I am back!

So, my new blog has shot up on the stats. I think it's cool. I am ready to keep posting on this blog too. I'm going to do some more customizing, hopefully making it better. I'd really appreciate if you'd leave comments on what gadgets you'd want me to add. I like to make my audience happy. I am for the start adding a fish tank. Cool. I don't think I'll bother putting my name at the end of each post either because I'm the only one who posts on this blog. Bye!

It's been a while... no, 5 days

So, I have a NEW BLOG now called crilakkuma, and you can check it out if you want http://crilakkuma.blogspot.com I am sadly leaving you guys for a few, because in order to fix up my new blog, I need to take a vacation away from this blog.. but i'll come back to it of course. Hotaru has not quit blogging! Yay! Well... bye.
-Aya

Chaya and Boggy

Okay, my awesome friend CHou and I have started a blog together! I think Hotaru quit blogging. ;( Oh well. Please feel free to check it out! http://chayaandboggy.blogspot.com It's cool to write a blog with an awesome friend like Chou!
-Aya

Konichi'wa...

Hi. I am with Hotaru on this boring night. It may say that it's 4:00 or something on here, but it's really 10:40 here in Amerika. Coolio. Okay, so Hotaru has an idea, "We should make a journal that we both write in and we take turns taking it home." she says. I say "But I already have one." Her response "I know but we share it." Okay that means we have to do it no matter what since we're sooo bored and we have no other ideas. Well, now I have to think of an idea. Can't think of anything. Big bummer. Oh well, I'm a good writer I guess. Bye. Hotaru and I were having a sleepover if you didn't realize that already. I'll find some pictures or something tomorrow, 'cause right now I'm using her laptop.
Just kidding, I'm not saying goodbye. All my trees are all scarce of there leaves!!! ;( and they have a bunch of ugly white lights on them. What about green, or red? All of the other streets get to decorate their trees, um, candycanes? I'm now so bored and we're gonna start writing so Sayonara, AGAIN!!!
-Aya

Utada Hikaru - Boku wa Kuma

This one of my fav japanese songs! Ya! You gotta hear it. Sorry if you think the bear is weird.
-Aya

Happī December!

Today is Hotaru's birthday party!



Happy howlidays everyone!


Savor your food.

It was meant to be.

Hachooo! Machiko! Sumiko! Sachiko!

Friends are the best thing that comes with this season. Be thankful, be happi, have fun. It's all about laughs, love, and peace. Happi holidays, wish you a Merīkurisumasu!
-Aya

aya means

My Mama and Oba think I'm like a ray of light in their life. That's nice. I think they need some sunshine because the winter is coming.
I hope my light can make the house a little warmer, because it does get rather chilly in the evenings. Sometimes my toes feel like they're going to fall off.

Yours, Aya

Konichi'wa!

Hi there guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving, we have a lot of catching up to do. I have so much to tell you so here I go...
So, my anime is going really good now, I've gotten a lot of support from all my friends, Firefly, Misaki, Haruko, Chou, Midori, Sumiko, and Sachiko, but I think Sachiko is my biggest fan. :) I've been experimenting with colors, and right now I'm not sure if they're the to success and right now I feel like TiVo. ha! Firefly has opened up ANOTHER new blog for her cat Lola called KitN, you can check that out by clicking on our profile. Lola just got back from the hospital, but has stiches.
I've decided that I should keep a journal/diary. It's so I have a greater chance of being a writer/journalist, along with being an artist/illustrator. I've thought about becoming a seamstress/designer too, so many decisions...
Firefly's birthday is in two days, and I want it to be the best! I wasn't THAT enthusiastic about my birthday but she is, and I'm happy for her! To prepare for a birthday party, hmm, well that's something to do on Saturday. Happy holiday guys, and I apoligize for not posting in so long.
Sayonara!

Yours, Aya.

Sumimasen!

Sooo sorry I haven't posted in forever ever! My week has been really busy, I have to book reports due three days apart, right after uh, Thanksgiving? Yeah, that's watcha call it. Big bummer, sheesh.

In the later post you probably saw a girl with a bunny tee on, and I'm getting one of those, in yellow of course. It comes with a gummy bear necklace too, so excited. Well bye, I gotsta go study!

-Aya

Ajia no taipuraitā

Can you guess what this is?


I'm obsessive about this stuff...


Yep, you MIGHT'VE guessed it if you've read the earlier posts...

Yep, ☼Asian Typewriters!!!☼

Chinese and Japanese typewriters, sorry, couldn't find any Korean typewriters

-Aya

love, peace, friendship

Ѽeat healthyѼ

εïзliv it upεïз

☺smile☻

¿figure It out?

♀luv em' if you want to♂

it's ßecause of you♥

№where to go, but somewhere to hide±

♣Get lucky and go places♣

☼the sun is shining and so are you☼

ℓ☺♥€

჻)

-Aya

Nippon no fasshon: Matawa IN OUT

Listen, I'm not THAT fashionable, so all these posts about fashion I probably got helped by a friend. What's in, what's out? we've moved into winter but I myself like dressing for the other seasons in winter. Japanese fashion is really kawaii!!! Sometimes... But mixing and matching is cool too, stripes with polka dots, argyle with plaid (maybe not...), and other funky combinations. Here's a take of some Asian fashion.



Stripes blue tunic by Maymaylu Dreams


Purple Buttoned Fashion Jacket (that I now own!) by Maymaylu Dreams

Knit Sweater Dress by Maymaylu Dreams

Kawaii Smile tee with Bunny by Maymaylu Dreams from eBay seller 2sf-asia

Simply Love Tee with pink polka dotted jacket by Maymaylu Dreams

Save Up For The Future pink tunic by Maymaylu Dreams

Save Up For The Future navy tunic by Maymaylu Dreams

Kawaii Koneko Tunic by Maymaylu Dreams

Grey Giraffe Hoodie Tunic from eBay seller yellowshampoo

-Aya

Shiawase kin'yōbi!

What's today???...

Is it???
Well of course it is!!!!!!

I wuv Fridays, my owners off the bed and gone to work, den it's all MINE!!!!! yeah...

Hehe... it's time? Dear Sandwicha,

You have a really weird name, but I've answered your prayers anyway.

Happy Friday to everyone!! Plus all of the animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Aya

Maneshitsugumi

Taking flight, and letting go. Dropping and falling, thinking you could fly, but you could not. You weep, wondering when your Mama will come home to see that you are not in the nest anymore, hoping that she will come and get you from down below. She arrives, looks down, and makes a sound. You knew that was a laugh if she was human. Now you are all alone in that dark world. You haven’t been taught everything just yet, but you figure you’ll have to learn the rest by yourself.
Now it’s time you go explore. Finding food is tough. Something is stirring in the bushes north of where you are looking. It freaks you out, and a dark figure jumps. It goes all too fast and that was the end. You are no longer alive. You have been sent to heaven, but you are no longer walking on earth. Either your Mama should’ve taken care of you, or you should have listened. You were just a mockingbird.

That is somethign from my book I'm writing.

Coolio, bye.

-Aya

Watashi ni wa o tanjō-bi omedetō!

Bring on the lanterns! Yeah! It's my birthday, but I don't feel any different. Now the backround on my blog JUST FOR TODAY is lanterns! But anyway, It's gloomy, I'm bored, and cold.

AND my birthday is on my LEAST FAVORITE day, the one that kills the weekend, and the one that also starts the school week, Monday. Big bummer.

I'm listening Owl City right now, and now I am wondering if I should bother charging my ipod now...
Well cya!!! Please leave comments or birthday messages down below, thanks!!!

-Aya

Happīharou~in!

Hi guys! Happy Harou~in! (Halloween) But that's only for the people who celebrate it, like my friends... Hope you all got lots of candy, but be careful, because there's such thing as tooth decay. See you later! Oh cool, and this is my 31st post on the 31st day of October!!!!

Here's a kawaii Harou~in-related wallpaper! http://www.san-x.co.jp/charapri/images/kabe/monoboo/05_1024_768.gif

-Aya (p.s. tomorrow's my birthday!)

Fasshon shashin to harou~īn

Recently I have been into fashion with my friend Firefly. It just so happens that I'm getting these items for my birthday on Nov 1st. And look at that, it's the 29th, so only 2 more days until my birthday.

This is the giraffe tunic sweatshirt, and it can be worn as a mini dress also! I'm wondering why Japanese so kawaii... oh yeah, it's Japanese! Haha, but you agree that it has a really cute giraffe print, right? It also has a really fuzzy and warm fur-lined hood. :)

This is the second part of my fashion spree on eBay, a purple Asian jacket for fall. Purlpe is one of my favorite colors, and I admire her cowgirl boots, guess I'll have to get some. I think the model here is pretty, but I'm guessing American models are prettier, and a lot of them are actually famous, I'd never want to be famous, that would be a last on my list, in fact it probably wouldn't even be on my list, you get hawked too much. I guess it would be fun to be a model though, you'd get to try on all these clothes from around the world+Japan!

Oh my gosh, a friend has recently told me that it's going to be Harou~īn in Amerika! I'm in Amerika for Harou~īn this year, so I guess I get to celebrate it with some of my friends, Firefly and Hotaru, I guess Chou too. i'm being the all-in-one famous Japanese character Rilakkuma! he's very kawaii, and my Otōsan keeps teeling me to finish it up, because I'm making it, but I keep telling him, I'll get there when I get there, and if I don't get finished, it will be my loss, not yours. Beatrice and Ivy tell me to say "hi" to everyone on here for them! (they're the vocal ones)

さようなら (Sayōnara)

-Aya

...Oboete iru? (remember?)

Okay,it's awesome! We have another typewriter! It's electronic though, not as much fun. We'll look on eBay for the fun kind though.

-Aya

Dekora kyōki!

Kawaii!!!!!

Kawaii!!!!!

Yeah, that's right, I've been very much into Decora.

Kawaii means "cute" or "pretty". It has become a major aspect of Japanese culture, entertainment, food, clothing, toys, personal appearance and behavior. Kawaii fashion generally relates to someone wearing clothing that appears to be made for young children or clothes that accentuates the cuteness of the individual wearing the clothing. Ruffles and pastel or bright colors may be worn, and accessories often include oversize toys or bags featuring anime characters.
Decora also known as "Decoration" is a japanese style adopted mainly by young japanese girls. Decora consists of bright colors and hair clips with bows. Lots of layering and colorful accessories are used in Decora. The accessories include plastic and furry toys and jewelry, which stick together and make noise as the wearer moves.The style is sometimes mistakenly called "Fruits style" by people that are not from Japan.

Another Opinion:

The japanese style cult of decora is so sharply childlike and cute it's like biting into bubblegum and razor-flavoured ice cream that's been kept on the icy moon of Europa for a month. If you're not afraid to wear 16 bows in your hair and three pairs of socks at once, decora may be the style for you.
Tokyo. An over-crowded city, but full of lights and wonder: a clashing, vibrant mix of old and new. In its midst lies the infamous Harajuku shopping district, a Mecca for all things Japanese and a shopaholic's utopia. And in this tempestuous sea sail the Harajuku girls on ships of pure style chaos.
Gwen Stefani sang about their 'wicked style' there lies a certain air about these girls. Why do they choose to gather there? While most might reply with a simple "all my friends are here" or a typical "it's fun", Harajuku seems to be an informal catwalk for teens to showcase their style in their free time. Out of all the different styles Harajuku has to offer, from Gothic Lolita to Punk, Cosplay to Kawaii there is one style that could do with a heads-up: Decora.
The word 'decora' is simply a shortened version of 'decoration' and is mostly worn by young Japanese teens. It can often be mistaken as FRUiTS-Fashion to those outside Japan, but it's more about creating an aura of childlike playfulness or cuteness with layers, bright colors and kilos of jewelry. Popular items in Decora include Hello Kitty and Pokemon merchandise, bright plastic jewelry, coloured hair clips and bobbles and fuzzy boots. It's not about just throwing things together: A close look at some of the girls shows the huge degree of thought that's been put into their loud attire.

How to go Japanese Decora:

1. Layer. Layering is one of the most important elements in decora. Layering is everything. Don't be afraid to layer socks over tights or 3-4 different shirts together.
2. Don't look like a walking brand name. Decora is a childlike fashion and yes, Hello Kitty and Pokemon are adored, but try to add your own personal 'thing' to the clothes. Better yet, make your own.
3. Don't just suddenly decide you want to start wearing nothing but decora. Ease into it gradually.
4. Don't go out wearing decora if you don't have enough accessories or layers to suit your taste or else it'll look messy and incomplete.
5. Hair plays a huge role in decora. The most popular hairstyle is simple, cute pigtails. Accessorize with a few headbands and a truckload of hair clips. Bows are very popular in the decora world.
6. Don't hesitate to decorate yourself with plastic toys. This adds dimension to your decora outfit.
7. Cute body jewels and glitter are also good. Stick a few stars or a smiley face sticker under your eyes.
8. Don't wear a lot of makeup. This style is all about childlike playfulness and you can hardly expect to get that look with a tonne of makeup on.
9. Socks make up a huge part of the outfit. Feel free to embellish the tops with frills, ribbons, chains, charms... basically, whatever tickles your fancy.
10. Decora isn't all about wearing sky-scraping stilettos. Far from it! In every decora girl's wardrobe lie a few pairs of bright and cute sneakers and/or flats.
11. Pink is everything. It makes up most of a decora girl's chosen colour for the outfit. That doesn't mean you can't wear black, but if you do, then wear a lot of pink to compensate.
12. Virtual Pets are golden. Any respecting decora girl isn't complete without a virtual pet (think of a Nintendog or if you're on a tight budget, a Tamagotchi.)
13. And finally, be confident. Most people outside of Japan are unaware of your cool fashion sense and may mock you or want to take pictures! So smile and chiizu (say 'cheese')!

(and yes, get ready for some mean comments.)

Or just Harajuku Style:

Harajuku style originated among teens on the streets near Harajuku Station in Shibuya, Japan. It may have been brought to many people's attention by American singer Gwen Stefani, but the evolution of the style certainly didn't begin with her and it certainly won't end with her. Like many "street fashions" it is difficult to characterize, both because it is constantly changing and because it has many manifestations. There is no cookie-cutter approach to the style, but if you want to dress in Harajuku style, here are some guidelines to get you started.

Steps

1 Shopping in an eclectic Harajuku boutiqueMix and (mis)match different fashions. What is now known as Harajuku (like Halloween in Japan every Sunday) style started as teens in the district began to integrate traditional Japanese attire, especially kimonos and geta sandals, into their dress. Before, they wore primarily clothes that were influenced by the West, but by mixing the traditional with the modern, they created a new style. Other examples of mixing and matching including the punk look with the schoolgirl uniform or a goth look with designer clothes. In Harajuku, mixing different styles and mismatching colors and patterns is encouraged--you can do anything you want, as long as your outfit is a thoughtful expression of your individuality (see Tips).

2 Become familiar with variations of fashion in the Harajuku district. It's impossible to pinpoint one "Harajuku style." Many styles have originated or developed on the streets of Harajuku, and many Harajuku girls (and boys) integrate one or more of these somewhat more defined styles into their outfits.

Gothic Lolita involves wearing gothic, feminine and elegant clothes, to the extent that you look like a living Victorian doll.
Sweet Lolita is heavily influenced by the Rococo era more so than any of the other subcultures of Lolita. It focuses much more too on the child like aspects and uses light colours and child like fantasy themes. Alice in Wonderland, fruits, sweets and classic fairytales such as Little Red Riding Hood are recurrant themes in Sweet Lolita.

Japanese punks, inspired by the punk movement that began in London in the 70s, magnify rebelliousness with over-the-top clothes, accessories, makeup, and piercings.

Cosplay entails dressing up like your favorite cartoon/anime or computer game character.

Decora style favors bright colors, flamboyance and accessories from head to toe. You decorate yourself with plastic toys and jewelry, and it's not uncommon to have so many that you can hear them click together when the person moves.

Kawaii (literally translating from Japanese to "cute") places an emphasis on childlike playfulness--anime characters, ruffles, pastel colors, toys, and so on.
Wamono refers to mixing traditional Japanese attire with Western fashion.
3 Dress in layers. One of the hallmarks of Harajuku is layering. Sweaters, vests, or jackets over blouses over t-shirts, dresses worn with leggings, and so on. Layering clothes (or giving the appearance of layering by wearing ruffled dresses, for example) allows you to mix and match a wider variety of different styles, and adds more dimension to your outfit.
4 Customize your clothes. Secondhand clothing and do-it-yourself styles are popular ingredients in a Harajuku outfit. Like that flowered skirt but think it would look cuter with a ribbon pinned on it or with a more uneven, angular hemline? Get out the scissors and glue and make your store-bought clothes uniquely yours. Or, go even further and make your own skirt. Cutting the fabric to create bold angles and lines can make even a plain black dress appear remarkable and fun.
5 Accessorize. Add any wild accessories you have, such as belts, earrings, hair clips, jewelry, and handbags. Remember, accessories can be colorful and loud, and they don't have to match your clothes. Speaking of loud, in decora, a particular Harajuku style, accessories embellish an outfit from head to toe, and objects such as bells are sometimes used to add an aural dimension to the wardrobe.
6 Go wild with your hair and makeup. The Harajuku style doesn't have to stop with your clothes. Pigtails and other "cute" hairstyles are particularly popular, as is dying your hair. Creative, even theatrical makeup can be a fun addition.
7Wear whatever looks good to you. It's been said that the Harajuku style is not really a protest against mainstream fashion and commercialism (as punk was), but rather a way of dressing in whatever looks good to you. If you think mismatched rainbow and polka-dot leggings look good with a plaid dress, go for it!
8 Smile and say chiizu! If you dress Harajuku style outside of Harajuku, you'll likely draw attention from people unfamiliar with your international fashion sense. If the attention isn't positive, just smile graciously and keep going about your business. But if people ask questions or want to take pictures, strike a pose! The people in Harajuku are proud of their style, so you should be, too.
Tips
Many people mistakenly think that dressing Harajuku style is about just "throwing anything together." While the assembly of different styles and patterns might seem haphazard, it's important to put a lot of thought into your style. If you study how people dress in the Harajuku shopping district, you'll see that the intricate outfits are carefully chosen to convey a certain image that a random and thoughtless combination never could.

Harajuku style changes very quickly. Keep up with the evolution of the style by reading publications like FRUiTS and Style-Arena.These publications and others like them offer a wealth of pictures of Harajuku outfits and are updated weekly or monthly. If you want to dress in Harajuku style, looking at pictures is a good way to get inspired.
"Harajuku style" is also known as "FRUiTS fashion" to those who follow the magazine, but neither of these terms are commonly used by the Japanese who epitomize style when describing themselves.
Contrary to popular belief, Harajuku style is not just for the girls. While some variations of the style lend themselves more to females than to males (e.g. Gothic Lolita), many of the hallmarks of the style are gender-neutral. After all, it's about dressing in what looks good to you--why should girls have all the fun?

Warnings
Don't get carried away with brand loyalty. While it's OK to favor certain designer labels (especially since brand loyalty is big in Japan), Harajuku is about creating your own look, so if you appear just like the mannequins in the mall or the pictures in the catalog, you may be stylish, but you're not unique. Don't be afraid to mix that Calvin Klein dress with a used, torn and tattered pair of jeans and some combat boots.
Also, In many places Harujuku style is very uncommon, you can't just dress the part, you have to be the part. When walking down the street people will look at you. Hold your head high, be proud of what you are wearing or else you look like a poser.
Don't be worried what other people think of you. People might think your weird, Asian people might call you gaijin, but if you're happy, don't change for other people.

-Aya

Kawaii dōbutsu no shashin

Okay, look at these funny, but adorable pictures!

This snail is "on the run."

Now I see why Mario doesn't have a dog...

A normal day at the playground... for a panda.

Kawaii, but deadly.

Dear Mr. Henshaw...

Cheese! (you might've wanted to think about brushing your teeth, before we took the picture.)

You've taken so many pictures of me, I've decided to mess this one up. (my dog)

When is Cops on?

I, have been...defeated at last.

Oh please princess, I would do anything for you, if you would just kiss me!

Forever lasting enemies, the battle of the century.

Gimme that chow! (sniff)

Thanks,

-Aya :) :D

Disability Books

My fave books about people with disabilities:




After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

Jeffrey isn't a little boy with cancer anymore. He's a teen who's in remission, but life still feels fragile. The aftereffects of treatment have left Jeffrey with an inability to be a great student or to walk without limping. His parents still worry about him. His older brother, Steven, lost it and took off to Africa to be in a drumming circle and "find himself." Jeffrey has a little soul searching to do, too, which begins with his escalating anger at Steven, an old friend who is keeping something secret, and a girl who is way out of his league but who thinks he's cute.

Barnes and Noble:

$12.23




Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write.
Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind—that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.
From multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner Sharon M. Draper comes a story full of heartache and hope. Get ready to meet a girl whose voice you'll never, ever forget.

Barnes and Noble:

$12.23



Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine!

MOCKINGBIRD
In Caitlin’s world, everything is black or white. (highlight to see!) Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That’s the stuff Caitlin’s older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon’s dead, and her father cries a lot. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s, she doesn’t know how. When she reads the definition of “closure” in the dictionary, she realizes that is what she and her father need. In her search for Closure, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white--the world is full of colors--messy and beautiful, and it is through this discovery that she embarks on a road which leads her to find both healing and Closure.

I really think you should read it!!! :)

It's $15.99 USA/$20.99 Canada for Hardcover

$6.99/$10.99 for paperback (: at Anderson's Bookshop :)


-Aya