It’s going to be winter soon
I just had a thought — it’s been almost a year since I first turned on our little heater. This afternoon, with a chill in the air threatening rain, I carefully poured some water into its funnel and switched on our steamer. It felt great. The shoe box gets cold rather easily with its thin walls and unheated floors (though this seems to be a rare Japanese treat while in Korea it’s commonplace — yeah it’s much colder there).
But it feels easy a year later. I know what to do. Last year, I felt out of sorts and fell asleep for hours at 15-degree weather. It’s so laughable now. Tonight is 13 degrees so it’s justified to turn the heat hummer on a bit. I remember I didn’t know simple things like don’t turn on the heater all night (it’ll dehydrate you and give you the worst headaches), warm up first and then go out (if you’re feeling cold, it’ll be worse outside), turn on the hot shower for a minute or two before jumping in, tug down long sleeves before pulling on another layer…. I could go on. I’ve not pulled out full winter gear yet so I’m proud of that. Maybe in a few weeks with the rest of the population.
Another thing I realised is that I don’t dread waking up in the morning. Sometimes I even feel like I can’t wait to get started. I think I disliked my previous jobs very much — I used to procrastinate and was tardy for everything. There was a reluctance to start on any work, a desperate need to finish work, and a loathing for my superiors. That’s not normal. Nor how I want to live my life. On hindsight, I was probably immature and lacked emotional stamina to outwit and outlast my peers. Japan definitely came at a timely moment in terms of my career. I don’t seem to dread work anymore, which is a refreshing feeling. Perhaps I’m not meant to be in publishing at all. I can shop more, too, with more financial leeway, thanks to the kangaroo. And I get to shop in Tokyo!! I love the stuff here.
I’m pleased to have a better quality of life, too — I’m travelling loads and still learning to live on my own in a clean, tidy (albeit tiny) apartment. Telok Kurau was such a dump in comparison. I have all the privacy I want, even though there’s a noisy neighbour a floor below who humps like a tom cat on heat (by the way, I caught his shadow once: big belly in a stout frame. Ew…). The convenient location is hard to beat as I’m literally half an hour away by train to all the central places where everyone meets up and shops. I know where to get my favourite food. I stopped missing the sinful stuff back home and have a new menu to cook for myself. Can’t have it the same? Get something else or modify. I’m eating more sandwiches, tacos, pork chops and miso soup. I’m also exercising regularly which makes me happy. I used to feel stressed about working overtime and not having enough opportunities to run.
The Japanese language is chugging along and I’m pleased to understand about 30 to 40 per cent of what’s on TV. I’m probably more in tune with Japanese current affairs than I ever was with Singapore’s (that’s not an excuse to know less about home but i make a conscious effort to be more informed about news in general these days).
I’m not using this entry to boast or anything but it’s a chart of my progress overseas. And a reminder to days when I feel low and lost here.
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