Notes to Myself

3 for 2

Hayfever Medicines

As Boots are doing a 3 for 2 offer on hayfever medicines I've picked up 3 different boxes to try out. I haven't had good results from Boots' Loratadine hayfever medicine so I'm hoping one of these new ones will be better.

Top Left: Benadryl Allery Relief - Acrivastine
Bottom Left: Benadryl One A Day Relief - Cetirizine Hydrochloride
Right: Piriteze Allery Tablets - Ceterizine Hydrochloride

If two products contain the same main drug do you think they'd have approximately equal effects?

Birthday Wishes

"Happy Birthday!"

It's nice when your friends and the people you love send you birthday greetings. I have to admit that I am terrible at remembering birthdays. Why do I struggle to remember birthday dates when my grandmother can remember each and every of her grandson & granddaughter's bithdays?

What's the best way to be reminded? I've often been sent e-mails from people requesting I enter my birthday on a website that will remind them when my birthday comes around. I've found one called Birthday Alarm, which I may give a go. Or could I just use Outlook, or My Yahoo instead?

Blood Rush

All cured? After 3 years of no problems I might have thought so, but no, I brushed my teeth and blew my nose only to have a nice nosebleed. It must be related to the hayfever here being slightly more severe and the constant nose blowing. Will it ever end?

Over 18

During my entire stay in Japan I don't think I was ever questioned much over my age - admittedly, I look young, but it didn't seem such a problem. During the past week in England I've been asked twice if I was over 18, once at a bar and once at a pool hall.

I am 25 and I'm still being asked these questions! That is 7 years older than 18. When will I ever look old enough not to have to carry ID? When asked my age and I reply, '25', it must come across as sarcastic or simply farcical, and it's getting rediculous.

When I picked up an application for a Proof of Age Card I had hoped it wouldn't be necessary, but it looks like it might be worthwhile getting some kind of handy ID for my wallet.

Hot Yoga

Back in Japan I saw a piece on the news about the 'Hot Yoga' craze sweeping across America. Yoga in a hot room, what a novel idea.

Then, back in England I had the chance to try it out for myself at Bikram Yoga. As soon as you walk into the room the wet heat blasts you in the face. Ideally, claims the website, the room should be at 105F degrees and about 60% humidity. Some of the reasons for this are:

Keep the body from overheating (!)
Protect the muscles & allowing deep stretching
Body detox (opening the pores)
Increase heart rate for cardiovascular workout

The instructor asked the first timers to raise their hands. She kindly advised me to take off my socks - and good thing too. Each session is 90 minutes and there are about 26 postures to perform in order; the same procedure every lesson.

I don't think I've ever sweat so much in my life. Sweat dripping down your face, down your back, down... well everywhere - don't forget your spare pair of undies. You have to be careful not to miss your towel with when placing your feet otherwise you'd probably skid on your foam mat with the sweat. Yeah, that room was ponging good.

It was my first time to attempt any type of yoga and it takes a lot more muscle power and balance than I thought. The whole experience just feels healthy. However, I don't think it suits me that well - I probably won't be extending my trial period.

J-Issues

One thing I can't seem to get used to is my bath. With no shower before getting in, or after getting out, it does feel a little dirty. One too many onsen? The Japanese people in my life really influenced me on the shower issue.

Another little thing was my sister caught me noodle slurping! Unbelievable. I battled hard with myself to learn that skill in Japan. Also, I can't stop saying 'itadakimasu' before eating. Other Japanese words come to mind in certain situations, but I have noticed them trailing off already.

I can't help but wonder how quickly I'll forget it Japanese - think French GCSE... Of course, if I don't expose myself to Japanese this forgetting process will be fairly quick, but just how quick? If I never spoke/wrote/saw Japanese for the rest of my life, would I recall anything? It would be a very sad situation, as I would no longer be able to communicate so well with the Japanese people I know who don't speak English.

Running Man

This morning I decided to start on the road to better fitness with a jog down by the River Thames. I used to do a similar run with my cousin from time to time so it was quite nostalgic. The river views are great and take your mind off your tiring legs.

Though I thought I wouldn't push myself too hard, I managed a slow pace for 40 minutes. Even if I only do the same distance at a slow pace, I'm not too bothered, as long as I continue doing it. It's a question of will power!

Update: Just like I thought, my mind was ready but my body wasn't. The lesson is to build up slowly. Resist the urge to go crazy.

Bar Code Music

Virgin Megastores has installed a funky new system for previewing CDs. Well, I say 'new', but I don't really know how new it is.

Initially I thought the headphone sets were the usual CD players with perhaps 3 CDs to choose from, but no! Simply pick up a CD from around the shop, scan the barcode and listen to a sample from each track on the CD! How can that work? Does it work for any CD in the entire shop?

Fag Warning

UK cigarette packet

For your four to five pounds you can purchase these lovely cigarettes. The warnings on the packets are not very subtle are they?

London Transport

Underground or Tube

A few years back, before I left for Japan, the London Underground had started fitting card readers to the ticket barriers. With promises of what reminded me of the Hong Kong Octopus system or later, Japan Railway's Suica card, the Oyster Card system had been fully implemented. This is a pre-paid system which claims to be cheaper than buying single tickets and can even include your season tickets. 'Capping' prevents single ticket prices from exceeding the price of a one day travelcard. What a complex system it must be.

One thing that shocked me was the prices. A travelcard for zones one and two now costs £4.70 which is close to 1000 yen! Maybe you can't compare but I was paying 800 yen to get to Shinjuku and back, and that was far.

At a station yesterday, a kind man offered me his travelcard as he had finished using it for the day. Nice saving! That's the first time that's ever happened to me, actually. Technically, this is probably illegal. Well, it's not exactly ticket touting if you don't buy a ticket from someone... or is it?

The Tube feels much the same as ever: old and cramped. Sitting on the Piccadilly Line I felt like I was almost touching the person sitting facing me. The buskers greeted me, well not personally, at many stations.

London Notes

Where to begin? Just what caught my eye on arriving back in London? Actually, before that, British Airways. It was bizarre hearing such a range of English accents. It was weird just seeing so many British folk. Even replying to the native English speaking aircraft crew felt strange.

Heathrow was, as always, old looking and again, the sight of only English on signs seemed significant. At baggage reclaim I noticed a few people with huge looking mobile phones.

At the arrivals area I found a newsagent (not combini) and marvelled at the drinks I hadn't seen in ages like Lucozade and Oasis. Walkers crisps! All sorts of goodies.

On the way home the trees looked different. Coming into London and in particular Chiswick, things were greener than I'd remembered. Ah, and space for pedestrians, even on small streets! I remembered the roads which of course hadn't changed, but there were new shops and cafes here and there.

Stopping at the lights, I took a long around. What feels more significantly different than the scenery here are the people. Big, huge and largely (dare I say it?) unattractive. I'm still adjusting. And the number of races you see within a minute is shocking.

The tracksuit/trainers look still looks like the ultimate in class for us Brits... long live Adidas. Hmm, where did the high heels go? Someone, send me back to Japan.

Though I had jetlag, one thing that still seems odd is the sunset. 9 p.m. and it's still light here. It just doesn't feel like the evening. The sunrise/sunset information below is for today:

London, United Kingdom
Calendar Sunrise: 4:43am
Sunset: 9:14pm

Tokyo, Japan
Calendar Sunrise: 4:25am
Sunset: 6:55pm

More to come. Possibly.

Syrup Cost

Being addicted to plain old "ice coffee" is a pain in London. Yeah, crushed ice coffees are good too but... oh ok, I could quite easily settle for an overpriced ice cafe latte. That was my decision process in Starbucks on Oxford Street.

When I got my coffee I realised there was only standard sugar to add to it. "Where's the sugar syrup for iced drinks?" I pondered. Asking a member of staff he replied,

"I think we have some but you have to pay for them."
"Oh, how much?"
"30p." he claims.

Are you having me on?! I hope he was simply wrong and that they don't have syrup. That is better than being forced to pay extra for what should come with your coffee.

Farewell Japan

Following a few emotional months, I find myself back in London, England. The end of my contract and sudden thoughts about my future pushed me into returning. I wonder whether realistically there were other options for me in Japan besides teaching. With relatively little experience related to my Computing major things looked a little bleak. Then there are VISAs and money to worry about. Something to think about again in the future.

I met so many interesting people in Japan and I'm so grateful to you all - even if I didn't have the chance to say goodbye and even if we are no longer in contact. To the people closest to me, I am very sad to say farewell and I apologise if I have let anyone down. I hope that we can meet again in the future.

My experiences were so varied in Japan, and though some were incredible it would not be true to pretend that they were all good. Full of ups and downs, I certainly got what I asked for when I left England looking for a new experience. What an adventure.

Being a 'blog from Japan' I'm not sure what to do with this site. Then again, it started off as a blog from London and maybe it only makes sense that it follows me wherever I go.

What the future holds, I'm not too sure. Will I have the chance to return to Japan? For now it's time for a rest.