Robots don't have hearts to break.

I have assignments to complete, a room to clean, groceries to get, books to order, and packages to send. I can't manage any of it right now.

Instead of doing practical things, I would much rather take my bike and get lost someplace, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of this city that I have come to love in my short time here.

I can't manage that, either.

Right now, all of my effort is focused on simply not being sad.

I miss home. Not the place, but the people there. I miss them dearly.

But I can't get excited about being reunited with them, because that reunion means my time in Kyoto is finished. And that--the end of the single most amazing thing I have ever done--will break my heart, if I let it.

So, this weekend, I'm doing my best to become a robot. Productive, not emotive.

Let's hope it works, or it's gonna be a long, stressful week.

Holidays in Kyoto

This holiday season may not have been what I hoped for or expected, but it was pretty darn memorable. A run-down:

As Japan is big on Shinto and Buddhism and not so big on Christianity, we had class on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Many of my peers skipped, but I sucked it up. It wasn't so bad.

First of all, the festivities began a few days before the holidays, with a mulled wine and eggnog party. I was only mildly fond of the mulled wine, but the eggnog? Delicious!

After class on Christmas Eve, I had the strange urge to visit A Bar for Happy Hour. After Kate, John, and I tired of A Bar, we wandered over to a little hidden place called Ing, where we had delicious bar food, cold beer, and a few lively games of Jenga. Then John was off to meet his girlfriend. Kate and I weren't ready to go home yet, so we ended up in our favorite haunt, Sam and Dave, for billiards, mockery, and more beer.

After class on Christmas Day, I finally made it to the monthly flea market near school. I didn't have as much time to browse as I would have liked, since I still had to go home and get ready for the Christmas party. But, I picked up some cute souvenirs for friends, and...a kimono! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to find an under-kimono and obi, but I will be on the lookout. The Christmas party was really lovely--potluck style with lots of Christmas music, laughter, and of course, booze.

Fast-forward to New Years Eve. I can easily say that this was the most random holiday ever...possibly even the most random night of my life. I meant to hang around in Kyoto and do NYE the Japanese way (bell-ringing and whatnot), but I ended up going to Osaka with Jennie, Kate and Dan (from Lapita). We had no real plans, but once in Osaka we met some random Americans (who are studying abroad in Kobe) in a convenience store and decided to hang out with them. We spent the night (and morning) with them in Shinsaibashi, drinking on the bridge, in various fast food establishments, and even in a club for a little while. After parting ways with our newfound friends, we ate at Wendy's around 5, got the world's worst coffee at Starbuck's around 6, and rode a giant ferris wheel at dawn.

Pictures soon.

PS - Only 20 days left.