テゴマスの青春～My Biggest Dream Come True!~

Debut (top) to now (bottom) as I've seen them

Welp.
My dream came true today. I finally got to see Tegomassu in person, while being on first row in front of stage. My favorite singer EVER knows my existence and waved AT ME twice and I'm pretty sure he read my sign and gave me a thumbs up during the first song when he looked my way. I was so close it was unreal. I legit cried when I first saw them and heard their voices when the side curtains dropped and only the few of us on the side could see them. I cried throughout the whole first song. Leading up to the concert in the day I became tired and very very hungry and couldn't get excited and for pretty much all of the concert I had a massive headache, but that didn't matter when I saw them, it finally hit me and I became excited all at once I got overwhelmed became nauseous and started crying.

Seriously never thought I would have the opportunity to go to their concert. I had dreamed about it for 8+ years saying "If I ever do make it to Japan, I have to find myself at a Johnny's concert and hopefully NewS" Well, look at me now. I went and saw my favorite duo in the world and from the front row at that! I still can't believe this. I kept telling my friend that in Japanese as soon as the lights went out and the reality set in. As mentioned in the first paragraph, we had been waiting in line for about 3 hours for goods (which I couldn't buy anyway because I'm poor) and even though I had eaten lunch, I slowly got hungrier and hungrier, but because I'm extremely broke I couldn't buy food. When we first got in line, the sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in sight, so it was really bright and hot. Then once we made it to a different side of the building the sun was out of view and the wind got stronger and it became really cold. By the time we made it inside the lobby of the arena, I was so tired and was developing a massive headache. Its a good thing my friend bought me an onigiri, because I probably could have passed out for the first time in my life. I didn't even have water to take headache medicine with. Also, the mass of people was overwhelming as well. So leading up to the concert, I couldn't get hyped up, it also hadn't really set in yet.

This concert was way more important to me than seeing any Kpop band ever. Here's a little backstory for you. In like the 7th grade my best friend and I became really big fans of Jpop, especially Johnny's Entertainment artists. I can't remember details, of course, about how we found them or why we chose NEWS as our favorite band, but these things just happen. As soon as I had learned their names and personalities, my focus was immediately on Masuda Takahisa (Massu). I think it was around the time that we became fans of NEWS that Tegomassu (the subgroup consisting of members Tegoshi Yuya and Masuda Takahisa) debuted. I fell in love with them ever so much more. Their voices match perfectly and they have one of the best harmonies I've ever heard. Massu's voice is so unique, there's really nothing like it, and what really gets me is his smile and eye-smile. Tegoshi's voice is amazing as well, also his vocal range is high.

Even as we went to our seats and stood there in shock about the position of where we were and how close we were didn't get me super excited. It wasn't until the lights went out and the side curtain dropped and I saw them in the dim lights before the main screen in front of them fell singing the into to the first song that it hit me. This duo that I've loved so much and had only seen on a computer screen (not so often because Johnny's strict copyrights and being almost completely shut off from the rest of the world) from the other side of the world are now in front of me in the same room. I didn't just tear-up, I went into full blown tears rolling down the cheeks can't see crying. I had cried a bit when I saw TVXQ in Las Vegas two years ago, but not like this. I wasn't this close to TVXQ as I was to Tegomassu.

Side stage they where Massu waved
and made direct eye-contact. (Angle from sitting) 

The concert was like none I'd ever been to before. It was so chill. Fans don't scream, because Tegomassu is a ballad group and they focus on showcasing their voices, therefore fans want to listen well. For the upbeat songs we all stood up of course and waved lights sticks to the beats and jumped up on certain beats when they did and things like that. Or on the songs that they would leave center stage and go to the sides, we would yell at the member who wasn't currently singing so they would look our way. Which for one song Massu had finally come to our side and he wasn't singing for a bit and my friends and I yelled his name and he looked at each of our faces and waved. The part that I did not realize they would do is for 3 songs we all sat with the penlights off and absolutely no talking. The first song they sang while like this was completely without mics and were accompanied only by a non-amplified acoustic guitar and a melodica (keyboard that you blow into thingy). It was so mind blowing how quiet it was and we could hear their natural voices. I wonder if the very back could hear well. Good thing I was in the front because it was absolutely perfect. It was a wonder that I didn't cry during that. I just closed my eyes and felt like it was just me in a room with them singing to me. Magical. The next song they scooted their chairs back a bit and were surrounded by candle
sticks of different heights which were actually all electric. Tegoshi lights a real candle in front of him and Massu before sitting down and the candles all around them flicker on. This ballad they sang with the actual band playing behind them again, but they still sat and sang softly and at the end Massu blows out the
candle and the rest turn off. Another magical song.

Then for two songs and two different times they went backstage and were then wheeled out into the crowds on moving platform things. The first time they were sitting in bowls with huge chopsticks while singing their debut song Miso Soup. The second time they came out sitting in the pocket? of the character that Massu drew to be the mascot for this concert tour which I am thinking is a kangaroo? Lol it is the closest animal I can come up with. Each time they were wheeled to the back of the arena and stood on a stage that came down from the ceiling. Unfortunately, they sang my favorite song (Kiss~Kaerimichi no Love Song) from that stage at the back. During that song though, they stopped singing and made us sing. I'm glad it was that song, because I know it by heart. It is actually one of the first Japanese songs I ever learned all the words to. The second time Massu waved at me directly was when he was coming back from the back of the arena on the character he made. They weren't singing then and were trying to focus on as many fans as they could. Well, with are super awesome luck, I happen to be right next to the path that they enter and exit on. Massu looked straight down at me, smiled his heart-melting smile and waved directly at me. I felt like I could just reach up and high-five him.
Despite having a massive headache throughout the concert and becoming nauseous at times, this is probably one of the best days ever and I'll never forget. I just wish that I could've had money to buy goods for keepsake and food to keep me from becoming insanely hungry.

"Fan from Texas"

Because of my fan-made personalized sign, I got noticed by Massu straight away with a double thumbs up and then cameramen filmed me during the concert at times. Afterward, one came up to me and asked about my sign and then asked me and my friends if he could film us for the DVD. HOLY CRAP! I am possibly going to be on a Tegomassu concert DVD. I really hope I played my gaijin card well and will get put on the DVD! I tried my best to use Japanese with him, but because I suck AND my concentration level was at 5% because of physical condition and concert overwhelmedness, I'm pretty sure my broken Japanese was worse than I thought it was. Oh well.

So after arriving home, I was so overcome with many feels and emotions I was just numb. I quickly drank so water and took a migraine pill to calm down. I could barely speak to people. I was to the point where I was so hungry I was nauseous and so tired. I knew I couldn't just go to bed without eating something. I waited around for a bit and then tried stomaching some leftover rice with nori and okonomiyaki sauce cause that's all I had, but I couldn't really eat. After the pill started kicking in, my friend gave me some fruit and I immediately felt better. Now, I'm at the point where I'm wide awake and wasting sleep time writing this long post. It's a good thing I wrote this now because otherwise I'd procrastinate like always and forget all my feels and have trouble recalling things.

Well...guess that's it for now.

I'll try this thing called sleep.


~Love,

The Happiest Girl In The World Despite Being Poorer Than Dirt

Haru&Haru Review

This small cafe would go unnoticed unless you know about it. It is a french toast cafe run by a cute, fairly young Japanese couple and a few other workers. The location is right next to a railroad crossing and across from a Family Mart near Midorigaoka station in the Meguro ward of Tokyo. My friend from France wanted to try it out since we pass it every day on our walk from the station to our dorm. I had paid not much attention to it previously except for it's interesting exterior decor and the name which reminded me of a Korean boy-band (Big Bang) song.  She also wanted to see how Japanese take on french toast, and being French she says that there are not restaurants for french toast in France because that is something you make at home with your baguettes that have gone stale.
The food there is exceptional, but a bit on the pricey side. They serve gourmet french toast of sorts. Generally, you can order a french toast plate with a variety of toppings ranging from the seasonal fruits to regular menu choices like chocolate and banana or roasted almond for example.

Mango French Toast With Iced Coffee

The french toast plates come with two slices of authentic french baguette and the topping (most have a scoop of vanilla ice cream as well) and along with your meal you can have coffee hot or iced or tea hot or iced. I was not sure what to expect when I went there for the first time, but I was thoroughly impressed by the plate presentation and the overall taste over the food. It definitely had my French friend's approval because we decided to come back many more times.

On our second visit (I think), I brought my friend back on her birthday. I told them that it was her birthday and they wrote her a special message on her plate that she ordered. Also, because my friend doesn't like chocolate they allowed her to change the one she wanted to a caramel topping instead of chocolate. While there for her birthday, the couple's son was brought into the shop and the mom brought him over to talk to us. She tried to get him to tell my friend happy birthday, but since he's a little over a year old he got confused and thought it was his birthday and acted all shy after that.

To say that the service is great and the staff are friendly is an understatement. There have been very few restaurants that take the time to learn and remember people's names and genuinely care about how someone is doing. They know me and a few of my fellow exchange students by name. My favorite thing is when we pass by and they see us, they make an effort to wave at us or even come out of the shop to say "Welcome Home" because they know that we live close to there. I enjoy leaving out for the day in the morning and they tell us "Good Morning" and coming back from a long day to be greeted by them if they are not to busy with customers. One time my friend and I were low on money but we had not been in a while and wanted to go in and see them again, so we just went for coffee. It was near closing time and my friend and I were pretty much the only customers there. We had a nice long talk with the workers and she even showed us a video of her son eating cake for the first time on his dad's birthday. Since we had not ordered any food, they gave us free french toast while we were there talking. That was so unexpected. Since then, there have been other times that my friends and I have been given things for free.

Complimentary French Toast With
Cappuccino 

New Years Greeting Card 

"Sweet Shanghai" Hot Herbal Tea

Recently, I was asked to help make an English menu. Their menus are hand written and are all in Japanese. The owner and one I mostly talk to expressed to me that foreigners come there all the time and ask if they have English menus. My friend and I tried our best to translate things as best we could, but my Japanese skills are not that great. She ended up translating most of it with her phone and asked us if it made sense. As compensation for helping, they let us taste the topping that is currently in season as well as some complimentary herbal tea.

Hamburg Plate (Fried Egg on a
Hamburger Patty)

Strawberry And "Sakura-An"
(cherry-paste)

Haru&Haru Quiche Set

 Every time I go, I order something different and each time I have been completely satisfied with the taste. I am excited to try other items on the menu and decide on a favorite. If you are ever in the area, I do highly recommend my favorite little French themed cafe that makes you feel at home.
http://haruandharu.com/

Perks of Being in a Fanclub (UKISS Experiences)

The ridiculous fees almost out-way the perks, but it is still worth it to me...maybe.

Since I became a Japanese resident, I was able to join Japanese fanclubs. Why you may ask? Because if you want to be able to see your favorite Kpop/Jpop groups while in Japan, you HAVE to be a fanclub member. Very exclusive, I know. It is so much easier in America where all you really have to do is wait until tickets go on sale online and then click buy after you have put in your info. In Japan, you first have to sign your soul away for a year (fill out a bunch of confusing info), pay the equivalent of your first born (jk it's actually about $60 per year) and then wait until tickets go on sale, enter the lottery, wait to see if you won a ticket, go pay for it, get a non-entry ticket from a local convenient store that was vending the tickets which may involve putting in all your info yet again just to print it out and pay at the cash register, wait for the actual tickets to come in the mail, then go to the venue and have to pay $5 more just to get in but it includes a drink. This is what I went through to go to the Ukiss fanmeet on December 13th. 

Venue For UKISS Fan Meet

Waiting In Line For Fan Goods

That is another perk about Japanese fanclubs though, fanmeets. You may not actually be close enough to talk to them or for them to see you, but in some ways it is cooler than a concert. They actually perform songs anyway, so basically its like a fun mini-concert as well. Even though I was standing in the middle of the crowd for both times of the fanmeet and my feet were hurting so bad by the end of the day from waiting in the merch line for hours and then standing for hours for two fanmeets, I had a great experience. Ukiss were hilarious on the stage. I even got AJ's attention for a bit when I yelled "I LOVE YOU AJ" (yes in English). He stumbled on what he was about to say and kinda pointed in my direction. 

Cushion and Blanket (can also be a cape)

Cushion/Blanket in Cute Form (lol)

 This was also another great perk of fan meets. FAN GOODS! Although, they cost quite a pretty penny as well, it is still something you can technically only get at the event. They also sell out of everything pretty quick too.

Free Stuff!!

Not only do you get the chance for cheaper tickets to concerts and events, you also get access to the exclusive fan site. On the fan sites, they announce pretty much everything the band is doing and upcoming events (all in Japan of course) as well as exclusive pictures and videos done by the band just for the fan-club member and not released to the general public. One problem for me is, it is all in Japanese. So much kanji I just don't even try to read it most of the time. Google translate is my best friend. It usually makes sense most of the time when I translate it with Google translate. 

You also get sent Christmas cards apparently. Ukiss's was more elaborate.

Because you have access to the fan site and receive plenty of news emails, you have the chance of going to special live events for free by lottery. I actually applied for a live Ukiss event that was for FujiTV illumination event for Christmas. I ended up winning! All I had to do was print out the email and bring my member card and another form of ID. I finally was able to print the email and then made it to the event. Like for anything I go to, I didn't give myself enough time to find the event site and figure out things I needed to do once I got there. Once I finally found out how to get to the roof top thing, the line for buying the new released CD was super long and I wasn't sure what to do or where to line up for my entry number thing. I decided to just stay in line to buy the CD for a chance to get to high-five Ukiss. By the time I had bought the CD they had been letting people into the area in front of the stage. I then noticed people had entry ticket things and not the email...I then realized I was supposed to go to some area that I never figured out where it was and show my credentials to get the entry ticket. Of course, by the time I noticed that, they were already like 50 numbers after my entry number. As I was mentally beating myself up, I saw the van carrying Ukiss drive up to the stage I went to a hedged area behind the area where fans were entering in front of the stage. I decided to just stand there at the back on top of a parking block that gave me a nice lift over the crowd in front of me. I was glad to be back there actually. I had room to breathe and hold up my fansign without blocking someone's view. I wasn't sure if Ukiss could actually read it from that far away, but I liked to think that they could because I had attached a shoelaces lights around the edge of my sign to make it stand out. I was also glad I had it because when I actually got to high-five all of Ukiss through a very face-paced line for like 3 seconds, Eli read my sign out and laughed. 

My View For Live FujiTV Event
(was better than it seems here)

 


The high touch event went by so fast I can't remember much. I really remember what Eli said, and then Kevin's beautiful flawless complexion and super cute smile and "Oh hi!" when I said "Hi Kevin" in the most American way possible.
Overall, I think my fanclub experiences have been pretty successful and enjoyable.
Since Kpop is becoming more and more popular in the States, I really hope that someone puts something together like fanclubs in the States. Maybe with more benefits than restrictions.
Until next time...
~Laila