Living Alone Again 　　(2003.7.30)
 

  On the 7th of this month, I moved to Ogaki city in Gifu prefecture from Nagakute town in Aichi prefecture. I started living alone again.

 

  From 1992 to 1996, I lived alone in an apartment in Gifu city, apart from my family in Nagakute town, for my university was there. This time, I happened to start a new life in Ogaki city, the next city to Gifu city, for the business reason. As I wrote in other essay, I work for a company which runs drugstores. And I am a pharmacist working in a shop. This month I was transferred to the shop in Gifu area from Aichi area.

  Compared to the situation in Gifu city, now there are TWO BIG DIFFERENCES. The one is that I am EARNING MONEY MYSELF and the other is that I HAVE A CAR.
　In Gifu, I was a student. I was living on the money my parents had sent me. I depended on my parents for money almost 100%. So I often felt sorry or guilty when I spent money for myself. Back then, my parents sent me not only money but daily necessities as well. Sometimes, they even sent me a big bag of rice. I was very much grateful for that.
　My father sometimes carried big or heavy things, and carried ME by his car between Nagakute and Gifu. I didn’t have a car then. I didn’t even have a driver’s license. I always relied on my parents or my friends when I needed a car.
　I was so DEPENDENT on people for my everyday life.
　Now, all the money I use is the money I earned myself. I even send my family a certain amount of money from my salary every month. Now I can use my money freely without feeling sorry or guilty as before.
　And I have a car now. It is very old and damaged, but at least it is my own car. I can drive or carry things by the car anytime without bothering others.
　Fortunately, my new apartment building is near the road 21, the main artery of Ogaki, and its location is very good for both my business and private purposes. Using the car, I can go anywhere without much difficulty. It is amazing that I can go to supermarkets, a general store, an electrical goods store, restaurants, city hall, a car shop ・・・almost anywhere in Ogaki within ten minutes by car. I realized that Ogaki is MODERATELY small city. What a convenient city it is! I often feel.

For breakfast and lunch, I usually eat what I bought at nearby convenience store. And I usually eat out for dinner. First week, I always went to the same restaurant “Saizeria” because the dishes were reasonable. I love dishes which are cooked using tomatoes, so I always ordered the same TOMATO-BASED SOUP and other dishes. But after several days, I felt somewhat EMBARRASED when the waiter watched my face. I felt that he recognized me and thought, Oh! This guy again! And this soup again!  ・・・Maybe that was just my silly imagination, but from the next day, I tried to find other restaurants.
　Near my apartment building, there are Chinese restaurant, gyu-don (bowl of rice topped with beef) shop, a sushi bar, self-service restaurant, Asian-dish restaurant, and my favorite, the restaurant named “Tomato and Onion”. They serve DELICIOUS tomato-based dishes there. I LOVE eating there. But the price is relatively high, so I can’t afford to eat there every day. So, I decided like this. If I did good jobs, I can eat at “Tomato and Onion” for dinner. ・・・This is the method which I learned from the female leader of our company. When you work hard, give yourself a REWARD. It’s a good way to enjoy your hard work.
　Anyway, finding good restaurants is enjoyable after-work activity.

　With my money and my car, I can also enjoy SHOPPING freely. I feel it is a magical enjoyment that I can buy whatever I want anytime. When I was a student, I used bicycle to go shopping. So there were the limits in the size, volume, and weight when I went shopping by myself. But now, I don't need to limit the purchase. ・・・Of course I should be careful not to waste my money, though.

The other day, one of my co-workers told me about a convenient supermarket which opens twenty-four hours, so I went there after work. It took me about ten minutes by car from my apartment building. It was a big supermarket. I come late from work every day, so this supermarket is really USEFUL for me. I don’t think there was such a thing near my apartment house in Gifu. On that day I bought a peach, a kitchen knife, a clothes stand (for hanging clothes to dry indoors), a dish, two spoons, a frozen pizza, some buns, a cartoon of milk and a bottle of wine.
　A cashier lady talked to me, “Is this your first time living alone?”
　First I was so surprised. Why does she know I've just started living alone?  But after a moment I noticed that it had not been so difficult to DEDUCE that from what I bought, even though she was not Sherlock Holmes.

“No. This is the second time,” I replied honestly.

“Oh good! Then you are accustomed to living alone.”

“Not really,” I replied, “I have forgotten how to manage.”

“Good luck on your living alone,” her warm message and smile ENCOURAGED me.

“Please come to this shop casually,” she said.

Of course I will. Because friendly cashiers like you are working here, I thought.

It became a MEMORABLE shopping day. Her warmth and smile were so impressive. The female leader of our company always tells us that the manner of the cashier is the most important in stores. She says, The check-out counter is the FINAL point where we take care of our customers. The customer's impression to our shops is very much influenced by the manner of the cashier.
　And for me, it really WAS.

This month I went to many chain stores in Gifu prefecture to work. There I could get to know a lot of colleagues. And next month, I will start working in a store in Sekigahara town. This month was very meaningful to me. I could make good relationships with the staff in each stores in this area. It will be very beneficial for my work in this area. One of the points I like to work in this company is that I can meet a variety of people like this. I like meeting new people. It is interesting to get to know a lot of people, isn't it?

　By the way, Ogaki city is, so to speak, my hometown No.5.
　My first (original) hometown is Gokiso, Nagoya in Aichi. I was born and raised there. I spent my childhood there.
　The second is Gifu city. As I wrote, I spent my university days there.
　The third is Nagakute, Aich. My family moved there when I was twenty one. I spent there from 1996 to 2003 with my family. I often go back there to see my family and friends.
　 I call Toyoake city in Aichi the fourth hometown. I haven’t lived there, but the city is like my hometown. For three years I have worked in the city. And I could meet several people who changed my life there.
　I want to write about these hometowns someday.
　And the fifth is Ogaki. I try to love this city as much as possible.

Living alone in an apartment is like making my own castle. The room is not completely tidied up yet, but I enjoy creating my own castle day by day. It is not so big, but I’m making it cozy for me.

 

I just hope NOT to be transferred again soon!