Trip Planning

Seattle planning is going good (despite not booking a hotel or car yet. YIKES!).

I've been listing out places to go and restaurants to eat at.  All i'm worried about is getting lost along the way.  Even with a GPS, you never know what could happen.  Road closures? Detours? I don't know... but we'll see.

So NO hotel and NO car as of yet.  I'm waiting for the funds from paypal to STOP.PENDING. it's driving me crazy!! Those need to get let go soon so I can book a hotel.  The 2 bdrm at the hotel I was planning on booking at is already gone (stupid crap!), which means I'm going to have to search for another hotel which will hopefully stay open until those funds release.  Paypal fucking stupid holding the money for such a long time.  Yeah sure security is good, but couldnt you do pending on HALF the funds or something... i mean, holding all the money is fucking whack, especially for the alotted time they're giving.

For the car, I can't book it since i'm not 25 yet, or else theres going to be more fees added to that.  =/
Deanna's going to take care of that, but that's after the pending transaction with paypal -_-;;;;;;
Seriously.. this is the most irritated i've been that doesnt have anything to do with school..

Seattle Planning

June 9-12 is when the big Seattle trip is planned to take place.  How's the planning so far?  Crappy.. more or less.

Im completely broke, and even with the priceline packages, i still cant afford it.  What am i going to do?  I really wanna take a vacation before summer session starts... argg.. so frustrating.

Been trying to sell my stuff trying to get SOME extra cash, but no ones budging.

I already jotted down places to see and all that good stuff, but the factor of money always takes place.. *sigh*
we'll see what happens.  Gotta jump on those reservations now, cuz prices are going up the closer it gets to June..

Day 7 - Home Sweet Home!

Date: August 16, 2009
Time: 11:30 AM


Checked out of our awesome hotel room and headed for Yokohama Station.  Before we left, we were checking out some stuff on TV.  Tamori-san was doing a show called Chibikko Land and a portion of the show showed people claiming their relatives look like celebrities.  One said their little brother looked like Sho.  I didn't pay attention so I thought Sho was gonna be there and got excited... He wasn't.  It's just look alikes.. boo..


Anyways.  Now on the train heading to Narita.  Had a problem at Yokohama Station, but not too bad.  Unlike in Tokyo haha.
On the way to the airport with all our heavy ass luggage.  Or just all mine.  Though I did have to pick up Deanna's luggage to put on top of the luggage rack in the Narita express.


I'm ready to go home.  Comfort of my home Haha.  Though sleeping will still be a problem. Jet lag.


Time: 3:31PM
At Narita waiting for our plane.  Boarding at 4:05 apparently.  Sad that i'm leaving, but seriously.. can't wait to get home.  Stop over at Seattle.  Be there around 9AM and flight for SF is at 11:15 or so.  


It hella doesnt feel like a Sunday.. then on the way back it's gonna be afternoon of Sunday.  So it's gonna feel like we went back in time.  


About to board I think..
Hungry already.. wondering when we're going to eat Haha.


Time: Whatever it is in our time zone.. haha (it's dark out)
Just finished our "dinner" or by the time we head to Seattle, breakfast.  Our seats had a double booking, but they let the kids move and kept us at our seats.  We shoulda moved Haha.. cuz we got a stupid ass lady next to me that's pissing me off.  i wonder if she's doing it on purpose.  Anyways.  Lots of choices of in flight movies.  Personal screens so that's cool.  Star Trek is on.  Wanna watch, but can't concentrate.  Also Monsters vs. Aliens - too bad no 3-D haha.
I wonder what I should do if I needa use the bathroom =/  Whatever.  Stupid inconsiderate lady who didn't help me get my shit.. also who takes too much fucking space.


Time: Roughly 8AM pacific time.
Just had breakfast on the plane. WTH? Haha.  Kinda weird to me.  First plane meal I didn't finish.  Felt gross to me cuz i'm not much of a breakfast person.  Huge egg with cheese, ham sausage (?!), it was like 3 vienna sausages put together haha, hash browns and an "apple pie."


Trying to stay awake for the next hour.  Let's see if I can hold up. My Eyes are slowly drooping though.  So i'm listening to my high tension music XD


I can't get that stupid Nakai commercial outta my head Hahaha!  Damn Johnny's!


I couldn't exchange a majority of my cash b/c it was in coins.  Sucks ass man..
I'll just save it for "next" time Haha.  Whenever that is.  The next time I know how to packa nd what to prepare ahead of time.


Time: 11:00AM -ish pacific time.
Stuck in a tiny ass plane heading to SF.  They overbooked the flight.  Would have given up the seat for a free ticket, but i'm ready to go home.  We've traveled longer than everyone else..
I'm already missing that big ass plane with the annoying lady cuz this plane and airport sucks ass! We transferred those terminal railways 2 times to get to our terminal.  Hella stupid.  I hate Tacoma Airport Haha.  Time to take off.


Time: 12:00-ish
I can't sleep on this stupid plane.
1) there's no room
2) the head rests suck
3) there's no room... hahah


I can't wait to unpack and see all the stuff I bouight.  I didn't really geta  chance to look at everything.  I really wish we got to go to the 100yen store, but we couldn't even find our way in!  or a place with cute nail jewels.  Prolly missed a couple in Shibuya.
I'm just bored trying to pass time.  I guess i'll do the "things I'll miss" and "things I wont" when I recap so at least these entries flow..
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picspam:

Pic #1 our plane getting ready to start boarding people, Pic #2 my omiyage (souvenirs) from the trip all laid out.
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Notes:
Thanks for reading throughout my trip.  I know I say a lot of BS and stuff doesn't make sense.  I don't tend to realize what I write at the time, it just sounds right hahah.

Hopefully this blog doesn't just end with a trip to Japan.  I want to go to plenty of places, so we'll see what comes up next.  (pending...... Seattle! ironic right? LOL)

Day 6 - Roam Around Yokohama

Date: August 16, 2009
Time: 12:10 AM


Last night in Yokohama.  Last night in Japan.  Enjoying to the last bit.


Went to Cosmoworld one last time around 6PM.  Bought some souvenirs at Cosmo Shop.  And then bought tickets to go into the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel.  It was approx. a 35 min wait to actually get into the wheel and it was the 15 minute revolution.


I forgot to mention before Cosmo World, we stopped by the mall for SOME shopping and got lunch, then headed back to the hotel.  
Got McD's "tamago double mac" which was surprisingly was good!  

So after the Ferris Wheel went to try the crane game.  Since I love playing those, Japan became my playground for this =P
I finally tried the machine with the Tofu plush I wanted from Kiddyland.  It's actually a little bigger than the one I wanted too.  I tried it for 200 yen and failed because I didn't know that when you let go you're done.
I tried it again and got it immediately!! Holy Shit! 400 yen to WIN the plush I wanted which is worth more than 400 yen.  I was so excited.  Too bad my camera corrupted that video of me winning it! Rawr!! 


After went to get drinks from the Sunkus konbini and dinner from KFC.  The chicken has less skin, a little dry, but still good.  The fries are good though, definitely different from those wedges we get. 


Now imma get ready to sleep.  Pack a bit then get straight to bed.  It's 1:19AM now and gonna wake up at 8 AM so yeah....
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picspam: 

pic #1: Queen's Square is the name of the mall. It's right outside the Minato-Mirai station.. just like how SF center is connected to Bart (for all you bay area people), pic #2 Ferris Wheel.  Changes color every second, pic #3 Yokohama Landmark Tower.  Didn't get a chance to go up there, pic #4 our last dinner in Japan. LOL, that's orange Fanta in my glass
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Notes:
Sunkus became our home away from home just like Family Mart was to us in Tokyo hahahah

Day 5 - Yokohama We Go!

Date: August 14, 2009 - Friday

Time: 8:11 AM

 

Check out at 10AM.  Going to Yokohama to the other hotel.  And yeah.. I wonder if we can check in early, but I doubt it.  So what are going to do for that couple hours, WITH my heavy duffle bag...

 

anyways, still gotta find hella souvenirs.  But I keep forgetting who and I always get lazy to write who they're for. so, i'll write here:

[censored list]

Time: 12:14 PM

Here in Yokohama.  It's so beautiful here.  I wish we stayed here instead of Tokyo.

Tokyo's nice and all for pop culture, the fashion you know, but here it's so pretty.  Great views of the sea, got the bayside right next to us.

I feel so underdressed at this hotel since it's so high class looking.  It's like a 25 story wedding hall.

The amusement park is right outside our hotel.  Literally steps.  We can probably eat there for cheaper too.  I wonder how much things are here... If it costs more or not than Tokyo.

There's so much more space to walk here and there's less people crowding the area.

AND it's cooler here!  Less humid =Db

It's so nice here.. I can't help but keep saying this.  Even the train stations are brighter and cleaner.  And guards are nicer.  They helped us easily.

I was thinking that because of the weather here, and how clear it is, we wouldn't have gotten these bug bites... Damn Tokyo haha.

Time: 10:46 PM

Back after looking around.  The weather got nicer out here.  You can even walk around with a sweater on!  Ate dinner at a place called "American House" Haha.. very deceiving.

Had a Hamburger Steak which was REALLY good! not something you'd find in America often =D

Queen's mall with a huge ass escalator.  Hope I don't have to ride that tomorrow.

After dinner, headed to the bayside where the amusement park is.  The ferris wheel is beautiful at night.  I hope we get to ride that tomorrow.. without other people Haha.  One ride takes 15 minutes OMG.. that's hella long which means it's a big wheel!! Ahhh!  Gotta check out the EXPO Y150 stuff.. Hopefully!  But Minato Mirai alone is hella nice

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Picspam:

Pic 1: Hotel lobby, Pic 2: View from our hotel room.  Very pretty!

Day 4 - Last Day in Tokyo

Date: August 13, 2009 - Thursday (part 2)

Time: 12:49 PM

 

Today, we (Me and Deanna) woke up from ANOTHER earthquake.

WTF DUDE?

 

Got Ready ASAP.  Sent our things to Yokohama for tomorrow's hotel switch.  Then tried to find a place that sells bug bite medicine.  Took us an hour to finally find a real drug store.  Breakfast at starbucks and now chillen in the room.

 

It's 4:08PM now and we're hella wasting time but we're sore, bug bite covered and had no other plans beside Akihabara.  I think we're leaving at 6PM to go to Akihabara, then tomorrow back to harajuku for the 3rd time for the Johnny's shop and to find tickets for GLAY...

 

btw.. about the bug bites, we're completely covered in them or our legs.  And they swelled up pretty badly.  We couldn't think of where they came from and finally concluded it was the walk from Aoyama to Meiji.  Hopefully these heal soon.. they look hella nasty and it's hard to wear shorts now cuz they are so damn ugly and make us look like we have leprosy haha.

Anyways.. until later tonight after Akihabara.

[Oh wait lol.  I kept changing the channel to find dramas and kept saying stuff about all the actors and stuff.  Finally found a good drama to watch "My Boss, My Hero" is on replay.  iono why, but yeah.  Saw lots of dubbed TV as well.. like friends and Matilda haha  I just cant wait to see Yamamoto Yusuke in something (which I kinda did) or Mukai Osamu Haha.  EVEN SOMETHING ARASHI! I don't even know what the schedules are anymore.  Or what channels dramas are in.  Wow, I completely went off topic]

Time: 9:48

Back from our little adventure.  Went to Harajuku again.  Took a different, more confusing way, but still worked out.  

Shin-Nihonbashi -->Tokyo Station --> Marunouchi line --> Ginza --> Omotesando

Missed out on the Johnny's shop twice.  By 20 minutes... missed takeshita-dori too.  And couldn't find teh store that sold tickets.  No Akihabara.  Deanna's injured.

Went straight back to Shin-Nihonbashi, the same way.  My Suica card didn't work and got back tracked 3 times because of the train transfers.  Finally got back and stopped for the last time at our corner family mart.  Back to the room and put on more bug medicine.  It looks to be working.  Hope it works faster.

Off to Yokohama in the morning.

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picspam:

 Pic 1: Arashi ad found in one of the train stations, Pic 2: Family Mart. <3

Day 3 - Recap of Odaiba

Date: August 13, 2009 - Thursday (part 1)
Time: 12:49 PM

Sorry I missed one day.  Too tired to write.

Okay, so yesterdays adventures, Me and Deanna got brought around Tokyo by Linah and her friend Xuan.

*Funny story: Linah called me Tuesday night to ask me where I was staying at and what we were going to do Wednesday.  I told her I'm staying in Nihonbashi.  She tells me she's about 2 stops away.. here's the convo (note: not exact words)

Me: Yeah, we're in Nihonbashi

Linah: Oh.. That's only 2 stops away.

Me: Oh no, i mean Shin-Nihonbashi.

Linah: OMG, what hotel?

Me: ... Hotel Kazusaya

Linah: WHAT ROOM?

Me: 307...

Linah: SHUT UP!! hold on..

*knocks on door*

Turns out she was next door to our room in 308 HAHA.

What a coincidence! So we freaked out for a good 20 minutes and realized our rooms were switched.  We originally had the studio room, but ended up getting the bigger room instead (as i mentioned).  I told Linah what we ordered and it turns out our rooms probably got switched because we're foreigners.

Anyways, Tuesday night we freaked out and turns out we have different things in our room than they do.  They had the internet plan haha.  So now we have internet here! =O  

On to Wednesday.  At 10 AM decided to head over to Odaiba.  took the water boat there and transferred twice.  The water boat view was CRAZY beautiful.  The view of all the buildings and bridges was super nice.  When we were going around the Odaiba island, we saw the HUGE Gundam model just chillen on the side. Super Huge!

There's also a statue of liberty there.  WTF?!  A STATUE OF LIBERTY? Turns out the Odaiba attractions are called the "United States of Odaiba" HAHA!

Went to "Joyopolis" shopping center. HELLA people over there! Hard to walk around.  Checked out their ABC mart, but couldn't find new kicks.  Saw clothes, but didn't bother, looked like stuff out of wet seal and stuff.  After the shopping center we went straight for the "VS Arashi" stand.  I didn't think I'd freak out, but when we got in and I saw the pictures my eyes went O__O and I fell in love again.  It's unfortunate you can't take pictures (duh.. Johnnys..).  I saw you could use a stamp to stamp a booklet of yours, but I didnt have one.  I shoulda stamped this notebook.

After "VS Arashi" got a "passport" to go inside Fuji Terebi Studios.  Waited maybe 20 minutes in line to go up to the 25th floor.  Crazy line for the elevators.  The elevator led us straight to the dome on the top of FujiTV's building.  There's some art up there and some merchandise.  At the exit, we went down some stairs to tour a bit more.  Saw ads for some of the recent and past dramas.  Took a picture of the ad for Toma's drama (can't remember the name) and 2 of "Atashinchi no Danshi" and a TOKIO Variety I think.  When we got out decided to head to Harajuku for Kiddyland.  Ended up getting lost somewhere.  I'm guessign it's Hamamatsucho Station, but we ended up at Shiodome where NTV is.  Stopped at the Exclessior coffee shop for a drink.  I actually ordered for us in Japanese.  I was surprised I remembered my counters.

After our drinks, we finally headed to Harajuku.  Went to KIDDYLAND and totally freaked out! So much toys and figurines! I wanted to buy everything.  Spent a hefty amount on items.  A couple souvenirs, a couple for myself, yeah.. major splurge haha.

After Linah showed us where the Johnny's shop is.  Along the way, took pictures of Johnny's ads along the roads.  At the Johnny's shop, I took pictures of all the signs possible.  We chilled for a bit, but because I was taking pictures and talking too loud, the girl came out.  Without her telling us, we left Haha.

Went home from there.  Linah hadda go home, but we all went back to the hotel on our own.  Luckily we didn't get lost.

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picspam:

*Pic 1: Gundam, Pic 2: VS Arashi tent, Pic 3: the crowd at FujiTV, Pic 4: inside KIDDYLAND