It's times like this I know that my problems...not so much an issue. We tend to just focus on ourselves and let the world pass us by. As cliche as it sounds, you know it, I know it, we all know it's true (just realizing that I am incapable of putting the weird squiggly marks on the letters...hmmm?).

It goes to show that perhaps my personal relationship issues and paranoia is NOT something I should think about at the moment. Granted I am REALLY GOOD at solving other people's issues and problems, I am really bad with my own. I have the tendency to ruin everything and anything good in my life (much like my relationship with Tim which totally is hanging by a thread because of my psychotic-ness), and I have an issue with trust. Misato reassured me the other day that my paranoia in fact is just PARANOIA and that Tim is probably busy and not ignoring me or planning to totally dump me. After a 5 year relationship with him I should know better right? But then again she told me from her experience that guys just needs space...honestly I could totally tell other people this but to myself I just let my crazy run wild and think the worst.

Alas this is not about me but Misato so getting back to the point. She is one of the strongest person I know not only for her willingness to get out to the world, but mentally she's a lot stronger than most people. Being sick hasn't stopped her from living life (where as I just stop functioning all together). She also finds the time to gather us girls together for drinks between her treatments. She, KY, and D are probably my best girl friends in Japan. Without them I would be drowning in my sorrows and attempting to not socialize living like a hermit and one day just being on the 6pm news like yesterday's trash. But they have kept me going and hanging out with the real world instead of hermitting in the gaming world like I usually do.

Misato has been my Kansai connection and the one of the few people that don't think I am a total whack job. By the way in my life totally rare and REALLY important. Even my own brother thinks I ought to be committed. Granted she thought I was totally Anime with my high pitch voice and really weird hobbies...she took me in like I've been there all the while and we've been friends since. There are friends...and there are "FRIENDS". What's the difference? Friends are those who you associate with, just because. FRIENDS are those who will be with you thick and thin. No matter what happens they are the ones that will stick by your side. Misato has my loyalty and no matter what I will forever be there for her like I will with KY and D. D is busy with a life work bf what not, but we all know she is always there for us in the time of need. KY is probably one of the few people I see most and we are at a mutual understanding to be all that we can be! (not in the army...but hey) Misato should always remember that we are there for her no matter what.

We all tend to take advantage of the things we have. Be it our relationships, friendship, family, and especially our health. When someone close to you gets ill we finally realize the things we take for advantage. KY, D and I can't really share our health with our dear friend...unfortunately so the only thing we can do is send positive vibes, tell her more random stories for her to be amused, and plan out future events we all could do. There's so much more we need to get done...like a trip to Karuizawa (which should be Legend-wait for it-Dary)...playing around in Disney Land/Sea...also I have to par take in the girls trip I keep hearing so much about! And another thing...I finally have enough girl friends to not have my guy buds dress in drag at my wedding as brides maids. You (yes you Misato) better not forget that you have a place on my side of the podium if I get married!! AND ANOTHER THING...you totally promised I get to make a speech at your wedding and perhaps be the MC!

I am keeping you to your word!!

We are all out here missing you and rooting for your return! I have my Cheesecake recipe ready and warm for when you come back! Also of course my Foundant Chocolat Recipe! You are dearly missed and needed in our lives. Just remember...you get to stay in a clean room! MY DREAM!! Make sure to tell me the cleanliness....when you see me again because I would totally want to live in one...aha!

Life is Short, Break the Rules, Forgive Quickly, Kiss Slowly, Love Truly, Laugh Uncontrollably, and NEVER regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we might as well DANCE!

Today is officially the last day for me at this office!!!

No words can describe my happiness...and I doubt that I will be feeling like this...

Coincidentally if they are not going to pay me for my vacation days I might as well use it up, so I stuck in a health check in the morning tomorrow, took the afternoon off, and put in the rest of my vacation days until my official end date.





It feels great to start over and not have to look back. Hopefully my next work place is not as mind numbingly boring, slowly eats away at my intelligence or makes me into a translation monkey...all in all I cannot see myself going anywhere worse than my current situation.

My next job starts in April...and I am loving the prospect of a few days off!

Here's to a new beginning....Cheers!

xoxo

Luci

Sakura Season is here...

Life may throw you a curve ball and you may strike out...

But just remember to wait for that one pitch...

which takes yours over the fence and you can bring it home for the WIN.

When I think of Alice in Wonderland I always imagine the pre-teen blonde girl in the light blue dress with white tights and Mary Jane's created by Disney...

Which looks like this...

But recently Tim Burton with his vision and a little funding from Disney created Alice in Wonderland the new movie which came out in theaters March 2010 (US)...sadly it doesn't come out in Japan until April. Weird how Avatar is still playing in some theaters, yet the Blue-Ray is coming out next month (me contemplating buying the Blue-Ray special edition or just the normal and actually reserving a copy...but anyway moving on!), weird how marketing and movies work in Japan. They sometimes release movies that I never knew existed...and at other times movies are released a year later. G-Force the random Guinea pig movie came out just this month and that movie has been released, put on DVD and locked away in the USA since last year.

Enough of my rantings! Alice in Wonderland is a much anticipated film by Tim Burton. I anticipated another of the claymation like films by Tim Burton, but I guess that was because I have always been a fan of Nightmare Before Christmas and the Corpse Bride. The last movie Sweeney Todd was (in my opinion) a total flop, half due to the fact I was not a huge fan of musicals and...for other reasons I cannot fathom or put my finger on. Tim Burton has put in his movies his friend (Johnny Depp) and his domestic partner (Helena Bonham Carter), 2 eccentric stars who breathed life into the movie supported with an all star cast (including Anne Hathaway) with the strong willed Alice (whom I believe was Australian?).

The story takes place in Wonderland after Alice has gone home the first time. Things have changed in Wonderland...since the Red Queen has taken over. It's up to a true hero to slay the demon and bring freedom back to Wonderland once again. With Tim Burton's normal twists and turns, along with colorful characters bring to life another movie must see in my books. Hey we all have to go down the rabbit hole some day...

xoxo

Luci

P.S. OK, OK, so I am a huge fan of Disney Movies and Tim Burton...and if this movie was terrible (which I am sure is not) I'd still watch it like I watched Sweeney Todd, but I am guessing I'll love it and end up buying the Blue-Ray for it so there!

P.S.2. on a side note...I was always a fan of American McGee's Alice...the twisted game that came out a while ago. You should check it out!

So this dates back a little to last month around my brother's birthday...

Once upon a time there was a boy (as usual there always is). His small dreama was to eat the Cheese Fantasy from Domino's Pizza. Now Domino's likes to put forth specialty pizzas for the season, and this one in particular was only until mid March. So the little boy grabbed his plastic from his wallet, and called Domino's! -but in this day and age we all know phones are obsolete he used the internet to make an order. People in Tokyo spread the word! Domino's offers a 5% discount and many random coupons if you order online and credit cards are accepted!! (Domino's you owe me one!!)

Now waiting patiently with eyes wide open he stood by the door....he waited....and waited...30 minutes later he heard the door ring! There stood the delivery man with a bright smile on his face. The boy signed the receipt, it was his!

Cheese Fantasy in his grasp at last! Alas with tissue paper in tow to wipe his sticky fingers he sat down with a glowing smile. Not wanting to be selfish he called his sister to share the joy.

there was a side of maple syrup for the sweet 1/4 of the pizza

(which by the way was not the most tasty part of the pizza)

The End

Enjoy the Story?!

xoxo

Luci

P.S. I find it funny that my brother claims to have an Italian Mama which he refers to when we talk about eating pizza. Apparently she wants him to eat pizza once a month?! In his imagination she carries a rolling pin and is pretty warm and on the chubby side from eating lots of good Italian foods. I'd one day like to meet this Italian Mama....she sounds like a wonderful person that will feed me well!

I was walking by the Marunouchi Building earlier this month stumbling upon a architecture/art exhibition. It was hosted by one of the art schools here in Japan...I believe it was the モード学院 (aka Mode Academy, slightly lame naming in English but hey...) and some art gallery (?). Don't take my word on who ever was hosting because I didn't pay much attention to who, I was more awed by the architectural miniatures that was on display!

Tokyo Mode Academy's Hachiouji Campus (It looks like it belongs in Dubai, NO?)

Most of the displays were made of wood with some exceptions of plastic and steel. I was particularly disappointed with the Japanese temple displays. WHY? -you ask. Most of the structures were not detailed enough. They just slapped on some wood and forgot the intricate details that make Japanese traditional architectures great.

Exhibit A...slightly disappointing display

There were a few buildings that looked slightly unfinished and haphazardly put together...was the artist out of time?

Not sure what this was...but hey

Interesting how they needed to put a DOME in the middle because it was not taking up enough space. Although I enjoyed the miniature sitting inside the dome.

Mini Dome!

The European architectures were a little more impressive. I think the people who built it showed some respect and decided that they needed to put a little more effort into the explanations of the miniatures. All in all not so impressive, but cute enough to be taken a picture of nonetheless.

The columns of Athens and I think it was an Italian structure?

And of course...Eiffel Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree in the back

It was weird that they didn't put the new Tokyo establishment Tokyo Sky Tree hugely in the middle instead of that weird futuristic Mode Academy building. What happened to the symbol of Tokyo...Tokyo Tower!! After all it was a Tokyo hosted event in the middle of Tokyo right on the side of Tokyo Station. After spending a few minutes in the exhibit I realized that there was more to it on the floor above. Unfortunately I was not as motivated to go up and see the rest of the miniatures...hence my venture ended here.



One thing I will miss from my current path home is passing by these random exhibits and the occasional flower festivals that appear in the spring time. I think the next one is in April when the Cherry Blossoms will be appearing. It's always nice to smell fresh flowers in the morning on the way to a dreary office...although I might miss it this year for I am changing jobs soon enough!

xoxo

Luci