Wednesday 31 October 2007

The Five Month Clean Up

How good does this look? This is two to three hours of scraping and sponging. That sponge will never be the same again.

I've got my final room inspection tomorrow, so in my paranoia I have cleaned the whole house, including the most disgusting stove that was caked in grease, pasta and other unidentified pieces of crud accumulated over the years.

Maybe it was because I'd lost 800 yen at the UFO catcher. It took my mind off the loss. The fridge, toaster, microwave, even the rubbish bin are all much better.

I bought some sponges and mould cleaner to do a once over in the shower as well. And, for good measure, a one cup sake to celebrate my leaving Tomioka, and oh I almost forgot, my five months in Japan!

The months are going so quickly. Five months and still not a dull moment.

Tuesday 30 October 2007

My New Haircut

I went to a Tokyo hairdresser. I got my hair straightened and coloured red. 


 That is a total lie.. I actually found another job in a host bar. 

 Ok, that is a lie as well. The truth is the wig is part of my costume just for Halloween kids class. I WAS thinking of dressing as Gachapin but $50 for a crap costume was just not going to happen. 

  I knew today would be a good day when I won a small snoopy at Shin-sugita. I saw it was hanging towards the shute on a wall of other snoopys, so it was going to be a cinch to nudge it in. It's not that big, but it has a pouch I can use for small change or guitar picks and a click carry strap so pretty good for 100 yen.

Sunday 28 October 2007

Woodstock, Not The Festival

She wanted to go to a Brain Science Institute information show in Aoyama, I wanted to go to the motor show. 


She won. 

 The motor show runs next weekend so I guess I wait a little longer to have my photo taken with a lot of hot girls with the cars. Thanks girlfriend. 

 It was all in japanese, so apart from a robot that could follow the movement of a red ball it was a little boring. 


  We walked through Aoyama past a lot of interesting buildings with expensive fashion clothes. We had Haagan Daaz icecreams and a free Macdonalds coffee with more expired coupons. 

 




It cost 320 yen to have the icecream at a table and 260 yen take away. As you can see on the look on my face I am not impressed.

Along the way we saw a Honda dealership. I laugh a little that they call the Honda Jazz, a "Fit". I saw a Honda S2000 convertible for only 3,900,000 yen (about $40,000), much cheaper than in Australia. I couldn't resist jumping on the Harley-style motorcycles. 











We had some green tea, caramel coffee and Cheesecake at Cafe Madu. We made our way to Shibuya. We haven't been there for a while. I checked out the Blister toy store, Bic Camera, Apple Store and some UFO catcher arcades and Don Quijote. At Blister, I saw two big Totoro stuffed toys. One was 30,000 yen and the other ginormous one was 90,000 yen! The larger one would be fantastic, but virtually impossible to get into a suitcase. I'll have to wait for their 50% off sale.


The Apple store had someone showcasing and performing their music, but like everyone else I was having a play with Apple's cool iTouch looking at websites. This thing is REALLY cool, but I think I'm going to hang out for the iPhone. The Taito arcade had a Star Wars R2D2 that projected a light onto the walls. I didn't think I could sink it, but at the Club Sega I played for a Snoopy Woodstock toy and won it first go, 100 yen. Sweet.

We played a puck game as well. I was beaten nine to seven. Yes, I let her win a little. If I kicked her butt I'd pay for it later. I just know it.






By this time we were both hungry. At first we thought a Yakiniku, but they had no chicken meat so instead we did an "all you can eat" at Shakey's Pizza for 1500 yen each for two hours. The pizza is not that great, but you can't say you are still hungry after that. Actually I felt a little sick from all that oil and cheese. Feeling bloated we caught the train home. Someone has a fixation with the Suica Penguin. Not naming any names.

Saturday 27 October 2007

I'm Not On Shakai Hoken, Goddamit

After cancelling my National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) at Kanazawa Bunko yesterday, I wanted to make sure I was still covered, so before my shift today I decided to catch the train from Tomioka to Shinjuku to attempt another try at the ward office.

I was in Kawasaki today so it wasn't too far away.

For some reason the woman thought I should be on Shakai Hoken (company insurance) because my gaijin card had the company I worked for on it. She called my HQ and finally gave me what I asked for. I'm pleased to say that my monthly bill is about 200 yen cheaper. That's two Crunkys in my world.

I've just about taken care of everything here now. My addresses have been changed, except for my bank. I don't have much left to take over. In about a week from now I'll be living in the centre of Tokyo! Sugoi!

Friday 26 October 2007

Halloween In Japan?

You wouldn't think it, but halloween in Japan is a big thing. Yes, really!


 In Australia, most people don't give a thought to the occasion and it thankfully passes by without anyone missing it's absence. 

 Here in Japan, it's as big as Christmas. Obviously someone with some marketing nous has managed to give the Japanese something else to spend their hard-earned yen on. 

 It has the same cynical elements of Christmas with the stores filled with pumpkins, witches costumes and Halloween candy. Even the UFO catchers have Halloween themed soft toys in them! Having said that, they already have Christmas toys in the machines as well already.
This is a slideshow courtesy of Hamachi!'s from Halloween 2006. Thanks in advance. Although it's last year, it shows pretty much what it's like this year as well. Oh no.

Thursday 25 October 2007

I've Got So Many Things To Do

Being my day off, I tried to get a lot done. I have about a week left here in Tomioka, so I need to make some changes. 


 First I went to the Kanazawa Bunko ward office to cancel my National Health Insurance here. Looks like I will have to re-apply for it at the Shinjuku ward office. 

 Even without too much english, the staff understood what I needed to do so it was relatively painless. Also while I was there I went to change my address details with Softbank, my mobile phone company.

 Luckily our new roommate wanted to check the external mailbox last night. I had a mail from Softbank saying they couldn't take my monthly payment from my credit card. 

 Instead they sent me a convenience store payslip, which is how I've always wanted to pay anyway. In the mail they ask for me to give them a new credit card, but I'm just going to keep it this way. They didn't mention anything at the Softbank store. 

 I had in mind to go into Tokyo to bring as much stuff as possible. I have a spare futon set which can always come in handy. 

 It is a bit of a pain to carry but I had the last two Placebo CDs, "Sleeping With Ghosts" and "Meds" rockin' on my iPod that made the trip more bearable. These are really cool CDs with great songs. Another high recommendation from the Jimster. 

 We checked out the secondhand store. There's a Roland V-drum kit for 68,000 yen which is tempting me. I have no idea where it's going to go, but it would be a heap of fun to have. 

  We were really hungry so we went to a Nakamuraya curry restaurant called Repas. The curry rice was really tasty, a little expensive but worth it I think. 

 Next we went to Macca's for our free coffees. The coupons I had were due on the 15th of October. I was counting on the girl not to check the back of them and she didn't. 

 






Walking back we stopped into the supermarket. I saw Australian orange juice for get this, 680 yen! That is two to three times the price back home. 

 


We bought tickets to go to the Tokyo Motor Show 2007 on the weekend. Check out my blog for a rundown of how that'll go soon.
 

We ate some Botamochi azuki sweets from Sentaro that from this picture look like turds, but were actually really delicious to end off a very busy day.

Wednesday 24 October 2007

The Post With No Name

I posted my Australian tax return today.

The Australian financial year ends mid year, but the returns don't have to be submitted until the end of October. Knowing that I'd have to pay the government back some money, I've been in no rush to put it in.

The easiest way to submit a tax return online is with E-tax. The only problem with that is that it's Windows software and I have a Mac. I use a virtual machine to run it, and it went through fine.

Enough about tax, I'm boring myself writing this.

Today wasn't too bad. Another full day at Yokohama. I walked around a bit after work and made my way back to Tomioka, trying to decide whether I need eggs and bananas. I don't want to have to carry food to the new place.

That 4 litre bottle of Shochu is just going to have to wait a little bit longer.

Monday 22 October 2007

How Old Are You? I'm Great

It's a long trip from Keikyu Tomioka to Shinjuku, and then to Chōfu on the Keio Line.

At Shinjuku I went to HQ to notify them of my soon to be new address.

They told me to go to the Shinjuku ward office to amend my gaijin card and health insurance. It wasn't too hard to find, but I asked a security guard who probably gets asked a million times by foreigners where it is.

The change of address was fairly painless but the health insurance guy didn't speak any english and gave me a japanese instruction sheet and said to get in touch with my HQ.

I made my way to Chōfu without any problems. The train map from Kinokuniya is worth every yen of the 250 yen I paid for it in peace of mind alone.

Chōfu seems like it's getting into the countryside, but is still only less than twenty minutes out of Tokyo.

I had a pretty good day. I heard the title of this post today. It may be incorrect in some way, but the more I think of it, it sounds like a great response.

Sunday 21 October 2007

Imperial Palace East Garden

Because we have some free tickets, we went to the National Museum Of Modern Art (MOMAT) in Kitanomaru-koen to see the special exhibition, "Ikuo Hirayama: A Retrospective — Pilgrimage for Peace", and with the same ticket the normal exhibits. 


 It wasn't too bad. The artist was an A-bomb survivor from Hiroshima. His paintings ranged from almost basic pictures, to some really detailed landscapes. 

 I actually prefered the normal exhibits of modern art displayed in the museum. To get there we caught the train to Takebashi station on the Tozai line. 

 From the museum we took a short stroll to the Imperial Palace East Garden (free admission). 

 This is the only accessible part of the Imperial Palace grounds (apart from one day, Jan 1st). They give you an entry token when you go in. I'm sure this is to make sure no-one is in the grounds come closing time and all is accounted for. 

 The main entry is the large Otemon Gate which is followed by one of three guardhouses, the first being the Hyakunin-bansho

 We were so tired we crashed on the Higashi Gyoen grass. The park looks over towards the Tenshudai Donjon Base which is one of the few remains of the old Edo Castle that no one bothered to rebuild. 

 After a short rest we made our way towards Tokyo Station and looked around the new Marunouchi Building

 We bought a delicious cheesecake and cafe lattes before leaving for a short jaunt in Shinjuku. 

 Walking home my feet were so tired. At least we made the most of the weekend which is always good.

Saturday 20 October 2007

A Suitcase Full'o Clothes

Another day, another suitcase of things to carry.

As it's getting closer to my big move, today I decided to bring all my clothes to the new place.

I was going to leave some stuff behind so I can have clothes when I come back to Tomioka, but I was tired and couldn't be bothered choosing things to stay behind.

I really want to thank the person that had the good sense to put wheels on a suitcase. If I had to carry it the whole way I would have been totally screwed.

Thankfully the trains were not as full as expected, so the minor stress of last week was alleviated.

To minimise the possibility of a crowded carriage, I went to the first one where people were waiting in a designated smoking area on the platform. It was like a smoky nightclub.

It reminded me of back home in the bars before the no smoking laws were put into place. Oh, without the music, lights and drunk girls looking for a good time.

The new flatmate, Jon had his japanese friend, "who is not his girlfriend" over all night last night. He said she has a boyfriend, but I wouldn't be too pleased if my girlfriend stayed the night at some other guy's place. I suspect he ain't telling the truth.

I came home to find the bathroom absolutely spotless clean. She probably helped clean it. Men don't clean as well as this. It makes me happy. She can stay over as much as she likes! One less thing to worry about to get my deposit back.

Now only if they would clean our crusty gas stove. Hmm..

Looking at my favourite toy store website I found this, a Star Wars credit card. How cool, I WANT! Only in Japan.

Wednesday 17 October 2007

What's The Pointo (Kado) ?

Who doesn't like getting points? 


 From what you'll find from living in Japan, the Japanese like getting them like nothing else. At least that's the impression you get from the amount of Point Cards you'll acquire after a relatively short time being here. 

 Back home in Australia, the most obvious points reward program is called "Fly Buys", which is a consumer reward system that if you earn enough points you can get FREE stuff. It's much the same principle here. 

For example, if I spend say $1000 dollars at the local Keikyu supermarket, I am entitled to the equivalent of a $5 voucher. Great stuff huh? 

 I know I should be wary of it, but I remember not so long ago the first time the checkout chick at the supermarket asked if I had one. Back then, to these ears she may as well have said, "bricks are heavy", 'cause the only response I could give was "huh?", to which she was probably thinking "stupid gaijin", and proceeded to put my items through.

 Now I know better I proudly thrust my blue point card her way, sometimes before she has the chance to even ask. That's called "knowing the drill", and I got it down pat now. I used it this afternoon just to buy a dozen eggs for 158 yen. 

 Before I left Yokohama to go home tonight, I mosied into the Yodobashi Camera to get some blank DVDs yes, but also I'm on a mission to get hold of yet another card. The coveted, "GOLD Yodobashi Point Card"! 

 After finally choosing what I was after, I looked for a checkout operator that looked like they knew English. No, the fat ugly sumo girl would not do at all. 

 I asked "Pointo Kado o kudasai". He understood. Cool, I'm getting this Japanese speaking thing pretty easy now huh? I showed him my gaijin card and let him write my address and details for the card. He DID say in English, "phone number?", but apart from that I was communicating to the Japanese in their native language! 

 So.. I now proudly have yet another point card to add to the landfill of point cards in my collection. I am becoming more japanese by the day. 

 Oh, before I forget. We have a new flatmate in Tomioka from the UK that seems ok. Another fly caught in the Tomioka web.

Tuesday 16 October 2007

We Know What You're Doing

To the people that shouldn't be reading my blog, I slept naked last night. To the ones that should, "How You Doin' ?"

As the devotees to my blog would know, tuesdays are my mondays. I try to sleep in as late as possible, before I have to get ready. It's just what you do as an english teacher in Japan.

I was reminded today that I wore the same shirt as last week. Yes, that is most likely true.

I only bought a Calpis and a Grape Fanta bottle at the Suzikiya this week. The Fanta because it had a free Macca's burger voucher, and also in the hope that it goes well with Shochu.

Speaking of, there was a 4 litre bottle of Green at the Bic Camera store with a complimentary pack of nuts. I thought of the logistics of getting it home (AND to my new abode), so I decided against it.

Tomorrow we are getting our new housemate. I bet he can't find Tomioka on a map, or on the internet either. Probably because it is written like this, "京急富岡" (get your asian fonts if you can't read this), or else, because it is somewhere you don't really want to live in anyway. A good rule is, if you don't know where it is, don't live there!

Anyway, on a sadder note my uncle from Italy passed away. He wasn't my favourite one. He drunk and smoked, and had a lazy eye, but I'll still miss him. Ci vediamo più tardi, zio.

Monday 15 October 2007

Happy Cheese

I made my father some eggs and ham for breakfast. I gave him a few things to take back to Australia, my video camera I don't use, Softbank phone that he'll have to get network unlocked to use, and two of the MANY soft toys that I have won on the infamous UFO catchers. 


 I have lessons in Kami-Ōoka, but I knew that I had to get him to Yokohama to catch the airport bus. 

 He has a bad knack of walking through the wrong ticket gate when he puts his ticket through. I found that the YCAT (Yokohama City Air Terminal) is a more direct bus service that costs about the same (3500 yen), as catching the train all the way from Shinjuku. 

 Before getting the bus, we left the luggage (150 yen) at the terminal so I could show him the beautiful Minato Mirai area and all the ongoing construction going on. 

 I bought eleven slabs of the Lindt chocolate at the Pocket Mart, then we walked towards Landmark Tower. It took less time than I expected, so we had a free Macca's iced coffee. 

 On the way back I thought to show him the cool mini laptops in Yodobashi Camera. Time was getting shorter, so we had to move a little more quickly. 

 I said a little teary goodbye to my father, then caught the express train from Yokohama to Kami-Ōoka getting there with almost ten minutes before clock in. Lucky.. 

 I had more free Macdonalds coffee vouchers that were due today, so I gave two to him to use at Narita, and the rest to my students. Finally at the end of my shift, I had one more coffee before I caught the train home. 

 I am really liking to use my Suica card. I can just swipe my wallet with the card inside. Sure beats looking for change to get a manual ticket. You can even get a printout of the costs of the previous trips. Nice.

  I went to the supermarket to get more eggs, but all the cheap eggs were sold out. Also there was no milk on the shelves. Whats goin' on Keikyu supermarket? 

 I ended up getting some ham, drinking yoghurt, and let's not forget what I have dubbed "Happy Cheese". As you can see from the pic, bigger, toast size cheese is MUCH happier.

Sunday 14 October 2007

Shinjuku's Labyrinth

Ok, I underestimated how lost one could get in Shinjuku Station.

My father arrived at Narita International Airport at 4pm. By the time he got through customs and baggage, it was close to 5pm. He caught the NEX (that's JR's Narita Express train) to Shinjuku as I asked him to.

With a special deal, he got the train ticket and a Suica electronic rail pass for me.

He called and said he was at track 3 and 4 in the station about 730pm, so I told him to go down to track 16, where I was waiting for him at the West Exit ticket gate.

Now to give him some credit, Shinjuku IS the busiest train in the world and to get lost is to be expected. I myself went down the wrong way when I arrived, and got hopelessly lost as well.

I stared at the waves of commuters going in and out of the station, hoping to catch a glimpse of my father. After two hours and a few calls I wondered if he was in Shinjuku at all.

Finally he managed to tell me at about 930pm, he was waiting at the South Gate of the Odakyu Line. I have no idea how he managed to get to another train company's exit from the JR line!

I hurried over to the closest west exit of the Odakyu Line, and asked the ticket gate officer where the south gate was. It didn't seem that he understood what I was asking at all and confirmed what I knew, that we were indeed at the west gate.

Luckily, a girl overheard my meaningless request for assistance and offered to walk me over there. THANK YOU kind stranger! I have re-confirmed my faith in Japanese kindness once again.

I saw my father looking as drained and tired as I was, waiting for hours at different gates.

Unfortunately by this time, we could make neither the Korean BBQ I had in mind, nor the Metropolitan Government Building observatory view I wanted to take him to.

After the long train ride back to Tomioka, I walked him up "Tomioka Hill" to my apartment. He hates my hill as much as I do.

It's one thing speaking or webcamming your family over the internet, but to see them in person is a whole lot better.

Good to see you Papa. Thanks for Coming!

Saturday 13 October 2007

Four Monthiversary

It's hard to believe that it's been over four months in Japan, but not so hard that I've now been four months in a relationship. 


 Tonight I brought over my guitar and amp. 

 The train was packed and while I felt the fear of being stuck onboard with the doors closing at my stop, I somehow managed to pop myself outta there, probably hitting some japanese people over the head with my guitar. Oops, sumimasen!! 

 For a nice surprise we had a Paul's cheesecake to celebrate this milestone of our time together.

 Unfortunately she wasn't feeling too well though, with a fever and a bit of a cold. The weather's changed quite a bit, and a few people are getting sick. 

 Tomorrow I will be meeting my father in transit, in Shinjuku. I told him to meet me at the west ticket gate. Place your bets now to see if he can find it. Shinjuku station is a bitch to navigate.

Thursday 11 October 2007

Futon's Day Off

I hate moving.

I realize now that in less than three weeks I will be out of Tomioka forever. It's a pretty good feeling.

Because mainly, I will never have to walk up "Tomioka Hill" every day again. I will have to give it credit that without it, I would not have lost the 10kg I have since I arrived. That, and the sweaty and sticky summer we had.

Being a day off I was not in any rush, but I wanted to make sure I was not on a train after 5pm. I have to make at least another two trips after this before my room will be empty - my guitar gear and my clothes. Time is getting short.

Today's mission was to get my futon, blanket, quilt, pillow, sheets and two umbrellas safely to my new abode.

First I tried to put them all in my suitcase, but it just wasn't going to happen. So.. I put it all in the original big bag that it came in.

I vacuumed around and on my bed, ate a quick omelette and bounced along the road towards the train station.

Sure, people stared at me. They usually do anyway, but I don't care. It's amazing how the power of sunglasses can stop this from happening. Yes, I AM looking at you.

Surprisingly, I didn't have any trouble at all. Looks like I left at the right time. I managed to get a seat most of the way as well.

Round Two complete. Futon enjoyed the trip immensely. I gave it an Azuki ice candy and some Crunky. Sugoi!

Wednesday 10 October 2007

F*ing Great

Is it just me or can I read something just a bit naughty in this? The juxtaposition of words makes this hard to miss. It's very surprising, considering it's on a Macdonalds promotional paper.






Yesterday I played for a stuffed cat in Shin-sugita (1000 yen), and today I did the Crunky/Ghana box in Yokohama.

 





The box looks big and full of slabs of chocolate, but to my disappointment only included a "party pack" size plastic bag. The staff moved it twice, the last time practically giving it to me. For 500 yen that it took to sink it, that sucked. I felt a little gipped. 

 I bought some Lindt "Madagascar" dark chocolate today from Pocket Mart in the Porta shopping complex in Yokohama for 105 yen each. It was that price because it is due at the end of the month. There were heaps of them left so I will most likely get quite a few more, and yes I don't see any problem finishing them. 

 I have to move my stuff out in three weeks, and I'll need to do at least three trips to empty this place. It will give me something to do on my day off I guess.

Sunday 7 October 2007

Looking For Tits

Ok, it's not what you think. If you look at the picture you can see that a "tit" is a bird of which we saw none of. Actually contrary to what the signs say, we didn't see any animals. 


 Today we decided to go to Mt Takao

 You won't find this place in the Lonely Planet guide. I checked. Having said that though, it is a very popular day trip for Japanese people in Tokyo. 

 Getting there it is about an hour trip on the Keio line (370 yen from Shinjuku). We left about midday and got there close to 1pm. You get off at Takaosanguchi. 

 On the mountain there are 7 hiking trips of which trails 1 and 6 are supposed to be the most interesting.

  This is Kiyotaki station where it is possible to take the cable car. 

 We decided to take the longest trail 1, hiking up the mountain.

  After a tiring hike, we got close to where the cable car stops, and saw a great view of Tokyo and Yokohama from Kasumi-dai. Here you can see Yokohama in the distance.





This is the first gate, the Joshin Gate that welcomes you up the mountain.

These are the 108 steps which signify the 108 human desires. Yes, there are 108 steps here. I counted every one of them.



This is Yaku-ou-in Temple, one of the most colourful and ornate temples that I have seen in the Tokyo area. Standing alongside to the left you can see one of the green tengu goblin statues.


 



We finally make it to the top of Mt Takao. From this lookout you can supposedly see Mt Fuji. I think I saw it, but the distance was misty, and I could only sort of make out an outline.

 



After taking a short break, we decided that we would go down a different way on Trail 6. This started off with lengthy wooden steps heading straight down.


 



Although there aren't any temples or other man-made structures of interest, trail 6 is actually in my opinion a more pleasant walk. The walkway is mostly stepping stones, and for a long part of the journey you walk along a stream with the soothing sound of running water.
Here is some crazy gaijin running through the forest.

The trail seemed never ending. Once we got down to the bottom again, I was feeling hungry so I got a manju bean cake, an azuki filled treat wrapped in a sake yeast dough. We also ate some yummy soba noodles in a nearby restaurant. 


Here you can see us clearly exhausted from a big day out. Ok, I did ham it up a little. We were pretty tired but satisfied with the day's outing.







In these seats you can clearly see that mobile phones are to be switched off, even on the holding rings! 

 Shortly after, two japanese girls sat down and were clearly using their keitei. Ok then.. 

 We hung around Shinjuku for a while. We got some free Macca's coffee, and I bought a 1029 yen ($10!) microphone and cable from the Rock Inn music store. A short trip looking at handbags and then a walk back to Yotsuya.

  Along the way I picked up two cans of really delicious 7% sake and mango drink. The mix was perfect. It was only 108 yen each and I wish I got the third one as well. It isn't as strong as the shochu but at least I don't feel drunk. 

 



To end the night we had a nice bath to soothe our tired feet. Alas, no tits were to be seen on Mt Takao. It IS getting colder you know.

Thursday 4 October 2007

The Tissue Mass Debate

One thing I noticed when I passed through Japan three years ago, was that when they give out advertising on the street they usually give it out in a small pack of tissues.

I first thought that this was strange, but now I think it's a great idea. I won't have to buy tissues at all! It doesn't really matter that I can't read what it says on them, they are very useful, especially now that the weather is changing and it feels colder.

So much so in fact that I have found a new hobby of trying to get as many of the touts to hand me one as I walk past. Sometimes they aren't so willing to hand me one, knowing rightly that I am just after some tissues. They are just too clever.

On Wednesday I walked through the busy Yokohama streets, and managed to get a few packs on the way to the catcher arcade. I had in mind to play for the same biscuits as last week. I'm over the toys for now. It's about survival now. I have to eat.

They weren't so keen to move the packs into a better position this week. So, it took 600 yen to get them. Still, cheaper than buying them from the supermarket.

Speaking of, I have a great idea of a UFO catcher supermarket where you have to use the skill cranes to get groceries. It would make a shopping trip less mundane, and imagine how much you could potentially save? This idea is gold.

Almost as good as Derek's "Super Happy Genki Girls" TV show pilot idea. Hmm..

It's only 830pm, and I'm feeling tired doing nothing all day. I might have an early night tonight for a change.

Are You Ok?

I've been meaning to post this for a few days now.

I always thought that diaries were meant to be read by others. Some of the most interesting reading can be found from what people REALLY think. Of you, me, everyone and everything.

Tuesday changed everything.

What I've learnt is that no matter how well intentioned you can be, some people don't want things to be made public. My blog was just for the purpose of writing down my feelings and experiences of living and teaching in Japan.

But now I'm not so sure. Do I really want people to know what I am doing at almost every moment? Do I really want them to know what I think of them? I even feel hurt from the people close to me, who I thought had my trust.

I just want to be happy and right at this moment now, I don't really feel that way.

So that's it. I have to get ready to go to work now. If anyone's looking for me, I'll be in Kawasaki today.