Alcoholic Frieman Biker

What have I gotten myself into?

Today the town’s CIR from 3-4 years ago (Kate) came by to say hello to everyone. Her and I and her old supervisor went to the work cafeteria to have coffee and was joined by another man. He had a hangover. Kate’s ex-supervisor tells us he drinks all the time, calls him an alcoholic. Kate does not drink and I was asked if I liked sake. I said yes and gained approval. I was asked what my favorite Japanese food was, I said Curry Udon and the man was very impressed indeed. Turns out he is a firefighter. He tells me he has something wonderful to show me. After some suspense, it turns out to be his Harley. I gave a big smile and reaction to this because 1. I could understand it and 2. There is a Harley shop down (and verbally let that be known) the street so I often see motorcycles. Now he’s going on about how fast it is, how pretty it is form polishing it, how fast his friend’s goes, and oh, what’s this?! He has a second seat on his bike.

*Gulp*

I said I had never ridden a motorcycle before and he seemed surprised. While the prospect of a motorcycle ride is a bit thrilling, I think I’m more on the terrified side. Especially after all the stats on how fast he can go. Well, no matter. I’m barely in the office except for this week, in fact, I will probably never see him again! Phew! Oh wait… her old supervisor just told him where I live.

*face slap*

I did say I didn’t eat crab and he seemed pretty offended. Maybe that will be enough to make this 55 year old former “playboy” to not hunt me down for this ride.

Hobbies in Japan

A couple days ago in Tokyo a British English teacher was found murdered. It's a really tragic story, (with weird twists and contridicting info as the story continues to come out). I didn't want to mention it, but it shouldn't be ignored if it can help someone. It doesn't make me nervous, so please don't be nervous for me. I'm not going to strangers' houses (although some reports say it was her other boyfriend) and my town actually has never had a recorded murder case. These terrible things happen everywhere. Even though Japan is really really safe (albeit quirky)- I still keep my guard up.

In happy news, while Japan is a dry spot when it comes to letterboxing, it is rockin' out with geocaching! I found and fell in love with letterboxing the beginning of last year. Let me tell you why:
1. It's free
2. It's gets you outside
3. See places and wildlife that you have never seen
4. Adds zest to an out-of-town trip
5. You feel like you're a part of a secret society
6. You can pretend you're a pirate on a mission
7. It encourages you to leave the place better than you found it.
Thus the term "Cache-In, Trash-Out"

I went out to find Japan's only known (that is listed) only to find it MIA. Now I have everything ready and assembled to make Japan's only known letterbox. Perhaps I will carve the stamp tonight! UPDATE: There is a new letterbox in Tokyo, placed a mere week after I was there!

Geocaching is much like letterboxing, except you use GPS to find the hidden treasure instead of clues (mostly). As just mentioned, there is also treasure. Take something from the box and leave something. There is also no use of hand-carved stamps.

Well... this means only one thing. I have to buy a GPS!

Another occasional hobby I had was http://www.wheresgeorge.com where you can track and follow American or Canadian money. I used to see a lot of stamped bills at the dry cleaners and I would always enter them in. Most are still local, but one made it to PA and one went to TN!

Smorking Room

Yesterday at lunch, the office workers sitting with me were discussing how much they hate smoking. The only man pointed to the smoking room and said “Lung Cancer Room!” in English. The break room is called the “refresh room” and there is one table. Next to it is a small room for the smokers, with vents and the machines to suck the smoke out. So every time someone goes in or out, an awful smell wafts through the table. Last week I went in there real quick to give my supervisor a banana-walnut muffin I made. It was beyond disgusting (the room, not the muffin). I came out and felt like I had tar on my tongue and was still feeling the effects a half hour later. Grosssssss.

That is my supervisor in the smoking room. He is not gross though. He loves Dragonall Ball Z and 24.

The locker room.

Outside our apartment

Your brains could not handle the insane recycling sorting we do.

My clean apartment, a glimpse: the living room.

Yesterday Chris and I busted out the new grill. Flames!

Thanks to Chris for all the photos- sans my room.

In other news, Japanese keyboards are really messing my hands up when it comes to html!

Everyday Japan

Like I said, this blog is nothing special, just some insight into everyday life.
This morning I wore a short sleeve short to work, as they keep the heat cranked up and it's getting nicer out. The office people found this funny. "Aren't you cold?" "Oh, because it's spring!" "Oh, because you don't have a cold!" (a few people are sick) and "Wonderful!".

Yesterday I was dreaming I was running away from a tornado then WHAM! I woke up to an earthquake (news) that lasted probably 20-25 seconds. Despite the statistics in the article, Japan knows it is an earthquake country, and all new buildings are built with this in mind. The bottom of our town hall as many different types and shapes of pipes going through the building to keep it safe.

I forewent a weekend in Osaka to stay home and relax. Next weekend will be mostly relaxing, but I needed it NOW. Spring is here, the weather is becoming reasonable, and I am feeling super peppy. I bought a grill for my balcony, and I can't wait to use it. I also bought a glue gun, clay, DIY Shrinky Dinks, pieces of wood, wire, twine, ceramics, laquer, etc. I started painting. I attempted to make a coaster (I apparently bought the wrong sealant spray). I cleaned, tidied, and organzied my entire apartment. I also made a bank. I made pasta, spring rolls, and whipped cream for some strawberry shortcake.
Sunshine brings these things out in me ^_^
I guess I didn't upload my clean living room photo (you could even see the new fabric I bought at the Temple Fair on the couch!) but here is a picture of the kitty bank I made with the wire I bought. It even has a little green bell collar! and 2 yen in its tummy.



Its butt unhinges to get your cash!


If it's not the Health Minister calling women "Baby-making machines" or the Foreign Minister saying the US cannot solve problems because they have Blue eyes and blond hair and not "yellow faces" or even the massive bullying problems (that people think if you are being bullied, you deserve it!), then it's not a typical day in Japan!

Dear Teacher

Last Tuesday I found a little letter on my desk. Turned out to be from a 2nd year (8th grade). It says:

"Dear A teacher,
Hello, I write a letter to a foreigner for the first time today. Therefore I do not understand it while I should have written it how but want to try to write it to oneself. The study with a teacher was very pleasant every time. And I thought that it was very wonderful that study be a game. For this one year, thank you. It was a very pleasant class. I try English study hard from now on."

I wrote her a very encouraging letter back. Said she should travel the world.
For some reason, only half the students seem to remember my name (thus, "a teacher").

Chocominto?!

It’s a long one, so sit back and relax!

Intro:

1. It’s spring break for school. While some JETs get the time off and are traveling, I get to go into the Board of Education in Town Hall EVERYDAY until schools starts in early April. Lucky me. However, upon my arrival this morning, no one seemed to know that I was even supposed to be here. I could have probably stayed home a few days before they realized anything thing (maybe). Bleh. But it does give me time to plan and revise my elementary lessons though July.

2. The Japanese elderly are probably the rudest people alive. I would say 90% of them fall into the “need to be pushed” category. Maybe it’s just old folk in general. It could be they’re just bitter they only come up to my armpit, if that. Or maybe it’s just their horrible drab clothes and horrible patterns, is there no market for lively colors for them?

OK, let’s begin! (I usually say this in class and throw up my fist, most kids eagerly mimic it too!)

White Day ad (see previous post)

Karaoke aftermath: no cabs at 2am

Watching and laughing at Wallace and Gromit

A 2nd grade class

Saturday March 3rd we held a St. Patrick's Day kids event:

We had Leprechaun bean bag toss, musical chairs, and made leprechaun doorknob hangers.

An amazing "English" menu. Funny thing is, those are practically direct translations from the real Japanese menu. It really did say "Edamame (soy beans): The best friend of beer!" (it doesn't sound like it, but Edamame really is a tasty lightly-salted treat! love it!)

End of year activities the 6th graders put on for the teachers.

How much do I love my mountains?

On a mountain. Aoyamacho and it's wind power.

March 16 (friday) I was able to use the hours I put in for the kids event to take the day off! I went to Kyoto to go to a couple temples (and to wander around) to view Nehan-zu, paintings displayed generally for 3 days a year which depict Buddha entering Nirvana. What's special about this particular detailed painting is it has a cat in the corner. Cats were not painted back then, and thought to be harbingers of bad luck. Rumor has it that the artist was visited by this cat and chased away pesky mice? so he put it in. Also, even though Buddha had said to not cry when he dies, as it is just a part of life, everyone around, humans, animals, spirits, are all sobbing. All except the cat!

First up was Tofukuji. I was there exactly five years ago that day with Andy. There is a giant 16m Nehan-zu painting there. There is also a giant dragon painted on the ceiling. I remember the painting being huge, but it wasn't as big as I remembered it. The dragon however, seemed massive. I wanted to take a picture, last time I know I did. I didn't see any signs saying not too, but no one else had a camera out, so I didn't.

Tofukuji's surrounding area is filled with small temples, little paths, and monks' living quarters. The scenery itself is reason enough to go.

I knew there was ginger sake there, but it was not in the forefront of my mind, Only later did I realize one of the buildings I passed was serving it. Doh!

All moss.

Typical Japan. Blossoming plum blossoms, a concrete pillar, and stylized tree.

I then walked to Sennyuji Temple, where they have the largest Nehan-zu. This painting was certainly much bigger, however, the large thick brush strokes makes it look rushed when compared to Tofukuji's fine lined detail. Almost as if they were just trying to have the record of "largest". I was listening to a monk talk about, and what was interesting is this painting has no animals at all! Just humans and "gods". Also, no ones eyes were open, and Buddha's mother was painted by his feet. He was talking about a cat and mouse, but I wasn't sure what he was saying about it.

Where I ate lunch, look at those flat topped trees.

Raked rocks

Sights from wandering up and down two mountains:

In the last one you can see Kyoto city sprawling below.

Then Saturday it was off to Osaka to see sumo wrestling!


Afterwards we went out to eat at an Iranian restaurant. yum!

Yesterday was the first day of spring and a holiday in Japan. I went to a temple fair in Nagoya .



I bought some fabric, a purse, and a necklace. I was going to get some lovely dried fruits and things, but the man selling them was smoking a cigarette OVER them. I don't want ash in my almonds, thanks!
A wandered aimlessly and browsed around, met up with a friend and had some dinner and got home at 10pm (about bed time) wide awake. And now I'm at work. The end.

Random: Here is a picture from my desk at the junior high. Where did all the teachers go?

Ps- I usually title my posts with some Japanese saying I heard, but today I had nothing. Until after lunch. My supervisor comes into the break room and starts sniffing, saying something smells good. Chris and I had just eaten some Anna's Swedish Chocolate Mint cookies (I will plug them because they're good, vegan, and well priced!). I wasn't sure what he was smelling or how to answer so I made up something in Japanese "Choco-minto...?" "CHOCOMINTO?!" He replies enthusiatically. I'm glad I made up a word that is actually a real thing.