I love doughnuts, but...

Advertising works so well on me.

Mr. Doughnuts, the Japanese cousin of Duncan, has a point card system. It's never really affected my doughnut-purchasing habits before (as in, I only bought them twice since I've been here), but they have a new promotion. 150 points and you can get a pretty cute tote bag. I already have the former teacher's card with 120 points. So I think, "Hey! No problem! A few doughnuts and I can get a bag!".

Last night after work, I stopped by to buy a half dozen. Now, I know you all must think I can read and speak Japanese after all the time I've been here. Prepare yourselves for a shock though.... I can't. So needless to say, I'm surprised with what I buy 99% of the time. I'm glad I'm open minded. It's like a game.

Anyways....

My coworker had told me about the tofu doughnuts they have. I bought some of those, which are in fact, DELICIOUS! And I learned long ago that anything green is not mint. As an American, that is my first assumption, however in Japan, anything green is matcha (green tea) flavored. Not bad, really.

I bought some matcha-iced doughnuts, which appeared to be split open and filled with chocolate. However, upon my first bite this morning, I discovered not chocolate, but red beans. Not even paste, just whole beans in syrupy gunk.

Completely delicious, though.

UFKC

Ultimate Fat Kid Challenge

I just rode my bike (err, coasted downhill) to the 7-11 to buy ice cream. Does that count as exercise?

I might go ride some more and take photos of the Mina at night. Don't worry Mom, I have a wheel-powered light on the front :)

Monday - Marine's Day

I went out in Sannomiya with Jen to listen to her boyfriend jam at Trinity. We were just hanging out, and I decided to head out a bit earlier than my last train because I was tired. My last train on weekdays runs at 12:34, and on Saturdays and holidays it runs at 12:04.

I forgot that Monday was Marine's Day. A National holiday.

I left Trinity at 12:00.

A guy ran by me in the hallway at the subway station, and it dawned on me that it was a holiday and I'd better haul ass to catch the last train. As I ran up to the ticket gate, they just waved me through because I didn't have a pass or a ticket. I sprinted (seriously, SPRINTED) down three flights of stairs and onto the waiting subway car.

When I got home, I had to try to explain that I didn't have a ticket to the attendant. He didn't look like he cared. He waved me through.

Hooray for saving 200 yen!!!

And then I tripped up the escalator.

Bicycle, BIIIIICYCLE!

"I want to ride my BIIIIIIIIICYCLE!" (You know, that Queen song, right?)

I rode the subway to Nagata (just two stops) to Asahi Bikes, and bought a bike this morning! And registration, PLUS a lock, all without using English!

Not by choice, I just didn't find anyone who spoke English hahaha. But it was a success! Then I rode home, not too bad, maybe 20 minutes, then had to ride up the huge hill to my apartment. But I did it! All without killing myself/others. Victory is mine.

The forecast calls for rain, but so far, no rain. However, there's a huge beach party with live music and BBQing today, so I bet it won't rain until I get there hahaha. For some reason, I can't stop picturing it being like "Beach Party" with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon. I hope that somehow I get a photo of some girl lying on a surfboard being held up by men.

I rode my bike around Minatogawa for a few hours this afternoon. None of the roads are straight, and it's not laid out like a grid. I started biking east, and somehow wound up south of where I started? I dunno. But I met up with Jen, Gordon, and his friend Oli in Tarumi for lunch. We ate some awesome sushi. Gordon ate a fish eyeball in his soup. Gross. Also, his impersonation of an American accent starts with "YARRRRRR! I'M AMERICAN!". He sounds like a pirate.

From there, Gordon and Oli went to Suma, and Jen and I walked through the festival in Tarumi. Very small, just food vendors and games. Here are some photos.
*All of these photos were shot from the hip, so terribly sorry about the composition. I was really self concious of taking photos haha. I stick out enough as a foreigner, I hate being started at because I have a huge camera*

Fruit dipped in chocolate on a stick. Delicious.

Takoyaki vendor.

Games!!!!

Wall of Masks. Hate that it's blurry.

Little girl with a balloon and an Apanman Mask.

300 yen to catch your own goldfish.

Young girls dressed in summer yukatas.

Shooting game. Jen and I both decided we'd totally dominate that game, you know, cause we're American. And every American owns a gun.

MULLET MULLET MULLLLLLEEEEEETTTTTT!

And now some photos from the beach party!

Jen and Essie.

Jen's boyfriend Gordon. An amazing musician with a truely terrible American accent.

MUSCLE MAAAAAN

Breakdancers.

Breakdancers doing crazy poses.

I've seen breakdancers in the subway stations practicing late at night. They're pretty good. I always want to join in.

Essie and Jen.

Oli, Me, and Essie.

Me and Essie.

Aaron, Jen, and Oli.

Look at that cheerleader pose....

Niko and me.

This was an exibition of martial arts, with a group from Zero Dojo. This guy BROKE TWO BASEBALL BATS. WITH HIS SHIN.

TWO BASEBALL BATS! HIS SHIN! WHOA!

Seriously, I will no mess with this guy. But I do want to train with him. I wonder if he pulls this out at partys. "Hey guys, wanna see a cool trick? Got any baseball bats?" Also, when did he think "Hm, I bet my shin is stronger than a bat. Let's find out."

Essie.

Niko and Oli, Gordon's friend.

Oli and Aaron. Too many British Oli's on the beach.

Shortly after this, a huge thunderstorm rolled in, and everyone ran for cover in the building. We tried to wait it out, but the rain wasn't going anywhere soon. I decided to make a run for it, and was super happy I had decided to bring my raincoat at the last minute. I wrapped my camera up, and buried it deep in my tote. I ran with a group of people to the station, and then had to ride my new bike, in the torrential rain, uphill with a camera. It was ridiculous! But, lucky me, I made it home with no accidents, and a completely dry camera. I, on the other hand, looked like a wet rat. Good thing I was wearing my bathing suit :)

Japan's Funniest Students

EDIT: Found some cell phone photos.

Yes, there is a Wendy's in Japan. Awesome.


"I have a fight with my boyfriend. I'd better tell him that I'm sorry." This was on a floor guide in a department store. WTF?



I wish Bob Saget could host this show.

In a group class, discussing American music:

Student 1: I like American Music.
Me: Can you give me an example?
Student 1: Avril Lavigne. And pop music, like N'Sync.
Me: *to myself: "Avril's Canadian."* Do you like the Backstreet Boys?
Student 1: BAK-U-STREET BOYS??!?!?! Who is that?
Student 2 (who's a 30 year old male): You know, *starts singing "Quit Playing Games with my Heart".
Me: *almost peeing on myself laughing so hard*


In a kid's class, discussing "cute, cool, expensive".

Me: Ok! Please make a sentence!
Kids: That scooter was cuuuuuute!
Punk Ass Kid 1: Oh oh!!!!
Me: Yes, PAKid 1!
PAKid 1: Teacher is NOT cute!
Kids: HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHOWIEROWIAGRY9AW87ROIJ
Me: Great sentence, PAKid1! *to myself: "I will headbutt you after class."

As an aside, I had to praise PAKid1, because at his level, it was really impressive that he could use the vocabulary correctly, about another noun (me) and put the negative in the correct place! Didn't make me not want to punch him though...


Another group class, after a listening section:

Me: Ok! Any questions?
Student: Yes. What does 'suck' mean?
(She heard "This weather sucks!" I had to explain what 'sucky weather' was. Awesome.)




And now, three random toys from drinks I have bought. Seriously, this sometimes decides which drink I buy.

Who am I kidding, it always decides what I buy. And why I drink green tea more now. (It has the best toys).

This is a Cupie doll half-stuck in a bottle of green tea? I dunno. Japan is weird sometimes.

This is an ANA flight attendant from the 1960's. There are several you can collect. Haven't seen them again though. I wish I did, I could have my own army of flight attendants standing guard at my computer.

And my personal favorite: The Jim Beam Sumo wrestler/ Yakuza member. This guy has piercings, and a huge ass bottle of Jim Beam. Freaking Awesome.

All of these toys, plus many more pins and small trinkets, are lined up all around my keyboard. I can't close my screen or move my computer, but MAN IT LOOKS COOL!

Takatsuki Dance Party

Sunday, Jennifer and I went bike riding from Nishi-Akashi to Akashi! It was sooooo hot, but we had fun! I didn't crash until we got back, and I fell over. Then we went shopping in Sannomiya, and randomly decided to visit some friends in Takatsuki. We all went out for drinks, and ended up dancing our asses off for many hours. I even taught some Japanese girls how to do "the sprinkler". Great success.

Me and Hiroyuki

Luke, Jen, and Adam aka The Funny Face Committee

cheeeeeeeeese

I just love how creepy Adam is in the background.

Adam and I dancing in the empty bar

That's me in the purple dress, dancing my FACE OFF. Again, I really need to learn to say "shake your hips" in Japanese.

Tour de Kobe with Heather

On Monday, Heather and I did a tour of Kobe on foot. We started out in Sannomiya, and walked up a big ass hill (8% grade, mind you, there were signs) to the Foreign Settlement. It was pretty lame. The first house we saw was a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' house, and the Panama Consulate. Strange. Anyway, we took some cool photos, and a Japanese woman even took a photo of Heather and I from across the street!!

Random squirrel statues in someone's garden.

Aw, ain't we cuuuuute?

Small shrine in the Foreign Settlement.

Manhole cover in Kobe. I didn't even realize it was a face until Heather pointed it out.

OMG THE BEST THING I'VE EVER BOUGHT! Heather and I walked to Chinatown, and we found a kiosk that would take your photos, print it out on a little button, and you could buy a keychain to put it on. I got Godzilla. Heather got a bunny rabbit. I'm going back to make a lot more! Mom and Dad, you're probably getting Hello Kitty Mere's. I kinda suspect everyone will get me as a keychain for Christmas hahahahaha.

Funny name for a bar.

Random store that sold larger than life size statues of dogs, cheetahs, and tigers?

Attempting to be artsy fartsy.

Kobe Port town and Marine Museum from Harborland.

Aww Heather. Oh baby. Oh bargin!

Cute ladies, thank goodness for self timers.

Kobe Port Tower

Harborland, view from the top of the Port Tower.

City and mountains, view from the top of the Port Tower.

In the Port Tower.

Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park and Museum.

Meriken Park is a bastardization of "American Pier".

Probably my most favorite photo I've taken in Japan. Looks like a post card. Very cookie cutter though.

Heather

Tim said I was showing off.

In the Ferris Wheel!

View from the Ferris Wheel

Almost forgot. Heather eating FONDUUUUUU