Thursday, July 27, 2006
Alright, it was me
OK, I'm fessing up. It was me. I made it rain. I prayed for it, I was heard, it came. Sorry to all the golfers whose tee times were messed up. But hey, next time you head out, the greens will really be green. But I'm not really sorry. We need some rain around here. And it didn't rain on my beach day, so it's all good for me! :)
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
And by the way....
I feel like I haven't finished my blogging about Japan. My last day was nice, just hanging with the family, and I had absolutely no hassles at any airports on the way home, and my baggage was well under weight, which I'd been worried about. So all that stuff was good. I went back to the train station in Toyohashi, where I'd lived, in order to catch the train to the airport. From the train I could see 2 major landmarks that are close to my apartment and were part of my Toyohashi life. And I cried. I was surprised at that. But as I looked at them in the distance, and realized that I don't know when I'll see them again, I bawled my eyes out. I'm tearing up now. So, as much as I still think I don't want to live there, I love that place. But mostly the people in it. And I miss them.
I'm Back
I'm not in Kans...er, Japan, anymore. I'm back home. Landed at my old apartment for a couple of nights (thanks Cheryl), and now I'm with the friends I had planned to stay with. So many things are relative. I'm laughing at myself this week because before I left when I was talking to these friends about moving in, I thought the basement I am staying in looked so small. Now I'm there and it feels just fine after the place I stayed in in Japan. Quite roomy and comfortable. I have my own bathroom, and even my own TV so I can watch my DVDs when I feel like it. So my perspective has been altered. It's good to go through a little perspective altering once in a while. All my worldly possessions except what's in my suitcase (and my electronics, DVDS, and CDs) are in storage. For the last 3 months I have lived out of my suitcase, which has been a lesson in how much stuff I really need to live. Even now, at least 50% of my suitcase room is taken up with gifts and stuff I don't need (like the pottery I bought in Japan, or the shoes I bought because I thought I'd need them but which to date I've never worn once. I've got 2 pairs like that, actually). After reading the latest issue of Geez magazine I was thinking a lot about living simply. I've certainly seen how simply I can live. Most of the stuff I hold on to that I don't "need" is either of sentimental value, or it is for serving people on occasions when I choose to show some hospitality. So maybe I should just cut friends out of my life, or never invite them over. I'd save a load of cash on stuff I wouldn't need.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
See You Later
How can you love and hate a place at the same time? I`m doing it, and I don`t even know how it works. Today is my last full day in Japan, for a while. Tomorrow I get on the plane. I am both relieved and sad. Part of me doesn`t want to go, the other part has been looking forward to tomorrow for 11 weeks (one less than I`ve been here). I guess it`s not so much that I want to stay in Japan as getting back to it is so hard. I wish it were close enough that I could visit every weekend.
Anyway, my second visit to Fukushima was like old times, visiting a couple of the teachers I worked with and who took care of me last time I was here. Mr. Yoshida has grandchildren, so it was fun playing with them. Like the other kids I met, they all think I`m super cool. Nice to be foreign sometimes.
I`ve been hanging out with family in all my free time. Non-free time has been spent packing and cleaning. I`m pretty much done. Then I`m off to spend my last day with the family again.
You know, maybe it`s just as well that Japan is far away. I was just thinking of all the things I want to do and people I like to spend time with back home that I never do or see because they`re close by, or at least closer than Japan, and I always figure there`s time. I think I need to quit taking time for granted. It does run out eventually, sometimes shockingly sooner than you figured.
Umm, I don`t have many interesting quips from Japan today. I`m feeling pretty reflective and kind of tired. But I`m gonna try to make my last day a good one.
Anyway, my second visit to Fukushima was like old times, visiting a couple of the teachers I worked with and who took care of me last time I was here. Mr. Yoshida has grandchildren, so it was fun playing with them. Like the other kids I met, they all think I`m super cool. Nice to be foreign sometimes.
I`ve been hanging out with family in all my free time. Non-free time has been spent packing and cleaning. I`m pretty much done. Then I`m off to spend my last day with the family again.
You know, maybe it`s just as well that Japan is far away. I was just thinking of all the things I want to do and people I like to spend time with back home that I never do or see because they`re close by, or at least closer than Japan, and I always figure there`s time. I think I need to quit taking time for granted. It does run out eventually, sometimes shockingly sooner than you figured.
Umm, I don`t have many interesting quips from Japan today. I`m feeling pretty reflective and kind of tired. But I`m gonna try to make my last day a good one.
Friday, July 14, 2006
I Blog, Therefore I Am
I put myself under a lot of pressure to come up with cool blog entry titles. I want to be considered witty and cool. But I should just let it go. Y`all know better anyway.
I wasn`t going to blog tonight, then noticed it`s been a whole week! And what a busy week.
Went to Fukushima, my home in Japan, last weekend. Like most small towns, it has hardly changed a lick in 7 years, and I`m so glad. It was SOOOO good to see it all again, a little like finding out a great dream I once had is actually a reality! I remember my time in Japan fondly but through a culture-shocked fog. I am glad that fog is finally clearing.
It was wonderful to see my friends again. They look exactly the same too, except for the kids who grew and the friend who`s fighting cancer and looks a bit haggard. I have come to the conclusion that I don`t just want to, I need to get over there more often. Some of the most precious people in my life are over there, and you can`t have a relationship without contact, though you can remain friends over a distance. I need to see them more. God willing, I`ll head over there yearly.
The kids blew me away. There was only one who I thought might remember me. She is 12 now. Her little brother is 9 and last saw me when he was 2. Their little sister is 7. Anyway, they welcomed me like I was a long lost aunt (same amount of enthusiasm I get from Simon, actually). One of the benefits of being a foreigner in Japan. People are quick to like you (usually).
Last weekend I visited my church friends. Was nice to fellowship with them again, and am encouraged by how much Japanese I know. That place was the site of a lot of hard days when I was just sick of not understanding anything or anyone, so it was good to go back and see how far along I`ve come. Still have a loooong way to go though before I can claim fluency.
Tonight I`m off to Fukushima again to visit my Japanese family and other friends I made through work.
This week was very busy. Y`all are going to get tired if you read this in one sit.
Monday I went to a nearby city to visit another English teacher I met on the train. She is finishing 3 years on the same program that brought me to Japan the 1st time. We just had a nice chat at a good restaurant she knows. It was interesting to talk to her. She`s a trained teacher who came to Japan out of university. She`s in a similar place in life to where I was 7 years ago. Therefore, interesting chat.
Tuesday some of the ladies who work in the office at the university took me out for a farewell dinner at an okonomiyaki restaurant. It`s a place where you sit at a table with a built in grill and prepare your own food. I`ve had okonomiyaki before, but only from a vendor at a festival. Anyway, delicious!! It`s a kind of pancake with cabbage in it and a variety of other delicious things you can choose. Then we went to a cafe that is known for it`s over sized desserts and finished off a parfait made in a juice pitcher. It was called "Never give up". I did, they didn`t. We decided we`ll go for the bucket-sized one next time I`m in Japan.
Wednesday night was a party with friends at an izakaya, a traditional Japanese bar. When you reserve a party room, you pay a set amount for all you can eat and drink, within a time limit. We were there for 3.5 hours. I think that we were cut off at 3 hours, though they didn`t kick us out. Anyway, that`s how Japanese party. They don`t often host big parties in their homes. Can`t really. It cost us $30. Worth every penny. Good food(except the raw horse meat and the octopus), good times. Can`t afford it all the time though.
Thursday, another izakaya with Diana`s friends at a place that serves killer wings. More good food, good times.
Friday, today, class party. I wasn`t quite sure how it would go, but we had a great time. There were a few drinks and snacks, and the students started coming at 11am and the party ended at 5:30pm. We played games, talked, and took a lot of pictures. I already got 3 emails from students, and it sounds like they had fun. Good.
So that`s about it. After school I packed then came to the internet cafe and now I`m off to catch the train to Fukushima.
Have a nice weekend.
I wasn`t going to blog tonight, then noticed it`s been a whole week! And what a busy week.
Went to Fukushima, my home in Japan, last weekend. Like most small towns, it has hardly changed a lick in 7 years, and I`m so glad. It was SOOOO good to see it all again, a little like finding out a great dream I once had is actually a reality! I remember my time in Japan fondly but through a culture-shocked fog. I am glad that fog is finally clearing.
It was wonderful to see my friends again. They look exactly the same too, except for the kids who grew and the friend who`s fighting cancer and looks a bit haggard. I have come to the conclusion that I don`t just want to, I need to get over there more often. Some of the most precious people in my life are over there, and you can`t have a relationship without contact, though you can remain friends over a distance. I need to see them more. God willing, I`ll head over there yearly.
The kids blew me away. There was only one who I thought might remember me. She is 12 now. Her little brother is 9 and last saw me when he was 2. Their little sister is 7. Anyway, they welcomed me like I was a long lost aunt (same amount of enthusiasm I get from Simon, actually). One of the benefits of being a foreigner in Japan. People are quick to like you (usually).
Last weekend I visited my church friends. Was nice to fellowship with them again, and am encouraged by how much Japanese I know. That place was the site of a lot of hard days when I was just sick of not understanding anything or anyone, so it was good to go back and see how far along I`ve come. Still have a loooong way to go though before I can claim fluency.
Tonight I`m off to Fukushima again to visit my Japanese family and other friends I made through work.
This week was very busy. Y`all are going to get tired if you read this in one sit.
Monday I went to a nearby city to visit another English teacher I met on the train. She is finishing 3 years on the same program that brought me to Japan the 1st time. We just had a nice chat at a good restaurant she knows. It was interesting to talk to her. She`s a trained teacher who came to Japan out of university. She`s in a similar place in life to where I was 7 years ago. Therefore, interesting chat.
Tuesday some of the ladies who work in the office at the university took me out for a farewell dinner at an okonomiyaki restaurant. It`s a place where you sit at a table with a built in grill and prepare your own food. I`ve had okonomiyaki before, but only from a vendor at a festival. Anyway, delicious!! It`s a kind of pancake with cabbage in it and a variety of other delicious things you can choose. Then we went to a cafe that is known for it`s over sized desserts and finished off a parfait made in a juice pitcher. It was called "Never give up". I did, they didn`t. We decided we`ll go for the bucket-sized one next time I`m in Japan.
Wednesday night was a party with friends at an izakaya, a traditional Japanese bar. When you reserve a party room, you pay a set amount for all you can eat and drink, within a time limit. We were there for 3.5 hours. I think that we were cut off at 3 hours, though they didn`t kick us out. Anyway, that`s how Japanese party. They don`t often host big parties in their homes. Can`t really. It cost us $30. Worth every penny. Good food(except the raw horse meat and the octopus), good times. Can`t afford it all the time though.
Thursday, another izakaya with Diana`s friends at a place that serves killer wings. More good food, good times.
Friday, today, class party. I wasn`t quite sure how it would go, but we had a great time. There were a few drinks and snacks, and the students started coming at 11am and the party ended at 5:30pm. We played games, talked, and took a lot of pictures. I already got 3 emails from students, and it sounds like they had fun. Good.
So that`s about it. After school I packed then came to the internet cafe and now I`m off to catch the train to Fukushima.
Have a nice weekend.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Princess Becky Does It Again
My friend Becky has a knack for making people laugh. And not just giggle either, but side-splitting, pee-your-pants, rolling on the floor laughter. She did it again, and I love this so much I got to share.
These are taken from papers turned in by high school students.
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a 6'3" tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Grand pappy had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. "Oh, Jason, take me!" she panted, her breasts heaving like a college freshman on $1-a-beer night.
23. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
24. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
25. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
26. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
27. She was as easy as the TV Guide crossword.
28. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser.
29. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs.
30. It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall.
These are taken from papers turned in by high school students.
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a 6'3" tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Grand pappy had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. "Oh, Jason, take me!" she panted, her breasts heaving like a college freshman on $1-a-beer night.
23. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
24. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
25. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
26. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
27. She was as easy as the TV Guide crossword.
28. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser.
29. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs.
30. It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Blogger Love
I started blogging very reluctantly, but today I`m really glad I took it up. I`m horrible at keeping a regular journal, online or otherwise. So, I have very little written from my first trip here, in spite of being here 3 years that time round. This time, in the name of keeping in touch with y`all back home, I have collected a few interesting memories and thoughts. Interesting to me, anyway.
And I keep on thinking of more things to blog as I go around Japan, and then I sit down at the computer and don`t feel like typing (those are my game days) or get blogger`s block.
Anyway, today is the first day of my last two weeks of classes. I really like my students, but I`m so glad it`s almost over. I have been having such a negative reaction to teaching this time round that I`m thinking it`s time to give teaching up. I mean, I have THE PERFECT job here. The students are cooperative, willing to participate fully and well, and self-motivated. The course work is all set out for me so that planning is pretty much done and prep time is to a minimum. Teaching`s 2 biggest challenges, classroom management and curriculum, are both well taken care of here. And still I can`t stand this job!! Having the perfect teaching position and still not liking the job is a big hint to walk away and find something else to do, right?
In other news, I booked my tickets to Fukushima today, where I used to live. I am so looking forward to being there. I`m going to love it.
And I keep on thinking of more things to blog as I go around Japan, and then I sit down at the computer and don`t feel like typing (those are my game days) or get blogger`s block.
Anyway, today is the first day of my last two weeks of classes. I really like my students, but I`m so glad it`s almost over. I have been having such a negative reaction to teaching this time round that I`m thinking it`s time to give teaching up. I mean, I have THE PERFECT job here. The students are cooperative, willing to participate fully and well, and self-motivated. The course work is all set out for me so that planning is pretty much done and prep time is to a minimum. Teaching`s 2 biggest challenges, classroom management and curriculum, are both well taken care of here. And still I can`t stand this job!! Having the perfect teaching position and still not liking the job is a big hint to walk away and find something else to do, right?
In other news, I booked my tickets to Fukushima today, where I used to live. I am so looking forward to being there. I`m going to love it.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Still In Japan
Some of the great sites...
Trains in the night as they seem to glide through the sky and all you can see is the interior lights through the windows. Like some wonderful electric snake.
Green trees. I mean, really green.
Did I mention the fountain of youth? You can`t actually see it, but I`m sure it`s here, dispersed in the atmosphere. (Actually, the humidity here, uncomfortable as it is, does wonders for the skin. My skin got softer within a week of being here. I`m sure it`s why the Japanese look so young.)
Sunsets through the smog (surprisingly beautiful, though no comparison to a prairie sunset. And yes, I`m biased.)
The butterflies. Big, bold, beautiful.
My nephews` smiles. They`re so cute!!
There`s so much more. I`ll blog about it if I can recall it all.
Trains in the night as they seem to glide through the sky and all you can see is the interior lights through the windows. Like some wonderful electric snake.
Green trees. I mean, really green.
Did I mention the fountain of youth? You can`t actually see it, but I`m sure it`s here, dispersed in the atmosphere. (Actually, the humidity here, uncomfortable as it is, does wonders for the skin. My skin got softer within a week of being here. I`m sure it`s why the Japanese look so young.)
Sunsets through the smog (surprisingly beautiful, though no comparison to a prairie sunset. And yes, I`m biased.)
The butterflies. Big, bold, beautiful.
My nephews` smiles. They`re so cute!!
There`s so much more. I`ll blog about it if I can recall it all.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Off the top of my head
There are various random things that I see around here that I think I should blog about. I don`t write them down, so I don`t always remember them. But I`ll see how many I can come up with.
You know you`re in a safe country when....
the security guys who service the campus atm`s WALK up to the machine, and only one bothers to keep "watch" (with his back to potential danger!) while the other gets the cash. They could drive their armoured vehicle up to the machines (other service vehicles drive past them), but they don`t seem to have one!! But they dress like a S.W.A.T team. I guess if you look scary you`re safe around here. Except on a bicycle.
Ummmm.....I guess that`s all I can come up with.
I am trying to plan a trip to the place I formerly lived, to see old friends, but it`s come down to getting up there for a couple of weekends, since I couldn`t extend my ticket. It`s kind of tricky getting that far in one evening, which I`d like to do after work on a Friday, but I will find a way. At least one of the weekends is a long one.
So I`m down to thinking in terms of going home. I`m starting to plan my shopping to pick up the things I wanted to take home with me, and I have to do report cards at work, and a final report on my semester, and I`m trying to get to see the people I came to see. The count down is on. Just 3 weeks ago I was musing how fast my first 4 weeks had gone, and that in only 2 weeks I`d be counting down the last 4 weeks. Now I`m down to just over 3 weeks left (of work. I have one more than that in the country). Anyway, the days are going fast, boring or not.
You know you`re in a safe country when....
the security guys who service the campus atm`s WALK up to the machine, and only one bothers to keep "watch" (with his back to potential danger!) while the other gets the cash. They could drive their armoured vehicle up to the machines (other service vehicles drive past them), but they don`t seem to have one!! But they dress like a S.W.A.T team. I guess if you look scary you`re safe around here. Except on a bicycle.
Ummmm.....I guess that`s all I can come up with.
I am trying to plan a trip to the place I formerly lived, to see old friends, but it`s come down to getting up there for a couple of weekends, since I couldn`t extend my ticket. It`s kind of tricky getting that far in one evening, which I`d like to do after work on a Friday, but I will find a way. At least one of the weekends is a long one.
So I`m down to thinking in terms of going home. I`m starting to plan my shopping to pick up the things I wanted to take home with me, and I have to do report cards at work, and a final report on my semester, and I`m trying to get to see the people I came to see. The count down is on. Just 3 weeks ago I was musing how fast my first 4 weeks had gone, and that in only 2 weeks I`d be counting down the last 4 weeks. Now I`m down to just over 3 weeks left (of work. I have one more than that in the country). Anyway, the days are going fast, boring or not.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Bored
I`m bored. Bored, bored, bored. And there are probably a million interesting things to do. But I`m also broke. So maybe after I get paid tomorrow I can stir up a little more fun.
I keep thinking I should blog about Japan, but the thought of it bores me.
I keep thinking I should blog about Japan, but the thought of it bores me.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Pics
One or two of you, or maybe the same person twice, said you were looking forward to seeing pics. That is actually one of the big differences between this visit and my last, I`m not taking pics. Not many, anyway. Last time I was actually snap happy. But if you`re interested in seeing Japan, I can show you the 7 year old pics. They`re mostly of historical stuff, so are actually still up to date. Pics from this time will be mostly of friends and family, and maybe the occasional sight that strikes my fancy. Like the field of cabbages outside my apartment. I`ve never seen a field of cabbages before. I`m going to snap it. Anyone want to see my pic of the field of cabbages? You can come to my house and enjoy some fresh green tea while you gaze at the cabbage picture. Sounds like a great night, eh?
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Perfect
Today has been a perfect day. I got to see some sites I`ve been meaning to see and spend time with an old friend. One of my students from the first time I was in Japan, the only one I`ve kept in touch with, came to see me today. We went to see the local museum and park that I`ve been meaning to get to. I really liked it. It really gave me a feel for what old Japan was like. I walked along a highway that is hundreds of years old. Except for some old houses, I`m sure it barely resembles its old self. Then I was in a 200 year old hotel. Very rare in this country of wooden houses. It`s now a museum. Went to the zoo, which is in a great park. It was a cool day. Enjoyed chatting with an old friend, and just relaxed and had fun. Then we did the dollar store tour. They`ve got some good dollar stores here. Anyway, she has to work tomorrow, so she`s gone home. I`ll go into Nagoya to see family tomorrow. Today marks the half way mark of my time here. I can hardly believe it. I more or less still feel like I`m settling in.
The rainy season is supposed to be starting this week. From here on in it should get humid and hot. I just hope it doesn`t get too bad. We`ll see.
The rainy season is supposed to be starting this week. From here on in it should get humid and hot. I just hope it doesn`t get too bad. We`ll see.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
More Japanisms
Words that DO NOT belong together.
WashAmuse and Shower Toilet
I am taking my life into my hands biking around here, and that`s on the sidewalks!! Everyone bikes there, but some of the sidewalks are sooooooo narrow. The teens just about knock me over. I`m going to start staring them down. A nasty looking foreign chick should easily scare the bravado out of `em. Thing is, I see them coming, and I get scared. I`m just not as used to brushing past people and keeping my balance as they are.
OK, lurkers, today`s your day. If you`ve been dropping in to visit and have never commented, stand up and be counted. I`m just curious as to who might be out there.
Have a great day.
WashAmuse and Shower Toilet
I am taking my life into my hands biking around here, and that`s on the sidewalks!! Everyone bikes there, but some of the sidewalks are sooooooo narrow. The teens just about knock me over. I`m going to start staring them down. A nasty looking foreign chick should easily scare the bravado out of `em. Thing is, I see them coming, and I get scared. I`m just not as used to brushing past people and keeping my balance as they are.
OK, lurkers, today`s your day. If you`ve been dropping in to visit and have never commented, stand up and be counted. I`m just curious as to who might be out there.
Have a great day.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Tokyo
Went to Tokyo. Enjoyed it. Stayed in a nice little hotel in a Japanese style room. Slept on a tatami floor. Don`t have any tatami in my apartment, so I`m glad I got to see the stuff again. I love it (it`s a flooring made of woven straw or reeds or something. very aromatic). Stayed near the majorly touristy Sensoji Shrine in Asakusa (remember it, Stacey?). Nice place to walk around. Just spent my time walking and looking with my sister. Saw a Louis Vitton store in Harajuku! Never been so close to luxury before. Didn`t go in. I`m neither that rich nor that interested. The high light actually was meeting a friend of mine before my sister arrived. Haven`t seen this friend in 7 years. She took me to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which traces Tokyo`s history back 500 years (to when it was called Edo). I LOVED it. Diana`s friend showed us around by car. Thought that would be interesting, but it turns out Tokyo`s just a place like any else, lots of concrete and shabby buildings, and all the interesting places look the same on foot or from a car window. I think I`ve just done enought touristy things in Japan that nothing is really novel any more. Maybe that`s normal, but Japan is the only travel experience I really have, and I`m used to the feeling of high adventure I used to associate with it. But I guess that was a feeling more attached to circumstance than location, `cause I can`t seem to find it now. Too bad. Adventure is fun.
Fortunately, I actually like Japan and Japanese people, so even if the sense of high adventure is gone, I`ll enjoy being here. I guess I`ll just focus more on catching up with old friends than site seeing.
One more hi-lite. In our wandering, my sister and I came across this little store full of beautiful boxes with silk designs worked into them. The were expensive, but so beautiful I had to buy myself a little one. I`d buy a lot more if I could. Anyway, you can see it when I get home.
atto de ne
Fortunately, I actually like Japan and Japanese people, so even if the sense of high adventure is gone, I`ll enjoy being here. I guess I`ll just focus more on catching up with old friends than site seeing.
One more hi-lite. In our wandering, my sister and I came across this little store full of beautiful boxes with silk designs worked into them. The were expensive, but so beautiful I had to buy myself a little one. I`d buy a lot more if I could. Anyway, you can see it when I get home.
atto de ne
Friday, June 02, 2006
Chicken Pox
It`s been 3 weeks since I was exposed to THE POX by my nephew. My parents and I both think I`ve never had them, though my brother did. And maybe my sister. So if I haven`t had them before, and I don`t have them now, I think I can conclude that I`m naturally immune. Yeah. At least I didn`t get them here. I was really scared I might. If I have to get the pox, fine, but not when I`ve got limited time to enjoy Japan and I`m far away from anyone who could care for me!
I`ve only been here a month, and I am running out of things to blog about. I keep thinking about what interesting tidbit I could share. But the fact is, life is life where ever you live it. Once one gets over culture shock and the novelty of a place, you just get down to the rythm of life. My rythm is get out of bed on Monday, check the weather, read, get ready for work, go to work, spend the day prepping lessons, talk to students, wonder if anyone thinks I`m dressed inappropriately, compare my wardrobe to the other female professors, decide if I`m eating ethnic (a sandwich) or local cuisine for lunch, go home, find a way to kill a couple of hours before bed so I don`t have to sit too long in my rabbit hutch apartment, then go to bed early so I`ll have had a good night`s sleep before my jerk neighbor [I`m sure he`s really very nice, but I`m annoyed] starts stomping around at 4:30am, or before the sun wakes me (at about the same time). Then I repeat that until Friday night, when I hop on a train after work and head for John or Diana`s place. This weekend I`m going to shake up the routine with a trip to Tokyo, and I`ll be going to more places on other weekends. But the weekdays in Japan ain`t so exciting, unless I take a bike ride that leads to a cool discovery. Thank goodness I like my students. They're fun.
But at least I`m enjoying it, for the most part. My days and weeks are busy and enjoyable enough that they`re flying by. That`s way better than hating where I`m at and having time drag.
I`ve only been here a month, and I am running out of things to blog about. I keep thinking about what interesting tidbit I could share. But the fact is, life is life where ever you live it. Once one gets over culture shock and the novelty of a place, you just get down to the rythm of life. My rythm is get out of bed on Monday, check the weather, read, get ready for work, go to work, spend the day prepping lessons, talk to students, wonder if anyone thinks I`m dressed inappropriately, compare my wardrobe to the other female professors, decide if I`m eating ethnic (a sandwich) or local cuisine for lunch, go home, find a way to kill a couple of hours before bed so I don`t have to sit too long in my rabbit hutch apartment, then go to bed early so I`ll have had a good night`s sleep before my jerk neighbor [I`m sure he`s really very nice, but I`m annoyed] starts stomping around at 4:30am, or before the sun wakes me (at about the same time). Then I repeat that until Friday night, when I hop on a train after work and head for John or Diana`s place. This weekend I`m going to shake up the routine with a trip to Tokyo, and I`ll be going to more places on other weekends. But the weekdays in Japan ain`t so exciting, unless I take a bike ride that leads to a cool discovery. Thank goodness I like my students. They're fun.
But at least I`m enjoying it, for the most part. My days and weeks are busy and enjoyable enough that they`re flying by. That`s way better than hating where I`m at and having time drag.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
me again
I give up. I try. Really, I do. Tried again tonight. But the plain fact is all y`all won`t be getting individual emails. I can only type a couple before it seems my time is running out. I`d like to connect with each one of you, say hi, and I`ll keep trying to do a few here and there, but this blog is going to be your best bet for news about me. I just can`t afford the computer time. Nor do I want to spend all my free time here in front of a computer.
Discovered a wonderful new thing yesterday, Brazilian bbq. WOW. If there`s one near you, get to it now. If not, grab the closest Brazilian and beg him to get into the restaurant biz. WONDERFUL. Unless you`re a vegan or a cow. I even ate, and enjoyed, the chicken hearts. And I`m not a giblet eating type of chick. Tried a Moroccan restaurant a few weeks ago. Also WONDERFUL. Got to go to Morocco.
The Japanese food, on the other hand, I`m finding kind of boring. The Coke`s OK;)
Going to Tokyo on Saturday. Couldn`t get my ticket extended, so I`ll be coming home July 21, as originally planned. Won`t be going to Okinawa, as it would cost about $800 to get there. I can get cheaper tickets from here to London!
Discovered a wonderful new thing yesterday, Brazilian bbq. WOW. If there`s one near you, get to it now. If not, grab the closest Brazilian and beg him to get into the restaurant biz. WONDERFUL. Unless you`re a vegan or a cow. I even ate, and enjoyed, the chicken hearts. And I`m not a giblet eating type of chick. Tried a Moroccan restaurant a few weeks ago. Also WONDERFUL. Got to go to Morocco.
The Japanese food, on the other hand, I`m finding kind of boring. The Coke`s OK;)
Going to Tokyo on Saturday. Couldn`t get my ticket extended, so I`ll be coming home July 21, as originally planned. Won`t be going to Okinawa, as it would cost about $800 to get there. I can get cheaper tickets from here to London!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Found It!!!
On my latest bike adventure I found out I`m only minutes from the countryside. Turns out those first fields I found weren`t just a fluke, they indicate the southern end of the city! It was so lovely to go for a country ride! And to think I was looking for Jusco (Japan`s Walmart)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Have you ever...
...bought a meal at McDonald's with a $100 bill? I did, just this morning. And as I did it I thought how silly it would seem back home. But the guy in front of me did it too. Over here, everything lower than $10 is a coin, and the common bills are $10 and $100. I don't think any other bills exist under $100. Haven't seen any. It makes spending money way too easy for me, 'cause I haven't quite gotten over treating a $100 with the casual-ness of $20. Yikes.
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