Japan

I really wish this place was more active but alas. Nice hearing from you I'm doing alright. Recently won a soup contest.

I feel you there. I wish there was more activity on this site.

What are you most thankful for lately? I am a little embarrassed to admit but I am super thankful for some decent preschool content. No Cailou or Dora the Explorer. I am thankful for Bluey. (That Australian preschool show about a dog family of heelers.) It's a good show. I am also thankful for my toddler who is funny, super smart and sweet and this dog of mine. The best boy

When are we EVER proud of our past selves? I mean honestly. We would all be lying if we thought of ourselves as perfect in every way all the time. A lot of things happened since I was in high school...which was when I was the most active. Throughout middle school, high school and even college I battled depression and suicidal thoughts. So much has changed. I've changed. People I considered close to back then don't really matter. People I thought I would be friends with forever moved on, passed away, etc. Perhaps I moved on too. AIM no longer exists, nor msn messenger or even Skype I believe? Or was it that msn became skype? Anyway everything is facetime or zoom feels like. I finally got what I wanted (A family and a child) but I'm realizing that not everything is a field of roses. Though generally I have to say I am a lot happier lately. My health has gotten worse a lot lately. Pregnancy and the birth was hard on me. Already had one surgery to fix something and now I am in limbo with the medical field to get another much needed surgery. Only thing that gives me comfort is my daughter and pup. I really should be applying for disability but the thought of even attempting such a thing just makes me freeze up and want to hide in a closet. One thing I realizing more than ever is that life is hard and it just gets worse. I miss spending time here and every time I come here to only be reminded that this place is like a shell of its former beauty. I could really use the connection again...or even someone to talk to like back in the day. I will tell you one thing...I wish I could be so much better than I am right now. I feel like a waste of space sometimes still. Sorry for rambling. I guess my past feelings of depression can still linger even today

I can't wait to see photos! I know about the food.... There's this Japanese Italian family restaurant I ate at a few times while there. (I also finally got to try okonomiyaki! Yay Ranma 1/2 dream realized!) I had this Japanese ish spaghetti with long skinny mushrooms? Which apparently is only native to Asia so I can't replicate here ? but it was oddly SO GOOD!!!) Also unrelated this happened Wednesday

Hmm maybe mandalorian?

Yesssss more rpgs just to get this place active again!

I stayed in chiba as that's where my friend lived that I visited. It was just a two week trip. From there I got to see: Narita shrine Asakusa Tokyo skytree Harajuku (cat Cafe here... Scottish folds dressed as vampires so cute!) Takeshita Street, the crossing and Hachiko statue in shibuya. Odaibya (gundam statue and gundam Cafe) Ikebukuro (looked up real life places in Durarara) Akihabara for gashapon store and ff15 cafe DisneySea Osaka for takoyaki on the street, universal studios japan Kyoto for fushimi Inari shrine (we got stormed out so it was the only thing we got to do here but my Kyoto bucket list basically done) Went to a local playground, local onsen to try it out, mcdonalds and I forgot where but I hung around town while my friend went to her university for a university test. I was a little disappointed with Disney sea mainly cause my friend took me there with her boyfriend and I felt left out and third wheel. Fushimi Inari was exactly how I dreamed. Ikebukuro was sort of... Meh? I absolutely loved the rest though and the onsen was the most relaxing experience ever even though I was the only foreigner there. Mcdonalds portions are HUGE in America and I felt like I ate a kids meal. I should of known better to visit end of monsoon season (end of September early October) but the tickets were cheaper.... (thus the storm in Kyoto) I'm glad I went. Next time I want to do more history stuff and go to Disneyland. USJ was great! Japanese hogwarts was interesting and Hermione sounded like a mouse. But... The best part of the whole trip was the food. I learned to cook more Japanese food and I felt like I was in heaven. (it's hard and expensive to get good takoyaki at home so it was neat that I got to eat so much of it! On the way home, I flew into LAX. The flight home was way better than the flight there. I ended up sitting next to this rocker dude enthusiast who was going to Los Angeles or Vegas to see a big concert. We chatted in broken English and Japanese and it was a great time. I also got to see wolf children for the first time on my seat TV. I can't wait to go again.

So it's check in time. It's been over eight years. Were your predictions true? I actually went the Healthcare route, getting my cna and working in in home health. Surprisingly I am married, a step mom and another baby on the way. I do have a car.... Second car actually. I upgraded. I also finally got to visit Japan in 2016. It's so strange knowing I'm going to be a stay at home mom soon too.

You're telling me!!! I feel very old

It may be better to plan for September because I could technically give birth at any time now. We can spam the discord server haha. It's just a matter of getting the word out.

I think that having another reunion is long overdue. Who is with me?

My two week isolation/quarantine started today. With everyone with their panties in a bunch...and I suppose rightfully so, my doctor wants me to take extra precautions before I am technically due with this baby in two weeks. It feels so very weird that I am not going to be a working adult for twelve weeks and perhaps when I finish soaking FMLA for all it's worth, become a stay at home mom. I mean, it would be crazy to work in healthcare with a newborn in the house...especially with someone with such a weak immune system. Anyway, it has been only one day. How on earth did most folks do this since March!?!

Hello! That is very admirable to be doing that. I will check it out. I apologize that this place is a lot quieter than it used to be almost 15 years ago or more. TheOtaku, the sister site for these forums actually does have a discord server already if you want to try it out as well. Granted it is more of a replacement of the old chat room that the website used to have than just an official news source or anything. I hope to possibly see you there! http://www.discord.gg/APVeFUY

I picked up a new hobby.

Yin and Yang! Girl being Yang like in RWBY!

Whoa times totally change cool!

There was a chatroom on the sister site, TheOtaku. However the company who hosted the software went out of business and Adam, the creator hasn't found a good replacement for it yet.

Greetings. So I reached out to the family and they told me that everything has been paid for. However if you would like to, they would rather you donate whatever you are willing to the places that helped Desbreko with his treatments to further the cause of finding a cure for cancer. I have found them for you guys and the links are below: City of Hope American Cancer Society Stanford Medicine Thanks for the willingness to help guys. Laura/Japan

I talked to Shinmaru about it. Seems like a good idea. Let me talk to Mrs. Goudy to see if I can get a response first

I am still very depressed that Desbreko is gone. However I don't think he would like this place that he loved so much or worked so hard for go to waste or gather dust. Sooooo what did everyone think of the world series game tonight? That was one crazy game to have lasted so long PLUS a rain delay.

It was the least I could do. I am glad it helped lead you here. He was an amazing person. I've cried so much.I commend you for posting. I know from having parents who are not tech savvy either that joining, let alone posting on a message board can be a daunting task. It really warms my heart that we managed to get our memories and thoughts to you. Thank you so much for sharing him with us all these years.

Now I suppose this memorial tribute will be rather embarrassing and jumbled. At least it is coming from the heart and with honesty. His death and suffering came as quite a shock to me as I barely check twitter much anymore due to being busy. He was one of my first friends on here. He was always there when I had to stay up to finish a paper or a school project. He always had advice for issues I had and always had a screenshot to cheer me up. He also was a huge encouragement to me when I was dealing with depression and issues with my mom throughout high school and college. It was thanks to him that I even watched some anime and get into Zelda. I remember teasing him about his hair in a way that it would be fun to braid. Which he responded that he might have his future wife do it in private...guess what won't be happening now. I always liked his hair, though. Also, it was thanks to him that I fell in love with the name Jonathon. I knew his name after prodding him for it after a while. We teased each other a lot...in a good way. I regret never being able to meet him in real life or even talk to him this last year that he was alive. I just always assumed he would be watching moe anime and precure. It wasn't till I found out last night that this all changed. A guy who was like a little brother has passed and he suffered and I never knew until now. He was a good man and he was taken far too quickly. I'll miss you, Dessy.

I haven't posted here in forever. I just got back from Japan earlier this month and decided to share one of my favorite photos of me so far.