Always look forward

my second meme!

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:25:36 GMT

I went to see my family from Slovakia today while they are still in the states. I haven't seen them for two years also, so it was nice to get to talk. My little cousin is also learning Japanese, by some strange coincidence, so I started helping her with writing and stuff. Strange- Japanese is spreading through my family or something, lol.

I also asked my friend Yusuke to talk tonight online, but I got back way late from my uncle's house, so I missed him. I feel so bad!!

girlearthless tagged me in this meme, though, which made me feel a little bit better <3

A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.
B) Tag 8 people to do this quiz & those who are tagged cannot refuse. These people must state who they were tagged by & cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by.

1. What annoys you?
Girls who pretend to be stupid (or just are naturally stupid) and act all cute and loud and annoying in front of guys. Seriously, just find a frat house and be done with it. Don't ruin perfectly good interesting conversations.

2. What do you do before bedtime?
Listen to music, fangirl, talk to my friends in Japan if they are on Skype.

3. What will your dream wedding be like?
Hmm... though I can't say where I would like the wedding to be, I'd like to have my family and friends who have been there for me to be there. I'd also like to be at least twenty pounds thinner and look beautiful in my gown. ^.^

4. What is the city of your dreams and why?
Right now, the city of my dreams is Tokyo because of all the Japanese men and the Japanese language and the Japanese food, and the Japanese clothes, and well... I think you get the picture. Most importantly, though, Ikuta Toma is in Tokyo. MAJOR MOTIVATION

5. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Extrovert, though few people know what I really think or feel, especially if it involves other people's feelings or my personal wants.

6. Tell me about your first love.
My first real love was with this boy in sophomore year of high school... I was ready to marry him, he moved on after two months. Broke my heart for a year, but now we're pretty close and can joke and talk about almost anything.

7. Do you trust easily?
With friends, both guys and girls, I trust pretty easily. More girls than guys, though. With boys in a romantic light, though, not at all. (It's kind of hard to when your first boyfriend cheats on you, lol)

8. What's one thing you dislike doing but do it anyway?
Writing papers. Though the final products usually make me feel pretty proud. Oh, and exercise. Hate it, but have to do it.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
Being without a boyfriend. I'm not exactly a clingy person, but it's nice to have someone.

10. What is your best quality?
I'm good at interacting with groups and reading people. I can almost always tell when something is bothering someone, and can usually figure out why.

11. Is being tagged fun?
Yes!! It makes me feel like people remember me on lj. ^.^

12. What is your worst quality?
I get too easily caught up in something, be it a story, a drama, a song, a boy... I fall in love way too easily and either leave myself way too vulnerable or intimidate and scare off most guys.

13. Who are currently the most important people to you?
My sister, my dad, and my friends who I miss very much.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
Though we haven't talked much, I think she is a very nice, considerate, and friendly person.

15. Would you break up with the person you love if being with you is preventing them from achieving their dream?
If there were no other option, I would let him go. If he then felt his dream was more important than me, then I wouldn't regret it. I wouldn't want him to live with the regret of missing his dream, and would rather he go for his dream and either make it and return to me or try and return to me.

16. How many children do you want to have, if any?
Probably two, but it's never very wise to make plans in life.

17. What's better, to give or to receive?
I love to give presents because I love to watch people's reactions, which I think is kind of selfish. Presents are always, always welcome, though. : D

18. Do you believe in ghosts?
I'm not sure. It's something that's so hard to prove or disprove, and I think anyone who says he or she knows for certain is lying.

19. Are you a book or movie person?
It depends on what book or movie, but I'll more readily go for a book I know nothing about than a movie. I do love interesting movies, but those dime for a dozen chick flicks piss me off to no end.

20. What were your parents going to name you if you'd been born the opposite gender?
I really have no idea... I think they knew I was going to be a girl from the beginning, or as soon as they could. I used to hate my name, but have only recently come to terms with it and begun to like it.

Now, time to tag!

I tag: saihara, usagil00lchan, tleung517, suketerusilver881

I know I don't talk very much to some of the people tagged, but hopefully this way we can get to know each other a little better!

my first meme!

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:23:11 GMT

So I wasn't exactly tagged, but I was invited to do this meme by girlearthless.

You're supposed to take a picture of your desktop, and then tag another five people to do the same.

So, my first time tagging someone! I tag: oneeyedoctopus, suketeru, soarineagle, kireira, tleung517
Please continue the meme if you have time!

Ok, so here is my desktop!

credits for the wallpaper go to graphicfighter!!

Outside the computer...

I got home a few days ago from Mexico, and it feels soo nice! don't get me wrong- I loved staying with my family and seeing all of them again (it's been two years since I saw them last), but it can get to be too much. One of the things that always makes me laugh is how my family members are never satisfied until they can come up with a convincing reason for why you feel the slightest bit unwell, no matter if that means a slight sneezing spell or a stomach ache. They will exhaust every option, every possibility before moving on. It's weird. Kind of concerned, but weird.

My grandfather is also a very cautious man. He's always afraid to let me walk even just two blocks away from the house alone during the middle of the day. He never lets my mom out alone at night, and he tells us to stop sewing with metal hooks if it starts to thunder (even though we are in the house and have better chances of being abducted than hit by that lightning). It's cute sometimes, but it's also a little frustrating at times.

Now I'm back home, though, and I feel like I run the house (when my dad is not home, at least). I cook, my sister and I clean, I do laundry...It's like it's my own house, and I like the feeling. Not that I don't love my mom, but it's nice to have time away from her with my sister, you know?

Anyway, it's kind of late over here, so I'll say goodnight for today!

To those on my flist- I would love to be tagged for a meme, if you do one!

bye bye~!

apparent hiatus

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:07:10 GMT

Hey everyone!!
Right now, I´m typing to you from a shabby little computer in a somewhat run-down little building that provides internet for 5 pesos an hour. I´m sorry for those who read my posts (few, though there may be) that I haven´t updated lately. For the next few weeks I will be in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the city of my birth. It´s so relaxing and nostalgic to come back here- I wasn´t able to come last year because I wanted to work during the summer.
This place... like any other place in the world, it changes of course. But, for me, it´s kind of like it is its own little world in a bottle that continues, regardless of the conditions outside of it. The smells are the same, the bright colors that cover houses, walls, and graffitti, and the taste of my grandmother´s cooking (though sometimes somewhat salty) are all the same and unchanged. The stray dogs that roam the streets have changed, and in fact my grandparents have moved from their house of 35 years, but somehow it doesn´t feel like such a strange move or transition. It is very strange, here, but I like it. I kind of feel like I am suspended in time, like the days that pass are only real here, nowhere else. I don´t know how to explain it... I guess that is the best I will be able to do.

Hopefully, when I have more time, I will write more about my experiences here. Until then, please excuse your unproductive friend, and know that though I may not have time to comment, I do read your posts and love to hear what is going on in your lives.

Later!!

Aya

Like Grains of Sand

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:33:51 GMT

So, even though it's 4:23 am right now, I just finished watching "Nagisa no Shindobaddo" or "Like Grans of Sand," and I was so moved by it. It's such an amazing movie- anyone who likes Japanese movies must watch this movie. It's definitely Japanese in style, very realistic and slow-paced. Every character is so intricately developed, with their own real personality and problems. It's a movie I'm sure I'm going to have to watch again sometime. It's subtly heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.

To give a short synopsis, the movie follows the end of a year in high school for 3 main characters (Aihara, Ito, and Yoshida) and their friends and classmates. Ito realizes that he is in love with Yoshida, and when the whole school finds out he is made fun of for being gay. Aihara is an extremely difficult to understand girl who sort of forces herself into Ito's life without his permission, and forever changes not only Ito's life but Yoshida's as well. It's such a complicated story, as close to real life as a movie will ever get, I think. I don't mean there aren't cinematic elements to the film, which of course there are (how coincidental is it that Aihara and Ito are both in the nurse's office at the same time? Aihara's reason for being there, by the way, is never discussed), however the interactions between people are so natural and seemingly unscripted... it's brilliant.

Ok, so I just ranted forever about this movie lol. If you don't like it, please feel free to tell me. I won't bite your head off, and would love to hear your opinions! However, at least after reading this review, you will know that if you don't like the movie, you are wrong. lol

Oh, I almost forgot! If you want to watch it and see for yourself, the link to the first part of the movie on youtube is right here: Like Grains of Sand Part 1

Enjoy!

Hisashiburi!*

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:19:55 GMT

Konbanwa, Minna-san!

I'm sorry I haven't written in so long (for those of you who read!); I've been busy and lazy, a deadly combination for an online journal. : ) So what is new now?

My friend Hiroko is officially dating that boy, and I couldn't be happier for her! They both look so happy!! But... is it completely horrible that I'm somewhat jealous? I really want a boyfriend again... it's been almost a year and a half since I broke up with my last boyfriend, and I really don't want to be alone anymore! (Don't worry Ikuta-san, I'll always love you best!)

I've decided, though, that I can't look for love, or it will never find me. I want to just forget about it, but it's difficult. It's even more difficult because I've kind of decided that I only want to date Japanese guys, and there are a limited supply in Arizona lol. It's strange, but I just don't think it would be easy for me to get along with an American guy. It's getting hard for me to speak only English when I speak to my Japanese friends, and it's even harder to speak only Spanish to my mother, even though Spanish was my first language. So, I think it would be difficult for me to be with someone who either didn't speak Japanese or know anything about Japanese culture. Plus, Japanese boys are 1. attractive and 2. really polite and well-mannered (for the most part). But, next year I'm going to live in an apartment with a really good Japanese girl friend of mine, Eiko, so maybe introductions or something can lead to a happy ending (or beginning) for Aya-chan? Who knows, but I hope for the best!

Japanese has become such a large part of my life in such a short time, but I know it's something that's going to stay. It's really interesting how much it has changed my life; it's decided my major, given me great friends I would have otherwise probably not have gotten to know, given me goals in life, and a role-model in the hard-working Ikuta Toma. : ) My family sometimes makes fun of me for it, but it's really something I love to study and want to pursue.

Ack! I have two research papers due next Friday, and I really really don't want to do them!

Oh! I watched the first episode of Last Friends, the new drama with Eita, Nishikido Ryo, Nodame and Kiyora from Nodame Cantabile, and Rei from Proposal Daisakusen. It's soooo good! Juri Ueno (Nodame) is such an amazing actress! She was so cute in Nodame, but she's just amazing in this drama... I won't say anything more, but you just have to watch it! I definitely recommend it to everyone... Even though it deals with the very delicate and difficult subject of domestic violence, among other things, it is very interesting and emotional, even in the first episode. My heart starts beating even from just watching the opening lol. Here's the link, in case you want to watch it:
prisoner of love
I can't wait for the next episode!!!

I also started watching Tamaki Hiroshi's drama, the one with the deer whose name escapes me right now, but I wasn't as impressed with that one. It's interesting, but I feel Tamaki Hiroshi's acting is never going to evolve past the highly animated faces of surprise and shock that marked his performance in Nodame Cantabile. He is undeniably attractive, but I think it's a waste if all the dramas he acts in only rely on that for value. Hopefully further episodes or later dramas will prove me wrong, though.

Ugh, I have to go... I'm tired and I have been procrastinating again (what else is new?)
: P

Well, until next time!!

aya

*Hisashiburi= long time no see!

Dates and Tea

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:23:26 GMT

Hello, Minna-san!
So today, I don't have a lot of news about myself to bring you. I do, however, have some good news about my friend Hiroko to share with the world! She's so cute...she had her first date with this boy on Friday, and she told me all about it today! It was so cute! Apparently he told her her skirt was pretty, and that she was so cute when he caught her talking to herself when trying to answer a question. I'm so happy for her!! She deserves the best guy out there, and I hope this guy is good enough for her! Oh man...will I ever find that one guy? I hope so...

Well, until next time!

aya

Birth as a Scanner

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:54:28 GMT

今晩は！
Minna-san, how are we today?
As for me, I'm feeling very proud of myself. I finally scanned my first Ikuta Toma pictures into my computer, and am about to share them with the world! I am starting to feel somewhat useful in the fangirl world. If you are interested, they're available in my gallery!

As for my regular life, I had a Japanese test today which I'm fairly certain I did well on, and then I had dinner with my good friends Hiroko and Mayuko at a cool Afghan restaurant. It was so cute- we sat in this little booth-type table that was covered by semi see-through curtains, kind of like the kind some lucky little girls get over their beds. Oh, and the food wasn't bad either, though they gave me enough rice to last for at least five days which I couldn't finish.

I also tried to track down the ever-elusive manager of the apartment complex my friend Eiko and I are moving into next semester, but to no avail. I swear, this lady is blocking my calls. She always promises she'll call me "by the end of the week," but it's never very clear which week she's talking about. Lucky for her, they keep coming one right after the other, so if she misses one there's always the next, but that kind of stinks for me. Oh well, I'll keep trying!

Well then, until next time!

yoroshiku ne~!

aya

First day back from Spring Break

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:08:29 GMT

Hello, Mina-san!
Are we doing well?
So today was my first day back from spring break, and it was very unproductive lol. I didn't realize until about noon today how tired I was from my five-hour plane ride and 2-hour bus ride from my home to school. I didn't think it was a good idea, but my friend convinced me to take a 20-minute nap before my next class, so I did. And woke up three hours later, missing my Languages and Cultures of East Asia and my Japanese class. lol Damn you Hiroko! Just kidding, I love her!!
Well, at least now i've rested well and have enough energy to do well tomorrow! (I hope)

But I guess I can't say today was completely unproductive. I started organizing my pictures of Ikuta Toma! I have so many, and I have an unhealthy habit of not labeling them when I know I'm going to want to label them at some point...I don't understand myself sometimes lol.

I've been thinking about what I could do to contribute to the two communities I belong to, Ikuta_toma and boys_paper, but I hadn't really had any scans that haven't already been posted until now! However, that same friend Hiroko took that magazine to read, so unfortunately I can't upload them today. (Please don't hate her!) : )

Well, that said, everyone please look forward to tomorrow's post!

Matta ne~

Aya

"Spring Break"

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:15:34 GMT

Hello! [to anyone who is listening : ) ]

Starting last Friday, my university freed us for a short period from the college life in the bittersweet time called "spring break." To be honest, it doesn't feel like spring to me at all. It's cold, cloudy, and well, cold. And the break part feels more like a tease than a real rest. Wednesday has already flown by, and I go back to school in three days. I really feel guilty complaining, but I don't want to upset my friends or family, so I have to pretend to be strong at least to them. In a way, this place is my escape. No one in my family really understands my interest in and love of Japanese culture, and though I really feel proud of the amount of the language I have learned in the few short months I've been exposed to it, my father and sister seem to find the greatest pleasure in making fun of my new major and hobby. I'm very tired of it, and feel left out. I'm sure I'm not the only daughter in the world who has ever felt she is the second favorite. It's not my father's fault by any means, it's just extremely painful.

Ack, ok, enough of the emo-talk! I'm so very excited, because last night I read on one of my favorite LJ communities, Ikuta_toma, that my beloved actor (Ikuta Toma) will once again be on the small screen as Nakatsu Shuichi in the special for Hanazakari no Kimitachi e!! Not only do I adore Ikuta-san, but Hana Kimi is my favorite drama of all time (Stand Up!! and Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu are close second and third). I highly recommend all of those J Dramas, by the way, in case you are looking for some good ones to watch! Though the air date hasn't been decided yet, I'm excited enough that filming is starting this week!

Well, I think I've rambled enough for today. Until tomorrow,
まったね！

Aya

First Post!

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:40:14 GMT

Hello to everyone in the LJ community!

My name is Aya, and though I've been sort of watching some of the communities in LJ, I haven't posted anything or really contributed. However, this will change! So, though today I don't have much time to write, I will try to somewhat regularly post the happenings in a normal freshman college girl's life. Please comment as you like! Though one of the purposes of joining LJ was to write down my thoughts and sort of record my life, another purpose was to make friends and talk to people that I would have otherwise probably never spoken to. So, comments, messages, and friends are welcome!

よろしくお願いします！
I leave myself in your care!

Aya