January 28th - PHOTOS

January 28th - DISNEY !!

Oh my god! Today I went to Disneyland Tokyo with Miyo! We had an amazing time, it was great! I will tell you everything, here we go..........

Miyo picked me up at 12 o'clock at the Meidaimea station. After we drank some coffee, we drove to Disneyland. It was a 40min ride, so it was quite near. We were so lucky with our free tickets, we had 'Stockholders Passports'; nothing special but I just like the name.. It wasn't busy at all, it was crowded but in a normal way. We made a lot of pictures, I will of course upload some of them.

People are quite used to foreigners like me in the center of Tokyo, but there are also a lot of people from the countryside or China in Disneyland. Obviously, they weren't used to people like me. People were staring like crazy, which drove me insane. In Holland I don't even care anymore, I don't see it. But because I have had 2 amazing weeks, I had to get used to my old (normal) state of mind. Just imagine you're the best and the hottest, and you will be. There were groups with girls who wanted a picture with me. One group of girls were like screaming and almost dying when they saw me, they were só excited.. I loved it =)

Anyway, I bought a really nice thing for my head i wore all day, I was like a very tall Miney Mouse. There is no attraction we didn't do. For example, we did the big Country-style Rollercoaster, that one was simply great! We also did all the childish things, mostly because I wanted to.. Miyo didn't but she supports my childish behaviour, so she just joined me, haha. There was also a Winnie the Pooh attraction, really nice. Peter Pan was beautiful as well, but it was kinda short. I only saw Tinkerbell once :(.. The water rollercoaster was so much fun, but we got SO wet: I laughed so hard when I saw Miyo's face. The girl in the front seat was just soaking wet, SO funny! Miyo and I also saw 2 big parades. I must say, these were much better than the ones in Puroland, where they were just horrible..

Miyo kept telling me they would close at 22:00, but I just didn't believe her. I thought it would close at 19:00, and it turned out I was right. So, at 7 o'clock we ran to the Space Mountain, cause we just HAD to drive that rollercoaster. We were just in time, we were the last ones. Loves it! I loved the Space Mountain, it was all in the dark and it went really fast..

Really, I can tell you even more about my day, but you just had to be there to feel the excitement! When Martika comes to Tokyo, I want to go to Disney Sea, it's as fun as Disneyland but with different attractions..

I have that appointment with all the important people tomorrow, and a really long Tea ceremony practice, so I need to wake up early. Saturday I will be babysitting Yuki. I love babysitting, mostly because it's not a baby. So it's not really baby-sitting.. But I don't know how to call it... Just fun =)

Love, Steven

January 27th - RUDENESS WON'T GET YOU FAR

Every month, my rent is due on the 28th. Because I will be going to Disneyland tomorrow, I had to pay my rent today. It felt so bad to pay that amount of money: it is so much money I was dying inside, but really, do I have a choice?

I had to cancel my tea practice because I had an appointment with Johnnie and the photographer at 13:00 at Naka Meguro. They were late, of course, so I had to wait for 20 minutes or so. It turned out that there were more people attending: a stylist and a Japanese pianist. The pianist has been living in Holland for over 16 years now, so we could speak in Dutch. She was so kind, I really liked her. The stylist was weird, but who isn't here.

Johnnie told me, in an extremely rude way, that I had an appointment with the president of a modelling agency tomorrow. But, as we all know, I am going to Disneyland. If he had told me about it in advance and politely, I would have cancelled Disneyland to go to this appointment. But the rudeness just made me decline his offer. I said I wanted to go to Disneyland instead. He became pretty upset with me, but I coudn't care less. He was like: "DO YOU WANT THE JOB YES OR NO? ARE YOU HERE TO DO SOMETHING OR FOR HOLIDAY? YOU KNOW WHAT, FORGET ABOUT IT, I WILL CALL HER RIGHT NOW TO TELL HER THAT YOU WANT TO GO TO DISNEYLAND". He really crossed the line, so I put him in his place. I told him I didn't deserved it to be treated that way and that I really didn't like his rude tone. Everyone was kind of shocked that I said that, but really, don't think I'm a little baby. He called Barbie, and it turned out that Johnnie messed the days up: the appointment was on Thursday, not on Wednesday. So everything was good, thank the lord for that.

The pianist will be playing at a concert this Saturday, so I will be there as well. There will also be a lady from the Dutch Ambassy, who would like to meet me. Johnnie told them about me and they are willing to finance an exhibition about me, Oh my god? That's crazy right? I'm not going to be happy too early, but that would be awesome! We'll just have to wait and see!

After the meeting, I went shopping. I bought some beautiful black diamonds for my Blackberry. I want to cover the back with black diamonds, it's gonna look so posh. It was expensive, but my Blackberry deserves nothing but the best. I also went to the store in Kijiochi to buy some more fabrics. I love that store, and this time I also took some photos.

Tomorrow is Disney-day! I am so excited, I can't wait!!

xoxo Steven

January 26th - PHOTOS

This was in the shop in Kijijochi. You have to park in the basement, to get there you have to park your car in an elevator like this. SO scary, I was dying!

January 26th - CLAY PARTY

I had nothing planned today, so I was quite happy that Yukiko called me to catch up. She invited me to a friend of hers. He does a lot of artistic things, and makes everything himself. For example, he makes all the instruments for the tea ceremony of wood and other materials. His working place was located 1 hour from Matsubara by car. Yukiko and I had a lot of fun in the car, she is a great person.

When we got there, we first had lunch. We ate, of course, traditional Japanese food. They asked me to design something I would like to make of clay. I designed a cute and modern coffee cup. Secretly, I wanted to bake a Hello Kitty figure, but I will do that next time. I love to be creative, so I was really into the claying. I must admit that I'm not a talent in claying, but I tried by hardest! We will return this Friday to finish my cup, first it has to dry..



After the claying, we drove back to Tokyo. Yukiko introduced me to a major shop in Kijijochi, I don't know the name of the shop because it was written in Japanese script. We needed to find me some cloth for my Kimono-bag for the Tea party on February 4th. They had SO many fabrics of Sanrio, it was a dream come true for me. They had like, 50 different fabrics and prints of Hello Kitty. Cinnamoroll, Little Twin Stars, Pokémon and all the others also had a great amount of different choices. It was amazing! My Kimono-bag is going to be quite controversial: the outside will be Little Twin Stars, the inside will be Cinnamoroll. I'm sure that this will be the first Kimono-bag of Sanrio in the long history of the Tea. Loves it!

At 19:00, I had to meet up with the family where I'm going to tutor at. The little boy, Yuki, is 9 years old and extremely intelligent. He speaks better English than most people I know. His mother, Shoko-san, was also really kind. She doesn't speak English that well, so Yuki was the translator. They have a major American-style house with a huge porch. In fact, the house is orange, I love American houses!! As much as I liked the outside, the inside was a bit.. empty.. The living room was gigantic, but there was almost no furniture. Also, when you come in the house, everyone needs to go straight to the so-called 'family room'. Here I had to wash my hands and disinfect my throat with a strange substance, I guess they don't want to get sick.. We discussed all the important details and they took me out for dinner. I had a great night, I'm looking forward to turot Yuki. I love studying myself, and I like to see other people study as well.

Sleep tight!

Love, Steven

January 25th - 'GOOD JOB'

I specifically did not set my alarm because I was exhausted from the past 2 weeks. I was enjoying my rest, when Johnnie called me at 10 o'clock in the morning. He told be to be there in 30 minutes: excuse you?? He wanted to do the photo shoot.. I know it was scheduled, but no one called me yesterday so I truly thought it was cancelled. I had to get ready in 30 minutes for my photoshoot and bring some clothes. I hate to be in a hurry, I need time to get ready.

He picked me up at a certain station and he brought a new Japanese fashion designer with him. That designer, Izzie, is going to make me some one-of-a-kind clothes, how exciting is that? He will design things for me and we can decide together what kind of fabrics I would like etc. Really, I think that's totally hot. After I got to know the designer, he took off because he had some other things to do. Johnnie and I met up with the photographer somewhere around Kijochi. We went to a park with a lot of bamboo, really cool for a photoshoot.

It was all pretty professional with all the important equipment like reflectors and 3 different cameras. I had to change me clothes outside, which was pretty cold. I only saw one photo, but that one was already gorgeous. So I really hope the others will be great as well. I'm happy about this shoot, these photos will really better my portfolio =). They both told me I did a 'Good Job' and that they really appreciate my personality and ideas. Johnnie invited me to a concert that night, but I couldn't make it, I had too many other things to do.



I needed to meet up with Makoto to get the tickets for Disney Land. He was acting cold, but whatever. I am so happy with the tickets, Wednesday is going to be so much fun! I stopped by 'Eight Million' to say 'Hi' to Miyo and I went to the cinema by myself in Shinjuku. I enjoyed Revolution Road with Leonardo DiCaprio. It was a beautiful movie: I even cried. I never cry, but this time I did. Strange, cause it wasn't even that sad.. I guess I'm a bit emotional lately, haha.

I have no special plans for tomorrow, but I don't care. I need my rest and I will see what I'm going to do!

xx Steven

January 24th - PHOTOS

January 24th - KARAOKE !!

Standing up at 5 o'clock in the morning really isn't my thing. I had slept so badly because I was nervous and I just wasn't tired. This morning, I went to the test centre and did what I had to do. I don't think I ever did so badly on tests: it was horrible. I didn't have enough time and I just guessed a lot. But really, it's Ok. I don't need to send in the scores: I will see how (low) I've scored and then simply decide.

After my SAT, I went to Yukiko's house. She was busy practicing for the tea ceremony, so I joined. I really love it, it calms me down and everything is just so peaceful and appreciated. She had set an interview up with the family I'm going to tutor at that night, but I already had an appointment with Anna, so I couldn't go to the interview. I will next week, though. I had to leave the practice session early because I had to be at Fuchu at 3 o'clock to meet up with Miyo.

Miyo picked me up with her car: I love her car! All the cars are great in Tokyo, actually. They are all really big and pimpish, loves it. Anyway, we went to the hair dresser to cut my hair. It was just too long and damaged, so the dead ends had to go. The hair salon looked nice: all lime green with apple green. Miyo tried to translate all the thing I wanted with my hair (and more importantly, what I didn't want!!). So the hairdresser began, and I was SO nervous, oh my god. I'm not scared of doctors or dentists, but I am so afraid of hairdressers!! I thought it was too short and she straightened it kind of housewives-style. I wasn't happy with the result, also because I had to meet Anna later on. I'm sure it will look just fine tomorrow, I just need my curls back!

Miyo and I didn't have time to drink a cup of coffee because I had to be in Roppongi at 7 o 'clock. But just when I stepped out of the car, Anna called to cancel. Whatever. So Miyo and I went out for dinner in a really cute, nice restaurant. We ate a lot delicious food! We had so much fun, really, this was the best evening in Tokyo so far. After we ate, we went to a Karaoke bar!! This was my first time, and it was AMAZING! I always thought there would be a room with bright coloured lights and microphones, but it was just a simple room with sofas and a table. We both had our own microphone and there was a major collection of songs we could sing. I knew all the English songs, but Miyo didn't so we just sang the songs we both knew. And we also did some solo songs. It is so much fun!! After each song, the computer gives you a score.. I scored the highest with my solo performance of Single Ladies by Beyonce. I was proud of myself!!

By the way! Makoto phoned me to tell me he had 2 free tickets for Disneyland!! Oh my god, I am so happy with that! I have to go before the end of this month, so Miyo and I will go to Disneyland on Wednesday!! So exciting!!

I had an amazing night, Miyo and I had so much fun and she really is my best friend here. I'm supposed to have that photo shoot tomorrow, but I haven't heart of anyone, so I guess it's cancelled. I want to sleep now because I have been up from 5 o 'clock and I am exhausted!!

Take care!

x Steven

January 23th - BARBIE'S HOUSE

Yukiko was the first person I saw today. I called her to ask some things about the location of the test center I have to take my tests at. We met up and we went out for lunch in Shibuya. We can talk about many interesting things, like history and philosophies. We talked about the second world war, and she said that so many people died and suffered in Japan because of the atomic bomb.. Well, I'm sorry but that was neccesary: Japan was the only country who wanted to continue with the war, right? But it's kind of interesting to talk about that. Not that she is pro-WOII, but we have different point of views. She did say she was sorry for the way Japan behaved in the war. But please don't get me wrong, she strongly disapproves everything her country did.. So don't think bad of her!!

After lunch, I brought her to the place I always study. She had one more cup of coffee and then left me alone: I had to study. So I did, for 1.5 hour. I ate a dessert: Coffee Jelly. I love it, but it is amazingly chemical: coffee but that in jelly.. weird right? Anyhow, I tried my best to study, but I just don't really want to anymore.. I don't care anymore: I already did enough in the past months. I called Anna (Tatiana's friend) to ask her about the appointment we made for tonight. She told me she had a casting so we rescheduled. We will meet up tomorrow in Roppongi. I'm really happy about this because I didn't really have the time either.

I had to be at a certain station (I forgot the name) to meet up with Johnnie. When I arrived, he called me to tell me I should come to another station, lame. But of course I did. He is so strange, I know I keep saying that but it's true. We went to Barbie House, a graphic design company. The building was amazing! It was like a huge honeycorp (is that right? Where bees make honey). The woman was quite funny, she was really nice. The photographer was kinda weird as well, but whatever. She scanned the photos she thought were the best and she set up a photoshoot this Sunday with that photographer. He is really good: I saw his work and it was impressive! So yeah, I am looking forward to working with him! Johnnie already left after 2 seconds or so, but that was OK. I can represent myself, I like that. They told me they would try to find a sponsor for my working visa: yay! The photographer dropped me off at the station with his major cabriolet. I felt like a P.I.M.P: in a negative way. I don't like showing off with cars..

I have to wake up at 5 o'clock tomorrow, oh lord! I know I didn't prepare for my SATs the way I used to do, but really, I have other things on my head like getting famous. But wish me luck anyway! Moreover, I will go to a hairdresser tomorrow with my lovely friend Miyo. I will meet Anna at 7 o'clock. I will be busy! But that's great, I hate free time =)

Good night!!

xxx Steven

January 22nd - START OF SOMETHING NEW?

Remember the guy I me at the opening of that piece of art? Well, I tried to call him several times in the past few days, but he didn't pick up the phone. So I called again today, and guess what? I had dialled he wrong number, I am so stupid.. Oh my lord! Anyway, he picked up the phone and he sounded so strange, i would take him 40 seconds to answer my questions. I called at 10 o'clock in the morning, that's a pretty normal time on a Thursday, or am I mistaken? We made an appointment for lunch, and he called me back at 12 o'clock: now he was OK. We would meet up a 14:00 near Shibuya.

I felt amazingly homesick in the morning, so I called Yukiko. She is just so sweet, so she invited me over. She made me food and we talked for a long time. Really, her support means a great deal to me. She asked me if I would like to be a tutor, because the children of a friend of hers need tutoring in English. OF course I would like that, I tutored in Holland as well! So, I think I have my first job and they pay pretty good! For 2 hours, I get 4000 yen, that's €32. This way, I can also meet other people and maybe they will recommend me to other people! Unfortunately, I had to skip practice for the Tea Ceremony because I needed to go to my appointment and study hard.

Although sweet, the guy is kind of strange. He has a Japanese nationality, but he is a Jew. He is not polite at all and he screams everywhere, he's more American or European. The way we talk is screaming here in Japan, people are so get-together and polite here that it's crazy. So it was shocking to see someone so straightforward. We talked a bit and he looked at my portfolio, I felt a bit uncomfortable because of his attitude. But I stood my ground and he told me I was a sincere person, which I am actually. He told me he would try to find a sponsor for my working visa. He immediately called many people to ask about possibilities. So, tomorrow I will have my first 2 major appointments. I will meet the president of a big graphic design company called 'Barbie House' (love the name, right?) and a British photographer. I am so excited, he even called himself my 'agent'. But, I will always be careful. You never know if someone has your best interest and maybe there are strings attached: that's not good. But, maybe he will be my hero so I am just going to try! He invited me to a big party tonight, but I declined. I needed to study, so I couldn't.

After that meeting, I went to Shinjuku to pay Miyo a visit. I love her, she is the best. My friend Makoto would be the perfect lover for her! So I want to hook them up, but after Saturday (SAT-day). She had to work, but she had her break so we went out for a drink. We can talk for hours, we have so much to tell each other! We are going to meet up Saturday afternoon and I will have my hair done. She will pick me up with her car and we will go somewhere fun! I'm looking forward to that!

I also went to Tokyo (the Station), because I had some other things to do. That neighbourhood consists of buildings only, no shops or restaurants, only businesses: I like that but it is boring, right? The station had an European design, it reminded me of the Rijks museum in Amsterdam!

Tomorrow I have my appointment with the photographer and Barbie House. I'm also going to meet up with Anna (Russian model), but I'm not quite sure that's a good idea. Maybe I will postpone that because I just need my rest for the test on Saturday..

Well, say a prayer for me and burn a candle for me! I really hope this will open up many doors for me, but all I can do is my best. I tried, that's what counts.

January 20th & 21st - VISA(AAAAH!)

I am so sorry I didn't write for, like, 2 days. But to be honest with you, my days weren't so special. As you all may know, I have my last SATs this Saturday, so I have to study really hard.

Last two days, I was kinda sad because it felt as if I did not do what I had to. Yukiko had called lots of companies and agancies for me, but they were all asking about my visa. I have a tourist visa, so I can't work with that. It is frustrating to know that you can actually get a job, but one lame document is blocking the way. But I will find a way to get one. One option was to go to a language school, but that is just really expensive.. So I just have to think about everything.

Yesterday, I went out in the evening with Miyo and Naoka (not Naoko, the other girl). We had fun: Miyo is really my best friend here in Tokyo (with Yukiko, but she is more my Japanese mother). She would definitely be my friend in Holland as well.

Tuesday, I did my first Tea Ceremony game all by myself. Yukiko had to give me a great amount of corrections, but I did pretty good. I am improving and am just delighted to be a part of that process. I will even receive my first 2 diploma's! She has to officially order them from the official Tea Ceremony monk in Kyoto. This diploma will show people how polite and disciplined you are and I can put it on my CV.. I feel blessed!

Anyhow, I forgot what I did in those two days.. Just because it wasn't special, kind of boring! Afgter Saturday I will speed everything up and have great stories to tell!

In fact, today was a really special day for me. I will tell you about that tomorrow, but I can promise: my ride to fame has finally begun!


xoxo Steven

January 19th - PHOTOS