Japan_Bound
Monday, November 29, 2004
I hate, hate, hate goodbyes! . . .
Ali's sayonara (goodbye) party was lastnight and it sucked big time. Not that it wasn't a great party, which it was, but it was really hard for me. I actually made it to about an hour in before I started to ball, at which point I couldn't stop. Jesse's solution was to ply me with more drinks; instead of making things better that made it worse! Anyway, we did actually have a good time and Jesse was happy just to get out of the house for a while and see a face other than my own, tears notwithstanding.
I'm going with Ali and Yumika (her best Japanese friend) to the airport on December 21st so at least I'll see her again once before she leaves, but she'll be in Vietnam for the next 3 weeks so obviously I won't see her much. I didn't realize until last night just how much she's come to mean to me. It's going to be pretty rough saying goodbye and not having her around, especially since we've been here for the same amount of time and I've done all my travelling with her. I know I'll still have lots of friends to hang out with but she's been my closest friend and I hate that she's leaving.
On the bright side, I did in fact force Jesse into helping me put out all the Christmas decorations, so this place is looking pretty festive. I love it and don't feel at all guilty or weird for not having waited until at least the 1st of December to put everything up. You know me, silly old Meeg . . .
On an even brighter side, last night on the train ride home we met a really friendly Japanese guy who speaks great English and ended up making plans to sing karaoke with him as well as visit his izakaya some time (that's a traditional Japanese sit-on-the-floor style restaurant). He and Jesse rocked out to name that 80's tune for about half and hour before discovering that they both adore Star Wars; that instigated another 15 mins. of singing, this time the Star Wars theme, quoting famous lines from the movie, and reinacting famous scenes. It was actually really funny and the guy and his friends are really, really nice. He asked if we're married and when we said no he kept telling Jesse "guts, guts" and "you should marry this girl." I myself was inclined to agree. Jesse still thinks I'm kidding that I want a ring. ;)
Ali's sayonara (goodbye) party was lastnight and it sucked big time. Not that it wasn't a great party, which it was, but it was really hard for me. I actually made it to about an hour in before I started to ball, at which point I couldn't stop. Jesse's solution was to ply me with more drinks; instead of making things better that made it worse! Anyway, we did actually have a good time and Jesse was happy just to get out of the house for a while and see a face other than my own, tears notwithstanding.
I'm going with Ali and Yumika (her best Japanese friend) to the airport on December 21st so at least I'll see her again once before she leaves, but she'll be in Vietnam for the next 3 weeks so obviously I won't see her much. I didn't realize until last night just how much she's come to mean to me. It's going to be pretty rough saying goodbye and not having her around, especially since we've been here for the same amount of time and I've done all my travelling with her. I know I'll still have lots of friends to hang out with but she's been my closest friend and I hate that she's leaving.
On the bright side, I did in fact force Jesse into helping me put out all the Christmas decorations, so this place is looking pretty festive. I love it and don't feel at all guilty or weird for not having waited until at least the 1st of December to put everything up. You know me, silly old Meeg . . .
On an even brighter side, last night on the train ride home we met a really friendly Japanese guy who speaks great English and ended up making plans to sing karaoke with him as well as visit his izakaya some time (that's a traditional Japanese sit-on-the-floor style restaurant). He and Jesse rocked out to name that 80's tune for about half and hour before discovering that they both adore Star Wars; that instigated another 15 mins. of singing, this time the Star Wars theme, quoting famous lines from the movie, and reinacting famous scenes. It was actually really funny and the guy and his friends are really, really nice. He asked if we're married and when we said no he kept telling Jesse "guts, guts" and "you should marry this girl." I myself was inclined to agree. Jesse still thinks I'm kidding that I want a ring. ;)
Friday, November 26, 2004
Chunder, Sayonaras, and Christmas Preparations . . .
Well, as most of you know by now, Jesse's job tends to be quite interesting. What do you expect when he spends his nights there surrounded by drunken folk, right?! Last night he picked chunder out of the sink with chop sticks - sounds like sometimes the customers get a little out of hand, but he's loving it. Speaking of karaoke, last week at 11:30 our eldery neighbors dragged us out to drink and sing karaoke. At first I felt really self-conscious but ended up having a total blast and singing a few solos. Jess is now a karaoke king and sings solos by himself as well. Who'd-a-thunk-it?
Yesterday Ali and I went shopping in Kyoto and had lunch at an Indian restaurant. It was my very first time to have Indian food and, as everyone told me I would, I really really loved it. I didn't, however, enjoy the fact that is was mine and Ali's last outing. She's leaving next month and her sayonara party is this Sunday. Of course she's Canadian and planning to go back to school in BC so I'll definitely see her again, but it's still going to be tough to see her off.
My Christmas shopping is officially done, while Jesse is merely thinking about it at this point. I told him my present should be really easy - all I want is a @%#@*&% ring, but he thinks I'm kidding. Men are a little slow at times. Although it's only November 26th, I've decided that I can't wait any longer and that the Christmas decorations must go up TONIGHT. Jesse is planning to tell Frank right away as Frank is the quintessential Mr. Griswold, and I think I'm beating even him to the punch this year (although I'm sure he already has the blueprints out for this year's light display at the new house. I wouldn't even be surprised to hear that he'd already popped Garth Brooks' Christmas album into the stereo). Mom and David arrive on the 17th of December in time for Christmas, so hopefully this year will be a little better (not only did it not feel like Christmas at ALL last year, but I found out about Tigger on Christmas Eve, quickly putting a bit of a damper on the festivities).
Speaking of visitors, Sean, Tara and 2 of their friends are coming here for 10 days in March which should also be really fun. Should also be quite interesting to pack 6 people into this little house, but the way I see it the more the merrier. 6 people in the house=instant party, so what could be wrong with that?! Roy and Val are planning to come at some point in the New Year and so is my Dad, so that means you HAVE TO Barb & Frank. ;) Barb, just tell Frank I guilted you into it.
Well, as most of you know by now, Jesse's job tends to be quite interesting. What do you expect when he spends his nights there surrounded by drunken folk, right?! Last night he picked chunder out of the sink with chop sticks - sounds like sometimes the customers get a little out of hand, but he's loving it. Speaking of karaoke, last week at 11:30 our eldery neighbors dragged us out to drink and sing karaoke. At first I felt really self-conscious but ended up having a total blast and singing a few solos. Jess is now a karaoke king and sings solos by himself as well. Who'd-a-thunk-it?
Yesterday Ali and I went shopping in Kyoto and had lunch at an Indian restaurant. It was my very first time to have Indian food and, as everyone told me I would, I really really loved it. I didn't, however, enjoy the fact that is was mine and Ali's last outing. She's leaving next month and her sayonara party is this Sunday. Of course she's Canadian and planning to go back to school in BC so I'll definitely see her again, but it's still going to be tough to see her off.
My Christmas shopping is officially done, while Jesse is merely thinking about it at this point. I told him my present should be really easy - all I want is a @%#@*&% ring, but he thinks I'm kidding. Men are a little slow at times. Although it's only November 26th, I've decided that I can't wait any longer and that the Christmas decorations must go up TONIGHT. Jesse is planning to tell Frank right away as Frank is the quintessential Mr. Griswold, and I think I'm beating even him to the punch this year (although I'm sure he already has the blueprints out for this year's light display at the new house. I wouldn't even be surprised to hear that he'd already popped Garth Brooks' Christmas album into the stereo). Mom and David arrive on the 17th of December in time for Christmas, so hopefully this year will be a little better (not only did it not feel like Christmas at ALL last year, but I found out about Tigger on Christmas Eve, quickly putting a bit of a damper on the festivities).
Speaking of visitors, Sean, Tara and 2 of their friends are coming here for 10 days in March which should also be really fun. Should also be quite interesting to pack 6 people into this little house, but the way I see it the more the merrier. 6 people in the house=instant party, so what could be wrong with that?! Roy and Val are planning to come at some point in the New Year and so is my Dad, so that means you HAVE TO Barb & Frank. ;) Barb, just tell Frank I guilted you into it.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Karaoke King . . .
Last night while at work I suddenly had a hankering for yakitori (BBQ'd chicken skewers) and asked Jess if he'd like to meet me at the station after work and then go for dinner at our local yakitori place. While waiting for me at the station an English-speaking Japanese guy walked up and started chatting to Jess; the conversation resulted in the guy asking Jesse if he wanted a job at his karaoke bar. Jess went for an interview today and was given a part-time job starting on the 4th of November! Can you believe it? He just gets offered a job while standing around waiting for me, and the place is a five minute bike ride from our house. Lucky #%@^$. As it's only 2 nights a week until the new year he'll have to get some private students or something, but he's really happy about having any job and looking forward to getting out of the house. The guy also told him he'll only speak to him in Japanese; guess Jess will learn the language pretty quickly!
Last night while at work I suddenly had a hankering for yakitori (BBQ'd chicken skewers) and asked Jess if he'd like to meet me at the station after work and then go for dinner at our local yakitori place. While waiting for me at the station an English-speaking Japanese guy walked up and started chatting to Jess; the conversation resulted in the guy asking Jesse if he wanted a job at his karaoke bar. Jess went for an interview today and was given a part-time job starting on the 4th of November! Can you believe it? He just gets offered a job while standing around waiting for me, and the place is a five minute bike ride from our house. Lucky #%@^$. As it's only 2 nights a week until the new year he'll have to get some private students or something, but he's really happy about having any job and looking forward to getting out of the house. The guy also told him he'll only speak to him in Japanese; guess Jess will learn the language pretty quickly!
