Saizen Shopping XD

Thursday of last week, July 22nd, Cristina of Saizen posted a comment in a blog entry I have about an Eraser Party XD It was regarding a bloggers’ tour to be held in one of their stores, so I sent her an email telling her I was very much interested. She then sent me an invite for July 30th, so yay XD

So last Friday, after Nihongo class, my sister and I, with the help of her boyfriend, went to Trinoma to check out the new store of Saizen located there. Other bloggers came and we were all given GCs which we can use for shopping XD We were also allowed to take photos and take note of our Top 5 finds. This is kind of hard for me because I love so many of the stuff that they have XD 

During the free tour, I took photos of various Japanese items which caught my attention or which I particularly like, and then I bought some things too for myself XD I’ve bought a number of other items before in my previous visits to their store in Galleria, so I was able to choose and buy other things. I will be posting some of the photos here, but a more detailed blog post about Saizen as a store, plus the post about the Top 10 things I chose to buy, each with a story behind it, can be found in another blog. 

One of the beautiful things I found was this set of fish, which can be commonly seen when the Japanese celebrate the festival of Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Festival. My sister bought it because she likes to have it around for her Fish business (^^,)

Daruma. They are all staring at you. XD

Super cute erasers to add to the collection (^^,)

It was a super great experience and I feel so lucky to have been picked as one of the bloggers for the store’s bloggers’ tour. I already love the store to begin with, so being invited for a tour and some free shopping with their GC is totally SUPER XD We spent almost a couple of hours just going around buying and looking at stuff, because they are all so pretty and there are many things which I like about 5 colors of (”I want five of everything! - Biskit, Animal Crossing: Wild World) XD XD XD

A nice thing about Saizen is that I found in their store the same things I found in the hyaku-en shop in Yokohama, which I couldn’t find in other stores. I was not able to buy so much in the hyaku-en shop because I was worried about my luggage coming back to Manila (after having shopped from Disneyland Tokyo, Shibuya, Ueno, and Asakusa). With Saizen around, it’s like having the actual hyaku-en shop right here at home (^^,) I am definitely going back to visit them often - I love that store (^^,)

Knock Knock!

Kanji! XD

During Elem 1, my Kanji flash paper were square sheets in different colors. This time, they are in the shape of milk bottles in different colors. When I finish this batch, my next set will be in these cute sheets from Invitation House:

Fishda

One of the writing companions which my sister and I had during Elem 1 XD I have yet to post the photo of Tadase-kun XD

Moo Sharpener

Something I bought about a couple of weeks ago. I think it was after our Nihongo finals. 

You open the “snout” part and there you stick in your pencil for sharpening. 

Colorful Keys XD

So this will be quite an old entry *_* I did this a few days after we moved to our current home, so that was sometime during the end of April or the beginning of May. I’ve just been so busy, and then it took me forever to upload the photos, and then my computer got sick (and I miss it because it’s still in the computer hospital) and then for some reason i.ph doesn’t work with Safari, and many other things. Anyway, I’m here now *Elle tone* XD

I put stickers on my keyboard XD

Big Steps, Another Set

Today, I was finally able to turn over That Particular Bag of Stuff. Finally, after having it for SO SO SO LONG. 

(For some reason I can’t create a hyperlink because this blog does not work well with Safari. Super malapit na akong lumipat ng blog. Plus so many people are complaining about the popups already.)

So anyway, letting go of the disappointment that I cannot create a link, I have also let go of the stuff. I guess all my defenses were up because I did not want to break down or whatever. I guess it is also good that I did it before Nihongo class so the joy I get from class will help in nursing whatever wound is reopened. 

Then today I realized that I still have an entire folder of emails under the one connected to The Bag, and I painfully deleted the entire folder too. I caught snippets of old messages and they felt like twisting daggers on my chest but then, I NEED to be brave and I NEED to be strong, so, though shaky, I am still alive.

Ouch ouch ouch.

This will heal, this will heal.

>.< 

Eyes Eyes

I was doing homework one time and as I was practicing how to read my own handwriting, I looked at my pencil and realized that my pencil buddy has strange eyes. 

Our Midterms Exam is Done!

Yay (^^,)

Done with the midterms exam (^^,) I think I totally sucked at the listening portion, but I feel that I did okay with the other parts XD *hopeful* 

Then I rewarded myself and shopped for some stuff, including some stuff for my bathroom, so my wash area now looks more organized (^^,)

And now I work >.<

Packed in Their Boxes

Reina-chan and Mihara-kun prior to moving out ^.^

Echoes

Yes, echoes. XD

Everything has been transferred to the other house. All that’s left here are my computer, computer desk, and chair. And electric fan. And everything that has to do with my internet connection. Tomorrow the lines will be transferred so until today, I work here. 

Because the house is empty, everything echoes!! Even my typing and when I put things on the table. Then tonight, I will go back to the other house and sleep there.

Later I will say my goodbyes to the trees and to the house >.<

Books

A huge maleta of books is sooo heavy. Nararamdaman ko na minumura ako ng maleta ko XD Well at least the books are packed, along with old art stuff, and DVDs, CDs, and small random things that I inserted here and there. Only my Fruits Basket manga (hey I just mentioned this in an FB message a few seconds ago) na lang ang nakalabas na books. And the Japanese book I am currently using on top of my official book from class. And Good Omens which I am re-reading. 

Uhm, wait. Now that I checked again, there are yoga books and magazines pa pala and more Japanese books. Anyway saka na yun. ANG INET. So maliligo muna ako. 

But I am pleased that my packing is so neat and organized (^^,)

Game Console in My Heart

Wii, PS, and PSP - Packed. 

Packed them separately in my “My Heart is Going to Burst” bag, carefully wrapped in soft shawls XD I remember buying that bag with Kenchan in mind >.< And heart. XD

To Be Continued

So, hindi na nasundan yung first batch of things that I packed XD Bukas ulit. I’m tired na. I’ve taken out already my biggest traveling bag (with flower wheels) and will pack na my Wii, my books, Mihara-san and all his faces and props, Reina-san and all her stuff, various decorative items, my bogu, swimwear, craft materials, games, among other things. 

Sana mabigay ko na That Particular Bag of Stuff >.< It’s really stressing me out. I am stressed by the idea of having to deal with some emotional turmoil again after the incident. Sobrang natrauma ako talaga last year when I felt like an invisible tie has been severed as I rode away. I bled until I got home, until the following day, until days after that. 

So anyway, (biglang nagkwento) I believe it will be another huge step, a clearing of the path. 

>.<

Beddings - Packed

So, to add to the shinai, my bedsheets, blankets, my lone blankie, shawls, towels in all sizes, tenugi, and bathrobes are now all packed. I packed them in my HUGE Loft shopping bag, where they placed the traveling bag INSIDE (They have Shopping Bags for Traveling Bags. Neat.).

Then I placed them outside my room, next to my shinai bag and my Frilly Umbrella XD

Will be having my coffee first because my head is starting to ache from coffee withdrawal symptoms. (I cut down on coffee and tea when I got sick and had a sore throat, so I get the headaches every now and then. The last time I had coffee was yesterday afternoon, at Nihonbashi Tei.) 

No Signs

I woke up this morning all alone in the house, and I found that most of the rooms in the house are half-empty. I went back to mine and everything is still quite in place. As my sister pointed out yesterday, “no signs of moving out.” XD

Well, partly, I’ve been very busy, I got sick, plus I am getting quite stressed out by That Particular Bag of Stuff >.< 

Plus, as long as the internet connection is here, I stay here. >.<

Happy Yoga

Tonight was one of those moments when I truly enjoyed my yoga (^^,) I mean, I normally do, but usually as I go about my day, the feeling I got from my practice has already dissipated. Tonight though, (I don’t know if it’s because I did today’s yoga in the evening instead of early morning) I felt much more relaxed and “peaceful” after yoga than I normally do. And it was so great that the feeling has carried over until now, and the activities I did after yoga seemed more fun, or the joy of doing them were sort of, more magnified. (Plus! The bothersome pain on my left shoulder is gone, as well as the pain on my right arm! XD)

Happiness (^^,) Or, as someone would put it, peachness! XD 

So, because of tonight’s happy yoga, I will REARRANGE my entire schedule for next week XD (Ang dumi na ng planner ko I swear. Hindi bale cute naman ichura nya sa labas. Malay ba nilang puro correction strips sa loob XD Note: Ang cute din ng correction wipe.)

So anyway back to yoga and skeds. I am guessing it’s also because it’s a holiday, so I didn’t feel hurried. I admit that sometimes I do the corpse pose at the shortest possible time because I have work to do or I’m just feeling like I need time for other things. So, I will be rearranging my schedule so that I can allot a bigger chunk of time (probably as big as the chunk of chocolate I gave to… itself XD) to my yoga, so that I wouldn’t have to hurry or be distracted by the thought of Time. That’s pretty tough, since my Japanese classes are starting on Monday, and I’d have Wednesdays half day, which means my working hours on other week days are extended. So I’m also thinking of doing my yoga in the afternoon or evening instead of morning, to really avoid feeling hurried. Anyway I will be fixing it this weekend. (^^,) 

Shopping for School Supplies

I think it’s the weather, and how the air smells that makes me want to go out and shop for brand new school supplies XD I can imagine the smell of a bookstore and all the new pencils, pens, erasers, pencil cases, pad papers, glue, notebooks, and all other schooly stuff XD 

Dowsing XD

Spent the late afternoon eating JAMAICAN CHERRIES off the trees in the backyard again, and this time I had a DOWSING ROD with me XD I just found it intertwined among the tree branches, so it did not fall to the ground. I took it and dowsed and found a treasure chest. 

Then I found a well, then I threw a gold coin into it, taking from the treasure chest. I made a wish. I wished for you. And then I wished for a boat. Then I wished for all the things that should be in the boat. Then I wished for the waves to bring us someplace far where there will be no one to stare or judge or mutter. I dropped several gold coins in the process, because I had many wishes XD

I went back to the house and took my Japanese stroller, and loaded it with the treasure, and placed them in my room. I then packed my Nordic fur coat, fur boots, and other clothes. I am prepared to eat seal meat and seal fat, and meet Iorek Byrnison. 

Okay, obviously, the only facts in this entry stop at the phrase “to the ground,” somewhere on the fourth line of the first paragraph. XD

Closet-Clearing: Done!

I have just disposed of about 40% of my closet’s contents (^^,) Jackets, cardigans, dresses, jeans, blouses, shirts, night shirts, and scarves. Bye bye (wave) All in a HUGE plastic bag for selling. There are pairs of slip-ons I haven’t used in a while too, though I still need to think about whether to dispose of them too or not. For the meantime, I just feel great getting rid of several unused stuff and some overused ones. 

Snail Mail

Some super kawaii stationery set I bought (^^,) Very old school mail XD

Productive Hour

There was a one-hour brownout earlier this afternoon, and I think I was even more productive within that hour (lmao).

I was able to wrap my birthday present for Cecile, and clean my room a bit, put away the Japanese stationery and stickers I bought two weeks ago, take out my dirty clothes, and clean one of my shelves All in an hour :>

I was also able to browse through one of my favorite books by Sandra Cisneros, Loose Woman. I came across some favorite lines. Coming up in the next entries

Shift

So, apart from being the Queen of Delaying Tactics, I am also becoming the Queen of Flakiness. 

To my (pleasant) surprise, he broke the ice that has been tormenting me as if it were Rukia-chan’s Zanpakutou. Okay, well not “tormenting,” I just remembered it was some of my selves doing that :p But, anyway, I’ve kind of built a fortress around me while muttering my regrets, recalling certain things, and listening to Why Can’t I. So…

Somehow, and I don’t know exactly in what manner, I have shifted from being agitated and achey to being mildly sedated and… well still achey, but I feel more grown up all of a sudden (especially since I just put up my new superlight Japanese corkboard by myself and I used a ribbon with silver lines to hang it) and oddly inspired (not in a SPARKLY manner, but I probably mean I am more eager to move forward) and somewhat glad and somewhat relieved. And yes, all those at the same time. 

By the way I am so full right now because I just had some cheese, and coffee, and then I ate my words for dessert (back in the list). I feel somewhat lighter though that I was able to explain why, even if it was just a fraction of the whole reason and I am not sure if anything I said made sense to him. Anyway I guess things are much clearer now, even if it’s never gonna be the same as before, ever, and somehow it’s nice to find happiness in these little moments, and to be able to give happiness too. Actually I think that’s the nice part of it, that I am able to GIVE it too. 

Super Shopping

So yesterday, I went out with my sister and  her kareshi. I was so glad to be out of the house because the weather was so perfect - it was so sunny and windy - a PERFECT summer weather.

We went to Gourdo’s for pepperoni pizza, their super yummy iced tea, and gelato. Mao had coffee instead of gelato. Then we walked to Fully Booked to browse, and the walk did me wonders because the sun felt so warm on my face and hair, and by evening my face was glowing and I noticed that somehow my skin cleared a bit And in Fully Booked, I found the 4th book of the Fruits Basket Ultimate Edition YAY I usually find the Ultimate Edition in a set, but I already have books 1 to 3. So now I got the 4th book

Afterwards we went to this Japanese store and I was so thrilled to find the stuff from The 100 Yen Shop being sold there. It was like The 100 Yen Shop was brought here. Frantically I went around and bought loads of stuff and found those things which I was not able to buy when I was in The 100 Yen Shop It was funny when I found the envelopes for the wedding presents because I had the exact kinds as my desktop wallpaper before So there, I stepped out with a huge shopping bag and happily brought my loot with me  

Bug Pencils

Two of those pencils were given to me by my sister, apart from the green Shuffle Look for the pencil with the black head and red body, and the one with a pink head and yellow wings

These pencil containers and other stuff were temporarily placed on one of my shelves as I cleaned up the table where they belong. I had to put away so many things and get rid of so much clutter. Now, they are all in their proper places (^^,)

Did you do some clutter-clearing too before 2009 ended?

I Rule.

I found these really cute rulers from some Korean store. One of them can be unfolded so you have a one-foot ruler, and then it has word balloon shapes

My New Tiny Notebook

I bought this tiny super-kawaii Japanese-themed notebook. It comes with a tiny pen. I just finished placing some stickers in it On the cover it says:

stay with me.

I want to stay with you and look at you for a very long time. 

My Mini Blackboard

I just wrote that to see how what it looks like with writing on it I bought this two or three weeks ago, and this photo is among those uploaded to my computer really late. Now, on this board, I list down my intended purchases for my games. 

Some Changes T.T

Practice was really good today and it was amazing I lasted and I was not exactly dead nor panting and dying. So practice today was a happy thing. However the girls were moved to the boys’ side though we practiced among ourselves, together with Inoue-san. Takahashi-sensei taught some guys who were selected to practice with him. So, there. T.T

In the end we had kakari keiko with Kato-sensei because he’s leaving because he’s returning to Tokyo T.T

Then, next year, Yukita-san will let us know about new kyu, so our batch may eventually get to practice Wednesdays. But the next Saturdays will be pretty much like today, so we won’t be always under Takahashi-sensei T.T 

So anyway, today was the last practice of the year. We also had our yearend party which was so much fun and everyone got prizes and I happened to get one of the prizes donated by Takahashi-sensei (^^,)

Everyone got loot bags (yay Meiji love Meiji) which were given away by Yukita-san and Yamanishi-sensei, wearing Santa hats and funny face masks

Fortunately my sister brought her camera so we were able to take pictures of people and we had ours (some of the girls) taken with all the sensei (^^,) Happies (**,)

Okay, bigla tayong nagshift from T.T to (^^,) Hahaha. 

Another Clutter-free Cabinet

So, I’m taking a short break from practicing in writing the first Kanji of the days of the week. You know, like what kids do

Earlier, I cleaned up one of my closed cabinets. Previously, that’s where I kept my box of “ingredients”, containers of miscellaneous stuff, purchased gift wrappers, a small tub of hand bags and pouches, a small tub of bikinis and beach outfits, a small tub of gift card materials, a jar of money. 

Now it just has:

• A huge empty box for later use; have yet to figure it out
• Rolls of gorgeous gift wrappers in beautiful material
• Rolls of gift card paper
• The tub of gift card materials
• The tub of swimwear
• The tub of hand bags and pouches
• A jar of candles
• A set of containers, each containing miscellaneous stuff and money for Something Foundation

I took out/away:

• My four-element and compass kit (I threw away the old feather because it has been eaten by bugs, then, suddenly, I found a new one, still whole and unused, so I was able to immediately replace the one I threw away.) 
• A small container of foreign coins from various places
• A small container of gemstones (will cleanse them and put them to use)
• A travel spell chest (I only kept the candle, and the travel talisman, and the tiny world map, but got rid of everything else. It was only passed on to me and never used, so the bugs and dust got to it first.)
• The Red Chest of something I can’t describe here - perhaps I can use certain pieces. Maybe it’s because it has never been actually imbued with anything so maybe it’s about time. Haha.
• A bottle of rose water. I’ve put it in the bathroom. Before I took a bath tonight I had it energized.
  
• A container of tea lights, which I also kept in the bathroom for the oil burner. 
• A set of swimwear (tossed it for the garage sale)
• Cotton pouch for keeping small pieces of clothing during travel, which is as old as my Bangkok trip (tossed for the garage sale)
• A couple of US paper bills (I was so surprised I had that money kept hehe)
• My leftover Japanese coins from my Japan trip (makes me think of the Meiji drink)
• My eye pillow
• My runes are already taken out anyway.

So now my cabinet is quite clean and organized.

Quickie

I am stepping out (again) in a while so this will just be quick. A quickie update from yesterday. Besides, I am achey all over and Sunday-sleepy and Sunday-lazy. 

So, yesterday was yearend shiai. I lost Not that I’m elated about it, but wala, that’s part of practice. I feel grateful, though, because of course, I always learn something in every shiai. Note to self, after a very painful hit, I should get myself together right away Well because it was a random match, and I fought with this muscly strong guy who struck one after another. So far, I was aware of what was happening. Then at one point, he intended to hit my do, but it landed on my right thigh, and it was a VERY strong hit. I paused and felt some kind of electrical sensation travel down my leg, and the part that got hit seemed to vibrate with an almost audible droning sound. After that, I was disoriented all throughout the rest of the match and was trying to move my leg, and I just tried to do what I can until he scored and time was up. 

Of course, it is now greenish purple Mawawala naman sya so okay lang. Besides, this guy really fights like that, I mean he’s like that whoever his opponent is. So at least I know he’s not deliberately trying to harm or impress. After practice, we got to talk and he was saying sorry but I said not to worry because it’s part of the whole practice. He explained he was used to having taller opponents and it’s just now he fought with someone as short as I am, so he miscalculated and hit too low. Hehe. I felt… so short. But anyhoo, I’m not really injured and the bruise will heal like all my other bruises. Mas matagal pa ngang magheal ang ibang bagay kesa sa bruise ko e

Kendo was just sort of bitin lang again because I thought there was going to be waza before shiai but we jumped into shiai right away. Buti na lang there’s one more practice so, yay (^^,)

After practice I got a token for my attendance (89%) and our lovable sensei gave us all tenugi (^^,) Arigatou gozaimasu! (^^,)

Then it was the usual dinner with Mao Mao, Allan-sempai, Denise, and my sister, plus Amanda.

So now, I have to start getting ready because still have to step out. 

Last note, i tried not to stare and steal glances ^.^ I realize it actually helps calm me down. 

Coming to Me :D

So today, I didn’t even need to leave the house, or my room, to get some things I wanted because they just…. arrived.

Breakfast. I ran out of supply but apparently, my dad brought home shopao so it’s what I ate. So, my breakfast came to me

Merchandise. I was working and my mom knocked on my door and brought in some Victoria’s Secret merchandise. I bought I now have stock. 

Sweets. I usually buy cotton candy when I’m out, but today, the cotton candy came to me My mom stepped out and found the school kids buying them and then bought, so I ate one and still have one bag on my bed

Delifrance: My dad asked what food we would like him to buy and now Delifrance sandwiches are on their way here

Plus, perhaps, I should count this morning’s incoming message about a step towards one of the many resolutions of the year. It just came this morning and I was super surprised. 

Kisu!

As I mentioned a few entries back, I bought a cute eyeglass cleaner for my sister. Hers has a monkey on it with a one-liner meant for her Mao Mao. For myself, I chose a pink one with a cow on it, asking for a kiss

Paper Juice

Something kawaii that I bought It’s notepads in a juice box

Farmy

Went to the mall today with my parents and I bought some personal care supplies and randomly bought stuff I wanted. I also found a Farmville shirt for my sister and a super cute yellow eyeglass cleaner with a monkey (Mao Mao’s look alike animal) on it.  

The Eye

Hehehe. Parang pelikula lang. 

I went to the eye doctor today to have my eye checked because, basta, there’s something, the details of which I won’t detail anymore. Basically I might have an operation (very minor) but I get to decide when. Earlier I was thinking of getting it right away, but I am now thinking of having it next year na lang. I’m not sure yet. I guess I need to sleep it off. Anyway it’s nothing urgent. 

So after visiting the doctor, I bought a nice ring with a blue duck on it. I’m not really a duck or goose fan (and it’s quite apparent if you interviewed all my Animal Crossing: Wild World neighbors and how all the duckies felt about me as a neighbor) but the shape of the ring design and the color of the duck is quite pretty

On our way to wait out for my dad, we passed by this Chinese store which sold very beautiful stone jewelry and I bought this really nice orange bead bracelet with a tiny dragon and the kind Chinese man who was selling us the pretty stuff put it around my arm and taught me how to properly wear it. My sister boughta green one with an infinity sign because it practically screamed out for her. She also bought a nice pair of earrings, sold to her by the man’s wife, who was also very nice.  

Emote

Reina-san and the Golden Beads

Christmas Kote

So my mom was putting up some Christmas decors today and I found really long strings of golden beads:

Of course, I played with it

Then I found another one, it’s shorter though, and I wrapped it around my other arm.

I took them off because my right hand was kind of starting to turn blue After I took them off, my arms had small reddish circles on them    

Dotted Correction Tape

Wala lang. Cute lang  

I purchased this several weeks ago Just found it in my photos folder and remembered I was planning to post it that time Anyway it’s now in my chest of several other cute and colorful correction tapes (with all the markers, erasers, post-its, decorative tapes, among other things).

Goodness :)

So, lately, I have been doing a lot of cleaning around my room, by parts. I’m not sure if I mentioned that I cleaned my door (I know, it sounds weird) and a part of my wall and my cactus rack and organized my bags last Friday, and then the atmosphere started to clear right away, even if little by little. Lately I have been sleeping well which is great  

So since then, I have cleaned many parts of my room and sprayed on surfaces and windows and tonight I cleaned up half of my closet. I gave away some things and discovered which travel toiletries I need to buy. I also found some clothes I have not worn for quite some time. No matter how lazy I am, somehow I find peace and I enjoy cleaning up parts of my room after work. Tomorrow I’ll clean up the other half of my closet. My room already smells so clean even of half of it still looks like a mountain of junk But it feels good that the other half is quite clean

Then, tonight, as I cleaned up my closet and was organizing the few make-ups that I kept, my dad asked if I want burger from Good Burgers and I said I wanted a cheeseburger Then he stepped out and came back with burgers for all. Happiness

Now, totoo na talaga. I will do my homeword na and study Good night

Fireworks

This was taken months ago. It was when I bought a pin cushion for all my pins then realized I have way too many pins  

With the black background, they look like fireworks

Sushi Magnets

I was cleaning up my gmail and found this photo of magnets… (Please click to continue reading this post.)

Golden Bag of Goodies

Today my sister brought lunch (and more) for me again… (Please click to continue reading this post.)