Good times…

heFun & Friendships...

I have nothing really to post about but am sicking of seeing my face everytime I check my blog so thought I`d bump the new haircut post down a bit by posting this. This photo was taken in July at a house party in Kichijoji. James` had a friend who had a friend who was having a party and I live in Kichijoji and it seemed like a good excuse as any to go out for the night.

It is a couple months old but I really like this photo. I was looking for another photo when I noticed this one and realized I really have to print myself out a copy. Some of my closest friends are in this photo, and obviously that is Shun with his arm on my shoulder (Yes, and me drinking white wine out of a big plastic cup…Who said I wasn`t classy!).

This photo sums up the good times in my life. Friends (mix of nationalities, ages and occupations…), Laughter, booze, music (well you can`t see that but trust me it was there…) and good memories.

I would never have met any of these people if I had not come on exchange to Seikei University at the beggining of 2004. I spoke literally no Japanese. I had come out of a fairly long term relationship only about 4 or 5 months earlier and I was still hanging around with friends from highschool yet I was ready to move on. I left Australia in March and headed to Tokyo not knowing what to expect. I certainly didn`t expect that I would like it so much that I couldn`t wait to go back, or that my Japanese would actually improve so much (for the first 6 months it barely improved at all) or that I would meet a Japanese boy and fall in love (the boy that introduced us, Koki, with the glasses, introduced us) or that I would make such long lasting friendships. I am not sure exactley what I would be doing now if I hadn`t orignally come to Japan but I know that I made the right choices then and that because of that I am happy now. Everyone in this photo has played some part in making my time in Japan great and I want to thank them.

Cat- I still remember the first time I saw you. I had travelled what felt like days to get to Japan (Although really altogether it was only about 12 hours) and you and Phil were in the kitchen watching something when Nakamura brought me up and asked you to explain what she was saying. (Then megu showed up in her pink pajamas). Perhaps if we had met anywhere else we might of just passed each other on the street or at a party, but been thrown together in a place like the kaikan facillliated all kinds of friendships and I am really lucky that you and I were thrown together. The six months we spent together in Japan were amazing and you only have to look at the photos and think back to know we were having the time of our life. We first really bonded at Fuji Qyu Highland (probably due to the fricken scary haunted house).We both wanted to get back to Japan after we had gone home and we both did it. We are both together again. You are my best mate and you have done so much for me in the last couple of years and I really am so grateful and I know that no matter where we end up in the world and even if it is months between phonecalls or emails that we could meet up and take off from where we were when we last met. Have a safe trip home to Scotland for Christmas…counting the days til I see you in the new year.

James- After Cat left you told me something in Hiroshima that while at the time I didn`t like to hear but you were right, and because of you I went out and now my Japanese is awesome (Ok not awesome but it is a lot better!). Last year when we were all back in Australia you were always keeping in touch with everyone and making sure we all kept in touch. You are like the big brother I never had (although really you are probably more immature than even I ;-) ).That year that we spent in the kaikan together was amazing…there were lots of great times and some bad ones but we both came out ok right? You kept me sane that second six months…You are the best friend a girl could ask for. You and Cat along with Shun, are the main reasons I came back to Japan in the first place.You always listen and are always willing to help if I need it, plus you know really good thai restaurants. It is so good to all be together again!!

Mai- We met at a club in Shibuya, Xanadu. I didn`t even know that you knew everyone or that you had come with us but you got up and danced on the stage with me and Catherine and spoke English with me cos I had no idea what you would have said if you had said it in Japanese. Since then there have been many fun times and you are always up for a laugh, a dance on a stage or table or just to meet up for coffee and shopping in Shimokitazawa. You have the best style of anyone I know…You can pull anything off and always look faboulous. Lately you have been really busy with life and work but whenever we do manage to get together it is always fantastic. Can`t wait to see you in the new year baby.

Koki and Hifumi- Koki you introduced me to Shumpei. Well sort of. You held an illegal party in the 3rd floor kitchen and that is where I met Shun. You made sure he had my number and that I had his and while you were surprised when it actually all worked out I know that you are happy to have introduced us so thanks for asking me to buy that OJ on the way home and come up to the 3rd floor kitchen at 1am in the morning. Hifumi you made the best nabe at the 2004 Christmas party ever….It even tasted great the next day when we all sat around and raided the big Kaikan kitchen. I know you make Koki really happy and it was always great to see you around the kaikan and always great to catch up with you now.

Shumpei- We met only 5 or 6 weeks before I left to go back to Australia and I don`t think either of us knew what to expect. And now here I am back in Japan and we are living together back in Kichijoji, where we first met. There is lots I could say. Nobody thought we would last, well I do not think they did, but we did and now we are here together and really happy together. This is our first Christmas together in the same country and while our backgrounds are completely different and while we don`t speak the same language we make it work and I know this Christmas is going to be great. You love me no matter what, and no matter how insane things get you are always there to give me a hug and make sure I am ok. I hope we have many more great Christmas` together. I love you.

Thanks to all of you….You all play a part in my life and for that I am really grateful. Because of you, it is always good.There are other people in Japan that have made my time great. You know who you all are. Wishing you all a great Christmas and New Year…Here`s too many more fun times and great memories.

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8 Comments

Filed under Friends, Inspiration

8 Responses to Good times…

  1. Deb

    What a great post Lulu! You’re so lucky to have such wonderful friends in your life.

    Have a wonderful Xmas! oxox

  2. He he, this is an awesome post. I think that everyone should take the time to think about their mates, and appreciate just how much that they help and are great friends.
    Don’t ya just love them!!?! :]
    Keep up the good work. xoxo.

  3. Nothing like having wonderful friends! Have a happy Chrissie in Japan :) .

  4. Merry Xmas, Lulu and all the best for the New Year – it sounds like you have a great group of friends and a lovely bf :)

  5. Jen

    Merry Christmas Lulu, I hope you have a good time, despite all the sucky stuff (like it not being a public holiday!!).

  6. Friends are the family we choose. Looks like you’ve made some life long ones over there.
    Merry Christmas to you all.xx

  7. Deb- Thanks Deb. I hope you had a lovely christmas!! I did, but will blog about it at a later date.

    Angela- Hi, thanks for the comment. I tried to have alook at your blog but noticed it is just for contacts. Let me know if I can be added, would love to check it out. Thanks for stopping by.

    Chicky- Christmas in Japan will never be the same as Christmas back home but with a great bf and friends it can be made into something just as special!! Hope you had a good chrissy too.

    Nicole- Hope you had a lovely Christmas Nicole. Yeah, I do have a great group of friends and a great boy, and I wrote this post so that I can remember not to undervalue the big part they play in my life. I love them to bits. As you know, New Year is big here so I will be heading to Shun`s parents place later in the week for some shrine hopping, drum tapping hot sake drinking fun.

    Jen- Thanks. It is weird going outside on christmas day and seeing everything move on as usual…but it was nice all the same. I watched a whole season of will and grace :-)

    Steph~ They are aren`t they. I think I have made life long friends. You`ve had some bad luck lately but I am sure you are realizing who your real friends are. I hope your better soon and hope you had a FANTASTIC, gift filled chrissy.

  8. Lulu, that was a lovely post. It made my heart feel good to read it. It also made me miss Japan and my friends there so much! You’re really blessed x

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