Oops, busy month. So a couple days after my last entry, I went to Osaka with C-chan. Work was canceled for that week, so we had some free time, and we were sick sick sick of the aftershocks. Osaka was so calm! It was really nice to relax for a little while, although there was some ever-present stress about how much packing needed to be done in Tokyo to move out of our apartments. Anyway, managed to book a room the night before and then shinkansened there first thing Thursday morning. It was a clear day, so we were lucky enough to have a gorgeous view of Fuji-san for ages! Visited the aquarium, had okonomiyaki, met up with some friends. Went to Kyoto as well to visit Kinkakuji and wander up to Kiyomizu-dera (I was devastated to discover that the amazing vegetarian restaurant from my last Kyoto visit was gone). Got back to Tokyo on Sunday; after the normalcy of Osaka, the empty shelves, infrequent trains, and dark stations of Tokyo were really strange. But it didn't take long to get used to it.Finished work at the end of March. My last week was so hard! I didn't expect to get so emotional. But I ended up crying so much, after classes, during classes, during our farewell party. I was ready to leave, but it was a bit sad too. I'll miss so many people there! I had a week off and then got talked into working a bit longer, but at a different school. So I've been helping out at Toyosu school for a couple weeks. Am going to stay on for about a month more, then hopefully a vacation and then super hopefully another job!
During my week off, I moved. I'm living in a guest house now, which means I've got my own room, but bathroom and kitchen are shared. It's not bad! I mean, the place is ridiculously ugly, but it's kind of so ugly that I just can't hate it. And I quite like the area, and I like that utilities and internet are included in my rent so I don't need to worry about them. Anyway, I'm not homeless, so I'm pretty happy!
Lots of friend time this weekend! And lovely weather! We're still shaking a lot and things aren't back to normal, but I'm feeling pretty content.
The day you went to Osaka was absolutely beautiful. Fuji-san looks so calm and serene. It seems quite the opposite to the aftermath of the earthquake - like a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteLove the pics!! Bear is being so polite with his mask. The temple is gorgeous. The okonomiyaki looks yummy. The crayfish (?) is very pretty. And, the kids in the video are so cute - where were they going?
Thanks for another lovely blog entry!! :-)
Yeah, it was such a lovely day! At least until we got to Osaka and it was snowing! That was just bizarre.
ReplyDeleteI think the kids were going up to Kiyomizu-dera, but I'm not sure. There was some kind of festival or something happening, but I don't remember the details.
Glad to know you got moved ok. I bet that was a lot of work for you! Hopefully you will find a new job soon!!
ReplyDeleteSend pictures of your new place! :)
Jen, love your blog & pics....they are so informative....Keep writing! Your mom's friend and Tuesday lunch buddy, Peggy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments!
ReplyDeleteMoving was the WORST EVER. It was so exhausting and, since I was moving during the week when everyone was working, there was no one to help me. Did not enjoy! I'll try to post stuff from my new place soon. I still haven't fully settled in!
How did I miss this blog entry for SO LONG? I'm so glad you guys had a blasty-blast in Osaka and Kyoto - and I am glad you said you and Clare shinkansened there. Did you just invent a new word?! :)
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