One thing I've noticed since returning to the West and life in these United States, is how important TV shows are in daily life and conversation. Having watched Japanese TV for 3 years and understanding about 1/3 of it I really appreciate the absence of TV as the center of my life. Unfortunately, I have been sucked right back into this phenomena. Is it any wonder Americans are obese?
As I stated previously, I quite smoking and now I sit around and eat chocolate or gum. I am seriously addicted to spearmint flavored gum and do have my brand favorites. But I do miss my Japanese chocolate. I find myself wishing for things I had while living there. I miss the convenience of the trains... the pubs that open at 5pm and stay open until 5am... the shared bottles of beer, consumed out of little child-sized glasses which don't even exist in the US I don't think... I miss Sashimi especially BINTORO... I miss yakitori and yakiniku... I miss omrice... I miss the temples and the beauty of the springtime.... i miss the annoying announcements on the train... i miss being delayed because someone decided to jump and that in turn stopped all the train service in the local area (as sad as it is to say this!)... I miss the scenery... I miss my friends... I miss the routine and the freedom... I miss the weather...
I never knew I had it so good until I came back here and have become dependent on my car. Eating fast food and finding it next to impossible to order a small sized anything (they just don't supply that size at said fast food places).
I miss life in the East and am feeling nostalgic for things which are difficult to find here in MN. Getting good sashimi in a midwestern state is next to impossible. But it can be done, if I am will to travel. But I enjoy living in the countryside too much to venture downtown...In that respect I do NOT miss Japan. I don't miss the crowds even when you are in the "countryside"...
The joys of reacclimating to my native culture...