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Published: September 27th 2014
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Harajuku
The clothes weren't accessible in Britain and I wasn't doing internet shopping in those days like to do now! But I used to love them, I still have them but it's a shame you never see her collection anymore I've been going to a lot of interviews and social occassions in the past three months, meeting new people or family and I have lately I have decided I haven't changed since I was 12, and that was that! I knew what I wanted to do, I was always the sensiblesingle child in the class the one with a much more hopeful future until I went to a school full of Asians who were by far more smrarter than me and that was that, my motivation to work at school and pass my GCSE's plummeted.
But somehow that never put me off Japan, in fact I guess it even motivated me to go to a country which requires a lot of work.
So now for the past few years people have asked me 'what would you like to do when you grow up?', 50% of them probably expecting me to shrug my shoulders and say 'I don't know', but all this time it's been 'I want to move to Japan' sometimes I'd elaborate and say to be a teacher- or just endure their surprised eyebrows flying up, some reacting positively some laughing and insisting it would be too difficult.
My
deepest darkest secret to what made me want to go was Gwen Stefani, she was my idol for abot three years- now here's where I did change, I now like The Cure, The Cult and The Damned- completely different in all ways to the American pop singer.
Of course she promoted Harajuku, hey became popular not so much in Britain but I'm sure her music and purfume launch did attract more fans of Japan. I was never really a die hard fan of any Manga or Anime, although no one can hate Studio Ghibli.
So when I was a kid, I literally thought that was the culture of Japan, bright lights, loud and in your face fashion and accessories. That was what made me want to go to Tokyo to see all that and try some Cosplay- I've always wanted to be Ling Xiayou or Kunimitsu of Tekken.
I always thought buying her latest collection would bring me closer to knowing all about Japan, but that was before I discovered reading, and not only that, travel books!
One I really reccommened is Live & Work in Japan by Erica Simmons, my edition is from 2012 so I
guess it's still accurate- the detail she goes into to live comfortably in Japan is absolutely amazing from looking for a home, building a home, shopping, eating, getting a job and even socilising. My mum bought that for me at 15 and it has since then become my bible.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Work-Japan-practical-comprehensive/dp/1854583867/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411834609&sr=8-2&keywords=live+and+work+in+japan
Another book I got as well was this Lonely Planet guide book, it's quite interesting to read all the hidden secrets Japan pocesses- usually I don't like Lonely Planet books as they can be a bit boring to look at but this one is neatly presented and somewhat easier to look at and read.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lonely-Planet-Discover-Japan-Travel/dp/1742200982/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1411834765&sr=8-15&keywords=lonely+planet+japan
So when I was a kid, I literally thought that was the culture of Japan, bright lights, loud and in your face fashion and accessories. That was what made me want to go to Tokyo to see all that and try some Cosplay- I've always wanted to be Ling Xiayou or Kunimitsu of Tekken.
After the age of 14 I realised there was much more history and traditions in Japan and I felt so foolish to eventually find that out and I find myself more attracted to Kyoto than Tokyo any
Kunimistu
Her name is Kuni- country, Misu- Light so I guess her name means Light Of country.
I've just always been attracted to these masks, they're so mysterious even though it's a game. day- another small change in my mind.
I suppose to many people who are interested in Japan immediately think of Tokyo over Kyoto anyway- and I started to fall in love with the ancient city much, much more and I can appreciate what the country stands for now although all over the place I will consider a lot of things to be Kawaii!
My latest strategy for learning Japanese is with my bilingual picture dictionary- take note of all the words which don't sound foreign and label some things- sometimes I'm envious of my boyfriend for being so good at English as oppose to my Japanese, even he's starting to get annoyed at my slow progress.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-English-Bilingual-Visual-Dictionary/dp/1405359846/ref=pd_rhf_gw_s_cp_16_45ZG?ie=UTF8&refRID=170722RRC4F0TFZQY9V6
Yesterday I spent five hours from 12:30-5:30 at my local department store for an open job fayer day- almost all of the chain stores from restaurants to reatail shops had positions open for students and I dived in there as early as I could only to my dismay to discover about 500 other people had the same idea.
The process was that you had 60 CV's on hand to meet and greet employers- thankfully I got a lot more confident by
Ling Xiayou
She's so cute but tough as well, she'd make a good role play to any girls- I'd definitely be her for Cosplay if I ever got the chance! the 3rd which was Hawkins Bazarr, a toy and novalty shop and today I went for an interview there. After a successful interview with Burger King I was hoping someone would save me from that position and I'm a little confident about this place.
If not, I may have other people phone me up over the week. I'm greatful I didn't just stop there and go home, I spent a good long time waiting at different stalls and chatting with other people- I even applied for a sex shop where the girl took notes with a pen that had a penis on the end.
Although I have the money saved up, it would be nice to have my own spending money and more money for Japan so I can enjoy it properly especially if it's going to be expensive out there.
I was really pleased I cycled in today, the reason being I saved myself £4.20 and I must have lost about five pounds cycling up two steep hills without stopping. Lately I've been serious about my fitness- I have a little bit of baby fat on my tummy despite not being a mummy which I really want
Harajuku girl
I'd always wanted to be one with all their cute accessories- but that's just the media, Japanese dress just like any other race.
I suppose in the 70's we had the Punks and they were more common in London than Harajuku in Tokyo. to get rid of.
For the past couple of days I've had horrible doubts about considering my future as in, will I be able to cope in Japan? Can I support myself and get a job and is it really what I want? But it only takes a little assurance to remember that other people my age have done this, boys, girls, students, teachers. Even if I don't move there and just work to visit my boyfriend and the country every once in a while it would suite me.
My boyfriend tanked third in his English Exam yesterday and I am chuffed he's learning well from me, I wonder if that would be a good thing to put on my resume?
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