November 20, 2000 - Monday
I had a great day today. Really. I did!
I got up early (for my day off) to go to my Japanese lesson. It was great of course
and I learned a lot of new stuff. After the lesson I decided not to rent any videos
this week either so I just went home. I watched the TV shows that I had taped in
the morning and then decided to go to Kotoni.
What the heck is Kotoni you ask? It's kind of a suburb of Sapporo. It has a big
mall that I could see from the train whenever I went to Sapporo so I've always wanted
to get off and check it out. Well, today I did.
I got on a train and had a very uneventful ride until I got to Teine (another small
city). A woman got on the train and sat next to me. She started talking to me
in English and told me that she'd been to Canada and named quite a few places that
I'd been too. Sadly, the next stop was Kotoni so I couldn't keep talking to her. It was
really nice to talk to someone on a train for a change. I can't say that anyone
has talked to me on a train up here before.
Kotoni was cool. I loved the mall. It has a clothes shop that has larger sizes...I
found it just as I was leaving so next time I'll try to check it out. I got presents
for my niece and a relative in Britain there and found some Canadian cookies and.....pretzels! Oh my!
I spent about an hour or so exploring and shopping this mall. I enjoyed myself thoroughly.
Then I decided that I still wanted to get some magazines so I'd better get to Sapporo.
I hopped on another train and found myself in Sapporo.
It was really rainy and snowy and slippery in Sapporo. Even with my new boots, I
slipped a bit. I passed through Odori Park. It was beautiful. The White Illuminations
were up and lit. It was amazing. They had a sculpture of lilacs...there was one
of lilies of the valley too. I wished that I was with a special someone, it was very
romantic looking but I made my way to Kinokuniya books and looked at their stuff.
I was happy to see that they were selling off some paperbacks, so I grabbed two.
At ¥500 each they were a real bargain. I got a Minette Walters and an Ian Rankin. I picked
up a Marie Clare magazine and a guidebook to Sapporo too.
Then, I walked to Maruzen books. I got a People magazine and a couple of books for
school. I also got an Elizabeth George book. Yeah. When I finished I realized
that the store that Justin had told me about for stamping was across the street so
I checked it out. I got a new stamp to say Merry Christmas...this one's got script instead
of block letters, and some new lamé for my cards. I also bought some tiny slips
of paper to see if I can add some oomph to my cards.
After that I decided to go to the Body Shop. I like the Body Shop because I can always
peel off the Japanese labels (at home of course) and read the English underneath.
I got some body moisturizer and some vitamin E cream for hands and nails. I picked
up something I can use as a stocking stuffer or a "Just in case Christmas Present"
too. As I was leaving the Body Shop I ran into a woman I'd met at a party about
3 months ago and had promised to call, but never did. She recognized me and we chatted
a bit and exchanged numbers again.
After that I was nearly fainting from hunger. Somewhere along the way I realized
that I'd only eaten once today, before my Japanese lesson. I'd had a bagel and cream
cheese. Considering all the running around I'd done, that wasn't very much.
I went to Royal Host and had Chicken and Mushroom Cream Spaghetti with Tiramisu for
dessert. It was really good and was just what I'd needed. I ate slowly and read
one of my magazines. I finally decided it was time to leave around 8:00.
I walked to the station and bought my ticket. If I'd hurried I could have taken a
train right away, but I decided not to. My bag was heavy and if I waited I could
take the rapid train.
I was lucky and got a seat, so together with my magazine, I had a pleasant ride.
However, when I got to Otaru and got off the train it was a different story. It was
raining and very windy. I was worried about walking down and then up the hill.
I'm not sure how I did it, but I said to myself that I'd just take it easy. I walked
slowly and did in fact make it home. It's not that it was just icy, it was wet, windy
and icy...and dark. I like my new boots very much, did I mention that yet?
At home I watched Sabrina and then some news. I think I might go to bed soon as I'm
a bit tired and I have to go to work tomorrow.
That was my day. Pretty cool huh? I must be feeling better, I couldn't have done
all of this last weekend.
Buh-bye!
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