Birthday and Christmas Party

The 23rd of December. A date which shall forever be marked in the annals of history as the birthdate of L. Robin Nilsson, the greatest man to walk this earth since Julius Caesar. For now, though, the date is, especially in Japan, mostly recognized as the birthday of His Imperial Highness Emperor Akihito. And on every birthday of his (as well as on New Years Day), the common people are let inside the grounds of the Imperial Palace, to hear the Emperor hold a speech.

So of course I was there, with a few of my friends, to see the Emperor in his own person. As he stood there behind the bulletproof glass on the balcony above the courtyard, surrounded by other members of his family, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to meet him alone, away from the cheering and flag-wielding masses. I think Armand said it best when he uttered afterwards, "That was the best five minutes of my life."

Pictures from our visit to the palace can be seen here.

Once we were done at the palace, I returned home to get something to eat. Realizing I didn't actually have the time to cook, I went to Yoshinoya for some gyudon instead, only going within my apartment to pick up a couple things. I then went back to Ikebukuro station to meet up with Armel, who had kindly offered to go with me to IKEA for some serious party shopping.

IKEA is truly the wonder of the world when it comes to finding Swedish food abroad, especially the food you need for a traditional Swedish Christmas party. Buying a couple of christmas hams, some salmon, pickled herring, meatballs and more, not to forget several bottles of glogg and four boxes of gingerbread cookies, I had the foundation I needed for a great party.

Running around western Tokyo by myself that evening, I managed to find some more of the stuff I needed. I also met with my contact to pick up a package containing the grand treasure - three boxes of imported Aladdin chocholate. When I finally got home that evening, my birthday was almost over. Throwing myself down before a movie, I ended it with a glass of very tasty strawberry flavored champagne.

Though that was probably the hardest working birthday I have ever experienced, it would all prove to be worth it when Christmas Eve came knocking on the door. I had been intent on making my Christmas party the best damn Christmas party this side of the Pacific, and that I can with confidence say that I succeeded in that.

The guests started arriving arround 16.00, but most didn't show up until an hour or two after that. At its peak, there were almost 30 people in my apartment, every single one of them having a great time indeed. There were people from Sweden, Japan, Korea, France, Germany, Brazil, the United States, the Netherlands, and more. To most of them, the traditional Swedish hot spiced wine known as glogg was a huge hit - all nine bottles had been emptied by the time the party reached its end.

The Swedish theme was overwhelming at times. Of course we watched Donald Duck and everything - an old recording with Arne Weisse we downloaded from the Internet. That was a tradition we had a pretty hard time explaining to the non-swedish majority among us, to be sure. They were a bit more understanding when we put on Tim Burton's masterpiece A Nightmare Before Christmas later on. When Asa arrived with her friends from Sweden, they brought with them a bunch of Swedish christmas decorations, which was really the only thing the party had been missing. They also brought Swedish christmas bread - which of course went very well with the ham and some mustard.

Several times during the evening I was told what a great host I was. I can only conclude that I am indeed very good at hosting parties, so perhaps "party manager" would be another job title to look into while waiting for my real career to kick start?

As it had been my birthday the day before, three of the attending guests were kind enough to bring me presents! Sarah brought me candy; from Skip I got an officially licenced NYPD shot glass; and Yamanaka-sensei gave me a bottle of three years matured umeshu distilled by her mother.  I can't wait to have a taste of that.

I also happened to kiss two people during the course of the evening. The first one was actually by mistake, and quite unfortunate. I had assumed she would draw herself away when I approached, so when she didn't do so, we both found ourself in what was a highly unexpected and not very good kiss at all. And I got slapped in the face as a result. Twice. The other kiss was during the probably shortest game of spinn the bottle I have ever played, when I got to kiss none other than the great Skip himself! Beat that, all of you Skip-fans out there.

Anyway, let me return to the outcome of the party. Once most of the guests had left the apartment, many of them sad to leave yet hurrying away at the very last minute to catch the last train home, the few of us who remained decided it was time to take the party elsewhere. So we walked to Ikebukuro central, found ourself a Hub (that's the name of a chain of British-like pubs here in Tokyo), and took up trying a variety of drinks while getting into some quite interesting conversation. We also met another Swede there, and a couple Japanese girls who seemed quite interested in the Swedish language. And all the while we were followed by a mysterious tomteluva that someone had left behind at the party.

I can without doubt say that the party held on Christmas Eve was the best one I have had the pleasure to experience in a very long time. Many said the same thing at the party, others have contacted me on Facebook afterwards to express similar views. All I can say is, the fact that the party was hosted by yours truly sure didn't make it any less good. ;)

A Day of Parties

The Christmas party at school was better than I could ever have imagined. It was, without doubt, the best Christmas party any of my schools have ever hosted. The food served was kind of like a julbord consisting of a variety of fruit, sushi, and pizza. Especially the fruit and the pizza were quite a surprising sight, as both are things that tend to be really expensive here in Japan (with the exception of bananas and pineapple, for some reason). They even has strawberries! Believe me when I say that strawberries are worth their wight in gold here, despite their great popularity.

Once I'd eaten myself full on a variety of very tasty food, I found my way to a room where I could try my hand at the fine art of calligraphy. Sad to say I was not very good, which would prove to have consequenses later on, when I to my surprise was called to stage along with the other calligraphists, and had my work voted down by the ruthless crowd before us. Then came the fun part, getting up on that table with a microphone when accepting my consolation prize (which was ramen! ;D). Though my japanese skills still have a tendency to fly into hiding whenever I really need them, thus preventing me from expressing most of the things that popped into my head at the time, I had a great time anyway - I very much love speaking in front of a crowd.

One of the more interesting acts of entertainment during the party was a drag queen competition, which I am sad to say I took no part in. But I wasn't about to jump into something like that with my head first. If I were going to dress up as a girl, whether for a competition or just for fun, it would be done properly, requiring the right top, the right skirt, the right boots and accessories, hairstyle and makeup. Overall, I'd probably wear quite alot of fur. The boots would likely be lined with it, for one thing. In other words, I would have to do some serious shopping, which would all be fine (who doesn't love shopping, after all?), except I wouldn't currently have the money for it all. Who knows... when I do, maybe you will get to see me dressed up like that.

Once the party at school was over, I went home to wait in Alberto's party in the evening. Meeting up at 8 'o clock outside the koban by the east exit of Shinjuku station, we took the subway to Roppongi, where we went to the greatest drinking place ever! Designed like a block in some ancient Japanese town, or maybe it was as a larger inn from the same era, it really had atmosphere. It was quite expensive too, but Miyasaki-sensei was really generous and paid for all the food, so most of us only had to pay for whatever drinks we ordered. Anyway, the place is truly worth a visit, so I'll make sure to bring all of my friends there as soon as I have the opportunity. 

The people who were there today - apart from Alberto, Miyasaki-sensei and myself - were Sarah, Jennifer, Kitti, Legato, Victor, Kim, Poha, Runo, Yamanaka-sensei, and a friend of Miyasaki-sensei who looked very much like some actor or something whose face I can't quite place. (There was another classmate as well, who's name will be edited in as soon as I am awake enough to remember it.) Once we were full of food and drink - the best food and drink I've had in months - most of us went to see the Christmas lights around Roppongi Hills. They very very nice, especially with the beautifully lit up Tokyo Tower clearly being seen in the background.

Once it was time to return home, the group split in two once inside the subway station. Along with my half, I returned to Shinjuku to take the Yamanote line back to Ikebukuro.  But when we got to Shinjuku, it seemed that the trains going north had already stopped running. As Miyasaki's friend were also heading for Ikebukuro, he suggested to me and Legato that the three of us take the Chuo line eastwards to Akihabara, to hopefully be able to catch the Yamanote line from there before it would be too late.

But alas, somewhere along that trip he started to realize that there was no way we would make it (he was constantly browsing the internet on his phone, keeping track of all the trains and stuff). So when we got to Suidobashi, he urged us off the train, brought us out to the Taxi stand outside the station, and in a very nice gesture paid a taxi for the three of us back to Ikebukuro! I can't express how greatful I am to him at this moment. Without him, both Legato and I would be stuck somewhere in Tokyo right now, with no real possibility of getting home before the morning trains start running. Instead I now have my nice and cozy bed right here before me, and into that bed I will now fall down, let sleep overtake me, and get a really nice rest before tomorrow. Because then awaits a movie afternoon with pancakes and friends, followed by yet another sayonara party of Alberto's.

Pictures and Preparations

Today Legato and I went to take a bunch of pictures at a modeling agency. In my case, they were without doubt the best pictures taken by any of the agencies I have registered with so far, so if this doesn't lead to a bunch of new, exciting modeling jobs, I don't know what will.  In all honesty, though, I think I need a haircut. At the moment my hair looks much too uncared for, which is likely why the well-paid jobs haven't stared rolling in yet. So I have decided to get a haircut the moment I get some new money. On the 22nd, that is.

The Christmas party I am hosting on the 24th is staring to come along nicely. Food will now be bought in advance and served at the party, it has been decided, as should be the case at a real Christmas party. And I've managed to get my hands on a couple boxes of Aladdin chocholate, which is indeed a very vital thing to have at Christmas. Now I just need to go buy the actuall food as well. That, and some more glogg. IKEA should be the perfect place. Yes, a visit there is definitelty warranted before Christmas Eve comes before us. Maybe I'll go on the 22nd, maybe after the visit to the Imperial Palace on the 23rd.

And speaking of Christmas parties, tomorrow there is actually one hosted by my school. No classes this last day, in other words. Just socializing, having fun. Afterwards Alberto will have a sayonara party with the class at some Izakaya. That will be quite fun, I am sure. I'll let you know all about it when I get back tomorrow evening.

A great day indeed

The last few days have been marked by studies. There is a week of tests ahead of me, and I do not feel ready for it. The grammar is not problem - that's the easy part - nor is the kanji that hard to remember. But for some reason I find it nearly impossible to memorize all the hundreds upon hundreds of words compiled in my vocabulary list. That  is where the hard part lies. But I will do my best, and I most definitely will continue to study harder than ever during these upcoming weeks of the winter holidays, to reach my goal of knowing every piece of vocabulary, every kanji, and every piece of grammar used in our course books, before the beginning of the spring term.

Only time will tell if I actually succeed, but do know that I am adamant in my attempts to do so.

Speaking of the holiday season, I finally posted that Facebook event I have been meaning to make about the upcoming Christmas party which I hope will forever mark this Christmas in our memories as a truly great one. Though it technically would be far from only my responsibility, I do feel that if I don't start steering things up soon, they will just end up falling through. So I took the initiative, and now things are starting to look much brighter again. I have already managed to bring a splinter group or two in under my all-encompassing Christmas umbrella, and more are sure to follow.

I got a birthday card from my grandmother yesterday. I was quite surprised when I found it in the mailbox, as I had no idea she knew my address in Japan. But of I should have known she did. After all, my grandmother would let nothing stand in her way of proper birthday gratulations.

Another piece of mail which I am currently waiting for, is a package from my parents. Technically sent from Helsingborg, by my father. But as it all started with me whining to my mother on the phone about how much I missed proper Swedish candy, and as most of the content of the package will actually be made up of said candy and cookies bought on my mother's direction, I definitely see it as being from both of them.

The problem is that it still haven't arrived, a whole week after it was sent. I was kind of expecting it either yesterday or today. And yes, they do deliver mail on the weekends in Japan. It's the height of servicemindedness, if you ask me, and very convenient at that. Anyway, the package will most likely be delivered tomorrow.

In the meantime I suppose I will just have to make do with the two large boxes of ginger bread that Linus bought with him on my behalf when he went to IKEA earlier today. He also got me a bottle of Glogg, the traditional Swedish spiced wine much associated with Christmas. I am very much looking forward to opening that one. Perhaps I will save it till the Christmas party, perhaps I will open it on my birthday. Either way, it will be a great day indeed.