Friday, September 18, 2009

Self-idulgence

Putting everything else in life on pause this week and enjoying the pleasures of sweet serendipity.

A Polish in transit.

And boundless 'me time' filled with naps, reading, several must-sees crossed off the list, walks, bike rides, swims and bubble tea.

Grateful for having the luxury to do so.

Life will resume as normal tomorrow.

And yet this anomaly seems so much more appropriate.

Yes. I am head-sprung.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Northbound

Leaving for Hokkaido in an hour.

3 hours train ride to the Port in Oarai.

Overnight ferry to Tomakomai = 19hours.
Shuffle charged and 3 books on standby.

Another 1 hour train ride to the Northern capital Sapporo and an overnight bus up East and I will finally reach my WWOOF Host!

Can't wait to get out of Tokyo!!!

Also, got an Atlas as omiyage for my Host so I can show them EXACTLY where Fiji is. Had to spend some time looking for one where Fiji wasn't lost in the centerfold. Oh yeah, and I reckon that would make a great title for a book on Fiji...Lost in the Centerfold. No?

Also, I discovered that I find the simple task of removing old luggage tags from previous travels when packing my bags for a new destination...quite exciting.

:)

Thursday, September 3, 2009

I cannot think of a title for this post...

I just realised that I sometimes spend more time thinking of a bloomin title for my post, than writing up the post itself. ><

So its supposedly autumn...but the cicadas outside my window are still at their orchestra...so not quite yet then.

The first of this month was also the anniversary of my ONE YEAR (!!!!) away from home...and oh! what a year it has been! Here I thank the kindness of strangers, of the friends I have made here and those back home that made this year memorable, and at times bearable.

To the lady that showed me to the river in Chitosekarasuyama so I could follow it back to the dorm...when I didn't even know how to say 'Where is the river' in Japanese.

To the man who walked across the street and gave me an umbrella when I was caught in a downpour on the way home. I only knew how to say Thank you.

To the backpacker at the guesthouse in Ayyuthuya, Thailand, for the 2am rescue and the vacant room that helped save my tired arse that had just gotten off an extremely late train.

For the safe journey through Thailand alone.

To surviving...and immensely enjoying Japan.

To Ears, Max, Thunder and Netto, who are my lifesavers, my translators and my family here. For help with smallest of things and the biggest of problems. Ordering food, catching the train, letting me talk till their ears bled!

And most especially to those back home; friends and family...for putting up with the requests for updates, for writing back, for the care packages, for the love. Keeps me going at the worst and best of times.

To healing.

To miracles, man-made or otherwise.

To the universe in general.