Day 209: Asarichan comic

Years ago, a dozen or so of these comics mysteriously manifested at my parents' house. I got rid most of them but kept one volume for purposes of practicing my Japanese. I can almost read the author's name, something-yama Mayumi? The first character looks familiar but my kanji skills are sadly depleted.

Status: Recycled

Day 208: Japanese bag

I received this bag as a gift during my first trip to Japan. I can not remember who it was from but I do recall that I was originally given a comb and mirror and I traded with my sister. We traveled there together during the summer of 2000, the year I graduated from high school. We were visiting family friends.

The friends were a couple who had independently stayed with us for a year each through the Never Again Campaign and ended up meeting back in Japan, falling in love, getting married, and having two children.   The Never Again Campaign was a program that brought Japanese people to the states to visit schools and other organizations and talk about peace. They were just two of many guests who lived with us during my childhood. It was almost constant until my youngest sister's disorders made it too difficult to have other people living with us.

Eating okonomiyaki in Kyoto!

Status: Dibbed

Day 207: Drug store eye shadow

My closest friend was about to toss these so I offered to take them off her hands. In the end I didn't use them because truthfully, I can be a bit snobbish about makeup. I like bright, saturated colors and drug store makeup tends to fail on this account. I don't buy makeup very often but occasionally the allure of MAC will suck me in and I'll blow a lot of money on pretty new colors.

Status: Trashed

Day 206: Biore facial cleansing wipes

I have one full package of these as well as a partial package. I didn't realize I had purchased a duplicate box. They are dry towels but when you moisten them they get soapy. I never use them because I have a difficult time using anything disposable - even things already in my possession. I just hate creating waste.

In a similar vein I have a difficult time washing vegetables because I feel weird using very much water but I don't want pesticides or dirt on the food I'm eating. I spend a bit of time arguing with myself over whether it is necessary to clean my lettuce.

Status: Dibbed

Day 205: The Big Sister's Guide to the World of Work

This was the first career book I ever read, when I was not long out of college. It's been a while since I last read it but I feel comfortable recommending it to any woman just starting off in her career. Since then I've read many career/life/people books but I tend to like the more unconventional advice. Jason Seiden's How to Self-Destruct was a fun read and I'm currently reading Rework. I follow Jason Seiden's blog as well as the blog of Penelope Trunk, whose blog is controversial but thought-provoking. You could say that reading this stuff is a hobby of mine.

Status: Dibbed

Day 204: EtherLink III

This is just one of those things I've had for 8 or so years and I haven't managed to get rid of even though I've never used it. I'm pretty excited about not having it around anymore!

Status: Trashed

Day 203: Salomen women's jacket

This jacket has served me well. It is water-resistant, has a hood and two zip pockets, and it's more substantial than a shell. It is also is identical to the jacket my friend Julian owns. I'm giving mine up because I bought a new jacket at the beginning of the year and it has become a redundancy. I traded it for something more fitted but less warm.

The jacket on a rainy day in the arboretum!

Status: Gifted