just another rainy saturday...

I've come to the conclusion that Japanese apartments stink. There's nothing you can do to get around it. In fact, my door is open right now and I am freezing my ass of as I type, but it's worth it to get rid of the smell. And it's not only my apartment, it's ALL the ones that my friends live in as well. I'm serious. We went and bought inscents and it takes me back to the good ol' days of 7th and 8th grade when my best friend and I would lock ourselves in her bedroom, turn on Ace of Base and talk about boys. Oh nostalgia.
In other news, I am completely convinced our neighbors hate us. And the sad thing is, I can understand why. I'm not just talking about that wrestling match Takuya and I got in because he wouldn't give me a bite of ice cream and so I wouldn't let him finish it and instead it ended up all over the floor and walls, but what goes on outside of our apartment as well. When we found a washing machine sitting outside the apartment building late at night with no one to claim it, we had no other choice but to haul it up 4 flights of stairs and see if it worked. Horray! It has saved us well over 10,000 yen in the past 2 months, although it marked the first "keep an eye on these guys" tally. Since it was late, we failed to recognize the drain, and the plug, intact. Not just once but twice our balcony flooded with water. Our old neighbor, who's alarm goes off every morning at 3:30 came and pounded on our door. Since Takuya works more than any time card I've punched, I had to muster up some courage and face this guy that sleeps 3 hours a night. After trying to figure out what he was saying and then apologize, the next time I did laundry, I started the machine and ran away to the city. A few weeks passed and everything seemed fine... until the day we did 2 loads. As water rushed across ours and our neighbor's balcony and down the fire escape ladders, we realized that not only do the neighbors next to us, but below us as well have a small vendetta to get us kicked out of the building. Now if anyone ever comes and knocks on the door, I pretend I'm not here. What a coward, I know. Anyway, we did end up finding the drain, removing the plug, and entering clean clothes heaven. Now we just have to worry about keeping our voices and laughter to a 12 inch whisper and cooking meals at reasonable hours...
It's my friend Johan's last night in Japan so I must head off to meet him. (I also met Johan last year in Japan. It seems that this country draws the same people back, and makes it such a small world. Everyone I know here has been friends with each other or met one another in a past travel experience to Japan, and has managed to stay friends and meet again after years... kind of amazing if you ask me) I think I'll leave the door open just a crack so I won't have to sage this place when I get home.

enoshima...

Yesterday we spent the day in Enoshima at the beach. Good thing we decided against surfing because there were NO waves. This beach is great, besides the stupid eagle that stole food right from my chopsticks, and hit me on the head with it's wing... haha ass hole bird.
We stayed at the beach long enough to watch the sunset then headed back to Shibuya to celebrate Esin's 23rd birthday. Starting at tasuichi we met some amazing new Japanese friends that we spent the rest of the night with. We went to this awesome bar called the Red Room which duh, is red and has around one hundred incredible antique chandeliers all over the ceiling and the walls. It is so retro, capturing every decade starting with the roaring 20's. Oh I loved it! I got in huge trouble for taking a picture (damn) so when you come to Tokyo make sure you stop in and meet the most famous french couple in Shibuya, who is always there to add a more eclectic feel to this glamorous izakaya.
Oh! Design Festa.. Reminded me a lot of Art's Festival in Salt Lake, just much bigger and inside. Lots of people showing their ideas of what art "really is", bands and good food. Esin volunteered to do interviews, and when she was photographing me for my interview, some young Japanese girls mst have thought I was famous and wanted a picture with me... haha It was interesting to see cool jewelry, robots, an "electronic space metal" band, eat melon pan, guys who thought getting drunk and passing was art, photos depicting suicide, transvestites, and paintings slightly resembling Roy Litchenstein.
This next week we are planning, yet again, a REAL trip to Izu. Rent a car, and drive down to surf for 2 days and hang out on the beautiful sandy beaches. I'm excited. It's soon a new month, and that means Takuya will be able to get days off so we can spend some time together. YEAY!!

who has time for umbrellas?

As much as I love the wonders it does for my hair, breathing this humidity is making it quite hard for me to sleep tonight. The rain has been nonstop for over 12 hours, with me and my Finnish friend Esin running though it without umbrellas. Who would've thought that within 30 minutes of sunshine could turn to clouds, could turn to rain, could turn to hot rain with heavy humidity? I should know, having lived in Utah...
I have always professed my love of this type of weather. With curly hair and dry skin, one could only ask for a slight amount of steam to accentuate what's lacking. I don't remember not being able to breath easy. But wait, no lotion and drinking more water, my hair growing almost twice as fast? How could I complain?
I have not found a job yet, and it's getting down to the wire. I have applied for dozens and dozens of jobs, still applying, and having interviews here and there. No luck yet. I'm starting to get that thing called depression. Thinking of my options, and trying to be realistic, it seems as if I might be heading back to the states if something doesn't turn up soon. My heart drops and my eyes start to fill with tears. It's not supposed to be this way!! I guess life isn't all what you expect it to be.
Yes, we have talked about getting married. And yes I feel in my heart it's right. But, hello, know each other for one year, date for 5 months, and live together for 3? (all within this year period of time..) No way, we need much more time. No reason to rush, and plenty of reasons to set ourselves up for a successful marriage and a life of happiness. However, the idea of going back to long distance, it kills me, and he's not smiling either...

arghhh..

Finding a job has proven harder than imagined. After dozens of sent CVs and multiple interviews, I still haven't found anyone to sponsor my visa. With the experience I have with children and my tesol/tesl certificate, I'm told that's enough to fly through the "certificate of eligibility" and could be soon on my way to dancing and singing while wiping Japanese babies asses for money. Unfortunately, I have run into to bad luck while here. Not for Takuya, I am an "angel" who brought about a free washing machine, got him a raise, let him buy an ipod, and had 2 men carry our fridge to our 4 story apartment, free of charge. (they prolly looked at us and thought, a gaijin girl and a skinny Japanese boy, we better do tis so they don't kill themselves) ps, these are all good stories, all for a later time.
Takuya had his first Costco experience yesterday before coming home from Chiba. As he busts throught the door with his overnight bag (when he works in Chiba he sleeps at his bosses house) and a huge "think green" shopping bag filled with chips, canned tomatoes, bagels, chocolate and the like. He couldn't stop saying how big the costco market is and how everything comes with so much. I think he's going to be amazed/in fear when he comes to America.
Tomorrow is part 2 of Design Festa, an international design festival. duh. My finnish friend is a volunteer photographer for the festival so she got me tickets. I'm excited to see what it's like and maybe get some new inspiration. But it's not like everyday here isn't an inspiration...

I started running. Well, jogging and sometimes walking. And I did it for a little over 2 weeks in converse chuck talyors. yup, what a fool, and how mean to my feet and chins. I didn't realize this however, until I decided to run the whole way around Showa Kinen Koen, I'm guessing about 8-10 miles...more like ten when you are lost, and it's hot outside and your feet are in pain. You want to run to find your way home but you can't run for fear of heat stroke and bloody feet. At last, the place that I usually run to and turn around... I made it! 2 1/2 hours later.
I ended up buying some seriously real running shoes the next day, and have been a happy jogger, and only jogger, no more walking ever since.
Actually I have a few more confessions while I'm at it.
I now eat meat on more of a regular basis, I'll say once every other day or every 3 days. It doesn't make me happy and it doesn't make me feel good, but these yakitori and the like are not that bad, and liver is not that good but I always have some when it's ordered. Sorry animals.
...and one more, this one for my friend Chelsea. I'm starting to like salt and flavor things with it. But not my pizza. I haven't fallen that much in love with it.

sick...

Yesterday started great. We got to sleep in, make breakfast, and head to Takuya's old salon to see his ex-coworkers. It's located in near Shimo-kitazawa, about 25 mins away after a few subway changes and a nice walk through a beautiful park. (I forgot my camera....agh!) My Japanese SUCKS, and I definitely need more practice conversing... Anyway...
After eating gorgonzola and honey pizza at a sheek restaurant, I started feeling sick, but decided to go window shopping in Shibuya anyway. After the 3 min subway ride and walking for another 3 mins, Dr. Tak diagnosed me with the flu and we went home. (so much for the one day a month Takuya gets off)
I'm feeling much better today, slept about 15 hours last night and am still exhausted. I did manage to cook some veggies and tofu (daily meal, I love it) and drink more fresh ginger and lemon tea.
Tomorrow is picnic in the park day and I want to be able to meet my gaijin friends for frisbee, inari and kappa maki rolls. delicious!