Adjustments

Tokyo, Japan -- So now I have like 3 days in Tokyo... and I'm still a bit culture shocking.. mostly because I don't know what to do with myself... there are so many rules and specific ways of doing things that the Japanese have and I have no idea when to bow and when to do what and so I'm just a bit confused. That and I feel kinda illiterate.

In a day or two, when I'm a bit more comfortable, I'll kick back into myself... not that I'm not me... I'm just like... uhhhh?

So, having SUCH the experience and time here in Japan, I have found that my favorite invention (because they have 'em for everything here) is the toilet seat warmer. Yep. It's warm.

The shower here is a bit schizophrenic. You turn the water on in the sink then flip a switch and it goes on in the shower. And it'll be nice and warm, and then for no reason at all, it goes cold. REALLY cold. Then, you have to shiver through it and wait for the hot to come back. It's not a big deal really, just different.

Also different is walking around in socks. In church, in the house... I've brought my shoes indoors but for a day or so, they were outside. And there are special bathroom slippers that I keep forgetting about, because I have "slippers" or flip flops that I wear especially for my house in Mexico... because it's cold! So, I'm starting to get better at remembering not to treck those things back through the house again.

One of the big differences here, and Christine was talking to me about this, is the space issue. It's so important to make use... sometimes multiple uses out of really little space. You're always bumping into things and I keep my stuff tucked inside my suitcase at all times.

I'm sleeping inside the church, which is downstairs. And since it's not their living quarters, it's nice because I can have a bit more freedom to have my stuff out (overnight) and in the morning, I pack it back in. And every morning, you fold up the covers and the sheets and the mattresses (they're like pads) and you put them back into their space. And then in the night you put it back. But during the week, for the most part, it'll be more relaxed.

The other things that Christine was talking about that can be difficult is depression... it's one of the spiritual battles here... and that I can explain more in person about it... but there is no like touching or hugging or many people smiling here... a lot of pressure and stuff.

I'm also surprised at how much English people do speak here... last night, the bilingual service was pretty cool... there was a guest speaker who had a very cool story and a good message... and we sang in Japanese and in English... there was a Hillsong song and one-- As the Deer... do you know it? It was really cool to sing that in both languages!

And last night we put together a schedule so that I could have some idea of what is going on... It's full! In it is included meetings as a group, Japanese classes, going to the Gospel Choir, helping out around the house, going out with the young people to make contacts, seeing a bit of Tokyo and that.... It's going to be a full week!Well, I'm going to head to the store real quick because I now know where it is, and I'd like to see what they have there...

So, to explore!