challenges: day 43/13

60 Day Picture Challenge

Day 43: A picture of something you can't function without

Chocolate
I answered another challenge with the iPhone so I thought of something else that when without, leads to dysfunction. When I have a craving for chocolate it's all I want. If I'm feeling lethargic and can't focus, some chocolate will help. I know it's the caffeine in it, so why not other caffeine-infused products you ask? I don't know, but I really do feel addicted to it. Me without chocolate when I want it is night a pleasant experience - ask Luis. haha!

31 Days Hath December

Day 13: A favorite movie

The Last Samurai
I already mentioned one of my favorite movies in another post, but since I have many, I didn't change this challenge. When I saw this movie in theaters, I thought it finally explained why I loved these people so much. The character of the Japanese sometimes culminates to this one term 大和魂 (Yamato-damashii), and is still used today when cultural values intrinsic to the Japanese are seen or are being called upon. It means something to the effect of 'indomitable spirit' which retains honor, valor, and bravery.
The movie itself is a highly romanticized version about one of the most interesting times in Japanese history (to me) which is the overthrow of the bakafu and the start of the Meiji restoration. One of my favorite anime's of all time, Rurouni Kenshin, also stems from this time period.

challenges: day 42/12

60 Day Picture Challenge

Day 42: A picture of your dream house

Rustic, inviting, and original. There is nothing I hate more than cookie-cutter houses. My dream house would integrate nature and technology to become a place of ultimate relaxation. I've always considered my room to be my sanctuary so my dream house would be my safe haven.

31 Days Hath December

Day 12: Three blogs I can't get enough of

1. My friend's blogs. Keeping a blog allows one to share things that probably wouldn't come up in everyday conversation. Thus, by reading their blogs, I learn something new about them, which I feel, strengthens our bond. 


2. JET blogs. I know a lot of JETs across Japan and the easiest way to keep up with their lives, is to read their blogs. One of the mottos of JET is that 'every situation is different.' Through their blogs, I get to see how different. It's fascinating to see how everyone handles our everyday stresses, goes about their daily lives, and to discover new aspects of Japan through their experiences. 


3. Tumblr blogs! I know these probably shouldn't count, but I consider tumblr to be a picture blog when people aren't using it to actually blog. I find the most hilarious stuff on there!!! I go on tumblr when I'm upset and almost immediately start laughing for hours. Ah, remember kids, time you enjoyed wasting, was not wasted. ;)

challenges: day 41/11

60 Day Picture Challenge

 Day 40: A picture of your pet.

I changed this challenge to petS. I can't play favorites. I love them both too much. I've had my (not so) miniature schnauzer for 9 years now and he still plays like a puppy. I miss him terribly at the moment. My bunny, Honeybunny Bonbon has only been with me 4 months. He's a touch evil, but I love him just the same. I got both of them when they were mere infants, so they have bonded with me well. Joey follows me everywhere when I'm at home and only listens to me. It's harder to tell when bunnies show partiality, but considering how nervous he is when we have guests to how uninhibited he is when we're alone, I know he likes me.  

 

 31 Days Hath December 
  
Day 10: Something I've been craving

Some awesome pasta! When we go out, it's Japan's version of pasta and when we make it at home, we just don't have the right ingredients. I sometimes crave Cuban food really bad as well but if I were home right now, I'd want to head to a Cheesecake Factory!

challenges: day 40/10

60 Day Picture Challenge 

Day 40: A picture of your favorite Disney character

Eeyore!
I usually think of Disney characters by movie, but as my first favorite ever, he popped into my mind. As a kid, I had all the Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals but he was my favorite. I can't really explain why I like him, but a trend that has emerged since then is that I tend to gravitate towards the melancholy/shy characters.
Like the sparkles? ;D

 

 

 

31 Days Hath December 
  
Day 10: What I love about my job

Yup, pretty much everyday. (more hilarious memes) Teaching is not my favorite part of this job. The students are great, my teachers are nice, the school events are fun, but I'd have to say that what I love about my job is where I am. If I wanted to teach, I could do it in America, but I wanted to be in Japan and that has really been the best part of taking this job.

challenges: day 39/9

60 Day Picture Challenge


Day 39: A picture of your favorite movie

When I first saw this film in theaters, I was captivated by the visuals, The next time I saw it, I understood it. Every time since then, I have appreciated it more and more (and cry every time). I don't understand why it's hated more than loved, but I've never been one to only appreciate things that have my generation's seal of approval. At least there are a few other people out there who understand. These are some comments on a thread discussing the film.

"I can understand disliking a movie and sharing your opinion, but to take such a harmless movie as this – that inspires hope in many people – and to apply your scathing wit to the film is not cool or intellectual – it’s just malicious. I really enjoyed the concept that heaven and hell ARE in our own minds, and they are often hidden by Maya or the distractions of our world. And Hell is simply being alone – we’d go crazy without human interaction – and this film, in spite of its shortcomings, presents these concepts fairly well."

"Why are we snarking on movies like WDMC, which try to show us new things? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Werner Herzog, the man who said that we as a civilization are starving for new images, appears in the film." 

31 Days Hath December

Day 9: A close up of my day

I didn't know if this challenge was literally asking for a close-up of something from my day or my day in a nutshell...so here's  both.

challenges: day 38/8

60 Day Picture Challenge

Day 38: A picture of the best part of your day

Relaxing on the couch with the bunny and boy-toy after a long day at work.  We're usually either web surfing next to each other, sharing whatever wonders from the internet we find, or watching stuff from back home.

31 Days Hath December

Day 8: The last item I purchased

We went to a pet store to inquire about boarding Bon Bon over the holidays, and I saw this. It looks JUST like my puppy back home, Joey. I had to buy it right there. I miss my dog so much, but now I feel like he's following me around here like he does at home.

challenges: day 37/7

60 Day Picture Challenge


Day 37: A picture of the people you spend most of your time with

Plus (V, Toni, and Lauren!) and minus (the restaurant owner, lol) a few, these are the some of the awesome people I've met through the JET Program. I feel really blessed to have such a group out in the inaka of Japan with me. ~.~ 

31 Days Hath December

Day 07: A song for the day.


Jem - They


It's like I'm back doing my song challenge! There wasn't a day like this so, I haven't changed this challenge at all. I feel like the song fits because of some news articles and comments I read today. God help us all. 





Who made up all the rules?

We follow them like fools,

Believe them to be true,

Don't care to think them through



I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry it's like this

I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry we do this



And it's ironic too

'Cause what we tend to do

Is act on what they say

And then it is that way



I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry it's like this

I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry we do this



Who are they?

Where are they?

How can they possibly

Know all this?

Who are they?

Where are they?

How can they possibly

Know all this?



Do you see what I see?

Why do we live like this?

Is it because it's true

That ignorance is bliss?



Who are they?

Where are they?

How do they

Know all this?

I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry it's like this



Do you see what I see?

Why do we live like this?

Is it because it's true

That ignorance is bliss?



And who are they?

Where are they?

How can they

Know all this?

I'm sorry, so sorry

I'm sorry we do this