Ramen Musuem

Hey sup, Well yesterday me and my bestie in Japan Allison went to this Ramen Museum! It was pretty nice and interesting. I really liked it and the creator of the instant ramen died at 96 :( but it was nice to see how it was all started in the city of Ikeda. Of course he was probably rich, but we were also curious to see his house since he is forever part of pop culture! I also learned that his inspiration for the lid was from the macademian nuts that he had on the plane... which of course we don't have these days I mean you're lucky to just get peanuts! But it was really neat. I've also been helping Max he's this black soccer player in Japan, but he really wants to improve his japanese so of course with his permission of using his cell phone e-mail I decided to take him to church and conversation class tommorow and then on Mixi I found this group called I love black men so I joined it and told everyone that I have a cute, nice black friend who is a soccer player that needs help with his japanese. So I'm pretty sure he should be getting some messages from the ladies right about now... hehe well anyways I'm off to studying peace

My goals and Kyoto

Hey, lately I've just been looking at the job postings to work in Japan. I feel that I'm getting closer to my dream of having an international career in Japan preferably in Tokyo or Osaka. I love working with people so I would like to work in these fields: consultation, hospitality, and the best of all JAL an airport. Yeah, sure I have to deal with whiny people but the traveling perks are priceless!! Other than that I went to Kyoto on a field trip! It was very nice and very very beautiful. We made some sweets which was a very sweet trip :D. I also saw my friend Megu who is my bestie in Japan as of now! I'm defintely keeping her as a friend because it's hard to find friends that give you an electronic japanese dictionary, help you meet you fave band, cook and all that type of stuff! So I'm very blessed! I've also realized that since I'm in the intensive japanese track I'm constantly busy and studying like mad, but it seems like those that are in the culture track are not busy and bored like crazy... So basically there is no in between.. which makes sense if you look at it. Other than that I've been dealing with some crazy people esp. the guys I don't get it one wanted to talk down about my japanese until I told him off telling him that he's an idiot for working at a convienent store so he has no right to look down on me since he's not doing anything with his life. And one is confusing the crap out of me with the whole idiot crap.. but yea I've been dealing with crazy folks but hey that's what I get for being nice but opinionated at the same time so I kind of ask for it since I'm outgoing but talk a lot! Other than that, I'm not in the mood to be like wooo asian guy and me and my asian fetish. I have someone back in America and plus I'm lazy and focused on other things! At least that person isn't crazy but sweet and cuddly ;)! Well, anyways time for me to get back to studying and here are my cute friend and Kyoto yay

Absentee votes, Trouble, and Rent

Well, I just came back from discussing my rent situation dorm in an all japanese girls dorm. I was confused because I was billed for this month. I was like why Am'I being billed for this month if I already paid for the september and october. So I brought out my invoice that I saved and I showed it to my dorm manager that I already paid for september and october rent. So then after communicating esp. with the language barrier they told me that it's japanese culture to pay ahead for next month's rent instead of at the same time of the same month.... I was like hmm that makes sense but I was all calm even though I was very confused.. I was pretty upset earlier this week because this japanese guy who is a huge fan of hip hop liked me! He liked me to the point where he called 4 times on the first day we met... Oh jeeze and I thought I was going to get a japanese conversation partner.. bleh well turns out he doesn't go to school and he works at a convenient store. What a loser! Well anyways, I missed his call so I decided to call him back well this was all in japanese and I started to tease him about him liking Namie Amuro and how it was girl's music! Well, he hung up on me! I was pretty pisst because he called me. I returned his call and he hangs up! So I send him a text message saying that he's mean and stuff but I was just joking around though! Then he sends me a message that says "Why don't you speak japanese properly?!" Well, I went off on him! I started telling him why can't you speak english correctly and that he's a dumb ass because he doesn't go to school and works at a convience store! He's a loser and then I told him to never speak to me again! I also told him how offended I was to because I study japanese everyday! But yes what an idiot though! Of course someone that is learning japanese is not going to speak properly because it takes time! You don't tell someone that when they are attempting to learn your language! How RUDE! SO yes, I went off on him and no I don't feel bad because you don't say that to someone that is studying EVERYDAY to learn this language! Other than that, my classes are pretty tough to the point where we have a new lesson everyday and a new quiz it's japanese intensive. It's broken down to 3 different sections listening, kanji, and grammer and we have a a quiz everyday in those classes so yes I'm constantly busy and it's just a lot of work. So yes, the course is fast paced and intensive. Today, I was soo happy because I recieved my overseas ballot. The same day that I recieved it that was the day I turned it in express style honey! I definatly voted for OBAMA/BIDEN woo. I want them to win soo bad that I'm going to brag about it too because we need change! Plus if we don't get it it's going to effect how much I spend in Japan and of course the welfare of our american citizens and of course the global economy! Besides Palin is an IDIOT! But yes, I was happy I voted for change and I'm glad I did something about it to help the cause. Well, that's it for today soo byeezz

KGU Football and nightclub

Last night, I went to a hip hop night nightclub the place was Sam and Dave's. I personally wasn't very fond of it because the place was small and the music was too loud. Meaning the music bounced off the walls and my ears were hurting pretty bad too! Other than, that I met some interesting cats and 2 ghanian brothers! I didn't get back home until 7:00 AM. So yes, it was a very long night! I do plan on going to Club Pure though. I went to my school's football game to root for my school KGU with Win, but yea I was suprised to see the size of the team, field and everything.. I felt like I was in high school and then I was like are they really national champions.. well I guess so! I have pictures so you can judge for yourself. Other than that, I'm excited to go to the nightclubs, but one should NEVER go by themselves. I was never ever stupid enough to do this. Ok, nevermind when I was 15 I wanted to do it.. but now I'm not stupid enough to do it you should always have a wingman by your side so they can watch what's going on. Other than that, the nightlife in Osaka can be pretty dangerous at night due to the amount of drug dealing that happens it's disecret but it happens though. But I should be fine as long as I'm in a group and have someone by my side with a big guy or guy by my side. But yeah, last night a fight was about to jump off, a drunk guy passed out in the middle of the train station with people there and then woke up and threw up everywhere! It was sick! Then he drunk called his friend yuck! Then someone passed out at the nightclub. Other than that, I have a paper and speech to do but I will fulfill with details.. oh and I went to the Jpop festival it sucked! It cost $30 for a round trip to my place to the airport and there was nothing! Well there was something but it sucked so I was mad about that because I wasted my money grr well here are the pics. but woo I'm tired must go to bed peace!

Marshmellows

Yesterday, was my friend's birthday and I decided to make some pork chops and rice crispy treats! I was pretty fusterated because I couldn't find the marshmellows at a lot of convenience stores here! It made me homesick for America because this would never happen in America! America has a variety of foods and at a very cheap price too! But I finally found the marshmellows at the dollar but then again I was walking by these japanese fellas were talking about me jeeze... hahha but yea so I went back to my place to make my friend some american dishes we pulled out the stuff and my friend gasped. She told me that I bought wheat for tempura instead of rice.. Jeeze well to me they look like rice to use for the rice crispy treats! So I ran back to the store to get some and I came back. I made a pit stop because I wanted to rent a fridge I must admit to rent a fridge here it costs around $200 to do it for 9 months! So I got a great deal on it!! So then we finally get to the dessert making as I was about to make the pork chops she was like stop you bought starch instead of flour. I was like damn this stuff looks like flour hahah so we had to postpone that! but the desserts aka chocolate rice crispy treats were delicous I loved it and I will show pic. well luv yah next blog will hav lots more pics. or I'll go back and edit it!! yee

Maturity

Before I came here, I admit it I was soo fascinated by Japan. I was like I LOVE JAPAN! Japan is my country and blah blah blah yaddah I had this obsession, but now since I'm here I just like it.. because there's pros and cons to it. Like Japan, has really healthy food but american food is cheaper, has more of a variety and I feel is better. The downside is is that american foods are too unhealthy and will make you gain weight like crazy.. yuck! I hate the fact that alot of places here don't take debit/credit cards you always have to use cash!! I simply find that to be extremely annoying! I use to my debit card for everything.. but now I can't.. but other than that sometimes I wake up and think wow I can't believe I'm really here in Japan... but I've grown out of the I love it stage and have fully accepted it for what it is..but I admit it the are that I'm living in in Japan which is near Osaka. I like it better than Vegas. :D

Banana Diet

Supposedly, there is the trend in Japan called the banana diet! This is self explained but it's a new diet and basically japanese women are going to grocery stores to be on the banana diet... I really don't understand why japanese women need to be on a diet since they're already skinny anyways... I really don't get it but besides that I've been mad busy and I was in an article Asahi newspaper in a halloween costume.. oii well anyways I'm have to study and do a paper well peace!

Busy...

Well, I'm taking a break right now but I've been really busy lately.... but other than that I've been meeting some new people and getting invited to social events.. but I feel bad because I want to spend time with everybody but I've been booked... and I have to include school time in there too..but other than that on mixi I wrote a topic which is titled Have you ever dated a black girl/boy?! and then I wrote something like if so.. what was you experience good or bad! Well, I recieved some interesting responses and some messages..if I felt the love it was nice because I guess they thought it was towards me and was like well we're japanese and we love dating black people from men and women which is pretty cool! But I also wrote how it seems like in America asian men don't like black women. (This is from my experience). From my experience, I would be nice and try to talk to an asian guy but 10 out of 10 they didn't really reciprocate my feelings. Yet, they would complain about how hard it is to find a nice, smart and pretty woman! Jeeze, talk about being harsh when I'm right there listening! So yes, in America I've never really met an asian guy that liked a black woman. (Don't take it personally this is from my experience). Yes I explained it on my mixi and I recieved some love! It was pretty nice and I definatly want to spend time and have fun with everybody. I guess I am becoming a social butterfly. Well, anyways I'll keep you posted peace!

Didn't realize how emotional I am

Today, I finally realized I am indeed an open book! I can't nor do I hide my emotions at all. I went to Tsutaya today to check out some dvds and cds. The people esp. Kobayashi were very helpful, but at the same time they must of been fusterated helping a poor ryugakusei like me. I saw him with the cds and I asked if I can help him but due to langauge barrier he took it like I needed more help! Oii and so this guy helped me out and called some places to see where they have the cds at. My japanese can only go so far... oii but yeah all I wanted to do was get some cds and dvds and it took an hour. I felt so bad because of the language barrier and of course their emotions didn't show but mine did! This is when I realized how different the culture can be I feel that I still have my american ways because I'm direct and you can easily read me! Where as in they're not that easy to read at times. But yes, my emotions were showing big time through my face I was pretty embarassed and you can see that through my face.. oii so then of course with my japanese language. I told them that you don't have to help me. I'll do it myself besides I have to be miss independent and do it myself! But yes I told them that they were very kind and to tell that to Kobayashi too. Other than that, that was an interesting incident and oh I keep meeting random people off the streets too hahha me and my charismatic and outgoing ways but I have to be careful though... esp. at night .... other than that tommorow I'm going to explore Osaka but I need to stay low and study for now well peace muchachos!!

Brittany

Japanese culture and the embarassing event

Well, I had lunch with my sweet but very quiet nihongo partner and then after that I was off to go to Itami to help volunteer for this event and meet the mayor. Well, it turned off to be totally embarassing event. I have never been so embarassed esp. at this age. Ok so me and 2 other people went to the city hall to and I thought we were going to volunteer in our regular clothes! WRONG!! We had to wear these stupid costumes so basically we were going to meet the mayor in halloween costumes uggh how embarassing so we did and we met the mayor. Ok now here comes the most embarassing part they took pics. of us and of course being the only black gurl I stuck out and maan it was totally embarassing!!! ugh and then the newspapers interviewed us and took pics. so now we're going to be in the Asahi newspapers in our halloween costumes.. I admit it the interview was kinda boring so yes... I nodded off I tried to but yeah... I know I'm weird but this guy kept saying I looked like Whitney Houston. At least he didn't say oh your name is brittany like Britney Spears... oh jeeze!!! But yeah, they wanted us to come to pass out flyers in our halloween costumes. I said yes but I'm not going ... I'm 20 and I refuse to wear a costume unless I'm at a sweet halloween party!!! But yea and then I went to Sannomiya and hung out at this restuarant with my kewl new friend Yoshi it was pretty awesome! I even had my first drink that I liked it was Umeshu which is basically plum wine! I really liked it it was soo good. I met some really cool pplz too. Then I decided to get on the train because the last trains are always around midnight so I went on there and you know I attracted the wierdos again. There were these 2 drunk workers a man and a woman. The drunk woman points at me and whispers loudly kowaii niteiru. Which means I either look scary or cute.. but yea being black hmm u either get good attention or really really bad attention! So, I always take the taxi at night because well anything can happen esp. since I'm a black woman. But yeah, it was interesting because I was talking the japanese culture and the differences. Some people think that it's fake but I don't I see it this way when you meet them they're always polite because it's culture. I think that's a great ettiquette to have be polite when you first meet them! But honestly though, I'm polite but at the same time I just be myself! Not only that, but some pplz say it's hard to find true friends. Honey, I think it's hard to find true friends in any country you're in!! I think anybody can be fake and the only way you know who's your true friend is by time and action. Where the friend proves that they're true to you with time and action. But yeah, I'm adjusting pretty quickly to Japan. Oh the one thing that impresses me is that in Japan pplz don't hook up like crazy compared to america. In America, if someone thinks you're cute you hook up right then and there and just leave. In Japan, it's like I want to know who you are and I won't do anything until I know you. That might not be true in other parts of Japan yes I'm saying there's hoes out there too but it's usually like that though you don't hook up nor hug unless you're officially their boyfriend or girlfriend. So in Japan, if you go out with someone you ususally don't kiss or hug the person unless you're their boyfriend or girlfriend! Well, anyways woo that's all see yall' later!

heey

SO much has happened to me in this past week! First of all, I met this crazy dumb lady on the train. I was riding the train minding my own business and studying my japanese like always. Then she asked me where was I from? This was all in japanese of course so I told her I'm from America. Then she followed me outside and was like "Why are you in the military why do you kill people!" I told her that I'm not in the military and that I'm a international student!! So she told me I was lying and accused me of being in the military. I argued with her and told her that I was in international student. SO I finally walked away, but I should gone back and maybe gave her a peace of my mind! I e-mailed dad about this situation immediately, and then he responded telling me I did the right thing and that she's just a crazy lady. He also advised me to also keep my guard up! He also told me that usually the stereotype for african americans being in Japan is because they're usually in the military. That makes a lot of sense so in a way I think I experienced a form of racism but I'm offended because that just shows that there are people out there that don't believe that blacks can be smart enough to study in Japan without being in the military. Well, I hate to break your heart but I am living proof and I'm studying at a great university and I did it through hardwork. But yea that lady was such an idiot because military people would not say ryugakusei nor would they be here because they live in OKINAWA shows how much that japanese old lady knows about her own damn country! Other than that, I feel like everything is going great and I'm soo happy and blessed! My japanese is improving and I'm starting to understand more and read the street signs! Over the past weekend I went to a couple of great events! I went to the cooking communication event where we basically cook and meet other people. The event was full of japanese students which was great. I also met this one sweet japaense guy at first I thought he was really really cocky but it turns out he's nice because he gave me his e-mail and told me if I needed anything just e-mail him aww and same with the other guy but I also saw another black person like me. Of course, seeing a black person here there's this instant connection like yeah we're here yay!! So that's always good! We made an italian dessert and chocolate rice crispy treats it was soo delicious! I was like in heaven with the treats, but the one thing I don't really understand is that Japan has soo many bakeries where they make great pasteries but yet they microwave cookies ewww I admit it I miss american cookies because they're soo soft and straight from the oven! Dang I want some american cookies right now! Then on sunday I went shopping with the fellas!<--- Ladies never go shopping with a buncha guys because yeah they don't understand haahha! IT was very fun but I can tell they were like man I'm tired! But I did buy some very cheap fashionable outfits! On friday I went to Joyce's bday party it was the bomb we went to the Gyu Kaku place the all you can eat beef and woo I ate a bowl of rice but then I get full and I was the first to throw in the towel. My gift to Joyce was helping her pay her dinner bill! So of course she didn't have to pay anything and it was $26. I was very very satisfied. Lately, I've just been studying alot due to my courses they weren't joking in they said the japanese intensive courses are that intense and fast so I feel that everything is going by soo fast. I just want to slow down and enjoy it all. I went to the global lounge yesterday and to my suprise there's a lot of japanese students there even though it's geared towards international students hence the name global lounge! But yeah, I met some really sweet people do so basically my method is sit next to a random person that is ALONE and then basically you'll find something to talk about. So it was pretty good and I've also been getting some admirers... oh snap hahah but it's all good because I'm just focused on school and of course having fun in ther process well I decided that I'm going to make more time to update my blog like at least everyday or every other day because memories can be forgotten and plus I want to write everything down while it happened! Well, love yall peace Brittany

Racism

The one thing that I like about Japan is that race isn't spoken out as much. What I mean about that is that in America you would often hear people say "Well, I'm black or I'm latino" I'm this race and then they would give an excuse on why they act like that based on their racial stereotypes. I can see if one wants to poke fun at it but if it's all the time then it's not very good. I like how it's not as clicky either like the blacks hang out with the blacks and other races hang out with other races. I like how Japan is open to everyone regardless of race. Race is not much of a question it's basically what country are you from! Like what's your nationality per se. Like are you from Germany, France, Nigeria which country are you from?! I also like how they make it easier for us immigrants to get the basic nescessities like you wouldn't see the clerks be impaitent with us if you can only speak a little to no japanese. Compared to America if you're an immigrant you're taken advantage of and the employees get really rude with you! Well, my finger hurts but I will get more into depth about this!