Less than a month now…

It’s hard to believe that this semester is almost over. There are only a few weeks left…we’re even beginning some of our final exams in the coming week. I love it here…I really don’t want to leave…

Anyhoo, the past few weeks have been eventful. I’ve gotten two new tattoos, went to a hookah bar, saw another Takarazuka performance, and went to Nara.

The tattoos were done at Chopstick Tattoo by Nattsu…and she is absolutely fantastic and talented. Even if I didn’t adore this country so much, I’d come back just to get more work done by her. In fact, I plan on it. The first one that I got was comprised of lyrics from Gackt’s song “In Flames” with stylized plum blossoms around it. The second is a cute leopard gecko in memory of Ringo (my gecko) who passed not too long ago. Nattsu designed both of them, and both were perfect. They turned out wonderfully!

Kansai Gaidai Matsuri and INFES also happened last weekend. It’s a few days out of the year where the Japanese student clubs and circles set up booths for food and there are all sorts of events on campus. I had some good yakisoba. Nom nom.

This past Monday was Labor-Thanksgiving Day here, a National Holiday. The night before, a group of us from the house pitched in together and made a nice Thanksgiving feast complete with orange chicken, beef stew, potato salad, mashed potatoes, lots of deviled eggs, and apple cake. It was quite delicious. On the following day, we made it back out to Takarazuka to catch the Revue’s rendition of Casablanca as done by the Cosmos Troupe. It was rather nifty, but I do think that I like the Flower Troupe better.

Today we ventured out to Nara. It was a wonderful time to go as the weather hasn’t been too bad and the fall leaves are gorgeous. Our main point of interest was Toudaiji, the wooden temple that contains the Daibutsu (Great Buddha). Of course there were deer everywhere. Deer with no sense of personal space. Tough given that they were cute animals that would usually run away under any other circumstance, I was enthralled.

Yes, there are pictures.

Chopstick Tattoo! Amemura 1st Shop:

Guns ‘n’ Roses pinball in the waiting room. Win.:

Nattsu’s studio:

Getting the first one:

And the second:

Nattsu, myself, and the awesome receptionist (I forgot her name! ):

Casablanca:

Some pics from Nara:

Poor guy is getting accosted by a deer:

Deer!…:

…the deer is not amused at my antics:

As said…totally enthralled:

Toudaiji:

The Daibutsu!:

Another Buddha:

Koumoku!

Tamonten (aka Bishamonten)!:

The statue that you apparently rub to stop hurting:

Koufukuji:

I’m so cool

Cheese katsu dinner. NOM NOM!:

Hookah and chai:

Thanksgiving dinner:

Gaidai Matsuri/INFES:

Hahaha~:

Vending machine fun. Beer, cigarettes, and warm creamed corn and cocoa What more could you ever want?:

Oh yeah…a parfait: