Up to Par

I have a ton of half-baked updates that never made it to full-post status; tales of Texas cookies in japan; hip-hop piano concerts, strings of drinking and dinner parties with my fellow teachers, and conversations with yakuza. Rather than get stuck in the past and never bothering to update again, why don’t we just clean the slate and start fresh on this newest of new years?

I was supposed be home the night before last, but a 3.5 hour delay in Houston and me too late to catch my trains back to Kota. I ended up staying at a hotel, courtesy of the airlines, and made my way home afternoon after having what will surely be my last American-style breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast for some time.

Speaking of which, I have a feeling I will be disappointed when I step on that scale. I can’t believe how easy it was to slip into American-stlye eating again; it only took five days of constant stomach problems to get used to it.

Today I begin the process of acquiring my Japanese drivers license. From what I’ve heard, it’s a pain in the ass to get. Apparently the driving test is a real bitch and only about 10% of people pass it on the first try. I’ve been told to expect to take the test three to four times. Ugh. I have done quite a bit of reading up on it though so hopefully it will only take me a couple of times. Who knows though.

First step. I’m off to get my official translation of my American license and begin the uphill bureaucratic battle that is to come. Better have a cookie first.