Ninja goes to Tokyo

Long time no see

2008-09-24T15:46:00.003+02:00

It's been a while since I logged in here last. Not much have happened that I've felt like writing about. Mostly I've just been working, and what's so interesting about that?
Soon, though, more interesting things will happen. I am finally going Down Under. It's about a month left and I'm getting a bit nervous. Don't know what will happen once I'm there or even where I'll go. I'm thinking about creating a new blog in honor of the occasion. Not sure what to name it though. Probably shouldn't use a place in the name this time, unless I want to create a new blog every time I travel somewhere. How does Nina's Great Adventure sound? Any other suggestions?

Night Lights

2008-07-19T01:48:00.002+02:00

Sthlm by Night

2008-07-14T02:27:00.001+02:00

The concert

2008-07-04T12:53:00.014+02:00

London

2008-07-04T12:14:00.008+02:00

My 3 days in London was everything but relaxing. The first day we spent most of our time going from station to station, trying to find a place where we could put heavy luggage away at. Not easy when the people working on the underground and rail stations don't know a thing. Went to bed early that day.

Wednesday was the concert. The first 2 hours with Mason Jennings and G. Love & Special Sauce were going by slow since we were all waiting for Jack to appear. When Ben Harper got onto the stage the audience came to life again. And after him it was finally time for Jack. The concert was 6 hours long, but it was worth all the standing up because both Jack and Ben were great. Wish I could have seen more of them.

Yesterday the battery died on my cellphone so at the airport I almost missed my flight because I didn't know what time it was. I'm suprrised that they didn't have a clock at the airport. What if everyone is watchless like me?

Yoko with heavy luggage.

Don't you just feel like pushing him in?

Our hostel room.

A nice place to eat dinner at.

Greenwich.

The hostel and bar.

All so white.

Midsummer

2008-06-27T10:08:00.006+02:00

Last weekend we celebrated midsummer in Sweden so me and fam went out to our summer house out on the countryside.

Feed me!

In the bottom of the barrel

Jack

2008-06-13T23:18:00.004+02:00

In July I'm going to London to see Jack Johnson perform. I'm so excited!! ~Y

Guests

2008-06-11T11:25:00.005+02:00

I've had some guests at my house over the weekend. Yoko and her friend Nao came here on the national day last friday from Scotland where they are currently studying. As their guide I showed them Old Town and the royal castle, and then took them to see Götheborg that is still docked in Stockholm. After that I kinda ran out of ideas. I don't know enough interesting things to see in my own town. The girls wanted to see Pippi's house at Junibacken so we took the ferry over to Djurgården, but the entrance fee was more than we wanted to pay so we never went inside. Once at home we had meatballs with creamsauce for dinner and watched Howl's Moving Castle.
Nao left the next day for Copenhagen and unfortunately I had to work so I couldn't hang out much with Yoko the rest of the days while she was here. I hope you still had a good time Yoko!

Chasing birds.

Funny cute.

Free Time

2008-06-02T21:08:00.012+02:00

I've been so tired, exhausted, ever since my first day at work last thursday. Due to a In Flames concert the amusement part and surrounding areas was crowded by more people than usual. No time for closing preparations with customers ordering icecreams and hot dogs nonstop, and when we finally closed the place a boss came and whisked my co-worker away. So there I was, cleaning, all alone on my first day. But I didn't mind much. Overtime means more money. Only it became 3 ½ hours overtime and that was longer than I wanted to work. That was a loooong day. But I've had time off since yesterday and it's been bliss. Yesterday I, my sister and her boyfriend went to take a look at the swedish east indiaman "Götheborg" that is currently docked in Stockholm. I wanted to go on board but it was too expensive for me, so we just watched it from the docks. After that we ate some icecream. Yum. And walked through a pretty graveyard.

What are you people doing up there?

Götheborg

Today I've been exploring Bergianska Trädgården, which is a garden in Stockholm. It was my first visit there today and I was dissapointed with what they had to offer. Not as many colourful flowers as I would have liked, but I still got some nice shots. I edited the colours and discovered how much fun it can be. I've never really bothered before with editing my photos but I think I'll do it a lot from now on.

Photowalking with George

2008-05-22T23:40:00.004+02:00

Oh God

2008-05-03T23:18:00.002+02:00

I miss the temples and shrines of Japan. Here there are only churches, and I feel so out of place whenever I visit one. Christianity is not my thing. I don't believe in that kind of god. Not really sure what I believe in, but it isn't that.
Shinto is something that I feel more comfortable with. I like the idea of smaller gods living all around us. In the trees, rivers and mountains. In nature. And in Japan it felt like there was something there. It's different here in Sweden. It feels empty. There are no nature gods here. If there are any, they must be sleeping.
My friend Karin is going to Tokyo on a school trip this summer. How I wish I could go with her!

Karma or Bad Luck?

2008-04-13T00:36:00.003+02:00

I must have done something seriously wrong in my previous life (or maybe this one) because now life is surely out to get me. How could I have ended up working at the worst place possible? I deserve better!
And my ipod has finally given up on me. It's broken. Also, I'm depressed again. I've fallen back into my dark hole. Nothing seems to go right for me at the moment. Sigh.

Spring

2008-03-31T19:57:00.001+02:00

Growing

2008-03-30T22:02:00.005+02:00

Started the day a little bad moody but that went away fast when I got out into nice weather and sunshine and saw the flowers growing in the garden. It wasn't much but at least something to aim the camera at!
After that mom and I went to Plantagen, a shop where they sell flowers and garden tools of all sorts. I expected to buy some seeds to sow but was discouraged when I saw the prices and read the instructions on the back of the packages. I don't have that much space to grow anything so I wouldn't mind if there was something I could sow in my room and leave it there. But most veggies require a little spot outside in the sunlight. Our family has a garden but it's not my garden and I can't do whatever I like with it.
Was very inspired watching Jamie at Home on the telly this evening. I want a big garden like his so I can grow my own herbs and vegetables. And then I want a nice kitchen in which I can cook some delicious food, just like Jamie. I think I'll have to buy his new cook book.

Australia, I'm on my way!

2008-03-11T21:51:00.007+01:00

This fall I'm planning to get myself off to Australia to work and live. Hopefully for a long while. I don't really feel that Sweden is the place for me to live in, even though I have my family and friends here.
Been a little worried because it seems like it can be difficult to get a visa that allows me to stay there for longer than a year but today I've been reading up on the subject and I feel a bit more optimistic about my chances now! Feels good! I'm really looking forward to going and wish I could do it now!

Pictures from the Butterfly House

2008-03-08T21:08:00.007+01:00

Creative outlet?

2008-03-07T13:48:00.004+01:00

Right now I feel such a need to create something, only I don't have the slightest idea what that would be. It would be nice to write something but I tend to get stuck right after I start. And I don't feel like drawing or painting. Got tired of jewelrymaking a long time ago.
I've got inspiration but no outlet.

Been thinking a lot about things I want to learn, such as photography and diving. Was looking up courses yesterday on the internet but it costs a lot of money and I don't know if I'll have the time for it when I finally get a job. I really want to learn more, see more, do more in my life. And I want to start now!

Spring is here!

Miniature orange tree.

Problems

2008-03-02T11:55:00.002+01:00

I think there might be something wrong with my email. I've sent a lot of emails but not getting any replies. Either people don't recieve my emails or my mail is blocking theirs. Or maybe everyone just don't want to write me anything! I hope that's not the case!
If there is something wrong with my emails it means my job applications probably didn't go where they were supposed to go. Not good.

Today is sunday. I'm bored. I have nothing to do. No one to play with. I need to make more friends who live in Stockholm but I don't know where to meet any. I don't like parties much. And if I'd walk up to a person on the street and ask for friendship that person would think I'm crazy. I'd think a person was crazy for doing that! So where do you find new friends?

Out of Vein

2008-02-26T23:35:00.007+01:00

Apparantly my veins are narrow. The nurse at the Blood Center told me that when I stopped by today to see if I'm fit to become a blood donor. But that didn't stop my blood from filling up the 3 glass vials she needed for the test. Haven't done much besides that today, but it made me feel good. I will (probably) never find a cure for cancer but this is one good thing I can do!

Got blood?

Making space

2008-02-16T16:18:00.000+01:00

Been trying to throw things I don't need out of my room but it's not as easy as you think at first. Most things are just objects of sentimental value, nothing really useful. And then there is the greedy side of me that keeps me from throwing away things because I know I could get money for them. Only I never get around to putting them up for auction on the internet because it seems too troublesome and time-consuming. I'm lazy.

Whine

2008-02-15T23:16:00.004+01:00

I'm sick of whining. But at the same time it makes me feel better, talking about my feelings. But I feel sorry for the people who gets to hear so much about it. Especially C, thank you for listening and for understanding. I'll do the same for you, anytime.

Tv is a great thing. Makes me forget my life for a while. And Jack Johnson comforts me with his songs. Wish I could have seen him perform in Yokohama!

Where is the Love?

2008-02-13T22:30:00.003+01:00

Life is unfair. I hate my life as it is now. And life hates me too, it seems. All these bad things keep happening, mostly small things, but they accumulate and become something that's too much for me to handle. So yeah, I'm depressed.

I'm angry at life. I wonder why everyone around me gets to be happy and not me. Don't I deserve happiness too? Have I done something wrong?

Right now I'm lost. It feels like I don't have a future. I can't see my dream anymore. And that dream is all I ever wanted.
I used to believe that everything would turn out ok in the end, whatever happened. I don't feel that anymore.

Dissapointment, bitterness, sadness, worry, fear, loneliness, insecurity, embarrassment, envy, restlessness, boredom. All these feelings makes me so tired. Want to make myself feel better but I don't know how.
I just want happiness back.
I wish things were different.

Back in Sweden

2008-01-10T07:27:00.000+01:00

Won't be writing anything here for a while, I'm not feeling well.

Sleepover

2007-12-31T09:37:00.000+01:00

Yoko invited me to her grandparents house in Ibaraki prefecture over the weekend, so we went up there together on saturday. The town they live in is located out on the countryside, with rice fields and mountains surrounding the area, about an hour away from Matsudo. The house is a really nice traditional japanese one, very big and around 100 years old. Rice paper doors makes it pretty cold during the winter but that gives you an opportunity to use a kotatsu, which I've been wanting to try ever since I first watched the fruits basket anime. It's really cozy sitting with your legs under the table, getting warm while eating dinner or watching a movie.
Yoko came back from her studies in Scotland over the holidays, and with her she brought some scottish food, haggis. Being made out of sheep's intestine and stomach I was too cowardly to try it when I was in Scotland myself, but this time I actually did try it. Not bad! It actually tasted similar to something I've tried before, but can't remember what it is.
Also got to eat some kinako mochi, something they traditionally eat in Japan during New Years. Was very yummy. Yoko's mom gave me some to take home when I went back to Matsudo on sunday. Japanese families are very friendly and generous, I love that about them!

Knit Hat

2007-12-25T14:13:00.000+01:00

I always play with my gifts the day after christmas.

Christmas in Tokyo

2007-12-25T05:08:00.000+01:00

Haven't felt much christmas feeling this year so I haven't really missed spending christmas at home. Christmas wouldn't have been the same anyway since my family decided that we shouldn't buy any gifts for each other. But wrapping and giving away gifts are so much fun! I like receiving too of course! And my sisters would have left early and that would have been boring if I'd been home.
Something I'm actually glad that I missed this year is the food. I'm tired of eating (almost) the same food at all our special holidays. Pickled herring, meatballs and sausages are usually on the table during christmas, easter and midsummer. Why not make something different? I would love to eat thanksgiving food instead of christmas ham. When I have my own family there won't be any traditional swedish food on the table!
Yesterday I started making my untraditional christmas food. I made orange cinnamon chicken with couscous. Hiroshi made lomi lomi (raw salmon mixed with choppen onions and tomatoes) and haupia (coconut pudding) and Mark mashed some potatoes. Yummy.

Too much time

2007-12-19T02:25:00.000+01:00

I've already gotten a bit bored. I have too much time on my hands, I don't know how to spend it. Usually I just spend time at facebook but there's only so much you can do there before it gets boring too. Yesterday I spent an hour or so at Starbucks reading a book. That book is finished now.
At least I'm going somewhere today! Going to eat some thai food with Reiko in Shinjuku today, and before that I'm planning to go to a turkish food shop and see if they have some halloumi there. I hope it's not too expensive. Last time I found the greek cheese here it costed me around 60 swedish crowns! It's expensive in sweden too but not that expensive!
Going to take a look around in Keio department store as well and see if I can find any clothes I like but it's not very likely. Sigh. I hope this fashion dies out soon!

Blogger is getting boring too without comments. If you're reading the blog, please write something! Brighten my day a little!

Mission: Explore Tokyo

2007-12-12T09:54:00.000+01:00

I have already done more than I thought I would do this first week without school, and it's only been 3 days. And I'm enjoying myself. But I expect to get more bored soon when I run out of things to do and places to visit. Also, the people who are still in Japan for the holidays will probably be busy when I want to play. But I'll try to keep myself busy exploring Tokyo.

Monday I went out for a cup of coffee with a japanese girl that I met at the Starbucks close to my school a few months ago. We hadn't really talked much before, mostly just said 'hi' to each other when I came in at Starbucks while she was working. But when we were having coffee we found out we had many common interests. She too wants to live in Hawaii someday :)

Spent a few hours in Harajuku/Omote-sando yesterday with classmate Laura. I was unable to find a new sweater, again, but found some christmas gifts instead. We ate dinner at a pizza place called Pizza Express, which was actually a pretty fancy place despite the name that makes you think of fast food. Had a salad that was a bit pricey, but oishii (yummy)! Dinner size salads are difficult to find in Tokyo since japanese people doesn't see it as a main course, just as a side dish.
Also spent a long time at Kiddyland, a toy store with 5 floors. Laura filled up her basket with a lot of stuffed animals that she will give her friends for christmas. Crazy.
I bought myself a pok-pong, a small voodoo looking doll from Thailand that is pretty popular in Japan right now. Been wanting one for ages but they are pretty expensive so I never bought one until now.

Nice view from Pizza Express.

...

I had a panna cotta for dessert.

I love my pok-pong!

Stockholm

2007-12-09T07:02:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I met up with Stefanies hostmother Katoh-san for lunch. We went to a swedish restaurant called Stockholm where we ate from the smorgasbord. There was pickled herring, meatballs, sausage, salmon, liver paté and many other dishes on the table, but what I liked best was something that I'm not sure was swedish at all. It was pumpkin, salami and something else mixed together. Yummy. Since coming here I've started liking pumpkin a lot, and I'll try to eat it more often when I go back to Sweden again. Might be difficult though, I think they only sell pumpkins during fall around halloween.

Pass

2007-12-05T13:34:00.000+01:00

Wrote a japanese test today. It will determine if I can go on to the next level or not. I'm sure I'll pass it, even though the listening part was difficult. The people on the tape talked really fast and used many words that I don't understand. The pause between the listening exercises was nonexistent so there was no time to think over your choices.

To pass you need at least 60% on the test, otherwise you'll have to repeat the same class again. Which can be very boring. But I don't need to worry about that anyway since friday is my last day! Been pretty dissapointed with school this time around because it hasn't been as fun as the first time I came here, when I was studying with my first class and with better teachers. We always had so much fun during lessons. Miss those times!

Notes.

A Bit Strange

2007-12-02T13:09:00.000+01:00

One thing I love about Tokyo is that there are so many strange and crazy people here. I saw loads of them both in Shibuya yesterday and in Harajuku and Yoyogi Park today. One old man we walked by was wearing a wedding cake like hat with lots of figures and dolls attatched to it. And around his ears he had hung small glass bowls with goldfishes in them. That's something you don't see everyday!

Eat to Live

2007-11-22T02:18:00.000+01:00

Since coming here I've been thinking about food all the time. It's not that I constantly feel like eating, I'm just thinking about what I can eat for lunch and dinner, and what I should and shouldn't eat. It's not as easy to be healthy over here as I thought it would be. With all the unhealthy food they serve at the restaurants and sell in the convenience stores it's a wonder that japanese people still are so skinny! My friend Akiko told me that most skinny girls doesn't eat much at all, only small portions if they do eat. That's not good.

I know they cook healthier food at home too, but I'm still surpised they don't have better options when you choose to go out and eat. It's all fried food, white bread, mayonnaise and sugar in everything, and not so much vegetables. I'm always having a hard time finding something good to eat for lunch. They do sell small caesar salads at the supermarket close to my guesthouse, but I don't always feel like eating my salads in school.

When it comes to dinner it's easier to make something healthy, it's just the question if I feel like spending a longer time on cooking than it takes to cook pasta. Because that is usually what I end up eating. But I'm proud to say I've been pretty good this week! On monday I ate chicken salad, chicken with fruity couscous on tuesday and then I made salmon with green curry and potatoes yesterday. Everything with veggies of course!

No, this is not what I eat every day.

No Reason

2007-11-19T12:03:00.000+01:00

And again another person will be kicked out of this guesthouse for no reason at all. Mark can't renew his contract and has to move out in december. The manager told him he'd broken a rule but when asked what rule that was he gave no reply and just walked away.
What is wrong with that manager? Why is he even working here if he can't handle people? All he can do is make up new rules about this place. Everyone would be so happy to have Kawabe-san back as manager of the house, but he's off on a boat somewhere, discovering the world. Kawabe-san was a fun, cool guy who made everyone feel welcome here, whereas the current manager makes everyone miserable. Good job.

I wish he was slapped by a monkey or eaten by the Flying Spaghetti Monster...

Oneesan no Tanjoubi!

2007-11-17T12:34:00.000+01:00

Today is middle sisters birthday! Today is the day I miss being home the most, not being able to give my beloved sister a hug. Wish I could play with her today...
We just talked on the phone for 30 mins and then I ran out of money on my cell. I've got to load it up with more cash tomorrow. Maybe I'd better buy a 5000 yen card next time so I can call home more often. 3000 yen is not enough if you want to call up Sweden.

Today has been an unusually busy saturday for me. Went to Lalaport (big shopping mall) in Toyosu and looked around there for a bit before I met up with Akiko. Together we set out for IKEA Funabashi. The first thing we did was to go to the restaurant and to eat some yummy meatballs. After that we walked around the different sections, but the only thing I bought from the items section was measuring tools. From the food section I bought a lot more. Pickeled herring, gingerbread cookies, lingonberry drink, elderfruit drink, meatballs, cream sauce for the meatballs... Wanted to buy more but it felt like too much so I didn't.

Omelette for lunch. Funny text on the menu.

Decorations and entertainment outside the mall.

Christmas tree.

IKEA!

Meatballs and daim cake. Yuuuum.

Cookies

2007-11-17T03:23:00.000+01:00

Yesterday was cookie baking day with Laura from class. We didn't follow any special recipe but decided to improvise a bit. Making the base dough was a bit messy and we had some egg accidents, but it all turned out well in the end. While I was making Baileys and chocolate chip cookies, Laura made marshmallow chocolate chip ones that she later had trouble getting out of her heart shaped pan.
Must say that baking cookies in a microwave is not the best way to do it, but what else to do when there is no real oven?

Baileys Chocolate Chip cookies.

Marshmallow and Marshmallow Chocolate Chip cookies. A bit scarylooking.

Christmas Decorations

2007-11-13T01:37:00.000+01:00

They've already started putting up Christmas decorations. Why do they always insist on doing it so early, can't they wait until december? I guess NK in Sweden has decorated their shop windows too. Everything to sell more. It's all about the money.

Cute snowflakes at Starbucks.

The view from my favourite Starbucks cafe. A man is taking a nap in his car while his dog is yapping at people passing by or licking the car window. In the backround there are people standing around in the Corner of Shame. In other words, the smoking spot in the area.

Earthquake

2007-11-12T02:05:00.000+01:00

It's november already. Hate thinking about that I have to leave soon. I only get depressed.

Getting colder and colder here in Tokyo. I've started wearing my jacket and my scarf, and I think I've got to find some warmer clothes soon. Only I can't seem to find any that I like... *sigh*

Got the ac running now everyday since it gets so cold in the room. They don't use double glass windows here.

Condensation.

Yesterday evening there was an earthquake. The walls were shaking slightly, but it only lasted for a few seconds. Since I'm not used to earthquakes I didn't realize what was going on at first. My first thought was actually: Big truck?

There have been other earthquakes while I've been here, but this is the first one I've noticed. Now I can cross this off of my list of things to experience.

Yes, I'm a Terrorist.

2007-10-29T09:17:00.000+01:00

Went to Hong Kong over the weekend, even though I got sick last Tuesday. My throat hurt really bad and I could barely speak, but I had to go since my ticket wasn't changeable. At the airports they had me go through security checks. 4 of them! I guess I look like a terrorist.
Belinda picked me up at the airport in Hong Kong and took me to her place. She lives on the 22nd floor and has a nice view of the Hong Kong harbour. Urayamashii! Belinda was a good guide and she took me to see the Avenue of the Stars, The Peak, and the world's biggest statue of Buddha. Hong Kong is an intersting city, and I had a good time. But it's good to be home in Japan again and to get some rest, because I really need it. Phew!

Goldfish Market.

Hong Kong harbour.

The world's biggest Buddha statue.

Path of Wisdom.

Cat in a Box

2007-10-21T04:03:00.001+02:00

Walked into a pet shop in Roppongi yesterday, where they sell puppies and kittens. They keep them in these little plastic boxes so everyone can see from the outside and inside of the shop. It's just so cruel, they barely have any space to move around in, and only a rug and a food bowl in there. I feel so bad for them!

Goodbye June

2007-10-20T04:32:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was the last day for a girl in my class, June. We have only known each other for a few weeks but I'm really going to miss her. Some people are just so easy to hang out with, and June is that kind of person. Wish we could have gone to more places together! But we'll meet again, I'll go and visit her in Spain someday.
June, if you read this: Un zumo de piña por favor!

Keshi (Kee Cheat?), me and June.

Success!

2007-10-14T03:56:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I cooked greek food for dinner. I was kind of worried it wouldn't turn out well since I don't trust my cooking skills all that much, but to my suprise it turned out great. I make bifteki with potato wedges and tzatziki. Also fried some halloumi, a special cheese that they make in Cyprus. I love this cheese! So oishii! Had a difficult time finding it in Tokyo but tuesday I went to an international food market in Hiroo (near Roppongi) and there they had some. It was pretty expensive but it's worth it, it just taste soooo good!

Maid in Japan

2007-10-08T05:14:00.000+02:00

So the festival that was on Saturday turned out to be a charity event. They did have some food but nothing that I really wanted to eat for lunch, unless you count sweets. After that we headed to Akihabara where we decided to go to a Maid Café. Didn't look as cute as I thought it would but it was an experinece. Three of us ordered tirmaisu to eat but what we got was something entirely different. Apparently frostie flakes with whipped cream is tiramisu to japanese people. Expensive frostie flakes too! Oh well....

Yesterday I went back to Akihabara and bought myself a Toshiba Satellite laptop. I'm happy that I finally have a computer to use! No more guesthouse computers! And this computer is so nice too... and it was cheap!
The weather was really nice yesterday so after I dropped off my new computer at the guesthouse I went to read by the river. The day felt special for some reason. Maybe it was just the weather but whatever it was it got me in a really good mood.

Tiramisu?

What's new?

2007-10-05T05:04:00.000+02:00

Last week the summer semester ended. Since I didn't pass the level-up test I am now repeating the same course again, which is good since I missed 5 weeks of studying while I was home in Sweden. I now have a bunch of new classmates. Everyone seem nice but I think there are too many students in the class, the classroom is too small and the boys are pretty noisy.
On saturday, which uh.. is tomorrow, there is a festival called Global Festa that I'm going to. They should have music, probably some kind of entertainment and international food there. Will be fun!

Rabbit in the Moon

2007-09-26T05:33:00.001+02:00

Yesterday it was Tsukimi, the time of year when you can see the fullmoon at it's fullest and brightest. There is an old asian story telling about a woman who got banished to the moon, and there she lived together with a rabbit. Went up on the roof yesterday night to look for rabbits but I couldn't see any, since the moon was pretty far away. But it still looked pretty!

Can I have the receipt?

2007-09-13T14:28:00.000+02:00

Was very suprised to find this bag with the swedish words meaning "Can I have the receipt?" when I was looking at clothes in Shinjuku yesterday. Why these words? Do the maker even know what it means?

Earlier in the week a classmate showed me a pencase he'd bought at some shop with some norweigan words written on it. It said: "Give me a pen, ink and paper" but that at least makes some sense...

Typhoon

2007-09-06T13:39:00.000+02:00

It's hot, it's humid and there's a typhoon raging outside at the moment. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but on the other hand I'm not outside in the rain and windy weather right now, so it could have gotten worse since I got back to the house. People say the trains might not work tomorrow, and truth be told, I won't be so sad about it if it happens. I'm not a girl who prefers going to school over doing whatever I want. But I guess there's not so much to do around here, so I would probably be bored.

School is diffcult right now. I ended up in the same class as before, and they've learned a lot while I was back in Sweden. It's difficult to keep up with all the new words and everything else. I want and need one of those electrical dictionaries but I don't know if I want to spend money on one. I want a laptop much more, but I'm not even sure if I'm going to buy of those. Would be nice to not have to use these crappy old computers that they have in the guesthouse. I have to go to Yodobashi Camera and look for a good computer that's not too expensive.

Jump!

2007-08-29T13:22:00.000+02:00

Got back at the house late yesterday after traveling on the train for 3 1/2 hours from Minakami in the Gunma area. Went there on Sunday morning with my bf to meet up with some friends who's there working with bungy jumping right now. And of course we went there to jump as well.
Minakami is a beautiful place with mountains, canyons, endless green nature and in that part of Japan the air is clean and the water is drinkable, so we liked it very much. The only bad thing about it was that there are no convenience stores or restaurants in walking distance, and we didn't have a car to get around with.
On our second day up there we jumped. A 40 meter drop from a bridge. Hell scary! My bf did a great jump and looked really cool, but I was not as lucky. I was shaking like a leaf on the edge and wondered if I could go through with it or not. But I forced myself. I had planned to jump of nicely as well but I guess my body wouldn't work as I wanted it to. Instead of jumping off I pretty much took a step down looking really uncool. Embarrassing. But at least I did it! I have talked about wanting to do it for years so I would have been disappointed with myself if I didn't go through with it.
Yesterday we signed up for canyoning, something I thought was like river rafting. Boy was I wrong! Instead of going in boats in the river you dress up in wetsuit, life west and helmet and go sliding down streams and waterfalls. Even though I was a bit disappointed that there would be no rafting, I had fun. It was a great trip, and it felt like I was out of country for a while. And I finally got to go swimming for the first time this year! Yay!

Finally

2007-08-19T20:15:00.000+02:00

I'm going back to Tokyo tomorrow! Yay! xP

Japanese in Sweden

2007-08-15T17:18:00.000+02:00

Did KappAhl turn Japanese?

Oh bother!

2007-08-09T23:36:00.000+02:00

Sigh... I'm bored and I'm annoyed. And I have no frickin' idea what I should become. Don't think the chances of me becoming a writer are that big so what should I aim for instead? I wish I knew. Or that the answer would just come to me all of a sudden. I want to find something that I really like and can become good at. But what would that be?
Ideas, anyone?

Obsession

2007-07-27T19:30:00.000+02:00

Picked up my copy of the new Harry Potter book from the post office earlier this week. Can't believe this is the last one. What will I do when I've finished reading it and the series is over? What will be my new obsession?
Ever since the first book I've wanted to live in that world of magic. I want to go to Hogwarts, I want to meet all those cool people, I want to be able to do magic too! *sigh* Why do I have such impossible dreams?
Another dream of mine is to become a writer and write something as good as Harry Potter, but I doubt I have as much imagination as J.K. Rowling. Where does she get it from?! How can a brain think of so many things? I could never write a story so complex.

Reading Harry Potter makes me wish I was british. I love how they talk, the expressions they use and that british accent (can't hear it when reading but I can imagine it). Who doesn't wanna use words like "blimey!" and "wicked!"? And they are always drinking tea. Sounds so cozy! I drink tea every other day as well but there is just something special when british people do it. "Care for a cup o' tea?"
Think I'm gonna go downstairs now and have some...

Out for a stoll

2007-07-26T11:41:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I went for a 5 hour walk by the river with my sister. Was pretty cloudy when we set out but got sunny and quite hot later in the day. Ate some blueberries (full of healthy antioxidants) that we picked on the side of the path - yummie!
Pretty suprised to find this car wreck on the way. It's not a thing you expect to see in the forest! I wonder if it happened recently... I have a feeling it wasn't, but they should have removed the car otherwise, shouldn't they?

Hypnotic?

2007-07-26T11:32:00.000+02:00

July 24. Walking around Kista with Karin.

Looking at this flower hurts my eyes! Depth perception failure?

22:39

2007-07-21T01:12:00.000+02:00

Karlberg, July 15, 22:39.

Waterdrops

2007-07-19T11:28:00.000+02:00

Miniature frogs and strawberries

2007-07-04T19:13:00.000+02:00

Me and Karin walked to the beach the other day. On our way over there we saw miniature frogs and baby ducks. When we got to our destination we had a little picnic with pastasalad, buns, crackers and some of the yummiest strawberries I've ever had! Oishii!
Sad to say we didn't go swimming but at least we dipped out feet into the water. Cooooold. But that's the way it's supposed to be I guess. It's a Swedish summer.

Crushed

2007-07-03T21:55:00.000+02:00

The world is against me, I'm sure of it. I want to go back to Japan and study but it seems like it's impossible. Csn won't give me a student grant because I have to study 13 weeks in a row to get qualified for it. It wouldn't have been any problems if it weren't for the month long break in december.
Would also like to work to earn some extra money but of course that's not possible either, because I can't get a working visa. #!¤)#&"%!/&/")#!!!
I hate everything right now.

Please, all the gods who are listening, help me get to where I want to be!

Okonomiyaki

2007-07-02T23:32:00.000+02:00

Sunday I decided to treat my family to some okonomiyaki. Making them was a bit more complicated that I had expected it to be (especially making 4 at the same time) and I didn't exactly know what I was doing, but somehow they ended up tasting good anyway. At least that's what my family told me! Maybe it was all thanks to the okonomiyaki sauce?
Even tried making a Hiroshima style okonomiyaki with yakisoba noodles but of course it didn't taste as good as at a restaurant. The ham, red onion and corn one tasted the best out of the ones I made.

*Okonomiyaki is a kind of japanese omelette/pizza made with a topping of your own choice.

Jesus, Mary and Josef!

2007-06-27T15:53:00.000+02:00

I'm not in Tokyo anymore, but I still want to use this blog despite the name of it. Going to write about things happening in Sweden, so please bear with me ;)

Who needs Action Man when you can have Jesus?

From Sweden

2007-06-23T16:41:00.001+02:00

It's always funny to find swedish things in Japanese shops. Who would have thought they'd have 'Lotta på Bråkmakargatan' in the dvd section at HMV?

Funny and strange...

2007-06-23T16:14:00.000+02:00

Warning! Your cat's tail might get stuck between the subway doors.

Just an ordinary tv show in Japan.

Soup from Coca Cola. Availabe in venching machines.

This is a shop in Kyoto that sells socks.

Everyone's invited!

2007-06-20T23:59:00.000+02:00

Thought everyone could write comments to my posts but it turned out it wasn't so. And the comments are half the fun of having a blog! Anyway, I just changed so that anyone who wishes can write me now... Please, go ahead! :)

... and some more...

2007-06-19T12:34:00.000+02:00

The view from my window.

Just some pictures...

2007-06-19T12:08:00.000+02:00

The best class

2007-06-19T11:00:00.000+02:00

Ours must be the best class ever ;)

Back again

2007-06-19T10:27:00.000+02:00

So now I'm back in Sweden again. And all I want to do is to go back. In Japan I had my studies, and here I have no idea what I should do. A bit of holiday from school is nice, but not for a long time, and not alone. I think my friends here are too busy to be able to play with me every day, so what am I supposed to do by myself? *grumpy and homesick*

Leaving

2007-06-16T12:16:00.000+02:00

On Monday I'm going back home to Sweden again. Looking forward to meeting my family and friends again and eating good food, but aside from that there's not much I want to go back to. I don't want to go home! :(

Yokohama

2007-06-11T04:49:00.000+02:00

Saturday I went to Yokohama with Stefanie and Belinda. Only had time for Sankeien Garden and China Town before it was time to return to Matsudo.

Kitty!

Stefanie doesn't like chinese food very much.

Stefanie wants to buy a walking, music playing panda.

Mail

2007-06-07T13:25:00.000+02:00

I've been complaining to my family that fruits and vegetables are so expensive over here. When I came home from school on Tuesday I found a letter from my sister in my mailbox. There was something inside it. "A sovernir from Crete" I thought, but when I opened I found a passionfruit. Bikkurishita!
Thank you, my dear crazy sister ;) Oishikatta! = It was yummy!

No news

2007-06-07T02:25:00.000+02:00

There hasn't been much to write about here lately. Got no good pictures to upload. But maybe I'll upload some anyway this evening...

Kyoto

2007-05-28T11:51:00.001+02:00

Went to Kyoto during the weekend. Thought I'd love Kyoto but it wasn't at all what I expected it to be. The town wasn't full of cute old houses. They only had some temples that you have to pay a lot to get to see. And friday was an awful day. It rained the whole day, I was wet up to my knees and I walked around like that for 12 hours until we could check into our guest house. Plus, I hadn't slept much on the night bus. Went to bed around 8 that day.

At least I got a few nice pictures of Kyoto...

Roppongi Spider

2007-05-28T11:29:00.000+02:00

For you, dear sister.

Harajuku kids

2007-05-20T04:28:00.000+02:00

Harajuku is the place where the weirdly dressed kids gather and pose for the tourists coming there to take their pictures. Some are cute and some are just strange (what's with the panda outfit?). And some people go there to give away free hugs. Kawaii~

Sabrina got hugged.

Odaiba

2007-05-20T03:32:00.000+02:00

This is probably my favourite place in Tokyo - the harbour. They have a nice little beach that you can walk along and you might get to see street performers juggling torches and Fuji Television Network shooting some tv series there. And it's even better when you go there together with a cute guy when the sun is setting. Odaiba is a really nice place ;)

IKEA

2007-05-20T03:02:00.000+02:00

Thursday we went to IKEA to eat some swedish meatballs. Yummy! Also took a stroll around the store to see what they had to offer. The only thing I bought was some swedish candy - Ahlgrens bilar and Daim. Treated some of my non-swedish friends at the house to some and they liked it. Japan should sell swedish candy in every shop.

Home sweet home

2007-05-14T02:25:00.000+02:00

These are some pictures from my student residence (where not only students live). My room, the garbage room opposite my door, the corridor on my floor and the laundry room (where my pink fluffy slippers are now being washed). It doesn't look like much but I like living here.

Seoul

2007-05-10T02:27:00.000+02:00

For the sake of prolonging my visa, I went to Seoul, Korea for 3 days during Golden Week. At first I didn't like it, because my hotel was located in some shady part of town and I thought all of Seoul would be the same. The second day was better. World Link Education's korean office gave me some good tourist information so I went off to see Gyenongbokgung Palace and then did some shopping in Insa-dong and Myeong-dong. Have to say that the shopping is better in Seoul than it is in Tokyo. I don't really like the Tokyo fashion. Too fashionable for me.

In Seoul I found these underwear/pyjama shops everywhere I went. Really cute! I wish they had them in Tokyo too...

Sunshine

2007-05-07T14:27:00.000+02:00

It's a beautiful day - the sun is shining, it's hot and I'm wearing shorts and a tshirt.
And suddenly this woman appears, all dressed in black. Coat, pants and even gloves to cover herself up with. And of course, an umbrella. This is how some japanese women (have yet to see a man like this) enjoy the nice weather. All afraid of UV rays and skincancer. It's good to be cautious about all that but isn't this a bit too much?

The first post

2007-05-06T04:05:00.000+02:00

Oh. my. god. I finally have a blog! I almost can't believe it. Was supposed to start it when I first came to Japan but better late than never I guess... Now we'll just have to wait and see how often I update this thing.
Created this blog so I could show my friends and family how my life is here in Tokyo. And of course to show all the funny and strange things I've stumbled upon while being here... so much to share!

Since I came here (which was about 1 1/2 month ago) I've taken about 1500 pictures with my digicam. Which means my memory card is almost full and I've gotta burn them down so I can take even more pictures. Gonna upload some pics the next time I have my camera with me.

Now, time for some coffee and lunch at Doutor!
Tata for now!