My Birthday & Bangtan.

Last week I finally turned 22, so I threw myself a glitter themed wine party, because that’s just me. Everyone looked fabulously sparkly, and Kohei, Sheridan and I even unintentionally matched. There was body and hair glitter everywhere, and I’m astounded I didn’t blind myself with any of the craft glitter I put on my eyelids. It was like a 90’s girls dream. All I needed was butterfly clips, Groovy Chick stationary, and some roll-on perfume and I would have been set.

It was actually a very adult birthday that didn’t feel like one at all.  However, some of my students at junior high school that day made me feel super loved, running up to me to give me hugs. 

The next day at one of my elementary schools, my teachers gifted me a beautiful towel, whilst some 8 year olds surprised me with origami and the cutest rendition of Happy Birthday during English club.

I’ve been away for a birthday before, but this was totally different. Nevertheless, I feel super grateful for being surrounded by so many people who made it special in a different kind of way. Gone are the days of BBQ’s in my garden back home, instead my birthday was filled with dinner dates with my Kumamoto darlings. 

At my party, Kohei surprised me with the cutest Winnie the Pooh ice cream cake, then a few days later, Sheridan made me pavlova and drunkenly decorated it at the dinner table. Both very different, but equally as thoughtful.

Bringing my birthday “week” to an end, Ruth, Chloe, Kim and I headed to Fukuoka to see BTS. Full title of the concert? 2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III. The Wings Tour – Japan Edition. Bit of a mouthful, I know. The venue was smaller than the past concerts I’ve been to and the atmosphere was so much more. They did everything from solos, to singing old stuff, to using a mix of Korean and Japanese versions which I actually really preferred.  

It was hands down the best concert I’ve been to because, damn, those boys don’t half put on a show. Jimin nearly killed me from being so beautiful and dancing how he does too. I mean, I expected it, but not that much. I’m still saddened my dream of them finding us mid-show and inviting us for a night out in Fukuoka didn’t happen, but at least now Kohei knows where my true loyalties lie.

It really sucks that you aren’t allowed to take pictures or videos, especially because I’m definitely watched by security more being a gaijin. Needless to say, I did manage a sneaky unfocused and muffled video by inconspicuously sticking my phone into the waistband of my shorts. 

I’ve now earned the coolest teacher award for sure. My students were all running to me for an update on Monday morning, followed by a chorus of “いいなあ” after telling them all about it. Even funnier was how they all knew the reason why I had no voice (I’m looking at you, Jimin), but kept that one of the down low for me. It’s like I have my own little BTS posse and I’m the ringleader.

Say B-I-G to the BANG!

I had an extreme fangirl moment last weekend when I got to finally go to my first ever k-pop concert. It was no other than Big Bang, and even on my way to Fukuoka it was still a little surreal I was seeing the first band I ever listened to back in the day. Now my lightstick and concert merch are gracing my kotatsu, as I have no idea where to show them off in my apartment and I want to relive it a little longer.

Kim’s tantosha (school supervisor) played a blinder getting us tickets, as we were floor level and pretty close to the front. Not what I expected at all. It’s definitely an experience I’ll never forget. Everyone around us was so lovely, and my favourites were two girls in front who were cosplaying and would scream to the death whenever TOP spoke. Said girl was also balling her eyes out at the end of the night. 

I was pretty impressed I understood the majority of what was being said too, even if I was singing the Korean to some songs because I know it better than the Japanese.

I think I’m more in love than I was before, that’s for sure. G Dragon was just GD; TOP made my life with his pink hair and being petrified of speaking Japanese; I’m 99% Daesung was on something, and whatever it was I want some; I have a new found love for Seungri; and Taeyang was bloody beautiful and doesn’t know it yet, but we’re getting married.

I befriended a 17 year old girl and her mother who were sat next to me during the concert. They were massive Big Bang fans, telling me they had VIP tickets for the show the next night too. Since this concert was getting filmed, like most k-pop concerts do, to get released later, throughout the concert you actually got instructed what light stick to use for certain songs. Cue my bewilderment since I couldn’t read the Japanese fast enough. 

Have no fear, my new adopted family helped me out straight away and we even had a little giggle at how foreign this whole experience was to me, compared to the resident pros like themselves. This was followed by us busting out some dance moves, or as many I could get away with without hitting the little old lady next to me in the head. Big Bang really have a varied fanbase.

At the end of the concert, confetti streamers were blasted from the stage, and the young girl managed to catch one and insisted on giving it to me. It wasn’t until later that I realised that the streamer was covered in messages from each member, names the concert, and is nice for me to have as a memory. She also took a picture with me, added me on LINE and gave me an update on how the concert the following night went too.

Now I’ve caught the concert bug since I was super lucky to get tickets to this, so here’s praying I get to see even more of my favourite k-pop groups on their Japanese travels while I’m still here. I’ve also earnt cool teacher points with my junior high school boys who found out I went and they’re going next month. 

Even though we couldn’t take videos, here’s a sneak peek of the concert in Osaka, which doesn’t even do how much it was bouncing justice.

COLORADO TURNS BALTIC

This past week winter came early to Fort Collins with temperatures reaching -20ºC... yes that's celsuis. Despite the fact it was bloody freezing, it was a nice chance to get to see campus looking all wintery once fall was ending everywhere lacked a bit of colour. One evening Leif, Chrissie, Jack, Leni and Katie decided we wanted to go and see what downtown looked like after class, and what a bright idea that was! We ended up having a huge snowball fight, which some people like me not prepared with waterproof gloves, and had to walk home feeling extra chilly. By the time we got back to change before a little study session, my legs were glowing pink where I'd been pelted, not pleasant to say the least!

The next day Leif and I went on a little scout of a tattoo parlour where he was planning to get his own little design done. Since it was so cold on the walk back, we decided to go to Lucille's for a chai to warm up. We both knew it wouldn't just be a chai whem we saw the menu, and we felt like we were cheating on Caragh since she wasn't us. Sadly, I couldn't be there for his actually tattoo appointment the next day since I had to leave to meet my parents at the airport.

We headed into Denver, ate some good food then went to see the Black Keys at the Pepsi Centere. The highlight had to be some guy smoking a spliff in the middle of the arena, something I didnt realise I considered normal until I saw their faces! The weekend in Breckenridge that followed was stupidly cold and blizzard like, so what did the Puzzars do? Go in an outdoor hot tub... bright idea until you want to get out but have to face snow with no shoes on.
I couldn't spend much time with them while they were in Fort Collins because of my classes and crazy workload, but I did get to show them the Chi O house, something I'm pretty happy about :) On that note, it also got confirmed this week that the national president of Chi O is letting me be initiated early which I am so excited about :D I'm so grateful to Bree and Sara especially for their hard work in making that happen, and it was definitely worth it to hear my pledge classes reaction to the announcement after our Christmas photo taking!
Finally, the last dayof my parent's visit ended with a trip to Sundance! We brought along Leif, Caragh, Megan, Jonny and Carly... all fun and games until my dad posted a video of Leif and I line dancing without our knowledge. What can I say, after learning the dance to Footloose and it not being played, we weren't going to let that hard work go to waste!

Red Rocks and Chi O bonding.

Blogging has been taking a back seat lately, especially since I have midterms coming up in the next few weeks. A lot of the stuff have been doing this past week has been Chi O related, since the girls in the pledge classes above us want to get to know us.
We had our formal pledging ceremony last week, in which we all repeated a pledge (hand over heart included, very American) and signed our name in the pledge book, I was so happy! I happened to be the first name on a fresh page, and let's be honest, that's the only one anyone really looks at. So looks like I'll forever be remembered in Chi Zeta (the chapter of Chi O at CSU) history. We received our new member pin and one of only 5 white carnations we'll ever receive during our lifetime, so it's considered to be a big deal. Apparently you get one on your wedding day, which I'll definitely be holding them to down the line!

Monday was our first new member meeting, which consisted of a BBQ and then the start of our new member initiation programme. That basically means we learn songs and learn more about the history of Chi O. On Friday afternoon, Sarah took me for fro yo and later on I went with a few other girls to Horsetooth Reservoir. We intended to go on a hike but instead ended up sitting taking pictures of the sunset.  Finally, Sunday was our sisterhood retreat, which involved more bonding and getting to know each other through all sorts of games.

On Saturday night the Keelites went to Red Rocks Amphitheater to see Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. Even though we only knew about two songs, we all had a really good time and the atmosphere was amazing. Leif and I managed to turn Caragh into a northerner for the night, something we never expected to succeed in!
We were so lucky with the weather too since thunderstorms were forecast, and we actually got the opportunity to watch them in the distance over downtown Denver. Needless to say, we were very worse for wear the next morning, but it was easily the best night we've had in a while. I felt even worse from the fact I'd headbutted a tree at some point during the night.
I know for certain I've been missing the SU and everyone back home, which is made even harder since they're all moving back in with each other this week. Bonding with Leif and Caragh especially has definitely helped and made it a lot better going through it together!