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My blog
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My Dodgers Stadium Performance (followed by Pau Gasol special - of LA Lakers)
Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 3:53AM / Video / Gina Hiraizumi
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LOVING YOU is easy cause you're beautiful.....
Friday, Jul 10, 2009 4:17PM / Video / Gina Hiraizumi
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Pampering myself
Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 2:36PM / Standard Entry
I truly believe it is important, borderline necessary for women to take care of themselves. That not only includes their basic hygiene, but also the girly things some might call "pampering." Me- I call it "necessary." Especially in Japan, women invest so much time into their looks. You'd think it's more in America, but trust me everyone...Tokyo wins it by far. No complaints here though, it gives a valid excuse to justify without guilt. I love luxury and I don't apologize for it. I work hard and I can afford it, so I deserve it. Right, ladies? I started a vlog. A day at the hair salon in Tokyo:Just to give a gage of how expensive it is to do your nails in Tokyo, let's just say....I could probably have 5 sessions in the states for the amount it costs here to have 1. Be careful though, don't tell them too much of your business. If you tell them you're an actress, or whatever....one of two things: A) they rack your price up, thinking you're super rich and won't notice the bill -OR- B) they'll give you a discount, or sometimes a complimentary free session. I've had both options happen to me since I've been here. It's the luck of the draw. But this time around, she was supersweet and I love her. She gave me a huge "Geinojin discount" (celebrity discount) so tell her I sent you and you'll get the same! It's right behind Shibuya 109 shopping center so it's easy to find. What I like- it's discreet so you don't have to deal with too many people around you. But maybe that's just my style....I'm a very private person so I like to go about things without too much commotion around. I get so claustrophobic otherwise!Body Design Nail Salon03-5458-1966Shibuya-ku, Dougenzaka 2-29-8Dougenzaka Bldg, 4F Tokyo(ask for Kitamura-san)
Headed off to the studio now- starting work on a new song with rapper, Big-Z. Then off to my daily dose of the gym. I've been spending hours everyday at the gym and been feeling really nauseous lately. Are 45 min cardio workouts too much? Maybe I need to rest.
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Last week of free time!
Monday, Jan 19, 2009 1:26AM / Standard Entry
Lately, I've been in meetings after meetings. It's good to be busy- but sometimes a girl deserves some leisure time, right? Well, since my recording schedule for my next 2 songs are set, I realized it is my last week of free time....so why not take advantage of it? I went shopping and bought myself a cute hat at D&G at Takashimaya. I treat myself to way too many things...
What's good about Japan, is how late the clubs stay open! You see- the trains stop at 1am, and start back up at 5am. So, given that I don't like to stay out too long, we leave around midnight and come back in the morning. Sounds crazy- I would never do this back in LA, but everyone does it here it seems. My friend Mya Takahashi and I went out for a fun night out....it was so refreshing to be able to speak English the whole time, since we went to a hip-hop club in Roppongi. I love hanging out with Mya! She is my other half....
The weekend was fun, but back to work....today, I had a nice meeting with Stuart Levy (CEO of Tokyo Pop) in Ginza area. Ended up shopping afterwards....again. I need to stop, but in Tokyo it is very hard to do! So I'm back home, reviewed stuff with my manager, and now going over the rough track for my first song (a J-pop ballad) and I'm TRYING to write lyrics to it. I'm pacing around my room trying to find creative inspiration. It's hard right now- I want this song to come from a honest feeling, a real experience. Perhaps this song should be about love, but truthfully- not in that mindframe! I guess I could write about the last guy I was seeing, but songs need drama. We didn't have any, so it would not make for a good song. The split was because I wanted to pursue my dream of an acting/singing career in Japan. It was sad, but he's so supportive! Choosing career over love....I wonder if other people could relate. Let me know what you think...
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Konichiwa from Tokyo, Japan
Sunday, Jan 11, 2009 1:31AM / Standard Entry
Hello, Konichiwa, and Aloha everyone!! Thanks for visiting my alivenotdead.com site. For those that have been following me,I have been doing my thing in LA, trained in NY for awhile, and now I am based in Tokyo, Japan pursuing my singing career. It's only been about a month since my move, but I love it here!
I spent New Years here and it was like no other. I think Japanese people know how to party it up better than us boring Americans. haha, kidding. In any case, this is the start of a brand new life and I welcome you to join me for the ride.
We just released my first music video for my song, "Unmei No Ai" via youtube. I'm sure you can see it on the face of my site- please let me know what you think...drop me a comment, send me a message...I most definitely welcome it.
As 2009 has started, I've been in full swing with meetings, meetings and more meetings!I'm enjoying every bit of it though, there's nothing like being busy in the city. I love it.
A few cool things happened in the last few weeks....a friend of a friend is a celebrity hairstylist, who invited me to come get my hair done by him at his salon in Omotesando. He was Ayumi Hamasaki's hairdresser, and for those that don't know her, google it. She's the #1 star here in Japan. He heard me sing at this event about a few weeks back, and said he was such a big fan. I was so touched.
Had a Welcome Party thrown by my fans here in Tokyo- much needed, since I was feeling a little homesick at about 2 weeks of being here. Japanese people are so excitable and it really is cute. Video: http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=QSzgbTrj85k
Oh, my Japanese "keitai" site is up. What that means- the growing trend of checking out websites via ell phone, on the subways, trains means you have to have a special format for your Japanese site. There's even a barcode you scan with your phone to have your website pop up. The new wave. Check it: www.ginaonline.jp
Can't forget my girls in Yokohama....Ai and Naoko! Had a nice girls day out full of shopping, eating and karaoke. Yes, us girls love to karaoke. Anytime. Anywhere.
I will be recording 2 more love ballads in the style of Japanese singer, Misia. I love her so much and have been following her for years. The next few weeks will be slaving away in the studio, recording. We will be rehearsing for my upcoming live performance at a secret location in February. It will be an industry "live"- as they call it, where this is the final performance before I decide on which label I will sign with. Exciting!!
Talked to my friend Kane Kosugi today....he's back in Tokyo from shooting a film in Hong Kong. He's an actor here and has been helping me out with my career. Such a sweetheart! I look forward to seeing him next week. Here's a pic of us from LA...
So that's it for now- I'm tired so going to sleep. Tokyo nights are so cold....times like these, I wonder why I moved here.......oh yeah, for my career. I forgot.
