After the rain
How'd that get down there?!
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!)
Osaka weekend
I went to Osaka Friday night and went out and about all day on Saturday. Here are the sites!
Some baked goodies
T-shirt
Me and a big stuffed Kitty!
Kitty kimono!
Wooden Hello Kitty mermaid. $300. (Would make a great gift *cough cough*)
Then Saturday night we went straight to a surprise party. I was beat. Sunday I got to sleep in and went out to have a picnic on a lovely sunny afternoon with some friends. We ate food, and played in the grass, and played Scattegories. Some cats joined us.
Some baked goodies
T-shirt
Me and a big stuffed Kitty!
Kitty kimono!
Wooden Hello Kitty mermaid. $300. (Would make a great gift *cough cough*)
Then Saturday night we went straight to a surprise party. I was beat. Sunday I got to sleep in and went out to have a picnic on a lovely sunny afternoon with some friends. We ate food, and played in the grass, and played Scattegories. Some cats joined us.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Back!
Ok I went back home for a few weeks, thus the absence. I'm glad 'fate' decided I should not stay, after I went home I didn't want to leave. I'll be going back in a couple more weeks for my real beach vacation, then back here for another 2 months (but only work for a couple of weeks=D ). A teacher asked me today if I could teach some 6th grade classes in my free periods. I looked at her in totally abject fear and said "maybe. I don't know yet, it depends". 4 classes is stressful enough, but 5 everyday? They've already started tacking some extra on in my last week there.
I'm outside on my porch now. The weather has gone from a steady 20C to 25 (mid 70s F) overnight and has been staying that way. I love it. It's starting to get hot and sticky and I will take that any day over the soulless cold that was here.
I'm noticing that I am admiring birds and flowers a lot more since being here. I think this has to do with the fact that my everday mode of transportation are my feet, so I can see things at a more leisurely speed. I also fashioned a DIY bird feeder. I wonder if any bird has eaten out of it yet.
On my way home a few weeks ago I saw the EvaAir Hello Kitty plane that goes to Taiwan. I think I need to go to Taiwan.
I took some photos today on my walk home from work.
A students shoe strategically placed on a hump of cracked blacktop... a block from the school.
Rice fields!
Komono's manhole covers. The antelope is our town's symbol, the ropeway is for our 'famous' ropeway... and I guess those are our 'famous' bird and flowers.
The man across the street has started his garden again. Although if I see any about-to-rot food, I'm jumping the hedge to get it! I watched too much fruit rot last summer there! I always think about stealing food from people's gardens when I see it's going to go bad soon. Why let it go to waste? I guess the gov't gives a subsidy if you use a spare lot for a garden, so to get the money people may not even tend it. grr!
Last night Farva was sleeping on his side, probably to keep cool. He was awoken with surprise!
The sun is slowing moving out of view for my tan, so I guess that means I will go in now. Until next time!
OH! It's known for being pretty windy here....
I'm outside on my porch now. The weather has gone from a steady 20C to 25 (mid 70s F) overnight and has been staying that way. I love it. It's starting to get hot and sticky and I will take that any day over the soulless cold that was here.
I'm noticing that I am admiring birds and flowers a lot more since being here. I think this has to do with the fact that my everday mode of transportation are my feet, so I can see things at a more leisurely speed. I also fashioned a DIY bird feeder. I wonder if any bird has eaten out of it yet.
On my way home a few weeks ago I saw the EvaAir Hello Kitty plane that goes to Taiwan. I think I need to go to Taiwan.
I took some photos today on my walk home from work.
A students shoe strategically placed on a hump of cracked blacktop... a block from the school.
Rice fields!
Komono's manhole covers. The antelope is our town's symbol, the ropeway is for our 'famous' ropeway... and I guess those are our 'famous' bird and flowers.
The man across the street has started his garden again. Although if I see any about-to-rot food, I'm jumping the hedge to get it! I watched too much fruit rot last summer there! I always think about stealing food from people's gardens when I see it's going to go bad soon. Why let it go to waste? I guess the gov't gives a subsidy if you use a spare lot for a garden, so to get the money people may not even tend it. grr!
Last night Farva was sleeping on his side, probably to keep cool. He was awoken with surprise!
The sun is slowing moving out of view for my tan, so I guess that means I will go in now. Until next time!
OH! It's known for being pretty windy here....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Nothing
"What country am I from?"
"New Zealand"
"Canada"
"You from Australia"
"You are from Australia"
"You are from New Zealand"
"You are from Ohio"
"I am from Japan"
"You from Japan"
"She is America"
"She is from Canada"
"You are from New Zealand"
"She is from Australia"
Sorry. The correct answer is "You are from America."
Seriously, I mean... c'mon guys!
Not much going on lately.
Yesterday a 2nd year Junior High kid bit me as I tried to playfully cover his mouth during his very vocal version of charades.
Today a 1st year was curious about the “ph” in the spelling of “Alphabet” when it’s obviously an “f” sound.
Oh, the joys of teaching.
I got an international money order today. Took a while, but it was very easy and mostly just sitting and waiting while she typed up and printed things out. They have a set exchange rate though >.< 1 yen more than the current rate. Oh well, this a lot less hassle than sending it through a service and having to pay their fees AND bank fees.
As a surprise from my mom, I am going home for a week next week. I’m looking forward to it. I get to see my cats and eat tacos. Bliss.
Oh, and I found out my successor is from California. Maybe the America thing will stick in their heads after I go.
"New Zealand"
"Canada"
"You from Australia"
"You are from Australia"
"You are from New Zealand"
"You are from Ohio"
"I am from Japan"
"You from Japan"
"She is America"
"She is from Canada"
"You are from New Zealand"
"She is from Australia"
Sorry. The correct answer is "You are from America."
Seriously, I mean... c'mon guys!
Not much going on lately.
Yesterday a 2nd year Junior High kid bit me as I tried to playfully cover his mouth during his very vocal version of charades.
Today a 1st year was curious about the “ph” in the spelling of “Alphabet” when it’s obviously an “f” sound.
Oh, the joys of teaching.
I got an international money order today. Took a while, but it was very easy and mostly just sitting and waiting while she typed up and printed things out. They have a set exchange rate though >.< 1 yen more than the current rate. Oh well, this a lot less hassle than sending it through a service and having to pay their fees AND bank fees.
As a surprise from my mom, I am going home for a week next week. I’m looking forward to it. I get to see my cats and eat tacos. Bliss.
Oh, and I found out my successor is from California. Maybe the America thing will stick in their heads after I go.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Ninjas, Earthquakes, and Gangsters
Last sunday was Ninja Fest! I got to walk around dressed as a ninja, went to Ueno Castle and the Ninja Museum, and go to do some ninja tasks like throwing shuriken (throwing stars)!
Ninja Van
Ninja's hiding spots
Ueno Castle made form postal stamps!
Ninjas wall climbing and picnicing
JUST THEN...
There was a BIG EARTHQUAKE!
It was a 5.4 and the center of it was about 25 min by train away, so really really close! I was on the ground having my ninja picnic, and it struck! It's weird because everyone is quiet and it sounds like thunder, but from everywhere, not just a place in the sky. A tremor occurred about a minute afterwards in which I screamed a little from nerves, and got laughed at a bit. I don't understand how people think something with such remarkably easy potential to hurt and kill is fun.
I came home to find things knocked over, the extreme things were my TV stand moved, my smoke detector was in the next room, and my coaster flew 7 feet... but my tall thin bottle of moisturizer had not budged!
As if there weren't enough violence as of late, I wake up to find the mayor of Nagasaki had been shot by a yakuza gang member from Japan's top gang. Mayor Ito "was a liberal and a vocal opponent of nuclear weapons... and urged Japan to get out from under the American nuclear umbrella."(Time) He was shot over not approving that the goverment pay for the gang member's car damage.
Today my supervisor showed me a picture of the ninja fest that was in the newspaper, asked if I was a certain person and if they were all foreigners. It wasn't me.. but the girl in the background had a purse very similar to mi--- wait a minute! That's me! I was in the photo after all!
I also placed my first letterbox there. woo!
Ninja Van
Ninja's hiding spots
Ueno Castle made form postal stamps!
Ninjas wall climbing and picnicing
JUST THEN...
There was a BIG EARTHQUAKE!
It was a 5.4 and the center of it was about 25 min by train away, so really really close! I was on the ground having my ninja picnic, and it struck! It's weird because everyone is quiet and it sounds like thunder, but from everywhere, not just a place in the sky. A tremor occurred about a minute afterwards in which I screamed a little from nerves, and got laughed at a bit. I don't understand how people think something with such remarkably easy potential to hurt and kill is fun.
I came home to find things knocked over, the extreme things were my TV stand moved, my smoke detector was in the next room, and my coaster flew 7 feet... but my tall thin bottle of moisturizer had not budged!
As if there weren't enough violence as of late, I wake up to find the mayor of Nagasaki had been shot by a yakuza gang member from Japan's top gang. Mayor Ito "was a liberal and a vocal opponent of nuclear weapons... and urged Japan to get out from under the American nuclear umbrella."(Time) He was shot over not approving that the goverment pay for the gang member's car damage.
Today my supervisor showed me a picture of the ninja fest that was in the newspaper, asked if I was a certain person and if they were all foreigners. It wasn't me.. but the girl in the background had a purse very similar to mi--- wait a minute! That's me! I was in the photo after all!
I also placed my first letterbox there. woo!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Cherry Blossom viewing
Friday was another school party. This time the Junior High. Many of the teachers spoke to me for the first time. Alcohol lets you become friendly! I think they may like me more, now they know I do know some Japanese and they don't have to use English. The new English teacher is very bubbly and young, I hope we can hang out after school. I was invited to THE AFTER PARTY. Apparently, it is rare for JETs to be invited to these, so I was thrilled and of course I accepted! The BOE has asked Chris and I to do karaoke afterwards, but I'm not sure if that counts. Here, I chatted with the new principal and got a couple of cell phone email addresses and a new surfing buddy. I even sang a karaoke song in Japanese in hopes to impress.
After party:
The new principal wanted me to drink whiskey with him, thankfully, that was not on the all you can drink menu that came with our room rental.
After being immobile on saturday, cut to sunday:
Cherry Blossom viewing!
Osaka-jo (Castle) is one of the best places to see sakura (cherry blossoms) in all of Japan. You bring a picnic or even a grill, and set up under some trees and watch the petals fall.
VIDEO of the scene:
I'll leave you with the cute photo of the day, Farva eating a carrot:
After party:
The new principal wanted me to drink whiskey with him, thankfully, that was not on the all you can drink menu that came with our room rental.
After being immobile on saturday, cut to sunday:
Cherry Blossom viewing!
Osaka-jo (Castle) is one of the best places to see sakura (cherry blossoms) in all of Japan. You bring a picnic or even a grill, and set up under some trees and watch the petals fall.
VIDEO of the scene:
I'll leave you with the cute photo of the day, Farva eating a carrot:
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Enaki
Last night was an enkai (drinking party) for the Board of Education to welcome the new people and give thanks to those who are leaving.
Before:
During:
It is customary to never pour your own drink. So everyone goes around to chat and pour drinks for each other. Even if your glass is full, they will top it off, or wait for you to drink some so they can refill it. I had a small glass of wine, probably a big bottle of beer, and 1.5 bottles worth of sake in total. Usually sake isn’t that great, but this was warm and very smooth. I was talking with some people in my department and my supervisor came over and someone says "Hello" in English to him. He shakes his head and says "I don't know, I don't know. uh, This is a pen." Which is THE standard learning English sentence, so even people who don't know any English know that (even if they don't know the meaning). That was the funniest thing ever that night.
Here is a picture of my supervisor and I, drunk.
The Japanese turn red when they drink, and I was surprised to see bright red faces appearing so fast. The former Jr High principal was getting pretty red (and even worse later) so I made sure to get my picture with him. At first he refused, saying “No. No. I am tako. My face …tako.” Tako means octopus, which is often portrayed as a comical small red cartoon.
The girls:
Terumi poked a crab eyeball on her plate and I literally screamed because it was so disgusting.
Here are pictures of me and Chris's specially prepared meals:
At the end of the night the organizer was trying to calm everyone down to say thanks and to yell “bonzai” three times and then leave. But the former principal asked me what tako was in English.
Whispering
Me: “Octopus.”
Former Principal: “Oc-to-poose.”
Guy beside him: “Octopus. Ah! 8. Like October. Hatchi-gatsu (eighth month).”
Me: “Octo is eight, but October is ten.” (I hold up all my fingers to mean "10th month")
Guy: “Oooh!”
Organizer: “JENIFAA!”
Everyone: laughter.
Felt like I was in Kindergarten! Everyone is waiting and I kept on talking.
We were done at 8:30 and I was in bed at 9:15 and up at 6:40. Mysteriously, I can’t move my right index finger without pain this morning.
We also saw an old man peeing with the door open. Oh Japan!
Oh, and I get to do this Friday too.
Before:
During:
It is customary to never pour your own drink. So everyone goes around to chat and pour drinks for each other. Even if your glass is full, they will top it off, or wait for you to drink some so they can refill it. I had a small glass of wine, probably a big bottle of beer, and 1.5 bottles worth of sake in total. Usually sake isn’t that great, but this was warm and very smooth. I was talking with some people in my department and my supervisor came over and someone says "Hello" in English to him. He shakes his head and says "I don't know, I don't know. uh, This is a pen." Which is THE standard learning English sentence, so even people who don't know any English know that (even if they don't know the meaning). That was the funniest thing ever that night.
Here is a picture of my supervisor and I, drunk.
The Japanese turn red when they drink, and I was surprised to see bright red faces appearing so fast. The former Jr High principal was getting pretty red (and even worse later) so I made sure to get my picture with him. At first he refused, saying “No. No. I am tako. My face …tako.” Tako means octopus, which is often portrayed as a comical small red cartoon.
The girls:
Terumi poked a crab eyeball on her plate and I literally screamed because it was so disgusting.
Here are pictures of me and Chris's specially prepared meals:
At the end of the night the organizer was trying to calm everyone down to say thanks and to yell “bonzai” three times and then leave. But the former principal asked me what tako was in English.
Whispering
Me: “Octopus.”
Former Principal: “Oc-to-poose.”
Guy beside him: “Octopus. Ah! 8. Like October. Hatchi-gatsu (eighth month).”
Me: “Octo is eight, but October is ten.” (I hold up all my fingers to mean "10th month")
Guy: “Oooh!”
Organizer: “JENIFAA!”
Everyone: laughter.
Felt like I was in Kindergarten! Everyone is waiting and I kept on talking.
We were done at 8:30 and I was in bed at 9:15 and up at 6:40. Mysteriously, I can’t move my right index finger without pain this morning.
We also saw an old man peeing with the door open. Oh Japan!
Oh, and I get to do this Friday too.
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