Gochisosama deshita

When it comes to lunch, any traveller knows the anxiety that comes from looking into a restaurant that you know has good food but which you suspect might not be the right place for someone who is not a local. It is a very awkward experience being stared down by an entire restaurant as you try and communicate your desired meal a server. However, with great risk sometimes comes great reward. Today was one of those instances for me. I usually avoid any kind of pan-Asian / fusion foods, but this place was pretty good. Check out my under $8 lunch. It came with tapa-sized salad and soup.

I've got a trial run at one of the companies I've applied at tomorrow. They've asked me to come in and do a day's work (paid, of course) to see how I would do at the job. This would be the forth time I've gone to their office. This is either a really thorough company or they're exceptionally unsure about me. At the end of the day, though, I will either have an offer of employment or I won't. If things go as I think they will, I should reach a decision where to work by Wednesday. Please keep this and my general work situation in prayer.

The pictures will go up as soon as I have a way to get them online, but for the time being let me put in a good word for a place called Odaiba. To be honest, it's a tourist trap. There are a lot of shopping centres, a oversized and decorative outlet mall, an entertainment arcade, and even a replica of the Statue of Liberty. The place is totally artificial, to the point that the land it was built on isn't even natural (it's a man-made island). However, a lot of Tokyo's modern architecture can be found there and it is one of the few places with an accessible ocean shore (whereas at most other places in Tokyo the beach is blocked off by industry). Highly recommended for the tourist after a cheesy experience.