually lead into my even bigger dream of picking names for Crayola Crayons. But first i have to write the letter. I hate trying to sell myself int the marketing world. I want to name things and sell products. The job is in NYC. Can you imagine me as part of the suit and tie crowd though. Could be funny stuff.

So, that's about half of the random thoughts in my head right now.
Later gators

unjustified fear

I'm petrified of mice. Beyond petrified, actually. Finn has been running around like crazy, I hope we don't have a mouse. He keeps going back to this one corner in the storage closet in the bathroom. I don't know what is worse, the potential of having a mouse and not knowing, or him killing a mouse and me having to get rid of it. Time will tell. At least there haven't been any mouse droppings (that I've noticed). I'll keep you posted.