My friend is a Broadway star

This year, New York was all about my friend Yuki. We stayed there total 3 nights and we actually spent time with her only for a drink and one lunch. But she gave us such a strong impression which made us feel "New York" as "Yuki". She is my friend who now living and working in New York to become a Broadway star!!



I met her in my previous job in Japan. We were still one of those "youngest" in the company and we performed as cheerleaders in employees party. It was indeed fun time I had there and this is how we became friends.

But I have to say that she is super direct girl which make her very unique Japanese. I mean she is never been a typical Japanese girl. (she admit herself). For example, when I introduced my boyfriend (now husband) to her, first thing she asked him was "what do you like about her?":) My husband and I never forget this! It was such a simple, straight question!
She is also quite moody. In other way, she doesn't hide her feeling. Many Japanese hesitate to show their REAL feeling in order to avoid conflict. But Yuki is not. When I ask her "how are you?" she can say "terrible" in grumpy face:)

I can imagine not all Japanese can get along with her well. But I like her very much. Her unique character make her attractive. And since she knows she is an emotional person, she realize "acting" is her best career becuase she knows how to be emotional. It comes out naturally from her inside.



So now she is living in New York, taking dance or acting lesson and same time working as a waitress. When she doesn't have lesson, she is working more than 12 hours in a restaurant and meantime, checking newpaper for any audition information.



Her world is full of drama. On the night we arrived in New York, we visited her restaurant. It was Halloween night and she was working there in a custume. She looked very good in the restaurant. But after 5 days later, she told me that she was fired!! I couldn't believe it!! She laughed and said "now I started training in another restaurant". What a tough girl..



She looks tough and she behave strong but she has sensitive part as well. She often tells me that she is jealous about me. She is jealous how I found Mr. Right and living peacefully in Switzerland. This is another straight forward word she gave me. She even went to see a councelor in order to be prepared to see us, without being jealous.

But actually, it's me who is a bit jealous. I am jealous about her life which is full of action and the fact that she is breathing air in America, chasing American dream. During our stay in US, I have been asked by a staff in Abercrombie&Fitsch if I want to join the team. I really love to if I can. Living in US was also my dream. But I'm not in the status anymore just moving around and do whatever I want.



Yuki really knows what she wants. That is something she has and I don't. What I can do is support her and wish her success. So what, if she lose part time job. Madonna was also switching around her job before she become so succesful. With her passion, I'm sure Yuki will reach to the point she dreams. In fact, she sing a phrase of "Phamtom of the Opera" very well!

Yuki's homepage is coming soon. Check it out by typing "Yuki Akashi" those who interested in strong, charming Japanese Hope who has full energy to consume in acting!

Shopping and Broadway

sounds very tempting for girls, isn't it? After tough full schedule on the day before, I had such an idealistic day!



TOPSHOP, it's really a dream for all those fashion freak!!



I was swallowed into this shop..



and gone crazy.

You can get everthing here, bags, accesories, skirfs, shoes, bikinis... EVERYTHING!!



It reminds me of my great shopping experience in Tokyo at "Shibuya 109". This is one of the most popular shopping place for Shibuya girls where the whole 7 stories building is only for girls stuff! I loved it!! But TOPSHOP is even better since none of staff here come over to you and try to sell something. In 109, staff can be quite annoying. They always try to sell you more. In TOPSHOP, the people are helpful only when you ask you something, otherwise they let you shop alone.



and qualities are much better!!



My husband became also crazy at "TOPMAN". His shopping is always quite fast while he simply take off his sweater and try t-shirts on without going changing room!



Who is that?? A TOPMAN model:))

In TOPSHOP, there is also a nice cafe.



Girls can have a break after hard core shopping war..



But maybe cafe is more used for men.. who has to wait for girls shopping in the store:)



My husband also ended up like this:)

In US, I had to wait a lot while he is shopping in Apple store but this time he had to wait for me. Poor my man.. I don't know how much time and money I spent in this store..



Every time after visiting TOPSHOP, we came out with full of bags. This is bags only from 1 day and we've done it 3 times!!



We went to see Broadway, Le Miserables with full of Topshop bags..



It was very nice stage, very touching and impressive. But I still like "Phamtom of the Opera" better. I should have read about stories better in advance.

After enjoying Broadway, we went out for dinner with our new clothes on from TOPSHOP. My husband bought sexy shirts and jacket so I'm telling him not to where it for night out without me! Too dangerous!

London,, super city!!

2nd day in New York

We woke up earlier that we thought becauce of the jet lag. In a comfortable bed, I saw buildings and Hudson river in fog. It was raining.

But I didn't care. Becauce it was the day that one my lifetime dream becomes true. I had a reservation for Broadway.

In the morning, we went for breakfast. It's an another city-famous restaurant where normally doesn't accept reservation. (concierge tried but didn't work) My purpose it to have egg benedict made from organic egg.





Hmmmmm, Egg benedict...!! That's my favorite American breakfast which is only available in US. I was very satisfied. The restaurant called "bubby's" was also typical American restaurant which I like. When I ordered a bill to the waiter, he did "yeah" just like hip hopper:) Yes, I'm now is US.

We fully enjoyed breakfast but our schedule of the day was quite tight. Broadway starts at 2 and I had to pick up the tickets before 1:30. We really had to choose priority so after had a quick shopping in SOHO, my husband went Apple Store and I went Victoria's Secret. I really had to have pajama from their since my silk pajama from here had a small accident and been rippened:) I needed a new one.

It seems that the staff of the shop have to achieving certain number of selling the products. They came to me many times and asked if anybody helping me. First, I felt a little bit uncomfortable about it but they could be very helpful when I really require assitance. I asked for sizes and designs. It was very satisfying shopping.

When I finished the shopping, I thoght I have enough time until broadway starts. Another thing I absolutely wanted to try is New York bagle. Since it was only couple of blocks from Victoria's secret, I went to this famous bagle shop. As I arrived, I was astonished to see the line. The end of the line, there was Japanese girl. I concerned the time but seeing this Japanese girl, I was dragged to the line. I had a little chat with her.



I grabbed one bagle, which is 85 cent and dashed into the taxi. It was 5 past 1:30. The bagle shop was not that far from broadway but I didn't counted the traffic. It was terrible. I almost fought with tixi driver being irritated by how slow it goes. At the end, I left taxi from one block away from theater and ran. Poor my husband was waiting for me in front of the entrace. I felt so bad. The show started as soon as we found our seat.



I had to catch my breath and also my mind was occupied by bad feeling but it has been instantly wiped out by beautiful performance. My tear never stop during a song of Christine and Phantom. Her clear, transparent voice was so comfortable and his strong, passionate voice was indeed toching. My husband was first not interested but he also enjoyed. We had a seat in second row from the stage. I was completely overwhelmed when the show has finished. Just a little bit dissapointed when the Phantom started advertising their products upon last call. (anyway I bought his solo CD:))





The rain has stopped upon we went out. Sky has cleared and I finally I really saw "New York". The buildings and many many people. It is similar to Tokyo but maybe I feel more pressure from buildings. Manhattan is smaller than Tokyo so It seems like all the building are built closer to each others.






I also enjoyed watching stylish people. Rubber boots seem to be popular. They are very practical on rainy day. If I wear them in Zürich, everybody will suspiciously look at me.



Another big event of the day still left in the evening. Meeting my high school friend now living in Boston!! I was really really looking forward to it. She and her American boyfriend came all the way to New York just to seeing us. I know my friend Kae for a long time and our men also already known each others. We had dinner together while we were all in Japan. So it was great to gather again in US! The Japanese restaurant I have booked, "GEISHA" was very stylish and was perfect for the situation. It's great to have men who are interested in Japanese culture and of course, seeing a good old friend again. When we were classmates in high school, we've never imagined 10 years later like this. Meetings each others in US, having both foreign man:) You never know what comes in your life!



The above, you know how small Japanese girls are:)


Me and kae are both still new to live abroad and we could share many feelings and experiences. I like Switzerland but I absolutely miss my Japanese friends. That is same for Kae. I feel a hole in one spot of my heart not having a friend in Zürich. But the moment I saw Kae, I felt it has been healed. It was such a nice feeling to see a good friend after a while. And by learning that she also fighting with similar circumstances and making best out of it, I was even more cheered up.

With making another appointment for next day breakfast, we went back to the hotel. In the middle of the big city, it reminds me of my days in Tokyo.