...4.) May 16th, 2009-  and so I finally stepped foot in Tokyo. This time I breathed a sigh of relief; only because I will finally be able to start married life with hubby. Weather was really cold. at least for someone like me who's used to living in tropical weather. Di gumana ang dala kong jacket. Must admit, bought it more for the style rather than use,hehe. Ganun naman kasi sa Pinas diba? when you say jacket- its made of thin cool fabric. Here, it means thick, cold-proof clothing. Lesson no.1  learned ;).

Our apartment is located in Asakusa, Tokyo. If you google Asakusa, you'd find that its one of the more popular tourist places in Japan showcasing traditional Japanese architecture, festivals,etc. Not exactly your typical residential area. But its a few minutes to the city center, convenient, and just a 20-minute train commute to hubby's work.

 Its an hour by train from Narita airport. Narita is the main international airport in Tokyo ; but its not located in the city center. Hence the train ride. I'm very grateful to hubby for scouting for a comfy and homey abode before I arrive in Japan- one that's comfy enough considering the budget and that its in Tokyo- the 2nd (or 3rd?) most expensive city in the world ( next to London and New York). Add to that the fact that he's the only one working at that moment... my japanese language ability at that time is like that of a toddler still learning to construct decent, understandable sentences ;(

I posted photos of our apartment, still almost bare at that time, here: talasakalawakan.multiply.com/photos/album/8/Our_Tokyo_Apartment

The first few weeks went by in a blur. Settling-in makes one busy; homesickness (and work-sickness, meaning, missing work rather than getting sick from it, haha) has yet to set in. Plus the fact that we're still catching up on our honeymoon ;). Imagine getting married (in the Philippines) and then having to let go of your husband just 4 days after the wedding since he has to return to work  asap (in Japan).Kaloka!

There was still also this idealistic and optimistic plan going on inside my head of quickly assimilating life and culture here, as well as being able to learn the language quickly- translating to my being able to find some decent work after some time. I thought I had the edge over others, as I've been visiting this country thrice a year regularly, since I was ten years old ( this is due to my being engaged in development work for some time, but that's another story).But then again, those trips were just short visits- 3 weeks at most. And I always had an interpreter with me...

Soon enough,  I'd learn that LIVING here is different from just visiting for a couple of days; or that coming here as a spouse of a Japanese rather than just a tourist is a totally different thing altogether...

to be continued...

 Its been a year and a bit more since I last wrote in this blog, and I'm overwhelmed by the fact that there's just too many things to tell. So I decided, going down to being downright practical, to just give a 'bulleted' account of some of the most significant, life-changing events that by God's grace, I've been through in the year that has passed; with the love and support of my family, and most of all, hubby:

1.) March 2009- expecting that everything will go smoothly with my visa application, I resigned from my job of two years; missing the company of great colleagues which have become life-long friends. Only to find out that my application got denied- thanks to that *&@#, arrogant, disrespectful jap consul who I unluckily happened to chance upon during my personal interview at the embassy. I wouldn't want to reminisce that experience here; lets just say it was my first time to dare question-in a high tone- a consul straight right in front of his face due to his unprofessional demeanor (hanggang ngayon ipinapasa-Diyos ko na lang sya. Although sa tingin ko mas bubuti ang Pilipinas kung uuwi na lang sha sa Japan, hehe).

In airing my agonizing frustration of not being able to be together with my husband for three whole months right after marriage, napauwi tuloy ng di inaasahan dito sa Manila si hubby. That month, he flew in on a Friday (still with his working suit on, and bringing nothing but his suitcase straight from work) and spent the weekend here. Ok lang kahit 3 days lang since he had to go back right away and work the coming Monday. Sometimes you really just  need to see each other to make things better. Painful on the wallet though. Since he bought the plane ticket a day before leaving, it cost 3-4 times the usual price :(((.  

2.) April 2009- Re-applied for visa. This time I changed my travel agency since I found my previous one was just one of the middlemen and was also overcharging their services. Thanks to a very helpful travel agent, I was able to re-apply, and guess what? before the month ended, I finally got my spouse visa. Joining hubby in Japan at last. :)

This month, I also officially graduated and obtained my Masters in Social Work. Attended graduation rites at the college. Sayang wala si hubby; nakakaaliw at kami pa man lang dalawang mag-asawa ang gumraduate sa course for this year!
(Nagagawa nga naman ng inspirasyon pag-inlove ano? corny!) Funny, during the graduation I received two diplomas- mine and his. Pakiabot na lang daw pag nagkita kami,hehe. Lapit na!

         


3.) May 2009- the first week was again spent with hubby. He had enough mileage to avail of a free trip to Manila and we spent 3 marvelous days in Bohol.

                       

    Here HE was smiling just less than two months ago during our wedding day. Yes, he is not Pinoy; Hapon siya. No, we didn't meet in Japan; we met here, sa Pinas, 3 years ago in grad class. No, I dont know how to speak Japanese (though I really have to learn...soon); but he is very fluent in Tagalog... as in. We never even conversed in English. Yes, despite my past, he captured my heart (masyado bang corny?? C'mon its V-day, everyone has the license to be corny/senti today, diba??). He's actually a year younger than me, but he "gets" me- understands me and accepts me for who I am, and what I believe in... Come to think about it, I must admit there are times when I act more immature...hehe.

And yes, we just got married. Here. Last December. In a Catholic church (though he is Buddhist... he made my wish (es) come true). And no, we are not together today, V-Day, because he is a thousand miles away. He's back in his home country; that is where we're supposed to settle for the next couple of years (due to his work). How I wish he were here... or how I wish I were already there. Life's not perfect, but indeed, I've a lot of blessings to be thankful for.

Love really does move in mysterious ways (LSS ito-  Last Song Syndrome... ibirit mo Nina!). Near or far, it crosses borders, cultures, language,  politics (oh yes...), distance. To all who are currently in LDRs right now (long distance relationships), I feel for you. But hey, togetherness will come one day. Cheers to love this v-day. :)

                                                                                                                                           


                                    

  HE is my better half. Heart's day is two days away and he is (literally) a thousand miles away. Hay. ang tagal kasi dumating ng NSO- authenticated marriage contract. I've done everything... exercised all my "pangungulit" tactics (you have to have this for you to get things moving here sa Pilipinas), and talked with everyone concerned so that I could get my hands on that one %#!*ing piece of paper that's the key to finally being with him.

Aabot kaya this March? Abangan...