I didn't have a bad day yesterday, but for about an hour there, I lost some of my confidence and joy. In all truth, this is probably because I was hungry (and we all know how I can get when I get hungry) and I instantly dropped my bravado to try something new because I was afraid to order incorrectly. Even when I broke down and had my first Starbucks in 3 months (and that caramel frap was delicious, mind you), I still pretty much failed at ordering or communicating well. I think, maybe, that after feeling like I learned so much on Sunday, I basically had reached full capacity and was incapable of storing any new information. And let me tell you, being in Japan is all kinds of new information!
I decided yesterday to adventure around Shin-Urayasu, mostly since I failed at getting up before 10 and out of bed before 1 PM. Hence ~ exhausted and hungry. My travels took me out towards the sea wall, around the onsen (I'm so excited to go -- think sauna/baths/water spa day) and all the way down the other side of the street to the station. I stopped in K's which is basically Japanese Best Buy and found the camera very similar to the one I've been eyeing in the States for only 19,800 yen (198 bucks!). If I can figure out if there's a way to get it in English at all or get the guide online, I might finally replace my lost baby (I foolishly left her on top of the car whilst camping in June and she went the way of these old ceramic mugs my parents had when we were kids. Anyone else remember that? They drove around the hill by the Hoppe's for like 8 hours and never found to where it disappeared... at least I found mine, even if it was smashed to smithereeens!).
I explored the 3 areas of Shin-Urayasu and finally got some food (and coffee), but I didn't really appreciate anything as much as I'd hoped. I was merely trying to get the lay of the land. I eventually found the Uniqlo and found some fun new sunglasses for 398 Yen! But that store cracks me up because even though we only just got it in the States, everything is in English here and there was an American music soundtrack and I could buy a Boston Red Sox T-Shirt, Central Michigan University hat, or Superman T-shirt! As much as that was disappointing, I think I needed the familiarity for the afternoon.
Which leads me to the point that Japan could be trouble for me. Since everywhere you go is a giant superstore, you can find just about ANYTHING you don't need at all times. Even on a simple visit to the grocery. I found about 8 different pairs of amazing Nike hi-tops (we all know I've been dying to find new kicks), and nearly threw down 50 bucks on some fun yellow and green sneaks. I AM, however, officially obsessed with the 100 Yen store in the Ito and D2 (Home Depot). And since they are my neighbors... well, you get the picture. They both finally got me set up with some hangers and dish towels and necessities such that I finally started to unpack! But I'm really ready for a couch and I'm itching like crazy to get a bike! I'm like a 10-year-old at Christmas just waiting for Santa to send me someone who is getting rid of one. AHHHH. I even drooled over the new ones in D2.
Which brings me to my final point. I think part of the reason I had a less than perfect day is the fact that I just don't know anyone here. There was a BBQ happening when I left in the foyer, but when I went down I didn't have the confidence to go say hi. Because seriously, while all the gai-jin here have been nice so far, not a single person sans Campbell has done more than say "Hello/How are you?/What show are you doing?" and leave it at that. I don't need a bestie right away, but I'm pretty sure I have a friendly countenance at most times. And no one has made any effort to get to know me, in fact, occasionally it's seemed I've been affronting people when I try to introduce myself. Maybe I'm just lonely and they are tired after long days at the park, but 4 days here with only one Western friend (who knows everyone, rightly so, and therefore has 85 things to do at all times) who simply escorts me to work and back is pretty disheartening. I'd love to get a jump on a couch and a table and a bike, and maybe have a night out meeting people or even dinner in a restaurant, but I guess I just have to wait for my new cast. I'm not giving up hope yet. Just need to be brave again!
My skype works now and it was great to tell my mom all about this place! Give me a buzz sometime!
