Tokyo On My Own

John has gone back to the U.S. for several days, so I'm totally on my own here for the first time.  I expected to feel really homesick and jealous, but surprisingly I don't.  Don't get me wrong, there are days when I am absolutely overwhelmed with homesickness.  But it's starting to feel right here.

I've been picking up a few phrases here and there that are pretty simple but that make basic interactions with people so much easier and less awkward.  It makes me so much happier to be able to say little things to people in the elevator or at the check out in a store.  I'm also learning my way around so I don't have to look up directions every time I go anywhere - and learning where the good grocery stores and other useful shops in my neighborhood are.

On top of that I've decided to embrace the fact that I don't have an oven.  Instead, I've been finding great new recipes and really working on my cooking skills rather than baking.  It's been great now that I have a real kitchen.  Chicken picata has become a favorite of John's.  I've also recently learned to cook lasagna in a skillet, made homemade tzaziki, discovered lentil soup, and made awesome chicken wings with a whiskey soy sauce glaze!  (If you're reading this, you should remind John how lucky he is)  I'm getting ready to figure out the ins and outs of my fish oven, and once I do I'll write more about it.  I'm thinking I might be able to make naan and pita bread in there - and maybe even cookies (ok, so I haven't totally given up on baking).

And as a final funny thing, I found these cigarette cough drop combo-packs in the 7-11 today.

Maybe they should also sell hangover cures with the alcohol?