what a way to make a living.

Oh my god. I want to cry. I've just written a HUGE long post about this weekend, and lost it!!!!!! ARGH.

I'll start again, shall I?
This weekend (Saturday morning, 7am to be precise) I set off on a trip to the Japanese countryside, to do a homestay weekend, living with a family and learning traditional practises! The whole thing was amazing, the students who organised it were fantastic, and the other people on the trip were so lovely too, so lots of new friends there! Sadly Jerome didn't come on this, as it was only really for Waseda students. Next time!

So we set off bright and early, took us about 4 hours to get up there, to a tiny village called Ten-ei (天栄）in the countryside North of Tokyo. When we got there, loads of activities had been organised for us, like field ploughing and ornament making for day 1, then wood cutting, bean crushing, onigiri making (those triangle shaped rice things, not my cup of tea but anyway), and then a ramble around the nearby woods. All very delightful, and topped off with a night staying with a family!

We were separated into groups of 4 to stay with the families (there were about 20 of us in total), and I was put with Clare, a friend from SOAS in London who'd also come to Waseda, and two Japanese students - Daisuke and Mao. Think me and Clare were put together because we both said we were vegetarian..... this caused quite a stir in the Japanese countryside as you can imagine, at least half an hour of chat (in Japanese) was dedicated to establishing exactly what we do and do not eat! Even weirder chats soon ensued, apparently Susan Boyle is a very famous figure in rural Japan!!!!! I couldn't stop laughing when they mentioned old SuBo (might have been a bit delirious from the cold) but they were pretty serious!! Anyway they made us a huge meal with about 578 courses, after which we were encouraged to go to the public baths....... neither Clare or I fancied this much, so we sat it out (after much attempted persuasion) and took ourselves off to bed. Now in the Japanese countryside, they don't do central heating. So at night, our heating consisted of an electric blanket, a duvet, and not much else (all this on a flat futon on the floor). However, the ever prepared Robson ended up being nice and warm, one pair of woolly pjs, one heat tech top, two thick pairs of socks and one cashmere jumper later!!! Kept the electric blankets turned up full blast as well, even though the fam reckoned we'd be best to turn them down...... ever prepared, but still not partic economical....

Anyway the following day dawned with rain, so we donned our fetching all in one waterproof get-ups from the day before, and chirpily trotted off to do some wood cutting! The rest of the day was taken up with more activities, and after a bit of an emotional farewell we returned to Tokyo, getting home by 11pm so not too bad! Going to leave you with some snaps of the weekend, there are so many tales and anecdotes still but I'll save those for when I see everyone in person!

Nearby scenery

Left to right: Caitlin, Me, Ashleigh, Clare

You want me to do what?

hahahaa

Making 'ornaments'

Robson goes back to her East Anglia roots..

quite literally means 'dream team'. On the wellies. 

An 'ornament' I made, wasn't supposed to be a heart but I thought it was better!

Ropes? We made these!

Villagers who taught us to make ropes and bash beans

Our bedroom!!

Breakfast. Yes dinner was even bigger!!

Robson chops wood

or attempts to

Daisuke shows us how it's done!

Clare and I looking delightful

Group photo!

If I ever see another onigiri.....

The family!

Back row: Dad, Daughter, Daisuke, Mao

Front row: Mum, Me, Clare

Robson and Jerome's festive celebrations begin tomorrow, we're off to see Cinderella at the National Ballet so will take pics obviously, SO much planned for this month we've hardly got time for uni!! Merry December!

doncamatic

Just a quick mid-week post to update you all on what's occurrin over here!

I started my new job at Paul Smith on Monday! It's really good, the people are all so lovely, very friendly, and it's been fantastic for my Japanese already. I work from 12 until 8.30pm, so it's quite a long time but it does pass very quickly, as I seem to spend most of my time either chatting to the girls about clothes and makeup, to the boys about British music, or to customers about the clothes and British fashion! On tuesday night they all kindly took me out for a welcome party, we went to an izakaya and had loads of great food and cocktails, so nice!

Tuesday was also a very important day. Let me set the scene.
Lanvin and H&M have done a collaboration. I really hope you all know what I'm talking about, if not, have a look at the pieces here.
So 10am, Jerome and I met up at Harajuku station and headed down to the H&M store, only to find that you were given allotted times on a wristband!! It's so they could only have 30 people in at a time, and each time slot was 10 mins. Ours was 12.15 to 12.25, but obviously I started work at 12, so bit of a problem. Jerome however, was brilliant, and whilst I went into Paul Smith, she trotted off back to H&M, elbows out, and grabbed The Dress. This dress I had been talking about for weeks, it's amazing. Perfect colour, almost the Selfridges pantone, raw edges, exposed black zip, big black waistband, perfectly comfy yet looks like it shouldn't be.... and surprisingly a lot of fabric! Anyway, here's the pics, see what you think! I think the expression on my face says it all......

It's the homestay trip this weekend as well, had the orientation tonight and a meal with the others going, looks like it's going to be good!!

The Boy Who Lived...

Greetings. As supreme champion of 'Harry Potter Scene It' in my local area, it is my pleasure to tell you all about mine and Robson's trip to the cinema tonight to see the new Potter film -  

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Before we headed to the cinema, we dressed up as characters from the books/ films. I was Bellatrix Lestrange and Robson was Alecto Carrow- both female Death Eaters. I have to say, it was rather liberating walking the streets of Tokyo being somewhat feared as opposed to seku harra-ed. Looking like this (photos to follow) we went for some food, and then partook in a wee bit of Purikura. Allow me to explain to those readers who may be unfamiliar with 'Purikura'. It is a nugget of Japanese popular culture, which involves its participants (usually female) having their pictures taken in a booth, the principle aim being to look cute, pretty and sweet. You can then write nice things about you and your friends all over the picture with the help of computer design. So, off we trot to the Purikura booth dressed as Death Eaters and scrawling slogans such as 'Die Potter' and 'Avada Kedavra' onto our pictures.

Tonight was our first trip to a Japanese cinema. We had excellent seats, however the snacks of the people around us were slightly nauseating. When the music started, you know the music, we were both so excited! Me slightly more so I think...but Alecto got into it too. The film was brilliant, as expected it deviated slightly from the book, but overall we both enjoyed it greatly. It was very dark, even scary in some parts. The highlight of the film for me was the animation during Hermione's story of the Hallows, but we both loved the scenes shot in London- where we have both lived for two years. It was lovely to see Piccadilly Circus and Shaftesbury Avenue, even if it was only in a Harry Potter film. 

Cannot wait for the next and final installment now! But I can't help thinking I'll be a bit sad when it's all over...

I'll leave you with some photos of us as Death Eaters...try not to be too intimidated.

on the hunt for undesirable No.1

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.....