weddings

I'm finally experiencing the wedding rush of friends that I've seen other people go through. It's actually quite exciting ... just filled with joy for the happy couples.

Jin, my best friend's big brother ... he's always been the goofy one of the gang. I was, to say the least, more than happy to hear the news from Lisa ... he's been working hard alone in the states, and he deserves this happiness and so much more.

Lam, a super special friend from highschool. I love her to death, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that's been wondering when this couple - that looked like they've been married for years - would actually tie the knot.

I wouldn't want to miss their memorable days for the world ... now all I have to do is convince my boss to give those days off.


And oops. I just called my parents in the states ... and it's only 5 AM. Sorrys!

dilligence ... but i'm a professional procrastinator

There's always that mixed feeling of satisfaction and emptiness after finishing a good book. Satisfaction, a given, for finishing. Emptiness, for not having any more pages to look into the new world I've just only begun to know.

I'm now pushing away the books I've ordered on the trusty Amazon.com (well, the Japanese version) to try to keep up with the daily hour reading of textbooks for the assistant surveyor exam. Not that I can write that down on my resume, even if I pass the exam, because it's a Japanese license ... yeah, it's only effective in Japan. Like a driver's license ... or not.

It's just that I've realized that I really don't know anything about my work ... or the industry I'm in. This exam, which I'm supposedly taking in May, should motivate me to learn more ... I hope. I need the knowledge. I really do.

Valentines Day

VD is quite unique in Japan ... the girls are expected to prepare chocolates to their male co-workers and bosses. Yes, it's a girl to guy one-way chocolate road. The sweets floor of department stores are a complete mess of women in line to purchase boxes of brand-name chocolates, hopefully to their sweethearts ... but then, the girls around me were all in a rush to get reasonably priced boxes for workmates.

I, on the other hand ... well, I've got more love shoved into the plastic baggies that will be placed on to the ladies' desks. Not that they're anything expensive, but just a little more thought out. (Preparing chocolates for 30 people really does add up)

I love being American. I get away with so much more.

six

So. I guess it's been a while.

I'm in Japan again. This time, it's for a decent amount of time ... I'll be counting years, not days or weeks. It's exciting and a bit scary at the same time. Why? Well, I'm LIVING in Japan for the first time in my life, I'm working ... funny how I'm no longer a student, and Japan is a little far from home. I've already lost two people I love dearly. I don't know why I'm on the wrong side of the Pacific every time, whether it's for the heartbreaking tears or the happy sobs. Dropping sighs for the realization that I'll most likely be missing Lam's wedding, I really don't know why I visit the wrong countries while I'm away from home.

Three more days will mark six months ... these six were unexpectedly superb. I have a job. I love my co-workers. I've got a new hobby. I guess Taiwan did rub off on me, since it's taking a lot of energy to hold back the urge to start a collection of Chinese tea sets. My new year trip back to Taiwan ended up becoming a love confession to their rich variety of tea leaves, starting with Oolong and Eastern Beauty. It's just strange that I finally have the chance to go around Taiwan to take in its culture and beauty only after I leave.

I'm only starting to miss driving a car, the hours spent on a bookstore couch, the double oven kitchens, the easy trip to the theaters, the quick naps on the family room sofa ...

... I'm still trying to convince myself that I'm not homesick at all.