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!!