went to india arie concert in tokyo
after work on monday.
general awesomeness occurred.

jan 21-jan9
vietnam-cambodia-thailand

happy new year, friends.
i'm sure everyone had a better new years than i.
especially since i spent january 1st
in a hospital in siem reap, cambodia
with an i.v. up my arm for an hour.
saying "happy new year"
has a more comical effect
than expected.

 

hi umma.
it's me.
did you get my email?
yeah.
i did.
thanks.
oh yeah
i'm staying in japan another year...
at least.
don't worry.
grad school will still be there.
this experience will help me with my job in the future.
yes it will.
yes it will.
i've talked to my professors and bosses about it.
they say this experience will be good for me.
and besides, career isn't that important to me.
i don't care about money.
i care about the experience.
well...who says i want to get married anyway...
and now?
i'm not even ready.
i can get married later if i want to.
i am not that old.
you'll just have to stay alive.
well...stop smoking then.
there will be men left.
stop worrying.
yeah, sell my car.
i'll get another one when i return
(if i return).
huh? what?
no, i didn't say anything.
i've been thinking....
wouldn't it be nice to move to another country
after japan?
uh....no.
nevermind
i didn't say anything.
don't worry.
yes. i'm eating ok
yes. i'm cooking.
japanese food, korean food, "american food"
everything.
i even learned how to cook australian food.
stop worrying..
besides, i can cook.  you know i can.
huh?
oh yeah.
yeah..... thanks.
i got your cards.  thanks.
yeah. i celebrated it with some friends
and there wasn't any space anywhere for our group
it was too big and my city was really busy.
no. i didn't have birthday cake...but i don't need it.
besides, my birthday isn't until a few days anyway.
i'm fat. you said so.  remember?
sigh.  i know.  i'll lose weight.
i know i know.
i'll go to church.
i know i know.
sigh.
what?
i didn't sigh. i was just breathing.
what?  i can't just breathe?
ok whatever.
yes, of course i miss you.
i know i'm your only child.
i know.  i know.
but can't i just have my life?
you have roberto too.
he is your adventure.
i need my adventure....
but i don't think my adventure is a husband.
i don't think you understand mom.
i can't explain it in korean.
ai...cham.
yes, i'm learning japanese.
yes, i'm learning the customs.
my japanese is really good now.
i'm learning korean too.

well, i go to work, come back,
work on some writing,
on a chapbook
um...it's like a book of writing/poetry and art.
i'm going to exhibit it in an art show next year.
i know i know....
but i can work on grad school stuff later
i don't even know what i want to study.
but i know what i want to do now.
well, i don't know if i'm a good writer
but i'm working on it.
i know it won't pay a lot.
but i like it.
oh yeah...and i'm gonna go back to playing the piano.
i'm going to try at least
there's a piano at my school.
yes, exercize too.
i'm going to get back into playing volleyball.
huh?
no no...with the school's team.
it's just to help out.
i know....lose weight.
i know. i know.
...
yes, mommy....i miss you too.
yes, i DO love you.
you just frustrate me.
i know.
you're my cactus.
it means ...
well, you know how people give flowers
to people they love?
they are beautiful and pleasant
but they die quickly.
you and i have a cactus love, mom.
it's prickly and rough
but it lasts practically forever.
i know.
i know you love me.
i love you too.
ok.
bye.
i'll talk to you later.
bye.

click.

a few folks back home
i miss...
maybe.
a little.
a tad.
a bit.
meh.
get off my back.

i like this one.
my mom looks really nice here.
my dad....not so much. 
sorry.
he just looks sillly.

  

they are in larb.
cuteness.
...
shut up.
get off my back.

   

"IDENTITY CRISIS"

i told my friend, brad
(who's from "The South" and wants to make movies),
about the celebrity look-alikes.
he decided to try his luck on it.

...

later, i found this on this myspace blog...

...

<quote>

I usually believe everything that I read or see on the internet . . . but I'm having doubts about this sight.  Is
this thing credible if it's giving me a 67% likeness to Venus
Williams?  However, I'm less concerned about that than the sight's idea
of a "celebrity" . . . Tab Hunter, Pierre Bouvier, Jason Donovan,
Dexter Holland. .  . Who the hell are these guys?

 

Jen, if you read this, thanks for introducing me to this identity crisis hell.
<end quote>

...

of course...
i couldn't help myself.
i had to respond.

<quote>
"dude....katie loves you.

flawless

<end quote>

 

 

JEN PARK, SUPER INCREDIBLE - A Dialogue

By: Jennifer C. Park and Olivia M. Wong

 

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

 

Never give out your password or credit card number in an instant message conversation.

 

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file 20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (11).JPG" (903 Kb, less than 8 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer.

Transfer of file 20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (11).JPG" has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (11).JPG" is complete.

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK!

.....Jennifer says:

SUPERSTAR!

.....Jennifer says:

  WITH ROACH SPRAY!

Olivia says:

hahahhah

Olivia says:

u are so in ur underwar

Olivia says:

hahahahh

Olivia says:

cute

Olivia says:

you look super cute

Olivia says:

and skinnydamn

 

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file "JenParktheIncredible (12).JPG " (820 Kb, less than 7 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer.

 

Transfer of file "JenParktheIncredible (12).JPG " has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "JenParktheIncredible (12).JPG " is complete.

 

.....Jennifer says:

THERE'S NO JOB SHE CAN"T HANDLE!

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK!

.....Jennifer says:

ROACH GIRL!

Olivia says:

hahhaahah

Olivia says:

did u take these by urself right now?

Olivia says:

how are you wearing so little

Olivia says:

i'ts freezing here

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (8).JPG" (865 Kb, less than 8 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer.

Transfer of file "JenParktheIncredible (12).JPG " has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "JenParktheIncredible (12).JPG " is complete.

 

.....Jennifer says:

THERE'S NO JOB SHE CAN"T HANDLE!

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK!

.....Jennifer says:

ROACH GIRL!

Olivia says:

hahhaahah

Olivia says:

did u take these by urself right now?

Olivia says:

how are you wearing so little

Olivia says:

i'ts freezing here

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (8).JPG" (865 Kb, less than 8 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer.

Transfer of file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (8).JPG" has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (8).JPG" is complete.

.....Jennifer says:

JEN PARK!WITH DIFFERENT SOCKS!

.....Jennifer says:

JEN PARK IS INVINCIBLE WITH DIFFERENT SOCKS!

.....Jennifer says:

AND BIG FAT LIPS!

.....Jennifer says:

YES.JENPARK

Olivia says:

HAHAHAHA

.....Jennifer says:

SUPER

.....Jennifer says:

JISUN

.....Jennifer says:

"FORMATION OF INNOCENCE"

.....Jennifer says:

HERRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Olivia says:

i shouldn't save these in a plce where people can see

.....Jennifer says:

OH GOD

.....Jennifer says:

HAHAHAHA

 

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (6).JPG" (810 Kb, less than 7 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer

 

Transfer of file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (6).JPG" has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (6).JPG" is complete.

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK'S LIKES TO APPLE

.....Jennifer says:

NICE RACK

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK

.....Jennifer says:

DEDICATED TO OLABIA

.....Jennifer says:

!!!! EXCLAMATION MARK!!!!

Olivia says:

thanks ejn

Olivia says:

jen

.....Jennifer says:

SHE LIKES TO APPLE

Olivia says:

u make me smire.

.....Jennifer says:

HAHA

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK IS....

.....Jennifer says:

AN ONLYCHILD!!!

 

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (3).JPG" (851 Kb, less than 8 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer.

 

Transfer of file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (3).JPG" has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (3).JPG" is complete.

 

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK....

.....Jennifer says:

STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THIS GLOBE!!!!!!!!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK.WOMAN OF STRENGTH

.....Jennifer says:

YESSSSSSSSSSSS

Olivia says:

that's so not a globe

Olivia says:

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHAH

.....Jennifer says:

YES IT IS!

.....Jennifer says:

   YES IT IS, OLABIA.  YES IT IS.
.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK IS

.....Jennifer says:

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Olivia says:

seriously tho

.....Jennifer says:

what

Olivia says:

i'ts it warm in ur apartment?

.....Jennifer says:

it's warm in the kitchen

.....Jennifer says:

i just cooked

.....Jennifer says:

so it's warm

.....Jennifer says:

but smells like kimchee

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK! WOMAN OF WARM KIMCHEE!

 

Waiting for Olivia to accept the file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (1).JPG" (864 Kb, less than 8 minutes with a 28.8 modem). Please wait for a response or Cancel (Alt+Q) the file transfer.

 

 

Transfer of file "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (1).JPG" has been accepted by Olivia. Starting transfer...

Transfer of "20061107 – JenParktheIncredible (1).JPG" is complete.

 

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK.SMELLS HER FINGERS!!!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

THEY SMELL GOOD.

.....Jennifer says:

LIKE KIMCHEE!!!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

YESSSSSSSSS. YEAH KOREA.

Olivia says:
    my fingers smell damn good too

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK...HAS NO BUTT

.....Jennifer says:

!!! YESSSSS!!!!!!!!

Olivia says:

they smell like yakisoba sauce and sesame oil

.....Jennifer says:

THEY SMELL LIKE CHEESE TASTE

Olivia says:

hha no!

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK. ....TYPES IN ALL CAPSSS!!!!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

dude. i'm such an onlychild

Olivia says:

you are.

.....Jennifer says:

i can entertain myself with inanimate objects

Olivia says:

so is *SONNY BONO.*

.....Jennifer says:

but i'm sexier

Olivia says:

but u're much funnier

Olivia says:

yes, that too.

.....Jennifer says:

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

yeah.i don't care much about these photos

.....Jennifer says:

they ain't topless

.....Jennifer says:

but it does show my incredible strength!

Olivia says:

i saved them

Olivia says:

hhha

.....Jennifer says:

but if you ever post it

.....Jennifer says:

it has to have captions in all upper caps

Olivia says:

oh i won't post them

Olivia says:

hahahaha

.....Jennifer says:

and you have to type it like you are the announcer for superman in a 1940's film

Olivia says:

i just save dthem

Olivia says:

cuz they make me smile

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK.....WOMAN OF SUPERSTRENGTH!PICKS UP THE GLOBE!!!!!

.....Jennifer says:

and you have to overuse exclamation marks

Olivia says:

hahah ok

.....Jennifer says:

awesome, olabia.  awesome.

.....Jennifer says:

dude. it's freezing

.....Jennifer says:

maybe i should wear some clothes now

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK is cold!!!!

Olivia says:

yeah i'ts freezing

Olivia says:

that's why i was wondering how u could be wearing so little

Olivia says:

its damn cold in my apartment

.....Jennifer says:

same here but it just doesn't look like i'm cold in the photos because....

Olivia says:

yeah

.....Jennifer says:

JENPARK.....HAS PADDED BRAS!

Olivia says:

hahahah

Olivia says:

awesome

.....Jennifer says:

i'm gonna talk like this from now on

Olivia says:

hahahhha

Olivia says:

u'll drive me nuts

.....Jennifer says:

dude. how do i save this conversation?

.....Jennifer says:

this is genius

.....Jennifer says:

damn

Olivia says:

file save?

 

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

 

to be continued...

 

 

hally happoween: part II

was beating my head against a wall
thinking of what i could be for the halloween party
in takasaki tonyamachi
at suzzy's bar.

thinking of what i was in the past...
2002 - Amsterdam - Vanessa and I
sneak into some folks' rooms
to steal some threads
and dressed up
as Mitch and Brandon (two kids from our program),
respectively. 
i don the sideburns
and an extra facial mole.
it's a hit. 
2004 - Los Angeles - I dress as Olivia Newton John
in her "Let's Get Physical" video.
Ambiguous reactions.
2005 - Los Angeles - I dress as Peggy Bundy.
It's a hit.
2006 - Takasaki, Japan - I decided...
finally, after much deliberation
that i'd go as our prefectural advisor,
New Zealander....Sacha Battrick.

there, RealTime Sacha and WorkTime Sacha
are discussing important matters
crucial for the JET program in Gunma.

it was a hit.
got 2nd place in the costume contest.
1st place went to simon who went as Anpanman.
the judge was the japanese bartender.
i think he probably thought i was just some salaryman.
furthermore...i think they created a 2nd place for me
because all the folks at the party loved my costume.
damn, i wish i would have known who the judge(s)
were in advance

the process
1. electrical tape black straps to my watch
2. electrical tape my black chucks to look like dr. martins
3. acquire Sacha's work badge and tie
4. construct a belly-button-type earring with a paperclip, 2 types of beads, and crazy glue
5. draw beard with eyebrow pencil (and reapply as needed)

en route to WorkTime Sacha...

6. and...the clincher....get a wig (which is really difficult to do apparently in Japan)
and cut about 1 foot off the length, cut away the tonnes of blond highlights,
and layer the thing like a crazy person. 
i learned it's difficult to cut a wig without a head in the wig.
so i used casey.
here i am practicing to be a korean hair dresser.

casey, the samurai panda,
 got mad and threatened me with his samurai sword.

luckily, for me,
he became distracted at matt's leopard leotard.
genius.

bae yong joon was also watching matt's pants.

people were so impressed with my wig,
they longed for it.
rebecca longed for it...
and it changed her...
into a southern trucker
with facial tics

kenji went as a G-Unit Soulja. 
for those of you not "in the know"
we lovingly call Gunma "G-Unit"
he made a spinning medalion.

but it's difficult to be "hard"
when your hat says "G-Unit"
in bubble letters.

so he covered up the bubble letters with something
that was sure to make him look
"hard"

damn straight.

finally, we were ready to go to the party....

 

spoken word

oh japan.
i am the love you
with the say.

 

   canyoning and ish

en route to minakami

for some 
canyoning,
onsen-ing
damn good bbq

barbie's birthday in tokyo

barbie and a drunkard we found on the floor of the train station.
barbie liked his pants.

it's all well and good...

until ross gets too drunk to tell that he's hitting on a beer bottle.

takasaki bee bar

poni and shiny dog.
poni's the samoan kiwi on right.

i love takasaki

 

japan!

g-unit
here we go, gunma

i love japan.
japan loves beer gardens.

meanwhile, at the beer gardens....

rob has the sexiest eyebrows ever.
i want to make out with his eyebrows.

my korean name "jisun"
means "formation of innocence"
"naivety"
herro!

it's all fun and games....

when someone tells you to do the sign for "LA"
and you can't...

ah....there we go.

i can't be sure
but i think poni is trying to eat his own lips.

i like that this photo looks like
olivia and i grabbed a bunch of drunk guys
and took photos with them.

because that's exactly what happened.

 

the INFAMOUS square watermelon!

meanwhile, the folks in fujioka are marinating my next meal...

 

japan has become notorious for its weak drinks
so i've learned how to say "give me the strongest drink you have"
in japanese.
a certain japanese teacher is catching on.
he pretty much set the liter bottle of sake
right in front of my face
at the last teacher party.
he says to me, he says,
"many middle aged teachers will like you
because you can drink alot."
i am glad i can be enticing to
middle aged people.

the last time i asked for the strongest drink,
the bartender set a bottle with skull and crossbones on it
and stuck it in my face.
bless his little heart.

and the main reason why i love japan....

they are very conservative...

ok good night.