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!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
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!)
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!
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