So have ya'll ever heard of ELLEGARDEN?

They're like this Japanese indie punk rock group who's songs are entirely or mostly in English. Very good English. With almost no accent. Amazing shit I tell you.

Well, years ago when I was in high school I was into them for awhile and really liked their music since it was in English, they're a Japanese group, and I just generally dig punk rock.

Where does the irony come in?

The lead singer for ELLEGARDEN graduated from Kanda University of International Studies. That's why his English is spot on and basically accent-less.

Oh wait, that's where I'm studying RIGHT NOW.

WHAT.

Also, the school festival was this past weekend and apparently he was there.

Yeah. WHAT.

That's so coooooooooool! XD

And now I'm going to go back to fake-studying and hacking up one of my lungs.

Maybe one day I'll have time/not be a lazy ass to post a real entry with an update on my life.

I didn't realize just how busy I'd be! But trust me, although I do have classes and homework, I go out a ton which is probably why there has not been a peep out of my LJ in a few weeks.

So last Friday I went clubbing for the first time EVER. Me and 4 of my American girl friends went to Club Vuenos in Shibuya and boy, am I glad I ended up going! I was really hesitant about it since I'm not into that scene but damn, was it fun! I'm definitely going there again! And actually this Friday me and a bunch of my friends are planning on going to Camelot which I'm pretty sure is also in Shibuya. Hope it'll be just as fun! XD

Classes have been okay...my history course is a pain in the ass cause she gives us busy work but the others aren't bad. I actually missed my Japanese class yesterday AND today because I slept in...yesterday I kinda planned it but today I was so pissed when I woke up AT 9 when my class starts at 9:20...there was no way I would get there in time...hopefully it won't affect my grade too badly since the professor likes me and I pick up everything faster than most of my classmates. *crosses fingers*

Tomorrow I need to wake up early so that I can call my brother and tell him what clothes to send me from home. I've been spending so much money so I'm trying to slow that down by getting some clothes from home rather than buying an entire new wardrobe. =3 Buuuuuuuut I am still going shopping tomorrow. ^^; I also need to go pick up my gaijin card tomorrow! It'll be nice to have and not have to worry about it anymore~

Also, apparently there's a typhoon a-coming? And it's a strong one? One of my friends' host mothers told her not to worry about it soooo neither am I. Haha, no sense in worrying if someone who's lived here all their lives says not to, right? =)

On Saturday I got SHINee's photobooks in the mail! XDDDD I got both Day and Night and I never realized just how HUGE they are! OMG so gorgeous though~ *joy* Plus, their Boys On Top performance was just awesome! And hot! I have so much love for those boys! ♥

I highly recommend Glee! I love that show sooo much! But that's probably because I'm a huge musical fan and two of the actresses from Spring Awakening are in it and I loved that musical. It really makes me miss singing though...I guess I'll just have to make it a point to go karaoke more! Although I end up going with HUGE groups of people which never lets me sing the songs I really want, haha. I have a friend who's been singing his whole life (and we both happen to love Glee! =p) though so I may have to get him and maybe one or two other people to go with me~

And before I forget...my friend Natalie and I have started a blog about our adventures here in Japan along with fangirlish quotes and happenings! Check it out if you're interested! It's called Mochi & Melon! LOL I'm Melon since I have a slight obsession with melon flavored things here and especially the melon soda! =p

Meh.

I actually need to do homework now. =/

So much reading! Especially for classes I don't have much interest in! Boooooo.

So this weekend is apparently Tokyo Game Show and I guess I'm going...my friends and my brothers are kinda making me go. But if they have good merch then it should be worth it. XD

Today I had to go to the Edo Museum in Ryogoku for my History of Tokyo class. First off, that museum is HUGE. I think mostly because of the amount of space in the building rather than the actual size. The models and whatnot were really awesome and I want to go back sometime since we had to go on a tour with our professor and there were 20+ of us. I also missed out on a bunch of the exhibits. I seriously love museums~

I also need to stop buying clothes! We just keep going shopping and I've already hit my monthly limit of money! It's a self set limit because I'm sure I could and would spend more but since my parents are funding my expenses I can stick to my budget better. I might need a new pair of sneakers though but my Converse may hold up until I go home for break at least. But I did buy this awesome pair and of black and white checkered skinny jeans! So hot! If I go to Harajuku this weekend, I am so wearing them! Or I might wear them if I go to Tokyo Game Show, haha.

OMFG, I forgot that there's a permanent Cirque du Soleil show here! And it's really close! Only like 20 minutes! I want to go!!! I need to see how expensive the tickets are and if any of my friends would splurge with me, heh. Also I really want to go to Tokyo Disneyland/Disney Sea since I've never been to any kind of Disney park. And I really want to go to some plays or musicals or something while I'm here but I don't know if the funds and timing will work out. Plus, I would need someone to help me actually purchase tickets...*needs to hurry up and learn Japanese*

It's been so fun lately but I haven't been doing anything new really so no new pictures. I have some really good friends who all want to move back here after college which would be so cool. Especially since if they do move here then I'll have some connections that can help me get back here in the future if that's what I decide. I don't even really know Japanese and I still love being here.

I should really get back to homework since I need to sleep early tonight. I hate waking up at 6 AM. It's even worse than high school! D=

Anyway, goodnight! ♥

And apparently late is now 8:30 AM. I totally went to bed at 2 AM and woke up at 8:30... =/

I guess my body thinks it's late and it feels late because I usually get up at around 6 to get ready for my 9:20 classes. It really sucks getting up so early and I'm really not a morning person but there's no way around it when Japanese classes are locked at a certain time.

Anyway, I started classes this past Monday and they're okay. I actually really enjoy Japanese class since Nakagawa-sensei is so awesome. When we learned "suki/kirai" which is "to like/dislike" he kept asking the class if we liked a whole list of different alcohol. XD It's pretty fun~

I feel asleep in my econ class first day...that's not a good sign at all. But like I said in a previous post, the field studies will be fun at least. History was okay but I started falling asleep partway through. Amazingly enough I stayed awake in politics! Mind you, I wasn't paying attention but at least I was awake and I did take notes off of his powerpoint. Hopefully it won't all be too bad and I keep up with all the reading...let's see if I can make it through to the end of the semester...

So two of my friends who are also staying for second semester want the three of us to try to find an apartment or something for next semester. That would be awesome since living in dorms or homestays are very restricted and they both are doing a homestay this semester already. I just don't know how likely it'll be to find a place that will 1) rent to gaijin, 2) is somewhat furnished, and 3) will rent for only half a year at most. Seems unlikely, ne? ^^; Well, we might try to request from our program that they put us in a dorm together that has a kitchen and bath since we do know a girl in our program now who is rooming with two others in a dorm.

Last Sunday there was a program trip to Asakusa to visit the temple there. It was really cool and there were also a lot of cool shops between the two big gates. After we went to Ryokoku for chanko nabe and SUMO! It was pretty fun! And sumo is way more exciting than I expected! I could totally go again someday.

So yesterday I went to Shibuya again to just walk around and because my friend Kirsten had never been before. We went to the big Shibuya 109 building (I think that was it? probably wrong...) to check out the shops. So many cute things! I wish I was a skinnier! D= Also, I'm annoyed because black boots are totally in this season and I have brown ones! I'm going to see if I can find an affordable pair of black boots somewhere. Probably not Shibuya though since I don't like trying on shoes in super crowded places. I just feel like there's too much going on and you HAVE to try on shoes. I'm also looking for a page boy styled hat. Now if I could just find one that looked good on me...

And so today I'm going to Harajuku again with a different group of friends! My dad just deposited more money into my bank account sooo let's all cross our fingers that I don't spend it all! I'm going with a bunch of girls so shopping will occur and like I said before...I'm looking for certain items for my wardrobe. =D

Oh, and now we have Silver Week so I have the next 5 days off! XD I just need to find things to do and people to do them with... ^^; Anyone have suggestions?

There is a girl in my program who is from Seoul.

She has a brother...

WHO IS FRIENDS WITH SIWON FROM SUPER JUNIOR.

WHAT.

And one of my friends is going to go visit her in Seoul during our break and she's going to try to get Siwon to go out with them.

I wish I could get in on that! I'm not that big of a SuJu fan but just that possibility alone is just mindblowingly awesome. Oh, and this girl says that he's really nice~ So cool!

Ah, and another girl in my program who's also in my dorm totally is sorta stalking Jin Akanishi. LMAO. She's been to a bunch of the clubs she regularly goes to and has seen him a few times.

It's just so weird that it's possible to run into all these famous people that I've only ever seen in photos and videos. I'm not about to go stalk anyone or anything but it's so cool that I'm really in Japan and that within 2 hours from me has got to be some super famous stars.

How surreal and awesome. XD

...because of our two field studies.

One is going to the Tokyo Motor Show. But that's NOT why I LOVE LOVE LOVE my econ class...

WE ARE GOING TO AVEX AND GETTING A LECTURE AND THEN RECORDING A SONG IN THEIR STUDIOS FOR SHITS AND GIGGLES. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT.

How awesome is that?!

I'm soooooooo excited even that's not til the end of November. Some of the field classes for my classes are really awesome. It totally makes up for the fact I can't stay awake in econ and I don't have much interest in it.

I also don't think most people in my class realize how AMAZING it is that we're going. I'm going to spazz when we go and they're going to wonder wtf is wrong with me, hahahaha. Oh you culturally inept classmates of mine (and trust me some of them are actually culturally inept and it's disgusting that they're here).

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, so excited!

Also, Tokyo Game Show is at the end of the month and I'm not sure if I should go...it's right in Makuhari which is where my school is so it's not a hassle to go at all plus tickets are cheap. But I'm really not that big of a gamer so I feel like I'll feel out of place and get bored quickly. =/ Should I go? I do have friends who are going...

I just got home from an awesome day with my new friends to find out that Jaebeom has quit 2PM over the bullshit those netizens have created over his myspace comments. What the FUCK is wrong with people?!

Do they not understand how hard all of those guys have worked and how much they suffered to reach where they are right now? Don't they realize that they are just shattering someone's fucking dream???

I can't even begin to fully understand why anyone could be so vicious and focused on destroying someone's reputation and career and dream just because they feel like it. It's so fucking WRONG. So so wrong.

And knowing that 2PM will be without Jay breaks my heart. It hurts to know that this amazing group will be broken because of stupid stupid people who feel like fucking around whoever they please.

My devastation and heart ache will not equal Jae or the rest of 2PM's because it's their lives that this is affecting.

There's no way 2PM can be the same without our leader, Park Jaebeom.

Oh shiz people...decision to study abroad near Tokyo? BEST ONE EVER MADE.

So I go to school in Makuhari, Chiba. I live in Ichikawa (I still don't understand addresses and stuff). And Tokyo is suuuuper close. So good!

So I've still technically been in orientation since I've arrived and there's more of it on Monday and Tuesday but it's been pretty fun. Plenty of good info and whatnot about life in Japan that actually is relevant. The staff members of my program are so awesome and I'm so happy I picked IES for my program.

( Anyway, on to the good stuff. XD )

So yeah, it's been suuuuuper fun. It still doesn't feel like I have to start classes on Thursday. That's just bleh but hopefully they won't be too hard. I heard that they weren't but my school's academic level always seems lower than other bigger schools so we'll see.

Also, I've yet to take the train by myself but it's scaring me less and being in a crowded train isn't too bad especially because I've only had to get on one super jam-packed one once. Hopefully I'll be much more comfortable with the trains really soon. I think that's the only part of life here that scares me senseless. I feel really good here otherwise and people are pretty nice. I just hope I pick up Japanese much quicker once I have class everyday and then I can actually do things alone without worrying about being about to communicate.

I'm also really happy because I bought some shirts today that actually fit! I was afraid that I would have a hard time finding clothes since I'm not a stick but they fit pretty well although they just hit my hip and I would prefer them to be longer. I also think I've lost weight since my appetite has decreased (don't worry, I still eat a healthy amount) and I have to walk so much now compared to at home. It's also really good I can buy clothes here because after unpacking I realized I really didn't bring enough. XD; BTW food is absolutely delicious here. I can't get enough of it. And I swear curry rice is my new favorite food. Plus, home cooking at my dorm? I can't even begin to explain all the happy.

And holy crap, the amount of ikemen is killing me. I can't look down a street without seeing someone I find highly attractive. I love you Japan and your fashionable men. I haven't been lucky in love for years now and I really hope that I can at least snag a few dates while I'm here. I would love to try dating a Japanese guy especially since I've never dated an Asian guy before but I feel like I just want to date since it was so hard to meet guys at home. I feel like I need to date again in order to give myself some more confidence (although it's at a lifetime high, I used to be preeeeeeetty low) and just to make me feel like I have a happy, well-rounded life. Haha, it sounds sort of stupid but I guess that's just how I feel. =p

It's so freaking humid here. Definitely more so than home. Thank god for having an aircon in my room.

And already there's a national holiday coming up! What am I going to do during Silver Week anyway?! I know to do volunteer stuff that Saturday but then I have 4 days off. Must find/make some plans.

So in 2.5 hours I'll be leaving for the airport. When all my traveling will be done, I will arrive at Narita Airport at 2:25PM on September 1st.

It still hasn't registered that I'm leaving.

I keep worrying that I've overpacked or that I will have problems with customs over my prescription medicine that I'm bringing in bulk to last me for 4 months.

I'm deathly worried about the health of my dogs while I'm gone.

I've never been away from family for more than a few days before.

I'm scared that I'll have a hard time adjusting because I don't know Japanese.

I'm afraid that I'll have a hard time making friends.

I'm terrified that I'll get myself lost.

Mostly I just don't want to be away from my darling dogs.

I know that all this is normal but I'm still so freaked out. I just want the first few weeks of my study abroad to be over already so that I can bypass the homesickness and nervousness about being in a new country.

Don't get me wrong; for the past few years I've been looking forward to my study abroad and it's totally going to help me accomplish some of my dreams (learning Japanese, having the means to get a job that lets me live overseas) but now that it's happening, I'm a nervous wreck. All I feel is that I want to stay home and start normal classes at my college tomorrow with the rest of my friends.

So yeah, basically I'm really scared right now. In the end, it'll be worth it and I'll love going but right now and until I get settled in, I'm going to wish I never wanted to be an International Studies major and study abroad.

Next time I post (who knows when I'll have internet access again; could be the day I arrive, could be at the end of the week when I actually go back to my dorm) I'll be on the other side of the world.

Goodbye America. Hello Japan!

...that I'm leaving in a week and a half!

I just got my housing assignment today and I think that is what is finally making me really feel it.

Well, my dorm is an all women's dorm since the name of it is Dormy Baraki Nakayama Ladies and it's in Tajiri, Ichikawa-shi. Haha. It's gong to be at least an hour to an hour and a half commute if google is anywhere close to being correct. I'm just hoping that another student in my program will be in there as well so that maybe at least on some days I'll have a commuting buddy. At least for the first few weeks while I memorize and get used to my train route. Thankfully, everyone tells me that the signs in the train stations are also in English. *does not know Japanese*

Also! I got a cell phone! It's from Mobal which my bff's girlfriend uses the international phone. So I trusted that site waaaaaay more than the one recommended by my program (Piccell Wireless). It has free incoming calls and texts and is $0.89 per minute for outgoing to calls within Japan and back to the US. That is perfectly acceptable to me since I can't get a prepaid in Japan since I'm required to have a cell within a week of arriving. The only downside is outgoing texts are like $1.49 but I think I can deal.

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Ahahaha, I was supposed to post this like 6 hours ago but then my friends came over. We're having a little sleepover party since we'll all be going back to school soon. So we're doing fun things *wink wink* haha.

Also, I found out that one girl from my program is in the same dorm as me! But she doesn't go to the same university, she's part of the language intensive side of the program and they go to a different university. But another girl has a homestay in the same area but is in the same program as me! Either way, I'm happy to know they'll be close by! And I can at least feel a little better since the girl in the same dorm as me knows Japanese so she can help me out. =p

Anyway, I need to go as my friends are still here and I'm not in a normal state of mind, lol.

...but I'm freaking out about getting my wisdom teeth out in the morning!

Oh yes, very nervous and sort of scared...

First time under anesthesia and I guess that's mostly the reason I'm kinda scared! I know for a fact that it will go fine since my little brother had his out on Monday by the same oral surgeon and he's a nice guy.

Plus, pain and swelling aren't not exactly things I look forward too. Haha.

Well, all should go well? I'm still really nervous but it's something that has to be done and gosh darn it, I don't like feeling scared of things that aren't really scary!

So I'll see you all with 4 less teeth in 12 hours.

*puts on brave face*

So where I last left off (sounds like a drama recap, lol) I was about to attend this year's Connecticon!

I went with my friend, Stephanie, although my little brother and his girlfriend also came and I had a few other friends there. Steph and I hung out together for the majority of the time although we split for many of the panels. Damn our lack of common interests...but it was pretty fun either way. I only spent about $100 on "stuff" which is amazing when last year I probably spent close to $400. This year I just bought 2 bracelets, a phone strap, 2 volumes of manga, a fashion mag from Japan, and I think that's it! I did spend like $100 on food cause I treated the previously mentioned 3 people who drove in with me but I don't usually count food the same way as material goods. =p

And this year I was so very much more chill about being there than last year. I didn't cosplay and I didn't even go to the masquerade. I kinda felt bad since it was Steph's first con (sorry Steph!!!) and I was not as hyped as she was. I think the idea of being at a con a month before going to live in Japan just makes it that much less interesting. Unfortunately, not only will I miss next year's KMF but I'll also be missing Connecticon...oh well on the Connecticon but KMF feels like a huge loss since I had so much fun! Although there was no guarantee I would've even had anyone to go with...

Anyway, last Tuesday I went to the beach in Watch Hill, RI which was pretty nice. There were actually WAVES! Amazement because Connecticut is blocked by Long Island Sound and therefore gets almost 0 waves. So that was fun although I did sunburn a little bit for the first time. I need to make sure to be wearing sunscreen when I'm in the sun now.

Then this past weekend my parents got into a huge fight which was not fun. And I went peach/tangerine/blueberry picking with my brother and his girlfriend and it was a pretty good day until they had a big fight...*sigh* and today I went to my other brother's house and he and his fiancee got into a small fight...apparently the universe wants to make me depressed and uncomfortable...

Oh AND I had a financial scare from my school since the financial aid lady e-mailed saying her calculations weren't adding up and she wanted me to stop by to run the numbers with her to make sure I had enough money to cover my tuition. I was so stressed all weekend over it and when I saw her today it turned out to be fine and she was just tripping herself up. Thank goodness for that.

Hmmm...I think that's really all that's been new? I'm getting my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday and I'm a bit nervous but it should be fine. My little brother had his out this morning and it went well and he's talking normally and it's not bleeding anymore. He's just staving cause he could only eat yogurt and pudding, haha.

3 more weeks until I leave! I think the nerves are already starting to kick in since my appetite is smaller but that's a good thing either way, heh. I need to start learning Japanese again so that I can hopefully pick it up quicker once I get there.

Ohhh, SHINee is in Japan~~~~~~ I hope they do well! And did everyone listen to the song Minho sang a cover of??? So adorable~

Taking a break from cleaning...*sigh*

Can you tell I'm a very messy person? I'm always needing to clean my room, haha. Whether that ever gets done is questionable. I do want to have it spic and span when I leave. It would make me (and my parents) feel better if my room was nice and clean and organized when I left. I just hope while I'm gone they don't use my room for anything...or go through it...that would piss me off a lot.

Anyway, reason I'm cleaning now is that my friend, Stephanie, is coming to stay through the weekend since this weekend is Connecticon! XD

Although, it's kinda weird but I'm really lazy to go. -_-;

I think I'm more into enjoying my fandom on my own and online rather than in person. It might also be because Connecticon pales in comparison to the fact that I'm leaving for Japan in a month. Or it could be because when I go to panels, they feel like lectures (some of them) to me and I get bored and sleepy very quickly since I'm can't just sit and listen for long amounts of time without getting bored. It has to either reeeeeeeeeally interest me or I need to be talking.

Eh, I love seeing the cosplay and going to the main events like Masquerade and I'm excited for the musical! Plus, browsing Artists' Alley and the Dealers' Room is always fun although this year my goal is spending a little as humanly possible since it turns out my Dad is planning on taking out some of his 401k in order to support me while I study in Japan. D=

I think everyone can understand exactly how HORRIBLE I feel about that. But for once in the past few years, he's trying to help out financially and I'm thankful for that. It's high time he decided to start paying for something again. My Mom can't handle it and will soon run out of savings soon. Doesn't bode well for the future if something doesn't change soon but if my Dad is seriously going to help out again and stop his gambling, we'll be okay.

Speaking of money, I bought these boots. I totally looove them although they do look sorta masculine (and as one of my lesbian friends said, "very gay XD"), they're sexy and look great paired with feminine items. I'm happy to have them especially since they'll keep my feet drier in the winter than my old suede boots. Ridiculous price? Yes. Totally worth it? Hell yes!

I started making a list of things I want to bring to Japan and I'm scared everything won't fit in my suitcases. I'm going to try to bring a lot less tops since I would think it might, maaaaaybe be easier to find tops in my size rather than pants. Plus, I hear jeans are expensive so I'll bring enough of those. Ah, damn you skinny Japanese people! Totally makes me self-conscious...*sigh*

And GUESS WHAT. I have noticed how hot some of those 2PM guys are. And how absolutely insane and silly. ♥ I watched the 2 episodes of Wild Bunny that are out and they are just too amusing~ And stupid me never watched the Idol Army episodes with 2PM and SHINee so I did and good grief all I did was squeal and then go back to rewatch the best parts. XDDD I can tell Jaebum, Taecyeon, and Nickkhun apart from others but Chansung, Junsu, Junho, and Wooyoung get me all confused still. Damn your sorta similar hairstyles!

I'm so much into Korean music I think I may take a stab at Korean after I feel comfortable with Japanese which would be (hopefully) in a year or so since I'll be spending 9 months out of the next year in Japan. (Anyone even think I'll have a good enough grasp to understand things without subs? LOL) But yeah, Korean. Why do I subject myself to such torture as to learn Asian languages based on characters?! Especially on my own...I should've gone to a bigger school...then I could languages as part of my school work not in addition to. Bah, oh well.

LIFETIME LANGUAGE GOALS:
Japanese
Korean
Mandarin
Vietnamese (to become fluent, I can speak with my family for the most part)

Oh yeah, I'm trying to kill myself.

So I've been kind of frustrated as of late. I need to start thinking about getting a cell phone for Japan since I'll be leaving in a little more than a month and it's just really difficult to find something affordable but still reliable!

The best thing to do would be to get a prepaid phone from Softbank or Docomo or whatever company buuuuuut since it'll take a bit of time to get my alien registration card, I can't since I'm required to give my program a cell phone number by the end of the first week I'm there. D=

I really wish it wasn't so hard to get a prepaid phone because I can't afford to rent a phone until I get my card and all the companies based in the US seem so sketchy at times! I don't want to risk being charged unfairly like a lot of people have since my family is in a bind with money in the current economy.

*siiiiiiiiiiiigh* What to do?!

Anyway.

It still hasn't hit me that I'll be leaving in 35 days (nope...didn't count right, LOL)! I'm super excited but I'm soooo nervous as well! I really wish I had a friend going with me but I'm sure it'll be easy to become friends with the other people in the program and the students at the university. Plus, my epal seems really awesome! XD

It's going to be so strange to be living in a way more urban place than my suburban home in the middle of Connecticut. Haha. I know I'm going to love it and have tons of fun but I'm so nervous about not knowing Japanese. I've been studying on my own but it's kinda hard when I have no one to practice with or to tell me if I'm wrong, ya know?

Well, I'm sure I'll be fine. And I'm sure my Japanese classes and being IN Japan will help. =3

Oh and because I don't think I've said this, but I'll be going to school in Makuhari, Chiba which looks pretty close to Tokyo. I also requested my dorm be closer to Tokyo (opted for a dorm this semester) since I'm sure I'll want to spend time exploring Tokyo. And I'm REALLY hoping someone else in my program will be in the same dorm since I'm sure I'll be very flustered trying to get to school on my own.

Ahhhh, still so nervous about going! D=

So today was my niece's 4th birthday party! I went and the whole family was there plus some family friends. We were outside and had lots of good food and stuff. I'm going to talk about everything because I was there for 10 hours and a lot happens in 10 hours especially when everyone gets drunk. XD

( I'm classifying this as a SUPER good day. )

So for whatever reason, starting from the time I went to work yesterday til now (and it will most likely continue through tomorrow as well) I've been have a SUPER FANTASTIC FUN TIME.

WHAAAAAAAAAAT???

Hahaha, work was fun and pretty relaxed and I got to talk to my waiter friend a lot. Turns out the hot waiter also just got his ear pierced and it's super sexy. XD My boss was also super chill about me taking a weekend off for Connecticon and he said that when I come home from break if I want to work for a bit that would be awesome for him since it'll be in the middle of his busy season. Whooo money!

Then all of a sudden after work my bff wanted to sleepover and have drinks so I went to pick her up and we went to my sister's house to drop off something and pick up some alcohol that they didn't want. We made vodka tonics which I'd never had before but were yummy~ Unfortunately I got really sleepy after my second drink which may have partially been because we started watching the first Harry Potter movie and it puts me to sleep with all the explanation/intro stuff and that it was late and I was already tired. But that was cool.

Then the next morning after I dropped off my bff, I spent over an hour in Toys R' Us picking out birthday gifts for my niece and nephew whose birthdays are coming up. Saw a cute duck plushie that I wanted, haha.

When I got home my aunt and cousin were over helping my mom prep food for my niece's birthday party tomorrow and I got to hung out with my younger cousin who I never see even though they live only 10 minutes away. That is made of fail.

Then me and my little brother went to my sister's place to eat dinner and to get his hair cut. We just hung out for a bit too which was amusing since my sister has become scarily obsessed with Twilight...like...I'm frightened because she is 33 with one daughter and another on the way...it's just kinda...awkward...O_o The funny thing is that she's dragging some of her other friends with her and her husband is going to probably read the book as well. What have I done indeed...haha. Amusing either way though!

And, the real reason I'm so happy...drum roll please...

MY E-PAL FROM JAPAN EMAILED ME TODAY! XD

I actually kinda forgot that we were getting e-pals and I almost deleted her e-mail because I thought it was spam that slipped though my filter but thanks goodness I didn't~! Hahaha. So my e-pal is a really nice girl named Yuumi who is a year younger than me at the university that is where I'll be taking my language classes in Japan (Kanda University of International Studies). We just became facebook friends, like 5 minutes ago so I know what she looks like too. Ah...why are Japanese girls always so skinny and cute?! -_-; (Ah, I think my self esteem took a bit of a blow...) But her English really good which makes my life so much easier since we can communicate really well. Then again...she is majoring in English so that's sort of expected? =p

Anyway, it's nice talking to her and it'll nice to kinda know someone when I physically get to Japan as well. =3

Although...I really am feeling self-conscious about being such a fangirl, ya know? I guess that's a little bit expected since I've just met her and don't want to leave a weird impression. =/ Hopefully this feeling subsides cause I don't want it to get in the way of making new friends.

Now, I must go to bed! Or at least pretend to since my niece's 4th birthday party is tomorrow and I need to get up early! And do you know what that means??? Lots of alcohol! Haha, when my family throws a party for whatever reason, even a child's birthday, all the adults drink a lot and enjoy themselves almost more than the kids...so I'm sure to be amused tomorrow.

Goodnight!

So it's been awhile and I've kinda got a lot to update on?

Anyway~ I spent this past Sunday through Tuesday in Philadelphia visiting family. It was pretty fun hanging out with my cousins. We also went to the Federal Reserve and saw the Liberty Bell, not my idea but it was nice going downtown. We also got really good Malaysian food and then I got a Lychee bubble tea! Yuuuuuuuuuuuum...it's so expensive here since there's only one place around Hartford that sells bubble tea so I was happy~

On the way home we stopped in the Chinatown in NYC to eat dim sum and do a bit of shopping. I bought two new phone charms (a mushroom and a whale!) and two scarves for myself and one each of two friends. I also got a milk tea bubble tea~ XDDDDD

I also got my new laptop! YAY! New electronics! I'm pretty happy with it and it's so much lighter than my last one since I got a 13.3" instead of a 15.1" again. And I got a 2 year extended warranty cause now I'm paranoid. LOL.

I've never studied so much in my entire life as I have in the past 2 weeks. I've been teaching myself Japanese in preparation for my study abroad and so I've been going to the library to study and making flashcards: the whole works basically. And let me tell you, every person that knows me doesn't believe that I'm studying THAT is how extreme I am in the not studying game. Well, maybe I'll continue in this way? Hahaha, probably not...

OMG I haven't seen the new Harry Potter yet! D= I'm dyinggggggggg to watch it mostly because Tom Felton/Draco has a much bigger part and I'm a fan. =p Hopefully I'll go Monday cause it's not right that I haven't seen it yet.

I've also accidentally turned my older sister into a vampire young adult novel fangirl. Oops. She wanted to read Twilight which I own and got addicted to the plot. We're both fans of the plot but not the writing. And now she's forced me to buy the Southern Vampire Mysteries series because she heard it was good. It was technically on my Amazon wish list anyway and a really good price for the first 7 books so not a big deal. It's just funny how obsessed she seems with vampires now since she asked me to bring over more of my vampire YA novels today. Oh well, as long as she's enjoying herself I guess.

There's apparently a muskrat or something that looks like one living in/around my yard. It's actually kinda cute, lol. But the poor thing gets bullied by my dogs if they catch it. Earlier I heard the dogs barking nonstop for like 5 minutes so I went to the very back of my yard to see what was up. I found the poor thing backed up against the fence as both of my dogs kept barking at it. I snapped a couple pictures with my phone (so I could figure out what it was and cause it was cute, lol) and then grabbed Nini and chased niko back into the house. That's the second time it's happened; the first time my dad found that same situation. I hope that it's not too traumatized...

It's thunderstorming really hard here right now and I'm sooooooo happy! So much lightning! XDDD I love thunderstorms~

So I finished my summer class last week and now I have two months left before Japan! XD

I just bought my plane ticket the other day so that's all set. Now all there's left if taking out a loan...UGH. I'm very scared that my mother's credit isn't good enough right now for them to approve my loan and I don't know who else would be able to cosign for me. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed for now and hope they accept it. Although even if they approve her, the amount I'm requested has to be reviewed and approved by my college which may not be so pretty. I am, as well as my family, is really broke right now and without taking out all the extra money I'm requesting outside of tuition and aid I may not have enough to survive or at least have any personal spending money which would suck like no other. I just hope my luck will turn around now.

Also, I still don't know what's up with my laptop and I'm using my brother's until I buy a new one/get the old one fixed. I've pretty much decided that even though we have no money I need to just buy a new one and get a warranty since I don't want to fix the old one just for it to break again. My mom agrees so we will probably do that tomorrow. I know all of my siblings are going to bitch at me about it but I don't like not having my own laptop.

Okay! On to more interesting and happier things! XD

I've finally started watching Doctor Who! I'm still in the middle of Season 1 but I really love it! I'm usually not into scifi things but this is super good and all of my friends tell me that the episodes will get scarier which will be awesome. Although I am a big baby and am scared very easily. Heh. I haven't quite gotten to the point where I want to join the fandom but it is an interesting one. I highly recommend Doctor Who if anyone is even remotely intrigued.

I've also been watching the dorama Voice with Eita, Toma Ikuta, and Yuya Endou among others who I don't know. I have two more episodes to go. It's about a bunch of students in a seminar for forensic pathology and them trying to convey the last words of the deceased to their loved ones by performing autopsies. I've never watched a medical dorama before so I have no idea how it compares to the others but I really enjoyed it. In it each of the students end up having to deal with their decision to go into forensic pathology and question if they are cut out for it or if it was the right decision. But I have to admit that when Yuyan's character had his episode I got really really upset and definitely cried. ^^; Otherwise, really good!

I'm also going to rewatch SHINee's reality show because those boys are just so gosh darn adorable! SHINee is seriously my antidote to a bad mood because I can't help but giggle and fall in love with them whenever I watch them do anything. Although the pole dancing video scared me. And I only felt somewhat okay because I'm not too much older than most of them (save for Taemin...that's a 4 year difference). Haha, but Jonghyun can totally work it! And like I think I told onewhomust, I wish Onew was there. Can't you just imagine his sexy fail??? *sigh*

Ah! I've also realized Minho is probably by second favorite member after Onew! Isn't that hilarious? When I first got into SHINee he was my least favorite but now I love him to bits for his stoic ways although we all know he's got a hidden silly side~ And his voice! *shivers* My little brother asked me how old Minho was cause he walked in when I was listening to Juliette and heard him rapping and when I told him, he was surprised. He thought he was much older since Minho has such a deliciously deep voice.

And yay for new animated SHINee moodtheme made by miximel and moboproductions! It's soooo awesome! I feel like there isn't enough Onew though...but then again...I could always use more Dubu... XD

I'm really tired now and it's not even midnight! I guess I should go relax and then go to bed. I need to be productive tomorrow and actually study Japanese some.

Goodnight, loves!

You know...Michael Jackson died today and some people are totally happy that he's dead because he was supposedly a pedophile.

Supposedly isn't good enough to be happy that a man as talented and legendary as him has died.

Sure, there were allegations but he was given the not guilty and who the fuck really knows what happened except those who were there?

I'm just really pissed that people can be happy that he's dead because his influence on music is one that cannot be overlooked.

Farrah Fawcett also died today and though I don't know much about her (I'm sorry I know that's kinda fail) it's still sad that she's kinda being overlooked because MJ has died as well. So, RIP Farrah.

I'm just really pissed off because one of my friends on facebook posted as their status that she's sick of people talking about MJ and Farrah's deaths and that "who the fuck cares". That seriously pissed me off because obviously many people care and they would be pissed if someone told them that no cares that their loved one died.

I sometimes don't understand how insensitive and selfish people can be.

I guess this all sounds a bit silly for me to get so upset over a comment this person made but Michael Jackson was a major part of my childhood and one of my earliest memories that I can still recall.

I used to listen to his music and watch his videos all the time with my dad and man, did his music really get to me. His music is the music is the only music I remember listening to as a child so it's really important to me. I really believe that it was his music that gave me such a passion for pop music.

I still can't believe he's gone but his legacy will live on because music would be vastly different if he never appeared on the scene.

RIP Michael Jackson.