The little things

Being in a foreign land can make you enjoy things you would previously snub: being whirled around in a jig to the Pogues by George; flirting with ugly boys; an acoustic version of the Thundercats theme tune at George`s open mic night; or hearing the loathesome U2 on the radio. I was positively excited to hear Vertigo. The world is upside down in Japan.

It`s still taking some getting used to. The Japanese have some funny ways. In a public toilet recently, one lady shunned the western style toilet in favour of the squat Japanese ones. The hand-dryers in the cinemas fiercely blast you with cold air if you manage to work out their purpose and where to put your hands (with their orange guidance lights, they look far more suited to a space craft than a cinema). After one of my lessons yesterday, the receptionist felt it fine to point out the mothers of my kindergarten class had remarked on how quiet my voice was (I had mimicked the students` shyness by whispering) for my figure... I also can`t work my phone. I`ve managed to guess how to listen to my voicemail, but can only understand `main menu desu`. I need to get a receptionist to translate for me in case I`m missing a crucial function.

Some things are no different. An ageing and unattractive man beckoned me over to him the other day. Having ignored Yoshi previously, I imagined he must be someone I`d forgotten from the George so went over. Oh no. He asked if I was from Canada or Australia, then if I spoke Japanese. Despite being told no to all these questions, he then blasted me with unidentifiable Japanese. I mumbled `wakari masen` and he repeated more slowly. This time I made out `kudasai`: please. He repeated again. `Date-o kudasai`. I always attract the best ones.

I`ve finished Obasan by Joy Kogawa, the book Ian gave me. It stunned me. I hadn`t been aware of the appalling treatment meted out to the Japanese Canadians during and after World War II, so it was illuminating, but also beautifully written. If you have the chance, please find it and read it. Thank you Ian!

I have had to re-arrange my date due to financial circumstances. I am being taken back to Omiya Park as it is the only place that is free in the whole town. Uriah has managed to annoy me without even meeting me by asking what time I`d like to meet and when I suggested 2 or 2.30, he then said 1. Why not just suggest that initially? To trick me into feeling like I have the control? When people treat me like I`m stupid, I can`t help but think they must be utterly retarded. It will be fun.

I experienced another small earthquake on Monday night, a tiny rumble. I think that`s six or seven now. It`s an odd feeling and one that`s far too difficult to explain. I am already quite relaxed about the regularity of them, although I have heard about teachers who leap under tables at the first tremor and are nonchalantly mocked by the Japanese who have been thrown around by far more powerful movements.