Some necessary spending

The soles of my boots were in a pathetic condition and today is the day to get it fixed. Aware of the high cost of living in Japan I braced myself as I looked at the price list as I approached the Mister Mint kiosk at Shinjyuku Nishiguchi station after class. The fix cost me 3,150yen which is just a little below SGD50.00. *gasp* I could probably get my shoes fixed 3 times for that amount back home. Oh well. It still costs less than me buying a new pair of boots. 

I decided to console myself with some retail therapy. HAHAHAHA. I am of the female sex after all! At first I was thinking of getting some pastries but ended up at this shop selling tea and what nots like tenugui (hand towels) and handkerchiefs. My eyes were cast upon this particular tenugui which is a limited season's edition. Since tis the season to be jolly I gladly made a purchase. 

I have grown to be very fond of tenuguis. The first tenugui I received as a gift from a Japanese friend 2 years ago and really like it. I was reluctant to use it as I thought it too beautiful to be subjected to wear and tear. But I brought it with my to Japan and eventually started using it. I now have 10 pieces, 8 of which were gifted. I am sure the number will continue to grow.

After my brief retail therapy it is off to the cafe for my revision. Although I can manage 2 solid hours the words will start swimming around after that. I don't use the language as often as I should and it has hindered my progress. Oh well, there are ways around it. *grin*

A sweet little thing

The weather is getting colder and brings back memories of when I first arrived in Japan. Frankly I don't really want to get out of the house and prefer to stay indoors reading and surfing the internet. My all important examination is just around the corner so it is time to switch gears on my revision. 

Hoping to up my motivation I invited a couple of friends for a 勉強会 (study group) at my place. As we gathered in the evening it started off with some chit chat. As time passes we decided that we would start after dinner instead. I think you see where this is going. Hahaha. After dinner there was more chit chat and I ended up spending some time on a phone call. Ah the wonders of internet calling. Eventually we got started and it was followed by 2 hours of deafening silence. The study group ended with the grumbling of someone's stomach. It was time to take out the dessert!

As I realized soon after arriving in Japan the country is a nom nom haven. Especially what the patisseries here have to offer! So as a reward for our "grueling" session of self study (which is itself obligatory anyway) we ended the night by pigging out on a delicious cake.

The act of consumption was accompanied by a variety of sounds which more than adequately expressed our satisfaction with this product. There shall be the sampling of another cake very soon. Twas a good day!

There is a first time for everything.

Indeed. Since arriving in Japan 10 months ago, I have tried doing a few things for the first time.

Today, also for the first time, I did something which I thought I will never do. It took me alot of courage from start to finish and I lost sleep over it too. I went through with it anyway to avoid having any regrets later on in life. 

That is not the end of it though. For now I will hustle while I wait.

Withdrawal symptoms?

I couple of weeks ago I decided that I would stop training at Hombu Dojo during the weekdays to give myself more time to study for the upcoming JLPT exams. Somehow it feels like something is missing. There is that sense of guilt too.

I have been attending training everyday and suddenly I only attend classes during the weekends. I feel left out; missing all that action and the learning experience.

But this coming examination is important as it is a stepping stone to my plan for the new few years. So I better make sure that the time I sacrificed not training is worth it!

相見易同住難

One of the best ways for people to understand one another is to live together. It does not necessarily need to be long term co-habitation; travelling together will also offer a glimpse of what a person is really like. Basically something where certain aspects of someone's personal life is inevitable exposed. 

The experience can range from pleasant to downright unbearable.

For me, the recent experience of co-habitation with a few people has resulted in closer bond in with one and return to being strangers with others. 

My first autumn in Japan

Coming from an equatorial country, I was really looking forward to my year long stay in Japan. Ah, to experience the four seasons. I came to Japan in the middle of winter and remember seeing steam in front of me everytime I exhale. Then came spring and I went cherry blossom viewing with some of my gals. It was followed by summer which I commemorated with a trip to Okinawa. The white sands, blue waters and clear skies!

As I am near the end of my year long stay, I have also just gone through the fourth and last season since my arrival 10 months ago. Thinking how I am going to commemorate this season, the chance came when one of my friends showed me pictures that he took of the autumn leaves when he went to Takao san. Takao san is roughly 50 minutes by train from Shinjuku and the fare costs 370 yen per trip. Seeing that autumn is near its end I thought I should do it soon.

After looking at the week's weather forecast, the best day was mid-week. I also wanted to avoid the weekend crowd. As school starts in the afternoon, I woke up at 05:30hrs, board the train at 06:47hrs and reached Takaosanguichi at around 7:20hrs. I paid 900 yen to take the cable car up in order to save time. 

For about 3 hours, I walked around enjoying the fresh air, taking pictures and at times just simply enjoying the view. 

I arrived early so there were not many people save for the ardent hikers and photographers. By the time I started making my way to the train station there were a steady stream of people arriving to enjoy the autumn leaves.

I stopped on the way to have a sake manjyuu. Whilst waiting for the train I took a good bye picture from the station.

The energy that I had in the morning quickly disappeared as I boarded the train. I snoozed off very soon after the train took off and was contemplating whether to go to school. As tired as I was, I decided to attend class and bought a box of souvenirs to share with my classmates and teacher. 

A truly wonderful experience.