久しぶり。。。。

oh how its been a while....

like. actually.
so much has happened.
and i cant quite remember what i wrote before.......

i am currently in saizeria.
for those of you who have been to japan, will know and love saizeria. as it is a staple to the lives of the japanese.

its what they would call a family restaurant.
its the cheapest of all the family restaurant chains.

specialising in italian food.
which, has items i can eat in it.


another reason why this place is popular. is because it has a drinks bar.

unlimited softdrinks and hot drinks.

wheeeee.

so often a good place for the sole traveller.
although, its best if you have a book or something.

so you can occupy yourself.


doing it with nothing is boring.

i would know.... ive experienced.


never again.


but here right now. there are atleast 10 other solo people.
so im not alone in my endeavour.


why, you ask, am i at such a place when i could be else where.
i am in between shifts at work.

on wednesday and thursday i have to work the lunch and dinner shift.
but at the moment, i am living with my host family right, which is 2hours away. so i cant exactly pop home inbetween shifts.

they think i live in asakusa
(which, starting from this evening i will....but more on this later)

so they say to me.

go-eat-sleep-comeback

as they think its easily done.


also. because im working everyday, my boss made me buy a monthly pass from asakusa for work (which apparently i will be reimbursed for next month... i really hope so. as it was 100dollars. and because i have been in saitama. i havent been using it). so in my breaks. i can travel around the stops in between work and asakusa.
i have no idea what is at each station. and at this stage, i am too tired to explore. (during breaks)
as i get home from work after midnight every night. and when i work the morning shift. i have to leave the house at 8.30. which means earlier wake up. and then i dont get home until after midnight again.

so on my break, i often want to sit in a grassy field.

these dont exist in japan.

there is a place near my work. which has benches, trees and gravel.... but its not the type of place you can spend 5 hours.


also. when i say work. i mean 2hours per shift. well. between 2-3.
im always the first to get sent home when i work, as the other guy doesnt get paid.
so obviously they want him to stay. as i cost money.

he asked if he could work there, without pay, so he could improve his english and japanese.

there is so much pressure on me though.
as they think im fluent. i am definately not fluent.

yesterday, they recieved a fax, and instead of asking me to read it, he wanted me to ring the company, and ask why they sent it and what the meaning was.

when i say he. i mean my manager.
im not the fondest of him.
when the phone rings, and im really busy. and hes doing nothing. he picks up the phone and says rebekah.
so i have to drop what im doing to answer it. and he stands next to me, listens, and when i hang up asks what they wanted.

if he wants to know so badly, he should answer the phone himself.

its often people asking if we are open for lunch, if they can take a reservation.
or its one of the many delivery companies.
which i hate dealing with, as i dont know what to do!

and often, people call asking to speak to the manager.

or if its an indian customer, i have to pass it to him, as they get angry that i cant understand them when they make an order.

i know the menu when its english or japanese (kindof)
but when people say it properly, im like, huh????
because its not like its spelt. so me hearing it, writing it, then repeating it to the indian chefs,
is not a good combination.


yesterday. and today. he made me go outside and hand out flyers/discount coupons.
i hate doing it. as no body wants it!
and i hate being rejected, or having people say no. hate hate hate.
haaaaaaaaaaaaate.

so this job makes me cringe every second. as every one ignores me everysecond. not a nice feeling.

and every time i come back. he asks me why i didnt give them all out. and what i really want to say is, why dont you do it yourself then?!?!?


because its hard!!!

and the guy that went back to india trained me, right. so for the drinks people order at lunch time, he told me to use the slightly smaller glasses, as the drinks are alot cheaper at lunch time.
so i do. and today, my manager told me off. because i used the smaller glasses.

and i was like WTF babu told me to use them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gaaaahhhh.


and when clearing the dishes, we are ment to put the cups to the back, so that it can be filled up easliy without crowding.
and i do. but this other cuban guy, who works at lunch time doesnt.
AND HE TOLD ME OFF.

wtf. like actually.


i swear its because im a girl.
maybe hes also jealous because he thinks i can speak better japanese than him.

but really...
i cant.

actually. i know more. as in, he only knows phrases related to restaurant. but he can do it in keigo.
(the most respectful form of speaking)

i can say alot more. and know lots more. but i cant use keigo. as its not very common at all. and in my last job, i didnt have to use it.


but this restaurant is quite flash. as in, it charges a bomb at dinner time. and has a minimum charge perperson. and if some one is just coming along, and not eating, they get charged the fee.
and it got some best restaurant award last year.

and. im sick of indian food atm.

i get given lunch. and yet im in a family restaurant. eating a salad.

oh, how its been a while. as its a proper salad. not a shitty salad.
so im happy.


oh, yes. and tonight. after work. im moving to a guest house! in asakusa.
i looked at two the other day. pretty close to each other, except one in the morning, and one at night.

the one in the morning i was very very late for. and im so greatful that he still saw me. did ring him. but he said he had plans from 12, and my appointment was for 11.15.
and i turned up at 12.25.

bad me.

anyways, the place was well cool. it was like a maze!!!
except the rooms were very cramped. as in. where i would put my stuff i dont know.
but it was full. and he had some temporary accomodation till a room becomes available.
but there would be no vacancy for two months, as there were already people in the temporary room.

i really wanted to move in there. as the people seem really nice.


the one i saw at night was not as bustling with atmosphere. but it was nice. i like the fact that every single room is different.
there are 20 single rooms in the house.
and they are tiny. the size of a matress. although the bed is usually up higher so that you can use space underneath, to store your stuff.

i wonder what room ill get.

this is the place im moving into.

mainly because the manager was really nice and cool!!!!

for the moment i shall move in for a month.

.....tis now the next day,
i am in my new place. the internet works.

i am connected with real life again.


my room is a box

and last night when i was sleeping. i kept banging my head on a pole, whenever i turned over.
there is no window. but the wireless reaches my room on the third floor. wheeeee.



this weekend there is a massive matsuri (festival) in asakusa.
today was the first day. it was crazy town. like actually.....

i hate being in crowded places!

so i left.
i went with tom.



on the way home, i got some food supplies.

and i have just had cereal, a banana, some tofu and a slice of toast,

all the little things i havent eaten in ages!!!


work tonight.

i start quite late today.
at 7,

hopefully i finish at like 9.


menrokusaaaaaai



its my attitude to work. it shouldnt be. but it is....


anyways

im going to go do something....maybe some japanese study...
and by study i really mean watch a japanese film.


slash. update my mixi blog.
which takes forever, because its in japanese....


comment. on my blog. slash email.slash skype meee.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!

x

i am back

on the computer.

again, only for a short while.


i am ment to be searching for jobs etc.
but i cant be bothered.


i may have found a cheapish place to live.
which could be nice.

but then i will run out of money again... not nice.

luckily mama is going to transfer me some funds!!
thankyou mummy.


im slightly freaking out about my visa.
as i have to go all the way to nagoya to get it, and i dont know if its ready.
and etcetc.

last night i did an all nighter with my host sister.
we went to get purikura (sticker photos), went bowling with her friends (have i mentioned how bad at bowling i am?!?!?!? for the first 5 turns, i only got gutterballs) but it was fun. afterwards, we went to all night karaoke till 5 in the morning.

feeling it now.

the lack of sleep and all.


karaoke wasnt as much fun as it could have been, as they put us in the room with an old system maybe? anyways, there was no furigana on the kanji in the japanese songs (kanji is the hard core chinese symbols) (and furigana is hiragana written on top). so i couldnt sing japanese songs! well i could, but its hard when you cant read one word, and then it puts you off completely and blah blah blah.

it was still enjoyable though. as i love love love karaoke!!!!!!

marie (my host sister) says that im 人気者 which means, a popular thing. amoungst her friends, as they all want to meet me.
the ones that i have met so far are fun!!!
and i want to meet more.


tonight, i am working my first evening shift at the indian restaurant. i have no idea what they are wanting me for. or if i am an employee. and they are the hardest people to ask. i hate washing dishes also. as that is part of my job. but a job is a job right?!?! and i will power through it.

i really hope i get paid. as my wages are pretty much my train fare from my host families house to there as its so far away.


hmmm. yes. well. no other news that i can think of.

except i made my signature dish (pumpkin lentil curry) for my host family last night, and they liked it! whooo. hahaha. i obviously enjoyed it. as i love it!! yummm.



anyways. best get going and get ready for my journey to work.



and hiromi, keep up the comments.
japan is not the same without you.

a long time its been

internet is limited at the moment. and before that, when internet was limitless i was timeless.


i have only a short amount of time left.
on the computer.

so i thought i would write a quick. very quick. update.


i have gone to my host familys house. inbetween saitama and tokyo.
its so nice to see them again!!

i also re cut my fringe today. very exciting. as its been a long time.

i purchased a new costume. daisy duck.
she is cute.


i am trying to find a job working at a hostel.

i want to work at a bar called gas panic. but they dont pick up their phone.


i had a trial at an indian restaurant yesterday. and i have another one tomorrow.
so maybe im doing a good job??

hmmm.

job hunting is so hard.
people dont want to hire foreigners.


which is totally lame. huh.

i am sick at the moment. with a cold. and its lame, because it hurts to talk, which means karaoke is very difficult for me.

and i love karaoke.



there is a chance i may have to return back to nz next month. as i have no job therefore no money. which is lame. as i want to stay forever. but i shall do EVERYTHING in my power to stay.


in other news, my cousin candice is having a baby girl!!!! exciting non??? well. im excited. although, she was hoping for a boy.


when i leave my host familys next week, ill probably get really lonely again.

so, please email me, always!!!!!

(kira-kira.bek@softbank.ne.jp)

and i will reply. most likely.

maybe even with a fun picture!

sweet deal huh?



anyways. muct go. more later....


じゃ、またね

maybe sometimes you wish you were somewhere else.

i cant help but want my friends right now.
to see the people i love.


to do things which seem like only a distant memory.




i have been thinking.
about things.


and its probably not a good thing.


as much as i want to go home, a part of me will always resist.

and i know that if i choose the easy way out, and go home, i wont be happy with myself.



at times, its so hard to be away from you all.
and i cant help but think that by the time i come back,
you will have all grown.

away from me.



is this stupid?



probably. but sometimes thoughts are thoughts.
and life is life.



and we cant help things.



so please dont grow away from me.
please still be my friend.



because ill need you when i come back.

blaaah.

i am in a 'menrokusai' mood.

which means, an 'i cant be bothered' mood.


i need to go out.
yes.


to get this visa shit sorted.



BUT I CANT BE BOTHERED.


im half dressed.

(and by half dressed i have makeup and eyelashes on)


today i felt like having extra super long lashes. so i put fake ones on.


they make me feel happy.

also i have to get a new train card. as my one only has 250yen on it. which wont even get me to sakae. (the main station...)


so this is also contributing to this mood.
i also want to make poached eggs. but we have no bread. lame. maybe ill do the whole, putting clothes on thing now. yes. thats a good idea.



so long.

carrying on from where i left off.....

(make sure you read the before post too kids!!!!)

...the bus ride. oh, the bus ride.
upon first inspection, it was lovely and spacious.

then the guy infront of me said, 'im just going to put the seat down a bit' (in japanese ofcourse)
except a little is a LIE. his seat went a meter back, into my knees. infact. 30cm into my knee space. so i ended up stradling his chair for the 6hours of sleep time. damnit.

arrived at nagoya station at 5.30 am.
and made our way to higashiyama koen station, which is where the people we are staying with live.
we arrived. it was liams bday the night before, so they were all hungover sleeping.
we joined the sleeping club. as we had had very little sleep over the past few nights.

woke up. went to the 'supermarket' (except we couldnt actually find the supermarket so we went to some convenient stores and a grocer).
had an extremely late lunch consisting of fruit, yoghurt and poached eggs.

we cooked a delicious pasta for dinner. and went and got icecream for dessert.
wooooo.
we also had some sakura chu-hi (only available during spring time).

the next day we had a pretty lazy morning. which was great.
(liam made an amazing omlette)
then we went to sakae to meet up with the three people from sanosaka who live in nagoya.
hiromis room mate megu. my room mate yuki. and nono.
everyone arrived at various times so while we waited, we went to a place called bagel and bagel.

(they need this in new zealand)

we went for a stroll to a different district. and went to a temple. ate mexican food and curly fries. we went on the ferris wheel.

yuki and megu parted ways. nono, hiromi and i went to fujigaoka. nono took us to a place called fu-zi. it was fun! so fun. i had an amazing pumpkin cheese baked thing.

we ordered eachothers drinks. and got them pretty spot on. concidering we all have different tastes.

we kept the evening alive with very interesting conversational topics.
that i wouldnt have expected from nono.

i guess people change once they leave sanosaka.

we then went to a place called gara. and it was so cool in there. the atmosphere was amazing. amazing. like actually.
athough we did get waaay over charged it was a-ok.

we parted ways and went home for a lovely sleep.



the next day involved a group trip to a restaurant. hiromi. me. kazuho. liam. beru. and a couple consisting of a french guy and a japanese girl, although, i cant remember their names.
the place was called saizeria. and it was delicious. italian. but real cheap. with drinks bar. (nomihoudai non alcoholic drinks). and i love these places. because i am always keen to pay 3dollars for unlimited juice, melon soda, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

(soon we will go to a bar, where its all you can drink, for 15dollars for 2hours!!! bring it on i say!!!!!!!)


afterwards, romi went to meet her friend and i went with the others to a famous park. it is spring. this means the sakura trees are in full bloom.
here in japan. they have massive celebrations under the trees. its called hanami. and everyone drinks. and has fun.

i got drunk. and made some new friends.
i think.

i had alot alot alot of sakura chu-hi. mmmmm.

we then went to an izakaya. for more good times.
drunk middle aged men. i dont even think i could describe....

home time called. we went.

and went straight to sleep.



the next day. sunday. a lovely sleep in.
kazuho made a delicious breakfast. and after they left. we also had poached eggs. as i was serverly hungover.


we made our way to the chunichi dragons baseball game!
ive never been to a baseball game before. and it was great. the staduim was HUGE.
the number of tigers fans (the opposition) well outnumbered the amount of dragons fans.


we got dragons shirts. so we were right into it.

we also won.

although won is a slight exaggeration.
we crushed.


i have adopted nagoya as my new home. and i will for ever be a chunichi dragons supporter.


afterwards we went to the department store and i had a crepe. romi had a sundae.
deliciousness.


we made our way to nagoya station, where we were meeting romis friend sayoko. she is heaps cute!!!! she took us to an AMAZING izakaya called daibutsukorokoro. seriously amazing. all the rooms were different. and they were all hidden. and it was like a maze.
the staff however, were not so bright.

i asked if the omuraisu had meat or fish in it. she said no. so i said, one of those please!
she comes back with it, and it has bacon in it. i say, i just asked if it has meat in it. she goes away, comes back and says, i didnt think bacon was meat.

how stupid can you be??


romis other friend amid came.

we left. went home. and watched sherlock holmes.


today, we woke up. again had a lazy morning. i wasnt allowed to eat breakfast really. because we went to a cake tabehoudai (all you can eat cake).
it was AMAZING. all you can eat cake for 20$. for 70mins.
also all you can eat pasta, soft serve. all you can drink non alcoholic beverages.

AMAZING.
i have never felt so sick from eating cake in my life. up until today.

i must go back. although 8hours later i still feel this isnt possible. but still excited.

we went with megu and sayoko.
we also went to the loft. and uniqlo.

our failed attempt to find purikura, saw us on the streets doing self timer shots.

we said good bye to megu.
sayoko joins us home for dinner.
romi and i cook everyone thai curry.
so delicious. so so so. i also made a salad. with avocado AND feta.

oh, the joys.

now liams friend is here telling stories of his job.


he also asked if i was doing some serious hacking, as i have been on here writing for a long long time.
i explain to him that i am trying to write down everything before i forget. his response was me missing out on memories right now.
this is lies.



within the times of all this happening. i may or maynot have been invited to on a trip back to hakuba!

i also saw photos from hannahs 21st!! and i was included. and it made me so super happy. tears in the eyes happy.


i hope you had an amazing birthday celebration hannah!! im so gutted i couldnt ACTUALLY be there. but it looks like HEAPS of fun. (and i hope your freezing a slice of that cake for me!!!!). and and and you looked so so seeeexy!!!

SO SEXY.



tonight i sleep. i sleep.


soon i sleep. wheeeeee.e.

new city new life

i left hakuba.
and sanosaka.

and tracks.




it was sad. i cried.
mainly from leaving the workplace (people i worked with), as opposed to the dorm (people i lived with).
packing my room was INSANE. i somehow accumulated so much stuff. and i even sent two boxes home!!!
and i also threw out alot of things.... i never throw things out.


little sleep the night before didnot help this. along with meals stopping twodays before, and drinking the remains of the alcohol....
we left at about 2pm, to head back to tokyo.


we all thought we were being taken to narita airport. but, we were actually being taken to central city. hiromi needed to put her bags in storage at narita. so it was a slight confusion slash slash moment. but it all got sorted. we caught the train to shinjuku to put our bags into storage.
i actually forgot how ridiculous and heavy my pack was.

we also booked no accommodation for that night. so we headed to asakusa, and met up with tom. went to dennys for dinner. and then went to a karaoke room. we had the room from 11 till 5. and got less than 2hours sleep. then went to dennys again for morning coffee etc. and tried to sleep abit more.

(damn it when my computer turned off it didnt save the rest of this!! gaaah).

we travelled the yamanoto line all day. went to akihabara, and got me this sweet sweet baby. my new net book. wheeeee.

hiromi and i then went in search of somewhere to bathe. and what a mission that was. i tell ye.

after waiting in line at theinformation centre for ages for directions to a sento. and then not even know. getting lost various times. trying to find a hotel, so that we could use their facilities.





the words `ok, new plan` were used many, many, many times....
these new plans almost always involved starbucks toilets.
but when we actually went there, they werent appropriate.


we went to get our luggage (after literally walking around the trainstation for hours), and headed to tokyo station.
we found a massive dissabled toilet. and went in there with all our belongings. the water was freezing. but we did it. half way through, the automatic door unlocked. and started to open (at one of the busiest train stations in tokyo), hiromi head in the sink, me half dressed.
we got it closed again eventually. but every second that went by was filled with paranoia that it was going to happen again.


we left feeling refreshed. and went to get dinner at a delicious italian restraunt.

the clocked turned 11.20 and it was time to get the night bus to nagoya.

whooooo.

let the adventures begin!!!!!