Muteao's Xanga

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 17:13:42 GMT

MOVING MY BLOG　ブログの引越しします

Hi everyone, I have just moved my blog to a new location. My new posts will no longer be at this site but I will leave my old posts here as is. Thanks everyone so much who supported and read my blog here at Xanga for more than a year!! And please bookmark my new site and go visit often!!
http://muteao.blogspot.com/

皆さん、こちらのブログは終わって、新しいところに引越しします。　新しい日記はもうここに載らないけど、古い日記はそのまま残ります。　一年以上あたしのXangaのブログを読んでくれてどうもありがとうございました！！　新しいブログアドレスを早速ブックマークしてね！　これからもよろしくお願いします！
http://muteao.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 13:30:34 GMT

LaQua

Recent happenings... On Christmas eve I went out with Maya to LaQua Spa. Basically it's onsen on steroids! I mean you wouldn't normally have onsen in the middle of Tokyo, apparently if you dig deep enough anywhere in Japan you can get onsen! The hot water is salty, I wonder why (I didn't actually taste this, Maya told me) Since LaQua itself is an amusement park, the onsen feels like an amusement park, with plasma TV's to entertain you while you soak and my personal favorite, 360 degree tornado mist shower! While you're sitting in the roten-buro (hot spring that is located outside) you can hear people screaming for life from the roller-coaster!

最近の出来事。。　クリスマス・イヴにマヤとラクーアに行った。　スーパー温泉プラスアルファみたいな感じだった。　普通東京の真ん中に温泉はないが、日本はどこでも深く掘ると温泉が出てくるらしい。　お湯はなぜならしょっぱいだった（あたしは飲んでないよ！マヤから教えてくれた！）　ラクーアは遊園地だから、温泉も遊園地な雰囲気。　温泉の中にプラスマテレビがあり、それから３６０度のトルネードミストシャワー！　露天風呂に入る時、ジェットコースターから皆の必死の叫びが聞こえるよ～。

Vivienne Westwood Exhibition, etc.

Then yesterday I went to Vivienne Westwood, 35 years in Fashion exhibition in Roppongi Hills with Tomomi. That totally blew my mind. It featured works from the 70's when she designed for the Sex Pistols up until now. To see such beautiful works up close and personal is such a treat. It's so inspiring it made me wish that I majored in fashion. Maybe I still can study fashion?? Little too late? I wanted to buy her book but it was quite expensive, hopefully I'll find a cheaper copy when I go back to the US. A quote from the exhibition: "Life is better when you wear impressive clothes." Very true.

そして昨日はトモミさんとヴィヴィアン・ウエストウッド展に行った。　もう言葉が出れないぐらいすばらしいだった。　７０年代のパンクファッションから今までの作品を揃ってた。　あんなにすごい作品を実際に目の前で観えるのは、自分がファッションの勉強をしたくなった。　まだ勉強できるね！？　もう遅い？　彼女の本もほしいけど、結構高かったので、アメリカにもっと安いバージョンがないのかな。　展からのクォート：「印象的な服を着ると、人生が良くなる。」　確かにそうです～。

After the exhibition we went to eighty-nine cafe and had awesome custard cream souffre (sorry can't spell) that was fresh out from the oven!

展の後に、エイティナインというカフェに行った。　焼きたてのカスタードチーズスフレを食った！激うまかった

Black and White madness~ 白黒白黒～

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 11:18:30 GMT

HAPPY NEW YEAR　あけおめ！

I got a 3 day weekend and it's the last day today (already!!). Thursday night was the Nokai party at the company, we partied until 4AM!! After that I didn't do much except sit around at home, cook, doodle while watching TV. It was great, tho. I needed some time to just do nothing!

2005 has been a great year! It's a memorable year for me. My lifelong goal has been to work in a Japanese game company and now I have accomplished it. I have also passed 1st level in Japanese Proficiency exam and thanks to that I don't have any trouble communicating with my Japanese coworkers. Working in this environment has really opened my eyes as a game developer that making games is not an easy task. But I have realized that working too much can drain alot out of a person too. I think this year my goal will be to try to have a more balanced life and make more time for myself to rest and do things for myself.

I'm gonna go make some Toshikoshi Soba now! Wish you have a great 2006!!

３連休をもらったのに、もう最後の日だ！！　木曜日は会社の納会だった。朝４時まで飲んでた！　その後は家に戻って、ごろごろして、料理したり、絵描いたり、テレビ観たり。　でもそれはよかった、「なにもしない」のがしたかった。

２００５年は個人的に最高だった！　今まで自分のゴールは日本のゲーム会社に働くこと、今はそのゴールにたどり着きました。　日本語能力試験一級も合格して、そのおかげて同僚たちとうまくコミューニケーションを取れた。　日本のゲーム会社に働くのはとても勉強になりました。　それとゲーム作るのは簡単じゃないことを分かった。　それから働きすぎっていうのも健康によくないことがよくわかった。　今年のゴールはもっとバランスいいの生活をして、もうちょっと自分の時間をもっと取れるようになるかな。

今から年越しそばを作りに行きま～す　今年もよろしくネ！！

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 15:17:48 GMT

CHRISTMAS AT WORK

Merry belated Christmas everyone. Just got back from work. I think it's the first time I ever spent an entire Christmas day working. It kinda sux seeing all those people coming back from vacation and all. But on the other hand, it's very satisfying seeing the game coming along, playing better day by day. Nothing good will come out without hardwork. If I learned something from working in a Japanese game company, it's the importance they put into perfectionism.

The artists will be done by mid January tho, supposedly. I'm going to Shanghai with to meet up with my family for Chinese New Year!! Very excited because it's my first time to China. I can't wait to eat the famous Shanghai crab And probably shop like crazy too?

遅れたのメリー・クリスマス。　会社から帰ってきたばかり。　生まれ初めてクリスマスに一日中働いてた。　京急線に羽田空港からバカンス帰ってきた人だらけてちょっと切ないって感じた。　でもゲームは毎日ちょっとつづ良くなっているから、満足感もあるけどね。　ものすごくがんばらないと、うまく作品は出来ないんだ。　日本のゲーム会社に勉強したのは、なにもかも完璧にするべきだ。

デザインチームは一月中末に終わるはず。　中国新年に上海に家族と会うんだ！！　初めて中国に行くので、超楽しみにしてる。　はやく上海蟹食べたい！　それと買い物だ～。

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 14:39:23 GMT

PSO LIVE WEBCAM AT MY OFFICE!

Hi friends! Since yesterday it is the 5 year anniversary of Phantasy Star Online!! We are having a special event of live streaming webcam from our office for 2 weeks only! Not that much is going on except during lunch and dinner times, tho. However, every now and then someone may pop up and say hi to the webcam. I did today and yesterday! Today, I ate a Yokan in front of the camera at about 8PM... My desk is not that far away so you might see me every once in a while!

Check us out at: http://pso5.jp/streaming.html (Click the one on the left!)

皆さんやっほ～　二日前からファンタジースター・オンラインの５周年記念日だった！　ただいまうちの会社は開発中の特別なストリーミング番組を、この２週間の間にやっています！　昼ごはんと夕飯以外の時間はたいしたことはやってないけど、時々誰かウェブキャムに挨拶するよ。　昨日と今日あたしはやってた。　今日は夜８時ぐらいにカメラの前に羊羹食べてた。　あたしの席はカメラからそんなに遠くないから、時々あたしを見つけるかも！？

こちらにチェックしてね：http://pso5.jp/streaming.html　左側のボタンだよ。

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Sat, 26 Nov 2005 11:31:29 GMT

ANIMAL CROSSING!!! どうぶつの森

Finally, Animal Crossing came out for the DS on Wednesday and I went to Biccamera that morning to get it!! and it's awesome!!
It's pretty similar to the Gamecube version, although if you have more than 1 person in the town you live in the same house now. You can move to your own house if you buy another copy of the game. The wireless mode rules! I played with my coworkers yesterday, you can have 4 people playing simultaneously now. I heard that you can play over Wi-Fi to friends that are far away, although I havn't actually tried it yet. Like Nintendogs, there is a "passing by" mode which you leave the DS on and send messages and presents to other DS's close by that have the same mode on also. To do so, you need to buy a message bottle and throw it in the sea
I got apples in my town, and I got some pears and peaches from my coworkers so I planted them around the shop. They might die tho because I don't have a watering can. I finished paying the first round of loan for the house so the house is a little bigger now, although my furnitures are damn ugly still. I caught lots of fish and insects and donated them to the museum You can make your own constellations and friends who visit you can see the constellations you made. This time there are not only clothes but hats and other accessories you can wear.
I heard that the developer of this game has mostly female employees. No wonder girls love this game!! http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/admj/index.html

どうぶつの森やっと出た！水曜日の朝早速ビックカメラにどうぶつの森をゲット！今超夢中しています
ゲームキューブのどうぶつの森と似てるけど、今回は一人以上遊んだら、ひとつの家に暮らすことになった。もし自分の家がほしいだったら、もうひとつのソフトを買わなければならない。DSどうしのワイヤレスモード最高！昨日同僚と一緒に４人で遊んでた。Wi-Fiで遠い場所に住んでいる友達と遊べれると聞いたけど、まだ試してない。Nintendogsみたいな、「すれちがいモード」がある。それができるため、メッセージボトルを買って、海や川に流すことが必要だ。
あたしの村はリンゴの木があった。同僚から梨とモモをもらったから、店の近くに埋めた。でもウオーターキャンがないから、死ぬかも。最初のふりこみが終わったから、家はすこし大きくなった。家具はまだダサいけど。たくさんのサカナと昆虫採ったので、博物館にきぞうした。今回は服だけじゃなく、帽子とかアクセサリーもたくさん買えるのだ。
このゲームの開発者は女の人が多いと聞いた。だから女の子達はこのゲームが大好きなんだ　http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/admj/index.html

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Sun, 13 Nov 2005 05:56:58 GMT

TOKYO MOTOR SHOW

Last weekend I went to the 39th annual Tokyo Motor Show. I overslept and it was like 4:30PM when we got there but saw lots of awesome cars nontheless!
先週末３９回目の東京モーターショーに行った。　寝坊したので、着いたらもう午後四時半だった。　だけどすごい車いっぱい見た！

First hall was the bike section. I wanted to see the cars so only skimmed through this area quickly.
最初のホールはバイクだった。　車みたいからたくさんのバイク見れなかった。

The Mazda booth. マツダのブース。

The most impressive car at the Nissan booth, Skyline GTR!!
日産のスカイラインGTR！！

Porsche!!! Sexy ポーシュ！！

I wish I could ride in a Ferrari once in my life... Maybe I can ask Mr. Naka but he'd probably get the wrong idea.
この人生一回だけにもフェラーリ乗りたいな～

LAN-EVO Rally Car!!　ランエヴォ！！

A sweet looking Mercedes. かっこいいベンツ。

Smart Cars. I love these booth babes costumes.
スマートカー。キャンペインガールのコスチュームが可愛い。

A Smart Car convertible!! It's so cute I might actually consider purchasing it..
スマートのオープンカーだ！！　これ可愛くて買うかも！？

Lamborgini!! (Can't spell..) ランバーギーニ！！

The Toyota booth had this neat mobile thing. I would say it's something between a car and a wheelchair.
トヨタはこれがあった。車もないウィールチェアでもないか。

The Audi booth had Booth Hunks!! Gotta give them points for targeting female buyers!
アウディはキャンペインボーイがいた！女性の客さんをターゲットするのは感心するよ！！

Toyota's starting the Lexus brand in Japan now.
今トヨタは日本にもレクサス始まった。

Subaru Impreza!! I'm gonna nag Sylvain to buy this car if we get back to the States one day
スバルのイムプレザ！　いつかアメリカに戻ったら、シルバンに「この車買って」！

I love these antique cars, they are so cute!!
アンティークカーがめっちゃ可愛い！！

This is a Suzuki. It's a new car but the design is very antique European! I doubt they will come out with cars like this in the US ever...
スズキの車だ。新しい車だけど、デザインはとても昔ヨーロッパ！こんな車アメリカに出るのはありえないなぁ～。

View from atop the Honda booth. ホンダの上からのビューだった。

"Feel Fine" was their slogan at Honda.
ホンダのスローガンは「フィール・ファイン」だった。

The S2000!! Dead sexy. S2000めっちゃかっこいい！

OMG Mini Cooper Convertible!! Maybe I'll buy this one instead...
ミニクーパーのオープンカー！！　これの方がいいかも。。。

I always thought this car was nice.　いつもこの車がいいなぁと思ってる。

Corvette and I コルヴェットとあたし

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 15:56:41 GMT

MY BIRTHDAY CARD FROM MY COWORKERS!!!

Finally got a chance to write about my birthday now. I was so busy on my birthday (Oct 6)... you see, I was totally freaked out with this whole deal with the immigration, I had so much work to finish before my plane leaves the day after my birthday and all. I was just in the middle of my distress, when my coworkers marched into my office with a cake full of candles with my name written on a piece of chocolate plate!!! Along with the cake was pizza and after taking a piece of pizza I noticed something underneath... THIS!!

やっと今誕生日のこと書くチャンスがあった。誕生日の１０月６日に超忙しかった。入国管理局のいろいろあって、出発前に仕事が超たくさん溜まって。ストレスの真ん中に、同僚の皆はケーキ（チョコレートの板にクリッシー書いてた）を持って、あたしのオフィスに入った！　ケーキと一緒にはピザもあった。　ピザを一枚とったら、下になにか入ってた。。コレだ！！

THE BEST BIRTHDAY CARD I EVER GOT IN MY LIFE, PERIOD.
人生今まで最高の誕生日カードだった。

The super talented Mutsuura drew it, and everyone from the design team signed it. It says: CHRISSY JEAN 2005 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! BE FRIEND ANYWHERE YOU GO, WE ARE SEGA CORPORATION GE3 DESIGN TEAM PSU TOKY JAPAN
Besides the card I also got many presents from them... I was so touched I was close to tears! THANKS EVERYONE, I love you guys!!!

超天才の陸浦は絵を描いて、デザインチームの皆がサインした。カードは：CHRISSY JEAN 2005 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! BE FRIEND ANYWHERE YOU GO, WE ARE SEGA CORPORATION GE3 DESIGN TEAM PSU TOKY JAPAN　を書いてた。ほかにプレゼントいっぱいもらった。超感動して、涙があふれてた！　ありがとうみんな！　みんな大好き！！

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Sun, 23 Oct 2005 14:53:46 GMT

I'M BACK FROM CALIFORNIA!!

Actually, I came back on Monday afternoon. Luckily everything went okay at the immigration at the airport! I was so busy at work the entire week that I didn't get a chance to write my blog until now. I had a great time!! I spent time with my family in San Diego for 5 days, then I went to San Francisco for 5 days to see my friends and go to Glen and Sami's wedding! It was so great to see everyone after 2 years. Everyone seems to have gotten married or had babies!　

実は月曜日に日本に戻った。　空港に問題なくて通りました☆　戻ったらすぐ仕事が忙しくて今までブログ書くことができなかった。　カリフォルニアに楽しかった！！　サンデイエゴに家族と五日間過ごした。　それからサンフランシスコに五日間友達と会って、グレンとサミの結婚式に行った！　二年ぶり皆と会って、超嬉しかった。　皆は結婚したり、子供生んだり気がした

My plane to San Diego. I was dead tired on the plane having worked until 5AM, ran home, packed, then ran to the airport!!
サンデイエゴに行くの飛行機。　その日の仕事は朝五時まで徹夜して、家に戻って、荷物を包んで、空港まで急いでた！！

Slept entire way on plane, woke up and saw San Diego... my hometown. 飛行機にすっごい寝てた、起きたら、実家のサンデイエゴが目の前だった。

My Mom's new SKYLINE!! お母さんのスカイライン！！

I'm riding in my Mom's SKYLINE!! お母さんの新しい車の中！

My Mom's new house in San Marcos (this is a model home, the new house ..see next pic)!!
お母さんの新しい家！　これはモデルホーム。本当の家はまだ建ってない。

This is our new house, as of now! これは新しい家今の状態！

BBQ Party at my cousin Gary and Joanna's house. いとこのゲリーとジョアンナの家にBBQパーテイ。

A nephew of mine from Florida. Its the first time I met him! He looks like Yoda!
フローリダからの甥ちゃん。　初めて会った！　ヨダみたい！

Went with Gary and Joanna to see Wallace and Gromit! Awesome movie!!
ゲリーとジョアンナとワラス・アンド・グロミット！　すげーよかった！！

Local Taqueria in San Diego. Joanna ordered nachos, it was SOOO good! Its been soooooo long since I had real nachos!!
サンデイエゴのタコショップ。　ジョアンナはナチョスを注文した。めっちゃうまかった！　本物のナチョスを食べるのが超久しぶりだった！

My family!! At P.K. Chang's Chinese restaurant.
あたしの家族！　P.K. Chang中華料理に。

The day I got to San Francisco. Met up with Sylvain at the ariport. We got to borrow Glen's truck for the days in SF!
サンフランシスコに着いた。　シルバンと空港にあわせた。　グレンのトラックを借りてもらった！！

California Pizza Kitchen. Still couldn't get used to the huge portions in the States. I just ordered a salad and this is what I get: an entire pizza crust with lettus on top, and huge piece of grilled chicken over that.
カリフォルニア・ピザ・キッチンというレストラン。アメリカの量が多くて、なかなか慣れなくって。　サラダを頼んだけど、こんな物が出た：　ピザクラストの上にレタスを載せて、さらにでかいチキンをその上にのせた。

We stayed at the Moorpark Hotel in San Jose. The room was huge! I know.. I just came from Tokyo, but still...!
サンノセにムアーパークホテルに泊まった。　部屋がデカ！！　確かに東京から来たけど。。それにしても。。！

Had dinner with Shan-Shan and Jason in Santana Row. They're getting married in March!
Jason's working at EA now. We went to visit him at EA. It was awesome but I'm not gonna show pics of that here.
シャンシャンとジェイソンとサンタナローで夕食した。　彼達は来年の三月に結婚する！ジェーソンはEAに働いてる。　EAに遊びに行った！　けど、その写真はここに載らない。

We all ordered the same thing, lamb chops! 皆同じ物頼んだ、羊肉～！

Went to visit them guys back in Activision. Went with Dr. Nick to get burritos at downtown San Mateo! Ummmm Yummm!
元会社、アクテイビジョン遊びに行った。　昼はニックとサンマテオにブリートを食べた。　めっちゃうまかった～～～！

Went with Shan Shan to shop at my favorite clothing shop, Fornarina!
シャンシャンとあたしが大好きな店、フォルナリーナ買い物してた！

Finally got to eat at Cheesecake Factory!! I had the Strawberry cheesecake!
やっとチースケーキファクトリーに行った！！　イチゴチースケーキ食べた！

Ran into Row and Grant at Japantown! Grant's so big now!
ジャパンタウンにロウェナとグラントに偶然会った！グラントは大きくなった！

At Glen and Sami's wedding day in Hakone Gardens, Saratoga.
グレンとサミーの結婚の日、ハコネガーデン、サラトガ。

Ally and Nick! Dr. Nick was the Priest that day!! He's usually a programmer. He got a liscense to be a priest for 24 hours. He peformed many miracles that day.
アリーとニック！　その日、ニックは神父だった。　普通の時はプログラマーさんだけど、２４時間神父ライセンスを取った。　その日たくさんの奇跡をした、ニックは。

Emi and Dave, happily married just a few weeks ago エミとデーヴ、三週間前結婚した幸せなカップル。

The card says it all. More importantly we all got a bottle of sake with that.
カードはすべて語る。　でも重要なのは皆カードと一緒に日本酒一本もらったこと。

It was cloudy and raining a little that day. But when Lord Nick said "After the rain, the sun will always shine" The sun actually came out and bathed everyone in light! Miraculous.
その日は曇りして、小さい雨降ってた。　だけど、ニックが「雨の後に、晴れは必ず来る」と言った後すぐ、急に一瞬晴れてきた！　奇跡だ。

Tora the Shibainu bore the rings. 柴犬のトラはリングを持ってきた。

Now they are husband and wife! 新婚の夫婦！

Reception was at the Waterfront. 披露宴はウオーターフロントにあった。

As you can see my glass is half empty. I spilt white wine all over this lady's jacket... The nice lady wouldn't let me pay for dry cleaning...
グラスは半分空いてる。　白ワインを女の人のジャケットをごぼした。。　彼女はドライクリーン費いらないって。。優しい人だった。

Sylvain and Nick. シルバンとニック。

Cecil and his hot girlfriend. セシルと彼の美人彼女。

Paul and his hot girlfriend. パウルと彼の美人彼女。

Cecil was the DJ! セシルはDJだった！

Thanks for having us at your wedding!! Best to you, Sami and Glen!!
結婚式に行かせてありがとう！！　幸せに、サミとグレン！！

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 10:39:54 GMT

I'M SO DAMN LUCKY!!!!

After begging really really hard, I actually managed to get my Re-entry for this trip!!!!

Last Friday at the Immigration I went to Counter D to get a Re-entry permit and they had told me to come back with all the documents and change my job status first. I went to the Immigration on Monday with all the documents that I needed to change my status. However this time another issue is the fact that since my current contract with my job is renewed every 3 months instead of like every year, the Immigration has a problem with that. The lady at Counter B said she won't take my application until I went to Counter S for a consultation with the Immigration officer. I was given the option of either send the application today knowing the fact that it may be rejected but be able to get the re-entry now. OR I could just not do it and not get the re-entry.

At that point I felt my head was about to explode. I could either forfeit my $800 airplane ticket + $400 in hotels + not seeing my family (my Dad had already went to the US to meet me) + not being there for Glen's wedding. OR I could go on my trip and come back and get a note in my mailbox to tell me to get the hell out of Japan. I figured my 2nd option is probably alot worse and I was pretty much thinking just not to go on my trip at all.

I was almost getting in the bus to leave the Immigraion but then I figured I could try and beg one more time. So I went back to Counter D and asked again could you please just give me a one time re-entry with my previous visa?? I was then told again that without sending my application they cannot do it. After begging really hard again the lady said go see the guy at Counter S so I went back to Counter S and begged really hard again. He finally said although it's against the rules, he'll let me go for this one time only as long as I do the application when I get back. The Counter S officer guy is of higher rank than the ladies and he even went with me to Counter D to get the re-entry.

I must say I really lucked out this time. Since I could send the application later I have the time to talk to my work about giving them some other paperwork besides my 3 month work contract. It's hard to be a foreigner in Japan but there are really nice people here who are willing to help so thanks to them I'm still here!!

I'll be seeing you guys on Friday!!!