Ichigo Adventures

2010-08-08T19:06:00.003+09:00

Ready for her debut!

I'm less than two weeks from my due date, but I have reason to believe that my baby girl will make her debut a bit early! My midwives and a very talented reflexologist all think that she will arrive before her due date.
Knowing that I'll officially be a mother this week or next is an exciting, overwhelming, unbelievable position to be in. I am so thrilled to know that I'll soon meet my little girl.
I've worked really hard to stay healthy and to prepare for my birthing time. I've overcome all the obstacles that tried to get in my way during this pregnancy. And now, I am right on track to have a water birth at a midwife-run birth center in Tokyo using hypnosis during the birth.
Alright, baby, I'm ready for your debut!

2010-04-25T22:43:00.002+09:00

Baby, oh, baby!

I have been quite the neglectful blogger for the past 6-8 months...
The weddings in the US went well, but they left me drained and exhausted.
And then...
I got pregnant! The baby is due at the end of August, and we are so excited! It's been a roller coaster ride so far, but I am officially past the half way point!

2009-07-18T00:25:00.003+09:00

I am so tired of wedding planning.
I thought I might be one of the people who post online and share all their great wedding planning tips, but I am not. I am one of those people who feels like they're drowning in a sea of details and wants it all to be over already!
Thank God for my wedding all-star team a.k.a. my mom and my friend Genevieve.
They're doing so many things that I can't, because I'm half a world away.
And soon, Stan and I will have our wedding, our reception, and then fly to California for another reception. Soon. Very soon. Then I can relax. Maybe!?

2009-04-15T00:17:00.007+09:00

Ok, so I have a sinus infection and I should be sleeping, as it's currently 12:17am in Tokyo, but...
I'm getting married! For real! It's all coming together and my mind is spinning.

My family situation is complicated, to put it mildly, so it's looking like we have to hold 2 ceremonies and 2 reception/parties- one for mom's side and one for dad's side. And at first that made me want to curl up in a ball and cry, but I'm warming up to the idea now, and realizing that it could be LESS stressful this way.

Oh, and I forgot to mention. There's also going to be a big, Chinese dinner with Stan's family in California. OMG. This is getting complicated.

Stan and I live in Japan.
Our families live in the US.
We are going to make this all happen in just under 4 months.
O, my.

This is one of those "It takes a village" situations. And by a village, I really mean, a lot of help from moms, aunties, and assorted other friends and family members!

Wish us luck. I think we're going to need it!

2009-04-09T22:35:00.007+09:00

Cherry Blossoms are everywhere! But the petals are already falling; creating pale, pink snowflakes.

And finally, tiny hands collecting petals...

2009-02-27T19:21:00.003+09:00

A Cold, Snowy Day in Tokyo!

It snowed in Tokyo today!
This may not seem like big new, but we don't get much snow in the city.
The snow didn't really stick, but it was coming down in big, fat flakes for awhile. The kids at my school didn't believe that it was snow at first. They were all claiming it was rain. When the flakes got big and white enough for them to believe it was snow, they started talking about making snowmen. I felt bad, because I knew that their three year old dreams of making a snowman in Tokyo were not going to come true!

In the afternoon, I suggested that Santa might come back since it was snowing. My students thought that that seemed totally plausible. Sometimes teacher humor doesn't compute with kids.

Now it's 7:30pm and I am FREEZING! The snow turned back into rain, but it's still close to zero degrees Celsius, and we are out of kerosene. I do not have it in me to wheel the 18 liter kerosene tank to the gas station on my grandma-style mini-wheelie cart, after dark, in the rain. Nope. Just can't do it. So, I am trying to stay warm using the Japanese air conditioner/heater (エーアコン) that is mounted on our wall, but it is not heating this place up very well.

I brought down a small electric heater from upstairs, which is pointed at my legs. I am also wearing a long-sleeved shirt, a fleece turtleneck, cotton pajama pants, fleece pajama pants, a fleece robe, knee socks, slippers, a hat, AND my knee-length down coat!
My torso is warm, but my legs and feet are still freezing. Ugh.

2009-01-31T11:09:00.002+09:00

Did you read my post, "The Ballad of Daisy and Goofy"?

Well, a couple of days ago, I saw Goofy's picture in a Japan Times article about animal adoption events!

You can see the article here. He's wearing the doggie sweater I crocheted for him in the 4th picture from the top. Awwww. I miss Daisy and Goofy, but I hope they're happily snuggled up with their new families!

2009-01-24T22:59:00.016+09:00

Earlier this month I went to the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival. It was amazing!

I had a chance to walk around and look at the quilts with my friend Molly. Seeing the gorgeous works of art made both of us want to quilt!

Enjoy!

Molly and I at the end of the day. We both liked this whimsical quilt.

This was one of the most gorgeous quilts I saw.

2009-01-24T22:36:00.007+09:00

Last year I became totally obsessed with tawashi, or Japanese magic scrubbers.
I've made several for my mom, but she can't seem to bring herself to use them, because they're too cute! I've heard that same sentiment from others as well. And I've been asked if I really use mine to clean. My emphatic answer is: YES!
Tawashi work so great for scrubbing dried food off of dishes and pans. They clean counters and sinks like a dream. And best of all, they're cute and fun to use!
Below are some of the tawashi I regularly use in my kitchen. I keep my bathroom tawashi in a separate place.

These are all made by me, of course!

If you are a member of the crochet and knitting website Ravelry, check out the Tawashi Town group for more info.
You can also check out tawashi yarn and pattern books in my etsy store.

2009-01-10T18:50:00.012+09:00

The Ballad of Daisy and Goofy

One day back in November, I passed by an animal rescue group that was fundraising outside Shinjuku station in Tokyo. I picked up one of their flyers and gave them a donation. Then in December, I started looking up information about animal rescue in Japan and...
I found out that Stan and I could foster an animal who is looking for their forever home!

I contacted ARK, an animal rescue/welfare organization about fostering a dog or cat over the holidays. And we were blessed to have a sweet miniature dachshund named Daisy come into out home! I didn't have any experience with small dogs, and Stan was new to pets all together.

Taking care of Daisy was a lot of fun and a lot of work. A few days into taking care of Daisy, we were asked to also foster her former breeding partner, Goofy (both were fixed after being rescued). We decided to take the plunge, and suddenly we had two snuggly, ridiculously sweet dachshunds running all over our apartment!

We had read up on dachshunds before Daisy's arrival, so we knew that they liked to burrow, and maybe even hide under covers. But we really weren't prepared for how hilarious a dachshund is in your bed! The first night Daisy was with us, she burrowed under the covers and then ran laps around the bed- while still under the covers! She spent the night spooning us and finding the warmest, softest spots on the bed. Once Goofy arrived, it was all-out snuggling mayhem come bedtime. Stan and I could no longer spoon each other, because the dogs were in charge!

A couple days after Goofy arrived, Daisy was adopted! I was an emotional wreck. Seriously. I was so sad! But I knew that things had happened as they should. Daisy had found a family to love and take care of her for the rest of her life! Goofy kept us busy, and I snuggled him even more. After about a week, we were able to see a picture of Daisy and her new family. It made me feel so happy to see her with them, and to know that she'd be loved.

After Daisy left, we continued enjoying our time with Goofy. I discovered all sorts of interesting things about my neighborhood while walking Goofy, like a "birds' forest" park, temples, shrines, and some interesting stairways and steep, windy roads.

Both Daisy and Goofy had severe separation anxiety, probably stemming from the traumatic years they spent with a breeder who taped their mouths shut. So, it worked out well that we fostered them at a time when we were able to spend most days at home with them. The couple of times we had to leave one of them alone, they panicked and barked for hours.

After three weeks, Goofy was scheduled to go to an adopotion event and...
He got adopted! I looooved Goofy, but it was a little easier to let go the second time. The important thing is knowing that a family had committed to love and care for little Goofy.

Our house has felt quite quiet without the little, fuzzy snugglers around. But with Stan and I both starting new jobs, the timing of Goofy's adoption was great. We are planning to foster a cat or two. So, there'll be more animal adoration pics coming in the future!

2008-12-30T20:59:00.012+09:00

The Tokyo Apartment Hunt!

When Stan and I were planning to move to Tokyo, we didn't really have time or money to come to Tokyo and properly hunt for an apartment. So, we found a temporary apartment, and decided to look for a longer-term one once we were in Tokyo.

In September we used a company called Tokyo Rent to look for an apartment. One of their employees showed us 3 places on a very, very rainy night.

Here they are:

Apartment 1
This one is around 50 square meters (538 square feet) on two floors, in a two-unit building. It's good points are an open floor plan, a toilet on each floor, a double vanity, and nearby supermarkets and restaurants. The possible bad points are that the open floor-plan could make it hard to heat.

Apartment 2
This one is about 40 square meters (430 square feet) on the second floor of a two-unit building. The good points are a big kitchen-dining room, and an oven and clothes dryer included with the apartment! Clothes dryers and ovens are a rarity in Japan. Very tempting! The bad points are that the living room and bedroom are one room, and the entry hall smells like cat pee!

Apartment 3
This one is also about 40 square meters (430 square feet) on the third floor of a 6-unit building. This place has a kind of quirky design with lots of red metal in the apartment. The good points are the design and a bed is included with the apartment. The bad points are the TINY kitchen and fairly small living space.

Can you guess which one we chose?
Well, we were debating between numbers 1 and 2. The neighborhood around number 1 was vibrant with a lot of interesting looking shops and cafes, while the neighborhood around number 2 was very residential without much shopping or places to eat.

In the end we chose number 1, and we haven't regretted it at all! We love the neighborhood, and it's very quiet. Of course, it seemed much smaller once we filled it with furniture and stuff, but it feels like home!

2008-10-16T23:03:00.006+09:00

Well! It sure has been a long time since I've updated my blog.

Stan and I in our "box room" at the temporary apartment.

After moving to Tokyo, I had a lovely, long trip to the US in August and September.
The morning after I got back to Tokyo, Stan proposed to me while I was cooking bacon!
It was a big surprise!
I said yes, of course, and we're hoping to get married in 2009!

2008-10-16T22:55:00.003+09:00

Have you ever tried pineapple with chili powder? It's good, good, goooooood!
You mix a little salt, a little chili powder (the amount is up to you), and a little more sugar. Then cut fresh pineapple into small pieces, and mix it all together.
It is just divine.
I ate an entire pineapple prepared this way one night!
Umm, does that mean I have a problem?

2008-09-16T10:35:00.001+09:00

A long overdue project has been completed!
It's Baby Felix's blanket!
This is the first baby blanket I ever finished, and I am very pleased! Now I have to start a blanket for soon-to-arrive Baby Gavin.
I am using thicker yarn this time!

2008-09-16T09:10:00.013+09:00

When I was a child, I spent a lot of time in northern Michigan, a.k.a. up north.
Last week, I went up north with my mother to pick up my grandparents. It was an emotional trip for a lot of reasons. It was hard to see my grandparents so frail and in poor health. And then I was flooded with memories and emotions as I saw places where I had spent so many hours as a child. Wanna take a walk down memory lane with me?

Lake Huron

Rainbow

Docks in East Tawas City.

The sign outside my grandparents' cottage.

Cedar Lake

The apple tree I used to climb.

Can you find the 7th grade picture of me?

8th grade!

2008-09-11T12:21:00.001+09:00

Stan got a new phone!
Check it out!
Are these available in your neck of the woods yet?

2008-08-21T08:11:00.003+09:00

I've noticed something since I've been in the US.
I feel like an attractive woman when I'm out in public.

In Japan, the only time that men are looking at me, I know it's because I am an oddity. I am a gaijin* in a country of Japanese. I'm a square block that doesn't fit in the hole.

On one hand, it is nice to feel attractive again, but on the other hand, I feel threatened. This is a generalization, but Japanese men are the most non-aggressive men I have ever been around. In the US, men look at you. Men flirt. And you know what? It freaks me out!

Thank God I've got Stan, so I can just ignore the rest!

*gaijin means foreigner, or outsider.

2008-08-09T21:06:00.002+09:00

I'm back in the US for the first time in almost 2 years. It's kind of crazy!
I'm enjoying myself so far, but I'm also in a battle of wills with jet-lag. I feel that I'm winning so far. Well, if winning counts as going to bed at 8pm and waking up between 4 and 5 am! I'm fighting jet-lag like an old school farmer. I don't have any livestock to feed at 5am, but I do scoop out some cat boxes.

My first meal on the way back from the airport was Arabic food. It was soooooo good. Stan and I make hummus regularly, but having tabbouleh and falafel was just amazing!

Besides that I have been playing around on and figuring out my new Macbook! It's very pretty and fast.

I also went to Costco with my family yesterday. It was GIGANTIC! MASSIVE! Kind of overwhelming! The carts were big, the store was big, everything was big! I told my parents that in three years in Japan, I had never bought as much stuff at once as they did on our trip. You would need about 5 Japanese shopping carts to fit the contents of 1 Costco cart.

I have started sorting through all my stuff that's been stored in my mother's basement for three years. Oh, lordy. When you move out of the country for three years, and then come back and look at the things that you thought were worth storing, it's kind of shocking! I had a lot of crappy stuff down there, and I've only scratched the surface! That being said, there are also lots of treasures! I already have a big pile of clothes and bedding for charity, and I'm planning on adding lots more!

2008-07-28T22:37:00.013+09:00

Summer Camp Is To Children What Alcohol Is To Adults

I finished teaching classes more than a week ago, but this past Thursday I was able to go to "camp" with my students for one day and night.

Before we left the school there was a dodge ball tournament and watermelon eating.

Just after we got to camp, it was already time to start getting ready for dinner, because students making their own fires and cooking their own dinners takes FOREVER!

It's a Lincoln Log fire!

The students played a quiz game after dinner. I loved the way they looked in the yellow light.

After the quiz game it was time for fireworks. It was a bit terrifying at times, kind of like a hot, flammable free-for-all!

During the late-night free time, I played the card game "daifugo" with the kids, and I even won a round! The kids saw how hard I was thinking and compared me to one of their brainiest classmates! It was a flattering comparison in my opinion!

All throughout the evening, I walked around and inserted myself into my students' conversations. It was amazing the things they told me! Crushes were whispered into my ear. One girl told me that her secret boyfriend likes to kiss. I heard the details of junior high "dating life", betrayal and so on. It blew my mind.

Apparently, summer camp is to children what alcohol is to adults! Perhaps some of the kids also realized that this was their last chance to talk to me, and to share some final connection by spilling their secrets.

Post-Card Game

The next morning, the students and teachers surprised me with a bouquet of flowers, a present, and a declaration of their love for me! What a perfect ending to camp and to my life in this town.

Bye-bye!

2008-07-28T21:02:00.035+09:00

Sad, funny goodbyes

Well, I am done being an ALT after three years of working in Taiki Town, Japan.
Wow!

My final days at my five schools were stretched out over three weeks. I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride in a Belle and Sebastian song. I would break into tears at school, at just the thought of saying goodbye to my amazing students. Then I would actually say goodbye and cry more. Then I would walk to my car, sobbing. Then I would start driving and sob more. Sometimes I would even moan with the physical pain of the sadness and sense of loss.

I felt loved during my last days of school, but I also felt confused and at times frustrated. I suppose it was fitting, since those emotions were a normal part of my experience being the only foreigner working in my schools. I received drawings, letters, origami, posters and so on from my elementary school students. At one of my schools the students made a human tunnel with their arms that I had to walk through. I still remember when a sweet, little first grader told me that his first grade teacher and I were his favorite people in the world! Oh, melt my heart!

I knew that saying goodbye to my students would be difficult, but the reality of it was more raw and ache-y than I ever could have imagined.

I know without a doubt that coming to my little town, sight unseen, and working with these kids for three years was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I feel truly blessed by God to have experienced the good, the bad and the unbelievably blissful.

As I drove away from the little fishing village for the last time, the clouds were heavy, like my heart.

2008-05-29T10:24:00.002+09:00

Mom Sweet Mom

My mom has already left Japan, but the two weeks she spent here were soooo much fun, and sooooo needed! I hadn't seen my mom in a year and a half. That's a long time to not see your mom!
I started crying at the airport even before I saw her, and then I sobbed and sobbed once she left.

I kept my mom quite busy while she was here. Busier than she would have liked, I think! But I felt like I had 3 years worth of places and people that I wanted to show her in just 2 weeks! This included going to school with me for 3 days, so she could meet all my junior high school students and some of my elementary school students.

There are more pictures to come, but enjoy this one for now!

Here's mom on the bridge near my house, ready for a long walk around Ouchiyama!

2008-04-07T11:44:00.003+09:00

The 2008 school year is off to a BLAH start for me.
This morning was the "nyugakushiki", or school entry ceremony for the new students at one of my junior high schools. I have an intense dislike (avoiding the word hate) for all Japanese school ceremonies. They always involve sitting for a long time in a very, very cold gym and feeling incredibly awkward.
I always feel very much like an outsider, and kind of clueless about what to do next.
Today was no different. Ah, can you tell I'm in a mood??

2008-02-25T12:09:00.007+09:00

Year of the Eggplant

I have gone tawashi crazy! You may be asking yourself, "What on earth are tawashi?" Or something along those lines.

Well, tawashi are something you hold in your hand and clean with. There can be sponge tawashi, or kamenoko tawashi (a scrub brush made from palm fiber). However, I am talking about crocheted tawashi, or eco-tawashi. They are handmade scrubbers that can be created in all kinds of awesome designs! Here in Japan there is antibacterial, odor-resistant acrylic yarn, which is made especially for tawashi. If you make tawashi out of acrylic yarn, you can even clean without soap! Tawashi can be used to clean dishes, kitchens, dishes, shoes, cars, anything really!

Antibacterial yarn doesn' t seem to be available in the US, so I've been selling the yarn in my online etsy store. Etsy is a website dedicated to handmade goods, crafts, and supplies. If you haven't been there already, you've got to see all the amazing stuff available!

I've also been selling pattern books for making tawashi. Japanese crochet books use very clear charts, so if you can read a crochet chart, you should be able to read a Japanese crochet chart!

Tawashi are so much fun to make, and can be made sooo quickly! I've been making them every night! Check out some of my recent favorites...

This tawashi looks like an Ohina Doll, the doll representative of Girls Day (March 3) in Japan.
The pattern is available for free
here

Samugari no minomushi (sensitive to cold bagworm)

Puyopuyo Jellyfish

Bear mitten (made for Stan)

2008-02-25T07:09:00.003+09:00

Stupidest Song Ever

The daily 7am stupidest song ever was just broadcast over loudspeakers near my boyfriends house. It is then followed by announcements for the "senior citizens club". Those are the only announcements that ever follow the loud, annoying song. As if old folks can't be contacted by mail or telephone! Ugh.
My town used to blare announcements every morning over loudspeakers, but then they came up with the clever idea to put a transmitter into every home, so they could invade your private space with useless announcements! Needless to say, that monstrosity was promptly unplugged!

2008-01-29T22:43:00.000+09:00

I'm having a quiet night in.

My kerosene heater is blowing out constant heat, which is a blessing. However, the smell is a curse. My kerosene heater and I have a love/hate relationship. I wouldn't trade it for anything, well, besides central heating. November and December 2005 were cold, cold months back when I didn't have this kerosene heater. It's odd, because it doesn't smell much when it's on full blast. It's mostly when I turn it down that it stinks. I don't really understand the science of it all.

It's almost eleven pm and I am definitely ready for bed. I definitely stay up later during the past year and a half or so. In the past, I remember multiple nights when I would pass out at 7:30 or 8 from sheer exhaustion. But now, I am often up past 11, watching downloaded TV and crocheting. I honestly think it's that combo that inspires me not to nap and not to fall unconscious onto the couch in the early evening. I always want to watch another show, or finish a bit more of my current crochet project. Lately, I've caught the lace crochet bug. I have been making doilies in bright colors. I love following the patterns and seeing these beautiful things emerge from the thread in my hands. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I am flying along and learning so much for a self-taught crocheter.

Ok, I think it's time to snuggle my fleece-clad body beneath my heavy covers and dream away the hours until I have to drag myself out of bed into my almost sub-zero apartment. O, how I hate winter mornings in Japan!

お休みなさい。

2008-01-27T12:58:00.000+09:00

Elementary Christmas!

Every year I teach a Christmas lesson to my various elementary school classes. It's one of my favorites, because we talk about Christmas. The children are, without fail, shocked to hear that most Americans don't eat Christmas cake and Kentucky Fried Chicken in America on Christmas (typical Japanese Christmas foods). And we make Christmas cards, a novelty in Japan! I love watching the kids make cards, and it's a very low stress lesson for me. I also added a new level of fun by bringing in a CD of Christmas carols for us to listen to!

Everyone's very studious. That's the kerosene heater in the center. Yay, heat!

Anna's working hard to draw a cute Santa. I told her that I have a cousin named Anna. She was quite pleased!

Shunki (shoon-key) was not interested in smiling for my photo. He's usually a devilish class clown. I think his name suits him well, because it's cute and reminds me of the word "chunky".

On the fourth grade cork board, they had this poster about my Halloween lesson. It put a big smile on my face knowing how much fun my kids had!

2008-01-27T12:20:00.000+09:00

After going to school in the morning on my birthday, I headed to Stan's house. I had been meaning to take a picture of the beautiful fall colors in the mountains, so I quickly stuck my hand out the window while on the freeway, and here you go...

Yes, November 30th is still fall here in Mie, Japan!

Stan got me an adorable, delicious birthday cake from my favorite bakery. Thanks, Stan!! The cake says "Happy birthday, Megan".

Later that night I met up with lots of friends for yakiniku dinner (grilled meat and veggies that you cook on your table).
Here's Mitsuko and I with some of the Rilakkuma bear heads that you can put a disposable heating pad in.

The strawberry gifts were flowing on my birthday!! Am I that easy to buy for? Yes, yes I am. Here I am with Anjeli and some of the funny strawberry goods she got me!

Jessica and I with the scarf she crocheted me and homemade chocolate covered pretzels. At every Mie Stitch and Bitch I've taught Jessica a new crochet pattern, so it was so sweet of her to make me a scarf!!

Youkou, Kasumi and I. There was lots more strawberry stuff inside that bag!

Chinatsu and I. Glasses are sexy!

After a fun and delicious dinner, we headed to Paradise for karaoke. It was so much fun, and I felt really blessed to be surrounded by so many great people on my birthday!

I didn't get pictures with some of my favorite Mie ladies, but the already know that I love them!

Thanks to everyone who wished me well on my 30th birthday. I am looking forward to life getting better and better from here on in!

2008-01-27T11:58:00.000+09:00

My 30th birthday at Nishiki Jr. High School

I was tempted to take my 30th birthday off work, but I was scheduled to go to my favorite school that day, Nishiki junior high school. I also knew that some of my students knew it was my birthday and might bring me cards or presents, so I decided to just take the afternoon off, so I could see the students who had brought so much joy and laughter to my life during the past two and a half years. It was a wise decision. I wasn't feeling ambitious enough to make cupcakes, but I did bring candy for my students and we played English games during all my lessons.

These are my 8th grade students.

These are my 9th grade students. I don't know how Gou ended up on Chikashi's shoulders!

Here I am with my 7th grade students, in a bizarre formation. Why is Kenta sitting in front of everyone else? Who knows!! They were too hyper to even attempt to wrangle them into a nicer formation.

A few of my 9th grade students brought my presents and wrote me birthday letters. Look at all my cute stuff! The girls who did this for me have been my students since their first year in junior high school and will graduate in March, 2008. It has been a joy to watch them grow and learn, and I know that I will never forget them!

2008-01-27T11:37:00.000+09:00

Crochet, crochet, crochet, crochet...

I've been busy crocheting. I can literally crochet for hours a day. I love to crochet while I watch TV, and I can even crochet while I read a book.
Recently, my mom told me that my grandmother and great-grandmother were talented crocheters. I remember my grandma making homemade clothes for my Cabbage Patch kids, but I couldn't remember if they were knitted or crocheted. Well, they were crocheted!! It made me so happy to know that I am carrying on a craft that my grandmother and great-grandmother had a passion and a talent for! I hope that one day I can team my own daughter to crochet, and maybe my mom, too!

Check out some of my fall and winter creations...

I made this scarf for myself in just about a day and a half. I used 2 colors of silk garden yarn by Noro, a Japanese yarn maker. The pattern is called "spider web lace".

I made this scarf for my friend Keiko. I used the "Catherine Wheel" pattern, which I am absolutely in love with!

Here's a close up of the "Catherine Wheel" pattern.

I made this scarf for my friend Mary, using hand-dyed cotton yarn for the scarf and wool on the border. She told me she wears it all the time. Yay!

I made this granny square scarf for one of my young cousins. I hope she likes it!

One of my first "technicolor doilies" made for Molly for Christmas.

2008-01-27T10:43:00.000+09:00

I love Halloween!

As usual, I took some toilet paper to school, taught my students some body parts vocabulary, and then let them wrap each other up in toilet paper bandages this Halloween!

And then there was my favorite Mie JETs party of the year, the Halloween party!

Stan's easy-to-make Judo champion costume!

My "Supaa Ichigo" (super strawberry) superhero costume. I won the prize for most ridiculous costume at the party. Can you imagine why?

The sexy space Lauren and I.

Sam as Nintendo's Mario and Anjeli as Medusa. Look at that stare!

Jessica and I.

Molly dressed as her boyfriend, Chito, with handknitted wig, Kjersten as Cruella DeVille, and Angie with Christmas spirit!

Kasumi and I. I still haven't figured out what her costume was exactly. I think she was something like a walrus pre-school student!

I had so much fun at the Halloween party, and I felt so cool in my strawberry costume. Believe it or not, I was actually surprised when I won the "Most ridiculous" prize!! Looking back at these photos, I think I can understand it better now.

2008-01-17T13:49:00.000+09:00

I'm back at school this week after 2 weeks off school, a snowboard trip to Hokkaido, an all-prefeture conference, and a long-weekend snowboard trip.
Needless to say, I'm struggling to get back into the school day rhythm. To be frank, all I want to do is take a big, long nap and watch TV. These endless hours of no classes and nothing to do are torturous!

2007-12-28T11:13:00.000+09:00

I had a very sedate Christmas here in Japan this year.
I didn't order a Christmas cake or a box of fried chicken in advance (two very Japanese Christmas things to do) to eat on Christmas. I didn't have a party. I didn't sing Christmas Eve karaoke with Stan. I didn't even open any presents on Christmas!
So what did I do??
Stan was sick over the weekend leading up to Christmas, so I mostly sat around watching downloaded TV shows, crocheting, and waking Stan up from his feverish delerium to make him drink water.
I went shopping on Christmas Eve day only to discover that the grocery store had already sold out of their small, smoked turkey selection. Turkey meat only seems to be available during Christmas time here, so that was a real bummer! I did manage to have ham, orange sweet potatoes and stuffing for Stan and I to eat on Christmas Day! Stan was still feeling a little iffy, so I did most of the eating.
I also got to talk to my mom on Christmas day, which was my favorite part of Christmas! I was feeling very sad about not being with my family in the US this Christmas, so it meant a lot to talk to my mom, and to listen to her reaction as she opened the presents I had sent.
I hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

2007-12-28T10:50:00.000+09:00

Whoa, Nelly!

I just calculated how much gas is costing me in Japan. Gas is currently 153 yen per liter at my local gas station. After several conversions and some calculating, that menas that gas costs me $5.07 US dollars per gallon! And I often drive between 1 and 2 hours a day! Oh, the humanity!

Dear friends and family in the US, please think of me paying over $5 per gallon when you feel the urge to complain about gas prices!

2007-12-03T16:55:00.000+09:00

My excitement about India is building!
In March 2008 I will lead a Habitat for Humanity Global Village team to volunteer near Pondicherry, India. This will be my second time as a team leader, and my third Global Village trip.
I just found an absolutely beautiful collection of photos from another team who volunteered in the same area earlier this year. Please check it out here!

It's hard to believe that I'm going to India finally, and that I will be blessed with another life-changing GV volunteer experience!

I never could have imagined, even a few years ago, that...
I would be living in Japan,
in a relationship with a man I love,
lucky enough to do international volunteer work,
feeling so blessed by God.

Thanksgiving has passed, but I am truly thankful.

2007-12-03T09:04:00.001+09:00

There's a cold, cold rain falling on my little village today. Brrrrrr.
I rushed into school without my customary down coat, because I was running late this morning. I soon found out that I didn't have to give a listening test until 2nd period. So, I sat at my desk, only to discover that long johns, corduroy pants, an undershirt, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and a long, wool sweater coat, and a wool scarf aren't enough to stay warm inside the school today! So I had to run back into the rain to get my long, down coat that I love so much. Now I am feeling much better.

2007-11-29T16:42:00.000+09:00

It's my birthday eve!
I know that's not a real thing, but I am starting to get into the birthday spirit after a long week!
I weaseled my way out of school early today and headed to the decent grocery store, a twenty minute drive away.
After that I got my dishes done, started a load of laundry, and now I plan on watching lots of TV, drinking some hard-to-get Belgian lambic (fruit ale=yummmmmmy!), and making zucchini bread and chicken chowder.
Stan will be over soon. Looks like a great birthday eve!
Tomorrow morning I am planning on opening my birthday present from Lindsay, only going to work for a half day, and then I'll have my yakiniku and karaoke party in the evening! Yay, birthdays!

2007-11-15T16:38:00.000+09:00

美人薄命/Bijin Hakumei

I learned a new saying yesterday, when I was talking to some teachers at one of my elementary schools, and trying to explain what a sinus infection is, without knowing the word. One of my teachers said "Bijin Hakumei" (美人薄命), and then explained it as meaning that beautiful women are frail. I laughed and denied the beautiful part, but then she said that she and I suffered together, so we both laughed more.
A beautiful woman is called "bijin" ( 美人)in Japanese. It's kind of weird to call someone a "beauty" in English, but it's not odd in Japanese. One of my town's catch phrases is even "Bijin no machi" (美人の町), which means a town of beauties.
But I digress. Sayings like "Bijin hakumei" are called "yojijukugo", or 4-character idioms. I always like learning them, because they are made up of only 4 kanji, but they carry a lot of meaning. It would be hard to express as much in such a compact way in English. You can read a few more "yojijukugo"
here.

2007-11-15T14:00:00.001+09:00

Thanksgiving is coming!
Although I'm in Japan, where American Thanksgiving obviously doesn't exist, Lauren and I are planning a night of pumpkin pie, turkey and other delicious treats with our friends! I can't wait!

I always spent Thanksgiving with my family growing up, but I haven't had a chance (or the motivation) to celebrate it in Japan before now. I'm looking forward to that stuffed feeling with no American football racket in the background!

Every year I remember the excitement of my younger cousins when my brother and I would arrive at grandma's house, and feeling amazed at how much food one family could produce. Without fail, my grandma Marcia would serve cottage cheese, and chastize us for not eating enough of it. As much as I love, cottage cheese, I never understood the point of it at a dinner with so many yummy, homemade foods!

I wish I could see my grandma Marcia this year, but she passed away several years ago. I suppose Thanksgiving will be the perfect time to think about all the wonderful times I had with her, and to be thankful for the memories.

2007-10-23T12:22:00.000+09:00

I have become crochet obsessed again! I used to crochet a lot in the US, but then I took about a year off here in Japan. Now my hooks are on fire again!

Organizing the monthly Mie Stitch 'n Bitch with Molly and Lauren inspired me to pick up my hooks and yarn again. I spent two weeks on Stan's couch with my injured foot propped up, my lap full of yarn, and my hands speeding through project after project! Now I even crochet at work sometimes! You may be gasping, but you haven't seen how dull my workdays usually are.

Since I've been lazy about finishing this post, I have completed several more projects. But for now, check out these pictures...

A mohair, Diamond Mesh scarf.

Kind of geometric...

A crazy, flower power type scarf.

For a certain baby boy.

My tickled pink scarf.

O, crochet. I love you crochet, do you know that? Of course you do!

2007-10-16T20:32:00.000+09:00

Food, Glorious Foooooood!

Please enjoy some pictures of yummy food that I have cooked, taken pictures of, and then been too lazy to write about over the past couple of months!

Afghan-style fried eggplant with tomato-mint sauce and yogurt. This was soooo amazingly delectable!

Chinese-style tofu and vegetables with black bean sauce.

Fried eggplant and chicken with Indonesian-style tomato and chili sauce. This sauce was really tasty, and it worked well with eggs the next morning!

2007-10-09T12:48:00.001+09:00

You might be asking yourself, "Where did Megan disappear to for a month?" I disappeared to Stan's house. You see, I tore ligaments in my foot at a soccer tournament, and I ended up in a cast for two weeks. Wow! I never knew how difficult it was to have a cast! I was wobbly on my crutches, the stairs leading to my second floor apartment almost killed me, and I couldn't drive or shop on my own!

Then there was the matter of work...

All my schools have two flights of stairs in between floors, and all my classes are on the second and third floors. This posed a problem. I was not supposed to put any weight on my right foot, but I couldn't get up stairs without using my right foot. Then there was the matter of squat toilets, which my schools also have, and which I couldn't use. I tried to go to school, but the teacher I worked with refused to move our classes to a classroom I could reach, so I sat at my desk and wiped away tears of frustration. Then my boss let me go home...for two weeks! It was very kind of my Board of Education to let me convalesce like that, and pretty much necessary. As soon as I got the OK to stay home, I actually had Stan pick me up and I went to his home, which feels like home to me, too. Stan's house has zero flights of stairs, a spacious shower area where I could sit on a stool, and a super-duper boyfriend who cooked for me and did my laundry! I love Stan's house!

So, are you wondering what I did at Stan's house for two weeks? I have two words for you: TV and crochet. I had recently rekindled my love affair with crochet, and those two weeks gave me a chance to go crochet crazy!!! I would sit on the couch, with my foot propped up on pillows, watching downloaded American TV shows and crocheting for about 8 to 12 hours a day. It was crazy. It was awesome!

I took advantage of my inability to go most places and just kind of "dropped out" for awhile. I didn't write a lot of emails. I didn't post in my blog. I just let myself disappear from my overly busy life. I loved it.

In case you're wondering, my foot has been healing well, because I stayed off of it. It is now taped up tightly and encased in a brace. Walking and standing for too long hurts, but I am on the road back to normal foot usage!

2007-09-06T12:51:00.000+09:00

Tastes like Hamburger

Today I was talking to my students about summer vacation in the US. They were all amazed by the length of it (as am I, now that I think about it), and the fact that some students do part-time work.

Somehow, the Q and A veered away from summer vacation, and into asking Megan Sensei personal questions territory. I didn't really mind, because at least they were paying attention!

My most hilarious and devious student, Ryoichiro, asked me (in Japanese), what my first kiss tasted like. It was a bit of a devilish question, but I thought about it and gave him a fairly honest answer. I said that it tasted like hamburger! Of course, everyone laughed, and then they asked, "Why?"

Mr. Kentaro (the English teacher) said something about differences in countries, and then it occured to Ryoichiro that a Japanese first kiss probably tastes like rice! We all laughed even more. My eyes were even tearing up.

As hilarious as it was, I think Ryoichiro was right. A Japanese first kiss would most likely taste like rice (or fish)!

By the way, I remember my first boyfriend usually tasted like Taco Bell when I kissed him, but my students don't know what Taco Bell is!

2007-09-04T10:13:00.000+09:00

I understand exactly what my seventh grade student, Kouta is talking about.

"I play computer. I don't play homework. I sutudy English. I don't love Monday!!"

I also play computer (and DS). I definitely don't play homework. Could reading books be considered "sutudy English"? And I most certainly don't love Mondays, either!

Ahhh, international communication.

2007-08-27T10:46:00.001+09:00

Stan and I are off to Wakayama prefecture tomorrow! We are staying at Urashima Hotel for 4 days. I can't wait! We have been so overly busy lately, that both of us are wild about the idea of laying in bed, swimming, soaking in cave onsens, watching downloaded TV shows, and playing video games. In other words, we can't wait to do a whole lot of nothing!
We love hanging out with our friends, but lately there have been so many goodbye and welcome parties, along with the Mie orientation, where we both worked. It's just been too much! Living in a very rural prefecture like Mie, where all the JETs are stretched out over a big distance, and a zero tolerance drinking and driving law means that going to a party often involves a lot of logistical planning, expensive cab rides and/or sleeping on people's floors. Sometimes going to a party turns into a big hassle!

Anyways, enough of that! We're off tomorrow, and I can't wait.

2007-08-24T10:15:00.000+09:00

I got a great haircut yesterday. It's so great that my hair is singing "Hallelujah!"
You see, I hadn't had a hair cut in 9 months. It's not that I suddenly decided to grow my hair out to half way down my back, although that's what happened. I just kept putting it off, because I didn't want to spend the money. Let me tell you though, this haircut was money well spent! I felt cute and put together afterwards. I can't wait to go out with my hair doing something other than hanging in a ponytail!
I went to the salon with Molly, which was also fun. Molly seemed stressed out by the hairspray in her hair after the cut, but her hair looks great!
Yay, friends! Yay, good haircuts!

2007-07-31T21:52:00.000+09:00

Sayonaras are sad- Part 2

Here are more pictures from Mie's Deep South Goodbye Party,　where I said goodbye to a lot of great friends!

Allison, Lauren, and I.

Lauren's still around (thank heavens!), but I had to say goodbye to Allison. I remember getting to know her better about a year ago at the JET recontracting conference, and then at the 2006 Sayonara Party. As we were talking and joking, I remember thinking, this girl is really fucking cool. My impression was totally right on, and I'll miss Mie's southernmost "deep south girl". I'm still kind of crossing my fingers that she'll be back!

Emily, Yamamoto, and Kara

Emily has left, but only temporarily. She's coming back to Japan to teach in Shiga. This will give Stan and I a great excuse to visit Shiga, and enjoy Subway and Starbucks with our favorite Georgia Peach.

Me and Jonathan

O, Jonathan! Why'd you have to leave?? Another year in Kii Nagashima may have been just what the doctor ordered!
I'll miss Jonathan a lot. I remember when I first met him two years ago, I thought that he looked too much like a pop star to be my friend. It turns out that his cool LA exterior hid a heart of gold. I'll miss our bitching sessions at the various fine establishments in Kii Nagashima. He's another one who I'm expecting to make his way back to Japan before long!

Me, Katie, and Marisa

Marisa's Japanese is amazing, as is her ability to replicate Japanese anime theme songs at karaoke! I hope she'll be happy back in Chicago!
My dear, dear Katie. I'll miss her so much! Katie is one of the kindest people I have ever met. She's one of those people whom make you feel all warm and fuzzy when you're around them...and the girl was always up for karaoke!! I was so happy that she joined the Habitat for Humanity team this year! I still giggle when I think how Katie would say "Thanks, love" even while passing heavy Philippino bricks!

Melissa and I

O, Spooner (aka Melissa)! She's not leaving, but I like this picture of us. Spooner's neurotic quirks, her willigness to drive 3 hours for a party, and her work ethic in the Philippines have endeared her to me.　She's always welcome to a futon at Stan's house!

Delicious kiwi chuhai

I had never had a "nama" fruit chuhai before. Nama means raw in Japanese, so you get a piece of fruit which you juice into your drink. Wow! It takes chuhais to a while new level! I highly recommend it.

Fumiko and Jonathan. A match made in heaven?!

After dinner we moved the party to a small karaoke snack bar called Fumiko's. Fumiko was an absolutely hilarious host. She sang along a lot and clapped her hands,　and the woman was absolutely IN LOVE with Jonathan! She kept yelling "KAWAII" in her husky, too many chuhais and cigarettes, voice. As soon as she got a chance to hug him,　she wrapped her arms around him and looked like she was in ecstasy.

2007-07-31T21:49:00.000+09:00

I got involved with a project called "Blogging by Mail" recently. I sent a package of some of my favorite things to
Rachel, and I received a package of favorite things from Jen!
Thank you so much, Jen! Your package exceeded any expectations I had!

My AMAZING package from Jen

I got delicious teas, flavored sugar and salt, an adorable strawberry stamp (which I will use in my classes),　boston baked beans, scented candles, Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap (I love that stuff!), a Ray Bradbury book, dried lavender, FREEZE DRIED STRAWBERRIES, and more!!!!
It was such a great combination, and her box contained so many things that I am excited about. I had a big smile on my face as soon as I opened it!

Jen's website, , has lots of delicious recipes on it, so I tried one out last week. I made Lemon Blueberry granita. It was my first time eating or making granita, and it was delicious! Mine turned out a bit too sweet, because I couldn't find 100% blueberry juice, but I adjusted it by adding a bit more lemon juice. I highly recommend trying this out. It's so easy!

Lemon Blueberry Granita

If you're interested in checking out Blogging By Mail next year, go to The Happy Sorceress!
Happy blogging!!

2007-07-31T20:11:00.000+09:00

Thank you, Vanessa! Another one of your delicious "Vanesscipes" has made my tummy happy as can be!
I decided that it was Stan's turn to cook for me on Friday, and I pointed him in the direction of two great looking recipes: Corn Pudding with Roasted Tomatoes.
The pudding reminded Stan of fresh creamed corn. We both agreed that it was sweet, creamy and delicious. The tomatoes were tart and flavorful. When you put the tomatoes on top of the pudding and ate them together, they were wonderful!!!
We also had sandwiches, but I didn't get a decent picture!

And here's the adorable chef...

Look closely at this picture. There is a small area between the sink and the stove that Stan's thin body is blocking. That sliver of space is the entirety of Stan's counter space! It's just over a foot wide! He lives in an average-sized Japanese house, and has approximately one foot of counter space. How can you cook for one or two people with that much counter space, let alone a whole family! Oh,　how I hate　Japanese kitchens!!!!!

2007-07-23T22:24:00.000+09:00

Sayonaras are sad.

It's that time of year in a JETs life, when half their friends move away!
Yuck! Last year I only had one close friend leaving, but now there are so many.
The above picture is from the "Deep South" Sayonara Party, i.e. Mie's Deep South.

2007-07-14T22:57:00.000+09:00

There's a typhoon hitting Japan this weekend, which means that all my plans have been cancelled...and I couldn't be happier (about the staying home part)!
There have been evacuations and injuries in Kyushu. While the typhoon will be passing through Mie, it looks like I'm not in any immediate danger.

I have been sitting around with Stan all weekend. And it's a long weekend in Japan, which means that I've got two more days of this heaven left!

We went shopping on Friday night and then did a little supplementary shopping today.
Poor Stan's fridge just can't handle groceries for more than two days. It's pitiful and tiny and we both hate it. Thank God we only have to feed ourselves!

All of you out there with full-sized fridges, count your blessings!

But back to the real story...
I found tortillas at a foreign food store this week, so last night was "Mini Burrito Night"!!!!!!!! Mini burritos may sound like nothing special to you, but I haven't been able to find tortillas in months! They were sooooo good. We were deliriously happy and full!

This morning Stan made me whole wheat, banana-chocolate pancakes. Good man!
For lunch he made me toasted sandwiches. Another good move!
For dinner I made our new favorite comfort food, Kimchi Yakisoba!

In between all this stuffing my face, I have been enjoying citrus white wine spritzers and watching downloaded TV programs! I downloaded the whole second season of "Top Chef", and Stan and I have been having a "Top Chef" marathon! I've also been catching up on "Men in Trees".

I'm looking forward to another heavenly, lazy day tomorrow! I hope your weekend is as great as mine!

2007-07-03T21:01:00.000+09:00

I made a killer dinner for Stan and I last week.
I have been trying to spend less time sweating over the stove, because it's been so hot in Japan. So, we had salad and sandwiches. I can't seem to resist torturing myself with that stove, so there was a small amount of broiling involved!

Our sandwiches had basil mayonnaise, which I made with mayo, fresh basil, lemon juice and salt and pepper; fresh mozzarella; some melted Japanese "mix cheese", fresh, sliced tomatoes; sauteed onions; broiled asparagus and broiled red peppers (not shown in photo). These sandwiches were SO good! Stan loved the mayonnaise so much that he wanted to dip bread in it. My mouth is watering just remembering it! I also made one of these sandwiches to take in my bento for the next day. The only slight problem was that the asparagus was hard to bite, so I might cut it into smaller pieces next time!

The sandwich

I decided to get creative with the salad, and use some of the Japanese ingredients that are readily available here. Let me see if I can remember what I put in it...
I used mizuna, some Korean greens (forgot the name), sliced cucumbers, shredded daikon, shredded carrots, a block of fried tofu cut into small pieces, and boiled peanuts. We used Japanese sesame dressing on top. It was an awesome salad! The boiled peanuts were soooo good. I bought some a few days later and just ate them for a snack. Even Stan, who isn't usually crazy about salads, ate a big bowl! Success!

The salad

2007-07-02T18:47:00.000+09:00

Tofu kimchi Yakisoba

I made a super yummy dinner for Stan and I tonight!
We had Tofu Kimchi Yakisoba and shredded carrot salad. Yakisoba is Japanese fried noodles. I got the recipes out of "Juugofun de gohan" (Meals in 15 minutes). The original yakisoba recipe called for pork, but I substituted tofu and added in gochujang, because I wanted something spicy! Check it out!

Shredded Carrot Salad (Ninjin sarada)
1 carrot
1 Tbs vegetable or olive oil
1/2 tablespoon of rice vinegar
1 Tsp of Japanese mustard
Sugar, salt, black pepper to taste

Shred the carrots using a slicer. Try to make the pieces 3-4cm long.
Mix the other ingredients into a dressing. Then toss the carrot in the dressing. Voila!

Tofu Kimchi Yakisoba
2 servings of yakisoba style noodles (These usually come precooked in plastic bags.)
1 package of age tofu (fried tofu)
150 grams of bean sprouts
50 grams of nira (garlic chives/Chinese chives/Chinese leeks)
80 grams of cabbage kimchi
1 Tsp of sesame oil
1 Tbs of soy sauce
1 Tbs of olive oil
gochujang to taste

Wash the bean sprouts using a sieve and a bowl of water.
Cut the nira into 4cm pieces. Cut the kimchi into approximately 1~1.5 cm pieces.
Cut the tofu into cubes.
Sautee the tofu and a spoonful of gochujang over medium heat for about 3~5 minutes.
Add the sesame oil, bean sprouts, and kimchi. Sautee ingredients over medium heat for 2~4 minutes. Add the noodles and stir.
Add the nira and sautee for just a couple of minutes more. At any point, add more gochujang for taste. Eat and enjoy!

2007-06-25T21:06:00.000+09:00

I've got a naeng myun update!
Last week I made some of the delicious, cold Korean noodle soup, using Vanesscipes's delicious vegetarian recipe.
The only changes were:
I forgot to add the daikon.
I added "gochujang" (a spicy Korean paste) to the broth and plopped some on top.
I used somen noodles, because somen is so good in the summer!

I've got one word for you people...
YUMMY!
Clink on the above link ASAP for this delicious recipe!

Here's the first bowl I made. It was a bit small to hold all the deliciousness.

Here's my second helping, which I put in a bigger bowl.

Last night Stan and I made fresh rolls with peanut sauce and kinpira gobo. Kinpira gobo is one of my very favorite Japanese foods! It's sauteed burdock root and carrots, with a yummy sesame/soy flavor. Mmmmm, it's so amazing. Our fresh rolls had fried tofu, asparagus, nira (garlic chives), bean sprouts, carrots, and rice noodles.
O, it was such a yummy dinner!

Here are some of my fresh rolls. I'm not the best roller, but they taste delicious!

Here's my beloved kinpira gobo!

2007-06-25T09:52:00.000+09:00

One of my students wrote, "I will fishing a master future. I will die may probably. my mother get angry."

What do you think he's trying to say?

I changed it to, "I will be a fishing master in the future. I will die probably. My mother will get angry."

I don't know if that's exactly what he was trying to say, and it still sounds a bit weird, but hopefully it's along the right lines!

I really like it when my students write essays in English, but they are quite hard to correct at times. One of my favorite mistakes was, "I want to be a candy shop." Creepy and delicious!

2007-06-21T14:36:00.000+09:00

Last night Stan and I made Japanese food for dinner. You might think that we'd do that all the time, but although we live in Japan, we don't do it often enough. We crave foreign foods, so we cook a lot of foreign foods.
Dinner was very tasty, besides the hijiki and carrots, which was far too oceany for me. We had rice; miso soup with tofu and green onions; red, yellow and orange bell pepper kinpira with soy meat; and cold tofu with green onions, soy sauce, sesame and wasabi. I was really stuffed by the end.
I am more excited about tonight's dinner!
I found this delicious recipe at www.vanesscipes.com. Vanessa's recipes look amazing. I can't wait to make naeng myun (Korean cold noodle soup) tonight. I actually found her site by searching for naeng myun recipes! I had it on my last day in Korean last year and it was so good! It sounds perfect for the increasingly hot, sticky days here. Hopefully, I'll remember to take a picture of the noodles, so you can share in the joy.

2007-06-17T22:29:00.000+09:00

I had a lovely weekend.
On Friday night a big group went out for Indian food in Matsusaka to celebrate China and Naomi's birthday. Afterwards we had drinks at the ruins of Matsusaka castle, with a nice view of the city lights.
On Saturday, Stan and I headed down to Atashika Beach near Kumano. It was a long drive from Stan's house, and we got a late start. So, by the time we got to the beach we only had about an hour before everyone wanted to leave! Oh, well. The water was beautiful and I floated around for awhile. Spooner, Molly and I all got a running start to get into the water.

After the beach, more than ten of us headed to Allison's house for a BBQ and drinks. It was a lot of fun, and I even secured Stan and I the only available futon to sleep on.
This morning I got to play dominoes on the kitchen floor, and then we all got handmade gelato on the way home. Mmmm, it was delicious!

2007-06-12T12:14:00.000+09:00

Last Friday was Stan's 29th birthday, so he created a new holiday known as "Super Stan Day". It was a smashing success! We went out for "yakiniku" and karaoke. What's "yakiniku" you ask? It's broiled/barbequed meat that you make on a grill right at your table. I had veggies, which are also delicious when barbequed at your table! One of the best parts for me is the yakiniku sauce. MMMM, such good flavor!

Ahkey and yakiniku.

Cally wins the prize for most appropriate t-shirt.

Habitat's Team China is reunited.

Molly and Chito- the 2nd cutest couple in Mie.

It was almost scary how many good presents Stan got. Our favorite Japanese bear, Rilakkuma, was well represented.

Tomohiro, Stan, and Rilakkuma.

Katie, Mitsuko, and Melissa passing on the sake torch.

Stan and Kasumi.

Molly and Chito found Rilakkuma slippers for Stan. Look at that smile on his face!

Miki and Stan.

Marsha and Erica got Stan a naughty gift.

Stan and I singing "Redemption" by Gackt.

Stan always pulls off a cute pose for the camera.

Stan loved it when Mitsuko sang M-Flo.

Drunken group sing-along.

Stan is dancing like a train, as Youkou sings "Train".

<
Another drunken group sing-along.

Youkou and Nigel. New BFF.

You can't really tell from this pictures, but I sang A LOT! Stan thinks I sang every second song, but I think he's exaggerating. Oh, how I love karaoke!

2007-06-03T20:02:00.000+09:00

I'm back from another AMAZING Habitat for Humanity/Global Village volunteer trip. This year I took on the task of being team leader, which included recruiting, fundraising, organizing and planning a trip with a team of 10 other people. The planning itself almost put me in my grave, but in the end, it was more than worth it! I had an even better trip this year than I did last year!
My team was made up of other ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) living in Mie. We worked in Magarao, outside of Naga City, Camarines Sur Province in the Philippines.
We were building duplex houses out of interlocking concrete blocks. Below our pictures from our work site! Enjoy!

This is the town hall of Magarao, the town where we built.

Team Mie JETs first day on the worksite!

We had a view of the volcano, Mt. Isarog, from the worksite everyday.

Another one of the beautiful views on the worksite.

We rode everywhere in a jeepney during this trip, but this was my first time riding on top. It was awesome!

The beginnings of the foundation of a house.

Stan pounding down the dirt in the foundation.

Cementing the bricks was my favorite job!

One day we got to use the jeepney to transport bricks from one end of the worksite to another. We were all so relieved!

Julie power!

Team Shovel.

Cally wanted a Megan-Stan hug!

English teachers need breaks, too.

All the water we used, including what was needed to flush the toilet, was either brought up from the river in buckets, or pumped.

Stan and Melissa were the water pump stars. Stan even had a pump dance!

Julie and Manny.

Two workers on a roof.

Stan and I on a bicycle cab. Our awesome driver, Mario, pedaled 3 of us over bumpy dirt roads!

Stan and I got along well...for the most part!

Almost everything we did was done in lines. We're passing buckets of cement here.

Buckets of cement are HEAVY!

Laying the cement floor.

Ellen, Stan, and Cally formed Team China.

Maggie and Melissa got jealous, so they formed Team White.

Leo and Katie put together Team England.

On the last day I rode back on top of the jeepney again!

2007-04-18T18:16:00.000+09:00

The Tao of Poo

This is about half a year late, but I thought I'd put a smile on your face via the power of poo.

October 10th was Toilet Day! The above poster was made by the school nurse at one of my junior high schools.

This is "hard poo". If you've got hard poo, eat more vegetables!

This is "feels good going out poo". This is "perfect, splendid poo from a healthy body".

This is "kind of soft poo". If you chew your food well it will become nicer poo.

I think this nasty dude is self-explanatory.

If you'd like a little more info about Japan and the poo mania that takes place here, check out this article:
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1999/12/13/poop/index.html

2007-04-04T14:19:00.000+09:00

Ah, so funny! I'm borrowing this link from Lauren.
Now presenting:
The 10 worst album covers of all time!
I think my favorite is either Millie Jackson or Orleans. Although Tino does remind me of my friend Ric a bit!

2007-03-29T10:28:00.002+09:00

I made a yummy, yummy dinner a few nights ago. It was a bit of a strange pairing, but since I was the only one eating, it didn't really matter.
First I made agedashi dofu. It's a deep-fried tofu dish. Mmm, it was so good! I was too lazy to buy daikon, grate it and put it on the top of the tofu, but I did eat it with freshly chopped green onions and grated ginger.

Then I had kabocha soup. Kabocha is a Japanese pumpkin. It's much smaller than American pumpkins, looking more like a squash. Kabocha soup is served in restaurants a lot, but it's really delicious when you make it at home! I also added a little cream and fried onions on the top. Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

2007-03-29T10:28:00.001+09:00

Love. Love. Love.
That is all.

2007-03-22T13:53:00.000+09:00

I got to talk to my two favorite ladies on the phone last week, my mom and Lindsay.
What a nice treat it was!
It had been a little too long since I had talked to either. Sometimes it's nice to just sit back and relax in the abandoned, little room beneath the school stairwell and talk on the phone!
I'm happy to report that Lindsay has accepted a teaching job in Savannah and will be moving there this summer. Yay, Lindsay! I'm so proud of you, girl.

2007-03-14T14:54:00.000+09:00

I want to teach my elementary school students to play "rock, paper, scissors" tomorrow.
If you don't live in Japan, you're probably wondering why I would want to do that! If you do live in Japan, you already know that "janken" (the Japanese name) is an integral part of the society! Japanese kids janken numerous times throughout the day; for fun, to form teams, and they also use it to solve disputes or make decisions. Often janken is done in large groups.
For example, a whole class full of children can form two groups, or decide a winner through janken. That's been the hardest part of janken for me to understand. How do they do it? They're all just "janken-ing" rapidly and I can't tell what's going on, then all of a sudden, teams are formed, problem solved.
My JTE (Japanese teacher of English) called over a group of students today and tried to explain it to me through example.
It seems that everyone in the group has to be one of two things, otherwise it's a draw. So, if rock, paper and scissors all are represented, it's a draw and they janken again. But if everyone is either rock or paper, then all the winners (in this case paper) form a group and just wait, while the rest of the kids keep janken-ing.
It made a little more sense after I saw it, but it still goes way to fast and it takes the kids so little time to compute everyone's status that I really can't keep up!
I suppose it doesn't matter in the end, because the kids know what's going on. All I'll have to do is keep forcing them to do it in English, and we can play massive games of rock, paper, scissors for as long as I want!
Stan told me recently that he saw a piece on TV about janken variations all around Japan. It sounded like it gets even more complicated than the version I usually see in Mie!

2007-03-13T10:59:00.000+09:00

Well, the Tokai region Kimono contest happened back in November, but I never managed to put up more than one picture! I will rectify that problem today.
The All-Japan Kimono contest will be on April 1st in Tokyo, so I'm getting quite excited!

Kate, me, Dave and Ryan waiting for the winners to be announced.

Smiling after I heard that I won second place!

Second, first, and third place in the foreigners division.

Dave with his trophy.

Receiving my second prize certificate.

Receiving my trophy from a woman with her obi tied like a tulip. Gorgeous, isn't it?

The first place winner receiving her certificate. Behind us are the children's contestants, the male contestants, and the women's casual kimono contestants.

My teacher, Tsuji Sensei and I after the contest.

Tsuji Sensei, me, and Aya, who also helped us with our training and preparation.

Everyone after the contest! I was still wearing my kimono, because I was on a contest high!

2007-03-07T17:30:00.000+09:00

I'm going to the Philippines with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program again this year!
Since our previous team leader, Ben, returned to the USA, I decided to take on the task of team leader this year, so that the Mie JET team would continue! It's been an amazing amount of work so far, and we haven't even got to the Philippines yet!
We are going to the Bicol region near the foot of the beautiful volcano, Mt. Mayon this year. Woohoo!

I can't wait to be in the Philippines again.
I can't wait to meet a village full of smiling people and happy children again.
I can't wait to help families have a safe, sturdy home of their own.
I just can't wait!!!

2007-02-22T12:00:00.000+09:00

I only had ten minutes of work to do today. I was quite sad to hear that, because I still have to sit in the school from 8:30 to 4:15.

Today's small saving graces are the fuzzy, strawberry-covered lap blanket that I have with me; hot, sweet yuzu-quince tea in the staff room, a good book to read, and the kairo (disposable heating pads) which I have sandwiched around my feet inside my slippers.

I'm reading Japanland- A Year in Search of Wa by Karin Muller. I wasn't sure if I liked it at first, because the Japan she was experiencing was so different from the one I know, but it's turned out to be quite a fascinating book. I giggled today as I read her short description of the Ise Peninsula, an area I live beside. She referred to it as the "remote and rugged Ise Peninsula". I suppose this area would seem quite remote and rugged to someone accustomed to Tokyo. The Japan of Tokyo and rural Japan are two entirely different worlds.

I remember laughing to myself one night as I boarded the Mie Rapid, a train that goes between Mie, the prefecture where I live, and Nagoya, a gorgeous, bustling city in Aichi prefecture. I could tell distinctly that my train was headed for the "inaka" (rural area/countryside).

Gone were the over-the-top hairdos, flawless make-up, designer handbags, expensive shoes and stiletto boots, and the even more expensive suits. The people on my train had basic, sensible hairdos and shoes. They carried tote bags and wore reasonably priced clothes.

I really can't do it justice, the sight of all of us on that train, heading back to our simple lives. I'm not one of the Japanese crowd, but I felt like one of them. As much as I love going to the big city, I know that I don't have the patience or the money to pull off a big city look. I wear shoes that will be comfortable as I walk many miles through a big city, and cram all my belongings into an easy to carry backpack.

I like the slower pace my life has developed as I've lived in a village of 1000 people. I like seeing mountains and rivers everyday, and breathing clean air that smells like pines and Japanese cedars. I've adjusted and come to love my life here in "rugged and remote" Mie prefecture!

2007-02-16T22:13:00.000+09:00

One of my new favorite people, Taichi, was at taiko practice tonight. Taichi is a 17 year old boy with Down's Syndrome. He really loves playing taiko, as do I.

Tonight at one point during the practice, Ono Sensei had Taichi dance for us as he played the drum. It was one of the happiest, most joyous sights I have ever seen. I had tears in my eyes and a huge smile plastered on my face as I watched.

At times it was quite subtle and Taichi would mainly be rotating his hips. And at other times his hands were beating rhythms in the air with the drumsticks and his eyes were rolled up into his head. He looked so happy, and was so totally engrossed in the beat of the taiko drum. I wished that I could be that uninhibited and so full of spirit.

Watching Taichi dance was an awesome, awesome experience! I love his smile, and I can't wait to see him again next time I go to taiko practice.

2007-02-15T22:19:00.000+09:00

Recently I read an explanation of why people in Japanese offices (and schools) are always rushing around frantically, often jogging, even if they're not really busy. If you work here in Japan, you know what I'm talking about, right?
The explanation for it was that it's important to appear busy and give a sense of urgency. It's especially funny, because we're all wearing slippers and you can't really run in slippers. So, the rushing is actually done by rapidly shuffling along the floor. If you lift your feet too high, your slippers are apt to fall off, or you are apt to fall down!
All this rushing around makes me think that I must appear to be the most sloth-like employee in all of my schools. I cannot help but wonder if I am referred to as turtle sensei behind my back.
You see, I'm not very busy, and I don't feel the need to look urgent. Actually, I am usually just sitting at my desk, reading a book and drinking tea. These are not high-energy, high-intensity activities. The quickest action involved is me lifting the tea cup quickly, if it's an especially tasty cup of tea.

2007-02-13T19:24:00.000+09:00

I played the Hyakunin Isshu card game with my Nishiki students a couple weeks ago.
Hyakunin Isshu is an anthology of 100 very old poems by 100 different poets.
It was a lot of fun to play.

The way it works is that all the cards with the poems printed on them are scattered on the floor and the players sit around them.

The narrator is holding another set of cards with the same poems and illustrations. The narrator recites the names of the poets and the poems in an old-fashioned way that sounds like an ancient chant.

The players are frantically scanning the cards, looking for the poem that the narrator is reciting. When a player spots the right card, they slap it, then pick it up. I did fairly well at the game, getting 11 cards, which was more than some of my students who I was competing against!

I think it's interesting that Japan still plays games like this, and that the students learn while keeping Japanese cultural history alive.

2007-02-13T18:45:00.000+09:00

Tonight's dinner is garlic mashed potatoes with sauteed onions, corn, and vegetarian gravy. Yummy. I am also having some cold, Korean corn tea. Have you ever had corn tea? It's amazing!

I wanted to stay home tonight and cook with food that I already had. I almost always have onions and garlic in my home. I absolutely love onions and garlic! I think that my friend Lauren is afraid of how much I love onions!

Mashed potatoes are my favorite comfort food. I absolutely love my mom's mashed potatoes. Although we always argue about how much butter to put in (me wanting more than her)!

I am not very fond of baked potatoes though. You see, there were many nights when I was young when baked potatoes with butter was all we had for dinner. I remember lucky nights when we also had sour cream or cheese and broccoli, but from what I can remember, it was usually just butter. We ate them so much, that I still have a distaste for them today.

2007-02-13T13:53:00.000+09:00

I am writing this post mainly to stay awake.

I tried to take a mini-nap in a small, unused room beneath a staircase at the school, but the sound of student and teacher voices made me nervous that I would be discovered.
What would that be like? Both I, the discovered, and the discoverer would be surprised and perhaps sheepish. I don't know how I would explain sleeping in an abandoned room while I was at work. I thought about explaining that my head hurt, so I wanted to rest in a quiet place. I could explain that in Japanese, but I think that the whole experience would still be painfully embarassing!
I could try the truth, and explain that the medicine I took for my headache, the food I ate for lunch, and a lack of work all conspired to make me ridiculously sleepy. But that would be harder to explain and no less embarassing.

In other news, I saw my student's bare ass today.
I was really happy, because my seventh graders had worked hard at the activity I gave them. Then as Mr. Ieki and I were leaving the room, one of them pulled down another's pants, boxer shorts and all.
Oh, my.

2007-02-07T21:25:00.000+09:00

I made pineapple fried rice for dinner and coconut tapioca pudding for dessert tonight.
Mmmm, that was one good dinner. I had trouble putting the pudding down!

2007-02-05T13:42:00.000+09:00

Stan gave me 90 roses!

Ok, not really.
They were all for the Mie JETs Valentine's Day Ball. We sold rose-o-grams to raise money for this year's Habitat for Humanity trip to the Philippines.
Stan and I actually gave each other three roses a piece. The roses are sitting happily on top of Stan's infamous kotatsu table now.
I think we took a pretty nice picture considering how miserably sick we both felt!

2007-02-04T18:52:00.000+09:00

Last night I made Thai green curry for Stan and I, then we sat under the kotatsu while eating and watching "Wedding Crashers". I really like that movie, but it gets kind of slow during the second half.
Tonight we are making veggie chili and hummus. I can't wait for both! We're going to watch "Mission Impossible 3" while...
Yup, you guessed it! While sitting under the kotatsu.
Are you noticing a pattern here? Spending this winter sitting under the kotatsu with Stan is much more fun than last winter, when I sat on my hot carpet watching TV by myself.

2007-02-04T12:10:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I saw the video for "I still love H.E.R." by the Teriyaki Boyz, featuring Kanye West. I absolutely love this song! I went out and got the rental e.p. last night.
So goofy and so catchy.
Here's a youtube link, but I don't know how long it'll work for:

2007-01-31T12:24:00.000+09:00

On Saturday night, I made black bean nachos and Stan and I watched "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" while sitting under the kotatsu (a low, heated table). We were both feeling lousy because of our colds. Nonetheless, it was heavenly.

Last night, I made vegetable soup and grilled camembert sandwiches, and we watched "The 40 Year Old Virgin" while sitting under the kotatsu. Again, our health sucked, but the food was good and the movie was hilarious!

Today I woke up with an earache. I knew that it meant that I had another sinus infection/ear infection combo. Ugh! It was so painful. I knew that I needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible! So, I called in to work, got my boss to call the hospital, and then headed off to see Dr. Yamagiwa!

He said it's the same type of infection that I had back in November and December. So, I got a nebulizer treatment, IV antibiotics, and a whole slew of pills and nasal sprays. You can ALWAYS count on getting a boatload of medication when you go to see a Japanese doctor!

I'm glad to say that the pain in my ear has lessened already. I wouldn't mind if this sore throat, runny nose, and cough would hit the road, too!

I hope this doesn't happen everytime I catch a cold. That would be nightmarish!

2007-01-06T13:00:00.000+09:00

America's Next Top Model...
I'm obsessed. They've been showing marathons of it on VH1.
Sheer heaven.

2006-12-22T23:04:00.000+09:00

Wow. I'm in America!

It doesn't feel like I've been away a year, but I have.

Before I came back here, I said more than once that I didn't have a home in America, because technically I don't. However, as soon as I saw my mom, I felt like I was home.

Maybe life taught me a little lesson there. Not having a house here is one thing, but seeing my family feels like home! I'm excited to see my dad and my brother and my grandparents soon.

By the way, I'm eating pumpkin pie as I write this.

Lucky me!

2006-12-12T16:49:00.000+09:00

Kerosene

I am so tired of the smell of kerosene.
However, I am in love with warm heat blowing on me.
Despite its nasty smell, I am in love with my kerosene heater at my apartment, which blows the warm winds of happiness across my cold, cold body.

The kerosene heaters at my school are another story. They're the old school kind that just glow and emit copious amounts of noxious fumes. I get trapped in the teachers' room for hours at a time, no windows open, breathing in all that nastiness! It does nothing for my chronic headaches. Argh.

There's no point to all this, really. I just wanted to vent.

2006-12-11T14:43:00.000+09:00

Detroit and Hamtramck

I was really excited about going back to Michigan over the holidays.
Then I was sad, because news of my planned return was not greeted with happiness as I expected.
Then I worked that problem out, but was still feeling cautious and nervous.
Now I am feeling excited, but the nervousness still lingers! I haven't been in the US in a year! It's going to be a whole lot of weird rolled into a two week trip!
As much as I miss friends and family, I also miss places, Detroit and Hamtramck, in particular! So, here's a little photo album of things I hope to see again...

Sweet, old, run-down Hamtramck. How I miss thee! I really want to eat some yummy, ridiculously cheap, Bangladeshi "fast food" again!

Wig shops! Is it weird to miss wig shops and Korean-owned, black beauty supply stores?

Hamtramck has the best mannequins ever! EVER!

And the coolest place in Hamtramck (which used to be right down the alley from my house... The inimitable Hamtramck Disneyland!!!!!

And then there's the Heidelberg Project-Detroit's own neighborhood Disneyland! It's always changing, so I might not see these things, but I'm sure that there will be something else waiting for me!

2006-12-04T16:38:00.000+09:00

A couple of weeks ago, two of my elementary school students rang my doorbell. When I answered the door they said, "Meigan-sensei, yasai wa tabemasu ka?" Which means, "Miss Megan, do you eat vegetables?"

I told them that I loved vegetables! Then they explained that they were taking vegetable orders. I couldn't really figure out who was growing the vegetables, or why they were selling them, but I signed myself up for 1 kg of several different types.

Today I was home sick from school and had just lay down for a nap when my doorbell rang again. I didn't want to answer it, but then it occured to me that it might be my little vegetable peddlers.

I looked through the peephole and saw that it was, indeed, my students. So, I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt over my bedhead and answered the door. My students gave me a bag of lovely, dirt-covered potatoes. I told them that they looked delicious. I asked where the potatoes were from, but I couldn't understand the answer. O, well!

My students didn't comment on my sick, disheveled appearance, but the younger one said something along the lines of "Look! She's not wearing her glasses!" It's very funny the things kids notice.

Perhaps I'll make some mashed potatoes tonight. I love mashed potatoes. They are the ultimate comfort food for me, and when I make them myself I can use as much butter as I want!

2006-11-24T16:23:00.000+09:00

Well, the kimono contest was yesterday!
I got 2nd place in the foreigner division! I was so surprised, but so excited! I really didn't think I was going to win a prize! Dave got 3rd place! Go, Mie ALTs!!
I'll post more pictures after I get back from Kyoto!

2006-11-20T22:18:00.000+09:00

Back in September, Stan and I went to a reenactment of a traditional Tsukimi (Moon viewing) ceremony at Saiku/Itsukinomiya in Meiwa. Thanks to Dave for getting us tickets!
Saiku was the home of the Saio, a high priestess who worshipped the Sun Goddess on behlf of the emperor, from the 7th century through the 14th century. The Saio wore beautiful 12-layer kimonos, which were modeled by the women in this ceremony.
In addition to seeing the Saio and her court make autumn offerings to Shinto gods, we also saw dancing and music from the Heian period. The Tsukimi ceremony was amazing- one of the most beautiful things I've been able to see in Japan!

The two pictures above are of the woman who was playing Saio.

The two pictures above are the women who played Saio's attendants.

2006-11-01T15:46:00.000+09:00

Well, I've continued studying kitsuke (kimono dressing), and I've gotten better!
This picture was taken Saturday. I put on my kimono and tied my obi in about 7 minutes and 30 seconds that day. The contest is this week, so I am relieved that I am able to put it on so fast and have it look so nice. Both the sensei were very happy with the way it looked!

This is Nate, Tom, me, Tsuji sensei, and Aya sensei. Tsuji sensei and Aya sensei are awesome! They take time out of their busy schedules to meet with us every week and teach us how to wear kimono. Tsuji sensei will also be in the contest this week. Gambatte kudasai!

Below are some pictures of me when I was first learning to tie the obi.

2006-10-02T22:09:00.000+09:00

着物

I've started studying kitsuke- how to wear kimono.
I had been wanting to and then the opportunity just fell into my lap (or perhaps I should say, showed up on my cell phone). Nate in Nantou invited me to join some kind of kimono contest, but he wasn't very clear on the details. I thought we were going to be dressed up and prance across a stage- just a one time event. However, it turns out that I'm going to compete in the foreigners division at a big kimono event.
The event I am in sounds pretty crazy to be honest. We will go on stage with our slips and straps and padding, and our kimonos fastened with a basic, velcro belt. Then once they say start, we undo the belt and start arranging our kimono and tying our obi (the decorative belt) from scratch. We are suppsed to accomplish it all in 10 minutes. Perhaps you are thinking that 10 minutes sounds reasonable? Well, then you've definitely never tried to put on a kimono and tie a complicated obi. It's insane! I will be practicing twice a week until the contest at the end of November. I'm feeling ok about the kimono right now, but I just started trying to tie the obi this week, and it's sooo hard.
These pictures are from the first night that we got dressed up by members of a kimono society. I really like the kimono I was wearing, but last week, Yukari sensei brought me another one to try. It's easier to put on, because the length is better suited to me. I'll post a picture of it in the future!

You're not supposed to see the clip and fabric hanging over the collar at the top, but they forgot to put in the collar before they dressed me. This type of obi is worn with a furisode kimono (a long-sleeved kimono worn by young, unmarried women). It is supposed to resemble a swallow's wings.

Jessica, Sarah, and I. I think that I'm the only one who will be in the contest in November, because they don't have time for all the practicing.

Nate and I trying out a cheesy, kimono pose!

2006-10-02T21:16:00.000+09:00

Team Kiiouchimatsu

Well, the AJET Pub Quiz has come and gone. Sadly, Team Kiiouchimatsu didn't perform too well. Kiiouchimatsu is a combination of the names of where we live- Kiinagashima, Ouchiyama, and Matsusaka. Julie, Jonathan, Stan, and I all tried our best, but we sucked so bad that we cheered wildly after the round when we got 3 out of 10 questions right! We made ourselves feel better by going to sing karaoke afterwards at Shidax (where Lolly joined in the fun).

Stan and I. Hooray, beer!

Julie and Jonathan- looking confident.

Karaoke at Shidax.

2006-09-17T22:16:00.000+09:00

Have you heard?

I love Korea! Love, love, love, love, love it!
I think that one of the main reasons that I had such a wonderful trip, and that Korea left such an impression on me, was the people.
I got to see my friend, Kihoon, whom I've missed very much since he went back to Korea from Japan, as well as Chihye, another missionary who lived in the town north of me. Through both of them I met some wonderful, kind, amazing people!

This is post-Pizza Hut dinner. I had a sweet potato, pineapple pizza. Yummy!
Going clockwise from bottom left is Kihoon, Chihye, the two Mrs. Nishis (they're sisters that I studied Korean with), Miss Choi, Miss Min, Nobuyo (a member of my church who I also studied Korean with), and Miss Park. I hope I am spelling everyone's name right!
Kihoon lived for one year as a missionary at my church Kisei Chapel. He is actually the person who helped me to find my faith in God again. He invited me to come to his Korean class at Kisei Chapel, and to play taiko drums and make Japanese pottery. Then I decided to try going to a church service. Wonders never cease, because then I started going every week!
Chihye lived for 2 years as a missionary in Odai, the town north of mine. I didn't know her very well in Japan, but I got to know her better while I was in Korea. She's so sweet, and I felt very inspired by her faith.
The Nishi sisters both studied Japanese at my church. They are very funny ladies.
I met Nobuyo at church, and we also studied Korean together. She is a junior high school English teacher.
Miss Choi, Miss Min, and Miss Park all lived at Kisei Chapel in the past as missionaries. They all speak Japanese really well.

It was funny hanging out with this group, because although I was in Korea, I got a lot of Japanese practice! The ladies from Japan said it was really funny to watch Koreans and an American speaking Japanese together, instead of one of our native languages!

This is Grace, Esther, and I in the subway station near Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul. Chihye introduced me to them and we all went sightseeing together. Grace is a member of Chihye's church. She was sooo sweet. She's 20 years old, and has never been overseas, but she speaks English so well! She was so kind to me, and went out of her way to help me have a great time in Seoul! Esther was a former classmate of Chihye's. She is a school teacher now. She also went out of her way for me, and I am really grateful to have met her!

This is Chihye and I posing beneath what is supposed to represent a typical Korean face. Both of Chihye's parents seemed to think that I looked Korean. No, I don't know what they were talking about. Maybe it's my cheeks. Chihye's mother even asked if I had any Korean relatives or ancestors! Hilarious!

This is Samonim, the pastor's wife at Kihoon's church; me; and Kiyoung, Kihoon's 16 year old cousin. We all ate dinner together at the church and then played ping-pong on my first night back in Busan. Samonim is really, really hilarious. She was one of my very favorite people that I met in Korea. She really likes speaking English, even though she's not very good at it! Kihoon explained to me that she had prayed for God to send her someone to speak English with, and then one day an American woman named Sarah showed up at her church. She became friends with Sarah, but Sarah is living outside of Busan now, so she doesn't get to see her very often. Then she prayed again for God to send her someone to speak English with, and I showed up at her church. She was soooo happy to spend time with me! I love Samonim!

Samonim, Kihoon, and Kiyoung. Kiyoung was so sweet. He studies English in school, and has studied Japanese for fun. So, I was able to speak both English and Japanese with him. I hope that he'll keep studying both, because it's such a wonderful thing to be able to communicate with people from other countries!

Samonim, Kihoon, and I. I miss them.

2006-09-15T22:15:00.000+09:00

いろいろ

Today I came home from school, stripped off my sweaty track pants and polo shirt, sat on my couch in my underwear, and watched TV while I ate rice and daikon (a big radish) kimchi. Does that sound strange? The daikon kimchi was so delicious, and it felt so good to be out of my sweaty clothes. I felt perfectly content as I sat there enjoying every crunchy bite. I can't wait to eat the rest of that daikon kimchi, and then buy more. I learned this week that kimchi doesn't work very well as something that you take to school for lunch. It's quite smelly. Even tupperware and a lunch bag couldn't really stifle that fragrant kimchi odor! I felt like there was a little cloud of cabbagey stinkiness around my desk!

Last weekend I called Jonathan and we met up to go for a swim. We drove to a near deserted beach in Kii Nagashima (where Jonathan lives) and floated around in the sea for awhile. It's been nothing but rain around here lately, and that day was no exception. So we swam beneath the clouds. There's a Japanese word for "sea of clouds". I'm quite fond of it. The word is "雲海".

I love that you can float on your back in the sea and not even have to move your arms or legs to keep afloat. There are some really beautiful beaches in this area. I wish I had gone swimming more during the summer! On the way home Jonathan and I saw about 8 monkeys by the road. We stopped to try and take pictures of them, but I was on the wrong side of the car for it, and the monkeys around here don't seem to like having their pictures taken!

I am reading "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" by Haruki Murakami.
I am entirely obsessed. But perhaps obsessed is not the right word.
I am wrapped up in it.
I am filled up by it.
I felt the same way when I was reading "Norwegian Wood" by Murakami. I feel as if my own world is altered as I read about the world that the characters in his books inhabit. Wouldn't you like to read it and tell me if you feel any strange effects?

2006-09-03T19:20:00.000+09:00

I feel the need to write a "Japanese countryside appreciation" post.
Lately, I've been very focused on how much I like cities, but the bicycle ride I went on this evening reminded me of how wonderful it is where I live.
Once I turned off the noisy, main route, all I could hear was wind, cicadas, and frogs. In every direction I was surrounded by green mountains and rice fields.
I stopped by a small pond where I had seen some massive koi the last time I took this same route. They were still there, and seemed excited at the prospect of getting some food from me, but sadly I had nothing to give but a smile, and they probably didn't notice that!

Soon after that something caught my eye off to my left side. It was a monkey dropping from a tree branch! Then I realized that there were actually about 5 or 6 monkeys, including a baby hanging onto its mother. Oh, I love monkeys! They're so cute. The monkeys here are Macaques with funny, little, red faces. They all quickly ran away when I stopped my bicycle.
I rode far enough today to find the "Ouchiyama Fureai Bokujou", which is a farm where one can see cows (and possibly other animals), and make butter by hand. It was already closed, but now that I know where it is, I'll have to go back on another weekend.
On my way back towards my house, I saw one of my favorite first graders from Ouchiyama elementary school. His face lit up when he saw me and he yelled "Meigaaaan sensei!" So, I yelled "Hello" and waved. Then he responded with the cutest little "Harrrrrooo". He even rolled his R. It was precious. I had a big smile on my face after that!
My little village here in the Japanese countryside is amazing. I feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful, peaceful place (with a little used car disposal problem)!

2006-07-24T22:23:00.000+09:00

最近マイブームは浴衣です。
Saikin maibuumu wa yukata desu.
My recent obsession (or "my boom") is yukata.

Yukata are cotton kimonos worn in the summertime, usually when going to festivals or going to see fireworks. I have two yukatas, the strawberry one shown in the photo, and I recently got a sky blue yukata with a hydrangea and dragonfly design. I really like my silver obi with a floral design, so I wore it with both yukatas. I wore my yukata to see fireworks in Ise city 2 weeks ago, and to the Tourou (lantern) Festival in Kii Nagashima last weekend.
Because I've been kind of obsessed, I've been looking up yukatas online and reading webpages in Japanese and English about how to properly wear yukatas. It's somewhat challenging for me, because my body is not a good shape for yukatas (in other words, I have curves), but I am trying my best to achieve a nice look. I can put on my yukata and tie my obi (the long sash worn around the waist) by myself now, which seems to surprise the Japanese people I've told! I definitely need more practice though. I got a komono set (accessories), which includes a yukata obi ita (a board worn in the front, beneath the obi), and the obi ita helps the look of the obi a lot! It's kind of a complicated dressing process, definitely more so than you can tell by looking at someone who looks carefree in their pretty yukata! I am really interested in learning about kitsuke (wearing kimono), but perhaps I should wait until it gets cooler outside! It's too hot really for yukata even, I don't want to think about all the layers involved in wearing a kimono!

2006-07-15T00:17:00.000+09:00

July has been so busy. My quiet, Japanese life isn't seeming so quiet anymore.
Last weekend I went "camping" in Miyama. Camping could also be described as sleeping on a futon in a luxury cabin where the floors are covered in drunk, sprawled out foreigners.

We are not the drunk, sprawled out foreigners I was referring to!

I drank too many chu-hais on Friday night, and on Saturday my head was none too happy about it. Can you say "hangover plus migraine"? However, I did get breakfast cooked for me by some nice boys.
I got to go swimming in the Miyama river. The swimming hole is one of the prettiest places that I've ever been. The water is blue and clear, and there are boulders like you've never seen before! The water was so cold, but it felt really good on my aching head. I kept going beneath the surface, because it kind of had a numbing effect!

On Saturday night we had a barbeque where I ate lots of yummy veggies with Katie, Julia, and Lolly. The barbeques are right inside the tables, so you can sit and chat and eat all at the same time! We could barely walk after and hour of barbequeing!

Here I am with Katie and Heidi.

Everyone started drinking again at dinner. I didn't drink much on Saturday night, because I was getting up and going to church the next morning. Yes, people, God saved me from a hangover! I did, however, go skinny-dipping. It was the most futile attempt at skinny-dipping ever though! The spot where we went in the river, was only about knee deep, so we were all sitting or squatting in the freezing river with our bums on slimy rocks! Oh, well. I guess I can add "Skinny-dipped in Japan" to my resume.

Today I will be going to see the massive (2 hour long!!!) firework display in Ise city. I am hoping that Karly can help me to get into my strawberry yukata (summer kimono) for the fireworks. Then tomorrow I am heading up to Nagoya with Karly, Katie, and Eva. I am going to get my haircolor touched-up and then we're going to see sumo wrestling on Monday! I am so excited to see sumo!!! It's gonna be a long weekend. Good thing Monday is a holiday!

2006-06-24T13:15:00.000+09:00

I have so many thoughts running through my head; so many impressions floating around in quite a disordered fashion. I think the fact that I've been watching Japanese TV all morning isn't helping matters. It all seems quite random.

I went to Mie University Hospital again yesterday. It was my second time there, and my fifth time at a hospital looking for a reason and a cure for the earache I've had for about six or seven weeks now.

My symptoms seem to be hard to diagnose, because the first few times I went the doctor thought that I had Meniere's disease. The specialist at Mie University Hospital thinks that I may have some kind of neuralgia (nerve pain) instead. But he's not sure. None of the doctors are ever sure.

I went to the pain clinic at the hospital yesterday to see an anesthesiologist. He prescribed me something for what may or may not be neuralgia. Now I wait and see. Then I go back Monday.

I have missed so many days of school because of this. I am so lucky to have an understanding and supportive Board of Education. My supervisor takes me to the hospital each time. It's a lot of long car rides and waiting rooms. The hospital in Matsusaka is over and hour away, and the hospital in Tsu is about and hour and a half away.

It's so frustrating. I don't want to be sick. I don't want to be reliant on medicine everyday. I want to be motivated and have the energy to clean this damned apartment of mine. But for now I don't.

However, I am thankful for my faith, and for the comfort God gives me. I am also thankful for my friends from Kisei Chapel, who have been so caring and encouraging.

I just really, really hope that this medicine will help me and end this pain!!

2006-05-27T11:59:00.000+09:00

Wow! I had Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door today! I was not exepcting that on a rainy, Saturday morning here in my little, Japanese village!
I told them (in Japanese) that I already went to church, and that I couldn't read Japanese well, so I didn't end up with any literature. I wonder if they'll be back before long with copies of the Watchtower in English...
I can't imagine being a door-to-door Missionary in Japan! As far as I know, only about one percent of the population in Japan is Christian. There are actually two churches in my town of about 11,000 people, and I got to one of them, but I don't think that's the norm!
I could imagine the missionaries getting invited in for tea more often though, because people don't realy understand what they're there for, and also because of societal pressure to be a good host if you have a visitor. I wonder if that's the case...

2006-05-02T11:43:00.000+09:00

Dinner with the Sako's

Pastor Imakura, Ki Hoon, Mr. Sako, Me, and Mrs. Sako.

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Sako's house for dinner with Ki Hoon and Pastor Imakura.

Mr. and Mrs. Sako were my classmates in the beginning Korean class that Ki Hoon taught. They recently finished building their new house. It was such a cool house! They had a lot of wood in the house, so it even had a lovely cypress smell. I wish my apartment smelled like cypress!

Apparently, Mrs. Sako used to teach cooking classes. Lucky us! Our dinner was so yummy. Everytime I've been invited to someone's house for dinner, it's been like Christmas! I am talking about a major feast! The Sako's are a really sweet couple. They've known each other since the 1st grade!

Ki Hoon and I with a Hima Matsuri doll set.

Mrs. Sako left out her Hina Matsuri (Doll festival) doll set for me to see. It was really lovely. I hadn't had a chance to see one in someone's house. Maybe I'll have one someday...

2006-04-30T19:00:00.000+09:00

A child's life

The kids in Barangay Bahile were so awesome! While I do love my students here in Japan, they can't compete with these kids in terms of openness, curiousity, friendliness, and spirit. Although many of these kids didn't have a lot in terms of material possessions or toys, they were so full of love and joy! It was very powerful.

The imagination, resourcefulness, and inventiveness of the kids when they played reminded me of myself when I was a child.

A little, unused bus became a space with endless possibilities.

Foreigners with cameras provided endless entertainment for the kids. There was never a shortage of kids eager to pose for a picture! They loved seeing their pictures on the digital camera screens afterwards.

A big pile of dirt made for an exciting (and filthy!) playground.

One of my favorite kids, Walter, built pyramids out of spare pieces of wood, while we made bricks.

I truly hope that I will have a chance to go back there again and see all these beautiful children once more.

2006-04-30T17:41:00.000+09:00

The children of Barangay Bahile, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Province, Philippines!

If you haven't heard yet, my trip to the Philippines was amazing!
The Mie JETs group that I was a part of went to Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province. We were volunteers with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program. We worked with people in Barangay (village) Bahile to build houses.
The people on the Board of Directors there and the people in Barangay Bahile, especially the children, were amazing! I loved the way that we were welcomed with open arms and open hearts.

The children loved dancing, and generally danced all day, everyday, when we were in the village. It began as soon as we arrived, when the children danced for us at a welcome ceremony!

The adorable Anthony wearing our team leader's hat and camera.

The trip only got better from there! Everyday we got to hang out with the children during our break times and meal times.

They even got into the act and carried bricks with us sometimes. So sweet. A lot of the kids could speak some English, which was fun for us. Even the little ones who couldn't speak English were still our buddies.

2 beautiful girls in front of the daycare center in Barangay Bahile.

2006-04-14T14:28:00.000+09:00

Hello Kitty Nurse

Ohmygod. I am so lethargic. I can barely type.
I have been staring at my computer screen, trying to plan my upcoming elementary lessons, but I seem unable to form coherent thoughts.
This is what happens to me after a week sitting in the board of education office. I don't know what it is about this place, perhaps it's the fact that I usually have nothing to do while I am here, but I just go brain dead.
I wish for something to do, but then when I come up with something, my brain seems unable to function. This is pitiful.
I feel like I need a giant Hello Kitty in a nurse uniform to drop in and give me a generous shot of adrenalin. If the adrenalin didn't work, the sight of a Hello Kitty nurse might just cheer me up a bit.

2006-04-13T13:21:00.000+09:00

pineappleidiotic

Ok, so this tasty fresh pineapple I bought, a "sweetio" actually, has been calling my name.

After the Philippines I've been craving fresh fruit...

So, I sliced up the sweetio pineapple, and began feasting. I was eating a lot. Half way through the pineapple I began to wonder if eating a lot of pineapple could hurt your mouth. I was thinking more of the acidity than anything else. Then my mouth started to bleed.

Yes, I ate so much pineapple that my lower lip started BLEEDING!!!! I guess gnawing all that delicious pineapple off the rind was a little abrasive on my lips.

Fuck! Deliciousness makes me idiotic!

2006-03-19T08:54:00.000+09:00

I'm getting a couch!!!
After almost 7 months of sitting on the floor, I'm getting a wonderfully free couch! Yay!!!!! MY back will be so happy!!!
More news to come...