This is the end, beautiful friend

After a lot of thought, I've decided to end my 365 early. Yeah, I know. BOOOO. HISSSS. Failure... bla bla bla. But, the way things have been going, it hasn't exactly been very easy to keep it up. I enjoyed all the awesomeness I had in the States, but I'd rather take photos for fun over here rather than in obligation. So, here's to the 322 photos I did get in. I'd say it was a good run.

322/365

Diamond Dogs, Aladdin Sane, Young Americans...

I found a small store where to find some awesome band tees today. This one I could not pass up.

321/365

Hello sunset.

320/365

Oh, textures, I've missed you.

319/365

I found a pretty big river that is easy access from my apartment. It's really beautiful during sunsets. Sorry for the lame repetition of photos though. Playing catch up has really been lacking in imagination. 

318/365

Grocery shopping...oohhhhh soooo exciting. I took the good ol' bike to the foreign food market and picked up some food that I'm desperately missing. *ahem cheese*

4 more days of training to go and then I get thrown straight into it on Saturday. It's going to be a stressful week. Then I get 1 day off on Sunday and go straight into a newbie week of teaching. 

I've realized how quiet I am to other people. I'm not very aware of it, but apparently I come off very shy and quiet. Meh, I'm really not once you get to know me, but then again I wonder how many people truly know me. My family and Stephen do for sure. Where can I meet some damn people in this city??!

317/365

Stephen and I had a Sunday night of karaoke together since I was tired from the night before going to the Gion Festival and it's always wonderful to see your dude. Our contact is pretty regular, but once I start working, I'm a bit more worried how things will go. If my days don't start until 3pm, then I'm pretty sure we can keep up a normal-esque time to talk to each other. Otherwise, I dunno. 

Yes, I did bring that stupid wig from Texas. I thought I might need it for halloween or my 365. So, here you go. It's making an appearance in my 365. 

316/365

315/365

Life, it happens...

So, my 365 is on a short break right now. I'll catch it up, but currently with training and the rain, it doesn't make for good photo ops and simply, I haven't had any time.
My life  the past 7 days has basically been get on a train, training, get on a train, sleep. Wash, rinse, repeat.
The next 7 days will basically be the same. I may have some time this Sunday and Monday to take a few, but it won't be up to date. I am going to finish this project out, but it's taken a huge step back in my priority list at this time. I know it's now not really a true 365 any more because the pictures are not ones specifically taken on that day, but it's been close enough. 300+ have been and with my current location and priorities, I'd say it was a good run for those. The last 50 or so will basically be catch up and a lot of just situational photos.
Nobody really cares anyways, honestly. But, since I set a personal goal and almost see the light at the end of the tunnel for it, I plan to finish it out. Come September 1st, my 365 project will be complete and I will start taking photos more for documenting my life at this time and for fun.

Otherwise, things here have been up and down. Of course I expected that much. Some days are better than others, but I think once the rain stops and training ends, things will start to flow more smoothly and I will be able to explore my city more. I will also hopefully be able to meet other teachers in the Kyoto area since all of my training group members are in either Osaka or Kobe. I really like my training group, so I definitely would like to keep in contact if they are willing, but I need people to talk to who aren't a 1500￥ride away.
I'd also like to get back on track with my Japanese. It's terrible. I lost so much of it over the last two years. Immersion is the best way to learn a language, but I still feel pretty much like a fish out of water. Then again, as a foreigner in Japan, I will never exactly be much more than a foreigner to the general population. But, at least I hope I could speak to them without broken Japanese.
I need some time to break out the books and study. Or find some classes that are offered around here. Japanese with my students is strictly forbidden. Which I completely understand. Just like I said, immersion is the best way to learn a language.

Anywho, the hardest things so far are missing my loved ones at home. My puppy included. She seems to be doing just fine without me, but if she hears my voice on the computer through skype, I see her ears perk up and look around for me. It breaks the heart a bit. I dunno why I love that little furry creature so much, but I do. Adjustment to not having someone with me all the time has been difficult. I mean, the last 26 years, I've lived with my family and with my boyfriend. This is the first time I have my own place. It's so strange that it ends up being in another country. I now know what it feels like to live on your own. Almost. It's only been 2 weeks. But, still. I'm sure things will hit really hard soon enough.

Well, time for bed. My limited time I get to spend on the computer has now mostly been eaten up by me writing this ridiculously long post.
Kids training session tomorrow! I'm not that down about the next 2 days though because the trainer is super nice and hilarious. It makes such a difference.

Oyasumi.

314/365

This is the largest and most rad slide I've ever seen. I've been wanting to take a picture on it ever since I arrived. Finally, tonight after it was raining all day, the rain ceased and I was able to catch a shot. 

I love my freakin' camera. It was 10pm when I took this and it looks like it's in the middle of the day. Such an amazing little contraption...

313/365

I was super early to training that day. I was doing my first demo in front of the trainers and it was nerve- wracking. I barely got sleep that night. 

312/365

Late night train from Osaka to Kyoto.

311/365

The great people in my training group...

310/365

I'm studying for training. I've only got 55 pictures left and I can foresee the pictures I will be taking are going to be pretty boring until the 24th of this month. I have to finish this project out, but it will not be be like how I was able to use my creativity in the states.

Sadly, i'm looking forward to the end now because Iv'e got way too many other things to worry about right now. Picture taking here should be an enjoyment, not a task. 

309/310

Me on the steps at Higashi-Honganji temple.  I think I might have pissed off an old man taking this. He didn't look happy I was using the steps as a photo op. Oh well. 

successes

     I successfully ordered an iphone 4 yesterday after I had written the blog entry below. I went to another softbank that was about a 10 minute bike ride away. It's funny because on the map everything looks so far away. When in fact it's actually not that far of a ride at all. I have to wait a month before I can receive my phone because I've been put on a waitlist for it. That's ok though. My ARC (Alien Registration Card) is not available in that amount of time as well.
     I talked to another softbank personnel and the guy was such a help. He was obviously worried about communication issues, but both of us pushed through it and figured it all out. The ladies at the other softbank saw me and decided right then and there not to deal with the hassle. I understand though. When there is an obvious language barrier, the almost immediate human reaction for most is to get frustrated and want to get away from the situation. I'm guilty of it when a spanish speaking person would come into the store and I would try to explain things to them that I couldn't translate.
    It's a natural reaction. I do get a lot of stares even though I'm in a city that is filled with foreigners and that will take some time to get used to. It makes you a bit self conscious. I'm wondering "Do I have a booger sticking out of my nose?" No, I think the blonde hair and pale skin immediately has them do a double take.
Anywho, across the street I went into the Aeon mall that had a Jusco in it. I needed a different bar hanger for my wardrobe and more hangers. I bought some frozen foods and veggies and didn't realize that people are bringing their own bags to fill their purchases with. I felt like an idiot. So, random stranger comes in to save the day. She hands me the bag and I couldn't have thanked her more. I tried expressing gratitude by bowing and saying thank you. I hope it was enough. Sometimes people here just surprise you with their generosity. I felt bad though walking out without saying more. I wish I could have expressed my gratitude more than me stumbling through "Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasuuuu!"

So, the day ended pretty well. Besides the kitchen fiasco that turned out just fine, I got to eat my broccoli and mac n' cheese and my toaster oven and microwave are in good working order.

308/365 Say hello to my li'l friend

I had my shelves, long mirror, and some household items delivered this morning. It made things in here much nicer and more organized. It feels good to be organized and have everything have it's own place. I still figured out I need to get more hangers and a stronger extra bar for the wardrobe. The thinner one I got simply isn't strong enough to hold my pants and what not. I just don't want to go into the Jusco again because I've been there almost every day since I've arrived. 

After that, I went and left and went to get the forms that allow me to apply for a bank account and phone. That was the easiest part of today sadly. I went by the Softbank again and was told AGAIN that the iphone was sold out. I need to figure out what phone to get and how in the world to get a contract with that stupid place. I can't decide on a phone by just looking at the pretty little models they have sitting there. I need specs.

So, fail at phone attempt #2. So, I decided to go ahead and walk to the Higashi-Honganji temple after that and on the way stopped at a starbucks. It was nice to taste my Chai tea again. Ordering there is really easy and you can basically point at a drink on the menu if you are desperate. So, I went to the temple and took some shots, but the highlight for me were the pigeons. You can just stick out your arm and they will fly straight onto your hand expecting you to have food. They fall for it every time. I have multiple pictures with the little guys. 

The temple itself is stunning. They are currently restoring it, but it was gorgeous. I was ready to explore the grounds a bit more when I realized I didn't have my papers. So, cursing myself I dashed out of there back to the Starbucks hoping I left them there and thank god, I did. 

All that tired me out. Sad, really. But, I got my awesome shot in with the pigeon and that's made me pretty happy. I still have a lot of time today to do whatever and I think I'll spend it watching a movie and cracking open my Japanese book. It's pathetic how bad my japanese has gotten. 

307/365

Well, today was less than stellar. It had nothing to do with Japan at all, just general things that happened in succession. The first thing happened as I woke up this morning and the situation is a bit personal to write it out on a public blog. Sorry.

Then I got a migraine. 

Then I spent the day having to deal with a very overzealous friend who is really overstepping boundaries on how often you should contact/comment/talk to a person. I'm too nice to say anything because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but they are starting to become very tiring. I don't need that right now. 

I went to meet up with my coworkers that I'm training with, but the location to meet was less than stellar. We chose to meet at a station called Namba station and that's like basically suggesting to meet in Manhattan. (Thanks Sciby for the reference there) So, I spent a good time walking around the station and failing to find anyone. I left after about an hour of dodging a massive amount of people and then just came back home. 

I decided to go into the park to try and take a photo of that giant slide I wanted to show everyone. But, to put salt on an already shitty day, a group of Japanese teens were throwing off fireworks. Sigh. That's what I wanted to be celebrating tonight. Instead, I sat on the swing and just watched them burn themselves and giggle when one actually went off. 

It's been a crappy day just in general.  Hopefully I can just watch a movie and relax. Tomorrow I receive the stuff I asked to be delivered and then my apt. will be almost complete. I only need to worry about little things I think from here on out for my apt. I also need to go pick up these forms so I can finally get a phone and a bank account. 

Then Tuesday I begin training which I hear is pretty intense and busy. 

306/365 Encino woMAN

This picture totally reminds me of Let the Right One in for some reason. 

Or as Stephen pointed out, Encino Man. 

305/365 Rain, rain go away

I've had nowhere to go today because it's just rain, rain, rain.  I'm catching up my 365 to be current. Though, that means I might be one day ahead in the US.  I've got to with what makes sense in where I'm at. The rain has left me with less than stellar options in scenery to take some good photos. I was actually planning on taking a day trip back up to Kiyomizudera, but the Japanese rain gods decided I better stay inside.

I really do need to just rest though today. Get some R&R. I decided to try the Japanese style of wearing shorts today. The girls wear shorts with tights underneath. The only thing I'm not doing correctly is being  teeny tiny and wearing high heels of some sort. Well, sorry Japan. I have a booty and my clothes need some room to accommodate it. 

I think I am actually going stir crazy today. Strange considering it's only been 3 days. 

304/365 Hmmmm...

This is a giant ad? of some sort outside my apt. complex. I didn't realized how dwarfed I was next to it. 

We're sharing a moment.

Anywho, I'm behind a couple of days, but I plan to remedy that within the next couple of days. I've just been super busy getting my necessities done here and also trying to get actual sleep.