The Internet is Awesome

So I used to just paste pictures into the text and now that seems stupid. I don't want to exclaim the greatness of the internet too much because it may make us all slaves, but... my Google account is amazing. Not only does it have a reader letting me scrounge up blogs I never thought could exist but it has a nifty utility for uploading and sharing pictures without all the hassle of e-mailing or one-by-one attaching. Here are some of the pictures from the India trip.

Also, Googling 'Google' doesn't implode the universe. And, it has surprisingly more hits than either 'Obama' or 'porn'/'sex'. Go figure.

Amazing Doodle

I just updated to Google Reader and found this video today among the new overwhelming inbox. MUST WATCH!

*No, that is not someone's skin.

OHIYO

These girls say 'Kon bon wa'. That's 'good afternoon' in Japanese. Here are some other basic phrases to know if travelling:

- Hello ohiyo gazaimas

- Excuse me sumi masen

- Do you speak English?

A go ga hanishtay maska

- Can I have this/(water) ?

kore/(mizu) ga itadake maska

- Where is the (toilet) ?

(Toray) wa doko deska

- Hidari (left) Migi (right)

- Please koodasigh

- Thank you arigato gazaimas

That is a pretty round summary of what I know after living here for a year and a half. And while that may be very embarrassing to admit, it is equally illustrative of how little Japanese you need to get around. Signs are in English, menus have pictures, people are orderly and helpful and things are punctual which makes for a safe visit. That last sentence felt weird. How is 'safe' an adjective? Oh, and be prepared to get noticed. Not-Japanese tend to stick out in Osaka.

The Thaw

Today is the first warm day we've had in Osaka for awhile now. It reminds me of what's coming in Spring and what Japan can be, mainly not the frozen berg that drives you inside to sit beside a super-weak panel heater. Oh, and Lost is finally airing it's final season which is exciting. Except that the mysteries gave you something to think about while waiting on anything to happen so minus 1 for the loss of a good distraction.

I'm Still Here

I was studying this morning when someone knocked on the door. I normally keep quite until people go away but my Theory of Meaning teacher was making a ruckus on the speakers and so I got up. The guy outside looked innocent and when I opened the door and to see what he wanted, he handed me an orange towel wrapped in plastic. Then he left. I have no idea what just happened. Japan has its own thing going on.