I think I'm turning Japanese

thanks to Matt "geordi" LaForge for this idea, as my rants and inane observations about Tokyo life now have a place to live.

Here's a summary of last issue:
My name is karl arthur and I have gone abroad to Tokyo, Japan for the Fall Semester of 2005. I am studying Japanese language at the KCP institute for learning with some fellow americans and, mostly, koreans and chinese students. As you join me already in progress, heres a list of characters that will come in to the story at various points:

Sanjiv - one of my best friends, and quite possibly the greatest Indian martial artist in the world if you ask me. he is from california and goes to school at NYU. also he has a girlfriend. whom he talks to. a lot.

Andy - my one chinese friend who is, ironically, canadian, and my other best friend here. he is an elder statesmen who is having one last blast of freedom before he settles down with his girlfriend. can he stay faithful? tune in to find out...

Lee Jae Jung - my korean buddy who takes me out drinking a lot. for some reason he hates large groups, but he is the most affable person I know. introduced me to souchou, the korean liquor similar to sake, which has given me many a happy night so far.

Elijah - another elder statesmen, hes been to japan many times and even taught english here. as dirty as he is funny, elijah often provides the comic relief in my life. caution: do not add alcohol.

Ikuko - a Japanese girl I have gone on a few dates with. she is the Asahi beer of the month girl and has an actual career. this intimidates me to no end.

thats enough for today. expect each post to introduce you to new characters in my life as they become relevant. or as i want to bash them. or if nothing exciting happens that day so i have to recall old stories.

first real post comes tomorrow.

this blog is 22 years in the making.

From the land of seaweed ice cream,
karl arthur