Japanese Economy and YOU

"This apartment is in the Hiroo neighborhood in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. Last renovated in April 2008, it has 82.8 square meters (about 890 square feet), with new hardwood floors and wallpaper, and a new kitchen and bath. The windows face southeast, allowing for sunlight all day. The tree-lined views from the master bedroom and living room are of Shoun-ji Temple, a Zen Buddhist center. The apartment is one of 11 units in a five-story 1978 building." According to the New York Times - Great Homes and Destinations.

In Tokyo, this is your typical apartment price. Japans economy has been suffering for years, and real estate buyers have become increasingly scarces due to this fact. Renting has become the norm, and keeps your everyday Japanese citizen up on these risky economic times.

“The Tokyo real estate market has declined since the Lehman shock by 20 to 40 percent,” claims Zoe Ward, an agent in the sales division of Housing Japan, the firm listing the property described above. “However, we think it has hit the bottom.”

Why does all of this matter? Why wouldn’t it matter? Japan is a great and beautiful country and many job opportunities are there for Americans who are interested in overseas work. But if your dream job were to present itself and you are expected to move your family to Japan - given the current American economy how will you ever be able to afford a nice home? You'd most likely to get stuck with less then your moneys worth, or being put into the renting circuit. The economy's of those overseas DO matter to Americans, its just getting Americans to notice.

Alice in Wonderland

I'm going to go see it tonight! I'm so ridiculusly excited. Not only am I a Johnny Depp fan but Tim Burton is a directing genious. Im soooooo excited. It looks really good. But I really like how its not just another remake; it's a continuation of the story, making it jump out to me even more. It does look kindof dark, but hey - it Tim Burton for christ sake. I have a feeling this movie is going to blow all others out of the water, it just looks so awesome. :D I'll make sure to write about how it went. ^_^

Senior Year Failure

I;m becoming a statistic. The one thing I told myself at the begining of the year that would never become. Im currently failing government and english. If I dont pass these classes I wont walk the line, and I love it that it doesnt hit me till now that what im doing to myself is ridiculus and almost a form a suicide. Im so stuck in the world of working comstently and worrying about everybody elses problems that im once again not paying enough attenchion to my own. Ive fallen into this pattern time and time again and its murdering any chance I have of getting into a decent college. It does make me feel better that I know I can pass, and Im working to get that done...but I cant feed people any more excuses. Im on the chopping block...and it BOMBS...I just PRAY that I can get what I need to do done in time to still survive the statistics...

Fashion Statments

This may come off as sort of self centerd... because it kindof is...hehehe. When I hear fashion statement I think of myself. I always have had this way, ever since middle school, to have the most pop-ish outfits ever. Last year if was my hair. I would make the most awesome hair bows and clips and dress my hair up majorly. This year, its been tutu skirts. My absolute favorite of my skirts is my black lace skirt with the lace ribbions on it. I wear it the most out of the three tutu skirts i own. Once again...sort of self centerd, but...it was the first thing that came to my mind.

Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Washington

Today is a big day for gay rights advocates. For years, LGBT's [Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, & Transgendered] have been fighting for the right to be married, or even gain the right to civil union. Only a couple states currently have laws set in stone that allow gays to be married, but to have Washington - the capital of the United States - to allow them to marry may possibly set an example for other states. This occurrence would be a miracle by most standards, but regardless, its a happy day for LGBT's.

Why would this matter? Gay rights have been a huge thing in America for years, to have the capital state of our country to vote that it's constitutional is gigantic. President Obama has been saying for a long time that be DOES believe in civil unions between LGBTS, but for the people to agree with him really shows the acceptance of the American people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it is going to cause a religious uproar but one of these days, America will realize that separation of church and state is the real deal. You cannot judge a couple based on biblical beliefs if the government is supposedly following this set law. This is just one of the ways America, to outsiders, may seem a bit corrupt.

Newspaper....again

Im not about to go gossiping about anybody on Challenger staff, nore am I about to complain about what all has been happening behind the scenes - but - I would like to vent a little bit, if you dont mind.

The Challenger, our school newspaper, is comprised of students on both ends of the writing circut. The ones who love journalism and writing, and the ones who took the class in search for easy credit. I belive all classes have these sterotypes within them. But its sad when you dont even have enough people in your class you even keep the paper running. We failed to publish a Febuary issue last month due to the fact that 70% of our staff procrastinate to the core. thats crazy. I would love to say we prevailed regardless of those people who refuse to hold their weight, but sadly I cant say that. This comming March issue better be top notch...and I;m starting to think it will be, for the most part the procrastinators have been widdled out fo the picture, and the paper will survive...but I just hope that next year things get better for the senior staff...or else this may be the last year for a sucessfull Apollo newspaper.

Innocence

One of my absolute favorite movies is Finding Neverland, it alone demostates my own personal urgde to find my innocence on earth. It shows how life can have its ups and downs, but there’s really no point in living if you don’t take the time to have fun. Sometimes even I like to go to Neverland. No, I’m not mental, I’m serious. I like to just sit down someplace quiet, and just imagine what I could be doing. Or, simply think of a place that nobody else can get to, and dwell on the lovely thoughts that captivate it in my mind. A place where there is no drama, no pain, nor any kind of sad or depressing thought. It’s a place I love to venture to in books and movies, but nothing beats my own imagination. If only more people in my generation had an imagination. Teens now a days are starting to date, having sex, and even getting pregnant at the fair age 12 or 13. To me that is absolutely INSANE. Yes, many kids are subject to peer pressure starting in late elementary school, but jeeze! Your suposed to complaining about how little Billy took your textbook in class - not about how annoying it is that with your newfound pregnant belly you cant fit in the standard desk at you school! Now, I don’t know about you, but maybe…just maybe there is something wrong with this picture. Kids now a days want to grow up. They don’t want to dwell on little petty things like reading or taking a long walk down the ocean front just to hear the waves roar. Granted, I’m not your typical eighteen year old, but, heh – I have my moments where I would rather be partying then doing something more innocent...but i just think it would be nice if my generation wasnt the one the adults worry about, but the one that they could be proud of. Makes you kind of fear for the future...