is such a downer. I think it’s the combination of saying goodbye to dear, dear friends who I only see every two or three years; leaving a place which reminded me so much of Northern Victoria, and Australian summer; and coming back to a Shanta and Blair-less Wakayama.
I’m trying very hard to focus on Thailand and be excited about the next three weeks, but at the moment the reality of the next year here is crashing down and feels like it’s suffocating me. How can one week away change my attitude so much? Before going away I was half sorry I was going to be away most of summer, but now, now I wish I was away for ALL of the holidays – three weeks in Oregon and three in Thailand.
Thank heaven I only have two days here. I just have to get through today and tomorrow and then I will be off again on next adventure, leaving Japan far behind again. But, in Thailand I have to say goodbye properly to Shanta. I’m gonna need some major pulling-out-of-slumpinees when I get back here Aug 23. oh man. Far, far too many goodbyes in short space of time. I hate goodbyes. I especially hate goodbyes when you don’t know when you’ll next meet up. There are many great things about having friends all over the world, and having friends who travel all over the world but the one big sucky thing is the need for goodbyes and long times of not meeting.
*shakes self in attempt to shed doledrums*
Well, I have stuff to unpack and a positive attitude to cultivate/find, not to mention personal journal to update and e-mail update to write.
My time in Oregon was absolutely fantastic, by the way.
My first year here is officially over – if not technically, certainly emotionally. Tonight I said goodbye to Blair, and to Herbie, in which many adventures have been had. When I get back next week, both Shanta and Blair will be gone.
It’s a very wierd feeling…think it’s gonna hit in September. At the moment mind is preoccupied with packing and tidying things up before going away. Am trying to make myself realise that they’re both really leaving, but it all just seems surreal right now.
Shanta wanted to come to the airport with me tomorrow, but I’m not an airport goodbye person. I like to check-in and walk through the doors/gates as soon as I can. I hate lingering over goodbyes at airports. I love being met at airports but not seen off. Besides, it’s only gonna be a week and half before I see her again, on the plane to Thailand!
note to self – meet amber at airport ๐
Yes please!
When I wanted the distraction of LJ early Sun morning, no new posts. 24 hrs later, I’m not gonna catch up on them all. It never rains but it pours.
Oh, and thank-you to all the lovely comments to my last pissed-off/miserable post.
Sunday was Blair’s sayoonara beach party – I was one of the hardcores; there from midday Sunday to 5am Mon. It was excellent. Having it extend over so many hours gave plenty of time to catch up with lots of people which was great as I’m really not sure how many I’ll see after Blair leaves.
There were many fireworks, and poi spinning, and poi spinning within circle of fireworks. That was pretty damn funky. Unfortunately my spinning was cut short when I hit myself full in the eye with flaming poi. Not very pleasant, to say the least. However, having ice administered and eye gently cleaned by cute chick who gets super flirty when tipsy made it all better! Plus judicious administration of alcohol. Eye still sore, and head still hurts but black eye was averted and no burns present. To get a black eye must require a really, really, really, REALLY hard hit, me thinks. Not a theory I want to come so close to proving again.
It was also an excellent night for Team Corrupters – Blair and I had many people doing Quila Body Shots *wicked, wicked grin* And somehow Blair and I ended up being the main body shot receptacles (is that what you’d call it?) I wonder how on earth _that_ happened *innocent blue eyes*
Once the Quila was finished we tried shotting plum wine, but it doesn’t shot as well. Then it was time for swimming and getting as many other people naked as possible. We were remarkably successful.
The high schoolers (!!!) I met at Bagus a coupla weeks ago brought along a couple of friends. Yuki and Dai are the cutest couple. Dai works as a part-time DJ in Kobe (there are reasons why I didn’t realise they were high school students until they told me!) and plays guitar really well. Ches and I were both pleasantly surprised. He also writes his own songs, so I am lined up for a cd when he gets next batch made.
Anyway, one of their friends was quite beyond our corrupting abilities. I think I may have found someone who can teach me some Japanese bondage – am very, very excited about this!
All in all, a great day/night. Perfect end to the term/start to the summer holidays. Only a few more hours of school left, then tomorrow I choof off to the US ready for Shannon and Trav’s wedding on Saturday. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I realised yesterday that I really do have to pack today!
Farewell dinner with Blair tonight as he will be gone before I get back next week. ๐ Also, last time of seeing Shanta in Japan. However, she’s pretty set on visiting oz next year when I’m visiting. I’m gonna miss them both so much next year. (next year being Aug-Jul – contract year, not calendar year)
Yipes, there goes the bell.
I’m picking up my new lens now..wheee…and new camera bag, and gonna get a case for my digicam as well – it’s looking a little rough around the edges from living in my bag all year ๐
Then it’s off to the beach for Blair’s sayonara beach party. Much fun, frivolity and relaxing hours ahead. BBQ, DJ and fire, lots of fire tonight..maybe even fireworks. Looking forward to dozing in warm sand this arvo…not nearly enough sleep…I’m feeling very like my digicam looks :-/
Hey, if you have a digi cam, why aren’t we seeing photos? I demand photos!
you’re not seeing photos due to my supremely frustrating pc – _I_ can’t even see my pics…stupid, stupid 16 colour resolution. However, be prepared for the onslaught once I work out stuff like photobucket come september, on shiny new laptop. I have been taking lots n lots of photos with everyone back home in mind…honest!
My strip of cynacism needs to be a little wider, or my optimism a little narrower. Ugh. I should’ve come home after Bagus, had nice little fantasies about the two cuties I met there, and slept the happy dreams of someone who is, well, happy. Instead, like the stupid puppy I am, I follow said two cuties to next bar. First cutie, not bi. Strike one. Second cutie, I dunno. What can I say…I’m in Japan – there’s no competing with the Japanese chicks here. Every gaijin boy has one, or ten. Why go for an independent, strong, individual gaijin woman, when you can get an insipid, eager-to-please, good-for-the-ego Japanese chick. Hello?!? Memo to libido. This ain’t the arena for you, m’gal.
Okay, so yeah, I’m being too harsh. Not all Japanese chicks are like that, and I’ve even quite liked some of the girlfriends I’ve met…but please, _so over_ the whole gaijin guy/Japanese girl thing.
Needless to say, the Japanese guys aren’t exactly hammering down doors to gaijins houses – they know a good deal when they see one, and most are not about to ‘downgrade’. A woman who speaks her mind, a woman interested in just sex and not catering to your every whim in views of acquiring marriage? Puh-lease.
Ugh. I’m too riled to be writing this. I need to go to bed, get some sleep and remember next time I optomistically lay eyes on someone, that I don’t have a hope in hell as long as I’m living here, and as such, am better off going home to some quality reading/sleeping/me time.
How rude not to be recognised for the goddess you are!
xxx
Indeed! Big big hugs!
Thank-you both ๐
catch you as you fly by…
quick ‘hi’ while you’re here. ๐ glad you had a great time in oregon, look fwd to hearing all about it.
and *big hugs* ’cause you sound like you need ’em.
enjoy thailand, dudette. you’ll have a ball.
rock on in thailand for me as well as you – still envious
also – we will need to think of some cheering up present ideas to send to anber
suggestions for care packages?
heya babe
stay strong, you’re doing ace ๐
missing u
If it helps
Andrew and I have bought our tickets and will be in Japan on the 5th of Oct for two weeks. Very happy Nat!!!
Looking forward to seeing you and giving you a hug.
Love,
Nat
Re: If it helps
oh it helps, it helps muchly! Do either of you like sweet whites? Or spiced wine? I brought back three bottles of scrummy, yummy wine and have no-one to share with….
Oct 5th huh? yay! You’ll be here for long weekend! Yippee!!
Thanks ๐
Miss you too.
Re: catch you as you fly by…
I’m flying, but not quite fast enough. As long as I focus on what I need to do today and tomorrow before heading off for three weeks, I’m fine. It’s the moment that I stop that I feel sad and torn apart.
I will love Thailand, I know I will. I can’t wait to see the sights, smell the scents and taste the gastronomical delights, but I know it will be mingled with a taste of home (Em) and two goodbyes.
*prepares BIG cushions for fall back to Japan*
On the up side, I WILL have shiny new laptop on return from Thailand (if I wish it hard enough, it will be so)
We’re visiting tigger park first day!!!! And having fatty feast of bestest seafood ever! This is the plan, and it is a good one.
suggestions for care package: lots of friends to snuggle with, random affection, Ophelia, Jumbles and Skitch playing, Malmal mooching, non-humid summer, ATMs that don’t shut, affordable and plentiful fruit (not just the 3 varieties in season), hugs, people who understand me, rainbows, people playing with my hair, refreshing (cold!) ocean waves, a good massage and back scratch, Dan readings with just my faves reading, more hugs, more random affection…
This is gonna be one interesting care package! I somehow suspect Australia Post would not deliver. *sigh* I can dream though.
I figure if auspost let me send a badly wrapped package of white powdered bleach with a poison symbol on it through the post than anything is possible ๐
hugs
*chuckle* good point!
Happy Birthday Beautiful ๐
Well, for yesterday, at least ๐
A certain silly girl (me of course) forgot you weren’t at home currently, so last night rang and spoke to your answering machine for a bit… Hope it amuses/helps to cheer you up ๐
You’ll also have a small care package/birthday pack winging its way over to you shortly – it’ll probably get there just after you do ๐ … just some little things … hope you like them …
In the meantime, all my love, hugs, smooches, scritches, pats and purrs to you… xxxxxxxxxxx
Btw, thank you sooooo much for the Jenny outfit!!! I love it and so do the dolls – in fact they’re fighting over who gets to wear it first! Any possibility of a kimono for them? (Money can be sent – just let me know how)
ps: missing you lots and soooooo looking forward to next April-ish