Valentina Lara's journal

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 03:16:49 GMT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!!! I'll be thinking about you today.

Karaoke Fun and Kids..

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 05:13:22 GMT

Last night was great fun. I met up with Tomoko, Hayato, Ben and his GF Erica and went to Smash Hits in Hiroo. Now, I have heard of this place and probably walked in front of it at least a million times in my life. It's a karaoke bar with only english songs. A real karaoke bar where you actually have to go up on stage and sing in front of the crowd. I'm not much of a singer, and usually never sing but this place was different. 1)Everybody Sucks! 2)No one cares if you suck.. they still cheer you on. We all got up on stage and sang like rock stars. Honto ni tanoshikatta. I think I was a little drunk though.

I got home after 4 and decided to stay up since I knew Isaac wasn't going to hear his alarm clock for 4:30. Woke him up and took him to the station at 5. I can't believe how early they have to be at school for a wrestling match. I asked him what time he got home last night and he told me between 12-2am. What ever that means... I've decided to go easier on him. Talking to Ben reminded me of all the crazy things I did during my teenage years. My mother never gave me a curfew, never told me what NOT to do, and I turned out just fine (I think). I'll just have to trust him to make the right choices when he's out with his friends cause really, there is only so much a parent can control. We have a very good relationship right now and the last thing I want is for him to start lying to me.

jingisukan

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 14:50:45 GMT

Met Hio and Nori for dinner tongight. It was my first time eating jingisukan and I have to say it was really delicious! Can't wait to go back again. Takuro from the Japanese band GLAY was sitting right next too us. I'm not a big fan so bestuni... tte kanji datta. I would have been much happier seeing his wife Seri the model. I think

I need to make a run to Costco one of these days. Sonotoki wa Nori yoroshikune.

Sat, 14 Jan 2006 04:17:05 GMT

T left for Italy yesterday and I was so excited to be able to go out and catch up with some friends... but I feel terrible. My throat is killing and my nose is stuffed. For the first time, both boys went to sleep over at their friends house and I am all alone with Tora. Samishii desu. Kouyu toki ni kagitte inain dakara. Shikamo it's rainy and cold and I really don't feel like taking Tora for a long walk. Poor doggy. Mijikai sanpo de gaman shitene. So what to do on a day like this? I know I shouldn't go out but I just booked myself for a manicure at a new salon in Roppongi. When I get back, I'm just going to watch a movie and chill. Sounds good. Minna LJ update shite!!

skype

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 12:02:01 GMT

Does everybody have skype? I've been hearing about it for months now and decided it was time to download. I'm surprised that not many people have it yet. Please get one and e-mail me your skype address. We can talk for free!! My computer has a built in microphone but I feel weird speaking to the screen so I think I need to buy a headset.

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 15:50:35 GMT

It's officially the 31st in Tokyo. I should go to bed soon since we are leaving for Minakami at 8 am tomorrow, and as usual, I still have lots to pack. Actually, I am waiting for the laundry to finish so that I can shove it in the dryer before going to bed. T and I were at Minakami for Christmas and we only came back to Tokyo yesterday to pick up I and J who just got back from Sydney today. I have never seen so much snow in my life. I always thought of myself as a beach holiday person, but I'm enjoying the snow a lot more than I expected. T and I have fallen in love with Minakami and hope we can find a house to rent. Tora is very happy there and loves it! There is a great gaijin community and everyone is very friendly. We've always dreamed of having a weekend house in the country side to get away from the city, and I think we found the perfect location. In the winter time, you can ski, relax in the rotenburos (hot spring), snow shoe (which I'm dying to try), and in the summer time, you can go rafting, kayaking, hiking etc. These are some pics from Minakami. I can't wait to go in the rotenburo again. With the snow falling, it's the most beautiful thing.

Valentino Couture Fashion Show

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 01:01:18 GMT

I haven't been to a fashion show in a while but this one was pretty cool. The week before the show, T and I went to check out the Valentino boutique to see if there was something I could wear for the event. I could not believe the price!! Many dresses were over a million yen and we weren't even looking at the couture line. Cho bakanishiteru. Takasugiruyo! For a piece of red cloth?? NO WAY! I ended up wearing my usual boring ensemble. Maybe I can find a simple black dress in the States. I later found out that the prices of Valetino clothing are 2.4 times that of Italy. Usually in Japan, designer brands mark up their prices 1.5. No wonder it's expensive. And yet, they make most of the sales in this country. Who and where are these rich people? They are crazy.

The models were all over 180cm. WOW! The girl in the red dress was gorgeous

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE!!

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 02:55:40 GMT

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day and we'll celebrte it again when I get there!

Woodsmans Village

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 03:31:09 GMT

I went to Nikko this weekend with my family and some dog friends. The boys got to bring one friend each. It was freezing but the autumn leaves were beautiful. Tora had a great time hiking and wrestling with is friends, Koko & Elly. He was completely wiped out, and yesterday, he stayed on his bed the entire day. The hike was great but I don't think it was enough exercise to burn off all the great food and wine we had. I am still recovering...

Thierry, Isaac, Me, James and Tora

Apparently, there are too many deers in the forrest and anyone is allowed to hunt them. This man let us see the insides of the deer and Isaac took many pictures of it....disgusting, I don't understand boys sometimes.

I don't remember this!

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:37:52 GMT

This is weird. Do you guys remember this? Scroll down and you'll find some familiar names from nishimachi. I found mine as well as dr.K and Dita

http://134.129.111.8/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A1=ind9105b&L=response

New Journal

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:55:32 GMT

It's getting pretty cold in Tokyo so I bought PJ's today. Found some simple comfy ones for T and the kids at Muji. Very reasonably priced, I was impressed. So now they are all sleeping wearing matching PJ's. Very cute... should have taken a picture. Maybe tomorrow. I think I am going to run a bath so that I can finish reading my book. House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. Very very good book. I highly recommend it.