Ok, I`m going to make myself clear about this. I`m sorry if it sounds harsh, but it`s true. I don`t care if there`s another American in Sendai. Yay, someone went to Tohoku High as an exchange student before me. I`m not going to get in contact with you, I am not going to meet up with you or anything. I`m not using this blog to make random connections with people through the internet. That`s sketchy.
I have this blog so that my friends and family back home who don`t have livejournal or facebook can see what`s going on in my life. That is the reason anyone can comment, and that`s the reason anyone can see my blog.
Also, please don`t assume that I`m big into blogspot. Because I`m not. I`m a lj and fb person all the way (livejournal and facebook).
I cannot stop you from reading the blog, but please, I would rather recieve comments from my friends back in America. Thank you.
Ok, here`s a quick update.
I just survived my 4th earthquake. Afterwards, I was watching the news, and it showed the city, etc. during the earthquake, and all I could think was "kakkoi (cool!)! I lived through that!" lol.
We did the Haruhi dance yesterday for the retournees in san nensei, it was AWESOME! oh, and the retournee Japanese girls can crank dat solja boi...I think I want them to teach me so I can say I learned solja boi from Japanese schoolgirls...that would be magical.
Anyway, I`m going to eat something before those who raised me call my gorgeous cell phone.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Kettle Corn is Magical
I know what you`re saying. You`re saying, "I know that manga is pretty much life, liberty, and happiness for you, Erica, but did you REALLY have to buy the first 2 Mars, the 1st Peach Girl, and the first volume in a series of manga that you don`t know but appears to be about vampire childrens?" The answer is, of course, yes. Especially when they were only 105 yen each. You`re also saying, "Erica. You said that you would not buy any CDs unless you found Art-School CDs (which are REALLY hard to find, btw - Book Off does not have them *is sad*), so why did you buy the only Blue album that you didn`t have until a few hours ago? Especially considering that most of the songs are on the Best of Blue album you downloaded before you came to Japan." Because I`m a sucker for anything Blue related, and the manga were ONLY 105 YEN EACH!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I know I went to Sendai today to spend a relaxing day of window shopping with only the intention of buying one of the leftover Keith Haring shirts at Uniglo from last season (there are only a few styles left - the one I REALLY wanted was a small, I`m an extra large in Japan - I tried it on for kicks though. I gave it back to the lady saying "gomenasai! America-jin! XL size!" and she just laughed), but ended up buying the shirt, 4 manga, the Blue CD, kettle corn from the food import store (the one that we always get from Whole Foods with the red bag!!!!!! XD), other food items that were eaten throughout the day, etc.
So here`s my shortened version of British Hills. Pretty much, I`m going back in August for a camp there with the same people (minus Leaha, who is going back to Australia on June 29th) for a longer time. It should be freaking awesome. This was kind of a before the really long vacation one, I think? Anyway, there were 7 exchange students from JFIE (all girls) and an all girls Japanese middle school. We were there to encourage the girls to speak English, and to just have a good time during the weekend.
British Hills is a hotel type place where large groups of people can go. It`s themed like England, and there`s lots of people from England who work there. We got to hear the posh accents and the thick accents (I like the thick ones myself). Pretty much, when we weren`t doing activities with the girls (which mainly involved them practicing their English on us, although we DID teach them Duck Duck Goose and Stuck in the Mud - my knees are all bruised from diving on the floor to free people in Stuck in the Mud!!! oh Lyseth...I wish we had time to play Octopus. I wish I was at Project Grad when everyone played Octopus), I was chilling with Leaha and Ellen, both from Australia. Ironically (and awesomely) Ellen was my roommate during orientation, she was my roommate again! (^_^) We bought SO many familiar snacks from Ye Shoppe (including blow pops, toffee, the chocolate that looks like an orange, and Cadbury chocolate) and Leaha ended up bunking on the ground in between Ellen`s and my beds. I don`t know how long we stayed up till, but it was AWESOME.
Just some side notes.
I never truly appreciated the no smoking in restaraunts law that we have in Maine until today. I was in McDonalds eating my ice cream. I was sitting by the wall, the smoking section was on the OTHER side of the upstairs seating area, and I COULD STILL SMELL THE SMOKE. There was actually a cloud that you could see in the smoking section. No joke. So the next time you guys are in a restaraunt in Maine, just remember how AWESOME it is that we don`t allow smoking in them. Seriously.
Today on the bus ride home, Ami chan and her mom came on!!!! In case you don`t know, Ami chan is Miri`s little 2 year old cousin who lives next door. SHE IS THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD!!!! I LOVE HER!!!!! She actually ended up staying with us through dinner and is still here. omg, she`s CUTE!!!!!!
Yes, I know I went to Sendai today to spend a relaxing day of window shopping with only the intention of buying one of the leftover Keith Haring shirts at Uniglo from last season (there are only a few styles left - the one I REALLY wanted was a small, I`m an extra large in Japan - I tried it on for kicks though. I gave it back to the lady saying "gomenasai! America-jin! XL size!" and she just laughed), but ended up buying the shirt, 4 manga, the Blue CD, kettle corn from the food import store (the one that we always get from Whole Foods with the red bag!!!!!! XD), other food items that were eaten throughout the day, etc.
So here`s my shortened version of British Hills. Pretty much, I`m going back in August for a camp there with the same people (minus Leaha, who is going back to Australia on June 29th) for a longer time. It should be freaking awesome. This was kind of a before the really long vacation one, I think? Anyway, there were 7 exchange students from JFIE (all girls) and an all girls Japanese middle school. We were there to encourage the girls to speak English, and to just have a good time during the weekend.
British Hills is a hotel type place where large groups of people can go. It`s themed like England, and there`s lots of people from England who work there. We got to hear the posh accents and the thick accents (I like the thick ones myself). Pretty much, when we weren`t doing activities with the girls (which mainly involved them practicing their English on us, although we DID teach them Duck Duck Goose and Stuck in the Mud - my knees are all bruised from diving on the floor to free people in Stuck in the Mud!!! oh Lyseth...I wish we had time to play Octopus. I wish I was at Project Grad when everyone played Octopus), I was chilling with Leaha and Ellen, both from Australia. Ironically (and awesomely) Ellen was my roommate during orientation, she was my roommate again! (^_^) We bought SO many familiar snacks from Ye Shoppe (including blow pops, toffee, the chocolate that looks like an orange, and Cadbury chocolate) and Leaha ended up bunking on the ground in between Ellen`s and my beds. I don`t know how long we stayed up till, but it was AWESOME.
Just some side notes.
I never truly appreciated the no smoking in restaraunts law that we have in Maine until today. I was in McDonalds eating my ice cream. I was sitting by the wall, the smoking section was on the OTHER side of the upstairs seating area, and I COULD STILL SMELL THE SMOKE. There was actually a cloud that you could see in the smoking section. No joke. So the next time you guys are in a restaraunt in Maine, just remember how AWESOME it is that we don`t allow smoking in them. Seriously.
Today on the bus ride home, Ami chan and her mom came on!!!! In case you don`t know, Ami chan is Miri`s little 2 year old cousin who lives next door. SHE IS THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD!!!! I LOVE HER!!!!! She actually ended up staying with us through dinner and is still here. omg, she`s CUTE!!!!!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I Want to Learn That Koda Kumi Song!!!!
This is going to be super quick.
I tried to get Miki, Miri, Tomo, Rina, and Yuu to go to karaoke today, demo (but) Rina and Yuu have club on Saturdays. Miki`s grandmother is visiting today, and Tomo has plans. I think I`ll try for a Sunday.
Tomorrow I`m going with Daizy and Josh to karaoke at Sendai City. Josh knows this place that if you go before 6, it`s unlimited time for 300 yen. And for another 300 yen it`s unlimited drinks. MELON SODA HERE I COME!!!! Ms. Manzi told me before I left America that I have an obsession with repitition, I guess I do. It`s fun.
I`m more into writing than drawing currently. It`s really funny because I`ll be writing in English and Japanese words will come to my head, but I know that if I post my crazy mix of English and Japanese on my lj (livejournal), my friends will be like, wtf mate? (yes, End of Ze World reference)
Am preforming the Haruhi dance with 4 other people (Emika, Mao, and two guys whose names I do not know) when the kids who went to America and Canada for a year come back in June. June will be crazy.
The weekend of the 7th and 8th I`m going to British Hills for a JFIE thing. The weekend of the 20th, we`re having the welcome back party for the kids who went to America and Canada. The weekend of the 26th, I`m going to my friend Mao`s ballet preformance. He went to England to study Ballet for a year, so his English is really good, we speak in like mix of English and Japanese. He`s really cool, and I`m glad that he remembered that I wanted to see the show. I think Tohei Sensei is going too.
I tried to get Miki, Miri, Tomo, Rina, and Yuu to go to karaoke today, demo (but) Rina and Yuu have club on Saturdays. Miki`s grandmother is visiting today, and Tomo has plans. I think I`ll try for a Sunday.
Tomorrow I`m going with Daizy and Josh to karaoke at Sendai City. Josh knows this place that if you go before 6, it`s unlimited time for 300 yen. And for another 300 yen it`s unlimited drinks. MELON SODA HERE I COME!!!! Ms. Manzi told me before I left America that I have an obsession with repitition, I guess I do. It`s fun.
I`m more into writing than drawing currently. It`s really funny because I`ll be writing in English and Japanese words will come to my head, but I know that if I post my crazy mix of English and Japanese on my lj (livejournal), my friends will be like, wtf mate? (yes, End of Ze World reference)
Am preforming the Haruhi dance with 4 other people (Emika, Mao, and two guys whose names I do not know) when the kids who went to America and Canada for a year come back in June. June will be crazy.
The weekend of the 7th and 8th I`m going to British Hills for a JFIE thing. The weekend of the 20th, we`re having the welcome back party for the kids who went to America and Canada. The weekend of the 26th, I`m going to my friend Mao`s ballet preformance. He went to England to study Ballet for a year, so his English is really good, we speak in like mix of English and Japanese. He`s really cool, and I`m glad that he remembered that I wanted to see the show. I think Tohei Sensei is going too.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Russians. They live in Sendai.
I GOT MY PHONE TODAY!!!!!!
And I have a story to go along with it. A story about how my phone is under the name of a random Russian man named Andre.
So today Daizy and I went to get my phone, and found out that I need to be accompanied by someone over 20 (as you are considered a minor in Japan until you`re 20). We were very distraught and called Oizumi Sensei and Jason Sensei, neither of whom could make it to Sendai City today. After some not as enthusiastic karaoke and Purikura, we got a brilliant idea. Why not ask one of the gaijiin walking around Sendai if they would accompany me to buy my phone?
So we went Gaijin Hunting. It was wonderful. Of course, the time that we chose to go Gaijin Hunting, the Gaijin weren`t around. Ironic, no? Eventually, we saw a very very tall white man walking alone. Daizy told me to go up to him (and you guys know me, I did), and ask him if he would come with us to buy my phone. So I did (Daizy ran away for a bit, until she realized that he didn`t brush me off, and then she came a joined us). Andre listened to my frantic "I need to buy a phone but I`m not old enough please come with me to buy my phone!" story, and was very nice about the whole situation. He not only agreed to come with me to buy my phone, but put the phone under his name (since that`s the only way a minor can get a phone - put it under someone else`s name)!!!!!
So now (I just realized that all my paragraphs in my story begin with the word "so"), I have a totally awesome phone (black with massive amounts of jewels and keychains), under the name of a very tall Russian man who has been living in Japan for 8 years. He only knows English because of his High School, but his English is AMAZING.
My pre-paid plan not only gives me an e-mail but UNLIMITED e-mail for just $3 (300 yen)!!!!!!!!!!! I died. And am going to get off the computer to e-mail Josh about possible karaoke tomorrow. *does happy dance*
Also, CONGRATULATIONS PHS CLASS OF `08!!!!! You got through school! Now all you have to deal with is graduation rehersals!!! XP Have fun with Mr. Johnson freaking like he does every year!!! ^-^
And have fun at Prom for me everyone! I expect massive amounts of pictures on facebook!!!
Also, who posted pictures from Queer Prom? I want to see them!
And I have a story to go along with it. A story about how my phone is under the name of a random Russian man named Andre.
So today Daizy and I went to get my phone, and found out that I need to be accompanied by someone over 20 (as you are considered a minor in Japan until you`re 20). We were very distraught and called Oizumi Sensei and Jason Sensei, neither of whom could make it to Sendai City today. After some not as enthusiastic karaoke and Purikura, we got a brilliant idea. Why not ask one of the gaijiin walking around Sendai if they would accompany me to buy my phone?
So we went Gaijin Hunting. It was wonderful. Of course, the time that we chose to go Gaijin Hunting, the Gaijin weren`t around. Ironic, no? Eventually, we saw a very very tall white man walking alone. Daizy told me to go up to him (and you guys know me, I did), and ask him if he would come with us to buy my phone. So I did (Daizy ran away for a bit, until she realized that he didn`t brush me off, and then she came a joined us). Andre listened to my frantic "I need to buy a phone but I`m not old enough please come with me to buy my phone!" story, and was very nice about the whole situation. He not only agreed to come with me to buy my phone, but put the phone under his name (since that`s the only way a minor can get a phone - put it under someone else`s name)!!!!!
So now (I just realized that all my paragraphs in my story begin with the word "so"), I have a totally awesome phone (black with massive amounts of jewels and keychains), under the name of a very tall Russian man who has been living in Japan for 8 years. He only knows English because of his High School, but his English is AMAZING.
My pre-paid plan not only gives me an e-mail but UNLIMITED e-mail for just $3 (300 yen)!!!!!!!!!!! I died. And am going to get off the computer to e-mail Josh about possible karaoke tomorrow. *does happy dance*
Also, CONGRATULATIONS PHS CLASS OF `08!!!!! You got through school! Now all you have to deal with is graduation rehersals!!! XP Have fun with Mr. Johnson freaking like he does every year!!! ^-^
And have fun at Prom for me everyone! I expect massive amounts of pictures on facebook!!!
Also, who posted pictures from Queer Prom? I want to see them!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Puppies. They make me smile.
Sorry I haven`t posted in quite a while. Things have been rather intense (like camping) here. I realized the other day that I haven`t heard any "...that`s what she said" jokes since I`ve been here. *insert sad face here* So I wrote "That`s what she said." on the back chalkboard in class.
Tonight I went to the TIS (Tohoku International School) dance preformance. It was amazing. There were some people who had no business being on stage (although I`m sure they are wonderful people, they just, you know, can`t dance or sing or whatever), but there were really AMAZING people as well! Sakura (a girl from TIS who`s half Japanese half Canadian) will post the preformances on youtube, so I`ll post a link when it becomes available.
Ummmm.....
JUNO IS COMING TO JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*dies* I don`t know if it will be dubbed or subbed, but I am seeing it a bazillion times. I freaking love Juno.
Daizy, Josh, and I found out that we can watch movies in the TIS library. We watched Animaniacs and George of the Jungle before we went to Izumi (where the show was - school got out at noon today), and have decided that instead of joining a club, we should make a "watch random movies in the TIS library" club. They have lots of Disney movies in Japanese...they even have THE PRINCE OF EGYPT IN JAPANESE!!!!!! It is total win.
I FOUND THE PEKO CHAN CANDY!!!!!!! So, those of you who know, I went to Japan for 3 weeks summer 2006, and became OBSESSED with this candy from Fujiya that I COULD NOT find until last night!!!! *does happy dance*
Also, vanilla ice cream with red bean paste in the middle surrounding mochi is my new favorite ice cream. Only 90 yen at Yaofuji.
Daizy, Josh, and I are getting my phone tomorrow! I`m bringing my passport, and if they ask for my address, we`re going to say that I still live with the Kimijiri`s. It`s so much easier to deal with. Yay! My phone! It will be pretty and shiny and all mine! We will fill it with Purikura! XD
Tonight I went to the TIS (Tohoku International School) dance preformance. It was amazing. There were some people who had no business being on stage (although I`m sure they are wonderful people, they just, you know, can`t dance or sing or whatever), but there were really AMAZING people as well! Sakura (a girl from TIS who`s half Japanese half Canadian) will post the preformances on youtube, so I`ll post a link when it becomes available.
Ummmm.....
JUNO IS COMING TO JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*dies* I don`t know if it will be dubbed or subbed, but I am seeing it a bazillion times. I freaking love Juno.
Daizy, Josh, and I found out that we can watch movies in the TIS library. We watched Animaniacs and George of the Jungle before we went to Izumi (where the show was - school got out at noon today), and have decided that instead of joining a club, we should make a "watch random movies in the TIS library" club. They have lots of Disney movies in Japanese...they even have THE PRINCE OF EGYPT IN JAPANESE!!!!!! It is total win.
I FOUND THE PEKO CHAN CANDY!!!!!!! So, those of you who know, I went to Japan for 3 weeks summer 2006, and became OBSESSED with this candy from Fujiya that I COULD NOT find until last night!!!! *does happy dance*
Also, vanilla ice cream with red bean paste in the middle surrounding mochi is my new favorite ice cream. Only 90 yen at Yaofuji.
Daizy, Josh, and I are getting my phone tomorrow! I`m bringing my passport, and if they ask for my address, we`re going to say that I still live with the Kimijiri`s. It`s so much easier to deal with. Yay! My phone! It will be pretty and shiny and all mine! We will fill it with Purikura! XD
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
rantrantrant MUSICALS magical Japanese girls
Quickly about my cell phone.
So I found out on Sunday when I went to buy my cell phone with Daizy and Josh that I need to go to Sendai City Hall (completely out of the way and lots of money) to get a stamp of my new address on the back of my Alien Registration Card in order to buy my cell phone. *sighs* Great. Daizy and I are planning on doing that on Saturday.
My phone will look exactly like David`s. The main company that does Pre-Paid phone service is Softbank (although I`d love an AU phone - they don`t do Pre-Paid, though and plans are 2 year agreements), and they only have 2 models for Pre-Paid phones. One that`s butt ugly, and David`s phone. ^-^ Daizy and I are going to put lots of fun things on it. Like sparkly things and Purikura. It will be awesome. And it has a SIM card so I can use my phone out of Japan. XD
Now the concert.
The Live would have been more awesome had people actually been dancing. Like they were just standing there while the music was playing. Josh, Daizy, and I were like, "wtf? DANCE!" So we were the dancing Gaijin. It was awesome.
The music itself FREAKING ROCKED!!!!!! XD Seriously, I want to buy like ALL the CDs THE BANDS ARE SO GOOD!!!!!! The live lasted from 5 - 10 or so. It was good funfun. But I think I`ll only go again one or two more times. Because the non-dancing really brought the Live down, but I want to buy CDs. ^-^
My host family doesn`t know the movie Mulan. Which is very sad. I will introduce it to them (I KNOW I saw it at the video store).
Oh, tomorrow I`m wearing my Spelling Bee shirt under my uniform, as tomorrow is the Second Annual Wear Your Broadway Musical Shirt Day!!! Very few people in Japan understand my love of musicals. Mainly it`s the adults who understand. Like Oizumi Sensei and the Music teacher (tomorrow I`ll post a rant about the schedule and how I can`t take Music or Home Ec. *pouts*). But....
YUU CHAN KNOWS RENT!!!!!!!!!
I died. With joy. She doesn`t really know the plot or anything since she hasn`t seen it, but she knows the name at least, and that makes me SUPER happy!!!!! Seriously. How do these people find me? Someone who knows Rent (Yuu), a male ballerina (Mao), and a girl who does traditional Japanese archery who also draws manga really well (Rina), IN THE SAME CLASS AS ME IN JAPAN???? XD Life is happy.
Also, the girl who sits next to me in Bio, I think her name is Yuuka. She is too cute for her own good. Why are all the Japanese girls who are nerdy with glasses SO FREAKING ADORABLE??? They are all too cute for their own good. It`s rather magical (yes, Dasha, I am starting to use your terms. AHH!!). XD
So I found out on Sunday when I went to buy my cell phone with Daizy and Josh that I need to go to Sendai City Hall (completely out of the way and lots of money) to get a stamp of my new address on the back of my Alien Registration Card in order to buy my cell phone. *sighs* Great. Daizy and I are planning on doing that on Saturday.
My phone will look exactly like David`s. The main company that does Pre-Paid phone service is Softbank (although I`d love an AU phone - they don`t do Pre-Paid, though and plans are 2 year agreements), and they only have 2 models for Pre-Paid phones. One that`s butt ugly, and David`s phone. ^-^ Daizy and I are going to put lots of fun things on it. Like sparkly things and Purikura. It will be awesome. And it has a SIM card so I can use my phone out of Japan. XD
Now the concert.
The Live would have been more awesome had people actually been dancing. Like they were just standing there while the music was playing. Josh, Daizy, and I were like, "wtf? DANCE!" So we were the dancing Gaijin. It was awesome.
The music itself FREAKING ROCKED!!!!!! XD Seriously, I want to buy like ALL the CDs THE BANDS ARE SO GOOD!!!!!! The live lasted from 5 - 10 or so. It was good funfun. But I think I`ll only go again one or two more times. Because the non-dancing really brought the Live down, but I want to buy CDs. ^-^
My host family doesn`t know the movie Mulan. Which is very sad. I will introduce it to them (I KNOW I saw it at the video store).
Oh, tomorrow I`m wearing my Spelling Bee shirt under my uniform, as tomorrow is the Second Annual Wear Your Broadway Musical Shirt Day!!! Very few people in Japan understand my love of musicals. Mainly it`s the adults who understand. Like Oizumi Sensei and the Music teacher (tomorrow I`ll post a rant about the schedule and how I can`t take Music or Home Ec. *pouts*). But....
YUU CHAN KNOWS RENT!!!!!!!!!
I died. With joy. She doesn`t really know the plot or anything since she hasn`t seen it, but she knows the name at least, and that makes me SUPER happy!!!!! Seriously. How do these people find me? Someone who knows Rent (Yuu), a male ballerina (Mao), and a girl who does traditional Japanese archery who also draws manga really well (Rina), IN THE SAME CLASS AS ME IN JAPAN???? XD Life is happy.
Also, the girl who sits next to me in Bio, I think her name is Yuuka. She is too cute for her own good. Why are all the Japanese girls who are nerdy with glasses SO FREAKING ADORABLE??? They are all too cute for their own good. It`s rather magical (yes, Dasha, I am starting to use your terms. AHH!!). XD
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Not Japan Related
So as those of you who know me know, in Portland I am (was) a member of the youth activist group, YOUTHINK. Our mission statement is:
YOUTHINK is a youth driven organization that empowers young people in the city of Portland to speak and act on decisions that affect their lives.
Now, those of you who are new to YOUTHINK or are having a "what is that thing again?" moment, we are a dedicated group of young people in the city of Portland who are working to give youth voice in the community. We feel that a city where youth`s opinions are cared about is a city where youth give back to their community in positive ways.
On Friday, I missed (but was there for the planning of) one of the more revolutionary events in YOUTHINK`s history. The First (hopefully) Annual Youth Summit, where 150 youth in the city of Portland gathered to express their views on issues in the city. Here is an e-mail that I received from Ainsley (the director of YOUTHINK, and one of my very good friends/the sister I should have had ^-^) about how the Summit went. I`m so proud of all of this year`s YOUTHINKers, you guys did an excellent job! YEAH for shaking up Portland!
"Hello Friends of YOUTHINK,
With over 150 youth in attendance, the first ever Portland Youth Summit on Friday was an ambitious and groundbreaking pilot event! You can get some of the sights and sounds of the day here (we got remarkable press coverage!):
From the Press Herald:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=187141&ac=PHnws
Photo of Congressional candidate Mike Brennan at our Youth/Adult "Power Lunch":
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=187143&ac=PHnws&pg=1
From Channel 6:
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=86763
From MPBN radio's "Maine Things Considered":
http://www.mpbn.net/radio/mainenews/080905youthsummit.htm
This week we'll be collecting feedback from various stakeholders on Summit successes and lessons learned for the future. If you hear anything that you think I should hear about or would like to discuss any aspects of the Summit, please be in touch.
In June, you'll hear about the Youth Agenda and Vision for Portland resulting from the Summit and our neighborhood conversations. Stay tuned...Thanks for all your support for past, present, and future YOUTHINK endeavors!
Ainsley"
YOUTHINK is a youth driven organization that empowers young people in the city of Portland to speak and act on decisions that affect their lives.
Now, those of you who are new to YOUTHINK or are having a "what is that thing again?" moment, we are a dedicated group of young people in the city of Portland who are working to give youth voice in the community. We feel that a city where youth`s opinions are cared about is a city where youth give back to their community in positive ways.
On Friday, I missed (but was there for the planning of) one of the more revolutionary events in YOUTHINK`s history. The First (hopefully) Annual Youth Summit, where 150 youth in the city of Portland gathered to express their views on issues in the city. Here is an e-mail that I received from Ainsley (the director of YOUTHINK, and one of my very good friends/the sister I should have had ^-^) about how the Summit went. I`m so proud of all of this year`s YOUTHINKers, you guys did an excellent job! YEAH for shaking up Portland!
"Hello Friends of YOUTHINK,
With over 150 youth in attendance, the first ever Portland Youth Summit on Friday was an ambitious and groundbreaking pilot event! You can get some of the sights and sounds of the day here (we got remarkable press coverage!):
From the Press Herald:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=187141&ac=PHnws
Photo of Congressional candidate Mike Brennan at our Youth/Adult "Power Lunch":
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=187143&ac=PHnws&pg=1
From Channel 6:
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=86763
From MPBN radio's "Maine Things Considered":
http://www.mpbn.net/radio/mainenews/080905youthsummit.htm
This week we'll be collecting feedback from various stakeholders on Summit successes and lessons learned for the future. If you hear anything that you think I should hear about or would like to discuss any aspects of the Summit, please be in touch.
In June, you'll hear about the Youth Agenda and Vision for Portland resulting from the Summit and our neighborhood conversations. Stay tuned...Thanks for all your support for past, present, and future YOUTHINK endeavors!
Ainsley"
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Brought to You By Ultra Clutch Hairspray....
I survived my second earthquake. Last night we watched Hairspray until like 12:30 and then went to bed/I lied awake for a few hours cause I couldn`t get to sleep from thinking about things while Miri txted to her friends. And then the earthquake hit. And the first thing I thought was "s*** (my parents reminded me that there are children in my family/siblings of my friends reading this), I am NOT going to get even 5 hours of sleep tonight, am I?" XD Well, I don`t think I did. I almost fell asleep before Culture class today, but that`s ok. I came home and had a 45 minute nap before dinner. Obaasan makes amazing food. Dinner was wonderful. Breakfast was a cinnomon roll that I got last night at Jusco (the shopping center - we go every Wednesday), but lunch was awesome. OKAASAN CUT MICKEY MOUSE HEAD OUT OF NORI AND PUT IT OVER MY RICE!!!!!!! *dies* I couldn`t get a picture of it (my camera was at home), but Mai from ichinensei (first year class) got a picture on her phone and I`ll ask her to send it to me when I get my new phone (which will be before the concert on Sunday).Sunday night Joanna, Emika, Daisy, a bunch of others, and I are going to a concert. I don`t think the band is well known (I can`t remember their name, but they are SO F***ING AWESOME). Emika knows at least a few of the members so she always gets to go to these private concerts. It rocks. And Joanna and Emika said that I can sleep over if the concert ends too late (which is good - because Emika`s mom adores me, seriously, it`s pretty awesome - and she says that Jeff - my brother for those who don`t know/don`t remember - looks like John Lennon XD). *smiles*
Today I took out an account at the International School Library. I know I shouldn`t be reading books in English, but how can I resist when they have my favorite Amy Tan book, Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe, Shattered Mirror (the only Amelia Atwater-Rhodes book they have, at least they have one, but I really would like to read Midnight Predator again), and SO MANY OTHERS???? *literary geek brain vein explodes*
Mom, dad, since I`m going to the concert Sunday night, let`s talk another time. Happy Early Mother`s Day!!!
Daisy and I are planning on going to Izumi to buy my cell phone with a SIM card on Sunday before the concert. We actually found the PERFECT one last time we were at Izumi, so I`m really excited!!! XD
Oh, and thanks for all the comments, guys. *note the sarcasm*
Dean! Give people at lunch hugs for me!!! Missing the Latin Pow Wow Group! Good luck on the AP Tests everyone!
YOUTHINK - Good luck with the Summit! Yeah for youth voice in the city of Portland! :D
Everyone going to Queer Prom - HAVE A BLAST!!!! XD
Today I took out an account at the International School Library. I know I shouldn`t be reading books in English, but how can I resist when they have my favorite Amy Tan book, Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe, Shattered Mirror (the only Amelia Atwater-Rhodes book they have, at least they have one, but I really would like to read Midnight Predator again), and SO MANY OTHERS???? *literary geek brain vein explodes*
Mom, dad, since I`m going to the concert Sunday night, let`s talk another time. Happy Early Mother`s Day!!!
Daisy and I are planning on going to Izumi to buy my cell phone with a SIM card on Sunday before the concert. We actually found the PERFECT one last time we were at Izumi, so I`m really excited!!! XD
Oh, and thanks for all the comments, guys. *note the sarcasm*
Dean! Give people at lunch hugs for me!!! Missing the Latin Pow Wow Group! Good luck on the AP Tests everyone!
YOUTHINK - Good luck with the Summit! Yeah for youth voice in the city of Portland! :D
Everyone going to Queer Prom - HAVE A BLAST!!!! XD
Monday, May 5, 2008
Krystal`s Going to College!!!
My host family is so fricken awesome. They grow their own food. Seriously, they have rice patties and crap and grow their own rice, bamboo, and vegetables. It`s amazing. I love it. ^-^
Yesterday, about 16 people in the International Course went out to yakiniku, which was amazing. We had SO much meat!!!! XD I spent a lot more money than I should have yesterday, but it was so worth it. After yakiniku, we went out to karaoke, and then I met up with Miri and Tomo (who were at yakiniku but decided to shop around Izumi instead of karaoke), and we went to a book and music store before we had to catch the bus.
Ebi (shrimp) burgers at Mcdonalds in Japan are like a little peace of heaven on Earth. Seriously. They = love. But all I can think about now is Supersize Me (which we saw in Oral Communications class, to prepare ninensei - the second graders - for their exchange programs coming up in August). lol. I just need to remind myself that the Mcdonalds in Supersize Me was in America, not Japan. ^-^
Unfortunately, I brought my camera to yakiniku, but forgot to take pictures. Baka. Anyway, I should go because Miri and I are going watch a DVD soon! And I have udon to eat! Yay! Jya ne!
KRYSTAL!!! CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON GETTING THE $$ FOR COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!! XD *does happy dance*
Pack your bags, cause University of Hawaii at Manoa, here you come! *smiles*
Yesterday, about 16 people in the International Course went out to yakiniku, which was amazing. We had SO much meat!!!! XD I spent a lot more money than I should have yesterday, but it was so worth it. After yakiniku, we went out to karaoke, and then I met up with Miri and Tomo (who were at yakiniku but decided to shop around Izumi instead of karaoke), and we went to a book and music store before we had to catch the bus.
Ebi (shrimp) burgers at Mcdonalds in Japan are like a little peace of heaven on Earth. Seriously. They = love. But all I can think about now is Supersize Me (which we saw in Oral Communications class, to prepare ninensei - the second graders - for their exchange programs coming up in August). lol. I just need to remind myself that the Mcdonalds in Supersize Me was in America, not Japan. ^-^
Unfortunately, I brought my camera to yakiniku, but forgot to take pictures. Baka. Anyway, I should go because Miri and I are going watch a DVD soon! And I have udon to eat! Yay! Jya ne!
KRYSTAL!!! CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON GETTING THE $$ FOR COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!! XD *does happy dance*
Pack your bags, cause University of Hawaii at Manoa, here you come! *smiles*
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Doing My Happy Dance
I`m only going to update quickly. I`m at Emika`s house for the next two days (until Friday afternoon), when I`ll be moving to Miri`s. *smiles*
A. I`m SO excited to be here at Emika`s! It`s really fun, being with Emika, Joanna, Emika`s CRAZY mother, her brother, and 4 dogs (2 are inside dogs, 2 are outside dogs). We had SO much fun tonight. Kazu from ichinensei (the first year class) came over and chilled with us for a while since he lives around here.
B. I can`t wait to go to Miri`s! She`s really nice, and it`ll be lots of fun to have someone to talk to/do things with!
Anyway, I have some homework for Jason sensei that I should do. Want to stay on his good side if I want to sing and have him play guitar at Sendai Station during the Jazz Festival this summer!
Also, I`m probs going to Mt. Fuji for the last week of summer vacation for the camp hosted (and paid for) by JFIE. Can`t wait!!! XD
A. I`m SO excited to be here at Emika`s! It`s really fun, being with Emika, Joanna, Emika`s CRAZY mother, her brother, and 4 dogs (2 are inside dogs, 2 are outside dogs). We had SO much fun tonight. Kazu from ichinensei (the first year class) came over and chilled with us for a while since he lives around here.
B. I can`t wait to go to Miri`s! She`s really nice, and it`ll be lots of fun to have someone to talk to/do things with!
Anyway, I have some homework for Jason sensei that I should do. Want to stay on his good side if I want to sing and have him play guitar at Sendai Station during the Jazz Festival this summer!
Also, I`m probs going to Mt. Fuji for the last week of summer vacation for the camp hosted (and paid for) by JFIE. Can`t wait!!! XD
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