Since I have been in Japan for 10 weeks now, it's no wonder I am adapting to the lifestyle. But perhaps I've gone a bit overboard, you decide.
How I have turned Japanese:
1. Contrary to what John and Sean think, I can actually converse in Japanese. I can comfortably hang out with my Japanese friends and make conversation for long periods of time. Sure, it's pretty broken Japanese and I repeat a lot of what I am able to say (I've probably told my friends that it was -10° in Vancouver a couple weeks ago about 15 times now) but they don't seem to mind.
2. I like my rice plain. I'll use soy sauce if it's there but really, a bowl of plain white rice is just perfect.
3. I have a new found love for all things cute, furry or cartoon. In class today, the words "kitty-chan" (Japanese name for Hello Kitty) came out of my mouth in a rather shockingly high-pitched tone during pictionary. (We were teaching games from Canada at the time.)
4. My clothing seems to be reflecting Japanese fashion more and more everyday, and I am really liking it. Jean shorts over black leggings, lace-up high-heeled booties, puffy shouldered shirts, ect. I even (dare I say it) find myself wanting a pair of Crocs even though I swore I would never wear them. (Don't worry, just thinking about it. I haven't crossed over yet!)
5. I've stopped craving Western food. I crave tako (octopus), ika (squid), kimchi (spicy cabbage) and mochi (glutinous rice cake). Tempura soba and kaiten-sushi are all I crave at lunch time. Forget British tea-time, I'll take hot or cold Japanese Milk Tea in a small milk carton with a straw from a vending machine any day (or 3 times a day). (On second thought, I want an eggnog latte. I'd kill for an eggnog latte.)
6. Riding my rusty, pink, one-speed bike to school from the train station is the best part of my day. It just feels right.
7. I love Pocky. Chocolate, strawberry, matcha, anything. Give me all the Pocky in Japan. Or all the Toppo (Pocky's inside-out relative where the flavour is on the inside of the cracker stick thing!). Yummmm.
8. I have completely taken to the bath/shower system here. It goes like this: Shower first then get into the hot bath water that everyone in the family uses before the tub is drained. I know it sounds disgusting but I mean, think about it, at least everyone cleans themselves first. Usually, I have the first shower anyway, and the bath water never lasts more than a day. And, you know, showering is a lot of work. You deserve a minute to relax after all that lathering, rinsing and repeating. (Get over it, I live in Japan. I'll be clean when I get back to Canada.)
9. My Japanese cell phone has a Hello Kitty charm with a bell. I can text in Japanese.
10. I part my hair in the middle now.
11. I am entirely over my hatred of all things pink. I love the colour pink. (I had to buy a new glasses case- my new one is sparkly and pink.)
12. Yeah, I took those Japanese photo booth photos that make you look like an anime character. I am doing the 'peace' sign in every one.
13. My chopstick form has greatly improved. When they see me (watch me) use chopsticks, all Japanese people say, "Jooozuuuuu," which means basically, "You're so good at using chopsticks!" I think they labor under the impression that Western people can't use chopsticks at all so they are shocked and delighted my poor excuse for chopstick form. (I have to say though, I find it a little primitive that they use two sticks to eat everything with. I don't mean it really offensively; after all, they really can do anything with those things.)
14. I find it strange if a restaurant doesn't require me to remove my shoes upon entering.
15. I successfully went clubbing the Japanese way. You go to a club and stay until after the last train has gone and then either move from club to club until the morning or find a manga kissaten to sleep in. Manga kissaten offer a small cubicle with a large reclining computer chair or private karaoke rooms. Neither make particularly good beds, but sometimes you'll really take anything (take my word for it). It costs a small sum but it's a warm place to sleep until the trains start running again at 5am. (Me? I got home at 8am.) Oh by the way, clubs in this country are amazing. 5 stories and cover comes with 4 drinks.
16. What's a tan?
Of course there are still a million things unique to Western life that I could never live without but I think I am adapting quite well, don't you? Or have I gone too far...
Jaa ne,
Britt
I miss absolutely everything (every tiny little corny detail) about Christmas.
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