Adulthood

When I went back to Australia I got a cold, hard slap across the face. All of my friends were adults. I don’t know how it happened, but somehow in the year or two I was away the people I did stupid shit with when I was young all had morals, jobs and self-control. Naturally, I found it hard to relate to this new stage in their lives. They were doing mature things like getting engaged and married, buying cars and houses, getting pregnant and having babies. One of my mates is so mature she is divorced. It was all a bit overwhelming. How could I compete?

I decided to join the race and take my very own step into adulthood. I have just moved into a sexy new apartment in the hottest suburb of Tokyo, Nakano. Alone. That’s right, I was mature enough to find my own pad in the big smoke, and I’m pretty bloody pleased about it. I can’t claim that I did it entirely on my own. I think I owe Steve my first-born child to repay him for carting the entire contents of my bedroom in suitcases via the train. Karryn and Tadao saved my skin by taking the furniture by car. Steve is only barely talking to me after the suitcases, I think he’d have officially cut me off if he’d had to carry a bookshelf through the station. I’m still building bridges.

So not only have I taken the plunge with my own pad, but on Sunday I made my biggest commitment to Japan so far. I bought furniture. I went to IKEA and actually paid money for big stuff that wont fit in a suitcase. I am finally off the ground. Well, I will be on Sunday when the gear is delivered. For almost two years now I have been sleeping on a fold away futon on the ground, my couch has no legs and I use a coffee table when I eat dinner. The novelty of an indoor picnic has worn off. So finally on Sunday I’ll be able to say balls to “the Japanese way” and sit upright at a table to eat, I’ll be able to step into bed and sit on a sofa. It’s the simple things people.

I know you are all gagging to sneak a peak at my hot new love pad, but you are going to have to wait until the place is in its prime. That means after Sunday when the furniture is delivered, then until I can peel myself off it to take pictures. But until then, you can be happy that your little girl is finally growing up.