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I thought I would hurry and share some pictures of Sissy from her modeling job last week.  I think this is my favorite photo shoot so far.  It was held in the coolest and most beautiful studio.  I could have lived there- all it needed was a full bath and maybe a bigger kitchen.  I am not hip on all the deco speak- I am not exactly sure what one would call the decor style.  It was sort of European/shabby chic.  The walls were bright white and it had huge windows and the most beautiful doors.  Sissy's agent commented that the studio would be a great place for a party.  I want to have my next party there now!  Of course I couldn't afford the price tag- I know the hourly rental fee was mighty high.

The other models (all adults), were from the US (NYC), England and Australia.  Being around the models and the Japanese photography crew- I felt so big and fat!  I know- the models don't count because they don't eat and Japanese are naturally thinner than Americans.  It sounds good in theory- but I still felt out of place.

They were all so good with Sissy.  She was the only child there and they just doted on her.  She did so well they took some extra shots.  My only disappoinment was that she didn't get to wear designer clothes again.  We brought her own clothes to the shoot.  Luckily someone had handed down a bunch of velvet holidayish dresses to Sissy a couple of years back- and they all still fit.  She did get to wear a fur scarf of sorts- real fox fur.  I think it creeped her out.  It did me too to tell the truth.  I have never been a fur person- I don't see the intrigue to wear a dead animal's fur on my body.  Now if you are talking leather- I am all for that! ha ha 

I got some great pictures.  The lighting in the studio was just perfect- so even my click and shoot did a decent  job...

loved these doors- I want a house with these doors...



forever my goofy girl..



Engrish anyone?  Her (Japanese) agent suggested she take the picture pointing to the bad English.

That's all for today!!  Maybe tomorrow I will have another post for Food Fun Friday- I make no promises...

One of the benefits of living in Japan...

Is that my daughter gets the opportunity to model- something not accessible (and frankly- not desirable), in the States.  My daughter has the blonde hair/blue eye European look to her- and that is something the Japanese love (or like).  The modeling agencies actually come to the different bases (to a 'modeling fair') so one can sign themselves and/or their children up.  Last year we attended one of those modeling fairs.  We handed out Sissy's info (name, height, weight, etc), and the agencies took her picture.

So now we get calls and/or emails for different auditions and jobs coming up.  We have gone to 4 auditions- with no luck at any of them.  However, she did get three jobs just from picture selections (no need to audition).  She probably would have had more jobs by now, but often times the auditions and jobs are at the same time as school events and/or sports that Sissy is involved with. 

I have taken her out of school a couple of times and have picked her up early.  I anguished over it at first.  But a friend told me something that I think is very true- "don't let school get in the way of your children's education".  Now- don't think I am saying that MODELING is a replacement for school!  But, the times I have taken her out of school have always involved seeing new parts of Tokyo and Japan.  I take the time to look up the area and we find unique and new things we haven't seen before.  And frankly- we would never have been to some of these places if it hadn't been for a job or audition.

I made it sound worse than it actually is- I have only taken her out early or for the day 6 out of those 7 trips.  She is also a good student, so I am not worried about her falling behind.  (In other words- Brother wouldn't be a candidate for modeling- EVEN in he wanted to.)

Sissy has had a great time at the three jobs she had.  I know I have blogged about it before, so I will stop there.  I have, however, decided, after the last audition, to stop going to auditions.  If she happens to get a picture selection, that is great, but we don't have time for all of the auditions.  If we were closer to Tokyo, it would be easier.

That said- her last audition was for a famous American clothes company.  To give you a hint- they told us not to have her wear Ralph Lauren, because [insert designers name here] hates Ralph Lauren.  That cracked me up.  She didn't get picked- too bad- it was good money and I am sure the pictures would have been awesome.  Speaking of which- that is my favorite part.  For your viewing pleasure here the pictures she did for a jewelry designer at the beginning of the year.  They were shown at an exhibit- I wish I could have been there!



This was on the postcard invites to the exhibit


If anything- she will have some great stories to tell of her 'modeling days' in Japan!

Sunshine Stables and Kujukuri Beach

 few weeks ago, Sissy had another modeling job.  This one took us way out to the Chiba prefeecture, which is west of Tokyo and Yokohama.  It is a good 3 hours by train and taxi (from Gumyo Station).  The shoot took place at a lovely little place called Sunshine Stables.  Not only did they have many beautiful horses, but a complete western style ranch house to hang out in.  To top that off- we were a 6 minute walk from the beach (Kujukuri), so we were greeted with the lovely cool breeze from the ocean.

This is by far the best job yet- we would never have visited that place in a million years if she hadn't landed that shoot.  Between pictures Sissy and I visited the horses and chatted with real live Japanese cowboys (and one cowgirl).  They were so friendly and happy to talk about their horses.  Apparently Sunshine Stables is a sort of riding club (that also rents out space for photo shoots), there are even little cabins above the stables where people can stay overnight.  Despite the fact that the cabins might have smelled of horse pucky- I would have LOVED LOVED LOVED to have the opportunity to stay overnight- going for a ride on the beach, a big bonfire, and friendly company- sounds like a perfect night!

To be honest- I am not sure where Sissy's pictures are going to show up- magazines, billboards?  It was a big company (I'll say what when the pictures actually come out.)  It should be interesting though!

another view of the stables

last shoot was at the beach- couldn't keep this little girl out of the sand!  She found so many shells, my pockets were full!!  But I have to say I did dip my toes in the water- pure heaven...

We both got our feet nice and sandy.  When we got back to the "ranch" we were told we needed to hop into the taxi to the train station right away since the train only runs once an hour.  So we had NO time to wash our feet!  I tell you we were feeling nice and grimy 3 hours later when we finally arrived back at our home.

Overall, I really like what I have seen of Chiba so far.  Once we were out of the city, we saw fields, wide open spaces and big houses.  It was so refreshing and peaceful.  Tokyo really is a concrete jungle.  As magnificent as it is (and I really do heart Tokyo)- it is nice to get away to the peaceful countryside- it is good for the soul!

Oh- as you may notice I have a new look to my blog.  I couldn't find the cherry blossom pic I had up there before- so I stuck one up of Sissy from this modeling shoot I just wrote about.  Just FYI...

PS- the pictures are all out of order- not sure what I did here- hopefully thet make some sense....

Japanese surfer guy I snuck a picture of....

Sunshine Stables- totally forgot to take a picture from the front- very cute sign...

You know, I swear this guy was posing for me.  It has been a while since I have been around horses.  I forgot how playful and how much character they have.  Another that was out in the pen was totally rolling on her back like a dog does after a bath.  It was hilarious!!  Of course, they didn't all have great personalities.  One of them, a particular quarter horse named Comet- tried to bite me.  I told Sissy it was because I didn't have any food for him (but I think he was really just onery.)

sandy path from the beach to the ranch house

Holy Cherry Blossom Frappuccino!

Sissy and I had the best day ever.  First- she got to miss school- and we took the train to Tokyo.  We were headed to her 2nd modeling job.  Before you think- hmm- why did she take her daughter out of school for MODELING?  Well let me tell you- everytime we go for an audition or what have you- we go to a new place in Tokyo.  There is so much to discover and so much to see and do.  Someone told me not to let school get in the way of your child's education.  That is so true! 
Anyway- we took the train to Yokohama (express train baby!) and transfered to the Tokyu Toyoda line and headed for Gakugeidaigaku station. 
I repeat- Gakugeidaigaku station.  Bit of a mouthful to say- I lovingly renamed it "googoo gaga" station- much easier to say.  Sissy thought that was the funniest thing she ever heard- I love 7 year olds- they are so easily amused. :-)
Back to my story.  We got off at googoogaga station and proceeded to find something delicious to eat.  There is a little shop right outside that had some lovely obentos- but they didn't have any seating (kind of more "take-out).  So we decided to proceed down the road.  We found Starbucks.  Tempting- but I reminded myself we always end up eating at Starbucks or Tullys or Krispie Kreme.  I wanted some good Japanese food.  We finally found what looked like some yummy gyoza.  So we stepped inside the little bitty restaurant and ordered the best lunch I have had in a while!  We had a large bowl of ramen, gyoza and chicken nuggets.  Don't think "McDonalds"- no these were lumpy real unprocessed chicken thigh meat.  The Japanese are spot on with chicken nuggets I tell you.  Sissy also ordered what looked like two balls of something coated with sesame seeds.  We had no idea what they were- but what the heck- the food was cheap so why not?  They turned out to be filled with mochi.  I actually liked it this time- the sesame seed coating/crust complimented to mochi's sweetness just right.  I was delightfully surprised at that.

After lunch we still had another hour to kill so we decided to do some exploring.  We found a shrine right in the middle of some apartments and houses.  I am trying to figure out the name.  Sissy hadn't been to one yet- so she was intrigued to see people going up to ring the bell and say a prayer.  I tried to get her to ring the bell but she was too scared.

The small shrine we found

Notice the fox on the right is nursing her pup? 

The photo shoot was long but fun.  The photography staff were just gaga over Sissy.  They kept saying "kawai!" which means "cute", in reference to her.  Today she modeled jewelry- a little different then last time.  I'll post pictures once it's safe to do so- don't want to get in trouble.

Oh geez- I forgot to tell you what happened before the photo shoot!  We made  it to Starbucks after all- all the walking made us want a little snack.  I was planning on getting something iced- but they had sakura flavored drinks and pastries.  Sakura means "cherry blossom".  I wasn't sure if it would be any good- but the frappuccino was so pink and pretty I had to give it a go.  Sissy picked out a little sort of bread that was sakura flavored (and pretty and pink as well.)  In fact- there was a real cherry blossom on top.

That sakura frappuccino was divine!  Sissy's desert was good- but not as good as my frap!  I can't exactly put my finger on the flavor- kind of tasted like cloves and maybe pumpkin?  I don't know- it was just good. 

My delicious cherry blossom frap

After the photo shoot we stopped at this lovely little park called Himonya Park.  We are planning a trip back as the petting zoo and the pony stalls were closed.  But we did find the little temple resting on a tiny island in the middle of the park's lake.  We walked to whole park and then I let Sissy blow off some steam and play in the playground for a just a bit (it was starting to get dark and hence rush hour on the train.)  As it turns out- it is a famous park and very old.  Who knew?

Front view of bridge to temple.

Sideview of the bridge.

I am not sure if this counts as a Torii gate?

We didn't avoid rush hour- but it wasn't too bad.  Let me to tell you -Sissy is a totally different child then the one that rode on the train with me when we first got here.  She no longer complains about having to stand when there are no seats and she WHISPERS!  That is a feat in itself.

She went to bed a happy little girl tonight.  She loved our mommy/daughter day she told me.  I think the icing on the cake was when I ordered a Happy Meal for myself- just like her.  She thought it was for Brother- when I said it was for me- she hugged me right there in the middle of McD's.
I have to say I will go to bed happy tonight as well!

Oh- we saw the cutest bulldog at the park.  He walked right up to the water spiggot and started to lick it- then his owner turned on the water for him and the bulldog proceeded to drink.  Too cute!  The picture is a little off kilter because I was trying to play it off like I was taking a picture of Sissy and not the dog.

Update:  It took me three days to finish this post (that is why it is so wordy)- plus I wanted to get the pictures up as well. 

After doing a little research- I realized that there are THOUSANDS of shrines in Japan.  The one we visited is very small so therefore it doesn't deem a mention in any of the websites I looked up.  But- I did find out that it is an Inari shrine- due to the foxes with the red bibs that guard the entrance.  I'll have to research some more so I can give a more educated description than that!

And lastly- I can now pronounce (after much practice)  Gakugeidaigaku.  That is my accomplishment for the week. :-)

Life gets in the Way!

Wow, I didn't realize I had taken so long to post!  I thought it had only been a week, but apparently it has been much longer!  I haven't even read anyone else's blogs recently- I usually keep up those at the least.
February has turned out to be quite a busy month for me.  Sister landed her first modeling job.  It was such an awesome experience for both of us.  She was supposed to have only 2 changes of outfits- they ended up doing 4 with her- I guess they really liked her.  She got to wear Christian Dior.  Christian Dior!  I don't think I will ever have that experience.  I can't wait for the magazine to come out in March.  It would be awesome if she makes the cover- but I am trying not to get my hopes up.  For all I know this will be her only modeling job- so we millked it for all its worth. :)  I will definitely post the pictures here once I get my paws on the magazine.

I am finally going to start teaching English.  My neighbor is moving and is handing over her students to me.  I am very excited!  I am starting with two of them this week.  I have met most of the students- they are all such sweet ladies- ranging from 20 to 50 years of age.  Of course now I have to do a super scrub on my house since most of the lessons will take place in my living room.  But that is a good thing for me.  Its called MOTIVATION.  And of course getting paid in cash- Yen- is a good thing.  The exchange rate is about 88 yen to the dollar- so getting paid in Yen is the way to go right now.

I did my first Compass presentation last week and I did alright!  Compass, if you aren't sure what it is, is a Navy Spouse Mentoring program.  We do classes for new spouses, though we tend to get a lot of "experienced" spouses as well. We had some really nice ladies in our class.  I was very nervous about presenting and was regretting signing up to do so.  But after it was over with, I was glad I did it.  Now I have a better idea of what to do next time.  I guess that is how things like that go?

Spring is in the air, though we have been getting some snow.  But I saw some plum tree blossoms yesterday- that gave me hope.  The plum blossoms are the first sign of spring around here.  The Cherry blossoms follow.  I am so excited for that!  I promise to post lots of pictures!!
I must go.  But I leave with a promise to not drop off the Earth like I did this last month.
Cheers!