So who is Haiku Girl? Here’s a few random facts about me… feel free to leave comments and ask more questions!
Real name: Alison Muskett
Hometown: Bognor Regis. Yes, it is a real place (not just the butt of all jokes!), and I did grow up there… However, I discovered that once I moved out of home, I didn’t much want to go back. I did like the sea though… but other places have sea… 
Favourite food: it would be a cliché to name something Japanese, I suppose. But I do love sashimi, takoyaki and miso soup. Also, pretty much anything macha (green tea) flavoured. And chocolate. Or, even better, macha chocolate… mmm.
Favourite drink: again, a bit of a cliché , but I’d do anything for a green tea frappuccino from Starbucks… *drool*
And in a bid to make this not just a “my favourites” page, here are some questions from friends:
Why did you start learning Japanese? (Steph)
Some time ago I discovered haiku, and started writing them in English. But I always had the desire to learn to write them in Japanese, and so I guess that’s why I decided to learn Japanese. It wouldn’t have been so hard to learn to translate my haiku into Japanese, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do. I wanted to think in Japanese, and to create them in their original language, rather than just translating. Also, initially, it was just good to start a new hobby. Once you leave uni it can be very easy to just work and forget about learning new skills and finding inspiration. Japanese classes opened a million new doors for me.
If you had the choice, which five famous dead people would you invite round for dinner and a game of Monopoly? (Adrian)
Dead people? So no David Bowie and Johnny Depp then? Shame. Hmm… ok, I would go for:
- George Orwell – for dystopian interest
- Spike Milliagan – for wit and entertainment
- Salvador Dali – so I could ask him what the floppy clocks are all about…
- Jim Henson – so long as he bought some muppets along
- Yukio Mishima – I wonder what Mishima and Orwell would make of each other…
I’ve just realised there are no women here in my line-up… does that mean there are no interesting, famous dead women?!
Please feel free to leave a comment or question and contribute to this page below! Thanks!
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last comment! (しつれいしました！）
interesting dead women,
Dorothy Parker, Okuni (the inventor of kabuki), Murasaki Shikibu (could be world’s first novelist), Louise Brooks (iconic silent movie star), Countess Markievicz (Irish revolutionary and first woman elected to Parliament )….
To continue your question and answer theme:
What actors would you cast in the movie of your life so far? in what roles?
Ah… thanks for the list… will have to check them out!
And thanks for the question:
“What actors would you cast in the movie of your life so far? in what roles?”
This is a tough one, but also one I’ve discussed many times in the pub… I think I’d probably have Fairuza Balk, Winona Ryder, Eliza Dushku or Jennifer Connelly play me. None of them look that much like me, but with a bit of make-up and some padding I’m sure they’d do ok!
And who would play my friends and family?! This is tough… I think I’d like Alison Moyet to play my mum (I know she’s more of a singer than an actress, but she has done some acting and she could do a song in the middle to keep it interesting…).
I’d like to include Johnny Depp, but sadly I’ve never known anyone who looks much like him…
Bowie could have a cameo as himself, because there’d have to be a scene where I go and see him live in concert.
I’ll have to think on the other roles…
Hi, came from your post on BAB forum. I wish you the best with your new life in Nagoya. Old message board had information on Nagoya, and I remember there’re some members from the area. Other ways to find out local groups are via Facebook, etc…
They’ve periodical meetups for foreign women living in Tokyo, so perhaps you should join once to get information directly.
Thanks for your advice! I’ll have a look on Facebook…
I think your dead people are all very cool, I’d love to be invited to that dinner party, not sure about the monopoly though!
just dropping a line to say this is an interesting website…..will keep an eye on it!
Thanks for having a look! When I get the time I’ll be adding a whole bunch of new pages with more info about various Japanese things, such as music, fashion, and more on language…
hello Ali
I have really enjoyed reading your blog and am so happy that you are settling into Japanese life so well. Will keep looking……. good luck for next week.
just saying hi….i think i commented on one of your posts…but now i can’t remember which one! LOL…good luck in Nagoya…I am in the next prefecture of Shizuoka!
Thanks to Liz and Jyankee for your comments!
It’s nice to see who’s reading!
Nice blog, Haiku Girl. I’m just getting into haiku, but I love it. I hope to spend the rest of my life writing haiku. Best wishes, and good luck. T. Blanc
Thanks for stopping by my blog… Best of luck to you in Nagoya! I look forward to reading more about your adventures and all the cool things about Japan!lol
Yes! Matcha Frappuccino!! I don’t recall whether or not they had them in London, but I know that the ones in the US are terrible compared with the ones here in 日本.
No, sadly not available in London. I didn’t know you could get them in the US though!
Mmmm… macha…
PS Can I ask you who is in the main picture at the header of your blog? There’s something compelling about it, probably because it appears to be a Caucasian, not a Japanese, made up as a geisha. It wouldn’t be you, by chance, Haikugirl, would it?
Haha, yes, that would be me…
Hello Ali,
sorry I’m not a very interesting person (being one of your mum’s friends!) but I was thrilled to be able to ‘tune in’ to your website and see what you are doing out there in Japan. I am told that your blog is very interesting so will keep up to date with your adventures that way, if I may. All the best. x P.S. Do they have pigs in Japan?!!
Hi!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hmm… I assume they have pigs in Japan but I haven’t seen one yet… I might go to the zoo soon though – maybe I’ll find out there!
x
Found this place when searching for chatmonchy
I must confess, I too have a matcha addiction hehe
I noticed Ravik posted here too xD (I’m Modnar on the Shangrila forums btw) so I’m sure you’re already aware of http://z11.invisionfree.com/Chatmonchy_Shangrila/
Anyway, have a good one
Hello!
Thanks for stopping by!
Haha – yeah – I can never get enough macha!
Thanks for the link, and yes, I’m familiar with it! Cheers!
I know your mum is really excited about her visit to see you. I hope you both have the best time.
Thanks – yeah, I’m really excited too!
I’m curious to know who else would you invite over for dinner & Monopoly among live people, along with Johnny Depp and David Bowie? Would you invite me, too, please? I know you don’t know me, but… well, any opportunity to look Johnny Depp in the eyes! I promise not to drool.
Much.
Rokusan, a.k.a. Suexi
Hmm… right now I think I would like to invite Hayao Miyazaki… and, of course, you can come too! It’s an open house!
I’m all for inviting Johnny Depp – couldn’t agree with you more! I’d also have to invite Martin Luther King because… gosh too many things.
Love the blog : )
Thanks for your comment, and thanks for stopping by. Yes, I’m sure we can squeeze Mr. Luther King in too!
I like your blog too! Very nice.
Hi. Your blog of your mum’s visit is incredible – so thorough!! Sounds like you packed a lot into her visit!! Saw her on Tuesday when we went to drool over Hugh Jackman in ‘Australia’ and she is very well. x
Thanks for the comment Liz! Yeah, we had a great trip!
Penis Festival?!! I can barely believe my eyes!! What a hoot!!
Your blog’s main photo is really beautiful! Very vivid.
This is a great space, and I look forward to your future updates. And I see that you’re a fan of the Kit Kat range that Japan wonderfully puts on offer… now I am going to have to buy a Kit Kat the next time I go shopping because of you! Haha… it was just the other day that I saw the chocolate ‘Time Out’. Ahh, the mouth waters…
Hey Guruguru Japan! Thanks for stopping by, and for your kind comment!
Haha – yes, please do go out and explore the wonderful world of Kit Kats! Try the 7-11 – they have the best selection…
‘Time Out’?? Man, I had almost forgotten those…
Hi Haikugirl,
Great blog, and congrats on your new 習字 hobby. I’m left-handed myself, and whenever I tried to do it, they always forced me to do it right-handed, so it came out terrible. Yours looks great though!! Keep it up!
Hi there Joe
Thanks for your comment!
Wow – they actuallyforced you to do it right-handed?! That seems a bit silly!
Nice site, by the way!
I would love to be included in your Blogroll
I have a Blog about me (an American) living on the far Northern Island of Japan (Hokkaido)
Thanks so much!
http://charleshamel.com
Nice site, Charles. Thanks for alerting me to it! I’m very interested in Hokkaido, so it would be good to read some more about the area.
I’m happy to add you to my Blogroll… do you think you could return the favour?
Thanks!
Cool, very cool. Some really well written episodes here, I really enjoying reading it. You’re from Nagoya right? I actually live in Nagoya and also have a nagoya based website. Its more of an info site than a blog but im thinking it would be great to incorporate some kind of on going blog like yours. Hey, maybe you could work with us on our site……contact me. btw our website is http://www.nagoya-info.com
Hi there
Very good to meet you, Robert. Nice Nagoya site! Yeah, I’m living in Nagoya right now I’ve actually been working on some more Nagoya info for this site but I haven’t put it up live yet (too busy!). I’d be interested in talking about what we could do together though.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ali
Hi Alison,
I am the editor for the largest tourism newspaper here in Japan called, “Japan-i” (www.japan-i.jp) and I am actually looking to trade links with websites worldwide to increase our website visibility. We’re looking for any links that are relevant to Japan, Japanese culture, and Japanese tourism. I came across your website and I thought your website would be suitable for the link exchange. If possible, I’d like to send you a PDF about our link exchange campaign and hope this interest you.
Many thanks, I hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards,
–
Christopher Jue
Editor, Japan-i
Japan-i Web: http://www.japan-i.jp
Thank you for stopping by, Christopher. I have sent you an email (please chack in case it’s in your spam folder!). I look forward to hearing more about the link exchange campaign soon!
Hi, I came across your blog while searching for teaching programs in Japan. I couldn’t find anywhere that said which company you ended up working for… if you don’t mind my asking, which company did you end up working for and would you recommend it?
Hi Barb
Thanks for your comment. I’m not allowed to write about my company online. I’ll send you a private message…
All the best
Ali
Hi,
I saw your calligraphy and it is good!
I am a calligrapher and my daughters do the same as me.
I hope you enjoy it more and more!
Aw, thanks, that’s very kind of you! I’m just a beginner, but I enjoy doing it!
Your page is awesome, by the way! I’ve added it to my ‘blogroll’. It’s making my stomach rumble!!