The Opera Populaire

Having a bit of a sore throat. Praying that it clears up before I leave for Japan next week. Meanwhile doing some Jap language and culture self-study to prepare for an easier time at the trip, though we are joining a tour package. The sakuras look set to bloom by the time we arrive, which is nice. Can't wait for the cruise down the Kyushu islands, climbing up Mount Aso and Mount Fuji. And I am looking forward to trying out the hot spring bath in the way it is supposed to be done, if you get the drift ;)

Have been reading and am planning to buy more books b4 going back to Jakarta. I tend to read fast and usually am able to finish one book in a day. Here is the list of what I have read so far, though it cannot be said to be even mildly impressive:

1) Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (Mark Haddon)
3) Going Solo (Roald Dahl)
4) All that is Gone (Pramoedya Ananta Toer)
5) Adrian Mole: The Wilderness Years (Sue Townsend)
6) The Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
7) Culture Shock! Tokyo
8) The Chinese in America (Iris Chang) [Partially]
9) For Women Only
10) Hind's Feet on High Places

Here are the books I have bought but have yet to read:

1) 1000 Places to see before You Die (Patricia Schultz)
2) Jerusalem: One City, Three Faiths (Karen Armstrong)
3) Anti-Chinese Violence in Indonesia, 1996-1999 (Jemma Purdey)
4) The Rape of Nanking (Iris Chang)
5) Chocolat (Joanne Harris)