[Special Update] Jap trip Days 1 & 2: Numazu Stamp Collection Part 1~

Spent around a week at Japan from 12/7 to 19/7/18 for my grad trip; with most of the days spent on Numazu~

Day 1: Numazu~

Mentioned briefly in my other posts, the main goal to complete at Numazu was the stamp collection. It was a lot of work but well, it was an experience~

Train ticket to Numazu~

Searched a little and realised there are other ways to get there but slower like taking the local train. However, the scenery is nice so if one is not rushing for time, it would be a nice train trip back to Tokyo from Numazu:) There're also bus services; from Shibuya to Numazu...

So, it was a straight trip down to Numazu once the plane landed at the airport where my family and I had to took the train down to the Shinagawa station to buy the tickets to Numazu.
Maybe cos it was in the evening when we reached, there was quite a long queue at the ticketing counter. Nonetheless, we finally bought it after a few minutes of wait~

The bullet train took about 45 minutes to reach Mishima where there was a need to change to local train to reach Numazu which is just a stop away from Mishima.

I'm Back!!!^^

It was near the night when we finally reached; around 6-7. After the checking in to Daiwa Roynet Hotel(which is just beside the Plaza Verde where the SIF thanksgiving 2018 was held!), first stop was to Gamers cos my family wanted to get the new stamp books while I used the ones from Love Live Sunshine Walker 1 and 2~

First Years Standees at Gamers Numazu~

In collaboration with SIF thanksgiving 2018 in Numazu, there was a stamp rally too but in terms of years; so there were only 3 locations to go to get the stamps of the members in each year.

First Years: Gamers Numazu
Second Years: Izu Mito Sea Paradise
Third Years: Sun Sun Sunshine Cafe

And think due to the distance of 2nd yrs from the others, the rally lasted about 2 weeks~ And the prize was an A4 file:

Oh and there's also postcard given at each of the stamp locations if the conditions are met;

First Years: Spend at least 500 yen at Gamers
Second Years: Buy the entry ticket to Izu Mito Sea Paradise
Third Years: Dine at Sun Sun Sunshine Cafe- think need to get at least a main course and a drink?

About the postcards, had quite a bad experience with it. First, for gamers, it was easy to meet the conditions.
However, apparently you need to show that you r taking part in this stamp collection, by showing the stamp card before they will give you the postcard... B'cos of this 'rule', I actually missed getting quite a number of the postcards-.-
The same applied to the Izu Mito Sea Paradise- I had to speak to the counter lady to get it... There were a bit of awkward exchanges but at least I got them~
I would say the best was Sun Sun Sunshine cafe which gave the postcards without asking~
^It was quite unlike last year; in Ikebukuro where the shop staff would just give the postcards after you meet the conditions without asking...

To add on, (also unlike last year) the stamp cards were not out in the open for people to take or at least not at Gamers... You had to ask the staff for it-.- Again, awkward exchanges but in the end, got the point across and got the card so~

All in all, everything was collected so it was fine:)

After Gamers, we stopped by Sun Sun Sunshine cafe to get the stamps. It was quite late so we didn't eat there. Plus there was quite a queue...

Third Years Standee at Sun Sun Sunshine Cafe

But I did buy the exclusive rubber straps:

*Cries* Riko Chan...

Sadly, no Riko but at least there's Chika(& Yoshiko...) Tbh, I don't mind collecting all of them at this rate(haha)

I also bought Aqours water which has the design of the Awashima Escape Game and of course I chose the 2nd years' design~

Beside that, I also got this:

Back in s1 ep 11 and 13(I think...?)

And I didn't know there was a random sticker inside...

Quite obvious who is it...

Hanamaru~

Haven't tried yet but think it will be good for a summer dessert~

After the short break at the cafe, we went to the next stamp location that wasn't closed & had dinner:

YouRiko-Mos Burger

Loved the melon soda~

Saw a few LLivers there and I got the pin badge too(cos Riko~)

First Riko stamp and pin badge gotten~

About the pin badge, it was either sold in the shop or put outside the shop as gachapon, and I prefer the latter; it's more fun and interesting but if you do not have change, then it's a problem...

I only remembered that Mos Burger and Sun Sun Sunshine cafe were the few that used the gachapon way.

That was for Day 1- short day since most time was spent on plane and travelling(lol) That said, I actually found this on first day:

Salted Onion- The taste is quite unique...

If you did watched Marugoto Rikako ep 24, this flavour of jagariko was advertised guessed by Rikyako and I just have to try it after my fave tried and loves it... 

The taste was quite unique and as Rikyako had said, think it would work well with rice(than eating by itself, lol)

Day 2: Numazu Port, Awashima & Agetsuchi

Numazu Port

Start of a full day at Numazu and the plan was to collect the stamps in Numazu Port and Agetsuchi, and those that were slight out of the way like the Ishibashi plaza. Stamps at Awashima side was supposed to be collected, together with Uchiura area, on another day.

However, as one of the stamp locations from Awashima closes in the weekends, a trip down there on day 2 was a must... There was a lot of walking(and thus how I got my blisters...)

And, I could have shifted the trip to Numazu Port to the weekends instead. But since my family had booked the LLSS taxi for day 3(to go to the further areas like Fujimi Hotel) which was to picked us up at the sannoura tourist information center, that was a no-no...

As planned, took a bus to Numazu port where there were quite a number of Itasha or anime cars, namely Yoshiko/Yohane cars since it was her birthday~

There was also a queue outside Numazu burger- think Yoshiko/Yohane fans celebrating her birthday by having a meal there. Saw a group photo taken from Numazu burger twitter 

I did stop by to take a rest after walking around to get the stamps:

After getting JA Nansun stamp and bought the badge(as seen below~)
And I chose the chibi file this time; chose 2nd yrs last time~ May go for the plastic model photo ver next(if I do go again, lol)

I was debating whether to get since just getting all Riko badges was gonna be quite an investment but since I came all the way and she's my second fave, I can't leave out her(and it's not complete without her...)

Following that, went to View-O next:

This was where You and Mari had the talk in S1 ep 11. And if I knew there was gonna be light-up at night, would have planned my route differently...

Lastly, LLSS kitchen car was stationed near the port so bought Yoshiko birthday drink set where a special bromide was given. Think I didn't order or the person didn't hear the orders probably and thought we ordered two Yoshiko birthday sets where it was supposed to be one birthday drink set and one Riko drink... 

Anyway, Yoshiko birthday drink was simply just cola with whipped cream... And I actually don't drink cola-.- But can't waste food- one of my principles in life...

The coasters gotten:

No Riko(again) but there's Chika~ And I forgotten to take pic of the drinks(again)

If there's anything I don't mind getting, it's the coasters; like it would of course be great to get your faves but somehow, when it comes to coasters, I just accept whoever comes... It's like I'm not driven to hope for a trade when it comes to coasters except if it's repeats- That's just one thing I can't accept...

No drinks pic but at least there're the banners which I only took of Kanan, Riko and Chika...

And the kitchen car was the last stop in Numazu Port before heading to a bus stop, a few minutes walk away, to the next two stamps which were slightly further down from Numazu Port.

Due to the summer heat, it was quite tiring(and disgusting) to walk yet the occasional breeze was nice too~

Spent a while trying to find the stamps- actually followed a group of LLivers to get to one of the stamp areas(lol) 

Quite like this design, esp with Shitake on top~
And the shop cafe serves quite a few mikan desserts- may try if chances arise~

Next, we went further down to Awashima~

Banners placed and naturally took ChikaRiko with the addition of Yoshiko(cos her birthday plus her ranking in my list is slowly climbing up to Chika's position...)

Unlike last year, the stamps were no longer at the ticketing counter but outside... And, there is this shop where LLivers can customize their own ceramics(such as plates, bowls, cups, etc.) by putting stickers available.

I suppose it's a nice merchandise/souvenir for LLSS fans:)

Due to time constraint, didn't go to Awashima Marine Park...(Though would love to go due to the collaboration...Another time... If I do have the chance...)

With the far-areas done, we went to Agetsuchi as the last stop. Orandakan(aka. You's house) was the first stop~ 

Hopefully, I can eat here one day... FYI: this is a cafe and as it's You's Home in the anime, there is quite a display of You merch inside~

Tbh, I'm quite surprised by the distance from Numazu station to here; it seemed far on the google maps but actually it was just a few minutes walk... However, due to the heat, it was kinda tiring...

Moving on, the long stretch of Agetsuchi street was full of stamp areas and there were a few more of Riko & Chika stamps:

Was told by the staff that this car plate, "03-" indicated this car is registered in which prefecture but alas I forgot which...-.-(but after knowing, I started knowing at car plates and trying to find these particular numbers. I did find a few:) 

Riko stamp ink was a faint pink(likely to differentiate from Ruby's pink...) and I think the stamps that were introduced recently have darker shade. This is especially good for characters like Riko and Hanamaru since the pink and yellow were quite faint previously.

Think Hanamaru stamp ink was switched from yellow to gold and it was much darker and better!

Beside stamp collection, there was a campaign going on in conjunction with Yoshiko/Yohane birthday. A number of shops in the Agetsuchi participated and depending on the shops, if the conditions were met, a special sticker of Yoshiko/Yohane was given.

Example: For tsuji photo studio, a expenditure of 500 yen would satisfy the condition and I bought the water bag coffee set:

The coffee set and the sticker * gotten

*There were 3 types of stickers but the art was the same for all; the only difference was the wording... The 3 were: 1)Datenshi 2)Yohane yo!! 3)ギランッ(Giran- the sound made when Yohane does her fallen angel post)  

^I got the Datenshi ver- Was hoping for "Yohane yo!!" ver but oh well~

Outside of Tsuji Photo Studio

Apparently, this board gets update, depending on the occasion; like it was Chika bday 'recently' so the board changed to Chika art! Do check it out if you ever pass by~

Grandma- Staff entrance to the kitchen

I had wanted to try the Yoshiko-image cake(which was also the one Aikyan did for her experience Aqours Club report) or the Yoshiko birthday set but due to time constraint, just got the stamp and moved on(while thinking I could always come back again but couldn't in the end...)

Before I moved on from Agetsuchi area, here were some pics taken(of my fave;)

This district and Nakamise shopping district were full of these banners(it was an awesome sight for me, a LLiver~) 

Love the poster and the mascot(a fox) which has its own stamp & I got it as well~
Naturally, I got the badge as seen above:)
FYI: The yoshiko poster is the art design of the sticker that would be given when you spent in selected shops in agetsuchi~ 

The day was supposed to end with collecting the stamps at Nakamise shopping district and the nearby areas that were missed due to them closed upon arrival to Numazu in Day 1.

However, since there was 'time', my family and I just decided to go to Ishibashi Plaza for dinner since it closes at ard 8 and we finished the stamp hunting collection at 7...

^You can see how much of a rush this trip was than a relaxing one...
But I was part to be blamed for not voicing out so...Plus I could be giving the wrong signal to my family; letting them think I want to spend every possible minute to walk than rest...Sigh... A lot of miscommunication happened over the trip...

In the end, by the time we reached, it was almost closing so can't get dinner but managed to buy some stuff tho^^;

They were... Ex but I can't resist(these chibis><)

In the end, we bought convenience food for dinner(lol)

Omelette rice is love~

And I didn't know how hungry I was till I started eating... After all, we did kind of skipped lunch...

That was my adventurous day 2~

Will be doing day 3, Numazu Stamp Collection Part 2(in the area of Uchiura and the areas beyond which will be done by taxi- gonna share a bit of my experience in taking the LLSS taxi and the awkward exchanges with the driver due to my pathetic Japanese speaking skill...) in the next post so as to avoid making this post any longer... 

I will also include my trip to NESOPASA, a highway shopping mall where there is a LLSS shuttle bus service to bring fans there at a cost of 2000 yen per round trip.

The SIF thanksgiving 2018 at numazu event will be done on another post instead; due to the sheer amount of photos and contents^^;

Until next time, this is Yaiji signing off~

Yaiji~ (EDIT: Here's the next part after so long^^; Part 2)

PS: By some miracle, I passed my N3 exams(\yay/)

[Updates] Overwhelmed...

2 weeks into my job and I felt the stress and pressure of not performing well there...

Maybe it's due to the string of 'failures' I'm kinda of facing while running the program I just managed to set up and run... 'Failures' as in I don't see any the results I feel I should expect to have... And there's also the thing that I do not know what to expect... Like I'm doing something while wearing a blindfold... It's scary that at one point, I felt like quitting but it's only 2 weeks...

After consulting with my family, I received different types of advice like "if it is too stressful for you, why bother staying and make life hard for yourself" or "this stress I speak of is actually just stress I'm giving myself", etc.
As such, I'm going to give myself until this year and see how is it.

In addition, my stress also comes from the environment...
At first, I didn't pay much attention to it but as I work, the fact that most people or rather my colleagues in my department are mostly PhD makes me feel inferior... Plus the job is a research-based; it's like I'm at a disadvantage and everyone seems to know what they are doing without much help... I mean I have my supervisor that I can approach to consult but I'm not even sure if I should bother him when he seems busy...

There's another factor; which is lunch time...
As a new hire, I would join my department whenever they go for lunch so that I don't get left out and also to get to know the places I can have lunch, near the work place- And I did; I know of some places(and slight cheap food) that I can have lunch.
However, they tend to go to the usual places(which is normal and understandable). I'm quite an adventurous person so I like to explore.
And then, there's the eating speed... I do eat fast and I didn't mind the speed that my colleagues were eating at. What I didn't like was that, right after eating, they just go back straight to the office... It's like lunch time was suppose to be break time(of 1 hr) from office and I'm back to office, staring at the com after 30 min of break... Ugh...
I would think they would like to eat and then maybe stay at the food court until the break was going to end before heading back...

^You must be wondering if I have so much complaints on eating with my colleagues, why did I even eat with them??- Beside the fact that I'm a new hire, I tend to go with the flow for fear of being an outcast... This personality or habit of mine tend to end up with me suffering, telling myself to just go with the majority while knowing I may not like it at all...
It is during this time that I either back down from voicing out or just try 'convincing' myself that it will be fun since it's something new...

^That is part of why I rather be a lone wolf than in a group; while alone, no one decides for you and you're not pressured to choose, and every choice you made is your responsibility only... Best is that you're not obligated to follow anything...
Yet, being alone can be vexing since you've no one to turn to for help or advice...

Lately, just feel plain irritation whenever ppl tell me to do this and that, especially to eat- I actually question why are there 3 meals in a day...
I know meals are important but when I don't feel like eating and people telling me to eat just irritates me so much... Sigh...

Seriously, this is getting depressing to blog... Life now feels meaningless that I wondered how did my past me continue moving in life...(Maybe cos I have a goal to graduate... Sigh...)

A small update of my art:

I have started posting the scanned works onto deviantart and will be posting one per day so as to avoid spamming. And I chose 15 or rather 16/8 cos the first work, day 1, was done 2 months ago on that very day:)

As for Instagram, I had uploaded days 1 to 29 with day 30 coming up later to end off the uploads and some afterwords~

Think I mentioned before that I was thinking of doing a YohaRiko theme book; like I did with ChikaRiko- was thinking of doing that for Inktober but feel like starting soon since I got quite a few ideas!

^Nothing is confirmed since there are work commitment to worry about...

And, I will try finish my Jap post this week, given the holidays~

Until next post, this is Yaiji signing off!

Yaiji~

PS: after reading some posts about <First Job Experience>, it seemed that it's normal to feel anxiety and overwhelmed by it, and that some of the stuff I listed here were what ppl experienced before... Felt a little better, knowing I'm not alone in this matter...

[Updates] An week into work life...

It's been (more than) a week since I started work and it felt like I'm doing a fyp all over again...

It wasn't surprising since it's a research based job but the thought of returning to that hell life kinda turned me off a little...
However, as the topic I am working on is a field I want to enter, there is some merit in doing this job.

In addition, my colleagues in my department are kinda of friendly(?) so I supposed it's not too bad...

But maybe the transition from school life to work life is quite a big jump(for me) that it is gonna take a while to get used to... Somehow, the thought of going back to work after the weekends sux... And this reduced freedom is hard to adapt to:/

Ok, think I'm whining too much and it's only a week; gng be staying for at least 2 years so got to adapt to this reality or these 2 years will be a hard journey to go...

'View' outside; taken from my workplace(hate the circles...)

Moving on, art updates:

Uploaded [ChikaRiko 30-days challenge] works onto pixiv. Will be uploading the works onto deviantart & insta, starting from 15/8;)

Next, I'm thinking of doing a YohaRiko 30-days challenge but problem is if I can stay committed...(Maybe I will do that for this yr's Inktober...? Actually, already thought of a theme for day 1 while thinking of this idea...)

Lastly, Honoka and Chika Bday artworks are uploaded on both insta and deviantart; Pixiv wise, will be uploading as a compilation with other works from March to August:)

That is all then; likely to blog about my jap trip soon(considering the amt of holidays in the following weeks to come...)

Until next time, this is Yaiji signing off~

Yaiji~

PS: Finally it came(this Friday) :

Wasn't able to get in time for her birthday but still thankful to be able to get much earlier than the expected date~

And, I'm currently wearing the shirt(>^<)

[Updates] Convocation & work's starting tmr...

No idea how to start but... I MADE IT!

Think I mentioned quite a few times in my previous posts of my thoughts and feelings that I'm finally a graduate!- However, this very day just makes it, the official one!

Although it was just a few seconds of glory, it sure was nerve-wrecking on stage(I was busy trying to wipe my cold sweat before my turn...)

Plus I wasn't used to wearing the formal-type of shoes so the few seconds felt much longer as I tried to walk to the presenter to get my certificate and down the stage...

The professors and guests sitting on stage do not help much with the nervousness even tho it's an honour(and they remind me of harry potter professors, lol- techically the gown my schoolmates and I were wearing were like harry potter's too but heavier...)

Think I look better without the motar board... And got the harry potter feel~

All in all, it was an honourable event to be. It was also refreshing since the last time I got to wear a graduation gown and be on stage to get my certificate was back in my preschool... 

In addition, this was also my parents' first time attending an University convocation and I'm glad I get to be the one whom gave them the opportunity to~

After the ceremony, it was like coming out from the arrival hall of an airport; there were tons of people outside, waiting for their friends and family to come out of the ceremony hall.

I was quite surprised by the appearance of my relatives coming but glad that they came. My best friend also came!

And, the bears and flowers given were many that my hands couldn't hold them all(haha)

Love the bear wearing the glasses a lot~

That said, work's starting tmr... 

I feel conflicted; like I'm supposed to be glad that I found a job and I'm starting work soon but the thought of less freedom... Sux... And for now, 'for the money' is the motivation I will take(until I can get a much clearer image of how my working life will be...)

Maybe cos the idea of working sux, time seems to move fast for me when I'm back from trip- it was like I was just spending my time packing and drawing, and before I knew it, a day passed...(Even now, as I'm blogging now, I'm shocked that it's already late afternoon...)

There are still so many things I want to do before work starts, such as packing my table, blogging about my trip(which I think I will try do during next week's holiday), etc.

It was like time was running out for me(even though it's just another stage of my life starting... Not sure if I felt this strongly when I was starting University:/)

Regardless, just have to see how tomorrow and the days beyond will fare... Btw, I'm the type that tend to worry too much before something new... People tell me to relax which can be both great and bad advice...

Moving on, some art updates:

I've finished ChikaRiko 30 days challenge last week and scanned them. However, the works are quite faint as they are mostly pencil works so I will be doing some light adjustment before uploading them; my twitter moment has a compilation of this series but the artworks aren't the final ones...

Next, the August LL babies... I've already done Honoka's(wips r in my insta) but Chika... Had no idea what to draw; there are so many I can think of drawing, like the recent GBF's or Miracle Wave... Or should I go for manga type(but I doubt I have the time...)

Thinking of getting at least the draft out so that I can try finish tmr(*keyword: try)

And, I pre-ordered Chika's bday set but dk if I can get it tmr- still hoping for the (good)news from the seller/distributer...

Guess this is all from me. Updates may be irregular; it depends really on my work...

This is Yaiji signing off(listening to Thank You Friends by Aqours while blogging~)

Yaiji~

PS: Ending with a selfie taken with Riko(and I've compiled all pic taken so far with Riko in my insta, under Adventure & future pic will also be in that compilation~) 

Tempted to bring her along but glad I didn't^^;

[Updates] Back from trip...

Just came back from my trip and two words to describe it; hot and tiring...

Well, I live in a hot country so the heat to me wasn't exactly hard to adapt(but the sun rays were...)

And so, the inital thinking that it would be raining heavily was a big mistake(lol)

I wouldn't say I didn't enjoy cos I found quite a few more LLSS spots which I had no idea they were so close to each other!

However, due to the collection of stamps and stuff, the trip seemed rushed and was walking like non-stop that my left leg had blisters on the 2nd or 3rd day... The weather wasn't helping as well...

And certain stuff that I planned to do; like celebrating Yoshiko's bday by eating at Grandma cafe was crossed out from the list... But I was able to find this particular awesome place:

It was a nice night stroll along this riverside and was also one of the best time I had in Numazu!

Found it while walking back from The Blue Water(shall try eating there on another trip~)

This is also where Yoshiko's house is(and You's house is just a road down; can see why they go home together~ Jimoai ftw!)

After that, the walk back to hotel while listening to LLSS songs was another great moment I had!- It was like I was finally able to breathe; without any rush or worries and able to enjoy the (night)sceneries of numazu!

And I was able to understand my love for this place(again)

Tbh, I was starting to hate it from all the rush and thinking it was a mistake to even come here... But this stroll helped to rekindle my love for this place and also to recollect my thoughts which I couldn't; with the amount of stuff going on, worrying about where are the stamps, when do the shops open and close, etc.

It was a chore more than an enjoyment, collecting those stamps that I don't feel any accomplishment from completing it... Rather I hated it since it was taking away my time to enjoy my trip...

Tbh, from the start, I had the mindset that if I passed by the stamp areas, then I will stamp; else, I won't... Cos it wasn't worth it sacrificing my time stamping without enjoying the trip...

And. This. Was. A. Freaking. Trip!- Not some assignment or task to accomplish...

If I am to compare the previous and this trip, I actually liked the previous one more, despite the screw-ups...

A little about myself: I like to say I am a laid-back person whom do things at own pace... Rushing me is a big turn-off and it can turn into stress and pressure since I panicked to match others' pace...

What I had in mind for the trip:

1. go to places shown in LLSS anime and take photos of them...
2. eating at cafes like Grandma, Shougetsu and maybe draw a little while taking breaks(which was supposed to be the time for me to work on ChikaRiko challenge...)

Thanks to the stamps, those 2 were hard to do...

In addition, this trip led me to understand that... I should have not bring non-llss fans with me to Numazu...
At least not with me since the places I go wouldn't mean anything to them unless they watched the show and stayed updated with the series... Examples:

These are just any steps and pathway to any ppl.

However, it means something to LLSS fans cos it's where Yoshiko and Riko were talking to each other, regarding Anko in season 2 episode 5...
All these small stuff which seemed normal and nothing to many, were given meanings thanks to the anime. And they would never be anything unless you watched the anime...

And to reach that level, you must have invest enough to recognise or at least have some sort of impression of them...

That is why I came to the conclusion that the next time I do go to Numazu would be by myself or with friends whom have at least watched the anime...

That was a summary of my thoughts and feelings of this trip; will be elaborating more when I write in details of each part of my trip; when I was in Numazu and in Tokyo!

Oh and since I went during her birthday, I did something for her:

Was planning to buy her birthday set(from Grandma) and celebrate but wasn't able to(as explained above...)

That is all for now- currenly, recovering from the horrible trip, packing the stuff bought & preparing for my job as well...

Hopefully, I can finish working on the blog posts of my trip before my work starts(which I didn't for the previous trip, lol)

This is Yaiji signing off~

Yaiji~

PS: ChikaRiko challenge was halted during the trip due to the nature of it but it's back on track:) Currently at day 29 while thinking what will be a good closure for day 30...