Technological Advances

Japan's electronic stores have nice offers if you're willing sign-up for certain services or make purchases. I decided to get reliable wireless for my laptops since I started grad school and I'm about to move and will spend crucial half hours on the trains where I can be doing work. Japan, surprisingly, isn't wired well at all. Wi-Fi locations are difficult to find making that built in wireless inaccessible. I went to purchase a wireless USB that uses cell phone service areas as Internet service. While in Yodobashi Camera, I kept an E-Mobile representative for an hour and a half to explain, completely in Japanese, how the device worked and the contract details. He then offered me a free PSP or new Nintendo DSi with my purchase of the wireless and service. It also came with a wireless router, and I could walk out of the store with all 3 items priced at ¥100 ($0.88). I asked what was the catch, and of course they want your soul for 2 years of service. Well I picked the black DSi (with the ashy matte outside like the MacBook-I can't stand that texture!) I'm not a big gammer but I figured I can play Japanese language games, Bust-a-Move, and Tetris of course!

I still can't believe the ¥100 purchase. I wonder, like Jay-Z's single I'm titling, "When The Money Goes and The Bills Stay", will I truly benefit from this recession and the low $0.88 USD to ¥100 rate?

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BirthDai with My Tokyo Family

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A Dai in Europe

Photos from my first trip to Europe
Paris, Brussels, London and Amster...DAM!

Destination-Paris
I visited my Soror in Paris from December 20-24, 2008. I went to all of the tourist spots, went inside Louis's crib-The Palace, ate real crepes with real chocolate, had too much wine and cheese, smoked a Cuban cigar-which was nasty, ate official macaroons at THE Laduree, and realized French is really hard to speak and understand! The men are beautiful and they dress fly.


Destination-Brussels
We took a train to Brussels on Christmas Eve to visit Cherie's friend Anne. Her family let us eat Christmas dinner with them. The family is beautiful and it was fun speaking FrEnglish with the kids. I ate official Belgium Waffles and Chocolate. I'm sorry Hershey, but I don't know what American chocolate companies are doing! Too much water I guess? One thing that bugged me to death was the amount of horrible graffiti all over. From Paris along the train tracks all the way into Brussels, the tagging was ridiculous. You will see how they ruined the city's beauty by making a mess all over. If you are going to do it, do it right! Brussels is really chill, more so than Paris. The tourist spots were nice to see, but that Pissing Boy Statue was weird. I'm glad I was able to use the 4 French words I picked up in Paris. Everyone speaks French!


Destination-London
We went to London from December 27-January 1st! We had to bring in the New Year right! We flew from Belgium to London. By that time we had caught a cold, but was determined to go to the club. We had a great time with the party people and got up with our new friends again for New Years Eve. London is super diverse and the speak English-yes. But also many people spoke Arabic. I'm determined to raise my kids in Europe until they know 3 languages then we can move. Shopping in London was crazy and I even caught Harrod's huge sale. I must go back there when it is warm to go sightseeing, to go to more clubs, shop (as long as the pound stays down), and meet more beautiful people! They need to do something about that heavy, old money! Pences suck to carry around! We seen all of the famous landmarks, and I loved our tourguide who was from Chicago-hilarious go figure! I visited the Tate Modern Museum which is huge and excellent. I wish I had more time in there, definitely hit that up if you go.


Destination-Amsterdam
XXX Ain't Neva Lie! I will be going back when it is warm and I can enjoy the flowers and more museums...I'm not going to tell you anymore so don't ask about it! Just know everything is true! The coffeeshops, the girls in the windows, the legal greens, etc. And you think Vegas is the spot-NOT!


Thank you Cherie! You were the best tour guide ever! I can't wait to travel with you again! I love you everyDAI!

Everybody N.O.S.E. I Love N.E.R.D.!

I've been waiting for N.E.R.D. to come back to Tokyo since Spring Groove back in April! This was the 3rd Anniversary of Pharrell's BBC/Ice Cream Store in Harajuku. N.E.R.D performed at Zepp Tokyo and you know I had to be there stage side to sing along with Pharrell and Shae!(Chad we would like to see you sometime-Thanks) Teriyaki Boyz and DJ NIGO opened. Famlay joined N.E.R.D on stage occasionally.

Jumpin around with the crazy Japanese fans-pushin them out the way, screaming all of the words to the songs, and making sure N.E.R.D. knows I love them, had my hair all sweated out, but mission accomplished!

Time of my life, being able to get on stage and rock out to "Everybody N.O.S.E." and "She Wants To Move", then meeting Pharrell backstage!

Get it Philly on the instruments! Shout out to L for kickin' it with me.

Happy Halloween in Japan

Japan doesn't trick or treat, and has no idea what to do with those tons of costumes they carry all year around, and the Halloween decorations that appeared in the stores. But we know how to spook the natives and have a good time!

From house parties to club hopping-Halloween was a blast in Tokyo!

"Bet You Don't Know Who This Is!"
Can you name these costumes?

The Best in Burlesque ARTertainment in Tokyo!

Fun for everyone! Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, began in NYC and is now held in cities across the world. www.drsketchytokyo.com is where the beautiful Lady Elle hosts the best in Burlesque ARTertainment in Japan. Every 4th Wednesdai of the month, amateur and professional sketchers are welcomed to come and draw the burlesque beauties, featured for the evenings performance. Dr. Sketchy's is held at The Pink Cow in Shibuya, at 7pm, for ¥2,000/1 drink and a night of contests. Bring your sketch pads and pencils, and let the music vibes from DJ Dai*Light set the mood as the models unveil throughout their fairytale acts!

Cherry Typhoon (Burlesque Model/Dancer) and
DJ Dai*Light


Cherry Typhoon Posing for Sketchers


Halloween Tunes from the Devil in a Blue Dress

Ice, Ice, Baby-Absolut Ice Bar Tokyo

Cold Chillin on Froze!

I hate wintertime, but I wanted to experience the Absolute Icebar. It helps that it was hot and humid as summer outside.

¥3,500 admission for 45 minutes
Includes warm cape rental, gloves, and one drink in your own ice glass.

The interior was beautiful, and it smelled so crisp. There was a really good smell in there and the bartender said it was the juice. The ice glass was neat, and it made me want some Kool-Aid! The drink was good too. The ice for the entire bar was transported from Sweden. The bartender says they keep about 2,000 glasses frozen in stock.

This was worth the experience. But for that price I could go to an amusement park and not freeze my butt off. We ended up leaving after 20 minutes. I may pay it another visit if I ever get injured and need some ice.