rain walking

It started out as a stroll through the park.  Early evening, sun still out.  People just starting to come home from their daily affairs.  I picked a small, quiet street with lots of greenery surrounding the sidewalk, next to a ritzy apartment complex in the area.  The massive trees were full of chirping locusts.  They were singing to each other, I thought.  I encountered a man with his little shaved poodle standing up, one paw against his leg, as he tied a bag closed.  He looked up and I smiled.  Like most Tokyoites, he crossed to the other side of the street.  More space for me.  There was an enterance to the apartment complex that I hadn't seen before, and I thought, well, I may not live here, but what the hell.  On either side of the driveway I found myself on were what I can only describe as chasms of greenery several stories deep.  Nothing was down there, just green.  No windows, no apartments.  Curious.  I wondered what it would be like to be down there.  If you could get in, or out.  Leaving the complex, I entered Meguro Citizens' Park.  There were more people, rushing home.  The sun was starting to peek out from behind the massive aparment buildings.  Then I felt something.  Spit?  No, rain!!  A light drizzle.  I am thoroughly convinced that all Japanese have an umbrella hidden in their clothes at all times, because out of nowhere umbrellas materialized.  I hadn't brought anything with me, only my wallet and my key, because I hadn't originally planned on going anywhere.  My legs just kept carrying me, and so for once I didn't fight it, and I followed.  No umbrella for me.  No matter.  It was just a drizzle.  I looked up to see blue sky and scattered clouds.  Curious, but not unheard of.  Although I had become rather accustomed to not ever seeing the sky in Tokyo on these muggy, cloudy summer days.  The blue was unexpected, almost shocking.  More umbrellas, people walking.  I crossed the street away from the park into a neighborhood.  It started to pour.  But I didn't take cover, or run, or any of the other silly things we do when we try to avoid the elements.  I just kept walking, and I found myself thinking, what does it matter if I get a little wet?  How long has it been since I just walked in the rain, no where to go, no where to be, and just enjoyed the feel of the cool rain on my skin?  The cool drops were refreshing in the heat of Tokyo summer.  Shielding my eyes from the rain so that I could see, I continued down the street.  Fewer people.  As I wandered my way home, through the small residential streets and alleys, a rainbow appeared over the buildings.  Faint at first, growing brighter.  Still, the rain fell.  An elderly man passed me, a little surprized.  You get that look a lot here, being a foriegner.  I nodded to him.  He smiled a great big smile and nodded back.  Even in a city of millions, Tokyo people can be so warm if you just show a little warmth yourself.  The sky began to change - the sun was setting.  Still, the pinkish-gold rays of light cascaded between the buildings, lighting the rooftops and higher stories of the houses I passed.  I knew I was soaked, but it didn't matter.  Who cares if I look like I just climbed out of a drain?  It doesn't matter here.  I'm still me, just a slightly messier version.  And I thought to myself that this, this is what it means to be alive.  To just be.  Not to fight, but just to accept the world and the life all around you.  Not the things we buy, or the people we know, or the places we want to visit someday.  Here and now, this is life, and I'm living it.  Welcome to the planet.

Yokota AFB Open Base Day with Ai!!

Yesterday Ai (a T.A. in my Japanese class last sem) took me to the American base outside of Tokyo for an open festival thing.  I'm still not really sure why they do it, PR maybe?  But they pretty much let anyone and everyone on base to poke at the tanks and airplanes and there are games and stuff for the kids. 

Ai and her brother tried Gatorade for the first time (lemon-lime and fruit punch), and...well...were not impressed, haha!  They asked me if people actually drink that stuff in America.  Ah, American culture.  Anywho, we had an awesome time.  Highlight of the trip? 

I got to meet Ai's cat Pen-Pen.  :D

P90X Day 19。。。

Reps dropped dramatically today...got so lightheaded.  Dunno if maybe I didn't eat enough for breakfast, managed to complete the workout but at a much lower intensity than normal, and drinking coffee at the same time (yuck).  I did go walking around a lot yesterday at the AFB festival...maybe just muscle fatigue.  Still dedicated to sticking with it though.  Hoping it's just a fluke.

Starting to see the good ol' six pack again!  Back muscles are also better defined.  Right knee a little sore...gonna have to take it easy on that leg for a few days so as not to aggrevate it.  Back pain much less frequent too. 

Must.  Keep.  Going.

P90x Day 18。。。

Am I still doing this?

Man, this guy's a douche.  "It's not a competition." "How many pullups did you do, 16?  I'm gonna do 2 more so I can beat you."  Douche.

Anyway, down one belt loop.  Starting to see definition in the upper arms and shoulders, upper back.  Waist, lower back, and thighs are definitely smaller.  Abs are flatter, and there's the faint outline of the obliques around where the 6pack should be.  I feel less floppy.  Haven't been tracking weight, but I've definitely lost a few pounds of fat (but probably gained it back in muscle).  My flexibility suddenly skyrocketted...I've gained about an inch of flexibility in most of the major muscle groups - but that wasn't gradual, it was just TODAY.  Can't explain it, guess I just reached a threshold.  I can now do several pushups (up from 1/2) before saying f*** it.

Well, he may be a douche, but he does know fitness. 

I just realized today that I'm not sure how I'll keep up the progress when the moms and the hubbs comes out to visit next month since we'll be outta town.  By then I'll be at what, day 45-ish.  Can't quit, I'll be half way there!!  Maybe I'll bring my laptop...but a 1+ hours a night on vacation is stretching it...gotta stay motivated!!  It would be a shame to waste all that effort. 

I think I'll reward myself with something when I finish this program....maybe a giant cardboard cutout of the dude so I can beat the crap out of it with a vengeance.  And bigger muscles.  :D

Convenient Combini is Convenient

Combini are everywhere in Japan!!  Pick a direction and start walking, and chances are that within a block or two, you'll stumble across one. 


But don't be fooled - these are not your average conveniece stores!!  Friends who have been to Japan often lament the absence of combini back home.  Imagine, a one stop shop where you can

• pay your bills
• perform international bank transactions
• send out overseas packages
• hire a reliable delivery service for luggage/furnature anywhere in Japan
• buy fireworks
• get cheap just-been-fried food (chicken, fries, dumplings, weird unidentifiable things)
• get cheap healthy food (salad, spaghetti, veggies, real sammiches, actually fresh pre-made dinners)
• other stuff I can't translate

But wait - it gets better.



Just wanted to see if you were still paying attention.

why I came to Japan...the real story

 don't stay in a job or a situation just for the sake of someone else, e.g., you don't want to "abandon" your boss or coworkers. I know the work culture is a little differe...nt here, but it still holds that "settling" for something will never bring you fulfillment. would you believe I quit my engineering job of 5 years, with excellent pay and benefits, great coworkers, and good future...to study in Japan? everyone thought I was out of my mind, throwing away my success and all, but that's not the point. i knew it was something I had to do, and the feeling kept growing...so I stopped worrying about doing it "wrong" and just did it! and I am so greatful for the encouragement of those I care about, even though they might not have understood! else I would have always been thinking "I should have done that when I had the chance, now I never will..." if you're faced with a decision that may shape the rest of your life, try looking at it backwards. in 25 years, will you be glad you did it, or lament that you never did? which will take you closer to who you really want to be?

the expected path isn't always the right path!! I hope you find what's right for you!! To hell with the people who succeed in spite of themselves. (and they're out there, I agree.) even a broken clock is right twice a day.

When Worlds Collide -- Just Applied for a Tech Job!!

Irony of ironies!!  Perusing http://www.gaijinpot.com/, I stumbled across a particularly interesting ad for an emerging technology company in Tokyo.  It's actually REALLY close to where I live.

The scary thing?  I'm (almost) completely qualified!!  I just applied and now I'm unable to keep still.  Hopefully they'll contact me soon!  :D

So I don't jinx myself, further details are not being provided in the early stages...except by private email!  o.0

SO EXCITED!!!

P90X Day 10。。。

I've found that if I crank the AC way down, and blast the fan, it's easier to complete the workouts.  That way I don't know how hard I'm working, cuz the body heat dissipates too quickly...so I don't get psyched out!  I think, hhmm, I'm only dripping sweat, not pouring...so I can do a few more reps!!  Haha!  Take that, brain.

As far as the program goes, starting to see a difference.  Others probably can't see it yet, but I can.  Legs are a little less floobley, bum is a little higher, tummy is a little smaller.  Arms are definitely a little tighter.  I feel a little less yucky.  Reps are slowly inching up, although a few exercises have stayed the same or even gotten more difficult!!  (I'm looking at you, abs!!)

But I sleep a hell of a lot and eat a hell of a lot more!!~

Encouragement is welcome ;)

Almost got run over just now

Just almost got run over.  Minding my own business, waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green.  *DING*  (I made up that sound just now.)  So I start crossing the street with the various other pedestrians.  Cue The Driver.  He waits for all of the Japanese to get out of the way, looks right at me, and accelerates.  Meanwhile, I'd just picked up the pace to get out of his way like a dutiful pedestrian should.  Two things cross my mind in true adrenaline-doped fashion.

I realize he's being a douche, and is either (a) going to run me over, or (b) playing chicken, you know, like they do back home.  So I do the only logical thing that comes to mind and, still trying to get out of the way, stare directly into the car window to toss my attacker a dirty look, and maybe a finger for good measure.   Either of these are unfathomably rude acts in Japan, so I guess I was trying to fight fire with fire.  Silly me, I look at the American driver's side - not the Japanese driver's side -  and see a very pretty, mid-20s screaming female passanger who is obviously quite terrified.  I felt bad for her.  She did not deserve the finger, I decided.  Didn't get a look at the driver.  He slams the brakes a few feet from me.  I continue on my merry way. 

I had to wonder, did they have an arguement after that?  Or was that normal behavior for the driver?  Judging by the passanger's reaction, it was going to be an awkward night.  Well, anyway, it kinda ruined mine.  Unkindness for the sake of being unkind is never justified.

I guess douchebags in Japan drive Mercedes. 

CHEESE!

I love cheese.  It's delicious.  It's nutritious.  Cheese.

Imagine my surprise when I suddenly found it difficult to find.  We have, what, 1000s of kinds of cheese?  Regular stores in Japan have like two.

NO.


No cheddar.  No colby.  No Tillamook Extra Sharp.  Just...this thing they call "hotel cheese".

Mmmm.  Hotel Cheese.

You can find familiar cheeses in specialty stores, though.  I was ecstatic upon finding some mozzarella.  In a 3.5 oz. package.  (That's like one slice of cheese pizza.)  For about $4. 

Not ok.

Today, almost totally by accident, I discovered why the Japanese don't eat cheese.  It's NOT because:
a) Cheese makes your sweat stinky
b) Cheese is high in cholesterol
c) Japanese are from another planet

Nope. It's because Japanese are genetically lactose intolerant!!

And there's your useless fact for the day.  And now I go to enjoy my $4 bite of mozzarella.  Next time you're eating something cheesy delicious, like fried cheese, extra cheese pizza, mac'n'smack, or any other of the limitless varieties of cheesed out dishes, ponder the fact that somewhere far away, someone is lamenting the forced absence of cheese in their diet.

Odds and Ends

Something the hubbs sent me that made me laugh:

Day #5 and going strong.

I am so hungry all the time.  My metabolism has skyrocketted.  Hello, fried chicken. 

Everyone's leaving Japan for their home countries, now that the semester is over.  Who would have thought that when studying abroad, your friends become your family?  So here's a shout out to all my buddies who are kaeru-ing this summer.



Damnit, Jake.

It's Guy Love...

What else...I broke down and finally tried the Japanese nail thing, sorta.  I am somewhat embarassed to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 attempts and 2 hours it took me to get it right.  Don't judge.



I made this.

Yesterday, I picked a direction and started walking.  I ended up in the next town over, 自由が丘, notorious for its beautiful greenery, rich housewives, and extensive shopping district.  It's also where the 子猫カフェ is.  =^.^= For my non-kanji reading friends, that's a KITTEN CAFE.

Meow.  And now for your entertainment pleasure, the video meme that can't be stopped.  I killed about 90minutes today entranced by its many variations.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  (Click it.  I dare you.)

http://youtu.be/QH2-TGUlwu4

P90X - the workout program from hell

Just started the P90X Lean program.  It's about 60 to 90 minutes per night, 6 nights per week.  For those who aren't familiar with it, the idea is that it will reform your  musculature into a work of art in 90 days - hence the "P90X".  There are something like 10 different workouts, each specifically targeted to a muscle group or a form (e.g. kenpo, core, etc.), and they're mixed up in such a way that you won't plateau.  It includes a realistic nutrition program that doesn't involve company-specific product purchases, which is better than most package deals.  It's INSANE.  Everyone in the videos is a fitness model. 

Results not typical.

I'm 3 days in; I've done the STRETCH, the CORE SYNERGISTICS, and CARDIO X workouts.

Yeah, right.

 Unfortunately, there is not enough room in my apartment for some of the moves, so I've had to improvise by doing backwards kicks into the shower (almost knocked over the laptop a few times)...and damn there are a lot of pushups!!  I hurt in all kinds of places, but in the good, "that was an awesome workout" kind of way.   

My room.

My goal is to successfully complete the 90 days, become a fitness model (haha) and to maintain afterwards.  So far, I LOVE it!!  We'll see how long that lasts.   Wish me luck!! 

Camping on a Tropical Beach -- 沖縄and宮古縞pictures!!

Went to Okinawa and Miyakojima for 10 days with friends, camped on the beach, stayed in a capsule hotel, got to meet the locals.  It was awesome.  Check these out (there are a lot):

Miyakojima beach sunset

Capsule Hotel...yup, that's your room.

How did that get past Marketing?

Feeding time

I GOT THE THING!!

Industrial Sunset in Miyakojima

Kaz makes a new friend

Me!

Dorks.

For planting, not eating!!

Love this one.

I'm gonna need a giant fork.

Mmmm dragonfruit

Pentagonal beach flowers

Cocoon season

Stung by a Portuguese Man-Of-War!!  Only a baby though.

"Sea Grapes"...better than they look.

Tropical fishies everywhere

For those of you who can read JP

Traditional Okinawan dance...so colorful!

Background of the day

Everyone fell asleep on the plane

6" Spider.  That's just the torso.

Secret Beach!!

Purple sea coral(?)

The guys at Secret Beach

Home sweet home

Stairs to the sea

These red flowered trees were everywhere in Okinawa

Sea cucumber...over a foot long!  Not edible.