it's not life that matters but the journey...

I'm not quite sure why I am in a melancholy mood lately - I've told some people that its probably homesickness.  I miss my family and friends in the states, as well as familiar things:  TV that I can understand, comfort foods (some of which I can't find here), and my own independence.  It looks like I will have to wait until February before I can start driving here by myself.  that's when Masahiko's father will get rid of the old car they have now and get a new one that we (Masahiko and I) can drive.   Currently I don't drive because the car Masahiko uses has a stick shift, and since the driver's side is opposite that of the cars in the U.S. (not to mention that they drive on the left side of the road here too), I can't be comfortable driving.  It requires too much concentration - like chewing gum and walking at the same time (lol -just kidding!).  Nonetheless, I need to learn to drive here with a smaller, automatic transmission car.  You only have to see how narrow the roads are by my house, and you would understand . . .

I think I'm going through one of those stages of culture shock - this one is the "what's wrong with this *!*/#ing place and why don't they speak English!" phase.  I know I should study Japanese and practice it more, but I'm lazy I guess.  My life would be easier if I was more comfortable with the language, but I've been too preoccupied with having a job. Also,  I would be happier if I could be teaching at least three or four days a week, not just two.  I have too much free time these days and I'm not organizing it well.

We went to Hard Off today - the electronics recycle shop - and it struck me that there really is no such place in America (well, no place with a name like Hard Off would sell anything but sex toys and porn, in my twisted opinion, but that's another issue).  That is, there's really no place where you can buy used electronics.  The only similar places I can think of are pawn shops and Good Will (unless you consider online auctions and garage sales)- and there you find only junk!  Of course in Japan, people don't keep junk like people in America do.  Its hard to find a nearly brand new stereo or TV at a pawn shop in the U.S. - whereas here, people get rid of perfectly good stuff after maybe one year or less.  They like new stuff here.  who doesn't?

Interesting article about centegenarians in Japan: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050913/hl_nm/japan_aged_dc

I have first hand knowledge about why people in Japan are so healthy and live so long:  its the incredibly nasty food that they eat.  What most people in America think of Japanese food, and what you get in the states in a Japanese restaurant, does not reflect what people here really eat (especially in the country or rural areas).  Masahiko's parents, for example, eat food that I can't even palate:  seaweed and kelp (seaweed is fine dried with sushi, but otherwise, yuck!), "natto" (fermented soybeans, which are sticky and smelly, though incredibly healthy), vegetables such as "goya" which comes from Okinawa and resembles a zucchini, but is extremely bitter, a bit like brussel sprouts, and lots and lots of fish - cooked whole with the head and bones! 

I say its better to eat what you like and not worry so much about how it affects you - then if you die young at least you died satisfied!!

But it does make me wonder about the next generation of Japanese . . . certainly with stress, tobacco, alcohol and the ever-popular Western diet (fast food, fried food and beef), they can't reach 100 - much less even 70!! 

well, its food for thought . . .