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I`m sorry for all these lomos. This is a picture of the beast rummaging on a walk out. Recently whilst I was walking him he knocked over and broke a neighbour`s plant pot. This neighbour is the neighbourhood`s gossip. It`s times like this that I realise that I`m glad I`m not a criminal.

“We`re looking for a six foot young Western man in relation to a murder (of a plant pot), do you know who he is?” would lead them to me in about three minutes. I went back and apologised with a small crowd of (armed?) observers surrounding me.

Living at my girlfriend`s family`s house is a bit revolutionary in Japan. It is unusual in the West as well I`d guess if you stayed with your girlfriend`s family. Reiko`s family have been very brave to withstand the gossip that goes on. Losing face in Japan is a very grave thing. Of course they`ve been nothing but kind to me and treat me like their own son which when I spend the day waking up late, lounging around and managing an hour`s worth of Japanese study before retreating to the bedroom or putting in a couple of hours at an evening school is pretty incredible.

It`s strange because a lot of my friends back in England seem to me making huge progress in their lives with promotions, acquiring first class degrees or moving to London to become architects. I have had lots of experiences but not much to show for it. Living in Japan is great, exciting and hugely enjoyable but what about the future? What will I have to show for it?

And that`s the present status of affairs for me in Japan (and also how you get from a picture of your dog to an explanation of your hopes and fears.)

Technorati Tags: Japan, Osaka, Asia, Quaisi, Kansai, Expat, English