Tuesday, December 23, 2003 ~ 11:59 p.m.:: Comments []
I lied
Okay, so I lied. I'm making the switch to Live Journal now. The links to my friends who aren't on LJ plus links to my pitas manga blog will still be located here (there's an immediate link on my new LJ for this blog). You can find my Live Journal here: Ageha_ya.
^_^ Thanks for a good two years Pitas!
Monday, December 22, 2003 ~ 05:20 p.m.:: Comments []
Gakuen Renai Romance
^__^ Had a really lovely weekend, despite a surprise here and there.
We reached Mitsuwa in record time (2 hours), thanks to Jamie's lead foot. Even though we had to pick Rachael up from the Arlington Heights train station, we still made it to Mitsuwa by just after 2 (and we didn't leave from home until 11:45!)p.m.
Surprisingly, we got through Mitsuwa in a time much shorter than I anticipated. I didn't get that much...TOKIO's newest single, BxB Brothers 8, Kare Made Love km 6, Bokura ga Ita 4, and...one other I can't remember the name of. I bought it because it's drawn by Kira (who writes/draws "Massugu ni Ikou"), but I'm not sure I'll like it...oh well. XD Also picked up Betsuma and HanaYume. Though Kira was late (gotta love traffic! @_@), it ended up that she didn't want to look through anything (or rather, her pocketbook prefered that she didn't)..so we had to create things to do, because it was far too early to head to dinner. So, we stopped off at the used bookstore, which only served to help us pass the time until a little after 4:00. Determined not to be bored out of our minds until 5, we opted to go to Ikea so that Kira could look for a desk (apparently her little brother "borrowed" the one she had ;p). She didn't end up buying the one she intended to, but I like the one she chose. ^_^
By the time she purchased the desk, it was finally time to head to dinner. We wanted Japanese and had two options (that is, based on recommendation), one 10 minutes away or one in the city. Since Katherine and Kira were lovely enough to drive (Megan and Jamie are too wussy to drive in the city) and Rebecca hadn't been to Chicago, so we opted for the restaurant in the Wrigelyville area. XD Jamie and I were ridiculously smitten, because as much as we love the Cubs, we've never seen Wrigely Field in person. We also saw The Cubby Bear, the Billy Goat, and much to our delight, the very small Stage Left theatre where our favorite WGN radio host, Nick Digilio, whose play "Here Comes a Regular" (in which he also acts) is also running. I'd love to go see it ^^; mostly because it's him, because to be honest, it doesn't particularly sound like something I'd enjoy. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if I did ;p I'm often surprised by the things I end up liking. Anyhoo, apparently the run of the play has been extended, so congrats to Nick and the cast/crew. ^_^
By the time we walked back from Wrigley Field (you can see a pic of me and Jamie standing in front of it, Here), Kira and Rachael were already outside the restaurant (called Matsuya)..and though it was nearly 6 p.m. (traffic was a little congested on the way in) on a Saturday, we were seated right away. Jamie, Rebecca, Rachael, and Katherine opted for appetizers...I took from Katherines...she got deep fried shiitake and let me have one. It was lovely. :D Rachael got sashimi, which I simply can't bring myself to eat. @_@ Raw.Fish. @_@ I just can't do it. ;p
We all had pretty normal type meals...that is, meals that you typically find in a Japanese restaurant, but it was really good.
We headed back to the Mitsuwa area after dinner, only to discover (to our complete shock and horror) that the karaoke place wasn't open! @_@! For the love of god please let it be due to the holiday season! There is another karaoke place...but we really didn't feel like trying something new. It was okay though, because Katherine invited us to her apartment...so we lounged around talking, playing the taiko game, eating cookies, reading manga, and opening presents (yes, all of us). Jamie gave everyone a keychain/cell phone strap in cute little stockings.
Rachael gave both a Symphony chocolate bar (yuuum) and a lovely card and Kira gave us little tare panda plush...keychains (for lack of a better term, I hung mine on the rearview mirror of the car XD) and a $10 gift certificate for the Asahiya bookstore in Mitsuwa. ^_^ Rei was really lovely and gave us this poster of her rendering of the two of us surrounded by letters from our friends XD.
Jamie's gifts were great! :D I got a really nice copy (with golden page edges) of Pride & Prejudice with what I will call "Bible" paper. ;p I also got a copy that wasn't at nice..so I can do what I did with my last copy (which Gryffin inadvertantly "christened" when he went to the bathroom in the hallway U_U). That is, mark passages or quotes by underlinging/highlighting and dog earring. ;p This version is nice because there are footnotes (though not extensive)...it ought to be interesting when I read it again. I also got an eye mask so that the light won't wake me in the morning (I've been thinking about getting one for months ;p), a really cute necklace with tonbo all over it, a really cute/soft plush reindeer wearing an anklet around it's neck (both were made by Jamie), a recipe book (partially filled in with both recipes loved by the family and actual family recipes), the dvd set for the BBC/A&E mini-series of "Pride & Prejudice", the dvd for "Dirty Dancing", and a framed print of Story People, which I've loved since I first saw them a few years ago up in Bayfield, WI (they've been here for awhile, however). ^_^
All in all, I'm actually glad the karaoke place was closed, because I'm not sure we could've gone to Katherine's. By the time we left it was around 1 and we didn't get checked into a hotel until 1:30 or so. Considering we couldn't get up TOO late, doing karaoke might have made it impossible.
As for today's title, it came from a discussion with Katherine. ;p We were essentially discussing the kinds of manga we like (which stemmed from why Katerhine wasn't enamored with Jane Austen, where as Pride & Prejudice is omgmyfavoritebookeverwritten) and she demonstrated her perfect understanding of what I like. ;p That isn't to say that I'm not open to other things, but I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to manga. Or rather, I'm easy to please when it comes to manga-that-I-don't-have-think-about. What could be easier to understand than love stories? XD And the fact that most manga that I read has characters in high school, repetition abounds...well, I think the title now speaks for itself. ;)
Last night Talia and I watched "The Others" because she'd never seen it. Although I already knew what The Secret was, I was still appropriately creeped out. ^_^ She's due to come over tonight to watch the two eps of West Wing she missed...definately don't want to miss watching The Cute with her. ;p Eh, that's about all I have for now.
Oh, a note: In the near future I'm planning on switching to Live Journal, because most of my friends are sheep and have one..making it sometimes impossible for me to read their entries if they have it set to "friends only". ;p I hate being left out.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 ~ 10:30 p.m.:: Comments []
Message for Sumudu, because her email wouldn't work
I wrote the following email to people coming to our birthday/graduation party...but it wouldn't send to one of the people coming...so I left her a note on AIM telling her to check my blog...so, if the email doesn't pertain to you, ignore this! XD
Not all of the following information pertains 100% to everyone of you, but I promised Kira I'd e-mail our plans by Wednesday night...and here it is Wed., just after 10 and I haven't done it yet.
Central Illinois ppl (which is mostly Sumudu, but it may pertain to Talia, not sure yet ;p):
We plan to depart for Arlington Heights no later than 11:30, which means we need you here NO LATER than 11:15. Jamie and I will most likely need to get gas...and we're too damn lazy to do it before hand. :D You're welcome to bring music we can pop in the cd player, but be warned...Jamie and I will probably want to play a lot of Brad Paisley! XD <3
Chicagoland ppl: We're planning to be at Mitsuwa by 2:00, give or take. You know Jamie has a lead foot (well, for central Illinoisians not used to Chicago traffic), so we usually make it up in 2 hrs 15-2 1/2 hours, depending on traffic.
Rachael- I assume you need picked up from the Arlington Heights train station, right?
Plans are as follows:
I have no idea how long everyone will want at Mitsuwa, but I'm guessing an hour and a half-two hours. Jamie and I usually don't need that long, but...I'm being generous. We might also want to jaunt on over to the used bookstore, so...whatever. :D
After that, it's out to eat! I don't care where we eat, but I'd like it to be nicer than Taco Bell. ;) This is for our bday/graduation, something a little more "intimate" would be nice. I only mention it because Kira/Katherine might know the area better than the rest of us...*not* that I'm leaving it up to you guys. ;p
Then..on to karaoke! Dunno how long you guy'sll want...2 hours usually suits me. ;p Our group (6-8 ppl, won't know precisely until Sat.) may take longer assuming everyone gets into the act.
Assuming the invitation still stands Katherine offered to let us come over and play the taiko drum game on her PS2. ;p I dunno if you knew the # of people before you mentioned it to Jamie, Katherine, so if you need to back out of the offer, don't worry about it. ;p I certainly don't want to impose.
For the central Illinoisians, it'll be back to the Mitsuwa area to stay overnight in a hotel (it should be pretty inexpensive)...we have *no* desire to drive home late at night. Kira, Katherine (I assume it'll be too late for Rachael to take the train home..but then, I have no idea how the Chicagoland train system works), you're welcome to stay with us, but you're certainly not pressured to. ;p Rachael, we'll definately drop you off at the train station in the morning. :D We gotta be on the road again in time to get Rebecca to Midway by 1:00 (her plane back to CA leaves at 2:20).
Okay, that's about all I can think of. You're going to kick my ass for this request, but Chicagoland ppl please email me your cell phone numbers...I PROMISE to write them down this time...ya know..on something other than a slip of paper. ^^; The cellphone we'll be using is: *-***-***-****. Moreover, I'd like an email back just so I know that you received this email (you too Sumu, even though you're not up in the Chicago area ;p).
That's about it! ^_^
~Megan
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 ~ 09:52 p.m.:: Comments []
23 no saishou no hi
Well, ladies and gentlemen, you're friendly neighborhood younger (and prettier/smarter) twin has become 23 unexciting years old. That said, I want to thank everyone who has wished me well on my date of birth, whether you've done so verbally, online, or via card. You're all lovely. ^_^
Two days after Jamie I finally received my confirmation "letter" from JET! That is, it's a slip of paper that they mail you saying that, yes, they did indeed receive your application. I know, I know, not terribly exciting, but it is the next "step" in the application process (the first, clearly, would be actually sending in the thing itself).
So far, so good, it appears we haven't made Rei go crazy or want to jump on the nearest airplane. :D
Omg, I can't wait for this Saturday...I'm totally in manga withdrawl. T_T
Weeeell...I had other things I wanted to write about, but as usual I seem to have forgotten them. @_@!
Tuesday, December 16, 2003 ~ 08:19 a.m.:: Comments []
Saigo no Hi
Today is my final day of being 22! At 1:15 a.m. tomorrow I will officially age another year and yet, somehow, feel no older.
Jamie and I watched "X2" last night and I managed NOT to cry this time. It helped that I also managed to not watch most of the movie, as we were working on Christmas cards and thank you notes (for gifts from our graduation party. Still, the end was sad. :( Poor Scott! Poor Wolverine! :( ^^;;
Rei comes today! Mom and I are headed up to Midway in 40 minutes to go pick her up. We're planning on stopping off at an Eddie Bauer outlet before proceeding to the airport, hence the earlier departure time. T_T Thank god I only work for 4 hours tonight. ;p I hate being at work and being tired (I may have gone to bed later than I should have last night).
Tacchan I know the three of us are having a little difficulty at the moment, but I wish you'd get in contact with us. I haven't seen you update your blog or online and I'm concerned about your health! @_@!! I just want to know that you're ok. @_@ I should probably e-mail you, but I won't be here until later to receive it anyway, so if you see this, send a little note to Jamie, would you? @_@
Gotta run, things to do before we leave!
Monday, December 15, 2003 ~ 06:42 p.m.:: Comments []
You know you've got friends when they render your likeness on a computer....
HEE~ Look what Rei made us for graduation: Sotsugyou! ^_____^ Arigatou!!
Monday, December 15, 2003 ~ 01:32 p.m.:: Comments []
Dekitanda pt. II
@_@ So shocking, the events of yesterday! Saddam's capture may not end up being the Answer to Everything, but I must admit I was surprised when Jamie woke me to make sure I'd heard it (it's fairly consternating waking up long after a huge news story breaks and realizing you're one of the last people to know about it). Granted, I went back to sleep, but it was still shocking. Oh, and Masanari, I understand what you're saying. It is rather immature for the media to lower themselves to the level of name calling, but it's also not surprising. It is the media and we should always find them a little suspect. ;p That said, we're talking about a guy who ordered the genocide of some 300,000 Iraqi people, among other "accomplishments"....I have absolutely no sympathy for him.
I fished Sorcery & Ceclia(by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stervermer), which I enjoyed quite a lot. Usually I'm not inclined to books in letter format, but I didn't find it distracting or detracting as I normally do. Anyway, please pick it up if you enjoy fantasy and even if you don't, it's not saturated with the fantastical. It's...urban fantasy/magic circa 1817 London high society ;p.
Hmm, a few days ago Jamie actually mentioned trepidation about "Howl no Ugoku Shiro", the Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli adapation of the Diana Wynne Jones book "Howl's Moving Castle". Personally, I haven't heard anything, but apparently there are things Jamie has read about that make her a little nervous, even though we have quite a lot of faith in Miyazakisensei. I tried to point out that "Mimi wo Sumaseba" turned out to be a great movie (having been based on a manga), but Jamie's response was that "It [the manga] sucked!". @_@
Thought I'd share this link. It was supplied on the Japan forum at Animenation and in general I think it's extremely helpful for those who are enamored with Japan, but have never been. I find the "phases" at the bottom quite interesting, simply because I actually find myself to be a mixture of all three. I haven't been in Japan long enough or consistently enough to go through them one by one, but having studied and been in contact with my "adopted" country since I was 14 or 15, I find myself still enamored, but also very realistic to the fact that Japan, in fact, is not perfect (but then, I feel that I am strongly American and would readily admit to any number of blaringly obvious problems we have, so it works both ways).
Anyhoo, that's about all I have for now. :D
Sunday, December 14, 2003 ~ 01:12 a.m.:: Comments []
Dekitanda
Well, I may not have a diploma in my hand (yet, I assume we get it in January or February, when the university is POSITIVE we've earned it ;p), BUT as of today I'm a college graduate! In all honesty it hasn't really hit me, but then...I sometimes still have trouble believing I spent nearly 4 months studying in Nagoya. ;p
Anyway, Jamie and I didn't attend graduation ceremonies, but we did have a lovely open house today. Though it wasn't attended by everyone we invited (hopefully due, in large part, to the iffy weather), at it's peak the living room/dining rooms were full, the conversation flowing, the atmosphere hospitable and friendly. ^_^ It was great to see people we hadn't seen in awhile and relieving that no one was left in a corner to fend for themselves. And, well, the food was excellent. :)
Read a nice book called East, an adaptation of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon". I definately recommend it, but it's not quite as good as "Once Upon a Winter's Night". That said, the two are drastically different. The latter is much longer and more involved, but both were enjoyable. If anyone knows of other good adaptations, I'd be delighted to know. ^_^ I bought two other books today, Sorcery & Cecelia, or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot and So You Want to Be a Wizard. It was enough that the former was written by Patricia C. Wrede and Carolone Stevermer (who wrote the Dealing With Dragons series and A College of Magics, respectively, all of which I really enjoyed), but if it hadn't been, the dedication to (among others) Jane Austen would have sealed the deal. :D Reading novels might just be one thing I find more enjoyable than reading manga.
Rei, as many of you might know, is coming to visit for a few days on Tuesday. :D As it turns out, I can go pick her up from Midway, so she won't have to wait around for two hours to take the bus down here. Yay! I'm still wondering if I should take a big sign with penguins on it or not, so she'll know it's definately me. XD
I'm a little confused. If a friend drops all of her friends at once, but still finds time to come online for at least two hours...is that not a little curious? I won't go into detail, mostly because I think the whole situation is absurd and insulting, but talk about rubbing salt in an open wound. u.u; For the most part, I'm just sick of it. I'm really tired of being dropped by people, whether individually or as a group. If you're going to sever ties, do it in one of two ways. Either with no explanation and fade into the background (without saying you're going to) or go into painful, minute detail as to why you're being enough of a tool to drop me (&/or my friends).
And on that rather sour note, that's all I have for now. ;p
Thursday. December 11, 2003 ~ 11:03 p.m.:: Comments []
We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.
~Mother Teresa
Well, friends, congratulate me...you have a college graduate in your midst! Well, not officially until I get that "oh so important" piece of paper, but for all intents and purposes, I've done it! :D yay!
Ugh, have been cleaning the last few days for our party (graduation) this weekend! I'm looking forward to it, but the cleaning suuuuuucks. Well...it's nice to have the house clean again (we kept putting it off until the end of the semester) :D I just don't love being the method of GETTING clean. ^^;
Okay, I need your opinion on something. Either leave a comment, or if that doesn't work for you (as a friend claims ;p), send me an email (to the Megumi account, if you please).
Can I just say how FUCKING stupid my father is? U_U Really, can impropriety be THAT difficult to figure out? Jesus. I'd explain, but on the off chance my mother reads my blog, I'd rather not embarass her. Not that it would embarass ME, but I think it shocked her to know that most of our friends realize that we have a less than picture perfect family...;p I'm pretty much "no holds bar" when it comes to discussions of family life if I feel the need to rant.
Okay...I meant for this to be happier! XD Sorry! This is all for now ;p
Friday, December 5, 2003 ~ 03:16 a.m.:: Comments []
"Reassigning funds from extant authorizations based on new priorities...."
I know, I know, you probably gave this blog up for dead. I'm not surprised...I wouldn't be shocked to discover there are awards for people who don't update enough...and that I've won top honors. ;p
As for the title, any good J/Der should be able to identify it..though w/o the help of the mailing list I belong to, I'd be lacking in my perspective on it. ;) And if you don't understand what I mean, well...for once I'm not inclined to explain.
Three great big <3 <3 <3 to the scene last night. Of course, in general it was fabulous, but J/Ders out there...you know the scene I'm refering to. Gift certificate, indeed.
For the last two hours or so I've been watching "Oklohoma!" on Great Performances on PBS. I'm not a huge fan of the musical, but this cast is fabulous. ^_^ I had one of those "Oh my God, is that who I think it is??" moments. I'd commented earlier to Jamie that the actor playing Curly was cute, but I couldn't get it out of my head that I knew who he was. I didn't think much of it until he smiled...and there it was, one of the sexist men alive (>O not a word out of you, yes I do use the word "sexy" from time to time), Hugh Jackman.
Of course, I'd heard that he'd come from the musical stage, so I wasn't completely shocked, but so far I've been very pleasantly surprised. ^_^ He's really wonderful! I'd love to see him in something else...not sure what, but something along the lines of "Oklohoma!"...that is, containing a love story, but not depressing. ;p
Jamie already mentioned this, but we finally sent off our JET applications (Monday)! What a load off my mind! Of course, I'm still concerned about it, but at least at this point it's completely out of my hands! ;p
During the week of Thanksgiving, I finally met my nephew! ^__^ Hee~, he's sooooooooo cute-and I'm not just saying that because I'm his aunt. XD Shhhh ^_~
T_T Within the last week we caught a program on the National Geographic channel about greyhounds. =( It was an interesting show, but also difficult to watch, both as a greyhound owner and a having to go through the experience of losing a dog already. I'm just relieved my family has helped get homes for at least two dogs. While euthanasia beats dying a slow, painful death due to mistreatment (or even a total lack of treatment), it was still difficult to watch. Being carted off in a wheelbarrow and then thrown in the pack of a pick-up to be cremated....@_@! Very difficult to watch indeed....
Slowly progressing with my paper for my "Japanese Society & Culture" class. I initially wanted to write it on geisha...but then discovered that in the past, geisha was/were a subject our teacher had people write about. U_U And I find kimono incredibly interesting, but was concerned it was too broad a topic (as if geisha aren't ;p). So, I "narrowed" it down to a discussion of kimono in the karyuukai and what it means to/for them. It's been interesting to research, but I'm a little stumped. Nothing to be terribly concerned over, but I'm at a point where I need to finish it up so that mom can take a look at it. Unlike Jamie, I can suck it up and have mom peruse my major papers ;p It's worth it...I don't think the 98% I got on my paper for the "Japanese Civ." class I took was entirely my doing. Mom's assitance was key to such a high grade. ^^
Well, that's about all I've got, except : My friend Hiroki (we started as penpals in May of 2002) just started a blog Here, if you're interested. ;p
That's about it~ definately won't update until next Wednesday...the paper for the aforementioned class is due Monday, and I have a take home essay exam for "Religious Fundamentalism" due Wed. @_@
Thursday, November 20, 2003 ~ 01:36 a.m.:: Comments []
A work of pure genius
I submit for your approval the following, created by the ever so clever Rei, in response to all the whining, ridiculous fangirls who are unhappy that certain characters in the next HP movie aren't mind numbingly "bishie" (let's not even get into their poor ability to correctly apply language):
That is all.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 ~ 03:11 a.m.:: Comments []
The tip of champions: peanut brittle!
I had one of the weirdest (if brief) conversations with my mother as she was driving me to work today. "Long" story short, it ended up being about whether I thought my mom should be a sort of confidante/advisor to my sister's boyfriend (it makes sense, my mom was a teacher and is execellent at listening and giving sound advice). I was very blunt with her, saying that I didn't think it was a good idea when it came to his relationship with my sister...I just don't think it's a good idea. Then she asked me who I thought should be and I said it didn't matter, as long as it wasn't her (when it come to *that* topic)...and she forged ahead and asked why I thought he rarely confided in me.
This is something I really haven't thought much about at all, mostly because we've (he and I) actually had a conversation concerning the reason he hadn't. My Mom, (as is what was really the case) thinks it's because one of his friends (who's never been identified to me ;p) apparently suggested that perhaps I liked him...so, of course, it would be awkward to talk about my sister with him. I then informed mom that we'd actually talked about this and that I assured him I didn't like him like that (which I don't)...to which she replied something I wasn't prepared for at all.
She asked me, "why not". And THEN, "I was under in the impression you might be" (or something of that nature)
"............". Why not? WHY NOT? "I WAS UNDER THE IMRESSION YOU MIGHT BE"??????? What the HELL is THAT?! >_< !!! I was apalled at being asked that. Is he attractive? Yes. Does he have a good personality? Yes. Is he a wonderful friend to me? To be sure, but what the hell is she doing asking me that question? >_< !! Or ASSUMING that sort of thing. Yes, I am physically attracted to Japanese guys..and having a good personality in combination with that is, ya know, great...but >_< )@*%_(#^ I have tried and tried and tried my best to make it abudantly clear that I have absolutely NO designs on him in that manner (not to reassure my sister, who would have no qualms at being blunt and to the point with me if she felt I did)...so for her to say anything like that just...I have to say that I was almost hurt. I think it's because how I feel about him is the same way I feel about Jason, strictly platonic, but something that isn't easy to articulate beyond "true friend" and the fact that she's confusing the two (being interested in/attracted to and caring about deeply as friends) is...well, it angers me. I honestly feel she may be blinded by a desire to see us coupled off.
I dunno, my mom doesn't have many (or any) male friends (that I can think of) who aren't connected to friends of her's....so maybe she's forgotten that people can be strongly connected without being attracted to each other. I can't explain why I'm not, except to say that there are plenty of people who are good looking with good personalities who don't hit it off in that department. In the end, I joked that if that WAS the case, I'd have a long line of suitors knocking on my door. ;)
Had a rather strange interaction with a customer this evening. He was an older gentlemen (as in, he could definately be my grandfather) in need of egg boxes. We didn't have any at the time, but I offered to stock eggs so that he could have some (they needed to be anyway). Anyway, for my troubles he ended up giving me this bag of peanut brittle, that I guess he had in his car. I tried to insist that it wasn't necessary because it is, after all, my job to stock eggs, but he came back with the brittle, so I didn't refuse. But, I also didn't eat it. It looked fine but I wasn't about to eat something that wasn't in a commercial bag, just a regular zip lock. So, I made as if to keep it and then ended up depositing it in the trash can, which I emptied before leaving work. Maybe heartless...but c'mon...I'm not going to chance it. ;p Which is kind of too bad, because I'm fond of peanut brittle....
Yay! New "West Wing" tonight...and "Ed" looks like it could be good. ^_^ And last night's "Law & Order:SVU" I haven't watched yet...but ugh, I really need to get to work on my research paper, because I also have a serious final assignment for my Religious Fundamentalism class.....woe is me...
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 ~ 02:58 a.m.:: Comments []
Omedetou!!
Okadaku--------------n! 23 no tanjoubi omedetou!!! :D <3 <3 <3
Monday, November 17, 2003 ~ 03:46 p.m.:: Comments []
Daraka ore no soba ni iro yo
And here I had oodles and oodles to write about and suddently I've forgotten most of what I meant to write about. @_@ Go figure. Ah well, I'll start with the title and go from there~
On Friday, Jamie and mom headed up to Mitsuwa (nothing like getting new manga w/o having to go get it myself :D), and came home with nice spoilers to show for it. On my behalf, Jamie picked up #21 of "HanaKimi" and #8-10 of "Kare Made Love Km". Not the most original piece of work, but a harmless bit of brain candy, imo. She also got the latest (that you can get there, at least) Hana to Yume and BetsuComi, and Masha's single (finall!) "Niji".
And a greeeeeeeat big succession of <3 <3 <3 for the "latest" (available) chapter (131) of "HanaKimi"...HEE~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!
We don't have the last chapter, but we come in on the relavation that Mizuki has discovered that Sano knows the Big Secret. And not only that, he makes it clear he's "known for a long time" (zutto mae kara shiteta). Mizuki gets flustered and dashes (oh you shoujo manga girls...can't stand and take the pressure? ;p) out, but Sano (yay) follows her (though Minami tries to call him back, asking him about what he just said), grabs her arm, and stops her flight. At this point Mizuki discover what we have known all along, that Sano figured out she was a girl when she got hit with the ball during the soccer back volumes and volumes and chapters and chapters ago and had to carry her to the...er, medical room? *has never thought about the translation in English* She's a bit mortified because he's known that long, but he tells her that he was afraid that if he said anything she'd go home. The irony being here, of course, that Mizuki refrained from telling Sano (he seems unconcerned that she never said anything ;p despite knowing...wouldn't it bother you just a little that she didn't confide in you?) because she was afraid he'd hate her. She apologizes for never saying anything (ima made zutto damattete gomen), but..he does the typical shoujo manga male protagonist sure fire reassuring thing: he calls her "stupid" (baka XD there in large, bold, katakana). Of course, he goes on to say that no matter what, he'll protect her (nani ga attemo omae wa ore ga mamoru kara)..and so, "be by my side" (sounds silly in English, I guess, but XD I like it), and offers her his hand (she's kind of overwhelmed by all of this and is sitting down), and as he pulls her up, she asks "is it okay to be next to him (....soba ni ittemo ii no...?). And yay, v. nice embrace follows (WHOO!), then there's stuff between the dorm leaders that I haven't read closely, followed by a stoic looking Sano clasping the hand of a somewhat uneasy looking Mizuki as they enter the office. ;p That's essentially the end of the chapter.
I'm a little perturbed by what I've heard regarding chapter 132. Not the fact that only the dorm head's (+Sano of course) know, because if the rest of the student body was aware of her secret, she'd probably be kicked out (and Mizuki wants to graduate from Osaka Gakuen). But...there was something about them getting seperate rooms, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because people would know something was wrong. What excuse are they going to come up with? Having Sano & Mizuki "argue" to the point of that sort of action wouldn't make sense...and I can't really think of anything else. And Mizuki wanting to graduate...she's still a second year...@_@ I dunno, I loveLOVE HanaKimi, but all good things must come to an end. Kamio Youko certainly saved what I thought was an ailing Hana Yori Dango, but if Nakajo Hisaya plans on saving HanaKimi (any fan can see that it's been stretched out for too long), she'd better start wrapping things up, not making more possible storylines. Don't get me wrong, I'm reeeeeeeeally happy that Mizuki finally knows that Sano knows, and we get an "ore no soba ni iro yo" and a cuuuuuuuuuute embrace, but don't let us down Nakajosensei!
Hmmm, I actually had other things to write about beyond HanaKimi....I just don't remember any of them. @_@ Maybe tomorrow night.
Tuesday, November 4, 2003 ~ 2:41 p.m.:: Comments []
Now coming to a theatre near you, the sequel to "Wanted: Compentent Advisor", the much anticipated "Competent Advisor: The Search Continues"!!
I swear to God, if it's not one thing it's another. Just when we think we've finally solved all the problems we have with graduation, another one rears its angry head.
So, we Jamie called evaluations to make sure that the hours that had finally been articulated (of particular importance to Jamie) had run through the system. The good news was that they had, in fact, been run through. The bad news is that, apparently, the plan of study we created vaguely before study abroad and finalized a year ago December (sometime before spring semester this year) is not on file. That's right folks, according to ISU, we have no plan of study!
WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON?! >___< Seriously, I'm getting a headache from all of this. U_U How can ISU NOT have a record of a plan of study...and how long has it been like this? T_T Our advisor may be tired of seeing us, but I can't imagine it's greater than our loathing at how often we've had to see him...AND do his work. Or remind him that he actually has work to DO. U_______U!!!!
On the bright side, we got our midterms back for our "Japanese Society & Culture" class. :D Your's truly got a peeeeeeeeeerfect score! Weeeee! I was certain I missed 2 questions, so I was quite pleased to see that 100% on the top of my page. :D
On the reverse side, I was somewhat made embarassed last night. There's no hiding that Jamie and I know a thing or two about Japan...when you talk about very general things (Shinto, the school system, burakumin, rounin, etc.), we're pretty knowledgable. It's not hard in a class where most of the students may not know anything about Japan or Japanese, HOWEVER, it doesn't mean that I'm not learning anything. There's ALWAYS something to learn and always a new perspective to see things from (every teacher's is a little different)...and always a chance to delve into something I may not have touched on (or much) before. I've NEVER not learned anything from a Japan related course I've taken and they've always been a benefit.
So it's somewhat frustrating when the teacher asks a question and, maybe inadvertantly, embarasses us by saying "I know you know Megan and Jamie" or something to that degree. While it didn't sound like a complaint, necessarily, it wasn't the kind of embarassing comment that's meant to praise either. What's more, (and, no offense meant to you, Jamie) I don't even answer questions that much anymore. I'm very concious of a possible "know-it-all" type attitude and do my best to avoid it. Jamie fails at this more than I do (no offense!), but you get to a point where no one is answering questions and you figure SOMEONE ought to say something. Not that our class is apathetic to the teacher...many of them have had him before and he's easy to converse with...but why the hell can't I say what burakimin were if NO ONE else knows? ._. Moreoever, there are specific students who tend to answer the anthropology related questions...so why can't I answer the easy Japan related questions? Anyway, if you don't want students to answer, don't ask the question.
There ARE a few other people who take Japanese and at least one other person who has an East Asian Studies minor...so why aren't they raising their hands? u.u;
On the bright side....I bought "Finding Nemo" today. ^_^
Friday, October 31, 2003 ~ 01:23 a.m.:: Comments []
WANTED: COMPETENT ADVISOR
:Must understand basic skills of the job and not leave others to get your work done for you. You will be the main advisor for all contract majors, so understanding how they work and implementing them properly will be the main focus of your work day. Need not apply if you're not willing to go the distance for your students.:
Seriously, if you've read Jamie's blog, you'd understand why we're practically (and she, even moreso, than me) at wit's end. To be fair honest, our advisor isn't the only problem, he's simply the biggest. If they had an "I clearly don't know how to do my job" award, more than a few people would be equally deserving recipients.
I don't want to bore you with the details, but the running around we've been doing is outrageous. I don't mind a little leg work, but having to do it in lieu of our advisor...and to have to do so FREQUENTLY, well..then, ISU might as well pay me for services rendered.
I cannot stress enough how important it is that you NOT completely trust *anything* anyone in a student services position tells you. Espeacially if they say they're going to do something on your behalf, because the moment you step outside their office door, or step outside their line of vision, you and your problem will be completely forgotten.
Sorry...today has just been a "I feel like pulling out all my hair" sort of day. U_U
On the bright side, I really enjoyed "West Wing" last night, even if it was incredibly angsty. I'm not as concerned about that aspect as some people on my list seemed to be, mostly because I considered the episode as a means to an end. If it turns out that it was angtsy just to be angsty and doesn't lead up to anything, then it'll be time to get irked. ;p Right now, I'm letting myself have a little fun thinking about when Donna pulled Josh's hand back to sign the additional paper. Hee~~! XD
On an interesting note, Jamie seems to have taken up knitting. Mom started a few days ago, though what the catalyst for I'm not sure, seeing if she could remember how to do it after years of..well, not even having balls of yarn in the house. So, anyway, Jamie was interested and on and off all day she's been working away...starting, messing up, and starting all over again, starting, messing up, and then starting all over again. Jaaaaaamie: Otsukaresama!
Wow, two blog entries in almost as many days! That's a recent record, methinks. ;p
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 ~ 12:54 p.m.:: Comments []
Currently listening to Nick & Garry, who are filling in for Steve and Johnnie for the overnight (11 p.m.~5 a.m.) show on WGN. ^^ They've been talking to a gentlemen who's with a group who investigates paranormal activity. It's been really interesting (and a little creepy), but I'm really looking forward to Thursday night's show, when they'll be talking to Richard Crowe, who's locally famous in Chicago as a ghost hunter. He knows all the haunted places in and around the city and even offers ghost tours throughout the year (both during the day and night). Something I've thought about going on, though not seriously enough to try ordering tickets. Should be fun :D I know I'll get scared just listening to it. ;)
Weeeeeee, the manga that Jamie and I ordered from Asahiya arrived today. :) From the package came Koucha Ouji #21 (somewhat unexciting, since we try to follow the events currently unfolding in the manga zasshi ;p so this was more for posterity's sake) and Flower #6 (which I've only flipped through so far ^^) for your's truly, and Nibiirogenshiko #3 for Jamie (if you've read her blog, you'll discover she's beside herself at having the last volume ;p). ^_^ Anyway, it was a nice little gift for the day.
I already wrote about this awhile ago, but with the problem pitas had....it got erased. On 10/11 (the #'s Jamie and I, respectively, wore for soccer during highschool), I became an aunt to one Emmett Hughes Thompson. ^_^ I'm not sure what my brother and sister-and-law were thinking when it came to naming their baby, but you can be sure Emmett won't know I think that way. ;p Hughes, btw, comes from my sister-in-laws mother's maiden name....so please excuse the probable hoity toity-ness of it. I have yet to visit him ^^; I just haven't had a convinient schedule for it and now I have a sore throat....getting my nephew sick is not on my list of "things to do". ;p
Jamie's annoyance toward our Chicago trip on Saturday was not exaggerated. While I'm a little irritated that she totally missed the "r.s.v.p", that quickly evaporated as I did my best not to let my temper get the best of me. Even if I'm irked at my sister, the moment someone criticizes her, I jump to her defense. This is probably due to having two older brothers who constantly "tormented" us as children..."safety in numbers". *lol*
Anyway, I must say, I was remarkably restrained...and Jamie uncharacteristically defensive (which stemmed from discovering her mistake about the rsvp ^^;). Not only did my mother's friend not seem to let Jamie forget about her messup, but she seemed to think we knew nothing about the city. Now, I certainly learned a thing or two (nothing particularly useful), but she insisted on pointing out things that I'm not exactly ignorant of. For one thing, the Tribune building...nevermind the fact that when we were downtown in June, Jamie and I stood in front of the showcase studio at WGN studios (saw Steve Cochran! ;p)...located AT Tribune tower...-__-
Anyway, it was a pretty frustrating day in terms of that, but at least we dropped by Mitsuwa...that raised my spirits to some exent. And, let's be honest, the outfit I was wearing made me look good ;) unfortunately my make-up didn't stay in shape and I didn't have frequent access to a hairbrush. Still....:)
^_^ I must say, I'm feeling muuuuuuch better about West Wing now. Following That Episode a few weeks ago, I felt really bitter about it. Not at the show as a general rule, but for the first time I found my affection for it marred by the Evil One. Even in the thick of season three I never found myself feeling this way (it helped that I experienced a lot of the relationship after the fact, as I was in Japan at the time...and, being a spoiler whore, I was well aware of them in advance) and so was somewhat annoyed at my strong reaction to a Certain Event. That said, I've been feeling remarkably upbeat since last week's episode...surprising because I almost didn't even feel like watching it. ^^; For the first time it almost seemed like a chore! Oh well...looking forward to tonight's episode.
*sigh* I don't have anything exciting to impart. As Fannie says in the most recent movie adaptation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, "life is an endless succession of busy nothings"...or it's something to that degree. ^^; It's primarily the reason I haven't been often updating...it's difficult to feel excited about writing when you have nothing to talk about. It's a bit disheartening, but if I have anything to say about it, it's also temporary, so I try not to be forlorn about it. *lol*
Saturday, October 4, 2003 ~ 012:17 a.m.:: Comments []
Yatto aeru~~
Weeeeeeeee, after more time than I'd like, we finally get to see Tacchan again! Weeeeeeeeeeee! She's coming home this weekend and we may end up going to U-High's (our alma mater) Home Coming football game. I can't say for sure because I don't know next week's work schedule, but we're definately going to hang out in SOME capacity. Weeeeeeeeeee!
I haven't really talked much at all about "West Wing" yet. o_o In fact, the last time I "discussed" it, I was running off to watch the premiere. I don't have long thoughts about it right now, but in general I am extremely pleased with the season so far. Granted, I've only see two episodes, but the fact remains that if it continues to be of this calibur, this season is going to dazzle. I'm not prepared, as of yet, to pass judgement on the darkness/heaviness of the episodes; it would simply be premature to make general statements when you take into consideration the subject matter of the last two weeks. Anyway, I'm thrilled so far.
That said, I'm about ready to pull my hair out over the extremely angry emotions rippling through the JDTalk yahoogroup I belong to. It pertains to the preview for next week, in which there is a scene of Josh leaning over to kiss Amy, with a voice over about a relationship reigniting (or whatever those promo monkies came up with to rattle the vast majority of those on my list). Taking into consideration everything we know (and that is, everything a spoiler-free person would know), how anyone can actually believe they're getting back together honestly baffles me. While my gut reaction was to vomit, it was almost immediately followed by a roll of the eyes and "Didn't we use the exact same wording for 'Debate Camp'?" (among others) and see how true that turned out to be. Moreover, if I'm not mistaken, John Wells & co. have no say over how those monkies in the promo department put together a preview...that's clear from the aforementioned episode alone. Let's not forget how little sense it makes anyway, not only as an individual thing, but looking at the bigger picture as well. Anyway, as is probably pretty clear, I'm not particularly concerned about it.
Now, if I turn out to be wrong, I'll be perfectly willing to own up to it.
=( So, Masanari went home today. I have to admit, it's pretty strange not having him around..got really used to him being here. *lol* It was really nice having a friend around, espeacially considering that 1. Talia is away at school in Iowa, 2. Jason is away in Japan participating in the JET Programme, and 3/4. Kira and Rachael live up near/around Chicago...a fairly easy distance, but not easy when you go to school and have a part-time job (though easier this semester). Anyhoo, am very glad to call him a friend now. :D
Speaking of college, Jamie and I, albeit several weeks past the official due date, turned in our application for graduation. That is, the application to actually participate in the ceremony; thank goodness they hadn't been told to stop taking them. It's a bit incredulous that we have to pay to be a part of it..considering they're already getting our $$ for an education, you'd think they could spot us a little for a proper send off. That said, it's only $25. *lol* Although, that doesnt' include a cap and gown.
WEEEEEEEEEE Cubs beat Atlanta AGAIN tonight! Mark Prior (hard to believe he's just a few months older than us!) was fabulous, as was the rest of the team! Yay! YAY!!
Well, that about wraps up this edition. ^_~
Thursday, October 2nd, 2003 ~ 02:34 a.m.:: Comments []
Picture(s): The picture used is of Katamura Sennosuke, the stage name of kabuki actor (and male protagonist) Sugou Ikuo, of the 4 vol. manga series "Kabuki Nasai", by Yoshida Mayumi.
Particulars:
Name: Megan
Contact: Megumi815@hotmail.com or Miake815@hotmail.com
Instant Message: AkiyoshiIkuko or TaikoAssam
Age: 23
Date the world was graced with my mother's twin daughters: 12-17-1980
Year in school: graduate, college.
Major: Technically Interdisciplinary Studies, but with an emphasis in Japanese-it is my fault I can only afford to go to this school right now?
*^^* I do what I can.
Interests: I have many...such as reading (well, I LOVE reading), traveling, being outdoors, soccer, history, etc., but my main and life dominating
interest/hobby is Japan and all things Japanese!
Favorite books: 1. Pride and Prejudice
2. The Secret Garden
3. Blue Moon Rising
4. His Dark Materials Trilogy
5. Tailchaser's Song
6. Mercedes' Lackey's "Heralds of Valdemar" Series
7. The Fire Rose
8. Shakespeare ^o^
9. Dinotopia
10. Harry Potter
11. Neverwhere
(Those really aren't in order, save for the first)
Favorite music (bands): 1. V6
2. KinKi Kids
3. Porno Graffiti
4. Fukuyama Masaharu
5. Something Else
6. Misia
7. Arashi
8. Matsu Takako
9. Spitz
10. Da Pump
11. Chemistry
12. Gospellars
13. Skoop on Somebody
14. PaniCrew
15. Liv
16. Exile
17.etc.
Yes, sadly...my pattern pretty much continues on like this....
Favorite Japanese manga/anime: 1. Hana Yori Dango
2. Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
3. Itazura na Kiss
4. Massugu ni Ikou
5. Hime-chan no Ribbon
6. Clover (not the Clamp version)
7. Rurouni Kenshin
8. Inuyasha
9. Koucha Ouji
10. Gokinjou Monogatari
11. Koi Suru 1/4
12. Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli movies/series
13 Kimagure Orange Road
14. Fushigi Yuugi
15. Imadoki!
16. Mars
17. Sekai de Ichiban Dai Kirai
18. Trigun
19. Cowboy BeBop
20. Mint na Bokura
21. I'll etc.
Other Japanese shows I like: 1. Gakkou e Ikou!
2. VVV6
3. Ururun
4. Music Station
5. Hey! Hey! Hey!
6. Utaban!
A Word: While a lot of people say they are a Japanese anime "otaku", I am not. Please don't call me that. "Dai fan" is
fine, but "otaku" is unacceptable to me. I have an itching feeling most of you using it don't truly understand what connotation it has.
Thank you, you have been warned. ^.^
Favorite non-Japanese show: 1. The West Wing
;__; I'm obsessed with it, really. ^^;; Oh, and "Scrubs", which is fabulous as well. And let's not forget "Monk", "Boomtown", OR "Law &
Order" and any of its incarnations. ^_^
