Please! one more word!

So today was my second day back at work. It is awesome working in Sannomiya, it is the equivalent of working at King and Spadina in Toronto. It is also great cause it’s a 10 min walk from our apartment. It is a cool group of teachers there, I can smoke in the kitchen, and there are so many bars close by that it is always convenient to go for drinks after work. So far there is no work because students have not signed back up yet, so it is mostly just sitting around and shooting shit. I got paid yesterday for the first time since I’ve arrived. It was 51,000 yen deposit, equal to about 500 bucks. It was also for doing nothing, waiting at home on standby until we got called into work, so it’s free money, although much needed. I love Kobe and love my job and location. It is the shit. Now that I have a secure job I can relax. Our unpaid wages (equivalent of 4,000 bucks) should take about 6 months to arrive.

I am really excited about being in Japan. It is sooo interesting and fun. Everyday is something different; you meet someone new, learn a new word or phrase, discover a new place, learn about a new cultural reality. It is one great adventure. Everything is different, from the food you eat to the way you flush the toilet. The Japanese language is like crack, people get addicted to it and its all you talk about and think about. You practice it when you walk, eat, shit, and sleep. I try to calm phil and spencer down but they cant stop they need their dosage. I’m getting hooked. Watashiwa nehongoga skoshi wakarimas, demo, jousou jarimasen. I speak a little Japanese, but, I’m not skilled at it yet.

I am planning on going to Tokyo for new years with Kevin, maybe spencer and phil will join. I am not thrilled about going, since I think I will hate Tokyo, and would rather go to a hype natural spot like Nagano, but whatever. I have money now so its okay. I am planning a Gyoza party, which is a party where you sit around and make dim sum together, for Sunday. That will be fun.

The weather is so warm. It is 16 degrees here, you don’t even need a jacket. In Toronto they had a blizzard yesterday. It is -5