This is all about ME!

In case you were wondering....

2010-11-30T19:52:00.001+09:00

I passed my Chinese interview test! Now that the class is over I plan on studying more Japanese. I will study Chinese again someday.

Dessert!

2010-11-30T19:51:00.002+09:00

Tiny car

2010-11-30T19:47:00.002+09:00

I have seen these cars around town quite a bit. I even pass by some of them parked on someone's lot on the way to my Wednesday and Friday schools, which leads me to believe they are all owned by the same person. I have no clue who makes them, they almost seem homemade to me. I love them though!

Strange house

2010-11-30T19:44:00.002+09:00

This house is just down the block from me. It is so strange, but I love it. I don't know who the people are live there or why they decided to put chrome (or whatever it is) along the edges of their house. It is unique though!

So nervous!

2010-11-26T14:26:00.004+09:00

I don't know how many people I have told, but this fall I have been taking a Chinese class. The class is offered through the Tokyo branch of Temple University. It is taught all in English.

I took the course for several reasons, the main one being since being over here I have realized how much of an impact China had on the history of, not only Japan, but of Asia (and the world). Whether we like it or not, China is continuing to grow and I believe they are going into another golden age. Well, they still have many problems, but they are up and coming. I thought, why not learn the language, it might be useful in the future?

But I also had another reason for learning. When I visit Corey in Qingdao, him and other foreigners seem to know Chinese more than my foreign friends here in Japan, even without having any sort of Chinese lesson before coming to the country.

There are a few reasons for that. The main one being, though the four tones are difficult, Chinese grammar is very similar to English compared to Japanese grammar. In English we say, I love you, in Chinese they say I love you, in Japanese they say I you love (I think). Basically it is like talking like Yoda!

Another reason has to do with confidence. This is completely my theory, but in Japan having confidence is not a good thing. I know Japanese people whose English is excellent, only to have them tell me their English is awful. I think this mind set trickles down to foreigners. I have many foreign friends who know Japanese, speak Japanese, and have test scores to prove they understand Japanese, only to tell me their Japanese isn't good. Their Japanese is good, they live in a culture where it is not ok to say it is.

China is different. It is much more laid back there and I believe foreigners are more comfortable practicing their Chinese with native speakers. Because of this, they pick up the language really quickly. Many people I know who studied Japanese a bit before coming say they actually lose some of their ability to speak once they come to Japan. I would say instead they lost some of their confidence.

I am not a very confident person at all, so I have not picked up Japanese. I can understand people when they are talking, I can read some hiragana and katakana, but I don't know what everything means and most of the time when someone says something to me I don't know how to respond, even if I understand what they are saying.

So, I took this Chinese class to not only learn a bit of the language, but also gain some confidence.

I can say it is working, I feel I could go to China and tell a taxi drive where I want to go, and I could order food in a restaurant, all in Chinese. My next plan is to study more Japanese now that my class is almost over. I have found this class has showed me how to study again (being out of school four years, I forgot how to study) and I liked the structure the instructor provided and if I study Japanese in the same way I studied Chinese I can pick it up more.

Being in the actual class has been interesting. I thought since the school is an American school and it is taught in English, it would be a mix of foreigners and Japanese. I was wrong! Except for an Indian girl, I am the only foreigner! Plus, since the class is in English, the students are learning a third language in their second language! I tip my hat off to them.

It has been interesting to me to see how Japanese students are in a university. At home when there is a break in the class, most students go outside and smoke, go get something to eat etc. Here many students stay in the room and study during the break! Though as time as gone on I see more students are actually having a rest on the break. Plus I realize we are all adults in the class and I was comparing them to university students from when I was in school. Well of course a 19 year old is going to use their break and not study! I am sure if I took an adult class at home, they would study during the break as well. When else would they have time?

Anyway, on the reason for my post. This Saturday (tomorrow, eek!) is my final. We have a private interview with the instructor! She gave us a schedule and twenty questions from the schedule. She will ask us ten of them. She is going to record our answers and then play them back for the whole class! My God I could die!

I am a bit nervous. I have studied quite a bit, and we are allowed to bring whatever we want into the interview with us (um........can we bring a Chinese person?). But I am still nervous to say the least.

I will post how it goes. Once the class is over I will update the blog more. I have some photos I took that I have been meaning to post, but all my extra time has been for studying.

I'll update soon!

Snowflake

2010-11-10T19:10:00.005+09:00

On Wednesdays I go to Sakai High school. I was told the symbol of the school is a snowflake and the students even wear a pin with a snowflake on it.

One day I noticed the fountain was the same shape as their pins. Most of the year it doesn't have water in it, but right now it still does. I have no idea when they will drain it.

I don't really think this looks like a snowflake, but I like the fountain.

Sensing Nature

2010-11-10T18:46:00.008+09:00

Milada and I went Mori Art Museum on Sunday to see an exhibit called, "Sensing Nature." It was really cool, but kind of small. The best exhibits were these two. The first one was a snow scene made with feathers and powered by fans that would timed to turn on and off. The effect was amazing, snow on the inside of a building in Tokyo! The only thing that ruined it was the two lines across the glass, can you see them? I wonder how many times the "snow" has moved around?

The best part of the exhibit was the tree one. When I first walked in, I thought we were supposed to be in a cave, but when I saw a hole I poked my head through and was delighted to see a whole world above the handmade paper cave. It was a huge white forest made out of paper! The artist encouraged viewers to try different areas to see many boundaries. It was amazing!

Halloween!

2010-11-10T18:31:00.004+09:00

This year I didn't do anything for Halloween. The Monday beforeReiko and I did go to Disneyland to check out the decorations, but the day of I didn't want to do anything. It turned out to be a good idea because on Saturday (the day everyone went out) there was a typhoon! It was wet and windy outside. I did manage to go to Tokyo to my Chinese class, but that is about all I could do.

In Japan people are expected to by omiyage for their coworkers. What is omiyage you ask? Well Wikipedia says, "In Japan, souvenirs are known as meibutsu (products associated with a particular region); and omiyage, candies or other edibles to be shared with co-workers. Omiyage sales are big business at Japanese tourist sites." Now you know.

I have never bought omiyage for my co-workers, mostly because I go to four schools and it is just too many people to buy for. ***I should point out my other friends who sometimes go to more schools than I do, always buy omiyage. Still, my teachers don't expect me to buy it for them and I don't expect to receive some from them, though I often do.*** I didn't bring anything back from my visit to the US because I didn't have room in my luggage, the Halloween candy I brought back weighed four pounds and I had to take it out of my check-in or pay $150 overweight fee! Um...no candy is worth that much!

Enter Costco. We don't have Costco in South Dakota, but Japan does. After I came back from home I went to this magical place and found some bite size Snickers bars on sale! ***It should be noted that Japan does have Snickers bars that can be found in most combinis, supermarkets, and other places where candy is sold.***

So this year for Halloween I made a little sign that said "Happy Halloween" with an arrow pointed down, and put it in the kitchen area of the teachers room. I it was a hit because the candy went fast (I even had to refill the bowl) and someone who was in a festive mood even put two persimmons in front of the bowl in place of pumpkins. I really appreciated the effort!

Good Food!!

2010-11-10T18:27:00.003+09:00

There is this restaurant that originated in a town called Sakai that is just the next town over. It is now a chain and it is called Bando. The name has nothing to do with the town I live in. I even think the kanji is different (meaning it would have a different meaning) an Bando is a family name in Japan, so I believe the restaurant is named after a family and the town Bando means slope east. Anyway, it doesn't matter where they got the name, the point is the food, man is it good! The restaurant is famous for udon and soba. I like to get this udon set with a fried pork cutlet, yummy! Don't worry, I never eat the whole thing at once! I usually eat the udon and one piece of pork (and the pickled vegetables) and take the rest home for later!

Lunch

2010-10-14T10:38:00.003+09:00

Japan is famous for their bentos (lunch box) but I actually don't eat them too often. My counterparts at elementary and junior high schools do because they must eat lunch with the students. High school is much more relaxed. I often bring my own, or head out for a quick bite. My favorite lunch when I am at my base school is from a place called Sukiya.

Sukiya is a chain restuarant that serves up cheap beef bowl meals. I go there from my base school because it is right outside the gate of my school! In fact, as I type this I am looking at the sign outside the window.

Usually I get just a normal beef bowl with beef sauteed with onions over rice. I get the smallest size because for some reason they do have a lot of calories in them. Then I add on a salad for ￥100 extra. Totally cost for my lunch is about 230 yen, not bad. I usually add a packet or two of pickled ginger for more favor (those are the pink things in the photo).

Today, however I noticed they have a new beef bowl with celery for 330 yen. I am always looking for ways to eat more vegetables, so I tried it. Its really nice! I think I have a new favorite at Sukiya!

I know I know, I need to update more....

2010-10-13T09:23:00.002+09:00

I am so bad about updating this blog! I guess I have gotten into kind of a rut with it for many reasons. The main one being, I have been in Japan long enough now, I don't know what will be interesting to anyone at home anymore. I realize that is stupid now because after being at home and talking with people, anything I put on here can be interesting. Ok, I get it. I will try to do more posting, even if it is something small (like what I had for lunch).

Another reason, since I lost my camera (ahem, over a year ago, ahem) I haven't really been into taking photos. I know if I had a nice camera I wouldn't mind so much, actually I think I would become somewhat of a ameuter photographer. My lovely friend Reiko lent me her old point and shoot and I am so grateful for that, but it is still not the best to use and as such I just don't take photos anymore. Photos make the blog interesting, so there you go.

Finally, I don't blog because I hate talking about myself. I have no problem complaining to others about things going on in my life, but actually talking about myself, no. I am someone who really doesn't have any natural or hidden talents, I am not passionate about anything and on many topics I am pretty neutral, so what do I have to say that is important or interesting? Not much! But this is kind of a low self esteem thing that I realize I need to work on. So even if I don't think something is important or interesting, I will still post it anyway. Maybe it would build my confidance?

So, in coming days, weeks, months I will post more on the blog. I promise! Now to clear the memory card in my card, which has photos in it from June.....!

It's so hard to say good-bye :'(

2010-08-24T20:33:00.004+09:00

A few weeks ago I posted that some of my friends were leaving Japan in coming weeks. The time has now pasted and they are all gone :( I know everyone reading this has had people move away, or you yourself have moved away. When I came to Japan I didn't really expect to make such good friends. I don't really remember what I expected. I certainly didn't expect having everyone leave would be so hard on me. It is hard for me to describe what it is like. Friendships in Japan are different than at home. We become close on a level that doesn't happen at home. We become more like family. However, unlike family, we all live so far away from each other, we can't be certain we will ever see each other again. Even if we do, it won't be the same and we won't be all together. Still, I am thankful I met such wonderful people in Japan. I will miss them so much.

Pictured is some people who left. Not everyone is who left is pictured. Next to me is Cat, who went back to the UK. The tall brown haired stud Cat's boyfriend Adam who also went back to the UK. In the front Liyan (the girl with the glasses) went back to Singapore. I will love them forever.

Snake!

2010-08-06T09:49:00.000+09:00

I had something funny happen on Tuesday morning. After I moved to my new place my cat Chloe was kind of anxious being in a new territory. She would whine a lot. So I started keeping the sliding back door open a bit in the evenings so she can come and go as she pleases, because she doesn't whine at me when the door is open. Lately I haven't been doing it as much because she seems to have adjusted, so I told myself by winter time, no more open back door.

On Tuesday morning Chloe woke me up at 4am because she wanted out. She likes to follow me everywhere I go and the night before I had gone out for a walk. I didn't want her to come, so I made her stay inside. Because of that she slept a lot and was ready to get up early. I let her out, ate some breakfast and went back to sleep keeping the door open. I didn't want to get up again to let her in, otherwise she whines outside until I let her in. I usually wear earplugs, but I didn't want anything in my ear because I had an ear infection last week.

At about 6:30 I woke up to some noise in my living room (my bed room is just off the living room). Chloe had just gotten some new toys from Emily and I thought she was playing with them. I told her to shut up and tried to go back to sleep. She kept playing though, so I finally turned over and looked into the living. Imagine my surprise when I saw a snake slithering across my living room floor. It was hissing at Chloe and she was playing with it.

The snake was skinny, but long (maybe three feet?). To be honestly with you, I really wanted to just go back to sleep and deal with it later. Then I called my brother on Skype. As I was telling him I started to feel faint. He told me to put the camera on Chloe. I did, but the snake was under a cushion. I wanted to move the cushion to show him the snake, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I really started to feel faint at that point. He told me to go get my other friends in Bando and to close all the doors so the snake doesn't go into another room.

I did what he said and I went to my friend Milada's house. I must have been in shock. When we got back to my place wasn't anywhere to be found and Chloe was relaxing on the floor. I thought Milada and Nick (her boyfriend who is visiting) would think I was crazy. I also realized in my panic I had failed to close the door to my bedroom.

Both of my fears were unjustified because Milada noticed the snake under the kotatsu. It wasn't moving as much as when I left. Chloe was really picking on it. She would swat at it and then roll around with it. She was having so much fun. We managed to get Chloe away and then we threw a plastic bin over the snake. Next, we slid cardboard under it. Then we lifted it up and finally took it outside where we released it. It didn't move much, I think it was dying or in shock.

After Milada and Nick left I managed to go back to sleep for a few hours. Before that, I talked to my brother again. I kind of hung up on him on Skype and he was worried. He called me nine times while this was going on. I didn't even know he had my keitai number! I couldn't answer because my keitai was in the same room as the snake! When he realized the snake was gone and I was ok he started laughing because he said Chloe looked so calm when he saw her, she wasn't afraid of the snake at all and she thought she was doing something good by bringing it in! After that I went to bed again. I kept Chloe outside and the door shut. When I woke up and let her in again she started looking for the snake and whining when she couldn't find it! I thought that was so funny.

So now my door is shut all the time. I don't want this to happen ever again!

When I woke up again I remembered Nick had said something like, yay my first snake, or something. I thought it was odd because he is at least 40 and never had to deal with a snake? Then I remembered he is from Ireland, Ireland doesn't have snakes! They legend goes Saint Patrick drove all of the snakes into the sea, that one of the reasons why he is remembered. Milada (who is from Ireland too) and Nick were much calmer than me. I have seen many snakes, but I guess it is different when they are in your house! I don't know what I would have done without them.

Wonderful Wednesdays (or at least they used to be)

2010-07-23T16:30:00.002+09:00

Wednesdays used to be a great day for me here in Japan. When I first met Guy, he told me 1. there were other ALTs in Bando, and 2. they got together a lot on Wednesdays. And that is how it all got started. I met Cotter and Jeff on a Wednesday. We used to go eat ramen or sushi, or I would cook. We would play games or watch movies. It didn't matter what we were doing, as long as we were together it was fun.

I knew Wednesday would never be the same once the guys left, and I was right. No more dinners, no more games or movies, no more anything. I got used to it. Wednesdays became my one night of free time because I started going back to my Japanese class on Tuesdays (which was my old free night). I still missed wonder Wednesdays.

My Wednesdays have changed again, only this time for the worse. When I went to the doctor for my first ibo treatment (which was on a Thursday if you must know ;) ) he informed me that a doctor from the same hospital comes to Bando on Wednesdays and he can give me treatments. It was good news because going to Tsukuba every week wouldn't be easy. And how would I have done it anyway? Take a day off each week just to go to the doctor? I doubt my schools would have liked that. It was just a huge mess in my head, so when the doctor said I can get it done in Bando on Wednesdays I was happy.

My joy soon faded when I realized how painful the treatment is. I have already posted how awful it is a few weeks ago. Let me give you an update. The black and blue on my fingers has faded, but the week after my first treatment I had a fever. Last week was ok because I took some aspirin before I went in, but he used a bigger swab on my foot, so it was in pain for days. This week I didn't get a chance to take aspirin before I went in, so I was forced to take seven...SEVEN that evening before the pain finally dulled..and now I am black and blue again.

I am so disappointed that my wonder Wednesdays have turned into this. I can't even make plans with anyone on Wednesdays because I can't guarantee I won't have a fever, or that I'll be able to walk. Funny how quickly my favorite day of the week has turned into my least favorite.

More good byes a comin'...

2010-07-14T09:53:00.002+09:00

Summer break is on the horizon here in Japan, and with that comes another loss. Many of my friends who are in the JET Program are leaving Japan. Some of them I arrived with two years ago, others have been here longer. They are all leaving for various reasons, some want to start their careers, others have been in the JET Program as long as the program allows (five years).

It will be hard for me because my friends are really great people. Of course I am hopeful whoever replaces them will be just as great, but there is something about going through this with the people I came with that is lost upon the newbies. At least I will be here to help them with the transition.

Also, I am just now getting used to the guys being gone, and I will have to go through all of it again. Luckily before they leave we have lots of fun planned. Some of them are even staying with me before they leave. Yay!

So, here's to having a good time. I am thankful I have good friends from all over the world that I can go and visit someday.

Fuji

2010-07-02T14:10:00.002+09:00

Today Junpei sent me a photo from the top of Mount Fuji today. How nice!

Safety for YOU!

2010-07-02T14:02:00.003+09:00

Last night Cotter, Milada and I went for a walk and and we came across an old condom machine. The photo is kind of bad, but here it is.

The condoms in the machine are not old, and actually they are a bit expensive ($5 to $10). I like running into little things like this in Japan.

Ibo

2010-07-02T13:49:00.004+09:00

So, about two years ago I got warts on my fingers. However, I thought they were just dry skin, so for a year I put lotion on them. Then when my brother was here last summer he told me what they were, so I went to the doctor and he gave me some stuff that did nothing. I have spent the past year using over the counter stuff to treat them, but they have only spread (on my feet) or have gotten bigger. So I finally went to another doctor who put nitrogen on it to kill it. I am happy to finally have a treatment that works, however it could take months or even a year for it to work. In the meantime I know whatever treatment that is used in the US probably works faster, but is illegal here in Japan. So I might have to put up with my fingers looking like this for

a year.

Maybe when I go home I will have someone look at them.

I'm comin home!

2010-06-29T16:37:00.003+09:00

Hey everyone, I just want to tell you that I finally bought a ticket to come home. By the time I go, it will be over two years since I was home last. I am a bit afraid to return. My ticket is for September 16th-28th. I hope I can see a lot of people while I am home!

Otherwise, things have been going ok. I am getting used to being in Bando without the guys. Of course I still miss them, but I am ok. I had an open house this past Saturday. In total, thirteen people were there. Not a bad turn out! At the last Saturday of every month this summer Bando is having a small festival. Since my party was the day of the festival we all headed down there. It was a nice relax, chill festival. Next we tried to do some bowling, but the league was having a meeting. We went back to my house and then some people started to leave (it was after ten at this point). After they left a small group of us went to watch the South Korea game. All in all it was a good night in my small town. The only thing missing was the guys.

I am sorry I don't have photos of the party. Other people took pictures though, so maybe some day I will put them on. It was nice to have a fun night in my town again, it had been too long.

Ageha

2010-06-29T16:32:00.002+09:00

Well, as you can see from the photo on the title picture, I am raising caterpillars again. The one above will be Ageha (swallowtail butterfly-I only now the name in Japanese because there is a club I have been to called Ageha, is that bad?). I found some of these guys before I left for China. Cotter took care of them for me while I was gone. They all changed, so when I got back I went and found new ones. It has been fun having them again. Cotter has photos of what they look like once they emerge, but for now I have to wait until the ones I have even go into chrysalis. Cotter has really gotten into having them as well. It is fun to have something to share together.

China 2010

2010-06-29T11:18:00.007+09:00

Hey everyone, sorry for the long time between posts. I haven't really been up to much. Well, that isn't true. I went to China again. This time it was much more of a chill relaxing trip, verses a sightseeing trip. I had fun though! I went to the World Expo in Shanghai. I can't really explain what it is, I guess it is the modern version of the Worlds Fair? I didn't get the chance to go inside any of the pavilions. The lines were over three hours long, and the Chinese have a different concept of space (basically they have no space bubble, so I was always having people cut in front of me because they thought I was letting them go through, but really I was trying to establish some sort of space bubble!). So I just walked around and took photos. I was so tired though, I didn't even see all of them (including America's, sorry!). Everyone said hands down the best pavilion was from the UK.
Basically it is a big spiky building. I heard it lights up at night! So cool!

Back in Qingdao I had a good time with Corey. I didn't really take too many photos, but we went on a hike to this reservoir where they get the water for the famous Tsingtao beer. While resting there a nice family came to talk to me. The little boy told me his English name is Lucky Boy! I wonder if that is what the characters for his name mean?

I finally got a good view of the buildings in Shanghai. Last time the pollution was so bad.

In Beijing I didn't really do much. I did go the Summer Palace. It was burned by the French and the British in the late 1800's I think, but it has been restored. It was built for the royal family to escape the heat of Beijing. But actually it isn't far from Beijing at all (I took the metro to get there!) and I didn't think it was that much cooler.

All and all my trip to China was very good. I can't wait to go back.

Chloe is missing :( update! and the boys last few weeks...

2010-05-25T14:35:00.008+09:00

Hey everyone! After missing for one week (and one day), I finally found Chloe! I found her close to my old place. I am so relived I found her. She is ok, she lost some weight and her fur wasn't as nice as it usually is (probably due to lack of eating) but she is fine. I am not sure what the future is for Chloe and I. I have thought maybe she is better off staying at the old place. But right now she is sleeping in my bed and I can worry about her later.

I haven't updated this blog in a long time (except for recent posts). I really wanted to tell you about all the things I did with the guys during their last month in Japan. However, I didn't take many photos of it, so I was waiting until someone would give me their photos. I have been lazy in asking them though, so I am going to post without (good photos).

The biggest highlight (to me) of the guys last month in Japan was their farewell party. I surprised them ;) I told them that Emily and Reiko wanted to have dinner with them on a random Thursday night, which they totally bought. What was really going on was I had a bunch of people come to town to throw them a party. However, many of their close friends lived far away. My friends were happy to come, but I didn't want to throw a party for them and just have my friends attend. I was lucky because each one of them had a friend come to surprise them. One (good friend) coming is better than none, right?

I was so nervous the night of the party. Of course everyone was late (which I expected) and since it was my job to distract the guys while everyone arrived, I couldn't be there to set up for the party. It wasn't that I didn't trust my friends setting up, I knew they would do a fabulous job (which they did)....I was just so nervous that somehow the surprise would be ruined and setting up for the party would have been a good way to distract me. Instead I had to play it cool with the guys.

Once I got word that they were ready for us to come, I began my surprise. I placed them under arrest. Their crime-leaving me behind (or as my mom put it, "leaving the scene of a good time!"). I handcuffed, blindfolded and got them into the back of my car (with Cotters help). It was so funny! I had never seen such babies. At one point Jack's noise itched and somehow he leaned over to have Jeff (who turned to his side) scratch it! It was great!

The party was fun. As mentioned, my friends did a wonderful job setting up, and the boys were really surprised and touched that so many people came to see them off.

The days after that are kind of a blur. I saw them say good bye to so many people at that time, it was crazy. On their final day I drive both of them to Kashiwa. I took Jack to the train station there, and Jeff to his friend Stephen's house. The two last photos I took of them were at their apartments. They both lived in apartments called Leo Palace. Though it looks like they are the same room, actually they lived in different buildings. When I took the photos I remembered how my parents used to take photos of my brother and I on our first day of school. They would dress us up, take a photo and send us off into the world. I kind of felt like I was doing that to the boys. I was letting them go by taking one last photo of them at their place.

I would be lying to you if I said I have been happy in the weeks since they left. Actually, I have been quite sad. With them leaving, Jetta getting adopted, my move and then Chloe missing (but now found!) I have been on quite an emotional roller coaster. Minus the Chloe missing part, I did have plenty of time to prepare for all the changes, but it still hasn't been easy. I do miss my "old" life.

I think that is the real reason why I didn't update this blog. It wasn't just the photos, it was I wasn't ready to put the guys in my past. I take my own time getting over things and I guess I am just going to have to wait this one out.

In the end I realize I how lucky I was to have such wonderful people in my small town in Japan that I had such good chemistry with. I can honestly say that I did know and appreciate them while they were here, but of course now that they are gone I am seeing even more how lucky I was. I am so thankful to have had them...and I made sure they knew that before they left.

So that is all I have to say about the boys for now. I will post photos as I get them. Thank you for reading my last post (for now) about them. I hope to see them again one day.

Chloe is missing :(

2010-05-20T14:46:00.002+09:00

The past two months have really been an emotional roller coaster for me. First the boys left, then I gave away Jetta, then I moved. I haven't been as happy as I was before, but I was hoping things would settle down and I could get used to all the changes in my new apartment with Chloe. I was wrong. Chloe is now missing. It has been several days since I saw her last. She followed me when I walked to a restaurant the other night and she didn't wait for me outside like she usually does. I haven't seen her since. I have looked for her but came up with nothing. I am still hopeful she will find her way home. I have made a missing poster (which Reiko translated) that I plan on putting up as soon as it stops raining (which should be tomorrow). Let's hope Chloe comes home soon.

Bye Jetta

2010-05-20T14:41:00.002+09:00

Hey Everyone. It has been a long time since I wrote last. A lot has happened since that time. The biggest thing is I moved into my new apartment. It is a really nice place. I am lucky to have such a nice apartment. I really am. The downside to moving is I had to give away Jetta. On April 5th I took her to Tokyo. She was really scared, but a good girl on the train. I gave her a to a shelter. Once there she was fixed and then put into a foster home. The shelter told me it might take a couple months for her to get adopted. Imagine my surprise she was adopted in under a month. She was a really good cat, so maybe I am not too surprised so was adopted so quickly. I was happy and sad at the same time. Happy she found a good home, but sad she would never come back to mine. I told myself everyday I was going to Tokyo to bring her back, now I can't. I hope Jetta makes her new family as happy as she made me. Bye Jetta, I love you forever.

They're gone :(

2010-04-02T11:50:00.003+09:00

I just parted ways with two of my good friends that lived in my small town here in Japan. I will update more about the past year I just spent with them, right now I am just too exhausted to post anything about them. They were GREAT friends and I miss them dearly. Jack is going back to th UK, where he wants to continue studying Japanese and find a job. Jeff is going to Hong Kong where he will stay with a friend for about a month. Then he is coming back to Japan for a day (where I hope I can see him) and then flying home to Vancouver. If he likes Hong Kong he will return there to live. As for me, I am in the process of moving to a new apartment. I hope it will be a new beginning for me. My old place has too many memories of the boys. BYE BYE BOYS, I love you so much.

Then Osaka!

2010-01-29T11:29:00.005+09:00

After Kyoto we went to Osaka! It was so close! We only spent one night there, so we didn't do many things. We stayed next to his famous street (I am sorry I can't think of the name of it) and there we ate takoyaki (octopus balls!). Then we went to the Umeda building, which has an observatory on the roof. I was amazing!!! Then we went to some castle (I don't remember the name, sorry) but it was closed because it was close to New Year's! I can't wait to go to Osaka again!

Christmas in Kyoto

2010-01-29T11:07:00.008+09:00

For Christmas I went to Kyoto with a lot of people. We stayed at this really great hostel (which I didn't get photos of, I am sorry). It was nice to get away for a while. On my trip I went to Kyoto Tower (first photo), the Golden Temple (next two photos), the Silver Temple (which has a nice zen garden!)(next three photos), the place that has all the orange Ottori gates (sorry I don't remember the name)(next photo). I was shocked to find out the writing on them is corporations. They are all sponsored! It is supposed to be a holy place! Oh well. Finally, I dressed up like a Geisha, actually it was a Maico (an apprentice Geisha)(last photo). It was fun!

Traditional Japanese Christmas

2010-01-12T12:41:00.005+09:00

The Japanese don't celebrate Christmas. Their image of Christmas is going to Disneyland and eating KFC for dinner. I am not kidding! They also eat Christmas cake. This year, we decided to have a traditional Japanese Christmas of KFC! It was soo good, but I was sick after we ate! We couldn't find cake though, but it was ok. Everyone got nice presents, and Jack and Jeff even dressed as Santa! Can you guess who is who?
Jack was really proud of his Christmas jumper (sweater).

Let's pound mochi!

2010-01-12T12:24:00.002+09:00

I went to the mochi pounding party in Kamakura again this year. It was fun! This year Jack came with me and we pounded away. Baby Anna was there too! Don't you think that Jack and I look like a yuppy married couple adopting an Asian baby?!? I think so too! Luckily Junpei stepped into the next shot to show who the real daddy is!

Jeffrey's Birthday!

2010-01-12T11:54:00.003+09:00

Jeff’s birthday was December 16th. I went a little overboard! But he is a really good person and he does so many things for others, he deserves someone making a big deal about the day he was born. Plus I just love him sooo much ;)
For dinner we went to a French restaurant here in Bando. They reserved a room for us, it was really nice! We had a four course meal. I have three of the courses pictured. We forgot to take a photo of the second course! I assure you it was good though. The first course was…..I am not sure but it had cavier in it! The second one was….hum I can’t remember because we didn’t take a photo of it! The third course was a sweet potato soup. Yummy! The finally course was beef. It was all soo good.
Then it was time for cake. I Jeff had mentioned once he wished he could have some carrot cake. Carrot cake is not common in Japan. So, I had my Dad send me some, with cream cheese frosting, from the US (thanks Daddy!). My next issue was, where do I bake it? Japanese kitchens do not have ovens. Luckily, Reiko’s family has a small oven. I decided cupcakes would be best, because Dad had sent some Happy Birthday candles as a surprise (thanks again Daddy!), one on each cupcake would look nice. My final issue was, where do I find a cupcake pan? Because ovens are not common, it isn’t easy finding baking supplies. Finally I found one (and some cute paper cupcakes cups) and Reiko and I spent hours baking. It was worth it because they turned out really nice and they made Jeff happy and that was the whole point anyway! I was really nervous about his birthday, but it turned out to be a success and he was really thankful for all the work put into it, and touched by all the people who came. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!

Performance and Poop

2009-12-01T11:04:00.004+09:00

Well, I have been trying to update more, but I don't really have anything interesting to post. I went to Cirque De Soleil on Saturday. I saw the Zed show (the permanent show at Tokyo Disneyland). It was so amazing! I arrived late, and it was only at intermission I realized we could take photos (with no flash of course), but I didn't take any.
I had no Thanksgiving this year. Reiko's grandpa died last week, so I went to her house on Thanksgiving. In Japan when someone dies, the keep the body at the house and people come over to visit. So I spent the evening dining next to his body. It was strange, but also a great cultural experience. Reiko really misses him though, she is sad. That makes me sad.
In other news, Jetta is two months old now! I can't believe it! I have been bottle feeding her for two months?!? Now it is time to find her a home. She still isn't litter trained though. I found a massive poop field behind my bed. It smelled like a chicken coup! I have since found other little "blessings" around the house, but nothing as bad as the poop field. It is my fault, really. I am never home. But I am going to be home more this week, so I am going to focus on getting her litter trained. I know she can do it.
I am now starting to prepare for the Christmas season. I have already started my holiday shopping, in fact I am almost finished with it! I am going to Kyoto for Christmas. I can't wait!

You all take care.

Anna

Photos from my Birthday (September 7, 2009)

2009-11-17T10:36:00.003+09:00

Jack's Birthday (actual bday in August, celebrated early September)

2009-11-17T10:21:00.002+09:00

These are not in order, but anyway for Jack's birthday I made tacos. After dinner Emily and I tied him up and made him eat his cake. He LOVED it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!

over exposed

2009-11-10T07:36:00.002+09:00

yesterday most of my classes were canceled, so i thought i should take advantage of the nice day by going for a walk. i was enjoying the scenery when i saw a white pick-ups passed me and turn at the next right. he drove a few meters and then got out. i looked over and saw his pants were down. i have recently heard stories of japanese men exposing themselves to gaijin (foreign) women, and just that day i was reading about it my lonely planet. either way, i convinced myself he was just peeing (though why not on the tree just behind him?) (also, very common to see men peeing on the road in japan) and kept walking. i walked maybe 1k and decided it was time to turn around and head back. on the same road i thought i saw the same pick-up again, drive a meters, stop wait....it did that few times. can`t be the same guy, i thought, there are so many pick-ups like that around here. finally the pick-up turned on the main road and disappeared. i followed the road around some trees, with a beautiful meadow on my right that went on for ages. i was admiring the scenery when i heard a honking noise. does the joso line come close to here? no the train isn't close. then i saw it, same pick-up, same guy with his pants down, only this time he was rubbing his small little dick! my eyes, my virgin eyes!! trauma...oh the trauma....he had been honking at me to get my attention. of course the fact that he exposed himself to me creeps me out. but actually the fact he followed me around to do it twice bothers me more. i guess it is one of those things i have to get used to here in japan.

Wow! Long time no see!

2009-10-27T15:23:00.002+09:00

I can't believe it, but it has been almost two months since I wrote on this blog. I am so sorry! I don't have any excuses. Only, I did lost my camera this summer, so I haven't had any photos to post. Still, I could have written something-or at least told you that I don't have my camera. I think my life in Japan has gotten so ordinary, I just don't feel I have anything interesting to say anymore!

Anyway, I promise I will update this thing more! In the meantime, I hope the posts below tie you down for a while. I promise I will update again soon!

A weekend in Tokyo!

2009-10-27T15:12:00.004+09:00

Last weekend I was lucky to go out in Tokyo, not only Friday night, but Saturday night as well! Friday we went to a place called Alcatraz and had a course meal. It is a theme restaurant and the theme is, mental hospital prison, or something. They usually have a show, but didn't this time :( I don't know why not. But anyway, here is a picture from that.

Then Saturday I went out in Shinjuku to a "British Pub" called the Hub! After we went to karaoke. This coming weekend is Halloween, I can't wait to go out!

Painting Pumpkins!

2009-10-27T14:57:00.003+09:00

I had the boys over two weeks ago to paint some pumpkins. At first I felt like I was kind of making them do it, but we actually had a good time! Jack even made one with Jeff, Cotter and myself on it....how cute! We watched Family Guy and The Simpson's episodes online. They didn't leave until 12! I am so lucky to have such great friends right here in my town! I love my boys!
Cotter had a little bit too much fun!

New kitty!

2009-10-27T14:45:00.004+09:00

About three weeks ago I was meeting Jack for sushi. It was Monday night and it was dark and it had rained all day. I stepped outside and I heard a squeak noise. I began looking around in the dark for the noise. It was so wet outside. Finally I took out my little flash light and I came across this little guy (or girl).

I couldn't believe it! It must have been born that day because its eyes and ears were closed. It was soaking wet from the rain. I have no clue where it came from, but Chloe and I have been taking care of it ever since. Chloe does everything but feed it, which is what I do. The baby has gotten really healthy and everyone loves it! I am happy Chloe and I have a new addition to our "family!"

another year older.....not wiser.....

2009-08-31T12:34:00.002+09:00

1. Learn to speak and read Japanese.

2. Make new friends

3. Keep the friendships I have that are good.

4. Heal from the past year.

5. Visit my PC friends in Ghana.

6. Forgive people who hurt me.

7. Learn to play an instrument.

8. Paint and do other artistic things more often.

9. Visit a new country (or two or three!).

10. Climb Mount Fuji.

11. Plan for life after Japan.

12. Eat healthier.

13. Exercise three or four times a week.

14. Grow out my hair.

15. Save money.

16. Study the bible.

17. Get a pet (if I can).

18. Look into graduate school.

19. Study for the GRE.

20. Learn to take good photographs.

21. Study for the Japanese drivers license.

22. Go to the beach as much as I can.

23. Find a place to volunteer in Japan

24. Floss daily.

25. Keep my apartment clean.

26. Read more books.

27. Have fun!

I am about to turn 28. Last year when I was turning 27 I posted 27 goals for myself for the next year of my life. I am sad to say I failed most of them :( I did go to the beach (not too many times though)....got my drivers license.....studied Japanese (but not enough)....I flossed for a while.....I did read a lot......I got a pet!.....and I visited a couple of countries....and I did meet a lot of new friends....

Otherwise I have failed :( So this year I am not doing goals. It is pointless, I don't have enough discipline to accomplish anything.

On another note, I lost my camera (again) so that is why I haven't updated this blog in a long time. So, I will try, but I am not buying a new camera for a while. I just lose them, so it is a waste.

Last Friday Five Course Meal!

2009-07-22T18:39:00.003+09:00

Last Friday one of my school's had a five course dinner at a French restaurant. I am so lucky that I have had such nice food lately (however, my bank account is feeling it!).

Last Wednesday Five Course Meal!

2009-07-22T18:34:00.002+09:00

My old supervisor, Miyuki, invited me to a dinner last Wednesday night. It was at this really cute small Italian place right here in Bando! Yummy, it was so good!

Thoughts about China

2009-07-21T15:06:00.002+09:00

China was great. I didn't really know what to expect when I went there. Actually, I kind of expected it to be a lot like Japan, only ten or twenty years behind. Maybe it is? But honestly China was way different than I imagined. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend going. It was the best vacation I have ever been on. I am not sure if it was because of China, the food, or just the people I met, but it was great!

The Great Wall!

2009-07-21T14:58:00.002+09:00

Our final journey in China was to see The Great Wall. Our hostel told us about an eight kilometer hike, with transportation. We signed up! We went with Dan, Eva and James, some people we met at the hostel. The hike was hard! Going up and down, I barely kept up. But I can now say I did and I am proud of myself. We took a cable car to get up and a zip line over a lake to get to the bottom. It was so fun!

Beijing-the Forbidden City!

2009-07-21T14:52:00.002+09:00

The next day Rob and I went to the Forbidden City. It was so hot that day, and we were tired from the night before. So it was hard to get through it. Still, I am so glad we went. It was an amazing place!

Beijing-the best part!

2009-07-21T12:34:00.002+09:00

The last part of our trip we were in Beijing. We stayed at a hostel there and met the coolest people! Since Rob and I had separated for a few days (I went to Shanghai, he stayed in Qingdao) we met up at the hostel. Rob had already met some people and thirty minutes after I showed up we were out on the town! First we went to this market area that has strange food. We tried fried scorpion, grasshopper, starfish and baby chickens. Then we moved on to this nice local out door restaurant. One of our new friends, Young, spoke Mandarin. We were so thankful for him because without him we wouldn't have gone to these local places! Next we moved on to this bar area. It seemed touristy, but actually had many locals and Chinese tourists as well. Good times!

Shanghai

2009-07-21T12:31:00.002+09:00

I didn't spend too much time in Shanghai. I only went there to meet up with a friend. It was smoggy when I tried getting a picture of the skyline. I did get to go to a museum in People's Square. That was nice.

Qingdao-famous for the beer!

2009-07-21T12:25:00.003+09:00

Next we moved onto Qingdao, famous for their beer! Qingdao used to be a German colony, so some areas of town look very German! I didn't get a picture of the more modern skyline, but I did get some of the beach. So many brides were taking pictures at the beach for their weddings. We stopped counting! On the way back from the beach we got caught in a storm. It was so beautiful. The last picture is Corey's building.

Qingdao

2009-07-21T12:21:00.000+09:00

Xian-Terra Cotta Warriors

2009-07-21T12:12:00.002+09:00

So the story goes, in 1974 farmers digging a well (I believe) unearthed on of these soldiers. Historians had no clue what is was, but they started digging and have now found 4000 pieces. A whole army! They were never recorded in history, so one can only guess why they were made. But it is assumed they were made to protect the emperor after he died (I guess he was a bit of a jerk). The army is made out of clay and each one is different. It is thought that they were modeled after the real army at the time!

We had to wait a while to get in. Come to find out it was because the President of Turkey was there! He never waits for me.....

Xian-Terra Cotta Warriors

2009-07-21T12:05:00.003+09:00

Old Mosque in Xian (who knew?!?)

2009-07-21T12:00:00.003+09:00

Despite of China having no religion, Xian has a Muslim population. We explored an old Mosque. It was nice! We also went to a temple that had writings from Confucius! Wow!

Xian

2009-07-21T11:54:00.004+09:00

Sorry my blog is being stupid, so I am going to have to do it like this. Ok, so Xian was the capital of China for hundreds of years. A lot of the history of China surrounds Xian. I even read that the standard dialect of Mandarin comes from Xian! Wow. Xian is surrounded buy a huge wall that was built to protect the city. Today, five million people live inside the wall! Wow!

Xian!

2009-07-21T11:43:00.001+09:00

Rob is here!

2009-06-23T15:09:00.002+09:00

Hey Everyone. Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have been crazy busy. Well, the biggest news is my brother is here! He came about a week ago. I drove to Narita airport to pick him up. His plane was 6 hours late! Apparently it was due to some volcano somewhere erupting? I don't know, but it was a long wait. Luckily I saw Shaggy (you know the singer) and he totally checked me out! He is so HOT! I wonder how long he will stay in Japan?

On Friday night I organized dinner and karaoke so everyone could meet Rob. It went ok. I was dumb and didn't reserve the big room at karaoke, so we had to separate. I must say, I am NEVER organizing anything ever again. I never think anyone has a good time and I hate worrying about it, so I am done.

On Saturday we went to Yokosuka and saw baby Anna. She is one year old now and walking. She isn't a baby anymore she is a big girl! I love her.

On Sunday Junpei and Tetsuya showed Rob around Kamakura. It was a good day. I love Junpei and Tetsuya. They are good guys. I am lucky to know them. I won't see them until September due to Fuji climbing season starting in July. I can't wait to see them again!

On Friday Rob and I are going to China for ten days. Look for an update after then!

See you!

Update from me

2009-06-07T20:59:00.002+09:00

Hey. I am sorry I haven't updated this blog in a while. I have been super busy. A lot has happened since my last update. Where do I begin.....?

Well, as you can see below I went to a seven course meal in Tokyo two weeks ago. My friend Liyan had some friends come from home (Singapore) and she wanted to show them a good time. So about 15 (?) of us went out to a theme restaurant and then some of the group went clubbing afterward. I did not par take in the clubbing because of money issues (stupid car!), but I heard it was a good time!

Speaking of my car, I had to have my two year check done. In Japan, every two years you have to have your car checked out, it is called the shaken (pronounced shaq-en). It was super expensive! The good news is they fix/replace anything that they think might break in the next two years, so hopefully I won't have to put anymore money into this car.

The weekend after the seven course meal I went out in Tokyo again ;) Only this time I went out clubbing all night. I went to Shinjuku to the gay area of Tokyo. It was a completely randon, not planned night out. I am sorry I don't have any pictures from that night. I did take some on the train of my friends sleeping, but I don't want to embarass them by putting them up. I will say, that night was probably one of the best nights I have had in Japan (the people who I went out with understand, I am sorry I can't explain it to you). I really do believe the best things in life are not planned!

On a sad note, I am sorry to tell you one of the baby kitties died :( It is my fault and I feel awful about it. Long story short, Chloe was outside one night and in the middle of the night the kitties crawled into bed with me. I didn't even know they were strong enough to climb up. I woke up and under one of my blankets there he was, not breathing. It must have suffocated. I was devestated. I really didn't do much for the rest of the week because I was so sad. Luckily I have a lot of great friends that helped me through it. If you are reading this, thank you so much. I love you guys and you are helping me realize that it wasn't my fault.

That is about all with me. I don't have any new pictures to show you. I haven't been able to take one of the kitties since the one died. Maybe next week....

My brother is coming June 16th, so I am sure I will have many stories to tell soon.....

7 Course meal (I didn't take a picture of the bread course)

2009-06-07T20:57:00.000+09:00

2009-06-07T20:49:00.002+09:00

New Kitty Pics :)

2009-05-22T10:36:00.001+09:00

Golden Week (and it's not even over yet!)

2009-05-05T10:20:00.002+09:00

In Japan, the first week of May is a string of various holidays collectively referred to as Golden Week. That means I have time off! Despite the kitties being born last Thursday night, I decided to get out of town for a few days and head on down to the southern Kanto Region. I left Saturday afternoon and went to Yokohama. I booked a room at a hostel. It was small, but clean and nice. I will stay there again. I ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Yokohama. I kind of felt dumb eating alone, but it was fun. I enjoy watching the music videos they play on the screens!

The next day I met Junpei at 12:30. We had plans to go to the Yokohama Bay Stars baseball game. I hadn't seen him since November, so it was a nice treat! The Bay Stars lost to the Dragons, but it was ok because Junpei is a Dragons fan anyway (though his hometown is Yokohama-traitor!).

Monday we decided to go hiking along the coast. I had done this hike before, but when I did it was winter and really windy. So I couldn't go far. This time the weather was nice, but it was way more crowded and I couldn't see Mount Fuji. The highlight was finding a dead fugu on the beach. Fugu is a poisonous fish that the Japanese like to eat. To cut and cook Fugu you have to have a special license. Every year a few people die of Fugu poisoning, though most of the time they are eating it from someone who isn't licensed to serve it.

The best part of the trip was seeing baby Anna. She is almost one year old now. She isn't talking much (though if she was, I wouldn't understand her anyway!) and not totally walking yet. She still only has one tooth, but otherwise she has gotten so big! She is such a good girl, I can't wait to see her again!

On Monday night I went back home to my kitties. I did worry about them while I was gone. Chloe had never shown me she knew how to use the litter box, so I really thought I would have to come home and clean up poop and pee all over my floor. I was wrong! Chloe used her litter box! Go Chloe! You surprise me all the time.

Well, I still have two more days of Golden Week. I plan on taking it easy. Enjoy the pictures (they are in the wrong order, but I am assuming you can get where I was when I took them!).

2009-05-05T10:18:00.000+09:00

2009-05-05T10:15:00.000+09:00

With new life, comes another death :(

2009-05-05T08:34:00.004+09:00

I am sad to say that one of the kitties at home, Reesie, has died. She had cancer. Reesie was such a lady, and she took very good care of Murphy after Oliver died. She was loved by many and will be missed. Bye bye Reesie.

kawaii desu!

2009-05-01T16:27:00.002+09:00

Last night I had some friends over for dinner. Chloe was acting really strange. I thought maybe it was because she might be ready to have her babies, but I wasn't sure. After everyone left I googled cats giving birth. Chloe matched everything they said. So, I decided it was best to keep her inside (though I doubt she would have gone outside, she was following me around!). In the meantime, it was getting late and I haven't had a full nights rest in a week and was looking forward to sleeping. Chloe didn't let that happen. One of the symptoms of giving birth is the cat becomes very affectionate. Boy, did she. She wouldn't leave me alone! She following me everywhere, and was purring and purring. When I tried to turn off the lights and go to sleep, she kept meowing! She would pace back and forth between my bed and the spare room, where I had set up a box with the hope she would give birth in it. It was NUTS! Finally I decided to move my futon into the spare room and sleep on the floor. That really calmed her down. She jumped into the box and an hour later starting having her kitties! It was the middle of the night at this time and I decided I had to sleep. When I woke up, Chloe was feeding six healthy baby kitties! Yay Chloe!

Good bye Guy and Muriah :(

2009-04-29T13:08:00.003+09:00

Hello. It has been brought to my attention that I don't update my blog enough. I am sorry. I just feel like I have to be doing something interesting before updating the blog. Usually I just go to work and come home and that is it. But this past week things have been getting more interesting....

Last week I was invited to two birthday parties and a club in Tokyo on Saturday night. I had already made plans on Sunday to visit a friend of mine in Tokyo, so I decided to just spend the night and have a night out on the town! But how to choose what to do?

I decided going to the birthday parties was the best bet verses the club. First I went to Kyrstol's birthday dinner (see pictures below). It was at TGIF in Ueno (a ward of Tokyo). Kyrstol and others that were there live up north, so I don't get to see them that much. It was nice to spend some time with them. I found out that they were actually going to the club after dinner, I wanted to join them, but I was expected at the other birthday. So off to Shinjuku I went.

In Shinjuku I met up with my friend Daryle to celebrate his friend's Masato's birthday. We were in the gay district of Tokyo, which I had never been before. We had a blast! It was a crazy night (sorry I didn't take pictures, but if you are friends with me on Facebook Masato uploaded some and they can be seen from my profile). We were having so much fun, part of Kyrstol's group joined us! We left the club at 5am, had McDonald's breakfast, and then parted ways. They all took the train home, I went to my room.

Sunday I hung out with my friend Ying. Again, sorry no photo's. Ying is a new friend of mine from China, but she has lived in the U.S. I have no clue why Ying hangs out with me because she has a P.H.D. in Psycology from Stanford! WOW! Anyway, we had fun eating and talking all day! I can't wait to see her again.

Monday was back to as usual. That night I went to Tsukuba and had dinner with the Bando Interac ALT's and Emily (see picture below). Emily went back to the U.S. for a trip on Tuesday, but she wanted to see Guy and Muriah before they leave. Guy and Muriah have been in Japan for three years (Guy) and five years (Muriah). They have decided it is time to go home and start their life together. I will miss them.

Tuesday night we all went out for karaoke as the final good bye to Guy and Muriah. Before I met Guy I was all alone in Bando. Meeting him and Muriah have changed a lot of things for me. I am not alone anymore! They introduced me to the other ALT's and now I have many friends in Bando! Thank you Guy and Muriah! I will sure miss you, but I promise we will see each other again.

That is all that is new with me. I hope you are all good. I will update more, I promise ;)

2009-04-29T13:03:00.001+09:00

Bring on the blossoms!

2009-04-12T21:07:00.003+09:00

This past week I have had the pleasure of seeing the cherry blossoms (or sakura in Japanese) bloom. It has been a sensory overload for sure. I think I took more pictures this week then I have my whole time in Japan!
The sakura bloom is followed closely by everyone in Japan. Weather forecasters tell their viewers the peak days to go out and see. The sakura season starts in January in Okinawa and gradually works its way up north. The Kanto region (where I live) had it's peak viewing this week, with peak days being earlier in the week for the southern Kanto area, and later in the week for the northern Kanto area. Ibaraki had it's peak probably Thursday or Friday? I am not sure, it depends on where you are!
In Japan, people like to have gatherings under the sakura. They call it hanami and it basically getting together with a group of people, having a picnic and basically just hanging out all day under the sakura. It is funny how they have one word for something I had to use a whole sentence to explain in English! We tried to have a hanami in Tokyo this weekend, but the blossoms were already gone. They are replaced by green leaves that will turn beautiful colors next fall. It was funny because in Ibaraki we still had plenty of sakura. I guess it goes to show how different the climate is in Tokyo, even though it is so close. Sakura season only lasts about a week in one area, but wow, what a week it is!

2009-04-12T21:04:00.002+09:00

India-being a tourist

2009-04-05T10:54:00.002+09:00

Parliament building, can you see the British influence?
Riko, the driver we hired to take us to the Taj and around Delhi the next day. I felt so spoiled-"Riko, we went to go shopping now, can you please find us a shopping area?" Now I know what Paris Hilton feels like.

2009-04-05T10:49:00.002+09:00

We had a tour guide for the Taj. It is kind of a scam in a way because after they took us around to look at local art and hand made goods (buy them please). It was nice having a personal tour guide though.
This is a Hindu Temple on the way to the Taj.
Driving around Delhi with a private driver. I felt so spoiled....
This is the Lotus Temple from the Baha'I beliefs.
The Gate of India was built for fallen soldiers.

India-Taj Mahal or bust!

2009-04-05T10:45:00.002+09:00

I couldn't stop looking at it. It was almost like it wasn't real...
The Taj Mahal means crown (I think) and it was built for the wife of a king who died giving birth to their fourteenth child.

It is a Muslim building.

India-from poverty to being a rich tourist.

2009-04-05T10:37:00.002+09:00

On the last day we went to this school called Kingdom of Childhood. It actually turned out to be a Waldorf school. John (the director of Bornfree) really liked this school because their philosophy matches Bornfree's philosophy.

The audience.
After being with the students we headed back to New Delhi (in the north, we were volunteering in Bangalore which is in the south). The highlight was going to.......
......the Taj Mahal!

India-Bornfree Art School. Living with the students.

2009-04-05T10:20:00.002+09:00

I went to India with a group called Go M.A.D. (Go Make A Difference) and we went to Bornfree Art School. The volunteering part was a bit disorganized. Nothing went as planned. Luckily we were a laid back group, so we were ok with it. The school itself is a bit organized. Apparently, they just lost their actual school building and we never saw it. I think the school was great but they have to change some things if they want volunteers coming. The accommodations we had weren't so great. If you want to know more about the school click here
Singing at the boys dorm (which is now the school since it was taken away from them due to politics).
Playing an Indian game, I sucked as usual!
One of the students next to John (the director of the school) sculpture. John has many great ideas, but he needs to focus on a few. I think he is all over the place and so many people demand his time, it is hard for him to get things done.
It is mango season, so we got mango shakes!

India-land of culture

2009-04-05T10:03:00.002+09:00

All the things they say about India are true. Cows really do walk the streets and they don't eat beef at all. A Hindu belief is when you die your soul goes into a cow. Hence the not eating beef and letting cows walk around.
Some of the food served at Bornfree Art School. Everything was so hot!
This is a Hindu temple, I believe. I saw a Yoga entrance~

In a funk :(

2009-03-19T15:05:00.001+09:00

Hi. Sorry I haven`t updated for a while-ok two weeks isn`t a while, but it would be nice update once a week. I have been in a funk lately. I don`t know what it is, but I think it is a combination of things.1. The weather. Ok, so I know that Japan hasn`t been nearly as cold as SD is in the winter. I usually get a bit of mild depression during the winter. It must be the lack of sun, but here it is something else. Buildings in Japan are built for summer, not winter (with the expection of Hokkaido). There is no central heating or insulation in the buildings here. Many times it is warmer outside than it is inside! I basically spent the last three months shivering. I didn`t realize how bad it was until I was in Hokkaido and I couldn`t sleep very well. I was too hot! My friends were complaining about the same thing. We were so used to freezing at night, when we finally had the chance to sleep in a warm bed and not wear three or more layers, we couldn`t sleep. It is hard keeping yourself entertained in your house when it is so cold inside (it didn`t help that my walls are all cement). It was even harder keeping it clean when you are shaking. Most nights I would just lay in my bed and read. After a few months of that it gets old. I am not sure how people in the old days did it.2. My Japanese. I should say my lack of learning Japanese. I am going to my class every week, but it isn`t sticking. There is something in my brain that is blocking me from learning the language. I haven`t been studying as much as I like (it is hard to study when you are laying in your bed shaking), but after two months, one would think it would start to stick. It isn`t and my confidence with it is going way down. I am not giving up the classes, but I do feel it`s a waste of my and my teachers time. :(3. My situation. It is no secret that I wish I was in a more exciting area than I am. Don`t get me wrong; I realize that I am so close to Tokyo and I do appreciate having the opportunity to come here, but I am not liking Ibaraki like I did Yokosuka. I don`t feel the magic I felt before (maybe it is just my mentality though, I don`t know). There is nothing to do here (no mountains, no beach=no fun) and I find myself doing things I could just as easily do at home, like going shopping. My town is really boring and it is hard to find anything fun to do here. On top of that, I am not finding my job really rewarding. Most ALT`s are at different types of schools. I am at all low-level schools, so I don`t and will never have the type of relationships that my counterparts at high or even medium level schools have. My students just don`t know how to talk to me and I don`t know how to talk to them, so there is a distance. My supervisor told me I have the worse school groupings in all of the prefecture :( I make the best of it, but it has been getting harder for me to listen to others talk about the amazing things they are doing with their students. Please don`t think I am not grateful for everything. I am well aware of what is going on at home. I am hearing stories of people getting laid of in the U.S., I am so happy to have a job and a well paying one at that. I am just not feeling good about my situation and I feel bad because I know I should.4. My social life. I should actually call it my personal life because I actually do lead quite a nice social life here in Japan. I have met some really great people and I enjoy spending time with them. I just don`t feel close to anyone :( It is totally my fault too, in recent months I had falling outs with some people who I thought were my close friends. Losing them has made my self esteem really low, I mean if people who know you so well don`t like (love?) or care about you you, why should anyone? I just don`t feel worthy of anyone. Plus, I feel like I am not interested an anything, so I don`t come of as an interesting fun person. It is hard to be a fun loving person when you don`t feel like you are (again, it doesn`t help that all I have done for the past three months is shiver in my bed and read). I guess what I am trying to say is, I know it is my fault I am not close to anyone here, but I have been damaged in recent months and it makes me scared to try to be close to people. A part of me never wants to be close to anyone ever again :( The risk of getting hurt is too high. I know I am not the first person to get burned, and I certianly won`t be the last. Maybe I just need more time to heal, then I will be ready to get close to people here. It just would be nice to have someone close to talk to, that`s all.5. My faith. My relationship with God isn`t what it was, say, two years ago. I know if it was good all of the things above would be so much better. I just feel like I try so hard to give it all to Him, but I am not feeling Him around me at all. If I was at home I would maybe go to church more, or go talk to someone about it. I can`t do that here. Plus, I am not sure if I want to. Why can`t He just wave his magic wand and make everything better? Ok, I know that it doesn`t work that way, but right now I wish it did.So for all those reasons, I am in a funk :( I am going to India in a week, maybe that will help. It is comforting to know that many other JET`s have told me they feel the same things, so it is somewhat normal. They say that the first year is really up and down and you go through different phases. I hope that is true, though right now I feel like I missed my up, I don`t know I can`t remember now. Spring is coming too, so the cold thing is over, though the hot/humid is not far behind, is that much better? At least I will be outside more.Well, sorry to complain so much. These are just things that are on my mind. I hope to get over them soon.

Birthday List update

2009-03-19T14:44:00.003+09:00

It`s been six months since my birthday and I thought I would do an update on how I was doing with my 27 goals for my 27th year. Here is the list. The updates are beside them.

1. Learn to speak and read Japanese. Ok, this isn`t going so well, but I am going to class now.
2. Make new friends. Success! I have many friends here.
3. Keep the friendships I have that are good. I have had falling outs with people who I was close to (not people from here), so no this isn`t going so well :(
4. Heal from the past year. Work in progress.
5. Visit my PC friends in Ghana. I can`t go to Ghana when I wanted to, the ticket is so expensive. I still want to see my friends, but I am not sure if I can make it to Ghana before they leave. We`ll see.
6. Forgive people who hurt me. Still working on that.
7. Learn to play an instrument. No progress on that at all.
8. Paint and do other artistic things more often. No progress on that either :(
9. Visit a new country (or two or three!). Going to India next week.
10. Climb Mount Fuji. The climbing season is July and August, so I will have to wait for that.
11. Plan for life after Japan. I am staying a year longer now, so I have plenty of time to work on that (though I do have a few thoughts in my head at this time).
12. Eat healthier. I feel like I do compared to when I was home, but I am not seeing it in my waistline. I have started writing down everything I eat, I hope that helps.
13. Exercise three or four times a week. Not very good at this :( I am still working on it.
14. Grow out my hair. AAAGGGHHH It was nice and long, but I needed a trim and the lady too waaay to much off, and she gave me the Rachel (if you can`t remember, the Rachel was popular when Friends first came on TV, yeah 15 years go!). It is still long, but I am waiting for it to grow longer and not look so Rachel-like.
15. Save money. I have done that, but not as much as I like.
16. Study the bible. I haven`t done enough of that.
17. Get a pet (if I can). This is the goal I accomplished first. By the end of September I found Chloe (actually she found me). I am now officially her mama.
18. Look into graduate school. I have, but I have changed my thoughts on things since I made this goal.
19. Study for the GRE. I have a book to study, but now I am looking into going to school without taking it.
20. Learn to take good photographs. I have a new camera, but I still don`t know how to use it well. So, I would say not really.
21. Study for the Japanese drivers license. I have been and I am taking the test Monday! I hope I pass.
22. Go to the beach as much as I can. I have only been to the beach once :(
23. Find a place to volunteer in Japan. Not happening, I have looked into places, but it is hard if you don`t speak Japanese.
24. Floss daily. I have gotten better, but I don`t do it daily.
25. Keep my apartment clean. For the most part, I feel my apartment is clean. It is certianly cleaner than when I wrote this. In September my apartment was still really dusty from two years of no one living there. Now it is much cleaner and more home-like.
26. Read more books. This is the one goal I must say I have accomplished. Maybe I have read too much?
27. Have fun! Work in progress. Of course I have fun, but not as much as I want.

After seeing these goals again, and seeing the progress, or I should said the lack of progress I have made on them, I think I am going to look at these again in three months (instead of another six-at my birthday) and see how I am doing. I think if I am looking at these goals more often, I am more likely to be trying to achieve them. It was good for me to see this though.

Tea Party in Roppongi

2009-03-10T09:29:00.007+09:00

a

o
This weekend I went to Tokyo for a business going away party for Elaine Young. I first met Elaine through my friend Brita. She is really good. She designs these cool messenger bags and jewelry. It is hard for me to explain the concept. But she uses microscopic images of things in nature and blows them up to put on the bags. Her necklaces contain DNA of endangered species. I think the point is to become more aware of conserving the environment-a portion of the proceeds go to various conservation groups.

The party was great. It was in Roppongi, the area of Tokyo that has many embassies. The apartment was fabulous. It was on the ground level, so it had quite a large garden. It was super modern as well. I met some people and had really nice conversations. The food was great as well. The theme was tea party, so we drank tea and had snacks. I had fresh, out of the oven homemade apple pie and some really nice cheese. Ovens are not common in kitchens in Japan, so it was nice to have some baked goods.

Then it was time to shop. I bought a large messenger bag with the honey bee on it and a necklace with reindeer DNA in it. Tracey bought a labtop case and the smaller messenger bag with a fish eye on it.

Elaine is in the black in the picture above (the others are Tracey and Wing, a nice girl I met at the party). Her company is called LAByrinth. You can visit the website at http://www.lab-yrinth.net. Click online shopping to look at her line. If you want to know more about the concept of the design, click on the English link.

Elaine sent out a nice thank you after the party. She is leaving at the end of the month. She is going on the road to promote her line. She hopes to settle by the end of the year in Beijing. I wish her the best. I hope her line because successful.

Graduation

2009-03-10T09:20:00.002+09:00

All of my high schools recently had their graduations. The school year in Japan is April through March. I went to Iwai High School's ceremony, as it is my base school. I really didn't take too many pictures during the TWO HOUR ceremony (sorry), but here are some highlights.

1. All the students from the other classes have to come to the ceremony.
2. The brass band played Amazing Grace as the third year students walked in. I don't have the heart tell them that we play that song at funerals.
3. The female third year teachers were special graduation kimono's. They looked nice.
4. My upstairs neighbor is a third year (graduation class) teacher. She was holding back tears as she led her former students out of the gym. She is young, so this is probably her first class to graduate. Homeroom teachers are with their classes the whole time they are in high school.
5. Watching the parents of the graduation class nod off during all the speeches. priceless!

Here is a picture of the class (with the parents) and the brass band.

Baby Anna

2009-03-08T09:42:00.003+09:00

I haven't seen baby Anna at all lately :( But her dad did sent me a picture a few weeks ago. She is getting big. I can't wait to see her again.

Even the Prime Minister can't do it!

2009-03-05T07:08:00.001+09:00

This is why learning Japanese is hard for me! Here

Who says the GOP doesn't LOVE Obama?!?

2009-03-03T07:55:00.002+09:00

This article made me laugh. Click here

Happy Birthday Kriss!

2009-02-28T08:47:00.002+09:00

I have been really busy lately, but I can't really tell you what I have been busy with. I just seem never be home anymore. With that said, here is an update from me! This past weekend was my friend Kriss's birthday. Actually, it was the weekend before, but we totally forgot! Anyway, we made up for it by taking him out for a surprise dinner. I think he forgave us!

2009-02-28T08:46:00.002+09:00

On Saturday I went all the way to Yokosuka to talk about my trip to India. I couldn't stay long though, the people in the north of Ibaraki were throwing a party and I wanted to go. I hadn't been to northern Ibaraki yet. It is a bit different up there than where I am. They have some small mountains and rolling hills, it was really nice there. The town I was in, Hitachiota, was charming compared to where I am. I didn't really take pictures up there, but here is one of my playing with my food at the dinner!

2009-02-28T08:44:00.002+09:00

On Sunday Tracey and I went to this “castle” in Joso-shi, I think. It is a replica of a castle from a long time ago. I can’t remember the name of the family that had it, but please be easy on me. We went at 4pm and they close at 4:30, we didn’t have much time there!

2009-02-28T08:41:00.001+09:00

Chloe has been doing well. I think she is in heat though. I am sure come spring she will have kittens. I didn’t get her fixed. I should have tried harder, but it isn’t easy. I don’t speak Japanese, I am never home, and she isn’t around all the time. I saw her with a male cat today; he has been chasing her around all day. I did manage to keep her in for most of the day, but I can’t do it all the time. She is house trained, but I don’t keep a litter box. As I started to type this I heard this awful noise outside, I looked and it was two male cats sparring. It looks like I have two to worry about now. I am not ready to be a grandma! Update: After I typed this, I saw three other cats (the next day) for a total of FIVE to worry about. I am sure this spring I will have some little kittens running around here.

2009-02-28T08:37:00.001+09:00

It has been rainy here lately, which prompted me to ask if it is the rainy season. It isn’t until June. I guess this weather is to get ready for spring? I don’t know. But I bought a new bike and I haven’t been able to ride it due to the rain. I can’t wait for a nice day to go outside. It does clear up once in a while and I took some great pictures. Oh, and it snowed all day yesterday!

Good bye Oliver :(

2009-02-24T13:21:00.004+09:00

I learned today that a loved cat a home, Oliver, had to be put down. Oliver (who is pictured on the left) had been sick for the past few weeks. I knew that when I left the U.S. I would have to sacrifice things, like pets, but it is still hard knowing I will never see Oliver again. He always took care of Murphy (on the right) who is somewhat blind, mostly deaf, old and tiny. I guess she was looking for him after he died :(

The bible says we are supposed to take care of animals. Oliver was well taken care of. He lived a very good life. The bible doesn't say anything about animals going to heaven. I like to think when I die I will see everyone I love again, including animals. Good bye Oliver. I will always miss you and love you.

The Girls....

2009-02-18T18:49:00.000+09:00

Trip to Hokkaido!

2009-02-12T22:18:00.001+09:00

I spent las weekend in Hokkaido, which is the top island of Japan. I went with other JET's and we had a great time! We took a 16 hour ferry to and from the island. These are pictures from the ferry. The rest of the posts below are from the actual trip. I hope you enjoy them.

Anna and the Chocolate Factory

2009-02-12T22:11:00.003+09:00

We toured a chocolate factory/museum about the history of chocolate in Japan. It was really fun.

Sapporo

2009-02-12T22:07:00.003+09:00

It snowed nearly every day we were in Sapporo. It was nice. Sapporo is known for it's crab ramen, so we went went to ramen alley to eat some.

Sapporo, the land of ice and snow part one

2009-02-12T22:01:00.001+09:00

The first part of the Snow Festival I went to was the ice sculptures. There were so many, I didn't take pictures of all of them. But here are some favorites.

Sapporo, the land of ice and snow part two

2009-02-12T21:53:00.002+09:00

Part of the Snow Festival is snow sculptures. Out of the international category, Thailand (the picture is the snake one with some sort of monster). How does a country without snow win a snow contest? Other favorites include the Disney one, and the Olympic one. Tokyo is a candidate city for 2016!

Kirin Beer and Mountain tops

2009-02-12T21:46:00.002+09:00

On the last day we went on a cable car to the top of a mountain to look at the view of Sapporo. Don't ask me the name of the mountain, because I dont know! The night before we ate at the Kirin beer restaurant. We had beer and lamb. Yummy!

Otaru

2009-02-12T21:31:00.003+09:00

Next we went to Otaru. It is a small port town south of Sapporo. They had this gas light festival thing. They put gas lights into the canal. Next to the canal they people make small snow sculptures and put tea lights into them, so cute! One of my photos looks like it was day time, but actually it was evening. My favorite of course, is the cross.

Niseko, watch out for the bears.

2009-02-12T21:22:00.002+09:00

On the last lag of our trip we went to a ski lodge in a small village called Niseko. It was so fun there. I am ashamed to say I didn't ski, but I still had a really great time. They had this large volcano that looked like a fat Mount Fuji. Don't ask me the name of it because I don't know. The whole village is run by Australians, they only Japanese people I saw were the workers, no Japanese skiers. The village looked very Western and I actually got to eat some good pizza there! I can't wait to go next year.

Good Article I found on Divine Caroline!

2009-02-05T14:43:00.001+09:00

Why I Went Back to Church: God on the Ground
By: Stephen W. Simpson, Ph.D. (View Profile)
For almost five years, I didn’t go to church. It was only me and Reverend Bedpost most Sundays. I’d get inspired or guilty once in a while and church shop for a few weeks, but soon I’d be back to hitting the snooze button. I was attending seminary at the time, so I convinced myself that I was getting enough religion during the week. I thought my friends were enough of a “faith community” and I didn’t need to practice some banal weekend ritual. But I had another reason for playing hooky on Sundays that I didn’t tell anyone: I couldn’t stomach being around other Christians. Christians are completely full of crap.
I’m serious. We do a bunch of weird, ridiculous, and sometimes stupid things. That’s on a good day. On a bad day, we’re downright mean.
Let’s begin with the weird part. For starters, we have our own language. We use words like “fellowship,” “sanctify,” and “discern” in about a hundred different ways. When we pray, we’re over-fond of the word “just” and doubling up on God’s name (“Lord God, Lord Jesus, Jesus Lord,” etc.). And this is only what garden-variety evangelicals do. Some Christians get downright bizarre, especially when they worship. It’s a wonder that we haven’t scared away all sensible nonbelievers.
Then there’s the ridiculous. First, we have a preoccupation with hokey costumes. Whether it’s big hair on TBN, big hats at the Vatican, or the mandatory cropped facial hair of male youth pastors, Christians feel compelled to don uniforms that distinguish us from the rest of the world. It’s silly and pointless. It’s almost as ridiculous as how we behave while singing praise songs. Ever notice that people don’t stick their hands in the air because of the words? It happens at the chorus or the bridge of a song, when the music switches to big major chords. I bet you could put the words to the “ABC”song to a big crescendo in a worship song and see just as many palms in the air.
The stupid and mean things flow together on a continuum. On the stupid side, Christians get their tails in a knot about the most irrelevant things. Harry Potter? Please. The whole continent of Africa is getting flushed down the toilet, and the Pope and a bunch of high-profile preachers are worried about a bespectacled British kid on a broom. But stupidity just passes the time for idle Christians. If you cross us on a serious issue, we get mean in ways that would make Michael Corleone blush. If someone offends our moral sensibility or tries to change a law that’s close to our hearts, we set an entire cultural machine in motion. We have money, politicians, lobbyists, and corporate giants at our disposal. Christians on the ground picket with angry slogans, while Christians in the high-rises of power write checks for lobbyists and politicians. We have no problem thumping pagan skulls when the culture moves in a direction we don’t like. As a result, much of the world not only hates us; they’re afraid of us.
So why on earth would I want to hang out with these people? I love Jesus with all my heart, but I find His flock annoying. During my self-exile from church, I was picky about the Christians with whom I did “fellowship,” and often preferred the company of non-Christians. Why would I want to go to church with a bunch of people so full of crap?
Because I’m even more full of crap. When God revealed that to me, I started going to church again. God had to go out of His way to remind me of this through some humbling experiences, but the proof was there all along. I just got snobby and didn’t bother to look.
If Christians use weird language, I need look no further than my job to realize that I do the same. I’m a psychologist. That means I use convoluted, condescending, and confusing ways to describe what’s common sense and simple. Worse than that, I’m prone to using profanity when I’m out of earshot of anyone who might get offended (and sometimes when I’m not). I’ll go out on a limb and say that puts me in no position to judge folks who insert “just” into every other word of a prayer.
I’m also guilty of the ridiculous. I always shop at the same two stores, though I could probably get clothes of the same quality cheaper somewhere else. I get obsessed with video games, even though I’m a thirty-nine-year old man with a wife and four kids. I’m also one of these dorks who’ll look for movie spoilers on the Internet months before a film comes out. But I’m perhaps no more ridiculous than when at a rock concert, especially U2. Remember how I slammed other Christians for raising their hands in worship because of a change in the music rather than the words? I do the same thing. I’ll stick my hands in the air like a Pentecostal during a rousing point in a U2 song, though I have no idea what the heck Bono is singing about.
I’ve got stupid and mean down, as well. The stupid part is a sort of reverse-dogmatism. I’m real big on not judging someone, unless I think someone else is judgmental. I’d be willing to extend grace to a violent criminal on death row, while passing harsh judgment on a good person whose beliefs I consider too rigid or dogmatic. But that’s just when I’m being stupid. I can get mean, too. I’m not talking about “having a bad day” orneriness—I mean vicious. If someone is rude to me on the freeway or in the supermarket, I have no problem retaliating with vigor, sometimes using the aforementioned profanity. I’m good at it, too. I can get nasty and aggressive in ways that few Christians could imagine and none could justify. Though I want to throttle Christians who use terrible names for people when they don’t like their lifestyle, somebody needs to throttle me when I give a look that could curdle milk to a stranger who took “my” parking place.
Once God revealed my hypocrisy, it made going to church easier. Church is a good place for people who are full of crap. Being a Christian means that you realize that you’re full of crap and that you need help. In fact, we should change the passing of the peace from “Peace be with you” to “You’re full of crap and so am I.”
Mike Yaconelli once said that church should be a place where we look at each other and say, “What are you doing here?” None of us is good enough to be there. Not one of us is righteous. Progressive types like me give more conservative Christians a hard time for being too “exclusive,” but we’re just as bad. We get just as easily annoyed and turn our backs on other children of God who don’t share our views. It’s so much easier to be snide than vulnerable. It’s much safer to be sarcastic than expose my heart to someone I don’t like. But once I stopped thinking of myself as too cool and took the time to get to know those I’d been judging, I made a shocking discovery. I like other Christians. They might act nutty during worship, their beliefs might be too stinking rigid, and they might even dress goofy, but I love those folks. They made me laugh, brought me joy, and showed me love. That last one humbled me big time.
Yes, Christians are irritating. We can all be weird, ridiculous, stupid, and mean. I’m a good example. That’s why we have to rely on God to clear our vision, change our hearts, and stop us from being ridiculous, stupid, and mean (I don’t think God cares so much about the weird part). If we let God fill us with His love rather than trusting our own assumptions, we will begin to love those who annoy us. We can go from being full of crap to full of grace and love. We can get over ourselves and the little things that divide us, learning to see each other as God does. And God loves that person who irritates me just as much as He loves me. If I can remember that, maybe I won’t be so full of crap.

Blood type?

2009-02-02T08:05:00.001+09:00

Ok, sorry about all the articles, but this one is really true. I am always asked by students what my blood type is. At first I didn't know why, but then my supervisor told me about this. I didn't realize it had gone as far as being asked for blood type at job interviews. I guess when you are in a society where everyone is the same, they are bound to find some way to discriminate.

Click here

Another article.

2009-02-01T00:56:00.000+09:00

This is just plain stupid click here

I am not trying this while I am here!

2009-01-28T13:42:00.001+09:00

Click here

OMG! They're here!

2009-01-28T07:44:00.001+09:00

I just found out Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are here in Japan. They are in Tokyo, I am so close to Tokyo! Maybe I should go try and find them? I can run them down or something. Maybe if I brought a baby for them, they would actually talk to me. Who knows? If you want to watch a video of them coming, click here