Good bye Guy and Muriah :(

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 ;)

Bring on the blossoms!

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!

India-being a tourist

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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~