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

The latest thing I've managed to post wsa my scarf...I unfortunately am not motivated to do anything, and the blog suffers as a result! *bad blogger* (/>.<)/"" So in order to get back in the habit of writing...I decided to write on something that just reminded me of what is simple and good in this world - dinner with good company.

A few weeks back I got together with my girl friends (it's still surreal to me that I have GIRL buds, no idea how that happened but now I might have enough people for a bridesmaid if I ever get married!!) KY and Misapy +1...the reason I don't really acknowledge the other person is because well she is neither a friend nor foe. I am just an acquaintance through association. Much like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon, I am linked to her through a massive spiderweb system of complicated and isolated community of my friends. Therefore +1.

We gathered in Tokyo and sat down for a quiet dinner at 萬鳥 Marunouchi a yakitori place I've always wanted to try. Although we went on a Friday evening without reservation, we were able to squeeze in a bit before last call. They stop serving food before the wine which makes me a bit sad since I am more the type to eat a hearty meal than keep drinking...but again with merry company I am always game for a girls night out! So we hung out, caught up, and ate a delicious meal of yakitori. Unfortunately a lot of the rarities on the menu were gone (like the nankotsu aka cartilage which I love) we got to sample most of the staples on the menu. The good mix of yakitori (aka skewed grilled chicken which sounds weird I know but hey what can you do translating Japanese into English eh?) and some side dishes along with a generous helping of wine made my night. Even with the +1 I got to enjoy a good meal with 2 of my best girl friends. The only thing I would have changed....gotten rid of the +1 and perhaps replaced it with my other best gal D!

You are Missed D! We must go again for Yakitori!

This time to make things easier, we ordered a bottle of wine then continued to order off the set course menu. I would have totally been fine with ordering for the group, but KY knew better as I tend to go crazy and order almost EVERYTHING on the menu...So to save our wallets and to cut our stomachs some slack we ordered from the set menu and added a few selections. Misapy was quite happy with my side orders as she was also eyeing the egg and the onigiri!

Cream Puff! (no it was filled with Chicken)

Dashi maki Tamago (not part of the course but worthy of its own order)

Salad (side ordered to feel "healthy")

Chicken!!

Scallions (D hates it but it was Delicious!)

Was it Duck or Chicken? I can't remember

Chicken Liver for the Soul?

Crispy goodness all around!

and to finish...the side ordered Yaki Onigiri!

So if you are looking for a good hearty place to go with your girl friends I would recommend this place. Although watch out cheap-o's the price tag can get a little hefty if you keep pouring yourself a generous portion of WINE!!

xoxo

Luci

P.S. Make sure to order the 出し巻き卵(dashi maki tamago aka egg omelet) and 〆の焼きおにぎり(yaki onigiri aka grilled rice ball)! It was really good!!

For the past 2 weeks I've been out at the clients (which by the way coincidentally was about 5 minute commute from my apartment), and working diligently racking up some last minute over time. It's weird to think I will NO LONGER be working at this place, but no regrets more over glorious freedom overwhelms me!!






All jokes and snickers aside, I just wanted to post my latest fashion item. A Pink/White scarf I knitted on my free time. I call this my strawberry cream scarf! The unfortunate thing is...well it's no longer winter wear season, but I have something to look forward to for winter of 2010!

I did manage to make one for Samar and Tim. Those two were happily my guinea pigs in my scarf making skills to perfection. My strawberry cream scarf creation will be my staple for next year. Cheers!!

xoxo

Luci

My teddy bear Emile was gracious enough and comfortable with his teddy-bear-sculinity to model it for me!

It looks good!

P.S. I am taking orders for next year...starting.........

WARNING: About 2 weeks overdue!

F/W 10 Paris Fashion Week and the culmination of the the award season, i.e. the Oscars, happen to coincide. And thus a busy time indeed for the style editors/bloggers (pure fashion bloggers are not terribly concerned with the latter) out there.

As for moi, I just sit back and watch the show.

This season, there was a lot of guessing involved with the "what are you wearing?" drama, thanks to Ryan Seacrest of E! failing (or intentionally neglecting) to ask said question for a good portion of the red carpet entrance. It was as entertaining simply monitoring the twitter sphere as (I imagine) seeing the real thing: Is J.Lo wearing Marchesa? (wrong), Nicole Richie in vintage? (wrong, Reem Acra), and so on and so forth.

I had two observations as I vicariously watched the award show unfold. First, why do celebrities wear essentially the same design from the same collection/designer? Naturally the PR folks at Armani Privé knew aforementioned J.Lo and Amanda Seyfried chose the same dress, if not their stylists? Or could it actually be a tactical move on the part of the design house to get on the "who wore it better?" pages of InStyle, etc... With some actresses almost always wearing the same brand (Renée Zelweger + Carolina Herrera, though she seems to be moving on these days), perhaps it is impossible not to clash, but I just find it amusing how these starlets face the same problem as the average high school juniors before their Homecoming dance...

Second is the roles jewelry plays at these events. Naturally the big BLING pieces tend to be spotted near the faces of the celebrities, i.e. earrings and necklaces, which not-so-coincidentally complement the open necklines, but wouldn't it be funny if we can get them to pose gangsta style or peace-ing out to show their extra-bejeweled watches, rings, and bracelets? Just a thought...

Sorry Miley for the blotchy job, but just imagine classic and classy actresses like Helen Mirren representin' for Cartier/Harry Winston/Fred Leighton and the likes...

P.S. An ode to a funny entry at the Oddly Enough Blog about other "less visible" items, i.e. shoes, at award shows...

My 7th post and it has been 48 days since my first entry. Which means I am barely on target for a weekly blog? More than ever, I truly respect those who regularly update their blogs, and while this entry of mine will be a somewhat lackluster one (especially after a bit of a break), but it is an ode of sort to such stoic bloggers?

As I was catching up on Garance and JAK & JIL on separate occasions, I could not help but notice it was the same woman wearing the new Céline jacket by Phoebe Philo (previously of Chloé - any other brand with a C,é, and L that she can revamp/reinvent? - a great read from T Magazine).

The jacket aside for the moment(which does have all the "it" elements - nude color, zippers, leather/wool contrast/contour, etc.), after some online stalking, I learn that this woman is Christine Centenera of Harper's Bazaar Australia. There is no wonder fashion editors/stylits and bloggers cross paths these days, and Ms. Centenera, ‘a self-confessed sucker for anything with studs, metal detailing or patent leather - perferably all three at once," certainly has been on the radar of many a blogs already: Red Carpet Fashion, inspire me please, and the Fashion Spot!