来年頑張ります

今日はすばらしいことがなかったけど、今日はよく日だった。毎週の金、同じ所へ行って同じことやっている。たぶん　そのことには　つまらないみたいでも、いい習性を作れば　自分の生活がもっと意味をもらえると思います。例えば、職場にいろいろな生徒と話せます。みんなは違う来るの目的があるけど、みんなの生活がもっといい生活が作っている、私たちので会社。毎週の火と水、40年位上女の子に会います。そんな人がすべらしいと思っている。この彼女はいろいろなことしています。踊るクラスや縫うクラスや英語クラスなど受けている。別の人は大学院の生成と高校入学がいると　いつも　いっぱい予定があるけど　英語がもっと上手になりたいです。みんなはやっている人です。みんな例から　私も頑張りたい！今年はよかった。じゃあ、来年には日本語が本当上手になることにした！　ストレート・トークの生徒と協力者(きょうりょくしゃ)に　ありがとう！


So today was nothing special happened, but it was a good day. Every week I go over to the same place and do the same thing. I guess it could seem a bit boring and monotonous but I figure if I set myself into a good rhythm I will be able to get more things done and maybe give my days off a more meaning than just sitting around watching the tube. I have gotten some inspiration from the people at my work. One of the ladies that comes in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is about 40 years older than I but she lives life at the pace that I want to be going at. She is active in many ways, like taking sewing, dancing, and English class. Another student is a researcher with a full schedule and a mother (a super mom at that) and she still has time to come in and get her Learn On. Because of all the students I see trying their best to learn English and other things it makes me even more motivated to do my best! This was a really great. I hope to keep the momentum that has brought me all the way here and us it to make next year really great. Yeah, I am really decided that I am going to improve my Japanese.
Thanks to everyone at ストレート・トーク Club!

Ron

A trip to Old Japan

...or so we assumed.

Disclaimer: This post is going to be long. Sorry, so much to see in three days.

On November 23rd, Ron and I left to go to Kyoto. We had planned this trip for a while, so we were really excited to get out of cold Iwate and to not-as-cold Kyoto. I thought that Kyoto would just be a city that was frozen in time back to the Edo period of Japan; fantastic landscapes sprinkled with traditional shrines, geisha dressed up walking down old streets of Gion, surrounded with dark wooden homes and paper lanterns lighting the way. Kyoto itself however, was not what I anticipated. I didn't realize that history could not preserve itself from modernization. I was taken back by the steel frames of the Kyoto train station or the high-rise buildings of Gion. Not to mention the hoards of people that crowded the city during this holiday weekend. Aside from this naive culture shock, Ron and I did have an enjoyable time and we were able to play treasure hunters and find those small streets that still managed to retain the magic of old Kyoto.

On our first day, we managed to see what most people see in three days. It was a whirlwind day, accompanied with a LOT of walking. Our first stop was KINKAKUJI. A beautiful temple that is covered in gold. It's surrounded by MIRROR LAKE (you'll see why).

Next we went to RYOAN-JI (The Peaceful Dragon). It has a beautiful temple, but is known for it's Rock Garden. In the garden are 15 rocks, but no matter where you stand, you will only see 14 of them. It isn't until you acheive Enlightenment and can see overhead when you can see all 15 (mind numbing isn't it?

Our next stop was the IMPERIAL PALACE. They don't let people in on the weekends so we didn't get to look inside, but the park that it was in was beautiful. So Ron and I "smartly" decided to walk to GINKAKUJI, the younger brother of Kinkakuji. This temple was suppose to be covered in silver, but they never got around to it. The walk was a lot longer than we expected.

The last temple was our favorite for the day, NANZEN-JI. This place had a slew of temples, but we saw only the big one. This one really looked "old". It had a "I've been around a while vibe". Next to it was a really cool canal bridge. It was neat to have the very old next to the very modern.


We ended the night with a trip to very busy Gion. We ate okonomiyaki, walked around, went to the public bath to soak, and then went to bed. My dogs were killing me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Sunday, we took a train to see FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE. The best one! This shrine is known for their statues of foxes (messengers of the gods) and an everlasting number of Torii gates. This shrine was by far the most beautiful and peaceful shrine. We went in the morning so it wasn't busy and you can hike to the very top of the mountain throught the Torii gates. It was so cool I'm putting 3 pictures!



After, we went to KIYOMIZUDERA, the number one recommendation from all my teachers. I think everyone in Japan thought the same thing. It was very crowded. So crowded that we didn't even go in, even if that is the best part. We just enjoyed watching the people walk in and out.

Once we made our way down from the hoards of people, we slowly made our way to the hostel, but stopped by a nearby temple along the way, HIGASHI HONGAN-JI. Later that night, Ron and I went to the top of the train station where we had traditional Kyoto cuisine while the sun set (awww).

Then we went back to Gion to watch a show that had little snipits of traditional Japanese dance, art, and music. Great stuff. Also the street it was on was the type of street that I wanted to see. It was very dark. The neon lights of the city didn't touch it. The paper lanterns lit up the dark wood the covered the old houses that I assume were there 50 years ago. Unfortunatly we couldn't eat there because it was all too expensive. So we went to a convenience store and bought beer. Ahh gaijin!




Bellies full and mind satisfied with Japanese culture, the day was done.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday... stay with me people!
We felt we saw enough of Kyoto... for now, so we decided to spend our half day in Kobe. Our plane was leaving from there so we thought it would be the best time of any to go see. We went to the Harbor, saw a spot of the Kobe Quake, ate in their Chinatown and slowly made our way back home.





The trip was a really neat way to see a completely different side of Japan that Morioka or Tokyo can't offer. To see all the history and the landmarks really makes you realize the power and the pride that the Japanese people have. It's really amazing. Many of these places have been rebuilt after the wars destroyed them. They decided that after it was demolished, it was still important enough to rebuild. This was true for Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, and Higashi Hongan-ji. According to Ron, Kyoto was on of the places on the list to be hit with the atomic bomb, but Americans decided that the city was too beautiful to destroy. I'm sure glad they made that choice. It would be a shame to see all that gone. I look forward to the next time we venture to that side of the island. Until the next post, stay cool California!

A lucky guy I know

I want to tell you a story of the luckiest guy that I have ever met. I think I was in my about 14 or 15 when I was really introduced to him. He was a kinda spastic and goofy back then, but in a good way I guess. This guy was always doing things that were different from everyone else saying that he was going to live two lives worth in his one life. He never paid any attention to fashion or his hair because he thought it took to much time away form his goal of two lives in one. Well anyway, this guy always had a rather care free friendly guy attitude and because of that + a lot of luck he was always meeting and becoming friends with really cool people. He must have been cool if he would be friends with me right : ). So anyways I was thinking about him recently and I came to the realization that this guy has to be the luckiest guy I have ever know. In college he met all of these great people that he refers to as his family and he even got married to this amazing girl. This girl makes him really happy. She is the kind of girl who just can just enjoy life. He has a great family (both on his side and his new family as well) and he always enjoys talking to them. I think at least once every few weeks or so I hear him say (his famous words) “man, we have good lives”. I think he is right, we do have good lives and I think so because of all the great people that we have in our lives. Man, We have good lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As in good California form, Ron and I had our own Thanksgiving dinner. We had Chicken (Japan doesn't have turkey), mashed potatoes, string beans, broccoli, and...sushi. Hey, it's still Japan. So happy Turkey Day everyone.

PS. I left my wallet last night at our local supermarket. We went back this morning and it was actually turned in, with my money and everything still in. I heart Japan.

Meet the Kayakers

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ron actually found Japanese Kayakers. Along with the snow blog was this memorable experience. It all started with one trip to the mall. We were in the parking structure when I noticed a playboat on top of a car. Quickly, Ron and I put together a receipt and eyeliner to write a note to the owner of the kayak. Half-hoping we put it on his windshield. Before the day was over, Ron got a call from the guy and set a date to meet him and his other kayaking buddies.

After Ron's work on Saturday, the kayaker (Takahashi) picked us up and we went to Lake Tazawako in Akita. We met up with his friends at stayed overnight in this beautiful traditional Japanese house. They served us traditional Japanese food and we drank and talked for the remainder of the night. They were also all Japanese speakers so it was a great chance for us to practice.





The next day, after having a yummy traditional breakfast, they took us to the famous NYUTO ONSEN. The translation of Nyuto is "Mother's Milk. The water is a milky color and it makes your skin really smooth. Once we finished with the onsen we made our way back home. We were really lucky with this group and we're really looking forward to making these meetings a regular thing.

大雪

けさは寒いいいいでした！自転車で仕事に行きながら、多い雪が降って、目を打ちました。本当見られなかっただいよ。しょくば職場に行っているうちにジュニさんが雪の中にあそ遊んでいた。そして、職場に来てから、勉強した。週末には　ジュニといっしょ一緒にきょうと京都に行って、それから　じゅんび準備しなくちゃいけない。さいきん最近、日本語だけ使いたい、だけど　私のたんご単語が下手くそう。ハハ（ハハは私の笑う）。

じゃ、仕事の後　先週の土曜日を教えるつもりです・じゃね

Enkai Culture

I totally forgot to write about this. This is SUPA- SUGOI! (my new word= super great!)

Last Friday, the school was going to have a formal welcome party for me. This was also celebration for one teacher who was on his 25th anniversary of teaching, as well as an art teacher who won an award with his paintings. Throughout the night, I was amazed by the culture and traditions that these formal enkais have. With everyone's permission, I would like to share my experience.

So when I first got there, I was escorted to another room, separate from the other teachers. There I was with the Principal, Vice-Principals, and the the other two rewarded teachers. Later we were told to follow the MC teacher. As the door opened, music bursted throughout the room. We walked in, took our first steps into the room, bowed, and continued to our table. Everyone was cheering and clapping. I felt like I had just won a Grammy. Then there were speeches. Different teachers spoke for different teachers. Mine was in English. YAY! SUPA-SUGOI!

Then I had to come up and give my speech. I decided to give my speech in Japanese and it worked really well (Thanks Mayumi). I was given flowers and sat back down.

NOW... Once the food started coming out, it became really cool. Teachers from different tables would come up to us with a bottle of beer and continually fill our glasses as a sign of respect. I got some really good Japanese practice in because of these teachers coming to talk, many with whom I've never talked to before. So constantly I had to drink my beer so that they had something to fill. I would just like to say that the Japan is a drinking society and they drink very well. It really is how they socialize. After dinner, when I was about to fall over, we all stood up to sing our School Song. Usually, these songs are sung by the Male Cheerleading Squad (they are much more manlier than it sounds), but for this party one of the teachers took the flag and led the teachers with the song. After the night ended, I was so pumped up from the night. It was really a side of Japan that I never would have expected to see. SUPA-SUGOI!

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

I never thought I would be so happy to see something that I know would later make me miserable. It's snowing up a storm (haha) in Morioka. I'm in my school doing nothing because the students have tests all week and I look outside the window. There is a good heap of snow. Coming from California, I ran outside to try to find the men who are off camera sprinkling styrofoam in front of the window. But lo and behold, it was actual snow. They kind you eat, but not a lot because you die. The kind that you can make yellow with your own bodily fluids. The kind that you can fall flat on your face and not get hurt, unless the snow decides to freeze. Then the hurt factor will be a little different.

All my teachers watched me run out of the teacher's room and outside to play in the snow. It wasn't enought snow to make snowballs yet, but it was enough to walk around for ten minutes and watch your footsteps follow you. I came back in VERY genki. I think my exitement for the snow made the teachers realize how cool it was and we all enjoyed a couple minutes of enjoying the snow.

I know that in a couple of weeks, you will all see a blog that looks a little like...
I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW I HATE SNOW...

But for now, let's all relish the beauty that is... SNOW!!

Brace yourselves people!

The winter is here. Back in the good ol' California, you could walk out of your house on any given day and assume it was spring. Sometimes a hotter spring, sometimes a colder spring, but either way, everyday is spring in California.

We are now realizing, through a very abrupt culture shock, that no such feeling exists in Japan. The gods and goddesses that look over this tiny island make for damn sure that you know what season it is. This past weekend, Ron and I had an amazing experience. More is described on top. But what I really want to describe is the crack cocaine that Mother Nature-sama in Japan is on. On Saturday I had the day off. I cleaned, talked to my dad via Skype, went to the post office to send stuff to my mother, and then made my way to Ron's work. As I walked there, I saw this gorgeous tree. The sun was directly hitting it and the colors exploded off the leaves as if it was in Photoshop. I took some photos and thought to myself "Morioka has a fantastic autumn."

When I got to Ron's work, we left with our new friends to the neighboring prefecture to hang out. (More later) The VERY NEXT DAY, we woke up to snow. We walked outside and the nature that had been bursting with color 12 hours ago was now a sheet of white. Needless to say, Ron and I almost peed in our pants. But knowing that our pants would freeze, we held it in.

Although it was a shock, thoughout the day we saw more and more beautiful things. I couldn't help but think, "Morioka has a fantastic winter." I never thought I would saw both sentences within 24 hours.

初めてのブラグ

これは私の初めて書くブラグです。　私たちを初回しましょう。　私はロンマコミーっク、二十三歳です。私の妻、ジュニさんは二十四歳です。さんっか月前　一緒(いっしょ)に日本に来ました。私たちはまだ日本語を話せるのが上手じゃない、だけど　頑張(がんば)って勉強しています。じゃ、毎週　一回か二回　日本語でブラグを書くことにします。日本語だけ使いにくいと思います。それに　阪奈言葉を使えばごめん。

今日は冬の初めての雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)った。毎週の金曜日　私は　Ｍｒ。Ｄｏｎｕｔｓ．に勉強しに行きます。勉強しているうちに雪が始めて降りました。すごいと言った、それは私の一番雪ですから。私の郷里(きょうり)では　ぜんぜん雪が降りませんでした。じゃ、今　盛岡に住むからにはこの冬たくさん雪を見ますね。雪に気か立っている！

A Bright Perk in the Middle of Work

Every Wednesday, I have a different schedule than I do the rest of the week. I wake up at 6:30 a.m. (ugh!) and ride my bike over to the Morioka Train Station. There, I take a 15 minute train ride to another high school in a nearby town. Work, work, work, and ride back home. Except that it gives me a great chance to hop over to Ron's work which is only a 10 minute bike ride away. It's a whole lot better to spent 5 hours there than 5 hours alone watching CSI.

Anyway... along with the story. So, while I was at Ron's work it occurred to me that all of the staff there were wearing different color shirts. The shirt colors combined make the beauty that's called a RAINBOW. It was amazing. Kind of my "rainbow connection." (Yes, I know... lame) So for a few minutes, we were able to take this super fun picture with super fun people.

It was a great upper to the day. In Morioka, it gets dark by 4:30 p.m. and according to Ron, it's going to start snowing here by next week. (sigh)

Some cheese with my whine.

Even if Ron and I have only been here for three months (wow, time goes by fast), the JET Program already wants to know if we are going to recontract for the next year. I didn't even have to think about it (I live in a great city, I have a fantastic job, I've made friends, and I have Ron)... OF COURSE I'M STAYING! That's always been in the plan.

Recently though, Ron and I have been thinking about what's going to happen when we finally pack up our bags and come back home. Our lives a perfect here. Besides the hole of not having family and friends here, living in Morioka is all we could imagine and then some. The JET Program has given us a cushy stepping stool from college life to adult life. We have the best of both worlds. However, once we do make the next step. We're still pretty unsure where that will take us or where we want to go.

My dad always said to "Work according to your lifestyle." Well I'm sure that the life that I want is what everyone in the universe wants (work at home, lots of travel, exuberant amounts of money), so we've been trying to figure out how to make that happen. I know lifestyles like that take a lot of work, I'm just trying to figure out what kind of hard work I have to do.

Hurricane hits Morioka!

This just in... Morioka has just been hit by one of the most bizarre phenomenons to ever come into the quaint world of Japan. We have just experienced... Hurricane Carolina.

OK, so there was no hurricane and nothing bad happened in Japan. On the contrary the opposite. We have just been been visited by my mom. The first person to come from our lives in Los Angeles to make sure that our lives in Japan are happy and well. Many questions will be answered upon her return...

Are they eating well?
How is their home?
How is the living situation?
Is Ron beating Juni?
Was his act all a lie?
Was HER act all a lie?

So mom came into town Monday night and there had been a blur of eating and shopping since her arrival. Ron took her around during the day time and I was able to meet them after my classes. We showed her the culinary delights of Morioka Reimen and Jajamen. On thursday and friday, however, I was free as a bird. Mom was quite satisfied staying around town and enjoying the beauty of the 100 yen stores. The brunt of the storm however was on the last day. Our friend Yohei, who is a 50s collecting junkie, showed us to Japanese antique shops. Hurricane Carolina then started to make her mark across Morioka. Many stared with open mouths as Mom haggled her way through the stores, bargaining left and right till there was no more sign of overlooked collectables. After devistating the shopkeeps' invintories, Hurricane Carolina (no sooner than she arrived) changed her heading back to California. The city of Morioka will never forget the awesome display of power and beauty that Mother nature has bestoed upon them.

It was an amazing week just being able to show someone our life in Morioka. Ron and I have really started to find our niche here and finally we can start to show it to others besides using the blog. We thoughoughly enjoyed playing tour guide and look forward to anyone else that wants to take the Morioka challenge.

Thank you mom for coming. It really made our week.