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

I've decided that I really would like to start doing more writing, and since I'm in Japan and experiencing a foreign country and language and culture, I thought it would be an even better idea to write about my life here. I did write a bit when I lived here in 2005, but my entries were not seen by many people. And my life was in such turmoil then (my relationship really) that I wrote more about "my life" in Japan than "life in Japan" - if you get the difference...

There's a website called GaijinPot which is well known to foreigners living and working in Japan because they post jobs and apartment listings and other links and advice. Also, they offer people the chance to write blogs on about life in Japan (working, teaching, living, speaking Japanese, culture, etc.)... I just need to submit something to them and get approved, and then I might be able to start blogging... easier said than done.

My problem is the same problem I always have as a writer. I have no great ideas to write about. I know it sounds crazy - I mean the things I experience on a daily basis here would probably be so foreign and weird and maybe even horrible or funny for you all in other countries! However, the problem is, since I'm living it, I don't know what other people would consider interesting. I've lived in Japan three years total, so stuff isn't that foreign for me anymore.

Therefore, I would like to solicit some ideas from you, my lovely friends out there in LJ land. Can you help me to brainstorm ideas for a blog about life in Japan? All you need to do is tell me what you would like to know about life in Japan. What questions do you have? what misconceptions would you like to have cleared up? If you were going to come and live in Japan, would would you want to know? What is weird to you about this country? What is wonderful? What is horrible? anything goes, really!

Here are a few topics I've written about in the past (when I lived in Japan from 2005-2006):
(these are all in my archives, if you look from April 2005 to May 2006)

Bugs
Noise
Smells (food, etc.)
holidays (i.e. christmas, new years)
bad English
vending machines
toilets
Things I Don't Understand about Japan (see this entry: http://laurainlimbo.livejournal.com/67041.html )


Anyway - I could expound on any of these topics, or write on something else. Keep in mind that I don't have a car and don't drive, and I don't live in an exciting big city like Tokyo, so there are some limits to what I can see and do here. But the good thing is that I live with Japanese people, and have Japanese friends, so I can always ask them questions too. Get the Japanese perspective:)

Basically I'm just curious to know what you're curious about my life - or a foreigner's life - in the land of the Rising Sun.

I'm excited for your comments! Thanks in advance!!