A White Christmas!

We had a white Christmas this year!

It is kinda nice. However, I could do without the ice on the INSIDE of our windows upstairs. Single pane windows are apparently the way to go in Japan. sigh.

Anyway...here is a pic of the snow outside our house. =)

Thanks Wes!

I kinda forgot about this blog about our time in Japan. Matt and I were talking to Matt's brother Wes on Skype, when he mentioned the blog. Oops! I forgot!

So now I figured I would give everyone an update. We have pets!! Temporarily. Our two ALT neighbors are going away during winter break and needed someone to take care of their animals. So now we have a turtle, 3 fish, and a hamster. They are cute and fun to have around. However, Matt is completely in charge of them, he is the one responsible if anything where to happen to the pets. =P

I have now also been informed that I need more pics on this blog. Sadly, I haven't taken very many. But, what I do have I will share now.


Did you know you can buy fake chest hair at the 100 yen store? Well...you can. Japan is a bit strange eh?

My 12oz of Skippy peanut butter (costs 398yen=$4) beside a anime figurine on top of my Nintendo DS....how much more Japanese can you get! =P

No bake cookies Matt and I made a few weeks ago. It is pretty expensive to make, seeing as 4 cups of oats is about $4. But when you need some treats that remind you of home, it can be worth it. We also don't have any wax paper. I don't know what it is called here, but I assume they have some...I hope Japan has wax paper.

Two of the fish we are taking care of.

The turtle named Kazu we are taking care of. The turtle is the most interesting of the animals in my opinion. =)

Okay. I will try and take more pictures now that some people seem to really like them. Until next time....have a Merry Christmas!!

I had a good day

I am surprised by this fact because my day was spent mostly shopping. I hate shopping. I always get overwhelmed by the crowds and the noise and the traffic getting to stores, plus having to give my money to stores when I know what I am buying is either a.) not worth what I am paying or b.) made by slave labor or something just as horrible. So yeah, I have a hard time with shopping. BUT I REALLY needed some things. It is getting colder and colder here, and I realized I did not have enough warm clothes to last me the winter. I was in desperate need of a big winter coat, some winter tops and a pair of pants that actually fit me. Since being in Japan, I have lost too much weight for any of my pants to look decent on me. So with these needs in mind, Matt and I ventured to Kofu and spent a number of hours battling traffic and crowds. In the end though, I got what I needed. I got a good, warm, jacket, three sweater/long sleeve tops, and a pair of pants that fit. Only odd thing was, the pants only fit in the waist. The pants were...you ready for this one?....too LONG!! Isn't that just crazy. I am pretty darn tall in Japan, and the pants I found were too long. I think I have realized why that was the case. The store I bought the pants at actually has a tailor company as well. You can buy your pants and get them tailored at the same time. Conveniently for the store, most people need a bit of tailoring to their pants.
Anyway, I got what I needed, though I am still on the look out for a good pair of winter boots. I think that having a list of actual NEEDS, as opposed to just browsing/shopping I felt a lot better about the situation. I got to spend some quality time with Matt and accomplished something.
PLUS to top it all off, I ate about 650 calories worth of sushi. Yeah I know that's a lot, but I hadn't eaten all day AND I had been craving the rotating sushi place for about a month now. It was great. I had a good day.

Life in Yamanashi!

You may have been one of the people to hear my complaints about Japan "I miss Panera Bread and Brugers Bagels!"
Right now, despite the food situation, I am loving Japan. The elementary school kids are adorable and fun to play with, while my elective English classes at the JHS are quite funny and I am learning more about Japanese culture...apparently this band ARASHI is THE Jpop band right now...who knew? =)

Okay! Pics time!!







BTW, I did not take these pictures (except for the last one) Matt took them while I was driving. I think he did a pretty good job! =)

One job thing I am concerned about, but can't do anything about, is what will happen with the elementary school visits come August. When new ALTs are brought to the area in August, we expect some changes to all ALTs schedules. The Japanese government has decided that elementary age children need more hours of English instruction. I believe its something like quintupling the amount of hours these kids are receiving now. So I am interested to see, and nervous to see, what the Board of Education is going to do with us ALTs. Will some ALTs ONLY have elementary schools? Will more ALTs be brought in to take on the elementary classes, leaving some ALTs ONLY at JHS? I don't know. I honestly don't know what I want to happen. I am pretty happy with my schedule, 3.5 days at JHS and 1.5 at elementary. I like all my schools in different ways, though everyone is nice. The elementary kids are great, but more than an extra half day with them, I might go crazy. It is just sooo loud and crazy! Though fun, I need headache pills due to the noise levels sometimes. So I will try and keep you all updated as to what the BoE decides to do about the new government English requirements.
=)

Our beautiful town

I know I complain about living in Japan. Maybe I don't complain on this blog, but in everyday life I wish, as a vegetarian, eating in Japan were easier. But, there are some great things about where we are living now. That is what I want to show you guys.

Cute and odd shops in "downtown" Kiyosato

cool clock building


beautiful mountains


My wonderful husband AND beautiful mountains.


Mt. Fuji!

Pictures!!!

This is my post of a whole lot of pics I have failed to put online so far. Since people are bugging me about my lack of pictures, this post is going to be a picture extravaganza!!!


Almost everywhere you look in Kofu there are signs telling people not to park their bikes there. Everywhere you see that sign you see at least 5 bikes parked underneath it. ha!


Japanese version of final Harry Potter book!! I'm such a nerd!!


When Matt and I were walking around Tokyo we saw a huge can of grape Fanta being sold in one of the many, many vending machines around. We bought said Fanta then 10 of 15 feet further on our walk we saw the following fanta for sale, for the SAME Price as the one we bought....this wouldn't happen in America.


Here is Matt watching some Sumo. We had fun.


More Sumo.


Me posing as a stupid American in Sumo Town.


Sumo dudes walking the streets in Sumo Town in Tokyo.


Sumo Ceremony. Pretty cool looking.


Matt and I having fun at Sumo still!


Matt took this pic while we were walking to the Ghilbli/Miyazaki Museum.


We made it to the museum!!


Outside the museum! We weren't allowed to take pics inside...though i saw many people doing so!

I loved this character from the movie, Castle in the Sky.


Matt being cute and humoring me in my desire to take a picture of him.

Grand Golf!!

Yesterday, from 3:30 until around 4:30, I played Grand Golf with teachers from my school district. Not all of them came and participated, but a good number did sign up and played. I was honestly surprised. I was placed in a team of 4 and had a fairly good time.
Grand Golf- for those not in the know (everyone)- is a bit like putt-putt golf. We used a soccer field (with sand instead of grass on it) for the playing area. Instead of putting into a hole, you try to get your ball inside a circular metal area under that "hole's" flag. Does that make sense? Also, instead of a normal golf ball and club, you use something that more resembles a crockett (is that the right word?) ball and club, though you don't want to hit other players grand golf ball.

I got the lowest (best) score in my group at 25 points. But there were a number of people who scored under 20!! I think 7 people actually got a hole-in-ones. Apparently “hole-in-one” is the term the Japanese use as well. After the game a teacher asked me if “hole-in-one” was an English phrase. =)
So anyway, my school came in 2nd!! (even though the chorus teacher got a score of 33!!) She was embarrassed by it, but also took it in stride and thought it was funny, as did everyone else. So it was a good time, and now I know what grand golf is….Putt Putt on a random piece of ground. =)

I am a nerd

Today, during my lunch break, I went to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce website's demographics section to catch up on the current economic indicators of my old home. (I love Asheville!!)
I'm sitting in Japan, thinking about Asheville...but my way of connecting with Asheville is to check the economic indicators. "oh, hotel sales are only down 1.3%" and "I wonder how much further the Asheville Airports numbers will go, given the economic downturn?" Thus, I must be declared a nerd. =P

On a completely unrelated note, I will be playing "grand golf" this afternoon with the other teachers in my school district. What's "grand golf", and what makes it different from "golf"? I do not yet know....hmmm

If anyone has been wondering how difficult it is to live in a country and not know the language let me tell you....it's WAY too EASY to get by knowing only three Japanese words: "sumimasen- excuse me, sorry, oops" "Arigato- Thank you" and "Wakarimasen- I don't understand".
Because of this, I have really been slacking on my Japanese language study. Good thing my Japanese coressepondence course has arrived...now I might begin learning Japanese. =P I hope!!

Who wants to come visit us?!?!!

Okay. I have decided that instead of going back to the USA (where I have lived for the past 24ish years) to visit family and friends, I instead have a fantastic offer for you all.

Here it is....come visit us in Japan!!!
How often do you have the opportunity to visit a different (1st world) country on the other side of the globe with so many cultural differences like Japan when you are living in the US? I mean this is JAPAN(!!!) sooooo cool!
Even better, when else do you have an opportunity to experience this different culture with your very own (English speaking!) tour guide who actually LIVES IN JAPAN?!?

Going even further....not only do you have an amazing opportunity to come to Japan and have your own tour guide....you also have FREE room and (most) board during your stay!!! A typical hotel room in Japan would cost around $300 a night...but if you come visit us you don't have to pay a thing for a comfortable (and BIG) room (with a closet!) for as long as you stay!! you can't beat that!!!!

So now you are asking “what do I have to do to take you guys up on the amazing offer?”
Well its simple!
First: tell us you want to come visit! We would like to know ahead of time when we need to clean up for company! =P And plan fun things to do when you get here!

Second: purchase your plane tickets… granted this is the most demanding part of getting to Japan. Keep in mind, you are going to the other side of the world so it will be more expensive than any domestic flights…but again FREE room and board once here!! And this really is a once in a life time opportunity. =)

Third: let us know when you are coming…..so we can provide you with a list of a few items we would like you to pack in your bags for us…small things like Peter Pam creamy peanut butter….yummy peanut butter! (Tegan begins to drool)….You know, since we aren’t going to the US, its nice to get a little taste or smell, or sight of home. =)

So that’s it! 1-2-3 and you are here!! Enjoying seeing two people you know to be amazing, plus a free place to stay, tour guide, etc, with just the cost of the flight over.

So plan your trips now!! Let us know!!
May I suggest Vayama, Priceline, Orbitz, etc for your ticket finding needs? I got a good deal on a domestic flight on Priceline, Matt got a good ticket to Japan from Vayama, and now Orbitz has a guarantee: if someone buys the same tickets you buy…but at a cheaper price, you will be refunded the difference...soo cool!

So please come visit us!!

Tokyo!

I am going to make this post as short as I can, sorry. I will try to post pictures on here at a later time.

Matt and I went to Tokyo in September (thanks for my 7 day work week I had a 3 day weekend). We stayed in a really cheap Hotel in Ikebukuro (http://www.sakura-hotel-ikebukuro.com/) that has English speaking staff and cateres to the Cheap/poor foriegn tourists in Tokyo. The place was not fantanstic, but it was a place to sleep and it was clean so it worked for us (and will probably be working for us again on our next trip to Tokyo).
We took a bus from Kofu to Shinjuku (one of the sections of Tokyo). The trip was not bad, about 2.5 hours and we got into Tokyo pretty early. I had two goals: 1.)Watch some Sumo and
2.)Go to the Ghilbli (miyazaki) Museum.
Matt had two goals also: 1.) Watch some Sumo and 2.) go to Akihabara (the electronics district in Tokyo)

We succeeded on all fronts....though we were both the happiest with the Sumo.

Sumo does not happen all the time in Japan. They have tournaments throughout the year, but (other than in September) the next time there would be Sumo in Tokyo is in January. Needless to say we took the opprotunity to go to sumo (which can be an all day event). We bought the cheapest (and poorest) seats in the house for approx. $21 each. Luckyily, not many people watch the entire day (a weekday) so we were able to watch some sumo from *cough* a better view than our tickets would normally provide *coug*
=P

There were a lot of foreigners at the sumo event. Most bought the same seats we had bought, and were also fortunate with the improved views the empy day matches provided.
At our hotel we had a TV. We watched some sumo on there as well and pointed saying "we are going there tomorrow!" It was fun and I have officially become addicted to Sumo (I even have a 3d moving sumo players cup!)

Next, we went to Akihabara....matt might have something interesting to say...all i can say is that my feet and back hurt. =P oh! and that there are a number of boys in Japan with strange interests....

Finally we went to the Ghilbli Museum and I had fun...but wish I had allowed for more time to look around. I think we both felt rushed to get to our bus stop (our ride home). We are going to go back there again and provide for more time.

Okay! enough for now! Life is good.

Ahh! sorry!

I know, I know....it has been a while since I posted. I honestly blame my lack of regular internet access. Many things have happened, so I think to updated you all on what Matt and I have been up to I will need to make this a 2 part entry....the second part (about Tokyo!) only when I have more time. So for now, I will try to entertain you all with pics and stories of my first time experiencing a Japanese JHS festival weekend.
Every morning since I began working at my JHS I have walked across the school parking lot to the sound of children singing...the same three songs. Every week I have worked at my JHS has been a "special shorten class schedule." Then after class I would see (when it wasn't raining) hundreds of kids practicing strange "sports" out side. If it was raining I would see hundreds of kids running around inside, usual with paint brushes or construction paper in hand. These weeks of preparation were all for a two day event called the school festival. The 283 kids at my school must have spent 12 days at school working toward this festival. I honestly wasn't very excited about going, since it meant I would be at school all day Saturday and Sunday, but once there I can not say it was a bad experience. Below will be the pics of what happened, along with my explanations.

Okay this doesn't acutally have much to do with the festival, but it does have lots to do with the JHS. For several days in a row, I have been able to see Mount Fuji from my school, and even on my drive to school. To be honest, it has been pretty exciting to see, and so clearly. In the mornings it is so clear, though unforutnately I didn't have my camera on me until the afternoon, which means this pics of Mount Fuji isn't as clear as I would like...but its still there! =)

So all the painting I saw the students doing over the past few weeks has been for decorations for the HUGE gym during the festival. Along with decorations, each class (there are 3 grades with 3 classes each -9 classes total) created their own flag with a class moto. The above pic is of class 3-3's flag (3rd years 3rd class). I thought it was funny that they chose to use the Japanese train exit sign as their focus. Many of the flags had English on them also.


The first days events were all held in the gym. The day consisted of team spirit exercises and sentimental pieces on the fun time they have had together so far this school year, along with class plays...which had lots and lots of dancing. My elective English 4 class did a shadow puppet show which I video taped and edited together to present at the festival. At first it was thought that I would actually have to perform, live, with them on pretty short notice. I am so glad my school has a new 30GB hard drive Sony handy cam. I had lots of fun filming and editing that play. =)
Anyway...there were lots of plays and dancing and loud music and team spirit etc. At the end each class sang a song for the audience (the teachers and parents). Finally, all 283 students got up front and sang "Hallelujah" for everyone. I was impressed by how much they had improved in their English singing skills. Though, "and he shall reign forever and ever" didn't exactly sound like I am used to it. =P

Wow...all that writing and I just finished talking about the first day of the festival.

Okay...I promise I will finish the festival....

DAY 2!!!!

day 2 was a bit more fun for me. Less watching plays in a language i don't understand, and more laughing at my students acting crazy during tug of war and other games.


Remember those flags i mentioned earlier that the classes made, you can see them above, held in front of each class. Those flags became a big deal for the day two events.

before the games begin, everyone did exercises on the sports grounds.

The morning consisted of girls of each class in the gym playing basketball against one another. Their scores actually mattered towards the days goal of best performing class and classes. There was the best performing class and then there was the best performing group of classes so class 2 would be all the 2 classes, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, so you have all age groups competing as one as well as against each other.

The boys spent the morning playing soccer for the coveted points.



Here is another class flag. some students spent the majority of their morning switching out to wave this flag around to cheer on their classmates.

This is one of the art pieces the students worked on for the festival...though I was unable to take pics at the end, I am sad to say they actually burned this, along with anything else they made that was burnable and then we all danced around it (folk dance...guy leading girl) as a way of closing out the festival. I felt like it was a shame to burn something they worked so hard on, but they didn't seem to mind. =)

Of all the games they played that you wouldn't see in the states, this one would never make it to a US school field day, too many injuries, too many upset parents. The idea of the game is to get as many of the items from the center line over to your teams zone. There are two teams with these items (mostly tires since they can hold up to the attacks best) in between them. When the gun sounds everyone runs to grab a tire. Needless to say some people grab the same tire and then fight it out. By the end there are usually one 2 tires left to get and 30 kids to fight between them. People got hurt, and dirty, but man it looked like some fun, rough fun, but fun non the less. =)



The other games included:
jump rope with an entire class at once, which was pretty fun to watch
Tug of War that had different rules then what I was used to...the students had several ropes to fight over...but it only made things more interesting
Mukude (sp?) race, where each class (boys then girls) are tied together and then race the other teams
All in all I say I had much more fun on day 2. =)

I know, I know....blogging has been on the back burner

Hello all!
Sorry its been so long since my last post. Let us see if I can quickly wrap up what has been happening since my birthday. I had my first week of school, where I did the same introduction lesson oh, about 30,000,000,000 times. =P I still have one more school to go to, my second elementary school. So, after next week, I will be officially done introducing myself and my home. Part of my intro has been to explain that I am a vegetarian. I tell them what it means and that "many people in Asheville are Vegetarian" Ha! I thought it was pretty interesting to show these kids that there are people who not only speak a different language but have completely removed, what the kids consider to be, what makes a meal a meal, meat/fish. Ha!
Moving on...the little kids are very cute, 1st and 2nd graders especially. It makes me want to be a elementary school teacher...in Japan at least. BUT these kids have yet to realize that I do not speak Japanese. As I walk the halls I get swarms of children asking me all sorts of questions in their soft spoken, yet quite fast, Japanese. Sigh. I wish I could understand them! That is just more motivation for me to study the language.
Okay...the rest of the blog will be the usual. I will share a picture and a (hopefully) brief explanation....brief because I am using my neighbors internet still.

so on my way to pick up matt in Kofu, I saw Mt. Fuji! I am not sure how well you will be able to see it, but the mountain in the background is Mt. Fuji. I was excited to finally see it. I live on the completely other side of the prefecture, so it is very rare for it the sky to be clear enough to see it.


Matt went into a store to kill some time, when we saw these great "Engrish" slippers. That's right people...it says "where are you doing?"! hee hee!



These are the promised cake pics that I took on my birthday. I was craving a Ingles or Harris Teeter style cake. But, alas, there aren't any of those places near our home here. To get a real birthday cake here, you have to order pretty far in advance from what I understand. These three slices of cake were a nice substitute, but still not the same. =P

Here it is! one of the famous cigarette vending machines. This one requires a certain id to be swiped to get the cigs, but have no fear under aged hooligans, there are plenty of beer vending machines with out any id requirements, just pay your 200 yen and let the drinking commence! (ps. I do not condone underage drinking k? but I do think its pretty funny to see beer and cigarettes being sold like this. I have a friend who lives near a vending machine that sells eggs...eww.)

Key chains are big here. You put them on your cell phone, your Nintendo ds, your keys...etc. You find lots of these key chain machines in Japan. I thought this one was pretty funny. They are selling mos burger key chains. Mos burger is the Japanese Burger King. So if you wanted, you could have a hot dog, or a hamburger attached to your cell phone...sooooo coool! =P

Lastly, Matt and I went to Kofu to experience the "I love Kofu" Festival....really, that is what it was called...in English and everything. We ate festival food (yay pork free Yakisoba!!) and watched Taiko (Japanese drumming) on the main stage. We eventually ended up at a karaoke place. It was...interesting. =P (I can't sing)