What's more ridiculous than an American walking down the street toting a bag of McDonald's in her hand - proving that even in Japan she still get's cravings for the fast food she was surrounded by back home? How about an American strolling down the street (McDonald's in hand) lined with massive sakura trees as the wind picks up and causes the blossoms to fly off the branches and dance all around her? Inspire some strange imagery? (It certainly doesn't remind me of any anime I've seen! lol.) I'm sure it seems odd, but that was the scene as I left work today. It was a ridiculously stressful day - not from teaching but from continuing my quest to find us an apartment closer to work and school. After thinking that I had finally found the perfect place for us, it was snatched right out from under me, as this is Japan's busiest season for moves (particularly apartment changes). Not only that apartment, but the next three, were close within my grasp but then taken before I could even go hand over a deposit. This, coupled with the lack of apartments that are both cheap and for foreigners, has made looking for an apartment a near-hellish endeavor. There are tons of services out there, sure, but without some advanced Japanese skills, a guarantor, and a lot of luck, you probably won't find the best deal out there. We've sort of resorted to going to a place that is a bit further than we'd like it to be, but still within our price range and comfort zone of size (under 6 tatami for 2 people, even married people who don't bicker much, is a nightmarish scenario that I refuse to face). To give you a small idea of how much time I'm spending on this search for an apartment, I can tell you quite honestly that I haven't slept more than six hours a night in about a week, and that with my two hour train commute to work (until we move) plus all my work for finals (next week) I'm pretty much at the point of teetering towards disastrous collapse (but managing....using the word "Meh" to try to get me through each day).
Weeeeee!
So after facing a day of teaching, phone calls, let downs, and surfing apartment sites during my break, I decided I had endured enough and went to the nearest McDonald's to get a cheeseburger, an apple pie, and a large, calorie-filled Coca Cola. Hells yes to giving in to wicked cravings from time to time. A part of me even while writing this post is debating going down to the 7-11 and picking up some Strawberry Custard Pocky, because it's really delicious. Yesterday I discovered a kind of Japanese Klondike bar - which is also amazing. Normally to relieve stress I'd go for a run or a dance class or something...but it's ridiculously windy outside and the sun has set so I can't really enjoy the cherry blossoms anymore. I'm content now to just plop myself down in front of the computer and play some Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past (which I've nearly completed for the first time in many years) on my ZNES Emulator and try not to think about the eight million things I've been dealing with for the past week.
Because sometimes, you just have to relax. I have gotten better at this in recent years, but anyone that knows me knows that I am very guilty for piling up way too much stress and work upon myself and then not knowing how to dig myself out of it all. Taking some time to relax has become something I take quite seriously, because otherwise I crash and burn and end up sleeping for 17 hours and missing work - which, I certainly can't afford to do, so I won't.
Off for now, hope everyone is enjoying spring out their way.
And Happy Easter, to those who celebrate. We went to a Fertility Festival in Kawasaki on Sunday, which I didn't even remember was Easter until someone reminded me (keep in mind, this was while we were viewing the procession of a giant phallus shrine...making this officially the strangest Easter I've ever had, but more on that festival later when I have the energy).
Peaceful thoughts,
Lady Jones
(Here's a photo that was taken at the Kawasaki Matsuri last weekend. This is from a nearby Temple. I'll upload more photos later after I've had a chance to catch up on sleep and work.)
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