2005 and Life

After re-organising my blog I was looking over some of my entries from 2005, its wierd how long ago that was and how many issues I had at the time. I guess working for practically no wage in the blazing sun, whilst been watched over every second of every day kinda gets to you eventually. However my experiences this time haven't been like that all, for a start I get paid a good wage, I have my own flat (as opposed to a room in a community hall thing) I am free to do whatever I like (as long as its not illegal or damaging to the school/country relations) and I have other english speaking people to talk to this time, so all is well so far. I guess one thing that ruffled some feathers last time was when I got my japanese girlfriend, but as my new girlfriend is all the way in England now its not an issue.

I am still up and down about staying 1 year though, as some days I feel like I want to get started in my design (or related) career as staying here longer could harm that, plus my girlfriend is all there and it would be nice to start a life in England with her. However, due to the recession and my enjoyment of Japan, it just seems like such a silly thing to give it up after just 1 year. I am pretty much like 90% sure that I will be back in England in August though, but I always get that naggling feeling everytime I think about it.

Here is a mini list of some things I miss about England and some things I don't:

Miss.......

My girlfriend and family (of course)
English chocolate
Tuesday's tea and cake with my aunties and grandma
Going to pubs (especially with my cousin, as we get a yummy takeaway after)
Ovens (Japanese homes dont really have ovens so you cant cook anything big)
TV (I dont watch much tv in England, though its nice to just turn it on and not see a group of crazy japanese people talking behind a desk about something that usually isnt funny)
Cars (I miss using my car, or should I say my mums. Also Japanese drivers suck)
Beds (Sleeping on a futon is all well and good but its annoying putting away and taking it out every day)
Libraries (I liked going to the library back in England to pick up a few new books or graphic novels, but here they are all in Japanese, of course)
Bitter and Ale (Japanese beer is pretty crap and insanely expensive, plus its very hard to find and/or additionally expensive to buy bitter/ale type drinks)

Don't miss......

Crime and Safety (I always feel safe in Japan no matter where I am or at what time, except the seedy parts of big cities I guess. In England its not like im scared all the time but there is always a bad stigma about many areas)
Unemployment I love getting a regular wage packet and probably the biggest issue I have with going home is that I will be unemployed!!
The Weather well this is abit of a mixed issue as Japanese weather is great in winter but extremely sucky in summer, whereas English weather is usually just dull.
Not having my own place its all good and well having someone to do things like washing and ironing your clothes, cooking dinner e.t.c, but its so much better having the independance of your own place.

Well im sure there are a lot of other things I can add to that list but I gotta go washing my clothes (Doh!)

Oh and just to add I will be putting up some pictures of my time in Japan, which may or may not have any relation to the post (Its just nice to have abit of colour I guess)