Its Sunday morning, and I'm knee-drumming on the subway to some of my favorite rock tunes. Plenty of people listen to music on the rails, but this is the first time I've joined their chorus. We're an army of independent listeners sitting or standing in silence amongst the rows of people discovering that they need that extra 10 minute power nap. One of these days, we'll discover that they're all zombies while on the express train.
It's warm today, but very nice. Humidity has taken the wish of it's absence seriously for at least today, and the clouds are moving at a pace suggesting a sense or urgency I can't seem to embody. Fast-paced music and people don't escape my growingly panoramic senses. Thus far, the day seems to be a serene scene of never-ending events waiting for my observation. The kids that got on at Motoyama playing Rock Paper Scissors, the businessman standing professionally in a tailored suit who hopped on one leg when the train's I initial departure tug took him off guard, or the countless people who, despite it being Sunday, still managed to find a way to be in a hurry, all gave some level of amusement.
After getting off the train, I find the open walk welcoming for whistling the tune then playing. Some volunteers are picking up trash along the way, and in an oddly-philanthropic sway, I start thinking of ways I could possibly help when I get to Ichinomiya.
...
Hours pass. The day carried Namiki's birthday, food, and good fun at the airport.
...
As the day grows later, the heat I thought I was going to miss has subsided, and time is spent reflecting on the day's events, I find myself waiting for another train. It's a Sunday night, the station isn't exactly crowded, and two seats down from me is a guy who's favorite movie I would swear was Forrest Gump. I think often of my friends back home, most notably Thomas for his want to travel and get out, and Mr. Linke, for all the food I'm eating.
I have such a great opportunity here, and so many things that I need to be doing. I need to learn to read, write, and speak. I need to prepare my next lesson, make tomorrow's lunch, and update my blog with all those precious details I'm sure to forget or not notice again the longer I'm here. Before Japan loses some of it's wondrous mystery and I start living a daily life, those things I want to capture should be.
Self talk:
Calm down. Yea, you've got a fair bit of stuff to do, but it's certainly a lot less than others who don't have the support you do, and much further less than you're capable of handling.
Self back-talk:
I know, and thanks for the pep talk. I was just trying to get a grip on what my goals are. Time is my most precious resource, and given that I'm nearly broke, my only resource other than a clever head and determination (though determination has arguably been sub-standard throughout the past few years).
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