Yokohama Fun!

** Yokohama Hanabi **
Aug 22

So, after a long night, I woke up at about 9:45 am. Jun said we’d wake up at 9… so I was like “Uh-oh, spaghetti-o’s” LOL. But I think I was the only one awake.. It wasn’t til like an hour later Jun surprised me LOL. He overslept too. But after some breakfast... well... brunch… at about 1 we left for Yokohama. Trains are a bit different here. I’ve come to the conclusion that they are probably a little different everywhere...

His mom drove us to the station cause it’s a bit far... and it’s a bit hot LOL. So we took the train and met his brother at a station and it seemed like Jun was teaching him how to use a Pasmo (train card)... it’s strange... I don’t quite know. LOL it’s so simple even I knew had to do it! Oh well... I’m sure there was something more behind it... then afterward we continued on to Yokohama where we shopped around. I gave in and bought a bag just for my netbook because 1) I wanted one to begin with and 2) I’m running out of bag space right now... so I may have an extra bag but at least I can unstuff some and not worry about broken baggage... like last year… oh the nightmares!

We went to this foreign snack store. Some things looked familiar... El Paso taco stuff... Pringles.. I bought a giant Hershey bar for almost 400 yen LOL. I bought a water bottle holder too. It keeps the water cool and keeps my hands free. 150 yen or so. Good deal. I decided on what I’m doing for my little sis’s xmas present. But that’s a secret :p

So after some soft cream and more shopping we returned by train, stopping at Kentucky (KFC) for dinner. I thought we were picking up dinner for everyone but it ended up just Jun and I eating it. We had some fried chicken, red hot chickens (wings, I‘d say they were mild), nuggets, and fries. We ate all but maybe one of the fried chickens LOL. His mom gave me a book after dinner... it’s a kid’s book but, hey, my skills aren’t good enough for a juvenile book! It’s actually a Japanese story… pretty pictures. I hope I can read it and understand it one day fully. It’s called “Gongitsune”.

At 7:00 was the fireworks! So we went to the rooftop (we went there last night... I don’t think I wrote about that... he said if I want to cry, scream, whatever, I can go up there. We stayed up there for about an hour talking). We climbed up the ladder to the very top… my legs were shaking going up and down… SCARY! But I did it. The fireworks were pretty! Even though I couldn’t here all the booms and claps, it was worth it having the pretty view (even though it was further away than I expected... but you go to see fireworks… and I could see… so that’s the point) and not having to put up with the thousands of people and crowded trains and sweaty yukatas (not that I don’t like wearing my yukata LOL) and painful getas (can’t say the same for them… I’ll wear my Rocket Dogs next time).

After the fireworks we stayed up there for about 30 more minutes talking... saying the world is big and we feel soooo small LOL. Talking about this one star and if certain people could see it too. Just a bunch of nothing ^.^

** Sea Paradise **
Aug 23

Today, Jun had a date with Manami, pre-planned... didn’t include me. They went to the A-Nation concert (various artists) in Tokyo... LUCKY! So, Jun was trying to plan for me and Kimiko to hang out and I stay out Manami’s place tonight but that didn’t work out. Instead, Jun’s mom, younger brother, and his girlfriend, and I went to Sea Paradise. It’s a small amusement park with an aquarium on the beach. Pretty place.

I didn’t really know where we were going to be honest. Jun told me last night that we were going to the aquarium but when we got there I thought I misunderstood because we were walking near the beach and then toward a pool and I was like “OH NO DID I MISUNDERSTAND??? I don’t have my swimsuit... how do I explain...” but it turned out ok. We just went the wrong way trying to get to Sea Paradise. PHEW!
First thing we went to the aquarium. So pretty. Lots of fishies! I saw some pookie penguins too :D And a bear!







After the aquarium we were going to see the sea mammal show but it was packed and starting soon so we decided to get lunch and go back for the next show. Which we did. After riding the roller coaster (YES! but my legs were long and they hit the bar a lot and now i have a bruise >.< BUT I HAVE PICTURE!) and doing a little shopping. The show was great. Unfortunately when we got back… it was packed again and we couldn’t sit down so we stood in the back. Cute show, but glad it ended because I can’t stand in one place for too long. I believe there is a name for that condition.. LOL






After the show we got some soft cream. They didn’t have a small size and I know my stomach with too much dairy so I decided against one but Okaasan decided to share with me. So nice. Then we did a little more shopping. Then rode the pirate ship ride. Then went back. Seems like a short trip when reading this but we were there for like 5 hours.

After some rest, Okaasan and I made some decorative soaps (with the papers on them) while eating pizza. Tasted like my favorite from CiCis ^.^

naruHODO LOL xxx

Ok, so I'm going to hopefully touch on all the fun stuff that has been happening.

So I checked out of the hotel and headed to the Aoyama Itchome station with my smaller suitcase (still kinda large, it was one of my checked luggage), computer bag, and my yellow pea thing bag and purse (I ran out of room in the suitcase ^.^;; ). I took the Oeno line... you know, that line that is 5 floors downstairs... with no escalator... or maybe there was one or two... LOL but I clearly remember trying to get that suitcase down the stairs by myself. I did get some help from some nice guys, NICE guys, not so nice looking unfortunately. So I have to take the Oeno line and switch to the pink line. And when I switch, I find my platform going to Ogikubo, not realizing right then that the track is splitted, going into two different directions. I've never had this problem before, so I never have to pay attention the signs saying which train is coming and bounded for what (I did finally, this year, figure out what those signs mean!). So the first train comes and I board, look at the map, and it's NOT going to Ogikubo! So I jump right off. That was just warning for the JR station.

I board the correct train and arrive at Ogikubo, by now I've been traveling for about 45 minutes - 1 hour. I call Manami to let her know I was going to board the JR train and head that way. I'm in the station... and I have NO clue where to go now. So..... TIME TO PRACTICE MY JAPANESE :D "Sumimasen, Hachioji-shi ni ikitaindesukedo" (Excuse me, I was to go to Hachioji). And I got directions for purchasing my ticket and which platform. This is where I have to pay attention. Not ALL trains go to Hachioji. In fact, just one of the 3. Then the shinkansens bullet past as well. I go up the escalator and see a train... I have time to get on but I want to make sure I get on the right one. So I check the map and it leaves... that was the right train and I stood waiting for another 15 minutes for the next LOL. Oh well... I did get on the train but it took me 5 minutes or so to convince myself that it was the right train. Those maps are harder to understand. And they are like TVs that keep changing so I can read it fast enough... it keeps changing!!!! BUT I DID IT! BY MYSELF! VICTORY <3

I arrived in Hachioji at about noon. I remember this station. I took a video there last year. Manami is right there so we head to her house. It's cute. I guess it's more like an apartment... on the second floor, small (Japanese size)... long hall including the kitchen area, shower, bathroom, washing machine, and then through the door is the bedroom where we manage to fit 3 people (not that hard, it's a decent size room). I'll tell you later on where we managed to fit 3 people LOL (3 being me, Manami, and Kimiko).

Manami and I went to Karaoke for 3 hours after resting a bit. It was fun :) I may not be an awesome singer, but I love to sing. After stumbling over Japanese songs (I was off my game for some reason... I guess tired from exams and traveling. I went to some English songs. After that we went to her university and met Kimiko for dinner. Then went back to her house. On the way to the bus from the university, one of the (I guess) professors was walking and heard us talking (I guess I have gaijin dialect LOL) and talked to me about where I came from... in Japanese of course. My sign must be lit up (PLEASE SPEAK JAPANESE)

Let me say how much I love the traditional Japanese baths. At the hotel we had showers but at Manami's house it is a traditional bath. You bath on the outside then sit in the tub and relax. So we hang out and talk and at about midnight go to sleep.

The next day I was suppose to go to Jun's house but didn't. Stayed another night with Manami. And glad I did. It was fun. Kimiko has class and went first and then we met her at the university later for lunch then parted... and headed back to the house... where we napped :D It was a nice nap. Then Manami and I went to her work where she works with kids. OMG it was soo much fun. I got my nickname... first in Japanese (besides Hachi)... Kinpa-chan (Blond). I see where kids learn to ride unicycles too. This seemed like summer camp/after school care place to me. We played tag. I tried to teach an American hand game but they were more interested in the unicycles lol. I tried! I got on it but fell. I'm fine though... more like jumped off at the fear of falling.

So we returned. Kimiko came back. Now, in Japan, I've been to public baths but it's always been just me... last year at my homestay I guess because I'm American they give me privacy because that is what we do in America (unless you are a kid). Well I guess I'm only given once chance before we do this the Japanese way. I like to try everything once in this culture... unless it's fish when it comes to food... I draw the line there. OK SO LETS RID THE MODESTY AND HAVE A PUBLIC BATH PARTY! I bathed first so I got that privacy and then got in the tub and after 15 minutes we somehow managed all 3 of us in there... let me say this tub is about half the size of an American tub. I thought it was impossible... but we did it. It was fun though :) We're all girls.

Since studying Japanese I always wanted to make some new word, like American word, that Japanese people start saying. I always thought it'd be "okie-dokie" but I hardly ever say that.... so guess what it is?? Originally it was just "uh-oh" (I said it cutely... supposedly) and then it turned into (can you guess?????? CAN YOU??) "uh-oh, spaghetti-o's" LOL~ Seriously, Kimiko and Manami love to say that now! Maybe it'll become a new cute word little kids say haha...

I wrote that I bought the Tomodachi Collection game right?? That game is bad-booty! (keeping my blog clean lol). Best game ever. Basically I have this mansion where every Mii has room. Currently I have me, Linda, Jun, Diane (Di-Di), Manami, Kimiko, Koda Kumi (Kuu, a singer for those who don't know), Shanaka (Shan), Si Hao(Rico), Nathaniel (Na-kun), and Dionne (Dee). Jun is dating Diane (sorry, Manami... Jun is really her BF in real life). Today Manami said she like Jun (in the game!) and she told him in this pretty dress and on the beach and Jun turned her down... SAITEI (HE'S THE WORST!). Koda Kumi (singer, remember) has this funny intonation that Manami set up where it seems like she is singing everything! She's like "naruhoDOOOO... wakarimashiTAAA" XD It's soooo funny!!! I love this game. I play it all the time. Everyone plays it. Jun is right now.

Now I'm in Yokohama with Jun and his family. Nice place :) I'm here for awhile. Should be able to update more easily. Iiyo~~ Bye bye :)

PS: finally Japanese only right now. NO ONE SPEAKS ENGLISH :D