Wanderlust V2 - Japan & Beyond

Unless you live under a rock, you probably have heard of the 8.9 earthquake that devastated northern Japan over in Sendai and surrounding areas. It was quite stunning and I was very worried about friends and family who currently live in Japan. The phone lines went down, the transportation was stopped... Very scary. At this point the death toll is still undetermined and rising, as well as a large number missing.

Please view my friend Kyra's blog about the Earthquake in Tokyo area Little Gajin Blog.

Many people at work asked me if I were still going to Japan as well. I said I would definitely go barring airports being down. I have another 2 and half weeks. The places where I have made my reservations said they are still intact and doing fine. I think it's more supportive to Japan's economy to go rather than everyone cancel going to Japan all at once. Also know you can support Japan through the Red Cross efforts!

My prayers go out to Japan in their hard times.

As you can see from the title I'm a bit behind on the news. I guess I should be trying to fill a post a day, but I have no followers to speak of so I'm pretty casual here haha;)

Anyways I wanna share my acquisition! A Polaroid Pogo Printer. It fits in your hand and is light as can be! It prints 2"x3" pictures that are waterproof and uses special crystals without any printer cartridges. It's just enough to have fun and fit into my sketchbook! See how it fits my hand?? I love it! I bought it on ebay with a few packs of paper. February is almost over folks! So close, weeks away from being on my trip! I can't wait. School is just killer omg! I can't wait..

I guess I should share I went a little Otaku! I am liking BJD( Ball Jointed Doll). Normally I don't like dolls really, but I found out that there are really much smaller dolls instead of nearly child size dolls! The dolls I like are around 27cm (10.6 inches). About the size of a barbie doll!

Since this development I've been looking for doll cafes and doll stores in which to visit while in Tokyo. And my companion expressed an interest in maid or butler cafe or the like.. So we'll see about that. Hanami should be happening full force when we get there unless it's just too cold. But I hope it warm enough for us to enjoy Hanami. I have seen the weather has been around the mid 40s. I am considering buying thermals or undershirts to help me keep warm.  Ta ta for now!

Hello!! I decided to try and liven things up with more Japan pictures.. I have a ton of these so I think I could do this for a while! I decided to go for some fancy treats! One being waffle store and the other being traditional fish snack.. If you are not a fish lover, I can manage your face crinkling up in disgust! But really I'm talking about Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake filled with red bean paste or other goodies... I definitely remember munching on a custard filled cake. I can't remember if I simply pointed or struggled with some katakana.. Or heard someone order custard and used the same words to order mine. Regardless I ordered one. It was hot and fresh and delicious. I was feeling kinda chilled and tired from walking a lot. I couldn't settle on anything to eat.. and a gentleman was passing out free samples..I scooched over to the window and stared creepily into it while a lady made Taiyaki and observed people ordering. Ever heard that saying? When in Rome, do what the Romans do? Same thing here. If you aren't extremely well with Japanese language, you might be able to grasp by seeing and then doing. Of course I have some photos so you don't have to read me blathering on about food haha:) Oh I blurred out the sample guy's face, because he was giving out samples, not trying to pose or anything ;p  This place made them on large griddles specially shaped as fish, no machines, even though it looks like it. It's like a turnable waffle maker :) The cakes are actually waffle like, but very thin crispy shell with heavy filling inside. I love the golden flaky crunch paired with custard. 

I started liking Jellyfish when going to Japan. I know it seems shallow since I just started it! But Some how they can make really cute plushies!!!I went to the aquarium and peered at the moon jellyfish.. I fell in love and bought a cute plushie jellyfish! I want to visit that aquarium again to buy another one!! The Plushies are moonjellies, you can tell from their little flowered heads!!

See some spotted jellies below!! :)

Unfortunately I don't have oodles of pictures of this, but I have to say their book stores are pretty quality. They wrap your books ( even small paperbacks) in craft type paper with their logo for free if you wish it. It's like having fries or no fries with your meal :) I loved it. It stays on very well the way they fold it on your book. I did notice a lot of Japanese also buy cloth covers and use them quite regularly on their books to keep them nice. Doesn't matter if it's a natty little paperback, it gets royal treatment. I loved that! And the book wrappers were fast. When I go again, I hope I can use Jess as shield to camcorder them doing it haha :) Here's a picture of one of the awesome books I saw. I bought an artbook at that store.. it was just too awesome.. I kinda wished I could get this one too!!

So just need things to come together now! Need boss to approve time off, need to see if my aunt is going to be there, and need my taxes not to owe anything! Wish me luck!

I leave you with a picture again from my last trip of a lady making breads!! :) This is somewhere in Tokyo amongst my wanders in the multifloor shopping centers that are abundant in Tokyo!!

Baker in Tokyo! My face pressed up to this glass! Photo by: ME