The Princess in IUCland

Veganism in Japan: Vegan Gourmet Festival

2016-10-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Vegan Gourmet Festival in Tokyo's Kiba Koen.

There was a lot of stalls from all over Japan.

It was in the park so on open air but the weather was perfect

what created a very nice atmosphere to enjoy all food.

It was much bigger that vegan festivals I attended in Poland

but of course comparing to other western events it was probably small.

There was considerably a lot of people

(not only foreigners, more Japanese!)

but still considering the crowds in some Japanese events

it was not that popular.

It was very visibly that almost all people there

looked healthy, sporty.

I do not think that I even saw one obese person.

Here is one big difference comparing to West.

In Japan veganism is considered healthy.

In Poland when I say that I am vegan

everybody starts worrying about my protein insufficiency

(all this experts eating in McDonald's)

but in Japan people usually react with a response

about how healthy my lifestyle is.

The cause probably lies in the fact that soya, beans, tofu

are very popular here and the diet based on it is

considered as a nutritious meal.

I also attended vegan meet-ups group picnic

and talked with a Japanese girl

who lived in Australia.

She tries to turn into vegan

because of health benefits

and said that the conviction

that Japanese eat healthy is a myth.

They used to in the past, not anymore.

After going back from Australia and

looking at her parents meals she realized that

there is nothing about health in it.

With Alex my vegetarian friend.

She is American and said that her church

encourages people to go vegan/ vegetarian.

Church! When I compare it to Polish case...

Oh Poland you are so pitiful sometimes >.<

I ate a lot.

Lots of yummy food.

One interesting fact is that all food on the fest

was free from refined sugar.

And really you could feel eating it that

they did not use any sugar at all

not only refined one.

I ate lots of sweets

(crepe, donuts, dorayaki)

but felt really good.

I was full but no trace of this unpleasant taste in mouth

which I have after eating wagashi from kombini.

Once again it shows:

in Japan veganism and healthy lifestyle

are directly connected.

Matcha, azuki, chestnuts crepe.

Omg I would give everything to eat it again!

There were so many tastes.

Even with hijiki xD

It is a black seaweed

usually sold in black strips.

You have probably seen them

as they are popular in Japanese cuisine

but in donuts :D ?

Black burgers are famous in Japan.

They appear during Halloween etc.

Sometimes even in McDonald's.

But here is a vegan version <3

This kind of meat sticks are a popular street food in Japan.

For the first time I could eat it too.

It was such a strange feeling.

And this sausage was so convincing

that if it was not a vegan fest I would doubt if its vegan xD

I hate meat taste so it was probably my last time to eat even vegan one.

Chocolate ice cream, ice chocolate latte

and mango kakigōri <3

So refreshing on this sunny day.

And for the end the festival's hit

Ballerina vegan dorayaki.

And it is not that they had hundred patterns

and I chose this one.

They had one and it was ballerina.

I am a lucky girl indeed.

Here are my shopping:

soya meat

(cheap 500 yens for three of them!)

and mayonnaise <3

For the end one more thing.

I said that in Japan veganism

is mostly about healthy

(usually as on this fest accompanied by yoga workshops)

but animal rights consciousness is also increasing.

On the festival there were representants of vegan society

and vegan projects.

They try to make lectures about animal rights

as well an introducing vegan food

to restaurants, canteens in schools and companies.

I also bought manga about animal rights

and the base of vegan diet.

Very easy but convincing.

Believe me very convincing.

I could not stop my tears...

I have to work hard on Japanese to be able to translate it.

Versailles in Marui

2016-09-21T08:47:00.003-07:00

I would like to share some pictures from an amazing day which I owe to my favorite band Versailles.

They have (end on 23.09) their small exhibition (well just some pictures, drums, throne- perfect picture spot) and temporary shop in Shibuya's Marui.

Above everything there were some following events: autograph sessions, cheki shooting

and talk show which you could enter by buying stuff in the shop.

Everything is a kind of preparation before a dream day which will come in February:

their life in Budokan. It is like a dream also for them.

They made it big.

I want to read it as a good sign for all visual kei.

I have already posted my shopping and exhibition picture in the previous post so here is the result: an amazing day with a talk show, long waiting (well...) and cheki shooting. I was also able to meet some other Versailles fans and as usual I was not disappointed. Love for Versailles is a way to meet best people. Btw I even met my best friend thanks to Versailles even though it was by the Internet.

We started a day with karaoke and ended it with a dinner to make some kind of frame for all the rest.

Window exhibition. They also appeared in the window themselves.

We were a little too late and did not see all their show there xD

Parfait from Versailles cafe

Teru straightly from a fairytale rushing through Marui

Getting fancy before. Powder room.

On the exhibition

I really like this one.

We look like straightly from a French court portrait.

And cheki <333

Heart with Hizaki. Must confess that my thought when

doing it was: "omg your hand is so big and masculine, dear princess" xD

I always dreamed about having a picture with them.

All of them. And here is it and I must confess that

I am proud of my decision...

The decision of choosing this bolero.

This sleeve on the photo is the best thing that could happen to me xD

Daily life and small paradises

2016-09-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

The weekend is before me and then Monday is free so finally some time to write a new post.

Two weeks of school is behind me. First one consisted mostly of orientations and on the next one normal classes have started.

There is so many things I could write and my head is so full of thoughts (both positive and negative) so I will try to make an order in all these stuff by writing about it. Maybe it will help me to accept the current situation and my own feelings.

First days were really difficult. They are always difficult. I feel really bad around many, many new people. It gives me the feeling of being closed in a cage. It is not only stressful but also tiring. I just feel like I need a corner to hide myself there. My summikkogurashi nature is on such moments in its full bloom. No matter how I try to be open it ends the same and after a while of trying I give up. In such moments I regret that I do not have this one friend who would take care of me, stay with me, talk with people and I would just do my best in smiling nicely. In other case I just finish as a weirdo, conceited princess or in best case as socially awkward.

Oh and by the way the all first day started with falling from the stairs. I want to believe that it is a sign of good things that are going to come. Here is the culprit.

Next thing is my Japanese. It is really bad. I was not even aware how much I forgot everything including speaking. I feel miserable with myself. And tests were really difficult. The feeling "what are you doing here asshole" has become my daily companion.

At least as I wrote in the previous post the area is pretty cool. Not only the building itself but also everything around. Being in such a place daily gives you a gleam of prestige and success which disappears as quickly as I reach school and remind myself how miserable I am.

And this amazement park just next to Pacifico Yokohama is the best thing ever. Just looking at this big merry-go-round gives me the feeling of fun which exists outside the school and which I can encounter later if I do my best at school in this moment. And there is a lot of to do. Believe me. I have never had so many homeworks in my all life. There are moments when I feel like crying because I feel so tired but still have to learn. In such moments I just would like to hide myself somewhere so all world would forget about me. Somewhere in a corner.

Eating bento. Bento everyday because nothing vegan in a canteen.

Best thing is that on my way to the station there is Queen Square, shopping center with Sanrio, Disney and Snoopy store. I just have to pass next to them on my way every time. Sometimes just a look at these cuteness is a way to feel a little better. It makes my own hopelessness a little more acceptable.

Except it of course that still there is a lot of amazing things, some amazing friends, places

that give me power to go on. Seeing pics on my fbk or instagram people can thing

that I live in paradise.

Well, not really my daily life mostly consists of hard work and continuing

feeling of being a life failure xD

Some pictures from dream part of my life.

Visited my friend in his gothic bar Placebo in Yokohama. Small but coolest place you can imagine.

He made me konbu dashi ramen and then foretold my future by tarot card. This kind of place, small, beautifully decorated, hidden somewhere you would never except them to be is my favorite. Small paradises you can hide yourself from all the world for a while.

Next thing was Voque Fashion Night Out in Laforet. I met Maki from Angelic Pretty, saw Minori again and above everything enjoyed watching beautiful people dressed perfectly in all details. For a while you can transfer to the dream fairy tale world with all gorgeous garments, princes and princesses and above everything you feel to be a part of it.

Vegan dinner and Yayoi Yumeji museum with a friend. So happy to become friends with a person I admired strongly before I had a slight idea I will meet him one day.

Yayoi museum has always something to offer. Old shoujo illustrations always make me feel nostalgic for no reason.

Like I would miss something but I am not ever sure what it is. Something like a winter wind.

Last thing: Versailles exhibition in Marui in Shibuya. Drums, a throne and some pictures. Of course there is a store as well. And of course there are some following events as well. But this pleasure is still before me.

Yes, there is many pleasures but these are just whiles I try to catch. But generally I find myself being Alice again.

Alice in Wonderland.

Alice inside daily life.

Alice who tries to leave everything behind entering rabbit hole.

But then she is back.
She is always back.

First two weeks. Ballet, Ghibli, Marie Antoinette.

2016-09-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow classes start so that means that I am in Japan already two weeks.

Almost unbelievable how quickly the time passed.

I spent a lot of time in Tokyo and enjoyed every while so much that I feel like crying. Is it even real? Everything seems to be a dream I made up by myself.

My daruma got two eyes and all dreams are coming true.

1. Ballet recital in Shinjuku Bunka Center.

As it was my friend's friend's ballet group I was even able to peek at the backstage.

Iwaki ballet company

I was really shocked how high is their level. How perfect are their lines and above everything how emotional was the modern dance part. I heard a lot about Japanese dancers who are good at style but have problems with expressing emotions. Believe me this one was complete.

I was moved to my heart's content.

2. I always dreamed to enter Nekobus.

It is impossible in Ghibli museum but on the Roppongi exhibition

I was able to do it!

In the majority of the exhibition space photos were forbidden

(I hate that it is so common in Japan...)...

Anyway it is really worth seeing.

In contrast to the Ghibli museum which is more oriented for having fun

this one says more about history, shows some old illustrations.

And this ship from Laputa is impressing, indeed.

I was also able to meet an old friend

from two years ago.

This kind of meetings are always very sentimental.

Especially when you see how people are getting all grown up

and go into direction of their own dreams.

It always makes my spirit up.

The view from Roppongi Mori Art Museum

(where was the exhibition) is amazing.

As I said already and I will probably say one more/ many times I do love big cities.

3. And yesterday: Les filles Marie Antoinette party

in Laforet Harajuku.

So unique to enter Laforet after closing!

Very small event. It was only around 25 people.

There was a fashion and flower show

and then just time for pictures and talk.

My outfit.

I was wearing Polish brand Lady Sloth

and it was praised a lot.

A girl from Kera asked me for pics

and I also introduced her the brand.

So amazing to have Polish brand to be proud of.

Models.

Les filles Marie Antoinette refers to the french queen

with the idea that when she was to be reborn

she would definitely fancy Harajuku.

Even though the designer Junichi Hakamaki refers

to an European figure he still highlights his fashion to be

Made in Japan

believing that it will spread around the world.

Marie Antoinette girls are everywhere

and their dreams can come true

thanks to Harajuku fashion.

This is also impressive how he joins historical fashion

with modern feel (shorter, comfortable dresses, jackets which

can be worn with trousers to stay cute everyday)

and also pop cultural elements

like Godzilla.

With Junichi Hakamaki

He really spoke a lot.

Definitely needs to interview him for my research.

This outfit is even made for dogs!

With Ai Akizuki.

Lolita activist who was a party host.

Yes, Minori was also here.

I saw her for the first time

and she is much more stunning in reality.

All her make-up is just a pure perfection.

She is all cute and small.

Still can not believe that she exists outside the fairy tale.

Probably all yesterday party was one big dream

and she is just a part of it.

That would explain everything.

4. To finish this 2 weeks summary: shopping.

I bought a lot so there is no sense to mention

all of it but just two most perfect things.

Alice phone case

Alice Babyssb wallet

So this is how things are going for those who would ask.

5. Tomorrow school starts so there will be less time for all pleasures.

But just take a look how the

Inter-University Center for Japanese language studies is located.

Just around the ocean in an amazing Pacifico Yokohama building.

Still like a dream.

Of course that it is going to be hard but in fact

perfect Japanese is the only thing I really do need right now.

I do really lack.

Good motivation for the beginning.

My own pace

2016-08-30T04:27:00.002-07:00

Going to a typical tourist spots in Tokyo does not really interest me.
I saw them when I was there for the first time and do not feel like seeing them once again.
Another thing is just wandering around and finding some new places.
Not famous not even always interesting but exploring is what allows us to feel the city and its life.
And Tokyo has many treasures hidden here and there.

Look at this shop with handmade bears.

Look at these buildings in Jiyugaoka. European city or some kind of Princess land? No.
Just some random beauty salons. Beauty stays as a leading rule in Japan.

I do love museums but I do not feel obligated to see most famous ones which you "definitely" should see. I am far beyond the thinking which would determine me to do anything. I just follow my one interests and things I love. Life is too short for following checking lists.

So how about the exhibition of clothes for children? Tokyo Metropolitan Teien museum. Simply perfect! Just a pity that pictures were not allowed and I can not show you all these beauties.

Just following my one pace.

Enjoying good company, yummy dinner

and the simplest view.

Like Harajuku all in rain from the upcoming typhoon

watched through the window of warm cafe

where I drink my soya latte.

Everything stops for the moment.

Vegan in Japan- beginnings

2016-08-28T03:04:00.002-07:00

Finally time to post about food.

My first shopping was a failure.

I got all frustrated that I have no idea what to eat,

that I do not understand kanji on ingredients list

and I finished buying some non-vegan things

which I actually ate because I hate wasting food

and throwing it away would not help any animal

as I have already bought it and pay for it.

Now it slowly comes down.

It is far from perfect

but at least it has settled a little bit

and what is most important I enjoy discovering

new world of eating.

What is even more important I have rice.

No fear of hunger.

Already 2 kg of best rice ever <3

Some pasta.

Udon, soba, rice one but also 100% durum spaghetti

And

beans including tofu of course!

And this tofu... just add some soy sauce

and you can eat it straightly from a package..

Vegetables

Soy milk.

I can't wait to open the banana one!

Meat substitutes.

I bought some in eco store but it was not a good decision.

Way too expensive and you can find normal seitan in a supermarket.

I am really curious about this baked seitan which looks like a bread!

Yes, it is really a seitan in the middle of the picture!

No oatmeal. No life. So..

Seaweeds. Nori and konbu.

Something sweet to put on.. rice.

Well but also bread as I found a bakery with vegan baguette.

Of course big bottle of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Sesame oil is not that expensive in Japan.

Some ready-made food for lazy time.

Well.. sweets :)

Except chocolate from Poland

I only eat wagashi.

Japanese sweets are the best.

In Japan my diet will naturally become almost gluten free haha xD

And... yes I survived a few days but I am really addicted..I gave up.. lost...

Apples.. you can be expensive but I can not live without you..

As the label says these are kawaii pink apples xD

For the end: best find ever.

Azuki bean ice cream! Cheap, vegan with full azuki beans.

I am in love <3

Even in house I have somehow become more pink.

In Japan everything naturally becomes pink and cute.

Just look at this vegetables and fruits packages!

Step by step I will get better with eating here.

It is quite useful that in bakeries you have all allergens written

so I can check if there are eggs or milk inside.

I feel like learning cooking since the very beginning

like becoming vegan for the 2nd time. Let's take it as a challenge.

Kawaii Monster Cafe!

2016-08-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

So I am here again. Harajuku.

No matter how much it is changing it is still that cool.

I missed it that much.

I met with my friend after a long time. Two years!

Shopping and themed cafe in Tokyo

is a set that always makes a good day.

Very good day that you just live

without thinking about a reason for it.

Kawaii monster cafe

This is what kind of place it is:

This is like the most Harajuku place in Harajuku

(even though it is new)

produced by Sebastian Masuda-

the owner of brand 6% DOKIDOKI

and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu producer.

He is also known from his collaboration with Cool Japan idea.

Cafe seems to work quite good for it as well

as there was many tourists inside.

Well mostly to see crazy Japan face but still

it works for Cool Japan goals.

It is not kawaii in a simply sweet sense

it is an edgy face of it.

All cafe looks like a tummy of a monster

who just swallowed you.

The tummy that is governed by Monster girls.

And food.

My friend's burger

I finished with salat

but at least something vegan!

(in fact vegetarian but they made it vegan when asked)

They also had a performance

and asked me to join hahxD

I can not believe but I enjoyed dancing on stage

in front of some many people.

Such a priceless memory :3

Do things that you would never expect yourself to do.

This is the power of Harajuku.

First shopping

2016-08-26T08:46:00.001-07:00

After the post about living there should be one about eating.
Should be but not in Japan where cuteness comes beforehand xD
Food becomes something optional (if it is not cute, because it changes everything!).

So yesterday was my first trip. Yokohama. Biggest after Tokyo. Generally speaking big and I do not repeat it without the reason. I was touched by its bigness. By Japan's bigness. I almost forgot the Japan grandeur. Its power of losing yourself in it. I do love big cities. I love strolling in them alone for hours. Forgetting about the simply fact of my own existence. There is no better way to relax. As an introvert I need to recharge alone but strolling in big cities works similarly as even though there are a lot of people you do need interaction with them. You are one among millions. They are just background and in case of Japan a very nice background: stylish and also simply friendly, helpful. Nothing bothers you except too big bags if you bought to much lol xD

And I bought too much as always xD But well it was first time so I will forgive myself. I will not post pictures of next shopping (or rarely) as Insta is for spam but this is the first time so here are my babies <3

New dress IW <3

Meta Bag

Two axes femme blouses.

Axes femme is cheap but imagine used axes femme.

Funny cheap like 300/ 500 yens for a blouse!

And more.

Normally you probably do not need it but in Japan

cuteness is like oxygen or something.

What Am I?

Philosophy bear chan xD

To keep stuff.

Letter sets to write letters to my beloved friend

who does not use e-mail.

Pieces of a dream.

Things for a diary.

Some random daily stuff.

But cute

I wish every day is very fulfilling for you- said the prince.

Yes- answered the princess. It is fulfilling. Because I am where I should be.

My Japanese house

2016-08-25T05:56:00.003-07:00

What would you expect me to do just after coming to Japan?
Shopping Lolita dresses? Concerts? No? Then vegan food?..Well, then maybe like a proper student.. Learning? Not this time.
I spent all three days in Japan cleaning. It is not even that the flat was so dirty but still I got used to high standard. It looked pretty well outside but then I opened something or wanted to take a shower, make food and.. I could not survive in such a place.

But do you know what was the strangest I enjoyed it! Okay I finished really tired but I had fun. Moving into a fully furnished house is the best adventure ever. It just looks like a family living here had come to work and school but in fact it is your own place so you can look everywhere, check every corner, try every thing. I had so many surprises during cleaning, finding this and there some interesting stuff and trying to arrange everything according to my liking.

I will post some pics. Especially dedicated to future IUC students who will look for apartments pictures. I was doing the same actually and could not find enough.

So here is Star Heights in Kikuna (Yokohama)

Let's start from my room.

When I arrived it looked like that:

Turned it into:

I really like this Japanese style. Sitting on this low chair is so comfortable. And there is no better rest than lying on the tatami. The bed is also very low. I love this hanger. All my jewelry can stay there <3

Fusuma inside

My flatmate's room does not have tatami but look at this cute pillow <3

Let's go further.

Genkan. When you are supposed to leave your shoes.

Fusuma to enter rooms

Kitchen

We have coffee maker and of course suihanki <3 Rice everyday. Haha xD

So many nice dishes in Japanese style

So many chopsticks and suihanki spoons

Washing machine and drying machine

Toilet

And bathroom. Again Japanese style so with ofuro

Anyway now after making an order I really feel like home. It is incomparable better than any dormitory. You do really have your own place. And probably (as I know myself) it will become more and more cute with time. I look forward to compare these pics with the ones from next year xD

Not sure if I make a post about the vicinity so I can add that it is a residential area with many shops, supermarkets and the station is really close. Starts well except big, really big worms which try to enter house... They hits windows with big power without the end... Scary indeed..

Dreamlike welcome in typhoon

2016-08-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

So it is a perfect time to write a blog. 5 a.m. Cicadas seem even more noisy when you feel sleepy.

Tried everything to fell asleep.

Lying on a bed. Music. Smartphone scrolling. Looking for something I was sure I lost. Planning food for tomorrow. Eating mochi. Anyway. Jet lack is much harder than two years ago. Well, at my first time in Japan I did not have any at all and fell so proud in front of all complaining people.

So here is my punishment.

Well, I am punished way too much this time.

Everything seemed to be well.

Direct flight Warsaw-Tokyo.

And I even arrived to Warsaw by plane. No time to get bored at the airport as the gap between flights was short. The size of my luggage was ok. Only two skirts under my dress. It was supposed to go smoothly.

Supposed. In theory. The plain was late because of weather and then we had to wait for the start allowance...

At least the flight was not that bad. I watched two movies and everything went quite quickly.

As you know my craze for food and vegan diet:

here is what Polish airlines served vegans. Down to up: dinner and breakfast:

So for dinner I had lentils dahl with millet. Not that bad actually considering all bad stories about LOT food. There was also a salat with dried tomatoes, olives and arugula. Dessert- just some fruits. They also added a roll with peach jam and... honey. Not that vegan but still I would forgive...

Breakfast was much worse.. Some rice with a small portion of raw vegetables. A few slices of fruits with sunflower seeds and again a roll and peach jam.... There are good jams in Japan.. Were they so afraid that I will miss it? Forgot to mention: there was honey again of course.

But it is not all story. There was also a special dessert! Chocolate bar Prince Polo! Yes, it is so vegan with whey and milk. So vegan that in fact people with regular meal sets did not receive it lol xD It made me doubt if all the rest of meal was really vegan...

Tokyo greeted me with rain...

...and typhoon. Dreamlike welcome I must say.

All these big luggages and small me in the middle of the typhoon was a great adventure.

From Narita to Tokyo station (I recommend Keisei bus. Just 1000 yens. Cheapest one rarely used by tourists in fact). Then to Yokohama. Trains were late. The way seemed to have no end. We ask for cooperation... Sorry for delay... After all this time I could listen to these unending announcements well enough, if I even missed them actually.

When finally arrived to the closest station I could not even use my gps properly as the wind was so strong. Looking for the way seemed like a nightmare. My umbrella was jerked here and there and my luggages were almost flying behind me.

The most fascinating was the thought that I could just sit there and cry because there was no one who would see me missing at home. There was no one at home to call or ask for help. And this is how independence and self-reliance grow. I managed to survive it in spite of being all weak. I made it home with tears in my eyes.

Japan showed me the power of nature in the very beginning. But here is me not that weak as I thought. And if there is something you can do to overcome your fears you should do it. If there is no way (as with jet lack) you can just survive and hope for the better. And eat mochi. Yes, especially eat mochi. Never forget about it!

On my way to become IUC student

2016-08-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

Writing helps me to organize my own thoughts.
I make order in my life by writing either online or in my diary. I write since I remember and diaries take lots of space in my basement probably since the time I was 9. Often I do not know what I think until I take a piece of paper and try to verbalize it.
Words are never enough but our task is to try making the most of them. Find this one special word to express one special feeling. It can sound kitschy, trivial or vague but there will be this one person who will internally get it. Lately after a unique meeting I believe in the possibility of human mutual understanding in spite of all babble about lonely islands and relation walls.

Upcoming time will be extraordinary and will torn all my life apart so at least I want to try managing it by organizing memories. Call it castles on sand but know that I am not giving up.
Yes, I know that I am crazy about planing and organizing. Unending fight for the order which is then broke all of a sudden.
Anyway I do my best. No. Rather work on trying doing my best. You have to work on a simply process without being sure that in fact you could do more and your best was far below your limit.

On 21th August everything starts. Hello Japan again.

If you wonder what I am going to do there until June next year I will explain all doubts (and avoid questions). In fact thanks to this blog some people will be able to see how the life of IUC student looks like and maybe they decide to apply as well.

IUC, I said, what means Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies in Yokohama. Kanto. I add it because the simply though about being in Kanto, close to Tokyo, in difference to my previous stay in Osaka (Kansai) makes me all excited.

IUC is a language school for undergraduate/ graduate/ post-graduate students which is operated by different American universities but was started by Stanford University in 1961. Even now all application process goes through Stanford. Wikipedia proudly calls it top Japanese language programs in the world but mostly seems like it is top in creating American-Japanese relations.

In the beginning it was only for Americans then they opened it for Europeans and Australians. And here I am. All Polish alien among Americans as I see it now.

They offer both summer and all year courses. Most famous is this 10-months one which I am going to participate in. 10 months program changes into The Nippon Foundation Fellows Program if you are accepted to receive Nippon Foundation fellowship. This one is for graduate students who follow Japan-focused carrier in law, academia, diplomacy business.... I hope not to be the biggest alien ever in my Lolita dresses and Harajuku research..

The program is mostly about learning Japanese, getting some cultural knowledge and meeting IUC senpais, discussing your research, mastering reading academic texts in Japanese. It all ends with an oral presentation. Similar to Japan Foundation program I took part in earlier but it does not make my stress any smaller.

Seems like the stress is slowly accumulating and the amount of food with a special emphasis on the peanut butter chocolate is ridiculous. At least I hope that there is not enough time to get fat or at least on a moderate level. If still... this happens then I hope that cute staff in Japan will make me stingy with food so I will lose weight quickly.

Sunday all begins. If only fav peanut butter chocolate helps then I will continue eating it because probably there is no other way as surviving and the believe that the chosen direction is a proper one makes it worth fighting. And eating.
Sunday. Warsaw-Tokyo and Japan will greet me again. At least it has no choice. Neither have I.