Cannot wait to be reunited for real!
Jo x
2012/05/31
chubbchubbs
Cannot wait to be reunited for real!
Jo x
2012/05/26
swedenvision!
We did it, Sweden, we finally made it all the way! Sweden won the Eurovision Song Contest with Loreen and 'Euphoria' and that's the most suitable word to describe my feelings right now.
On so many levels, this song is pure perfection, and says so much about Sweden in 2012. It might not be apparent to non-Swedish people, but it represents so much more than just words and a melody. Also, given how much money, time, and effort that Sweden puts into the ESC, I think it was long coming and much well deserved. In the past years we've had good songs, but perhaps not of winning calibre. This year was different. It's the best song Sweden's ever had for sure - perhaps even the best the ESC has seen...? But I'm biased, of course.
Nevertheless, next year Sweden will host the contest - eek! - and I'll assure you I'll hang around at the end of May. Tonight was a dream come true for my country, and I hope we will show you what the Eurovision is all about for us next year.
I'm still in somewhat disbelief. This is wonderful!
Jo x
On so many levels, this song is pure perfection, and says so much about Sweden in 2012. It might not be apparent to non-Swedish people, but it represents so much more than just words and a melody. Also, given how much money, time, and effort that Sweden puts into the ESC, I think it was long coming and much well deserved. In the past years we've had good songs, but perhaps not of winning calibre. This year was different. It's the best song Sweden's ever had for sure - perhaps even the best the ESC has seen...? But I'm biased, of course.
Nevertheless, next year Sweden will host the contest - eek! - and I'll assure you I'll hang around at the end of May. Tonight was a dream come true for my country, and I hope we will show you what the Eurovision is all about for us next year.
I'm still in somewhat disbelief. This is wonderful!
Jo x
2012/05/25
eurovision!
This year is no exception and after careful consideration and contemplation, I have reached a top-5 list for what I think will be the outcome of the final. It is partly based on opinion, partly on predicting what people will vote for (they do rarely coincide). Click the country to watch! As follows (no particular order):
1. Sweden
Obviously biased, but I really do think this is worthy of top placement, and even first!
2. Russia
Sad, but true.
3. Cyprus
Love it.
4. Serbia
5. Jedward
They should, at least.
I'm quite wrong here, and I do realise that. More countries from the east will claim top placements (even though I can't imagine who it'd be) and Norway will certainly be top 10! It all comes down to the final performance, mind, and a lot can happen. Yes, I'm a nerd for this and I'm currently investigating future career opportunities with the event. How amazing would that be!
Anyway, tonight (this morning, 4am) is the big grande finale and I am so excited and nervous. I'm watching it with people - never a good idea. I get a little too patriotic and too wannabe-knowledgeable about it. That works best when you're on your own but I shall try to restrain myself. Gosh, I'm rambling. I can't wait!
Jo x
2012/05/20
solar eclipse
When I was younger I remember there was a solar eclipse (or was it lunar....) in Sweden. They told me I'd never see it again as it only happens every 100 years or so.
Little did I know I would, only a few years later, experience it again.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, it's an annual event. So at 7am this morning we woke up, grumpy as appropriate, and ventured out to observe the light in the sky. It was beautiful. It's so dramatic, isn't it?! Partially, partially, slowly, slowly, the sun is hidden in a dark orange light, like a secret whispering for you to keep it, or else...
(Also, it was of course accompanied by the typical Japanese "oooooh" and "eeeh" and "sugoiiii" + applause every time it appeared from behind the clouds. - Funny, funny, funny!)
Jo x
oh, tokyo...
...you nutty, capricious, and utterly insane city! It's sort of one of those 'you had to be there' kind of situations, but I still feel the need to mention it and exclaim, once more, my love for this capital. So many scenarios which are followed by the words 'Only in Tokyo.'
We went out Thursday, for the first time in a long, long time. Four girls, two guys. The night held a few separate incidents which together made it completely unforgettable. As such.
First, we arrived at the club at midnight, and it was empty, quite literally. First thing that happens is that a tall, muscular, sort of-kind of good-looking man saunters (waggles?) up to us, drunk as a duck, and asks if we're English. Turns out he's from Essex (if you don't know Essex...well imagine Jersey Shore, but British) and mighty proud of it too! So he went on to do what most foreign 30-something people do here - brag about his work and money, and follow that up with topless moves on the dance floor. Alone.
After all the Jagger moves were done and dusted, and we felt the oppressing stench of sweat and smoke get the best of us, we sought freer landscapes. Outside there was a little space where people could sit and relax, or in most cases - sleep it off. There was the girl who, speaking to her friend on the cell, got up, rather unstable on her high heels, anxiously repeating "my phone, my phone I can't find my phone!" - only to, after about 5-10 seconds, realise her mistake.
As is appropriate in such situations we went in hunt for food in wait for the first train. Being in Japan and all, we ended up in a noodle place and witnessed a glorious, glorious moment! Naturally people were sleeping at most tables, but one girl had managed to fall asleep head first into her noodle bowl. Which wasn't empty. One of the waitresses came to wake her up and as she lifted her head up, the soup was dripping from her fringe. According to my friend she said "this is the worst day ever." Poor girl. Me, I'm only sad that we didn't manage to get a photo.
Truth is, you never know what's going to happen when you step outside your door here. Expect anything, and you still will not be prepared for all that Tokyo has to offer. The unpredictability is partly why I love this city, and I hope to have more random moments before I have to make my bittersweet return to Europe.
So, another day has dawned...Tokyo, hit me!
Jo x
We went out Thursday, for the first time in a long, long time. Four girls, two guys. The night held a few separate incidents which together made it completely unforgettable. As such.
First, we arrived at the club at midnight, and it was empty, quite literally. First thing that happens is that a tall, muscular, sort of-kind of good-looking man saunters (waggles?) up to us, drunk as a duck, and asks if we're English. Turns out he's from Essex (if you don't know Essex...well imagine Jersey Shore, but British) and mighty proud of it too! So he went on to do what most foreign 30-something people do here - brag about his work and money, and follow that up with topless moves on the dance floor. Alone.
After all the Jagger moves were done and dusted, and we felt the oppressing stench of sweat and smoke get the best of us, we sought freer landscapes. Outside there was a little space where people could sit and relax, or in most cases - sleep it off. There was the girl who, speaking to her friend on the cell, got up, rather unstable on her high heels, anxiously repeating "my phone, my phone I can't find my phone!" - only to, after about 5-10 seconds, realise her mistake.
As is appropriate in such situations we went in hunt for food in wait for the first train. Being in Japan and all, we ended up in a noodle place and witnessed a glorious, glorious moment! Naturally people were sleeping at most tables, but one girl had managed to fall asleep head first into her noodle bowl. Which wasn't empty. One of the waitresses came to wake her up and as she lifted her head up, the soup was dripping from her fringe. According to my friend she said "this is the worst day ever." Poor girl. Me, I'm only sad that we didn't manage to get a photo.
Truth is, you never know what's going to happen when you step outside your door here. Expect anything, and you still will not be prepared for all that Tokyo has to offer. The unpredictability is partly why I love this city, and I hope to have more random moments before I have to make my bittersweet return to Europe.
So, another day has dawned...Tokyo, hit me!
Jo x
2012/05/17
homewards
This will have to count as exciting.
I have booked my flight home.
July 24 around noon I shall be departing from my Tokyo and head towards colder landscapes.
What awaits in Sweden then? Well, two months' work and crazy times with my sister before I'll be headed back to the UK and my final year at Royal Holloway.
Just about 2 months left of Japan in other words. Sad, sad face.
Jo x
lately
The weather here is lush. Around 24 degrees and hot as in a boiling pot. Needless to say, I love it. Shorts all the way for this one, while the Japanese put on long trousers and protect themselves from the sun with umbrellas.
In other news, I'm sporting a brand new shiny part-time job! Thanks to a good friend here, I'll be sub-editing articles for a cosmetics magazine which is soon launching an English version of their website. Just what I love doing and it'll certainly not harm my CV in any way!
As soon as something exciting comes along I shall be sure to let you know!
Jo x
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