The Osaka Misadventures File

The Most Epic Japan Trip of All Time...Part 4

2007-06-03T01:06:00.000-07:00

Our last stop, Mt Fuji in all her splendor and the beautiful lakeside town of KawaguchiKo....Our accommodation was super cute, a traditional guesthouse tatami room with a view of Fuji San and a rooftop onsen (with clearly alot of hilarity as my parents enjoyed their first public nudity) as the only bathroom facility, a group soak in the boiling water watching mt fuji a perfect way to waste time and rest weary bones from the endless trek up to the chinese restaurant and over the endless lake for sightseeing and coffee times....

Like alot of people, we rose early to catch Mt Fuji in a cloud free sky....5am...

Little did we know we would be blessed with glorious clear skies all day to bask in her mystical presence...

And with a final early morning tea ceremony in our cozy abode, it was time to head back to Tokyo and back home again, home again....

The Most Epic Japan Trip of All Time...Part 3

2007-06-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

It was time to leave our snug northern cocoon of Hokkaido and her untamed unJapanese wild beauty, snowy alps, crisp air and open spaces...But not before a glorious train journey along the coast under azure skies and along the calm seas that stretch out to our neighbour of Russia.

Next stop...the bright lights of Tokyo and the inner cityness of Shinjuku Babyeee! All feeling a little tired and nervous by this stage, the thought of dealing with the busiest train station in the world with our luggage and fragile state of mind was a little overwhelming, but as with all experiences in this country it was effortless and beautifully executed. I dare Japan to ever make a mistake or provide a less than perfectly efficient day...one day. How I will ever cope in any other country is a mystery!

One great find was the new Metropolitian Government Building that provides a free observation deck that we made the most out of both by day and the glittering night...Shinjuku is a leafy beautiful part of inner Tokyo, closer to Singapore than the rest of the city, with tropical plants and well organised streets. The sea of blue tarps sheltering the huge homeless population, the only blight on the city.

The streets of Shinjuku, not unlike my bustling Osaka but fun and colorful constant street parade as always...

The weather was glorious, perfect for a picnic under towering ancient oaks sheltering elderly painters and babies alike...and to enjoy the city botanical gardens with temples and traditional gardens...and icecream.

And with a final beautiful evening on the 45th floor restaurant, we bid goodbye to 48 perfect hours in Tokyo, and a see you again soon from me.

The Most Epic Japan Trip of All Time...Part 2

2007-06-02T23:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updating, yall! I am forced to update given the amount of adventures I am having so here goes, the rest of my trip around my Japan....

After the jam packed week around Osaka and Kansai, it was time to board 2 shinkansens (bullet trains) and 2 rapid expressessses for the 16 hour train journey to the wilds of the northern island of Hokkaido, approximately 2200 kms from Osaka town.

On the road again....

An epic journey to be sure, to be sure....We kicked off at 7am, excited to see our first glimpse of her majesty Mt Fuji from the train and to enter the bustling metropolis of Tokyo for a quick coffee break. It was exciting to pass through the prefectures where most of my students come from, obscure suburbs and non exciting prefectures like Aomori and Chiba...I enjoyed waving to my housewives who were busy relaxing and going to shopping and taking their english lessons. By 10pm, we had crossed under the ocean in the longest sea tunnel in the world, around 45 minutes of ear popping pain shared with all the other passengers in alot of pointing and charades to share our discomfort with the locals around us. Of course no 16 hour journey is complete with a little chaos, turned out I accidentally decided to get off at the wrong station, unfortunately only Dad made it off, with the train door shutting on my arm and driving away into the 10 foot snow drifts and darkness with Dad left on the random station. But nothing brings out the extremely helpful and kind nature of the Japanese like gajin in an emergency and the silent passengers around us sprang to life clearly excited to use their 10 years of english lessons to talk to us and help with our dillemma, culminating in arriving at the huge correct station and getting all the station masters involved to ensure Dad was on the next correct train to Sapporo. Alls well that ends well and it is always worth the trial to be rewarded with the kindness of strangers....

Sapporo is a delightful and pretty city, recently built and devoid of WW2 damage, plus spruced up for the winter olympics years ago. We somehow winged it into staying at a beautiful 5 star hotel, enjoying Japanese buffet breakfasts in ballrooms with butlers.

Beautiful to walk around the sparkling city with constant light snow falling...

We made it out to Lake Toya, home to active volcanoes and site of the big G8 conference coming up. Unfortunately it was bloody bone chillingly cold, truly at the end of the world a few hours away from any english speakers, on obscure buses passing bubbling lava and smoke. We made friends with an older tawainese couple who became our travel buddies for the day. Most random part of the day was hanging out for a few hours in a games arcade that served coffee....with antique furntiture and stuffed bears.

Enjoyed hanging out at the desserted historical theme park of old buildings and life in Hokkaido, one of my favourite things is wandering around theme parks in the off season/late in the day when there is few people left...beautiful forests and deep deep snow coupled with silver birches.

Side Issue....ODE TO SPRING

2007-04-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Cascading Glory, Tokyo

Hanami parties, Osaka Castle

Taking a break from the Japan adventure report...time to worship the gentle and serene SAKURA...aka cherry blossom. Fall over here last year is still my favourite, the firery scenes that I enjoyed everyday broke my heart with the warm beauty. But the cherry blossom with its calming presence and relaxing beauty is still up there. I was lucky enough to witness spring in so many places over the past few weeks, here are some snapshots...

Tulips, Cherry Blossoms....Hiroshima Peace Park.

Giant blossoms, Shinjuku Botanical Gardens, Tokyo

Aka Fairyland, Tokyo

Her Majesty, Mt Fuji

The Most Epic Japan Trip Of All Time....Part 1

2007-04-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it's over. We survived. 3000 kms by train, 14 days, 2 Japanese islands, 1 sassy and sexy 20 something, 2 middle aged mostly adventurous parents with too much luggage....It really was an awesome time especially since I am so relaxed over here, it has taken 6 months but I finally feel normal and relaxed and no longer feel my stomach eating itself most days.

Day 1- 5..Kansai..Hiroshima

We spent 4 truly jam-packed days in my region of Japan, Kansai, which stretches south past Hiroshima, north to Kanto, east to the ocean, and west to who knows where. So insane to have Mum and Dad arrive, so surreal! They loved my people and everyone loved them! Salmon and vodka for a welcome to Japan party with my roommates and close friends..Osaka Castle in all it's cherry blossom glory and blue skies...the madness of my daily shopping experience, which of course feels completely normal ever since the first day, and now it seems impossible to live without the daily hubbub and energy from my crowded city.

Scenes from my Osaka....

I finally started to do Kyoto properly, so overwhelming since so many of the most famous places are spread out. It was empowering to overcome my fear of taking buses! We went to kinkakuji The entire pavilion except the basement floor is covered with pure gold leaf. The pavilion functions as a shariden, housing relics of the Buddha. In 1950, the temple was burned down by a mentally disturbed monk

After pondering the beauty and tranquility of this area, and it's gardeners who have stepped right out of a movie set, it was off to my favourite place, Arashiyama. The setting for the unbelievably fun day last fall in our rowboat.

Next it was off to Hiroshima. Every ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) is basically minimum 100 bucks each way, thus the hour ride to Hiroshima is still a luxury. I wasn't sure what to expect from this famous city and tragic history, we had no plan. But I was overwhelmed by the joyus atmosphere, compounded by the blue skies, blossoms, and old people and children enjoying hanami (cherry blossom picnics). The museum and memorials were moving but it was hard to feel really connected to the tragedy, I likened it to how my kids would feel if we visited a 9/11 memorial in the distant future. The most moving is the individual stories, especially of the now famous story about the girl who wanted to make 1000 paper cranes believing she would be cured. Her parents seem to have donated everything from her life which was a little odd, but definately tear inducing when you see the cranes she folded using a needle since they are so tiny.

In a suprising twist, we headed out to the incredibly beautiful island of Miajima, with the 3rd most photographed site in all of Japan, the floating gate that is built into the sand. It is a spectacularly gorgeous spot and I plan to return in a few weeks!

PS clearly I am going to hell for accidentally yelling F*** MY GUCCI SUNGLASSES!when they slipped off in the memorial park...

Kurama, Kurama

2007-03-16T02:13:00.000-07:00

One recent sunny clear day with skies bluer than one could ever imagine, my intrepid Italian and I set off for the ultimate in Japanese relaxation....the outdoor onsen aka boiling thermal bathing with mandatory nudity...

But first there was death mountain to be conquered...

And much beauty to savour...

Many shrines to stop and take a moment of silent prayer and offer a 5 yen coin, plus several pretty temples in the midst of forest and smoky smelling fragrant air. We made friends with the insane elderly caretaker who managed to run over the mountains several times with hundreds of keys jangling in the time it took us to climb over it once! Every shrine had lit candles despite the breeze, a testament to ancestors and babies who have died, always sombering to see the aprons tied around the idols necks bib-style to show another baby death.

We decended our mountain and found an enchanted herbal tea house with the traditional heated table under which to warm our poor cold and exhausted bones. Rose petal tea, bean cakes and a lovely tea house lady, the most amazing refuge from the icy wind! Finally it was onto the onsen, to soak our naked bodies under the full moon and shelter of the mountains and millions of stars....

Fast Times At Noba High, or What I Have Learned In My First Six Months in Japan

2007-02-25T01:01:00.000-08:00

Well the oddly much anticipated 6 month milestone has come and gone without fanfare or even finishing my utterly profound milestone comments. I spend my days thinking big thoughts, a constant buzz of relating my 7 years of cross cultural study into the reel of comments in my head about my surroundings. The surface differences have never occurred to me, I am still waiting for the culture shock to arrive or the novelty to wear off. But novelty isn't even the right word, from the first minute in this country there has been no buzz of newness just happy to be in my new home, savouring the slower pace, relieved to be out of australia, soothed by the grey skies and mountains that surround me at every turn.

..Ultimately the only difference between Japan and Australia is the stirring and maintaining of dignity. The sweet and profound dignity I see in every element of this country...the cleaners aware of their important position in cleaning the pavement for the hallowed english teachers, the train guards running to help the blind or wheelchaired....the parental hand holding of adult mentally challenged children despite the sheer social pain they are feeling for being part of such a disruption in public...the humility of my sweet and tortured salarymen students...

..You can't beat living life without any language skills. My low level of shame and embarrasment is suprising, I never expected to not be the slightly ethnocentric westerner in my day to day life. There are restaurants and shops and activities I subconciously avoid which is a strange habit and gives me even more compassion for immigrants everywhere who lack both their own social network and can't understand bus timetables.

The job is still a riot of hilarity and truly insane and surreal moments, days and hours which can't be put into words even to co-workers. The language breakdown is of course always chance for amusement but the absurd stories and sentances that are shared with us under the guise of pseudo priests...venting about wayward teens, workaholic husbands, who they would have married if they hadn't been pregnant...

So here's to my soothing mountains and dickensien outlook from my room in the clouds, my insanely polite behaviour, incurable cuteness and more men with giant hair...

After 7 months...3 students a lesson...40 lessons a week...(you do the math) Here is an incredible accurate dossier

Job: Engineer, English Teacher, Housewife
Hobbies: go to shopping, driving, sleeping, read a book
Reason for learning english: watch movies without subtitles, watch 24 without subtitles, speak to foreigners (about what no one will elaborate)

Quotable Quotes...
'I want to get with Clark Gable'
'I learn english to meet some Hawaiian ladyees'
'I was a juvenille delinquent and could not have opportunity to speak english in junior high'
'When I was in Brussels I could not tell them to not put so much mayonaise on my burger'
'One time there were some foreigners in my hotel and they were using the soap in the wrong way' Ps they were French
'My son is lazy and has no respect for human sympathy'
'I am a lazy housewife so everyday is holiday!'
'I went to Sydney...Homo road, you know it?'

Boring Recap

September...humid beyond all reason...getting used to the shrillness of our fire station neighbours...warm breezes filling our top floor apartment by night...hysterically nervous at work, nearly fainting during first lessons, the (un) comforting conversations with new buddies about how we couldn't get fired because of our extreme debts, accidentally eating things with eyes, first taste of karoke hangover, getting used to teaching and getting slightly better

October...houseparties and subsequent police visits...wednesday night partying gang...little mermaid karaoke with the boys...waiting waiting for the leaves to change..goth club fun and madness

November...finally autumn joy...hysterical laughter in a row boat with my Italian...basking in the golden colors...feeding deer, being tricked into buying a potato...dinner parties

December...misplaced elation over getting off probation...the beautiful lumiere lights display with 10000 of us herded perfectly in a surreal fashion..Christmas at the hilton..salmon and mince pies...teenage punk dating under the glow of neon...the buzz of the 25th and the let down of the 26th...disbelief at getting on a plane again...monsoon rain and joyus american tv in Singapore, lovely Clara...broken suitcase and covered in sticky sprite lost in the cruise terminal...arriving to KL paradise of cheapness and Hsiny angel.

January...seeing the new year crack open over the twin towers...crazy hot markets and cool nights under stars and lights..spending time with my old friend singapore airport...home to gloomy skies and work work work...

February...overtime...hope for the future fun

Snowfall, Springtime, Setsubun

2007-02-17T03:04:00.000-08:00

Sunshine!

We welcomed the official start of pseudo springtime with actual snow falling on buildings ...

...and bean throwing.

Pan-heated soybeans (called irimame) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the throwers chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" (鬼は外! 福は内!). The literal meaning of the words is something like "Demons (or evil spirits) out! Luck (or blessing) in!" The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.

Note to the wise, there is a REASON this comes once a year, the bean packet is strategically designed to fall over, spill and disperse beans throughout ones' home. Ahh so many happy memories and bean eating.

However just like in crazy Australia, the weather has gone ape shit and is now bloody freezing once again, a relief to wear new winter clothes from the sales. In other news...there is no news. Febuary, a minorly depressing month working 6.5 days a week and the thrills of the coming few months lying tantalisingly in wait...sumo...chilli peppers...mt fuji...disneyland...mt fuji rock festival...beach trip....taiwan...universal studios...south korea...beijing...tokyo...cherry blossoms...geisha time...birthday season...visits from home...caramello koalas...

sigh!

Peace out,

CLM xx

Strange and Beautiful

2007-02-01T00:23:00.000-08:00

3.37pm

Spring has begun it's striptease of watery sunshine and clear skies...actual warmth from the sun despite icy winds and bitterly cold nights.

So hard to believe we are a couple of days away from the 5 month mark, nearly as mind boggling as the approaching 6 month milestone. The concepts of 'I live alone in Japan' 'I live in Asia' are still clearly abstract thoughts as they always are, we just live our life with no concept of the bigger reality or proximity. I thought going to other Asian countries and returning would give me a sense of living in Asia but the flights were still long. Not a bad thought, just strange as life always is. We all feel like life flies by here, the curse of the monthly paycheck- you spend too much time wishing away the hours. I came here because I was tired and needed a rest, so theoretically I have been achieving that goal. I have visited two other countries, witnessed heartbreaking autumn beauty, spoken with and taught over 1500 hilarious/odd/sweet Japanese people, enjoyed my first Christmas away from home, and set up a new life in a country where I only speak 20 words. Not bad. But also hard to not beat ourselves up for not doing more, more. It's still a strange feeling after 7 years at uni to have a life without learning and no committments. I still feel the anxiety of getting a parking ticket, my friend still feels like his car could get towed. Phantom feelings from another world, an ended era.

Hard not to dwell on the next phase of my life, a tedious balance between needing to form a plan and enjoying the moment. I crave going back to uni and finishing my MBA, the sweet solitude of more borrowed time before making adult decisions and the delicious success or failure on a daily basis which seems to be my only drive in life. However my confidence in getting a professional job is still shattered. I have been trying to remember my 5 years of german at school and been pleasantly suprised to understand the basic lessons when I look at the material during the work day. My friend joked with my MIB, MBA and speaking some German I could probably get a job. But yet I ridiculously still doubt this. Sigh. 'I used to think I was special, only I have proved me wrong'.....

In other news...surely the most beautiful moment of recent times, discussing 'full house' with a Buddhist priest in full robes and 2 little old ladies in my class. Its a strange and beautiful life most days.

I have been hitting the local punk shows with my favourite hang out buddy, Jesse.

Surely a dream come true to be the only western girl surrounded by shirtless and leatherclad Japanese punk boys all ridiculously sweet with cool tattoos, big hair and giant boots. Any time spent in clubs here, or sitting and drinking a beer from the convienience store in the concrete park in the midst of America town (Ameramura) is too fun and the perfect backdrop for these people. I should bring myself to take photos but I can't, it's the only reason we are accepted, we don't act like tourists and are respected for it.

Until next musings kids,

CLMx

How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot!

The world forgetting, by the world forgot

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!

Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.

Back to Basics

2007-01-23T02:19:00.000-08:00

Well tragically I had to leave a tropical paradise with friends who feel like family to come back to the reality of grey skies, man troubles, work and icy 6:25am winds! sigh! It's really not all bad but we have all had the January blues, plenty of Osaka Flu to go around also.... I have started wearing a surgeons mask on the subway- very Japanese and kitch- must take a photo I promise.

(our beautiful Japanese friend)

Our Italian roommates boyfriend came to visit bearing beautiful gifts as always- this time a red wrap from Istanbul and an ancient oil lamp- I haven't rubbed mine yet because I don't know what to wish for! He also brought a 5kg jar of nutella!! I won't admit how much we have eaten in 1 month!!

No big news, I have decided not to go to Taiwan next month in favour of saving money for when my parents come to visit in about 10 weeks. However I might end up going on a valentines day package trip with a buddy to Japan's tropical island called Okinawa, it's about 3 hrs away by plane and great diving and balmy weather. Weird to imagine Hawaii esque with Japanese people! They are apparently their own beach culture and really laid back, can't imagine any place more random to be honest!! I wasn't planning to go but who can turn down $200 for some sunshine and dancing with the officers from the US base there. haha. I'll behave myself I promise

Am in full dinner party swing, good times in our little apartment...

Work is fine, I now teach grammar which is obviously insane since I didn't learn any past grade 3! I find myself accidentally diverging from the lesson material which clearly ends up in confusion and Claire's Law's of Grammar. It's still basically like high school at work, but there are worse environments to be in! I bought chilli pepper tickets which is basically fufilling the reason for moving here so I guess now I can die happy. Have started going to hardcore/punk shows with a friend which is fun and a good stress relief to go crazy for a while. There is no better place to experiment with new sub cultures!! Life has been quiet due to the flu and the bitter winds, plenty of dvds, movie nights and sitting in front of the heater, its not even that cold just dreary I am definately in hibernation mode. I have quite a few long breaks coming up so I will try and make the most of some local travels however getting busy planning my parents and my trip to the far north of japan plus mt fuji and all around kansai area.

Strange to be in 2007 and knowing that I will be finishing this year, nearly been here 5 months I am not suprised I know how life and time flashes in an instant. I alter between wanting to move to a new city and feeling sad about leaving yet another situation with friends all around the globe which can never be recreated. I know how lucky I am to have my brilliant friends in like 20 countries but it feels like my whole life continues to be saying goodbyes all the time. But I know there will always be the next family of friends to meet and hang out with and be stupid with and love to add to the list.

Already starting to toss around a few ideas for the future even though odds are I will come home broke and no idea what to do and moan to you all for a good few months about not knowing what to do. I would do this again for one more year in Europe somewhere but I am starting to feel old and broke so maybe its time to do the grown up thing, perhaps finish my MBA and try hard to get a real job for a while. My parents mentioned keeping my car now which is just a weird concept, is it possible in one year I will be driving and breaking down and working at myer? quite possibly. so what does that mean for now? Definately gearing up for a quarter life crisis, something about your mother being married and having a career by this age and I'm still hooking up with teenage-esque punks, totally broke and in debt, and scrounging for beer money by looking in all my handbags more times than I would like to remember.

Will just keep looking at the positive or at least random side of my life I guess!

Love and Peace to you all,

CLM xxxxx

Malaysia Baby

2007-01-23T01:42:00.000-08:00

Was so bizarre to be on a plane again...leaving Japan but not Aussie bound. Arrived in my home away from home Singapore exhausted but feeling like a pro since it was the 7th time I have been in that airport- crazy! I had big plans for my time, all the things I didnt do other trips. However, so exhausted I took advantage of the beauty of travelling alone and obeyed my inner tired ass and non tourist with highlights including going to a cheap movie (osaka is $20), buying work clothes that fit, watching american tv in english!, icecream, a real bed, real bacon, wandering aimlessly in the balmy air kicking my feet in the monsoon floods! I got to catch up with my dear Singaporean friend Clara, basically the reason I was there. Went out for hot pot, cook your own food in a boiling and precarious vat of spicy soup. yum.

After a few days of sleep and golden girl/scrubs/oprah marathons it was time for the much anticipated bus ride to Malaysia...exciting to cross over to another country by bus, something with the exception of the UK I have never done before and never get to do obviously in Oz.

Hello Malaysia!

So amazing to be in KL with my fabulous Hsiny girl and warm starry nights for what became 5 days of total relaxation doing my favourite things- eating amazing fragrant food,reading latest magazines under a whirring fan on a real bed on a hot afternoonwith one of my best friends, driving around laughing and singing to 90s hits and talking about everything, shopping in malls that look like Australian ones, wandering around markets, going clubbing to upbeat tunes in new heels with fab girls, sleeping in, eating things off sticks under fairy lights and stars.

I was perfectly happy to avoid touristy stuff, besides I got the real KL experience hanging out with Hsiny and her friends, not to mention visiting amazing food stalls in dodgy back streets and fighting tooth and nail for my simpsons dvds. The exchange rate was so amazing I got to buy so much (a new suitcases worth whoops) but it was all stuff I cant get here which is amazingly comforting, who knew the psychosomatic power of needed new shoes and toiletry brands from home!

Alas, before we knew it, it was back on the bus for the 5 hr journey back to Singapore and then 8 hr flight home. Too surreal stopping for toilet breaks as the only westerner in the Malaysian jungle. I hope I can be back in KL before too long...and not just to buy more cheap chanel...

I heart KL xx

Christmas Past

2007-01-23T01:20:00.000-08:00

Well I am currently tearing up since this is the first time I have used this website in english since I left home...HENCE I never saw that anyone commented on it! So sweet of you I am so touched to read them all in one hit, I feel loved!! Normally adding a post is a bit of a hit and miss affair never being able to change the language before. Anyway, not important. Thanks guys.

Well hard to believe a month ago was Christmas....

We played lady muck at the hilton, too much good food, the poached salmon and chestnut stuff turkey was to happily die for, forced down mince pies and rolled home! I was so tired from work and winter and everything it was a bit of a relief to have finally Christmas over and done with, but fun times with room mates and food from home. Working Christmas day was fine, I cheered everyone up with a giant bag of truffles and other candy, I take my role as the only girl and most cheerful person at work very seriously!! there was a nice atmosphere in the air, good times. Boxing day was mega depressing at work, everyone was seriously deflated with the promise of Christmas over.

But soon, exhausted beyond reason as seems to be the de rigeur every time I travel, it was off to Singapore and Malaysia with $200 in my pocket...

Good Times

2006-12-21T22:33:00.002-08:00

The silver OCAT ball....gateway to the office, home to the myriad of dancers 24-7...meeting place for all concerned...beacon of hope...looking festive one rainy eve.

The hilarious and kawaieeeeeeeeeee windows of a local department store...

Awwwww happy Christmas yall.
Dinner with the boys, Claire style. Question of the night provided by the cosmo quiz...

The beautiful lumiere lights display of the city of Kobe, invented to cheer everyone up after the 1995 earthquake that killed 5000. Unfortunately my coin did not hit the bell so my wish will not becomming true. Jokes on them my wish was to hit the bell....

Arashiyama Baby

2006-12-21T22:33:00.001-08:00

Ahhh the stunningly beautiful Arashiyama...about 45 minutes from the city and definately the home of memoirs of a geisha dreams...well mainly just when they are washing the long strips of cloth in the river...a scene that was burnt into my mind for the beautiful muted tones...Lots of Japanese tourists, the grey haired army who have more energy than I'll ever have but always a good sign of something worth doing! Definate highlight other than the breathtaking vistas was my first trip in a row boat...Clearly we thought we had paid to travel down the gorge on the tourist boat which looked fun enough with gondoliers and the shrieks of drunk japanese ladies filling the canyon. But nope we were led in hysterics to the dinkiest row boat of all time...best time evah. Chiara manfully led the rowing, we shouted hello to hundreds of socially uncomfortable/manically cheerful tourists, and I led a precession of ducks down the clear turquoise water who chased my chocolate cookie crumbs...sheer bliss...

Update Schuptdate

2006-12-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Y'all,

I do apologise for the slackness of updating in case anyone has noticed....!

All is well here in the land of extreme Christmasness and good times. Recent adventures have included Arashiyama rowboat trip, saying goodbye to the leaves at kyoto, lumiere lights festival...stay tuned for these entries. Off to Singapore and Malaysia next Wednesday for a week, feels totally random to be flying to another country and then returning home to Japan...I am looking forward to the orang utan breakfast at the zoo, Arab district cooking/walking tour in Singapore and the scenery on the bus trip to and from KL. Can't wait to see my gorgeous friends Clara and Hsiny yay!

Christmas here is fun and random, kinda outta whack with the cool weather although currently quite balmy and mild at times. Plus it's the end of the year but keep forgetting not the end of my year here. The lights and festivities are gorgeous, they really are gung ho for any holiday which you gotta appreciate. We have decorated our apartment fabulously with a milo and carol singing session last night at 1am. Christmas Eve will be a party spectacular for a good friends birthday....Christmas day spent at work for the usual 7am-3pm shift with kitch and ironic special mcdonalds christmas menu for lunch and drumroll... Christmas night fun and festivities at the Hilton hotel for traditional buffet, and visiting the Christmas festival at the sky building.

Welcome Autumn

2006-11-17T01:39:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-17T01:16:00.000-08:00

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...

2006-11-16T04:35:00.000-08:00

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

2006-11-13T03:07:00.000-08:00

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

Fireworks PS

2006-11-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

...Good Times...

PS Yall

2006-11-13T02:52:00.000-08:00

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...

2006-11-12T02:59:00.001-08:00

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

2006-11-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

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...

2006-11-07T03:59:00.000-08:00

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!

...Happy Halloween Y'all...

2006-10-31T02:18:00.000-08:00

Excuse me while I wax lyrical about my first Halloween evah.

So in defiance of our shitty schedules that involve working from 7am every Saturday and Sunday...myself and 2 of my English boys headed into the great unknown of a halloween party at an underground goth club here in Osaka town...

Smoke billowing, gothic industrial playing on the decks....meter high hairs...chains out of eyes...
Everyone dressed as antique russian dolls in ornate gowns of gold and red, a bondage mat hatters tea party dancing in slow motion...a sea of snake tatoos, red cheeks, dainty hands and mock fighting. Top hats, velvet, leather, whips...ballgowns, sunglasses, pigtails....glitter.

The word random is no longer in my vocabulary in this place (a shock I know) there is no longer any random moments in Japan....it just is. So anyway...created my goth gypsie look that convieniently can go from club to work...

made friends with scary sweethearts...subtly gawked at the fashions...enjoyed girl talk with the queen bees in the bathroom...feeling like guests at a secret party.

The truly surreal moment was when the live act came on...a bizarre canadian lady with a synthersizer and giant pigtails presenting songs that were not unlike subliminal english lessons...nothing would suprise me anymore. So we all bopped away like poppy teenagers forgetting goth angst for a couple of hours before the smoky magic atmosphere returned again.

So highlights...well the whole night was a definate going out highlight, so exciting to be a normal person on a Saturday night with the masses and shocked it has taken us 7 weeks to do this...

Highlight number one...returning from the ladies room to discover every person from the dance floor now crowded into the bar chatting and laughing not unlike at a church potluck....

....eating free spaghetti with chopsticks.

If I may be permitted to use the word random once this may have been one of the top 3 most random moments in my life...goth club...osaka...spaghetti...3am. It was very beautiful and incredibly surreal. I get accused of bastardising these words surreal and random but it really was! The people here are so beautiful, I mean really. I finished my plate and looked around where to put it when my friend nudged me to say an enchanting boy in a velvet matrix jacket, oversized lace cravet and chains from holes in his cheek wanted to take my plate and put it in the bin. So touched and such a sweetheart. I was a slightly naughty gaijin and bummed a smoke just to see if my new enchanting friend would light it. He did. So yay I got to use more of the 11 words I know.

We have student files that include the reasons they study english...I have always laughed at the urbane comments including 'one time I was at universal studios and I couldn't understand the tour guide' But I swear in that moment I wanted and still want to learn Japanese just so I could communicate with that beautiful boy.

As far as I'm concerned alot will have to happen in my life to top that spaghetti moment. But it's still not that suprising, expect the unexpected is the only motto to life here.

Highlight number 2 not that amusing but quite enchanting...dancing in the smoke with my new goth friends when the DJ mixed in the phantom of the opera aria...an incredibly haunting, eerie and perfect 10 minutes...I know damo/davie that it probably was shitty djing to do that but never has a moment in our life soundtrack been so appropriate...

It was finally time to end...5am subway opens...eating greatest chutney/pork/boiled egg sandwich of all time...run the 5 mts home from the station and another random moment...guy sitting in my foyer says 'I can speak english' after my panicked Sunnimasen! AKA get outta my way I am gonna be late for work and have to look like a skank all day. That was the first stranger that has talked to me in english the whole time basically. I was so shocked all I could say was 'um How are you?'

And with a change back into my Clark Kent gear another day dawned...

5am Station Shot

To Much To Adore

2006-10-30T02:09:00.000-08:00

More joyus photos from my home...Tried to explain to a student today why I compare my impressions of Japan to a tea towel picture...

Suggestions Kudisai

2006-10-22T03:41:00.000-07:00

I need a manga porn name

CLM x

Musings and Lovings

2006-10-19T23:18:00.000-07:00

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

Pictures say a million words

2006-10-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

I really do adore this city...
yes the lady is wearing a beer keg on her head....
the goodness of 70 lemons counteracts the beer...
trip to umeda station-$6, time taken-1 hour, able to buy english speaking magazine-priceless...
enjoying the greatest international beer summit of all time...kompai!

I know, I know

2006-10-03T02:53:00.000-07:00

I am a terrible blogger! I used to be great, I blame it all on the absence of net at home...yeah that's gotta be it.

The Osaka Misadventure continues with the first month anniversary this friday..as always I could have been here 10 years or 2 minutes, time flies and feels like yesterday all at once like it usually does.

Feel like I had my first bizarre japanese experience yesterday. I got my usual 15 minute shiatsu massage for my rage inducing, fking futon related neck pain...They usually make a fuss of me at the best of times and even run off to find this random english speaking man to check my massage is ok. They neednt bother, I know exactly what the guy is saying to me in japanese, its the same as my man in the wintergarden...how's the pressure...where is it sore...is that height ok?...Anyway this time after the usual 10 mins of small bowing and arrigatos and tea drinking tea they helped me with my jacket and I went on my merry way....only to glance back at all the workers having run out of the store to do a full bow at me as I walked away..truly surreal a) the fact they were nearly on the ground and b) had left the store....Must have really appreciated that AUD16.00...Can only imagine my multiple pearl accessories and sharp suit have totally given the wrong rich foreigner impression. Unfortunately all my psuedo rich westerner friends and I do look the part spending each day going out after work in our sharp outfits required to earn minimum wage...

Things I love about this place...

You can smoke in McDonalds

The fast food place in Nara features a grand piano

If the little train man sees you running he will HOLD THE TRAIN FOR YOU

Its easy to pretend they are staring because you are hawt

Old people are scared of me

4am in the subway station is the safest place I could imagine

You can ride bikes on the footpath

The entire society is devoted to owning and doing the hair of small dogs

Anyone under 40 is constantly practicing breakdancing

I live above a fire station

The junk food is what I would eat on a diet

Things I don't love about this place...

The elevator has no stopping mechanism if it feels something in its way...it will close on you. Correction it does close on me most days usually when I am trying to win brownie points with my neighbours for holding the lift.

Construction crews do psuedo new subway line work all night when I know damn well they are pretending to work in order to use up their budget to get new funding

I live above a firestation

There is a disproportionate amount of yelling for this supposedly (OMG 7 years of culture classes and I cannot remember the word!) culture

I am nearly killed by people riding bikes on the footpath

There are alot of funky smells, mostly as though the 1978 airconditioner needs replacing

I get tired from my mock bow slash curtsey to every passing shop owner, hawker

I will never again be able to shop without being bowed at and pampered. Even in Burberry where clearly I have no business being. Although have already picked out my if I survive the year gifts to self...

Later Yall
CLM xxx

The Usual LineUp

2006-09-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

a) view from new bedroom window shot.....

b) Something Japanesey....
c) Something Stupid

I heart Osaka

2006-09-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Random Thoughts On...

My Neighbourhood...
We live in a seemingly authentic part of town, a relief to have a calm space away from the flashing lights of Namba which would get wearing after a while. We still have our own flashing lights just on a more serene level. Adore being the only white people, 5 days on and yet to see a westerner that I don`t already know. The locals are very accepting of us when they think we are tourists who accidentally got off at the wrong station...the real stares come during the grocery shopping/toilet paper carrying moments when I know they are suprised we actually live here now! I know I would be shocked also.. Every mall plays western music which is a fun suprise, highlights have included oh what a night, jeremiah was a bullfrog and she by elvis costello or maybe someone else. James blunt is very popular especially the further I walk into fish jumping out of buckets/shanty house/old people neighbourhoods..Its ironic they are building a new subway line in my street after 6 months of constant jack hammering in new farm! Enjoy watching the efficient work men who like in australia seem to do nothing more than stand around, at least with the white gloves and flashing lit up vests they look more efficient and I am all for that. Rule one in life...Look Busy!

The People
Its not even the polite culture that is the difference to home, it really is the attitude to customer service. But even so, opening up a bank account and applying for foreigner card is still the most successful moments of my life in terms of things going smoothly and dealing with institutions...Love the sweet sweet girls at the bank who are our new best friends, also the 7-11 girl who is so kind and has crazy hair. I am learning the phrase; a small gift for you, and plan to give her one of my australian crap items the next time she has to operate the self service phone card machine for me, leaving her long line of customers...not to mention the time I left my money upstairs and appeared even more of an idiot surpassing the smile and nod variety I am feeling like most of the time! I made a friend on the train, the little man who works on the tourist boat, everyone is so helpful and do approach you if looking confused except of course when you actually really need help then everyone is blind apparently! The other westerners in this city have seen maybe 15 in total are very closed off and dont make eye contact. Maybe sick of the fresh recruits off the boat asking questions or something. who knows! I am suprised however and would not choose to approach any of them for directions etc unless in dire need. I am sure there are many more friendly westerners out there maybe all watching the football. My new group of 30 are great so it all evens out...

The Food
Hot damn the bread!!! My friend Jayde was right, the breads and bakery items are totally the downfall here! I had no idea that there would be a bakery on each corner and a french bakery on every second corner! Already enjoyed creme brulee, super thick sugar bread for toasting, strawberry shortcake. Is a random unexpected development here although lets face it everything is unexpected for me, the most unprepared and researched person to ever move to this fine city. But I wouldn:t have it any other way. Local samplings have included the sweet bean ball desserts, green tea gelato, local vodka mixer drinks, yoghurt cookies. Tonight is time to try the infamous octupus balls...

Living Life
Everything is somehow so easy here, even getting actually lost is impossible. I am lucky and haven:t had any culture shock, looking around and seeing no english and no white people doesn:t seem to make any impact on me. Felt really sorry and shocked at a poor american girl who saidd she was already having terrible culture shock, I had not heard anyone say anything like that yet and highly suprised. I know the hard times will come, I am already having tv withdrawals a little! But the city has a good atmosphere. Oh I saw my first yakusa!!! So hot, he caught me staring and potentially drooling. Oh and bananas are equal to $1 a kilo here!

I am off to shop at the 100 yen shop and get out of the vortex-y internet cafe, such a trap to spend hours here!

Take care yall, will upload some photos tomorrow

CLM x

Singapore Recap

2006-09-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

Had the best best time in potentially one of the most perfect cities...although I was suprised to find alot of back streets and dirtier areas. Pleasantly suprised actually, perfection sucks! I am sorry to not do my time there justice by remembering more to write about...the churches are white washed with egg whites...theives market...running out of my hotel room looking for a bin to dispose of duran seeds aka the smelliest (but quite nice) fruit in the world!

Such a lucky time to visit prior to the IMF convention and the 16,000 who will decend. Loved the panicked planting of extra flowers! Poor taxi drivers who have to smarten up their image...Feeding koi, not understanding Singlish, too many tourists..Fantasy island sentosa with your eeiry perfection and lack of tourists! Night safari dream state.. under the full moon, balmy breeze and huge lakes reflecting the jungle and giraffes..cheap movie tickets, cheaper cabs, helpful machine gun police...

Bustling random markets, flowers I wished I could buy,
melting pot of every asian image I can think of...
Charming me with English quaintness meets the East...
You rock Singapore!

Bloody Hell Lah!

2006-09-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

Epic few hours involving possibly heat stroke, search to buy second suitcase in crowded markets eventually walking all over city and then returning to crowded market, schlepping additional suitcase etc etc

A game I have been playing is good thing/ bad thing...GOOD THINGS: new suitcase is very smart and now love my 2 sets of funky colored locks...Bad thing luggage has increased to 40kg but GOOD THING trainee SQ lady did not charge me extra...Good thing able to send package home while still in english speaking country...BAD THING any time when you have to multilply open suitcase in airport in front of crowd is possibly heading towards a bad thing...

Had whole profound entry in head but you know. Feel quite nauseaus from random food all day and still really tired. Enjoying airport scenery of aussies in boardies which always cracks me up. Why do I never have any cash at this airport!! I know I have told you all about last time I was here and not getting out money to buy food. This time am forcing self to get money out to have shower wil be worth it. By the way hate hate hate dvt paranoia...I swear there are lumpy hot parts on my leg but if I die this time then so be it! At least am wearing new t-shirt and balenciagia bangle...see hsiny I will never make it in couture if I can't spell it.

Random thing I keep forgetting and remembering...bizarre and oddly upsetting sight...walk into bugis mall bathrooms and the janitor lady is sitting in an (open) closet by the door rolling a big roll of t-paper onto smaller rolls! by hand! in a cupboard!

Clara has been concerned that singaporeans were going to be impolite to me, well a) I think my constant holding door open and saying sorry (you do know how I love to say sorry x million) has taught them a thing or two and b) any negative thoughts about it (not that there are any) would be my darling taxi man on the way here who gave me long guided tour (wtf! only $2 extra for long time lah) and entire history of sing starting 1864...

KEEPING IT TOGER+THER....

Singapore...tales of a city

2006-09-05T02:20:00.000-07:00

Well my time in Singapore is nearly at an end, should have updated sooner! Very tired at the moment and have a big 24 hours ahead of me so just some random thoughts...

There is a spotlight store here!...The city is a dichotomy with world class-ness contrasted by the people riding in backs of utes and random scenes the tourists don't expect...Sentosa island was a highlight only because I was the only one there! So bizarre! But very fun walking around in orchid gardens alone...Poor taxi drivers have to sharpen up image for IMF people...little houses left over from 1920s...church white washed with combinantion of egg whites and flour...

Sayonara Singapore with your glorious perfection and grotty back streets...hello year of living large...

Oh so tired!

2006-08-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

Completely exhausted by the whole ordeal by now! The list of errands never ends and now can't quite get my head around the fact that I have to cut off my cell phone and hand over my car tomorrow...Want to put it off a little longer. Completely surreal that I am leaving, feel like an idiot that I haven't learnt any japanese but really have too much to do at the moment. I guess it still doesn't feel real even now and learning japanese seems pointless but I am aware how insane I am. it's ok though, as long as you know. Goodbye week has gone well although heavily fighting the urge to just stay in bed, never have I craved sleep so much as in these past weeks and have I gotten any, nup! Tonight is theoretically packing forever, uploading mp3 and basically everything but I am so damn tired! The good news I found the ultimate work/going out/can walk to work without hobbling high heels today and for half price. Have a sudden craving for mariah albumn as I am uploading it right now. A nice memory is one time my mum put this cd on when I was maybe 14 and angsty and lit candles and did my nails. My parents are the greatest and I hope I make them proud over there...

Mantras

2006-08-09T23:33:00.000-07:00

..Live the life you dreamed..

..Move confidentally in the direction of your dreams..

...A random profound
quote...
"Have patience with everything that
remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like
locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language. Do not now look for
the answers. The cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It
is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the
question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself
experiencing the answer, some distant day"

Who am I living for/doing this trip for: child Claire who dreamed big, my parents and grandparents who no longer can, my own grandchildren who will want to marvel at me and myself who has to live with missed opportunities if I don't swallow fear and move ahead anyway.

Hello new world

2006-08-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

The city doesn't look so bad...

Apparently 808 is local word for infinityesque, so hello 808 bridges in Osaka. From the map, looks like Minami district my new home will be nearish to that white bridge...I hope so.

Can't believe I am accidentally in possession of a Japanese work visa! This is definately not part of my life plan I have had since I was young, I hope I get back on the Europe-career-happily ever after track at some stage but I have experienced enough to know nothing ever turns out the way you expect and the best times hit by suprise... The whole reason I am going is because I can't spend time thinking what would have happened if I had gone, the whole trip is so crazy and unexpected I cannot imagine what adventures will occur. At this stage slightly freaked out every time I read something negative about Japan etc and still can't get a grasp in my head about what sort of things I will enjoy doing there other than hanging out with cute americans etc. As I was saying to Adriane, Japan is a country I have never thought about visiting, learnt about or ever put it on my list! I look forward to seeing the mountains, seeing the autumn leaves/blossums, laughing at the teen fashions and enjoying the serenity of temples and ruins but other than that I just cannot even fantasise about what my new life will look like, the scariest part.

So much to do, So little time to put it off until [sic]

2006-08-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well 26 days to go, my to do list is frightening but at least putting an end to work in 11 days will free up my time. I have been lucky with my work, will have like 30 hours the next 2 weeks go off with a bang, or at least a relatively ok wage. Of course I am sure my savings will remain negative, it would be a shame to ruin that long standing certainty. So many things I will miss about Brisbane, I have adored living in this area and so glad that quest came true when I was desperately househunting at Christmas...

So my ode to my neighbourhood, the first of many...

Leaving palace cinemas after the usual sunday night movie session, still and empty. Where are the workers, who locks the doors...?
Still awake after a fun night, watching the sun rise in a violet haze over this big little city ..
Loving the rapidly disappearing grottiness, knowing when I return in a year a little more will be gone, and when I live here once more it will be a memory built under funky concrete
The noisy phone at dominos, sitting laughing with dre.
Hazy mornings walking up my hill seeing forever.

Off to my first Japanese class, fingers crossed for meeting some cool people and feeling excited about going.

38 Day countdown

2006-07-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

With T-minus 38 days to go, here goes on my first attempt for an uber cool blog complete with photos and interesting tidbits...Realising I will miss: storey bridge, my latest topic of mental waxing lyrical; special K; driving; walls; my useful mental catalogue of shortcuts for brisbane living; milk... Actually this could be perfect opportunity to put the kybosh on side affects from long standing dairy/wheat allergies that I am too lazy to accommodate...

I will miss my little apartment with its window to the world...