dreaming about Tommorrow

Be sad, feel better.

2012-02-08T22:48:00.000-08:00

悲しい歌は

なんで売れるの？

In the midst of all the 'sadness' and broken hearts,

we somehow manage to feel better

in the exact same moment.

Life is such an irony.

The big 4!!!

2012-02-01T21:24:00.000-08:00

He is 4!!!

I hope that his life is filled with

happiness, laughter, love and dreams.

I love you so so much!

Happy birthday, little guy.

Love, auntie Eri

xoxo

大好きなんです

2012-01-30T20:03:00.001-08:00

チキン南蛮が。。。
最近発見したお気に入りのお店。
Cafe de l'orangerie (￣▽￣)
http://www.cafedelorangerie.com/

Hearts all over.

2012-01-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

A second I realize,

that there is another broken heart,

my broken heart no longer focuses on me.

Broken somethin' is trying to fix a broken somethin' else.

Is this truly caring, or is it just covering up?

Yet another year

2012-01-19T20:46:00.000-08:00

As my blog turned 2,

I turned 26.

Getting older no longer seems as big of a deal as it used to be.

But I know that each year, I am surrounded with more love.

またひとつ、オトナになったエリに

大好きなえりねえからの

オトナなプレゼント。

初CHANELは赤。

似合う女性に、いつか絶対なれますように★

Thank you, Eri-nee--- :)

new year, new look

2012-01-12T22:57:00.000-08:00

The blog turns 2 years old this month.

My blog needs a design renewal in respect for a new year 2012.

I don't have a resolution yet, but I will, when I need one.

Until then, I am appreciative of everyone who supported me in 2011.

Giving back will always be my goal for them.

dreaming about tomorrow; version 2012 in effect!

Wishing everyone a very very great year ;)

"誰もみな　同じように　時の船の上

鼻の先で過ぎる「今」は

一秒前の「未知」"

my favorite song ♪

Sushi, love you long long time

2012-01-12T22:28:00.000-08:00

There is a very humble sushi restaurant my parents always take me to whenever I fly home.

The owner a.k.a the master of Sushi chef, Mr.Suzuki is a sort of guy who looks very quiet and humble, but he actually cracks me up every time he opens his month.

His specialty is "tamago", this mouth-drooling tamago beats no other, but his sense of humour is definitely another reason that makes you want to go back.

See the pictures and get jealous.

They say "Seeing is believing", but in this case you gotta "Taste it to believe it" ;)

写真：ゴールドランチ　￥3,465

鮨匠　紀文

神奈川県平塚市袖が浜18－21

0463　21　1463

日本人で良かった～と思う瞬間

2012-01-10T00:38:00.000-08:00

2012年年明け、家族団らんの温泉旅行。

今回は静岡県河津にある、「雲龍」という旅館に行ってきました～。

温泉とおいしい料理・・・日本人だから分かる最高の贅沢です♪

秘湯の宿　雲龍

住所：〒413-0501
静岡県賀茂郡河津町梨本439

ホームページ：http://o-unryu.com

Strawberry kisses...

2012-01-07T03:30:00.001-08:00

What makes life worth while.
Almost always unexpected, usually very sweet like this :) :)

おみくじ

2012-01-05T00:30:00.001-08:00

鎌倉、鶴岡八幡宮でひかせていただいた

おみくじ。

初めて見た。

凶！！！

ちかも、第１１番。

魔の１１。

逃れられないのかな・・・

今年はどんな年になるのかな。

皆さんの２０１２年が

平和でありますように。。。

meat NOT focused

2011-12-23T00:17:00.000-08:00

My lens decided to focus on the lettuce

Instead of the mouth-watering roasted beef.

Fine, lens. Be that way.

what's cookin' in my oven

2011-12-21T21:53:00.000-08:00

My holiday spirit goes like this...

November 1st, stores put everything Halloween on clearance and the interior is newly decorated with holiday cheers. - I feel like it's coming too quick.

December 1st, it's getting really serious and I finally turn the radio off, because I can't take any more Christmas music.

December 15th, I am keeping calm and trying not to get swallowed up by holiday drinks at Starbucks and holiday promotions at Holt Renfrew.

And I drive home one night, and inevitably take my tree out of a box, which sat in the corner of my living room for the past 11 months.

And the next thing I knew, got carried away with a new theme (new ornaments) of this 6 foot tree, gave it a couple of days standing on its own, but after that, wrapped up goodies gathered around it, patiently waiting to be opened by my loved ones.

By December 20th, I am no longer overwhelmed or in denial of the fact that I decorate my Eiffel Tower shaped cookies with coloured icing until 3am on a week night.

Again, to be enjoyed by the people I love and appreciate.

For years, as a kid, holiday season was all about waking up that one morning to find a surprise underneath the tree. Anxiousness and excitement and restlessness and the indescribable happiness all swell up and the night always seems the longest.

Now I've grown and realized what I really enjoy is the 'giving' part more than receiving, things have changed a little.

But why is it, that no matter how old I get, there is no other morning in any other time of the year, that feels as precious as Christmas morning.

It's like a jewelry piece you only wear once a year...

Wishing everyone a very very happy holiday.

Growing up.

2011-12-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

░þƔ░ A.m.u.r.o.N.a.m.i.e.LoveStory (1440x1080... by wonderful-life1989

In some ways,

Or in MANY ways in fact,

No matter how old we are,

We never stop 'growing up'

Everyday,

making choices,

letting go of things

when it's not so easy,

patiently waiting,

or just simply accepting

or forgiving

If every single choice I make

Will guide me to a better person

Somehow pain

Seems bareable, and necessary

A gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do

2011-12-12T22:29:00.001-08:00

去年の今頃、

「来年は自分の"comfort zone" から

抜けたことをする」

なんてことをブログに書いていたことに

今気付いた。

どう考えても、そんなこと

ひとつもしてないような気がした。

でもある日、師匠えりねえから

小林カツ代の料理本をもらった。

もはや強制的に。

「できるようになりたい」というキレイな心よりも

「できないのはいやだ」という

プライドのほうが8割がただけど

理由や動機はなんであれ、

最近やっと重い腰が持ち上がった。

布と裁ちバサミがあれば、自分はいいと思ってたし

まな板と包丁は、コックさんのものだと思ってた。

台所はコーヒーを入れるところで、

オーブンの使い方が分からなくても

生きていけると思っていた。

自分ができないことって

理屈じゃないんだと思う。

誰かに「できない」と言われたら

そう思い込んで作り上げた自分像を

覆したくなった。

What I thought I could do so well,

Might turn out to be mediocre.

What I thought I couldn't do,

Was only impossible

Because I never got onto it.

A gal's gotta do what she's gotta do.

Can and Cannot;

Just a paper thin possibility...

2011-12-12T21:24:00.000-08:00

暖房がんがんきいた

あったかーい部屋の中で

窓を開けて

冷たい外の空気を

ちょっとだけ入れる

その真ん中の温度が

絶妙な１２月。

Keep your head up

2011-12-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

久々に

心に響く曲

心から音楽を愛する人が

心から楽しんで

歌うから

こんなにトリハダもんになる！！！

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3uj9UwLE-g&feature=share

Ahhh....Life is too short, I gotta keep my head up って

思えるよ。

She's gotta Charm

2011-11-16T21:53:00.000-08:00

If you were a charm,

I'd wear you on my necklace

Everyday

:) :) :)

Gipsy's child.

2011-11-15T22:30:00.000-08:00

From my journal in France, back in summer 2008

After a long day of Cross Cultural lectures and company visits, we stumbled onto a random metro station on the way home. We decided to buy some groceries for dinner as there happened to be a food market where we walked up the stairs from underground. The store was filled with scent of freshly baked buggets and lively music. It was late afternoon, but it was still very hot. After 3 bags full of feast including mouth-watering rose champagne, we walked out of the store. Although the street seemed filled with people, it was only then that I noticed the area we were in might have been a very poor part of the city. A little child had taken his pants off and started squatting by the tree. As you would say in children’s expression, he was going “potty”. I looked away once, then realized the oddness of what I had just seen, and looked back to take a second look. He was still there, squatting, and it somehow seemed normal to him. Then I started looking around to find his parents in sight. The street was so busy, and every person faded out as they walked by. Meanwhile, the child had finished and stood up. That’s when I discovered something else; that the child was a little girl, baring her naked body in public. She was probably 4 or 5, face smudged with dirt, short hair badly cut, and big dark brown eyes. She began walking through the crowd, picked up a piece of haggard newspaper, and cleaned herself up. It had been 2 minutes, maybe 3 since we came out of the market. It felt like one of those slow motion moments I’ve had several times in my life.

She walked some more, good block and a half, and stopped in front of this older woman. She was dressed poorly with a worn out black sleeveless top, a faded bohemian-patterned cotton skirt, and countless numbers of broken rusty pieces of jewellery. Behind her were several more women who were dressed very similar, all sitting down on the street, looking exhausted.

Locals called them the Gypsies. The little girl was a gypsy’s child. Because of the French government allowing those people to move here without any visas, numbers and numbers of them get in the country every year without proper permits or reasons. Majority of them come from north of Africa with neither education nor functional social skills. Living on the streets was an obvious future for them, but they still try to come, because here, not everyone is like them. Once in a while, someone throws a penny for them. Most of the time, they are invisible, at least to us. In fact, I had been here for 3 weeks, and that was the first time I actually observed what they looked like.

As for “us” people, some just simply kept walking; others held on to their bags tighter and walked around to be as far away from the gipsies as possible. There I was standing with my full-filled grocery bags, witnessing what I had expected to see in third world countries. I had always been aware of street children and homeless people in general, that they are in every big city, but my ignorance made me forget how badly it had developed in some places. I didn’t zip up my purse. My grocery bags were hanging loose off my hands. I just stood there and watched them sitting down, so exhausted. It seemed like a long time. It felt as though I was lost in translation, and the heat was not helping at all.

So this child, who knew no better than to behave the way she did, had walked up to an older gypsy. Quite possibly her mother or her aunt, yelled out a few words, hit her head from the side, and pushed her back onto the street. The girl stumbled a few steps away, shirtless. She looked back once only to find the older gypsy waving her hand “go”, then ran off to the other side of the street. After that, the little girl was no longer in my sight. I turned around and started walking.

It was all within 6 minutes. I only know this because the schedule at the bus stop showed how long it was going to be before the next one came. I guess I had unconsciously checked it right before the little girl caught my eyes, but everything after that was a slow motioned blur. It was only one child, and there are probably hundreds more in this city alone. How could I be so shocked? I should know better. I should expect worse, but the reality of my life could not face a single moment of the reality of the girl’s life. Then I started imagining what she has to go through every day. It started to choke me up so I had to stop and snap out of it. Yes, I just snapped out, only thinking that she will never be able to out of her life. If I closed my eyes right now, the only thing I see is the little girl’s boney back, taking so much more than I could ever take with my whole life…

2011-11-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

思い起こせば、あれから１０年以上。

いつのまにか、２０代後半になって

これからなにをしようか、なんて

ゆっくり考えながら毎日過ごしている。

部屋の掃除をしていたら、靴箱の中にためていた

ママからの手紙がたくさんでてきた。

古い封筒の切手には、２００１年の日付。

ひとりでこっちに来た年の手紙。

手紙、絵葉書、雑誌の切り抜き、写真。

ママはよく、なんでもない日にも手紙をくれた。

「最近日本はやっと秋らしくなってきました。

おばあちゃんも元気ですよ」

とか。

「エリゴンへ

元気～～～？？

ママゴンより

P,s.パパが会いたがってますよ！」

とか。

もちろん、誕生日も毎年欠かさず。

それだけではなくて、クリスマス、ひな祭り、ハロウィン、バレンタインには毎年

四季折々のカードを。

毎年４月１４日には、カナダにきた記念日カードを。

１０年間、毎年欠かさずにくれた。

たまに、「日本の政治を知りなさい」と

つまらない経済雑誌の切抜きを送りつけてきたり

「日焼け対策をしなさい、紫外線は猛毒よ」と、

日焼け止めを３本も送ってきたりもした。

そして薬剤師のママは常に、

「健康管理！！日常生活の乱れ＝体調不良！！」などと

自分で作った決まり文句を書き綴って

部屋にはっておきなさい、とよく言っていた。

あーつまらない記事、めんどくさい。って

いつも思っていたけど、最近

いつか自分もこうなるんだろうな、と素直に思う。

こんなに遠くにいるのに、

ママの愛が、手に取るように伝わる。

ママの愛情表現は、プロ級だ。

長い長い学生生活を終えて卒業したときにくれた手紙には

こんなことが書いてあった。

卒業おめでとう

長い学生生活、よく頑張りましたね

高校３年

カレッジ２年

ユニバーシティ４年

この９年間で得た経験は

これから出る社会での種になります

壁にぶつかったときに

前に進める力

正しいと思えることを選ぶ

判断力

あなたにはあると、信じています

一味違った人間に、成長してください

あなたはママの太陽です

卒業を祝して　ママより

エリはこうやっていつもいつも

ママの愛と、助言と、つまらない経済記事にすら

守られて

安心して自分の道を進んできた。

電話で説教をされて不機嫌になったり

ママにはわかんないよ、って言い捨てたり

もういい、切るよ

って何度電話を切っても

必ずまた、かかってくる。

そして時間がたって結局

やっぱりママが正しかったって気付く。

エリの何十歩も、何百歩も先を歩いてるんだなぁと思う。

もう２５になるのに

恥ずかしくて未だに

素直にありがとうとか、言えてない。

ダメなむすめー！！！！

でもエリは確実に

強くなっていると思う。

自分の信じる道を、進んでいると思う。

ママの期待と信頼に背中を押されて

これからも人として、大きく大きくなりたいと思う。

見返りを考えない優しさも

誰かの痛みを分かってあげる心も

誰かの過ちを許す心も

待つことの辛抱強さも

耐えることの無情ささえも

これから見えてくる

山も谷も崖も川も嵐も

全部吸い込んで

大きくなるんだ。

そしていつか同じくらいの大きな愛を

エリも誰かに分け合えるようになったら

いいなぁと思う。

１０年分の愛の言葉が詰まった

箱のふたを閉じながら

こんなことを思った

日曜日の午後。

Fight for every dream,

Because who is to know

Which one you let go

Would have made you complete?

When trusting is the only thing you can do.

2011-10-26T21:15:00.001-07:00

誰かのために

人は確かに

変わることができるものさ

Believe myself.

2011-10-18T23:23:00.001-07:00

am i ever gonna be?

Officially...

2011-09-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

It's fall.

And this,
is behind the stage with Thakoon for Fall 2011.

2011-09-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

JUJU また明日　PV from marumototatsuhiko on Vimeo.

今日何気なく過ごした一日は、

誰かがどうしても、生きたかった一日。

大切な人たちが、いる幸せ。

「また明日」と言える幸せ。

ありがとうとか、ごめんなさいとか、あいしてるとか、

声に出してちゃんと言えるようになろう。

The day you unconsciously spent

Might have been the one day someone wanted to live for.

To have loved ones around you.

To be able to say "See you tomorrow"

Is all a happiness taken for granted.

The edge of a runway

2011-09-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Lady Gaga's recent hit 'Edge of Glory' is coming out of a radio as I write this.
This song makes me happy, I think.
Miss Gaga's definitely got a thing or two about uplifting people's heart.

A very good friend of mine, who is also my mentor, and a life coach, and also like a cool auntie who wants me to teach her how to text; I stopped by her house on my way home from work with teo cups of London Fog yesterday. We often have to try very hard and weave through our ridiculous schedules to see one another, but when we do, we seem to talk up about a-school-semester worth load of topics.

Yesterday, we got to talking about things that fall on your plate unexpectedly.
We are inevitably faced to make decisions all the time, and sometimes you need the courage to let go of things, but what if, if you just held onto it for just a little bit longer, if you would've waited one more day before giving up, life could've changed without your intention.

It's about being in the passenger seat in your own life.
Sometimes, others know better about what good is in you, they'll drive you to where you belong.
I've kind of experienced this first hand in the last couple of months, and I now know when things are going off road a little, to just chill out and observe. Make the decision when it really has to be made, or not make it. Because who would've known, something you've always wanted might be just around the corner.

Most of the time, I am blind at what I do, being surrounded by people who have been in it for over a decade. But somehow, I still feel right about where I stand. Even if it's the very edge of a runway which we call 'work', in the middle of a chaotic fashion show we call 'life'.

I am probably, where I should be. We're all right where we should be.
...or at least that's how we should positively convince ourselves.

"Life is a fashion show,
the world is your runway."

happy shoe-riday

2011-09-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

My favorite shoes.

And my favorite shoe-print dress!

Was I feeling more than one pair of shoes this morning? - probably.

Happy shoe-riday, have a chillaxin' rainy weekend!
xo

Consumption Madness and Kate Moss

2011-09-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Bay in downtown Vancouver is dedicating more than 1,500 square feet of their 2nd floor to the famous British brand Topshop.

Yes, I check out the store when I am somewhere else in the world.
Yes, I do like the over-priced line designed by Kate Moss.
And yes, I have spent more than a couple bills here and there.

But really, does this city need to be any more un-original than it already is?
It's like that kid in your high school, who hangs out with all the 'popular' kids, has the cool bag, dresses like the other girls, and eats what these girls eat, and she may act all cool and popular, but it's all an outer glam. You try and get to know her but you won't know her, because she's got no personality.

So ya, there's my thought - I think the city is going to become like that kid.

But having said all of this, I am living as a sales agent, trying to convince the others that they should invest their dollars on the exact same kind of mass production.
Life is irony, but really, which one do I live true to, at the end of the day?

For when the summer is gone

2011-08-24T23:16:00.001-07:00

Inspiration is almost always a surprise.

Unexpected, out of nowhere.

This little angel turned 2, and I am getting her ready for the season of rain and wind.

Surprise surprise at IKEA's textile section!

This will be the most cheerful colour under a grey sky of fall :)

Happy birthday, (not-so) Baby (anymore!) Clara

xoxo

His dreams.

2011-08-22T23:00:00.000-07:00

"My friends,

love is better than anger.

Hope is better than fear.

Optimism is better than despair.

So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic.

And we’ll change the world."

August 22, 2011

Jack Layton

These are his dreams, which he had passed onto our generations.

Just when you think your life is so difficult and your worries are so important,

something or somebody will remind you,

not to take a single breath for granted.

Apologies of the weekend:

Dear Bum/pot head guy in Seattle,

I am sorry for yelling at you because you wanted to show me

where China Town was, and I am not Chinese.

I really wish I could thank you now for your kindness,

I still hope you had a good Hemp Day afterwards.

Life's a beach.

2011-08-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

８月１５日は、第二次世界大戦、終戦の日。

日本が、戦争に負けた日。

「戦争を知らない子供」のど真ん中で生まれ育った私には

まるで現実味がないのだけれど

おばあちゃんの話を聞いておいて

よかったと思う。

もっと聞いておけばよかったとも思う。

おじいちゃんの武勇伝も、聞いておけばよかったかなぁ。

エリも大きくなって

同じ浜辺に立つ。

おじいちゃんやおばあちゃんの、おじいちゃんやおばあちゃんも

立っていた同じ砂浜。

エリも子供にも残せるのかな。

My heart

2011-08-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

Stolen by this little chicky!

Kenzo Kids sneak preview here - http://www.vogue.co.jp/fashion/news/2011-08/03/kenzo

dancing in my tutu

2011-07-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Came across an old issue of Vogue from a few years ago.
"Ballet meets Mode"

These editorials immediately makes me think of Grace Coddington.
She might've even directed this shoot probably.
Desaturated pastels and always fairy-tale like.
They almost look like paintings of old times.

And it makes you feel like you want to go put on your tutu and start standing on your toes.

And the boys are the little dancers from Billy Elliot. How cute!

This one's for

2011-07-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

This one’s for you and me, living out our dreams
We’re all right where we should be
Lift my arms out wide I open my eyes
And now all I wanna see
Is a sky full of lighters
A sky full of lighters

2011-07-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

yea, I guess I could live with this...

The light you see

2011-07-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

The first 3 years in Canada was surrounded by trees and rivers and lakes, slow-moving day light and millions of stars at night. The air was a scent of leaves and water.

And 'a deer in the head light' wasn't just a figure of speech, it literally happened pretty much every day on the good ol' Chemainus Road.
We walked on that road, drove on that road, but so did the animals.

In the summer, we go tubing down the river, floating around into directions as the river pleases, and at night we light up bon fires, play guitars and sing.
These days, those times seem like a long lost dream.

The other night, I stepped outside and smelt that familiar scent. Of leaves and water, the kind of 'beginning of summer' scent.
And just like that, flashbacks of memories came pouring into my head, and for a few seconds it felt as though I was thrown back to that slow moving life.

Scents and sounds trigger memories.
So then it makes me wonder, what could it be for my grandma to remember her life...

When I am in the city, and all I see are flashing traffic lights,
I reminiscence in times when having nothing at all meant having everything.
And the moon was the brightest light in the night sky.

All Saints/Lauren Hill and Fugees remix - Stand By Me
LOVE this song.

The other side of it all.

2011-07-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

I think when I first got into this, I wanted to see the 'glamour' that had every girl crowded all over, and when strangely enough, something goes fadin' away, something else comes outta nowhere, which has gotten all of us all over again, and it's like a positive curse that repeats.

It's like we've all been powdered by Tinkerbell, it somehow makes us happy to feel like we're in the loop, in the middle of it all, so trendy, so chic, so in vogue.

How did all of this happen?
Where are these 'must-haves' and 'key-colours' coming from?
Why do I feel like the bought-out market, and I am no Heidi Klum or Anna Wintour.
Nor will I ever be like Alexander McQueen.
Why does this world seem SO glamorous, yet the more I step in deeper into this hall of glamour, the repetitive circle of 'new season' appears clearer, which seems to accelerate even faster every time I blink. And behind all the blinding glitz, I finally notice that I have been on the shallow side of it all.

What's in it for me, is what I haven't found. What I wanted see is probably not this.
If I decide to stay in this conspicuous consumption madness, I need to find a way to stay on the other side of it all.

2011-07-13T10:38:00.001-07:00

korekara

2011-07-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Kind of... sort of to my surprise,

And kind of like how it seemed over a year ago,

I don't really know my 'korekara'

My ability to envision and foresee,

and construct aren't really present at the moment.

"A calm see will not make a skilled sailor"

But if I can't even see the shore,

it will only drown me.

Where is that balance, when I hold onto a single hanging thread,

But still see the light at the tip of it all.

Where do I go,

when I can't see.

For the next six months.

2011-06-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does this movie look like the moving Louvre Museum.

And this also, Brad Pitt looks like someone else

One day.

And this.
It NEVER fails. Can't wait!!! - some scenes shot right here in Vancouver :):)

borderline

2011-06-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

普通の呼吸のスピードを

深呼吸に変えられるくらい

ゆーっくり過ぎていく時間の中で

いつか覚める夢のような、現実のど真ん中

これからどうしようなんて

考えたところで

どうにかなることでもない

だから

この空を見上げながら

目の中のモヤモヤを追いかけて

「これから」が色褪せるから

ずっと一緒

2011-06-22T22:44:00.000-07:00

Pray for JAPAN.

Dream.

2011-06-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

This morning, The Vancouver Sun reported "Dream turned Nightmare"

Think about how many teams there are in NHL.
Think about how long it took for the Canucks to get back up this far.
Think about how many of us cheered for every single game.
And remember that what we watched last night was GAME 7.

We are still the second best.

The Vancouver Canucks made us proud.
True fans are still cheering for you!

photo: taken from The Vancouver Sun

Now, let's put our shame to rest.
And hope that next season, the dream stays.

"Post-Riot Clean Up" - happening right now in downtown Vancouver.
INSIDE VANCOUVER - "A sad day for Vancouver"

It's the blue!

2011-06-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

We call it the Samurai Blue, when Japan plays for the World Cup soccer.
And it's the same deep blue for the Canucks when it comes to the team's theme colour.

Blue is also said to be the most soothing, yet the most confident of all colours.

Blue is also, in deed my favorite colour.
And it seems to be this summer's fav too...

Take it home

2011-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's Game 7.
Win it or lose it, it's the last game.

Take it home boys,
might as well when you've come this far.

GO CANUCKS GO!

2011-06-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

.

"25% of all kids world wide do not have electricity,
Most of those kids, however, play soccer."

I wish that every breath I took was equivalent to what this soccer ball is capable of.
But maybe it's not so far in future...

Lately in the fashion world...

2011-06-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

Which I have been away from.

It's like trying to squeeze out a drop from a day old lemon slice,
I feel as though my creative juice has been so dry.

Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton - shot by AnnieLeivobiz in Cambodia

I start draping the fabric that I bought months ago.
After 5 minutes, I seem to lose my vision.

I sit and thread my 4 thread surger, and that's about as far as I get these days.

Under no pressure, maybe I am no good.
And the shinning sun on the weekend is just gonna make me stay away from it even more!

All I want to do is lay under the sun, and dream about all these amazing things that will never have to happen - time of imagination is all I need under shinning sun and summer breeze...

But I guess I won't stop trying to stay in the loop
It just moves so fast, I can't even blink twice.

夏到来♪

2011-06-13T00:29:00.000-07:00

待ちに待った、この季節。

ワタシの季節！！！！！

きたぁぁぁぁぁぁーーーー！！！

SUMMER IS HERE!!!!!!

WISE - By your side feat. 西野カナ (歌詞) by yan886223

Post Bruno

2011-06-13T00:22:00.001-07:00

やっぱりBruno は世界一だぁーーーー♪♪

えりねえ、一緒に叫んでくれてありがとよぉー！

来れなかったカワイソウなマイベイビーにも、ちゃんと買ったしね♪

さあ次は誰のコンサートに行こうかしらぁーーーーー！！！

So soon...

2011-06-02T10:10:00.001-07:00

2011-05-26T00:41:00.001-07:00

今日も元気に遊んだかなぁ・・・。

早く来月にならないかな♪

2011-05-10T23:23:00.001-07:00

These little ones,

they colour me happy :):):)

母の日。

2011-05-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

たとえそこに形があっても、なくても

人にはみんな「母」という存在があって生を授かる。

おばあちゃんは、母の母で、母は自分の母で、姉は姪っ子甥っ子の母で、そのまた次もこれから続いていく。

誰かが誰かのお母さん。誰かが誰かの子。

自分に分かって、母に分からないことなんてひとつもない。

母親というのは、常に10歩も100歩も先を行って、追いつくのを黙って見ていてくれる。

失敗したら、「はい、もう一回」

挫けそうになったら、「アナタならできる」

うまくいったら、「よく頑張ったね」

時が経てば経つほどに、なりたい理想の「自分像」は母に近づいていく。

Happy mother's day, Mama.

So lucky to have a mum like you... :):):)

xoxo

A humble one.

2011-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Meet Earl.

He came to Canada from the Philippines when he was still pretty young, and one day found his passion in the collaboration of art and fashion. When you meet him, you can immediately tell that he is a very sweet, humble,intelligent, and talented young man.

Not to mention that he is in fact the first place winner of Telio's National Design Competition, which was held during Montreal Fashion Week this year.

Of course though, being the person Earl is, he does not carry any of his accomplishments and victory in his face for a show-off, but inevitably, it's the accomplishments and victory themselves that want to be carried with him :)

Visit Telio's newly updated website ***to find out what this ambitious designer has been up to.
(***Under Telio Talk - webzine)

To make the long story short, this national competition winner / full-time fashion design student / design assistant intern, who presumably have NO spare time of his own, somehow created a very heartfelt collection inspired by an old Japanese tale, because he felt as though he had to do "something" for those who lost and survived in the land he's never even been to.

After the collection was completed, it was donated to Japan Love Project to raise money for the earthquake relief.

He says he was inspired.
...well, I think everyone else was inspired by him.

This is a true example of "doing something for others".
Truly unconditional, and absolutely inspiring.

Earl, Japan is very lucky to have people like you ;)

The hand-painted organic cotton oversized tunic was auctioned off yesterday at Sakura Saku Nihon E... - Silent Art Auction for Japanese Earthquake Relief presented by BC-JERF.

@ Sakura Saku Nihon E..silent art auction event
Currator: Yoriko Gillard

"The Sadako Dress - (starting bid $200)" & "Origami Shirt & Skirt (starting bid $100)" are still available. Bidding will end May 31, 2011 at 12:00pm pacific time. - For offers/contacts/any other inquiries, please email akai.eri@gmail.com
High-res images and online catalog also available upon request.

JAPAN LOVE.
It's everywhere.

2011-05-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

去年の今頃は、エーゲ海にあるボドラムで、ピーナコラーダ飲んでたなぁ・・・。

しかし、5月なのに寒いなぁ・・・。

トルコという国に魅了されて一年。

また絶対に絶対に行くんだ！！！

2011-04-28T09:11:00.001-07:00

いつまでが我慢で

いつからが限界か

どこまでが誰かのためで

どこまでが自分のためか

その微妙なボーダーが

相変わらず分からない

2011-04-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

最近晴れたなぁ、と思ったら。

昨日は大雨。

今日も雨が降ったりやんだり。

でも、雨が降り始めたときの匂いは、いいと思う。

最近朝は、夏の匂いがする時もあって

なぜだか、島にいたころを思い出す。

Live. Love. Laugh.

Before I know it,

it's gonna be a bitter sweet summer.

エリの毎日を取り巻く全てが

当たり前のような奇跡。

ずっと続かないから

大切。

6:58 AM

2011-04-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

How was everyone's Easter?

Long weekend is always like a trains station that the train stops for a few minutes longer than the other stops. You take the time to look and see what's around you. Find something new. By the time Monday (Tuesday) rolls around, you are hopefully all refreshed and good to go.

Another week is starting.

気合いだ。。。

Lives lost.

2011-04-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

２万羽の鶴が、失われた命なら

一羽折るたびにその命が、吹き返ればいいのにと

願いながら折った。

でもそんなことは出来ないから

せめて、水の底に沈んでしまったのなら

日本一美しい鶴になって

日本の空を飛んでいて欲しい。

全てを失っても

必死で前を向いて生きて行こうとする人たちを

見守っていて欲しい。

どうか彼らの今日が

ちゃんと明日に繋がりますように。

どうか彼らの明日が

今日よりもよくなりますように。

明日はJERF主催のチャリティーコンサートです。

日本の和太鼓を始め、数々の賞で活躍を続けているバンクーバーシンフォニーオーケストラの演奏も予定されています。

Ticketmasterでチケット購入可能です。

時間ある方は、是非見に来てください！

最近、震災チャリティーも音楽を通したイベントが多いです。

そうやって人と人が繋がっていたり

心がひとつになるのを見ていると

やっぱり音楽ってすごいなぁ、と思います。

2011-04-12T23:33:00.000-07:00

涙流れて　どこどこ行くの

愛も流れて　どこどこ行くの

そんな流れを　このうちに

花として　花として　むかえてあげたい

2011-04-11T22:10:00.001-07:00

今は　強く　前へ

ありがとう。

2011-04-11T21:00:00.000-07:00

地震からちょうど１ヶ月の昨日、街頭募金も最終日を迎えた。

初日、箱を持つ腕が痛くなるくらい募金が集まったのに比べると、ここ２週間前くらいからは、地震の事さえ忘れている人や、心無い言葉を言い捨てていく人も増えた。

「あなた達、まだやってるの？」

「パールハーバーのばちが当たったんだよ。」

「なんで金持ってる国が、もっと金貰おうとするんだ！」

その瞬間にも、命を落として言ってる人がいるのに、なんでこんなことが言えるんだろうと思った。

でもしばらくして考えたら、今までに数え切れないくらいに起きていた世界中の大災害。一度は自分もそんなふうに思ったことがあったかもしれない。数日経ったら、普通に忘れていたかもしれない。

近くにいなきゃ、分からないこの痛み。

関係なかったら感じにくいのも、同じく痛み。

それでもまだ、募金をしてくれる人たちがいる。

「頑張ってね」

「おつかれさまです。」と、声をかけてくれる人たちがいる。

「これしかないだけど・・・」と言って、小銭入れが空になるまで入れていってくれる人がいる。

募金活動をしている側の身としては、その人たちこそが目標を叶えてくれる希望だった。

いつかの街頭募金で、小さな男の子を連れたお母さんが、息子と一緒に募金箱のほうへ歩いてきた。

私たちは、"Thank you. "と言って、「ありがとうございます」と言って、頭を下げた。

すると、彼女は言った。

"No no no, thank You."

- 募金なんて誰でもできるの。お財布からお金出せばいいだけ。それだけで募金した人たちも、誰かを助けた気分になれる。でも、そういう環境を作ることと話は別。だから、すごいのはあなた達。お礼を言いたいのは私たちよ。今ここに立って、活動をしてくれてありがとう。募金させてくれて、ありがとう。-

この１ヵ月、色んな人の色んな心をたくさん見てきた。

「募金させてくれて、ありがとう」

その一言が、街頭で毎回のように降られた雨も、寒さで感覚がなくなった指先も、心無い人たちの言葉も吹き消した。

彼女の一言で、胸が一杯になって涙があふれそうになった。

頑張って、やり通せば、見ていてくれる人が必ずいる。

だからゴールがある限り、信じてやっていけば絶対に大丈夫だ。

その日もまた、祈りを架けた「ありがとうございます」の声が、日本から遠いバンクーバーの街頭で響き渡った。

きっと届いてるんだろうと思う。

きっとこれから、大丈夫になるんだと想う。

JAPAN LOVE.

It's everywhere.

We'll be alright.

What's wrong with the world, Mama!

2011-04-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Is the lovin' really strong?

Really, what is going wrong?

Sometimes, the world seems so close, other times, it feels so distant. You see things that really make you want to ask this exact question; really, what's wrong with the world?

When you cry, someone's gonna tell you tears ain't gonna move anyone

When you pray, someone's gonna tell you faith ain't gonna fix anythin'

And when you take action, someone's always gonna try to get it your way

If we all believed in one thing, if we could only imagine one thing, it never had to be so difficult.

But how far back in time do we have to go to try and figure out where we all went wrong?

*JAPAN LOVE PROJECT*

-BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund-

www.japanlove.ca

90 seconds of fame.

2011-04-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

As I sat at the back of the theatre and watched this year's grads put on The Show,

I remembered how it felt to watch that "90 seconds of fame" of my creation.

By far, the biggest achievement I've ever felt.

It's hard to believe that a year has gone by.

Congratulations to all the 4th year designers, wishing all of you the best of luck in the industry!

xo,

Japan Love at The Show

2011-04-05T00:17:00.000-07:00

Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Annual Grad Fashion Show

"The Show" will open April 5th, starting at 1:00pm.

Limited tickets are still available - http://www.kwantlen.ca/fashionshow/

Japan Love will be participating in this event with an amazing collaboration with 3rd year fashion student Earl Mabaquiao.

Awarded Canada’s Breakthrough Designer during Montreal Fashion Week, Earl Luigi Oliva Mabaquiao is a third year fashion design student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Inspired by the children's book: “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” by Eleanor Coerr, these one-of-a-kind ensembles will be auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.

· an oversized hand painted organic cotton shirt;

· a coated linen and cotton blend dress, using a paper folding technique

· and an origami inspired draped skirt, matched with a basic shirt with silk pocket detail.

Although Earl has never been to Japan, he recognizes the contribution it makes to the fashion industry. Through their culture, architecture, food, movies, technology and people, Japan has been a source of inspiration for many years. They have provided a great dimension to the fashion world. On behalf of the fashion industry, Earl believes that this collection is one of the many ways to give back to the Japanese community.

Please check japanlove.ca for further information and join the Facebook page "JapanLoveProject". For donations and offers, please contact Earl @778 385 3275 or email earlluigi@gmail.com. The auction ends on May 1st, 2011 at 12am Pacific Time. Thank you very much for your support.

JAPAN LOVE

2011-03-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

あの悪夢のような地震から数十日が過ぎ、街を飲み込んでいく津波の映像はあの時以上に非現実味を増してしまった気がする。

死者・行方不明者の数が、多すぎてよく分からない。

崩壊した景色が、小学校の社会科で観た戦後のビデオにしか見えない。

未だにやまない余震も、届かない物資も、餓死する子供たちも、全部夢なんじゃないかと思う。

そしてその中で自分は、あまりにも無力だ。きっと誰もがみんな、そう思っている。

津波で逃げ切れなかった妹を車の中で発見した姉に密着している番組があった。実の妹の死を確認してたった数分しかたっていないのに、その人は「私は大丈夫だから」と言った。

「私には家族がいる。守るものがある。まだ守らなきゃいけないものが、たっくさんあるんだよ！だから私は大丈夫だから！」

テレビの前でショックばかり受けていた自分は、被災者ではない。その向こうで、必死で前を見ようとする彼女が被災者。それなのに彼女は、あまりにも強い。なにもできない、と無駄に嘆いていた自分よりも、１００倍強い。だって今は、強く前を向いて生きていくしか、すべがないんだと思う。

人は自分だけのために生まれてきたわけでもなければ、生きていくわけでもない。

大切な人がいること、守りたいと思うものがあることは、自分以外の誰かのために強く生きていけるってこと。画面の向こうで、涙を流しながら「大丈夫」という被災者に気付かせてもらった。

遠いけど、そんな人たちの「強さ」の支えに少しでもなりたい。

A woman on a television had just discovered her sister’s death. She was found trapped inside of her car, when the tsunami swallowed the entire parking lot. The reporter helplessly said to the woman, “I am so sorry for your loss.”

And she said to him, “I will be alright. I have so much to take care of. I have a family, I still have a whole a lot to protect. I’m going to be alright!.”

Until then, I had sat in my house, drifting in thoughts of how helpless I am to not be able to do anything, but her words struck me, like a big slap on my face.

If I were her, I hope that I will be as strong as she is, and although I am not her nor physically there to do anything direct, there is an endless possibility to help my country move forward, even if it’s a single baby step at a time. We weren’t all born just to satisfy ourselves.

And I learned this from a stranger on the other side of the world, who has seen the worst of it all.

JAPAN LOVE.

www.japanlove.ca Japan Love Project

SAVE JAPAN

2011-03-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

"When you see what's happening in Japan,

you are reminded that for all our differences

in culture or language or religion,

that ultimately humanity is one.”

- Barack Obama

Wall Street Journal

Thank you to all of you who have sent heartfelt messages and prayers. My family and friends are all safe and have been evacuated, but with relatively big aftershocks every couple of hours, they are suggested to ‘prepare’ for what might happen next.

To see a thick carpet of water run through the cities and houses at such rapid speed, to see the number of deaths accelerating every second on live, knowing that it is absolutely uncontrollable; it feels like hell. And I feel horrified to know that my family is there, and I am not with them.

My dad said to me on the phone, “I am seeing hell, a living hell.”

Right now, more than 30 cities have no power, no access to water and food. Factories are burning in flame on top of flooded cities. They are expecting more power outage later today, and the suspect of radiation leakage and bigger Tsunami are putting no one to rest. The biggest earth quake in Japan’s history has hit us hard, and it is no movie, it’s real.

Ustream has been providing free live reports since the first quake hit:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8248054/view.html

SAVE JAPAN has updates on badly damaged cities and people-search system

http://savejapan.simone-inc.com/

Canadian Red Cross is the easiest way to donate your support

Please join: JAPAN Earthquake humanitarian Charity in BC - it has already reached more than 1000 members

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159766137412287

Several phone companies are offering Online emergency posts

(SoftBank has provided free SMS for a week to the entire network)

http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/information/dengon/index.html

http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/saigai/index.html

Twitter – which I have underestimated its power to reach people

It has been the biggest word-spreader, and the entire world is sending love and prayers to Japan

http://twitter.com/#

Please take ONE MINUTE of your time to do something, anything you believe will make a difference.

Please re-post any of those links above to spread the word, and give people awareness.

As quoted from CNN and BCC, one of the world’s biggest earth quake has hit the most trained and prepared country in the world. No other county would have been able to respond to this disaster as well as Japan has been able to do.

My heart and prayers go out to every single person in Japan, and biggest respect to the army, rescue teams, fire fighters, doctors, emergency crews, and news reporters, who are risking their own lives to save others in every way they can. Japan is fighting at its maximum strength, but I see that there are unbelievable amount of courage, support, and love both within and outside of the country. Humanity is one, I want to see it happen.

2011-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

今日は、ひな祭り。

あられはないけど・・・。

Uh Ohh...

2011-03-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

Is it pay day yet?