Today we had our bounenkai or Year-End Party with our groupmates. At first we were quite hesistant to go coz the fee was quite expensive. And since we're saving up for Osaka, 5000en spent one time big time kinda makes your heart sink. >.<But, since they were kind enough to give us a trainee discount of 2000-en (weeeeee), Geno and I got to experience our first Japanese-Year-End-Party. Ofcourse, we knew that our noses would be streaming with blood because of Nihongo, but then it was for the experience. And I'm really glad we went. We met Koga-san (Queue:  ) at the lobby at around 6:30 so we can go together. I got to talk to him for more than 5 minutes for the first time. Ahaha.. It was very hard to reply in Japanese, but who cares about my grammar. At least we got to chat a bit. I'm not sure if I was blushing though, but it was dark so maybe he didn't notice.  We got two tables. Around 27 people were there I think. Not all of them I know. Our bosses were also there. We started off with a welcome speech from Tsubaki-san and ofcourse the traditional kampai. Afterwards, we tasted everything that was served to us. Nothing heavy really - there was salad, tempura, sashimi, some kind of meat that tasted like lechon kawali, soup, and finally dessert. Drinks were pouring ofcourse since it was nomihodai (drink all you can). I learned my lesson during our welcome dinner last October to not put my alcohol tolerance to a test anymore, so I made as safe choice with just Ginger Ale (it tastes like Sprite). As people got more drunk, the chit chats were getting louder and louder. And amidst all the cigar smoke that was blowing on my face and sticking to my clothes, I enjoyed watching them enjoying themselves for a change. They all seem so serious when we're at work. So it was nice to see them laugh and joke around. Geno even said that he got to chat about "guy stuff" with our big boss. Ahahah I wasn't really talking to anyone much, well that's because no one was talking to me in English, but I enjoyed watching them already. After sometime, Yamaguchi-san asked if he could sit next to me which ofcourse I gladly consented. He learned English about 3 years ago, he said. It was still a bit rough ofcourse, but we tried to have a fun conversation nonetheless. Sugimoto-san even passed by us and asked if he was hitting on me, which he ofcourse immediately denied and said that he knew I had a boyfriend and that he had a girlfriend too. Hahaha.. Sugimoto-san told me that she just gave him a warning. Harhar. But it was nice to get to talk to someone at the party without causing my brain to bleed because of too much translating. He said that he hopes that we will be nicer to him next time we meet at work because he is saddened by the fact that every time we bump into each other we don't talk, which was really touching.  After about 20 pitchers or so of beer and a couple of rounds of shochu, Miyaguchi-san concluded the evening with another speech (that ofcourse I didn't understand again) telling everyone to do their best again in the coming year. Then they did a traditional clapping thing which I just got on video and that was the end of the party.When we went out of the restaurant, Sugimoto-san was quite tipsy already and it was obvious that everyone was all red. Someone even got Koga-san's shoes by mistake. He was yelling "Kutsu ja nai yo!" (These are not my shoes) which I found adorable ofcourse (Behbot, I love you!).Outside, Geno introduced to me Tsuchiya-san, which surprised me with his very good English and even Tagalog! I said that I was so relieved to find another English-speaking Japanese co-worker. So he walked with me and Geno on the way back to our hotel and we just talked along the way. He said that he likes hanging out with Filipinos and Indonesians because he finds us funny. He also offered to take us around Fukuoka when we get the chance. That would be really nice. Yey! Another friend.I hope we can have more gatherings like this, for free ofcourse...ahahah. Sometimes I wish I was better in Japanese, or they're better in English. I think my stay here would have been more fun if I made more friends. I really feel sad that we haven't made a lot of friends because it's hard for us to talk with them... But alas, just barely 1 month and a half to go. Still hoping to make the most out of it. Maybe I'll just give them small gifts for Christmas and omiyage from Osaka so that somehow, they'll remember us. Long weekend for us! Well, it's better that nothing. At least Sugimoto-san was kind enough to give us a day off on Christmas day. I'm not yet sleepy. I think I absorbed the energy of the people at the party. So I'll just finish Harry Potter 6 tonight if I can. Well, good night everyone and I hope you all enjoy the holidays.
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