6, 5, 4 Days to Christmas!

Missed a few days there.... Sorry about that.

What to rant about? Hum.... Yesterday was main school's bon-enkai (year end party). Walked into the hotel banquet room and did a little jig - cause the setup was western style - with chairs and forks and cooked meat!!! Unfortunately, I was not at a table with anyone I could really communicate with - so it was a pretty quiet night. I do enjoy the pouring dance that occurs at these events. The Japanese have a custom (one I admire) that states you should never pour your own drink. So people are constantly floating from table to table pouring beer, sake, tea, whatever and making small talk. You know the night is really swinging when there is a line of people waiting to pour a little move bubbly into your glass. As this was a Thursday, the alcohol was limited to beer - so no sake for me. BUT tonight is my other school's bon-enkai and I KNOW there will be sake there and someone waiting to pour it for me!

Another enkai nugget of knowledge: if I admire someones bingo prize there is a small chance they will give it to me. HAHA I left the party last night with three extra presents. Of course since this party costs like $80 - it's not "really" a present is it??

7 Days to Christmas!

Happy Birthday Brad Pitt! I wish we shared more than a birthday (I could use your money).

Delicious cookies! A gift from some of my young students!

8 Days to Christmas!

Today's rant - teenagers SUCK! End rant.

Today's useless fact:

1. A rat can last longer without water than a camel.
2. Your stomach has to produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks, otherwise it will digest itself.
3. The Declaration of Independence (the very official copy in the Rotunda of the National Archives) is written on parchment, not paper.
4. The dot over the letter 'i' is called a tittle.
5. A raisin dropped in a fresh glass of soda will bounce up and down continually from the bottom of the glass to the top.
6. A female ferret will die if it goes into heat and cannot find a mate.
7. A 2x4 is actually 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" .
8. 40% of McDonald's profits come from the sales of Happy Meals.
9. Every person has a unique tongue print. (Say "aaah")
10. The 'spot' on 7UP comes from its inventor who had red eyes. He was an albino.

9 Days to Christmas!

Made rice crispy treats today so I could make dessert sushi for my round of Christmas parties this week. I have one every day except for Wednesday. The ones on Thursday and Friday are bon-enkais with my schools - so there will be some crazy food and hard core drinking going on! I should be in pickled state for my flight to Thailand on Saturday - LOL.

The haze of funky that's been hovering around my head seems to have lifted - so that is a good thing.

Let's see - useless facts..... or stupid.com http://www.stupid.com/stat/JACT.html
(seriously, the commentary on this one is the best. The toy is actual quite normal.)

Enjoy!

10 Days to Christmas!

Baked mincemeat pies and danced to christmas music with Lou today! And she gave me a bag of winter hats!!! I love hats - I don't look good in them cause I have a big head - but I love them. Maybe I'll take to wearing them more :P.

Useless trivia: How well do you know your christmas music?

• What standard Christmas song uses the line: "In the air there's a feeling of Christmas?"
• What song, made famous in a Judy Garland movie, uses this line: "Thru the years we all will be together..."?
• In the song "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree", what kind of pie will they be having later?

For more fun and to check your answers - go here: http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Music/Christmas-Music-11338.html

11 Days to Christmas!

Ohh, it's getting close to that most wonderful day of the year.... MY BIRTHDAY - haha. You only have 4 shopping days left to buy me something to take with me on my slope into lonely spinsterhood (^-^).

Speaking of buying things, for some inexplicable reason, I decided to buy something off the Japan Yahoo Auction site. Mind you, the whole thing is in Japanese and when I try to translate stuff I get things like the example below. Somehow I managed to get myself an id and bid on something and I won. Problem is now I can't pay for it cause while it SAYS it takes Visa - it don't take mine :P. "Sigh" - so the plan now is to pick the brain of the wonder couple and see if they can make heads or tails of my predicament. If not, I am about to become a very disliked person on Yahoo.co.jp. LOL

Example:
"Prize item, tag attachment. It is the beauty item without either the scar and the soiling which are conspicuous. As for size, about height 16 approximately cm× breadth approximately 17cm. Because it is the amusement private premium, we are not marketed generally! Furthermore, being to be the prize item, the method which seeks the one all-inclusive item which you do, to air such as the scar dirty fray which is seen from first stage, in addition nervousness one bid modesty."

12 Days to Christmas!

On the twelfth day of christmas my body gave to me 12 screaming hormones.... really, that has to the reason for my recent funky mood.

No rant, I am too depressed (O_o).

But here is some useless information:
Today isn't the twelfth day of Christmas - hum, too bad
The prominence of Christmas Day increased gradually after Charlemagne was crowned on Christmas Day in 800. Around the 12th century, the remnants of the former Saturnalian traditions of the Romans were transferred to the Twelve Days of Christmas (26 December – 6 January). Christmas during the Middle Ages was a public festival, incorporating ivy, holly, and other evergreens, as well as gift-giving.
Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

13 Days to Christmas!

This post has been modified - it was originally a rant about the ghosts of Christmas past - those things, events, or people in our lives that occassionaly pop up in our memory and cause us to want to change the past, or alter the present, or just drink to forget. But as I thought about this today, i realized that while I may have regrets (ghosts) - I can honestly look back and say that I am exactly where I should be right now - so everything i've done to this point had to happen the way it did - so I really can't be sad or wishful or whatever - because the truth is I am happy :P! So I shall embrass my ghosts to remind me of how lucky i am now. And if that don't work, I will just stare at my awesome Christmas tree until I get happy!!!!

14 Days to Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Chuck!

15 Days to Christmas!

Horoscope says... "This could be the best week of the year for you" Well, no pressure there cosmos!!! I did get a piggy bank that squeals when you put money in it yesterday - so that could be a good start.

Rant: I forgot my PC power cord. It's 8:53am and I have 25 mins left on my battery. It's going to be a VERY long day.

Useless fact: The Japanese do not send Christmas cards (rightly so since only like 1%-5% of the country is Christian). They do however, send New Year's Day postcards. It's big time around here! Next year will be the year of the rat - so lots of rat/mouse stamps, cards, stickers, etc... Now if they could just get some delicious cheese around here.

16 Days to Christmas!

Useless fact: Bored - take a christmas quiz today....

http://www.worldpath.net/~hiker/ChristmasTrivia.htm
http://www.triviapark.com/quizzes/xmasquiz.html
http://www.brownielocks.com/Quiz.html

17 Days to Christmas!

I am a few days behind here.....

No rant. But I did throw a "Herpy Birthmas" party today and it went very well. Sloppy joes, chips, jello shots, rice crispy sushi, some of mom's party dips and a chocolate cake from our resident baker Cheryl. I made everyone play Christmas trivia games!! I made out like a bandit in the gift department and I now have enough Chucks to populate a very small hamlet. I am very lucky to have some really good friends here and they made the party rock

Oh, and the sloppy joes WERE much better the next day (^_^).

Useless information: The Christmas tree was introduced by Germany and Martin Luther was "probably" the first person to decorate a tree with candles (and potentially the first person to burn his house down).

18 days to Christmas!

Um - I have the holiday blues today. I made sloppy joes for my holiday party tomorrow and they are just not right :(. My rice crispy treats are crap. And my best friend and her boyfriend are so cute they wanna make me puke...

as I said, holiday blues.......

Can't even muster up useless information....

19 Days to Christmas!

Well, it doesn't get much better than this!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1188436669

20 Days to Christmas!

Oooohhh, we're getting closer!

Rantless rant: Yesterday I got TWO boxes in the mail from home - delicious snacks, gifts for under my baby tree, stickers for my kiddies - OH HAPPY DAY!
(real rant - seriously, is it NECESSARY to make Christmas carols so freaking depressing! Christmas shoes and the song on this site! - http://www.flw.com/merry.htm)

Random Useless Info:
Merry Christmas in 10 different languages: 1. Gëzuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri! 2. I'D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida 3. Shuvo Baro Din - Shuvo Nabo Barsho 4. Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok 5. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année! 6. Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios Chronos 7. Mele Kalikimaka & Hauoli Makahiki Hou 8. Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto 9. En frehlicher Grischtdaag unen hallich Nei Yaahr! 10. Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!

21 days to Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho

Today's rantless rant: Applied to the University of Alabama today - just for non-graduate credit - will apply for a degree next semester. But to all the kids out there - keep your university undergrad grade point above a 3.0 - it makes graduate life much easier!

Oh, after my rant about the PO yesterday, I got a birthday card and postcard from the Netherlands - so I am marginally less annoyed with them - but it's gonna take some time to get over my postage shock.

Random useless info:
We eat 100million turkey sandwiches between xmas day and new years day

22 Days to Christmas!

Unlike a real Advent calendar, there is no delicious piece of candy awaiting you once you open this door - only unless information and pointless rants.

So for the rant: If you get a xmas card from me this year count yourself lucky as I will NOT be sending them again next year (assuming I stay). I had to leave a small piece of my right arm at the post office to pay for the postage for my 20 some cards. That is most defo a BAH HUMBUG moment! My only joy is I left all the cards there and the postman was doing all the stamp licking (^-^).

And for the useless information:
"Stewardesses" is the longest word typed with only the left hand.
And "lollipop" is the longest word typed with your right hand.

23 Days to Christmas!

Did you know....
Unfortunately, our country’s (United States) workers get less vacation time than those of any other Western nation, meaning that the only time many of us are able to get away is over the holidays.
Which is why, this author points out, traveling during the holidays is a bad idea. My whole point is WHY do we get the least amount of vacation time????

In other news, today was a charity bowling event in Toyama, and I am proud to say that I took third place out of 50 some folks. I won a bottle of vodka - to keep me warm on a cold Toyama night!

Hey, know what - this blog is like a useless Advent calander! LOL What will I post tomorrow??

24 Days to Christmas!

Oh no, another Rambo movie?? What is the world coming to? Happy December folks. The trees are finally changing color here and the hills look like a head with a really bad dye job - so strange and beautiful you can't look away (^_^). Thursday and Friday were beautiful sunny days, so I woke up this morning with the intent to take a drive to check out the colors. As luck would have it, it was grey and rainy. But beautiful in it's own way. So I went to the mall instead and took in the Xmas atmosphere of Aeon. It's not to hard to imagine your in an American mall during this time of the year! Happy Christmas!


My trip to Korea a week ago was awesome! I was only there for 2 days but I got to visit 3 palaces, the Seoul Tower, huge shopping streets and the DMZ. Seoul is a big city full of life - I've decided I like big cities. Where shops and stores are open late, people are walking the street, and the vibe is good. It probably helped that there were ALOT of American restaurants and the city was decorated for Christmas. The DMZ is strangely normal with this aura of unreal about it. There was barbed wire everywhere, guys with guns and "beware landmine" signs all over the place.


I would have to say the highlight of this trip was Gyeonbokgung Palace. I was there late in the day, so the place was pretty empty and I could just wander around this huge palace complex and imagine life back in the day. I'd read that the only people who lived in the palace were the royal family and the 9000 women who lived as virtual slaves to the family. Glad I wasn't around then (*_*). Oh, yeah, I got to dress up too - YEAH!!!!

Sometimes it feels like, Somebody's watchin' me

Today is one of those days where I wish I had the bablefish, or a StarTrek translator (like in the newest series), or even a remote understanding of Japanese. Once again, I was the topic of discussion (and I am absolutely positive this time cause the person talking POINTED at me). From what I could gather, they were talking about me, banks, bank transfers, America and money laundering. Now if it was just about me and banks and money transfers I could understand - but MONEY LAUNDERING?? Now I want to know what's going on!!!!! Come on man, don't shut me out if there is some good gossip involved! Because as far as I know, I am not involved in any shady money laundering enterprises - hell, I don't have anything shady going on right now. I can't even send money home cause I don't have any to send (which is also a damn shame cause the exchange rate is GOOD right now and the forecast for the next 6 months is DEPRESSING).
In other news, had a lovely thanksgiving shindig at C's yesterday. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and apple pie - DELICIOUS! Man, nobody does food like Americans!!! Probably why we are all fat - LOL.
I'll be spending the official Turkey day flying to Korea with a morning side trip to the omiyage shop at Tokyo Disneyland to stock up on supplies for my Mickey obsessed friend (you know who). I get into Seoul around 9:30 - maybe I can still make it to the HRC for a turkey dinner.I am pretty excited about Seoul, it looks like a cool city. I am gonna book a DMZ tour for one day and ride the hop-on, hop-off bus around town the next. It'll be a quick trip - but then, that's how I like um!

Nobody Parties Like a Man in Drag

Last Friday was the annual JET Halloween party in Uozu (a town about an hour from me). It’s quite possibly the most exciting party held every year. Most people get into the spirit and wear a costume. And you know me, I like costumes and themes and people who get into the mood. Soooo anywho, since it’s quite a drive and taking the train involves first getting to Toyama and then getting to Uozu, I opted to drive. There is free parking so no worries there and I was guaranteed a place to sleep if I needed it (to this end I packed several blankets). T and I arrived fashionably late (hell, that’s a lie we were just LATE) because she needed an extra hour to get ready. In true Japanese group mentality, we were characters from Alice in Wonderland. T was the Mad Hatter, L was the Cheshire Cat and I was the Queen of Hearts. I was especially pleased with my costume. Initially I was not really down with the whole idea, but T suggested making a skirt out of cards – and you know I love a challenge. I found 4x6 playing cards at the 100yen store and built a skirt out of those and other bits and pieces. I designed a top from a t-shirt and had another ALT whip it up for me. I was pretty please with the outfit. Accent that with my 100yen crown, heart barrettes, heart bag and flamingo croquet mallet (really a rug beater with a paper flamingo) – I think I looked pretty snappy!

The party was not a disappointment – there were: witches; bloody doctors; a tube of fluoride; wonder woman; Mr. Peanut; Snidely Whiplash with exploding dynamite; Peter Pan; The Wonder twins (priceless in purple bodysuits); samurai; Indiana Jones; a jellyfish; Paris Hilton and Britney Spears; some random guy in a black body suit (which by the end of the night ended up just being black underwear); a playboy bunny; Santa Claus; and many more.

OH, to finish the story, when the party ended at 2 am, and after carrying a drunk Paris Hilton (which was boy by the way) out of the ladies bathroom, L and I decided to forgo the closest apartment available and sleep in the car. We locked the doors for safety (of course I left the keys in the driver’s side door lock) and wrapped up in the blankets I’d brought. We talked until 3 (cause we were pretty drunk) and finally fell asleep. We woke up at 6:30, cleaned our breath from the windows and headed home. Given that most people didn’t make it home until AFTER I got up from my nap on Saturday, I am extremely grateful for my car.

This could get dangerous

Ello, Ello,
Well, I've been neglecting this blog for awhile, but I've been bitten by the Oshiri Kajiri Mushi and I am in the mood to write! I might break this post up for easy reading.
Today's main inspiration for writing are the new immigration rules for foreign residents of Japan (me). In an attempt to halt terrorists (but apparently only those who have permission from the government to live here) all foreign residents of Japan will be fingerprinted, photographed and interviewed upon re-entry into Japan. In my attempt to clarify the new rules I came across this little tidbit on a foreign airline website:

"After coming of the law into force all foreign residents will have to leave their fingerprints and be shot (full face) while passing immigration control at the airport of arrival. "

HOLY SHIT - shot full on in the face - that is a little extreme ne?

I'm leaving the country next weekend - so we'll see how much this little addition to world safety screws up my mad dash to the train home.

Breaking the Bank

Good Day readers!!!
Recently I've decided I need to start living with a budget! I've given myself a weekly dollar amount and, as the word budget implies, the goal is to live within that budget for the week. I am three weeks in and currently way over budget - LOL. It's just HARD, or I am a shitty planner and actually need to increase my allowance to account for food, gas and other incidentals. Upon reflection, I've decided that food isn't really that necessary and I can probably skimp there - LOL.
Why this sudden need for a budget? Well, depending on my February recontracting decision, I may be doing some SERIOUS travel next summer/fall and that is gonna require some SERIOUS money!!!!!!!!!! Hence the budget (O_o). It's just that I've discovered I can be a bit obsessive (shut up mom!) about certain things - i.e. winning Chucks from UFO catchers, never having enough cute hand towels, stickers!!, ect...
Holy cow, gonna have to cut this short - I just got some papers to grade!!! I'll leave you with this fun fact: every pair of soiled underwear has approx a gram of fecal matter on it! Happy laundry time!

Earworm

Okay, I've got to post this cause it's been running thru the brain.... It's just such a catch tune. I rewrote the words to better fit my situation.

Yatuso Roads (to the tune of Country Roads by John Denver)

Almost heaven, Yatsuo Machi
Tateyama, Jinzu river
Spiders are large here
Larger then the bees
Smaller than the bats
Flying thru the trees
REFRAIN:
JR Rail, take me home
To the place I belong
Yatsuo-machi, the inaka
Take me home, JR Rail
All the rice paddies growin round me
Oishi Mizu, drink delicious water
We’ve Owara, dancing in a line
Bitter taste of sake
More raindrops from the sky
REFRAIN
I hear the thunder
Of the rain that is coming
The sound reminds me of my umbrella far away
And walking down the road I get a feelin
That I should have stole one yesterday, yesterday
REFRAIN
REFRAIN
Take me home, JR Rail
Take me home now, JR Rail

A puzzle for you

Two friends were driving on the highway when they got a flat tire. First they took off the hubcap. Then they unscrewed the four lug nuts — the screws that hold the tire in place. They put the inverted hubcap down on the road and carefully placed the lug nuts inside the hubcap. Then they removed the flat.
As they were in the process of putting on the spare tire, another car came along, hitting the hubcap and scattering the four lug nuts where they could not be found. The driver of the other car felt sorry, so he stopped to help. The two friends followed his advice, and in a little while they were back on the road again. What did the man tell them?

(compliments of the discovery channel)

One Hour Rule

New rule - where ever I end up in America, the city CANNOT be more then one hour from an international airport. 61 minutes - too far - one hour!!!!!!!!!!
Why this new rule you might ask? Well, first, I am spoiled from living a mere 15 mins from said international airport for the last 30 years. This little under appreciated luxury is something I am currently missing in a bad way.
But here's the real reason. 7hrs on a plane, 5 hours on a train and alot of time waiting...... Yesterday, I got up at 4am to head to the Singapore airport, I boarded my plane at 6:30, and, as luck would have it slept most of the 7 hour flight. (You'd think with all that sleep I'd have been in a better mood for the rest of the trip. Alas, I was NOT. Due to the fabulous hi jinks of the Japanese traveler, I was pretty pissy!) I landed at Narita airport at 3:15 and as I did not check luggage, I headed straight for the exit. This is where my "travel rage" started. I was forced to do a little weave dance to avoid the loitering passengers on my way to customs. As I approached the line, a little man in a business suit flew in from my right and snuck in front of me - if looks could kill...... I then made my way to the airport station and found a seat on the train (no problems there). 73 minutes later I arrived at Tokyo station and into the pit of travel HELL. The station was a zoo - maybe cause it was a holiday - I don't know - but there were freaking people everywhere!!!!!! And not a one of them has a care for another person's space or line of walking!! They will cut you off, force you to a crawl behind a slow poke, push you........... AGGGGHHHHH. I made the mistake of stopping at the konbini for a train snack. That turned into bumper luggage as we all tried to shop, pay and leave in a room the size of a large box! Still, this was not my first time in Tokyo station so I was used to this. I headed to my track, found a spot were I would not be in the way, surrounded by strangers, or shuffled into the wrong train.
By now, my "travel rage" was festering just beneath the surface, and as you may know, once it's started, anything can make it worse. And as luck would have it I was seated on the aisle in the smallest seat ever, next to a man drinking out of a jar and eating something fishy and stinky! Ah, whateve - not his fault.
That part of the journey ended at EY (home of the shortest train connection times EVER). I had 10 minutes to get to my next train and there where a BILLION Japanese swarming the area. Seriously, it brings to mind a swarm of bees or an ant farm or something. To make matters worse, the automatic ticket machine did not like my ticket and I had to reverse thru the crowd to get to a station attendant. OF COURSE no one would think to move out of the way - so I just battered them with my duffel bag, gave them a disgusted look and FINALLY got thru the gate. The "travel rage" had finally reared it's ugly head. But I knew it for what it was, and kept it under a tight leash (meaning no one died, no swearing, etc). Finally got to my seat and sat next to a salary man who invaded my personal space by leaning to his right and pushing his BUTT under the arm rest so that it was touching me!!! After practically trying to sit on the window sill, I managed to adjust myself enough that he got the hint and moved his ASS! I mean, I know I am big, but I try very hard to stay in my space!
Finally, finally, I made it home by 11pm. And that is why I won't live anywhere that is more then 60 mins from an international airport!

Soooooo Tired...............

ZZZZZZZZZ
Ugh, just a quick note as I kill some time in the Singapore airport. My 72 hour whirlwind tour of Singapore was awesome. Thanks mostly to the extremely kind and generous Ang family who acted as my personal transport and tour guide this weekend. God bless their hospitality and air conditioned car - LOL. In the two days I was here the whisked me to just about every "to see" spot in Singapore, had me trying food I would have NEVER bought on my own, and gave me a personal history lesson of Singapore.
I did not get much sleep on this tour, as I arrived at 2am on Saturday and am leaving at 7am on Monday. All in all, it was a great trip that will be completly documented in my next newsletter.
Well, my time on the free internet is almost up so I better get this posted!
Fingers crossed my next post will be from home in Yatsuo - LOL!
Ciao!

I couldn't think of a title

Well, well, it's been a while since I've posted anything. This is probably because for the last month or so the only thing I've been tempted to write about is the current mental dilemma playing itself out in my head in regards to staying in Japan for a third year or going home next August. And to be honest - it's a dilemma only I can answer - although I have been polling certain folks. I won't go into it cause I'll just make a liar out of myself no matter what I write - LOL.

So, for your reading pleasure and posterity's sake, here are some random events of the last few weeks:

• My grandma died - that was a real downer - but she was 92 and lived a good life. Might pop down to the local temple and rub a Buddha's head in her honor! I know she's watching reruns of Bonanza in the big living room in the sky!
• One of my students SPIT on me last Tuesday. It was disgusting and for some reason or another I did not report the little bastard. I was concerned for a time as I thought of all the airborne plagues and what not floating around out there. I mean, come on, in "28 weeks later" a little spit turned the dude into a psycho zombie!
• A "You know you've been in Japan too long" moment - went to Tokyo for some sightseeing over the long weekend. At one point Cheryl and I were going into a mall to get some lunch. We walked up to the doors and waited for them to slide open. We just stood there when they didn't and I thought "shit, they must be broken". Um no, the just weren't automatic - DUH. PUSH Danielle, PUSH!
• I am currently obsessed with a plush yellow duck popular in Japan. He's the friend of Rilakkuma, a lazy bear that is so lazy he doesn't like standing up. He's cute as hell and I am amassing quite a collect of little yellow things. Was not originally sure if it was a chicken or a duck, so I've taken to calling it Chuck.
• My teacher ate my lunch today - so I got a bottle of milk and a small loaf of bread. My school has officially turned into a prison.
• On same Tokyo trip mentioned above, we had dinner at a Denny's restaurant. From now on Denny's in Japan will be referred to as "Jenny's" because any reference to actual Denny's menu items are non-existent. No grand slam, so slim jim, no spicy chicken - just fishy looking shit, fried potatoes and spaghetti.
• Loving my ekaiwas with my little kids and ladies. The kids are SOOOO cute - and they love to play memory - so that makes my job nice and easy.
• Due to an love for snail mail and a lack of said mail from my family and friends (except you Susan! I've got all the cards taped to my door - you lucky duck) (O_o) - I've recently joined a website www.postcrossing.com. Here's how it works - you send a postcard to a random stranger somewhere in the world and in return you'll get a postcard back from a random stranger somewhere in the world. So far three of my postcards have confirmed arrivals - so that means I should be getting 3 postcards in the near future. The jury is still out about if this is super cool or just super sad(<_>).

Well, that's all for now.

Good Lourd!

Ok, maybe I'm just getting old, maybe this country has warped my view of the world, but....

Teenagers in America are drunken hoes and hooligans!

Okay, not ALL are - but do a Google search on the phrase "pictures of homecoming" and you may see where I am coming from - LOL. I guess living in the land where social interaction is a mystery has made me forget what life is like for teens back home. This all stems from my desire to create an English board highlighting the American equivalent to Japanese Sports festival - Homecoming. In my search for pictures, I've come across some crazy stuff. I cringe at some of the photos I've come across. I mean, I've seem some crazy outfits on Japanese girls, but I chuckle at what they might think if I posted some of the homecoming photos with girls in "prom dresses". Hell, I think some of the dress my girls wear to Rainbow functions would have this country in a tizzy. Aside from the clothes, it's actually quite difficult to describe an American homecoming - where are the pics of floats and spirit week?

Of course, I could be totally wrong about what the Japanese might think. I did find a gay pornographic comic book at the laundry mat this week (T and I had quite a laugh over that). So who knows, maybe they'd just shake their heads like I do some times and say "Only in America".

Good News......

Well, according to my horoscope I am going to stop being a bitch on Tuesday! Now if I could just get that man they keep talking about - LOL

The Truth
Letting it all hang out comes natural for you, DANIELLE, as you are the most honest, forthright, and blunt sign of the Zodiac. You tell it like it is, no matter what anyone thinks of what you have to say. You do not tell little white lies just to make someone feel good. If you think a friend's new haircut looks awful, you say so without sugarcoating it. You never want to hurt anyone's feelings, though, and are too good-hearted for that, but sometimes you do, without meaning to. On Tuesday, the New Moon Solar Eclipse takes place in your sector of how the world views you, and you might decide you want to be seen by others in a more congenial light than you currently are. That does not mean you decide not to be honest and truthful, but you begin to mingle tact and diplomacy into your honest assessments. You may surprise your friends and family members when you start to explain yourself a bit more when you make comments or statements about people. You will learn how to express yourself in a kinder, gentler fashion than you normally have up until now, and that will ease your social interactions considerably.

Ugh - this post was really just an excuse to avoid making some lesson plans for tuesday (OH the same day I will become nicer - LOL). I'm not sure what my problem is but I am having a really difficult time coming up with something fun to do for my class next week. BAH - I think I'll go to bed and sleep on it!

Opps, My bad!

Today I discovered that I have been lying to people with I say I've been to 48 countries. This was not intentional - but I've been wrong. It appears I've been to:

• 39 countries
• 7 territories
• 2 places that should be their own country (at least in my mind and probably theirs)

Sooooo - it's still 48 - LOL. I just need to change the language!

I also did a quick check of where I'd still like to go and I was surprised to learn that there are less then 15 countries on my list of places to visit. If that's true, that means that I am uninterested in visiting 137 countries! YIKES!!!! Is my travel bug dying??? Or am I just a snob who wants to avoid poverty, civil unrest, wars, epidemics, suicide bombs, and general unpleasantness. Yes, folks, I am afraid I just may be that snob! And really, a shrunken head wouldn't look good on my Christmas tree - LOL!!

**my apologies for my shameless country counting

How's My Driving?

In the Philippines (where I just spent the last week), this is a purely retorhical question! It may be painted on the back of every taxi and Jeepney in Manila, but I am 99% sure no one ever calls that number! Before I start my rant about the driving, let me give you some background on the trip.

Another JET and I decided to make the most of the end of summer vacation and pop over to the Philippines for a few days. I left Yatsuo in a deluge of rain that cancelled the trains from my hamlet and had to get my extremely helpful neighbor to take me to town to catch my night bus. Eight hours later we landed in Osaka and began the train scramble to Kansai airport. We made it with time to spare for a delicious Subway samwich!!

We arrived in Manila Thursday afternoon and caught a cab (let the psycho driving begin) to our hotel, a pretty nice one at that - with satellite TV - whoo hoo!!!! This was our base for the next four days. And to put those days in a nutshell:

Thursday - dinner at a PH dinner - they like fried chicken.

Friday - visit to Intramuros (old Spanish fort), more fried chicken, walk along one of THE dirtiest beaches ever!, headed to the swanky part of town for shopping and dinner.

Saturday - my favorite day in PH. Took a day tour to Pagsanjan Falls. 10 hours round trip - 6 of which were spent in a car in the craziest traffic I've ever experienced. Picture 3 lanes of traffic in a jam, but with cars weaving in and out with no apparent rhyme or reason. That is the basics of driving in PH. Finally made it to the tour spot where I just about kissed the ground. Proceed to board a dug out canoe for a ride down the Pagsanjan river. Our two guides really earned their tip as they guided us down the river and thru the rapids. Sometimes they had to literally pull us up the rapids while we tried not to tip the boat over. The river ends at a waterfall where you board a bamboo raft and get pulled under the falls - good times!!!! Then it was back down the river (much easier this time) to our buffet lunch of fried chicken, rice and spring rolls. Unfortunately, this meant we had to get back in the car. Good news, we had a police escort out of town; bad news, this just meant we weaved in and out of the traffic at an even more frighten pace. When we finally made it back to the hotel, both C and I decided that was enough driving for one day and had dinner at the local KFC!

Sunday - Went to Mall of Asia - largest mall in PH and the 3rd largest in Asia. Did some shopping, more eating, saw a movie ($4 bucks for a show - AWESOME), got a pedicure..... A very laid back and restful day.

Monday - off to the airport to fly home. Got a $14 massage (HEAVEN) at the airport and slept most of the way to Osaka. Capsule hotel for overnight accommodations (beds were still uncomfortable).

Tuesday - Universal Studios Japan. Discovered the "single rider" option on the big rides - totally the way to go!!! We got to the head of the line every time and only had to wait about 10 mins on any ride. We did most of the major rides, two shows, the parade and lunch and were ready to go home by 4pm.

And that's it!! Now I am back in school and I only have to wait 4 weeks till the next adventure! Singapore in October. In the meantime I may take advantage of the two 3 day holiday weekends this month and take a road trip!!!

Via la Japan!

Man who stands on toilet, is high on pot

OMG!!! I just spent 30 mins browsing Monster.com and I now have a stomachache! Perhaps I should just stay in Japan for a few more years. Ride this gig for as long as I can! UGHHH!! I am 100% sure that I am not going to look forward the the job hunt waiting for me (and it's like a freaking year away!!!!)
So many decision to make! and I hate making decisions!!! What do I want to be when I grow up? Should I go back to school for my masters? Is it the right degree I am going after? Do I really want to do that?? OMG!!! BAH!
So what DO I want to do??

• travel
• create things
• take pictures

What do I NOT want to do?

• work in an office all day
• answer phones
• only have one freaking week of vacation for two years (absolutely ridiculous!)

Hum this is harder than I thought........

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Soooo, I have crazy dreams. Crazy, half-awake dreams that my apartment is alive. They've only started happening since I've been in Japan. Maybe it's cause I sleep on a mattress on the floor, maybe it's cause my apartment really is inhabited by something that wants to suck me thru the wall - who knows!
Anyhoo, these dreams are strange cause most of the time I imagine that "something" is trying to pull me thru the wall or indicating that i should be moving thru the ceiling or some such. Here are ones I can remember:

• I was suppose to call people and remind them about something (at 3 in the morning)
• the "people" were filling my room with little white and blue spiders
• most common - getting pulled thru the wall
• a blue laser grid over on my ceiling and it was trying to get me
• I was a pile of ashes that somehow got put back together

There have also been odd actions too - one day I woke up and all my plugs were pulled out of the socket and my kitchen table was pulled from the wall. Maybe it was me, maybe it was my house elf. I am not sure, but it's defo weird.

No dreams last night though - slept like the dead and I have the hangover to prove it - LOL.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In sushi, in students, in rice fields
In cups of sake
In yen, in spiders, in tofu, in rice.

Yes folks, it's been a year! Things here are, unsurprisingly, exactly the same as when I arrived a year ago. School is a ghost town, I still don't speak Japanese, it's hotter then hell, the bugs are huge and noisy, festivals are in full force and the rice paddies are agrowin. Some things are different - I have a Japanese driver's license, I know how to actually work my air conditioner, and I am pretty sure that one more year will be enough for me.

Yes, I know if you go back and read this blog I fluctuate between my choice of staying for a third year or not. But coming back this time, after having been away for three weeks, I realize this isn't home and I should probably get back there at some point. Having said that, I plan to have one hell of a year here - travel, have fun, etc.... Cause I know what's waiting for me in the real world - LOL.

(IF I may bitch for a moment, I can honestly say I will not miss the people in this staff room TALKING ABOUT ME. People, if you must do it, do it quietly. Don't shout "Danielle-san blah, blah desu" over my head!!!! That is just plain rude.)

Sorry, inner child needed to rant.

Well, It Ain't the Love Boat

Greetings from Sea!! I've unfortunently discovered that I AM addicted to the internet - as evidenced my the outragious price I am paying for the privilage of using the internet. Ah well.
So things are going well on the NWG Dream. As previously stated, it's not the Love Boat - but it's getting us around the Baltic. Dad is convinced they only serve 4 types of food on this boat and they just change the names of the dishes every few days to keep you wondering. Our stateroom is okay and I hate to admit it but I think my mattress in Japan is more comfortable then the pull out couch I am sleeping on - heehee. I am gonna break the trip down for you in very short snippets, so here goes:
Pre-departure: Thanks to Tropical Strom MaiTai (or Mai yu or something) my flight was delayed 5 hours at Kansai. This got me into Amsterdam late and I missed my connection. I ended up sharing a hotel room with a very nice Scottish grandma and her grandson. I got about 4 hours sleep. I was able to fly to London the next morning and hopped a bus just in time to meet the 'rents at Gatwick for our transfer to the ship. Mom brought me hot sauce and chips from the Matador and I was a very happy camper. Our reunion was not as emotional as one might expect from me after being apart for a year. Good thing for webcams I guess.
Germany: First stop. We decided not to spend an extra 200 bucks and 6 hours on a train to visit Berlin and stayed in the port of Warnmunde (sp). It was a cute harbor town that looked alot like Luddington or any small town on Lake Michigan. I tracked down 3 penny machines and added them to my collection. We visited the bigger town of Rostoke (sp) where I discovered I had fogotten the pin to my ATM card (having not used it in a year). Dad got some German beer and I got a much needed hair cut.
Finland: 8 hours in Helsinki. I got off the boat early and did a little exploring on my own before we took our tour. This was a good thing cause there was little time for shopping once we took that tour. I got my required magnet and xmas ornament. We got to see a famous monument to some composer I'd never heard of and a famous church (wouldn't be a tour without a church). Then it was back on the boat and off to Russia.
St. Petersburg, Russia: Spent two days in port here. Due to visa restrictions you couldn't get off the boat unless you booked a tour with the cruise ship. SOOO of course we booked a few tours. I went to visit Peterhof, the Versailles of Russia (and it looked pretty French), the three of us went on a city tour, I went to the Hermitage, and mom and dad toured the subways of the city and tasted vodka. Overall impression of Saint Petersburg - a very beat up and run down european city. Not what I pictured when I thought of Russia. Did visit one church (surprize there) that was pretty "Russian" and I liked that. Visit to the Hermitage was okay - not being a big fan of museums. I did see Rembrant, Money, Di Vinci, Rodin, Picasso - etc 3million pieces of art in 2 hours - can you say "Keep moving please". Of course the highlight of my visit to Russia was the chance to buy nesting dolls. And I sure did get my fill - I got dolls of various sizes, magnets, picture frames, ornaments and KEITAI charms for the folks back in Japan. Truth be told - I may have had my fill of stacking dolls for a bit.
Tallin, Estonia: Mom got sick and sat this port out. Dad and I hopped on the sightseeing bus and checked out the very well preserved old town. I was disgusted with the prices here and only made it out with the ornamant and magnet (which cost me $32 - AGGGHHHH). It was a very pretty city, but given the cost of things I am glad my trip in 2006 was cancelled!!! Oh, did get an awesome hat for the Toyama winters (if they really exist!) I'll have to post a photo in the future.
Stockholm, Sweden: Got to spend 6 hours with Joel, who I hadn't seen in six years. We hung out, went for a walk, ate lunch and just had a great time getting to know each other again. It was sad to say goodbye cause we live on opposite ends of the world and who knows if we'll meet again! But better to have 6 hours with a friend then none at all!
Copenhagen, Denmark: Went to Tivoli Gardens - the Disneyland or Ceder Point of Denmark. Dad had a huge beer and mom had a stale pretzel. We walked around the park and enjoyed all the lights.

And that is it. We have one more day at sea and then it's back to Dover where I'll say goodbye to Mom and Dad and then head off to a week in Edinburgh with Jessica. It's amazing how fast a trip that you waited for for such a long time to come can go. But I'll have lots of photos and lots of memories!

Game Over!!!

"Perfect" - that is the one word that ended 4+ weeks of unease, stress, emotional turmoil and a general dislike for my host country. Today was my second driving test. To prep for this one, I took 3 $60 lessons from the "state" run drivers training center (anyone smell a rat here??). To be fair, the lessons were extremely helpful in learning the "ways of driving" necessary to pass the test (not so necessary and probably quite dangerous in the real world). I was advised that I was a pretty decent driver and that I'd only need 2 MORE lessons and I'd be all set. I ingnored that advise and decided to take my chances.
Y-san and I waited around the required 2 hours before anything happened. I was the 3rd person to drive and I watched the two girls before me return in defeat. When it was my time to go, I did all my checks, got in the car and drove - I never once looked at the instructor. Throughout the entire course I mumble directions to myself in the hopes I could chant my way to victory. Looks like it worked!! Cause I pulled into the parking lane and parked the car and the guy looked at me and said "Perfect".
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!! I was a babbling bouncy ball of joy when I got out of the car! I felt bad for the lady who was on her 5th try - but hell - I was DONE!!!! Of course there was more waiting around to get the actual license - but WHO CARES - I WAS DONE. I was one of 2/10 that passed today. By 1pm Y-san and I parted ways and I drove out of there with a shiny new Japanese Driver's licence!! The dragon had been SLAYED.
In my joy (and because it's America's Birthday) I bought ice cream for all of my co-workers. The Principle and VP ooohhh and ahhh'd over my license and the office lady and I tried to work out just how many vacation hours I am in the hole. BUT - it's still over!
Japanese Driver's License = $200
Driving Lessons = $210
Time off from work = 3 days (one unpaid)
Look on my face for licence photo = priceless (I think it captures my mood!)

78% to Go!

Same Shit, Different Continent

As June zoomed by at warp speed, I relized that, while my location had changed dramtically, I am pretty much the same (O_o). Last June I spent most of the month in a stressed out, emotionally challenged mood because I was leaving for Japan. This June I spent most of the month in a stressed out, emotionally challenged mood because I am IN Japan. So while the location may have changed - things are pretty much the same - LOL. Last July was a pretty emotional month too and at the rate things are going it's looking pretty grim for this July too. Perhaps the gods will smile on me and put me out of my misery (aka grant me a drivers licence) but I am not gonna hold my breath!
In a totally unrelated twist of irony, the day I return from my vacation is the exact same day I arrived in Japan one year ago. Perhaps I'll just consider that a fresh start, put all my stress behind me and once again enjoy my life in Toyama! Hell, I may even start to learn some Japanese!

The Saga Continues

Day 1294 of the quest for a driver's license. Once again I ventured thru Toyama Forest and to the Castle of Doom to attempt to slay the driving dragons and emerge victorious with the small card of wisdom that would ensure my driving privilages for the next 5 years. The Castle of Doom was exactly as I left it. Some of the same prisoners from my last visit were still there, chained in the waiting room (I should have taken this for the sign of doom that is was). I paid my 3400 ducets, turned my paperwork into the minions and was given a map to the treasure. My companion and I got to walk the track (as we had to MEMORIZE it) and I was informed that dispite previous instructions - I would be driving this battle alone! Boo hoo. At 10oclock I was the first jouster out on the course. I did all of my pre-car checks, got inside, did those checks, started the car, made it a quarter around the outer track and was told to return to the starting point! I had failed in approximatly less then 3 minutes! Why - because in my state of extreme nervousness over remembering the course and trying not to drive to slow or too fast, I forget to do the intersection and lane changing checks that I had been practicing for the last month!!! AHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. I now have a complete understanding of why only 1/10 people pass this course (and I am happy to report those statistics were spot on today).
Soooo Y-san and I headed to the trusty jousting school were I have now signed up for 4 jousting lessons at an expense of 6000 ducets a pop. I'll also need to track down someone who speaks the language of the land as the classes are not offered in English! I've hence signed up for a 2nd fight with the dragons on July 4th (come on America - give me some good luck). In the meantime I am gonna pray to God, Buddha, someone's ancesters, burn some incense, slaughter a chicken, howl at the moon and take these lessons in an attempt to pass on the 4th. Be assured I'll probably drive into a ditch cause I'll be too busy trying NOT to forget a check!
By the end of this I'll have taken about 5 days vacation and spent approximatly 45,000 ducets - maybe I should have just flew home, got another IDL and drove around this country illegally for another year. It's sure sounding like a much more enjoyable plan! Ah, well, it's only time and money - and I got lots of that right - BAH!

Antz in my Pantz

I've got antz dancing in my pantz and my brain. I am so ready to lounge on the deck of the NCL Dream for 2 weeks with an overpriced pina colada in my hand!!! I should have an awesome collection of plastic hurricane glasses by the end of the trip!

Man, I can't rightly say I've every been this antzy for a trip before! You could almost say I have summer fever! I don't know what it is - the driver's licence stress, anticipation, the heat, homesickness, whateve - I am ready to vacation!!!

Calgon, Take Me Away

MAN - I am SOOOO ready for my vacation in July. Everything is starting to get on my nerves and it's mostly my fault cause I can't understand the language. But the other stuff has nothing to do with language and everything to do with workplace bureaucracy (and that's international!). All I need is a new vacation form to take to school with me on Monday and as it's JHS sports day, everyone is MIA and NO ONE can help me. I was just told I can have a new sheet on Wednesday (lets just forget the fact I need it on Monday or Tuesday to ask for time off at that school). Excuse me while I count to 100. COME ON MAN - I know you know where the forms are - throw me a bone here!

Speaking of bones, whenever I see a dog in the country, I am constantly amazed that it doesn't look Japanese. I mean really, this is a crazy thought - what would a Japanese dog look like??? But it never fails, I'll see someone walking an ugly pug and be like "Man, what is that American dog doing here?" It throws me for a loop and messes with my brain (O_0). I wonder if they bark in Japanese.

I can scratch another occupation from my list as I've recently discovered I don't want to be a farmer. I had the opportunity to plant summer veggies one afternoon with the entire student body. We were mucking about in the dirt and digging with our hands (someone eventually found garden shovels). I planted tomatoes, egg plant and some kind of melon. Wonder if I'll get to eat the fruits of my labor?

Man - I am going home and taking a very long nap!

The Quest

So getting this driver's license has taken on mythical proportions in my brain. Here's how it plays out in my head:
Oracle 1: Dani-chan you have failed to reach the first stage in your mythical journey to obtain a Japanese driver's license, you have 60 days to make a second attempt. You must seek out additional documentation from your elders in the far away land of Michigana and have them send it by carrier pigeon ASAP.
Oracle 2: Having received your documents, you can once again venture to BFE on your quest for a license on the specified date of June 13th (bummbummbummm). Unfortunately, your companion from quest 1 has been dissolved in a sake accident. Therefore you must rely on the kindness of complete strangers or wear your magic gaijin cloak of "stupidability" and see if the works.
The quest begins: Having made it safely thru the traffic of Toyama forest, you will park your chariot in the Lot of parking and proceed into the dark and dangerous castle of Japanese Bureaucracy. There proceed to hand your paperwork (at precisely 8:45AM) to the same minion who denied you access last time. While in the castle you will meet with the complete stranger and totally AWESOME lady (an angel in disguise) who has volunteered to accompany you on this second quest (having never met you ever!). You and your companion with then be made to sit in the dungeon and wait. You may chose to use the smelly toilets if absolutely necessary.
After waiting 3 hours, you will be called to the garret and informed that this will take more time, so you are granted permission to leave and eat and return at 1:30 (meaning all the castle workers will eat now and not process your paperwork).
You will return at the required time and be WHISKED in to the process. Within 40 minutes you will have paid $25 ducats for the process, $5 ducats to capture your face on paper, take the easiest true/false test in the Kingdom, test your eye power and be assigned your slot for taking the driving test (June 25). To achieve this quest you will have waited 6 hours (8 with travel time) total and leave the castle complete baffled as to wait the HELL the castle worker were doing behind the curtains (torture, eating natto, playing shogi, etc...). You will rush back to your own kingdom and realize that no one relized you were gone - but that someone has kindly left you 6 pieces of white bread since you missed lunch. Perhaps you can use it to leave a trail next time.
Tokens collected from this quest: paperwork for driver's license, time slot for driving test, new angel who has already signed up to assist you, and the KNOWLEDGE that said angel CAN drive with you IN the car during your driving test. WHHHHOOOO RAAAAA
Tokens lost: an entire day at work, an additional day on the 25th which I will need to get approved from the King, and the knowledge that if I fail on the 25th I gotta make the journey to the castle for a third time!
Thus the quest will continue in 12 days time!

BAH, I say BAH!

Wasted 4 hours of my life at the Japanese DMV today attempting the first step of applying for a Japanese driver's license. I should have known the day was gonna be shit! First, the guy driving me took THE most indirect way to get there (not that I am not EXTREMELY grateful for his assistance). Second, I ran into another ALT attempting this extremely frustrating process - she was from a town way further from Toyama than me - so it was particularly sucky with they told her she needed additional documentation and sent her on her way. Third, I was feeling things were going well - I should have known better.

After waiting two hours and watching some crazy Japanese TV, I was called to the window and advised that my passport, a copy of my previous passport and two previous drivers’ licenses were not adequate enough proof that I actually LIVED in the United States for the three month preceding my departure to Japan. Apparently, my passport - issued on May 16, 2006 - was just 3 days shy of "officially" proving I lived in America. ARE YOU PHUCKING KIDDING ME??? The lady was like "It's not that I don't believe you...... but you need other proof." How about I kick you in the head?? I am shamed to say I was unable to hide my distress at this asinine turn of events.

Oh, I failed to mention that today's visit was only the start of the process. You must go one day to file paperwork, take a paper test and an eye exam. Then you must return on a separate day to take a physical driving test. If you should fail this test, you need to return until you pass. So while I thought I'd have day one out of the way, today was really just a day to acquaint myself with the toilet and vending machine locations for my future visits.

SOOOO meanwhile back at the ranch (Yatsuo Junior High) I am playing Monty Hall and Lets make a deal so that I can get the time I need to sort this SHIT out. The VP suggested that I cut my July vacation short - UM No can do there buddy! I may end up having to wait until summer vacation in August and after my international driver's license has expired (8/6) to get this all sorted out. Truth be told a bike is looking might good right now!!!!!!!!!!

In Local News

• A few weeks ago my car was chased by a rooster that was loitering in the middle of the road. After I finally managed to NOT run it over, I went back on foot to get a photo (who wouldn't). The rooster then proceeded to chase me around. I ran from a damn bird - come on!!!
• Last Saturday, T proved her weight in gold by assisting me. In short, I had a problem of a female nature, my doctor couldn't/wouldn't see me, but I was determined to seek medical attention. Tiffany and I ended up at the orthopedic surgery desk (she realized this after we asked for assistance) of Yatsuo hospital and they were kind enough to direct me to a women's clinic in Toyama. I got to ride in a robotic chair and T now has a whole new set of vocabulary words (^-^). They gave me medicine too!
• Sunday, while chillin' in my pjs and webcaming with Mom, my landlords came knocking at my door. They were speaking in Japanese and looked pretty sad. Then the landlord held up a rock and said the word car. Turns out he was weed whacking the yard and caught a rock which proceeded to shatter the passenger side window of my car. They kept saying gomenisai (very sorry) and I kept saying daijobu (it's okay). They then whisked my car away and returned 15 mins later with a loaner. My only regret is that he didn't break the driver side window - cause it's already broken!
• Had my third Japanese lesson yesterday. I hate going, I hate paying the money and I am still not sure there is much benefit in going BUT... I really like the teacher and now my ichi nensei and I are learning the exact same grammar points in each language. So we can say I am, Are you, This is, That is....
• My goddaughter in Scotland has a Hello Kitty in a kimono from her Aunt's visit to Japan -she's taken to calling it 'Nasa Dani' after me cause I live in Japan. Okay - I just included that cause it's damn cute!

That is all for now - more breaking news stories as they occur!

Fun with Fotos

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

The seaweed is always greener.....

Man, most of the time I relish the fact that I am excluded from most things at school (due to my amazing lack of Japanese and the fact that being an ALT is just a step above being a lunch lady). But today I am cursing this limbo position as both of my third year classes get ready for their class trip - to Okinawa! Hey, I teach these kids - I think I should get to go on the trip with them! I have time and money - LOL. But alas, they leave tomorrow and nobody told me. A plan is forming in my head that maybe I should express my desire to go next year (I really like those kids at both schools). The would put me on a trip with the kids that patted Dad's belly, kept touching his beard and asked him if he liked sex (I try to teach them right, but why fight fate). Who wouldn't want to spend three days with them! It would be unforgetable! Of course, they'll probably be going to Osaka or Nagano or some such less exciting locale.
I suppose I should stay here as I have a growing stack of papers to correct. Alas, I have no desire to do so and there is always something better, know what I mean. I've recently decided I do my best work under pressure - so I think creating lessons 50 mins before class is going to be the norm for me. Bit of trial by fire if you will.
I've also started to question the whole "being a teacher" thing after Japan. I mean, let's face it, I am NOT a teacher now - I am a glorified teacher's aid. I get to go home at 4 and I have no tests to grade. My one sensei told me she usually gets home between 7-8 every day and she starts at 7am. Dude, as I said when I switched my major from education to history, I am just to damn lazy to be a teacher! Sure I love the kids and the creative aspects - but man, I don't think I can give that much of myself to others!! I'll leave that to the dedicated! So that leaves the question, what do I do after Japan??

What's Your Accent?

Check this out:
http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_american_accent_do_you_have"
My results:
The Island North
You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."

How about you?

You can see it from here

Just got back from dropping Dad off at the airport. Saying goodbye was pretty hard.
Now Dad has a feel for my life in Japan. He says that I don’t quite live in the middle of nowhere, but that you can see it from here!

We had lots of fun in the Toyama sun! Hit some of the top spots in the Toyama tourist industry!

• Sunday we tiptoed thru the tulips at the Tonami tulip festival. I managed to chase down two of the walking tulips and got my photo taken! I learned that there are over 40 varieties of tulips – including ones that look like roses and one that looked like a head of lettuce!
• Monday we took a bus to the top of Mt. Tate and walked thru the snow corridor – a 72-foot wall of snow plowed to make way to the gift shop – LOL! Got a little snow blind and bus sick – but it was a gorgeous day and we had fun!!
• Very early Tuesday morning we headed out on the Sea of Japan and saw some glow-in-the-dark squid. Unfortunately, I forgot my zip lock baggie or I could have had some very fresh squid (not that I would have eaten them – LOL).
• Wednesday we karaoked in Toyama. I don’t know if it was the liquid courage or what but Dad was smoking hot on the microphone!! It probably helped that they had some Merle Haggard and Dad’s all-time favorite song – “White Rabbit”. He didn’t want to leave!
• Thursday was the Yatsuo Hikiyama festival – 6 huge floats pulled by human power up and down the hilly streets of town. We saw them in the sunshine and lit up with hundreds of lanterns.
• Friday, my calligraphy teacher invited Dad and I to attend a traditional festival in a nearby town. The highlight of this one was archers in traditional costumes on horseback attempting to shoot targets using HUGE bow and arrows. The highlight for me was hanging out with my teacher’s grandkids – I love um – they are so cute!

We also managed to squeeze in just about every Japanese food that I eat (no raw fish). All in all a very good time! It’s all documented on Picassa if you want to enjoy some photos!

Noli nothis permittere te terere.

I really just wanted a blog with this title! It's Latin for "Don't let the bastard's get you down" which happens to be one of my Dad's favorite phrases and one that he has countlessly repeated to me when: I worry/bitch/depart for foreign countries/etc. Well, this phrase and "Trust No One" which he conveniently stole from the X-files.
Just a quick update on things here:

1. I quit the charity show. I am afraid it didn't live up to my high school drama club memories and I just wasn't enjoying myself. Maybe I really am a grumpy old fart (._.). Kudos to the cast though - they are all doing a really great job - and it should be an interesting show!
2. As punishment (cause my guilty conscience is HUGE) for breaking my commitment to the charity show, I made myself sign up for Japanese lessons with a private tutor. Now most of you (and most of the ALTs here) don't consider this punishment - but I know my state of mind regarding the learning of Japanese - and it's border line torture. Plus, my friends have 'already' started correcting me - so this should make my life so much more exciting! True be told - yet another startling revelation about me - I don't like being in situations where I am corrected and feel uncomfortable (¬_¬). The tutor seems like a really sweet lady - so maybe she'll increase my comfort level.
3. Time to start thinking about a Japanese drivers licence - but that drama will be a blog onto itself!
4. Dad arrives in exactly ONE week! YEAH!!! Let the fun begin!!!

Statement of Motivation

Well, it's just me and the tea lady (who is vacumning) in the staff room - everyone else has left the building. So to pass the time I am reorganizing my photos by monthe and deleting files. Whilst doing this, I came across my required statement of motivation for my JET application. Wow! It's been almost a year and a half since I wrote this!! Ah the drama of trying to say the right thing to get this job! It worked! So I am going to post it here for posterity!

What motivated me to apply to participate in the JET program? While sitting in class one day, I picked up the university newspaper, noticed the JET program advertisement and was intrigued. That night I researched the program on the internet, and after learning a little more about the program, I thought, "this is a perfect opportunity for me".
Other then this feeling, I am motivated by the chance to immerse myself in Japanese life. I am also motivated by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. More than teaching others English grammar and vocabulary, I want to share my experiences of life in America with them. I have traveled to over 40 states and as a result have many stories about the United States that I can use to make learning English and American culture more engaging.
I am also motivated by the personal benefits this opportunity offers. I am enthralled with the chance to live overseas and become a member of another community. The program is not just a chance to teach others, it is also an opportunity for me to learn. I will have the benefit of learning a second language and experience a new culture by living it every day. I can also learn more about myself through interaction with new people, places and experiences.
Why Japan? I had the opportunity to visit Japan in 2004. During my time there I was fascinated with everything: the people, the rich culture, the history and religion, the landscape and environment. My trip piqued an interest in the diversity and different perspectives that exist between Eastern and Western cultures. Participation in this program will afford me the opportunity to immerse myself into all aspects of this intriguing culture.
I am interested in the ALT position because it would give me a chance to teach in a classroom setting, to test some of my current teaching methods, and to embrace new ones in the process. I have found training that gets a student involved, demonstrates the concept, or provides hands-on experience is the best way to learn. In my current position as a technology specialist with Percepta, I am a certified back-up trainer. My job is split between instructor-led training and designing training. I feel this background more than qualifies me to train English as a second language in Japan. I am outgoing, friendly, genuine, caring, and creative and these personality traits will be an asset to an ALT teaching position. I enjoy working with people, young or old. I like to make people laugh and want them to enjoy learning.
Professionally, I am looking to gain experience in teaching and in working overseas. I anticipate making lasting business contacts that could lead to future opportunities in my desired field. Participating in this program will be a compliment to my continuing education goals in Instructional Technology.
What effect do I hope to have on the Japanese community and the larger international community? As a world traveler, I have experienced so much that makes me love and appreciate my country, I will share that love of America with the people of Japan. I hope to inspire them to find and experience their own adventures. I want to encourage them to take their newly acquired knowledge and teach Japanese in America for a year, visit Michigan for a week, or travel the world. I want to come home and share my Japanese experiences with everyone so that they might be inspired to visit Japan, try sushi, or apply for the JET program.
My motivation for wanting to participate in the JET program is simple: this program is a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself into a foreign culture to gain a new and different insight into that culture. I am flexible, easy going, adventurous and love to travel – so this would be a life-altering experience! I am eager and ready to start sharing my enthusiasm for teaching English and learning Japanese.

Hanami and Sakura

Tis the season of cherry blossoms in Japan! So that means we’ve got another reason to party!! As the cherry blossom (sakura) season is relatively short – the blooms last about two weeks or until a good strong wind comes along and blows them all away – it’s a compact time for making merry. The “thing” to do is get a big group of people together and have a picnic (hanami) under the blossoms to admire their beauty. Or to be honest, to eat and drink and just have fun.
Here is a brief list of all the fun I had:
Hanami #1 – Joetsu, Niigata
Went to this park because it apparently has one of the top 3 places to view sakura at night. Unfortunately, the sakura were not quite open yet – so it wasn’t as beautiful as it would be the next week. We were ill prepared for a hanami – trash bags to sit on and no food or beverages. But as things happen in Japan, we were overrun – or assimilated if you will – into the hanami party of a large group of old, Japanese drinking buddies. They tossed their huge blue tarp over tiffany, stole one of our garbage bags for their shoes, and then offered us their hospitality! We ate their food, drank their sake and made a sad attempt at communication. They got T to play her guitar and I sang along for an impromptu concert – all in all, probably my most memorial and interesting hanami!
Hanami #2 – Toyama, Toyama
T and I headed into the city to view the blossoms along the river in Toyama. They were not disappointing! We took a gondola ride down the river to get a different perspective of the blooms. There was a party atmosphere with festival food and vendors all over the park! We met up with some other ALTs, got our favorite festival foods and ate under the trees.
Hanami #3 – Toyama, Toyama
I returned to Toyama later in the week for another hanami. This one was along the river, but it was dark and a bit cold! Thankfully, I brought something to keep my hinny warm! Festival vendors where still there, so I got a potato swimming in butter to keep my insides warm!
Hanami #4 – Osawano, Toyama
The last one of the season I’m afraid – the weather was extremely windy and most of the trees along the river looked as if they’d been shaken naked! Got to meet one of my former JTE’s American husband and his American university buddies. It was a different crowd from what I am used to and I had a nice time.

Truth be told, I think I’ve seen all the cherry blossoms I can handle for now! Took lots of photos and I’ve updated them on my Picasa page (click the top link to view them). Not to worry though, the blossoms might be gone, but the Japanese are never without some reason to party!

Dragon Tails

Yet another reason to love this place: Today while eating my lunch of egg curry, fish and rice, I heard noises coming from outside. Lo and behold, it was a troupe of performers – 5 kawaii kids in traditional costume, 2 guys in a dragon costume and a mess of men (from young to old) playing flute and a drum. Apparently, and this should come as no surprise by now, today is a festival heralding the arrival of spring. The kids danced – they were so cute – and I was kicking myself for not having my camera on my person at all times! At the end they thanked the school for the gift of money and some sake. The guy doing the talking was spitting a lot and at one point it looked like the veins in his forehead might pop – I kept an appropriate distance. The best part was that the cart that was pulling the drum was also full of cases of beer. So once these guys finished they lit up a smoke, grabbed a cold one and headed to the next performance!

YEAH - Tiffany had her camera and snapped a photo when the stopped at her school.

It does the body good

They say 4 to 5 servings of green tea a day keeps you nice and healthy! Since I have some teachers who are in their 4os but look like they graduated from high school/university yesterday - I think they might be right!

I've decided the easiest way is to get all the servings out of the way at one time!!!

Magic Muffins

Whoo Hooo! English muffins have magically appeared at my grocery store again! I am convinced they are magic and only appear at Orange Mart when someone drops them down a hole thru the center of the earth from a grocery store in Michigan. I am eating one of these magic muffins right now - delish!

Life is cruising here in the land of the rising sun! Spring has sprung, the cherry blossoms are blooming and the Japanese are out in full force with there Nikons and tripods! I too am going to join the "cherry blossom" mania. The "thing" to do is grab yourself a bento, some booze and a spot under a cherry tree! I am sure there will be a blog in there somewhere.

In other news, T is making me go to the gym (v_v). It's painful - but necessary. I seem to be exercising both my body and mind as I continue to make disturbing and enlightening discoveries about my psyche. I can only hope that all this exercise will do it's magic (^-^)b. If not, at least there will be funny stories!

AAAAAHHHHHGGGGG!!!!!

If someone screams in cyber space, does anyone here it??
Sorry, had to get that out - cause I am sitting in the extremely quiet staff room and I want to scream, or sing out loud or just talk to someone!!!! Obviously, these people would think I am even crazier then I appear if I started doing the above - so I must do it here. Then again - there aren't that many people here - so perhaps it wouldn't matter. This week has been rough - on the motivation front - no kids, no established English teachers, no direction....

OH GOD - I am losing it! Now I can't look at the guy across from me with out laughing. I am heading to Mystery Science Theater 3ooo (MST3) mode - making up my own dialogue in my head.

Okay, yet another disturbing discovery today: I am turning into a dirty old spinster! 15 minutes ago it was just me and three of the better looking male teachers in the staff room and as this is a PG rated blog I cannot tell you where my mind started to wander (O_o). Jess, I may actually have one of those stories you keep telling me to write - LOL. I swear to Buddha, it's getting to the point were, when I look at some of this guys, they turn into a big piece of steak (or Arby's roast beef sandwich) on a plate - just like in the Looney Toons cartoons!!!! This cannot be good (,_,). But what is one to do when all the JET boys are either to young, attached, or gay and the Japanese are probably afraid I would crush them to death - LOL. All I am left is my imagination and my feeble, embarrassing attempts at female flirtation with my co-workers (which they are very good at avoiding). It's all quite depressing if you think about it!

And in this present state of mind + MST3 mode, I have to go to a party with these people and drink copious amounts of alcohol! Perhaps I could seal my status as dirty old spinster by taking advantage of one of my poor drunken teachers tonight - LOL - AS IF! I'll say this much - I am much more exciting in my mind then real life - eheheh. But then, aren't we all??

I Feel the Earth Move...

Two earth moving events this weekend.
First, there was an earthquake in my neck of Japan. As luck would have it I had just gotten out of bed to visit the commode when my apartment started to shake so I didn't sleep through this one. I made a dash for one of my shelves and managed to save nothing from falling. Luckily, nothing was broken (I may move my laptop out of the path of falling glass from now on). Then it was over! I went back to bed. Felt one small after shock later. Got an email from one of the Japanese teachers at school - guess a shaking of this magnitude is pretty rare in Yatsuo. The only news story I could find was out of China - click here to read. Shout out to Trevor for sending an email to check on me!

Second earth moving event, the Bubster is coming to Japan!!! While researching possible ways to get off this rock for Golden Week, I discovered that my FF miles were worthless to leave, but not to get here. So in a matter of 24 hours, we had Dad booked on a flight to the land of the rising sun! Of course, once the deed was done, I started worrying about what to do with my dad in Japan for 6 days - LOL. But upon further reflection - I am sure I can find something to amuse him! Karaoke, tempura shrimp, and Asahi!!!! So now Golden Week will be golden and sunny with the Bubster in the house!

Another productive result from this FF mile search - I have found some tickets to Singapore and South Korea this fall - so the travel bug that I thought was in hibernation, has reared it's head again! Let the fun begin!

Sayonara Senseis

Well, today each of the teachers got called to the principle's office and told where they will be working for the next year. The sad result of these meeting is that my supervisor at Yatsuo will not be here next year. I was BUMMED when she told me. On top of that, my favorite office lady (the one who looks out for me) is also leaving. And she just started to figure out my eating habits (no tomatoes, extra meatloaf paddies).
Some of the teachers looked really sad and there was a lot of whispering going on. I wasn't invited to the meeting so I am not sure of the final results for everyone. But there is a farewell party next Friday - so I guess I just wait till then. Then we can all get trashed and say "Sayonara".
Today was also closing ceremony for the school year. More speeches in Japanese, more bowing, more singing. The temp teachers that are leaving gave a speech, got a bouquet of flowers and escorted from the gym. The rest of us got to freeze our hineys off for a few more speeches and awards. After that, it was cleaning time! And today I actually saw kids cleaning!!! Hanging out windows and what not. We had the largest dust pile I've yet to see in the teacher's room - its was amazing (*-*). Of course the kids didn't just go home after this to enjoy their spring break - because club activities never stop! They'll be back during the break for a few hours each day too. No rest for the wicked or a Japanese student!

Somebody's Watching Me..

"It always feels like some body's watching me....."
There are many a JET/foreigner here that complain about getting stared at and how rude that is, why don't people stop it, blah, blah, blah. To which i say - you are a red M&M in a sea of green - of course people are going to stare! We are DIFFERENT for pete's sake! I personally embrace my 'uniqueness' and run with it. I am sure my sometimes wacky head wear only make it more fun for those who care to take a glance. I've yet to feel a sense of paranoia while out walking or hanging out at Favore. Hell if anything I am the one staring at all the cute babies this country produces!
There is one thing though that induces the paranoia bug in me (I think I've mentioned this before, but it bugs me enough to repeat it) - when they talk about me at school. It drives me CRAZY. Cause I KNOW they are talking about me - they say my damn name "Danielle-san"! Today, for instance I was the subject of a conversation between my supervisor and vice-principle, there was paperwork involved and at one point my sup was counting my days worked in the attendance book (I have NO idea why). And this all took place not 10 feet from my desk. Being the innate worry wart that I am - I can't have people discussing me - cause my mind immediately jumps to the wrong place: Maybe they discovered where I hid the bodies; Maybe I 'shouldn't' use the computer so much; Did I forget to sweep under a desk??;Have they FINALLY discovered what a slacker I am? AGGHHHHHH.

Mom says this is an excellent reason to learn the language - except I am starting to think these people speak in code - so much can be said with SOOOOO little around here. Hai, Hai, Danielle-san, hai, wakarimashita, hai, domo, wakarimashita, hai. Means: Yes she is a slacker. Yes, I've had her house bugged. Danielle-san will be watched. I understand. Yes, we can have her taken care of. Thank you for your approval. I understand. Yes, lunch tomorrow would be wonderful.

Ja ne!