I have been pondering on this since you submitted this question. I think talking about the reality of massive weight loss is rather important as there are so many myths about what it does to one's life. But at the same time it's a very sensitive topic, and currently I'm really struggling with weight gain and self image. I think I will try to write something on this this week.

Thank you very much, I didn't notice this very nice message until now, but it always means so much to me when someone takes some of their time to cheer me on. I also like your abbreviation very much ^^

Oh I don't think this question is mean, it is important to understand why one does what they do so they can be more focused. Well honestly I had no real reason to start blogging besides the fact that writing is one of my few strong suits. Even now I'm not sure why I blog ( I don't do it to make money, gain "fame" or just share myself with an anon audience). But I am hoping if I can improve my physical condition, that it will lead to some more focused/interesting blogging.

I'm lucky enough to stay near a river with a walking path around it. I would go for an hour walk twice a day. Added to the walking you have to do just to get around town it adds up. I hope you got to have a great holiday in Japan.

Well I've always just pre-ordered mine online, but yes you can just show up to get one. However they are limited so people line up early, I heard people were lining up at 6:00am at 109 last year.

Oh yes! You are so kind to ask about that, honestly I've gotten out of habit with it, though I do want to try again. Sometimes I get a flame over it so it ruins my motivation. But yes, I will be starting that up again, perhaps later this week even if I get a chance for it!

I'm 173 cm and I use both a M size and L size. The M size comes up to mid-thigh, and the L goes a bit higher but I find it to be a bit too loose. However if you google "compression socks" you can find some western brands too^^

If you could talk about that more in depth (IE. The archive doesn't work, add pagination etc) Just saying its hard to navigate doesn't help me address any issues ^^

Oh no not really, I only use hair lotion since its a bit dry, but otherwise I just let it grow. One reason its able to grow long quickly is I have less breakage/damage since I don't color or heat style my hair.

Oh honestly I can't imagine my future life, like I can't see past the next year or so... But no I've never really imagined myself living my entire life in Japan. Its really hard to move to a new country with a very different culture, and I'd like to be with my family members when I'm older too.

Yeeeees TT I know, I will try to start posting more. I want to improve many aspects of my life, blogging included!

It was in the autumn of 2007, and basically I just decided to go at that time because I had the money, time and such. Though I wish I could go back and do it differently :/

Basically I like Minnesota, the quality of life is quite good here and there are several major medical manufacturing companies that ensure a higher employment rate over some other states. The shopping is so-so, the food scene is slowly expanding and there's plenty of music/theater for those who enjoy that. And its quite comfortable besides January-March. (Plus my mom and dad live here)

It would be alot easier to make a decision about where to live if I had more strong opinions haha.

Hmm, well, I put on weight every month due to PMS. But in regards to gaining weight during christmas time, that's just natural. Mammals naturally gain weight in the colder months to protect themselves. We have houses, thick synthetic clothing now, but our bodies still want to add some padding.

I would say to prevent gaining weight include more winter vegetables into your diet (instead of sweets, buttery dishes etc), squashes are especially nutrient rich and tasty. And make sure to get up and move more. Its easy to want to bundle up under a blanket but doing 20 minutes of exercise will warm you up as well^^

Hmm it's been 2,500-4,400$ depending on the length of time, accommodation, and how much I buy.

I think its very kind of you to write to me again. Oh I may have been overly optimistic in the past, but my current thought is that moving to a new country can be defeating, a complex challenge or offer rewards one never expected.

I understand your frustration, it's very hard to be stuck in a job that is unsatisfactory. Sadly so many people have to live that way, its part of being adult I feel. Thats my feeling too atm actually haha. I'm not sure what I will do with my future, but I just hope something works >3<

Your tone comes off as rather bitter or jealous. Perhaps you're trying to be helpful and don't understand how you sound.

I have known a wide variety of foreigners working in Japan with all sorts of language skills. Alot of forgieners not speaking much Japanese find work acting, modeling, editing, working in international companies, consulting etc. I am a social science major so I very well understand the difficulties that immigrants face while trying to integrate into a new society.

I'm already basically ready to move to Japan if I want to, as I have been considering doing so for years I have researched it plenty. Thanks for taking your time to try and point that out tho^^

Thank you so much for liking the autumn photoshoot, I hope I can do the winter one soon and it will also be well received^^ Actually I was wearing a ton of eyeshadow, but it didn't show up as darkly in the photos as I had hope. I like to wear a lot of eye makeup just as fun, to me its more like art or a statement of your visual tastes (I hope that makes sense)

No no, really I am not particularly pretty. I am quite sure you are very pretty yourself. You are already very pretty inside, as you gave me some kind words^^

No not particularly. Right now I am focusing on Christmas gift purchasing with my finances. I feel like going back to Tokyo again, I just have to make a more solid decision after I graduate haha^^

I don't want to do just a throw away English teaching job, I haven't heard too many good things about those jobs...
I'd really like to use some of my writing, photography, or research skills. If I could do anything creative I'd be really happy, or involved in fashion in someway. I wish I knew Japanese so my options were much much broader.