I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have been taking pictures, but a recent funk stole from me any energy or inspiration for writing up these boring pictorial accounts of my life here. However, I've finally cheered, so please enjoy a few days worth of catch up!
Jan 25th
Yes, my picture on Sunday was of my defaced magazine.
This is an advertisement in Kansai Scene, I believe. KS is one of the free English magazines that floats around the Kansai area, and I'm an avid reader of it because it combines my two favorite qualities: easy reading and no cost. I apologize deeply to the model, but of all the pictures I took on Sunday, this was the only one that actually said something about how I was feeling. There is most definitely a desired "type" for foreigners here in Japan, and I can tell you a few things that said type isn't: short, dark haired, dark eyed, occasionally moody. Guess who's a short, dark haired, dark eyed, occasionally moody girl?
Anyway, I don't usually care, but Sunday was a downer of a day, so having my lack of even conceptual desirability rubbed in my face by some business firm's vacant advertisement... reduced me to a five year old, apparently. And you know what? I felt much better afterwards.
The Subway also helped.
Jan 26th
Jan 25th
Yes, my picture on Sunday was of my defaced magazine.
This is an advertisement in Kansai Scene, I believe. KS is one of the free English magazines that floats around the Kansai area, and I'm an avid reader of it because it combines my two favorite qualities: easy reading and no cost. I apologize deeply to the model, but of all the pictures I took on Sunday, this was the only one that actually said something about how I was feeling. There is most definitely a desired "type" for foreigners here in Japan, and I can tell you a few things that said type isn't: short, dark haired, dark eyed, occasionally moody. Guess who's a short, dark haired, dark eyed, occasionally moody girl?
Anyway, I don't usually care, but Sunday was a downer of a day, so having my lack of even conceptual desirability rubbed in my face by some business firm's vacant advertisement... reduced me to a five year old, apparently. And you know what? I felt much better afterwards.
The Subway also helped.
Jan 26th
This is a "curry udon" shop in the very outskirts of Namba. I really love this curry udon shop, and all I really wanted on Monday were thick noodles in a spicy broth. That's all I wanted. And then I got this.
What is this, you ask? Let me tell you. It's a TRICK. It's a mean, conniving TRICK. Do you see that orange sign? The orange sign says to feel free to come in and BUY FOOD. But right underneath it was that blue CLOSED sign. I struggled for about a minute and a half (I wish I was lying) trying to figure out which one to believe before feeling the hand of a higher power push me to the side window, where a sign was up saying that, just to spite me, they had shortened their hours on just that day.
You won the battle, curry udon shop, but not the war. Next time, your noodles are mine.
Jan 27th
What is this, you ask? Let me tell you. It's a TRICK. It's a mean, conniving TRICK. Do you see that orange sign? The orange sign says to feel free to come in and BUY FOOD. But right underneath it was that blue CLOSED sign. I struggled for about a minute and a half (I wish I was lying) trying to figure out which one to believe before feeling the hand of a higher power push me to the side window, where a sign was up saying that, just to spite me, they had shortened their hours on just that day.
You won the battle, curry udon shop, but not the war. Next time, your noodles are mine.
Jan 27th
I took this while trying to balance on my bike as I rode down towards Nankai Namba station. It was a beautiful day and my inner eight year old was enthralled by the blue sky and the sunshine and the way the wind felt on my skin. It may not look like a very interesting photograph to you, but I think I'll always remember the giddy astonishment of my existence in this city that I felt as I pushed the shutter button.
Jan 28th
I apparently took over 200 pictures today.
I was given some awesome news last night. My best friend was just offered a job over here in Japan, which is pretty much the best news I could have wished for. I woke up today feeling really happy for the first time in months, and when I ran to the convenience store in the morning to pick up some food, I was struck by how amazing the weather was.
I have a bit of a bad habit. Once I get an idea in my head, it's fairly impossible to get said idea out. Today's brilliant idea was "let's ride our bicycle to the port and aquarium, despite not really knowing where, exactly, it is." I knew what subway station it was closest to, so I figured I'd make the rest up as I went along. (I wish I was joking.)
Anyway, the port is about 8 miles away by subway, so I don't really know how long that is in road miles, especially since I got lost a few thousand times on the way there and back. The important part is I actually did it, and I had an absolutely amazing time.
On the way there.
There is an enormous Ferris Wheel at the port. It claims to be the tallest in the world, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Anyway, I rode it all by myself (much to the confusion of the staff) and the view from the top was amazing.
Jan 28th
I apparently took over 200 pictures today.
I was given some awesome news last night. My best friend was just offered a job over here in Japan, which is pretty much the best news I could have wished for. I woke up today feeling really happy for the first time in months, and when I ran to the convenience store in the morning to pick up some food, I was struck by how amazing the weather was.
I have a bit of a bad habit. Once I get an idea in my head, it's fairly impossible to get said idea out. Today's brilliant idea was "let's ride our bicycle to the port and aquarium, despite not really knowing where, exactly, it is." I knew what subway station it was closest to, so I figured I'd make the rest up as I went along. (I wish I was joking.)
Anyway, the port is about 8 miles away by subway, so I don't really know how long that is in road miles, especially since I got lost a few thousand times on the way there and back. The important part is I actually did it, and I had an absolutely amazing time.
On the way there.
There is an enormous Ferris Wheel at the port. It claims to be the tallest in the world, but I'm not 100% sure about that. Anyway, I rode it all by myself (much to the confusion of the staff) and the view from the top was amazing.
The aquarium was a mixed bag for me. I love aquariums, because I've always loved sea creatures and dim lighting (two things aquariums tend to have in abundance). However, this is Japan, and hence the aquarium -- like everything else -- is a couples activity. Hence my awkward foreign body had to compete with dozens of couples walking at snails paces as they held hands and cooing at each other as they hogged every good viewing spot.
I'm not bitter at all.
I promised myself I would not spam this blog with my ten thousand pictures of fish and marine life, but I hope you can forgive a few.
I love the out of place guy near the front.
It looks like a scene from a Disney movie, doesn't it?
Mr. Turtle.
I think nature's pretty cool.
I'm not bitter at all.
I promised myself I would not spam this blog with my ten thousand pictures of fish and marine life, but I hope you can forgive a few.
I love the out of place guy near the front.
It looks like a scene from a Disney movie, doesn't it?
Mr. Turtle.
I think nature's pretty cool.
I am going to spare you all the rest -- for now. I pretty much took pictures of everything in the entire aquarium, and what I couldn't take pictures of I took video of, so if anybody is desperate to see a whale shark or something, let me know.
PS: Mom, there were some ENORMOUS fish in one of the displays, and all I could think of was "would Grandpa eat this?" Ahaha.
The harbor.
My bike right before I left.
The bear is another stinkin' Rilakkuma thing. As much as I know that I don't need any more Rilakkuma junk, the moment I see his vacant face I'm begging to give my money away.
The ride home as a bit harder, as I'd forgotten the very creative way I'd found to get there, and hence had to make up a new route back.
This was the last stretch. Riding my bike under the evening sky, I suddenly felt at home in my surroundings, as if I was not any particular label -- A Foreigner, An American, An English Teacher -- but was just another person whizzing past the lit up trees illuminating Midosuji Avenue, just trying to make my way home.
PS: Mom, there were some ENORMOUS fish in one of the displays, and all I could think of was "would Grandpa eat this?" Ahaha.
The harbor.
My bike right before I left.
The bear is another stinkin' Rilakkuma thing. As much as I know that I don't need any more Rilakkuma junk, the moment I see his vacant face I'm begging to give my money away.
The ride home as a bit harder, as I'd forgotten the very creative way I'd found to get there, and hence had to make up a new route back.
This was the last stretch. Riding my bike under the evening sky, I suddenly felt at home in my surroundings, as if I was not any particular label -- A Foreigner, An American, An English Teacher -- but was just another person whizzing past the lit up trees illuminating Midosuji Avenue, just trying to make my way home.
It's now past midnight, so this will just be a makeup post! I'm sorry, once again, for the sudden absence. I can't say it won't happen again, but hopefully you won't miss me too much. If you do, send Rilakkuma goods. Or M&Ms.
Wow, the pictures in this post are amazing! You've definitely figured your camera out. None of my pengy pictures from the aquarium turned out XD
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of the harbor. That bridge is super cool XD
i agree with ash...great pic...i love Mr. Turtle...also, the shadow shot of your famous peace sign..cool...but..mother does not want you biking 8+ miles...i'm surpised you could stand after that..dont worry...m&m's are on their way....
ReplyDelete