Jello Legs

Saturday night, Aaron, Oli and I decided to get together on Sunday and go hiking in Sannomiya. Aaron, Oli and I are all new teachers, we met at training in Osaka two weeks ago. Aaron is Canadian, and Oli is British.

So we met up in Sannomiya, and just started walking uphill. We stopped by a shrine, and saw a wedding! It was beautiful! Here's a few pics of Aaron (in the baseball hat), Oli (in the blue jacket) and myself (with hilariously witty captions, written by me, of course):

Aaron and Oli, ringing a bell.

Aaron talking with a woman.

Oliver ringing the main bell, right behind the wedding. Don't worry, everyone else was too. Apparently, a wedding isn't as awesome if there aren't random people ringing a bell loudly right behind you.

Main enterance.

The wedding ceremony.

Aaron and Oli ringing the bell.

Oliver and I are such tourists...

And of course it wouldn't be complete without me throwing a thumbs up!

After the shrine, we just started walking towards the mountains. Aaron was leading the way like he knew where he was going. We found a dog park, and a set of stairs leading into the woods with this sign:

So of course we started walking up the trail.

I am sooooo out of shape. I thought my legs were going to fall apart! But I made it all the way to the summit, and yelled "YATTA! (I did it!)" to some Japanese hikers haha. They laughed.











If I doubted that hiking would be fun, it was so worth it. This was the view we had of Kobe once we reached the top:
Beautiful!!!! If you can see it, in the valley at the bottom center of the photo is a graveyard. We walked through it on the way back down.

Budda's wearing a scarf and hat because it gets chilly in the mountains.

After all the hiking, we were tired and thirsty. So we went to a pub, and had a pint! I know Aaron looks really angry in this photo, but I just love the light and the bar background :)










And here is the beer I got. Hoegaarden. Delicious! Oli said I looked like a hobbit because it was so big! hahaha.

So that was my adventure yesterday. This morning, I woke up at 6 and watched Carolina kick the crap out of Oklahoma and advance to the Final Four for an unpresidented 19th time. I thought my legs would be sore and stiff and I would be unable to walk today.... but I am fine. It's really surprising. I'm not sore or achy at all! Hooray!

Today, I'm doing laundry, and cleaning up a bit. I walked down to the market, and talked to a lady about fish for a minute haha. I hope we were talking about fish....

Bought some salmon, and veggies, and am making rice right now! Going to eat lunch, and hang out the wet clothes on the balcony to dry!

XOXO Mom & Dad

Damn ethernet cable...

The ethernet cable I have is SHIT! It doesn't stay plugged into my computer, so if I sneeze, I lose connection. Not cool.

Random something I just thought of:

My Canadian coworker got a big kick out of my pronunciation of "equator". I saw "E-quator", and he says "equ-a-tor". Also, I say "kaht-in" (cotton), whereas he says the more proper "cot-ton". Freakin cannucks... kidding.

Trash Conundrum

Japan is very particular about their trash and the disposal thereof. You must separate trash into burnable, non burnable, cans and PET bottles (but no with the caps), etc. There are special bags you buy for each, in varying size and many more categories than I remember.

I have so much trash in this apartment right now because I am terrified of offending my neighbors or the garbage collectors. Also you can only put your trash in the designated spot on Fridays and Tuesdays between 5am and 8am.

Problems:
1. My crippling fear of being yelled at for being a stupid foreigner who can't separate trash.
2. I can't carry all the trash at once, but I should take some out each week, so it will quit accumulating.
3. I have no idea where I'm supposed to take it. I don't want to wander down the neighborhood with bags of trash at 6am (although that would be pretty funny to see... maybe I'll stage a photo op).

In lighter news, had three classes today, all end of term classes. SPEECHES! It was fantastic, these students work so hard. My highest level class is such a breeze, it's mostly just conversation with them and among each other. They're so smart!*

Last night, Jen came up from Tarumi, and brough GYOZA! MMMMM Chinese dumplings, but they're fried instead of steamed, so that makes them Japanese? I dunno, they're just effin delishious. That and fried rice, I was set. We were going to watch "Kung Fu Panda", but we ended up just talking for two hours. She went to Tokyo this weekend to visit a friend, so I might just watch it tonight.

Sooooooooo happy Carolina beat Gonzaga!!! Hell yea Elite Eight! I hope to watch the UNC - Oklahoma game tomorrow.

Bought what I thought was a grilled cheese tonight, turns out it was egg salad and cheese on french toast? Super awesome anyways.


* Smart in Japan means slender, so I keep telling students "You are so slim!"

Teaching kids is a hoot

I am so tired.... Kids classes are exhausting! But I really enjoyed it! My second class was just two kids, super smart, SO CUTE, and very full of personality. They kept making fun of me not knowing how to spell Japanese elementary school names.

Walked back from the subway through the market, which stays well lit, with pretty decent traffic. It's better than walking by the main street in the dark. Plus, it's a shorter distance. Tonight a woman was walking her cute blonde curly haired dog, and he kept running up to me and following me. Still, didn't bark. Strange.

My whole town is very quiet... all the time... unsettling sometimes.

I thought Jennifer was going to come over with Kung Fu Panda, but so far, no word. Damn not having a cell phone...

Slackerizing

I spend a lot of my down time at school wandering around. I feel like a slacker sometimes. I usually end up trying to stay out of the way, because everyone else is busy. I sit in my room and daydream sometimes :)

Today I have two kids classes! EEKKK!!! Fridays are my busiest days, 5 classes. At least I've already taught two of them this week, so that's no problem.

The head teacher that's leaving and my coworker go spearfishing together sometimes. They're going again in April, and invited me! I doubt I'll get in the water with a gun, but you can be sure I'll be there taking photos of the whole event. Maybe I'll dip my toes in the ocean too...

The front desk staff lady asked me to write a little blip about myself and to take two photos to be put on our school's website! Here's the link, it's not been changed yet:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://www.aeonet.co.jp/school/school.php%3Fsno%3D2840&prev=hp

But now you can see some of the people I work with.

Last night I made salted salmon. I brought the leftovers into work for lunch, and everyone was asking what I had. They were almost shocked that I liked fish! "I thought Americans hated the smell of fish?". Well, it's not my FAVORITE smell, but it tastes so damn good I don't mind. I wonder if they think I've only eaten hot dogs and hamburgers my whole life hahaha.

The other foreign teacher at my school is from Canada. He had never heard of Dudley Do-Right, which if you're unfamiliar, is an American cartoon about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was kinda in the same vein as Rocky and Bullwinkle (the villain was Snydley Whiplash). I found a clip on Youtube, and sent it to him.

This weekend I think I'm going to explore Minatogawakoen, and photograph. There's a shrine here.... somewhere.... I better take my dictionary so I can ask directions :)

Going to work!

Tuna sashimi

I've realized how food focused this blog is. Sorry. It's very important to me :)

Went to the grocery store after work with Vince again tonight. He coached me on fish. I bought some tuna sashimi (thinly sliced to be eaten raw), salted salmon, and saba. I just wolfed down the sashimi, and have my eyes set on the salmon.

OHMYGOD this salmon is the best thing I've ever tasted. Hellooooo new favorite food!

Ok ok ok... non food news:

We have a new Japanese teacher at our school! She's super nice, and spent a year in England. So, after being in Japan for two weeks, and teaching for two days, I am no longer the newest teacher at my school. Wow.

The toilet in my apartment is the first western style toilet I've seen in all of Japan. Not really sure how I feel about this, because Japanese toilets have a heated seat. It's fantastic. Now I know the meaning of "freezing your ass off". My apartment gets cold, and the bathroom is like a meat locker.

Breakfast of Champions

Made some awesome breakfast this morning. Eggs, tomato, and toast. Yummmmmm. You can still see the indention on the bottom of the egg from the pan hahaha.

I'm slowly but surely learning how to cook using a TINY kitchen. I made so much rice last night, and Vince told me to bring in a box of it for lunch today, along with some of the random seasoning packets from the pantry. He's going to decode them, and show me how to make them at the office. What a sweetheart.

Rice makes it twice as nice!

Kerri Girl just called me :) That makes me so happy!


This morning at 10:30, I met my manager at the station here in Minatogawakoen. We walked to the ward office (city hall) and applied for my "gaijin card" aka ARC (Alien Registration Card). Then we went to the bank (SMBC) and opened an account... which currently has zero monies in it. But I will get a debit card with my name in kanji on it. Sweet.

While applying for said card, I had to write down my current address.... in kanji.... I can't write kanji.... my manager was laughing so hard at my lame-ass attempt at writing a foreign alphabet. But whatevs, I'll learn it eventually.

From the bank, we went to a department store and bought new sheets and garbage bags. They separate EVERYTHING over here. I'm scared to throw anything away, I don't want to screw it up.

Last night I watched "V for Vendetta". I love that movie.

I am getting a Japanese cell phone in a few weeks. I will probably go with Softbank (a provider) because their commercials have a talking dog.

Lindsay left me a whole bunch of awesome foods in the pantry. But they're all written in Japanese, so 1. I don't know what they are and 2. I am clueless as to how to cook them. I made flashcards to learn katakana (one of the alphabets). So far, so good. My staff is impressed. I know Myodani in hiragana, only because Lindsay told me it looks like a 'girl with a ponytail and a house'.

Apanman is creepy as hell.
http://image57.webshots.com/57/3/41/95/432934195HYSwGF_ph.jpg

Went to the grocery store after work, bought a 5lb. bag of rice. Yummmmmmy. Had rice, shrimp, and a dried veggie shake on top. I'm domestic now.

Market wanderings

There's a long market street between my apartment and the subway station. I wandered down there today, in an attempt to find some food for my barren fridge. It's indoors, and really neat. Lots to look at! Everything is super fresh, and Lindsay told me the produce is better and cheaper than at a grocery store. I bought some green beans and fresh eggs from a very nice lady. I wandered a little more, and realized two things about meat:

1. I cannot tell what part of the animal is on display
2. I cannot tell which animal it is

How sad... so no meat... yet. Lots of seafood, whole fish, squid, crabs, all that jazz. I bought some tomatoes, and the woman added a very ripe orange, for free. It made my day :)

Picked up some OJ and milk at the Co-op. See Mom, I can eat healthy! Trying to cancel out all of the fried food I've been eating lately. Now, if I could only cook....

Stawberry Pockey!

Pockey are these wonderful little snack that's like a thin cookie stick. They have chocolate ones dipped in (surprise) chocolate, and strawberry. I was rummaging through the pantry which Lindsay left full of delightful surprises, and found some strawberry Pockey. Yummm.

However, if you burp after you eat them, it tastes exactly like the strawberry fluoride treatment at the dentist. Or that might just be me...

View

It's so windy here! I have a pretty view from my balcony though. I've been such a lazy ass today. I should have walked down to the market and bought some food for the week. But nooooo I sat here, watched the Japan-US baseball game, and then ate some soup.

I finished unpacking. It really didn't take that long, it was all just clothes anyway. My apartment definitely looks bigger now haha.

Here's some of the disaster:
Last night on the way to the subway station, I saw a dalmatian. It was on a leash of course, but this is the first dog bigger than a dachshund that I've seen over here. I actually felt bad for the dog, because I know houses don't get much bigger than this. I guess his owner took him to the park.

New apartment!

I finally moved into my apartment!!! I moved from Sannomiya to Minatogawakoen (which is like moving from Manhattan to Utah). I live in the buuuurrrrrrbs. Jen came up to help me with my luggage, and we took the train to Mina. Lindsay met us at the station, and we took a taxi up this huge freakin hill to the apartment. It takes about 20 minutes on foot. I will definitely have some kick ass legs and tush in a few weeks.

Jen and I went back into Sannomiya for dinner. We ate goza, which is Japanese for effin' delicious. (Not really). They're just dumplings, but SO GOOD. Then we wandered around the food markets below Sogo (a department store) for a while. We were both tired, so we went our own ways, and now I'm back home. I might go BACK to Sannomiya in a few hours though to meet up with some friends!

On the subway back, I boarded and took a seat. Then three elderly women got on, and two of them sat beside me. So, being the Southern mannered person I am, I stood up and offered my seat to the third woman, saying "Dozo, dozo" ("Please, please"). She looked shocked, and took the seat offering many thanks. It made me happy. Hopefully she told her friends "Look how kind that foreign girl is!" or something to that effect.

So now I'm back at the apartment, with all this lugggage and absolutely no motivation to unpack yet. I'll post pics soon.

Que?

Jennifer and I met up again for dinner. This time, udon (thick noodles) at some fast food place. VERY GOOD. Then we got some beers from a convenience store, and walked all around Sannomiya for a while. It was fun. She pointed out some Love Hotels*.

We finished our beers (on the street, of course, being gaijin) at this little park area in front of Sannomiya Station. It has big concrete humps that I keep calling "Boobie Hill". We met three Japanese guys, they just came up and started a conversation. Thank God Jennifer speaks more Japnese than I. I was lost. We then went to Hobgobblin, a bar on the 7th floor, and had a few pints. We watched some European football, and chatted about all the British in the bar. It was nice!

Jenn's going to help me with my luggage tomorrow! I LOVE THIS GIRL! She's coming in from Tarumi (I can't spell), and is going to help me schlep my bags down five blocks, into the subway, and down three stops to Minatogawakoen, my new subway stop. Lindsay will meet us there, and show us to the apartment. Linsday is going to hang out for a while too, which will be nice. She's super sweet, and I'm really sorry I don't get to spend more time with her!

I think one of the fellow trainees is coming into Kobe tomorrow, so hopefully we can go out and have fun! This will be my first full weekend in two weeks! TWO DAYS OF NOTHING WEEEEEE! I'm looking forward to just walking around and exploring!

I promise photos SOON! I'm so sorry, I'm not lazy, just busy trying to experience everything.

Love you all, miss you.



* Love Hotels are really something. It's a place where you can pay for a "stay", or "for the night". It's basically a brothel. However, you never see anyone attending a front desk, it's just a (for lack of better word) vending machine. You put your money in, choose your room, and head up. Very different.

Please mail me:

When I figure out my address, I will forever love whomever sends me:

* sunglasses (the one's over here don't fit the Western face well because have a higher bridge of the nose)
* 12 boxes of mac n' cheese
* eleventy-bazillion packets of powdered Gatorade mix


In case you care, the subway stop to my apartment is Minatogawacohen. I'm letting you know because 1. I don't want to forget it and 2. I only remember it because it makes me think of Adam Cohen. Anyone know wtf he's up to now? I tried to meet up with him before I left the states. Wanker.

"Uh, Beiru?"

Up way too early today. I guess I'm nervous about teaching solo!!!




Met up with Jennifer last night to eat dinner. We walked to Chinatown (funny to me there's a Chinatown in Japan haha), and had some dumplings and just walked around. Then we went to an izakaya (appetizer bar) and looked like some straight up fools. Neither of us speak Japanese, and you have to order using this touch screen. It was fun though! After we figured it out, we were ordering up some food, and got grilled chicken fat instead of just chicked. Ew. But everything else was good, but I always end up spending too much money at izakayas.



Then we went to The Hobgobblin, this bar where she knows the managers and such. The manager is British, but on holiday to Australia. One of the bartenders is from Texas, and there were a bunch of British/other foreigners there, so it was fun!

Finally got to video chat with The Fater last night, and it made me miss her even more :(

Cross your fingers I don't comepletely lose my shit today!!!!!!!!

Shukugawa Park

[Fater: "Baguette. Huuuh huuuuuh, baguette!"]

This morning I met with Lindsay, one of her students (who's name escapes me, which is a shame, she is SO SWEET!), and Jennifer. Jennifer is a foreign teacher from Florida who works in (somewhere else), but it's close to Sannomiya (where I am). She's super nice, reminds me of Kathleen Vaughn! She's been in Japan for almost 3 months, and we're going to eat dinner together in Sannomiya tonight.

We met at the train station, took the JR out to Shukugawa and had a potluck picnic. The weather was uncooperative, it was windy and chilly. As soon as we left the sun came out (go figure). It was nice to meet lots of Lindsay's friends! I met Janet, who's from Scotland and is also a teacher.

After lunch, a few of us went back to Sannomiya and went to DonKi, which is (pardon the language) a cluster-fucked Wal-Mart. It's so random. But I bought some coffee, non-green tea, and seasame crackers (they're sort of sweet).

I'm in the process of procuring Photoshop right now, so hopefully soon I will have photos up!

I turned on the TV, and there's SUMO WRESTLING! It's so amusing! I have no idea what the hell is going on though. Fat guys hugging.

Another one of the teachers in my training class finally moved into his apartment and got the internet. We were on Skype, and I think a few of us are going to try to meet up tomorrow after work for dinner or something. It will be nice to see everyone again and hear how their week went.

Last night, on the train home, one of the teachers was asking all these questions. She said, "I don't want to be rude, but I want to ask a question, and I don't know if it's rude or not." hahah How Japanese! She just asked how old I was, which I suppose was fine to ask, I don't really know the rules about that. But I assured her that since we'll be working closely together for the next year, it was a fine question to ask. She's the only staff member younger than me (she's 23). When I told her I was 24, she looked shocked. Apparently, they all thought I was 19 or 20. Sounds good to me, I guess....

I told her about the robe in the hotel, and how I think it looks like a raggedy komono. They laughed SO HARD. So I promised I'd take a photo, and share with them. That will be posted shortly.

Tomorrow I teach three classes, one at 10am, one at 11am, and the last at 6pm. What a break. Wish me luck!!!!!

BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE. GOOD NIGHT.

That's what my TV says in the evenings when you turn it off, it always makes me smile. :)

SO MANY THINGS TO TALK ABOUT! I've been so busy, I finally have a day off tomorrow, so I'm going to try to get down everything from the past few days:

I have an insatiable appetite lately. I think it's all the walking I'm doing. Too bad I'm eating a lot of fried food hahaha.

Kids + Pigeons + Running - Parental Control = An afternoon of fun people watching

On the subway, and outside, no one wants to sit beside the foreigner. It's ok with me, more room to stretch out.

I teach 19 classes a week, of which only 3 are kids classes. I'm very lucky. I start on my own on Saturday. EEEeeeekkk!!!!

For lunch yesterday, I had rice and prawns it was SO GOOD! This morning I had some kind of bread with cream cheese in it. For dinner, I had dumplings and then (the only way I can describe it) shrimp au gratin. It was amazing.

St. Patrick's Day I went to The Hub, around the corner from my station, with Lindsay and Vince. It's a nice bar.

I need some UNC, North Carolina, and family and friend photos to print out and stick up in my room. Please to send.

I finally bought a card reader, but I still don't have photoshop, so I can't convert my images from RAW to JPEG, so it will still be a few days until I get that sorted out. Sorry.

The maids always come too early. I don't know the Japanese for "I'm in here" or whatever's polite, so I just keep yelling "OCCUPIED!" like it's a damn toilet.

In the lobby of our school, they play music, and it's pretty random American pop. Today I heard Miley Cyrus, and then "Stuntin' is a Habit". Whatever, it's catchy. I guess they don't really realize what they're playing haha.

Every new students introduces themself to me, and I always ask "What are your hobbies?". They ALWAYS reply with at least one, if not all, of the following: "My hobbies are eating, sleeping, and shopping." Well what do you know! I eat too! Let's eat together! weeeeeeee

I ate McDonald's for the first time today. It was neccessity, not a craving. I was pinched for time. But maaaaaaan did that Quarter Pounder with Cheese hit the spot!

I'm going to Shukygawa Park tomorrow for a potluck party/picnic. I hope it's not raining (which it's supposed to) and that the cherry blossums are out (which they won't be).

That's all I remember now, sorry if I repeat myself.


LOVE LOVE LOVE

Too tired to blog proper

* I ate lunch outside on the patio (a huge open area with trees, benches, and a lot of children running around). Gah Japanese kids are SO CUTE! They love to chase pigeons.
* We have music that plays in the lobby. It's pretty random. Today I heard Miley Cyrus, and then "Stuntin' is a habit".
* I had a list of things to talk about, but I wrote it on the back of my class attendance sheet... which I turned it. So maybe tomorrow.

Sorry so short.

First Day at School!

Gah my feet stink.

First day at school! Lindsay and Vince are wonderful. As are the rest of the staff. I observed Lindsay all day, and she showed me around the Patio (where our school is). It's nice! Lots to see and do.

After work, we went back to Sannomiya, where my station is, and got some food and beers for St. Patrick's Day at The Hub aka my new favorite place. I'm tired, and have a lesson to plan for tomorrow! weeeeee wish me luck.

Eating Surprises

Just woke up, it was nice to sleep in a bit (it's 10am).

Last night, I bought some banana bread to eat this morning. It's pretty yellow. I was eating it, and it's not too bad at all, and all of a sudden there's a cream center? It's confusing, but pretty delicious, and very bananay.

Random remberance: When we were still in Osaka, we decided to walk to Namba and get some dinner. As we were walking, Aaron stopped in a 7-11 to get a soda. He came out a few moments later, laughing his ass off. Apparently, he had paid for his soda, then stood there for a moment. The clerk was trying to convey that he was finished, and could leave. The clerk said, "Purchase is complete". We were talking about how clearly and consisely she had made her English to get to message accross. It didn't really help that Aaron immediately replied, "My love is complete".

I'm going to my school in Myodani this morning. I have Friday off, and teach solo on Saturday. Then I get Sunday and Monday off. I get to move into my apartment on Monday as well. I'll let you know the address as soon as possible.

This is bizzare: I'm watching TV, it's in Japanese, it's a documentary on WWII?, and they're playing Led Zeppelin in the background.

Grrrr.....

Today was very long. I didn't mind the song and dance stuff, it was the fact that I can't completely comprehend the information in 30 minutes that frustrates me. Everyone else seems to do fine with it. I'm disappointed, because I get in a funk, and the other teachers pick up on it. I don't mean to be difficult and pouty, I'm just upset.

Drinking a much needed beer (leftover from the welcome party on Saturday), and watching this show on NHK that's like Celebrity Apprentice, but the challenge is to speak English. Awesome.

Night.

Solo Subway

I'm in Kobe right now, at my hotel. I have to commute back to Osaka for a final day of training.

Kids training.

Ugh. I think it will be 9 hours of singing and dancing like an idiot. I have two hours until I need to be there, but I'm leaving now, in case I get lost, and also so I can stop by the post office.

Wish me luck.

Silence in the City

What an exciting day off I've had! *sarcasm* <- which is lost on the Japanese. Too bad, I'm really good at it.

I washed all my laundry, and then borrowed an iron from the front desk to iron everything I own. It was actually very relaxing, it made me feel normal. But man if that iron didn't make the room hot as hell. And of course I can't figure out how to open the window. Japanese directions... Maybe I'll study some Japanese tonight haha.

I walked down a couple blocks this evening to get dinner. Still haven't attempted to go into an actual restaurant alone and order. Just been eating salads, sandwiches, and pre-made dinners from 7-11 and Family Mart and Lawson's Station.
It's strange to walk down the street in such a busy city, and not hear anyone talking. The only sounds are cars, and the crossing chimes. I guess that's fine with me, as I don't know what anyone is saying yet.

Kerry Boy - I saw a Volvo station wagon, a manual from the sound of it, that was FLYING down the street revving its engine haha. It made me think of you.

Mary - I just realized I'm across the street from the Kobe University of Pastries (if my interpretation of Pai-kiji is correct). Maybe I should loiter outside and hope for an offering.
Also, one of my favorite treats is this large cup of jell-o with fruit in it. Right now I'm eating coconut! The best part is it's name - Jedi, which in Japanese is pronounced GERRY! awesome.

I really wish I could find the equivalent of a CVS or Walgreen's here. I've only seen convenience stores thus far. However, when I was picking up dinner tonight, I asked a young lady if there was shaving cream in the store. This is how the exchange went down:

Me: Sumimasen? (excuse me)?
Lady: Hai? (yes?)
Me: fffffffffsh (immitating shaving cream from a can into my hand) plop (apply to leg) kkkkkkrrrr (shaving).
Lady: hmmmm.... (she looks, doesn't find any). Sorry!
Me: awww thanks!

It was nice of her to ask, I'm sure it was super impolite to ask a stranger, but eff that I'm lost.

Alright, gonna listen to some Daft Punk and type up some notes! weeeeeeeeeee
But first.... going to watch "The Watchmen". Hope it's good.

Weekend Roundup

Went on an expedition to find Loft, a department store, so I could get a new band for my watch. Found it, next to the Louis Vuitton store. Yowsers. Had 10 minutes to wait, so I wondered around. Bought some thank you cards, and just generally wandered aimlessly looking lost.
My sunglasses also broke, but I was afraid to buy any there, as it's kinda pricey. I'm waiting until I find a 100 yen store!!! There's one in Kobe, I am just not familiar enough to find it yet. I noticed that NO ONE wears sunglasses here. It's so strange, because I could barely open my eyes to see, and it didn't seem to phase anyone else.
I seem to be eating an awful lot of hot dog pastries. Before you judge, here me out: It's like a pretzel dog - a hot dog wrapped in a pretzel, with mustard inside, on a stick. I love em. The grocery store I stopped at today had a hot dog, with ketchup, on a croissant. Deeeeeelishious. At least I'm also drinking Kagome (which I think is the brand name, but I can't decipher the characters yet) which is the equivalent of V8 Splash. I just hope between all the walking I do everyday, and all the junk food I'm eating, it will equal out.
I need an iPod. Might order one when I find out my address.

I forgot: My name is pretty difficult to pronounce for Japanese, because it contains a "th", which they don't have. So Me-Re-De-Th becomes Me-Le-De-Ss. Or, MeReDeTsu, or in Japanese, メレディス. Last night at the party, I kept saying, "Hello, my name is Meredith", and they would smile, then hear my name and give me the wide-eyed look. A couple students got it down pat, but most just said "MeLeDeSssss" enough times I just said "Sure!" haha. I joked to one upper level student "Just call me MeDe" and he said "That's a great idea!". I think it's the same as Mary in Japanese. Just so long as they don't call me Fater.... ;)

Kobe Welcome Party

Last night was the Farewell/Welcome party at my school. I was given directions to the school via subway, and left to my own devices. I walked to the subway, walked straight to the gate I needed to be at, panicked because I didn't see the name, and left. I walked back to the hotel, and called the school. At this time, I should have been at the school almost. The foreign teacher that I'm replacing, who's from England, gave me super specific directions. I had walked exactly to the correct place, just didn't feel right about it. Should've done with my first instinct! Made it to the school no problem after that.
The school is located in an outdoor shopping area, which is nice. My classrooms have window, so I can see outside. The rooms are small though! There were 6 staff members, 2 foreign teachers, and about a gazillion students in the tiny school! The first thing I was asked to do was stand in a chair, and introduce myself to the staff and students. Afterwards, I was encouraged to speak to students, who might be shy! They were not shy. They kept asking to take a picture with me, which was so cute because they all throw up the peace sign. I tried to put the thumbs up in there, and they'd all see it and change their peace sign to thumbs up haha.
The teacher leaving gave a very emotional speech, and the head teacher, who is also moving to another school, cried. Then I was asked again to talk about myself. Apparently North Carolina is exotic. :)
Around 10:30, all the students left, and it was just teachers and staff. I was speaking with the two English teachers, and said "yall", which elicited a HUGE giggling fest from the Japanese staff. I had to explain it, its usage, and how to pronounce it. I will not be surprised if I walk in Tuesday to a chorus of "Hey Yalllll!".
Rode the subway home with 5 of the ladies, and got off at the same stop as Yuchicka. She pointed out the shopping district, and a few good restaurants. I'm going to Loft, a deptartment store, to buy a watch band today. Mine broke :(
I need to pick up a gift for Todd sensei and Bill sensei. I'm going back to Osaka tomorrow for a full day of kids training. Not really looking forward to it, as it runs from 12-9, then I have an hour commute back to Kobe, so I won't be home til 10:30. Blah.

I need to learn to read so at least I can tell what I'm buying and eating from the convenience store haha.

Today's List

1. I've forgotten the cable for my camera. I can take all the photos I want... but right now, can't put them on my computer. I don't have Photoshop anyways, so... damn. I need to buy a card reader.
2. I don't think long hair is going to work here. It's very windy, and for some reason, my gaijin (slang for outsider, kinda derogatory) hair is the only person's hair that blows in the wind. And boy, does it get messed up.
3. I love natchan! It tastes like Tang. I can eat healthy, sometimes.
4. I really need to carry a notebook with me everywhere so I can write all these random things down, and post it once I get home.
5. I have a party at my school tonight!!! It's a farewell party for Linsday, and a welcome party for me. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll let you know how it goes. Bill sensei* (one of the trainers in Osaka) said there's usually a party. Then a second party. Then.... possibly a third party. He also said "There will be drinking. And enjoy yourself! But remember, it's not a contest." haha. Touche, Bill.
6. Eddie was singing the theme to "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". I just youtubed it, what a fantastic song! Heroes in a halfshell, TURTLE POWER!


* Bill sensei is one of the two trainers. Todd sensei is the other. They were GREAT trainers, and I'm very lucky to have worked with them. It was so difficult at first, and I was frustrated with them, but in retrospect, I couldn't have had a better teacher. Also, Bill went to Elon College, and we talked about Burlington all the time. It was so strange to go halfway around the world only to find someone from Burlington. Pleasant surprise.

Good morning, Kobe!

This morning we had a "Pinning Ceremony", where the branch manager came and we got a lapel pin. Unfortunately, it's company property and must be returned when we leave. Yoshimi is my manager, and she's super nice. She helped me to the trains, and we rode from Osaka to Kobe, about 45 minutes. I'm in a hotel down the street from the subway.


This
room
is
tiny.


The photo isn't good because my lens isn't wide enough haha. I'm pretty tired, but hungry too. Probably going to go out and find a grocery store.


I'm pretty sad to leave all my fellow teachers. I feel like we're mostly friends. I hope they're prepared for me to facebook the shit out of them. Oli gave me a nickname (Merry Berry). It's pretty funny in a British accent. I bet Lamika is glad to not live with me anymore, too.

Well, it's sunny outside right now, and I'm going to go have a look around! Miss you all, I'm sorry I don't call very often, it's difficult with the time difference and when I'm actually at home on my computer.

Thank goodness it's Thursday

Second to last day of training, DONE! It has actually gone really well. I've become 1000% more comfortable with my lessons, and am improving. We practiced the group lesson today with actual Japanese students, and they are great. They're so interested in everything you do and say, it's flattering.

I must comment on yesterday as well:
Yesterday we did part of the round-up lesson with actual students. We were in groups of teachers, so only half the training class was watching me. I was attempting to get my students to say "parts", as in "robot parts". I was trying to use gestures, and ended up doing The Robot.

I did The Robot (the dance), badly, in front of actual Japanese students as well as half of my training class. It got the point across, but I have never seen so many teachers laugh! It was funny, and now they keep joking about how that's the only thing they're going to remember. As in,
"Yea, I taught with this girl in training, she did The Robot.
What was her name?
Oh I don't remember, but The Robot, man, it was spot on!"
We were joking about a way for me to incorporate The Worm into today's lesson. It didn't work out haha.

Today for lunch, Oliver and I ate at Mos Burger, and type of fast food burger joint, but organic. It was delicious! Not too filling though, as we stopped by McDonald's for another cheeseburger and apple pie. (Mary - I was THISCLOSE to walking up the counter, and saying, "I can has cheezburger?". I think the irony would be been lost in translation though haha)

All in all, a great day. I'm tired from working so hard for 8 hours straight. Going to eat some fresh green beans and a small salad, and study for tomorrow's lesson, a full 50 minutes of teaching!

I learned Oisii, which means "delicious". I made it a point to tell everyone that Mos Burger was "OISHIIIIIIII!!!!!"

I also just now found a photo of what I had for lunch during the week.

It's a Kirin, a sandwich, and what I call Kowala Yummies. And yes, that sandwich has hot dogs on it. It's lettuce, mayo, hot dogs, cheese, and scrambled eggs. It is my new favorite thing in the world.

I realized now that I forgot the cable for my camera to computer, as well as a card reader. Need to go to Bic Camera and pick one up on Saturday (hopefully). Also, I still don't have photoshop, or a way to process RAW images, so that's the reason for the lack of photos. Also been too busy to shoot anything. Hopefully this will be resolved this weekend.


Goodnight, miss you all!

Helpful teachers

My fellow teachers rock. They are so helpful to me, and each other, it's awesome. We have a few that have lived in Japan before, and they help a LOT with reading/speaking Japanese. Also some have taught before, and they understand what we need to focus on. It's a great support group. I'm not too sure how I'm going to cope once we all leave each other for our schools on Saturday.
We've already proposed getting together again on St. Patrick's Day, and in a year, to see how we are. Personally, I don't plan on going a year without seeing at least three of them :)
We went to a great dinner place in Osaka tonight. It was kinda like a tapas bar, where everything was 280 yen, and you order a lot of different appetizers, and share. It was wonderful, even thought I'm not 100% sure what I was eating. Apparently, a lot of it was chicken. I had a type of skewered pork meatloaf covered in cheese that was GREAAAAAAT. I need to learn the names for these things. Lamika is asleeping, and I've been practicing my group lesson with the gentlemen upstairs. Oliver (from the UK) assures me I would love England. We're already trying to plan a trip for Golden Week. I'm thinking the Phillipines....
I'm sad that we won't see each other everyday after Saturday. We each have a welcoming party / farwell party at our schools on Saturday evening. I think we're moving to our respective towns and staying in a hotel there until our current teacher vacates the apartment.
It's late here, I'm tired. I hate the time difference. Please call and leave me a message, it really makes my day :)
Love you all.

NCAA Basketball

Carolina played Duke today at 4:00pm EST. I woke up at 3am to try to catch it online. Apparently, CBS and ESPN don't carry live coverage of the games. So I just watched the score and read the play by play. Sucks, but Carolina won, so that's good.

It's a little after 8am here, and Lamekia and I already went down to the grocery store for breakfast. I had Frosted Flakes. Yum. We have training today from 11 - 8. Weeeeeee.

Too much fun

Today's Lunch: Natchan (orange drink), Onigiri, and sushi.

I've done so much lately! Went to the first day of traning, Bill came from the center to show us the subway there. He went to Elon back when it was a college hahaha. We talked about Burlington. Lameka, Eddie, and I are the three Americans. Oliver is from the UK, and Aaron and Adam are from Canada. Traning went by quickly, and it was actually pretty fun.

Everyone but Oliver and I have been to Japan before, so they knew some stuff about the area. Eddie used to live here for two years, so he's been super helpful. Aaron's an ass, but that's why we get along. Adam can do the Cleveland voice from Family Guy dead on. We had this conversation at lunch:

Adam: Yea, I already read our homework.
Me: You're such an overachiever!
Adam (in the Cleveland voice): Obama was an overachiever, and look where he is now.
It was awesome.

Walked forEVER to a bar, The British Pub haha, and watched the Japan - South Korea baseball game. Got pretty drunk, and aparently Skyped my mom (whoops). Don't worry, won't be a regular thing, just bonding with the fellow teachers.

Today Eddie showed up around Osaka, and that was really fun. We walked forever though, and I'm so tired. Went into a store, saw a cute dress, almost picked it up, then saw it was 49,300 yen (almost $500). Wow. We saw a lot of record stores, but this one had the best sign, by far:


Watching Japanese TV has been pretty entertaining lately. I have no idea what the hell is going on, or what's being said.

Japan-rah

So we finally landed in Japan around 4:45pm (whatever ST Japan is). That's like 2am EST. I caught a few hours of sleep on the plane, which was a Boeing 747 and huge. Dad wasn't lying when he said you could play football in them! I seemed to have put my chapstick in my checked bag, and it was HELL. Still don't have any, going to have to find some. Ate a decent lunch and a pretty good dinner on the plane. I like flying, except for the whole immobile leg-clot thing. Watched 4 movies (City of Ember, The Family that Preys which is a Tyler Perry bullshit drama, The Throwdown with Ice Cube haha, and Sixty Six). Met some really cool other teachers, Lameka and Eddie from NY, and David from Australia. Sadly, none of them will be at my school. But the fact that they aren't lame gives me great hope for my coworkers :)

Sitting in the Weekly Green Hotel, just took a much needed shower. Called Mom, woke her up haha. Gonna try to Skype with her at 10am EST.
Right now, gonna iron clothes for tomorrow.

Here's a photo from the balcony of the Weekly Green Hotel

Gone, baby gone.

I'm on a HUGE plane (yay window seat!) preparing to take off for Kansai. 14 hours over the Pacific. I hope I can sleep. If I didn't call you, I'm sorry, it's because I will cry.

Sayonara, America. Konichiwa Kobe, Japan!

LAX to SFO

Found some internets in the waiting area for United at LAX. I got to the airport way too early (but I suppose that's better than too late!). Just had a super dank egg and cheese panini, but it was $10. WTF it's highway robbery.

I forgot to mention the other day: Anyone else realize that the theme song to the animated kids show from the 90's "Anamaniacs" is the same tune as "Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes". I hope you all sing it out loud now.

LA's been nice, Em took me out and showed me around the Grove, and a great Mexican place. It could grow on me if I stayed here. I can't wait to travel that doesn't involve just waiting in airports, trying to get from point A to point B.

A sad thing I realized this morning is when I think of something funny, and start to laugh out loud, there's not going to be anyone to share it with. So I'm going to look manic-depressive when I smile, laugh, and immediately frown and sigh.

Window seat LAX to SFO. Think I have a window seat to Japan, too.

Day Two: Sayonara, America.

I am not sure why, but my phone's clock doesn't change when you cross time zones. So, for example, when my alarm went off at 4:45am this morning, it was still on Eastern Standard Time. I got up at 1:45am PST. I had gone to bed at 12:30am PST.

Needless to say, I'm exhausted. Thanks to Fater for the talking watch (it's a hit on the plane), to Josh for the books and mags, and Cary for the GREAT book and girnal ("Don't you mean journal? Yea, whatever." Name that movie).

Day One: coast to coast

3:45am: Mom & Dad take me to the airport. They are awesome.
5:45am: Mom packed ham biscuits in my carry-on. Recieves strange looks from security.
5:52am: Made it through security, only to have my backback explode (no, seriously, it LITERALLY exploded). No electronic casualties, thank God. Cheeks turn crimson.
6:07am: Plane boarding. Try desperatly to avoid sitting near small children.
6:08am: One-year old and two-year-old sit directly behind me. #@&$!*
6:25am(ish): Take-off? We'll pretend, I have to turn off electronics. Dude with an ASU hat and a (I swear) I heart AK shirt just boarded. I miss Timmy haha. Next stop, Denver & CC III!

10:30am (EST): Landed in Denver. Forgot about time zones. Thought this four hour flight would be two hours. Going for coffee with CC III.
11:00am (EST): CC III is awesome. She laughed at my misadventures thus far, and reassured me I'm doing the right thing.
12:20pm (EST): Boarding Denver to L.A.
12:41pm (EST): There's liken a bazilion children on this flight. Note to self, maybe no kids ever (sorry Mom).
12:42pm (EST): Phone off!

3:32pm (EST): My plane has smelled like balogna since we left Denver.
3:40pn (EST): Where the hell are we taxiing off the runway toward, Hawaii? Really, landed, then taxied for at least 10 minutes.
3:41pm (EST): Deplane, deplane! Gonna go check into United (fingers crossed)
4:30pm (EST): Fah que United. Lugging 250 lbs. of junk out to Em's apt. P.S. I'm doing all this from my phone. I will miss it dearly.
4:34pm (EST): Everytime I see Van Nuys, I read Van Nuts. What's wrong with me? haha.
4:35pm (EST): I have been in this van, circling the airport for a while. I think this guy's lost.
4:36pm (EST): It looks like rain. I don't want to sit outside Em's apt in the rain until she gets out of class at 2:45. But I will.
4:37pm (EST): (For Davin & Davie)
PULL!
pitchu pitchu
That's how I feel about L.A. right now. I have a fever, and the only prescription is great Mexican food.
4:38pm (EST): Seriously, driver? The same loop at the airport, AGAIN?!?!
4:39pm (EST): Just kidding. weeeeeeee highways!
5:20pm (EST): Made it Em's. My driver know Japanese? Awesome. Got a mini lesson.

10:20pm (EST): I Hate lady drivers. Sorry Em's friend. Mexican with Em!
12:40am (EST): Drunk. Cat Sadler from E! networks is beside us. Going to crash.
12:45sm (EST): And Whitney from The Hills.