Why, Hello. Yes. I Am, In Fact, Still Alive
When I return to California from Japan in exactly three months and four days, will you still recognize me?
I don't wear glasses anymore. I lost them, the morning after Thanksgiving, when I had spent all night out clubbing and was taking the first train back to Saitama to sleep at my friend's house (because I hate going home alone at 6AM). They fell out of my purse, which was so shallow that things were always spilling out of it -- like my wallet two months later, but that's another story. Since then, I have been wearing contacts non-stop and I really don't think I'm going back. Ever.
I drink now. I hear that my friends back home make jokes now about me being a lush, haha. Well, I've been cutting back lately but I will admit that I never imagined before I came to Japan that I would drink this much. I also have to say that I'm really looking forward to California's smoke-free bars!!! I hate reeking of cigarettes when I come home every night, yuck.
I own way more clothing. And shoes. I think the actual figure of how much money I've spent clothes shopping in Japan would disturb some people, so I'm not going to write it here. Someone also made the comment once that I dress kind of slutty, but they were joking and only wanted to point out that I show a lot more leg now.
I'm getting braces. As soon as I get back to America, I'm going to finally do what should have been done over ten years ago and get braces. Being in Japan has really increased my comfort level about my smile, but I feel that it's time to get these teeth fixed once and for all.
I wear perfume. And it's one that starts with "Cha" and ends with "nel." Please don't take this moment to remind me of starving children in third-world countries. >_< (Best 3.5 year anniversary present ever, by the way.)
I'm going to graduate~ Well, in Fall 2009. But I'm finally on the road to graduation!
Shiseido owns my soul. A few months ago, I got a free gift (makeup bag) because I spent over $200 in one visit. Wah! I will admit, though, that I carry that damn bag with me everywhere, and I use all that makeup regularly. So it's not like I spent $200 on something I never use.
I'm not tan anymore! Or at least, I would like to hope that I'm not. Besides the vain desire to want paler skin, there's that whole issue of excessive sun exposure being unhealthy and leading to wrinkles (minimum) and skin cancer, eek!
I'm in debt for the first time in my life. I used to hate owing anyone money and now I've got over $20,000 in debt from my student loans and credit card balances. Scary. And before you jump to conclusions - no, it's not because of all the clothes and makeup; less than 10% of my debt can be blamed on that. Studying abroad in Japan is just seriously freaking expensive.
I care about my appearance way too much. I've become one of those girls who wears makeup all the time, checks herself in the mirror, and spends excessive time getting ready in the morning. (Even more so than before!) I don't think this makes me a shallow person: feeling happy with the way I look just makes me more confident in everything I do.
...But I wonder if some people will dislike this new me? I don't feel like I've become a superficial person, but will others think that I am when I go back to America? For those of you interested in comparing new-and-improved!Hachi to the one you know and love, my return flight is scheduled for July 25th, arriving at LAX. There is an incredibly slim chance that this will change; if it does, I'll let you know.
I don't wear glasses anymore. I lost them, the morning after Thanksgiving, when I had spent all night out clubbing and was taking the first train back to Saitama to sleep at my friend's house (because I hate going home alone at 6AM). They fell out of my purse, which was so shallow that things were always spilling out of it -- like my wallet two months later, but that's another story. Since then, I have been wearing contacts non-stop and I really don't think I'm going back. Ever.
I drink now. I hear that my friends back home make jokes now about me being a lush, haha. Well, I've been cutting back lately but I will admit that I never imagined before I came to Japan that I would drink this much. I also have to say that I'm really looking forward to California's smoke-free bars!!! I hate reeking of cigarettes when I come home every night, yuck.
I own way more clothing. And shoes. I think the actual figure of how much money I've spent clothes shopping in Japan would disturb some people, so I'm not going to write it here. Someone also made the comment once that I dress kind of slutty, but they were joking and only wanted to point out that I show a lot more leg now.
I'm getting braces. As soon as I get back to America, I'm going to finally do what should have been done over ten years ago and get braces. Being in Japan has really increased my comfort level about my smile, but I feel that it's time to get these teeth fixed once and for all.
I wear perfume. And it's one that starts with "Cha" and ends with "nel." Please don't take this moment to remind me of starving children in third-world countries. >_< (Best 3.5 year anniversary present ever, by the way.)
I'm going to graduate~ Well, in Fall 2009. But I'm finally on the road to graduation!
Shiseido owns my soul. A few months ago, I got a free gift (makeup bag) because I spent over $200 in one visit. Wah! I will admit, though, that I carry that damn bag with me everywhere, and I use all that makeup regularly. So it's not like I spent $200 on something I never use.
I'm not tan anymore! Or at least, I would like to hope that I'm not. Besides the vain desire to want paler skin, there's that whole issue of excessive sun exposure being unhealthy and leading to wrinkles (minimum) and skin cancer, eek!
I'm in debt for the first time in my life. I used to hate owing anyone money and now I've got over $20,000 in debt from my student loans and credit card balances. Scary. And before you jump to conclusions - no, it's not because of all the clothes and makeup; less than 10% of my debt can be blamed on that. Studying abroad in Japan is just seriously freaking expensive.
I care about my appearance way too much. I've become one of those girls who wears makeup all the time, checks herself in the mirror, and spends excessive time getting ready in the morning. (Even more so than before!) I don't think this makes me a shallow person: feeling happy with the way I look just makes me more confident in everything I do.
...But I wonder if some people will dislike this new me? I don't feel like I've become a superficial person, but will others think that I am when I go back to America? For those of you interested in comparing new-and-improved!Hachi to the one you know and love, my return flight is scheduled for July 25th, arriving at LAX. There is an incredibly slim chance that this will change; if it does, I'll let you know.