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!