Things that are making me smile lately

1. Shaq getting his doctorate in Education. I seriously think that is super super cool, and super sweet that he said that he did it for his mom.

Charles Barkley: I can't believe this guy has a degree.
Shaq: 3 of them!

You show 'em Big Guy.

2. Today I realized that both Pikachu and Mickey Mouse are mouses. And even more smile-worthy was how I realized this after I made a worksheet where Mickey is asking Pikachu how to say words in Japanese, which makes sense if you think about where they are from.

Cultural exchange ftw.

3. Watching The Amazing Race finale go to Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Osaka--places where I myself have traveled and lived. Seriously, it was so cool. I loved how they had trouble buying train tickets, and I loved how they spent the night on Miyajima island and there was a stop motion/fast forward video of the tide rushing out from the shrine. I loved how they ate at a rotating sushi place, and I loved how they had to explore Osaka castle. And I'm so sad that I didn't know they were in Osaka, from the clothing it looks like they were filming in wintertime, and I totally could have gone mega fan and followed them.


4. NBA playoff games streaming at school. Watching Inside the NBA post-game analysis. Still have to work on controlling my excitement during those big shots and last second plays.

5. Recent purchases :)

Small things just bringing me a little brightness to stave off the post-holiday blues .

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A farewell speech

Image
(Just because it's fun to remember...and because I got so much help from my friends, I might as well post it here in case it can help someone someday.) The teachers and students were super surprised and super excited that I spoke so much Japanese in my speech. Obviously I didn't write all, or even most, of the Japanese in this speech, but the students and teachers appreciated the gesture so much that I am really glad I just asked for help from as many Japanese-studying/speaking friends as I could.  ------------------------------------------------------------- Mina-san, konnichiwa/ohaiyogozaimasu.  Good morningeveryone!    I have been in Japan and teaching at Ikakita (my school's nickname) for one year, and it has been very enjoyable. Ima made watashi wa ichi-nen-kan Nihon ni ite, Ikakita de oshiete imashita, taihen tanoshikatta desu. It's a shame that I have to leaveIkakita. Ikakita o sarukoto ni nari, zannen desu. Kocho-sensei, Kyoto-sense...
Read more

Review: Victoria's Secret Ruched Convertible Dress

Image
I love trying on dresses :) Ever since my friend Cherilyn showed me this dress I've been wanting to try it, so when I found it on eBay for $29.99 (Retail $88) I had to buy it for her birthday. And of course I had to try it out first (just to make sure it was as awesome as it looks in the catalog) First of all, I apologize for my obvious novice-ness in modeling clothing. It took almost the whole time for me to realize that my hair was down and I was wearing white stockings. This is in the Twisted Front Halter. To style: 1. Step into dress with the top of the dress just under your bustline. 2. Cross the straps in front so that no hole is present. 3. Re-cross the straps in the back 4. Wrap then ends under the bustline and tuck in or knot the ends. The is my variation on the Strapless version. To style: 1. Step into dress with the top of the dress right above the bustline. 2. Cross both straps in front right on your bustline and continue wrapping in a crossing style under the bustline...
Read more

Maiko for a Day

Image
 On a super rainy July 1st in Kyoto, my friend Kasie and I made the trek from Kobe to partake in a time-honored gaijin (foreigner) tradition--getting dressed up as maiko and have our pictures taken. The experience overall was really enjoyable. There were 3 ladies rotating between the two of us to put on our makeup, the powders, lip and eye makeup, and the super red lipstick. After that, they gave us time to choose our own kimono from a selection of about 70. There were kimono of all different colors, patterns, and fabrics. I ultimately decided on a turquoise-green kimono with white flower accent, partially because my friend decided on a pink sakura and I didn't want to clash/contrast with her, and also because I knew that the background was black and I thought that the turquoise would pop. After picking the kimono, one of the lady assistants wrapped me in a red under-kimono and tightened everything up with some ties. They she looped around a red board (for flattening the bum...
Read more