Let's get naked together.

Yasue and I are currently looking for an onsen where there is a konyoku (mixed hot spring) available, preferably a private one you can reserve. If you know of any around the Yamaguchi area, please let me know.

We're also looking to recruit some (hot) men and women to join us. If you're hottttttt AND you practice proper hygeine (i.e. you trim, scrub every nook and cranny, and you use good quality soap -- none of that musty grandpa shit), let me know as well. ORRRRRR if you happen to know Brad Pitt's mobile number, that would be superFANTASTIC.

I've never been in a "tub" with both sexes at the same time. Pre-Japan, I would've squirmed at the idea of exposing my private bits to anybody besides my partner or my gynecologist. I remember my first bare-it-all experience was at a sento ("public" bath) during a teacher's retreat last November. I used to be the kid in the junior high locker room who would go great lengths to be as discreet as possible when time came to change to and from my gym clothes. My perfected maneuver of switching clothes was so swift and quick, it could'ved rivaled that of a magician's. But the sento experience last November was a turning point for me, the once shy junior high gym student. Before I removed even a sock, I had to shed any remaining ounce of insecurities I had of my body. Once that was established, off came the clothes. Then, with a brief moment of hesitation, my underwear. I. Was. Finally. Naked.

Since November, I've been to a few onsens. I love how liberating it is to just non-chalantly walk around in my birthday suit. It's taught me to appreciate my body more, despite its flaws (although you will never ever catch me in a mini skirt). And not to hate on the cute and petite Japanese women, but each time I go, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have my womanly curves and my vulumptious breasts. Rawr.

So now I'm ready to take on the next level of my nudist conquest. I'm mentally prepared (er, not quite physically) to go to a mixed onsen and offer my naked body as a visual-buffet for a man's straying eyes. Ha, just kidding! Really. But I am comfortable with the idea of going to a konyoku. Hell, why not. As long as we practice self-control (more so for others, ifyouknowwhatImean), it could turn out to be a fun and relaxing time.

Are you in?

FUCK EVERYTHING.
FUCK EVERYBODY.
FUCK.

Sayonara

I love Japan, but after almost 10 months, everything's starting to get a bit old.

I'm ready to take on my next international adventure.

Signs spring has finally arrived in Japan

1. Sakura/Cherry Blossom
2. Cheap strawberries (OMG, ichigo daifuku is to die for)
3. I no longer have to wear 10 layers of clothes just to go to bed.
4. I no longer see my condensation breaths in the kitchen.
5. I no longer curse when I have to ride my bike (although that might change once summer humidty rolls in.)
6. I no longer have to make love to my kerosene heater.
7. I no longer have to worry about defrosting my laundry after I hang it on the balcony to dry.
8. I no longer have to make a half-naked 300kmph dash from my freezer box-like bathroom to my heated room after I take a shower.
9. My shampoo, conditioner, and body wash have all returned to its orignal liquid/gel form.
10. There are more people on the streets.
11. Spring showers.
12. The feeling of sweat.
13. I can finally feel my toes again.
14. Goodbye ass-riding pantyhose and tights.
15. Goodbye bulky, unflattering wool peacoat.
16. New spring menus at the resturants.
17. And, finally, I know it's spring because the ants in my kitchen have returned. One is crawling up my leg as I type. Little motherfuckers.

FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL

Hell yeah.
(July 28, 29, 30)

Mexican dinner night with two Americans, a Brazillan, an Italian, and an Australian in Japan.

I enjoy going to clubs, tearing up the dance floor (pretending to at least), and getting obnoxiously drunk with friends, but that scene gets old veryverrrrrrrrrry quickly. Maybe it's a sign that I'm getting older, but I much prefer total chill and laid-back dinner parties over rowdy bars and clubs. I think having a conservative 41 year-old roommate for the past 7 months is starting to rub off on me. Next week I'm going to discover I have an affinity for making doilies and crepe flower arrangements.

Last Saturday night Mary had Mexican dinner night at her apartment. Roberto, Ronnie, Justin, Mary, and I enjoyed Taco Bell seasoned tacos (I made homemade tortillas!), cheese cake, and two bottles of wine. It was a fabulous, fun-filled night of chatting, picture-snapping, and stuffing our faces with tacos. We already booked a date for our next dinner party. I hope to have these more often, but I'm always up for dancing any night of the week...

St. Patty's Day at Ell's Ditch

Belinda, Mary and I went to Tokuyama's popular Irish pub, Ell's Ditch, tonight for their St. Patrick's Day party. Cheap beer and entertainment was provided by a live Japanese bagpipe player! Cheers to that mate!

Top 10

There's a blog-tag going on in the Xanga blog world (where I keep my other blog) that tells us to list 10 attributes of our ideal man/woman. Here is my take:

The ten attributes to my ideal man are:

1. Funny as hell. Dry wit is the preferred choice of humor, but he's a definite keeper if he can keep me rollin'. He has to make me laugh on my good days, my fat days, my bad hair days, my shitty work days, and on days when my world feels upside down.
2. Is a balance between book smart and street smart.
3. Has goals, ambitions, and plans. Even if some of his goals are a bit far-fetched, at least he knows what he wants out of life. I don't want to waste time with a guy who just dilly-dally's with his life. Or else, where would I fit in the picture?
4. Outgoing and extremely social. Gets along with my friends, my family, his family, his friends, the neighborhood grocery store clerk, and his work colleagues. A guy who is well-rounded, wholesome, and down-to-earth is mm-mmmm sexxxxxxxxy.
5. He has to find me attractive even on the days when I'm too lazy to shave my pits or my legs. Or when I let one rip, because, damnit, everybody farts. Basically, I just want somebody who knows how to make me feel wanted regardless of what I'm wearing, how I'm feeling, or how much weight I've gained.
6. Has substance, character, opinions, and a functioning brain. I've met some guys who....don't.....really....have....much....to...say about anything. I don't like awkward silences.
7. Makes me feel protected. I hate fucking pansies or guys who can't walk the talk.
8. Takes care of his body. Any guy who flosses is always a plus on my book because that means he actually pays attention to the minor details of his health. He has to eat healthy, exercise regularly, drink in moderation, and practice good hygeine. But I'll pass on the metrosexuals, thankyouverymuch.
9. Knows how to please a woman in more ways than one [wink].
10. Has the uncanny ability to make me swoon, giggle, blush all at the same time with the right choice of words, actions, or touch.



Uh, tag, you're (whoever is reading this) it!

bitter cold = bitter mood

While all of my university friends back at home are enjoying the warmth of the sun during their spring break, I'm all the way here in Japan trying to defrost in front of my kerosene heater.

It's March for crissakes and it's still snowwwwing! Spring, where art thou?

Stay 10ft. away.

I'm in a pissy mood right now.

I want to hit something.

!!FASHION FAUX PAS ALERT!!

Hot pink polka-dot Hello Kitty boxers for men. WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG. BurrrRRRRrrnnn every last pair.

Hi. My name is Karen Grace, but you can call me FATSO.

I think the last time I ate something relatively healthy was about three weeks ago. Lately I've been gorging on anything that's fast, convenient, and just enough to hold me down for a few hours. Basically that's anything small enough to be shrink-wrapped and sold at 7-11. Before Christmas, I was on track with my diet. I actually ate a balanced meal that included all the necessary daily intakes of protein, greens, vitamins, fruits, and carbs. But after two weeks of feasting on massive portions of food from my favorite restaurants at home, I've had much difficulty shaking off my holiday appetite. I am living proof that it is possible to gain weight in Japan.

So far today I've eaten a granola bar, two fruit smoothies, an apple danish, fries from McDonald's, 4 gyoza/potstickers, and naan from the supermarket. And it's only 4:30 in the afternoon. I am the queen of carbs, bioooooooooootch.

Tomorrow I'm signing up for the gym.


(And I have less than two months before I have to wear that horrid bikini. Golden Week. Philippines. Two months. Fuck.)

Better than Costco

Free samples of beer at Grand Fuji. o_O

A survey

9 lasts:
1. cigarette: Um, 7th grade?
2. beverage: UCC Gold Special coffee
3. kiss: Last week
4. hug: Today
5. movie seen at the theatre: Casanova in January back when I was in the States
6. cd played: Amos Lee
8. bubble bath: Not a bubble bath, but a relaxing lavender soak. 4 months ago.
9. time you cried: January on the plane heading back to Japan

8 have you ever:
1. dated one of your best friends: no
2. skinny dipped: no, but I'd like to do it in the ocean someday. Wait, does going to the hot spring count?
3. kissed somebody and regretted it: oh hell yes. [shudder]
4. fallen in love: yes
5. lost someone you loved: yes
6. been depressed: yes, especially on my fat PMS days
8. ran away from where you are now? No, although I flirted with the idea of just going MIA after Christmas break during my shitty lonely times here back in August/September.
7. been drunk and threw up: yes. I hatehatehate that feeling. I also think I have a lower tolerance for alcohol than most normal folk.
8. wheres 8?

7 states you've been to:
1. Texas
2. California
3. Colorado
4. New York
5. Louisiana
6. Arkansas
7. Nevada

6 things you did today
1. Went to Iwakuni to look at the famous Kintai bridge w/ Marc
2. Made Japanese gyoza/potstickers
3. Sliced a big chunk of skin on my right index finger with a vegetable peeler
4. Successfully made a damn good breakfast
5. Ate too much cherry-blossom flavored mochi
6. Made a mess in the kitchen

5 favorite things in no order
1. Travelling and experiencing new cultures
2. Shopping and finding great bargains
3. Men. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
4. Socializing and the company of good friends.
5. Coffee!

4 things you ate today
1. German potato pancakes
2. Mos Burger's Kinpira rice burger
3. MOCHI MOCHI MOCHI
4. Dole's Tropical Fruit Mix
5. Calbee vegetable potato sticks


3 people you can tell [pretty much] anything to in no order
1.
2.
3.


2 things you want to be when you grow up
1. a multi-billionaire's wife. Hah hah.
2. HAPPY and content with a loving husband, 2.5 kids, a golden retriever, a mini-van and a white picket fence.

1 thing you regret
1. High school. All of it.

Three strikes

In the past 24 hours:
1. I said "eto ne" outloud inbetween thoughts during class.*
2. I bowed "thank you" to my friend Tamar on the phone.
3. I threw up a peace sign while posing for a picture for the first time without even thinking about it. First I used to do it to playfully mock the Japanese. Then I did it out of habit, but with at least an ounce of conscious effort. Today I realized that it has become an instant reflex.

*"eto ne" is the Japanese equivalent to "umm" or "uhh" in English.

The Naked Man Festival

Two weekends ago I went up to Okayama for the famous Naked Man Festival, or Hadaka Matsuri, to watch 9,000 thong-clad men run around in the freezing winter night in vie for two lucky wands. Men running around with big, white diapers riding up their ass? Fighting for two so-called "lucky" sticks like a massive pack of ravenous pigs? In the frigid cold? Apparently, only in Japan.

It was complete chaos, but probably one of my more exciting nights spent in Japan. The whole night was a non-stop 12-hour party. Oh yeah, and I had to teach the following afternoon. It was probably not one of my wisest or most responsible moves as a teacher, but sod it, I did it all for the sake of soaking in some unique Japanese culture. And if they had a Naked Woman Festival the following week, I would've so been there as well. Er, maybe.

Back that asssssssssss up!

These Japanese runners looked so emaciated, I was almost tempted to throw food at them.

Tom, Yasue, and Marc striking a pose for the camera.

I met these crazy JETs from Fukuyama for the first time and hung out with most of them the rest of the night.Sleepy, beat, red-eyed Pete and Yasue.
I didn't get to see these fellas run (I didn't get to see anybody really), but I was fortunate enough to get a little peek-show from Bill and Rory before the real festival began. The peace sign is contagious.
Bill's swollen ass after getting beat up by the hordes of men. HAHAHAHAhahh.
I kept running around behind the men "air-spanking" them and yelling "who's yo daddy?"

And for anyone who wants a hilarious video from the festival [cough: Pete], download Josh's video > click here

Weird fact numero 498689077

Everytime I hear ABBA's "Dancing Queen" I get this sudden urge to sing Karaoke and dance.

You had to be there.

A short video taken at the Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Man Festival) in Okayama last Saturday. Puny, pale bare asses galore!

In the video you'll see a swarm of men running around in cloth-diapers/thongs trying to get a hold of the lucky stick. You'll also hear me and the other female spectators screaming because the men rammed into us like it was the rugby championship game. Good golly, I think I left with a few minor bruises, but it was well worth the fun. You had to be there.

Pictures to follow. Hurrah!

Shameless plug

http://kevan.org/johari?name=graciediaz

What do you think?

I like him. I like him not.

I think being a relatively fresh single woman (as of two months ago) on Valentine's Day was a little hard for me to cope with. GAH. I admit it. I was [cough] am lonely. Want another confession? I actually LOVE Valentine's Day. I enjoy spoiling my significant other silly with oodles of premium chocolates and ridiculous, over-the-top heart themed novelties. But, nope, not this year.

It's pathetic that I feel this way. It's more embarassing that I'm even admitting it. But it's the raw truth and perhaps it's the driving force behind my next confession: I want him. BAD.

Him. The Italian race car driver.

I think it's been a combination of post-traumatic Valentine's Day loneliness and being drunk with this immense desire to nurture, be nurtured, receive affection and attention that has led me to feel this way. I mean, that's the only feasible explanation I have. Valentine's Day was, afterall, just two days ago and I've never felt like this towards him before.

I....like....him.

Before it was just "fooling around" (no worries; I'll spare you with the details) with no emotional attachment involved. I was so infatuated with his status (for crissakes, he's a race car champion), his ethnic background (Italian, oooh la la), and his looks. Any ounce of attention he would give me, I would reciprocate with googly eyes and sporadic interjections of flirtatious giggles. I was a fucking sick teenybopper. My impression of him was distorted by many of the aforementioned factors. He was my real-life Ken (Barbie) doll, and honestly, having him only in the physical level was fine for me. He satisfied the physical cravings I had held in for so long from my failed long-distance relationship. I had no obligations towards him with an emotional-baggage free ride. It was, for what it was worth, just what I needed here in Japan.

Recently I've seen more of him than I have in the past 4 months that I've known him. I've seen him 5 times this week on separate occassions. I've also gotten to know him more, and more than just the roof of his mouth. He's funny. He's sincere. He has a genuine interest in the things I have to say. He's freaking adorable when I see him revert to a 10 year-old boy whenever he's around his roommate (they act like brothers). And I was a total goner when he expressed the best hospitality manners when I came to visit his apartment yesterday.

We haven't done anything in the past few weeks. Mostly it's because we've been in the company of other friends. But when he dropped me off at my apartment last night after having dinner with Mary last night, there was nothing. By nothing, I mean there was no hug, kiss... nothing, just a wave and a brief "good-bye". He was so non-chalant about it, and that's what bothers me the most.

WTF. I got a good dose of much-needed girlie talk and men consultation from Mary via MSN messenger quickly right after. She fed me the much needed "I got the vibe that he digs you" talk, but that only offered temporary relief (thanks for trying though, Mary). His behaviour boggles my mind. At first, we were on a roll comfortably treading water in the shallow end, but I know clue where we stand now! If he's not interested in me in any aspect, I would rather have him say "good riddance!" and refuse my invitations. He didn't have to buy me drinks at Ell's Ditch on Saturday or go for Indian and drinks on Monday. He didn't have to go to dinner with me and Mary late last night, considering he was already full before he cam. Again, I stress, WTF.

Is this universal behaviour for men? Is this how they do it in Italy? Is this expected and common behaviour of race car drivers? Answers! I need answers.

A part of me wants to believe that maybe since we've actually attained a friendship that he respects me more? Or maybe I've put him off in other areas physically, but he stills wants to maintain a friendship? I guess either way, it's a win-win situation as long as he still puts forth effort in whatever relationship we have.

This was all inevitable. I only wanted a crush, a measly "oh he's sooo hot and fun to admire from afar" kind of crush. Then I wanted a friendship, totally platonic and innocent. Eventually it led to wanting something more, and ultimately "I likelikelike HIM".

This isn't healthy, mentally or emtionally. Next time I think I'm going to stick to crushing on the Backstreet Boys or gorgeous gay men, then there will be little room left for dissappointment. And next year, if you happen to need me on February 14, I'll be in Burkina Faso hiding under a rock.