wow..do I become more loyal to this blog now?

my last entry was written and posted with WINDOWS LIVE WRITER. I feel it’s more convenient than using blogger.com’s interface… however I haven’t really discovered the whole software, yet.. I am sure there’s quite some stuff left to figure out/ learn..

anyway, I want to update more often and rather write several shorter entries instead of posting every three weeks a huge one. Those long entries take up way too much time and I find myself procrastinating them.

On the 28th August I only had to work about 5 hours at IKEA, so I met up a new friend (AKI-CHAN ) afterwards and we did some (window)shopping and had ice cream at Cafe & Kitchen Rabbits:
http://tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280102/28021349/
I had Vanilla Ice Cream with Kuro-Goma-Sauce (black sesame sauce).


Actually I was in desperate search of a birthday present for my boyfriend! I always end up buying things that I like, but he doesn't. That’s why I wanted to buy a voucher/gift certificate from a soccer-equipment store. But when I asked the sales assistants if I could buy a voucher, I got weird faces and was told to go to Daimaru. Daimaru is just a  normal/expensive department store… and I think the one in Kobe doesn't even have sports-wear. WTF was that? I felt really offended by this stupid suggestion. I don't go into a soccer-store for no reason.. Obviously I wanted SOCCER RELATED SHIT ! not a department store voucher!!!!!!!!!!!
After asking around in some other stores, I gave up on the voucher idea. Apparently the concept of giving vouchers as a present is not common in Japan. For some inspiration what to give to my boyfriend, me and Aki-chan browsed several men’s fashion floors in different shopping malls. Pretty quickly my mind was set on purchasing a “WAIST BAG”. Actually the type that is not worn around your waist, but on your back. I’ve seen many pretty & fashionable versions but most were way too expensive.
Only two days later, when looking for one on my own (I am a more relaxed shopper when I am on my own.. ), I finally found the “right” bag. If it was for me, I would have bought a leather one.. slightly nerdish looking… but I tried to forget about WHAT I LIKE and focused on my boyfriend’s style/wardrobe.. I got a sporty version from Dickies.
So yesterday (31st August)  I first headed to work (IKEA) and then hurried back home. Dai and me got on our bicycles and rode to a small korean restaurant in the neighborhood :

me with MANGO MAKKOLI. super tasty and refreshing!!!

Dai with "korean beer"

 

dish of the birthday boy. the meat was really yummy

mine.. kimchi soup.. was really good and I added extra spices..it was HOT :D

  
Our dishes were good and cheap. The only disappointment was, that we didn't get as many banchan as we are used to (those small side-dishes).

thats the other dress I bought in hiroshima on sale! I paid about 1300yen for this..the quality of the fabrics is very good though!!

the bag I got for my baby

And a quick update on my dr. ci labo trial set (posted about here: http://ringo-pyon.blogspot.jp/2012/08/dr-ci-labo-trial-set.html )
I’ve used the Aqua Collagen Gel twice so far and I have to say…it feels good ! I apply it before I go to bed… Aqua Collagen Gel (enrich lift series) has no mattifying qualities.. so it’s safer to use at night. I have combination skin and the next morning my skin looks fine! not more or less greasy than usual but more refreshed !! I do not like it’s strong chemical scent though. I will definitely use up the sample (10g), but I think it’s too expensive for me to purchase a full sized jar.

mou hachi gatsu... schon August!

Omg so lacking behind with blogging ?! I've done a few things/trips in July but haven’t found any time to blog because ...yes....you already know why: my two part-time jobs keeping me buuusy.

On one random day in the first half of July I went to explore my neighboring district called Shin-Nagata. Shin-Nagata is not really nice, but they have some random huge anime figure-monument called tetsujin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsujin_28-go :

there are also some historic museums but I didn’t bother too look them up (access, fees, etc.). Originally I went to Shin-Nagata because I wanted to check out their Shoes-Plaza. Yes, a mall dedicated to shoes only. There was some special outlet sale going on at that time. Unfortunately, when I arrived at this mall, I found myself in front of CLOSED DOORS. It was closed on a normal Wednesday. Well as far as I could see some of the shoes inside, it was mainly sports/outdoor shoes, comfort shoes and shoes for older generations. But I still wanna check it out one day.

I also went to Kyoto with Lisa. I've met up with her in Osaka and then we rode the JR to Kyoto together. Once there, we purchased the Day-Ticket for the City Bus and went to Gion and other places including the famous Kinkakuji. There, I bought my very first mobile phone strap! Unbelievable, right? Somehow, I never bought one.

We also found some great place for dinner, a small shop specialized in Uni/Ika/sashimi – don ( (rice and different sorts of raw fish, sea urchin, etc as a topping). My bowl of „Sakaidon“ was so damn good. I kept repeating how tasty it was !!

mine

golden week (not mine though)

It's golden week in japan, but not for me! I work/ed on all days of Golden Week except today (30^th April).

I started working part-time at IKEA Kobe. It's interesting to have an insight in their work culture etc. After my group interview for IKEA some weeks ago, I received an offer to work only during Golden Week. However, on the training day, I received a six month part-time contract. What a change of events!

The next surprise, unfortunately a bad one, came a few hours later at work (hotel). The girl in charge of the shift-scheduling and my direct boss quits after golden week. Actually she quits by today, but they have no one to replace her yet and Golden Week will be quite busy. I almost cried. I admire her because she treats me and everyone else with the right mix of respect and authority. Even though she is very young, she's able and doing a great job.

Yesterday I worked at IKEA only for a few hours, but it was so exhausting I was wet of sweat :D. I showered and changed clothes etc. within 10 minutes and rushed to my next work.... There was a flea market at IKEA but I couldn’t even spare 5 minutes for it :( What a pity..from passing by, I could spot some cute looking things.

Today Dai and me went to Kobe Harborland, where the OKTOBERFEST takes place. Yes right, you can enjoy the custom of a Oktoberfest in April / May. Everything’s possible in Japan ;)

It was super tiny and everything was expensive. I bought a Bretzel for 200 Yen (about 2 Euro) which was micro-sized and did not have salt and tasted kinda bland. 2 minutes later I found out, there also was a normal sized, salted Bretzel available... However double the price.

Dai had no school, but work and therefore he did not drink beer. He wanted to, but stayed strong. My poor boy :/

Me being pissed off about the size of my "bretzel", Dai longing for good german beer and the Oktoberfest in April. The ferris wheel in the background is not part of the event, it's always there.

We took purikura at Mosaic (shopping mall)...

... and shopped a bit at Seria (another 100Yen chain store).

I got a hairband for showering/bathing :D

and those pretty chopsticks:

 You always end up buying random unnecessary things at 100yen shops....argh ^^.

I also browsed a few shops at Kosokukobe Station and bought this on sale for 1095 Yen:

We went home, did some shopping, ate seven eleven o-bentos and watched GANTZ – Perfect Answer (Part 2).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX1SpcpqprA&feature=related

Gosh, I love GANTZ movies. The fighting scenes are extremely well coordinated and the whole atmosphere is so exciting. I love those bodycon suits too :P

Oh and I want to share this cake with you :D

Went to Doutor with Sunao-chan on Thursday (got to know her through ikea) and had a azuki-matcha cake. I love anko/azuki beans and I love matcha flavored stuff. This was the perfect mix for me and I wasn't disappointed:

Doutor starts to grow on me. I think they are reasonable priced/sized (cheaper than starbucks) and have tasty stuff! http://www.doutor.co.jp