DIY JAPANESE

So last semester I picked up Beginner level Japanese at my university when I realised they offered free language classes. I am a japanese culture junkie, as well as a language enthusiast. But I just couldn't gather enough energy in the week to continue the class, what with all the other writing classes and the work they were demanding of me, plus I had a part time job that required a lot of energy and patience; teaching spoilt rich A.D.H.D. kids to play tennis.

I was really down about dropping the class but then dropping it meant I could start back attending Japanese Cultural Society meetings which were stupidly held the same time as the class. But, just as I was about to go in last week to watch Battle Royale with the anime addicts, and was getting excited about our trip to Hare and Tortoise, a popular japanese food chain in London, the shifts were determined for this job I applied to. I had foolishly confirmed that I could work Tuesday evenings, the same evening all this Japan-ness was taking place. Don't blame me, I need the money and therefore took all the shifts I could think of. So I sighed and stuck to my Japanese Word a Day application on Facebook.

The Word of the day at the time was 'suki', along with the phrase 'suki desu', meaning 'I like it.' And that same day was when I found out that one of my favourite artists won record of the year at this year's Grammy's. Ya, that artist that Natalie Cole said should not have won because of how it will affect her recovery from drug addiction? GOOD GUESS! Amy Winehouse! Well, I love her, and I think Natalie is right but what can you do at this point?

Anyway! So in response to that, I changed my facebook status to 'Watashi wa Amy Winehouse ga daisuki desu!'- this means I love Amy Winehouse. And ever since, my facebook wall posts have been more and more like this:

"kara! haha you are so japanese."
""You know I'm no good" ga dai suki desu."
"tomodachi, konnichiwa! nihongo ga hanashimasu ka?!"

I was like, well hurrah! people think I speak Japanese, while I casually teach myself in the confines of my room, one word at a time. So, I thought, I might as well actually pretend that I speak it, which has sprung forth an extremely late, but new 2008 resolution; to teach myself to have proper conversations with a japanese speaker.

My friend Alex, who moved to Japan nearly two years ago and teaches English there sent me this website that he swore by in preparation for moving there. He was the one who sent that last facebook wall post up there, which I totally didn't know what it meant at first, tried to play it off like I did by searching a Japanese phrase website and I bloody well answered him back in japanese too! So today, I was forced to learn how to say 'My japanese is bad'- 'watashi no nihongo wa heta desu', as well as my word-a-day (kikitai, if you must know, meaning 'want to hear or listen to').

This website is run by a guy Khatzumoto(he is not Japanese) who taught himself to speak japanese in 18 months.
"I learned Japanese in 18 months by having fun. In June 2004, at the ripe old age of 21, all post-pubescent and supposedly past my mental/linguistic prime, I started learning Japanese. By September 2005, I had learned enough to read technical material, conduct business correspondence and job interviews in Japanese. By the next month, I landed a job as a software engineer at a large Japanese company in Tokyo (yay!)."

It is actually possible to do this. I have already been doing it with the help of the ever popular Facebook. But sometimes their phrases can get repetitive. So, time to search for more help. Khatzumoto has tons of useful tips. Check it out if you always wanted to learn a cool foreign language, or always wanted to express how cute that japanese guy in your class is with bleached fringe in his eyes(Alex tells you how to say that below), or if you just plan to do business with guys bowing in immaculate suits! It's a really refreshing website also because he's fun to follow, being young and totally UNLIKE a dull Japanese professor who isn't up to date with the times.

AND NOW, Here are my friend Alex's top five most useful phrases he's come across since living in Japan, which I begged him for on his wall after telling him how much I sucked:

Useful phrase # 1 - Sumimasen - Sorry!
Useful phrase # 2 - (place or thing) wa doko desu ka? - Used to ask directions.
Useful phrase # 3 - Nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimasu. - I understand little Japanese.
Useful phrase # 4 - (name)-san wa kawaii ne! - Used for telling someone they're cute.
Useful phrase # 5 - (object) ga arimasu ka? - Used for asking a store clerk or salesman if they sell a particular item.

THE TATTOO DILEMMA

This fantastic picture on Face Hunter got me to write this post on tattoos. I wonder where this girl works. Probably some uber fantastic thrift store. THEY ALWAYS work at some thrift store!The truth is, I've been thinking about getting another one for some time now; just a small one. But I've been really worried about being pigeon-holed into the 'addicted inker' category. Like, how much is too much? And even though Angelina is paying thousands to gradually remove some of hers, I can still see them. I don't want to make the mistake of a lifetime; literally.

I love me that one poignant statement of a tattoo, and just the one. And mine is set into skin right there on my back already(a Man Ray that I got on my 18th) but things like tattooing and piercing can be both addictively dangerous and dangerously addictive. I never intended to go too far. In fact, only until I saw that Man Ray picture 3 years ago in some Fashion through the ages coffee table read, did I decide I had to NOT hate or fear tattoos anymore. I had serious respect for that tattoo. I thought it had chosen me because I have been playing the violin since I was 5 and it has been a big part of my life; that is, until I started University.

But what about one in a more exposed area? What about work? I mean, Becks and Posh just updated their vast ink collection, and that one awesome blogger/teen vogue intern Jazzy(I think that's her name because I've lost her blessed blog and love it to bits and am really anxious to find it again) just got a really exciting Alice in Wonderland inspired one that says "Contrarywise" running down her arm. I'm thinking, well, all the jobs I'm going to have are going to be freelancer positions or things as such; working in editorial or features or what have you. Of course, this is not certain. I mean, my father could easily lose his job tomorrow, have me abandon my degree and inform me of my clerical doom in some snorathon office for the rest of my life, where it is totally taboo to have a tattoo. But basically, a creative working atmosphere gives you creative license, right? The gay thing about my tattooed people examples is that they have all 'made it', whatever 'making it' means.

So someone tell me, because the spot on my skin where I have marked as my next ink location is itching. Has The Almighty Office overcome its prejudices against the tattooed tribes? Is just being good at what you do now enough? *SIGH* I am going to have to do many more posts on this. I can't believe something that disgusted me 3 years ago has become a blooming obsession. But look at how beautiful they can be! (The second one in b/w is mine)

I just added this last one because although her toenails are mangled, this tattoo would look great with pumps.

ITEM OF THE DAY

'Friends' is one of my highest ranking labels on this blog so far. And I hope you know I don't mean that pathetic little American show that had everyone transfixed at one point; except me.

It's just really invaluable to have a true friendship, even if it's just in the singular. And I don't mean the friend that is willing to blow all her money (which is actually her parents') on cocktails for you in one night, then hold your hair up as you let it rip over the toilet after the boozing. Those are acquaintances. As The Lonely Londoner, I can seriously say it's been tough making 'friends'. I mean, the one major friend I made out here became my love interest, then my overseas boyfriend (he was an exchange student), then my ex. Yes, we are still exceptionally close, but...what about a friend in London?

I think I realised I can barely count any on one hand. Maybe that's why I've been ditching the house parties before midnight, passing on the 'take shots every time someone says the word'fuck' kinda thing, and delving deep into my work, befriending Angela Chase on My So Called Life, and most of all, blogging. I don't think it makes me pathetic, I think it just makes modern 'people-meeting' pathetic.

The last episode of MSCL that I watched, ep. 10, was where Rayanne decided to throw a huge birthday bash with the money her runaway father had sent her. She, of course, as troubled as she already is, got majorly boozed and smashed off of a bad mix of alcohol and ecstasy. By the time her mother came home to shut everything down and yell at her, then stomp off again, she was on the verge of passing out. Rickie is the epitome of care and dedication by friend; plus he wears an amazing band captain jacket. I completely broke down watching him protect this girl. It wasn't only episode 10, but all the ones that preceded it. Rickie is my ultimate friend. If I run out of eyeliner, I'm set. He'd be waiting in front of the girls' bathroom mirror for me, teasing his curled hair and telling me how beautiful I was, with or without the liner. So watching him shudder with tears as he slapped his best friend's pallid face, really got to me. He says this one great line, talking to Angela's mom in the hospital (she came to the rescue): "Has there ever been someone....? Did you ever try to protect someone..SO MUCH..that it, like...hurt?"*starts crying*

Okay okay, I am way too melodramatic about this show. But like they all say, you really had to have seen it. My point is, value your real friends and really be there for them. I won't call any names, but no matter how much I've stuck it out for this one person, they keep failing me. I've been asking people for help about it. She completely disregarded our plans this weekend..twice! And still hasn't made an effort to talk about it. I'm just...this close, yuh know? *sigh* That is why, the IOTD is a real friend.

REASONS I CAN'T SLEEP!

1) It's been a trecherously long week for me and for some reason I can't get it out of my head that it's only Sunday! It should be an easy thing to remember, but I am just in constant fear that I need to get up and print something off for Monday morning class. "KARA, YOU HAVE ONE MORE DAY OF REST!"

2)I keep thinking I gotta get a fashionable move-on with my day because I've spent the last 4 hours counting the plaid in My So Called Life and the number of fashion bloggers who totally know what they're about style-wise, and I just don't feel like I fit into the couturable equation anymore.

3)I keep regretting my lenten promise to not shop for 40 days and 40 tossy-turny nights. I have been on a serious fashion blog-spotting binge and the number of adorable things I've spotted that I just need to take the number 14 bus to Picadilly Circus and buy...*grrrrr* Well, let's just say the number is getting pretty close to the number of strands on my extra follicled head.

4)I haven't been able to get my daily dose of Pinoy boy toy on Skype/MSN Messenger because said person is away on a conference in Texas for the weekend in some kind of nightmarish hotel where there is no free internet! PFFT!

5)I am incomprehensibly H.U.N.G.R.Y and nothing I have is pre-made, and I am meeting a friend for lunch in Marble Arch tomorrow/later and I am just salivating over the places we will see and possibly dine at. I am also preparing a fantastic omelette in my head with the contents of my one cupboard, that I just don't want to have to get up and make!

6)My hair needs a wash and these extensions might be dying twice on my head. I am struggling with the fact that I may have to singlehandedly take out each braid myself this week and get the whole 6 hour long braiding process re-done. UGH! I am also trying to work with the idea of going back to my normal hair, which may need extra attention now with all the sweating I'll be doing at work with Bikram and friends, as well as with the damage it will be receiving if and when I dye it again. DOUBLE UGH!

Okay, it's 7:45am (beyond ridiculous!). I am going to have such a major insomniac hangover. It's time to fake it and stitch myself into the covers.

STOLEN FROM TRENDINISTA

O.M.G New favourite website alert. Next time I go to San Francisco, I'mma look out for them and give 'em my best. http://www.kanankids.com/

The photography! The Fashion! The Bay Area, baby!

ITEM OF THE DAY

OKAY! This is really risky. I know the outfit is complete balls but I just really adore this scarf. You know how I feel about Tie Dye/Dip Dye, seeing as I wrote an entire article on it a few posts back and instructions on how to do it. In the words of Juno, this scarf is totally boss! It reminds me of a pale pink and black sheer one my mother has and refuses to hand down to me because she has finally realised that whatever I like, she should too!

I'M GETTING PAID TO DO YOGA

I mentioned a while back that I applied for a job at a yoga centre. Well I went over there today for a quick chat with the manager and was told I would be starting working on Tuesdays and Fridays. I originally applied for receptionist work and was told I was going to be a helping hand. But it didn't exactly come to me in those words. She said "Okay Kara, so usually receptionists are helping hand first then they move up once they get a feel of the place and what bikram yoga is all about. So, what you're basically going to be doing is spraying the mats before and after classes with lavender and rose water, because they tend to get really sweaty, and then you sit in on the actual classes, so you're going to need to bring your yoga gear."

I can't say I wasn't thrilled but 'SAY WHAT?' This isn't sitting behind a desk on Facebook and taking calls. I'm glad I took it up though. I get a chance to learn this beneficially amazing artform(never done bikram, but I practise Hatha) for free! The place is well set up and although very steamy, as it should be, it is such a relaxed atmosphere, and I only made it to the lobby. The benefits are great, a ten day pass as of now just for showing up, anyone who shows up I think, and well, once I get started I am pretty much getting paid to detox, strengthen and flexify myself! And I can still go for free whenever I'm not working. This centre is really great. Check it our here. It's based in Fulham but there's another one opening in Balham soon.

I made sure before I got to the interview I did a little research on Bikram yoga. So, in case you were interested in getting started:

Bikram yoga is a popular type of yoga that was created by Bikram Choudhury. The Bikram yoga practice consists of a sequence of 26 postures, which are each held for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. The room temperature in which Bikram yoga is practiced should be approximately 105°F and 60% humidity. The heated room is beneficial for warming up the muscles to allow a deeper stretch and to detoxify the body. I got this from my Teach Yourself Visually Yoga book, which is the way I learnt yoga. Yes, if you don't want to go sweating it out with a bunch of half naked strangers, you can do it in the privacy of your own own.

Did I mention my depression and how well it had lifted my mood and my thinking? I am telling you, yoga is the real deal. And with results in body and mind in a mere three weeks? Can't go wrong people. Become a friend of Bikram Yoga; or yoga period! I'll keep you all posted on how my work there progresses.

On a sidenote, those Teach Yourself Visually books aren't half bad. They're so many of them on the most unlikely DIY things. You may not even have to get a degree anymore: Digital Photography, Adobe Photoshop 7, Drawing, Handspinning, Poker(!), Wireless Networking, Jewelry Making and Beading, Golf, MacBook, Calculus, Chess, Weight training, Dog Training(!!!). Yeah, a sign for me to stop.

The picture isn't to scare you away. Trust me, you'll be able to do this in like a week of practising.