Welcome Autumn
Sigh! Sweet Autumn colors...finally!
Well despite rumblings of tonsilitis week 3, I packed a fried chicken sandwich and went in search of Autumn colors to cheer myself up and take copious photos of (sic). Can there be anything more heartbreakingly beautiful than Japan in Autumn colors? How insane and fun that I apparently live here and can see JAPAN. IN AUTUMN.
Had a truly beautiful afternoon, even though I am sure in 10 days during my long awaited kyoto visit I will be in more raptures.
So anyway, it's quite cold and I notice an old lady with a cart with a fire and a whistle...at best its soup...at worst its bloody oolong tea ugh....
So I ask for one (since one is usually enough when you dont know what you are asking for..)Turns out its a giant sweet potato from the fire. For $7 ! Old charlatan...but the long chuckle it gave me was definately worth it...
Hmmmm
Thoughts Of The Day
- Does materialism = vanity? This is a materialistic culture to be sure (arr ta bee shaw ta be shaw) and there are many many public mirrors available...is there necessarily a correlation. Don't laugh this question aint as stupid as it seems.-Capitalism = potentially greatest influence on the world? see http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/internet/11/16/china.internet.reut/index.html
Happiness...Randomness...Coldness...
Hey yall, well its vaguely winter here although STILL WAITING FOR THE LEAVES TO CHANGE grrrr. Just like the supposedly healthy diet of the Japanese, autumn colors could well be another urban legend for the rest of the world...Well random and exciting news I guess is that
I am apparently off to Malaysia in 3 weeks!
(apparently being the watchword for 'just paid for nonrefundable ticket')
This is totally crazy since a) I have no money b) there is still a chance my leave application wont be approved c) I will only know if it is approved a few days before my flight d) I can't get a refund e) maybe my Hsiny wont be around to hang out f) I dont know if you can drink the water there g) I feel quel stupido for going on vacation after 9 weeks of work!But on the other hand, Japan is my playground for doing the opposite of what I would normally do, for living like I am on vacation for a year, for becomming the person I always wanted to be...at this current time, the person who books a vacation and says screwyouseall to the world...Very excited since its the first time in 3 weeks I have not spent my 3 days off a week in bed with tonsilitis...Back to the Wednesday all night partying with my gang..last night hip hop club fun but damn you Japanese men although was never without one of my trusty guy friends for very long so you win some, you lose some. Good times though, love how there is no regular club here everything is a theme. The mega shopping malls are now decked out for christmas, lots of fun. Completely screwed with what month it is however, cant imagine it is November and my brother is on uni holidays at home. As always, anywhere that isnt home is a little island with its own rules and feelings. I accept that its cold and christmas but still its the twilight zone. In other news, it has been the week for birthdays...congratulations yall...I bought 2 more futons so now my bed is thicker than at home...woot!...I bought a new vcr for us for $12 from my boss...I got off probation at work...cant remember if I already mentioned that. Definately have to watch every penny between now and KLFEST2006 but will head finally to kyoto to see the leaves sometime this month, cant wait. Ok, had better make the chilly and arduous 7 minute journey home......CLM xxxx
Ode to Shopping
This is what my Sunday looks like....the most common hobbies here are sleeping and 'I go to shopping' and damn straight they do...I never knew I was a person who loved crowds like this...I never disliked the city or thought I wouldn't like Osaka but obviously living in the inner city of an Asian city is a litmus test for the fairly boring but existant country or city person question. I guess I am equally both but hot damn I adore the energy I get from the bustling crowds even on this day...yesterday...battling tonsilitis and the travel agent who is out to get me. I love it. I love just walking around this city. Everyone else is annoyed when we get lost but frankly wandering around for an extra 20 minutes last night in my cashmere coat and boots with all the lights of amerikamura/ameremura glistening in the crisp autumn air what could be better? Can't believe 2 months on and I am still gushing about this place! Still seems slightly like a dream. Statements like...I moved to Asia...alone and I live and work overseas are still so bizarre and hard to believe. I suppose on some level I don't really believe I will survive the year although I can't imagine why. I have never gotten homesick...this place and my people are my home. I have always lamented the fact I never had a hometown, moving around so much. But maybe it was never about not having a hometown or a family home with an attic but the fact I can make a new home in so many places...I carry home with me. And its true. And it's always about the people, I find my home in my family of friends wherever and whenever this may be. I am lucky for so many reasons...unlucky for a few but the least I can do is be happy or at least make a damn good go at it each day...I am starting to get a little bored though which means one thing, creating my own drama is just around the corner...hmmm just kidding damo! I will start dance and japanese classes once the eternal first paycheck comes in this wednesday....provided we don't all blow it all on wednesdays night out. Exciting news is I am now unofficially off probation...if everything works in my favour I can swap shifts and head to malaysia before Christmas....sigh! I hope so but can't quite believe it until it works out. Starting to think about heading to Tokyo for New years Eve...the big celebrations apparently are at all the temples and such quite close by in kyoto but New Years Eve in Tokyo just sounds so cool...Student Musings....new favourite question to ask students is 'what was the most shocking thing you found when you visited Australia?' ergo this sentance is bad english...Anyway so far we have...1) that people sometimes walk around with no shoes on Australians have much stronger feet than Japanese! I could not believe my eyes!... 2) our iced coffee has sugar and milk That's when I decided...I would learn English! Favourite recent quotes have included asking the man who has been to 62 countries for extreme sports what was the most shocking experience 'One time in China I had to stand up and introduce myself'
I love these people.
I do love teaching alot of the time. Sometimes its a blast. Sometimes its going through the motions. Sometimes its like pulling teeth and the ladies shoe department looks like a distant fantasy...Sometimes they learn something...sometimes I forget how to spell necessary or exaggerate...Sometimes I make those errors into a high level joke they laugh at to avoid feeling dumb....But no matter what the universal truths ring true...all women love to imagine they are returning clothes...even if they cant speak english get 2 housewives to imagine they are on the phone = fluent. A good NATTO or TAKOYAKI joke will get you far...although is slightly wearing on one's psyche...9 different times in a day 'I have to go to the gym I have eaten too many takoyakis' is only really funny the first 8...
Peace Out Y'all...off to eat fried chicken in celebration of joining gym this week...woohoo.
CLM xxx
PS Yall
Sorry about the non uhhhh ordered (damn you students you have SUCKED THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE FROM ME) arrangement but can't resist putting up some more pics...and yes thats right I don't know how to turn around the photos..use your necks people...we're under 30!Me outside paper museum....kaweeeeeeeeeeee
Paper Museum...
Since the gang and I have been broke with a capital Fing Hell...we have invented the 500 yen day out and given the abundance, some may say PLETHORA of stupid/weird museums in this town its a perfect opportunity...I have already visited the transportation museum with the wonderful Brooke but unfortunately I deleted the pics thus causing me to cry for the first time in 5 months yes this includes leaving Australia!
Me leaving a historical and cultural tribute in the guest book...
Halloween PS
As promised some more pics from goth wannabe night out...I made friends with most of these people...looking forward to the next black veil...ooooh
2 Months Down...
Well happy 2 month anniversary to me!....2 months down and Japan is yet to disapoint me! My favourite non funny joke is that every time I think this country has overlooked something it's not true, still my fault. I was disapointed that I could not find an individually wrapped single banana yesterday at the supermarket but I am willing to accept this is probably my fault and that they exist...incidentally buying the entire bunch for $0.98AUD makes up for it...
As always hard to believe the time has gone so fast...although strangely went to sleep this afternoon (post work nap never the answer nooo) looking out on a balmy autumn day and awoke an hour later to actual wintery weather...my hands are aching with the cold as I type in the net cafe...I will soon put on my cashmere coat and 2 scarves to brave the icy wind on the walk home...yesterday we were sitting on the balcony at night in boxer shorts and singlets...strange.
I have been very sick with the first of many I am sure random Osaka acute illnesses, this time actual tonsilitis- who knew every other time I took time off school it was merely a sore throat!
So a bit of a wrap up...
Guy Fawkes Day 2006
...How come Australia doesn't celebrate the most fun holidays in the world? ..
Grateful to Japan for showing me the light!..
Snaps for legal fireworks, open spaces next to the river, police who are too polite to come checking on the gaijin blowing up the pavement, and running under a full moon laughing, smoking and drinking like naughty 15 year olds.
Snaps for getting to wear my beanie, laughing with good people, dancing and singing to the cell phone radio boom box, getting to light a fuse.
Stay tuned for photos...damn computer
...Happy Birthday Dear Chiara!
hanging out with new Japanese style urban family...
..Yay for new friends who come bearing gifts from Milan! Ciao to my flatmates lovely boyfriend and his kind gifts for me this week!
