Japan_Bound
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
I don't recall asking for further proof that Japan is full of inefficiencies, but we're often given the gift of knowledge and enlightenment when we least expect it. Case in point: Mom sent my Christmas parcel weeks ago and it still has not arrived. It's not floating in the Pacific Ocean, or stuffed in the fuselage of a plane - oh no - it's safe in Japan but still hasn't been delivered. My package camped out in Tokyo customs for over a week (no one seems to know why - but mom and I are guessing it's because of the "deadly" microwave popcorn) and is now sitting at an Osaka post office. Why do I not have it if it's in Osaka, you might ask? Because the postal system here employs completely braindead morons. And, just as we all experience in this age of technology, human beings are no longer accessible via the phone. Of course, if I had an intense urge to listen to a robotic message over and over again (and in Japanese no less), all my needs would be satisfied by the 1-800 number Japan's purolator company insists on handing out. Here's what I think: no one has the slightest clue what is going on OR where my package is, and like any company that's been embarrassed by its inability to provide information, the easiest way to pacify an angry customer is to shell out another 1-800 number and hope like hell they calm down while entrenched in a maze of "press this for that." Perhaps these people should employ psychologists, who could easily tell them that angry customers tend to become more enraged by this process. But that's just my opinion.
OK, enough ranting about that. I don't feel any better for it anyway!
Last night (after waiting in the apartment until 6 PM for a package that never arrived - but I said I wouldn't talk about it anymore) we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Osaka for dinner, and then walked around Umeda (the neighborhood where I work) for a bit, before coming home.
Today we're going to go to a movie and then hopefully find something fun to do for New Year's Eve. As usual we have no plans as of yet. I don't know why I expected things to be any different just because we're in Japan, in one of the biggest cities in the world. You could put us in Times Square and we still wouldn't have plans until 11:45 the night of! That's just us. I guess our plan is to pick a bar frequented by foreigners and hope we find some interesting people to party with. It's better than sitting at home, anyway. I just hope I start to feel better by this evening. And as I still can't believe it's New Year's Eve already, I still haven't come up with a resolution. I'm not going to make any promises about losing weight, exercising more, blah blah blah. I think my NYR this time will just be to be happy. Yeah, that sounds good to me.
OK, enough ranting about that. I don't feel any better for it anyway!
Last night (after waiting in the apartment until 6 PM for a package that never arrived - but I said I wouldn't talk about it anymore) we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Osaka for dinner, and then walked around Umeda (the neighborhood where I work) for a bit, before coming home.
Today we're going to go to a movie and then hopefully find something fun to do for New Year's Eve. As usual we have no plans as of yet. I don't know why I expected things to be any different just because we're in Japan, in one of the biggest cities in the world. You could put us in Times Square and we still wouldn't have plans until 11:45 the night of! That's just us. I guess our plan is to pick a bar frequented by foreigners and hope we find some interesting people to party with. It's better than sitting at home, anyway. I just hope I start to feel better by this evening. And as I still can't believe it's New Year's Eve already, I still haven't come up with a resolution. I'm not going to make any promises about losing weight, exercising more, blah blah blah. I think my NYR this time will just be to be happy. Yeah, that sounds good to me.
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Just a quick update today as I'm still feeling like crap!
Yesterday we got up really early and started our day with another pancake breakfast at a Denny's-like restaurant near my apartment. You might be wondering why we always have pancakes when we go out for breakfast, but it's just because it's the only option (unless you consider salad, rice and an egg breakfast).
After, we caught the train to Nara so that I could show Jesse Toddai-ji Temple - the one I told you about before that's the largest wooden structure in the world. On the train we met an older fellow who spoke a little English, and he ended up giving us a guided tour all over Nara. He spent at least an hour with us telling us about the history, taking us through the monk's quarters and showing us their homes and gardens (very cool), telling us about the significance of certain things (for example the wave pattern on all the tiles you see there - it's meant to act as a charm against typhoons), showing us where to buy really cheap food for the deer so we didn't get greased by the vendors in the park, telling us to pose so he could take our picture. He was really wonderful and made the trip much more enjoyable - I definitely got to see Nara in a completely different way than I saw it with Ali a couple of months ago, and it made me realize just how much you miss when you're just walking through looking at the major sights. I wish I could have a guided tour everywhere I go!!
Jesse was really impressed by the sheer size of the temple and I took lots of pictures of him with an awed look on his face. More pictures on the way!! Take care!
Yesterday we got up really early and started our day with another pancake breakfast at a Denny's-like restaurant near my apartment. You might be wondering why we always have pancakes when we go out for breakfast, but it's just because it's the only option (unless you consider salad, rice and an egg breakfast).
After, we caught the train to Nara so that I could show Jesse Toddai-ji Temple - the one I told you about before that's the largest wooden structure in the world. On the train we met an older fellow who spoke a little English, and he ended up giving us a guided tour all over Nara. He spent at least an hour with us telling us about the history, taking us through the monk's quarters and showing us their homes and gardens (very cool), telling us about the significance of certain things (for example the wave pattern on all the tiles you see there - it's meant to act as a charm against typhoons), showing us where to buy really cheap food for the deer so we didn't get greased by the vendors in the park, telling us to pose so he could take our picture. He was really wonderful and made the trip much more enjoyable - I definitely got to see Nara in a completely different way than I saw it with Ali a couple of months ago, and it made me realize just how much you miss when you're just walking through looking at the major sights. I wish I could have a guided tour everywhere I go!!
Jesse was really impressed by the sheer size of the temple and I took lots of pictures of him with an awed look on his face. More pictures on the way!! Take care!
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Hello again! Yesterday the most productive Jesse got was calling his family from the living room couch; I've never seen him that hung over and we spent the whole day in the apartment sharing in his misery (the girlfriend always has to pick up the pieces!).
Today I had to work which sucked, but thankfully it was the only day I had to work during Jesse's entire stay. He caught the train all by himself and met me after I finished work, and then we went to a Thai restaurant with Ali, our friend Julia, and a Japanese friend of Ali's. We had a really good time, and the food was amazing.
I'm coming down with a really bad cold again and am really feeling like things just keep getting more and more wonderful (this of course was said tongue in cheek).
I'm having a really hard time dealing with the loss of T and feeling your absence more than ever. Most people who found out from Ali look at me as if to say "get over it. It was just a cat." But of course you know that Tigger was so much more than that to me. He was my baby and he was my friend. And I don't know how I'm ever going to be O.K. with the idea of walking through the front door and not having him there to meow at me, follow me everywhere, curl up and sleep beside me with his head in my hand. I was thinking today that he's been in my life for more than half of my life and there is a big hole in my heart. Of course I'm trying to make sure Jesse has a great time because he came so far at such an expense, but every now and then it hits me again and I find it hard to breathe. And sleep. And smile. And accept. There is nothing in the world that can make this better, and I have no idea what to do with myself half the time. I feel as though I've handed my heart to someone on a platter with a steak knife. And I wish like crazy I could wake up from this nightmare.
I LOVE YOU BABY, WHEREVER YOU ARE.
Today I had to work which sucked, but thankfully it was the only day I had to work during Jesse's entire stay. He caught the train all by himself and met me after I finished work, and then we went to a Thai restaurant with Ali, our friend Julia, and a Japanese friend of Ali's. We had a really good time, and the food was amazing.
I'm coming down with a really bad cold again and am really feeling like things just keep getting more and more wonderful (this of course was said tongue in cheek).
I'm having a really hard time dealing with the loss of T and feeling your absence more than ever. Most people who found out from Ali look at me as if to say "get over it. It was just a cat." But of course you know that Tigger was so much more than that to me. He was my baby and he was my friend. And I don't know how I'm ever going to be O.K. with the idea of walking through the front door and not having him there to meow at me, follow me everywhere, curl up and sleep beside me with his head in my hand. I was thinking today that he's been in my life for more than half of my life and there is a big hole in my heart. Of course I'm trying to make sure Jesse has a great time because he came so far at such an expense, but every now and then it hits me again and I find it hard to breathe. And sleep. And smile. And accept. There is nothing in the world that can make this better, and I have no idea what to do with myself half the time. I feel as though I've handed my heart to someone on a platter with a steak knife. And I wish like crazy I could wake up from this nightmare.
I LOVE YOU BABY, WHEREVER YOU ARE.
Friday, December 26, 2003
MERI KURISUMASU!!!
Christmas Eve we just weren't up for the light show, so we meandered around Kobe harbour and then had Christmas Eve dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe! My dad read my story before I went to bed!!
Yesterday we opened presents and went out for a pancake breakfast. Afterward, we managed to find a huge Manga store which had Jesse enthralled for quite some time. Christmas dinner was fish and chips at one of the pubs I go to with friends alot; there Jesse met a British guy who came drinking with us and a bunch of my friends from work. We didn't get in until about 4 A.M. Jesse was supposed to talk to everyone on the phone, but passed out. He's a little worse for wear this morning and lying on the couch groaning periodically. I don't think we're going to be going very far today!
Christmas Eve we just weren't up for the light show, so we meandered around Kobe harbour and then had Christmas Eve dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe! My dad read my story before I went to bed!!
Yesterday we opened presents and went out for a pancake breakfast. Afterward, we managed to find a huge Manga store which had Jesse enthralled for quite some time. Christmas dinner was fish and chips at one of the pubs I go to with friends alot; there Jesse met a British guy who came drinking with us and a bunch of my friends from work. We didn't get in until about 4 A.M. Jesse was supposed to talk to everyone on the phone, but passed out. He's a little worse for wear this morning and lying on the couch groaning periodically. I don't think we're going to be going very far today!
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
A huge thank you to everyone who tried to pacify my worries about T - I knew something was up and Jesse finally spilled the beans. For the first time ever I'm going to use the F-word in my blog, as this news FUCKING sucks. We're still trying to enjoy ourselves and our time together (perhaps I'm having to try harder because I've only just heard), and are actually heading out the door any minute. Jesse wants to try to find a theater that's showing the 3rd Lord of the Rings movie, so that's what we're off to do before checking out the lights in Kobe. Bah-fucking-hum-bug. I don't know why, but all the crappy stuff in my life happens in November, just before Christmas so that Christmas becomes more and more about remembering all the bad shit that has accumulated over the years. Thank God Jesse is here, and thank God I didn't find out by myself over the phone. I'm really missing you guys, even moreso now, but I don't want you to worry about me because I'm going to be fine and I'm much stronger than I was a few months ago when I left. Take care and we'll be in touch.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Phew! Yet another busy day!
Today we got up early so that I could show Jesse around my work (can't be on sight when there are students, so we had to go really early!), had breakfast at a coffee shop near the station, and then caught an hour long train ride to Himeji. Himeji has the best castle in Japan, so I knew that was one of the places I definitely wanted to take Jess. As I knew he would, he loved it, and we spent an enjoyable couple of hours wandering around the castle and the grounds. We had another beautiful day again and it was perfect! Then we went for lunch at a little Italian place before catching the train back home - we both slept most of the way and are completely exhausted! We napped this afternoon and just vegged in front of a movie, and just got home from dinner - I took Jess to my favorite Ramen (yummy noodles) joint, just around the corner from my apartment. Don't tell him I said this (he'll find out anyway if he reads this!!) but it's been so cute watching him learn how to use chopsticks. Ali laughed at me the first few times because I was a total gimp with them, but Jess seems to be catching on really quickly.
Surprise, surprise - he said if I wanted to stay a second year he'd come back to visit me; he really loves it here and seems to be enjoying himself immensely.
For my part, it's been so wonderful to show someone exactly what my life is like, and he feels better now because he'll be able to picture stuff if I mention it while we're on the phone together. The last 3 days have gone so fast and I'm already wishing he could stay longer than 2 weeks, but I'm just greatful that he's here. Thanks again to everyone who helped to make that possible.
Can't believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow (for us anyway)! I'm taking Jesse to Kobe to see a Christmas light festival in the harbour (as we always go looking at lights on Christmas Eve we figured why change the tradition now!). I'm dying for him to open his presents!
One quick question - someone tucked a shirt and vest for me in with Jesse's stuff and he's not sure who did it - I'd like whomever was responsible to fess up so I can thank them, as I really love the clothes.
Also, thanks for the calendar Dad and Katherine, and for whatever little things Jess said you sent along - Jesse's going to put them in my stocking tomorrow night.
Momma, the package still isn't here, but I'm sure it will arrive tomorrow. And even if it doesn't arrive until Thursday, the post office will be open here on Christmas Day - so don't worry! And Jesse has promised to intervene so that I don't mistakenly see the contents list.
One final note: Laurie, thank you so much for sending along all those shows! I really appreciate it and really enjoyed The Simple Life - funny show! One night after Will & Grace I caught the last few minutes of that Newlyweds show with Nick and Jessica Simpson - that looked really good too. Are you watching it? Anyway, thanks again and I'll let you know what I think about Survivor as soon as I've watched it. I'm also sending Jesse home with all the tapes you've sent so far so that you can reuse all of them!
Love you everyone and we'll be in touch. Smooches.
Today we got up early so that I could show Jesse around my work (can't be on sight when there are students, so we had to go really early!), had breakfast at a coffee shop near the station, and then caught an hour long train ride to Himeji. Himeji has the best castle in Japan, so I knew that was one of the places I definitely wanted to take Jess. As I knew he would, he loved it, and we spent an enjoyable couple of hours wandering around the castle and the grounds. We had another beautiful day again and it was perfect! Then we went for lunch at a little Italian place before catching the train back home - we both slept most of the way and are completely exhausted! We napped this afternoon and just vegged in front of a movie, and just got home from dinner - I took Jess to my favorite Ramen (yummy noodles) joint, just around the corner from my apartment. Don't tell him I said this (he'll find out anyway if he reads this!!) but it's been so cute watching him learn how to use chopsticks. Ali laughed at me the first few times because I was a total gimp with them, but Jess seems to be catching on really quickly.
Surprise, surprise - he said if I wanted to stay a second year he'd come back to visit me; he really loves it here and seems to be enjoying himself immensely.
For my part, it's been so wonderful to show someone exactly what my life is like, and he feels better now because he'll be able to picture stuff if I mention it while we're on the phone together. The last 3 days have gone so fast and I'm already wishing he could stay longer than 2 weeks, but I'm just greatful that he's here. Thanks again to everyone who helped to make that possible.
Can't believe it's Christmas Eve tomorrow (for us anyway)! I'm taking Jesse to Kobe to see a Christmas light festival in the harbour (as we always go looking at lights on Christmas Eve we figured why change the tradition now!). I'm dying for him to open his presents!
One quick question - someone tucked a shirt and vest for me in with Jesse's stuff and he's not sure who did it - I'd like whomever was responsible to fess up so I can thank them, as I really love the clothes.
Also, thanks for the calendar Dad and Katherine, and for whatever little things Jess said you sent along - Jesse's going to put them in my stocking tomorrow night.
Momma, the package still isn't here, but I'm sure it will arrive tomorrow. And even if it doesn't arrive until Thursday, the post office will be open here on Christmas Day - so don't worry! And Jesse has promised to intervene so that I don't mistakenly see the contents list.
One final note: Laurie, thank you so much for sending along all those shows! I really appreciate it and really enjoyed The Simple Life - funny show! One night after Will & Grace I caught the last few minutes of that Newlyweds show with Nick and Jessica Simpson - that looked really good too. Are you watching it? Anyway, thanks again and I'll let you know what I think about Survivor as soon as I've watched it. I'm also sending Jesse home with all the tapes you've sent so far so that you can reuse all of them!
Love you everyone and we'll be in touch. Smooches.
Monday, December 22, 2003
HE'S HERE!!! And just barely, apparently (I'll explain!).
On Saturday after work I raced home to get changed and then caught the train to the bus station. The last bus leaving for Kansai Airport was at 8:10 and I just made it. I got to the airport at 9 PM and spent a lot of time pacing and attempting to read my book. Jesse's flight was supposed to arrive at 10 PM, but when he hadn't arrived by 11:15 PM I was really starting to get nervous; especially since the last international flight had arrived 40 minutes prior to that and the airport was starting to close down! Finally at 11:20 I spotted him and we were reunited!! Here's what had happened to the poor guy: There are 2 airports in Tokyo; his flight from Vancouver arrived at one of them, but his connecting flight to Osaka was leaving from the other one (HUGE mistake on the part of the airline with whom he booked). He had to catch an hour and a half long bus ride to the right airport but obviously in doing so missed his connecting flight. He then had to pay a fortune for a flight and just managed to catch the last one leaving Tokyo that night! When we met up at Kansai we also just made the last train leaving for Osaka. A lot of just barely's for one night! Then, when we tried to catch a cab from the train station to my apartment, the cab driver insisted that the address doesn't exist! He and another cab driver were actually standing in the street shouting because they both agreed that I was basically full of shit and had no idea what I was talking about. Will the adventures never end is all I could keep saying in my head! Since I do, in fact, know that my address and apartment building exist, we decided to try our luck with another cab driver who knew exactly what I was talking about and brought us home with no further hassles.
Yesterday we got up and I took Jess to a place called Tsuruhashi, which has an insane maze of underground markets, fish vendors, etc. There are a million sights and smells, wires crossing overhead every which way - it's exactly like what you see on TV about Japan, so I thought Jesse would like to see it (he loved it). At one of the stalls a woman convinced Jesse to try some kind of gross vegetable covered in even "grosser" sauce (there was no way I was trying it!). Jesse was very brave and gracious about it, but immediately spat it out into a tissue as soon as we had walked away! He said the taste stayed in his mouth all day!! Ha ha - better him than me, I told him!
After that I took him to Osaka castle which is beautiful on the outside, but totally boring on the inside. It's totally modernized and just has a bunch of boring museum-like displays. The view of Osaka from the very top was great though, so we enjoyed that. Also it was a gorgeous, sunny day, so the walk around the park was really nice and romantic! Finally, someone to hold hands with!
After the castle we came home and napped (Jesse is still fighting the jet lag) and then got ready for my staff Christmas party. About 50 of us went to an izekaya (traditional Japanese restaurant/bar where you sit on the floor around low tables). It was soooo much fun! The beer was flowing non-stop and the waiters brought a constant stream of really good food - there were only 2 things I didn't try (one of them being sashimi - raw fish - and one of them being something I had never seen before but which smelled like garbage and looked like worms - no thank you). Even though he isn't feeling great, Jesse had a really good time too and was happy to meet all my co-workers.
On the way to the izekaya I was also able to show him where I work, so he'll now be able to picture exactly what I'm talking about when I tell him what I'm up to, and getting a real idea of what my days are like.
Today we're taking it easy because Jesse still isn't feeling very well (bad food on the plane?) and tomorrow I'm going to take him to Himeji castle which is going to knock his socks off after the fiasco of Osaka castle!
I'll be in touch!
On Saturday after work I raced home to get changed and then caught the train to the bus station. The last bus leaving for Kansai Airport was at 8:10 and I just made it. I got to the airport at 9 PM and spent a lot of time pacing and attempting to read my book. Jesse's flight was supposed to arrive at 10 PM, but when he hadn't arrived by 11:15 PM I was really starting to get nervous; especially since the last international flight had arrived 40 minutes prior to that and the airport was starting to close down! Finally at 11:20 I spotted him and we were reunited!! Here's what had happened to the poor guy: There are 2 airports in Tokyo; his flight from Vancouver arrived at one of them, but his connecting flight to Osaka was leaving from the other one (HUGE mistake on the part of the airline with whom he booked). He had to catch an hour and a half long bus ride to the right airport but obviously in doing so missed his connecting flight. He then had to pay a fortune for a flight and just managed to catch the last one leaving Tokyo that night! When we met up at Kansai we also just made the last train leaving for Osaka. A lot of just barely's for one night! Then, when we tried to catch a cab from the train station to my apartment, the cab driver insisted that the address doesn't exist! He and another cab driver were actually standing in the street shouting because they both agreed that I was basically full of shit and had no idea what I was talking about. Will the adventures never end is all I could keep saying in my head! Since I do, in fact, know that my address and apartment building exist, we decided to try our luck with another cab driver who knew exactly what I was talking about and brought us home with no further hassles.
Yesterday we got up and I took Jess to a place called Tsuruhashi, which has an insane maze of underground markets, fish vendors, etc. There are a million sights and smells, wires crossing overhead every which way - it's exactly like what you see on TV about Japan, so I thought Jesse would like to see it (he loved it). At one of the stalls a woman convinced Jesse to try some kind of gross vegetable covered in even "grosser" sauce (there was no way I was trying it!). Jesse was very brave and gracious about it, but immediately spat it out into a tissue as soon as we had walked away! He said the taste stayed in his mouth all day!! Ha ha - better him than me, I told him!
After that I took him to Osaka castle which is beautiful on the outside, but totally boring on the inside. It's totally modernized and just has a bunch of boring museum-like displays. The view of Osaka from the very top was great though, so we enjoyed that. Also it was a gorgeous, sunny day, so the walk around the park was really nice and romantic! Finally, someone to hold hands with!
After the castle we came home and napped (Jesse is still fighting the jet lag) and then got ready for my staff Christmas party. About 50 of us went to an izekaya (traditional Japanese restaurant/bar where you sit on the floor around low tables). It was soooo much fun! The beer was flowing non-stop and the waiters brought a constant stream of really good food - there were only 2 things I didn't try (one of them being sashimi - raw fish - and one of them being something I had never seen before but which smelled like garbage and looked like worms - no thank you). Even though he isn't feeling great, Jesse had a really good time too and was happy to meet all my co-workers.
On the way to the izekaya I was also able to show him where I work, so he'll now be able to picture exactly what I'm talking about when I tell him what I'm up to, and getting a real idea of what my days are like.
Today we're taking it easy because Jesse still isn't feeling very well (bad food on the plane?) and tomorrow I'm going to take him to Himeji castle which is going to knock his socks off after the fiasco of Osaka castle!
I'll be in touch!
Friday, December 19, 2003
Hello all! After quite a hiatus (which I promised wouldn't happen last time - oops), I'm back again to give you a quick update regarding life in Osaka.
Yesterday my room mate left for a month in Italy and I really, really miss her already - because we talk for hours every day the apartment just seems so empty without her. Oh well, a month without her boyfriend around is worth it!
Yesterday was also the day my Japanese school had its Christmas party - all of our Japanese teachers and all of the students were there. It was a hoot! We exchanged gifts, ate food (can definitely say I've never had sushi and nikujaga at a Christmas party before, but it was really good!), sang songs, played Japanese games, and basically just had lots of fun. It really made me miss my family though, as I'd be partying with all of you right now were I home. Oh well, memories of a Christmas spent in Japan will last a lifetime. I also felt a bit of nostalgia for my favorite exchange student, Rie, with whom I played many Japanese games when she stayed with us over Christmas one year - the welcome party for them had lots of the same games and songs. I really wish my parents would find her address as I'm dying to find her again - HINT HINT mom and dad!!
Well, only one more day of work and my Jesse-Pants will finally be here! I can't wait! Tomorrow I work until 5:40, will rush home to change, will go back to the station and catch a train to the bus station, will take the bus to the airport, and then will wait for 2 hours for him to arrive (the last bus heading for the airport leaves at 8:10, so I don't have a choice about waiting at the airport, but that's OK. I'll have a cup of coffee, read my book, pace, and try to find the train station that we'll need to go to to get back to Osaka. VERY excited! Will keep you informed about all our adventures (or, rather, some of them ;)!! Miss you bunches! Smooches.
One more thing: David, IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!
Yesterday my room mate left for a month in Italy and I really, really miss her already - because we talk for hours every day the apartment just seems so empty without her. Oh well, a month without her boyfriend around is worth it!
Yesterday was also the day my Japanese school had its Christmas party - all of our Japanese teachers and all of the students were there. It was a hoot! We exchanged gifts, ate food (can definitely say I've never had sushi and nikujaga at a Christmas party before, but it was really good!), sang songs, played Japanese games, and basically just had lots of fun. It really made me miss my family though, as I'd be partying with all of you right now were I home. Oh well, memories of a Christmas spent in Japan will last a lifetime. I also felt a bit of nostalgia for my favorite exchange student, Rie, with whom I played many Japanese games when she stayed with us over Christmas one year - the welcome party for them had lots of the same games and songs. I really wish my parents would find her address as I'm dying to find her again - HINT HINT mom and dad!!
Well, only one more day of work and my Jesse-Pants will finally be here! I can't wait! Tomorrow I work until 5:40, will rush home to change, will go back to the station and catch a train to the bus station, will take the bus to the airport, and then will wait for 2 hours for him to arrive (the last bus heading for the airport leaves at 8:10, so I don't have a choice about waiting at the airport, but that's OK. I'll have a cup of coffee, read my book, pace, and try to find the train station that we'll need to go to to get back to Osaka. VERY excited! Will keep you informed about all our adventures (or, rather, some of them ;)!! Miss you bunches! Smooches.
One more thing: David, IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Hi everyone! Ahh . . . the best laid plans of mice and men. I had planned on updating this more frequently once the internet got hooked up in my apartment, but I think I do so less now. I wish I had an amazing excuse, like my dog ate my internet cable, or I got abducted by aliens, but alas it's just laziness - pure and simple. But you can all rest easy now, because I'm back at long last.
Last week, due to having recovered from the Japanese plague, I finally resumed my Japanese lessons - it's a good thing that I went, as it was the day the volunteers had planned to take us on a field trip to a Ramen (instant noodle) museum. We had so much fun too, as we got to make our own package of Ramen from scratch in a giant hands-on kitchen. I wish that we could have made more than one package so I could send them home to you (it actually tastes pretty good), but you'll just have to take my word for it! If you'd like to check the museum out, here is a website to try (you can also do a Google search for "Osaka Ramen Museum"):
http://www.mydome.or.jp/ibo/e/2000_1/ramen/ramen.html
Other than that, I don't really have any exciting news to tell! Today we had to have the super over because our sink and shower weren't draining - I can't even try to remember the smell of the stuff that came out of the drain without wanting to vomit. The drainage system here is so archaic that it astounds me, being that I'm in the technological capital of the world - juxtapositions everywhere.
Meegan's bragging moment: My trainer took me aside today to tell me that in the latest "head-honcho" meeting my name came up several times as the Japanese staff has been flooded with compliments from my students. She also told me that the Japanese staff are really impressed with me, that I'm doing really well for a new teacher, that I'm a really hard worker and that I'm always trying to improve. Then she called me a star and asked if I'm considering doing a second year here. I don't know if she was asking to make conversation or asking because they're considering offering me a promotion, but her compliments made me feel really good. I'm starting to really believe that teaching is my calling, and feel more and more confident every day.
That's about it for now. I'm SOOOOOOO excited about Jesse's upcoming visit! Ciao!!
Last week, due to having recovered from the Japanese plague, I finally resumed my Japanese lessons - it's a good thing that I went, as it was the day the volunteers had planned to take us on a field trip to a Ramen (instant noodle) museum. We had so much fun too, as we got to make our own package of Ramen from scratch in a giant hands-on kitchen. I wish that we could have made more than one package so I could send them home to you (it actually tastes pretty good), but you'll just have to take my word for it! If you'd like to check the museum out, here is a website to try (you can also do a Google search for "Osaka Ramen Museum"):
http://www.mydome.or.jp/ibo/e/2000_1/ramen/ramen.html
Other than that, I don't really have any exciting news to tell! Today we had to have the super over because our sink and shower weren't draining - I can't even try to remember the smell of the stuff that came out of the drain without wanting to vomit. The drainage system here is so archaic that it astounds me, being that I'm in the technological capital of the world - juxtapositions everywhere.
Meegan's bragging moment: My trainer took me aside today to tell me that in the latest "head-honcho" meeting my name came up several times as the Japanese staff has been flooded with compliments from my students. She also told me that the Japanese staff are really impressed with me, that I'm doing really well for a new teacher, that I'm a really hard worker and that I'm always trying to improve. Then she called me a star and asked if I'm considering doing a second year here. I don't know if she was asking to make conversation or asking because they're considering offering me a promotion, but her compliments made me feel really good. I'm starting to really believe that teaching is my calling, and feel more and more confident every day.
That's about it for now. I'm SOOOOOOO excited about Jesse's upcoming visit! Ciao!!
