What else should I say?

Do you think I'm too into the grunge revival?


Warning, there's a right answer to that question, it's not yes!


It's supposed to be snowy for the rest of the winter. There are still a few warm days left so this is about 25% as intense as it's been for the last few days. Walking in the snow isn't bad at all! I'm mastering a stomping snow strut that probably looks really cool. Hahaha.

I finally got a flannel dress!


Full-blown winter fashion has been a little intimidating for me. Like how I balked at what snow boots look like? But I'm getting into it. I'm really stoked about my flannel dress and I've actually really come to dig these stupid boots.

If I had my way NW Grunge Bohemian would never die. Winter in Yamagata is totally up for flannel and wool so for now the world is my oyster.

Oh dang, that lettuce looks cold!

I will not get drunk and lose this scarf.

Check out this scarf!


Check out that face! Maybe I'm thinking, "Shit, I gotta stop shopping." Because man it hurts to keep cash in my pockets when there's vintage around.

The boots really aren't too bad though, right? You should see the fuckin snow in these parts. It never stops. It's so deep now and it just keeps falling. And everyone carries on with their business! Driving and everything! How the fuck am I gonna keep walking? I need to jack up my hardcore. Especially since I'm shopping away my bus fare.

post-christmas-post

Here's what I did for Christmas.

I hear it's snowing in Oregon. It's snowing here, too.

That's outside my window and from my front door. Good thing I bucked up and bought appropriate boots yesterday.


I never thought I'd own boots like these, but guess what, I'm in fucking snow country and it's time to get real. And they're actually kind of growing on me. But I promise you will never see me wear them in the spring with tucked in Juicy Couture sweatpants and a cute tee shirt, carrying a strawberry frappuccino or whatever. You know what I mean.

It gets pretty cold in my apartment, probably because I keep opening the window.

Shiiiiit.

Merry Christmas!

Santa brought me a rainstorm. I'm walking downtown in a bit anyway. God I'm hardcore!

I kind of just want to buy red galoshes today. Is that weird? Don't you think they'd look good with my white tee and grey skinnies or black pencil skirt?

Or am I just nuts and sick of looking for cute snow boots? Btw, I got that white tee at a 100yen shop. I go nuts for cheap, clingy, thin, white cotton boy tees, and now I can get them for a fucking dollar each. Japan, you have outdone yourself with this one.

In other news, I'm addicted to squash.

Aya used to make kabocha all the time and now I understand. It's so easy and delicious and super-high in vitamin A, which is good for your vision and skin. Soon I'll have eagle eyes and pristine pores and I'll be like, what's my secret? Squash n' Vaseline.

I GOT YOUR PHOTOS

If you want to see all the photos I took during my first month or so here before my card filled up, I made a Yamagata Collection on Flickr.

But let's live in the now!

I felt tired and weird today but I made myself go walk some miles anyway.

It was a nice day. And hanging out by the river is good for when you're busted.

I'm having a rotten time finding cute boots that will be fine in the snow. I bought these the other day but they have no traction so I feel a little guilty.

They're so simple and cute though, right? And they've got secret snaps so you can wear them mid-calf or scrunched to the ankle. I can't wait to hippie them out.

Here is the sweater I'm obsessed with. I got it from seriously the best vintage shop I've ever been to in my life. Everything in that store is a treasure and I'm going to spend all my money there.

Christmas Eve. Just me and my sweatsuit.

Happy Holidays, friends!

Plans

I've decided not to renew my contract in Yamagata.

Aya and I will be getting an apartment together in Tokyo in the spring.


1. I love hanging laundry. Always have! It's so relaxing and romantic.
2. I'm going to a Christmas party tonight with a bunch of students and parents and ALTs.
3. I scribbled the best half-page before going to bed the other night. It was sudden, dirty and sincere and I was so happy I just stared at it.
4. I'm going to the end of the year party-retreat with the other teachers. It was hard to decide ($200!) but I figured I probably won't regret it afterward.

I don't have anything interesting to say. 6 days until I get paid!

PROBLEMS = 0

I knew living next to a love hotel would work out well for me.

I'm broke!

I hate posting without photos. I know you hate it too.

In two weeks I'll get paid. I'll have money for the first time in...?

Before I left Portland in September, I was rationing my books for food. I tried not to get hungry and when I did, I'd take three or four books to Powell's and sell them. I'd get like $5, and I'd use it to buy chicken strips at the grocery store deli. My last weekend in Portland, I ate breakfast from a Ziploc bag in my backpack with three slices of wheat bread in it from my mom's house.

Now I've got 12 more days until I get paid. My food is rationed out in little bags and bundles in the kitchen. No bus fare, so I walk for hours every day. It's not so bad but snow's coming soon. I don't have any conditioner and I use Vaseline as face lotion. I've become so good at being broke. I make delicious dinners from like, soy sauce, frozen leftover fat, soup stock...

When I get paid I'll buy face and body lotion, conditioner, and a card reader so I can finally upload photos. And a cell phone.

I have a date, my period's late and it's rain-snow-drizzling outside. That's the worst.

Example re: Plan B

Winds from the East tell me the winter blues have ATTACKED. Pacific Northwest! God bless that dark, rain-soaked country, with its constant cloud cover from November to March.

Rules for Winter in the Northwest:
1. Don't sleep in! Nobody can live happily on 3 hours of half-daylight.
2. Drink your coffee! Real coffee. It's that strong for your own good in times like these.
3. Go out! Not everyone gets their pick of dozens of live shows every single night of the week. Not everyone has cheap old theaters where they can watch second-run movies with beer and a cheeseburger. Not everyone has 40 billion coffee shops and a giant bookstore to spend their days in.

You can do it!

And oh, I'm sorry I'm gone, and can't fight by your side.

It did seem like college would last forever, didn't it?

But don't be bummed. You're young, there's more, keep moving.