Let's start here. This reminder makes the following conversation a little funnier.  I got Page to take purikura (these sticker pictures you can write on/put stamps and backgrounds on). He barely fit in the purikura booth, and his head went over the backdrop screen. Most things aren't made for someone 185cm... more convenient for those around 155cm (like me).

 

Funny conversation while walking in Ginza after work with a man, maybe late 20's, who came walking alongside me.

* [ _____ ] are my thoughts*

"~~~~" in Japanese

"umm I don't know what you're saying." [I know exactly what you're saying. Leave me alone.]

"Oh, I speak English! [Great.] I lived in San Francisco some weeks...(blahblahblah kept talking) Can I have your autograph?"

"What? No."

"I see you in a magazine, or movie."

"Nope, never."

"You are beautiful, you look someone who I see..."

"Nope."

"Are you going somewhere?" [Obviously]

"Yup."

"Are you busy?" [How did you know? Does no eye contact, no glance in your direction, and speed walking give it away?]

"Yes."

"How long have you been in Japan? Are you busy now?"

[Since 2 seconds ago when you asked last? Yes, still busy...and I'm so glad you asked!] "3 months. I'm getting married and going to find a dress now." (I was really on my way to make an appointment at a bridal shop.)

"ohh.........you marry. How many?"

"1...?"

"Oh, one, not two? Me too, one time, but that's ok!"

"Oh." [I have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe divorced?] (and I sped up)

"Well have a nice time."

"Thanks."

Those conversations are free entertainment, sometimes so ridiculous they're humorous. I am curious as to who he thought I looked like, but I couldn't be happier for someone to ask me what I'm about to go do. There's a famous Japanese dress designer (maybe comparable to Vera Wang, of Japan) named Hatsuko Endo, whose main shop is in Ginza. They have many rental shops all over Tokyo, but the main boutique is in Ginza. The rentals alone range from 10,000 yen~ 50,000 yen!

I can't help much with venue searching since my internet is unreliable and slow when it works. I'm grateful for a very kind fiance who is doing so much work to research and plan while I'm gone.

Many of you know how I feel about public speaking. It's worse than running...and there are few things I like less than running (except on rare occasion, maybe once every few months). I started the semi-ridiculous Insanity exercise program a while back because I preferred that over running for cardio. Now public speaking is worse than that, so basically I prefer to be a wallflower or hide away in the background instead of stand in front of people.  For work I've been interpreting and it has been quite a challenge explaining sulfur dye printing, import regulations, and copyright issues on the spot in Japanese in front of a group for staff training. By the end of day two I felt much more comfortable than day one. My boss compared practicing this way, diving in head first to sink or swim, to mother hens dropping their baby chicks out of the nest to either figure out how to fly or fall to... you get the point. She was the mother hen. Fortunately she followed that up with saying she was confident we (my coworker and I) would do a great job. (I think that was more for motivation than an honest opinion.)  The good part besides practically gaining experience is that I have to be sure to spend time in the morning putting each day in the Lord's hands instead of my own grasp. I trust that He will sustain me and carry me through each day, even while public speaking and interpreting! I'll jump out of the tree to tackle this fear but I know I'm not free falling- I'm in His hands.

Psalms 28:6-8

Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.