November

Updating before November ends. Did some things . . Found myself a Japanese volunteer. Woohoo! Went to Fukuoka and watched sumo. Met up with Janelley and saw some night life. Met new people to hang with. Started playing soft tennis with the students. Kids are HILARIOUS I have to get out of the teacher's room and chill with them. It's going.

Time to seriously plan winter vacay.

tenacious d

Been pretty busy. Joined the badminton club at my schools so I now play badminton after school with the kids. Pretty serious about it that I even bought the shoes for it. Jacky dissed me by saying that it’s not a real sport; oh, she’ll know it’s real if she ever tries playing. Talking about sports, found a driving range like 10-15 minutes away from my place. It was super relaxing (although I was like the only female there). Second time, I took Jacky. Turns out, she’s actually good. I need to work out more. Been putting off p90x but I did teach my students (badminton crew) some of the ab ripper workouts when they were training. They were doing the typical push-ups and whatnot, and so I started doing ab ripper, and they were like whoaaaa… ha ha. Also found some volunteers for learning Japanese. It’s every Friday for like an hour or so after work. I went in for the first time last week and it was pretty chill so I might do it every week.

What else? Nothing much. It’s for sure now that I won’t be going to Korea before December. Called the fam and confirmed it. . Hope December comes around peacefully. Nothing I can do. Almost there though, and she promised.

Thought I should update, dutifully (goal is to have this accumulated so I can read it at the end of my adventures in Japan). It’s been rough the past few weeks because something unexpected came up. I was really looking forward to traveling around Japan and maybe going to another country in December because I have more than two weeks off, but 90% sure now, I will be flying back home to the rock for family reasons. I’ll remember September ‘11 when I read this in a few years . .

It’s October and the weather is so much better with this cool breeze. Finally had my first salon experience in Japan on Oct 1. Kei-san helped me out by coming with me. She recommended a really nice place that all the past ALTs from my office went to. Thanks, Kei-san! (; She’s my fav.

Haven’t drank in more than two weeks and got my exercise routine together. I basically use the p90x that I stole from Hannah (thanks homie) and run around my neighborhood and sometimes by the river. Running around (perhaps jogging is more accurate ha ha) helps a lot when you’re stressed out. I’ll keep updating my progress on becoming fit and maybe toned, note the emphasis on maybe. Apparently though, it’s better to mix up the routines from time to time according to a trusted source. What are my October goals besides becoming fit? Meet more people & get to know them better (perhaps get to know better the ones I already met)... and go exploring.

just one more

Had the past three day weekend devoted to hanging out with friends and making new ones. Friday was Diego's birthday so we all went out and celebrated. Saturday was the drinking party with the firemen. Was craaaazy. Ended up getting some digits but we'll see if I can actually hold a conversation when they hit me up. Sunday was the drinking party with the teachers at one of my schools. I have to say, the food I had on Sunday at the party was the most interesting food I've ever had in Japan so far. A+ on presentation. Ohh, I miss iron chef. Monday was day off; some sort of respect for elders day. Met up with some Japanese people and had lunch. Discovered a whole bunch of restaurants in the area. Dangerous.

blank

I can't stop wondering what these people are thinking about when they ask me about my roots. Kids are obsessed with kpop (it's like a cult) and won't stop asking me how to say certain phrases in Korean, but it's not as if adults are obsessed with kpop too. Well some are, but I'm talking about our parents' or even grandparents' generation. People in those generations are definitely not the same. It's so hard to pick up what they are thinking about (whatever it might be about) because they all have the same polite face on, but you know they're pondering about something in particular. Ohhh I can't wait 'til I can hold a decent conversation with these people and finally get rid of this mind-boggling curiosity.

sun sun sunnnAAY Sunday

Got up at 11 today and decided to be productive. Skipped breakfast, went for a run down the hill around the neighborhood. It was sunny outside, and running around the rice fields was just refreshing. After, drove out to one of my schools I will be visiting this coming week to make sure I know how to get there. It's a bit of a drive compared to my other schools; I have to drive out to the super boonies for 20 minutes which isn't so bad. It's nice scenery especially on a sunny day, but it's lame if your car can't play music because the cd player's outdated . . fudge. I need to either install a new stereo or get one of those ipod connectors so I can have music. I'll probably end up getting the ipod connector . .

After the drive, I made some Indian food (chicken marsala) and it was good. So it's official. I make miso soup every time I cook. It has become a regular part of every meal, sorta like rice for Asian people, but it's soup. When mum cooked for me, miso soup was never like a regular thing. In fact, it was more of a main dish when she decided to make it, but I guess in Japan, it's more like a side dish thing that goes with a meal, and I've become used to it. Cool. Did some housework after. So good to have those chores out of the way finally!, because I've been putting them off like no other. Sunday was good.

On Saturday though, there was a beach party thing which was cool because I met some chillllll people. Met someone from Hawaii and Cali. They aren't from the city (they're like an hour or something like that away from the city), but they surf every weekend or something like that. It was so good to meet someone from back home and talk about island stuff. Made me miss home! And at the same time made me wanna pick up surfing. Or tennis. I'm debating between the two; maybe I can do both. Friend recommends tennis so I want to play, because I've been wanting to play tennis to see what it's like, but surfing sounds cool too. Either way, I'll get some workout if I decide to do one of those.

Another week gone. Weekends go by so quick, ugh. Need to stay on top of my shit if I want to stay productive like I was today. It's been good so far though.

Yesterday was my first day of school. I was going to blog yesterday, but ran out of time as usual. I have this tendency of falling asleep after dinner; basically falling into the trap of food coma and lazily napping with the TV on, on my fake couch; with the AC on, this can be super damaging to your sleep schedule. I’ve been going to bed really late every night because I wake up from that nap at like 10 and haven’t accomplished jack shit for the next day. Woohoo! After the nap, I would shower then try to get stuff done, but it takes double the usual time to get things done because you just had a nice nap and a shower. Anyway… let’s see if I can recall how it all went down.

First day of school was basically a day of learning (although you pretty much learn something new every day). I had two self-intro lessons back to back with the same teacher. I wasn’t so nervous even though it was my first time EVER pseudo-running a classroom full of teenagers, but I felt a little guilty given the fact that I was going to improvise mostly. I had many pictures, a list of things to talk about and a short activity of answering questions prepared, but didn’t really organize them in detail. What did I learn? I learned that 1. You can’t have drinks in the classrooms even though they are nonalcoholic; no morning orange juice (or screwdrivers, jay kay…) for me, 2. These kids are super shy but they like winning prizes, 3. Backups are good; in fact, they are necessary if you lack the wit to come up with something on the spot, 4. Bells and chimes are important; pay attention to them, 5. Smile and chill out literally, & be flexible. First day was cool.

Today was the second day of school. I’m still in school right now, typing this out. I had four lessons in the morning back to back, and they all went so much better because I made some revisions and included a fun-er activity using powerpoint. I learned that 1. Kids get excited when you have the same interests as them so be creative and come up with some interests even though you may not care for them (remember that one Japanese dude from Arashi?), 2. Finishing school lunch in entirety would make you look good, but don’t stress if you can’t gulp down that last bite; prosperity before productivity, 3. Be early if you want to look good; fashionably late doesn’t fly in Japan, 4. Learn Japanese from everyone outside of the classroom, 5. Pay attention & you’ll be golden.

I’m probably super lucky for getting this school because it has a lot of nice kids; they are all well-behaved and relatively genki! They’re also super cooperative. I can tell just by how they treat the ten minute cleaning time: they take it very seriously. I could probably write a book on all the cool things I noticed & observed, but toodaaloooOO for now.

*posting this one day late. 9/5-first day, 9/6-second, 9/7 (today)- picked up my kei car...whattttt (;

hot-n-fun

Yesterday, I went to the fire station to "teach" English for 50 minutes. HA! It was the sh-t. I not only sighted some eyecandy but got to go up the ladder thing, I think 30m high? I went up the ladder thing with Kei-san and she was freaking out but taking pictures! ha ha, I just waved and said hi to the city... and to the firemen who were taking pictures for us.

I also ate lunch with the firemen who served loco moco! I admit, I liked the food even though loco moco isn't my cup tea. I'm going again today... this time with Jacky! cheeepono~

Should be double the fun.

Funnnnnn.

Real Stuff

Paid my bills today (gas, electricity, water). That's right. I'm paying bills! It was unbelievably easy. Just take the stuff you get in the mail and pay at the bank. Also took some money out of the ATM that had no English option. I didn't even use the dictionary on my phone! It was either intuition or I recognized some Kanji. I'd like to believe the latter.

Cooking for breakfast is getting better. Today I had some rice, eggs, miso soup, and some side dishes. I also cooked dinner. I think I can do this . . For tomorrow's breakfast, I'll have some toast with eggs, and cereal & soy milk. Bought multivitamins today too. Wish I can read the Japanese instructions on how many to take a day.

I need to exercise more. Maybe go out for a bike ride around the neighborhood. Might do that tomorrow. I also need to figure out how to study Japanese. Obviously I'll get some listening down at work, kanji from the genki book etc etc. but which one should I put more emphasis on?

Probably speaking, vocab & grammar but I need a solid studying pattern or structure so I can actually concentrate and put some real effort in it. At the moment I'm just fiddling with my genki book, looking up some kanji here and there, but that's not enough . . for my taste. It's all good though. I'll sort everything out, eventually.

Homie

Time to update. A lot has happened since the last post. It's weird to reread your old posts and try to recollect what happened after your most recent post. To sum it all up, all's been good. Saw Aoshima beach, shrine, & the bridge... there were lots of dragonflies, and imported sand. Rode the train for the first time to get there & saw the country side on the way. Jacky cooked that night. And then I cooked on Sunday night. That was my Sat & Sun...

On Friday though, it was much more exciting. I visited one of my schools and met up with one of the English teachers who invited me to her family dinner party! She picked me up from my apt and we drove to her place to park the car. I met her family, and then we walked like less than a block to go to her sister's place　where I met her 2 sisters and their husbands, and children. I also met the grandparents! Food was so good. There was sushi, radish salad (I think I'm gonna make this in the future), special fried chicken (grandma had her secret recipe; I think it was something like miso), homemade okonomiyage!!, anddd BULGOGI. Ha ha, that's right. One of the sisters made Bulgogi for me! She learned it from her Korean friend in Canada. There were lettuce grown by the grandparents to top it all off. Man... these people were awesome.

And it gets better. After the food & drinks (ya, drinks..Had some beer & wine), I played with the kids. Their English was good because they could understand what I was saying most of the time! Of course, I spoke extra clearly and loudly, but man... I was impressed. I was even able to teach them how to play rich man poor man. I also learned a number of Japanese card games. It was so much fun. Just like that, 3 hrs passed　and it was time for me to go and the kids wanted to take pictures with me so I posed with a peace sign like a real Asian ha ha. And then............ this is the best part: grandma gave me a hug and presents- green peppers from her farm, and cute Japanese bookmarks.
Thanks grandma! I'll cook something good with those. (;

So much more to this, but I can't put them into words here. Where's the Pensieve?


Time seem to go faster as I get older. The other day, I was thinking about what I did in HS, and even in college (I was looking through polaroid pics as I was putting them up in the living room). It's all a blur. Did I actually go through HS and graduate from college? And now I'm in Japan... What if in a couple of years back in the states, I get the same feeling? That'd make me sigh and feel super nostalgic. Ew. I need to stop zoning out and refocus. Cool.

More Officeitis?

I had really good Indian food for lunch today. Kristen senpai was nice enough to accompany us to the restaurantwhich was down the street from the center. Then we went to the convenience store to pick up some green tea. Eatingout is super convenient and good but can be expensive... I need to start learning how to pack my own lunch. Ugh.

After lunch, senpai gave us a comprehensive tour and even demonstrated her self-introduction lesson. Today was a reallyproductive day! I'm saying that as I type this entry out during the office hour. That's a bit of officeitis for you. Approximately an hour left to go. Can't wait til school starts.

New ALTs arrived today. Jaclyn and I agreed that our office is full of beach people: Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, California, & Miami. We are diverse! Cool. I might finally learn how to surf... in Miyazaki.

"Peto"

Goodbye Peto. I hardly knew you...

Posting a quick update to commemorate (?) Peto's passing. Peto was one of the fish I got from the summer festival that was dead when I came back from work. Poor Pura was struggling next to Peto. I may sound super calm right now because many hours have passed since but when I first found the fish dead, I literally freaked out. The first thing that came to my mind was how I would have to remove the dead fish and flush it down the toilet and make sure the live one doesn't get out. Dear God. Also just thinking about having to touch anything dead and slimy makes me cringe...

Of course I couldn't do it so I called Jaclyn and she came over to help me. Thank you!!! In the future though (perhaps when Pura has to go), I'm gonna have to do it myself. Oh Pura, please be healthy!

Oh, also had a fantastic dinner. Jaclyn cooked Gnocchi which was really good!

Haven't updated in awhile . . and a lot has happened since I left Tokyo and got to Miyazaki. I signed up for the foreigner registration, bank account, and a cellphone plan (got an iphone!). Thanks to the ALT senpai, William (PhD ha ha) and Kieran! You guys are great! I also shopped for my apartment at the mall. Got some pretty sheets, pillows, and a rice cooker (don't know how to use it though) etc etc . . The mall has everything I need including a store that sells foreign food . . sweet.

Today was the summer festival at Tachibana dori (actually it was this past weekend; I started writing this entry a few days ago). I went over to the office with Jaclyn to meet up with the office people who prepared yukata for us! I can't put into words how hospitable these people at the office are! For instance, Tako-san had already set up my electricity bill stuff before I even asked her for help with the paperwork that my predecessor left behind. Kei-san made our business cards when we had just arrived! . . These people are really really nice. Anyway, we changed into yukata and joined the parade that went on at the Tachibana street. It was great. Although it was a bit humid and hot, we managed to "dance" by watching other people. By dancing, it was just waving your arms and taking a few steps... sort of like the thriller dance, but not really. I wish I can thoroughly explain how the whole thing (the matsuri) went down. Basically, public servants and business people (including the Miyazaki City bank wokers!) dressed up in nice traditional clothes or costumes parading through the biggest street in the prefecture... while people watched them and ate street food.

After the parade and the dancing, we went to a izakaya for a office party. I had some sweet potato wine or shochu. Who knew that shochu can be made from sweet potato! I mostly enjoyed asahi beer. After the izakaya, we walked through the matsuri (just when they were wrapping up) and stopped at the fish game tent thing where I caught two goldfish! They are still at my apartment,　alive and well.

Today, I signed up for the internet...which will be installed on the 21st. Geeeez. Wish I can get it sooner but oh wells. You have to wait a long time for a lot of the things in Japan (for instance, cellphones and bank accounts). I have 2 more hours at the office. Got a number of things I want to accomplish after work like learning how to use the washing machine and the rice cooker that I bought a few days ago. I wish I had a Japanese friend who could help me figure those things out... time to go knock on my neighbors’ doors and make some friends! Tomodachi?

Herro Tokyo

It's not as hot as I expected! Humidity definitely made everything worse when we were lining up to ship our bags but it wasn't as bad as the "feels like 110 degrees" Chicago weather that one day. A lot of thanks to the JET baggage workers and coordinators! They were really nice and helped us move our bags with welcoming smiles even though the weather was crappy. Going through customs and immigration was also as smooth as it could ever be. I was actually worrying about bringing some antibiotics and tylenol but wow, what a breeze. After shipping our bags to our C.Os, we lined up for the buses and headed to our hotel.

Keio plaza hotel is superb. It's definitely a huge upgrade from holiday inn express (now don't get me wrong, that place was nice and comfy too). Lots of chandeliers in the lobby, and people in suits ready to accomplish hotel business. Rachel and I were ready to part as roommates (we were roomies at the Chicago orientation), but what do you know, we are roomies again at Keio! (; It's definitely comforting to have someone you know well be your roomie for 3 days in a foreign environment.

After we exchanged some money at the front desk, we met up with my high school friend Shouhei who's in Japan for the summer. We ate udon at a place where we can customize what goes into our bowl. The place was good and fairly cheap. Udon noodles were different from what I'm used to eating in Hawaii. Noodles were more chewy and fresh! After dinner, we walked around the Shinjuku station area and eventually through Takashimaya time square. Then we headed back to our hotel. Meeting Shouhei again tomorrow after the orientation... we'll probably hit up Shibuya and harajuku. We'll see.

Prep & Going

One day before flying out to Chicago for the orientation, and then off to Japan on Saturday... Pretty excited about it. Been running around for the last few weeks trying to prepare for the departure and it has worked out pretty well (fingers crossed). For one I got everything I need in my suitcases. Most importantly though I have omiyage covered. What I basically did was request items from 'Sharing Aloha' (they were generous! got some pens, pencils, post-its, and magnets with Hawaii logo on them), and buy macadamia nuts, Hawaiian Host chocolate (mini bags), and key chains. Hopefully the chocolate won't melt.

Anyway, I decided to start this blog (my first blog everrr) to write about my adventures teaching & living in Miyazaki City, Japan. I have all sorts of ideas about the place from what I read, heard, and saw on youtube so far and I think my dad's right: "I'm basically going from Hawaii to Hawaii." Miyazaki-shi is on Kyushu which is the southern island of Japan so it'll be pretty warm all year round. Heard mangoes are good there... I love mangoes!