"Weak Mascot"? "Strong Ambassador" for Kumamon, more like.

The "Yuru-chara"; literally translated to "Weak Mascot".

I can't quite recall the first time I came across these beings, but I remember seeing flashes of these "Mickey Mouse failures on TV when I first came to Japan, their unbalanced figures waddling about, their bodies so large that they can just about wiggle their hand to and fro in a pathetic wave, attempting to promote their prefecture.

Because that's what they are. "Prefectural Mascots", which are characters that are created in an attempt to increase tourist crowds in their homelands.

My first impressions of them were not exactly impressive. First, it made me smile that everything in Japan has to be "kawaii" (they have characters for everything, from health insurance companies to your local petrol station). Secondly, they appeared to me as cheap, lamer versions of our well-known folk at the land of Mr. Walt, as mentioned above. Most of them weren't particularly that cute anyway for Japanese standards, and though kids would squeal with joy and mums would snap away at them on their keitais, they simply stood there doing...sod all, really.

Except for Kumamon.

He is something quite, quite different.

A rainy GW, a Name Change, and an awesome Head.

This time last year, I was enjoying 'Golden Week' on a beautiful beach under the sun, lying in my cute Betsy Johnson dress-style swimming costume and sunglasses, savouring a Cornetto ice cream.

This year, I am shivering in my office in the spring of Hokkaido, the doom and gloom reminiscent of the unfortunate weather conditions back home.

In all truth, I have no money. 

I raise my hand in admitting all faults are of yours truly.

And so, in a desperate attempt to save, but also seeking play in my precious time off, I've stayed in my area, and enjoyed the first 'GW' 3 day weekend with friends who also happened to stick around, as well as getting my hair cut and re-coloured amongst other fun little things (pictures at my photo blog).

Plus, May-already-I-still-have-no-job-for-August-OMG. Though, I have been sending in applications to almost anything available in Sapporo, and have had a bunch of interviews which I still need to hear back from. One could say things are at a steady pace.

The main reason I updated this Blog with quite an empty post (due to having just updated my photo blog…still not doing a great job at keeping the balance there), is because I'm announcing a name change.

Online, I mean.

I've decided to no longer use my real name, but to go by the alias of "Narise". 

I used stupid web names in the past in which my teen years thought were super cool, and had reverted to using my own name after noting the un-coolness of my previous ones, though I think that, as everything I post, publish and tweet is public these days, and as I sometimes, ahem, moan and groan a little about "certain matters", it might be best to keep my head down. Not that I really think I've posted anything outrageous, but "better safe than sorry", as is the over-used but perhaps sensible phrase goes.

Speaking of certain matters, I adore my Head. Not the one on my shoulders mind you, it's not a bad head, but it's rather rusty and stupid in places, but…trailing off.

He's the Head of my department, the Bosses of all the bosses within the sections of the department, if you like. I'd always enjoyed chatting to him when I'd gotten the chance and he's always looked out for me, and now that my seat is pretty much bang next to his after our office rearrangement in April there are more opportunities for him to talk to me, and I love it! He seems to like England and has an interest in English, and asks me a lot about British culture, whilst also explaining and introducing Japanese culture to me. He even gets me little presents like chocolate once in a while, and I treated him back with a bar of Cadbury's as British chocolate came up in our conversation once. He has also acknowledged my latest obsession with Kumamon (planning on posting about that in detail soon), and let's me happily ramble on about him and has even got me a Kumamon gift! It's a shame, really. If I'd have been in this seat earlier than maybe I would've stayed. Actually, if he'd have been my boss and worked closely with me, I know I would've stayed. 

He's the one person I'll be sad to leave at the end of July.

How to get involved with Charity the easy way (in Japan)

In accordance to my last post and also my New Year's resolution, I have been thinking deeply about Charity work. My problem is, although I would like to participate in as many volunteering activities as possible, I have a life (in terms of too many hobbies), so I have been thinking about and researching into methods of getting involved with Charity the easy way i.e., in ways that can be slotted into one's busy lifestyle!

Here's what I came up with.
(Please note that, though all points can be applied to wherever in the world, it is generally focused on living in Japan)

1. Lather yourself in Body Shop goodness

A dream for most beautiholic shoppers like me, surely.
I have always been a fan of British brand The Body Shop, but it is only recently that I have really noticed their values. Slogan-ing "cruelty free beauty", they have been campaigning against animal testing for 20 years, and have successfully helped in the EU ban on animal testing on cosmetics from March 11th 2013. Still, it's not completely banned in the rest of the world; thus their campaigning continues.
Not only do they fight against animal testing, they, in their words, support community fair trade & ethical trade, activate self esteem, defend human rights, protect the planet and undergo a variety of projects through their foundation. Think about it. You buy, for example, one bottle of luscious musk-scented body cream, perhaps a little pricer than your regular one from the local market, yet you help out in about 4 divisions of charity work. Of course, I can not make a stand on how the money you spend there is used exactly, but they do state on their website that money made from their products are put towards their projects, plus ingredients in your product are likely to be from fair trade resources and it won't have been tested on animals.

Some of my faves: hair protector & paddle brush

And, if you're still uncertain, they occasionally have a box near the till/cashier where you can donate spare change to support their recent activities. Last time I went to a shop in Sapporo, they had a box for their Sakura Charity project where they're raising money for the restoration of Touhoku (donations are being taken till 30th April 2013). Lastly, they take care in their products by choosing natural ingredients, and as a user of their products and without being too biast, I can say I've been satisfied with everything. If you're a scent-hogger like me you'll love most of their creams! My personal recommendations are their scented body creams, body sprays, hair treatment spray and their cushioned hair brush. Their products also make wonderful presents as they often have pre-wrapped gifts too.