Tokyo Roar

This is the city I've grown to know this year and what a year it has been.

Tokyo Roar from Brandon Li on Vimeo.

Soak It In

It's 2016 and my time left in Japan is a ticking clock.  I can't say that I'm disappointed that is drawing to a close, but it still comes with so many emotions.  You'd think I'd be a master at change by now, but I don't think it is something anyone can really perfect.  So, 2016, here's to starting anew...again.  No job, no insurance, no home, no car, but somehow, we'll bond and I'll figure it out one panic attack deep breath at a time.

On the flip side...Happy New Year: 1:30am
on an empty train home from Tokyo Station.

I was riding the train home at rush hour last night and it was by far the most crowded...no-SQUASHED train I have ever ridden.  My feet were barely touching the ground from the moment the crowd swept me forward and onto the train.  I "fell" from side to side with the swaying train, but not to worry, there was never any fear of falling.  There would have to be an inch of empty space for that to be possible.  I will not miss rush hour on Japanese trains.

Walking to work today, part of a plastic wrapper from an onigiri (rice ball) was on the sidewalk and it immediately caught my eye.  I think the Japanese must be the ones who came up with the phrase, "Take only pictures, leave only footprints."  It is rare even to find a cigarette butt that has been tossed aside in the dirt.  Of course, in the heart of bustling Tokyo it is more common than than in residential areas, but it is still remarkably clean for a city of it's size...or any size, for that matter.

Shabu Shabu with the King Triton's Concert boys

I miss home and I miss my culture.  Moving to another country always forges a love/hate relationship.  Some countries weigh heavier on one side than the other, but each has invaluable knowledge and growth to impart.

Here Come the Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving from Tokyo!  I have a lot to be thankful for this year and high on that list are the people that have been able to visit me this fall.  My parents were here for ten days this past month and Eric was also able to visit for another surprise weekend in October.  All were able to see my show!  It is always so surreal to be performing this show for my people.

My weekend with Eric in Tokyo was everything I could have asked for except, of course, more time.  The weather was just changing and we enjoyed the first fall weekend together in Tokyo.  We  finally had a few "normal" experiences together: going to a friend's for dinner, watching a movie, making breakfast at home.  I can't wait for more of these times once I'm back in The States.

My parents came just a few days after he left and they were able to visit my church, admire the stunning autumn leaves of Nikko, see the sights of Tokyo, and do normal life, like puzzles and pancakes at my apartment.  Who would have thought we'd all end up in Japan together!?  But then again, who would have thought that I'd end up being a Japanese-speaking Little Mermaid aerialist?

Nikko, Japan

Today I spent Thanksgiving with some fellow Americans at my friends' Kelli and Jason's house.  I was so grateful to be in a family home to make the holiday seem a little more "normal."  Then again, what is normal?  Last year I was in Turkey, the year before I was living aboard the Disney Magic and now I am in Japan.  But the norm of eating too much delicious food has still held true for the past two years.

When mermaid-ing isn't filling all my time (which it is most of these days as I make up for recent time off) I have been doing normal things like, you  know, Taiko Drumming -- the perfect creative outlet for all your aggression and frustrations.  No, but really, so much fun and a full body workout.  Amie and I have been movie regulars (Pan and Mockingjay), I have taken a couple yoga classes, baked for Thanksgiving and decorated my apartment for Christmas (yes, already). 

Summer in Japan

There is just so much to do and see in summer.  If only I could show you all the moments that I've captured.

Hanabi - fireworks - are huge in Japan.  Turns out they started in Asia so I suppose it makes sense.  The fireworks I have seen here in Japan are like none other.  If you wanted to, and you could stand the crowds, you could see a fireworks display somewhere in Tokyo every weekend during the summer.  A show will last for an entire hour and every twenty minutes, you think it is the grand finale.  But let me tell you, when the finale happens, there is no missing it.  When you know, you know.


Yukatas, traditional Japanese summer dress, are the norm for fireworks festival.  Turns out, they are quite complicated to master.  Thankfully, Hiromi San used to style yukatas and kimonos professionally and offered to dress us for the hanabi festival in Shin-Urayasu.  Definitely a privilege.

Tae and I spent a day out of the city at the Narita Yume Sunflower Farm.  It was a day full of things I would not really associate with Japan: archery, jam-making, and cow-milking (I left that one to Tae).  We went during the hottest week of the summer and being inland certainly didn't help with the dizzying humidity.  Ice cream, however, is always a good remedy.

 Eric's visit to Tokyo was one of the many high points of the summer!  After a business trip around Asia, he was able to stay and visit for a weekend.  There wasn't enough time to do it all, but we came pretty close for the amount of time we had!  And speaking of fireworks, we spent the first night of our weekend at the most amazing fireworks spectacle.  Yep, it was a spectacle.

Fingers crossed that he'll be able to visit again.  Until then...technology.

Sushi at the Tsukiji Fish Market with Danielle

This one.  Amie.  We met three weeks ago in the elevator her first week at Hope Church.  I was surprised when native California English came out of her mouth and have been so refreshed by her each time we've gotten together since.  She'll be here for quite a few years, but we'll have to pack our Japanese friendship into the five months of my remaining time here.  There are those people that you just click with and she is one of them!

Big Cities and Old Friends

There's this thing about living in a big city that brings old friends together from all over the map.  And when I say "all over the map," I really mean it.  The latest was Kristine and Blaise, coming from the exotic beaches of Bali. After backpacking throughout southeast Asia, they finished their trip on this side of the world by coming to stay with me in Tokyo.  It was short and sweet, but emphasis on the sweet.

A month earlier, another friend of mine who now works for Disney on the Imagineering side of things was also visiting Tokyo.  Danielle and I studied abroad together for a year in Italy and I can count the number of times we have seen each other in The States on one hand.  Last month we found ourselves enjoying happy hour in Japan, both now employed by Disney, as different as our jobs may be.

In just a few weeks, it looks like I may be reuniting another former cast mate from Disney Cruise Line, Janelle, in the park for a whirlwind weekend of "Tokyo Fierceness" as she passes through.  Who would have thought!?
This huge city has begun bringing my friends to me from across the world, just as New York City did.

In other news, Richard is back in Tokyo to kick my butt and fulfill my deep love for continuing training and growing through dance classes. Now that rainy season is coming to a close, I am bathing in my own sweat in the Japanese humidity and it feels just like taking classes during a New York City summer.


Side Note:

Blaise tried this soda called ramune at a Japanese restaurant in New York.  We were on a mission to find it and were not disappointed.  It's as fun as popping a bottle of Champagne every time you drink a casual coke.  Come visit me and I'll share the fun...I found it at a local grocery store.

The Adventures of V and C - Japan Edition

The Adventures of V and C began as a Facebook photo album in 2009.  And goodness knows we have had so many adventures since.  We've hopped from California, to Turkey, to Italy, to Greece, to New York, to Turkey a few more times, and now to Japan.  (All the while keeping up with the times and creating our own hashtag.)  Life from a distance is always so daunting, but we have lots of practice by now.

Victoria's visit to Japan was everything we could have hoped for.  We laughed and we cried.  We went on roller coasters and bullet trains.  We saw modern Tokyo and traditional Kyoto.  We ate more sushi  and experienced more of Japan than I have in the past four months of living in Tokyo.

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Every time Victoria and I finally see each other again after however many months apart, it seems it has begun to get easier each time.  I don't know if it is from practice or if it is from maturity, but we expect less of each other.  Not in the sense of expecting disappointment, but more in the sense of enjoying our time together regardless of how the day turns out.  And not surprisingly, the days always end up better that way.

Everything matcha!

Having my sister in the audience to see me perform was so much fun and also a little surreal.  The first show (of three) seemed to go in slow motion.  It is amazing sometimes to stop and think about how many unrelated thoughts can be going through your head while flying over an audience, lip syncing Japanese, and interacting with giant puppets and an audience of 700.

After finishing at work, I joined Victoria in Disney Sea for the first time.  The park is absolutely exquisite.  I was so thankful to be able to experience it for the first time with her and actually have her be the one to show me around after a full day of walking the park on her own.

Our vacation within her visit was a two night stay in Kyoto, a 4 hour train ride south on the Shinkansen.  This was the first time I had left Tokyo (overnight) since moving here in January, and the getaway was so rejuvenating.  Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan.  It is the opposite to Tokyo in that it has kept its traditional feel amidst also being a modern city.

Kinkaku-ji

Arashiyama was our favorite part of our trip to Kyoto.  The bamboo forest was breathtaking and so peaceful, as was our perfect little resting spot where we watched the boats go by. (above photo)

The goodbye is never easy, but the time together still makes it worth it.  I am praying that we will be together again sooner than we realize.  But for now, we will just have to look forward to more of The Adventures of V and C.

All That is Gold Does Not Glitter

“All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

These past few months of adjusting to Japanese culture have continued to try me.  I've definitely been learning patience, perseverance and humility.

While cleaning up and organizing my computer, I came across old photos from so many different points in life; beginning college in San Jose, my last niece being born, living in Italy, family members who've since been lost, living aboard a cruise ship, audition life in NY, and finally, living here in Japan.  In the moment usually things are not glittering; you feel lost, withered and bitten by the frost.  But go back a few years later and look at those same memories.  

I'm reminding myself not to wish my time here away, knowing I may look back at the end of the year and realize I didn't recognize what I had.  It was gold.  I am not lost.  I am stronger.  My roots are deeper. I am making a serious effort to be more positive.  After all, the show really is amazing...it's the culture that's getting me.

Ok, enough with the philosophical stuff.  That's all the cheese I have for you today.  I just thought of the famous first line of this poem, looked it up, and wanted to share it with you.

The show is open!  Grand opening was April 24 and we are now (as a cast) performing 24-27 shows daily- 3 to 4 per person, daily.  There are many frustrations with the culture of the workplace right now, but at least I get to laugh a little to myself every time I make eye contact with a Japanese woman screaming and shaking because "Ariel looked right at me!" I hope, for the person sitting in her seat next, that she wasn't quite as much like an overexcited puppy as she seemed. 

The most magical place I've been in Japan -- Ashikaga Flower Park.  The wisteria was like something out of a fairy tale.  Strands of warm, purple rain coming down around your shoulders with the sunshine filtering through and the sweet fragrance surrounding you.  Mmmm.  It felt unreal.

Wisteria Ice Cream and a Selfie Stick

Cameras, cameras everywhere, pictures, pictures, pictures.  Seven westerners hired by Disney + Japanese tourists =  Paparazi. Pictures with us, pictures of us, picture awkwardness.