Berryz Tattoo

This is my fourth tattoo, and much like the other three, this one has a particular meaning. It’s somewhat obvious if you take a read over at my other blog, or browse trough some of my photos. To keep it short tho, I’m pretty passionate about Japanese culture in general, and Japanese music. Berryz Koubou is a largish part of that and this tatto, aptly positioned is a representation of that.
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Five Years in Kentucky

Over the past year I’ve started to make some changes.

Firstly, with going back to school. I’m doing pretty well so far; 25 credits and all As. I may not be able to keep it up this semester, but I’m going to give it my best. Japanese class is going great and I’m really enjoying Psychology so far. Psychology is something I may be looking into a bit further, I’m not sure yet.

Next semester I’ll be dual enrolled at the University of Kentucky, on the road to my Bachelors of Arts in International Studies, with a major in Foreign Language and International Economics. Depending on how UK ramps up their Japanese Studies program some of that may change, In any case, I’m looking forward to it.

I’m tentatively planning a trip to Japan this summer. Might not see a Berryz concert, which is a big reason I would want to go, but a trip to get a bit used to things and overall cultural immersion might be enough for a first. If things go well, I may plan another trip in the fall.

Just recently left my job after going part time for about half of the year. Need a bit more flexibility and to focus more on school. I’ll be doing some freelance stuff, we’ll see how it all turns out, but I’m optimistic.

Looking forward to the future!

25 Random Things

That thing, from Facebook…

1. I have a twin sister. A lot of people know that I guess, but some don’t. Oh, and I’m older (2mins).
2. I’m 6’1” which is kinda tall when compared to the rest of my family. I’m pretty sure it comes from my mom’s side of the family.
3. I’ve lived in 5 states. Minnesota (born), Wisconsin, New Mexico, Maryland and Kentucky.
4. I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t drink coffee. I don’t drink tea.
5. I’ve travelled out of the country twice. Once to Canada (Toronto), once to Sweden (Stockholm/Linchoping).
6. I’ve got three tattoos. My sister and I partially celebrated our 18th birthday by getting them done. A dragon kanji on the back of my neck and the kanji for fire and water on my right shoulder. The dragon is meant to represent a protector of treasure, the treasure being me (lolwut); that and a sort of representation of my thick skin. The water would be my nonchalant go with the flow attitude while the fire is some unkindled passion I have yet to discover. I’d like to get a dragon to cover the whole of my back. Sometime soon maybe.
7. I have horrible handwriting and I suck at spelling stuff. I also write my lowercase A’s as double-story, I think that’s what it’s called anyway. My English teacher in middle school did this occasionally and I thought it was cute. I’ve been using it ever since.
8. I’m a good cook? I’d like to think so anyway. I’ve been cooking since I was 3, I think. I used to cook breakfast for myself and my sister before we went to school. I took a cooking class in high school and at one point had contemplated going to a culinary arts school. Nowadays, I don’t cook so much cause I’m kinda lazy as far as going out shopping &c. I do still enjoy it tho.
9. I procrastinate way too much.
10. I want kids. Actually, I think I have for a while, tho I’ve usually said that somewhat jokingly. I’ve got some issues, as most people do, but I think I’d be a good father. That said, I don’t think I’m a good uncle at the moment. Sure my nieces and nephews don’t live anywhere close or whatever, but still, gotta work on that.
11. I’ve never missed a day of school. Might be because I never get sick. Which might be because I don’t want people to have to worry about me.
12. The name Geoffrey comes from Geoffrey Chaucer. George was considered at one point I believe, but I think it was my mom that didn’t want another George Washington Williams (the third). I still have the same initials tho, GWW. I think I want to name my first son George Walker.
13. I don’t read books. Actually, I can say that I’ve never read a book all the way through.
14. I fail at remembering the names of songs, lyrics, movie titles, actors and actresses. I don’t know how to do the electric slide. Or is it, “I don’t want to know how to do the electric slide”, hmmm… I fail at a lot of pop culture stuff really.
15. I rarely get stressed, mad, angry or the like. One thing that is annoying tho, is when people assume that I’ll get stressed, mad or angry when they tell me something. I can get a bit impatient sometimes, but that’s only with family I think. On that note, I’m an overall apathetic and emotionless person anyway; so if you ever do see me getting mad, maybe you should run :) . No, no, no… I’m not one of those people who will snap and go crazy or something.
16. I love snow. I love weather in general. I used to watch The Weather Channel all day.
17. I’m a Japanophile. I’m also a Wota. In some ways’ it’s not as bad as it sounds. In other ways, ya, it kinda is.
18. Cheese. Don’t know if it was Wisconsin or what, but man I love me some cheese. I also love Chinese and Japanese food. Mmm, and nothing beats a good salad. What I don’t like is food with bones still in em. Chicken wings and legs come to mind. Generally don’t like fish, but I love sushi. I’m also not a big fan of bread.
19. I absolutely adore cute stuff. “Hot” and “Sexy”, not so much.
20. I got an award in elementary school for being best dressed or something like that. This has carried on throughout the years, I’ve always ‘dressed up’ I think.
21. I’ve built a couple computers and am fairly computer savvy.
22. I used to make and play music with keyboards, synthesizers and computer software. I was in the school and church choirs. I played the clarinet and bassoon in middle/high school marching and concert bands. I’m currently teaching myself to play the drums.
23. I love learning about history and social studies, but I’m not good at remembering all of the stuff I’ve learned. I’m good at math, but I don’t like it. I can be a good writer, if I put the energy into it.
24. Off and on, I’ve had relatively long, straightened and often dyed hair whilst growing up. Nowadays, I just keep it short.
25. I’m pretty much an open book, but only if you ask the right questions. Otherwise, I’m quite content with just sitting back and observing the goings on around me.

Four Years in Kentucky

I’ve been living and working in Kentucky for the past four years now. It’s been a great experience thus far and I hope to stick it out for a few more years.

While I have been living here for a good amount of time, I haven’t really experienced Kentucky all that much. Lexington in particular, being a college town, has a lot of stuff going on throughout the year. I need to get out more, heh. I’ve never really been motivated enough to do so. I think it’s about time to start being a bit more proactive in getting to a point of settling down, starting a family and all that jazz.

I’ve recently joined a Japanese culture and language group that meets periodically. Additionally, The University of Kentucky seems to have a good Japanese program and a couple of groups that seem interesting to me. With my work schedule lightning up a bit, I hope to check them and others out over the next few months.

And speaking of work, the reason I moved out here to Kentucky in the first place. I’m very glad that I’ve been able to gain a lot of experience in a field of work that I enjoy and meet a fine group of people. I’m very thankful for that.

Looking forward to the future!

Oh, Snow; How I Miss Thee

So we finally got some decent snow this winter here in Lexington. This got me thinking about how I miss all the snow that we used to get back in Maryland. Snow has been on the light side both here and there for a while now, so even a little helps.

I’ve always been fascinated by the weather and meteorology in general, but the snow has always been a major event for me. I remember spending hours just watching The Weather Channel. I’d get really pumped when a storm was on it’s way. Since moving out here to Kentucky however, there’s not much to get excited about.

Coupled with my love of snow, I’ve always been attracted to the cold weather. Born in Minnesota and living in Wisconsin for eight years after that, I’ve grown to be fairly acclimated to it. Some might say that I’m a little too okay with it.

Through winters past, I’ve always been out there in my choices of clothing. Shorts, short sleeves and jacketless were the norm for me. While these days I usually stick to pants, I’ll most likely be seen without a jacket unless it’s really windy.

I used to say that I don’t get cold, but now that I think of it, its more along the lines of being significantly more tolerant than others. At one point I remember visiting a doctor for allergies I believe; it was said that my inherent warmth may be related to some high histamine or some such.