I cooked Christmas donner for Nichola and John on Christmas day. It turned out... interesting. With only one burner and no oven, it is hard to make Christmas dinner. I used the washing machine as a counter and my room heater to keep the food warm. Ha ha ha. It turned out alright though, mostly.
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Thursday, December 25, 2003
MERRY CHRISTMAS (in a very Japanese way).
Today I saw a Buddhist monk begging on the street. Often monks beg for food and money, it is suppose to decrease their desire for material things if they live off the mercy of others. So I put a few coins into his bowl and then I realized something funny. I was putting the money in for the same reason I put money into the Salvation Army Santa's buckets-- The Christmas Spirit. There is no way that the Buddhist monk could have known my reasons for giving him money centered in an entirely different religion, but I foind it amusing none the less.
Cindy sent me a phone card and I was able to call and talk to some family. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, I felt sad about not being home. It felt so much like an ordinary day, which it has never felt like in the US. It still doesn't feel as much like Christmas, but after talking to family and spending time with friends it's better. It's the same as it was for Thanksgiving-- I'm walking around thinking "It's a holiday, today is special" and the rest of Japan is walking around not thinking anything similar.
Today I saw a Buddhist monk begging on the street. Often monks beg for food and money, it is suppose to decrease their desire for material things if they live off the mercy of others. So I put a few coins into his bowl and then I realized something funny. I was putting the money in for the same reason I put money into the Salvation Army Santa's buckets-- The Christmas Spirit. There is no way that the Buddhist monk could have known my reasons for giving him money centered in an entirely different religion, but I foind it amusing none the less.
Cindy sent me a phone card and I was able to call and talk to some family. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, I felt sad about not being home. It felt so much like an ordinary day, which it has never felt like in the US. It still doesn't feel as much like Christmas, but after talking to family and spending time with friends it's better. It's the same as it was for Thanksgiving-- I'm walking around thinking "It's a holiday, today is special" and the rest of Japan is walking around not thinking anything similar.
Monday, December 22, 2003
The Japanese have sprinkler systems for their streets and sidewalks (I'm not kidding). When I first saw it I thought (rather irrationally) that it was because the streets aren't use to being dry and so the 3 days a year it doesn't rain they have to water the streets so they don't dry up (I may have been bitter about the rain at that point). Then I thought, slightly more rationally, that perhaps that is how they clean the streets. But no, I found out that when it snows they leave the sprinklers on all night so that the streets don't ice up. Ha ha ha. Ridiculous. The idea of preventing ice by adding more water seems rather silly, but it seems to work, and the Japanese have enough water that they can afford to waste it.
It finally snowed the other day, and it was beautiful. The down side is that I have to walk when it snows and leave my bike at home. John tried riding my bike in the snow and said it was like mountain biking (and trust me, my bike is not meant for mountain biking).
I have finally figured out all of my plans for the holidays. On December 29 I am going to Nagoya to stay with my host family. My host mother is going to teach me how to make the traditional New Year's meal. Apparently it takes 3 days to make. Then on the 31st we are going to a Japanese inn in Shizuoka prefecture (near Mt.Fuiji). This inn is apparently very nice because the royal family stays there sometimes. On January 2nd I am going to Tokyo for a few nights to meet up with friends. The night of the 5th we aren't getting a hotel room though because we plan on staying out all night. Then on the 6th I am going back to Shizuoka (a town called Numazu) to stay with another friend for a few days. I'm very excited because I will get to see so many things during the break (although my breakl is almost 2 weeks long, so I have plenty of time).
It finally snowed the other day, and it was beautiful. The down side is that I have to walk when it snows and leave my bike at home. John tried riding my bike in the snow and said it was like mountain biking (and trust me, my bike is not meant for mountain biking).
I have finally figured out all of my plans for the holidays. On December 29 I am going to Nagoya to stay with my host family. My host mother is going to teach me how to make the traditional New Year's meal. Apparently it takes 3 days to make. Then on the 31st we are going to a Japanese inn in Shizuoka prefecture (near Mt.Fuiji). This inn is apparently very nice because the royal family stays there sometimes. On January 2nd I am going to Tokyo for a few nights to meet up with friends. The night of the 5th we aren't getting a hotel room though because we plan on staying out all night. Then on the 6th I am going back to Shizuoka (a town called Numazu) to stay with another friend for a few days. I'm very excited because I will get to see so many things during the break (although my breakl is almost 2 weeks long, so I have plenty of time).
Sunday, December 14, 2003
The Last Samurai is an incredible movie and is easily in my list of top 5. Loved it loved it loved it!
Thursday, December 11, 2003
So my poor Thyme plant was attacked by something worse than killer cockroaches (who seem to have taken the warning given by John and have not attempted to sleep in my futon again)--- MOLD! My innocent Thyme, before the seeds even sprouted, has become covered in mold. If I have to write a book about my time spent in Japan I think I will title it "The never-ending battle with Mold" That would be a real winner.
Speaking of books, I finished Forester's "A Passage to India" I enjoyed it, but found it very odd at the same time. It was full of sterotypes, and while it sortof dispelled some sterotypes, it reinforced other, and did nothing for some. I felt oddly disatisfied at the end of the book. I think that part of that stems from the time period I live in. I view many of the attitudes of the characters in the book as old fashioned because they are-- I think the book was published in the 1920s. Prejudice was much more accepted then than now.
I'm also reading "All Too Human" by Stephanopoulos (I just know I spelled that wrong). One great thing about having no social life and 3 days off a week is plenty of time to read.
Speaking of books, I finished Forester's "A Passage to India" I enjoyed it, but found it very odd at the same time. It was full of sterotypes, and while it sortof dispelled some sterotypes, it reinforced other, and did nothing for some. I felt oddly disatisfied at the end of the book. I think that part of that stems from the time period I live in. I view many of the attitudes of the characters in the book as old fashioned because they are-- I think the book was published in the 1920s. Prejudice was much more accepted then than now.
I'm also reading "All Too Human" by Stephanopoulos (I just know I spelled that wrong). One great thing about having no social life and 3 days off a week is plenty of time to read.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Wednesday I went to Nagoya and had a great time! I met a friend for lunch in Sakae, then I went up to Nanzan to visit the swimming team. It made me incredibly nostalgic to be back at Nanzan. Actually to be back in Nagoya period. I kept remembering fun things that I had forgotten, like the time we all met in Irinaka train station on our way to a Halloween party. A huge group of people standing around in costumes in a country that doesn't traditionally dress up for Halloween. I started to miss alot of the people that I was friends with last year and have lost touch with since. It was great seeing the people from the swimming team again though. They gave me the team book from last year (like a yearbook) and it has pictures of me, a comment that I made (in Japanese no less) and comments by other about me. I was so excited so see everyone and to know that they hadn't forgotten me.
Thursday I went to Heiwagaoka park and zoo with my host mother and father. I think it was the first time I ever really did any sightseeing with my host father, but he took off work for a few hours to go with us. It was a lot of fun, and the leaves were so beautiful. Thursday night they took me to my favorite Chinese restaurant where I got to eat Shark's Fin soup and Jellyfish (both delicious dishes).
Friday I went to Yokaichi to visit my Kanazawa host family's daughter. She had a baby last year who I had not met yet. I also had not met her husband. Her husband's family's company builds houses, and when they told me this I was expecting regular houses-- Japanese style of course. But no! They build the most beautiful American style houses! The model house they showed me is red brick, easily 4000 square feet. It has high ceilings, lots of open space, and American style kitchen, American bathrooms, a doggy room (a whole room just for the dog). The architect has a dog named Rambo (who I met- yellow lab who is much better behaved than Sierra). The basement has cafe style tables and chairs for a party AND a movie room with a large screen TV. I loved the house (which was decorated for Christmas with American style decorations) and was ready to move in. They didn't think that would work though, but they gave me a poster. It really made me a little homesick seeing all of the things that are so typically American that I had forgotten.
Last night John called me to ask if I had a band-aid because he had cut his finger. I brought up the first aid kit and was shocked to see how much he was bleeding. I lended my expertise (ha ha ha) for about 10 minutes and when it didn't stop bleeding I told him to put ice on it and went back to my apartment. Turns out he cut a minor artery and had to go to the hospital when they stictched up the artery. Ewwww. Some medic I make. I slapped frozen peas on it and ran away. The funniest part though is that it was his middle finger, but they only bandaged the one finger, so it looks like he is flipping everyone off. I thought things like that only happened in movies, but, no, they happen in Fukui too.
Thursday I went to Heiwagaoka park and zoo with my host mother and father. I think it was the first time I ever really did any sightseeing with my host father, but he took off work for a few hours to go with us. It was a lot of fun, and the leaves were so beautiful. Thursday night they took me to my favorite Chinese restaurant where I got to eat Shark's Fin soup and Jellyfish (both delicious dishes).
Friday I went to Yokaichi to visit my Kanazawa host family's daughter. She had a baby last year who I had not met yet. I also had not met her husband. Her husband's family's company builds houses, and when they told me this I was expecting regular houses-- Japanese style of course. But no! They build the most beautiful American style houses! The model house they showed me is red brick, easily 4000 square feet. It has high ceilings, lots of open space, and American style kitchen, American bathrooms, a doggy room (a whole room just for the dog). The architect has a dog named Rambo (who I met- yellow lab who is much better behaved than Sierra). The basement has cafe style tables and chairs for a party AND a movie room with a large screen TV. I loved the house (which was decorated for Christmas with American style decorations) and was ready to move in. They didn't think that would work though, but they gave me a poster. It really made me a little homesick seeing all of the things that are so typically American that I had forgotten.
Last night John called me to ask if I had a band-aid because he had cut his finger. I brought up the first aid kit and was shocked to see how much he was bleeding. I lended my expertise (ha ha ha) for about 10 minutes and when it didn't stop bleeding I told him to put ice on it and went back to my apartment. Turns out he cut a minor artery and had to go to the hospital when they stictched up the artery. Ewwww. Some medic I make. I slapped frozen peas on it and ran away. The funniest part though is that it was his middle finger, but they only bandaged the one finger, so it looks like he is flipping everyone off. I thought things like that only happened in movies, but, no, they happen in Fukui too.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Cockroaches are supposed to be dead by now. Seriously, it's December, didn't they get the memo? Instead I walked into my apartment the other day to find a 2-inch cockroach (without the antenae) sitting on my futon. Now I will admit that it is a comfy futon, but it is a strictly human only futon, and cockroaches are not invited. So I called John down to kill the stupid thing (I like cockroaches even less than spiders and wasn't going near it myself). John came down with a box of roach traps and proceded to bang the bug to death with the box (probably not what the company had in mind, but it was effective). The stupid thing only stopped wiggling after a long shower in roach spray though. Another huge EWWWWW! This country is just full of them!
Tomorrow I am going to Nagoya to visit my host family. The bus tickets are suprisingly cheap (I like those kinds of surprises). The swimming team at Nanzan invited me to their practice (not to swim, just to say hello) which I thought was very nice. I'm excited about seeing everyone again.
After writing my previous rant about not speaking English with people enough, I went to a bar and made friends with people from Wales and New Zealand (somehwat inteeligent conversation, as intelligent as you can have in a bar). I also made friends with a bar full of Japanese people. Bear's Bar is a great place (conviently located next to my apartment) where everyone is friends. Seriously feels like Cheers. John knew everyone there and after an hour so did I. The low point of the evening was when John decided to sing Christmas carols on the karaoke machine. Ha ha ha. One guy tried to convince me that he was in the Yakuza, but I am doubtful. Seriously, if you were in the Japanese mafia, why would you be hanging out in Fukui? I like the place, but it is certainly not lively or Mafia-esque.
I am trying to grow Thyme in my kitchen. I have a feeling I will fail because of the lack of windows in the kitchen. I would put my plant on the balcony, but I'm afraid the cockroaches would eat it. Actually at the moment there is only dirt and seeds, so maybe they wouldn't eat it. And I don't really know what cockroaches eat, but now I am afraid of my balcony because I am convinced that is where the monster cockroach came from. It could have been running from John's apartment though, he has roach traps every 2 feet throughout the entire apartment.
Tomorrow I am going to Nagoya to visit my host family. The bus tickets are suprisingly cheap (I like those kinds of surprises). The swimming team at Nanzan invited me to their practice (not to swim, just to say hello) which I thought was very nice. I'm excited about seeing everyone again.
After writing my previous rant about not speaking English with people enough, I went to a bar and made friends with people from Wales and New Zealand (somehwat inteeligent conversation, as intelligent as you can have in a bar). I also made friends with a bar full of Japanese people. Bear's Bar is a great place (conviently located next to my apartment) where everyone is friends. Seriously feels like Cheers. John knew everyone there and after an hour so did I. The low point of the evening was when John decided to sing Christmas carols on the karaoke machine. Ha ha ha. One guy tried to convince me that he was in the Yakuza, but I am doubtful. Seriously, if you were in the Japanese mafia, why would you be hanging out in Fukui? I like the place, but it is certainly not lively or Mafia-esque.
I am trying to grow Thyme in my kitchen. I have a feeling I will fail because of the lack of windows in the kitchen. I would put my plant on the balcony, but I'm afraid the cockroaches would eat it. Actually at the moment there is only dirt and seeds, so maybe they wouldn't eat it. And I don't really know what cockroaches eat, but now I am afraid of my balcony because I am convinced that is where the monster cockroach came from. It could have been running from John's apartment though, he has roach traps every 2 feet throughout the entire apartment.
