Musings and Lovings
Hello World, How are we all?I am doing great, the secret plan to being completely content and joyful here in 3 easy steps...
No prior expectations/thinking it would be a nightmare + Everything is Cool mantra + forcing yourself to be a tourist on days off = joyful relaxing contentment....
I'm in love with my city...
I know I am alot luckier than some here, I am yet to have something go wrong.. I have people who feel like family and listen to my shit and make me dinner and pour me drinks...I have buddies to laugh with all day at work who make me read out my current novel which is basically soft porn set in a maple syrup shed...I can hide from my students 70% of the lesson...my trainer thinks I am hilarious even if I am a disaster...I have multiple couches all aruond the city to watch tv on and crash on..I have magical days exploring in the sunshine with just me and john mayer...I have sweet guys that give me bear hugs and lend me umbrellas...I have some girlfriends to tell dating stories to...I have an Italian to brew me espresso...everyone thinks I am a good karoke singer!...I have fed wild animals...the shoes fit...hot japanese guys wink at me...I don't have to remember to pay the rent...our handyman wears a suit...the baker gives me free cupcakes when I buy my bread! I don't notice the city noise...I know where to find trees if I want them...
One of my favourite questions for students that you fellow culture nerds will appreciate is 'how do you feel Japanese culture is similar to other collectivist cultures' The resounding answer is similarities especially to Spanish/Italian culture. This is never seen more than when I walk through the never ending mall, about 2 km covered mall with shanty town styles...
The traditional okinomoyaki stands (local omlette delicacy) fry their patties all day...the hotplate at the start and end of the day is a gleaming mirror thanks to the hours of scraping. The old women and ancient men gather at each vegetable stand to chew the fat and discuss the cabbages. The old con men sell their overpriced second hand goods from card tables..I slowly scan (but never stopping) for the chanel purse I know will be there one day. Customers reach into giant vats of brine for gleaming cubes of fresh tofu...the fish mongers laugh and reposition their catch on rustic ice. The dog hair salons are a bustling hub, a cacophony of poodle barking, and old woman cackling..Designer mothers whizz by with 3 toddlers precariously balanced on the bike...I now view every mother as rich or struggling to make ends meet and every woman with a baby differently. Is she happy? Is she too worried about getting into 4 year old cram school? Will her child join the blue collar masses that is the future of this country? My fabulous students sharing their beliefs is a key basis for shaping my Japanese psyche. Most of them cannot afford to ever have a baby even with 2 incomes. The ones that have 1 child now lay awake at nights worrying about their future.
So much food for thought in this country in terms of sociology...I can't cope with starting to dissect the international politics... The aging population and lack of university opportunities will grossy affect this place soon and the peeps are nervous.
In non eloquent thoughts...went to Himijei castle yesterday which was a feat to a) use our thursday for something other than recovering from karoke b) go on a 1 hour train trip and enjoy a cultural experience while quite hungover. It was my first tourist trip with friends, usually its just me and my music. But it was fun to share a day trip with some of my favourite people here. The day before enjoyed the flower festival at Osaka castle and viewing the crazy shit 5000 year time capsule. Happy New Year everyone 6278! Bloody hell thats the usual optimism for you.
Off to the 100 Yen shop to buy a 500 yen money box...my first attempt at savings since I was 17 and stretched that woolworths wage into my mini digital tv and the red rocket-the sigma!
Quote of the week, in honour of Brooke 'No Scribbles Here' (inside of castle)
For the grownups...favourite tshirt of the week 'F... me like you hate me' (seen on middle aged mother)
Can't remember who has this address...actually I doubt anyone remembers to check given my terrible blogger status in recent times!
Love youse all,
CLM
CLM
posted by japanesetakeout @ 11:18 PM
1 Comments:
I do remember to check it even though I've been horrible about blogging and emailing..bleh, glad Japan not total disaster and thank god it's not because then I'd feel too much guilt for making you go!
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