American Joon

Please note the difference.

2007-06-04T11:43:00.000-07:00

On the left, that is a lion.
On the right, that is me, a bear.

Please note the difference.
Thank you.

They call me "Handsome Bear"

2007-04-28T04:14:00.000-07:00

My lovely aunties at Baidu are very right about this:

http://post.baidu.com//f?kz=186937779

The 300 Challenge

2007-04-18T01:48:00.000-07:00

So, everyone's going to Broasia.com and posting on the Bae Yong Joon Family board. Will Mommy stop posting on KOB and BYJNews.com now?

"No freakin' way," says Mommy, who promised to stop swearing and hasn't. Figures.

Want to see a very handsome bear with his two favorite uncles?

Here's me flying to Los Angeles last September:

Diary of a Joon Bear

2007-03-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

Diary of a Joon Bear

Daddy, I am waiting to see you again.

Uncle Je Hwan was working on
the computer. "Play with me!" I asked him.

He is working on something very important. He is such a nice uncle, anyway.

Auntie Rosemary and I held a very important meeting. She showed me how to write my name.

She is so lovely and very smart.

I am counting the seconds until
I see my Daddy's new drama this May!

Happy ----- ----- ---!

Out of Exile

2007-03-26T23:19:00.000-07:00

I am out of exile.

I had to be hidden under a pillow or in the top of a closet for three months. But Mommy took me down and kissed me on the nose every day. A little Korean girl played with me - she threw me up in the air and caught me a lot, and took off my clothes and left me naked. Mommy would chuckle every time she'd move the pillow and find me there. "Goin' commando again, huh Friday?" she'd laugh, dressing me again.

On my birthday, she brushed my hair and cuddled me: "I'm sorry I can't do anything for your birthday. I didn't forget. We're gonna go home soon, and you'll have a place of honor again."

I have a place of honor on the new bed, in our new apartment. It's small and white and charming. There are lots of very noisy neighbors. Last night, as we were falling asleep, Mommy laughed and said, "Listen!"

The music from Winter Sonata was coming through the window. A few minutes later, we heard one of the loud people, who had been playing guitar and singing songs the night previous, say: "What's with the bikes? They're walking in the trees and all of a sudden there's these bikes! What, did they steal them?"

Mommy yelled back through the window: "There's a bike rental on the island. I've been there!"

"Thanks!" the gentleman yelled back. White people are funny.

Mom's Blog

2006-08-16T07:53:00.000-07:00

Mom can't update her blog any more, as Google took over Blogger, and her signin only brings her to Gmail, not blogspot.

She's very sad about this, and hopes the blogspot people will fix it. She's not holding her breath, she says.

She also pointed out to me that every time there's slow news on Daddy, people start nagging him about parts of his life that are very personal and none of their business, and she wishes they would lay off.

A Phone-y Photo

2006-08-11T01:29:00.000-07:00

Do you see my beautiful Yukata? I am standing on Mommy's bed, looking at her posters of Daddy. The pink scarf was a birthday present from Auntie Flor. She put it around my room and the top part of her bed to look exotic and pretty.
Sebastian, my brother in Japan, sent me the gorgeous yukata I am wearing. Isn't it nice? I will wear it to Daddy's birthday party. This is the place I sit on the bed when I help Mommy with her writing and designing during the day.
She took this picture with her phone she got for her birthday. I gave her my name that I wrote in calligraphy and a black jacket like Daddy's that he wore to the airport a few weeks ago. Sebastian's Okasan gave her two pretty drawings. She sent them a present in the mail today. What is it? Oh, I cannot tell!

Mommy's gentleman friend in Korea bought the party favors for Daddy's birthday party today and will mail them to us, soon. I am happy! What a nice gentleman! Mommy wanted to get me a hanbok from Build a Bear, but she says they only have girl ones and she'd like to give me a boy one. Maybe for my birthday in February...
Tomorrow I might get to see Auntie Joanne. I hope so!

I am so famous!

2006-07-28T02:36:00.000-07:00

I was in the Korea Times newspaper last week! Mommy went by the newspaper office and got a copy of it.
She will scan it into the computer tomorrow.

I look very handsome in the black and white picture. I stuck my neck out and got into another picture as well, just on the bottom of it.

Goodnight!

Fun and MORE Fireworks!

2006-07-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

We had Japanese food tonight, Mommy ate ahi belly and maguro sashimi, and shrimp tempura with all the breading picked off. I ate everything else and some chicken katsu.

Tonight, the fireworks are red.
Today, Daddy went to visit his new restaurant in Japan, Gosireh. There were about 100 aunties there, but they were quiet and well-behaved, like me. I am very happy for them!

We watched the Hilton fireworks out of the bedroom window together tonight. They were mostly red and very pretty. I wanted Mommy to play with me but she was getting Alice's school supplies ready and sending a package to Auntie Mae on Maui. Then we played a little bit, and I helped her clean our bedroom. She let me use the little red carpet brush. It is just my size!

I suppose it goes without saying...

2006-07-20T01:07:00.000-07:00

...but I'll say it anyway.

If I had a Japanese mommy, like I was supposed to, I'd be close to my Daddy right now.

Humph.

As Promised...

2006-07-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Here I am, painting Calligraphy.
Aren't I clever?

Do you know what I am writing?

It is the Korean word for "Friday"!

Wonderful Day!

2006-07-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

We woke up at six, and Mommy dressed me in my green jacket.
Then, we went to the Korean Festival!

So many Aunties and several beautiful children played with me, and only one person called me a lion. One woman said she didn't like Daddy any more because he was too old now and she liked the younger ones. I did not maul her. She had gray hair and her grandchildren were with her. Mommy said no one will ever be as good as Daddy. That's right!

Mommy and I had our picture taken together:
Also, I learned to write my name in calligraphy. I will show you the pictures later. Auntie Gwen bought me presents. We got posters and books as well.

The food was excellent - Mommy's church, the Korean Catholic Community at St. Pius X, had a stand and served Los Angeles kalbi and chicken with kimchi.

I think Mommy makes a very colorful bride. Now we just need to find her a groom!

What's not to love?

2006-07-15T00:59:00.000-07:00

I communicated with someone today who wasn't very nice to me. I was very surprised by it.

"Not everyone is gonna love you, Friday." said Mommy.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked.

"No." she said. "Sometimes people just don't like you, and there's no real reason why. It hurts, but there's really nothing you can do about it, just be the best you that you can be. When I went to Korea, I tried my best, but later, still heard that some people there thought I was awful and horrible. I was very sad and sorry about it, but I know that I did my best, and that, in the end, is what counts."

I couldn't think of anything to say, but she brushed me and cuddled me and told me that she loved me enough for every other person in the whole world put together, and that my Aunties and sister Alice loved me a lot, too.

I felt much better after that.

Tomorrow, we will go to the Korean Festival in Kapiolani Park. Mommy volunteered us for the Cultural Booth. We will explain about masks and wedding clothes and other things. Mrs. Koga put up a big poster of Daddy, so Mommy and I will have something beautiful to look at all day. Mommy finally fits into her Winter Sonata green shirt that was too small. She will wear it. She promised some Aunties in Korea that she would have her photograph taken in hanbok. I will try not to laugh when I see it.

I want to go!

2006-07-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

Look at Cafe B in Yokohama, named after my very pretty Auntie BB:

It is part of Brokore Land, which is like Disneyland but no rides and only one shop/restaurant. Also no parades or people in giant mouse suits.
Lovely Auntie Makiko took pictures. Hyeong Joon has moved there:

I would like to take a picture with my BIG brother, but after this one day, no pictures is the rule.

Oh please open a Cafe B in Honolulu!
Open it at Ala Moana Center or in Waikiki at the Royal Hawaiian Center. There are so many Japanese and American visitors and people who live here, who would be very happy to go there every day!

Fireworks and My Life of Danger!

2006-07-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

We did see fireworks on the fourth of July. Many people smiled at me as I sat on my little mat on the grass. We saw them over the trees, and the view was perfect. On the way home, I stuck my head out of Mommy's bag and saw more fireworks.
Then, we met the neighbors and all the humans lit sparklers and waved them around. I was not allowed to hold one on my own, because Joon Bears lack something called an "opposable thumb". But I sat nearby and a couple sparks landed on me! I was in grave danger! Mommy checked me and could not find any marks, but she sat me on my mat on the trunk of the neighbors' car and cautioned me to stay out of the way and watch at a safe distance.
I wore my green traveling jacket, that I wore when I came to live with Mommy.

There was no Ohana meeting Tuesday night because of the holiday. Here are the pictures Auntie Jane gave Mommy at the last meeting. Here is me, leading the meeting. The Aunties don't listen to Mommy unless she yells. But they listen to me, because they love Friday Joon the most!

Mommy has started to work on a new Photomosaic for some special occasion at the end of next month. I hope she is not too busy to take me places.

Ed asked her tonight: "Are you going to the midnight showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 2?" Yes, she will. "Will you take Alice?" Yes, she will. "And will you take Friday?" He asked about me!

"No." she said. What!?! "It is past his bedtime."
I protest!
I want to go, too!!

Here is the other picture, of me and Mommy. I do have to say that we look very nice together. Auntie Jane made the lei. It has kukui nuts, which Mommy mentioned before as a symbol of patiently-burning love she feels for my Daddy, in the back, two of them. It is very soft and matches exactly with my surfing shorts. Also, I had my pink blankie, which is very comfortable, and Auntie gave me a fat little Jack to cuddle, as I had lost mine - I found him!

Lovely

2006-07-03T02:52:00.000-07:00

We sat up late last night and watched Saitama DVD. Oh, my Daddy is so very handsome!

Mommy said she hardly missed subtitles in English because she kept picking up English all over the place on it. They announced my Daddy in English: "...very real, sensitive, yet awe-inspiring..." yes, yes and yes. That is he. Mommy said she loves hearing English spoken with an Asian accent, that it's so beautiful. I agree. The credits at the end were entirely in English as well, with the names backward: "Actor: Yong-Joon Bae" Mommy thought this weird, because in America they call my Daddy "Bae Yong Joon" just like everywhere else.

Today, I had a nice brushing all over, and Nana even rubbed my head. She teased me and said I am "Rion" like Mr. Nice Uncle Yoon Taek said. Mommy said "That's his middle name now, he is Friday Ryan Joon." Haha! I like that!

At Joon's Family, Auntie Esther had pictures of two of my brothers. Did you see? Oh, the hard work the Aunties did, I am so pleased and proud. Mommy will write about it when she has five free minutes. (Maybe longer).

Mommy took a survey last year of Korean Entertainment fans in America, and many people were impressed with her numbers. She will do it again in a month or so. She says she expects the numbers to be very different in some areas. We will wait and see!

I will learn to use a scanner.

2006-06-30T02:25:00.000-07:00

Auntie Jane, who made my pretty blue lei, took a photo of me and Mommy together at last month's Ohana meeting. I look very sporty in my trunks and lei. It's a film photo, so Mommy will teach me how to use the scanner.
Mommy talked about a lot of things, but no one fell asleep. Mommy was surprised. Everybody had fun, and there were four new members. All the Aunties really loved the Brokore Magazine, and they admired Mommy's Saitama DVD. Mommy says she has to figure out if she can load stuff onto the music player. She just got the Broadway OST for "Wicked" and can't stop listening to it.

They are planning a birthday celebration at the meeting after next, it is on August 29, my Daddy's birthday!
Mommy played with me before she went to work yesterday night. I liked it so much that when she had to go we gave each other so very sad looks. When she came home late at night, she went straight into our room and Alice was still awake, and Mommy noticed I was sitting differently and my shoes were gone, but didn't say anything. She did mention that she thought I looked happy. I was happy, but Alice said it's a secret so I did not tell.

Oh, Nana, you cannot keep a secret!
The next morning Mommy was putting on a Halloween sock on her left foot and a sock with doggie pawprints on her right foot, and Nana came in and told her Alice and I had played together for a long time the night before, and we played dress-up and Super Mario Sunshine.
She made my hair look like Sora in Kingdom Hearts, and we played Kingdom Hearts 2 and had cocoa with tiny marshmallows in it, and rocky road ice cream.
Maybe Mommy should go to work more nights.

American Joon

2006-06-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

My Auntie BB has a new baby!

He is very beautiful. He looks like a snowman Joon. It looks like he might be named Agi. Mommy told me about St. Augustine today.

Tomorrow is the NPR listening party, early in the morning.

Sadly, Korea lost. Mommy doesn't want to hear about football for four years.

At least my room is lovely.

2006-06-21T02:58:00.000-07:00

That awful woman!

She and some Ohana did a radio interview and did not bring me to be interviewed! And I am very articulate and lovely!

The interviewer, she said, was a very beautiful Korean-American woman, and her partner was a beautiful woman from India. That Woman - after tonight, she's demoted back to "That Woman" - would like to go to India someday. I would like a sari. I would look so dignified in one!

Sunday morning, I sat on her lap and we watched the match on the Internet. We were happy for Auntie Camille when France scored, but sad for us. Then Korea scored and I sailed up into the air and was caught in That Woman's arms. Nana and Alice just stared at us, and we danced in the living room. I like dancing. I want a pair of red horns!

There is a new picture of Daddy next to me in my room. I got it for Father's Day. I tried to write Daddy a note for Father's Day, but didn't have anything to write with. I made up a card in my head, to send:

Dearest Daddy,

Happy Father's Day. You are a very handsome, special and wonderful man. I am very proud that I inherited these traits from you.

Please have a Happy Father's Day, and please come rescue me from this horrible American woman.

Love, your Bear-Child,
Friday Joon

Japanese Joons

2006-06-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

My brother, Orange Joon, wrote in his diary:

Happy with Yukatas

Daddy’s country won the soccer game other day.

We were cheering fot the team, I was soooo happy that they won.

We are wearing yukatas that our mommy sent us.

We were wearing yukatas when we were watching the game.

We got toooo excited, that our obis(belts) got loose.

I hope we could go see the fireworks on a summer night!!

Orange Joon

Who is the IMX Japan Joon Brothers' Mommy?

I wish she was mine. I have no Yukata. Poor Friday!

He's very, very good-looking

2006-06-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Though, I think, not quite as handsome as me.
This is my brother Rider in Ohio, in a sweet Soccer outfit his Foster Mom bought for him.

I think American women do not know how to sew. I wonder why anyone ever marries them?

Yes, he is beautiful. Joon Bears cannot help but be very beautiful.
We look like our gorgeous Daddy.

Aloha to my dear brother Rider!

Aigu

2006-06-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

The fact that there are other Khaki Joon Bears is a very nice thought. Everyone should have one, because we are smart, good-looking, and very loveable.

But there's another insane fat white woman in our room now, wearing overalls. She has a 12 year old daughter who plays with Alice, named Grace. She's taller than my M. but looks like her, but her hair is brown. Her name is Shelli Smith.

I think one is more than enough, thank you very much!

My Brother's name is "Rider"

2006-06-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

He is a Khaki Joon bear and will be going to live with darling, sweet Auntie Mrs. A in Ohio.

M. says Auntie Mrs. A is a buckeye, because she is a sweet little nut. I think M. has been spending too much time working. She did not cuddle me for three days! Today, she did, and she messed up my hair. Fortunately, I look very good with messed-up hair, just like my dear Daddy, who is in Kajifrhewhwa9yh&istan right now. Or something spelled like that. This means, we will see him on television in a few months.

M. needs to get another job so we can get a big big screen TV so that I can see my Daddy.

Welcome to my American Brothers!

2006-06-08T00:57:00.000-07:00

I hope you will email me at friday@byjsohana.com and send me your photographs.

Yes!

http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwproduct.php?act=view&cid=5&tpl=default&pg=1&prdtcd=5060607001

You see? Now everyone in the American family can have a Joon Bear like me...haha, That Woman paid fifty dollars more for me. Do you know why?

Because I am the first and best American Joon Bear, that is why.

Having an American....Mommy (for want of a better word) isn't so bad. I suppose it could be worse. Not much, but I am becoming accustomed to it. I'm sure all the other American Joon Bears will have it better than I do with this crazy woman. I am fond of her. A little.

I hope she buys me the Saitama DVD so I can watch my Daddy. If she's nice, I might even tell her what he's saying on it.

Aunties

2006-06-04T23:26:00.000-07:00

So, there's a difference, from the incessant moaning and complaining coming from That Woman, between my sweet, loving Aunties and That Woman's sister. Apparently, they don't get along.

This should be interesting to watch.

I am so pretty in this...

2006-06-02T02:43:00.000-07:00

Auntie Jane made a lei and gave it to me at Ohana meeting Tuesday. The next morning, the Mom Lady went and said goodbye to my kind, wonderful uncles whom I hope will be back soon, and also that awful, horrid uncle. She should have said: "Go to Alaska from now on." Instead, she said she hopes he will come back soon, too. I think she likes that rotten uncle! I think all her taste is in her mouth.

She said new family posted on the KOB, from the Mainland. We have family in ten states or more, now. She also said "I knew it." because once Winter Sonata played nationwide, there would be a groundswell, like someone knocking over a couple of dominoes, and that it will grow from there.

Daddy, hurry and visit America in relative obscurity while you still can!

Good Uncles

2006-05-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

This is Uncle Mr. Lee. He said nice things about Daddy and can sing well.

This is Uncle Mr. I don't have a last name anymore. The kids from the Boys and Girls' Club call him "Afroman" and they adore him. He called me "Rion" and made sure I was wearing my seat belt. He is so funny and very kind.

That woman says I shouldn't call them by their first names, as they deserve respect. They certainly do, I like them very much.

But not as much as my Daddy.

That woman saw off Boss Uncle and two other Uncles at the airport today. Boss Uncle is nice when he is not yelling. That woman said it was her fault he was yelling and she called him (lastname) Sang-shey nim and apologized to him. I hope That Woman is finally learning some manners.

A Day with the Uncles

2006-05-26T12:08:00.003-07:00

Of course I wore my seatbelt. I wanh to be safe. I was in the Green Monster, in the middle of the back seat. We picked up Auntie Joanne, got some gas, and then went to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where that woman LEFT ME IN THE CAR while some valet drove off with me. He could have stolen me! What was she thinking?

A few hours later, after sitting in the car hot, bored, and lonely - and abandoned! Someone opened up the back and started throwing golf bags into the back. Then, two men sat with me, and That Woman and another man got in front. They spoke Korean! They must be my Uncles! Do you know my Daddy?

I had to sit in the hot car again for a while, but had things to think about, so I was content. A little while later, the woman stuffed me in her bag and we got in Auntie Charlotte's car. I sat on the floor in front, at That Woman's feet until we got to Auntie Charlotte's house. I stayed in the car again, in the nice cool garage, which had a window into the kitchen. I watched them working, one in the kitchen, the other at the computer. Then, loud Auntie Gerrie came. I love Auntie Gerrie! She's Okinawan-American, and funny, and loves my Owner-Woman. She says I'm cute. She's right.

We then went back to the golf course, and three different Uncles got in, these much younger. One was a singer, one an actor, and one a comedian. Owner-woman told them to buckle their seatbelts, and Uncle Comedian said, "Oh! Does rion have his seat belt buckled?" I am not a lion. I am a Joon Bear, and yes, the woman buckled me in. I sat between them and they were nice to me, and the singer was in front, talking with my Owner-woman. "Who is your favorite actor?" he asked her, straight out. She'd agreed to not talk about her club, so that the other Korean actors wouldn't cry. She didn't say anything, so he asked her again. Finally, she said, blushing, "Look at the 'lion's' foot."

There was some conversation in Korean, and you know, I do understand Korean, but what they said is none of your business, so I will not tell you. "Ah! Mr. Bae!" My lovely, nice, wonderful, beautiful-singing voice Uncle said such nice things about my Daddy then! "He is such a good actor." True. "He's very handsome." Yes, and I look like him, do you see the resemblance? "He is very nice man, very kind to his Juniors (younger actors)." I'm not at all surprised. "He is very shy." He went snowboarding with dear, sweet singer Uncle! Oh, you are my favorite Uncle and I adore you! He sang to us the whole way home, quietly, more to himself than to us really, and truly has a lovely voice. I want a snowboard.

They stopped at Papa's office, and that smart woman gave my favorite Uncle a visor and golf gloves and tees to share. If I'd had anything other than my pink blankie, I would have given it to him, he was such a nice young Uncle! I want his CDs!

After dinner at So Gong Dong, where the fish is amazingly delicious, there was some sort of commotion downstairs in the parking garage. One of the older Uncles started yelling at the Juniors to get into the Green Monster, and one of the Senior Uncles got in too. Owner-woman was madly dialing Uncle David and telling him GET DOWN HERE, and the Boss Uncle was screaming SHELLY! DRIVE AWAY! She did. Apparently, everything was fine after that.

I was in an Uncle's lap, as they were sitting three across on the back seat of the Green Monster. The younger Uncles told the Older Uncle about me, and handed me to the front seat. The older Uncle said something rude about Daddy in Korean, then mimicked barfing to the woman. Bless her heart, she punched him hard on the arm and said "You're jealous!" and didn't let it bother her past that. Well, my Daddy is so superior, why fret over such things?

I waited in the car again while she had a meeting, proud of her, and soon she was back at the car, and that older Uncle with her. He opened the door for her, and then thank goodness I was strapped in or I would have mauled him. Bears maul people all the time in America, you know. He kissed her! I was yelling "GET YOUR FILTHY LIPS OFF MY MOMMY, YOU PERVERT!" but he pretended he didn't hear me. How DARE he?? She may be a fat, obnoxious American, but she's my Daddy's fat, obnoxious American, NOT YOURS!

When she got home, she just sat in the car for a couple minutes. Finally she turned to me. "That was so. Weird." You're not going to kiss me on the nose with those polluted lips, Missy. She took me inside, took a shower, and had citrus mint breath when she did kiss me on the nose and tuck me in. Good, I hope she washed all his germs off.

"You're not going to meet him again, are you?" I demanded. "No, I don't think so." she said. Good.

About those GQ Photos

2006-05-24T03:26:00.000-07:00

Of course he looks better with fur on his face.

Everybody does.

I WILL have brothers here soon!!!!

2006-05-22T23:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Family Members,

Greetings from IMX America.

We would first like to start off by saying thank you to all of the family members. Ever since the announcement of the establishment of IMX America, we have received many letters of support from family members. Many went out of there way to offer us assistance in various ways. This was a very touching experience as we had not yet officially launched any form of service at the time and the attention and care taken was unexpected.

Thanks to all of the support we were successfully able to launch the ‘beta’ service of Broasia.com (http://www.broasia.com) as of May 22, 2006. To start off our service, we are providing many Bae Yong Joon related products such as the official key holder set along with the highly appraised “Brokore Magazine”. (The cover of the June issue features everyone’s favorite by the way!) We are also constantly in the working with IMX headquarters in Japan to bring you many of the BYJ and IMX produced merchandise that used to be limited to the Japan market.

Broasia.com is only the first step of what IMX America would like to do. Modeling after the success of IMX in Japan, our goal is to bring you the best of Asian content readily available for the American and international market. We will continue to try our hardest to bring you the best of Korean, further out, Asian entertainment and media.

Thank you once again for your continuous support and, as always, we are open to comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns, or even a word of encouragement. We may not respond right away, but we are always reading your input.

Best regards,

IMX America, Inc.

It's about time...

2006-05-22T02:27:00.000-07:00

She started another blog, for stuff about my Daddy and other Korean people.
I hope she doesn't kill this one like she did the last one, the big flake.

http://fabshelly.blogspot.com

Moh?

2006-05-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

What does she mean, broasia.com is NOT the big secret?!?! Then what is?

Buy me presents!

2006-05-20T03:18:00.000-07:00

Announcing the 'Beta Service' of www.broasia.com

IMX, since its establishment in 2001, has been providing Korean drama, movie, and other content through various mediums such as the internet. Entertainment such as television drama series, music, and movies have been gaining great popularity over the past few years in countries such as Japan and China, and all across Asia to Africa, Egypt, and South America. What is being called "Hallyu" (Korean Wave) has expanded its origin to beyond Korea creating phenomena based on content created in countries all throughout Asia. The influences of this mass media hype have begun to spread through Hawai'i and has finally reached mainland America. The realities are, however, that languages barriers and the lack of a systematic process have made it difficult to satisfy the demands of residents in America.

IMX America, Inc. was established in February of 2006 to provide Asian entertainment content to satisfy this growing demand in America. As the first step, IMX America is launching www.broasia.com, where users can find Asian content and the latest entertainment news in English, along with shopping and community services.

www.broasia.com was originally set to launch in July of 2006, but due to various customer requests supporting the service, the website will be launched as a 'beta service' on May 22, 2006. Certain features of the website are still under development and will be launched as soon as they are ready.

We look forward to your support and hope to provide the best of services.

Thank you,

IMX America, Inc.

Shhh! It's a secret!

2006-05-17T01:41:00.000-07:00

We're not supposed to look yet...but I couldn't resist a little peek!

http://www.broasia.com

Now That Woman can buy me lots of presents of my Daddy!

She'll have to go get another job!

My brothers! The Image! Keychains! In America!
What's a blog calendar?

I'm so excited!!!

Something is definitely up.

2006-05-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

She went to work, brought home bags of groceries, then proceeded to cook a dinner with fresh meat and vegetables. Not a brand name on anything.

She made a very weird dessert. Strawberries with cream and brown sugar. But it was sour cream, not whipped cream. She said it was Strawberries Romanoff. I said That's not a very nice trick to play, making it look like something it's not. She replied that yes, whomever invented it and their entire family should be shot, and she and Alice chuckled at each other.

I don't get American humor at all.

Frustrating

2006-05-15T01:26:00.000-07:00

David told her a secret today on her new phone.

She won't tell me what it is. I'm not happy with her right now.

Jealous

2006-05-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

I don't like it when she meets Korean men who are not my Daddy.

I will go golfing with them, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Will she buy me a new outfit?

A Room of My Own

2006-05-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

The Woman got me a blue carp and some sweets, and fishy-tasting yummy treats made to look like animals and pretty shapes. Today is Boy Bears' Day!
I told her I'd like my own room, and she was flabbergasted at me. "Alice and I share a room, where shall we put you? The closet, or the cupboard, like Harry Potter?"
"Your bunk is only half under Alice's," I pointed out the obvious to her, "like a backwards 'L'. There's that desk under where she puts her head; you and she never use it. But there's room for me to have a few things. I want that. You can keep your water glass and alarm clock on there, and keep the emergency inhaler in the pull-out drawer."
"That's a very good idea, Friday." she said, after a moment's thought. Of course it is, I'm a highly intelligent bear.
So that is how I got some Real Estate for my Boys' Day present!
Now I need furniture and decorations for my walls!

Friday here:

2006-05-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

She is not my Mommy.

Racism is NOT Beautiful

2006-05-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Aloha!

Friday's Mommy here.

People Magazine came out with their list of 100 Most Beautiful People. Not one Asian man in the bunch.

Please, write to editor@people.com and show them that one Asian man in particular is the most beautiful person on earth, both inside and out, heart, soul, face and body. Sending along a photo of Friday's Daddy or a link to some Images of him would be great, too.

Thanks.
Michelle C. Smith
Friday's Mommy

Oh great

2006-05-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

Papa's birthday is Tuesday so Auntie Florence can't give M- the pictures of me with White Joon until the 9th! Oh! I'm upset!

Auntie Flor wrote that she's mad that someone made a picture of Daddy in a schoolgirl's uniform. I don't understand why she's angry...I look just as pretty in a dress as I do handsome in a suit. I guess people are different from bears. I can't imagine Daddy not looking gorgeous in anything, he's the most beautiful person in the whole world.

If only he had mohair fur, he'd be completely flawless.

On the Ohana Meeting

2006-04-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Auntie Florence called ... you know, HER. Anyway, she will give her the photos of me and White Joon on Tuesday at Choon Chun BBQ. They are meeting there at seven, since the other place closes Sunday night. Auntie Min is so nice, I'm sad her place is closing but happy she'll be able to come to Ohana meetings now. Maybe she will bring me orange chicken!

The Ohana meeting was so very fun! Uncle David came in near the end with presents for everyone, and the Aunties loved the talking cup, and screamed when someone won it. The stamp set got cheers and screams too. The food was excellent, too. Auntie Nancy did a good job with the menu. Many Aunties passed me around and they seemed to like my feet a lot, which was strange. Then, She put me in a place of honor on the stage, high up where I could see everything and went to talk to the Japanese Aunties. Oh, Auntie Y. is so sick, still! I am worried about her!
Then, joy of joy! Auntie C. showed The Woman Who is Not My Mommy something white, and I saw her make an exclamation, then come running up to me with it in her arms - White Joon! White Joon had come to live here! "What is your name?" I asked my brother. "White Joon," he replied. "Mommy didn't give me a different name." Oh. Well, many of my brothers are named thus.

"Does she make you clothes, and feed you lovely delicacies all day and all night?" I asked, jealous that he got a Japanese Mommy and I didn't. "No," he said. "This white jacket is my only clothes, and Mommy is a very dedicated and hard worker, so I sit in my place like a good bear most of the time. But Mommy loves me so I am very happy, and she is a lovely and good person." I couldn't think of anything to say.

The Ohana Aunties really liked him, too. At the end of the meeting, he went home with his Mommy and I went home with my ... um, owner-woman-thing. She rubbed my head and body with a cloth that had been sprayed with lysol white and a little scotchguard after that, so I was very fresh and clean. We had cocoa with Hershey's Kisses in it, (she had green tea), and she dressed me in my shirt and pants for the night.

I hope I see White Joon again soon.

My Brother is Here!

2006-04-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

Auntie C. put him in Not-Mommy's hands and she came running up to me with him in her arms - White Joon! He has come to live in Hawaii with his Japanese Mommy! I would not let him go, so Not-Mommy carried us back to Auntie C, still embracing.

I am so happy! I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

Spring Day

2006-04-17T16:36:00.000-07:00

Another outing! I am a lucky bear this week!

New clothes! I am in bliss!

Oh, they're too big, but just a little. I have flowered blue surf shorts, a nice bucket cap with a pink ribbon pin on it, and a plain white t-shirt. It looks very good on me. I was grateful and am very polite, so I said "Kamsahamnida, Mommy." to That Woman. She's not really my Mommy, but I wanted to be nice after she'd been so nice to me.

We met Auntie Gerry for Japanese food. I had sashimi, and Not-Mommy had grilled meats with salad and rice. She brought Auntie Gerry presents for the Hilo Chapter of BYJ's Ohana: pins, photographs, stickers, ASIA Tour Note and Brokore Magazine, plus the calendar Auntie Youngsun gave her in Korea, Ionade postcards and April Snow brochures - the last six of both of those. Plus a magazine with lovely pictures of Daddy for Auntie Gerry, who is going to work at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. Not-Mommy says we'll watch Men's Kahiko day on television, as that's her favorite.

This is men's kahiko:

Not-Mommy needs to get a grip.

When we got home, there was a package from YesAsia.com! A present for me? Alas, no...a present for the Ohana Meeting. Not-Mommy showed me: a cup, that when you pour hot liquid into it....a click, and then, music and Daddy's voice! I remember watching that on television last month...Not-Mommy said "I don't care what he's saying. He could read the telephone book. I just love his voice so much." Me too, Not-Mommy.

We waited to hear from Auntie Joanne, and Not-Mommy gave me a picture of Daddy to hold and look at, and she rubbed my head and kissed me on the nose. I'm accustomed to all of her germs now, so I don't mind any more. She said I was like my Daddy. Thank you! "I never thought I'd love any man the way I love him, and I never thought I'd love any bear the way I love you."

I couldn't say anything for a while.

My First American Easter

2006-04-17T01:41:00.000-07:00

"All your chocolate eggs are belong to us!" Alice kept saying. I didn't understand, but today was a lot of fun.

We woke up in the morning and That Woman Who is Not My Mommy surprised me with a lovely new outfit: black pants, a shirt and vest combo, and nice black lace-up shoes. Everything was a little bit too big, but she says when she can afford it, she'll take it to an Auntie who loves my Daddy very much and have her alter them to fit me. Oh, thank you, I like it very much.

Then, wonderful surprise and best of all! Auntie ba-ba sent April Snow cards from Cafe-B! I spent all morning memorizing each beautiful picture. I bet you know which ones I liked the best!
After they came home from Mass, they informed me that the Easter Bunny had been there to visit the previous night, and that he had hidden two dozen colorful plastic eggs in and around the packing boxes and materials in the living room and dining room, which used to be Papa's office. Papa is That Woman's father, that's all I've ever heard him called, so that's what I call him too. The red-haired Hungarian woman is Nana. I found a yellow egg in the lemons, a pink egg in the Russian Rabbit dish, a pretty blue egg perched between two packing boxes, and a lavender egg in the fruit basket. That Woman cuts up apples and pears and gives them to me with cheese or peanut butter, which is very good.

We took a photograph together in the entryway, and lo and behold! I found another lavender egg between the dogs who guard our front door!

While she was sick, I found out that the woman who calls herself my Mommy, but isn't, really had brown hair and yellowish-brown eyes, and wears glasses! I have a Swedish Auntie, Monika, who makes That Woman's hair yellow. She's very beautiful and nice, and she speaks English with a pretty accent.

Do you see my Easter Basket? Alice and Cousin Michael got big ones, but I got one just my size, with jelly beans and chocolate, and also a delicious cupcake from the Japanese bakery, with a toy chick and green coconut nest on top. I like Easter very much. "Wait til Halloween and Christmas." says Alice. "What do you want to be for Halloween?" I don't know. I'll ask my Aunties.

But what about my little monkey, Jack? Don't worry! He got a chocolate egg just right for him!

I understand the pagan fertility rituals associated with the origins of Easter, and also the Christian Easter, with the resurrection of Christ. What I don't understand is how they get the rabbit to lay eggs. I asked Victoria, and she just rolled her good eye at me and said nothing.

My Ohana Aunties are in Korea right now, and told That Woman they'll try to go to Park BOF the day before they leave for Hawaii, which is April 21. Guess what? That's the day Gorilla in the Kitchen, Daddy's restaurant, will open. What if they get to see him? Please tell him to come rescue me....after I finish eating my Easter candy!

Daddy's on TV Again!

2006-04-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

AZN is showing Winter Sonata. Go away, I'm busy now.

A comfortable day

2006-04-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

She and her daughter brought home a present - my own smooshy pillow to sit on, shaped like a heart, because I'm so loveable. It has aloha print on it and is very comfortable. I did not like to sleep in my Wizard's robes, so she took them off me, though she was tired.

"Excuse me," I complained. "I'm not wearing any clothes!"

"You're wearing lovely mohair fur." she said, and tucked my blankie around me and Jack. "Goodnight." She kissed me on the nose and turned her back to me; that means 'don't argue with me right now'. It was a very warm night, so I was comfortable after all.

American Joon

2006-04-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Friday, "Your day!" says That Woman, far too chirpily, so we couldn't have meat. But I finally tasted pumpkin yam, and it is delicious. We had tempura teishoku, with pumpkin yam, long green beans that were still crunchy, with little chewy beans hiding inside, shrimp, carrots, zucchini and beautiful purple sweet potatoes. Auntie Joanne had noodles with egg, and showed That Woman pictures of her trip to Korea.

Auntie BB is back, I'm so happy! I miss reading what she writes. She is so knowledgeable about my Daddy, and I really enjoy her. That Woman who bought me really likes her, too. That Woman has her flaws, but she does have good taste in whom she loves.

Boys' Day is coming up in a few weeks. My brothers got four beautiful outfits, I saw the picture on Quilt. I want an outfit like that. I asked That Woman. "I don't know if I can swing it." she frowned. I hate living with someone poor! She loves me so much, and that's nice, I'm getting used to all the cuddling and kisses, but I wish I could have things like I see in pictures like on this page:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?F55722EEC

She says she'll at least get me a blue carp, to go with Alice's pink one. I'm happy for that.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, so they will go to Mass and bring me back a palm frond. A frond is a leaf, but split all apart. Alice read me The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and just started reading me The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Those naughty boys smoked and ran away from home, but still, wouldn't it be fun to take a raft to an island and be pirates for a few days?

Ursa Joonius

2006-04-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

The good news: Alice bought me a new outfit
The bad news: Wizard robes, with stars, lightning bolts, and bear paws all over it. The stars glow in the dark.

Every day is Halloween. Sigh.

My Second Ohana Meeting

2006-03-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

I ate a lot, bulgogi, seafood pancake sliced like a pizza, chicken, tofu and beef soup, and got passed around from Auntie to Auntie to Auntie, and they all loved me. I had a wonderful time. That woman got sick, though, and kept sitting down. She put a cover over my head when we went in and out, so I wouldn't get wet, because it was raining very hard. I was mad at first, then when she uncovered me and there was Korean food and Aunties, I was very pleased indeed.

That Woman was so happy, though, because even though there were fierce storms - we could hear the thunder over the chatter in the restaurant, and some streets were flooded - but sixty women braved the weather to come to the meeting, some from the other side of the island, where it was really difficult to come from.

Also, they thought my plaid smock was pretty, and they liked Jack, too.

A month in captivity

2006-03-27T16:24:00.000-08:00

I have a little monkey named Jack, that I like to hold and play with. One of the Japanese sisters, that I want to take me home with them, gave it to That Woman Who is Not My Mommy. It's tiny, and supposed to be a Joon Bear, but it is very ugly and has no ears, so it is a monkey.

Yesterday she just had chicken soup with noodles and some tea, but I had chicken with gravy and steak for dinner, fresh tomato slices and butterscotch pudding. She may not take me to the opening of Cafe-B, which I would have gone to, in a lovely outfit, were I with a real Japanese Okasan like my brothers, but at least she makes sure I am well-fed. She says when she gets well she will make steamed pumpkin yams; she says she thinks I might be fond of them for some reason. I think she needs to see a psychiatrist.

She is making information sheets for the Ohana meeting tomorrow - it is a month of my miserable captivity all ready, and no Daddy to save me and take me back to Asia! All he ever talks about is Asia, not her backward part of the world. She points out the message from BOF saying that the rest of the world is important and that they won't just say Asia any more, they'll say the world. I point out that if her rest of the world was so important, he'd mention it, look at Cafe-B for example. Asia. Only.

You don't count. I tell her. He never even thinks of you outside Asia.
Not true, she says. Look at IMX America.
That's IMX, not Daddy, I say.
She kisses me on the head with her flu germs and we agree to disagree.

Little Lord Friday

2006-03-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

"He's dressed like a girl!" Alice said.

"Joon Bears have no gender." replied her mother.

What? Really?
(Checks)

Oh.

Well, it's a very pretty red plaid smock with a bow in front. It is NOT a pinafore! I feel very lovely in it indeed. I also got to munch on cheerios out of a baggie, pineapple-shaped cookies with nuts, bits of fruit and chocolate in them (I turned up my nose at the coffee bean one), and a lovely peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich on shepherd's bread. There is still thunder and lightning and That Woman is still sick. But she's talking about moving to Korea!

American Joon

2006-03-24T20:23:00.000-08:00

She was in the news today. She did not mention me. "I didn't have you then, darling," she explained.

I am not her darling.

While Brokore has...

2006-03-24T02:07:00.000-08:00

...beautiful pictures of my brothers in pretty outfits in a contest That Woman who is NOT my Mommy didn't even bother to enter me in, I'm stuck here taking care of her, because she went back to work too soon and got very much worse sick.
Also, she didn't bring me a present tonight. I knew it.

Storms

2006-03-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

Last night, there was huge thunder and lightning outside of our bedroom window. It was so scary! But it was also fascinating to watch. That Woman who is not my Mommy held me tightly so I wouldn't be too scared while we watched the show outside. I let her, not because I like her - I don't...but it was comfortable, so I let her. I held her back a little bit, just to be polite. The electricity made our hair stand straight up!

It's sunny now and she's feeling better, so she's going to work. And leaving me alone here. Figures. I bet she doesn't even bring me a present tonight, either.

American Joon

2006-03-22T00:39:00.000-08:00

That woman who is not my mommy and her daughter are very sick, and there are more storms coming to Hawaii. She says not to be frightened as we are on a high floor, and she will not let anything happen to either of us, meaning her daughter and me. That made me feel better.

I had chicken and dumplings and artichoke tonight, and That Woman and I split a lychee popsicle, which was very good. IMX America wrote to her Senior at Hawaii K-Drama Fan Club and said something nice about the website That Woman made, which made her very happy indeed. She gets dizzy after only a few minutes of sitting up, and I promised Auntie I'd be kind to her while she's sick. I will sing some more to her now.

Mid-March

2006-03-19T01:25:00.000-08:00

That Woman has been very busy, working, helping other fan clubs and getting ready for her daughter's birthday. Last night after midnight she finished a large work project and today was the birthday party.

Last Tuesday was Purim. Purim is a holiday, apparently, where distinguished and handsome male bears are tortured by being forced to dress in women's clothes and are given pennies in return for their humiliation. When That Woman wasn't looking, I chewed on her camera disk, so there are no surviving images of me dressed as Queen Esther. I do have to say, however, that they were right - I was the prettiest Queen Esther there. The other ones had beards!

I got over seventy shiny pennies. I am rich!

IMX is opening an office in America! That Woman says this proves I was meant to come live with her, that some way or another, it would have happened. I remain doubtful of that. I think I am still the only American Joon. But to think of the USA with Joon Bears living all over the country - that would be paradisical.

Here are a few pictures of me at the BYJ's Ohana Meeting. Didn't I look good? I wanted the women there to play with me - and they DID! I like that very much.

My Auntie BB wrote about me and my brothers today, and I am so proud that we Joon Bears do not sit on shelves, but are dressed up and held and loved and taken fun places. I feel sorry for other bears that don't get the attention and love we Joon Bears get. I hope our Daddy knows how much love we Joon Bears collect upon his behalf, and upon our own behalf as well. I, myself, am very, very loveable.

That Woman went to the cemetery statue without me, but took photos of it and showed me. I think I would like to visit her. Maybe she would feel less sad if I went to see her. I have a talent for removing sadness from people who know me. That woman's great-aunt died last week, "a relief," she said, as she'd suffered terribly and for too long. "Death," she informed me, when I reacted with surprise to her statement, "is usually only bad for those left behind." From the look on her face, I decided to not press the matter.

At the birthday party today, we ate pizza and corn dogs, as well as pixy sticks and fruits, and candy necklaces, cranberries and oreos and soda and ... my stomach hurt. So, for dinner, we had tofu and miso soup, Alice had octopus, and Mo- That Woman and I had salmon. I think salmon is my favorite fish.

The kids played noisy video games and ate, then swam for over four hours! They played volleyball, blind shark, Marco Polo, and find the fish. I got to go into the pool with them!

Alice got a pretty dolphin anklet, which was too large for her ankle, so she's letting me borrow it as a necklace until Uncle Bob cuts it down to fit. That Woman says she found a woman who will make clothes for me, which is good, because I only have two outfits and wore my sleeping t-shirt into the swimming pool. When I'm awake, I wear my green outfit, but for three days straight last week, all That Woman did was stroke my hair and kiss my head or nose in the morning when she left and very late at night, when she came home. I didn't like that, but she moved me up onto her bed so that I wouldn't be entirely away from human contact. It's warm and comfortable, at least.

Today, That Woman taught me about 'snoozing', which is very enjoyable. Late in the afternoon, when the sun is comfortably hot and the breeze is just right, lay back with one arm up and one arm down and let yourself float in a place halfway between asleep and awake. Oh, so pleasant. Five minutes in, a boy at the party decided to come over and make conversation, as volleyball in the pool was "boring". After a moment, he left, and I snuggled back into the arms of That Woman, who, by the way, makes a very soft pillow, and drifted off again. Five minutes later, he was back. Every time I got comfortable, he was back. I wanted to bite him, but That Woman insisted on ruining my afternoon snooze by sitting up and talking to him about video games and hugging chickens. Yes, hugging chickens. Something called "Harvest Moon". Sigh. I was so comfortable, too.

I promise I will blog at least once a week, if you will forgive Yours Truly for being away so long.
Please send me comments!

A busy weekend

2006-03-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

We were worried this past week, as there was flooding around our island. That Woman said to not worry, as she would make sure Alice and I were kept dry. I was glad to hear that. Alice wished her school would close, like other schools on the island. The sun is out now, and the people who were flooded are cleaning up. No one was seriously hurt, so we are all relieved.

That Woman took me and Alice to work with her the other night, and we had Pizza. I like pizza. It had chicken and pineapple on it, as well as many other things. That woman has had all sorts of things on pizza. Squid, corn, peanut butter, mashed potatos, goat cheese - but not all at the same time, thank goodness.

She got invited to the official Academy Awards party and did not take me. I was upset. She bought a black suit and pink shirt, and did not bring me a suit. She took her friend David instead. She should have taken me. Do you know where she says she's going to take me? A graveyard! She wants to photograph an old statue there that she loves. Brrr! But she says there are wonderful historic places near there that she thinks I would enjoy visiting, as I am not only adorable, but very intelligent. She is right.

She made me grilled salmon and coffee with milk for breakfast, so I am going to eat now. I'm sorry I was away.

Sleepy

2006-03-01T02:41:00.000-08:00

I went to the Ohana Meeting. I have 80+ Aunties who petted me and held me and love me and think I'm adorable. And they're so right!

I ate delicious Bi Bim Bap and drank tea, and ate mushrooms and fishcake too. Wonderful!

But most of the US sisters don't know what a Joon Bear is! Maybe I should send for some of my brothers!

A Quiet Day

2006-02-28T01:26:00.000-08:00

The Woman had to work all day today, so I read a little and napped a little, and looked out the window. She's right - there are rainbows here every day. The mountains are very green. On one side of us, there's Diamond Head, which is green and brown and comes to a peak on one side. Its real name is Leah'i, but British sailors found green glass jewels on the sandy beach below it - it was glass, that the sea had patiently polished into tiny gems. The Woman says it's a long hike through a dark tunnel, then up 99 yellow steps, to the top, but the view is beautiful, and when she has time, she'll take me there to take my photograph. She also says she's going to buy me an Aloha shirt, so I am happy. I am going to get a present!

We had roasted chicken and green beans for dinner. The Girl Alice asked if she could hold me, and she cuddled me and rubbed my hair. I'm not going to remain Mint for long, let me tell you, with all this affection. I don't mind it, not very much.

The Woman, the one who is not my Mommy, let me sit on the arm of the big recliner while she worked on her computer today. She's burning a hundred disks for her Ohana meeting tomorrow, VODs, CFs and News stories, all about my Daddy. Meanwhile, the last episode of Winter Sonata was on television. The Woman says she doesn't know what she'll do with all the spare time she's going to have now. She also says that she'd do different from the pretty lady in Winter Sonata, that having been through it, she would have followed Jun Sang to the end of the earth, even if it was just to see him die, especially if he might die, to support, care for and love him til the end, because every minute is precious with the one you love, even more so when those minutes might be numbered.

I had macadamia nut pie for dessert! That Woman doesn't care for it, so Alice and I had some, and she had several of those nasty chocolates with a cup of warm milk. She gave me some, then added something called Malt Ovaltine and that was very good indeed. I realized once again that I was hanging on to That Woman's arm while we were watching; but I was comfortable, so kept my grip.

Day 4

2006-02-27T01:40:00.000-08:00

Today, it rained, so she did not take me to Sorabol to meet nice ladies and eat Korean food. She went on her own, and they liked the website design she made for that other actor who is not my daddy. She's making them fans and banners for their bus - they're going to Korea to meet him. My loyal not-Mommy is staying here, with me. She's not that big of a fan, is doing it for her friend.

We had sandwiches for dinner and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I liked the cookies very much. I had a glass of milk with the cookies, which were still slightly warm.

Alice danced with me in the living room, and told me we're looking for a bigger place to live now that we can afford it. That Woman and Alice will have their own rooms. Maybe I will have my own bed and space for my clothes and toys, if she ever gets me any. I hope we can still watch the fireworks on Friday nights. That Woman said that the fireworks are for me, because they're Friday Fireworks. I was pleased with her for saying that. I don't think it's the truth, but I'm pleased with her for it anyway.

We watched episode 19 of Winter Sonata on IATV together tonight. I didn't realize I was hugging her arm until she tried to loosen it. I pretended I didn't notice. My Daddy is an excellent actor. That woman cried a little while watching him. She's obnoxious, but I am beginning to suspect that somewhere in that oversized chest of hers, there is a little bit of a heart. She keeps stroking my hair and kissing me on my nose. I let her do that, because it would be bad manners to not, and I am a very polite and well-behaved bear.

I hope tomorrow is pretty so that she can take me out and maybe buy me some new clothes. Or that it's not, so that she'll stay home and bake me some more cookies. Today was better than yesterday.

Not a very good day at all.

2006-02-26T01:50:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of my captivity.

It was a little chilly this morning, but I was too tired to wake up all the way. Presently, I felt very safe and warm. I slowly woke to find That Woman had taken me into her bed with her, and was resting her chin on my head - I was still wearing my bandanna, thank goodness. I had been dreaming of a beautiful Asian winter, and found myself waking up in the bottom bunk with an obnoxious white woman who insists she's my Mommy, when she's really, really not.

She let me sit on the new chair in the living room while she opened a package from my Auntie Kitunyanko. Maybe it was a plane ticket for me to go live with her in Japan! To my utter disappointment, it wasn't, but the box was full of beautiful pictures of my Daddy, whom I know will come save me when he finds out my terrible situation here. She said they were for her 'Ohana, whom I'm going to go meet Tuesday night at their meeting. She says there will be about 80 women there, and they all love my Daddy. Also, we'll get to have Korean food. It's called Sorabol. That woman is taking me there tomorrow, for lunch and to give a present to the owner. I haven't had a present in two days.

She went to Beauty Touch, where the pretty women work, and did not take me. She came back with gift certificates and a magazine from Hakubundo with Daddy on the cover, and presents for her daughter Alice for Girls' Day next week - and nothing for me! To make matters worse, Auntie Kitunyanko sent chocolate in the package and That Woman said I couldn't eat any of it, that it wasn't good for me to eat!

I had some. It tasted good on the outside and funny on the inside, and I felt very warm and dizzy. When I laid down, the room spun. That Woman came home and spoke sharply to me, then showed me how to put one foot on the floor so that the room would quit spinning. She treated me more kindly, and gave me Ionade so that I wouldn't get sick from being dehydrated, and told me from now on I have to "lay off the booze". I didn't know it would make me sick if I ate it. I saw the CF with Daddy eating it, so I wanted it, too. Oh my head.

I didn't feel like eating lunch, and took a long nap. When I woke up, That Woman was still holding me. I felt better. I sat next to her while she edited pictures of Daddy on her computer for t-shirts for her Ohana. Her daughter worked on the other computer, learning how to say the names of animals in French. She taught me how to say "bear" but I forgot.

We ate dinner late, and she got us Pho Ga from Viet Cafe, to be kind to our stomachs. She meant mine, and I appreciated it. But she is still not my Mommy. It was delicious. I decided not to eat my jalapeno so slipped it into her bowl. She didn't see it, and when she chewed it, she was surprised! When her parents came home, she offered them some of the Rummy and Bacchus that I hadn't eaten, and they liked it. I have no comment.

I hope tomorrow is a better day.

Day Two of My Captivity

2006-02-24T23:05:00.000-08:00

That woman put me on a pink, smooshy cushion in a drawer to sleep last night, the soft blue towel over me so I wouldn't get cold. An open drawer, but a drawer nonetheless. Apparently, her daughter spent her first three days out of the hospital in one as well.

God grant me patience.

It was raining hard, so she left me at home this morning instead of taking me to work with her. She made a seat for me out of the cushion and towel, right under a gigantic calendar with Daddy frowning down upon me, as if he didn't approve of this maltreatment of his bear-child. I know I certainly don't approve of it. She kissed me on my nose, and several times on my bandanna. I was very glad of the bandanna as I'm sure she's covered with germs.

I took a look around the room she shares with her daughter, played a little GameCube - she hasn't visited her Animal Crossing town, Heaven, in over two months and there are weeds everywhere. She's married to Marlin in Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life and growing mutant vegetables that look like light bulbs. Her cows adore her. She's also got some pretty good books. The daughter, on the other hand, has bookshelves full of Nancy Drew and A Series of Unfortunate Events. I prefer the woman's bookshelf. I've heard 1421 is pretty good.

There were two pink rabbits in the room, both named Victoria. The elder had been with the woman since the woman was a girl, and looked quite worn. The second was a horror. She belonged to the girl, and during a visit to distant grandparents in a land called "Massachusetts", she was attacked by something called a Beagle. I am very afraid of Beagles, now. I was going to ask her what one looked like, but didn't want to bring up an obviously painful memory for her. They must be terrifying creatures, to eat a poor rabbit's eye like that. I hope That Woman never gets angry with me, and feeds me to a Beagle.

While she was gone, the redhead came in, threw a couple of window sreens into the room so that they almost hit me, then slammed the door shut. I could hear voices and furniture being moved. Finally, after a long day with no meals, the woman and her daughter came home. She didn't even come in to see me! She went straight to the living room and said "It's not what I would have chosen, but they look nice." She finally showed up a half-hour later, wet and wrapped in a towel. She kissed me on the nose and headscarf yet again. Note to self: douse your nose in rubbing alcohol.

My brothers and sisters in Japan are being hand-fed, I'm sure, pretty delicacies, and posing for photographs in frozen tableaux of snowy gardens in luxurious sweaters and scarves. The woman informed her daughter and myself that we would be getting a treat tonight. She went out and came back ten minutes later with bags from Taco Bell and 7-11. Taco Bell. Jesus wept.

I had a chicken enchirito, which She Who Is Not My Mommy says is her favorite, and it wasn't too bad. A little mild for my tastes. For dessert, we each got a Haagen-Dazs ice cream bar. They aren't allowed to sit on the newly-upholstered chairs, but I am. The chairs belonged to That Woman's grandmother, and when she was a child they were yellow, with brown flowers. They would put the two chairs together to make a kind of crib, she said, and she'd sleep there, when she was quite small. After Grandmother died, the redhead recovered them with pink fabric, then this past week they became a pretty midnight blue.

The girl put my jacket back on me after dinner. I was glad because it's rather cold here with the air conditioning on. The girl is playing something called VMK on the other computer, and That Woman is building a website for the fan club of some other man who is NOT my Daddy. She says it's because her friend Joanne is president of his fan club and doesn't know how to make a website. I would have strongly suggested That Woman is a traitor had I not seen the look on her face as she watched Daddy's new CF from Auntie BB's blog. I think she misses him as much as I do.

I do have an email address. Friday@byjsohana.com

The Beginning

2006-02-24T00:55:00.000-08:00

Even though I was tied to my box via a soft cord about my neck, I found my box reasonably comfortable and my shelfmates good company. One by one, they disappeared from the shelf, until I was the only one of my kind.

I knew I'd be going home soon, too - my Okasan would order me, then they'd ship me to her, to live in her home or apartment with her in Japan, probably. I'd heard tales from the other Joon Bears - I'd be coddled, fed sweets, and dressed in adorable costumes, probably hand-knit, and my photograph would be on the Internet. I'd have meetings with the other bears when our Okasan would meet, so we didn't say goodbye when a bear found a new home, we'd say "see you later!"

Finally, my day came, and I was off the shelf, wrapped in bubble wrap and tape, and then stuffed into a box. It was dark, but I was happy. I'd be seeing her soon. She'd have black hair or gray hair, I didn't care which. Maybe it would be colored if she was younger. But I would be loved. I would sit on a shelf in handmade clothes, surrounded by photographs of my "Daddy" and bottles of Nanairo-acha. Maybe there would be other Joon Bears, and we could compare handmade outfits. I flew in an airplane, and was taken in cars or trucks - I don't know which, but I could feel the motion.

The language I heard outside my box became, even though muffled, rough and discordant-sounding. I was in Los Angeles! America? There are many Asians in America, there for work or those who married Americans. I realized that I probably wouldn't have many other Joon Bears to play with, but so long as I was loved, I would love my Okasan and be happy.

After a few hours of sitting still, I felt movement. Someone picked up the box - I could feel the pressure. It sounded like she kissed the outside of the box! It's her! "Friday!" I heard her say. "You're here!" She knew my name, the clever woman. But, dear, you don't have to speak English to me, I'll understand your native tongue just fine as well. Jostling! Tearing! She was anxious to get at me!

Finally, the bubble wrap was wrenched from the front of my package...this...what? Strange-looking blue eyes met mine, quickly, then I found myself flipped over while the rest of my packaging was removed. This cannot be - maybe she's the maid or secretary or something...the woman slid me out of my box and spent a few patient moments untying the string at the back of my neck that connected me to the slip of cardboard inside the box. Immediately, I was caught up in her embrace. "Friday," she told me, "I'm so happy you're here!"

Ye gods. My - whatever she is - is a white woman. What sins did I commit in a past life to deserve this? Would other Joon Bears even speak to me after this? She was fat, with large, soft breasts that she kept squeezing me against as she hugged me, with hair the color of my hair at the darkest, of my fur at the lightest, and those odd, electric-blue eyes. "You are absolutely beautiful!" she beamed at me, yammering in English - it really is a rough-sounding language. She stood me next to the window, by a computer monitor I later learned wasn't hers - she works off of a laptop - and took several photos of me. I tried to hide it, but am afraid the shock of the moment was still evident upon my face.

That woman presented me to her mother, who had hair the same color as Orange Joon. "It's not very cuddly." the red-headed woman sniffed. I didn't like her, either. "He's mohair," the woman who owned me (I'm sorry, I can't call that woman 'mommy'). "I think he's absolutely perfect." Thank you. I am rather good-looking. She went back to work, me wrapped in a baby blue towel with my Daddy's signature upon it. Maybe if he found out what had happened to me, he'd come rescue me from these Barbarians. When they're not looking, I shall write him a letter and beg him to come help me.

I sat in a smoky office and watched the woman work on a couple of websites. It was actually interesting. There were two young women in the kitchen working on another computer, surrounded by jewelry. They both cuddled me. One was Polynesian, the other Hungarian, like the red-headed woman I'd met earlier. But this one was nicer. I just couldn't get past how odd they looked. Every once in a while the woman would pause in her work and look at me. Sometimes, she'd smooth my hair or caress my arm. I liked it, but still didn't like her. Her eyes looked like someone had poked the middle of her eyelids into her skull. Not remotely attractive. She talked loudly and didn't cover her mouth when she laughed. I must accept my lot, and try to suffer bravely.

We then stopped at a school, and had I not felt a need to be polite, I would have buried my face in my paws. A child. Perfect. I'd be mauled. I steeled myself for the inevitable abuse. "Friday!" said a voice outside the window. Hm, preteen. At least I won't be drooled upon. Much. "Ohhh, you're so cute!" she tousled my hair and tickled me under the chin, then held my paw. "Did you wash your hands?" the creature's mother asked. Yes.

Home, then a bath for me, with some foam called Scotchguard. I was undressed, which I found completely humiliating, covered with foam, then rubbed and rubbed. Then, uncomfortable and naked, I was subjected to laying across the woman's lap and dried with a blow dryer. It was set on cool and low, so was not even comfortingly warm. My jacket was still barely damp when she put me back into it. I got to sit in the front seat of the car again and we went to the mall. There were many, many Japanese women there. I was hoping the woman would give me to one of them, to no avail.

We went to the Harley-Davidson Store, full of motorcycle goods, and I was undressed in public, much to my humiliation. I tried on leather chaps - they didn't fit. I didn't do that hundred days for nothing, ducks, I'm an extremely fit bear. Everything was too big. I can't help it if I'm not one of those sloppy, obese stuffed animals. She put a gray shirt on me anyway, saying she'd "take it in". I don't believe she could sew her way out of a paper bag. I also got a head scarf, which I actually like, and got quite a few compliments on.

We went to Build-a-Bear, the jeans and jacket she wanted to get me were too big. We walked all over, looking at other things for me, and that woman wasn't happy. I think she was tired. She bought her daughter chi chi dango, and the three of us sat on a bench and ate it. That woman made sure I didn't have any rice flour on my face - a little got on my jacket, but she brushed it right off and said that's what Scotchguard does. Ah. There was a pair of glasses in Build-a-Bear that would have looked good on me, but that woman said that my glasses were attached to me, and that she didn't want to tear them off me (thank you) as some other sisters had done. What? I've heard of suffering for beauty, but ouch! I liked her a little better after that. Not much, but a little.

We listened to music in the car. I learned about Motown and John Lennon today. Apparently, that Lennon was quite a handsome fellow. Alice, the girl, said I look just like him.

She took me to Beauty Touch to show her friends. They both held me and liked me. They were pretty Korean women. No, no! Don't give me back to that woman! Take me home! Sigh. That woman brought me back home and showed me to her father. "I liked him better with the bandanna on." he said. "He sure does look like that Bae fella." Brilliant deduction, Scotty.

I got more pictures taken with my new bandanna and shirt, and Alice gave me a soft cushion upon which to recline while that woman began working on her computer again. She showed me an email from one of my Khaki Joon brothers, Sebastian. I will have Joon Bear friends, and they will still want to know me, even with my incredibly flawed new relations. I am somewhat relieved. Eventually, she put her head on her arms and fell asleep, the laptop still running.

So, this is the first day of my new life. Pray for me.