Saturday, January 26, 2008
i come to you in restless sleep where all your dreams turn bittersweet
So I am not quite highly-caffeinated, so I decided to not make this another episode of "Highly-Caffeinated Clare". I'm not quite rambly and incoherent enough for one of those...
So the suitcase I ordered for the trip to Japan finally came in the mail yesterday. The final preparatory stage can now begin. I will begin packing tomorrow - my day off. I know that the trip is still over a week away, but with the little amount of time that I get off, I don't want to leave it for the last minute. Plus, this way I can remember the little things that I haven't yet packed and still have time to add them in. Next weekend is bound to be full of all the last minute things (including waxing my eyebrows and other beauty regimens).
I've had a fairly busy social week. I hung out with some of the local crowd two nights in a row and was out late both nights - so I was very tired for a good 2 or 3 days this week. I did get to eat some of the local cuisine and it was very good, so that was a nice break from the normal food routine.
Because of the tendency towards being a social butterfly, I have neglected my study of Japanese. *shamed* Tomorrow, I intend to remedy this situation by trying to complete 3 lessons. Doing 3 lessons in one day will still not catch me up to where I should have been by now, but what can you do?
Not much else to say except that I have been having really strange dreams for the past week and I always wake up thinking, "what the hell?" but by the time I'm done getting ready for work, all memory of them is already gone.
Hope all are well! Now, I'm off to peruse everyone's blogs...
Oh - and here's a quiz. No fancy picture, but still kind of interesting:
My Bloginality is ISTJ!!! The ISTJ results are listed as you scroll down the page on the left-hand side.
Also this quiz - which was delightfully fun to take as some of the answers to choose from are pretty hilarious:
Anna of Cleves got the royal shaft. She came all the way to England to become the fourth wife of Henry VIII. Once married to Anna, he refused to consummate the marriage, and called her the "Flanders Mare". Talk about a burn, considering that by this time, Henry was the fattest man in England and had a rotting syphilis sore on his leg.
Anna was miffed, but she was too sensible to let it ruin her fun. She was given an annulment and a fat yearly allowance, and she threw extravagant parties and dined on delicacies for the rest of her life.
Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?
this quiz was made by Lori Fury
2 CoMmEnTs
So I am not quite highly-caffeinated, so I decided to not make this another episode of "Highly-Caffeinated Clare". I'm not quite rambly and incoherent enough for one of those...
So the suitcase I ordered for the trip to Japan finally came in the mail yesterday. The final preparatory stage can now begin. I will begin packing tomorrow - my day off. I know that the trip is still over a week away, but with the little amount of time that I get off, I don't want to leave it for the last minute. Plus, this way I can remember the little things that I haven't yet packed and still have time to add them in. Next weekend is bound to be full of all the last minute things (including waxing my eyebrows and other beauty regimens).
I've had a fairly busy social week. I hung out with some of the local crowd two nights in a row and was out late both nights - so I was very tired for a good 2 or 3 days this week. I did get to eat some of the local cuisine and it was very good, so that was a nice break from the normal food routine.
Because of the tendency towards being a social butterfly, I have neglected my study of Japanese. *shamed* Tomorrow, I intend to remedy this situation by trying to complete 3 lessons. Doing 3 lessons in one day will still not catch me up to where I should have been by now, but what can you do?
Not much else to say except that I have been having really strange dreams for the past week and I always wake up thinking, "what the hell?" but by the time I'm done getting ready for work, all memory of them is already gone.
Hope all are well! Now, I'm off to peruse everyone's blogs...
Oh - and here's a quiz. No fancy picture, but still kind of interesting:
My Bloginality is ISTJ!!! The ISTJ results are listed as you scroll down the page on the left-hand side.
Also this quiz - which was delightfully fun to take as some of the answers to choose from are pretty hilarious:
Anna was miffed, but she was too sensible to let it ruin her fun. She was given an annulment and a fat yearly allowance, and she threw extravagant parties and dined on delicacies for the rest of her life.
Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?
this quiz was made by Lori Fury
Labels: japan trip, quiz, random
Sunday, January 13, 2008
cheer them on to their rivals
Ah. So my blogging has slowed down a bit (or has it?). I have been busy securing reservations for the places that Nailz and I are going to stay at during our upcoming trip to Japan. In the process of trying to make reservations, I even called one of the inns and it was very...um...funny, yet embarassing. I tried communicating by using the phrases in my Lonely Planet Japanese travel pocket-sized book and what little Japanese I know. The lady on the other end was trying her best to speak English and understand me. In the end, she just ended up saying "no room" and I politely thanked her and then hung up. BUT - eventually, we got all of our reservations set and they are all in pretty nice, but inexpensive places. I figured out how much we will each spend a night on accommodations and it turns out to average out at $45. Not bad - I don't think we could find such deals in the states except at roadside motels.
I've been doing a lot to try to get ready for this trip. I've been using Rosetta Stone and the book "Japanese for Busy People" to try to absorb as much Japanese as possible. The result is that I can read and write in hiragana and katakana, but not really know what the words mean. I have a few more weeks to study, so hopefully I will get a vocabulary by then. :)
Today is a pretty good day for internet. I am outside and it is not too bad. I think it is in the high 50s or low 60s (I may be being optomistic with those temps), and the wind is chilly, but the sun is out, so that helps.
Not much else to say, I guess. I've sent out a fair number of emails in the last few hours and I still feel like I am forgetting something. Something that may have been interesting - but for the life of me, I can't think of what it is...
2 CoMmEnTs
Ah. So my blogging has slowed down a bit (or has it?). I have been busy securing reservations for the places that Nailz and I are going to stay at during our upcoming trip to Japan. In the process of trying to make reservations, I even called one of the inns and it was very...um...funny, yet embarassing. I tried communicating by using the phrases in my Lonely Planet Japanese travel pocket-sized book and what little Japanese I know. The lady on the other end was trying her best to speak English and understand me. In the end, she just ended up saying "no room" and I politely thanked her and then hung up. BUT - eventually, we got all of our reservations set and they are all in pretty nice, but inexpensive places. I figured out how much we will each spend a night on accommodations and it turns out to average out at $45. Not bad - I don't think we could find such deals in the states except at roadside motels.
I've been doing a lot to try to get ready for this trip. I've been using Rosetta Stone and the book "Japanese for Busy People" to try to absorb as much Japanese as possible. The result is that I can read and write in hiragana and katakana, but not really know what the words mean. I have a few more weeks to study, so hopefully I will get a vocabulary by then. :)
Today is a pretty good day for internet. I am outside and it is not too bad. I think it is in the high 50s or low 60s (I may be being optomistic with those temps), and the wind is chilly, but the sun is out, so that helps.
Not much else to say, I guess. I've sent out a fair number of emails in the last few hours and I still feel like I am forgetting something. Something that may have been interesting - but for the life of me, I can't think of what it is...
Labels: japan trip, random
Friday, January 04, 2008
these arms long to hold you again
I've been thinking about how much I miss my cat lately. I miss snuggling with him and the puppy on the couch on the weekends. One thing that really brought this to my attention was when I was looking through the Lonely Planet Japan guide and saw that there is a place called Nekobukuro in Ikebukuro where you can stop by and pet cats. Stopping there for a couple of hours one of the days we are in Tokyo is going to be a must - I just miss animal companionship so much!
So Nailz and I have our basic itinerary down. Except for accommodations for Kyoto and Kumamoto, we are all set! I am looking forward to next week when everything should be finalized and then I won't feel so anxious (I hope). The trip is coming up pretty quick. I'm not going to put the dates we are going to be in Japan here on the internets, but after the trip is over, I'm sure I will post a little about what we did, where and when.
Last thing that is causing me some anxiety is getting a suitcase for the trip. I can't believe how expensive luggage is!! I will need to get one soon though, as I would like to start packing (how sad is that?) so it's not a last minute thing.
Not much else new here. Work has been kind of slow over the holidays, so some of the days have really been crawling by. Think I will check some blogs to pass the time...
OH NOES!! Another meme ganked from Nailz (who got it from Doom)...
1)Where did you begin 2007?
In a basement room with little-to-no light except for the flickering from the screen of Soul Caliber II. Oh wait - I think that might've been 2006 - who keeps track of these things anyway?
2) What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Stalking 5 hot Japanese rockers with my best friend (frostbite was definitely worth it!!)
3) Favorite movie of 07?
The Sound of Music *snickers* Since that is what I watched the most willingly and often.
4) How did you earn your money?
Like everyone else does.
5) Did you have to go to the hospital this year?
Not the hospital, no.
6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Unfortunately, no. *drools over hot Roseville cop*
7) Where did you go on holidays?
What are holidays?
8) What did you purchase that was over $1,000?
Nothing - though I have been paying off my car loan in large chunks...
9) Did you know anybody who got married?
A couple of couples, but they all (as per the trend) got married when I couldn't possibly be there. I'm beginning to think that if I ever want to get married, I'll have to make sure I won't be able to make it.
10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
I don't think I went to any funerals last year. *checks memory* Nope - that was 2006.
11) Did you lose any friends?
Um...well, the tracking devices I implanted in my closest friends really makes that question null and void.
12) Did you move anywhere?
Yes, but I'm "moving" back this summer.
13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Dir en Grey and I got to be in Chuck Norris's armpit for a couple of seconds - it was awesome!
14) Are you registered to vote?
Of course! Now if I could just decide for who...
15) Who did you want to win Big Brother?
Until I read Nailz's answer to this, I didn't know what the hell this question was about.
16) Where do you live now?
In the tropic of cancer.
17) What's something you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
Got within arms reach of hot J-rockers, bought a laptop AND an mp3 player
18) What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Any moment where my stomach was full of good food and in the presence of my beloved friends, family and pets.
19) Where did you go on vacation?
Didn't we already answer this?? I'm in the tropics, every day is a vacation. *sarcasm*
20) Any new additions to your family?
No, but I would like to add some fish this year. Murphy would love them!
21) What was your favorite month?
I'm going with March as well. Anime Detour kicked butt this year and it was the last bit of real fun I had in 2007.
22) How much have you partied?
once or twice
23) Made new friends?
I have a few new ones.
24) What did you do for 4th of July?
Sat around in my underwear and bra with 15 other girls in a tent that was a sweltering 100 degrees just to escape the sun and longed for a swimming pool and a cool glass of water.
25) Favorite Night Out?
Any night not spent out - but in.
26) Name the instance in which you had most to drink:
Well, one time I drank over 6 bottles of water in a few hours, so that was pretty extreme.
27) Are you in a relationship with someone you met this year?
No, but I would like to be in a relationship with someone I met 3 years ago.
0 CoMmEnTs
I've been thinking about how much I miss my cat lately. I miss snuggling with him and the puppy on the couch on the weekends. One thing that really brought this to my attention was when I was looking through the Lonely Planet Japan guide and saw that there is a place called Nekobukuro in Ikebukuro where you can stop by and pet cats. Stopping there for a couple of hours one of the days we are in Tokyo is going to be a must - I just miss animal companionship so much!
So Nailz and I have our basic itinerary down. Except for accommodations for Kyoto and Kumamoto, we are all set! I am looking forward to next week when everything should be finalized and then I won't feel so anxious (I hope). The trip is coming up pretty quick. I'm not going to put the dates we are going to be in Japan here on the internets, but after the trip is over, I'm sure I will post a little about what we did, where and when.
Last thing that is causing me some anxiety is getting a suitcase for the trip. I can't believe how expensive luggage is!! I will need to get one soon though, as I would like to start packing (how sad is that?) so it's not a last minute thing.
Not much else new here. Work has been kind of slow over the holidays, so some of the days have really been crawling by. Think I will check some blogs to pass the time...
OH NOES!! Another meme ganked from Nailz (who got it from Doom)...
1)Where did you begin 2007?
In a basement room with little-to-no light except for the flickering from the screen of Soul Caliber II. Oh wait - I think that might've been 2006 - who keeps track of these things anyway?
2) What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Stalking 5 hot Japanese rockers with my best friend (frostbite was definitely worth it!!)
3) Favorite movie of 07?
The Sound of Music *snickers* Since that is what I watched the most willingly and often.
4) How did you earn your money?
Like everyone else does.
5) Did you have to go to the hospital this year?
Not the hospital, no.
6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Unfortunately, no. *drools over hot Roseville cop*
7) Where did you go on holidays?
What are holidays?
8) What did you purchase that was over $1,000?
Nothing - though I have been paying off my car loan in large chunks...
9) Did you know anybody who got married?
A couple of couples, but they all (as per the trend) got married when I couldn't possibly be there. I'm beginning to think that if I ever want to get married, I'll have to make sure I won't be able to make it.
10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
I don't think I went to any funerals last year. *checks memory* Nope - that was 2006.
11) Did you lose any friends?
Um...well, the tracking devices I implanted in my closest friends really makes that question null and void.
12) Did you move anywhere?
Yes, but I'm "moving" back this summer.
13) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Dir en Grey and I got to be in Chuck Norris's armpit for a couple of seconds - it was awesome!
14) Are you registered to vote?
Of course! Now if I could just decide for who...
15) Who did you want to win Big Brother?
Until I read Nailz's answer to this, I didn't know what the hell this question was about.
16) Where do you live now?
In the tropic of cancer.
17) What's something you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
Got within arms reach of hot J-rockers, bought a laptop AND an mp3 player
18) What has been your favorite moment(s)?
Any moment where my stomach was full of good food and in the presence of my beloved friends, family and pets.
19) Where did you go on vacation?
Didn't we already answer this?? I'm in the tropics, every day is a vacation. *sarcasm*
20) Any new additions to your family?
No, but I would like to add some fish this year. Murphy would love them!
21) What was your favorite month?
I'm going with March as well. Anime Detour kicked butt this year and it was the last bit of real fun I had in 2007.
22) How much have you partied?
once or twice
23) Made new friends?
I have a few new ones.
24) What did you do for 4th of July?
Sat around in my underwear and bra with 15 other girls in a tent that was a sweltering 100 degrees just to escape the sun and longed for a swimming pool and a cool glass of water.
25) Favorite Night Out?
Any night not spent out - but in.
26) Name the instance in which you had most to drink:
Well, one time I drank over 6 bottles of water in a few hours, so that was pretty extreme.
27) Are you in a relationship with someone you met this year?
No, but I would like to be in a relationship with someone I met 3 years ago.
Labels: japan trip, meme
Monday, December 10, 2007
Welcome Back to Highly Caffeinated Clare!
I've decided it is kind of sad when "highly caffeinated" is the result of one full cup of coffee. *blushes* I don't drink coffee every day (and even when I do, it is usually about 1/2 cup), so when I do drink it, it gives me quite the buzz.
On top of the caffeine rush, I am also pretty jittery about the upcoming trip to Japan. Nailz and I only have 52 days until we leave and Nailz and I had a good planning session on Saturday to figure out where we're going to be when so we can make reservations for the places we are going to be. I think we have a pretty good plan right now, so hopefully we won't have to deviate from this plan too much once we get there. I really don't think it will be too busy tourism-wise in Japan when we will be there, so that will hopefully help. The two big things left to take care of (as far as I can remember) are actually making the reservations and making sure to take care of the Japan Rail pass before we leave. I think it will all be fine.
Well, that's about it. Not much new or exciting, though I have this feeling that I'm forgetting something. Caffeine does not help my brain remember things. *sigh* If I remember it, I will edit this entry and add it. If not - I hope everyone has a great day!
1 CoMmEnTs
I've decided it is kind of sad when "highly caffeinated" is the result of one full cup of coffee. *blushes* I don't drink coffee every day (and even when I do, it is usually about 1/2 cup), so when I do drink it, it gives me quite the buzz.
On top of the caffeine rush, I am also pretty jittery about the upcoming trip to Japan. Nailz and I only have 52 days until we leave and Nailz and I had a good planning session on Saturday to figure out where we're going to be when so we can make reservations for the places we are going to be. I think we have a pretty good plan right now, so hopefully we won't have to deviate from this plan too much once we get there. I really don't think it will be too busy tourism-wise in Japan when we will be there, so that will hopefully help. The two big things left to take care of (as far as I can remember) are actually making the reservations and making sure to take care of the Japan Rail pass before we leave. I think it will all be fine.
Well, that's about it. Not much new or exciting, though I have this feeling that I'm forgetting something. Caffeine does not help my brain remember things. *sigh* If I remember it, I will edit this entry and add it. If not - I hope everyone has a great day!
Labels: highly-caffeinated, japan trip