Rad Plaid

I love love love this plaid coat! Got it at Dillard's about a year ago hot off the clearance rack. What's that? Me? Shopping from the clearance rack? Shocking, I know.  The boots are from my mom for Christmas. I love them! I've been craving some high black boots for a while, but they can be so pricey. The broach is my latest favorite accessory, purchased (on sale) at San-A in Miyako. I love the blend of traditional and modern in it-- it's very similar to flower ornaments that geisha apprentices put in their hair, but the colors and the rhinestones and pearls are completely modern. I've never worn a broach before, but I just had to have this one. Here I am showing it off in Ginza!

It feels so posh to say "Here I am in Ginza!" but the truth is that I can't even afford to walk into most of the stores there XD  Still, it's fun to pretend. Also, it's nice to show that I don't spend my entire life in the backwoods of South Carolina, haha!

Classes begin next week. I only have one class that I actually have to attend (Second Language Acquisition), and then one independent study (Advanced Topics in Japanese Sociolinguistics), and tutoring my students for credit. This should give me plenty of time to catch up on my hours for my research assistantship. I can't wait to get back into it. Part of what I do is scour letters written during the Civil War, from soldiers missing their families or in desperate need of help because they are deserters. It's fascinating stuff, but admittedly very difficult to read at times. Some of the words they use are also very interesting, and many are terms that were very relevant to the culture at the time, but that hardly anyone today would understand. Luckily my professor seems to know absolutely everything about everything, so he can answer my questions.

I've also been working on figuring out my program of study. I haven't been freaking out about it, only thinking about it. Progress!  I think I've come to a conclusion that will work best for me at this point in my life, and still leave plenty of academic doors open. I'll share more on this once it's finalized.

Too cold for flappers

New dress, straight from the clearance racks at $9.99! I love this flapper style, and it's lined chiffon, which will be great come spring and summer. I don't think you can see it in these pictures, but the dress actually has a teeny-tiny multicolor floral print.  I can't wait to try it with a bright, shorter cardigan when it gets warmer.

These pictures were taken on my beautiful campus (honestly, that's one of the things that drew me to this school).  The last picture was taken near the entrance to the university rose garden.  Look at the fountain!  It's very rare that you see such a thing in South Carolina, so I just had to snap a picture with it.

Here's another picture I just had to take-- look at how comfortable Dexter is on his chair! I think this is his favorite spot in the whole house. We have this chair sitting in the dormer, so it gets lots of sunlight, which of course kittles like. I can't believe how big he is! To think that when he showed up last summer he was only about 3 weeks old.  Sometimes I wish he was still the size of a 3-week-old, particularly when he decides to tear around the place like a psychopath.

Psycho kitty, qu'est-ce que c'est?

Yeah. Really bad. I know.

Scarf Love

I am in love with this new scarf! I got it on sale in Japan last week. Around New Year's, just like here, the sales in Japan are incredible. This gem was only 400 yen (around $4.25). Can you believe it? I love the Burberry-esque look for Goodwill prices. I got K one in a charcoal and red plaid.

As it's Saturday, we're just hanging out until K has to go to work later today, and doing a little thrifting. While we were out, we took advantage of the clear (although COLD) weather and K took some fun shots of me.



It's supposed to be pretty frigid the next few days, but still sunny. It always seems like a trick when you look outside and the sun is bright, but then you step out and it's F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G! Well, I'm just grateful that we don't get snow down here XD

Preppy New Year

I love this new cropped blazer! I found it on mega-sale yesterday for only $12. Score! The purple tank is from New York & Co. on sale last summer, shoes from Shi $40 a couple years back, and skinny jeans unknown... got 'em almost 3 years ago now. Pretty reasonable cost-wise.

My hair is a little outrageous here, and to me it indicates two possibilities: it's time to either
a) get a trim
OR
b) sign a modeling contract with Urban Outfitters

I think (a) is more doable, and frankly more appealing. Must work on completing that next week.

I made my New Year's resolutions last night. Here they are:
1. Lose 15 pounds. I've decided to start using the Weight Watchers system to get serious about it. I say "Weight Watchers system" because I don't have the money to join the actual program right now, so I've done a little internet research and downloaded some guides so I can follow the rules without paying membership fees. I'm going to also try to do some serious exercise to speed the weight loss along. In fact, I'm registering for a St. Patrick's Day 5k in my city so I have a deadline for getting fit enough to complete it. I'm really excited about setting this goal!
2. Stop freaking out about school. Yesterday I had a meltdown about the stress my professors on my committee have been putting me through. I'm officially a doctoral candidate now, but I have several reservations about going through with it at this point in my life, especially in light of some things that happened last summer and last fall around the time of my thesis proposal defense. I've decided that it's not worth it to kill myself over getting a Ph.D. and even if I don't do it now, I've proven that I am capable of getting into a very reputable program (my university's linguistics program is in the top 10 in the country!) and I can do it at a later point if I choose to. This resolution is really about enjoying life more and worrying less. Because it's just not worth it.
3. Take a fun 1-week vacation, even if it's just camping. I want to take a real vacation with K this year. Last year we went to Japan, but the reason we went was because my field research trip got botched. This year I want to take a fun vacation for the sake of taking a vacation, and planning it that way instead of a back-up to something else. We really want to go to Disney World for a week, but if that's not in the budget this year, then I'm cool with exploring Savannah or St. Augustine for a week, or even just camping. I'm not high-maintenance at all about this stuff. Just as long as we have some quality couple's relaxation time and do something new.
4. Keep track of household finances in my new book.
Last week, I bought a 2010 household finances book that has columns and schedules where you record every purchase you make daily. It looks kind of like a school planner, but it's only for finances. They had a ton of them at all the bookstores I went to in Japan. I can't recall ever having seen something like this in the U.S., although I'm sure somebody makes them. I think it's a really good idea, and they had them in so many different cute designs. I chose a super-cute Hello Kitty one that came with stickers to mark important dates, a receipt holder, and filing envelopes. I figure that looking at finances might not be so painful if it's incredibly cute. Here's hoping.

*~Happy New Year 2010~*

Jet lag recovery in style

Yup, I'm back from the islands, after three solid days of traveling. It really takes quite a bit of work to get to a Pacific island.

Jet lag affected me almost as soon as I got back home, since for some reason I can never sleep on planes, even if the flight is 12 hours long...but at least I was comfortable, because somehow they seated me in business class, woohoo!! I was able to stretch out and I think that's what kept me from getting a Charlie Horse last night. It seems like every time I do a long-haul flight, the first night back I get a nasty Charlie Horse that wakes me up in the middle of the night. Long legs + teensy coach seats with next to no leg room = ouch!

I feel a little stiff today, but I think that's from a combination of traipsing through three airports and two train stations with an overweight suitcase and three other bags, and then sleeping on an American bed last night after 3 weeks of sleeping on a futon in Japan. Er, that's a Japanese futon, not futon in the American sense of the word. Quite different. Actually I'm thinking of trying to get a platform bed and switch to a futon mattress rather than a traditional mattress because I think the futon reduces back pain. Plus, easier cleaning and airing out! But then, there is the slightly complicated matter of finding such furniture here in South Carolina and then of course affording it. Hm.

Anyhow, I decided to wear something comfortable and stylish today, and it's such a relief to wear something that isn't wrinkled and musty from being in a suitcase. Plus this sweater is super soft and comfy. Plus, the entire outfit, including necklace and shoes, cost me less than $100.00. Not bad, huh?

More fun from the island

That last one is my new desktop wallpaper :) I still can't get over how clear the water is. Have you ever seen anything like this?