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Memory of the sunJanuary 2003
I got stuck driving behind a truckload of pigs the other day on my way to Kawanoe city, where I was going to do some shopping, and I found myself thinking that I'd really rather be back on the beach in sunny Queensland. Making the re-entry into Japan's winter after a dose of Australian summer is bound to be a bit of a shock to the system, I guess. The cold aside, who wouldn't take the beach over sharing a tight road with a squealing load of pork, anyway? But you see, when I first left Australia in August 2001, I left behind a familiar landscape of things I took for granted. This time I left with a vividly refreshed memory of the sun, of the waves, of that big blue sky - things I never knew I'd missed. And, naturally, I was still recovering from a fresh round of goodbyes. I was homesick for the first time in 18 months.
The pigs didn't care, of course, and in the absence of so much as an empathic grunt or porcine tear for my loneliness, there was nothing to do but keep on driving. Nothing like shopping to cure it, too, but it was more than just retail therapy. I got stuck into fitting out my new apartment before I returned to Australia in December, buying curtains, light fixtures, mats, odd things for the bathroom, and a new "kotatsu" - a table with a heater on the underside, great for keeping your feet warm in winter and found in most Japanese households. However, I only had so much room in the mini Pajero at that time and was still looking to cross shelves, hanging bars and a big rug off my list. Having been back in Japan for a week now, I've done the shopping, handed back the keys to my old apartment, and been busy sticking photos and posters up all over my new flat in a bid to make it a bit more homely. My English-teaching friend Fujimoto-sensei came over a couple of nights back and commented that the only thing missing is a wife! I guess I could buy one of those, too. :)
Speaking of wives, the first order of business upon touching down in Brisbane on December 21 was to go and see my old friends Sally and Sugath get married at the University of Queensland. Having lived with them in a Toowong flat for some 18 months before I left the country, it was great to see them tie the knot in a lovely ceremony and reception amongst family and friends. I was pleasantly surprised to see a whole pile of other uni mates there, too, albeit briefly. The only problem was people asking about my own wedding plans. As a matter of fact, as I was waiting at Kansai International Airport for my plane to Brisbane the day before, I got a call from a local Japanese friend to congratulate me on my engagement...
F: "Congratulations! I heard that you are getting married!"
D: "Really? Fantastic! Er, who am I marrying?"
Honestly, with all these people hounding me about my marital status, I must be missing the hint!
It was off to the Gold Coast the next day to relax at home, something I've been looking forward to since Mum and Dad had a new deck built out the back. Great addition to the house and a top little venue in the summer. My brother turned up the next day to join us for our first family Christmas in quite a few years and we wasted no time in getting down to Narrowneck for a bodybash in the surf. We had lots of time to read books, go to the movies and the beach, and enjoy doing nothing over Christmas, which was just what we all needed. It was wonderful to see my family enjoying life.
My 12 days in Australia were deceptively idyllic, however, because I had many friends to catch up with here and there and had to try to fit as many as possible into a tight schedule. It was great to see a lot of familiar faces turn up to my little beach gathering on the Sunday after Christmas. I did a fair bit of running around in Brisbane the next day, too, another frantic round of hellos and goodbyes fitted in as my departure drew near. I spent New Year's Eve with my best mate on the Coast, a quiet one near the Broadwater. As much as I was keen to party hard, my plane was flying out on New Year's Day and I certainly felt better in the morning for taking it easy. My brother flew out in the morning - he's taking two months off work to go around Australia. Tough life! Much as I wanted to go with him, I had one last chance to see friends in Brisbane on the way to the airport and even at the airport. Then it was a hug from Dad, a kiss from Mum and a stroll through the immigration zone before I was on my way again. There were still lots of people I didn't see - sorry! 12 days wasn't enough, but it never is, right?
So here I am at my little laptop, first day back at school, getting ready for a pretty busy final term of the school year, thinking about tonight's kendo practice, wondering if my new kendo pants will fit and if I'll really stick to it through the year, not really looking forward to the pile of New Year's cards waiting to be written at home, and hoping on the side that this weekend's first musical rehearsal will run smoothly. Business as usual? Well, I don't know, but for the moment, my only New Year's resolution is to stand up straight. Sort of hard in a country where the doorways are designed for people under 178cm, but kendo should help with that - nothing like a few sharp cracks over the head to make you look up!
Since I'm sure there's something in that for everyone, there's just one more thing to say. Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu - Happy New Year! Have a wonderful 2003!
Lots of love,
Dave