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I know I’ve definitely changed my spending habits since I started saving for a trip to Japan.  I set a strict budget.  I rarely eat out, I haven’t bought fancy coffee drinks or smoothies in over a year.  I’ve only been getting 1 haircut annually and stopped getting my hair colored.  I try to fill my gas tank just once a month (I only live a mile from my work).  When I want to buy something impulsively, I sit there and think “If I still want it after May, I’ll get it then.”

It sounds so crazy obsessive.  I have plenty saved up, but I want to lessen the blow to my savings as much as possible by saving even more, haha :)

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I know some smaller Japanese hotels/hostels/ryokan have curfews where the front desk isn’t open 24/7 and you can’t get in after a certain time until it opens in the morning.

I am flying out the 7th (missing my 5 year anniversary with my guy, but he’ll live) and staying the night over in LA in the PacSet room block.  That way there’s no mad dash through terminals trying to catch a flight that leaves in a half hour.

I do wonder what surprises the Teahouse girls will have for us.  It’s hilarious listening to them banter on livestream, and I imagine it’s the same in person.  From my experience, they’ll drop hints but never give outright spoilers.

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For some of us Mid-Atlantic Americans, the weather in Tokyo probably isn’t going to be much different from what we experience here during May.  Tokyo is close to the same latitude Raleigh, North Carolina.  I’m counting on short sleeves during the day and bringing a cardigan or pashmina for when it gets cool.

Of course, there are always exceptions.  So it’s always good to check the extended forecast just before leaving and adjust accordingly.

It’s supposed to be 70F here in Virginia tomorrow, which is pretty crazy for January in the northern hemisphere.

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I took two years of Japanese back in high school (10 years ago, ugh).  I can read hiragana and katakana and can make out basic kanji.  My teachers didn’t start teaching any kanji until the very end of my second year, which I discovered was very bad practice.  And they never mentioned ANYTHING about kunyomi or onyomi, which totally threw me for a loop when I started studying kanji myself.

I also have the Rosetta Stone program.  It’s not the best teaching tool, but it helps a lot with vocabulary.  I think I’d be able to get around okay and be able to order a lot of beer ;P

 

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@Jessica – I’ve asked this in an e-mail and already got a response.  The Studio Ghibli museum trip is going to be on Saturday, May 11th, during the originally scheduled time for Shinjuku.  The group would be back from the museum with enough time to do 30-60 minutes of exploring in Shinjuku.  Which causes a major dilemma for me…

…I really wanted to see the SquareEnix Showcase, as visiting it felt like a religious pilgrimage to me, but upon visiting the website, it closed in November! D: I am devastated.  HOWEVER, they’ve opened a cafe/merchandise shop called “Artnia” with SquareEnix themed foods across town (But still in Shinjuku). Decisions decisions!

Also, the final night of the extended itinerary says Atami but we’re staying in Ito?  Would we be visiting both or just be in Ito?

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The flu is going around my work place, everyone has had it so far but me and I feel that I’m next.  My coworker had it so bad she’s in ICU right now, thus why I’m working so many hours.  I’ll tell you, when I’m not working, I’m sleeping.  But the overtime is going to be AWESOME.  “Do it for Japan” is my mantra.

I don’t have a ‘shopping’ list per say, as I’m packing light and not planning on buying a lot (My tiny apartment can’t handle much more stuff).  Maybe some charms from shrines or gachapon for my coworkers.  But I do have a LONG list of things I want to accomplish. Things like eating dango, okonomiyaki and unique flavors of ice cream.  Riding a shikansen and seeing Mt. Fuji.  Getting a picture with Hachiko, a maid or butler, and Sephiroth at the SQEX store.  Some will be easier to accomplish than others.  And I’m gonna make my family/friends sit through an entire photo slideshow.

If the itinerary works out the way I think it does, there’s actually supposed to be a big festival in Kyoto the day we’re there (Aoi matsuri).  We’re missing the Sanja matsuri (May 18th) but we could probably see the Kanda matsuri :D

I write a little bit too.  I’m on y!Gallery if anyone’s interested (penultimateokgo).  I haven’t updated in a long time though.

Whew, long rambling post.

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I’m doing the perfect trip!

I was originally organizing a trip to just Tokyo with my boyfriend (or SO, whatever, lol!) for November 2013 that really didn’t consist of much more than temples, shopping, free sightseeing, eating on the cheap, and a maybe a 2 day trip to Hakone.

Then I saw the BL Teahouse tour being offered.  The price of the perfect tour was only a few hundred dollars above my original budget and I’d  get to see and do so much more!  I never thought I’d be able to have dinner on a yakatabune or go to Kyoto or see the Takarazuka Revue.  And I know my guy would never have been cool with going to a butler or maid cafe.

I work part time as a concierge.  Although, my coworker has been sick so I’ve been pulling in some 60+ hour work weeks lately.

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Happy New Year everyone!

I officially got my time off request approved for the trip!  I’m opting for roommate matching as well.  I promise I don’t snore or sleepwalk :D  I wonder what hotels we’ll be staying at.  I’m sure we’ll get that info soon.

@Amaya928 – I think by gaming, they meant video games.   Texas has a growing video game industry.

@dragoncat lol yeah, significant other :P

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I was wondering how to attach a profile pic, I guess linking to a social site works.  Good enough!

Most of my online and offline friends know I’m into BL.  Even my SO supports the interest.  I proudly display my Teahouse sticker on my car.  However, explaining the more specific details of the trip to my family has been a challenge.  Not about to tell my elderly grandmother about Otome Road or Butler/Maid cafes.

Anyone going with friends or is anyone opting for ‘roommate matching” :)

@Tamil-A – There was an e-mail that got sent out early on that was addressed to “ladies (and gentleman)”, s0 as far as I know there’s 1 male.

 

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I don’t have much time for art but  I mess around in paint tool sai every now and then when the creative bug bites.  It’s easy to get distracted though.

For the holidays, since I’m saving up money for this trip, I’ve gone the ‘homemade gift’ route and painted landscapes on canvas for all of my friends/family.  It feels great spending less than $50 on gifts for 16 people, but still giving them something meaningful.  It’s tricky because there’s no ‘undo’ option when I mess up, haha.

 

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I’m coming from Washington, DC and a nonstop flight would take about 14 hours.  According to Expedia a flight from Buenos Aires would be like 26 hours; ouch!

I’m excited to see where everyone is coming from :)

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It seems so far away but November flew by and December is doing the same…

Many thanks to Pacset and the Teahouse ladies for giving us this opportunity!

My plans are heading to LA and then over with the group;  not only to get acquainted with my fellow travelers along the way but so my clueless self doesn’t get lost upon arrival.  I’ve never traveled overseas before so this’ll be a new experience.  I’m already thinking about what to pack.  Too soon?

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Hello!   So looking forward to this trip.  I’m impatient for May to arrive!

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