My Japanese is getting better, but I still prefer to go out with Shizuka than by myself, cos obviously she is fluent. I haven't started learning how to read or write yet - I've just been concentrating on speaking and listening - but I really think I need to start studying the script! Most things are written in Japanese and I'm getting a bit tired of depending on Shizuka for everything. And I can't expect the Japanese to start writing things in English just for me.....

At least I can get English-language newspapers here.

Unlike our relationship with the doona, Shizuka and I don't fight over the paper in the morning cos Shizuka reads the Japanese paper and I read the English one!

Unfotunately most of the news in the English-language paper is about America, and I don't know anything about America, so I really will have to learn how to read Japanese cos I am sick to death of reading about US politics..............how dull....!

Shizuka and I went to karaoke the other day. What you do is hire a sound-proof booth for an hour and belt out your favourite toons to your heart's content! It was really cool. Shizuka sang some Japanese pop songs (terribly if you ask me, but don't tell her I said that), and I crooned away to Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and I'm ashamed to admit, a bit of Shania Twain.Next time I might go by myself so I don't have to endure Shizuka's wailing. Ooh, better log off quick, I can hear her little pug footsteps.......

Pachinko

Shizuka took me to a pachinko parlour today.

I've got to say....I don't know what the attraction is.

It's noisy and smoky and not even fun! But Shizuka seems to like it. Actually, noisy is an understatement - the sound was ringing in my head for hours afterwards.

The only good thing about it was the aircon - what relief. If it wasn't for the horrible smoke and noise I could have stayed in there all day. Shizuka doesn't even smoke, and she stays in there for hours on end. Today she took me to show me what it was all about. I tried to be enthusiastic to be polite, but after 3 hours (!) I told her I was going home. She didn't even look up; just nodded with eyes like glass. She's still there...I guess I'll see her later on tonight................

What fun

Well I've been here for a couple of days now and am having heaps of fun.

It's nice to catch up with Shizuka. She has put on a bit of weight. She actually commented that I had too. It's funny how sometimes you're the last one to realise.

Anyway, not many people here speak English, so I've decided I have to learn Japanese. Shouldn't be too hard for a brainy dog like me. watashi no namae wa chubby desu. That means 'my name is Chubby'. See? I'm pretty smart, aren't I....

Yesterday I borrowed a map from Shizuka and caught the Metro to the National Diet Library. She didn't want to come with me cos she said she usually spends Wednesdays at a pachinko parlour. I don't what this pachinko is, but she talks about it a fair bit, and said she'd take me one day.

Shizuka and I are really small so we share a bed. But she steals the covers and I get cold at night. It's so hot outside we have to keep the aircon on at night. I have to think of a way of keeping the covers on me as well, cos she says she doesn't do it on purpose....that she doesn't even realise she's doing it!

Destination Tokyo

Well, I'm off in an hour or so. I'm at the airport now, waiting to board.

I said farewell to my friends and family, but I will be back before I know it, so rather than being sad, I am excited about the adventure ahead of me. I had my photo taken just before I left my house with my red suitcase - I bought it especially for the journey.

I have a cousin in Tokyo - Pug's sister Shizuka. She has been kind enough to allow me to stay in her unit during my stay. I haven't seen her for over a year when she visited us in Australia, so I am really looking forward to meeting up with her again. I wonder if she's changed at all..... My cousins really resemble each other a lot, but Shizuka is a bit thinner. I think the diet in Japan is probably better for staying slim than the diet in Australia. I wonder if I'll lose any weight? I don't mind being chubby - in fact it would be rather strange if I was thinner because I might have to change my name.... I'll have to keep that in mind when dining on the traditional low-fat Japanese cuisine such as fish, rice and boiled veges. I wonder what kind of deserts they eat...?

Hello, my name is Chubby. I was born in China, found an owner in Japan, and then went to live in Australia. I like travelling, cooking and drinking tea. I decided to start a blog because my life is so much fun that I thought some people might enjoy hearing about it. Although I live in Australia permanently now, I am going back to Japan tomorrow for a few months holiday.Although I lived the first few weeks of my life in Osaka, Japan, I remember very little of it and have naturally become accustomed to the Australian laid-back way of life.For example, for a farewell party, I held a nice pic-nic at home in the back yard yesterday. It was a glorious day with lots of sunshine and lots of good food. My cousin pug ate so much he fell asleep after lunch in the lovely warm sun.