December already?!?!? And here I thought it was only ju ni gatsu. Oh. Different language, same thing.
Well, nine days from now will mark the end of my fourth month and the approximate mid point of my stay in Japan. That is, aside from a couple of short excursions home. The things I've seen, the places I've been, the friends I've met... they all add up to an adventure that I didn't dream of that short time ago.
In some ways, it seems like I've been away forever, and in other ways it feels like everything is new. I guess life's like that. So I thought I'd check in, make sure everyone's still kicking, and give an update on what's up with me.
Currently topping the chart: I'll move into an
apartment on Monday. Finally bit the bullet and chose a nice place
in minami-azubu, which is very near downtown Tokyo. It's a nice
place, with washer/dryer and the usual amenities. I'm the
first-ever resident of this apartment, so it's like a new house to
me. For those who keep address books and the like, the address is
# 504 Court Annex
1-13-10 Minami-Azabu
Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0047
JAPAN
Also, I now own a 2-year-old motor scooter. Yeah, really. It's a
little 50cc Suzuki... just enough to tool around town on... and
it'll help with the mile-long trek from the apartment to the train
station. When I test drove the thing, I got my first taste of the
reality of driving on the other side of the road. Right hand turns
are surprisingly tricky, and of course the road signs are a whole
new learning opportunity. :^) I can read katakana and hiragana,
but most of the signs are in kanji, so there's something new to
learn. Pick any fifty ink blots, write a message on each, then
memorize the shape/message combination, and you'll appreciate the
task ahead of me. :^) How could it be simpler? :^)
I find that the challenges get greater with each bit learned. I guess that's why we're not born as adults. (That probably also has a lot to do with why some of us never choose to BECOME adults, but I digress.) Still studying the language, but on my own now. I haven't resumed the language lessons since I didn't really have a place to call "home." I think the teacher will be impressed when we do meet again... but I now realize that it'd take years to master the language. Still, I'm pleased with where I am, and ready to progress.
Weather here is nice in the daytime, but quite chilly at night. The temp isn't bad (low probably in the 40 range), but the damp winds, which continue to be a near constant, make it feel so much colder. I'll remedy that with warmer clothes... going shopping right after I send this.
Some of the guys I worked with on the previous project migrated to this new one, as I did. They're fun to work with as well as after hours, and they keep things lively. Dale, Jit, Adam and Chris are still around. Andy and Jungie are on other projects in Hong Kong and Australia.
I visited the Tokyo Disneyland park last weekend, and I must say that I was impressed. Even after having worked at a high quality amusement park for years (yes, they do exist), I was intrigued by the place. It's pretty much like Walt Disney World, except that the sticks that "you must be taller than" to ride are shorter. :^) And there's no Epcot Center. The Small World exhibit/ride was nice. I saw that in a totally new light. Whether that was due to better presentation, or more widely opened eyes, I do not know.
The sound system at TDL is amazing. Well-hidden speakers pour out easy-to-listen-to music in various languages. At this time, they all center around Christmas. I found that surprising. In fact, the whole park is decked out for / like Christmastime. The parade, which comes through the park about once per hour, is phenomenal, with floats containing Santa, Mickey, Donald and the crew. They all sing Christmas carols (mostly English), and they put on a fantastic show at the center of the park. There's an excellent full band marching with them, and dancers that are so together, I looked for the connecting wires. :^) Entry to the park is a li ttle pricey, but I'd say it's well worth it. In fact, according to attendance records, a surprisingly high percentage of their attendance comes from repeat visitors.
People here are happy and have a great attitude, it seems to me. I've always felt that way about Japanese people, though. I'm enjoying working with the people I've met, and I enjoy talking to others on trains or whatever. It's refreshing. Maybe it's just the adventure that intrigues me. All I know for sure is that when I do leave this place, I'll take wonderful memories with me, and I'll have a much better understanding of an amazing culture. That, to me, is priceless.
Christmas here, as in America, is a huge commercial event. Only the commercial aspect seems to have made its way across the mighty ocean, and that's sad. Still it's fun to see the happy faces as the "shoppers rush home with their treasures." In the stores, we've been hearing Christmas carols since about mid October, and they have the typical decorated trees, santas (not live), snowmen and the like. I haven't seen any babys in mangers at all, though.
That said, I hope you each have a wonderful holiday season, and that the spirit visits and stays with you, whereever you may go.