two thousand and NINE?

It really is the year 2009. 

These are some of my New Years Resolutions:

-to be cleaner and more organized (since it's become quite apparent that I am a complete slob in this tiny place)

-to learn Japanese - enough to at least have something that resembles an actual conversation with someone

-to learn to love those I don't love completely

-to start jogging and maybe run a half marathon

-to read more

-to complain less

These are just a few obvious ones. 

Above is a picture of my new favorite place in Tsuchiura. Near Kasumigaura Lake is this huge windmill and a park that surrounds it. This is a beautiful place; I was amazed. When I went the other day just to sit and people watch (and draw, which I actually have no skills for but attempted anyway), I saw people flying kites and playing different sports. There were two kids in particular who I was watching play with their dad for over an hour without any arguing whatsoever. They were laughing and smiling the whole time and being loud and cute. I was impressed. At one point, their tennis ball flew over to my feet, and I was afraid the dad would see the picture I had so stalkerishly drawn of them. But he didn't. Safe!

However, I also discovered this week that not 100% of Japanese people are as peaceful and kind as I assumed they all were after my creepy stare fest. Here is a morsel of proof. Last night, I was reprimanded in English by a Japanese woman who thought I was trying to get a discount by ordering chicken curry at her Indian restaurant. Chicken curry, my friends, is clearly only offered in the afternoon, and please please don't make the mistake of ordering it at night time or you too will be scolded. I also learned not to try to make small talk with someone after they reprimand you. I almost want to add "become a vegetarian" to my New Year's Resolutions after that. 

To the right is a New Year's decoration that's commonly seen on peoples' front doors in Japan. I forget what they're called. New Years is a pretty big deal here, and it's celebrated on January 1st as it is in America. People 

make omochi and go to shrines, and while I didn't get to do either of those things, I thought this decoration was pretty enough to buy.

 I really enjoyed my one week of winter vacation. It was the first chance I had gotten to take as many day trips as I wanted and run all the necessary and unnecessary errands I'd been wanting to run since I got here. Now I feel like I am officially a resident of the Ibaraki prefecture. The only thing that reminds me that I'm not fully Japanese is the (humongous) language barrier. 

The next picture is of my newly IKEA'd out room. I was able to get myself there to buy all the lovely things (including 3 baby cacti!) that make a house a home. Or a room an apartment. Or something. And I posted more pictures on Facebook of everything if you're interested in looking at them at some point. I'm sorry I can't stick to one website when posting pictures. 

Also, before I forget, I really need to post about the Fish Doctor. A few weeks ago, my coworker Susan and I went to the sento (public bath) and saw these fish in the main area (where there is also a restaurant I might add). The fish are in a tank, and their purpose in life (because we all have one) is to eat all the dead skin off your feet. It sounds gross, I know, but we decided to be brave and try it. I cannot describe how disgusting this was or how weird it

 felt, but I can post a picture that will probably disgust yo

u. Actually, this picture is the only one I could find on google images that doesn't make me want to throw up, but if you want to see what it's really like, please search google on your own, but remember that I warned you. All this to say that I enjoy trying new things, but some things I can promise you I'll only do once in my life! Xoxo.