No more updates here, hope you enjoyed the year-long ride.
My new blog is here: http://dayofthewanderer.blogspot.com/.
~Jhenn~
Monday, October 01, 2007
The Rest!
Empty train! I couldn't believe no one else was on it!
Autumn time food I conveniently bought!
Cool buildings in Osaka
Us
Going Home:
Kansai International Airport is an island
A sprawling Osaka city
The patch of green is Osaka Castle grounds. The rest... a cement jungle!
We were 35,000 ft up and Mt. Fuji was poking out of the clouds to see me off.
BYE BYE JAPAN!
For all photos click here, or browse by month off to the side.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Final Countdown
I have a little over a week left in Japan. I have just finished polishing up my resume to send out to a few places. It's crazy to be stepping out of one phase of life into another.
Recently Ed and I have been enjoying NHK a lot (Japan's public broadcasting ie-PBS). The kids shows improve our Japanese in the morning, and at night there are segments to learn English, French, German, and Hindi. Even the English learning shows are interesting because we reverse-learn what the Japanese phrases are.
Although, I did opt out of NHK news in lieu of watching "How much my sex change operations cost." That is a little more interesting.
Ok, I WILL organize my stuff to see how big another bag I need to buy will be. I bumped myself up to business class on the flight home, I wonder if I can bring extra ^_^
Recently Ed and I have been enjoying NHK a lot (Japan's public broadcasting ie-PBS). The kids shows improve our Japanese in the morning, and at night there are segments to learn English, French, German, and Hindi. Even the English learning shows are interesting because we reverse-learn what the Japanese phrases are.
Although, I did opt out of NHK news in lieu of watching "How much my sex change operations cost." That is a little more interesting.
Ok, I WILL organize my stuff to see how big another bag I need to buy will be. I bumped myself up to business class on the flight home, I wonder if I can bring extra ^_^
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
August
August is here. (and so is the new Aug 07 photo set!) I am now unemployed and living with my boyfriend until September at which time I will be returning to the motherland, probably still unemployed (but I hope not). It's also super hot and humid.
I saw the best fireworks ever in Osaka. 45 minutes of non-stop environmentally damaging eye candy! And the there were sooooooooooooo many people.
Videos of the finale!
Aug 13-15 is Obon, a time when spirits come to visit. Lanterns are used to guide the spirits home, and on the last day bonfires are made to cast them back. Nara had a huge beautiful light up. I went with some friends and brought the new JETs along!
There was also a beach party to welcome the new JETs.
AUGUST PHOTO SLIDE SHOW
I saw the best fireworks ever in Osaka. 45 minutes of non-stop environmentally damaging eye candy! And the there were sooooooooooooo many people.
Videos of the finale!
Aug 13-15 is Obon, a time when spirits come to visit. Lanterns are used to guide the spirits home, and on the last day bonfires are made to cast them back. Nara had a huge beautiful light up. I went with some friends and brought the new JETs along!
There was also a beach party to welcome the new JETs.
AUGUST PHOTO SLIDE SHOW
Baseball and Bootcamp
Right now, Japan's national high school baseball finals(?) are going on and clogging up the airways. Also clogging up the airways is Billy's Boot Camp. it's the Tae-Bo guy's new thing, Japan can't get enough of his great big foreign-ness.
To help everyone, I have included a slideshow link of all the JULY photos. This includes the tour with my mom in Komono, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo, amongst other Japan-esque things.
CLICK HERE!!
To help everyone, I have included a slideshow link of all the JULY photos. This includes the tour with my mom in Komono, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo, amongst other Japan-esque things.
CLICK HERE!!
Monday, August 06, 2007
One year
It's been one year and one day since I moved to Japan.
And it feels like it. It didn't fly by at all!
I have moved out of my lovely apartment into one about 1/3 its size. With my boyfriend. It's tight living quarters! But I did find finally find vegan ice cream here, so everything will be ok!
I am jobless now. I miss the people I worked with, but don't miss the insaneness of it. Glad to be able to relax with Japan for a month until I go home. Then I do need a job. I'll go anywhere, any openings?!
pictures still pending.
And it feels like it. It didn't fly by at all!
I have moved out of my lovely apartment into one about 1/3 its size. With my boyfriend. It's tight living quarters! But I did find finally find vegan ice cream here, so everything will be ok!
I am jobless now. I miss the people I worked with, but don't miss the insaneness of it. Glad to be able to relax with Japan for a month until I go home. Then I do need a job. I'll go anywhere, any openings?!
pictures still pending.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
I've been noticing zucchini a lot in the discount bin lately. I don't think Japan knows what to do with it.
Mom went home yesterday, will post pictures later. I've been cleaning my apartment like mad. Everything but the kitchen is clean. But the kitchen is still 60% done. I'm attempting to pack now. wow. it's tough!
Mom went home yesterday, will post pictures later. I've been cleaning my apartment like mad. Everything but the kitchen is clean. But the kitchen is still 60% done. I'm attempting to pack now. wow. it's tough!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Last Day
Well, yesterday was my last day of being a teacher. I was sad, but also felt a weight lifted, but also unemotional about it all at the same time. I have 2 more official work days left this week, where I will be going into the Town Hall at the Board of Education and sit at my computer all day. Exciting I know. I will be finishing the plans for Mom's trip. She gets in tonight, I will ask to leave early, and do it anyways. I even cleaned all last night.
It was weird this morning to think, "Ah!!! I get to sleep in til 6:30!!!" Sleeping in until 6:30.... AM? I've entered adult life...
I'm so excited about this extra time I even made a smoothie, a small bowl of oatmeal and some french toast!
It was weird this morning to think, "Ah!!! I get to sleep in til 6:30!!!" Sleeping in until 6:30.... AM? I've entered adult life...
I'm so excited about this extra time I even made a smoothie, a small bowl of oatmeal and some french toast!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
So I'm here! Sorry for the lack of postings, been pretty busy what with going on beach vacation and having parties and whatnots.
After a lovely week at the beach, arriving back in rainy season, and nearly having a heat stroke on the train back home, I get to see this guy flailing about on his back in front of my door.
Japan, and especially Japanese kids, are obsessed with any and all bugs, especially these giant beetles. A very popular pet. I screamed and ran inside before it ate my face.
As I said, it's right now is rainy season. Wednesday is also my last day of being a teacher. It's kinda sad, but I'm glad to be doing it at my favorite school, even if I have to walk 20 minutes through the rain every morning to get there.
Proof:
Last weekend I went and saw sumo again with Ed and his friend from home Jonny. It was a good time. The gym in Nagoya was smaller so even our seats in the back were great!
On the way out there were these guys at the top of this giant wooden structure (traditionally made, no metal in it!) playing drums and chanting as everyone left. I'm assuming it has something to do with Shintoism, since everything else associated with sumo has to do with it (such as throwing salt to purify the ring before they enter it).
Next week my mom is coming to visit for a week and a half! It's gonna be non stop action of touring I think.
Here I am looking masculine with the elementary baseball team:
Side of Komono Elementary:
At the schools, there is lunch. then cleaning. then break time. Cleaning involves landscaping:
Here are some of my socks I've purchased here:
Yes, it says "Love Tomato" and has a vampire on it.
In front of most every restaurant there is a display of (sometimes quite real looking) plastic food to show what they offer.
Displayed: waffles and pudding, hot cakes, pizza, curry and rice, spaghetti, omelet and rice, fried pork, etc.
The best bento (lunch container) ever:
And finally, what kind of mysterious land am I living in?
I get to see variations of this landscape everyday. love it.
After a lovely week at the beach, arriving back in rainy season, and nearly having a heat stroke on the train back home, I get to see this guy flailing about on his back in front of my door.
Japan, and especially Japanese kids, are obsessed with any and all bugs, especially these giant beetles. A very popular pet. I screamed and ran inside before it ate my face.
As I said, it's right now is rainy season. Wednesday is also my last day of being a teacher. It's kinda sad, but I'm glad to be doing it at my favorite school, even if I have to walk 20 minutes through the rain every morning to get there.
Proof:
Last weekend I went and saw sumo again with Ed and his friend from home Jonny. It was a good time. The gym in Nagoya was smaller so even our seats in the back were great!
On the way out there were these guys at the top of this giant wooden structure (traditionally made, no metal in it!) playing drums and chanting as everyone left. I'm assuming it has something to do with Shintoism, since everything else associated with sumo has to do with it (such as throwing salt to purify the ring before they enter it).
Next week my mom is coming to visit for a week and a half! It's gonna be non stop action of touring I think.
Here I am looking masculine with the elementary baseball team:
Side of Komono Elementary:
At the schools, there is lunch. then cleaning. then break time. Cleaning involves landscaping:
Here are some of my socks I've purchased here:
Yes, it says "Love Tomato" and has a vampire on it.
In front of most every restaurant there is a display of (sometimes quite real looking) plastic food to show what they offer.
Displayed: waffles and pudding, hot cakes, pizza, curry and rice, spaghetti, omelet and rice, fried pork, etc.
The best bento (lunch container) ever:
And finally, what kind of mysterious land am I living in?
I get to see variations of this landscape everyday. love it.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Only in Japan
Last week a girl erasing the chalk board turned around and bumped into her friend’s white shirt leaving a chalk mark. She felt bad and offered to mark her black uniform up with chalk as repentance. Thankfully the chalk came out really easily, but what an offer!
Last weekend I went to Tokyo with some friends.
Friday night we took over a bar. And then some yakuza showed up. I never knew gangsters loved Red Hot Chili Peppers so much. The bartender’s friend laughed hysterically for way too long when we said we were from Mie Prefecture.
(Gangsters not pictured)
Cemetary
Saturday morning was spent trying to find a vegan bakery on a street that didn’t exist. We ended up at a café deli that sold the best veggie burger I’ve ever had. Freakin delicious. That evening was spent seeing Kabuki and eating some form of Mexican food. The man sitting next to us also laughed hysterically when he found out we were from Mie. Why is it so funny?!?!
Sunday was action packed, finding the only other letter box in Japan at the Meiji Shrine, and going to Harajuku (super pop culture district) and Akihabara (Electronic town). Then I went home, the end.
Just this guy and his boombox, dancing and singing, intensely.
No one could figure out what this guy was doing, just seemed to be getting ready to run a marathon...
Awesome dude
Train in Tokyo
Cloudy Fuji
In a temple back street by my place
Last weekend I went to Tokyo with some friends.
Friday night we took over a bar. And then some yakuza showed up. I never knew gangsters loved Red Hot Chili Peppers so much. The bartender’s friend laughed hysterically for way too long when we said we were from Mie Prefecture.
(Gangsters not pictured)
Cemetary
Saturday morning was spent trying to find a vegan bakery on a street that didn’t exist. We ended up at a café deli that sold the best veggie burger I’ve ever had. Freakin delicious. That evening was spent seeing Kabuki and eating some form of Mexican food. The man sitting next to us also laughed hysterically when he found out we were from Mie. Why is it so funny?!?!
Sunday was action packed, finding the only other letter box in Japan at the Meiji Shrine, and going to Harajuku (super pop culture district) and Akihabara (Electronic town). Then I went home, the end.
Just this guy and his boombox, dancing and singing, intensely.
No one could figure out what this guy was doing, just seemed to be getting ready to run a marathon...
Awesome dude
Train in Tokyo
Cloudy Fuji
In a temple back street by my place
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Hong Kong bonus!
So I finally found the program that lets me use "Image stitch" where you can take a bunch of pictures, and "stitch" them together to get panoramic shots. Here you go!
You'll have to click them to get the full effect.
On Hong Kong Island
Victoria Habor
Victoria Harbour as seen from Victoria Peak
The mountains of Lantau Island.
(They are just so much bigger and better than Japan's!)
You'll have to click them to get the full effect.
On Hong Kong Island
Victoria Habor
Victoria Harbour as seen from Victoria Peak
The mountains of Lantau Island.
(They are just so much bigger and better than Japan's!)
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