Once again the seasons revolve
It's already the 4th of January in Japan, not that I'm there right now, but my laptop is set to Japan time, so that's the date I see. XD About 2 weeks ago I returned to America to spend the holiday season with my family and old friends (after 6 months of teaching Japanese middle schoolers to be terrified of English :B). It's been a really good visit and a nice break from work, though I'll be glad to get back to Japan at the end of it. I've got some fun plans for the new year~
But first a meme about 2010, stolen from a handful of people:
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Taught English. I've worked in a nursery and done art tutoring before, but I've never had to teach English to anyone, especially not as a second language.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Never made any, and I intend to keep with that trend. Though in general I've resolved to get better and more confident at speaking Japanese and also to make a bit of a name for myself in the Japanese cosplay community.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple friends of my family, but no one that I feel particularly close to, no.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Only a man who lived geographically close close to me, but not anyone that I knew personally.
5. What countries did you visit?
I'm currently visiting America from my Japanese home! :D!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A confidence boost would be nice~
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I've had quite a few memorable days, each embodying some big changes in my life, but I'm going to say December 15th. That was my birthday and also the last day that I was going to teach the 3rd years at First Middle School. After class, one of my students (the girl who was writing the pirate story) ran up to me in the hallway and gave me a handmade birthday card with a drawing and a message inside written in English. It was the most meaningful gift I received this year, because it made me feel like I was actually reaching connecting with these kids, in spite of being so new to teaching and speaking a different language and everything. I really do care about my kids, and it's a special thing to feel one care about me back. I'm tearing up thinking about it. :')
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
a combination of graduating from college and getting into JET.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I guess that would be dropping my Asian Studies major. I absolutely failed to complete a double major, but at the same time, dropping it was the best decision I made this year. ^^;
If that doesn't count, runner-up for failure could be losing the costume contest at Momocon. That was sucky.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing terrible. Had a stuffy nose in the fall. Oh! I did scrape my leg by running into a bridge on my bike. XD; Wasn't too terrible, but it left a scar~.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Everything relating to Magudara Maria. All the DVDs and pamphlet and pictures and musical tickets and cosplay materials~
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My lizard. She is so well-tempered, even in my long absence. Such a trooper, that one. :d ♥
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mostly, it's been a handful of stupid politicians, the few that I've actually heard about, because I hate politics and don't keep up with them. xP
14. Where did most of your money go?
Marvelous Entertainment. x_x ♥
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting to live in Japan again, MaguMaria, cosplay, and KAMEN RIDER!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
WBX
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. happier or sadder? happier
II. thinner or fatter? a little thinner
III. richer or poorer? much richer. It's nice getting paid to go to school, rather than paying money to go to school. :3
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Beating Wii games. My sister won't let me take it with me to Japan. :B
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sitting around on my ass in extreme temperatures. If it's hot or cold in my house, then I should get up and do something about it, or get busy on a project, so I can at least be distracted from it. xP
20. How did spend your Christmas?
In America with my parents, sister, grandparents, and aunt and uncle on my mom's side. Did stockings and opened presents, and ate a lot of home-cooked food, as per usual. ♥ But then it was special, because there was a beautifully timed snowstorm the night before, giving us 7 to 9 inches of snow by the end of Christmas Day. :DDD
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Not so much. ^_^
22. How many one-night stands?
Nope! Though I did have a guy offer to unbutton my pants with his toes. o_o;;;;; I declined.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
I could pretend to ponder this for a moment, but it's Kamen Rider W, hands down.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
There's some actors that I've been introduced to and am not fond of, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I hate them. >_>
25. What was the best book you read?
Um. Does novel length fanfiction count? XD;;;
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I could take this 2 ways. In one way, I discovered that the second Saiyuki musical is actually really spectacular, as is the 2nd Kuromyu. And I discovered the joys of seeing MaguMaria live!
In the other other way, I fell in love with Kimeru's latest CD and his live performances. Also, Meatloaf's new CD is awesome! :DDD I think Cocoa Otoko is the only new band I discovered.
27. What did you want and get?
A DIPLOMA AND A JOB!
28. What did you want and not get?
To live inside the city of Tokyo, though Gunma is the....not second or third but maybe the 5th best place and puts me near Paula. XD
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
American: Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Japanese: Beck (though I do love me some Kamen Rider too)
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to work and taught 5 classes of middle schoolers, then went to Takasaki to eat yakiniku with Paula. :D ♥ Still young at 23.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Again, actually living and working within Tokyo, so I could be closer to all of the big events and plays and concerts (Cocoa Otoko!!!) that happen there.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I like Japanese men's fashion. Fluffy, short-mid length hair, ankle boots, and layering with button-up shirts, vests, jackets, and scarves. I'll occasionally wear skirts and tights to girl it up. I've also had to dress more professionally and let go of a lot of my sleeveless tops, because they're too "scandalous" for Japan to handle. xP And of course, all of this is just when I'm not in cosplay. XDDD
33. What kept you sane?
At Furman it was my roommates (including Josh and excluding the ninja). In Japan it's Paula. And in both countries it's cosplay.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I've decided that my future Japanese husband should be Kimisawa Yuuki (played Kirihiko in KRW). ♥ He appears to be straight and supposedly speaks English, not to mention he's hot and I've already seen him ass-naked (on tv). 8D
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Tokyo's discrimination against anime and otaku is downright stupid.
36. Who did you miss?
My American cosplay buddies. ♥ Moreso than even my parents, cause I can talk to on Skype every week. ^^; Miss my lizard too, but that's a given. :d
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a bunch of awesome people this year, like in America there was Bevi, Rose, and Kat. In Japan I got to know people like Miranda, Melissa, Joanna, and Sarah. ♥
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
It pays to go outside your comfort zone and approach Japanese people, even at the risk of embarrassment. If you can be polite and speak to them in (even broken elementary level) Japanese, then you're more likely to score points with them and maybe even make connections than you are to offend them and scare them away.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
As silly as the source may be, this is a song I think of whenever I'm going through a transition. It's the song that touched me most when I was leaving Japan a year and a half ago. It's the song I was reminded of as my graduation approached, and it's the song I had repeating most on my iPod as I prepared to move to Japan again. (The translation is my own, not official or anything)
色々あるね 生きるって 毎日が 昨日になる
だけど 君と迎えよう 新しい明日
大人になる 少しずつ 経験を 積み重ねて
試練 乗り越えるたびに 強くなる絆
今 お前に伝えたい言葉
分かりきってる言葉
それは・・・
All sorts of things happen in life as every day becomes yesterday.
But to meet you, there is a new tomorrow.
We become adults a little at a time, experiences pile up.
The paths we take to overcome obstacles strengthen our bonds.
Now, there's something I'd like to convey.
Something you'll understand.
That is la la la.
"Season" from Musical Prince of Tennis
Tomorrow I'll be going fabric shopping with my mom. I'm hoping to find some apparel vinyl to make some shiny pants out of~. My next cosplay is going to be Druit's purple opera outfit from the 2nd KuroMyu. I'll keep an eye out for good feather patterns too, since I'm planning on making Ankh (Unkh lulz) sometime soon too.
For a couple days following that, I'll be going through all the junk I left at my parents' house and deciding which things should be kept and which can be thrown out.
Then on the 7th, I get on a plane heading back to Japan! Paula's supposed to meet me at the airport, because she's the bestest friend ever and has offered to help me carry my bags back to Kanra. ♥ But before leaving Tokyo, we've got tickets to the brand new Tenimyu!!! I've got high hopes for the new cast. The guy who plays the main character is Bassha from Kamen Rider Kiva. XD!
But first a meme about 2010, stolen from a handful of people:
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Taught English. I've worked in a nursery and done art tutoring before, but I've never had to teach English to anyone, especially not as a second language.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Never made any, and I intend to keep with that trend. Though in general I've resolved to get better and more confident at speaking Japanese and also to make a bit of a name for myself in the Japanese cosplay community.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple friends of my family, but no one that I feel particularly close to, no.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Only a man who lived geographically close close to me, but not anyone that I knew personally.
5. What countries did you visit?
I'm currently visiting America from my Japanese home! :D!
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A confidence boost would be nice~
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I've had quite a few memorable days, each embodying some big changes in my life, but I'm going to say December 15th. That was my birthday and also the last day that I was going to teach the 3rd years at First Middle School. After class, one of my students (the girl who was writing the pirate story) ran up to me in the hallway and gave me a handmade birthday card with a drawing and a message inside written in English. It was the most meaningful gift I received this year, because it made me feel like I was actually reaching connecting with these kids, in spite of being so new to teaching and speaking a different language and everything. I really do care about my kids, and it's a special thing to feel one care about me back. I'm tearing up thinking about it. :')
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
a combination of graduating from college and getting into JET.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I guess that would be dropping my Asian Studies major. I absolutely failed to complete a double major, but at the same time, dropping it was the best decision I made this year. ^^;
If that doesn't count, runner-up for failure could be losing the costume contest at Momocon. That was sucky.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing terrible. Had a stuffy nose in the fall. Oh! I did scrape my leg by running into a bridge on my bike. XD; Wasn't too terrible, but it left a scar~.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Everything relating to Magudara Maria. All the DVDs and pamphlet and pictures and musical tickets and cosplay materials~
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My lizard. She is so well-tempered, even in my long absence. Such a trooper, that one. :d ♥
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mostly, it's been a handful of stupid politicians, the few that I've actually heard about, because I hate politics and don't keep up with them. xP
14. Where did most of your money go?
Marvelous Entertainment. x_x ♥
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Getting to live in Japan again, MaguMaria, cosplay, and KAMEN RIDER!!!
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
WBX
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. happier or sadder? happier
II. thinner or fatter? a little thinner
III. richer or poorer? much richer. It's nice getting paid to go to school, rather than paying money to go to school. :3
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Beating Wii games. My sister won't let me take it with me to Japan. :B
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sitting around on my ass in extreme temperatures. If it's hot or cold in my house, then I should get up and do something about it, or get busy on a project, so I can at least be distracted from it. xP
20. How did spend your Christmas?
In America with my parents, sister, grandparents, and aunt and uncle on my mom's side. Did stockings and opened presents, and ate a lot of home-cooked food, as per usual. ♥ But then it was special, because there was a beautifully timed snowstorm the night before, giving us 7 to 9 inches of snow by the end of Christmas Day. :DDD
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Not so much. ^_^
22. How many one-night stands?
Nope! Though I did have a guy offer to unbutton my pants with his toes. o_o;;;;; I declined.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
I could pretend to ponder this for a moment, but it's Kamen Rider W, hands down.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
There's some actors that I've been introduced to and am not fond of, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I hate them. >_>
25. What was the best book you read?
Um. Does novel length fanfiction count? XD;;;
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I could take this 2 ways. In one way, I discovered that the second Saiyuki musical is actually really spectacular, as is the 2nd Kuromyu. And I discovered the joys of seeing MaguMaria live!
In the other other way, I fell in love with Kimeru's latest CD and his live performances. Also, Meatloaf's new CD is awesome! :DDD I think Cocoa Otoko is the only new band I discovered.
27. What did you want and get?
A DIPLOMA AND A JOB!
28. What did you want and not get?
To live inside the city of Tokyo, though Gunma is the....not second or third but maybe the 5th best place and puts me near Paula. XD
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
American: Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Japanese: Beck (though I do love me some Kamen Rider too)
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to work and taught 5 classes of middle schoolers, then went to Takasaki to eat yakiniku with Paula. :D ♥ Still young at 23.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Again, actually living and working within Tokyo, so I could be closer to all of the big events and plays and concerts (Cocoa Otoko!!!) that happen there.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I like Japanese men's fashion. Fluffy, short-mid length hair, ankle boots, and layering with button-up shirts, vests, jackets, and scarves. I'll occasionally wear skirts and tights to girl it up. I've also had to dress more professionally and let go of a lot of my sleeveless tops, because they're too "scandalous" for Japan to handle. xP And of course, all of this is just when I'm not in cosplay. XDDD
33. What kept you sane?
At Furman it was my roommates (including Josh and excluding the ninja). In Japan it's Paula. And in both countries it's cosplay.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I've decided that my future Japanese husband should be Kimisawa Yuuki (played Kirihiko in KRW). ♥ He appears to be straight and supposedly speaks English, not to mention he's hot and I've already seen him ass-naked (on tv). 8D
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Tokyo's discrimination against anime and otaku is downright stupid.
36. Who did you miss?
My American cosplay buddies. ♥ Moreso than even my parents, cause I can talk to on Skype every week. ^^; Miss my lizard too, but that's a given. :d
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a bunch of awesome people this year, like in America there was Bevi, Rose, and Kat. In Japan I got to know people like Miranda, Melissa, Joanna, and Sarah. ♥
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
It pays to go outside your comfort zone and approach Japanese people, even at the risk of embarrassment. If you can be polite and speak to them in (even broken elementary level) Japanese, then you're more likely to score points with them and maybe even make connections than you are to offend them and scare them away.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
As silly as the source may be, this is a song I think of whenever I'm going through a transition. It's the song that touched me most when I was leaving Japan a year and a half ago. It's the song I was reminded of as my graduation approached, and it's the song I had repeating most on my iPod as I prepared to move to Japan again. (The translation is my own, not official or anything)
色々あるね 生きるって 毎日が 昨日になる
だけど 君と迎えよう 新しい明日
大人になる 少しずつ 経験を 積み重ねて
試練 乗り越えるたびに 強くなる絆
今 お前に伝えたい言葉
分かりきってる言葉
それは・・・
All sorts of things happen in life as every day becomes yesterday.
But to meet you, there is a new tomorrow.
We become adults a little at a time, experiences pile up.
The paths we take to overcome obstacles strengthen our bonds.
Now, there's something I'd like to convey.
Something you'll understand.
That is la la la.
"Season" from Musical Prince of Tennis
Tomorrow I'll be going fabric shopping with my mom. I'm hoping to find some apparel vinyl to make some shiny pants out of~. My next cosplay is going to be Druit's purple opera outfit from the 2nd KuroMyu. I'll keep an eye out for good feather patterns too, since I'm planning on making Ankh (Unkh lulz) sometime soon too.
For a couple days following that, I'll be going through all the junk I left at my parents' house and deciding which things should be kept and which can be thrown out.
Then on the 7th, I get on a plane heading back to Japan! Paula's supposed to meet me at the airport, because she's the bestest friend ever and has offered to help me carry my bags back to Kanra. ♥ But before leaving Tokyo, we've got tickets to the brand new Tenimyu!!! I've got high hopes for the new cast. The guy who plays the main character is Bassha from Kamen Rider Kiva. XD!