Japan_Bound
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Over and Out . . .
Well, my internet has now been disconnected and I am writing this on Eloisa's Japanese computer. I'm moving first thing in the morning, so this will be my last chance to use the internet until it is connected at my new place some time in October. It's really going to suck, not having regular and convenient access to the internet, but alas, things take forever here in Japan - I've already complained about that before and won't spend more time doing so now!
I've been pretty busy the past few days; mainly packing and taking care of last minute stuff - you know how moving is! I had a little boo hoo with the girls this morning; as much as I'm ready to have my own place, I am going to miss them alot. But I'm also very excited about moving to the new place and getting it all set up, and even more excited about Jesse's impending arrival a week from now! I can't believe he'll be here in only a week - time flies faster and faster it seems.
I've sent quick emails from my phone to let each of you know I won't be checking my email for quite some time. But, just in case any of you feel like sending me some real mail, here's my new address-
17 Hainobori-higashi-cho
Kisshoin
Minami-ku
Kyoto
601-8337
So, that's about all from my end. I'll try to find a free internet cafe near my house but if I'm not able to don't worry about me; I'll send short emails from my phone to update you periodically and let you know I'm safe. Here comes the next stage of Meegan's Japanese Adventure!!
Well, my internet has now been disconnected and I am writing this on Eloisa's Japanese computer. I'm moving first thing in the morning, so this will be my last chance to use the internet until it is connected at my new place some time in October. It's really going to suck, not having regular and convenient access to the internet, but alas, things take forever here in Japan - I've already complained about that before and won't spend more time doing so now!
I've been pretty busy the past few days; mainly packing and taking care of last minute stuff - you know how moving is! I had a little boo hoo with the girls this morning; as much as I'm ready to have my own place, I am going to miss them alot. But I'm also very excited about moving to the new place and getting it all set up, and even more excited about Jesse's impending arrival a week from now! I can't believe he'll be here in only a week - time flies faster and faster it seems.
I've sent quick emails from my phone to let each of you know I won't be checking my email for quite some time. But, just in case any of you feel like sending me some real mail, here's my new address-
17 Hainobori-higashi-cho
Kisshoin
Minami-ku
Kyoto
601-8337
So, that's about all from my end. I'll try to find a free internet cafe near my house but if I'm not able to don't worry about me; I'll send short emails from my phone to update you periodically and let you know I'm safe. Here comes the next stage of Meegan's Japanese Adventure!!
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Musings on the many uses of umbrellas . . .
I think I've told you before that Ali lives in a really ghetto neighbourhood; I hate going there and usually turn down her offers of dinner because I don't like walking there at night. Her friend from Canada is here and she really wanted me to meet him, so when she begged me to come for dinner on Sunday I went. That morning when I left for work I took my umbrella; there was no rain in the forecast but I just took it, not really thinking about why.
I had a really great time at Ali's; there were 9 people there so it was loud, lively and fun. The food was great, her friend Eric was really nice (alot like Jesse, which Ali had told me before), and I stayed later than I normally would because I was having such a good time. I think I left at around 11:30, just in time for the last trains. There is a gas station up the street from Ali's apartment with a giant parking lot; every time I've passed by at night it has been full of 100's of homeless guys all sleeping on cardboard - this night was no exception.
I was walking past at a steady pace, trying to look as bitchy as possible (I was told in a self defense course that assertive looking women who walk with their heads up are less likely to be accosted), when one of the homeless guys walked up behind me and grabbed my shoulder. He was speaking to me in Japanese and not letting go, so I screamed every profanity I could think of and told him to f-off in Japanese, but to no avail. Then I did what any woman would have done in my situation; I turned around and bashed him over the head several times with my umbrella - hard too, cause I can't remember what the guy looked like but I can remember what my umbrella sounded like when it was hitting his skull (I can also remember what he smelled like - a brewery soaked in urine)! He then proceeded to let go and apologize profusely in Japanese; I wasn't having any of it. I told him to f-off again and that I was calling the police (I called Jesse, but still the guy must have believed me because he backed off and left me alone). 2 minutes later I got to the train station and then made it home safe and sound. I was pretty shaken up afterward, but now when I think of it I mostly just chuckle when I think of that sound. It's a sound I'll not soon forget!
I think I've told you before that Ali lives in a really ghetto neighbourhood; I hate going there and usually turn down her offers of dinner because I don't like walking there at night. Her friend from Canada is here and she really wanted me to meet him, so when she begged me to come for dinner on Sunday I went. That morning when I left for work I took my umbrella; there was no rain in the forecast but I just took it, not really thinking about why.
I had a really great time at Ali's; there were 9 people there so it was loud, lively and fun. The food was great, her friend Eric was really nice (alot like Jesse, which Ali had told me before), and I stayed later than I normally would because I was having such a good time. I think I left at around 11:30, just in time for the last trains. There is a gas station up the street from Ali's apartment with a giant parking lot; every time I've passed by at night it has been full of 100's of homeless guys all sleeping on cardboard - this night was no exception.
I was walking past at a steady pace, trying to look as bitchy as possible (I was told in a self defense course that assertive looking women who walk with their heads up are less likely to be accosted), when one of the homeless guys walked up behind me and grabbed my shoulder. He was speaking to me in Japanese and not letting go, so I screamed every profanity I could think of and told him to f-off in Japanese, but to no avail. Then I did what any woman would have done in my situation; I turned around and bashed him over the head several times with my umbrella - hard too, cause I can't remember what the guy looked like but I can remember what my umbrella sounded like when it was hitting his skull (I can also remember what he smelled like - a brewery soaked in urine)! He then proceeded to let go and apologize profusely in Japanese; I wasn't having any of it. I told him to f-off again and that I was calling the police (I called Jesse, but still the guy must have believed me because he backed off and left me alone). 2 minutes later I got to the train station and then made it home safe and sound. I was pretty shaken up afterward, but now when I think of it I mostly just chuckle when I think of that sound. It's a sound I'll not soon forget!
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Universal Studios Japan and other stuff. . .
I went to USJ with Natsue and Yumi yesterday and had an amazing time! I love love love fast rides and roller coasters and stuff, so I was definitely in heaven. It was a beautiful day, the line-ups for the rides weren't bad, the new Spiderman attraction was incredible, I learned lots of Japanese, and all in all it was just a great day. We saw a great parade, the Waterworld show, the Horror Rock & Roll show (hosted by Beetlejuice!), got soaked on the Jurassic Park ride, rode the Spiderman attraction 3 times (my first 4-D experience - awesome!!), rode Back to the Future which was definitely the best attraction for me, screamed like maniacs until our throats were raw, filled our faces with overpriced but delicious food, sang and danced and laughed our way back and forth like maniacs, missed the fireworks extravaganza which got cancelled due to high winds (another typhoon on the way), shopped till we dropped for souvenirs, were greeted at the end of the E.T. ride with each of our names (while lined up you give your name to staff and somehow it's organized so that you hear your name at the end of your ride), spent way too much money, and had the most fun I've had in a long time. After walking around in the sun for 12 1/2 hours, I was more than ready to get home and take a load off; today my feet and calves are killing me, but it's worth it! I'll send pics tomorrow some time when I have a chance.
Today I had to go to the Immigration Office to pick up my new visa, go to my bank to transfer the money for September's rent and deposit, go to the internet shop to transfer my services to the new house (which won't be happening until the beginning of October some time, so after August 31st I won't be online for a while), and go to the doctor's office to get my B12 shot (after waiting for 45 mins. to see the doctor and sitting down in his office, I realized that I had forgotten the B12 at home - that was a major #$%#^ off and I'll have to get it done some time this week as I didn't feel like going all the way home just to turn around and hit downtown Osaka again. Grrr...!).
The best news so far is that Jesse's visa application was successful and he now has the visa and a plane ticket, which means he'll be here on September 9th! I'm off on the 9th and 10th because those are my normal weekend days! Woo hoo! Now it finally feels real for me, so I can only imagine how real it's starting to feel for Jesse. I know those last few weeks before leaving are hectic and filled with all sorts of errands and last minute details - God I'm glad it's overwith for me and don't envy him! Something really interesting is that he's arriving a year to the day from the time that I did . . . which means I will have accomplished what I set out to do - survive for a year on my own in the big city. And now I don't have to give any of it up by leaving, but can experience even more with the added bonus of having my boy here to experience all of it with. I am leading quite a charmed life.
That's about all from my end of things. Will update when I have more news!
I went to USJ with Natsue and Yumi yesterday and had an amazing time! I love love love fast rides and roller coasters and stuff, so I was definitely in heaven. It was a beautiful day, the line-ups for the rides weren't bad, the new Spiderman attraction was incredible, I learned lots of Japanese, and all in all it was just a great day. We saw a great parade, the Waterworld show, the Horror Rock & Roll show (hosted by Beetlejuice!), got soaked on the Jurassic Park ride, rode the Spiderman attraction 3 times (my first 4-D experience - awesome!!), rode Back to the Future which was definitely the best attraction for me, screamed like maniacs until our throats were raw, filled our faces with overpriced but delicious food, sang and danced and laughed our way back and forth like maniacs, missed the fireworks extravaganza which got cancelled due to high winds (another typhoon on the way), shopped till we dropped for souvenirs, were greeted at the end of the E.T. ride with each of our names (while lined up you give your name to staff and somehow it's organized so that you hear your name at the end of your ride), spent way too much money, and had the most fun I've had in a long time. After walking around in the sun for 12 1/2 hours, I was more than ready to get home and take a load off; today my feet and calves are killing me, but it's worth it! I'll send pics tomorrow some time when I have a chance.
Today I had to go to the Immigration Office to pick up my new visa, go to my bank to transfer the money for September's rent and deposit, go to the internet shop to transfer my services to the new house (which won't be happening until the beginning of October some time, so after August 31st I won't be online for a while), and go to the doctor's office to get my B12 shot (after waiting for 45 mins. to see the doctor and sitting down in his office, I realized that I had forgotten the B12 at home - that was a major #$%#^ off and I'll have to get it done some time this week as I didn't feel like going all the way home just to turn around and hit downtown Osaka again. Grrr...!).
The best news so far is that Jesse's visa application was successful and he now has the visa and a plane ticket, which means he'll be here on September 9th! I'm off on the 9th and 10th because those are my normal weekend days! Woo hoo! Now it finally feels real for me, so I can only imagine how real it's starting to feel for Jesse. I know those last few weeks before leaving are hectic and filled with all sorts of errands and last minute details - God I'm glad it's overwith for me and don't envy him! Something really interesting is that he's arriving a year to the day from the time that I did . . . which means I will have accomplished what I set out to do - survive for a year on my own in the big city. And now I don't have to give any of it up by leaving, but can experience even more with the added bonus of having my boy here to experience all of it with. I am leading quite a charmed life.
That's about all from my end of things. Will update when I have more news!
Monday, August 02, 2004
Happy Birthday David!!! & My God, This Heat!! . . .
Trying to explain how awful the heat and humidity are is pointless and impossible; rather like trying to put toothpaste back into a toothpaste tube. Suffice it to say, I'm hot, sticky, miserable, and frickin' gorgeous right now due to the negative affect this heat is having on my complexion. Fortunately, everywhere I go, I see the same resigned-though-miserable look on the faces of everyone else; it's like all 250 million of us are in it together and I feel a strange sense of solidarity in that - ha ha.
As for what I've been up to, I bet you're all dying for an update so here goes:
Last week we had a ripper of a thunderstorm - honestly the biggest I've ever experienced. At any given time there were at least a dozen forks of lightning in the sky and thunder so loud it hurt my ears. The wind was so loud and sounded JUST LIKE a train; so much so that I thought we were having a tornado (apparently no longer unheard of in Japan - eek!!) - so did most of the students studying at the time (many kept asking if I thought we should get under the desks).
It's official - the class of Kinders (age 3) I've been teaching for another teacher who's been away is FINALLY mine. Finally, officially, no one is going to change their mind, MINE! I'm so excited as I really really really enjoy teaching kids - particularly these kids. Jesse says he can always tell by my voice if I've had a kids class; apparently I sound really up and happy. You all know how much I love kids and how much I'm missing my nieces, so being around little ones does my heart alot of good. There's something so magical about them; I'd say there's something so innocent about them as well except they're holy terrors, little demons really, but I love them just the same (believe me, they're not at all innocent when they're hiding my flash cards, dumping over the pencil bins, throwing the garbage can at eachother, trying to poke eachothers' eyes out . . . you get the picture. But at the end of the day when they say "thank you Sensai" or try to sit on my lap during story time or giggle when I speak Japanese words or . . . it's all worth it).
On Thursday Natsue and I took Yumi to that great Thai restaurant I've told you about, as it was her birthday. We had an incredible meal and taught eachother lots of Japanese and English (they taught me Japanese and . . . you know what I mean). After dinner we wanted to put candles on the cake we'd bought but the staff wouldn't allow non-restaurant desserts to be served, so we decided to go to a nearby park. This seemingly non-noteworthy event ended up landing me one of the biggest laugh attacks of my life; here's why: First, there was a typhoon rolling in so it was totally windy and Natsue and I couldn't get the candles lit. So we decided to set the cake on a bench with un-lit candles on the cake and un-lit tea lights all around the cake (we'd wanted to surprise her but the weather didn't cooperate!!). So we sang happy birthday and Yumi pretended to blow out the candles, which leads to part two of this story. Because it was so frickin HOT that evening (37 at 10:30, or 45 with the humidity)
the damn cake started to melt all down the side of the bench. That really got us laughing as we were (A) a little drunk and (B) madly trying to eat it before it all ended up on the ground. The third and final part of the story is the funniest part: we hadn't seen him, but there was a homeless guy sleeping in the bushes under his cardboard house. I guess all our laughing woke him up so he staggered out of his boxes and screamed at us to get out of his yard!! (or this is what I got in translation from Natsue and Yumi who bowed and apologized a million times to the lunatic while I, the thoughtless and rude gaijin, hid behind them bent over double, laughing so hard I could barely stay on both feet). Good times! Imagine a homeless guy calling a corner of a public park his yard!! Too funny.
Yesterday I FINALLY got around to seeing the house we've agreed to rent - good thing I decided to see it since I've already signed a contract (yep - I'm known for my looks AND my brains HA HA). Anyway, it was even better than I imagined and we are sooo lucky to have snapped the place up before someone else. I've sent a group email with some pictures and a quick description of the place so I won't list all of its features again, but I am really really excited about moving there. Excited about the house and excited about the gorgeous, traditional Japanese neighbourhood. Now I'll really feel like I'm living in Japan! Can't wait!! PLUS it's definitely big enough to host anyone who'd like to check out Japan; so come crash at our place!!
Wednesday I'm going out with Ali because I haven't seen her in a month and a half (remember, she was in Thailand all that time - lucky girl) and I'm dying to hear all the torrid details. Friday I was scheduled to do follow-up kids training so I have to work on my day off, but that's OK because in return I got to choose any day off I'd like and I took the 31st so I can pack. Next Friday, Friday the 13th (mwaah...haaaa...haaa...) is Ali's birthday, so we're going to take a day trip together somewhere and then go out for dinner with a bunch of friends to Cafe Absinthe (you know, the one I told you about before that serves the absinthe drinks that are illegal in most other countries because absinthe is a hallucinatory narcotic). And finally, the last of the plans I have so far is a date with Yumi and Natsue to go to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) on the 19th - you know me and fast rides, so I can't can't wait to go!!).
And last but certainly not least, CONGRATULATIONS to Jeremy and Jodi who are now the proud parents of Tyler Jacob Clemens; my first and apparently extremely adorable nephew. I'm feeling pretty sour grapes that I'm not there to meet and hold him, but I'm so ecstatic for J & J.
That's all from my end of things - will keep you posted (says the pathological liar).
Trying to explain how awful the heat and humidity are is pointless and impossible; rather like trying to put toothpaste back into a toothpaste tube. Suffice it to say, I'm hot, sticky, miserable, and frickin' gorgeous right now due to the negative affect this heat is having on my complexion. Fortunately, everywhere I go, I see the same resigned-though-miserable look on the faces of everyone else; it's like all 250 million of us are in it together and I feel a strange sense of solidarity in that - ha ha.
As for what I've been up to, I bet you're all dying for an update so here goes:
Last week we had a ripper of a thunderstorm - honestly the biggest I've ever experienced. At any given time there were at least a dozen forks of lightning in the sky and thunder so loud it hurt my ears. The wind was so loud and sounded JUST LIKE a train; so much so that I thought we were having a tornado (apparently no longer unheard of in Japan - eek!!) - so did most of the students studying at the time (many kept asking if I thought we should get under the desks).
It's official - the class of Kinders (age 3) I've been teaching for another teacher who's been away is FINALLY mine. Finally, officially, no one is going to change their mind, MINE! I'm so excited as I really really really enjoy teaching kids - particularly these kids. Jesse says he can always tell by my voice if I've had a kids class; apparently I sound really up and happy. You all know how much I love kids and how much I'm missing my nieces, so being around little ones does my heart alot of good. There's something so magical about them; I'd say there's something so innocent about them as well except they're holy terrors, little demons really, but I love them just the same (believe me, they're not at all innocent when they're hiding my flash cards, dumping over the pencil bins, throwing the garbage can at eachother, trying to poke eachothers' eyes out . . . you get the picture. But at the end of the day when they say "thank you Sensai" or try to sit on my lap during story time or giggle when I speak Japanese words or . . . it's all worth it).
On Thursday Natsue and I took Yumi to that great Thai restaurant I've told you about, as it was her birthday. We had an incredible meal and taught eachother lots of Japanese and English (they taught me Japanese and . . . you know what I mean). After dinner we wanted to put candles on the cake we'd bought but the staff wouldn't allow non-restaurant desserts to be served, so we decided to go to a nearby park. This seemingly non-noteworthy event ended up landing me one of the biggest laugh attacks of my life; here's why: First, there was a typhoon rolling in so it was totally windy and Natsue and I couldn't get the candles lit. So we decided to set the cake on a bench with un-lit candles on the cake and un-lit tea lights all around the cake (we'd wanted to surprise her but the weather didn't cooperate!!). So we sang happy birthday and Yumi pretended to blow out the candles, which leads to part two of this story. Because it was so frickin HOT that evening (37 at 10:30, or 45 with the humidity)
the damn cake started to melt all down the side of the bench. That really got us laughing as we were (A) a little drunk and (B) madly trying to eat it before it all ended up on the ground. The third and final part of the story is the funniest part: we hadn't seen him, but there was a homeless guy sleeping in the bushes under his cardboard house. I guess all our laughing woke him up so he staggered out of his boxes and screamed at us to get out of his yard!! (or this is what I got in translation from Natsue and Yumi who bowed and apologized a million times to the lunatic while I, the thoughtless and rude gaijin, hid behind them bent over double, laughing so hard I could barely stay on both feet). Good times! Imagine a homeless guy calling a corner of a public park his yard!! Too funny.
Yesterday I FINALLY got around to seeing the house we've agreed to rent - good thing I decided to see it since I've already signed a contract (yep - I'm known for my looks AND my brains HA HA). Anyway, it was even better than I imagined and we are sooo lucky to have snapped the place up before someone else. I've sent a group email with some pictures and a quick description of the place so I won't list all of its features again, but I am really really excited about moving there. Excited about the house and excited about the gorgeous, traditional Japanese neighbourhood. Now I'll really feel like I'm living in Japan! Can't wait!! PLUS it's definitely big enough to host anyone who'd like to check out Japan; so come crash at our place!!
Wednesday I'm going out with Ali because I haven't seen her in a month and a half (remember, she was in Thailand all that time - lucky girl) and I'm dying to hear all the torrid details. Friday I was scheduled to do follow-up kids training so I have to work on my day off, but that's OK because in return I got to choose any day off I'd like and I took the 31st so I can pack. Next Friday, Friday the 13th (mwaah...haaaa...haaa...) is Ali's birthday, so we're going to take a day trip together somewhere and then go out for dinner with a bunch of friends to Cafe Absinthe (you know, the one I told you about before that serves the absinthe drinks that are illegal in most other countries because absinthe is a hallucinatory narcotic). And finally, the last of the plans I have so far is a date with Yumi and Natsue to go to Universal Studios Japan (USJ) on the 19th - you know me and fast rides, so I can't can't wait to go!!).
And last but certainly not least, CONGRATULATIONS to Jeremy and Jodi who are now the proud parents of Tyler Jacob Clemens; my first and apparently extremely adorable nephew. I'm feeling pretty sour grapes that I'm not there to meet and hold him, but I'm so ecstatic for J & J.
That's all from my end of things - will keep you posted (says the pathological liar).
