Ofuna, Kamakura, Yokohama

1. Hydrangea, Kamakura

2. Kannon, Ofuna

3. Tree roots as stairs (?), Kamakura

4. Garden, Kamakura

5. Mossy enormous rocks, Yokohama (my cousins' house)

It was really nice to see my childhood favorites this summer--the Kannon at Ofuna and the Daibutsu in Kamakura. This year, my mom's friend Naomi navigated the way to the Daibutsu (and two purple potato soft serve [per person]) by way of Kita-Kamakura. She said she and my mom used to walk from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura all the time when they were in junior high school. The path was littered with temples, so we stopped by a lot of them on the way. There were lots of hydrangeas, national treasures, and paradigmatic Japanese gardens. I'd like to cultivate a Japanese-ish garden, but it would clash so badly with our not-at-all-Japanese-ish house. I wonder if there are certain elements though, like mossy rocks, or pea gravel-type things, that would work in our garden. It turns out Toguri on Belmont has one enormous rock (not sure if it was for sale...) and a variety of pebbles if one is interested in adding Japanese touches to their garden. I know Gethsemane has some rocks, too, but they look more...man-made?

This post should be on my home & garden blog, which I am currently updating as well. There is much to report on my vegetable garden. Mitsu's blog is up and running as well!

Hot & Dangerous

1. I did a load of laundry and did not use the dryer. However, a quick Google search shows that drying clothes outdoors is not necessarily permitted in all parts of this country. Then another quick Google search failed to reveal what the rules are in Chicago. But the relentless sun today did its job in a short amount of time, and none of the items being dried were scandalous, so I don't think the rules really matter.
2. My gel nails are holding up really well! I got them done three weeks ago (that's moyashi [bean sprouts] in the background!) at Kupu Kupu in Higashi-Totsuka (Yokohama), by my cousin's friend Aya. She runs her own business successfully all by herself, it's pretty amazing. I went to see her last year and got a mani-pedi fancy gel manicure; I really like the glitter gradation. It seems that as long as I continue to cut and file them, even with the gel on, they last fine. The color I picked (I copied my cousin) lends itself well to growing them out, too.
3. Roses in the front.
4. Every day, I check on the cucumbers to make sure they're not trying to strangle the maybe-bell peppers or themselves. Every day, when I peek around, I go, "WTF!" and end up harvesting at least one or two cucumbers. Today I found three. I also trimmed down the arugula patches and supposedly-mesculin lettuce leaves. They taste more like...what I imagine grass or leaves from a tree taste like. My mom says they're good when you cook them.
5. Making arugula pesto.
6. Eating arugula pesto pasta and bread from La Boulangerie.

This year's trip to Japan went by as quickly as ever, but maybe with a stronger force. I was mildly exhausted from a non-stop schedule for fourteen straight days. There were at least two days where I walked for hours temple-hopping and I was surprised that I didn't pass out. What this all means is that I need to spread out my energy more wisely and rest, or in other words, I am getting older. But there is so much to buy, so much to eat, and so many good places and wonderful people to see! 

Since the earthquake and tsunami, the most visible effect of the disasters is the cutting back of electricity. Owners of large buildings and corporations have to cut back 15% of their normal usage to avoid a fine, and the general population seems to be doing their part voluntarily at home. There's solidarity, but there's also the practical matter of avoiding scheduled blackouts. In the summer, maybe the most noticeable consequence of cutting back ("setsuden") is that the air conditioners are weak and the escalators don't operate during off-peak hours. When everyone else around you is into setsuden--whether it's felt in conversations with neighbors, on the trains, in the stores, or even when watching commercials or glancing at skylines--it's easy to fall into the habit of cutting back. I've been unplugging unused things at home since returning to Chicago (at least more so than when I saw "An Inconvenient Truth" and saw those poorly drawn CG polar bears drowning and felt faintly bad about wasting energy), and I've even considered minimizing the use of the laundry dryer. However, I am having a hard time even thinking about giving up the dishwasher (heaven-sent) and increasing AC temps (Mitsu has two coats of fur! [Or 1.5, as she's blowing the undercoat out right now]).

After observing Japanese women's fashion (and men's, to an extent) and reflecting on past observations, I've concluded that I must be more American (Midwestern?) in my approach to fashion. I tried, with my collared shirts and not-cut-off-denim-shorts (I cannot wear them stylishly like the Osakan girl above); I even wore heels twice (Birks or Top Siders were on standby in an extra tote). But I just cannot keep up with them! In my eyes, the Japanese know how to dress impeccably, from head to toe, as if every move were not only calculated, but also perfected since, say, junior high. I get the feeling that people over there are also aware of what looks good on them, and what doesn't, which I think this is an impressive, if slightly vain, accomplishment for any person. I remember one girl pinning her bangs on the train to maintain an ever-so-subtle but important curl, and by the time she got to her destination (Shibuya), she unpinned them and they indeed curled out to the side in a delicate, airy, magazine perfection sort of way. Anyway, it just seems like there is so much detail-oriented care put into every single decision regarding clothes, accessories, hair, and makeup. One of my cousins suggests that everyone does it because everyone else does it, which I think is a similar spirit behind everyone setsuden-ing with one another. I wonder if I would pick up on the "society > individual" mentality if I was ever in Japan for a longer period of time, or if I would grow tired of it. But I did catch the shopping bug, especially since it was "soldes"/"bargain"/"sale" season right when I was there, so I have some new outfits, as well as a somewhat renewed sense of caring how I look. We'll see how long this lasts, because it's hard to care about anything when it feels like a sauna when you step outside even for a brief moment.

iPhone photo diary

1. "Premium Economy" seats
2. Keisuke Toyama concert, Suntory Hall
3. "Bo Boo" print reunion, Sakuragicho's Marimekko store
4. Domino's
5. Summer tangerines and hydrangea in my mother's childhood neighborhood
6. Fauchon mini-eclair
7. Daibutsu, Kamakura
8. "Lost In Translation"-esque view, Osaka
9. Making fun of young Osaka girls who wear big nerdy glasses, Zara
10. Carleton-esque badger advertising okonomiyaki, Osaka 
11. Byodouin, Uji
12. Mimiu, yuzu udon
13. Watermelon cocktail at Hotel JAL City, Yokohama

Prep

Today was my last day of teaching. I think I'm feeling that overwhelming sensation of finishing one big thing, but realizing that I quickly need to move on to other things that have been looming nearby.

After I spend the next two weeks flailing around trying to get my prospectus together, I'll be off to Japan, with the meemaw, who is here in Chicago. Some nights ago, I had a dream that I was in Japan and another huge earthquake hit. I was in a car, and I remember there being danger of a tsunami. I've thought about what I would do if I were in an earthquake--like, if I'm indoors, outdoors, on a train, where do I go? My grandma says go to a place with lots of corners, the example being if you're in an apartment, get in the bathroom since you have four corners close to each other. I guess it's more structurally sound? I don't know, but I like the idea of being a fan of corners.

A relatively trivial worry that I have is how I will look when I am in Japan. I used to not really care about how I dressed there, and I'd wear whatever I felt like, casual or not. But there are two things that have happened since then: one is that it must be admitted that I am no longer as youthful as before (having a husband; my grandma telling people I'm aiming to be a professor of philosophy; being above 25; no longer getting up at noon; etc.) and two is that I am increasingly aware of the Japanese "gaze." I don't mean that art history gaze, I mean the looks you get from random people who look you up and down, try to figure you out, and in doing so judge you. Actually, part of it is the gaze, but it is largely what you do with it that matters most. The awkwardness that I have felt from dressing down, not having makeup on, etc., is self-induced. I think I've had conversations with Mordecai about this, so I know this isn't an entirely a "Japanese thing." Though I do feel really Japanese when I think about this. So anyway, this is all a way of saying that I am starting to prepare to look decent while in Japan.

Yesterday I went to Woodfield Mall with my mom and grandma and started working on this task. Forever 21 helped me out a bit with some basics (not-jean/pajama-ish shorts and an Equipment-esque shirt), as well as Lands End Canvas. I tried on the dress I was after, loved it, and ordered what I hope to be the proper size. It is a Rachel Berry-esque dress, but made of far better material. I also got the pair of Top Siders I was eyeing in champagne gold. My goal is to have an outfit everyday where I don't look bummish, and I was thinking of keeping track of how this will work out. The one thing I dislike about "outfit posts" is that they are usually taken vertically, especially if one is taking a picture of a reflection in a full-length mirror. I accept the vanity and narcissism of outfit posts, but still, generally, I don't like posting vertical pictures. Of course, this might all fail and it might have just been an excuse to shop with the meemaws on my day off, but I have some hope that this will all come through. I don't know what's "youth preservation" about this blog anymore, but that's okay! I still go to Nickel City from time to time and paint my nails like I'm in the 7th grade.

Edge of Glory

Day 30 – A photograph of yourself today + three good things that have happened in the past 30+ days.

1. Finished topical (currently stuck on prospectus though)

2. Teaching summer school (failing at making aesthetics appealing)

3. Started eating/moving better, but still need to cut back on things like excessive sodium and driving the car.

Garden

Day 29 – Something you could never get tired of doing.

Planning projects for the house, getting started on them...that's the part I could never get tired of doing. The part that I need to work on is continuing the project, not half-assing it, not abandoning it, and moving along to other projects. I did plant these things today, except for the tomato, cucumber, and bell peppers, but that's because they need their own special bed, which Mordo is helping me figure out. I hope my plants like me.

Friday, Friday, Friday

Fun fun fun fun looking forward to the weekend!

My grandma bought me this shirt/blouse thing from Zara last week. It has pink stars on it, which is good, but it's dry clean only, which is dangerous. I paired them with my Doc Martens, and jazzed it up with some "Diva in Training" Glee for Sephora by OPI nail polish.

This weekend has so far involved finally getting to painting the dining room and starting to think about a (container, though this looks nice!) vegetable garden. My top priorities might be: cilantro, chives, rosemary, mint, strawberries, and cucumbers. If it's not too much, I'd like to add cherry tomatoes, arugula, radishes, and asparagus. We strolled through Gethsemane today, and Mordecai got some ideas from the awesome Troy regarding a "rain garden" to help with drainage issues that I don't understand nor really care about but probably should, and a patio that where my container vegetable/strawberry garden will reside during the summer. Mordecai took notes on potential patio patterning, centipede leg-looking plants, and plants with red leaves.

Day 28 – Your favorite movie.

Jose to tora to sakana tachi

Pictures

Day 27 – A picture of you last year and now and how have you changed since then?

Here's a picture of me last year. Is that my mom's shirt? I was in Japan last May, a fact I can barely believe. Since last year, I've become much more domesticated. I also feel like I've aged a lot, or I can see the effects of aging more clearly.

I've fallen behind on my posts because I don't feel like posting a picture of myself in recent days. I started teaching the four-week "intensive" summer session, and it's pretty tiring. It's not as bad as everyone made it out to be though, at least so far. The material is stuff I've done before, which helps a lot. I like my students (only 13!) and I get the sense that they don't dislike me. So instead of a gpomyself, I present these others photos from day off today.

I went to Ulta today with a 20% off coupon to get pink nail polish by Essie. "Princess Pink" seems to have gone extinct, which is a tragedy, as it was my wedding pick and seemed easy to apply. I chose "Lovie Dovie," the Pepto Bismol color on my index finger. It was my mom's suggestion. I just tried it on more extensively, and Mordecai said it looks like a stripper's nail polish. It requires more care in application so I will try again tomorrow.

While I cooked dinner, Mitsu lied on her back and showed me her teeth. "You use peanut butter in your dinner and I get none in mine? I glare at you. Look at my teefs."

I realize this is not the most flattering picture, but that's PBJ pancakes (peanut butter pancakes, blackberry "syrup" [=heated preserves + water + lemon zest]), an egg, and some ham. This meal was inspired by Sunny Anderson's "Let the Sun Shine In" episode on her show, "Cooking for Real." I saw it for the second time this morning and decided today was the day for some PBJ pancakes, Sunny-style. I recommends them if you like peanut butter, and you can make whatever berry syrup you like! I wonder if almond butter would work with pancakes...? Is that too yuppie/Lincoln Park mom-like?

Mo Town

Day 26 – A photo of somewhere you’ve been to.

Detroit, MI

"PURSE!"

Day 25 – What’s in your purse?

 

Buddy Biscuits from Petco ($4.99 with member's card!)

Kuromi Sigg water bottle

Keys

Carmex & Kiss My Face chapstick

MAC lipstick in Siss & Shiseido red lipstick

Pencil case

Earphones

Wallet

Hydra-Stick pour bébé
Aveeno lotion

Popcorn seasoning in white cheddar (for the movies; saw Thor last night and Bridesmaids today!)

Mirror

Cold-eeze

Behind

Day 24 – A photo of something that means a lot to you.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN! Specifically, old Japanese people reppin' the CHI in the HAMA.

Factoids

Day 23 – 15 facts about you.

1. I was born in Chicago. 

2. I like to paint my nails and I wish I could repaint them all the time like Eva Chen does.

3. I am starting to like chevre in my salads, but so far only with argula, strawberries, raspberry vinaigrette and walnuts.
4. I've been listening to Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album and like a few tracks. This is because of Glee, naturally.
5. I have tons of gray hairs and a growing collection of aging spots.
6. I'm working on a prospectus for my dissertation. The title so far is "Knowledge of Selves" and is about what it means to know or understand others and oneself. I don't know what it means to know or understand anyone but I like my topic.
7. I wanted an Akita but didn't think I could handle one. My second choice was the Shiba. (Mordo's first choice was a shelter dog--shhhh don't tell Mitsu. Actually, I tell her all the time.)
8. In the past year, I think I've cut down on soda and some fast food. I did not think this would ever be possible.
9. You can hear me play the piano from the alley. I think Clementi (YouTube link) will keep the summer-hoodlums at bay.
10. I will be teaching this summer. It's a four-week session; it meets for three hours, four times a week. We will begin with Plato's "Apology."
11. I study philosophy for essentially the following reasons, in this order: Chrucky, Schrift, Pacholec, Ted Cohen, Tony.
12. I am as my name indicates: blessed. With lots of good people and stuff.
13. I am torn when the Tigers and Sox play each other.
14. I don't drink much anymore, I am in bed by 1AM even on weekends, and I manage to experience mornings on a regular basis, even on Sundays. I also thought this would never be possible.
15. My summer wanty list includes: this Lands End Canvas dress, these boat shoes in platinum gold, these Birkenstocks, and these Ray-Bans. Is it gonna be another one of them hot summers, Busta?

Signs and wonders

Day 22 – A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

I am not one to write open letters, but I read Cormac McCarthy's "No Country For Old Men" again this past week and reading Ed Tom Bell's thoughts, especially towards the end, pained me. So did the exchange between Ed Tom and Llewelyn Moss's father. The book provides more details, important details that I had forgotten since I last read it, details that clarified many things that I did not even realize were things to be clarified when I last read it.

On a lighter note, I told my mom I was rereading the book and had seen the movie again (she's a fan), and she suggested we both get some Anton Chigurh hair. I see where I get my crazies from.

Weekend

Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.

'Keipop' was coined back in college to express what is popular with Kei. 'Nation' was a common suffix we used to add to words for emphasis, like 'homework nation,' as in 'I'm in homework nation,' or something like that. I think that was high school vocabulary that survived into college. My blog is the land of all things popular and mainstream with me. 

Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.

Well, obviously Mitsu makes me happy, so I will post something else in addition. 

My home. There are 2 cherry trees in the back. Maybe it's more like 1.5; the other one is like, half alive, or clearly missing a big branch. I like the plastic grocery bag that is caught in, or decorating, the tree at the very top. I am very grateful for this home and try to treat it right, but I'm so messy and lazy. When I clean, Mitsu looks worried. I think she's used to the clutter that accumulates; she certainly likes her toys all over the floor. I think she's also concerned that the vacuum cleaner will come out. She gets angry at it when it's on, and then sniffs it when it's all over.

Her nose drips when she's in the car, sniffing out the window. She tries to get a handle on the nose juices by spraying it outside, but the wind usually pushes it back on my face.

Yesterday

Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.

This is another Nodame/Rachel Berry-esque dress I was wearing yesterday. We went to Bistro Margot with our GROUPON and watched "No Country For Old Men" last night. Carla Jean Moss is amazing.

Day Eighteen

Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
 

This was taken when I ate with Joe's mom at the McDonald's in the loop. I ran into her randomly one day two years ago.

More than anything, I crave McDonald's (preferably large) fries (preferably with a Filet-O-Fish). Runners up include Golden Nugget's Guadalajara Skillet, Culver's butterburger basket, French macaroons, and Thai food (preferably Naomi's mom's). But none of these things beat McDonald's fries, stateside or in Japan, as something to just grab, go, and be entirely satiated by. In fact, I tried to get some today in between buses, but I knew my Halsted bus was coming and the line was too long. I've still got the $1.10 loose though, so maybe tomorrow will be my lucky day!

Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.

I won't subject my parents to the Interwebs, though there are probably traces of them here and there anyway. I like these photos, which I'll post instead. These are the characters I see and deal with everyday, myself included.