they looked up and saw a star

Evening!

Just thought I'd write a quick post about the weekend, I'm in between a fabulous meal of jacket potato, cheese and beans, (yes I did make it myself) and am about to settle down to a Potter film with chocolate...

This weekend was one of the best we've had I reckon! On friday, I had a lovely night out in Ikebukuro, a few cocktails and a meal with Uno, Masa, and some new Japanese friends of Uno's. I'd never been to the bar before but anywhere that plays both Katy Perry and Eminem in Japan is a hit with me. Anyway, on Saturday I had a rare lie in, then went down to Omotesando about lunch time for some christmas shopping, very successful but obviously can't reveal here what was bought! A bit later Jerome met me in Starbucks, I'd gone there to get some homework done, and we ended up sitting there the whole afternoon, eating them out of festive foods and gingerbread lattes. Yum yum. Then we adjourned back to IkeB and got ourselves some more christmas cards to send, and tickets for Potter on friday!!!!!! SO excited!! Of course we're dressing up, but we'll leave you to guess at which characters until the pictures go up....... On Sunday, I was very excitable as I knew that Sara and Annabel were arriving, and had booked us somewhere for dinner on Sunday night. Had a chilled day, usual gym, homework, spot of revision for these mid term tests, that sort of thing. I chose a restaurant near Tokyo station, there's a fantastic bar next door as well so after a few cocktails we headed off for our meal - BIG success, vegetables and 'real' food! I have to say though, the friendly faces from home were more welcome even than the food, as well as the bag of goodies they brought with them! Bakes beans, green and black's choc, Selfridges mince pies, ADVENT CALENDARS (two, obvs) and my beloved navy Pinko coat.... my Mum knows me too well!!
I then had a wee interview on Monday morning (more info when I find out what it entails.... not being deliberately elusive!) and afterwards went to meet Sara and Annabel in Ebisu for lunch and shopping for work stuff with them! Jerome had a day in uni planned but unfortunately wasn't well at all on Monday, thankfully she's had the day off today for more recuperation, finger's crossed she'll be on the mend in time for Potter on friday!
I'll leave you with a few pics of Tokyo getting into the festive spirit.... yes that is both a tree and a man made out of plastic bottles, and also my amazing dinner I had!!
Ttfn, Robson xxx

Is it? ...It is, isn't it? Yeah...it's me!

Yes yes, do try to calm down people. It aint Robson! Shock horror. An update, then?
Sooooo what have I been doing in the last however long it's been? Robson's updated re. all hallows eve and the Van Gogh exhibition, but fear not! I have a few things to add!

Firstly, a while back (I forget when), we went to Asakusa for the day. It's a slice of old Tokyo, and is a really nice place, if not a little run down. Best of all it has a building whose roof is adorned with a giant Golden Turd. Spot the turd in the photos that follow, I know you all want to see it!
We wandered down Nakamise Dori, which was somewhat of a challenge as it seemed that everyone in Tokyo had heard we were going to Asakusa for the day and turned up. Also, it was raining. HARD. Some Typhoon or something. As we made our way further down the street, occasionally getting distracted by souvenir shops, Asakusa Kannon Temple loomed into view. It's a lovely temple, and apparently Tokyo's oldest. To one side of the temple, we saw the even more beautiful Gojuno-to - a pagoda.
Having had our fill of the traditional stuff, we moved on to look round a bit more- having a peep at Japan's oldest funfair, Hanayashiki. We didn't go in, it was way too wet for that. You won't see me in a full body rain poncho on a merry-go-round anytime soon. On the way back down the aforementioned Nakamise Dori, we stopped to admire a man making some sweetie looking treats. We bought some. MISTAKE. They were filled with some sweet bean paste. We thought it would be chocolate. Bleugh. We had to take a handful of free taster rice crackers just to get rid of the taste. Photos? I think so...

CAUTION; not filled with chocolate.

TURD

So so so what next? Well, I went up a mountain! A small group from my dorm got the train out of Tokyo to Mount Takao. It was the first time I'd been properly out of the city and into something slightly like the countryside. First impressions when I got off the train; the air was cleaner, the spiders were bigger and greater in numbers. The climb up was hard work, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. We kept stopping for snacks and to take in the view. There were some beautiful temples too. And of course, the red leaves for which the Japanese Autumn is famous for. Perhaps I'll let some photos tell the tale? 

Also had my first trip to Kabuki-cho in Shinjuku recently, it's a mental place. Went out with 'the girls' and had a laugh. For the benefit mostly of my Mum, I'll introduce the ladies...Pay attention, mother, I'll only say it once more!!

From left; Nermeen (Egypt), Melanie (England), Dunja (Croatia), Lin (Finland), Mirja (Finland)

Hope you got that Mum, there will be a test later.

So this is where I leave you. Be back soon! (ish)

continued, read the one below first!

Last Saturday was also a typical Robson and Jerome outing, we went to the National Art Museum, managed to catch the Van Gogh exhibition we hadn't been able to see in London, well worth the wait! I also got us some snacks for the day..... you know what's coming.. We've got a few more to try but these were definitely the best, we're becoming quite the macaroon connoisseurs! We were a bit gutted that nothing happened on Bonfire night, but suppose it is quite a british tradition.... oh well. Bigger and better next year!

Yes you would be right if you thought we wandered a cemetery - apparently Jerome had heard it was 'a very nice one', so we thought we'd take a look.....

So this week I've been really busy with tests and presentations, all seemed to have gone ok so quite pleased. Mainly excited though because Sara and Annabel are arriving tonight!!! They land in Tokyo from Hong Kong late tonight, so I can't wait to catch up with them tomorrow! They're also bringing me my favourite coat, and some skin stuff I've run out of, and apparently some food? How does my Mum know exactly what I need out here?! Amazing. Hoping to show them some new areas, and new restaurants they haven't been to before. 

All sorts planned for the next few weeks, so watch this space, lots more to come!

Robson xxx

I keep thinking of a million other things I should blog about...... but I think if you've read this far you've done pretty well..... 

you better slow that mustang down....

Evening all!

First of all, I'd like to apologise for the recent reticence on the blog, it's been a busy couple of weeks, perhaps we can surmise from Jerome's writers' block that it's been particularly hectic up in Oyama? I'm sure  she'll fill you in on that score when she gets chance!

So what's been going on since we last updated you? The week after Halloween was quite quiet, mainly some nice dinners and chilled nights in, and a similar story at the weekend. I had both wednesday and friday off for Waseda holidays, and as I don't go in on mondays anyway, it was a bit of a doss week, fantastic!! Haha did give me a chance to catch up with some much needed homework, you'll be relieved to know everything's up to date there, all still going well.

On Wednesday, Uno, August (aka Juno), Micah and I thought we'd make the most of our day off to have a look at a quite traditional area - lots of temples and stuff. And right next to a river, very scenic, we'll definitely be back! Here's some snaps from the day......

Sorry to rub it in but it really is fantastic weather over here - bright blue skies right now, about 19 C, just so nice!

Anyway, I'd planned to go for dinner on Sunday with our french friend Axel (previously mentioned on here!), and as we were both beautifying ourselves for the occasion, I heard quite the commotion outside, banging shouting and singing! So I quickly called Axel, and we both ran outside with our cameras to see what was going on - and so glad we did!! It was the finale of the Waseda Festival that had been going on all weekend! So many funny performances, have a look at the video below!

This is male cheerleaders at their best..... only in Japan right?
This is also from the festival, it's fun to stay at the.....

Haha!! Fantastic.

to be continued......

I said what what?

Another little snippet from Halloween..........

tick tock tick tock

Well Jerome was supposed to blog about our day out on Saturday, and also about Halloween, but it is now Wednesday, and she's off mountain climbing right now, so I imagine she'll do a stellar mid week post for you all on that, thought I'd help her out on the Halloween front.....

We went out on Saturday night to a delightful little bar/Irish pub called The Black Sheep. Our friend Lin from Jerome's uni works there, and suggested there might be something of a party going on, so we got dressed up, and all headed out (all being the rest of the gang from Jerome's halls) to Ikebukuro. I had travelled to the halls in my full get up on three trains, you can imagine a sweet-laden and blue haired Robson attracted quite some attention. Had to stay on the phone to Jerome for most of the journey!! Anyway we arrived in one piece despite the typhoon (a mere sprinkling of rain), the party was amazing, bands were really good, and generally a successful night! I think it's best if I leave the rest to the pictures.......

I'm off to get ready now, going to the old geisha district and then the Imperial gardens with some friends from Waseda, photos up later of course!!

Robson xxx