彩り : Irodori

Still praying for Japan

2011-03-20T03:07:00.000+09:00

The devastating earthquake that occurred last Friday, March 11, and the tsunamis that followed have affected millions. What has gotten to me the most though, is how the foreign media has blown this nuclear crisis out of proportion. The U.S., France and Great Britain are strongly advising their citizens to leave the country. Even those who live and work in Tokyo are fleeing to countries that their governments deem 'safer' for the time being. I don't want this to be a negative rant...but it irks me to see that the attention on the nuclear crisis has taken focus away from the woeful plight of those in the Tohoku region. It worries me when the foreign media can't differentiate the Tohoku and Kanto regions. It aggravates me to see people begging their friends in Tokyo to come back to wherever they're originally from. If you didn't know this, understand this now: TOKYO IS SAFE.

Please let me take this opportunity to share a little story.

My grandmother lives in a small town in Miyagi prefecture named Shiogama. As you all know, Miyagi prefecture was hit the hardest by the earthquake and tsunami. When the earthquake hit, my dear obaachan was outside, on her way to the local clinic. The ground began to shake violently, yet she thought she was just feeling dizzy. Then she heard people on the street shouting at her "Run, run home, run now!". So she ran. Ran past swerving cars, ran down her gravel walkway, ran to her beautiful house. My 84 year-old obaachan ran two blocks in the 9.0 magnitude eartquake, unscathed. Then came the rushing ocean water. It swept away much of her town, her neighborhood. The supermarket she likes to frequent is under water. The hospital where I was born is destroyed.

My grandmother lost many things over the last 60 years. She lived through WWII, but saw many of her loved ones leave this earth. She lost her husband, my grandfather to lung cancer. She lost many of her belongings in this earthquake. But she did not lose her spirit, nor her strong faith that the Japanese have the wisdom and power to rebuild the country. She finds joy in little things everyday, even at a time like this, even when she has no running water, electricity or gas. She was happy that a young Japanese Self-Defense Force officer helped her carry home her daily ration of three bottles of water. Her 74-year old friend who owns an electric appliance store in her neigborhood lost his store. All the brand-new TV's he was planning to sell were washed away in the tsunami. Yet they hold on to hope, and faith that he will re-open his store, and sell the same TV's someday.

I would do ANYTHING to go back to Shiogama now. But the roads to her town are under water or demolished. So until I can reach her, I can only call my obaachan and cheer her up. Not that she needs it...before I hung up last time I called, she said happily, "Aya-chan, tsuyoku ikiru no yo!" It means, simply, "Live strong!"

That's what we can do. Be strong, continue praying for the people in Tohoku. If you have a little bit of money to spare, please donate to any of the following charities (all links from National Geographic News Watch http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2011/03/japan-needs-our-help.html) :

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
http://www.ifrc.org/
According to the IFRC: "Your gift will support the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Funds will be utilised for the on-going provision of immediate relief and for eventual recovery support to the affected population."

Save the Children: Emergency Relief for Japan Quake

www.savethechildren.org/japanquake
Toll free: 800-728-3843
Text JAPAN or 20222 to donate.
The American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief
http://www.redcross.org/
Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

Salvation Army

donate.salvationarmyusa.org
Toll free: 800-SAL-ARMY
Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

International Medical Corps
http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/
Text MED or 80888 to donate $10
Doctors Without Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/
World Vision
http://www.worldvision.org/
Toll Free: 888-56-CHILD Text 4JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10

I've missed you...

2011-03-14T07:43:00.006+09:00

This is my feeble attempt at making up for lost time. I believe I must breathe new life into my blog, as my tastes, interests and lifestyle have changed tenfold since it's creation.

I still love makeup, and sadly have yet to outgrow my habits of buying new foundation and skincare like it's going out of style. I think if you grow up having bad skin (as I did and still do for the most part), you will always be on an endless search for the 'it' product that will disguise every picked pimple, sun spot and scar, but ensure a finish that will remind you that there's flesh beneath the layers.

I can't believe I'm concocting these ridiculous sentences that no one will probably read...but this was my sanctuary for a while, and I've decided to return to it and see what inspiration it will reap.

A few of my latest must-haves, some beauty-related, some not:

KOPIKO 3 in ONE instant coffee. Whoever thought of packaging coffee, sugar and creamer is Godsent. I have a very limited choice when it comes to getting my daily caffeine fix as I live in Malaysia. Apparently Malaysians are not coffee-drinkers. Well, not the ones in Cyberjaya.
Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm. It took me 2 years to finish the Rose-scented one.
Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20. Because foundation is overrated. Seriously though, this actually covers the Rosacea on my cheeks but manages to look natural, never cakey. I suggest you all check it out next time you're at a Laura Mercier counter.
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry. Black is sexy, but deep plum is more wearable and office-appropriate. It's also flattering for golden-brown eyes like mine. This eyeliner does NOT BUDGE. AT ALL. Since I have a corporate job where I'm required to wear collared button-downs and pressed bottoms, my makeup must match my alter ego, "I am educated and know how to count IP addresses". Sometimes I wish I worked in fashion just so I could wear a smokey eye everyday.
Benefit Silky Finish Lipsick in Skinny Dip. Described as a 'nude pink (cream)' on their website, I'd say its more mauve than pink. I love it because it makes my lips look like I've devoured a grape popsicle...
Zara Basics Organic Cotton Tee's. I am a sucker for black and white striped cotton tees. Thank God Zara cranked out a few in different colors. I have yet to figure out how to dress them up though. Maybe a gold-sequined bib necklace?

I hope this post was remotely enjoyable. I shall be back with some self-depreciating photos of my outings in this strange/beautiful/crowded/ethnically-confusing oasis that I now bid as home.

Reader Questions

2010-02-07T01:04:00.007+09:00

A lovely reader named Sindy sent me an e-mail a few weeks ago. Her inquisitive questions were fun, so I thought I'd answer then in a post.

Ms. Sindy U., this is for YOU dahlin'! Check out her blog, SINDYLICIOUS'S ADDICTION

Q. Are the L.A. colors palettes worth buying? I guess you know it already but Makeup mix shop have 20% off until Jan20 :)

A. Yes and No. They're under $5 USD/palette so you get what you pay for. The color payoff is fairly good, but they are VERY shimmery. They're not intended for long wear either. If you're stepping out for cocktails, it'll last...but if you plan on staying out after happy hour, dancing afterwards or engaging in other sweaty activity that I don't need to spell out for you, I would recommend you wear a good base underneath. Or use different eyeshadows altogether.

I have the green palette and the multi-colored one (rainbow colors). I left them at my ex's place and I don't miss them. If you're a frugal beauty mogul, I'd still save money and skip on these palettes. Spend your money elsewhere...like NYX. Which brings us to the next question...

Q. What do you think about the quality of NYX's e/s?

A. LOVE AT FIRST SWIPE. Most of them are not chalky, vibrant color payoff and are definitely intended for long wear. I have over 20 colors and I love them all. The matte ones are on the powdery/chalky side, but nothing you couldn't work with. My favorite color is 'Sahara', frosted yellow-toned neutral; it's great as a highlight. It's a believable dupe of MAC's 'Ricepaper' (I own both). I also love 'Eggplant'. It rings true to it's name, it's a shimmery deep eggplant color.

Q. I'm a huge fan of EDM!! Do you still use them?

A. NOPE. I've realized that EDM foundation does not suit my combination/sensitive skin. I've tried most of their formulas, and even the matte formula applied over a quality base can make my skin look like an oil slick. I speak from experience but everyone who's interested should try their products on their own. I do like their marketing strategy (all those inexpensive sample-sized products!), the wide range of colors, their cruelty-free brushes and their revamped website.

Q. Any mascara to recommend for stubborn short asian lashes? I am currently loving the Majolica Majorca mascara. It perfectly holds and volumizes my lashes.

A. Last May my friend in Texas turned me on to Maybelline's The Colossal Volum' Express mascara. She has short, stubby eyelashes, but with this wonderproduct on, she bats her lashes like a seasoned pro. My lashes are neither short or stubby, but I use this mascara like a crackwhore uses her drug of choice. I fiend for it, I feel naked without it! The magic lies within the formula. It's neither too watery or too waxy. The fat brush helps volumize and never clumps, no matter how many times you swipe the product on. People who usually don't come up to me at work have complimented my spider leg-esque lashes.

Q. I've fallen in love with MAC lovelorn lipstick since I saw it on your blog. I will try to go to check it at the store!! It's such a nice wearable pink that is not NUDE! Have you found other lipsticks similar to this color?

A. Lovelorn is a fun bubble-gum blue-based pink! Sadly, I haven't worn it much. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, Wet 'n Wild's 'Tokyo A-Pink-Pink' really delivers! It's creamy and pigmented, not to mention DIRT CHEAP. I'd wear it with neutral shadow and dark, winged liner!

Q. Are there any other MAC lipsticks that you can recommend or your favs...

A. I have many favorites but here are my top 6 faves. All the descriptions are from the M.A.C website

Honeylove (Matte, light beige toned with rose) --> A wonderful matte nude that will never wash out pale skin. Stays put, and looks great under clear or colored gloss as well.
Blankety (Amplified Creme, soft pink beige) --> Very similar to Honeylove, but a creamier version.
Creme D'nude (Cremesheen, pale muted peach beige) --> A very wearable peach-nude. If you want to erase the natural pigmentation of your lips but don't want to wear a matte nude, try this one out.
Freckletone (Lustre, neutral peach) --> A tad more on the beige side than any of the above. Great to wear under gloss or to mix with pink-toned lipsticks for that perfect pink-beige.
Nude Rose (Lustre) --> From the DSquared2 collection. The color rings true to it's name. It's not too bright, I'd describe it as a dusty muted rose.
MAC Red (Satin, vivid bright bluish-red) --> The only red that doesn't make me look forty-five.

Q. I am loving Stila's e/s right now and I don't own any MAC e/s. If I were to get, let's say 2 quads (one neutral and one with colors), which colors do you think I should pick?

A. Wow this question makes my brain hurt...just because there are SO many colors I recommend. But here are two quads I would create for those who don't own any yet (again, all finish and color descriptions are from their website):

Neutral Quad: You want a tint, a tone, a mid-tone and a shade.

Vanilla (Velvet, peachy ivory with reflects) --> I use this as a highlight. Not too shimmery or white either.
Soba (Satin, gold brown with gold shimmer) --> Great alone on the lids or under darker shadows. Works well in the crease if you're using a bright hue on your lids.
Cork (Satin, muted golden brown) --> Slightly darker than Soba, and not as shimmery.
Carbon (Matte, intense black) --> A must to smoke out any look. Also works great as a liner, just use a stiff brush to apply.
Print (Satin, muted grey with shimmer) --> For those of you who don't like or are afraid of using dark shades such as black, try Print. It works well with beige and brown shades as well.

Bright Quad: Pick your favorite colors! There are NO rules here! Actually there are no rules when applying makeup, but when experimenting with bright hues, I say go all out! Here are my tried-and-true faves from M.A.C:

Beautiful Iris (Veluxe Pearl, lavender with sheen) --> For a purple smokey look, I wear Beautiful Iris on my lids and smoke it out with Carbon or Print in my outer-corner/crease.
Gorgeous Gold (Veluxe Pearl, muted yellow-gold) --> Goes well with browns.
Freshwater (Veluxe Pearl, bright summer blue) --> A beautiful aqua, very cute with darker blues or pastels!
Humid (Frost, intense green with shimmer) --> Brings out hazel and dark brown eyes.

Thanks for reading. Have a safe weekend y'all. Chuck deuuuuces, I'm out.

I'm alive, thanks for asking.

2010-02-04T16:14:00.005+09:00

Well hello there. Do you remember me? The ex-avid beauty blogger with a potty mouth and a tendency to drop off the face of the earth without providing any witty insight as to why. Hey, it's none of your business anyway. But you love me, right? RIGHT?

I almost got rid of this thing. But I worked so hard on it, and back when I started blogging, it was one of the few outlets I had. I can't bring myself to hit 'DELETE BLOG' just yet. So until I find better hobbies than ogling at beauty/fashion blogs, drinking heavily and working overtime like an unhappy, undersexed middle-aged man, I will share with whatever readers I have my sporadic mind spray.

Today, I leave you with Mr. Hornet, or the Asian Giant Hornet, or Vespa mandarinia Japonica...colloquially known as the yak-killer. He followed me home on a very windy day and decided to take his fury out on my middle finger. Fucker got me GOOD! Doc told me if I ever get stung again I might die.

Random Brain Fart: The Japanese Failure of Medicine
Doctors are so full of sh*t sometimes, especially Japanese ones. They feed you nonsense or don't explain your malady, and prescribe you the wrong drugs. I can't tell you how many times I've passed out from overdosing on my doctor's account. They'll prescribe a dangerous cocktail of anti-inflammatory pills with lung-opening asthma patches. Yeah, one time I had the shakes like a heroin addict for weeks, and all I had was bronchitis! Since many of the doctors at smaller 'inner organ' or '内科' clinics lack the skill or are unequipped to diagnose a patient, they'll draw blood, send the sample to a lab or a University hospital, and ask you to come back for the result in seven to ten days. Of couse you have to pay for the blood exam...but you also have to pay them to get your results! I could go on and on about how Japanese health care sucks, but I'll do that some other time.

Enough mind-barf. Here's the sucker who got me on the day of the typhoon. Roughly ten minutes after my sister took these pictures, excruciating pain spread through not only my finger but my entire hand and my arm. Since a typhoon was raging through Tokyo, all public transportation had stopped...so I had to RUN my ass to the closest hospital, which is luckily only ten minutes away. But STILL. By the time I got to the hospital my hand was ice-cold. But anyway I lived to tell the tale and have pictures to share. ENJOY.

Hello, stranger!

2009-08-23T00:28:00.001+09:00

It's blazing hot outside today.
I woke up at 4 p.m. My mom was stir-frying sliced eggplant, and warned me, "It's a sauna outside. No breeze." F**K!!!

The past few days have been a huge blur. I wake up, go to work either in the morning or at night. If there isn't enough caffeine pumping through my icy veins I don't mesh very well with my colleagues.

So I drink a Red Bull and two soy lattes during each shift. I am such a caffeine addict. I am an insomniac. I am a vampire. I am also such a mean bitch at work.

Recently (damnit, last night), this guy I like and am kind of involved with told me that though it doesn't really bother him, I should probably tone down the attitude or the bitchiness. He slurred, 'You gotta remember that when you with me or around my friends, you can't act the way you do at work.'

Thanks asshole. I KNOW.

I wish he didn't lie to me and tell me my attitude doesn't bother him.
Well, maybe it genuinely doesn't bother him. I don't know how to feel about that one. It's a mixture of embarassment and annoyance at the fact that his friend had to point out to him that I kind of act like I'm above everyone else. Like I care. But damnit, I kind of do.

It's just my nature to f**k with people. I like to joke around and talk shit. Thats why I have a lot of guy friends.

HEY, I don't necessarily think or act like I am better than the rest of the planet. But I didn't get this far by letting old farts walk all over me like a freakin' doormat. I guess it's not an everyday thing where Japanese women speak their mind freely. I don't put people down or tell them they're useless. I'm not an asshole. But I will push people to be able to think for themselves. I don't nag them if they make mistakes. I point their mistake out and explain WHY it's wrong. Then I discuss (meaning I let them throw ideas in the pot) ways to avoid the same mistake or improve certain skill(s) that need improvement.

WHEW! I needed to get that out.

I got wasted at home last night. I had a drink or two after work and old colleague. While we were catching up we spotted another guy from work so we joined them. There were a bunch of people from my office drinking at the same izakaya. Cool. So we talked shit, drank, smoke, forgot about the office for a few hours.

I went home feeling like crap after having the depressing aforementioned conversation with the boy. I cracked open a few beer cans and scribbled nonsense on my sketchpad. I usually don't drink at home but the mood served the purpose. God, I'm glad my mom gives me lots of privacy at the house.

We're moving in 11 days! To Meguro! For you non- city slickers, that's two stops from Shibuya. That puts me 19 minutes away from Tokyo station (my office). I can't wait. We're moving from a huge two-story house with 25 years worth of furniture and crap to a three-bedroom apartment. The apartment itself is old...built in 1970. But the inside is nice! Decent! All wood flooring with an industrial-style kitchen. My room has these light pastel sea green shelves on three of the four walls. I'll post pics after I move in. I'll have space to store my heels, my makeup, my books, photos and god knows what else! Any ideas?

I'm looking forward to being able to stay out late downtown and WALK home. Shoot, I could cab it home too, but I like walking aimlessly when I'm drunk, harhar.

Thank YOU for reading.

LOVEAYA

Mini-update.

2009-07-24T04:46:00.003+09:00

So if any of you have noticed, I've been away for a bit. I WANT to update my blog. I even have vivid dreams where I'm uploading pics on this thing. So at least my subconscious self wants to continue blogging for the time being.

Here's what I've been gettin' myself into lately. Not interested? TOO BAD!

一。Going out on Wednesday nights and Friday's or Saturday nights. Liver is getting used to the constant abuse. Drink of choice: Champagne, Bellini, Red Bull and Vodka aaaaand Mojito (not too sweet please).

二。Brushing shoulders with artists, photographers with larger-than-life egos, and Tokyo's dirty, crazy, creative elitists.

三。Working constant night shifts. I know this is vain, but I'm so f*cking worried that my skin will break out badly like it used to, since my body pumps a lot more adrenaline when I'm trying to stay awake. During work I try to drink 2 liters of green tea to flush out toxins.

四。Diggin' at record stores. Always on the look out for rare Beatnuts and Alkoholics cuts.

五。Throwing out sh!t I don't need. I have ACRES of paperwork and JUNK to go through still. My fam bam and I are trying to move this year. Ladies, I have a LOT of makeup and Japanese magazines I want to sell. Interested? Let me know, I shall post!

Zat eeeez it. Jyaaane!

Early Summer Smokey Eyes

2009-06-19T04:24:00.009+09:00

Lately I've been obsessed with dewey skin. You can achieve dewey-looking skin without using a ton of liquid based products...just use a highlighting powder with very fine sparkles. I LOVE MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Soft And Gentle' for this technique. You don't want your face to be too matte in the summer...especially when you're glistening in sweat! You'll end up looking like a grandma wearing baby powder on her face!

I actually saw an old wrinkly lady at Wendy's last summer who had suspicious white powder all over her face. She was swatting imaginary flies while she sipped her hot coffee...all the same time jumping through invisible hoops...I wasn't sure if the powder was yayo or if she was so cracked out and cooky that she decided that it was a good idea to dip her face in a can of baby powder...I mean, all the high points of her face (cheekbones, forehead, nose) were chalky-white...

Sorry, I totally went off on a different tangent there...I've seen and befriended a lot of crazies in my hayday! I think I only remain close friends with people who are a little crack-ish anyway...people who would probably benefit from anger management classes (including myself at times, haha). Anyway, moral of story = TOO matte skin will make you look like
cracked-out Grandma.

So here's my ode to dewey skin, as well as a different take on smokey brown eyes. I used KATE Deep Trap Eyes palette in BR-1. They're browns and taupes with some red undertones...works surprisingly well with my ghost white complexion.

Most of what I used to create the look (clockwise from top left)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Perfect Topping'

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in 'Soft And Gentle'

MAC Beauty Powder in 'Smooth Harmony'

KATE Deep Trap Eyes in 'BR-1'

MAC Powder Blush in 'Melba'

DHC Q10 Powdery Foundation

Not shown:
KATE Super Sharp Liner (liquid eyeliner)
Katie B. Faux Lash Mascara
Tarte 24.7 Lip Sheer in 'Summer Fling'

P.S. Food For Thought...
The old wrinkly lady with coke/baby powder all over her mug finished her coffee, and proceeded to pass out at Wendy's...I think she was homeless...or she just had a lot of crap with her and needed a loooong nap. I got out of the movies that evening, and she was slumped against the window seat. So sad how our economic spurt created a generation of children who neglect their elders, and gave birth to a corrupt system where it's getting harder to collect the pension we are entitled to...

My everyday look

2009-06-11T01:10:00.007+09:00

Hello guys and dolls....how y'all doin'? I've been battling a cold for the past week. It all started with a sore throat, then the bodyache, then the fever....I went to the doctor's yesterday and they gave me SIX different kinds of meds....I was like 'WTF, how am I going to remember when to take what?' Anyway, I'm feeling a lot better today. Damn I need to get better QUICK. The weekend is comin' up, and there is no way I am staying home like I did last weekend. I missed sippin' alcohol so much, I had a strawberry mojito with my bacon cheeseburger I had for dinner...It was soooooooooo goooooood.....Verrrry rum-y. Sis helped me drink some of it though...

I also went to Forever21 today. They FINALLY opened a store in Japan. There's only ONE so far, and it's next to the H&M in Harajuku. I hope they open more stores in Japan, and not only in Tokyo....I swear it's crowded because girls from other prefectures make day trips down here, just to shop at Forever....I saw b*tches in the store with SUITCASES....C'mon now, is it THAT serious? Seems like some of us Japanese girls are very desperate for fast fashion...
Haha, anyway I spent about $170 on 2 dresses, a baby blue-and-white checkered shirtdress, a pair of light blue skinny jeans, a sequined white tank, a sexy off-the-shoulder white tee with a black floral print, undies, bras and jewelery. I think I'll just shop online from now on...I hate how crowded it was there! I swear I yelled 'MOVE!' to several girls....a lot of them were'nt paying attention to where they were walking.... @__@

Anyway, enough ranting, here's a look I did today before I headed downtown. I wear this look a lot lately, just because it's so simple yet, gives my eyes enough definition. I'm all about saving time nowadays...I can't stand sitting still in my stuffy room for too long!

MOST of the stuff I used. Clockwise from top left:

NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Kalahari (I only used the color on the left)
MAC TRIP in Neutral Eyes (again, only used the color on the far left)
MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Fun & Games
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping
DHC Q10 Powdery Foundation

Congratulations Hana!!!

2009-06-08T02:22:00.008+09:00

My youngest sister Hana graduated high school on June 6th. All three of us Takada sisters graduated from The American School in Japan....reppin' MUSTANGS to the fullest! *slaps self for even attempting to have corny school pride* Unlike her rebellious eldest sister (me), Hana is a very very very gifted girl. She will be attending Colgate University come fall....on a full scholarship!!!

華ちゃん、卒業おめでとう！よくここまで頑張った！中には辛い日もあったけと、楽しい思いでもいっぱいつくったね。I'm going to miss you beyond words when you leave for college....LAAAABBB YOUUUUUU!!!

Pics from my L.A. and San Antonio trip coming soon....but some of them are up on my facebook page, in case any of y'all want a sneak peak.....

Anyway, here are some pics from the grad...vid to come soon.
Enjoy :]

Rei and I waiting for the ceremony to begin
Hana in her cap and gown....*wipes tears*All the kids had glowsticks
I have the same diploma tooooo.

高田一家 The Takada Family

Some people think Rei and I look alike. We're actually not blood sisters. I came home from school one day, and she was sitting at my seat at the dining table eating all my food. She was a hungry baby. My mom and dad felt bad for her so they decided to keep her.

JUST F*CKING KIDDING. Of course she's my (kinda cool) sister. She cracks me up!!! Here we are waiting for my mom and Hana to show up at the Thai restaurant where we had the graduation dinner.

I'm alive!

2009-05-29T06:40:00.005+09:00

Hey errrr'one! I'm still alive and well....got back from my vacay in L.A. and San Antonio a few days ago....back on tha grind...I had over 14,000 e-mails to sort through the first day back...I just love working at a huge corporation....*rolls eyes hard*

Here's a quick pic of my friend and I at a pool hall in San Antonio....dont'cha just love the stars on the walls? How very TEXAS...

I'll be posting pics from my trip soon....I bought a lot of makeup while I was in Cali....let's just say I made a trip to Melody's Makeup place as well as several Sephora's...oooooh the damage it did to my bank account.....J/K.

Mata ne! (Talk soon!)

Kreativ Blogger Tag!

2009-05-12T03:37:00.006+09:00

Arigato to my dear Amanda-chan for awarding me with the Kreativ Blogger Award!

So here are the rules...
List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won.You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sidebar letting the whole world know...you are Kreativ!

1. Soy lattes from Starbucks...mmmmm :)
2. Champagne
3. My mom and two younger sisters
4. God
5. MAC lippies
6. My no-nonsense, non-judgemental male friends (I owe my career to some of them!)
7. My iPhone

I will tag people later...gotta get back to work. Thanks again Amanda!

タレ目メーク：Tare-me Me-ku

2009-05-03T04:42:00.013+09:00

I'm back with a vengeance! With a REAL post with REAL makeup-related content! Thanks to my new camera, I have finally pooped out a new FOTD. I was inspired by all the tare-me me-ku (doe-eyed makeup) that's all the rage here...Two years ago, Japanese girls were all about the sleek, cat-eye. Now we're embracing our droopy almond-shaped eyes and going for the puppy-dog look....

All you have to do is make sure the color you choose for the inner corners of your eyes are at least two shades lighter then the outer third (outer corner)...and line the bottom lids halfway...

If you have any Q's, ask away! I'll do my bestest to respond :D

Too close? (-__=)

Contour, Blush and Highlight...all from one palette...

Face Products...(click each picture if you want a closer look)

Skin Food Mushroom BB Cream, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Light Medium and Sweets Sweets Mixing Palette

Eye Makeup...

Revlon Quad in In The Buff, KATE Diamond Cut Eyes in BR-2, Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Hazel Eyes, KATE Super Sharp Liner, K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner and MAC Shadestick in Butternutty

I still haven't figured out how to style my hair...it seems to look okay when I actually DON'T have time to do anything to it...which is like every morning when I have to work a day shift.

So I just wash it, let it air-dry for the most part, then blow dry the ends and curl them under...the whole process takes less than ten minutes. Aaaaah, I love minimalism! (Only when it comes to hair!)

Pooped

2009-05-02T00:51:00.004+09:00

I wanted to do a FOTD post tonight...but I am pooped, so I'll have to do it tomorrow after work. I went to the orthodontist today around noon. My orthodontist is a great guy. He's probably the same age as my Dad...well if he were here anyway. BUUUUTTTT he talks a LOT. And I mean a LOT. Like while he's replacing a wire on my brackets, he'll start talking about schools or his family, and will stop what he's doing to explain something or crack a joke. I don't mind, I usually go after a night shift where I'm dead tired....but if I had to be somewhere.....that wouldn't be cool...LOL.

Soooo I bought a camera today! A Sony Cybershot....I hope it's not a fake.......You can never be too sure these days. The outside part of the camera is a little........how can I explain.....it feels too light, like it could break easily if I dropped it or threw it at someone. (WHAT? I would never do such a thing.) It's all good though, I only paid 20,000 yen ($200) for it, including a 4G memory stick. I'm going to need it for my trip....which is in less than 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! 12 days to be exact! I am so so so so so so so excited. I went to Cali two years ago, and I haven't been since! There's so much I want to do and see, but I'm only there for a week :/ Val, if you're reading this, I want to go to Disneyland...can we go pleeeeeaaaassseeeee???? Hehehe.

I have to pack when I have time....My work schedule is looking busy until I leave....no lunch breaks for me......*banging head on monitor*

Okay I'm sleeeeeeepy and I have to wake up in 5 hours for work. I love you all :)

Chu chuuuu <3

Hair Flower FOTD

2009-04-19T23:22:00.007+09:00

Here are some pics of my 'ol mug...rockin' the hair flowers Ms. Neeyuh made for me ;)
Thank you again sweetie!

I got my hair permed today. Instead of the regular method where they just saturate your hair in chemicals (I forget what it's called), they saturate your hair, rinse it off with water, then blow hot ionized air at your head for 30 minutes...it's called 'air wave' and it's really popular in Japan because it lasts longer then the regular perm, and the curl doesn't stretch after you blow-dry your hair.

Enough talk...here ya go.

My hair before....taken in January-ish.

And after....

All Things Pink...

2009-04-18T22:08:00.007+09:00

So I'm kind of on a pink high now. Everything I buy nowadays is pink. If the product itself 'aint pink, the packaging is....I wonder if it means anything...do single girls tend to buy a lot of pink sh*t? What the fff is wrong with me? Hehehehe.

It's Laaaaaaaaaav!

L to R: Marie Claire Glamorous Rich Rouge, Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect, Orbis Moist Lip Essence, Lancome Juicy Tube, DHC Lip Cream, NYC Ultra Last Lip Wear, NARS Lip Lacquer

Swatches:

Left
top: NYC Ultra Last Lip Wear in Fragile Pink
bottom: NARS Lip Lacquer in 1903 (they use four-digit codes here, not names. WTF!)

Right
top: Marie Claire Glamorous Rich Rouge in BE64
middle: Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Satin Pink
bottom: Lancome Juicy Tubes in Frozen Punch

Last but not least, Kose Moisture Mild Lotion-L (toner) and Moisture Mild Cream. They can be found at most drugstores in Tokyo for a thousand yen each (about USD $10). Both are alcohol-free and make my skin unbelievably SOFT! If you want a nice moisturizing base underneath your makeup, try this. It works on my combination/oily skin. It helped get rid of the dry patches yet didn't turn my face into an oil slick.

The cream is not really a cream per se....more like a lightweight gel. It sinks right in and doesn't leave a filmy residue like other moisturizers do. I've been using both for the last three weeks, and my skin is noticeably softer to the touch...and it stays that way the entire day after putting it on!

I hope y'all are having a great weekend...I'm actually staying in...on a Saturday night!!!!!!! I've been partying non-stop almost every weekend since Valentine's....I got off work this morning(freakin' two consecutive night shifts!), so I need some rest. I am itching for some ah-ah-ah-ah -ah-alcohooooool though....maybe I'll make a run to the convenience store by my station for some beer and chu-hi's.....alkie! LOL. I'll be back soon :)

Swap with Neeyuh-chan

2009-04-16T16:40:00.000+09:00

Neeyuh is one awesome b*tch. We did a swap and she sent me hand-made hair flowers. No one ever gives me hand-made things anymore...I was touched :)
I received her box a few days ago, after a night of debauchery out in town. I came home hungover....thought I was going to pass out from alcohol poisoning (grow up, I know, I know...).
My day got so much better after I opened the box....PACKED with goodies...and love! These hair flowers are like nothing I've seen before....girl went out of her way to make me FIVE of them! How sweet is she? Mahalo, Neeyuh chan!

Byoootiful!

Neeyuh sent me snacks too...the pixie sticks and trail mix were gone in a few hours.....

Check out the goods!

Queen Helene Apricot Moisturizing Facial Masque
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminiating Daily Scrub
Last Call Hair Masque
CO Bigelow Cinnamint Mentha Lip Shine
Victoria's Secret Liplicious gloss in Fresh Mulberry
Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara
ICING nail polish
Clean and Clear Faicial Cleansing Wipes (not shown)

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

ICING nail polishes
From L to R: Lucky 7, Cosmo Cutie, Purple PJ's and 7th Inning Stretch

Beyond the Zone Last Call Hair Masque...smells like Cherry Coke...yummmm!

Thank you Neeyuh-chan! I hope you'll love everything I sent too :)

HALP!!!

2009-04-16T15:47:00.005+09:00

Hi peepers! I have ONE question...

HOW DO YOU UPLOAD PICS TO BLOGGER SO THAT THEY'RE NOT SIDEWAYS???

All help appreciated! I have two posts in the making but my images keep uploading sideways. I don't want ya'll to have to turn your head to view my damn posts!!!!!

Aritgato~

Mucho luv,

Aya

Back to Bloggin'

2009-04-08T02:36:00.010+09:00

OooooWeeeeeOooooWeeeeeeOooooooo!!!! I paid for my tickets today...I will be actin' an ASS in Cali and Texas in May! Wahoooo! My friend is gonna take me around, he has some fun stuff planned....of COURSE I'm meeting up with cutie pie Amanda.....so excited to meet hurrrrr.

I bouught a HP Mini 1000 yesterday. So far....it's alright. I can't edit pictures or open too many browsers at once....the CPU is Intel Atom, which I've read is by far less crapulous then it's predeccessor, Via C7-M....but it still needs a few tweaks here and there. There are only two USB ports....good enough for most. Sucky part? There's only one shared audio jack...So I would have to switch between headphones and mic...HP should have kept the mic and headphone jacks separate...dunno what they were thinking.

So what do I like so far? I do like the keyboard...it's ALMOST the size of a regular keyboard. Have you tried to type on the smaller netbooks? Like the one Sony makes? The keys are like f*cking tic-tacs...I'm not kidding. You'd need your baby cousin to type for you on them things. The touchpad is pretty cool, it's wide enough where you're not feeling crammed. The right and left click buttons are on the sides, which makes it very simple to use...basically I can use BOTH my thumbs effectively.

I can't wait to take this thing with me on my travels next month! Battery life is 2 to 3 hours at most. Ah well......hey...It's not a friggin laptop, ya know? I'm keeping my expectations veeerrryy modest...for now.

This is the one I got....
(all images taken from http://www.shopping.hp.com/mini/#)

...for about $480 USD. The candy-apple red Vivienne Tam one was HAAAWTTNESS but it was about $550 so being the cheapskate that I am, I opted for the uggo black swirly design. I dunno, maybe I should have gotten it.....eeeeps!Siiiiiigh...I dunno about you ladies and gents, but my gadgets don't need to drip in designer...I am NOT that vain....it's cool if YOU are though......which is why someone reading this post is gonna run out today and buy this beautiful toy and blog all about it and make me wanna deco-art my plain thing with plastic strawberries and rhinestones.....*snorts*

Anyway, I shall be back with a REVIEW soon.....on my true-blue choices of tinted moisturizers and foundation.

やったね☆

2009-03-28T15:41:00.013+09:00

I'd like to thank Niya-chan and Penelope-chan for awarding me with the Kreativ Blogger Award...I'll post my response to the questions soon. I just wanted to let ya'll know that.....

I'm going to CALI in May!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be near L.A. for a week from May 13, then hopefully Texas for a few days to visit my homegirl from HS. I went to the travel agency near work today, and my round-trip tickets will cost about $1200 including surcharge and tax. Not too bad!

Ffff me I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope I get meet some of you guys....
Aaaaaaaaah I'm so excited....I'm already making shopping lists in my head....and thinking of what I want to eat while I'm there...LOL.

TMI again?

2009-03-15T05:36:00.010+09:00

Hi guys. I'm stuck at work. It's 5:37 a.m. I've been sitting here staring at my lappie and 5 monitors since 9-ish last night. I probably smell since I'm not wearing cotton socks. I did remember to wear deodorant though. Not interested? Told ya anyway.

So for those of you who still read me, here is another TMI post. I'm really thinking about buying a new Sony digicam because I'm itching to take awful close-ups of my left eye and post ten of them at once like I used to.

Who's ass did I kiss today?

No one. But I woke up at 4:30-ish p.m. so I didn't have enough daylight to find any butts to kiss.

What am I wearing? (From bottom --> up)

Black ankle-length Minnetonkas
Gray furry socks
Dark Blue jeans from a brand called 26...or 27. Not sure, don't want to check the butt tag.
The coolest white T-Shirt from Urban Outfitters that my middle sister got me for Christmas. It's got this cool design from the collar-area, it looks like light blue, purple, gray and black paint is dripping down to my belly.
Black cardigan from Forever 21
Black hoodie from Muji

What did I eat today?

Lemon-y muffin made by my Mom
Chinese Chin Jar La Su (I know I just f*cked up the spelling, but that's how it sounds when I pronounce it, okay. Sorr-ow, don't speak Mandarin/Cantonese.)
Cup Noodle (so gross yet so yummy)

Who did I listen to on my iPod today?

Alicia Keys - 'It's Alright'
Jill Scott - 'Bedda at Home'
Little Brother feat. Elzhi - 'Hiding Place' <-- Whatchu know about REAL Hip Hop? Not the sh*t playin' at the clubs...buy the Minstrel Show, you'll love it!!!!

What did I watch on YouTube today?

More Jake & Amir!!!!!!!
Ahanhbarbie babbling about Aveeno skin products. She has a very twangy accent, is that a Chi-town thing??? It's cool though...she's such a natural beauty!
A whole bunch of Mos Def music videos. Trying to find songs off his next album, 'Estatic'.

What beauty products and makeup am I wearing today?

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 15
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (the regular kind)
Everyday Minerals Matte Foundation
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer
MAC blush in Well Dressed
Smith's Rosebud Salve

Soooooo I'm thinking about taking a MUCH needed vacayshun to Califor-ni-yay in early or mid-May....I need the sun...I need the beach...I need cheap Mexican food. I need more tattoos...LOL.

I hope I'll get to meet some of you West Coast bloggers....Amanda, Kimberly Tia, Diana and Chiara (I know you live up north though...).

Ummmm.....and anyone and everyone else who would want to hang out :) I'm a pretty chill person who likes to crack politically incorrect jokes in inappropriate places....get drunk off martinis at lunch...and shop till I drop!

Laterooos :)

TMI?

2009-03-05T05:39:00.005+09:00

Hi world.

I don't think too many people read my blog anymore. I keep telling myself I should just delete it so I won't feel guilty about not updating. Those of you who know me will know how to get a hold of me...

Noooo I'm not depressed or anything, I'm just B-U-S-Y...Like I barely have time to breathe/think/eat/sleep/poo/read/pick my nose/bite my nails/write stupid posts like this.
A few teams at work split and some merged...I remained on the team that ended up merging with another. I don't mind this at all. I do mind having to supervise 4~5 new FOB's every time I go to work though. On top of regular work like sorting through 500-plus e-mails, talking to managers, yelling at carriers and not eating lunch at a normal hour, I have to teach the ropes to new people. I am a horrible teacher, I would rather have someone else teach them the basic stuff, so I don't have to patiently hold everyone's hands while they make phone calls, open tickets, send e-mails. I tell myself in my head 'Be patient, smile, be patient, smile'.....

Any-effing-way, since I don't have any new pictures of myself to entertain you with, here is my TMI post....the who, what and WEAR...

Who's ass did I kiss today?

No one, I knew I wasn't getting anything in return anyway. LOL.

What am I wearing? (From bottom --> up)

Black Rocket Dog boots (The cooler version of Uggs)
White Hanes socks
Black Uniqlo leggings
Dark Gray long cami from Forever21 and....
a long light steel blue tank from H&M over the gray cami
Black V-neck cardigan from H&M
Gray velour hoodie from some mass-production discount shop in Pacific Beach, SD.
my black-rimmed glasses from Zoff - a cool glasses store, kinda like lens crafters but way cooler and cheaper. I had mine made for less than a 100 bucks.

What did I eat today?

Chinese soup with rice crackers.
2 Morinaga Choco Pies
2 Chocolate vanilla cookies
1/2 Matcha-Milk Kit Kat
2 sugary donuts from the convenience store...yummmm droooool
1 beef croquet
1 bowl bim bim bap

Who did I listen to on my iPod today?

Kelly Clarkson - Behind These Hazel Eyes
Jay-Z feat. Bilal - Fallin'
Jay-Z feat. Pharrel - I Know

What did I watch on YouTube today?

Jake and Amir vids (for those of you who don't know these guys, you're missing out. Check 'em out on www.collegehumor.com, www.jakeandamir.com or find them on YouTube.)
Michelle Phan (Ricebunny) kitty litter facemask tutorial.

What beauty products and makeup am I wearing today? (had to throw it in there, this is a beauty blog, afterall)

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 15
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (the regular kind)
Everyday Minerals Multitasking Concealer
Everyday Minerals Matte Foundation
NARS blush in Madly
Smith's Rosebud Salve

I don't wear a lot of makeup when I work night shifts. I've been trying to wear mineral makeup again, I just LOOOOVE the coverage. Hopefully it won't give me whiteheads again!

Okay lovers, I gotta go, will be back sometime soon ;)

Current Fave List

2009-02-26T03:31:00.008+09:00

Cutesy Neeyuh from Peace.Love.Makeup did a post on products she's into...I LOVE lists! I wish I had a job where I could collect data and create lists for companies...is there such a thing? Anyway, here's my list of products I'm lovin' at the moment :) Pictures will come sometime....okay maybe never. Harhar.

Shampoo: Head Spa - Can be found at Japanese drugstores. Smells amazing and helps calm flakey, stressed scalps. This shampoo moisturizes hair just as well as salon products.

Condtioner: Head Spa

Styling products: Leave-in conditioner I bought at a salon.

Shower Gel: Suave Berry Smoothie. This stuff smells not-so-good (like old tutti-frutti gum) but suds up well. I like that I can get it in Japan.

Body moisturizer: The Body Shop Shea Body Butter and Lubriderm (Thanks M!)

Deodorant: Secret in Vanilla Chai Latte. My pits smell yummy all the time!

Fake Tan: I don't use tanning-anything. I like my unhealthy pasty complexion, thanks.

Cleanser: Mentholatum Acnes Face Wash

Eye makeup remover: Softymo Whitening Oil makeup remover

Exfoliator: St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub - the apricot seed bits kinda hurt...I love this stuff but I think I need to find a gentler scrub.

Primer: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer (the regular kind) - This stuff is THA SH*T. Keeps flakey skin at bay, but never greasy.

Foundation: Skinfood Mushroom BB Cream - I LOVE this stuff. I don't even need concealer when I wear this foundie.

Foundation brush: A Taklon one from Palgantong - Yumeko-san, is this brand really from Korea?

Concealer: Don't use much lately

Powder: MAC Studio Perfect with SPF 15

Blusher: NARS Madly - a seashell pink

Bronzer: MAC beauty powder from the Heatherette collection...can't remember the name...

Highlighter: MAC Shroom or the lightest color from a Revlon quad. For my face I use NARS Nico

Eyeshadow base: UDPP or Ulta eyeshadow base

Eyeshadows: MAC Cork and the new brown Diamond palette from KATE.

Eyeliner: L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black

Eyelash curler: Shu Uemura

Eyelash base: None

Mascara: Katie B.

Lipstick: MAC Peachstock

Lipgloss: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Champagne - nudey beige.....the PERFECT soft beige. Not overpowering, beautiful glaze and shine...lasts for hours without tasting foongkaaay!

Nail Color: I don't paint my nails...

Ohissaaaa~~~

2009-02-07T12:30:00.002+09:00

Ohisashiburi! Long time no see! Well, in this case, long time no blog! I feel guilty for not posting. Please don't hate me...girl has a life! LOL.

I am slowly getting my life back on track. I work longer and I'm cramming lots of network diagrams and Cisco crap into my head. After moving back to my mom's in November, I've been an emotional wreck. I would cry in my (sister's) room, and stay home on my days off, unless I ran out to get Starbucks. I'm sure most of you guys have figured my situation out already. I'm sad, broken, but feeling much, much much better than I have the last two years. I'm slowly gaining the weight I lost, and I'm not always angry/frustrated/irritated/sad/lonely/jittery/
nervous/tired.

Yes, a nasty combination of these emotions can really get the best of you.....I am not proud to admit that a lot, if not most of the time, I brought it upon myself. The layman term to describe my 'condition' would be 'NEUROSIS', but I beg to differ...I was in a unfitting relationship at a bad time. Perhaps a few years down the line....or if my circumstances were different, the relationship would have worked out beautifully. But the past four years of my life have included tragic losses, legal battles to keep certain negative influences out of my life, and finding shorcuts to heal cuts and wounds that, as I've learned, only long-term self-love and forgiveness can truly settle.

I have mi madre back...We've forgiven each other. Now I'm trying to meet new people through the few that I actually trust. I have little to no small talk left in me. It seems as though my gift of gab drowned...now it's up to me to climb over the walls I built around myself. I felt safe when I built them, and even safer when my moody prince climbed over the walls, saying he loved me to death, and that I was a lucky woman.

I want to spend the next few years acting my age. I'm tired of having to answer to people's expectations of what Aya should do, feel, and be.

I don't want to be with anyone for a long time. I want to be alone. But I don't want to spend my time alone...does this make sense? I just don't want to feel alone! So in that spirit, I try to go out more and meet different kind of people. For example, a few weeks ago I visited the home of one of the Art Directors of Marvel Comics. 'Mosh' hails from Brooklyn, NY but now resides in Tokyo. His humble apartment was a pure reflection of his artistic repertoire...Every inch of his walls and ceilings were covered with colorful graffiti and comic book characters. He quietly promotes his own work and continues drawing for comics like the Hulk, Spiderman, Batman and Robin, etc. I want to surround myself with people like Mosh who are either living their dreams or grindin' everyday to get there! I don't need any more lazy, broke, complacent people in my life. And when I say 'broke', I don't mean people who aren't rich. I mean people who have a real job and a real paycheck, but lack the ability to save...people who are always leaning on their friends and loved ones to help pay their bills because they stupidly spent half their paycheck on car parts or alcohol!

So that's how I'm doing in a nutshell. I'll try to throw some reviews out there. I got my hands on several new foundations and eyeshadow palettes. I do read all your blogs on my list religiously...thanks for always giving me something interesting to read!

Have a lovely weekend!!!

Love, Aya

I Spy...Part deux

2009-01-25T14:20:00.010+09:00

Hey beautifuls! Until I get myself a new camera and laptop, I won't be able to spit out too many quality FOTD's or picture-filled reviews. Soooooo to satisfy your cravings, I leave you more pics I took on one of my stealth missions....enjoooy!

I Spy...

2009-01-10T16:47:00.012+09:00

I know how we all like Japanese drugstore cosmetics and products so I played detective and took a few sneaky pics of several displays with my iPhone. Actually I didn't have to be sneaky at all...it didn't really seem like I was taking pictures....I was just some psycho girl holding out her iPhone in the middle of a store at 10:00 a.m.

I will start doing this more often, not just at drugstores, but wherever I shop and think you guys might be interesting in taking a peek at.

Enjoy!!! (Click for larger view)

Canmake display x 4

With Love...your neighborhood cosmetic junkie and drugstore spy,

Aya

Tag!

2009-01-01T18:24:00.011+09:00

I was tagged by the oh-so-adorable Amanda. This one is looooong!

1. Where is your cell phone? in front of the keyboard at work.

2. Where is your significant other? Not going to answer this.

3. Your hair color? Black (natural)

4. Your mother? Is awesome

5. Your father? A renown graphic designer who left a lasting impression on dozens.

6. Your favorite thing? My iPhone

7. Your dream last night? I didn't dream, I was in a drunken coma...LOL.

8. Your dream/goal? Writer at a magazine

9. The room you're in? the Global Network Operations Center at the NTT building in Tokyo. My least favorite room in the whole world.

10. Your hobby? Reading magazines, biographies, non-fiction novels.

11. Your fear? Death

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? BA-wielding writer at a hot magazine.

13. Where were you last night? At home with my mother, watching countdown comedy shows on TV and drinking beeeeer.

14. What you're not? Emotionally numb.

15. One of your wish-list items? Black Jimmy Choo pointed stilletos.

16. Where you grew up? Zushi, Yokohama and Tokyo.

17. The last thing you did? Troubleshoot an outage in China...remotely.

18. What are you wearing? Panties and white socks, among other things.

19. Your TV? We have three antiquated ones at home. I should buy my mom a flat-screen...

20. Your pet? Ran away almost three years ago...I miss you Rocky...

21. Your computer? An old HP laptop.

22. Your mood? Dim...like I just want to sleep until morning...

23. Missing someone? Maybe. I miss a lot of people, most of my close friends are not in Japan.

24. Your car? I don't drive...yet.

25. Something you're not wearing? Lots of eyeshadow...!

6. Favorite store? H&M, American Apparel, and the gyaru stores at 109 in Shibuya.

27. Your summer? Full of regrets...

28. Love someone? Of course :)

29. Your favorite color? Gray, purple and pink.

30. When is the last time you laughed? like belly-laughed? I can't remember...

31. Last time you cried? A few days ago. I am so tired of crying.

32. Are you a bitch? YES. But a well-rounded one.

33. Favorite Position? Managing director, CEO...wait, did you mean something else?

34. Favorite Past Time? Eating cheesecake before bed.

35. Are you a hater or a lover? In-the-Closet lover.

New Year's Eve FOTN

2008-12-31T23:47:00.023+09:00

How's everyone's New Year's Eve going? I'm chillaxin' at home with my mother. We're drinking beer and watching Japanese owarai (comedy)...Ten minutes to go until 2009!

I wanted to share a very special FOTN with everyone...

Let me introduce my cute youngest sister! I did her makeup before she left for a party at her friend's downtown. Her tunic was a satin, eggplant number so I did a gold and purple look for her eyes. Hope you like!

Face:

Olay Oil-Free Moisturizer

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Christian Dior Hydraction Tinted Moisturizer in 02

M.A.C Studio Perfect Powder Foundation

Eyes:

Ulta Eye shadow base

M.A.C e/s in Naked Lunch (from lash line to brow bone)

M.A.C e/s in All That Glitters (all over lid and crease)

Milani e/s in Golden Bronze (from lash line to crease)

M.A.C e/s in Goldmine (on inner third)

NYX e/s in Eggplant (on lash line and outer third)

M.A.C Fluidline in Black

Katie B. Faux Lash Mascara

Cheeks:

M.A.C blush in Well Dressed

Lips:

Smith's Rosebud Salve

Update!

2008-12-31T04:05:00.015+09:00

Hi beautifuls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Didja didja miss me? I know I missed you guys!
I haven't really been able to update because I don't have my own camera with me....I STILL have to move my crap to my mom's and the camera hasn't made it here yet...actually I hate the one I have. It's an Olympus. I might just buy myself a new Sony digicam, since I'm used to using Sony and it takes better closeup photos in my opinion. Well a new camera will be out of the question until I save a substansial amount of money...I haven't decided where I want to go to school yet, but I'm still looking into schools in Ontario, Canada, New Brunswick, California, Arizona and Alabama. I'm scared I won't find a job if I go to school in the U.S. I would most definitely NEED to work (definitely will have to be under-the-table type of deal) to pay rent every month. I really want to live in California again. I'm thinking San Bernardino is cheaper than living in L.A. and if I want to go cheaper, I could go to school in Bakersfield...I don't hear too many good things about Bakersfield...what do you guys think? Do any of you guys live there? Please let me know what you think. I know I want to study journalism and I also know that most Cal State schools offer it as a major. Also a perk of graduating from a school in the U.S.; I can stay for ONE year and intern/work in a field related to my degree. If the company likes me and wants to hire me full-time and IF they're a big enough company, they can sponsor a working visa. That's my ultimate goal. To live and work in the U.S. on my own terms and money. Hopefully I'll be there in under ten years!

Anyway, moving on to makeup. I said I wouldn't buy anymore unecessary makeup anymore, but knowing myself, it was an impossible feat to accomplish. I ended up giving my money away to Smashbox, NARS, MAC, Dior, and lots of other places...waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! >__<
Revlon's liquid foundie is good, but Smashbox is AMAZING!!! It feels really light, and one push covers the entire face. I don't even have to wear concealer! It's filled with good-for-you vitamins too. Today I paired it with the Dior Hydraction tinted moisturizer (for undereye circles and redness) and my skin actually looked healthy!

Here are several craptastic pics I took with my iPhone. As soon as I get my hands on my camera (or a new one), I will do reviews and FOTD's again. So for now, this'll have to do....Also, a lovely friend sent me some MAC pigments as a gift with the Dior tinted moisturizer and Iconic mascara I asked her to pick up for me...I can't wait to try all the colors!!!

For my LOTN, I used the Smasbox liquid foundation and Dior Hydraction TM (under the eyes and on red spots). For the eyes I used Ulta's eyeshadow primer first, which is the shiiieett! I used Wet n Wild's Wink eyeshadow (a soft shimmery rose) on the lids and smoked it out with a sparkly black shadow from NARS. I can't remember the name now, so when I do I'll edit this post...LOL. Then I finished the look with Laura Mercier's Lip Glace in Champagne....it's a shimmery cafe au lait color.

I dunno if you can see my braces, but they're there! I'm still kind of self-conscious about them, but my teeth are definitely shifting already :)

I hope everyone's having a nice time off work and school. I have to work on the 1st of January...also the 2nd AND 3rd! I'm a little peeved, but oh well, c'est la vie, right? Love you guys, and please let me know how you're all doing!

I'm back...sorta!

2008-12-12T00:39:00.007+09:00

Hi friends....I am back for now! I'd like to thank each and every one of you who read my last post and left comments. It's nice to know people read my personal ramblings and give a damn! I am very touched to say the least! All of you help me get through my 'mean red' days...(read Breakfast at Tiffany's!)

I am still considering University of Prince Edward Island as an option...but also found that St. Thomas Univerisity in Fredericton, New Brunswick is affordable too. I would love to attend Concordia or U. Windsor as well. I'm also reading up on U.S. schools. So far Oklahoma University, U. Arizona, Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Fresno are on my list. I am in love with the U. Arizona campus! From the pictures on their website the campus looks BEAUTIFUL!

And thank you to all who recommended the McLean's guide. A coworker of mine went back to Calgary for a week or so and picked me up their annual review.

Many of you shared opinions, that pursuing a journalism degree is not a requisite to work in the field. I absoloutely agree. I have heard this from many a professor in my past. I did take journalism during the last two years of high school, and wrote for my High School newspaper, the Hanabi. I was also published once in an English magazine in Japan. The reason why I want to study journalism or take a course or two is because I also want to learn the technical aspects of the field, i.e. compiling layouts and editing photographs. I did do some layout editing back in the day but my skills are antiquated...I can't believe it's almost been TEN years since I graduated HS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where has all my time gone?

Anyway here's my new 'workstation'. I clear up this mess every freakin' day since the desk I'm using doesn't belong to me. I am STILL moving my crap from my bf's to my Momma's.

Dontcha just love craptastic iPhone pics??? LOL. Many thanks to Ms. Kimberly Tia for sending me a lovely care package, including the Medicated Ly-Na cream (green and gold jar).
Can you spot Buzz Lightyear?????

'Till next time lovies!!! Have a wonderful Friday!

Non-makeup related post: I Want YOUR Help!

2008-12-02T06:27:00.007+09:00

So yes, there has been a valid reason why I've been away for a bit. I don't want to air my dirty laundry online, so if you must know what's been going on, just ask me personally. Let's just say there are days when I don't feel like leaving my (sister's) room, let alone get dressed and enjoy the day. Work keeps me motivated and keeps my mind off a lot of things. I am in the process of moving my things back to my Mom's...

ANYWAY, I have decided to go back to school in the fall of 2010. It seems like a while away, but I need to pick the right school within my budget! I actually attended Sophia University here in Tokyo, but deferred, then quit in 2003. What a waste! IF I'm lucky they'll let me transfer my credits to whatever school I decide to apply to...but from what I've heard from my old classmates it's hard to do so.

Soooooo I'm looking into schools in Canada. Canadian schools offer reasonable tuition for International students compared to schools in the U.S. I want to go to a good 4-year University, not some small college in Nebraska....not that there's anything wrong with small schools in Nebraska, but you catch my drift. I don't have idle time anymore, nor do I have the financial means to be lazy. I need to get a very good education without having to worry about transfering to different schools to graduate.

So far schools in the Maritime meet my budget...especially the University of Prince Edward Island. I know you're thinking, 'WTF is a Tokyo girl going do on a small island near the North Pole?' I've actually visited Canada a lot (I have extended family in Ontario), and have also visited Prince Edward Island. I was five or so, and I remember getting attacked by a swarm of black flies at the garden near the Anne of Green Gables house. The school has Journalism as a major....YES YES YESSSSSS!!!

Anyway, I'm keeping my eyes open though. I know there are other great schools all across Canada. Those of you who attend or have attended Canadian schools, PLEASE recommend a good Canadian University guidebook. The only ones I have are dated back to 1998-1999 (my high school years). I know a lot of kids do their University research online now, but my old-fashioned self wants a thick book/guide, so I have all the general information in ONE place. Also, if any of you have general opinions/advice/recommedations of any kind in regards to schools in Canada, or going back to school, I'm ALL EARS!!!

I'm UBER excited about going back to school...but this means no more binge-shopping, no more buying useless makeup, no more absentminded spending for Aya!!! It's alright though, I have enough makeup to last me several lifetimes...no worries though, as soon as I get my head+heart right, I will be back with the FOTD's and reviews!

I thank everyone in advance for reading this long, non-makeup related post. Toodlie-Doo!

Re: Edit
I will reply to comments when I get home...but you guys are right...I'm not sure if I can handle being in a teeeny town for FOUR years, no matter how awesome and pretty it is. I'm a big-city gal with love of culture and tons of experience pulsating through my vains...Man I would LOOOOOVE to live in Quebec!

I'm still alive...

2008-11-22T16:23:00.010+09:00

Hi blogger world...

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been going through some things and I just haven't been around my computer long enough to update...I will start posting my hauls/FOTD's again once I am settled.

I still read everyone's blogs and many put a smile on my face even when I'm not feeling my best.

If I could hug each and every one of you who brighten my day, I would!

Here's a quick list of bits and bobs I've hauled in the last week or so...

Winter clothes:

Black rider boots from a cute/cheap shoe store in Ikebukuro. They're flat, and sooo comfy! I like pairing it with girly clothes and dresses :)
Eggplant-colored strech tunic. Soooo cute paired with leggings! Purple is my new favorite color. My nails are purple, I'm wearing purple today, and I keep buying more purple shirts or dresses.
Gray striped camel-hair long cardigan. It's fuzzy and cute but it itches (-__-;)
Opaque gray, knit black and diamond-print leggings from Kutsushitaya (the BEST for fashionable socks, stockings and leggings!)

Makeup:

Jill Stuart lipgloss in 18 (Opalescent baby pink with teeeny sparkles. Great for those weary of glitter in their gloss)
Nude Tiffa lipgloss (<--a Kanebo sub-brand)
Shiseido Kesho Wakusui Eye Shadow Trio (sold exclusively at convenience stores)

Others:

Latest issues of Mina and Jille magazines

I can't think of anything else...but knowing me I've probably forgotten a couple things...hehe. I'll take pics as soon as I have enough time :)

One more ME update....I got my braces done. Just the top for now. I feel ugly. I went through the same pain with braces ten years ago, and here I am again...but this time, on my own expense! I had two teeth pulled already, two more to go. I can't wait 'till my face starts to warp, LOL.

Aaaand lastly, some of you guys have asked me where I got my boot keepers from my previous posts. I got them at a store called Passport.

More boot keepers HERE

Here's a link to their online store:

http://passport-web.com/

http://www.beans-style.jp/hannari/page001.html

online gallery of their products...Death by kawaii overdose!

http://passport-web.com/phptop/

Happy Saturday! Hope everyone's safe and having fun ;)

Mall Haul

2008-11-14T03:14:00.011+09:00

On a whim I decided to go to Mori Town Mall, which is a few stations away from where I live. It was 5:30 p.m. and I said what the heck, I can walk around and eat dinner there. BAAAAAD idea. I ended up blowing MORE money. I did buy some more goodies for Kimberly for our swap, which was good.

Too much kawaii goodies to resist! The drugstore at the mall had mini-size products...a great way to test out a bunch of products without going broke!

Here's most of the stuff I got (yes, there's more... >.<) Top Row (L to R): Pom Juice Gummies, Trial kit of masks and face products and Canmake Eyelash Curler...I tried this at the store, and it's AWESOME!!! It fits my eye PERFECTLY! It was only 630 yen!
Middle Row (L to R): Sekkisui Oil Blotting sheets (these are really popular now, I read that they're amazing), Acne face bar soap and Freya Deep Clear Powder
Bottom Row (L to R): Q10 Massage Makeup Remover, Face Toner and Kokuryu Face Cream
Close up of the bar soap...it smells SOOOOO good.
Close up of Freya Deep Clear Powder. It's a powder face wash. You just add water to it, or add it to your face wash. It's supposed to help clear acne and blackheads. I tried it tonight with my Mentholatum Acnes face wash, and my skin still feels baby-butt smooth!
And last but not least..........The cutest of them all!
They're boot inserts. I got new boots yesterday (will post clothes haul soon), and I needed these!
They're supposed to be apples. They look like monkeys! You can undress them, their little shirts have velcro closures! LOL.
I hope you enjoyed my kawaii haul :)

Spicy Colors FOTD

2008-11-12T20:00:00.011+09:00

Hi guys! So I had to do my makeup in a public bathroom at the train station today. I didn't feel like wearing a full face of makeup to my dentist appointment. So after I had TWO teeth yanked out (I'm getting braces AGAIN!), I bought myself some makeup and retreated to the bathroom...thank goodness it was pretty clean.

So here's the look I came up with, with my new drugstore goodies. I touched up the eyes and cheeks after I got home because I felt gross....I am STILL spitting out blood...TMI?

Fixin' Them Teeth! (I actually had braces about ten years ago...)
Today's FOTD...I love the colors!
With Flash:
My mini-haul and what I used, L to R: Canmake Cheek & Highlight Palette (504 yen=$5.27) and Cezanne eyeshadow palette (598 yen=$6.25)
I hope you guys don't think I'm weird I did my makeup in the station bathroom...LOL.
C'mon, I had errands to run afterwards. It SUCKED though, I should have went straight home. My upper jaw was numb for a few hours but it started waking up while I was out and about. I started tearing up while walking around because it felt so awful. Lesson learned...from now on, after I get teeth pulled, I will go home and SLEEP!

Re: Edit
Thanks to Yumeko-san, who pointed out that the Yen to U.S. Dollar rate has changed...quite drastically! I can actually buy more dollars with my Yen!
Today 1 USD=95.6 Japanese Yen
I SHOULD but don't really pay attention to the exchange rate or stock prices anymore...I need to pay attention to ALL current events, not just the headliners, huh >.<
Soooo with that said, I changed the conversions of the makeup prices...No biggie, just wanted to thank Yumeko for tuning me in :o)

I need a lot more practice...

2008-11-11T04:03:00.011+09:00

Here's something different I tried tonight with my 78 Piece Coastal Scents Palette. I was bored and lonely...a common scenario for me so I turned to my colossal makeup collection for comfort ;P

I want to start getting into more artistic makeup, hopefully one day do this on other people.
I need a LOT more practice, but I want to post this so I can keep track of my own improvements....so all criticism is welcome, not just the 'constructive' kind...I'm all ears!!!

Above: M.A.C LipGlass in Naked Space (from the Neo Sci Fi collection)

I used mainly used 3 colors from this Coastal Scents Palette...

I used the YELLOW, 3rd one from the top
...and the CORAL and RED, 3rd and 4th from top
...and finally the matte BLACK, right above the blush.
Hope you guys enjoyed this...now butcher me with your honest opinions!!!!!
P.S. I used Coastal Scents brushes too...I forgot to take pictures, but I mainly used the Medium Chisel Fluff Brush. I don't like using my M.A.C brushes to apply bright colors because I'm afraid it'll stain the bristles...LOL.

Popteen Gyaru Inspired FOTD

2008-11-04T00:44:00.011+09:00

I got the December issue of Popteen the other day on my way to work...I've been buying magazines left and right recently! Popteen is actually a good magazine. It's geared towards the high school crowd, but they always have great tutorials and the clothes they feature are always wearable, not over-the-top sexy or anything...

I'm definitely NOT a gyaru, never have been. I do admire some of the styles though. Lately there are a lot of gyaru's who either keep their hair dark or dye it black or dark brown...so I took cues from several models in this issue and recreated their styles for a look that's subtle, but cute :)

Popteen December '08 issue
My inspiration...pale skin, BIG eyes! Japanese girls call this the 'dolly' look...
I love this girl's hair! I'm trying to grow mine out...it's taking forrreevverrrrr!!!
Her before and after...all I have to say is...WOAH!!! She used a NARS duo eyeshadow and lots of MAC eyeliner...and falsies of course :)
My take on the high school gyaru look...LOL
Lined my eyes with dark brown shadow, then lined them with dark black pencil and liquid liner. Made the lines thicker on outer half of the bottom lashline...
What I used
- I first prepped my eyes with Esprique Liquid Shadow in BE 300 (not shown). This stuff is great as an eyeshadow base!!! My eyeshadow did NOT crease at all!
- Then I used M.A.C:
* Shroom (top row, left) all over lids
* Soba (middle row, left) from lash line to crease
* Tempting (bottom row, right) to line my upper and lower lash line.
- I then line the top and bottom lash line with M.A.C Technakhol in Graphblack, and went over the lines with KATE Super Sharp Liner in black. I made the lines extra thick on the outer half of the bottom lash lines.
- I swept M.A.C blush in Well Dressed on the apples of my cheeks and highlighted the area above my cheeks with a NARS highlighter (I don't know the name, sorry).
- I'm wearing M.A.C lipstick in Peachstock with M.A.C Lip Glass in Pastel Emotion on top.
- I'm not wearing falsies b/c I don't find them very comfortable, plus I was only going out to the grocery store, LOL. I am wearing my fave Max Factor mascara though :)

Revisiting M.A.C Eyeshadows...

2008-11-01T21:01:00.008+09:00

I did a purple look today only using purples and pinks from M.A.C...I haven't used my M.A.C shadows in quite some time! I'm in too much of a rush when I have to work in the mornings to whip out the 15-pan palettes and mix and match colors. When I'm rushing, I always reach for my neutral palettes.

The pictures don't do the beautiful colors justice! I blended a light lavender on the lids (Beautiful Iris) with a salmon pink just on the crease (Expensive Pink) and a darker blue-ish purple (Parfait Amour) on the outer corners.

Here are the results. Hope you like!
Colors used:
* Beautiful Iris on lids(2nd row, 2nd from left)
* Parfait Amour on outer corners (2nd row, 2nd from right)
* Expensive Pink on crease (right)
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. It's a long weekend here in Japan, but I have to go to work tomorrow...BIG boo!

I've been tagged!

2008-10-31T12:00:00.004+09:00

Shout-outs to lovelies Ms. Yumeko and Neeyuh-chan! Thank you for tagging me...here it is!

Here are the Rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website

1. I have music schizophrenia. I listen to all genres...my playlists range from Basement Jaxx, Sneaker Pimps, Tristan Prettyman, Taking Back Sunday, The Offspring, Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Jay-Z, Common, 9th Wonder and Little Brother...Hey I like new artists too, like Kid Sister and Shontelle.

2. I am naturally stick-thin. It may seem like a privilege to some, but I am very self-conscious of my scrawny body; I hate showing my arms so I always cover them up in public. I am trying to gain weight...protein shakes and salmon steaks, baby.

3. I used to be an avid swimmer...I also played tennis and field hockey. I was quite the athlete back in High School and college!

4. My friend taught me how to beat-box freshman year of college. We must've looked like idiots practicing in the court yard at school...But hey, for chicks we were actually pretty good.

5. I went to the same high school as Hikaru Utada, we were in the same graduating class. Shit, we even rode the train and walked to school together 'till she became famous. If you know who she is, great. If not, don't put too much thought into it.

6. I have two younger sisters that are cute as buttons...but we did NOT get along growing up. I was such a mean bitch.....I'm glad we all get along now!

I'm not tagging anyone...because I'm too lazy, and my eyeballs are about to hit the floor. Plus, everyone and their momma's been tagged anyway....
Must.Sleep.Now.
Have a wonderful Halloween everyone!!!!!!!!

KATE Deep Eyes Palettes and another haul

2008-10-30T16:23:00.011+09:00

Here are the rest of the KATE Deep Eyes palettes as promised...I haven't taken them out of their wrapping/packaging yet.
Close up of top two from the left:
Close up of top right:
Bottom two:
I went on a drugstore binge over the last week to satisfy my cravings...as I write this, I already have limited space for my makeup...all my new crap is sitting in boxes or squeezed between stuff in my vanity drawers. I KNOW I should stop buying things I really don't need, but damn, I need to spend a little money to feel better sometimes! I know some of you can relate...

Here's a recent haul from a few drugstores around town...
Lavshuca Liquid Rouge x 2 and a Rouge Essence Bar: The pink Liquid Rouge has a ton of microscopic glitter...almost reminded me of Dior lip glosses. I LOVE the Rouge Essence Bar (weird name for a slim lipstick), it feels super smooth and really lightweight, like I'm not wearing anything!
I was drawn to the adorable packaging...
Dejavu Lasting fine - This came with my Biteki magazine...
See, it's a 'Biteki' version
Liquid Rouge in Sugar Rose from Kiss Me
Nose Clean Pack from Kose
I'll definitely be using the KATE eye shadows and Lavshuca lippies in upcoming FOTD's. If you guys want reviews on anything here, holler!

Re: Edit
Here's a better pic of the KATE palettes, I didn't realize how crappy the pics are above until I published the post...Now you can see how pretty and metallic the colors are. I'll take more pics once I open them :D

KATE Deep Eyes Palette FOTD

2008-10-29T23:48:00.010+09:00

I'm baaaaack! I am super-exhausted now because it took me over two hours to get home from work...damn train accident! They're really common here...so if someone ever tells you the train system is reliable...pssshhhhh...yeah right! The train was PACKED, but I was lucky enough to grab a seat from Tokyo station. At one point, there was a drunk old business man leaning so low, he was damn near sittin' on my lap!!! I had to *politely* push him off a couple times!

Anywho, I recently got all the KATE palettes from their 'Deep Eyes' collection. I saw it on Yahoo! Auctions and I nabbed the set for a fraction of the retail price...yeeaah baby!

Here's a look I did with the purple/pink palette. I will upload pics of all the palettes in a different post :) Enjoy!

The Palette

The Look

Face Products Used (L to R): NYX Concealer, Laura Mercier Stick Foundation, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, M.A.C Beauty Powder in Smooth Harmony and Flower Mist Dew <--from the Emanuel Ungaro collection! Eye Makeup (L to R): Shu curler, Max Factor Mascara, UDPP, M.A.C Technakhol in Graphblack, KATE Super Sharp Liner in Black, Sweets Sweets Brow Pencil in Dark Brown and KATE Deep Eyes palette in Purple.
Contoured the cheekbones a bit with M.A.C Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder...
I never got around to showing you guys my 'work space'! I bought this dresser at Nitori, the Japanese version of IKEA...I'd say it was the equivalent of about $350 USD...I LOVE it! My boyfriend helped me pick out the light fixture.
What am I wearing? Turqoise Forever21 cami, gray velour zip-up hoodie from some discount store in Pacific Beach, SD and 7 For All Mankind distressed jeans. Nothing too fancy schmancy.

Laura Mercier Haul

2008-10-26T21:05:00.006+09:00

I went and wasted hard-earned moolah again...just the pick-me-up I needed after a shiteous week. This time I gave my money to Laura Mercier! In the past I've tried her creme foundation, bronzer and eye colors...not too bad. I've been on the hunt for a good moisturizer and primer. My skin takes a beating in the cold season, so I need to keep my skin hydrated, but not look like a shiny butterball.

Since Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer has won a billion beauty awards, I jumped on the bandwagon. I actually bought it once two years ago, but returned it in fear that it would contribute to my oiliness. Anyway I went and got the Oil-Free Moisturizer and Foundation Primer. I'll review them after I've used both for a few weeks.

I also got two Lip Glaces. Lemme say I am in LOOOOVE!!! They aren't overly sticky, but sticky enough where it's not sliding off ten minutes after applying it. The color lasts for hours, and though it may not stay glossy and shiny the whole time, it leaves a nice stain, which is not bad for a non-sticky gloss! Oh, I also got a stick foundation from the same line, I just forgot to take a picture of it...next time!

My buddy Gee from bellacupcake.com helped me get Emanuel Ungaro for M.A.C products...it sold out with a quickness over here...Thank you thank you thank you Gee chan!

Here are pics to satisfy your makeup picture porn habit! LOL.
Champagne (top), Bellini (bottom)
Swatches: Champagne (top) and Bellini (bottom)

Skin Update

2008-10-25T22:57:00.008+09:00

Hi guys! How was everyone's week? I'm stuck at work on a night shift, but it's not too crazy, hence the new post.

A few weeks ago I blogged about my skin woes...and thanks to all of your helpful advice, my skin is looking and feeling better! I stopped using the Estee Lauder products which stung, and tried drinking more fluids. My forehead is not AS bumpy as it has been...still far from smooth though!

As for my current skincare routine, I use Mentholatum's Acnes Face Wash in the morning and before bed. It kills the bacteria that accumulates in the pores, yet it's gentle and non-drying. I'll post a pic of that when I get home. Twice a week I use St. Ive's Invigorating Apricot Face Scrub. Once a week I'll use Freeman's Avocado Clay Mask in the shower. The mask stings a bit, so I only leave it on for 2 minutes, then I wash it right off. My skin feels so smooth afterwards!

I bought some new skin products and makeup, so I will so a post on that soon...
Hope everyone has a good weekend with family, friends and boyfriend/girlfriends!

*Muuuuaaahs!*

Re: Edit...random funniness

My boyfriend and I have the 'Joker' app on our iPhones. He enjoys taking random pictures of me where I'm caught off-guard, looking hella fug. Here's one from yesterday, while we were waiting at the bank...Check out the old dude chillen' in the back.

Brown Smoke!

2008-10-14T10:20:00.002+09:00

When I'm in a rush, or I can't think up of a good color combo to wear for the day, I resort to my favorite eye shadow colors...taupes, golds and browns! Here are two different looks...enjoy!
Also, these are the most recent pics of my huurr 'do.

Look 1

Look 2

My hair is graying...

2008-10-14T01:27:00.006+09:00

I got a text today from my boyfriend at 6:41 p.m. and it went like this...

"Me + dirt bike = broken collar bone. Final score for today...dirt bike = 1, Mac = 0. Go team!!"

Yes, his collarbone broke today while he was out riding dirt bikes with his friend. He crashed the bike, went flying in the air and somehow crushed his left collar bone to bits and pieces.

Wait, there's more.....

He broke his right collarbone in January of this year on a snowboarding trip.

Yeah that's right. It's his second time this year breaking not just any bone, but his collarbone.
There's something almost commendable to this sort of irony!

Two metal plates are holding his right collarbone together at the moment. The left side is currently shattered, and he'll definitely need surgery.

I feel for the man. I can't imagine the kind of pain he's in. I just made him two grilled cheese sandwiches so the Percocet he took an hour ago won't eat at the walls of his stomach...

I love this man to death, and I'll take care of him without hesitation...but I can't hush the self-absorbed voice in my head. I can't help but wish he'd act his age...or at least not get broken so much. I have to worry about his upcoming deployment...and now this. I wish he'd for a second, think about how much I might worry before he jumps on a dirt bike that's not his.....or go riding while he's sick.
He said he's sorry he made me worry so much, and that he'd try not to make me worry.
Sometimes empty promises are better than none...

The 'do that changed it all...

2008-10-13T08:31:00.002+09:00

One morning after work my compulsive-ass decided to get my hair straightened again. If you guys have unmanageable straight-wavy hair like mine, Japanese thermal straightening is the way to go...if you want straight hair. And after the process was done, I decided I wanted more hair chopped off. BAD IDEA...the length and style was fine as it was, but after it was straightened, it looked too long. And at the time it SEEMED like a good idea to cut some length off in the back and add layers. Below is what my hair looked like for a few days before I got the long pieces in the front cut shorter...now my hair looks a LOT better, and I'm starting to like it.

On a happier note, my hair is so much easier to style in the mornings and it doesn't take 30 minutes to dry like it did before when I had rapunzel-locks. I'll post more pictures of my recent 'do. I just wanted to do this post so you guys can get a good idea of how my hair went from angled bob to a very short angled bob.

Ugh.
Double Ugh.
Aya is not happy now...
F**K it, Imma cut some more off!

I have a question...

2008-10-11T15:33:00.007+09:00

I need everyone's help!!! My skin has been acting up recently, more than it always does. My skin has been blotchy for a few years now (red spots all over) due to old acne scars and allergic reactions I had from certain acne medicine. Anyway, I've been breaking out on my forehead and chin more than usual, and the zits WON'T GO AWAY! Well, they'll get smaller, but reappear in a few days. To top it off, my forehead is lookin' bumpy, even with foundation on. I guess they're whiteheads?

I know my skin is a mess because I'm not getting enough sleep or staying hydrated...but what products would you ladies recommend to clear my current acne/white bumps? I have combination skin that's on the sensitive side...

Also, I started using Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher and Hydra Complete Multi-Level Moisture Creme for Normal/Combination skin. I love the Pore Minimizer because it really does fill in my open pores to create a smoother look, but the moisturizer kind of stings! When I tried it a few weeks ago after I received a bunch of samples of this stuff, it didn't sting at all, which is why I decided to buy the full-sized jar.
Should I stop using it?

New love...

Stings my face...

If any of you have time PLEASE let me know what products have helped soothe irritated skin...
Arigato! <3 <3

Gold and Eggplant FOTD

2008-10-11T01:52:00.000+09:00

Hi guys! Hope everyone's having a great weekend! I'm just chillen' at home as usual, nothing too hype or interesting. I have a lot of housework to tackle and FOTD's to post! I know I've been neglecting my blog for the last couple of months...let's just say the stress and exhaustion I accumulate at work follows me home...It's been so tough trying to be a reliable, fair, multi-tasking supervisor. And you know the suck-ass part of it? I haven't gotten a raise yet! It's not because I suck at my job but because my outsourcing company has the most f**ked up policies. They review your contract once a year in October (or November?) and then give you a raise. So I started supervisor duties at my network operations center (NOC) back in July and have basically been paid regular 1st level tech pay until now. If they don't add on the extra amount that supervisors are supposed to receive, my company is going to have HELL to pay!!!

Anyway, I'm slowly but surely getting used to my duties. My section receives roughly 300 to 500 e-mails per day from clients and other telecommunication/satellite carriers. I have to make sure I read the important ones...this task alone takes hours. I enjoy having a little more freedom, and calling my own shots though. It's also worthwhile when I see my colleagues and newbies troubleshoot like their life depends on it. At the end of the day, I know that I cannot do my job well, or at all, unless my colleagues support me 120%.

Okay, on to what you're all here for...a FOTD! I am loving purple this season, especially deep, smokey eggplant or maroon shades.

I used M.A.C:
- 'Patina' (bottom left) on entire lid.
- 'Tempting' (bottom, middle) and 'Woodwinked' (bottom, right) on inner half of lid

Theeeeen I used NYX 'Eggplant' on the outer third:
Finished look:
Here's what my hair looked like in early September after the FIRST cut:

Old FOTD and Summer Cherry Culture Haul

2008-10-10T19:25:00.013+09:00

I did this look back in late August I believe...it was after my birthday, I know that for sure...I used the L.A. Colors 5 Colors Mettalic EyeShadow Palette in 'Mesmerized'. These palettes are DOPE! Very pigmented and NOT chalky or flour-y one bit! I know you thinking 'Oh she buuullshittin' but take my word, these palettes are worth so much more than...I can't remember exactly how much they were, but I got each for less than $5.00 on Cherry Culture!

So I put my coloring skills from kindergarten to good use and came up with this FOTD. I had no idea green, purple and dark blue look good together!

Oh hai I wasn't ready! Damn I got some krusty dusties!
Can you spot red draws in the back, LOL
And here's my haul from Cherry Culture...I think I only spend 45 or 50 bucks?
The shadows I used for this FOTD is the L.A. Colors palette on the right below the lipgloss.
I finally got the NYX Round Lipstick in 'Circe'...yeay!
w/flash:
Amuse Brush On Shadows in 'Brown', 'Bronze' and 'White'
Swatches from L to R: NYX Blush in 'Spice', Amuse Chocolate Gloss in 'Berry Brown' and Amuse Brush On Shadows in 'White', 'Bronze' and 'Brown'
I haven't gotten around to using the Brush On Shadows yet...that's what happens when you have too much junk lying around the house! And when I say junk I mean makeup....I actually don't even know where those are...crap!

Hope you enjoyed this post...thanks to all of you who still read my blog :)

DIY Earth-Friendly Cleaning Products

2008-10-04T04:20:00.007+09:00

I found recipes for DIY eco-friendly cleaning products on The GirlieGirl Army blog. This site has awesome content ranging from 'cheap couture' to 'Best of' lists and indie band reviews.
Check out the orignial post HERE, or read below for the simple, easy to follow recipes...for most of them all you need is Dr. Bronner's soap, baking soda/powder and white vinegar!
BTW, doesn't Dr. Bronner look creepy? He looks like one of those scientists in my dusty Houghton Mifflin textbooks from the '80's...

Text is from the original post, from http://girliegirlarmy.com/this_week/on_our_radar/

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER: 2 TBSP White Vinegar, 1 Teaspoon Borax (natural soap), 16 ounces of hot water, 1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s. Mix vinegar and Borax in a clean spray bottle. Fill with water and shake until the Borax has dissolved. Add Dr. Bronners. Shake and use.

KITCHEN ALL PURPOSE: Baking Soda, Essential oil. Fill a shaker halfway with Baking Soda. Add 20 drops Essential oil of your choice. Stir. Add more Baking Soda, then shake. Sprinkle a bit on dirty surface, then sponge off with warm water. Rinse well.

FOR FILTHY POTS: 1 cup fine-grade Pumice, 1/2 cup Clay Powder, 2 TBSP grapefruit essential oil, 1/4 cup Baking Soda, 1/4 cup Sodium Lauryl Sulfacetate, 1/2 cup Boiling Water - enough for thick paste. Mix all ingredients together and stir. Store in a container that closes tightly. To use, apply gently with a damp sponge or cloth and scrub.

FLOOR CLEANER: White Vinegar, Water, and Essential oil. Fill a squirt bottle with equal amounts of Vinegar and Water. Add 20 drops oil. Mix and squirt on floor.

FOR THE BATHROOM: 1 2/3 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup Dr. Bronners, 1/2 cup Water, 2 TBSPS White Vinegar. Mix Baking Sode and Dr. Bronners in a bowl. Dilute with water, and add the Vinegar. Mix with a fork until lumps are gone and mixture has a smooth consistency, adding a little more water is fine. Pour into a squeeze container, then shake well. Keep lid on firmly to avoid drying out. Use.
Alternates: 1 cup Dr. Bronners, 1/2 cup Baking Soda, 1 teaspoon Borax, 6 cups hot Peppermint tea, 1 teaspoon Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Add Mint tea to liquid soap, stir to mix well. Add baking soda, borax and eucalyptus oil. Store in plastic jug or squirt bottle. Shake before using. This soap can be used for washing floors, tubs, and cleaning almost anything (except your mouth after a round of dirty cursing).

FOR THE TOILET: Use White Vinegar and a brush. Baking soda can also be used if you like the SoftScrub vibe.

GLASS CLEANER: 1/4 cup White Vinegar, 1/2 cup Dr. Bronners, 2 cups Water, Essential Oil (only if you’re fancy.) Mix soap and water in a spray bottle. Add vinegar and essential oil. Shake it up and spray. We suggest using old newspaper to clean mirrors and windows. It’s exponentially more effective, and lighter on planet earth since you are re-using. To use, spray and wipe. If you don’t want to add the soap (which requires a stronger arm, but think of the bicepts you’ll have!!), it’s fine to omit it and stick with 1 cup of Vinegar per 2 cups of Water. Alternates: Experiment with lemon juice, club soda, and cornstarch, all of which (mixed together) clean windows well.

KEY LIME DISH DETERGENT POWDER: This recipe is a litte more elaborate, so only go there when you are feeling super badass. 1/2 cup Clay Powder, 2 TBSP Lime Essential Oil, 2 cups Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, 6 cups Baking Soda. Wear a dust mask to mix this formula. Mix clay powder and essential oil; then, in a 2 gallon pail, combine the baking soda and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. Mix well. You can convert this recipe to a liquid detergent by mixing 2 TBSP’n of powder to 2 cups boiling water, and stir until ingredients are dissolved. You should use a squeeze top bottle to store this. To use, add aboout a tablespoon of powder or liquid per sink-load while filling sink. For tough jobs, make a paste by adding water and rubbing directly on spot.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT: Use Dr. Bronners, straight up. We like the Lavender scent! Use two small cap fulls for a large load of dirty clothes.

FABRIC SOFTENER: Toss 1/4 cup of White Vinegar to the last rinse cycle of your wash load. Don’t worry, it won’t smell like vinegar. The Vinegar also brightens, like a natural bleach.

DRYER SHEETS: Pour a few drops of Essential Oil (your choice of smell, there are so many!) on a hand towel or wash cloth. Toss in dryer with your clothes. Re-use forever (adding the drops of essential oil each time).

Friday's Feast #2

2008-10-03T22:31:00.006+09:00

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?
Beautiful early autumn. The leaves are still dark green, the sky is still bright, but there's a chill in the air - the good kind. It makes me want to take long walks and eat everything in site, LOL.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?
Right now, I'd say 8. I hate my job and IT sometimes. But it's a necessary evil, how do you think you can use the internet at work? It's jobs like mine that make sure you can watch YouTube while you try to stay awake at work or school, heehee.

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?
Very ugly reddish purple air force-issued curtains that are too long for the bay window in the living room. But we're content...at least the neighbors can't spy on us like I do to them!

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.
E-mails from family members. Calls from old friends. NEW MAKEUP (how vain!).

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?
Only once, if at all. I'm on a real time budget in the mornings, I HAVE to be on the train by 7:16 a.m. or I'll be late to work!

EXTRA EXTRA!
This weekend I plan on...
- Cleaning the living room and attic. I need more storage space, so I'm going to be a man and create more space, dammnit!
- Separate the clothes I'm going to keep and give away/sell.
- Post a FOTD/EOTD. I have a lot of new makeup from Smashbox, Estee Lauder and MAC :)
- Make the Korean seaweed soup (miyuk gook) that Alyssa did a post on HERE.
- Call my mother.

My HG products

2008-10-02T20:18:00.029+09:00

All my favorite holy grail products...enjoy! None of these images are mine, I found them all on the web.

Urban Decay Primer Potion (aka UDPP)
Everyone's favorite! The tube itself sucks but the product is amazing. How amazing? It was the only base I used and my eyeshadow lasted without creasing for 16 hours on a humid day. It dries quickly to a sheer matte finish. Unlike other bases I've tried, it never gets cakey or flakey on me.

L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation
I use this foundation on my cheeks, under the eyes and on problem spots (discolorations, redness). I've used a lot of high-end liquid foundations from Laura Mercier to Clinique but L'Oreal's True Match is the best so far! For only $10.00, it gives my skin a smoother apperance, and gives really good and believable coverage. My co-worker told me she had no idea I had blotchy skin under my makeup...Thank you True Match!

Maybelline Cover Stick
This is probably the best concealer I've tried that's under $5.00. It actually does it's job! Other inexpensive concealers are either too sheer or too dry or too watered down (if it's a liquid type).
Maybelline's Cover Stick is easy to apply (I just apply it from the tube) and because it's lightweight and creamy, it's really easy to blend. It makes me look awake even after a sleepless night!

M.A.C Studio Perfect SPF 15 Foundation
I used to, and still love Studio Fix powder foundation, but on my way home from a club one morning, I discovered Studio Perfect SPF 15 Foundation. It's good for tired, dry skin (like mine), and the added SPF 15 is a plus. It's not as heavy as Studio Fix, but it also offers medium to high coverage. I use a small kabuki brush to apply this stuff on after liquid foundation and concealer.

M.A.C Technakhol in Graphblack
I'm lazy. I try to cut as many corners possible, especially when it comes to my morning routine. So sharpening eyeliners or brow pencils is below me. M.A.C's Graphblack eye liner is very pigmented, easy to blend or smudge, but at the same time, it stays put. There are a lot of dupes out there (Jordana's retractable eyeliners are pretty good) but Graphblack will always be my No. 1!

Stila Eyeshadow in Wheat (lighter color in photo)
The shimmery beige color is perfect as an all-over color and a highlight. It's not too white or too tan. I haven't found anything like it, not even M.A.C makes a color like this!

Milani Quad Shadow in Touch of Brown
Seldom do I use all the colors in an inexpensive palette, but Touch of Brown contains the perfect shades; a shimmery white-gold, tan with slight shimmer, light bronze, and a shimmery dark brown. I bring this with me to work if I don't have time to do my makeup at home. It's small enough to fit in a clutch too, great for touchups at an event! If you're a fan of neutral or brown eyeshadows, please go out and buy this. It's a little powdery as all inexpensive shadows are, but it doesn't bother me one bit.

Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Trio in Shimmering Sands
Another great inexpensive palette! All three colors, a shimmery pale pink, silvery beige and warm bronze suit my coloring perfectly. Although I'm a sucker for high-end brands, I will always love this palette no matter how old I am.

Max Factor Lash Perfection Mascara in Rich Black
This mascara does it all - it lifts and curls, lengthens AND thickens without clumping...so serious! A friend sent this to me, saying it was her HG mascara. She wasn't kidding when she said it was awesome! The tapered brush is a must for getting those itty-bitty lashes in the corners. I scoured Yahoo! Auctions and got two brand-new ones since I ran out! So all of you who live in the U.S. or Canada and haven't tried this mascara out yet...you don't know what you're missing!

Sweets Sweets Natural Fit Eyebrow in Dark Brown
I've raved about this product in my videos. Sweets Sweets is a Japanese drugstore brand. This brow pencil is my favorite because
a) You can see how much product is left
b) It's not too dry and not too waxy...making it very easy to apply.
c) The color matches my hair
d) The spoolie has it's own screw-cap!

Sweets Sweets Moisture Gloss in MG8
I love this opalescent pink color. It's great alone, and also over nude lipsticks. Although it's only 500 yen, it's worth so much more!

NARS Blush in Serato
My new found love...the true beige color is powdery-soft and super-blendable. I wear this on the high part of my cheekbones to give me a sophisticated, sharp look. It's never too orange or gold.

DHC Make Off Sheet
It's gentle and very moist! It's cheaper than a lot of drugstore brands like Biore, but these DHC wipes are simply the best. Because they're so moist, a single sheet removes eyeshadow and lipstick with one swipe. Waterproof mascara is a little tricky, but I've been able to rub most off with a little extra effort. The best part is, it doesn't leave a greasy residue on your skin.

Friday's Feast Number ONE!

2008-09-25T03:03:00.008+09:00

Although it's not Friday yet, I've decided to jump on the bandwagon (wha? What wagon you ask?) and fill out these cute little surveys that some mastermind concocts HERE ==>
http://fridaysfeast.com/. I've decided to do this solely because I haven't taken any makeup or hair related pictures. I've been feeling a little apathetic towards my blog lately...well for the past few months. Anyway, I will start posting more FOTD's although they'll consist of much simpler content....I mean, who reads the how-to's I feverishly come up with anyway.

Drumroll please....my very first entry of Friday's Feast!

Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
Last Saturday. I've been obsessed with my hair for the past three months. I went from ass-crack-grazing locks to below-the-shoulders straight bob to angled bob to my current shorter 'do. Still shorter in the back. Will post pic soon.

Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
My mother's food. She is the best cook EVER!

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
I love love love margarine. Butter tastes better but it takes too long to return to room temperature after sitting in the fridge, and it's pricey. I cook a lot of food with a little bit of margarine.

Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
I'd master Japanese first, obviously. It is such an old language with so many dialects. I love it.

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
Finishing up my degree and/or working at a magazine/some sort of publishing company!

On an finishing note...rocking short hair requires CONFIDENCE. Even if you don't love it at first, you need to walk with your head up real high...I mean, all your features are on display...no hair to hide behind!

Tag: I Love Your Blog

2008-09-20T01:46:00.000+09:00

Thanks for the tag, Vi Anne and Chiara! I love your blogs...I check both regularly...sorry I don't update mine as much!

I Love Your Blog Rules:
1. Pass this award on to 7 people.
2. Answer the following questions using only one word. One word? Yeah right!

1. Where is your cell phone? sitting next to my right elbow. My elbow rocks at Tap Tap revenge. J/K.
2. Where is your significant other? I'm not sure, I saw him last at 8 p.m. last night before he went out or went to his friend's....he's probably doing something bike-related now....
3. Your hair color? Dark brown
4. Your mother? Japanese
5. Your father? Japanese but he looked Chinese.
6. Your favorite thing? Right now, Fendry by Vi Anne Lip Tints (hehe, Vi Anne, Imma start calling them that!!!) and my iPhone, of course! The new (ver 2.0) software is AMAZING!
7. Your dream last night? Nothing specific, I can't remember...but the other night I dreamt that I had two guy roomates, and one of them was convicted of premeditated murder. Also, I dreamt that an old coworker of mine also commited murder....but more as self-defense. She pushed a man off a tall building!
8. Your dream/goal? Go back to school, study journalism and buy my mother a house somewhere warm.
9. The room you're in. 7th floor of the building I work at. Nothing exciting, just a LOT of DELL monitors flashing red, yellow, orange and green.
10. Your hobby? Doing drag-queen looks on myself while my boyfriend is out. Haha.
11. Your fear? Losing someone again.
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Working at a more creative job, preferably editing or writing.
13. Where were you last night? At home, depressed about my hair. (or the lack of)
14. What you're not? Healthy. I work night shifts and I don't really exercise...
15. One of your wish-list items? A new bed, bedding, couch and storage units. Okay that was more than one.
16. Where you grew up? Zushi, Yokohama, Tokyo...Zushi is a beach town. Yokohama is a port-city....and Tokyo...well, duh.
17. The last thing you did? Made sure a circuit wasn't down, and went back to playing on my laptop.
18. What are you wearing? A grey zebra-print burnout Tee, grey cami, and grey cardigan, all from Forever21. And faded black Uniqlo skinny jeans. Black flip flops.
19. Your TV? A plasma. I don't know the specs off-hand.
20. Your pet? Unfortunately my boyfriend will not let me harbor puppies or kitties in our huge house. MEANIE!
21. Your computer? Work laptop=Toshiba DynaBook Satellite. Home=Pimpin' MacBook.
22. Your mood? Jollyfull
23. Missing someone? Yep. Yes, YOU, Rei!
24. Your car? I don't drive.
25. Something you're not wearing? Socks. My nose ring.
26. Favorite store? http://www.forever21.com/ and http://www.drugstore.com/ and American Apparel.
27. Your summer? Was too short and rainy.
28. Love someone? YES! I love many people!
29. Your favorite color? Periwinkle blue, pink, purple and grey.
30. When is the last time you laughed? A couple minutes ago while reading an e-mail from my sister.
31. Last time you cried? Last week.
32. Are you a bitch? Only when I really need to be. And lately, it seems as though I need to be a bitch at work to get people to do shit.
33. Favorite Position? The back-scratcher. Hehe.
34. Favorite Past Time? Reading
35. Are you a hater or a Lover? People have yelled 'HATER!' in my direction a couple times...
37. Are you genuine or fake? Very genuine indeed.
38. Any Vices? Checking e-mail on my iPhone 24/7 and late-night internet surfing.
39. Pro Life or Wire Hanger? Not sure
40. McCAIN or OBAMA? McCain is a hot headed-asshole but I'd choose him over Obama.
41. Pro Plastic or Natural? If rock-hard titties make you happy, go for it!!!
42. Dream Job? Publicist. Creative director at a cosmetics company.
43. Were the last 11 questions PINK added on fun? Yeah but I'm done with this survey already!
I'm not tagging anyone because I think everyone's been tagged. But here are 7 blogs I LOOOOVVVEEE and always check:
1. Chiara
2. J.Rose
3. Vi Anne
4. Musings of a Muse
5. Yummy411
6. Neeyuh
7. Gee
Of course, there are more that I check daily, but the rules said I could only pick seven.
Stupid rules!
So here are some more I love:
8. Sarah
9. Makeup Masala
10. twentyfourcarat
11. Alienman

New 'do and Recent Obsessions

2008-09-15T20:15:00.001+09:00

Enjoy!

Mt. Fuji Climb...finally!

2008-09-14T16:12:00.012+09:00

I have been horrible at updating my blog for the last month and a bit...Gaining responsibilities at my job has been more than I expected. Sometimes I just want to say F*@K it all and quit, go back to teaching or something...but I swallow it all and keep trudging! Hopefully it'll get easier in a couple months.

Anyway, here are pictures from the Mt. Fuji climb. We went on August 31, which was actually the last day we were allowed to climb the mountain. This was the hardest thing I've done physically in years!!! Mt. Fuji is no joke...on certain parts of the climb we were on our hands and knees. The air was thin, and cold. Thank God I dressed for the part. I'm posting the pictures in the exact order they were taken...so you guys can see the difference in scenery and how dead I look towards the end, LOL. The ascent alone took 6 or 7 hours!

At the parking lot:
Still waking up....Me sans ANY makeup.
We spotted my BF's buddies on the way up...
ABOOOOVE the clouds!!!
My favorite picture:
STEEP!
These signs were all over the mountain..."Beware of falling rocks"
Japanese humor is something else - a sign from the men's room...'Shoot...! Wow!!' WTH???
Other than some shrubs and mountain flowers, this butterfly was the only sign of life at 3700 meters:
The descent...
Okay, so we didn't make it to the very top. We only had a few hundred meters to go, but lemme tell you, when you're up that high, walking for five minutes without having to stop is impossible! I started getting mountain sickness so we voted to climb down. The descent took four hours. We took the WRONG route and ended up on a different side of the mountain!!! When we were near end, it got really dark. Of course there are no lights whatsoever, and we didn't have flashlights with us. Luckily we met up with a group of avid hikers who had head flashlights. They guided us down the rest of the way, which was through a frickin' FOREST. I couldn't see SH*T! I had to hold on to my man for dear life so I wouldn't fall over the edge or trip over a tree stump. If you've ever walked through a damp forest at night, you'd all agree it's one of the scariest things ever!

Soooo we finally get to a parking lot where we had to call a cab to get down the mountain, and get back up the mountain to the parking lot where our van was parked. The cab ride cost $170!!!!!!! All in all, it was a disastrous experience....but who knows, I might go again next summer and try to make it to the very top!

Update

2008-08-29T05:38:00.009+09:00

Hey guys and dolls sorry I've been MIA this month. I've been busy with life…making the most of my summer, and what's left of it! Here's what I've been up to:

Been going on day AND night bike rides with my boyfriend to Okutama (mountains nearby) on his GSX-R1000. Riding is definitely fun although all I do is sit on the back and hang on for dear life. But when you're going at 100+ km per hour, gravity seriously takeｓ a toll on a small frame like mine. Slowing down to a stop hurts my arms and back!
I tried spending quality time with my middle sister before she leaves...she's leaving for Toronto TODAY (Friday)...I saw her on Wednesday last, and I almost cried when I said bye to her...at least she'll only be gone for 9 months!
I was recently promoted to duty supervisor of my team (there are a couple supervisors on my team so it's not a huge deal) BUT my workload has multiplied tenfold. I used to finish work at 8:30 p.m., not I stay behind until 9:30 or later to finish up. Night shifts are worse, I've stayed behind until 10:00 a.m!

Aaaanyway, I'm on a semi-no buy this month, and possibly the next...well, that discludes products and clothing/shoes I order online, LOL. But if you guys saw my current makeup collection, you'd all think I was materialistic and self-absorbed! Like who needs ten shades of green? Apparently I thought I did, LOL. I bought a LOT of makeup this year, and every time I'd make a purchase, I'd justify it by telling my conscience 'it's to build my collection…someday I'll put it to good use when I do makeup on others'…NOT going to happen any time soon. I have a full-time job that eats up 200 hours of my life every month…*sobs*

Anyway, enough ranting, let's talk makeup! Here's a compressed list of my FAVORITE beauty products. I'll start by listing face products for this post and continue the list in other posts to come.

Foundation
Liquid: L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation. I use (color). It's lightweight, yet covers my rosacea without looking fake or cakey! It's a truly amazing product, I can't believe it's less than $10!!!! I use a fiber optic stippling blush for an even coverage.
Mineral: I used to love Everyday Minerals until I noticed pale microbumps clustering on my forehead. After reading Sara's blog, I wanted to test out Buff'd Cosmetics, so I ordered a lot of samples. Their mineral foundations provide better coverage. I L-O-V-E the original formula, it covers redness, discolorations and acne scars. The only downside to Buff'd mineral foundation (and most other brands) is that it shifts a lot after it's been on my face for an hour or two. From my experience, it's definitely NOT sweat-proof, so I suggest mineral foundation for those who have drier skin, and/or wearing it during the cooler seasons.
Powder: A tie between M.A.C Stuidio Fix Foundation and Studio Perfect SPF15 Foudation. I keep one in my work locker and one at home. I've been using Studio Fix since '04. It's an almighty product. I don't even really need to wear liquid foundation underneath, just the powder provides enough coverage. An added bonus: It makes my skin look and FEEL silky-smooth thanks to ingredients like silica (absorbs oil) and fine-milled talc (keeps skin matte all day)! I use a latex wedge sponge to apply it when I'm in a rush. The best part is that you can build the coverage, and never ever looks cakey.

By the way, guess what I'll be doing on Sunday...........................I'm climbing Mt. Fuji with my boyfriend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm super-excited!!! I've always wanted to climb our Fuji-san. We're supposed to go to the Nike outlet on Saturday to get me some hiking boots :) I can't wait to take pictures from the top!!! I'll definitely do a post on the climb :)

Birthday Bash Pt. 2 - PIC HEAVY!

2008-08-25T13:16:00.013+09:00

On Sunday the 24th, my dear friend Yuri threw a glam party for a couple of us who had birthdays recently. She had us picked up in a stretch LIMO!!!!!! I haven't been on a limo since homecoming senior year!!!! We rode around Tokyo, stopping at Odaiba and Tokyo Tower. It was like a dream! We were dropped off at our party, where thirty-something people were there waiting for us. Yuri-chan, honto ni arigato! SAIKO na tanjobi deshita! Chuuu!
Yuri (she organized EVERYTHING, from the limo ride to the party)
The Party...
Birthday Girls and Boy - Sayo, myself and Mark
Shimazu-san is CUT.

Birthday Bash Pt. 1

2008-08-25T12:58:00.006+09:00

Here are pics from my birthday weekend. My boyfriend had to work the whole weekend, so we celebrated it on Friday. Here's the yummy cake he got me this year:On the 23rd, my actual birthday, I celebrated it with my Mom and two sisters. We went to a Mexican restaurant downtown where everything was SUPER expensive...I mean, a Tecate was $10!!! Everything was SOOOOOOOOOO good, I had Carne Asada. My family was hilarious, as usual.There was a Mariachi band. When they came to our table, we had them sing 'La Camisa Negra' by Juanes...I love Juanes!!!!!!!!!!!!Pork rinds with salsa...mmmmmm

Fin.

Spider Leg Lashes

2008-08-22T23:06:00.005+09:00

Here's a little bit of entertainment for you guys...I look HI-larious in all these pics. I'm wearing Ardell Fashion Lashes in 120 Demi Black. They were from my haul last month. I tried them on as soon as I got them, and realized they might be a liiiiiitle too long for me. I feel like I could tickle someone from across the room with these babies. So go on ahead, laugh away :)

Before (only mascara):
Waiting for the glue to dry...
The left one isn't doing so well....LOL
On a side note, it's my Birthday on the 23rd, tomorrow! I'm turning 26...ONLY FOUR MORE YEARS 'TILL 30!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! I have so much I want to do, see and accomplish before that...like travel Europe on a train (which I might do in Feb. or March), save $30,000, go back to school, buy my mom a nice home, and have a family. Yes, I dream BIG!

Website Review: LensShopper.com

2008-08-21T23:48:00.016+09:00

Here's an online contact lens retailer that brings us contact-wearing newbies and veterans a fresh twist on product selection! It's called LensShopper, and you can access their online store with the link below, or simply search 'lens shopper' on Google.

LensShopper.com

Navigation-friendly tabs, a wide selection of products for various needs, competitive prices and online coupons are a handful of the consumer-friendly features, but a special feature this site has that I haven't spotted elsewhere makes it stand a little taller than the rest.

Click the 'Color Contacts' tab from the Home page and you'll see a colorful Flash application. As the site states, you can 'Choose between 20 different colors and 6 looks'.

Most sites I've seen either feature a color swatch, as in two-dimensional colored circles. It's hard to envision how the color or dimension would look like on a human eye.

This feature on LensShopper.com takes out not all, but some of the guess work. You click on a model, and then choose the featured colors or dimensions you want to try out on the model. Here are some fun looks I tried on some of the models! (All images are screenshots I took myself.)

Top of the page:

There are six models to choose from...

I chose Color Blends in 'Honey' for him:

I chose Color Blends in 'Sunrise' (2nd from right) for my favorite model. I didn't really care for the rest... (-__-) :

Dimensions 'Caribbean Aqua'....Gorgeous! Looks like her real eye color. The color and graphics this site uses are not too bad...but some of the colors look a little TOO digitalized...

Color Blends 'Pure Hazel'...I would wear this!

One-Day 'Green'...I'd be afraid to talk to him...looks like he might want to suck blood and sleep in coffins! But I think this is what green-colored contacts would really look like for those with hazel eyes.

One blatant and VERY IMPORTANT feature it's missing is ASIAN models...yes, us pale,black-haired folk like wearing unnatural eye colors too! A representative told me that they will be adding Asian models to the Flash Player...not sure when that'll happen, or if it ever will, but let's hope so!

I think this 'Color Studio' feature is a liiiiiiittle ethnically biased but definitely innovative and fun. I seriously tried ALL the colors and dimensions on ALL the models. The feature is free, all you need is Flash Player installed on your computer for it to work.

If you're a newcomer to colored contacts and want to see the wide range of colors available, this is for you. I'd say they need to add brand names on the feature, or how about a color guide, i.e. what contact colors would match those with pink or yellow-toned skin, dark hair, blonde hair, you get my drift.

I would only use this 'Color Studio' feature as a general guide before purchasing contacts. I suggest always trying on contacts at a store. Some contacts may NOT be the right shape for your eye, and if so, can be very harmful for the eye itself and vision. But if you already wear contacts and have a favorite brand, make sure you check out their coupons and stock up!

FOTD: Smokey Grey Eyes

2008-08-19T15:54:00.008+09:00

Here's my version of the smokey eye for gals/guys on a budget. All the products I used are under $10 (well, except the M.A.C eye liner). It's a very simple, quick look. I didn't contour or shade, nothing serious. You can achieve this look with just one brush! I made a video too but I STILL don't know how to edit on iMovie. How frustrating! I need to take a class or something...I'm a hands-on learner...

BTW I have a TON of pics for future posts...I just haven't had the time to edit anything. Sorry for the lack of posts...will explain why later. But for now, here's my Smokey Grey look :)

And here's what I used...

NYX e/s in Frosted Flakes (all over lid)
Milani e/s in Silver Bullet (from lash line to area above crease, half way on entire lid)
NYX e/s in Charcoal (from lash line to above crease)
Milani Runway Eyes in Blackout(from lash line to above crease)
NYX e/s in Geisha (as highlight under brows)
M.A.C Technakol Eye Liner in Graphblack
KATE Super Sharp Liner in Black
L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in Carbon Black
Le Un blush in 05
Milani Sheer Color Lipstick in Amaretto

The ducky/penguin thingy from my last post is.....
...a wet wipe case!!! Isn't it super-kawaii?

Re: Edit - I added tutorial vids...I sort of figured out how to trim, add text and whatever.
A Question for MacBook users...how do you trim the MIDDLE of a clip? I could only shorten it at the beginning and the end of the video. Yeesh, editing is a pain! But I think the vids turned out okay. They'll get better though, promise ;)

FOTD & Tutorial: Urban Decay Ammo Palette & New 'do!

2008-08-06T00:27:00.015+09:00

Hi guys! Ohisashiburi! (Long time no see or talk!) Here's a look I did today with my Urban Decay Ammo Palette. Most of the colors are packed with glitter, so I had to wipe my face with a damp tissue after I was done with my eye makeup...glitter was all over my face! But I love this palette, the colors aren't too bright like their Deluxe palette. I will definitely be using this palette more often!

Colors used: Polyester Bride (white), Shattered (blue), Last Call (burgundy) and Oil Slick (black)
Everything else...
How To: (First I applied Baby Pink Jelly Base as base, and M.A.C Painterly Paint Pot on top)
I applied black liquid liner to upper lash line and waterline somewhere in the mix...and now the finished look!
Being stupid...(-__-;
Wheeee! I'm so happy I finally got a makeup dresser! More on that later...
Can you guess what this is???
I'll tell ya in my next post.
Whaddya think of my hair? I haven't had it this short since I was 19. Wow that just made me feel a little old. I'm gonna go stuff my face with Golden Oreos now...(T__T) I swear those cookies are made of yayo, I can't stop eating them.

Quick Haul Update

2008-07-30T03:20:00.003+09:00

Here's a VERY quick update on some of the stuff I've bought recently...I've featured a few of these in my last two videos...If you haven't watched them yet, pleeeeease do! I haven't bothered to crop/stamp/watermark any of these pictures...(wait, I don't watermark in the first place).
But like I said, this is a quickie! Love you guys!

The goods:
1. Urban Decay Ammo Eye Shadow Palette (fellow blogger Diva4Less got it for me...Thank you Tammy!)
2, 3 & 4. From Top to Bottom: (All Japanese drugstore finds)
Sweets Sweets Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown, Sweets Sweets Perfect Volumy Mascara in Black, Sweets Sweets Moisture Gloss in MG8.
5. Ardell Fashion Lashes in 120 Demi Black
6. SANA Pore Putty in Clear - The BEST makeup base I've ever used, a great dupe of Smashbox Photofinish Primer...you get more bang for your buck...or yen in my case.
My liquid/mineral/powder foundation stays put all day in this monstrous Tokyo summer humidity.
I'll do a false eyelashes post soon...I look ridiculous with the Ardell falsies.

My Favorite Japanese Drugstore Makeup!

2008-07-26T01:31:00.004+09:00

Part 2 of My Favorite Japanese Drugstore...series. I love the inexpensive stuff too! Thank you for watching :) I will post pics soon.

My Favorite Japanese Drugstore Products

2008-07-26T01:29:00.004+09:00

Here's a video of my favorite Japanese drugstore products...everything I talk about is less than 1000 yen!!! (about $10). I say 'um' every two seconds...
It's like tourretes, I can't stop it.
Hope you enjoy!

Bike Night

2008-07-22T14:32:00.007+09:00

My boyfriend recently traded in his Ninja for a GSX-R1000 (Suzuki). He's been working on the aesthetics over the last few weeks, and it looks PIMP! After my boyfriend sanded the bike down and painted it a matte gray, he had this guy who used to work at Art Factory do the vinyl design on the body..FYI Art Factory is pretty famous world-wide, and there's only ONE shop in Japan, and fortunate for my boyfriend, we don't live too far from it. They do graphics (paint and vinyl) on car body kits....You've ALL seen their work on many of the cars in the first Fast and the Furious movie. One of the guys from Art Factory set up shop and now does bike graphics. Check out Art Factory HERE. Check out AFG Moto, where my boyfriend got his bike done HERE.

Before: Everything STOCK
After: PIMP

Two Saturdays ago, a Bike Night was held in Tachikawa, near where my boyfriend and I live. So I hopped on the back and we rode out to town to hang out with other riders...so here are pics from the night. I apologize for the crappy quality, I took all of them with my iPhone. iPhone takes the SHITTIEST pictures, it's like being back in '02 or somethin'.

The Lineup
My FAVORITE
Oh look, a cute summery basket-bag...
WHOAH! (That's me if you can't tell)
The editor-in-chief or some editing guy from a new riders magazine came out with his photographer and took a lot of pictures, including a few of my boyfriend and I. Everyone was oohing and aahing over the damn thing. I guess the urban camo look is what's hot now in graphics...? I have no idea, but whatever, my boyfriend's bike looks hotttt. An hour or so into the gathering, a few police officers showed up, and we all had to leave. We rode out to another place, closer to home. At this point I was too tired to even crack a smile, so we ducked out early. I'll try to take better pictures at the next Bike Night!

Name Necklace and Random List

2008-07-21T01:48:00.027+09:00

I've always wanted a personalized name necklace. So I asked my boyfriend if he'd get me one for my birthday (coming up next month) and he said yes. I thought it was greedy of me to ask for a gift, but he didn't mind, since it saves him the brainstorming. ;) Thanks bub!

So I narrowed my choices to these two...which do you guys like better? And why? I can't decide....do I want bling or no bling??? Is bling tacky? Or is no bling cheap-looking? Aaaaaaaaagh I can't decide! (Need to calm my ass down, it 'aint that serious.)

No Bling (3D Doube-Plated): I'm not sure what a double-plated thingy looks like, but I think I want a flat one. Can someone explain what double-plated is? Is it hollow inside???
With Bling in first letter only (I think the diamonds are real, but really low carat):
What do you guys think? I want it in 14K yellow gold, not white gold or silver. Silver makes me look so washed out. I'm a bit peeved they only make these in 14K. I'm not some snob that only wears 24K gold, but 14K looks a bit FAKE in my opinion, especially when used in flashy/gaudy designs. 18K woulda been nice, no?

Here's a short survey Chiara-chan asked us to post a while ago. The questions she came up with are so cute, just like her ;)

1. What's your favorite song? Why? - Too many to choose from. But I love 'King of Sorrow' by Sade and 'Wish I Didn't Miss You' by Angie Stone. I can relate to both songs, they describe certain chapters of my life to a T.

2. Favorite pizza topping? - I LOOOOOVE pepperoni. The less crispy the pepperoni is, the better! I could eat pepperoni on it's own all day everyday. Sweet, tangy, fatty, pig-foot-and-intestine goodness! LOL.

3. What was your favorite childhood passtime? - Reading. Nerdy as it sounds, it helped me 'escape', and as a kid, I felt the need to 'escape' a LOT. A lot of times during recess, instead of playing outside, I would sit on the floor in the corner of the library and read cook books and craft books.

4. If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you? What would it be? If not, why? - I wouldn't have given my heart away to certain people, because of the horrible things they did to it. I'm a loving person all the same, but after my last relationship, I am unable to trust people the same way.

I would love to get to know my fellow bloggers better, so if you want, please post your answers too! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Re: Edit - I decided I like this script a lot better. No bling may be the way to go...

Gone Green

2008-07-13T17:38:00.006+09:00

Here's the look I wore on Friday, after I came home from waiting in line by the Softbank store to secure an iPhone. My boyfriend and I went at 7:30 a.m. and waited in front of the store for three hours until they gave out tickets with numbers on them. After that we went home, and I did my makeup. We went back to the store to write up the contracts, but I think the snobby saleslady messed up my application, and instead of completing it online, she had to fax AALLL my papers to their HQ. So to make a long store short, I had no idea if my application would go through, but after hours of waiting, I got my phone at around 8 p.m.

So far I LOOOOOOVE my phone! It's black, 16GB. I like how you can easily add third-party apps to it. Myspace, Facebook, eBay, NY Times are just an icon-click away. You can listen to music in your iPod while you use these applications too. The only thing I don't really like is the crappy reception. And that's not a hardware issue, it's just that Softbank doesn't have an up-to-par cellular network as NTT Communications or KDDI (leading carriers in Japan). Anyway, I didn't get the phone for the quality of reception (or lack thereof), but the applications and full web-browsing capability.

ANYWAAAAAY, here's my green FOTD. I used Stila's 'Wheat' eye shadow as the all-over color on my lid, and the rest are from the 78-piece Coastal Scents Palette. I used M.A.C Fluidline in 'Blacktrack' to line my upper lash line. If you want a palette but don't feel like shelling out too much dough, I strongly recommend you take 'yo ass to Coastal Scents and buy yourself this palette. It's still in stock!

Gone Green

Colors Used:

EYES

'1' (Yellow)- inner third
'2' (Light Green) - middle to outer edge
'3' & '4' (Olive and Medium Brown) - outer 'V' and to middle of contour.
'5' (Dark Green) - lower lashline
'2' (Light Green) - inner third of lower lashline

Cheeks

Jordana Blush Powder in 'Stardust'

Lips

M.A.C Lipstick in 'Fleshpot' and NYX Round Lipstick in 'Cream' on top

Haul Video

2008-07-12T02:40:00.005+09:00

Here's a quick vid of my recent haul and my new 3G iPhone! I wish I were more tech-savvy...but I love gadgets all the same ;) BTW I got bangs...loooong sheep-dog bangs.

Coral & Purple Look

2008-07-11T23:02:00.008+09:00

I've been lagging on the makeup FOTD's and tuts...I don't even have a good excuse, only that I've been busy...but I've always been a busy sort of person, never in one place for too long...I do admit though, cropping and editing pictures feels like TOO MUCH WORK lately. Buuuut I cranked out a few FOTD's just to show everyone that I HAVE been dedicated to my makeup grind. Hope you enjoy!!! (The palette is the 78-piece from Coastal Scents.)

Coastal Scents Coral and Purple Look

Eeeeew I look wierd! Like I have a lazy eye!

Paint-by-numbers: Colors I used (click pic to enlarge)

Apply 1 (ivory) to inner corner of lid
Apply 2 (shimmery coral) to middle of lid, to outer corner. Extend past crease.
Apply 3 (shimmery coral-pink) to outer third of lid.
Apply 4 & 5 (light and olive brown) to outer third, right over 3.
Apply 6 & 7 (shimmery light and dark purple) to lower lashline.
Apply 8 (shimmery light beige) under brows to highlight.

w/bright-ass flash:

4th of Julaaaaai Weekend Pt. 2

2008-07-08T02:41:00.008+09:00

On Sunday the 6th my friends and I had a barbecue up in Itsukaichi. There are beautiful mountains near where I live in West Tokyo. My girl Midori, who also planned my friend's surprise Birthday Party last month, planned this BBQ/camping trip. My boyfriend and I could only stay until the evening since we had work Monday, but we still had fun drinking, eating and actin' a fool! A couple of us didn't mind gettin' down and dirty, so we went upstream and climbed rocks to get a better view of the mountain. I climbed a frickin' slippery ravine in Havaina flip-flops...I'm proud of myself!

Boyfriend and I were in charge of bringing the food and booze. I think we're going to plan a barbecue next month, when it gets INSANELY hot. Fuuun!

Midori is my favorite goofball

Hanabi!!! (Fireworks)

Drunk Water Fight! (that's me cussin' in the background, pardon my language!)

4th of Julaaaaai Weekend Pt. 1

2008-07-08T02:20:00.006+09:00

I had a great weekend chillen' with my man and friends. On the 4th, instead of pigging out at BBQ's, my boyfriend, our friend and I went up to the mountains to a place called Formuland. The boys went speed-kart racing, and I was their designated photographer/video taker. It was hot as HELL but I had fun watching!

Melting in the heat!

I love men in fast cars, especially THIS GUY!

Round Two

Chuck deuces

Talkin' shit

My BF had to tell me where to put my feet so it didn't look like I was fakin' the funk...

Beautiful!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Being Mean 'Aint Fun

2008-07-04T01:09:00.006+09:00

This is not a makeup-related post...so you if you're here solely for my makeup tuts/reviews, don't bother reading this, you'll just want three minutes of your life back :p This is an honest rant about my recent attitude at work...and I'm not proud of it. I just wanted to put it out there, so we can all reflect on our own shortcomings.

Recently a new guy joined my team at work. He's from India, speaks fluent Japanese and English, knows his Cisco stuff. He is probably a lot more intelligent than fifty percent of the people on my floor including the senior engineers, but he doesn't get the credit. Why? Because he's not Japanese? Because he's darker than the rest of the bunch? I don't know. Maybe deep in the crevices of our souls we feel threatened by smart people, regardless of their aesthetics.

Anyway, I can tell this guy is BORED OUT OF HIS F*CKIN' MIND. Mind you, if you fall asleep in front of seven monitors with speakers, and the phones constantly ringing off the hook, it's not because you're lazy or pathetic. It's because you can't STAND being there.

It took me a few weeks to realize this. During those few weeks, I tried to teach him how to log into routers, check configurations, memorize passwords, write grammatically sound e-mails, and talk to Japanese clients on the phone without offending them (mind you, that is a difficult feat, but once you master it, you'll be bowing in your seat while on the phone, teehee).

He wouldn't take notes. His beady eyes were always half-closed. He never remembered the passwords I tried to shove down his throat. I lost my patience. I felt it was HIS fault for not wanting to learn and improve. I started to give him the cold shoulder. I would criticize his mistakes. I was a BITCH. I was plain rude to the poor guy.

I would go home, angry that he fell asleep at his desk again, or because he talked back to me. I would whine to my boyfriend, "WHYYYY does he not want to leeeearrrn? Whyyyy is his attitude so shitty?" And then I'd go back to work the next day and continue the vicious cycle of cattiness.

But today, I got SICK of my own attitude. Quite literally. I came back from an early lunch sick to my stomach. I must've scared a few ladies in the restroom. Anyhow, every time the guy would ask me a question, and I gave him wry look, I felt even sicker. My stomach would churn, and squeal in pain and I'd have to get up and run down the hall again...(gross, I know.)

What happened next? This afternoon, after he talked to some manager from my company about his general attitude, he came back with a whole new outlook. He picked up the phone, made calls, sent e-mails, chased down managers to discuss network issues. Funny how one possibly positive pep talk can boost morale...I could've done that for him...I could've been that person to help him like his job a teeny bit more...but I was mean. I was unreasonable.

As the day went by and my nausea worsened, he started talking to me aimlessly, about the dramatic rescue of sixteen (?) captives in Colombia, which was blaring on the TV monitors on our walls. He compared that with the war in the Gaza Strip. I compared that with the war in Afghanistan. Then he started gabbing about the reasonable prices and plans for the iPhone, which is FINALLY coming out in Japan on July 11th. We talked to each other like equals. We laughed like we were colleagues that went way back. We shared a moment of decency.

My contempt melted away, and so did my exasperation. I feel horrible, for my selfishness and closed-mindedness...He decided to step up and be the better person, when my colleagues and I could have spent more time teaching him the ropes. Our excuses were always the same. "We're the busiest section here", "He talks back too much", "There are too many outages today".

Moral of the story is this: Make the extra effort to be nice to the new person and see him or her through. Don't be nice just on their first day. Don't give up on them even if they don't show interest or immediate improvement. I'm going to start Supervisor training this month...I hope I can be a fair, honest, reliable and FUN supervisor to work with. 'Cause if not, WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A COOL JOB LIKE MINE? I get to work with people from all around the globe. I get to fix International network outages. I get to talk to engineers in Hong Kong, Germany, New York, Africa and more, ALL THE TIME. I save my clients billions of yen/dollars. I keep them in touch with the rest of the world. I make sure they can stream YouTube videos while they work overtime, LOL.

Being mean 'aint fun, and being selfless takes immense effort. So keep it simple, just be nice. That way you'll save yourself a lot trips to the restroom too ;p

Lip Primer Comparison and Review

2008-07-02T01:54:00.007+09:00

Here's a quick video review of my Smashbox Lip and Lid Primer and Canmake Lip Concealer. I love my cheapo Canmake makeup! (Canmake is a Japanese drugstore brand.)

Party Pics

2008-06-29T00:01:00.001+09:00

I have awesome girlfriends! One of them planned a surprise birthday party for my friend Yuri. The party was held at this relaxed bar/restaurant in Kichijoji (same town where I met my mom for dinner last week). Yuri had NO idea what was in store for her, as you can see from the pictures below. Happy Birthday Yuri! And thanks to Midori for planning EVERYTHING!!! You are the BOMB! (If you two are reading this, feel free to take the pics, they haven't been edited.)

(L)Birthday Girl Yuri and (R) Party Planner Extraordinaire Midori!
Oh and this is what my makeup looked like that day:
It's a combo of M.A.C 'All That Glitters', 'Time & Space', 'Magnetic Fields' and 'Femme-Fi'. You can't really see the colors, but it's a gradation from soft pink-gold to a dark bronze-brown.

Time to heal...and move on!

2008-06-28T05:03:00.000+09:00

I wish I had more time to blog. I have tons of pictures to edit and post...my man even got me Photoshop for MAC (for 20 bucks and showing a little leg/titty, good deal!). I've been trying to get out and spend more time with friends...not stay all cooped up in the comfort of my house...Blogging has been a great escape, from stress I accumulate at work, from my relationship, and from general day-to-day woes. I sound like a damsel in distress now, but DAMN if you work over 12 hours a day, those bags under your eyes start lookin' like meteor craters, forreal! But right now I need to get out there, and laugh and drink with my friends...so I will have to deal with less blogger updates for now...and catch up later!

Recently I spent time with my mother. Just me and her...one on one...we hadn't had a meal together where we didn't end up arguing, not for about three years. Yeah. It's been a while. Shit hit the fan after I came home from San Diego, broke, broken, and pissed at God and the world. Without my Dad as the buffer, my mom and I went head-to-head with issues we've left unresolved for years. I couldn't take the fights, I even TRIED reasoning with her. But she was not in a state of mind or situation that was in her favor...she had to rebuild a life for herself and my younger sisters. I was nowhere in that equation, and she made it clear that I was not welcome...so I LEFT. I moved out, and stopped talking to my own mother. I didn't even give her my address or phone number. I didn't call her on her birthday or Christmas for two years. I left, never wanting to speak to her again. I felt almost betrayed by my own kin. In a sense she wasn't there for me when I needed her...but nor was I. Death can really tear a family apart, and it almost did mine. But slowly, our wounds are healing.

My mother announced that she finally started throwing my Dad's things away. His rider boots, his history and art books. She even let my youngest sister give my Dad's old sweaters and down jackets to the homeless men that camp out by the river behind their house. She's sorting through everything he left behind. She's even auctioning off his old knick-knacks. She recently sold a fold-up chair set for 50 bucks on Yahoo! Auctions. This, my friends may seem mundane to you, but it is a huge step in my mother's life. No one touched my father's things, not since February of '06.

My mother and I sat down last week, and ate and talked for a good three hours. It was strange and brand-new...yet natural. Like we've been doing that for years. I think we've both healed and forgiven each other. I don't know where this is going, but I think I can have a good relationship with her. I NEED her in my life. I NEED her to stay healthy. I NEED her to be there for me. I NEED her to see me succeed. I NEED her to be there for me when I hit another bump in the road. I don't know if she knows this...but I think she wants to be there for me too.

It feels strange, to have my mother back. It feels strange to actually feel BETTER in general about my family. I'd gotten so used to having a tumultous relationship with her, used to the sadness brought on from the aftermath of my father's death. It is a great thing to heal, and to finally be able to foresee LIGHT in my future.

For once in a long time, I am in a happy place. :)

New URL

2008-06-23T01:38:00.000+09:00

I changed my URL, now it matches my blog name...almost! For those of you who didn't know,
'彩り' (irodori') is the 'kun-yomi', or the LONG Japanese way of reading my name. 'Sai' and 'aya' would be the Chinese way to read the character in kanji, hence my name (彩=Aya). Japanese folks use the shorter version of the character for people's names. I hope I'm making sense.

The word 'Irodori' means 'color scheme'. 'Irodoru' is the verb, and it means 'full of color' and 'vibrant'. My late father was an artist, and I guess my parents felt this name was suiting for their first child. :)

Anywho, this is my new URL. So for all my lovely readers who've linked me, please change the URL to this one:
http://irodori82.blogspot.com/

I will make sure my blog is 'full of vibrant color and life' to keep it fresh and interesting all the time :)

Gradient Gray

2008-06-22T14:00:00.000+09:00

Another color I'm loving these days...GRAY! I never thought I could wear gray or silver, thought it made me look tacky and tranny-ish. But I likesy!!!

Here's a look I wore out to dinner on Friday with my mother. I finally met up with her for her very belated birthday dinner. We ate at a 'fugu' (blowfish) restaurant. We chose a course which included fugu sashimi, grilled fugu (we grilled it ourselves over a little charcoal grill), fugu-nabe (fugu cooked in soup), zousui (rice gruel) and desert. I had a nice, relaxing time chatting with my mom. Must do that more often!

Colors used:

How-To:

Apply NYX 'White' to inner third of lid.
Apply NYX 'Platinum Silver' to middle of lid, to outer corner.
Apply M.A.C 'Alum' to outer corner of lid.
Apply M.A.C 'Carbon' on the outer-V. (Make a slanted shape on outer lid.)
With a pointed detail brush, apply 'Carbon' from outer corner, into 1/3 of contour.

It should look like this so far...

Apply 'Carbon' again from outer corner, and blend into middle of lid.
Pat on more 'Alum' to middle of lid.
With a clean brush, blend between each color and blend away harsh lines.
Apply M.A.C 'Femme-Fi' under brow as highlight.

Finished look:

Coastal Scents Haul

2008-06-22T02:06:00.000+09:00

I'm going on an online shopping binge because I don't want to spend money out in town...the inflation in Japan is really starting to bug me...so if I do spend money at a store, I only buy domestic products. I wanted the 88-piece palette but they're out of stock until mid-July. So I got the 78-piece set instead. This one has six blushes, liner and highlighter colors.
Here's everything I ordered...My BF gave me the 'you don't need that' face, but I don't caaaare! I can't wait to get everything!

Items Ordered
-----------------
Pink Blending Fluff Brush: 1
Item Total: $1.99

Pink Oval Fluff Shadow Brush: 1
Item Total: $1.69

Pink Round Crease Eye Brush: 1
Item Total: $1.49

Synthetic Concealer Shading Brush: 1
Item Total: $4.39

Baby Buki Kabuki Brush: 1
Item Total: $5.00

Foundation Concealer Brush: 1
Item Total: $3.99

Pink Deluxe 7 Piece Travel Set: 1
Item Total: $12.95

78 Piece Makeup Pallet: 1
Item Total: $19.95

====================

Subtotal: $51.45
Shipping (U.S.P.S.Priority Mail): $13.50
Total: $64.95

Smokey Gray FOTD

2008-06-21T17:06:00.000+09:00

Right now I'm going through a 'dark 'n smokey' phase. I like to play up my eyes and wear a nude lip, even to work! Here's a look I did on Thursday. I look like a butterball because I took the pictures after I came home. (>.<)
Colors used:
How-To:

M.A.C 'Femme-Fi' as base on entire lid, up to brow bone.
NYX 'Charcoal' from lash line to above crease, blend harsh lines.
M.A.C 'Carbon' from lash line to crease, blend UPWARDS.
Highlight under brow with 'Femme-Fi'.
On lips: Canmake Lip Concealer and Milani Lipgloss in 'Clear'.

And since Jie-Jie asked, here's a close-up of one of my tattoos:
Love him!