arguing all the time

From Tell Me About It:

Since my one-sentence book, "Has It Occurred to You That You're Essentially Saying You'd Rather Fight All the Time Over Stupid Things Than Be Single?" has so far failed to find a publisher, give her "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker.

I like that title...

the fallacy of buying hair products

I have been highly entertained (obsessed) with shopping for hair products lately.

Today I realized why it has been so engrossing. Basically, my hair has been less than attractive lately, in addition to needing to be cut. So I am hoping that the right styling product or hair conditioner will make my hair smooth and manageable. (I sound like a commercial). Of course, while possible, it puts all the blame for my hair on using the wrong products, as opposed to the way I care for my hair.

At any rate, even with the right hair products, I will still probably need to spend a little time every day on my hair. As opposed to the 0 minutes I currently spend grooming my hair. Laf, at least I wash and condition it.

I really need a hair cut. But I want to find a good picture of the hair cut I want, so that I don't need to explain much to the stylist.

shopping surge

Whoa. Got swamped by a massive urge to shop. Online shopping is way too fun.

Current shopping cart:
Pantene Pro-V Conditioner, Smooth & Sleek
Sleek.look by Matrix Smoothing System Conditioner
Banana Boat Faces Plus Sunblock, SPF 23
Banana Boat Faces Plus Sunblock Stick, SPF 30

I don't really need both things of sunblock, but one will be good for daily use and the other will be good when I go to the beach. Yes, I haven't run out of sunblock yet but... Normal brands of sunblock in Japan are at least twice as expensive as in the U.S.

On the to-buy list:
Franco Sarto Bocca shoes
Jamelia CD
Kelis CD

Japan and English teachers

An amusing thread about Japanese visa requirements for English teachers.

trips

So, it's basically a pain to travel.

If I want to take a trip out of the country, I need to spend half a day getting a re-entry permit and transferring my visa from my current passport to my next one. I really should do it anyway, in case I need to travel for an emergency.

If I want to visit China, I have to take 2 mornings and get a visa, once I've bought a plane ticket. I also need a letter from a Chinese tour agency. I'm not sure what to do if I'm not going on a tour.

stomach

After I have a big meal, I'm usually starving in the morning. I think my stomach is very quick to expand.

Japanese post: new vocab

有給休暇（ゆうきゅうきゅうか）paid vacation