The Big Anniversary Post

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22 November 2006 @ 20:07

It's my one year anniversary of being in Japan!

November 2005

Our first night here (Yachiyodai, Chiba) was miserable, mainly because we were jetlagged and the staff at the place we wanted to eat at were unhelpful. I soon realised that my sense of happiness here was strongly tied to how well I could communicate and make myself understood. Something I have to get over, really.

In my first week here, I preordered the DVD of PAPA TO KISS IN THE DARK and got an event ticket to see Midorikawa Hikaru-san, Chiba Susumu-san, Terashima Takuma-san, 'SHUN' and 'it's'. No wonder I felt better...

I went to my first izakaya (Warawara) with my coworkers.

I climbed Mount Takao with

hinoai and her friends. The leaves were a beautiful red and purple! We went to an izakaya afterwards and I tried shiokara for the first (and last!) time.

December 2005

I discovered Yakitate!!Japan bread is available in convenience stores.

I saw a Hard Gay-related program for the first time.

We went to a Christmas party in Narita and ate turkey!

My photo appeared in the Japan Times in the opinion section.

I went to the Jump Festa and saw Morita Masakazu-san, the NaB's, Irino Miyu-san, Okiayu Ryoutarou-san and a Tenimyu promo featuring Shirota-san, Yanagi-san and Katou-san.

I went to Comiket.

We spent New Year's Eve doing karaoke and then went to the Meiji-Jingu shrine. Walking through the park, my way lit by lanterns and then eating Japanese food until the birds awoke and dawn came... it was a truly amazing experience.

January 2006

I won original KARAS artwork after filling in an Animage enquete.

Hinata performed outside my workplace.

We saw Bleach Myu.

It snowed.

I played New Year Karuta.

I celebrated Chinese New Year with friends and ate kurogoma.

February 2006

I went to the doctor for the first time and also bought a computer.

I went to an ikebana class.

I got a slight promotion at work.

The comm I mod (

raburesu) got fandom-wanked.

March 2006

I gave a three minute speech in Japanese at the International Association.

I discovered that Inage is full of friendly.

I bought Final Fantasy XII.

We went to the Tokyo International Anime Fair.

My first Tenimyu.

We celebrated our wedding anniversary.

I went to see Bambino.

April 2006

I watched cherry blossoms at night.

kuroe got a job in Tokyo.

May 2006

Kitagawa Daisuke-san performed outside my workplace.

I saw The NaB's.

I went to the Sony Music Anime Fes 06 with

dilettantka.

I went to the Naruto musical.

I went to Rock'n Jam Musical II.

I went to lunch at T-sensei's house.

I went to Mori no Ishimatsu Gaiden II, which starred Seki Toshihiko-san.

I hugged Morikubo Shoutarou-san at the Nerima Daikon Brothers event!!

June 2006

I started learning the shamisen.

I went to Nekobukuro and Kamakura.

I visited the Kabukiza with N-sensei.

July 2006

I went to Yokohama.

I went to my first matsuri and several firework festivals in Kanamachi and Funbashi.

I found an ill kitten in the street with half his face missing and decided to take him home. I named him 'Train' after the Black Cat character.

We started to move apartment, into a place that actually allows cats.

August 2006

Pez came to Japan and stayed with us! We went to a fireworks festival in Ichikawa, for yakiniku, to karaoke... Oh yes, and Tenimyu.

I went to Bleach Myu.

I finally moved into the new apartment, near Ikebukuro.

September 2006

I saw Tsuda Kenjirou-san in Dopondo. I was kind of disappointed.

I saw dancing Noh robots in Shibuya with N-sensei.

I did karaoke with

basicblack.

October 2006

I cooked Russian food and made Japanese sweets at the International Society.

I went to see WWE.

I went to two really nice izakaya called Daikon-ya and another in Jinsei Yokochou in Ikebukuro.

We found a really nice British pub in Ikebukuro.

November 2006

We competed in a pub quiz at the King George and didn't come last!

We went to Nikkou.

I renewed my visa for one more year.

24 comments | Leave a comment

24 comments —

( 24 comments — Leave a comment )

sharona1x2 on 22nd November 2006 08:20 (UTC)

Happy Anniversary!

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genkischuldich on 22nd November 2006 08:37 (UTC)

Thanks!

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iczer6 on 22nd November 2006 09:01 (UTC)

Happy Anniversary.

I hope you have a good time there.

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genkischuldich on 22nd November 2006 09:10 (UTC)

Thanks!

With a few exceptions, I'm still having a great time. :)

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thomasvye on 22nd November 2006 09:46 (UTC)

Hooray! Sounds like you have had a great year; here's to another one!

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 07:52 (UTC)

Yes! Let's hope all goes well! :)

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eye_ame on 22nd November 2006 10:24 (UTC)

My congratulations! It was an exciting year for me to read about ;) I hope to read more ;))

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 07:52 (UTC)

Uhh... really? Thanks!

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eye_ame on 23rd November 2006 07:55 (UTC)

Really :)
I do not comment often, but I read your posts thoroughly & with great pleasure.

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xander_li on 22nd November 2006 10:31 (UTC)

Happy Anniversary!

Glad to see there's a LOT of highlights from the past year! ^_^

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 07:53 (UTC)

Yep! There have been some dark moments, but generally it's been as good as I hoped!

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guiltyschu on 22nd November 2006 11:13 (UTC)

Wow, what an amazing year. ^_^ I've enjoyed reading about it too, though I don't always say so. I hope next year is as interesting for you as well!

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 07:54 (UTC)

Thanks for reading! :)

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zafiro_v on 22nd November 2006 12:22 (UTC)

Happy Anniversary! =)

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 07:54 (UTC)

Thanks! :)

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strawberryjoy on 22nd November 2006 15:19 (UTC)

Happy anniversary! It's nice to see someone doing the things they really want to.

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 07:55 (UTC)

Now let's see if we can do the other thing -- get a book or short story published! Thanks for reading all this time!

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ex_yohjidera753 on 22nd November 2006 15:56 (UTC)

Happy anniversary! Sounds like you have had more good than bad and I hope that it continues that way for you. ^_~

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 08:02 (UTC)

Thanks! I've certainly had my ups and downs, but I'm a surprisingly optimistic person! :)

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rei_desu on 22nd November 2006 23:17 (UTC)

Happy Annivesary! \(^.^)/

I've really enjoyed reading about your life in japan over the past year, and I look forward to more in the coming year! Ganbare!

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genkischuldich on 23rd November 2006 08:05 (UTC)

Thanks! I hope to continue writing more! :)

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ymfaery on 23rd November 2006 08:48 (UTC)

Happy anniversary! Hope your next year is just as good if not better!

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genkischuldich on 24th November 2006 07:50 (UTC)

Thanks!

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firearchangels on 16th November 2007 11:56 (UTC)

Happy Anniversary!! :D Was fun reading your experiences in Japan!

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