Busy. Busy. Busy.

Just found out my schedule for the Autumn Semester!

Looks like I'm gonna be pretty busy!

Hope I can keep up!

Will be working on Wednesdays and the weekends!

Yikes!

FLA Summer Party

On Friday, I went to this FLA party that a few people from my grade planned.

At first, Miku and I weren't that excited about it just because we're not that close with many of the people that were coming....

But it turned out to be so much fun!

Alot of drinking, talking, dancing and getting to know each other!

The food was absolutely amazing. The music was good. The place was in a wedding hall in

Aoyama so obviously the atmosphere was great!

Definitely worth 5000 yen!

After the party some people went clubbing but Miku and I went back to her place for a movie marathon! Ai-chan came as well which made it more fun!

We watched Shutter Island and The Hangover. Tried to squeeze in a third movie but was way to tired!

With some very pretty girls!

Miku, Marsha, Eriko, Ayako, Sayaka and Mina!

With Marsha, Ayako, Miku and Eriko!

The Usual Three with Joseph!

Okinawa in 25 days!

Yosuke and Ken!

They were at the bar the whole time drinking! *haha*

With Saya and Taka! These two are in my French class! Apparently we're the only ones taking it next semester!

I hear that there is going to be another party at the end of this year! Cannot wait!

Till then, I gotta find a nice and stylish dress!

Ciao!

Good Vibrations

I am so glad this week is finally over. You don't know how long I have been waiting for this.

This week has just been super hectic with tons of homework and very little sleep.

On Monday, I went to this Table For Two meeting.

I am in this circle called Table For Two (a.k.a TFT).

Basically what this organization does is:

1. Provide the people in Japan with healthy meals. Stores and restaurants that have introduced the TFT system sell meals that are healthy, organic and well-balanced .
2. Provide lunch for the children in Africa who go to school but are unable to eat. From every single meal that is sold in Japan, whether in a restaurant or a school cafeteria, TFT will donate 20 yen to the children in Africa. They do not give the money directly to school. Instead, they provide lunch.

It really is a wonderful organization and I'm so glad that I joined. I hope that I can contribute more to this circle in the near future.

On Tuesday, I had a Fundamentals of Religion quiz......again. So on Monday after the meeting (that ended at 9:30) I went home and studied all night. Although I was only able to get 3 hours of sleep, it was totally worth it because I got full marks. Yay!

And that night was the Japan VS Paraguay game, so obviously I watched it. Had to wake up at 5 the next morning so once again I only got 3 hours of sleep. But this too was totally worth it. I am actually for once, really proud of the Japanese football team. I think they are different this time and am so happy that they were able to prove to the world that they are capable of playing really good and professional football! Well Done Team Okada!

On Wednesday, I have class 1st period so I left home at like 7:45 only to find that the Keio Line was delayed. 60 minutes. Yeah. Seriously. It ruined my whole day. I was in such a bad mood.

And then, I came home and had a 1,500 word essay waiting for me.

So I did that all night. Slept at 3, woke up at 6.

On Thursday, after English Composition, I literally ran back home and had a long nap. I think I slept for like 6 hours.

For dinner, my family and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary! It's been 6 long years since we first came to Japan.

My mummy made her delicious lasagna and spear ribs as well as her top class salmon salad and some other things.

I still can't believe it's been 6 years already. It's funny because everyone actually forgot about it until my mum told us. I guess it means that we have fully adapted to life in Japan!!

It's been a tough 6 years but definitely a special 6 years. My family has grown so close since we moved here and I couldn't ask for anything more!! I LOVE MY FAMILY!!

And yesterday, I celebrated Mina's birthday with the usual crew and then met up with Yurina for dinner. We ate Eggs N Things. It was amazing!

Tiramisu Cake I bought for her from Antenor.

Was Delicious!

The Birthday Girl

Eggs N Things.

Top: Yurina's dinner

Below: My dinner. The chorizo was amazing.

Pancake with Whipped Cream and Banana.

One word. HEAVEN.

Yurina + Marina

This week was definitely a busy and tiring week. But when you have an amazing family and friends, you get through it!

Ciao!

My Favourite Spot in Sophia

When the sun is out and the weather is good, my friends and I like to chill at this place outside Building #2 in Sophia.

It's the perfect place to study and get a tan! It's officially my favourite spot in Sophia. I LOVE IT!

The first two photos are from April. (I think I put them up before) The last two I took on Wednesday. Mina, Miku and I are free 2nd period on Wednesdays so when the weather is good we always chill at these benches.

In the last photo, you can kind of see this guy that we think is hot! He's the one wearing the blue shirt. You can't really see his face but he looks like Caleb Followill, lead singer of Kings of Leon.

Hot!!

There are these other two French guys in Sophia that are so handsome as well.......Lorna and I are seriously obsessed. I was telling my mother just the other day and she was like "you should pretend to drop your French textbook in front of them!"

Maybe I should....Will let you guys know if I ever do!

Ciao!

Young Forever - Jay-Z Feat Mr Hudson

Sorry for the hiatus guys! I am officially back!
These past few weeks have been just hectic with tons of homework and tests to study for.

But fortunately, I am done with all that for a while!

So on the 16th, I went to this Thai Festival in Yoyogi Park with Yurina and Marina.

The food and the atmosphere was just amazing and I had the most wonderful time with my two girls.

We met up pretty early in the morning, (yes, 10:30 is early for us) and just walked and stuffed ourselves with incredible food. Then we headed to the more peaceful side of Yoyogi Park and just chilled a little bit.

Thai Festival 2010

Pad Thai

Gapao

Yurina and Marina

The three of us

Apparently Yoyogi Park hosts some pretty cool festivals monthly. I will definitely be checking them out :)

Last friday, after school, Lorna, Mina, Joseph and I hanged out a little bit. We walked from Shinanomachi to Shibuya. The weather was amazing so even if it did take quite a long time, we had sooo much fun. Meiji Jingu was just so peaceful and mysterious in a fascinating way, I loved it.

Mina, Joseph and Lorna walking through Meiji Jingu.

Anyways, BIG NEWS! I'm going to go watch Justin Nozuka on the 9th of June!! Crazy right?! Never did I think that I would meet people in FLA that are obsessed with him! I will be going with the usual crew, Mina, Lorna and Miku. Seriously cannot wait.....*woot*

Ciao!

"Let's have some fun, this beat is sick"

On Friday after school, Mina, Miku, Lorna, Ai and I (the usual five) went to Lock Up!

Before that we went to THE HUB and had a few drinks. Of course, I ended up drinking NON-ALCOHOLIC beverages! I just can't get myself to like beer, wine and all the different cocktails! As much as I want to, I can't take it! I'm glad that my friends don't push me AT ALL to drink though!

After THE HUB, we went to Lock Up like planned. It was fun. But that's all I have to say really. It wasn't like everyone was like "Let's go again""This place is dope"....you know?

And after Lock Up, we went karaoke-ing for a few hours! Which was probably the highlight of my day!! Mina is amazing at singing, everytime she sings I get chills! The new Amy Lee (of Evanescence)....I think so.

Ai, Mina and I at THE HUB!

Anna.....May 30th is Japan VS England in the World Cup by the way!

Mina wants to watch it at The Hub! *haha*

Brits!

Mina, Lorna and I at Lock Up!

If you have good eyes, you can see that the drinks they have here are totally crazy! They come in syringes, capsules, beakers....it is crazy!

I spent sooo much money on Friday so I am very much broke right now but it was fun so that's okay right?!

Talking about money, I SERIOUSLY need to get a job! FYI, Starbucks dropped me! *hehe*

Ciao!

Korean Town + Samurai

Today after class Lorna, Mina, Ai, Miku and I went to Shin-Okubo to eat some real Korean food.

Unfortunately, because of the heavy rain, we couldn't really walk around and check out places. So we just ended up going to a restaurant close to the station, which was actually not that bad at all!!

Kimchi Chijimi

Sundoubu

Ai and Miku

I took some other photos but the quality isn't that great so I'm not gonna post them! Sorry!

Anyways, after dinner, we got a call from a few guys from FLA and went for a few drinks!!

I had never spoken to most of them just because they seemed kind of, I guess you could say scary, but I had such an amazing time and they were just so genuinely nice and sweet.

We already made plans to go out next friday......Very exciting!!

Well....I guess I better go to sleep soon because I have a party to attend tomorrow! *hehe* MY PARTY!!

Ciao!

Life is Wonderful - Jason Mraz

Today was a beautiful day wasn't it?!

I love going to school when the weather is good because Sophia is actually really pretty on a sunny day!

We had Computer Studies in the morning but we finished early so Miku, Ai, Mina and I sat at the benches under the sun and sun bathed:) and we totally succeeded in getting a tan!! *oh yeah*

Miku and Mina at the benches outside!

Mina.....Sophian Pride:P *hehe*

Lorna with THE panda bag!

What is your university like?!! I hope I can go visit you guys one day!!

Hosei is right next to Yotsuya so maybe I'll stop by sometime! If that's okay with you Misato?!!

Anyways, I can't wait till Saturday!!

Why?!! Because I have a luncheon with Misato and Yurina!! *yay*

I miss you guys soo much!!

Ciao!

Naughty 19

First of all let me say, THANK YOU to all the people that sent me birthday wishes yesterday! I seriously felt so loved:) I had a great + amazing birthday, thanks to you guys!!

Till yesterday I thought that having a birthday in early April sucked because April is the beginning of the academic year in Japan and I selfishly believed that not many people would get to know me before my birthday and therefore, not celebrate it.

However, yesterday completely changed the way I percieved my birthday.

I literally couldn't stop smiling all day!

I went to school and people from FLA were just like "Happy Birthday" " Hope you have a great day!" They probably found out it was my birthday on Facebook and Mixi but the fact that they actually bothered to say something to me was just so heart-warming! Miku, Lorna, Mina and Ai even gave me presents! Something that I definitely was not expecting!

Plus alot of people from Oizumi texted me and sent me messages on Facebook + Mixi.

I just felt so blessed.

And dinner with my family just made my day complete!

My mother makes the best birthday dinners in my opinion because she really knows what her kids want and it may sound cheesy but I could taste the love she has for us! *hehe*

Yesterday she made me....

*Buffalo Chicken Wings ( with Blue Cheese Sauce)

*Penne Arabiata ( I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!)

*Taramo paste ( with Baguette and Tortilla)

*Ceasar Salad ( My favourite salad)

It was soo good, I couldn't stop eating!!

Birthday Dinner!
Like eating at a restaurant right?!! *hehe*

My Birthday Cake!

Which was actually ice-cream! *Muhaha*

Present from Miku!
Speakers that she decorated:) Kawaii desho?!

Me at school with the birthday hat and speakers I got from Miku!

My birthday was seriously one of the best days of this year!

Yesterday really just made me realise how fortunate I am to be surrounded by the MOST amazing people ever! Thank you!!

My goal this year?!

Erm....Simply enjoy life by constantly challenging myself and trying new things!!

Once again, thanks everyone for everything yesterday!

Ciao!

Oh yeah....I took a photo of the A&F scarf I got from my brother but for some weird reason I couldn't upload it, so I will show you once I figure out how to upload it! *hehe* It is very spring like and cute!! Thanks Keita!

God I Hope I Make It

It's been three days since classes in Sophia and I am already so worried and anxious about the days ahead!

My schedule is not that bad....It's better than most of my friends apparently but the classes are pretty difficult and advanced, I'm so worried! But this is what I signed up for right?!!!

MONDAY
*English Composition
*French

TUESDAY
*Fundamentals of Religion
*Christian Humanism

WEDNESDAY
*Information Literacy
*PE

THURSDAY
*English Composition
*French

FRIDAY
*Fundamentals of Religion

Not bad huh?! So I really shouldn't be complaining.....
I guess I just have to become more diligent and hard-working!

Anyways, enough about my classes and all that boring stuff.....

It's my birthday tomorrow! *yay*

19 BABY!!

Will post a blog tomorrow about what I hope to achieve this year!

Ciao!

Nostalgia

I remember when I was younger and every year, before the new school year would start, I would go shopping with my mother and buy new stationary, folders, notebooks etc.

Today, although I wasn't with my mother, I felt like a little kid again.

Classes start tomorrow for me. So I decided to go buy a few new things for school.....

I couldn't choose which pen was better, the latest one with the "OSUSUME (recommended)" sign on it or the one that can be erased. I couldn't choose what colour folder to buy. I couldn't choose whether I should get a new pencil case (even though the one I have right now is relatively new!) I was constantly picking up things and putting them back.

It made me really nostalgic!! I kinda miss those days when the new year would begin and everyone would show off their latest purchases! I remember being jealous many times! *hehe*

Anyways, although I did feel like a kid, I realised how times have changed and how grown up I have become! I actually thoroughly thought about each item and whether I would use it or not! I put back the things I already had (something I would NEVER do when I was a kid!) I didn't buy a whole set of pens (something I LOVED!) I guess I have become more sensitive to the value of money! Thank God!

However, one thing that seemed the same was the way I felt! Excited and nervous! Excited about the new things I would learn! And nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep up! I guess these feelings never change.

The folders and stationary I bought today!

I got these notebooks at Costco!! 9 for like 1000 yen I think?!! I love that it's so simple!!

So tomorrow I have French and English Composition! I love French so I couldn't be more excited but English Composition with a bunch of people that are pro at English kinda scares me! But I think I'm just gonna have to face reality and realise that my English is never gonna be top level!! I guess that's what will make me work harder though!!

Anyways, how about you guys?! Have you started classes yet? Did you buy new stuff for school?!

Ciao!

I'm back!

The Orientation Camp was sooo much fun!
I made many of friends (although I still can't remember their names!) and got to know more about the ones that I had made before!!

And yesterday I had to go to school for an advising session which was extremely tiring BUT after that we got to check out G-SPLASH and boy were they good!

I'm not sure whether I am going to join at the moment but they have like trial lessons next week everyday so I'm gonna go and just check it out!!

My worry is that there are other things I'd like to do whilst I'm in Sophia and joining G-SPLASH will really limit that!

Anyways, after school, Mina, Lorna, Miku, Ai and I went to a PUB! It was my first time going to pub and it was really fun actually! We talked about everything from boys to the Japanese Society to sharks to our future plans!

Tomorrow we are gonna go eat YAKISOBA!!



From Left : Mina, Me, Lorna and Miku!



In our room at the camp!

It was soo cold yesterday so I bought the Sophia hoodie! There were MANY colours but I thought this suited me the best!! Kawaii desho?! *hehe*

Anyways, how have you Oizumians been?! Although I'm enjoying uni, I miss you guys a lot! We need to catch up after things have settled down!!

Ciao!

Yesterday

Yesterday I went to school to attend a guidance meeting and take a Japanese Placement test, which actually I didn't have to take but I did.
昨日はガイダンスの話と（受けなくてよかった）日本語のテストがあったので、学校に行きました！

I was excited to see what kind of clothes everyone would wear and boy was I suprised! It was like I stepped in to a VIVI, JJ magazine! *hehe*
みんなの服装を楽しみにしてたけど、本当にびっくりした！なんかＶＩＶＩとかＪＪの世界に入り込んだ感じだった！

But guess I should have expected that!!
でもそれは当り前だよね～みんな憧れるんだよね！

My friend, Miku was really fashionable and it was fun talking to her about clothes! Apparently all the clothes she was wearing yesterday were from H&M and so was mine!
未来（みく）という友達がすごいオシャレで、ファッションの話とか楽しかった。昨日の彼女の格好がほとんどＨ＆Ｍからみたいで、私もそうだったから、盛り上がったわ！

I think I need to go shopping sometime soon! Well I am going on the 9th with Anna but the question is, can I wait till then?! *hehe*
ってかもうそろそろ買い物に行かなきゃ！なんか、着まわしもできなくなってきた。９日に学校ないからあんなと買い物に行くんだけど、待てるかしら～？！

Anyways, back to my day.....In the schedule it said, JAPANESE PLACEMENT TEST, so I though it was like mandatory but no. Apparently only people who applied from abroad and people who haven't lived in Japan for the past 3-4 years had to take it!
ま、それは置いといて・・・昨日の日本語のテストなんだけど、海外から出願した人と中高日本にいなかった人とインター卒の人だけが受けるテストだったの！でも誰もそんなこと言ってなかったから受けちゃった：（

So basically I wasted 2 hours of my friday. But I got to talk to a few new girls so that was good!!
だから２時間ぐらい無駄にした～でもいろんな人と話せたからよかった！

Wanna hear a funny story?!
ってか面白い話聞く？！

There was this foreign guy and he was at the test.
Miku and I were wondering why he was in our room cause native speakers and non-native speakers were seperated.
テスト会場に外国人がいたの。
日本語喋れる人と全く喋れない人で部屋が分かれてたから、未来と何で彼がいるのか気になってたところ・・・・

But suddenly he starts speaking like an average Japanese guy to one of his friends.
彼突然ペラペラな日本語で友達と話し始めて！

「このテストはなんか～自己申告みたいだよ～」って！

It was soo funny! I wanna be friends with him!
もう本当に面白かった！ってか友達になりたい！ｗｗｗ
これぞ、国際教養学部だと思ったよ！

And then, there are these two guys that look exactly like Anon-senpai and Ise-senpai!
From their height to their clothes to their skin colour! *hehe* But they look a little scary!
その上、なんかアノン先輩とイセ先輩似の二人がいたの！
身長も服装も肌色も一緒！本当にびっくりした！でもちょっと怖そうだから、まだ話しかけられない！

Argh, gotta go!

Ciao!

I'm a Sophian NOW!

So today I officially became a SOPHIAN! *scream*clap*scream*
今日やっとソフィア生になりました！いえあ～！

Although the thought of becoming a Sophia student like my dad and my sister was exciting and thrilling, I headed to the ceremony pretty nervous and scared.
お父さんとお姉ちゃんもソフィアだからすごい楽しみでもあったし、共通点がさらにできてうれしかったんだけど、式に向かう電車は本当にどきどきしてたし、不安だった！

Why? Well after spending three years in a school with only about 150 students overall and where every teacher knows everything about you, it is extremely nerve-wrecking stepping foot in a new environment where you're not going to know everyone around you and where some teachers might not even care if you fail a class.
やっぱり、大泉校舎みたいな、１５０人しかいない、先生はみんなのことをすべて知っている学校じゃなくなるわけだらからね。周りにいる人みんなを知っているわけではない。単位を落としそうになっても気にして、いろいろとやってくれるような先生もいない。そんな新しい環境に足を踏み入れるのが怖くて・・・・

Plus, because I was aware of the fact that probably more than half of the faculty speaks better English than me, it only made me more anxious.
また、私より何倍も英語ができる子がたくさんいると知っているから、更に緊張して、本当にお腹痛くなるくらい不安だった。

Anyways, with all these thoughts in mind, I attended the ceremony, which was actually more simple and prompt than I expected.
ま、そのような思いを抱えながら、式に出席しました。そして、思っていたより普通で素早かったよ！

This priest -like guy and a 4th year student first spoke a few words of the bible.
最初に外国人の神父さんみたいな人と４年生が聖書の言葉を引用しながら、スピーチしたよ。

"Ask, and it will given you; Search, and you will find; Knock, and the door will be opened for you"
「求めなさい。そうすれば、与えられる。探しなさい。そうすれば、見つかる。門をたたきなさい。そうｓれば、開かれる。」

"Do to others as you would have them do to you"
「人にしてもらいたいと思うことはなんでも、あなたがたも人にしなさい。」

These two quotes actually stuck to me for the rest of the day.
この二つの言葉が結構ね、私にとって刺激的で、一日中この言葉の意味とか考えてたよ！笑

And after that, three old men made welcoming speeches, quoting good stuff now and then. We sang the school anthem (which I didn't actually sing of course!) And if I remember correctly, I had to stand up for like 5 minutes as the representitive of the new 1st year students spoke. Her speech was good but very dramatic and literary, comparing our lives to a flower. But I don't blame her, she's a faculty of literature student! *haha*
そのスピーチのあとは、３人の学部長がたまに面白いことを言いながら、祝辞を言って、そのあとはソフィアの校歌歌った！（実際に歌ってはいなかったけどね！）そして、そのあとは入学生代表の言葉があって、５分くらいずっと立たなきゃいけなかったの！なんかいいスピーチだとは思ったけど、私からしたら、なんか大げさで、あまりにも文学的で、通じなかった。私たちのこれからは花のつぼみ、とかそういうようなこと言ってた。ま、彼女は文学部だったからしょうがないけどね！

Although it had its flaws, all in all, it was a pretty good ceremony!
「え？」とか「うん？」とか思ったことはたくさんあったけど、式自体はスムーズに終わったし、よかったかな？！



The entrance ceremony at Tokyo Kokusai Forum
東京国際フォーラムで開かれた入学式



With my sister, former Sophian (*hehe*) at Sophia University
元ソフィア生、お姉ちゃんとソフィア大学にて



With my sister again, just before I took my test, which didn't go quite as well as I thought it would!!
英語のテストの前にお姉ちゃんともうワンショット

OH BTW, I know many of you like taking photos with just yourself in it but I just can't get used to it! That is the reason why my sister is in every photo! Not because she wanted to! *hehe*
あ、ちなみ、私って一人で写真を撮れられるのが嫌なの！みんなよく「○○入学式」の看板の前で写真撮るじゃん？！私、そういうの苦手なの！だから、昨日撮った写真は全部ママと一緒か、あんなと一緒だよ！笑

Sorry + Thanks Anna!

And after the test, I finally made some friends! *haha* Not one, not two but THREE!! *lol* I was so proud of myself! They are all so sweet and nice:)
テストのあとにね、やっと友達できたの！３人！笑　友達作りが苦手な私だから、うれしかった！みんな、今のところ（笑）すごいやさしくて、楽しいよ！

Can't wait to speak to more people at the orientation camp in Gotemba!!
月曜日から行く御殿場のオリエンテーションキャンプ楽しみ！もっといろんな人と話したい！

Ciao!

P.S > Yurina + Misato
Have fun and good luck tomorrow!! You will be fine:)

P.P.S>To all former Oizumians (*haha* I just made that up!)
I MISS YOU GUYS LIKE CRAZY!!

Nervous + Excited

So today I went to Shinjuku with my mama and auntie to buy clothes for Thursday!

In Japan, for some very weird reason, nearly everyone wears suits to their entrance ceremony. Despite the fact that there is no rule whatsoever saying you have to and no one will tell you off if you don't, people still wear suits.

I guess it just makes people feel calm because the majority will be wearing them and as we all know, Japanese people hate to stand out and love to blend in. However, I am not going to be one of those people.

This is how I'm gonna roll on Thursday! *haha*





Top = GAP

Black Trousers = ZARA

Jacket = BCBG (the same one I wore for my graduation)

Flats = Oriental Traffic (in Lumine EST)

I hope that I'm not the only one that's not going to be wearing a suit. But whether there is someone wearing something different or there isn't, I don't really care. There's no f**king way I'm getting into a suit for my entrance ceremony! I just look absolutely awful in it! (I tried yours Anna! And as much as I love the suit, I HATE how I looked!)

Yurina! You told me you're not gonna wear a suit either! I wanna see! P!I!C!T!U!R!E!!!!!PLEASE!

Ciao!