Well I am back folks, and the feeling is surreal. It’s difficult for me to put into words what it feels like at the moment, but I’ll get to that later.
Now then, onto what I’ve been up to. Let’s start with leaving the US on Friday. The flight was wicked long (13.5 hours woof), but good overall. Side note: be sure to watch Rush and In a World, both are excellent. The jet lag has not been that bad either, as I’ve been able to sleep through the night for the most part. Over the weekend my coworker and I traveled to the Sensoji temple in Asakusa, along with the Edo museum and the Tokyo tower. I had already seen the Tokyo tower once (as my most devoted readers might remember) but it was great to experience the sights in Asakusa, something I regretfully missed my first time around. Both the temple and the museum were very beautiful, and I found myself over the weekend appreciating just how lucky I am to have this opportunity.
View of Tokyo
As for food, I delved into some steamed pork buns, a trip to Mister Donut, some ramen, yakiniku and some delicious CC Lemon since I’ve been here. It pains me to say it has been difficult to find CC Lemon, which is my favorite soft drink in Japan. After asking the Japanese Audit team here, they confirmed that the popularity of the beverage had waned in recent years, a crushing blow to me naturally. I guess it just shows that nothing is guaranteed, especially something as seemingly insignificant as a soft drink brand. As for the project, it seems like we’ll have some decent work ahead of us, but hopefully nothing too strenuous. Also, it’s been excellent to use my Japanese in public again. I think I am still rusty, but I’ve been surprised with how much I’ve been able to remember, and I definitely think I can still hold my own here.
Jay with beloved Ramen
As you might have read in my last entry, this had been a goal of mine since the blog went dormant, but now that I am here, I find myself at a loss in how to articulate my feelings (not to mention, I don’t really like sharing my feelings). I suppose the best way I could frame the experience is that there is something here that resonates with me. Although it seems absolutely ridiculous, there is something about Japan that gives me a feeling of home, a feeling of belonging at times. Maybe it’s because I love the food (ramen twice already, now where’s the okonomiyake), or maybe it’s the cheery and enthusiastic population, one that I feel I can connect with on a personal level. Maybe it’s that I find myself using this experience as an escape from the world back home where I am so tied down to things. 5 years ago I was leaving my life in America for the first time, and I was ready for a change. My time abroad provided that, a clean slate if you will. 5 years later I can feel that echo within me again, I needed this escape, this disconnect. I think that by being isolated as a person yet surrounded by a new world, I can grow in a different way that home does not provide. Whatever the case may be, there is something about being here that makes me stop and really savor the moment, and I believe that’s what matters most.
That’s all for now, looks like the weekend will consist of day trips and debauchery, I’ll try to circle back sooner for the next one!
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