Shade doesn't help here...

Japan - A Chronicle

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:44:30 GMT

There's really no way to accurately explain it all. But rest assured, this isn't the definitive blog for the entire trip. I plan a series of blogs with more of the amazingness explained in some sort of coherent detail. This is just a vague overview so I can reflect on exactly how amazing it really was.

What am I talking about? Why, Japan, of course!

For those of you who didn't know, I just arrived back from a month-and-a-half long stay in Japan, being everything from a tourist to an exchange student - from most popular girl in school (no, I'm not lying) to super-supreme manga nerd. Gaijin to passable as half-Japanese.

... And it was all amazing.

It started out, as always, with the plane ride. Which, as always, sucked rather spectacularly. But, you know, it's sitting in a plane seat for ten hours straight, which only several trips to get up and walk around, because you don't want to disturb the other passengers TOO much. It was fun in its own way though - I became scarily quick friends with Kate and her best friend Maria, who came to play cards with us. The squishing three people in two seats was fun, as was that card game. I want to play it again now, come to thing of it. Other than that, I watched movies, anime on Kate's portable DVD player, listened to my iPod, and attempted to sleep. And ignored the temptation to read the one book I brough on the flight with me. Normal plane ride crap.

We got to Fukuoka, dead tired. And dragged our carry-on luggage to the hotel. I was the last student to get to my room, simply by virtue of my gigantic suitcase being stuck behind the adults. Probably because it was so giant. We quickly learned that there were no baths - or at least, no freaking amazing Japanese baths. There were like showers and stuff. Otherwise it would be gross. XP But it was still disappointing.

We moved onto shopping the next day. Canal City, where I spent much more time there than the last trip. I was introduced to Taiko Drum Master, one of the most addicting games in the world. We had fun. We ate Ramen for lunch. It was nice.

Then I skipped out on Tenjin. Or, well, actually, I got dragged away from Tenjin to go visit Itoshima, the highschool I'd be staying at. The high school I had no idea I'd miss so much. But more about that later. I met Clinton, the ALT from Hawaii, met the tea ceremony girls, the track-and-field team, and Shimizu-sensei, my advisor, and Komikado-sensei, my homeroom teacher. I recieved my uniforms, which was otaku-drool inducing. I got drove back to the hotel.

Then it was time to leave Fukuoka, and onto Sasebo. We stopped back at Raizan Temple again, however. And my camera had batteries this time so I could take more pictures. I felt like such a tourist, but it was so pretty!

Finally, we got to Sasebo, where me and Devon met our host family, the Sekine Family. They were extraordinarily awesome. It was a family of four women - a mother and her three daughters. The oldest girl, Saeka, spoke English like an American, which was helpful and not-helpful at the same time. She'd been to Seattle for a one-year exchange, and was going again for college. It was helpful cause it was like "ZOMG, English. -acts like a fly to honey-", but it was unhelpful for learning-Japanese intents and purposes. In fact, she seemed really American in her habits and attitudes. And I was extraordinarily surprsied. She knew who BNL are, and her favorite band was Fall Out Boy. Natsumi and Arisa were really cool, too. In fact, the whole family was way cool. And they had baby puppies! Who were cute beyond belief.

And school was nice. So many inside jokes and amusing things. Calligraphy (retarted souls!), Kendo (Shamu the Kendo Slut!), cooking (we do WHAT with the miso?!), lunch (Pocky!!!), and a random Chemistry class (if I fail the tests in English, how badly will I do in Japanese?). And other stuff. Like the tea ceremony, which Ayame conducted. Do any of you remember the girl who I hosted? Yup, it was her. And avoidance of California Girl, which was interesting if only vaguely amusing. Oh, and the speeches. (Harguth: Hey, come give a speech. Me&Kate: WHAT??!! OMGWTFBBQ) And the news interview. (Harguth: Hey, they want to interview you for the newspaper. Me&Kate: WHAT??!! OMGWTFBBQ) Then the next day was Yukokan High School and Hirado Castle. Yukokan, with the crossdressing boys in yukata (my brother is an okama! Help me!!! o.O"), and the super-fun flippy top thingies that I still can't do despite the fact that I own one. And Hirado, where I finally had a conversation with Becca and Natalie ("Did you see the fish plate?" "And this is the tire graveyard, where tires are buried after they're through with their services in life"..."This is the other tire graveyard, for tires who have lost their honor and perpetually lie in shame"), and we also got the see the amazing "I feel you to touch me in the pouring rain" lunchbox. Plus the "Moe Pictures", which are fun all in themselves. Not to mention the whole beach excursion. ("Did you know there's Sharks here?", Maria: "Shamu, do a trick" Shamu (that's me, BTW): "OK." -attempts to jump through hoop, and misses spectacularly-)

By then, it was time to move onto Nagasaki. We got our speech from Mr. Maeda, which was extraordinarily cool, even though I heard it before. Mr. Maeda, if you don't know, is a Nagasaki Atomic Bomb survivor. He was nine years old when it fell - now he's seventy-six, but still spectacularly healthy. His speech is extraordinarily moving, no matter how many times you hear it. We went through the atomic bomb museum again, and I saw the hand-bones melted inside glass that made such an impression on me, yet again. They were less horrific than I remembered - in fact, they seemed somewhat melancholy, almost pleading, reaching out and twisting into an almost unrecognizable shape. I spent a lot of time staring at it, this one relic of a disaster that I, for no explainable reason, feel connected to. Even the clock, stopped at 11:02, a powerful symbol in itself, holds less symbolism for me than those fragments of bone clutching melted glass.

Of course, afterwards there was the peace park, and whole bunches of pictures to make up for the pictures we weren't allowed to take in the museum. And also Ground Zero, which was somewhat annoying because of all the "Preserve-the-Grass" tape. But I already had a bunch of pictures of Ground Zero. Of course, the day wouldn't be completed without shopping at Yumesaitou (I think I got the name wrong. I keep mixing up the mall and the ninja village...) Where we bought umbrellas, and Sanrio merchandise, and BOOKS, and hot-Japanese-guy magazines. (Naruto almost-porn fanservice chapter? Heck yeah. And... Gackt in come-hither pose. -drool-) And later we had the dinner with Scott and Hiro and Mr. Maeda, which was an extraordinary amount of fun. We laughed, and the adults got drunk, and we talked, and the adults got more drunk, and we ate, and - you guessed it - the adults continued to get drunk. Then we walked back to the hotel, where we had a party for Sarah's birthday (belated) and ate Castella (deliciousness) and stayed up late and talked, and then went to bed.

Then, the next day was more shopping (and hot guy magazines). And who could forget the guys who hit on us at McDonalds? Which was extraordinarily awkward, how they went about it. And, you know, amusing, when that one guy stuck a frenchfry up his nose.

Then, it was onto Shimabara. Where I made the mistake of wearing super-death-shoes and couldn't walk. Samurai Village and castle-sightseeing, and then we went back to my host-families house and all got acquainted, before I (finally!) got to go to an onsen. It was extraordinarily relaxing, and I was so tired afterward I went immediately to bed. The next day, was school. Which was spent in sleep-inducing boredom. Not that the people weren't nice - the school just didn't make an effort to welcome us. It was... blah. I got to play flute with the brass-band club, though, which was quite cool, even though I was lots better than them. And they had crappy school flutes (even crappier than Bear Creeks! -gasp!-), cause I didn't think to bring mine. I showed off by playing Pirates of the Caribbean. Devon showed off by playing his solo. I completely forgot the Bear Creek School Song. It was fun. Afterwards it was more bathhouse time, though I went with Kelly as well, cause our host sisters were, like, best friends. We also met up with Becca randomly. The next day I spent with my host sister and Kelly, and we hung out and went to Purikura, and piano lessons, and then went to a barbeque where we made riceballs and ate yakisoba and messed around in the park. It was lots of fun.

After that we left Shimabara and returned to Fukuoka. I switched rooms to stay away from California Girl, under the pretense that I would be doing karaoke until 2 in the morning. Which we did. Cause it was me and Kate's last night staying in Fukuoka. My voice gave out, but we sang YMCA, attempted Change the World, failed Ready Steady GO!!!, and butchered Killer Queen. We, predictably enough, had serious trouble with ordering drinks, and eventually gave up and ordered five Colas.

The next day was all free time, and we got lost looking for Tenjin. At Mandarake, the manga store, I bought the art book for Tales From Earthsea, which was worth it cause of drool-inducing prettyness. We went to the school uniform shop. We went to department stores. We got lost on the way back, and made gossip for the day by staggering about like we were drunk (our feet just hurt, honest!), and singing 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall (cause we were lost, and that's what Maria does when she's lost). We eventually got to one. It was amusing. My voice gave out even more. Then, exhausted and unable to move, we laid around for a couple of hours. We created JALA. We figured out ideas for a manga. Kate started a Yamapi shrine. We packed. We decided to go out and do Purikura, which we did. Then we had to run back to the hotel to make the luggage deadline. Then we ran back to Purikura so Kate and Maria could do Purikura together. We ran back to the Capsule Hotel, to find we weren't even late. We said our goodbyes, and were sad. Then, Kate, me and Angie boarded a train to go to Hiro's house.

And then we went back to Tenjin to see Kate off to Isahaya, and get me socks for my uniform, plus geta, and for Angie to get some gifts for her family. Then, it was time for school. Which I was way nervous for, and woke up at about 5:30 in the morning anticipating and, sort of, dreading. I could hardly eat my toast in the morning, which is an accompishment, as Japanese toast is delicious. I sipped vaguely at a cup of tea, wearing a far expression, and wondering just what was going to happen. I worried about if I had forgotten anything. I put on my school uniform and just waited for two hours. By the time 7:30 rolled around, it was time to go to school. I got told, in the car, that I had to give a speech to the teachers, and I paled considerably. Although I'd given speeches before, what if I messed up? What if I said something offensive? What if I simply froze and couldn't speak? And then I found myself with microphone in hand, preparing to speak. I remember every word of the speech, which was in halting, extraordinarily basic Japanese.

"Oyahou Gozaimasu. Watashi wa Shannon Savino desu. Bear Creek Koukou no ninensei desu. Kyoo no asa, watashi wa chotto shinpai desuga, watashi wa totemo ureshii desu. Minna-sama, doumo arigatou gozaimasu."

It was halting. My voice was reedy and strained. I felt small, and surely looked pale and nervous. I simply said: "Good morning. I'm Shannon Savino. I'm a Bear Creek High School Sophomore. This morning, I was somewhat worried, but I'm very happy. Everything, thank you very much." It felt extraordinarily inadequate for what I thought I should say. And then everyone burst out into clapping. I don't think I've ever blushed so much.

My first day, and all the days after that, were extraordinary. Except for a few minor errors and mess ups, in the first few days, which never happened again, I got along fine. Unfortunately, lack of sleep and stress over the few days before school threw me over into a cold, which lasted in various degrees of badness, for pretty much the whole month. But that was the only bad thing. I met new friends - Kaori, Yuka, Marie, Hiroka, Natsumi, Emiko, Tomoyo, Reiko, Rie, Tea-Ceremony Yuka, the flute girls Yuri and Mai, and Chiho and Miku, those two Sannensei boys, that one Tuba-player guy, the Tea-Ceremony Girls, Tomohisa, Cute Guy with the Blue-ish eyes, the entire Brass Band Club, and everyone else who I may have forgotten to list. I attended class, and read things in English to the kids, wore a P.E. uniform, learned the art of changing from a school uniform to a P.E. uniform without showing anything too indecent, got bored enough to almost fall asleep in Biology, read in the library, studied Japanese with Shimizu-sensei and Clinton, figured out the complicated lunch menu and despite kanji problems ordered deliciousness food, kept cool by waving an Uchiwa around, and experienced school life, then after school played the with Brass Band Club, and sometimes went to the arcade-karaoke-plaza with that one great Udon restaurant. I came home and watched TV or went on the internet or read - I read maybe six books while I was there. In other words, I lived normal student life. And it was great. For the first time, I didn't feel like just a guest. I felt like a part of life. Despite slight anomalies, like being practically the most popular (and easily the most recognizable) person in school. But I was a part of something there. I didn't feel like a Gaijin.

OK, so maybe you didn't get that. Let me explain exactly what being Gaijin in Japan means. Gaijin is a word in Japanese that means "foreigner". It's not exactly a degrading term, though it feels like it could be. Japan is such a uniform culture - you are either Japanese or "one of them". Make no mistake, they are extraordinarily polite to foreigners - they don't hate them at all. But there is inherent racism in such a uniform culture. Because you are an anomaly, you get stared at. People automatically assume you can't understand them, even if given prior indication that you can. It's so permeating throughout the culture that, when I was walking home in a school uniform with an umbrella and not getting stared at, I felt odd. So you can see why it was quite an experience not to feel like a gaijin.

I kept in touch by e-mail and some phone calls. Of course, I got to go visit Kate in Isahaya. Which was extraordinarily cool to see what she was doing, teaching English to kids. And we went to a ninja village... which was, like, Naruto-references-explosion. Plus all the fun-super-test-your-ninja-skillz-ninja-playground-thingies, crazy ninja mazes that were better than haunted houses, test-your-skillz booths with throwing stars (I gotz ninja-skillz!) and bow and arrows and stuff. And they had a ramen shop! Which was fangirl-giggle inducing. Then we went to more shopping and found chips and salsa, which actually had real salsa! And we also had amazingly good Pino things. And there was the cool bookstore, and the cake shop we never got to go to. (Shannon: "It's a good thing we haven't had a typhoon yet. Eriko says its the season for them." Kate: "Yup." -next day- BOOM! -super-amount of rain-) And there was also the Coolish Icecream Packet-thingies. Yeah. It was a lot of fun.

Then back to school, which I already talked about. I got to play in the Brass Band's Concert. I got to participate in the Class Match - pretty much a sports day, where I failed at Volleyball both days. I got to go to Tea Ceremony Club and wear a yukata and drink green tea and marvel over the adorable-ness of tea-ceremony girls. And then, after all of that, it was time to leave. And it still seemed like it came too soon.

I made one last speech, to my class. That I could give such a complex speech was a tribute to how much I had learned. That I was still halting, though this time from trying to hold back tears, was a tribute to how much I didn't want to leave.

"Minna-sama, arigatou gozaimashita. Itoshima Koukou wa totemo tanoshikatta desu. Koko ni kita koto dekimasukara, watashi wa totemo ureshii desu. Kaeru toki, watashi wa totemo sabishii desu. Demo, ima, minna-sama to issho de ureshii desu. Itoshima Koukou no sensei to gakusei wa ichiban yasashii desu. Mou ichido, doumo arigato gozaimashita. Sayounara."

I bowed, and made to step down. What I had said seemed somewhat sufficient to communicate my feelings. "Everyone, thank you very much. Itoshima High School was very fun. Because I could come here, I am very happy. When I leave, I will be very sad. But now, because I am with everyone, I am happy. Itoshima High School's teachers and students are the kindest. One more time, thank you very much. Goodbye." I knew I was about to start crying - my throat was closing up and my eyes stung. Then, however, Shimizu-sensei called me back up, for one last picture. I felt the tears receding, and felt grateful. Then I finally was supposed to step down, and the students started giving me gifts. I got a woven shawl, a beaded bracelet, chopsticks with my name engraved onto them, a beautiful, origami card, and thousands of more cards and letters, all of them saying goodbye. The tears came back. Just saying thank you didn't seem like enough. I hugged everyone, promised to e-mail about ten people, and gave hugs goodbye. And then I left for home. After a brief stint of more shopping (IRS... -snicker-) we went to go get a late lunch, and then go pick up Kate. And then, after a round of furious repacking, we went to bed the face the day ahead.

We woke up at 4:30 in the morning. It was a tribute to how nervous I was that I woke up straight away. I cleared my last-minute things from my room, put on my clothes, and packed all of the stuff into my bag. I fretted about whether or not I had all my stuff. I did a mental inventory. We packed our bags in the car, and ate a quick breakfast of Melon Bread. We got to the airport by 6:00, checked in, got through security and to our gate. Then the two-hour flight from Fukuoka Airport to Narita Airport, where we faced an eight-hour layover.

At Narita we looked around frantically for a Bag Check, to check Kate's carry-on bag. Then we headed for the basement floor to find the train station. And attempted to figure out buying a ticket to Ueno Station. We did, and then there was an hour train ride, followed by a five-minute one to Akihabara. Where, yes, we did go. Inner-city Tokyo, and the Anime/Video-Game Center of the Universe. And yes, there was an excess of drool.

Essentially, as soon as we got into Akihabara, it was obvious we were there. There were gigantic posters with anime on them. There were tiny shop where treasure troves of anime and manga were waiting to be found and bought. There were gigantic arcades which beat everything we had seen so far. The place beat Mandarake seven times over. We actually found DDR, an amazing accomplishment. Of course we played it. And then we blew our money on all sorts of crap. Which was OK, cause it was the last day. And we drooled some more. And bought more crap. And found Evangelion Coffee. And, y'know, made some more puddles on the floor. And had more inside jokes. ("Is that a Naruto towel? mmmm -drool- ... I wanna dry off with Sasuke...") And we found Haruhi merchandise, Naruto merchandise, InuYasha merchandise, Evangelion merchandise, FMA merchandise, Bleach merchandise, and billions of Gatchapon. Where we blew even more money and drooled some more. And then it was time to leave. We had four scares that we wound make the train - once at Akihabara Station, once at Ueno Station, once attempting to find Kate's bag, and once when we realized we had to take a tram to get to our gate. We got there ten minutes before boarding and quickly changed into comfy t-shirts before getting onto the plane and reconciling with the fact that we were leaving.

And then that was it - we watched anime on the plane, and I finally watched the first four episodes or Haruhi. We read and listened to music and attempted to sleep. We watched InuYasha and drool over Yamaguchi Kappei's voice acting. In short, we passed the time. LAX, predictably, sucked mightily, and we had yet another scare that we wouldn't miss our plane, all while cursing the fact that we were on American soil. We got on our plane without trouble, and were back in Colorado. It was over.

Everything was amazing. I cried while we were leaving, and again the next morning. I missed everyone so much, and it was all so overwhelming to be back. I look around for Engrish in advertisements. I'm startled at seeing white people everywhere. I'm adjusting, though I don't want to. All I want to do is hop on the next plane back to Japan, and return to my life at Itoshima. I want to see Eriko, Keiko and Hiro everyday, have Japanese toast and English Tea for breakfast every morning, eat curry or udon or delicious ramen from the school cafeteria for lunch, and head out and hang with Eriko and Ayako, or Kaori, Yuka, Marie, and Hiroka after school, play with the Brass Band Club again and spend my days in the library reading and studying Japanese.

Everything good in life ends, I guess. Even if we don't want it to. And it's difficult when it goes away. But I'll likely see everybody again - or, I hope I will. Even if the Powers That Be don't want me to return, there is no way I'm not going back to Itoshima High School.

Like I said - everything good in life ends.

I'm going to go be emo in a corner now.

Oh, the drama...

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 23:34:30 GMT

Drama in grade school is nonexistant. Zip, zero, nil. Everybody's happy. Drama in middle school, is something you hear about. Maybe it happens - once. Maybe twice, if you're really unlucky.

In high school, drama consumes your life.

And it's slowly but surely consuming mine.

Yes, people. Drama.

Because some of my friends are stupid. Right now, we have two big things going - both started within the past few days.

Scenario #1: One of my friends is really pissed at another friend, because of an offhand comment. Friend A (the one who made the comment) was simply being a little defensive over her boyfriend, which friend B (the one who's mad) doesn't have, nor does she want one. She makes such a big deal over it, that it's comical. So friend B starts calling friend A all kinds of stupid, for actually HAVING a boyfriend, and friend A makes an offhand comment to try to get friend B off her back. Then friend B gets all pissy, and convinces everyone else to be pissy at friend A - when it's her fault in the first place! All this over a comment... oy, these people are idiots...

Scenario #2: Another friend just broke up with her boyfriend of about seven months. That always comes with all kinds of drama. But this is just ridiculous. Girlfriend decides she 'wants a break' - which means breaking up FOR A WHILE... wow... so Boyfriend decides that she's breaking up with him for good, that she doesn't like him, and that she's just letting him down easy, and decides to cut himself... with a dull knife. OK, WTF? If you're gonna cut yourself, at last do it right. Boyfriend's Brother now thinks that Girlfriend is a royal b*^%#, and tells me the whole story over IM, while telling me to help get them back together, by asking another friend of mine to go out with her best-friend/brother-type-friend... HELLO! THAT IS NOT MY DECISION, PEOPLE! Not to mention, Brother-Type-Friend wants the original couple to get back together. And, what's really f-ed up, is the fact that Girlfriend didn't even want to break up with Boyfriend... yeah...

So, not only is it drama, but it's STUPID drama... These people need to learn that the world doesn't revolve around them. Oh, gasp, your life is horrible! The world is still spinning! There's still starving children in Africa, people! Think of the man with no arms and no legs and no tongue, and STOP FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF!

God... I'm glad this is a blog, and I'm allowed to rant...

Waii!!!!

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 16:55:26 GMT

OK, so I got nudged to start updating again... there's times when I guess I go a little obsolete, ne? Oh, well...

SO, as for the news.... I'VE GOT A JAPANESE STUDENT COMING TO MY HOUSE.... NEXT WEEK!!!!! I've been cleaning and clearing, and rearranging, and all that stuff. It's so cool! Her name is Hiromi Nakahara, and she seems really nice and really cool (she's been to Canada).

I'm hoping I'll get to speak some Japanese to her (though I don't really know what I'll say...) But this sounds like so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I'm excited...

Oh, and the Japan trip is coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How I spent my V-day

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:31:45 GMT

OK, so I've never liked Valentines day anyways, but mine kind of sucked. And no, I was not moping over some infatuation, my date didn't ditch me, in fact, the fact that my Valentines day was horrible had nothing to do with any person. The fact was... I spent my V-day sick, in bed. That's right, with the flu. I haven't been to school in over a week, and I've felt completely horrible. Coupled with the injury to my shoulder, I have quite a bit of make-up work.

Oh, right, my shoulder... Let me explain how that one happened...

I've been waking up with sore shoulders lately. Not a lot, but enough for it to be somewhat normal when it happens. I grimace, think 'It'll be better when I get to school', and get ready for my day. On Thursday of last week, pretty much the same thing happened. Except when I took my backpack off, I looked at my shoulder, and it still hurt. I took off my sweatshirt, to find that my shoulder was popped forward. I immediately panicked, and my friend walked me to the nurse's office, where they informed me that even though the nurse wasn't in, they didn't have the legal rights to treat it anyways, and advised me to call my mom. Yeah, thanks. So I called my mom, and she picked me up, and we went to the Emergency Clinic, which is pretty much a toned-down version of the ER. After all things were said and done, the doctors informed me that I had a severe case and tendonitis in my left shoulder. They told me to rest it and take some ibuprofin.

So that's how I've spent the last week and a half. In bed, pretty much an invalid. Yeah, it's been great.

I finished it...

Mon, 06 Feb 2006 22:59:19 GMT

Yes, people, that's right. I finally, completely, totally finished... House of Leaves. It took a while, but through perserverance, I finished it. And here is what I thought... (spoilers will be marked, so you can read them only if you really want to read them. If I were you, I wouldn't, though)

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD! PROCEED AT YOUR OWN CAUTION!

The academic rambles were tolerable at best. One was about the origins of the word 'echo', another about a story in the Old Testament, and some others about things I don't entirely remember. I think there was a chapter about the history of Virginia. (That one, for the record, was actually highly informative, if not super-related to the book.)

Johnny's story also got a little bit tiresome after a while. He kept envisioning his own death, except it wasn't actually happening. He also talked incoherently through about half of his 'entries' (I guess he kept a journal or something...) It was also pretty obvious from the beginning that he was out of the loop. His sleeping with, like, 20 or so girls, all while he was in love with Thumper, also kinda wierded me out. But really, those were the only two complaints I had about the book.

I liked and didn't like the end - I thought it was just a little bit anticlimactic. They get married. La de fricken da. Really, I kept waiting for the ending to surprise me, completely shock me, something to happen - something big. But I suppose that a really big ending would be very Hollywood-cliche, and throughout the entire book, they refute Hollywood cliches. And, come to think of it, they surprised me with that kind of ending. What I like is the fact that they never explained the house. They left you to infer why it disappeared, and why it even appeared in the first place. The age is never explained. Nothing about the house is ever certain, which is yet another form of symbolism, I guess. The house is always changing, no one is ever truly certain of what it will be like when they go inside. They give you some facts, but never explain them.

Tom's death almost made me cry, as well... He was an awesome character.

SPOILER ALERT NEUTRAL - IT IS SAFE TO RESUME READING!

My opinion of the book in general: I loved it. Danielewski is an amazing writer. He weaves irony, suspense, and mystery with mastery throughout his entire tale. He has some amazing characters, who are very much real people. They have faults, they know their faults, and their faults make the story what it is. Had they all just been scared out of their wits (like in a lot of horror movies), there would be no story. They would leave the house, and be happy and fine. Their personalities not only make them, but make the story. The character I had the most trouble seperating from reality is Johnny Truant. It seems like you could go to California, and find the man who screams in his sleep, who worked at the tattoo shop, whose mother is the link to all his screwed-up-ness. The man who dared read Zampano's book.

And then the character interactions are the rasberry filling in the cake. They make it, no, not great - not great, but exquisite. The tension between Karen and Will, the unconditional love between Will and Tom, every character has a special interaction with another. There are no characters who mean nothing. And there is no word printed in the book that means nothing. Just look at the 'typos' - they tell a lot.

Ja ne
Hikari-chan

The Sadie Hawkins Dance

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 06:38:59 GMT

OK, so the Sadie Hawkins dance was tonight - and it sucked. OK, OK, I know - the Sadie Hawkins dance is overrated. It's pretty much a sorry excuse for a dance that the girls get to ask the guys, which they do anyways to stuff like Homecoming and Prom. Pretty much, it's stupid, and should be killed. But I had a really sucky time tonight. You want to know why? Alright, I guess I can tell you.

First of all, it was freezing outside. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's January. So what, right? Well, they don't let us in until 8:00 on the dot, pretty much, and by that time we were popsicles. That was just the start of the night.

Secondly (and yes, this is bad paragraph format - I don't care. Stupid English) they played really horrible music. Like Candy Shop and every other ungodly song on the planet. There was this one time when they played, like, three good songs in a row, which they soon ruined with 'Lets Get Retarded' the edited version. And then they played Dance Dance. That was it. All the good songs. Gone. Completely. They didn't even play I Like To Move It. Yeah. It sucked.

And then I spent the entire night date dodging. I know, I know, I really should be nicer - but I really only went with him 'cause I felt sorry for him, he doesn't dance, and pretty much doesn't talk. That and he kinda seems stalker-ish. And he owns a battle axe. I eventually got a ride home from my friend Neko. Thank you kami-sama.

So pretty much, I'm tired, I'm sweaty, my feet hurt, and I just blew $20, all because of a stupid dance which the premise behind is outdated and psychotic. Excuse me while I go commit seppuku (not really)

Ja ne
Hikari-chan

Tears...

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 02:28:24 GMT

There's really only been one time in my life I've felt like crying, and crying a lot. I guess I cry over stupid stuff, too, like guys, and stress and stuff like that. Usually, I find myself reprimanding myself for being arrogant enough to cry for my life, which is pretty good, compared to most. And I hate angsty teenagers, and crap like that. But perhaps I have it all wrong, and I'm simply too arrogant to cry.

The first time I truly cried was when my parents divorced. I won't lie - I had it good. There was no complete animosity between my parents, ever. Still, I can't count the times I cried myself to sleep, because of something they'd said to each other, or what they wouldn't say to each other - when one of them would come to pick me up, and they wouldn't meet each other's eyes. I won't get into the specifics of the divorce; needless to say, it hurt. I guess you could say it woke me up to the reality of the world. And what I found when I opened my eyes hurt.

Now, is perhaps one of those times, but perhaps not. Mostly, it's issues with friends that gets me. I'm academic and quick-witted - I get concepts fast, and learn them well. I know I have a future ahead of me, and I strive to make it the best I can, while I can. I'm not going to let my high school years go to waste, however far away my life seems. But then there's the issue of my friends. In middle school I could call any of them about anything - boredom, sadness, whatever - and they would talk to me. Lately, however, I feel that I have to make a choice: school and my future, or my friends. And in the end, I will end up choosing my future, and that will be the best choice. But I know a couple of treasured friendships I will lose along the way. I've already lost one.

I'd like to believe I'm already hardened enough to reality to be able to face it without a care, but the truth is, I'm choosing to hurt myself.

Ja ne
Hikari-chan

Drug abuse stories

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 04:31:46 GMT

In the last entry I mentioned an 'incident at my brother's school'. My brother (for those who don't know) is in middle school: seventh grade to be exact. He attends Carmody Middle School and despite struggles with counselers he is doing well. Fortunately, the 'incident' did not involve him.

Now, then, let me backtrack to the incident I mentioned earlier. Not long ago (the end of December) there was a big scandal with cheerleaders selling morphine to students. That incident covered up one that happened almost the next day at Carmody Middle School. Perhaps because it was so close to home, this incident takes precedence in my mind. I heard the story from my brother a short time after it had happened. A group of seventh graders had brought prescription drugs to school and were taking them during class - I'm not sure, but I think they were also getting high off of these drugs. Because the drugs were not prescribed directly to them (I think one kid took his parents prescription drugs) their actions were technically illegal. Two students overdosed on the drugs and were rushed directly to the hospital. I know they were all suspended - they may even have been expelled. Eight stupid seventh graders just ruined their lives in one shot. My brother told me that he knew one of them, for however brief a period before problems with his schedule forced him to change his classes. He told me, afterward, that although the boy was an idiot he didn't seem the type to take drugs.

I've known a lot of people who have done drugs. I've met people who took Crystal Meth (talked about it last entry). A personal acquaintance/friend has done pot, and she's in 8th grade (I won't state her name). Two boys in my math class do marijuana. I have friends who smoke. It's a sad story. We've of course got motivational posters up around the school to tell people to quit drugs/smoking (fortunately there's not an alcohol problem at my school) but the fact that we need to have them is sad. I'll admit, the internet poem was kind of stupid (I posted it at 10:00 at night) and kinda makes me seem like a forwarder. Still, the fact that drugs are so present in my life made it hit me kind of hard. Our world is seriously f@ck#d up. It makes me sick.

Ja ne
Hikari-chan

Crystal Meth

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 05:14:40 GMT

This is a wonderful poem I found about Crystal Meth - it's not about effects on the body/mind, but on life in general. I know, I know, internet poems aren't always that great. But this one struck me as true. Meh. Read it or not, I really don't care.

I destroy homes, I tear families apart,
I take your children, and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious thangold,
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember I'm easily found,
I live all around you in schools and in town
I live with the rich, I live with the poor,
I live down the street, or maybe next door.
I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your childs closet, and even in the woods,
If this scares you to death, it certainly should.
I have many names, but there is one you know best,
I'm sure you've heard of me, my name's crystal meth.
My power is awesome, try me you'll see,
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go,
But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
You do what you have to just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms,
Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms.
You'll lie to your mother, you'll steal from your dad,
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
I'll be with you always right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.
I'll take and take, till you have nothing to give,
When I;m finished with you, you;ll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
Ill own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I give you while lying in bed,
The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
I want you to know, they are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
That you are mine and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no and just walked away,
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master, you'll be my slave,
I'll even be with you, when you go to your grave,
Now that you've meet me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? Its all up to you.

Dunno who it's by, otherwise I'd give credit. Drugs are a really sad story. Fortunately I've only met a few people who've done Crystal Meth, but even the fact that I've met some is sad. I know a lot more people who have used other drugs/narcotics. For those of you who know about the incident at my brother's school, that's the saddest thing I've heard that has to do with drugs. It's really depressing that these kids are screwing up their life so badly.

Ja ne
Hikari

My trip about Evanescence

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 20:05:32 GMT

I don't know if anyone who this applies to actually reads this journal. I also don't care. Evanescence has been bugging me for a while. Yes, I own a (burned) copy of their CD, and yes, I have checked out their website every so often, and yes, I even do listen to their music on occasion. So why, why, WHY are you so annoyed?? is what people have been asking me. Simple: it's not the band, it's the fans.

So what are the fans doing? They take the music way too seriously. I've heard many a person call Evanescence 'depressing rock' or 'depressing music' or 'music to make you depressed', etc. etc. My response to them: WTF? How can music be depressing? A book can be depressing, because you have characters, you have situations, you have storyline, plot, developments, and choices. A movie can be the same way. You feel for the characters, and for their situations. You don't get that in a three-and-a-half minute song! Show me a song that's ten minutes and maybe, maybe you have something there. The people who say that it's 'depressing' music seem to think that the music connects to their life in some way. Again, WTF? I can't STAND people who are that arrogant. Unless of course you know the creators personally, don't connect the song to yourself. It really makes you look stupid. I know, quite a few people listen to certain music when they're depressed (my personal favorite is Lifehouse), but don't, don't, don't say the music is about your life, because it's not. Plus, there's also the composition of the lyrics to consider. The direction of the lyrics is vague, switching point of view, and sometimes theme in the middle of the song. That's Evanescence's style, and I respect that. But the lyrics do not lend themselves to be depressing, except to angsty people who are too arrogant to know the difference.

So, it's not the music, or even the band, that I have a problem with. It's the people who listen to the music.

Ja ne
Hikari

A new thriller/horror novel...

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 20:13:28 GMT

I recently came across a new book while at The Tattered Cover with Kiko-chan. The cover was simple enough, black, with a spiral design of the shiny slick laminate-stuff. It was intriguin enough to catch Kiko-chan's attention, however, and she picked up the book and started to flip through it. It had an index. That was strange enough in itself. So, we opened it to a random page, and there was a single word on the page. I don't remember what it was. It might have even been 'the'. I'm not sure. All I remember is that it was strange enough for us to flip through the book some more. We soon noticed that ever time the word house was printed, it was blue. And so we started on our journey to figure out this creepy book. Kiko-chan started in the middle, and I began to read the beginning. We got coffee, tea, and sugar cookies, and then settled down to read the book House of Leaves.

That was almost a week ago. I recently went back to the bookstore, and with gift card in hand found the book, in all its glory, in the horror section. With what was left of the money from the gift card I bought a Kagome Plushie as well. Then me and my mother hopped in the car and drove back to our house and I started to read again. And it promises to be interesting... yes, my friends, it promises to be very interesting. I will comment on House of Leaves again when I have finshed it.

For now,
Ja ne
Hikari-chan

Be happy, Kiko-chan

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 19:36:30 GMT

OK, so, uh... I haven't posted in a while, and I kinda got semi-sorta yelled at... ^_^' Daijobu, Kiko-chan!
Anyways, what's been going on in my life? Umm, well, there's Christmas coming up. I'm happy about that. I'm in denial of it actually being here, but... that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it!
School is out now. I am very, very, very happy about that one. We had our finals, and I did well on all! *is happy* I got strait A's for the semester (I don't think I know a person who is surprised about that one) and I'm doing well. Winter Break is a welcome break, and I'm really glad it's here, even if it is so short.
I've started to work on a new piece to play for Flute. It's called Carnival of Venice, and it's a really cool song, but it is soooo hard to play. Two-thirds of the song I can't even play at half-tempo. But I have until March to learn it.
My Japanese class has been going very well. I'm really happy that I get to take that, 'cause my high school's the only one in the County that offers it. I just got lucky. I got a 97% on the final. I don't know what percent in the class, but probably a pretty high one. Next semester we get to make out own manga! That sounds really fun!
Umm... the only other big event I can think of is that Nakita and Zach started dating, and so did Neko and Lee. They make the cutest couples ever. Ever. In the history of the world. Ever. ^_^ And Kelly and Shorty broke up - finally. *was waiting for it to happen*
I think I've exhausted monumental events in my life.
So, for now,
Ja ne!
Hikari-chan

Fushigi Yugi and sleepovers...

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 17:57:32 GMT

Taka-chan (Kelly) slept over last night. We watched "In The Blood" (Yu Yu Hakusho), and DVDs 4 and 5 of Fushigi Yuugi. I'm (kind of-sort of) caught up to all of my friends. Except I haven't seen DVD 3, and I haven't seen half of DVD 2. So... yeah, I'm "caught up."

Meh, I'm really tired. We stayed up 'till 3 in the morning, talking, and watching DVDs, and listening to Shania Twain, and doing all sorts of other stuff. So, yes, I am the living equivalent of the living dead. .... That made no sense whatsoever ............ Oh well.

Oh, can anyone tell me who does Keisuke Yuki's voice in English??? I know I've heard it in a different show, but I don't know where, and it's driving me nuts!!!

Kurai Hikari

Thu, 11 Aug 2005 15:40:34 GMT

I registered for high school today!!! I'm really, really excited, and scared as well. (Meh. I'm a teensy freshman, short and stout. Here is my classroom, I can't find it... Yeah, you get the gist.)

Anyways, my class schedule is:

Period 1: Study Hall 9

Period 2: American Government Honors

Period 3: Geometry

Period 4: English 9 Honors

Period 5: Marching/Concert Band

Period 6: Earth Science Honors

Period 7: Advisement

Apparently, Advisement is useless. I'm not looking forward to giving up my time.

Kurai Hikari

Gomen... again! ^_^;

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 02:32:58 GMT

Alright, Gomen to not only all who might be reading this, but to Risu-Chan as well, because I'm supposed to be writing in one of my stories (did I mention I like to write?) and I'm updating my LJ instead. (She needs to get a LJ, and then she'll realize how fun this is, and then LJ will take over the world!!! MWA HA HA HA!!! *cough* Alright, I'm done.)

So, what's new??? Well, second week of Band Camp. I've got a horrible, peeling sunburn on my left arm. It's painful, it's annoying, and worst of all, it looks NASTY!!!! (Fortunately, my sleeves cover it)

Otherwise.... nothing much is new.

Oh, I did stay up 'till 1:00 AM, having a hearfelt conversation with Taka-chan... but that's beside the point.

'Till next time

Kurai Hikari

Second day of Band Camp

Wed, 03 Aug 2005 00:48:01 GMT

I'm tired. I'm sweaty. I feel like I want to keel over.

Yup. That basically sums up my day.

Although it was tiring, it was also FUN!!! We marched with music today, so I'm glad I had it memorized. I won't rant about my mess-ups, but I will say that I am not that great at marching. But I digress, it's only the first day.

I found this awesome book, called 'The Highly Selective Thesaurus For the Extraordinarily Literate'. It's got all sorts of fun words, like rapscallion (which is a good insult, by the way.)

So, until next time

Kurai Hikari

First Day of Band Camp

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 00:23:44 GMT

Bum bum bum... (dramatic music) Alright, so today was the first day of Band Camp '05. I'm hot, I'm sweaty, and I'm tired, but I had FUN!!! There's all sorts of interesting people in the band, and they're really helpful.

Besides, after this, I get to say, 'This one time, at Band Camp...'

Yup, I'm a band geek.

Oh, and this one time, at Band Camp, this guy threw a marshmallow at somebody else.

'Till next time!

Kurai Hikari

Band Camp!!!!!! AHHH!!!!!!!!!

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 22:44:05 GMT

I AM DREADING BAND CAMP!!!!!! OK, so I've heard it's not that bad... but there are only three days until, and I don't have my music memorized like I'm supposed to!!!

On the flip side, I started making wallpapers! The three I've made have turned out pretty well for first attempts! Admittedly, I'm not using Photoshop, so... I dunno. The GIMP is pretty hard to use, but I think I've figured it out pretty well.

Maybe, once I get better, I might make a CG. We'll see, I don't know.

Kurai Hikari

Steven King movies are funny

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 01:10:58 GMT

I don't know who said Steven King is the master of horror. I don't even know if that's been said. Heck, he's a great writer. But I just watched the movie Rose Red (which is way too long, by the way) and it was hilarious! Between dead corpses looking like rubber, the pedophile comments, and the corpse lady saying, "Wanna get it on?" (that was actually the line!) the movie had gone beyond scary into the realms of hilarity.

In other notes, I just stayed up till five in the morning. Section sleepovers are such fun! We are some of the hippest band kids!

Meh. I'm very tired.

Gomen! ^_^;

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 03:46:39 GMT

I am very sorry to all you people who might be out there reading this! (I would appreciate it if you would comment it you are, but that might be asking too much, considering I don't even know how to read comments.) I should think of a theme for this journal. I can see it now! The world marvels at Hikari's wonderful livejournal, singled out by it's inventive theme! That, of course, is where the idea falls flat on its face. Maybe I'll think of something, but it's not top priority! So, looking back, last time I introduced myself, right? Eh, this time, I think I'll... introduce myself more? I'm in Marching Band, and I think I mentioned I play the flute last time. Our band is awesome! They went to state last year, and played at Disney Land! Unfortunately, that's a lot to live up to... *reminds self to practice* I am an anime-geek, converted at the age of seven (which was seven years ago) to Sailor Moon, and then Card Captor Sakura, and then Tokyo Mew Mew, and so on and so forth. Like most anime-geek females, there is nothing I love more than a good bishonen, my personal favorite being Koenma Daioh of Yu Yu Hakusho. (And here is where I should stop before I go into obscurity.) Final comment on Koenma: he looks good in any color! Red, blue, pink, purple, white, black, even orange! And that is the end of my rant *bows*

This is getting long. I think should stop babbling, something I should have done a long time ago.

Until next time! (whenever that is)

Kurai Hikari