Akihabara

So finally posting about Akihabara!  I managed to make it there alone on the trains.  I had to ask for help a number of times.  After standing with a wee map like a huge tourist, I bit the bullet and used some more Japanese.  "Sumimasen, Akihabara ni ikitai n desu..."

Unfortunately my camera isn't wonderful and I'm not a great photographer, so I didn't get that many photographs.  Akihabara is manga geek central.  Imagine a few Forbidden Planet stores six to eight stories high and you get the idea.   I met up with my friend Melissa at 5.15, but I was there early and had a little look around myself.  The place is known as Electric City, so it has lots of electronics and up to date gadgets at really reasonable prices.  I got myself some nice new red earphones that I can stick right in my ear, which muffle out other sounds (such as snoring boyfriends for example :p)

I also saw a girl wearing a top with EngRish on it.  I think its worth noting down what her top said...'Protect the body Squirrel Habit'...  I'd love to hear your interpretations of that profound advice.

After I met with Melissa we decided to go for a coffee and a catch up, and then we went to Karaoke for two hours.  For those that don't know Karaoke is actually a Japanese word, and it's an absolutely huge business here.  They have Karaoke buildings all over the place, and groups of friends go and book into a room, they are provided with drinks, and in some cases food, and there's a karaoke screen and mics and little touch screen tablets to choose songs.  Sooooo much fun!

Had a really great wee evening, and I'll be seeing Melissa again next week for some movie watching.  Since I forced myself to stay up the whole day instead of sleeping, by the time I got home at 10.30 I was absolutely exhausted and I was able to sleep through the Japanese night for the first time (even if I did get up at 6 am and write this!)

I bought a pillow, and I'm excited

Still haven't gone to Akihabara-  but I thought I should document my first purchase in a shop without Takeshi doing all the talking.  I bought a pillow from a shop just down the road from us.  The lovely wee man that owned the shop even gave me a bit of discount.  I didn't know that's what he was telling me until he gave me the receipt though lol.

Jet Lag

Haven't gone to Akihabara yet, but I wanted to post a little.  I slept for two hours last night and then I was up again.  I may have slept a little longer if Takeshi hadn't been snoring in my ear, but I woke up and that was me again.  Had to get out of bed and talk online to friends and family.  I used skype to phone mum, it was good to hear her sleepy bedtime voice, and I spoke to my best friend Helen and her brother Dan for ages after Takeshi got up and went to work.  Was nice to be able to kiss him goodbye as he went out and wish him a good day.

Now I'm trying to avoid sleeping.  I've tidied the flat, albeit that the place is tiny (space is very limited in Tokyo it seems).  I rearranged a few things, which makes me feel a little more like I'm actually living here, and also lets me assert my control and presence (I'm a scorpio, you see).  Now I've got my violin out for a little session and I'm updating my blog.  My tummy is starting to feel a bit dodgy and I know it's because my body thinks I should be sleeping.  So I've opened the curtains to let in the daylight to prove it is not so!  This has led to a general spaced-outness.

But I will persist!

Settling in

Been here now for several days, but I can't get myself into the time zone at all.  It's 2.51 and I'm wide awake.  Tomorrow I'll venture out properly for the first time to meet with a friend in Akihabara.  I'll be sure to take some pictures.  I reckon I'll be shattered though, so I doubt I'll be looking stunning.

I've applied for a few part time jobs so I'll see where that goes.  The international school job won't start until mid-august (that's if I get it!) I called them today, and they took a number and said they'd call back, but they haven't.  They did seem a bit busy.  She said they might email, and it seems they might have to as it's my boyfriend's phone number and he's going to work tomorrow.  I don't have a phone of my own yet.  To get a phone I have to register as an alien! That way I can get a little identity card that will enable me to open a bank account and get a mobile phone, etc.

So so far I'm feeling a lot more homesick than I did when I came on trips before.  I wish I  could convince myself that this was just another holiday, because it's hard staring a whole 14 months in the face and being okay.  If I could just force myself to take it day by day I'd probably be better.

Any tips on fighting jetlag and homesickness are very welcome!

I'll post again after Akihabara.

At London Heathrow

So I've made it all the way to London, and now I'm waiting in the airport for my gate to open.  It's amazing being surrounded by so many people, all excited and anxious to be on the road.  My tummy was twisted in knots after saying goodbye to mum and the girls at the airport, but now its unwinding a bit and I think I may venture out of my little laptop haven for some food.

Wish me luck!

In the beginning

Tomorrow I will board a plane and go to my boyfriend in Japan.  I've been planning this forever, but now that it's actually on my doorstep I'm mixed up in a mesh of excitement, fear, amazement and sadness.  If you come from as large a family as I do, you'll understand how this past week has felt.  All the people I've had to say goodbye to has torn out a little piece of me over and over again.  In less than five hours I'll be heading out to the airport for final goodbyes to my mum and two older sisters.

I'm hoping for this to be a blog friends and family can read to keep up with all the goings on from my time in Japan.)
This is really the start of a massive adventure.  Can't wait to share it with you all :)