I love you, Tibbie.

Tibbie
1991-2007

This past Saturday, my very, very, very beloved dog (youngest sister, really), Tibbie, had to be put down. I was lucky enough to have had a last week with her back home in California and was able to say a tear-covered and love-filled goodbye to her before I returned to Japan.

Tibbie was truly the best there is and I can't imagine feeling the same bond with any other being. She played a part in my becoming a vegetarian, cuddled with me during sad and happy times, was the cutest, floppy-eared, full-size Chihuahua puppy anywhere, was always happy when anyone came home, had soft paws and the most kissable forehead, flirted with the bottled water delivery guy, loved people, tolerated cats, hated dogs, loved smelly feet, got jealous when my mom and dad kissed, was a picky eater, gave good kissies, and was the greatest and most loving addition to our family. I will cry for her and miss her for a very long time.

Tokyo Vegetarian Festival

Hey y'all! Come on down for the Tokyo Vegetarian Festival, going on this weekend 29-30 September at Yoyogi Park!!

I'm not clear on all the info, but this is what I gathered from various websites:

Probably will take place from 10am-5pm on both days at the entrance near the NHK building where all the musicians play on weekends. There's going to be food and info on veg lifestyles, yoga, and other granola-type things for those of us who LOVE granola. ;p

Hope to see you there - I'll be wandering around the place at various times on both Saturday and Sunday.

Happy Veggie Fest!

"All you need is love and vegetables."

You have to get naked

I'll be filling you in on this post in a couple days, but just wanted to put the teaser out there! Hahaha!!

Ch-ch-chaaaaaaange

I need a change. Here's what my small talk has looked like lately:

Scenario #1

Random Person I've Just Met: So, what do you do?/So, what are you doing here in Tokyo?

Me: [nervous laughter] Haha... A whole bunch of nothin'.

Scenario #2

Person I Know But Haven't Seen in a While: So, how've you been lately?/So, what've you been up to lately?

Me: Oh... [sigh]... I've been really busy for no good reason... haha [nervous laughter].

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The full-time job hunt continues but without many positive results. Yeah, I keep getting job offers, but not for things that sound interesting to me or that make me want to jump out of bed in the morning in time to be at the office by 9am (after an hour commute on a packed train with a stranger's briefcase - I hope it's a briefcase! - poking into my back). I applied for a job over the weekend at a place that sounds really interesting and different for me. So, we'll see... keep your fingers crossed!

The Butt-Biting Bug

Um... what?



I have no explanation for this. However, it does help my argument/defense for why I don't watch Japanese television. I found this article about the "butt-biting bug phenomenon."

p.s. This post is pre-wedding stress-reliever for Katy. Happy Monday!!

Update as promised:

Just got this email from the American Embassy:

"Weather sources report that Typhoon Fitow (also known as Typhoon 10w) will make landfall in the Tokyo area around 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Winds up of 58 miles per hour with gusts up to 81 miles per hour are expected, along with heavy rains. Coastal areas may be dangerous due to heavy waves and flooding. There may also be delays in the mass transportation systems."

So I called my boss to find out if we're still gonna be open tonight considering the bar is in a business not residential area and so most people will be going home early tonight. He said I didn't have to come in since the bar will probably be pretty empty and he already has another person coming in. So, yay! No need to worry about getting stranded on the subway and missing my last train home.

I'll still be working tonight - just got two new papers to work on - but at least, in my 2nd story apartment, there's little chance of flooding... I hope! ;)

In honor of the typhoon, I bring you this little ditty from Les Miserables, called "A Little Fall of Rain."