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

I really do - especially when I am feeling like shit!

why doesn't my monthly friend come to visit me on a day that its rainy and cold outside? then I would have an excuse to stay in bed all day, eat chocolate (with pb), and hide from the world. instead, the weather today is clear and sunny - and even warm! so when I opened the windows, I realized how nice it was, and that I had to get out for a walk... which I did, and it felt very good to be outside (even though it is a hazy day and very bad air), and it is indeed very very warm. Like June! And the weirdest thing - when I was out walking, some car turned right in front of me, and I looked at the driver (I usually don't) and he had an afro! An honest-to-god AFRO! My eyes could have been tricking me, since I did only glance at him briefly - but I really think I saw an afro! weird - and he looked really creepy too. but thankfully he wasn't driving a "yakuza" car... though that doesn't mean he's not working for one of them. Scorsese here I come!

so anyway, after my walk I felt better! so much for gloom and suffering! however, since I was in bed pretty much all morning, feeling very icky, I watched the rest of the first season of "Weeds" (the showtime tv show), and it was awesome! I am so glad I had a chance to watch that show - the acting, the writing, the stories, everything about that show is so great! can't wait for season 2, even though I still won't have showtime.

also, I called my sister and we had an interesting conversation about the oscars. She also didn't watch them, but knows the results. And while I usually agree with her about movie-related things, and I know I haven't seen "Capote", I do disagree with her that Philip what's his name should have won best actor. I guess, according to most experts, he did an amazing job of playing Truman Capote, not an easy person to mimic, I'm sure. And it was one of those method acting things where he lost a bunch of weight and studied to "become" the part. Well, what about Joaquin Phoenix? He sang all those songs, and he "became" Johnny Cash! I still will always truly believe in my heart that Joaquin should have won (sorry Heath, but that's how I feel).

anyway, yesterday was super super busy - with three classes! the morning class, my newest student was fine. she's very nice and understands me. But then came my other classes, and I'm not sure if I have a harder time with the kids in the afternoon, who are hyper and rude, or the adult I teach at night, who doesn't even understand my lessons even when I use Japanese and pictures! Gah! Last night I almost lost my patience with her because she kept saying she didn't understand me, and I was trying really hard! I was trying to explain the difference between cardinal numbers (1,2,3,4,5 etc. as in "How many people are in your family?" "there are 6 people in my family"), and ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. - as in "This is the 5th time I've seen 'Donnie Darko'" or "She won first place at the Olympics"). It's pretty easy to understand, even for a beginner, and especially, I thought, since I was using Japanese and drawing pictures for her. But she got confused when I tried to explain the concept of "first in line" or "second in line" - as in when you are standing in the line at the grocery store. She got so confused, bless her heart, and I got so tired.

its an experience, I will tell you!

and speaking of experience, before I become a liar, I will soon be starting my first installment of the Temporary Expat's Guide to Japan: Chapter 1, Toilets (next post, for sure)

As promised, here is the first installment of my own little "guide" to Japan and its customs. And though there are many interesting aspects of this country and culture to discuss, I thought I would start with something that is near and dear to everyone's hearts (and no, I don't mean Hello Kitty!).

When visiting or living in a foreign country, it is possible, and even advisable, to be flexible and open-minded. I mean, you might put aside your fears and try the local cuisine (you'll try raw squid at least once won't you, just to see what it tastes like?), you might try to speak the language (even if people look at you like you are from Mars rather than from California), and you might even risk your life in one of the local taxis or buses (and if you go to Bangkok, that's exactly what you will be doing). That's what makes traveling (or experiencing another country) fun and exciting: all the new things, and all the stories that you can tell after you return to the comfort and familiarity of your own country.

But with that in mind, there is another thing that you must inevitably learn to be flexible about when traveling: the all-important commode, toilet, "john", water closet, restroom, bathroom, powder room ... (the list could go on and on).  Well, whatever you choose to call it, you'll always need it, whether its in the airport, the train station, the fast food restaurant, or the outdoor national park.  And of course you always hope that the commode will be a place where you can relieve yourself comfortably.  Right?  Well, if you come to visit Japan,  you may be either pleasantly surprised, or downright disappointed (or disgusted)...

( more fun with toilets )