My ladybugs
March 16th, 2007 by saruboy
I don’t think that a blog about my personal experiences in Japan would be quite complete without including a few bits and snips about my three favourite ladybugs! These girls do a lot to keep me sane on a daily basis and I appreciate it more than they will ever know! They are, from left to right, Jordana, Ruthy/Ruthster (depending on my mood), and Janelle. That would be me (looking a little tipsy…….quiet girls, I was JUST A LITTLE tipsy:)) laying all over the front of them. See. What did I say? These girls ROCK! Anywho, I thought I had better introduce them as I am sure you all will be seeing a lot more of them as the blogs plods along.
So, this leads us to Saru’s second thought on life. Having cool people around you is a must. Whatever you’re into, whenever you’re into it, surround yourself with people who support it.
Saru
Boys, Girls, and Garter Belts.
March 16th, 2007 by saruboy
Well now. THIS is an outing that I will NEVER forget! It’s a bit like those sparkly-but-not-offensive-comfortable-but-not-Rosie-O’Donnell-comfortable -wish-I-had-worn-THESE-to-the-party pair of shoes that everyone has in their collection!
Two of my very best friends (Dan and Crystal) got married (to one another) this past Fall, and I got to join in the wedding parrrrrrrrrrrtaaaaaaay! It was FAB, so I think I really ought to include a little bit about it in here.
As I mentioned, I am from the city of Thunder Bay, which is located in Northwestern Ontario, in Central Canada. Check it out! It’s lovely, if a little local. ( www.thunderbay.ca ) Anyway, the wedding was held at an historical park that we all used to work at (Old Fort William: www.fwhp.ca/homepage.html ) and that’s why the photo above looks like it was taken in a theatre.
I can’t mention this place without expanding just a little since this is where Dan, Crystal and I first met. Old Fort William is a fantastic historical park which tries, very hard at times, to recreate the year 1815. I worked there during the summers for a few years when I was a university student, and the summer that I returned from spending a year and a half in Thailand and Europe. While we were working, Crystal busied herself baking bread in the old stone oven, and Dan and I walked around the place dressed in coat-tails and stockings. I bet that conjures-up some pretty classy images for all you readers! Anyway, working at this place really lends itself to making GREAT friends and I made a bunch.
So, I left the big city and headed back to the homeland. A 24 hour journey later, I arrived back in Thunder Bay and the festivities began! It was pretty non-stop for a while because so many people had come back from various parts of the world……some even got snowed-in along the way, thanks to Canada’s all-to-fabulous-ice-queens-would-love-it-global-WHATing? type winters! We ended the week of festivities with a party at Dan’s parent’s place and said so-long to everyone.
So, this would lead to Saru’s third life lesson……..no matter HOW far away you are, how OLD you get or how RARELY you actually touch base, great friends are great friends forever! Love it!
Saru
Sunday, Lovely Sunday.
March 18th, 2007 by saruboy
Ya know, one of the best things about living in (or near, in MY case) Tokyo is that you really never know what your day is going to hold.
I woke-up this morning feeling as though death were merely inches from my soul (I being A LITTLE dramatic here, forgive me…..I’ve had a cold for a couple of days) and so I cancelled on Jo, Ruthy, Anya and Giles and didn’t go to my pottery class. I thought a little rest would do me good but, as it turned out, I started going a little stir-crazy staying in my room. I decided that what this little fella REALLY needed was a little sunshine on his winter-white face.
Meiji Temple
With that in mind, I grabbed my camera and headed for the train station. I had Meiji-Jingumae Temple (check the link above) in mind as a destination. It’s an ENORMOUS compound of a temple located in central Tokyo, and is always crammed with people so I thought I would be able to get some good shots. I was not to be disappointed today.
When I entered I just kind of stood there for a few minutes and looked around from the top of the steps. It’s crazy busy, but there is a very special kind of calm in that place. Anyway, I took a little stroll around and looked at some of the other buildings before decided to move on an go to the iris garden. That plan changed in a hurry, though, because when I turned to head off, I found my self smack in front of a wedding procession! The wedding….It was being recorded by television stations and the whole nine yards! I have no idea if they were anyone special or not, but they certainly come from good families when you consider the price attached to getting married in that temple!
So, with that bit of excitement over with, I actually did move on and walked through some of the myriad pathways the litter the grounds. I was feeling quite well after a little of this, and opted to head back home for a little dinner.
As I was heading back to the station, my day had one more bit of entertainment to give me before I got home. Ah yes…..Harajuku fashion. I have been to a lot of countries in this world of ours, but nowhere have kids been as creative with their clothing. Take a look as these two. Harajuku girls in full form.So, that pretty much sums-up my Sunday afternoon. Hope you all used your day well and had some fun!
Saru
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