F is for Foreigner (not the band).

I, like I'm assuming most of you, had always lived in the U.S. And I'd always loved it. Everything was so easy. I could read signs. I could order without hand gestures. I could eat with a fork at a restaurant. I had no idea how easy it was.

Here in Japan, everything seems just a little bit more complicated. Not that I'm complaining... (Okay, maybe I'm complaining a little bit). Awkward transactions at the store are now awkward, not because I say silly, awkward things, but because I don't know how to say anything. Getting my car fixed (which I have had to do several times already) is not scary because I don't know anything about cars, but because I don't know what the mechanic is telling me about my car. Ordering fast food isn't embarrassing because I'm a little piggy, it's embarrassing because all I can say is "Beeguh Mac, arigato gozimas."

It's hard being a foreigner, harder than I thought it would be. I've been trying to learn a little more Japanese, trying to branch out a little bit, and trying to blend in. Good luck, right?

Holiday season!

Remind me not to start a new job around the holiday season ever again.

Work is actually really good. I am at work by 5 am MWF and 6:30 am TuTh. Early. Really early. But I am slowly catching on. Somedays seem filled with filing projects and phone calls while others seem to stretch for days with nothing to do. Overall, it's nice to leave the house and get paid. And I've met some great people.

My dear, dear car died almost three weeks ago. It's been in the shop ever since. And I've got a good two weeks until I get it back. It's really frustrating to be sharing a car again but it's great that my job is close enough that I can walk. God sure knows what He's doing, doesn't He?

Our Christmas tree is up and filled with all of my favorite ornaments! Check Picasa for the pictures. I'm glad we got a pre-lit tree because I think the plethora of lights fills the empty spots.

I've done all of my Christmas shopping (online) and have recently become obsessed with SpongeBob SquarePants. It's really funny. You should all watch it.

I will try to update again sooner than usual.

Minor Housekeeping.

All right. First off, check out the picture site http://picasaweb.google.com/never.dexter for newly added photos of our house and the stuff in our house.

Next, to everyone: if you want to let me know how you feel about something in the blog, you can click right below an entry where it says "Comments" and leave a little love note. For everyone with an LJ, or other OpenID username: you can also use that to leave comments. This is the only time I will say this (so as not to be a comment monger) Please leave me comments. Please, please, pretty please with sugar on top.

Lastly, as of tomorrow around noon, I will own a car. My first "my own" car. I am excited, even though it is not a pretty color. You can bet photos will be posted ASAP.