Summer's here, so it's getting hotter and more humid every day. Why did I decide to grow my hair out? It's like a guaranteed scarf. Perfect for summer!

(I know it's been stated before on the internet, but there really does need to be a sarcasm font.)


So I'm trying to plan out a trip to Korea, Okinawa, and Hokkaido before September. I have a week off work in August for Obon, but Curt might be coming to visit.

In September, I'm planning to spend a few days in Shanghai with Jessica's brother, JD. Also, I just found out I could take a ferry from Osaka to Shanghai for pretty cheap. However, I think I'll be in Tokyo before I leave Japan.

My parents and I were going to meet up in Spain, but they've since decided they want to go to Beijing, which is pretty sweet. I mentioned it to Jen, and now we're researching the Trans-Siberian Railway. We might take the train from Beijing, through Mongolia, to Moscow. I could continue and take the train all the way to London, too. I think in total, that would be like, 21 days or something.

Just some thoughts...

Sorry Mom

Saturday I went to Takatsuki after work to hang out with Lamika & Co. We had fun, and played darts for a while. Sunday, we went to Osaka to get a haricut. Hiroshi san, the famous New York hairdresser, said I had naturally wavy hair. Um.... no, I don't. Did that stop him from putting four softball size globs of mousse in my hair and trying to make it wavy? No, it didn't.

I would've taken a photo, but I looked like a greasy rat. Not cute. Then we went to eat Mexican food in Shinsaibashi. Yum!

Monday, I went to the dentist, Dr. Kono. He spoke great English! I have no cavities, and when they "cleaned" my teeth, they basically just washed them. Really short visit. Then, I met up with a bunch of teachers in Osaka to eat curry. I just went for the company. We walked around for a while, and our group of 17 slowly thinned out, until it was only about 6 of us. We hung out at the Hub for a bit, then went home. Next weekend, Tim and I are going shopping for video games and cameras. Awesome!!!

Lourve & a haircut

One of my adult students gave me two tickets to the Kyoto Museum of Art for the Lourve Exhibition. The only day I could go was the last day, so Lamika and I went to Kyoto on Sunday to check it out. However, everyone else in Kansai had the same idea, and the line wrapped around the entire museum. We decided not to wait in line, and walked over to another exhibition hall. We found lots of neat things to look at, and got information on when and where to watch a dressing of a meiko! I need to go back on a Sunday and check that out.

Giant tori in Kyoto.


Lamika in front of the giant tori.

In Kyoto, we also saw two interesting things:

An warning poster in the station. Please stop pedophiles.


This man playing a full out concert of pan flute music, in part of the station. The guy on the front row, in the white tee shirt, actually walked up with his own guitar, took it out of the case, and was attempting to play along.

After that, we met up with Jen in Osaka to get our hair cut. Lamika had gotten her hair cut by this man before, he owned a salon in NYC for 20 years, so he spoke really good English. He was very nice, super fashionable and sophisticated, and his salon was really beautiful! Also, either he's kinda bossy or I'm a pushover:

Him: So, what are we doing with your hair today, darling? I'm thinking some heavier bangs, and lots of layers in the back. I'll cut of.... maybe one inch. How does that sound?
Me: Actually, I'd just like a trim, I'm trying to grow my hair out.
Him: No no no, you can maybe grow it three more inches, but any longer will look all wrong. Let me put in some layers.
Me: Ok.

Hahaha. Anyway, a Japanese salon experience is great! They shampoo your hair, and give you a nice massage, and then you get another massage as your waiting in the chair to get your hair brushed, ahhhhhhh it's great.

After we all had our hair cut, we went shopping in Shinsaibashi, and ate dinner at an izakaya. Great day.

Giant displays advertising the restaurants in Shinsaibashi.

Busy shopping street.

You can pose like the running man thing. I look like a straight up cheerleader.

Some guy took a bad photo.

This is the background I wanted.