I haven't updated this journal since 2008... way to go me.

Not that it really matters.

Update anyway -

- went to Japan, came back... and kind of wish I hadn't. Life in the US has been significantly less interesting since my return. I just want to travel... anywhere. So I'm planning a return to Japan in the next six months, albeit a brief one. I'm also going to take a short tour through Prague and Munich through my college. I'm looking forward to that a great deal. And in the next couple years I'm hoping to hit New Zealand (finally) and Venice Italy during Carnival season if I can swing it. We'll see...

- cleaned out some of my old deviations - old drawings that I was never particularly proud of, things I look at now and wince at, or just clutter...

- I WILL take pictures of the holiday break. I'm so saddened by how infrequently I've picked up my camera this year. It's pathetic. So I'm going to try and get myself back in the swing of things. I think it will help significantly that I've finally solidified my minor (as a senior... go me) and I'll be taking at least 2 art classes per semester from here on out... emphasis on photography.

- have been a massive music hoarder lately. I've been finding new stuff, delving into this and that corner of the spectrums and just collecting like it's going out of style. I need a new external hard drive for all the shit I've been finding. It's also another reason for me to go back to Japan, as a lot of the stuff I've been finding is experimental/math/post rock music primarily from Japanese artists. (my current fav is Kashiwa Daisuke. I'm in love with his stuff.)

Other than that... not much to tell. I hated this semester, but I think this next one will be a significant improvement.

So... I stayed up all night to finish a paper I hate (and it's technically not finished yet either... but I really don't care anymore) And I figured... why not update the DAjournal?

Let's see...

I'm in Japan, attempting to broaden my horizons and learn a more about their language... so far I don't feel like I'm learning much of anything, though I'm sure I am. And I'm slowly but surely collecting a pocketful of interesting experiences. I've been to Tokyo, ridden on the bullet train, seen a few temples, made some new friends from different parts of the globe, eaten some foods I'd never really considered eating before, etc.

I'm taking a cinema class, so I've been watching a lot of Japanese movies, most of which I've found to be incredibly interesting. I've actually bought a few to take home with me and share with some friends because I liked them so much.

I wish I were taking more pictures... but my camera is large and something of a pain to carry with me everywhere. And I haven't really been able to find the time to just "go for a walk". That and the idea of going for a walk all by myself, while sounding appealing, does not put me in a state of ease. I had a strange encounter with a very sketchy looking Japanese man who stopped me and asked me some very odd questions (Did I have a boyfriend, did I only like American guys, etc.) early on in my stay that does not encourage me to walk alone... Perhaps I shouldn't let that one incident stop me and steer my opinions...

Or I could just force a friend to come with me. ^_-

Other than that... I plan to take a trip to the Golden Temple in Kyoto soon, now that the leaves are turning. And then when the snow comes (if it does) I'd like to go to the silver temple. I think the idea of a silver temple covered in snow sounds like an almost fairy tale image.

Oh, and I have tickets to see my favourite Japanese band - heidi.- in December. Super excited about that.

That's all I can think of for now.

- or that's just how I feel about it today. Those who really know all that's going on would give me a funny look. I'm actually going to my state's Japanese Consulate tomorrow to get my VISA for my trip to Japan at the end of next month. Yes, I'm going to Japan at the end of August. And if all goes well there, as I would hope it would, I will be there for about eight months. I do believe that most would consider that something quite grand. Me, however, at the moment the whole prospect just makes my nerves give out. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about the whole thing. Of course, this isn't because I don't want to do it - far from it. I just wish I could jump into it all about one month into the whole thing. After all the set up and adjustments. But... alas, the rocky start needs to happen to get to the excitement and interesting happenings. :sigh: Right now it just makes me feel sick and tired.
Other things are making me feel sick and tired lately too, but I'm not updating to complain... just to let people know what's up, if they care to know.

Other than the impending trip... there really isn't too much. I've just been trying to study and trying to earn money. I've watched a handful of movies lately and been reading quite a bit. (And by quite a bit, I really mean that over the summer thus far I have finished about 4 books... which isn't really a lot... )

Other than that... not much to tell of. The most exciting thing in my immediate horizon is really just a spotlight on my geeky qualities. (The Dark Knight comes out next week and I'm going with two friends to see it at midnight.)

I hope your days have been good lately.

I'll talk to you all again later.

Damn. Long time no... anything.
I don't have a scanner and I despise taking pictures of the stuff I draw... but it's been a while. Also, most of the things I've been doing sketch wise have been in a tiny book... kind of hard to convey to computer media. I've also had a computer that has been, essentially, out of commission for the past two months. (That's not to say that I would have updated. I'm lazy and boring. Lovely combination, eh?
But let's see...
For anyone who cares to know, I've been under the university chains. Classes own the majority of my time. I have a part time job that, three days of the week, keeps me in front of desk from 1am to 4. I have class every morning at 9. Joy. I'm rather on the poor side, despite the job and more often then not, I find myself very, very bored. (in between the homework and classes, of course) But, that's college.

And there are the bright points, the light brite pegs on the black dot-to-dot of my life, so to speak.

* It seems I will be going to a concert this coming weekend. God is an Astronaut. I adore their music, so this makes me hopeful for the weekend.

*I'm spending Friday night at a dive train car restaurant with a friend. We're going to take black-and-whites of the third & second shifters who come to eat there. Should be fun.

*Another photo shoot is coming up towards the end of this month - should mother nature EVER decide to let up on the ice and snow. The bitch hates Michigan, I swear.

*Eddie Izzard is going to be "in the area" (I'm going to have to drive a few hours) in May. I'm going to see him. It's a ways away, I know. I don't care. GOING.

*Oh yes. Perhaps the most important glowing peg on the horizon. I'm signed up for a student exchange for the next fall semester - August 2008. I have the endorsement from my school. Now all I'm waiting for is the approval of the exchange school. Should all work out in my favour (as it seems it will) I will be spending my next college year in Osaka, Japan. Kind of excited about that. A lot.

Well, that's about it.

How's everyone else?

^_^ v

i'm sorry that hasn't been too much from me lately. i've been writing a lot of poetry, mostly. and when i do that, i usually put it on my allpoetry account (www.allpoetry.com/suzume if you're interested at all.) but finally, FINALLY, i got some artistic inspiration the other day. one old thing and two new things came of it. and i'll try to get them up here soon. my friend got me some grey shade markers and...
anyway... seeing as i'm not too well articulated today, i'll just quit now. ^^
all the best!