Kiyoe pointed out the other day that i hadnt posted here in awhile. She asked if it was because I was Japanese, and could no longer 'turn' Japanese. The answer is no.
I havent posted in awhile because recently I've been looking for teaching positions in North Texas. Let me say right now that i hate filling out applications and applying for things, but I know that it is a necessary evil. I just wish it wouldnt take so long for the hiring commitees to make their decisions. I think i have an ulcer now because of the stress.
In other news, i've been sorting through photos from japan and have kindof come to a photo logistical problem. It seems as though i took over 3500 photos during my time over there. Estimating a 'good photo:bad photo' ratio of 1 to 4, I still would have to print almost 700 photos. UGH. ink and paper are not cheap. the scrapbook might be ginormous also.
I have eaten too much since i've come home. while i think i've only put on 2 pounds
i dont feel as healthy as i should. after i get a job i'm seriously going to look into gym membership.
And for all of you who were wondering or care... Kiyoe was accepted into the UTA english program. meaning that somewhere around the beginning of August she will be arriving in hot sweaty dfw for a year of english learning fun!!! Sugoii NE!
ok, back to applications. the sooner I get this job thing figured out the better i'll feel. and the sooner i'll be able to plan my summer adventure. (destination ideas welcome)
Monday, May 15, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Packing
yes ladies and gents, its that time. the time that I know my parents wanted over a year ago, the time that I now can't believe is happening. I'm packing to move back to the US.
It's a strange experience actually. Packing things that you've accumulated in a year and seven months, and sticking it all in two, oversized and overweight bags. sorry guys, no room for souvenirs. Ive found junk that i didnt even remember getting, (and maybe I didn't, it was just deposited in my stuff when someone else left), and junk that i know i should get rid of, but still has that japanese feel. (pachinko balls anyone?)
I don't know.... this is already starting to sound like a big ramble, even though i just started, but some things need to be said:
Japan started as a getaway for me. A chance to leave my depressing job and failing relationships. It was a chance to see other parts of the world usually not even thought of by 99% of my Texas friends (Europe all the way,right?)
But what i found was more than I ever expected.
While Japan is at the forefront of technology, the people really know how to relax. Stressed? Go to an onsen. Want to talk loudly with friends without someone nagging you to leave? Go to an izakaya. Want to bask in the beauty and fragility of nature? Go to a hanami party. Want some real peace of mind? Go to a temple.
The real point here is, that my journey started as a getaway, and became a life changing event. I'm more calm now, I grit my teeth instead of yelling (ok, most of the time). I'm thinner, To date I've gone down four belt holes and lost about 12 pounds. I like fish now, and sadly the best texas sushi can't stand a chance against the worst in Japan. I'm not, as much of a pack rat (kindof goes against what i said earlier, but its all for scrapbook purposes). I've traveled to several destinations in Asia: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and China (and let me tell you, Asia is a goldmine. Much cheaper than Europe, safer, and older) I'm a new man, and I have Japan to thank for it.
Now wait a minute.... Don't get me wrong, I'm not a US hater, Japan lover now. This place still has faults. Anyone ever seen that early 90's Sally field movie 'Not without my daughter'? About an Iranian man who takes his half american, half iranian daughter to iran, then keeps her there because he wants to and the woman has no rights to get her back under iranian law? (or something like that). Well. Japan is like Iran in this case, where the japanese spouse has all the rights to the child, and if the child is kiddnapped and taken to japan, there is no bombing that bush can do to get the child back under japanese law. Yes, a little stone age. Another messed up thing has to do with the education system. Did you know that while yes, Japanese students study english for 6+ years, THEIR TEACHERS CAN'T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH (studies are in english grammar, not speaking). deep contrast between that and my second year spanish class that was 90% spanish. Organ transplants are also extremely difficult to come by here in japan (which is why, if any of you remember, over christmas there was a young japanese child in the US for surgery and transplants).
BUT.... as I said before, the place isnt perfest but Japan has made me a better person, introduced me to people that i'll remember forever, and brought my quarter life crisis back onto the right trail. And for that I'm forever grateful. Take care, I need to get back and pack.
It's a strange experience actually. Packing things that you've accumulated in a year and seven months, and sticking it all in two, oversized and overweight bags. sorry guys, no room for souvenirs. Ive found junk that i didnt even remember getting, (and maybe I didn't, it was just deposited in my stuff when someone else left), and junk that i know i should get rid of, but still has that japanese feel. (pachinko balls anyone?)
I don't know.... this is already starting to sound like a big ramble, even though i just started, but some things need to be said:
Japan started as a getaway for me. A chance to leave my depressing job and failing relationships. It was a chance to see other parts of the world usually not even thought of by 99% of my Texas friends (Europe all the way,right?)
But what i found was more than I ever expected.
While Japan is at the forefront of technology, the people really know how to relax. Stressed? Go to an onsen. Want to talk loudly with friends without someone nagging you to leave? Go to an izakaya. Want to bask in the beauty and fragility of nature? Go to a hanami party. Want some real peace of mind? Go to a temple.
The real point here is, that my journey started as a getaway, and became a life changing event. I'm more calm now, I grit my teeth instead of yelling (ok, most of the time). I'm thinner, To date I've gone down four belt holes and lost about 12 pounds. I like fish now, and sadly the best texas sushi can't stand a chance against the worst in Japan. I'm not, as much of a pack rat (kindof goes against what i said earlier, but its all for scrapbook purposes). I've traveled to several destinations in Asia: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and China (and let me tell you, Asia is a goldmine. Much cheaper than Europe, safer, and older) I'm a new man, and I have Japan to thank for it.
Now wait a minute.... Don't get me wrong, I'm not a US hater, Japan lover now. This place still has faults. Anyone ever seen that early 90's Sally field movie 'Not without my daughter'? About an Iranian man who takes his half american, half iranian daughter to iran, then keeps her there because he wants to and the woman has no rights to get her back under iranian law? (or something like that). Well. Japan is like Iran in this case, where the japanese spouse has all the rights to the child, and if the child is kiddnapped and taken to japan, there is no bombing that bush can do to get the child back under japanese law. Yes, a little stone age. Another messed up thing has to do with the education system. Did you know that while yes, Japanese students study english for 6+ years, THEIR TEACHERS CAN'T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH (studies are in english grammar, not speaking). deep contrast between that and my second year spanish class that was 90% spanish. Organ transplants are also extremely difficult to come by here in japan (which is why, if any of you remember, over christmas there was a young japanese child in the US for surgery and transplants).
BUT.... as I said before, the place isnt perfest but Japan has made me a better person, introduced me to people that i'll remember forever, and brought my quarter life crisis back onto the right trail. And for that I'm forever grateful. Take care, I need to get back and pack.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
China
Ahhh... so much to say, so little time. I'll start with China.
China is an interesting country. As many of you know, the 2008 summer olympic games will be in Beijing (peking) whatever you want to call it. Being one of the last communist countries in the world, I'm sure that the power of the people's republic wil come together to make the city shine, but they have a lot of work to do.
Beijing, if you didnt know, is the capital of China. It holds Tiannemen Square, the site of the famous student demonstrations for democracy in the late 1980's. It's also just 80 km from the great wall, making it a good base. All in all the buildings look like my vision of cold war russia from the 1980's, very boxy and monolithic. But there are some buildings with more than four sides. Everywhere you go in the city you can find a military presence. I remember being in one shopping street, very very nice actually, and seeing three green vans with soldiers in riot gear, ready to pounce on any hint of dissent. Scary. Honestly though, i wasnt worried. I proudly wore my Mao t-shirt purchased a day earlier for a dollar.
Beijing is dusty. imagine this... its 5 pm and the sun is beginning to set. Its at a 30 degree angle with the ground... and you can actually look at it straight on! there is that much smoke and dust in the air. gross. I feel that beijing is actually a desert, with buildings fit in. masks might actually be necessary there.
ok, blah blah blah. i need to meet some friends for lunch, as I'm leaving in five days. i'll write more later, but here are some photos to tide you over.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Saturday, April 01, 2006
The Big Announcement...
I know that i haven't been back here since i returned from thailand, but let me say that i'm fine and all is well... it was an amazing trip, I show you photos later....
I also just returned from a week long solo trip to kyoto, nara and koyasan. Also amazing... but it brought me to a decision that I needed to make... Even though I've quit my job. I dont feel like i'm ready to leave. This country is too amazing to just walk away from. so, since my visa is still good until september, I will go home for a few months, take care of some financial things, then come back to japan and teach again. just look at these kids! I can't leave this.
I know, that many people were counting on me to return, but i've kindof takin a liking to this place...
next up... China! on Monday!
Mata ashita!
Monday, March 20, 2006
the whirlwind
yesterday was my last day of work... there were smiles, tears, and some beers. afterwards though i realized that it was the last day of the longest job I had ever held... sniff sniff.. no i didnt cry, because in a way, beleieve it or not, I stiff can't believe that i've spent the last year aand a half in tokyo japan.
so today starts the asian tour. in about 10 minutes i will leave for the airport to travel to thailand! heck yeah!!! massages, cheap food, temples older than time, i can't wait. I get back sunday and promptly get on an eight hour train to kyoto, nara and koyasan, where i will spenfd the night among meditating monks.
i'll return on the first of april, rest a day (ok, actually the 2nd is the penis festival so i wont be resting), and then head to beijing on april 3rd for a week. I return on the 8th, then spend a glorious week in tokyo enjoying the 'best time of the year' sakura veiwing. ahh yes, be ready for mass photos... speaking of... i need to post some more photos from skiing and the like... well, i gotta get back to you on that... Bangkok and the Thai people are waiting.... And always remember the famous Confucious saying, "Man who walk through airport door sideways going to Bangkok".
so today starts the asian tour. in about 10 minutes i will leave for the airport to travel to thailand! heck yeah!!! massages, cheap food, temples older than time, i can't wait. I get back sunday and promptly get on an eight hour train to kyoto, nara and koyasan, where i will spenfd the night among meditating monks.
i'll return on the first of april, rest a day (ok, actually the 2nd is the penis festival so i wont be resting), and then head to beijing on april 3rd for a week. I return on the 8th, then spend a glorious week in tokyo enjoying the 'best time of the year' sakura veiwing. ahh yes, be ready for mass photos... speaking of... i need to post some more photos from skiing and the like... well, i gotta get back to you on that... Bangkok and the Thai people are waiting.... And always remember the famous Confucious saying, "Man who walk through airport door sideways going to Bangkok".
Friday, March 10, 2006
Everyone loves an 'I told you so'
Thank god the country is finally waking up...
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,187422,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,187422,00.html
Monday, March 06, 2006
Pain
I know I've been kindof behind on the posting, I'm sorry. this one won't be that big either...
I went snowboarding two weeks ago at Naeba in Niigata. It was my first time and needless to say it wasnt pretty. first, the snow wasnt snow, it was ice. then, i actually had to snowboard down to the lesson area. I fell so many times in those two days that I still hurt today. ouch. next time i'll wear butt pads.
On the good side, niigata is famous for rice, and is thus also famous for sake. After the ski areas shut down on sunday due to the winds and RAIN... yes rain... kiyoe and I spent some time at the Shinkansen (bullet train) station whre they have a small selection of 140 different sakes from the area. It was amazing, for 500 yen, you get 5 special tokens and a small cup. you can then choose a sake, insert the token, and sample any of the sakes. I had 10. It soothed my aches, and helped me sleep during the train ride home...
i'm out, gotta go to my japanese lesson..
My last day at work is march 20... then i head to thailand on the 21st, kyoto, nara and koyasan on the 26th, and then the kanamara festival on the 2nd. off to china on the 3rd (by myself) and then relaxing in tokyo for a week to enjoy the hanami season. The final shindig will be the night of the 15th of april... that's ben's 5th harajuku cocktail experience, my going away party, and ben's birthday. should be a great one.... stay tuned.
I went snowboarding two weeks ago at Naeba in Niigata. It was my first time and needless to say it wasnt pretty. first, the snow wasnt snow, it was ice. then, i actually had to snowboard down to the lesson area. I fell so many times in those two days that I still hurt today. ouch. next time i'll wear butt pads.
On the good side, niigata is famous for rice, and is thus also famous for sake. After the ski areas shut down on sunday due to the winds and RAIN... yes rain... kiyoe and I spent some time at the Shinkansen (bullet train) station whre they have a small selection of 140 different sakes from the area. It was amazing, for 500 yen, you get 5 special tokens and a small cup. you can then choose a sake, insert the token, and sample any of the sakes. I had 10. It soothed my aches, and helped me sleep during the train ride home...
i'm out, gotta go to my japanese lesson..
My last day at work is march 20... then i head to thailand on the 21st, kyoto, nara and koyasan on the 26th, and then the kanamara festival on the 2nd. off to china on the 3rd (by myself) and then relaxing in tokyo for a week to enjoy the hanami season. The final shindig will be the night of the 15th of april... that's ben's 5th harajuku cocktail experience, my going away party, and ben's birthday. should be a great one.... stay tuned.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
energy problem
its official. i think i could solve the world's energy problems by using the excess oil in my face. a stress induced pimple the size of fuji has formed and it ain't pretty... no photos will follow.
Monday, February 13, 2006
A swift kick in the face
have i mentioned how my flatmate is also crazy? She's actually one of four other people I live with, but she takes the cake. On numerous occasions she comes home with strange japanese men, and of course her bedroom is right above mine, which leads to some very interesting and annoying evenings. I can't even tell you how many times she's woken me up at 4-5 in the morning banging on the front door because she's forgotten her house key, Let's call her S.
well, the best was yet to come. Friday night she came home once again at 5 in the morning, this time with her irish friend, we'll call her E, (who had been staying at our place for a month) and E's friend in tow. They rang the doorbell twice because she forgot her key... again. So who had to get up? me. i'm too nice. I open the door to "HEY, THANKS... EVEN THOUGH I'LL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN'... eh? i was too tired. i went back to bed...
For about three minutes until the huge boom. Seriously i thought the place was coming down, but no. someone had just fallen down the stairs. The boom was soon followed by a loud yell, then a couple more yells, then some screams, and another boom.
I heard E yell something like, 'WHY DID YOU KICK MY FRIEND IN THE FACE? WHAT KIND OF A SICK PERSON KICKS SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FACE?!" ............. "YOUR FLATMATES ARE TOO NICE TO PUT UP WITH YOUR SICK A@@!" ' E, don't go! She wouldn't shut up!" said S. "THAT'S NO REASON TO KICK SOMEONE IN THE FACE! YOU JUST WANTED ME HERE SO YOU COULD SAVE MONEY, YOU'RE SICK, YOU NEED HELP!' E shouted in response to S's reasoning.
Then a suitcase fell down the stairs, crying ensued, and the door slammed. E and her friend were gone into the pre-train silence of the morning....
crunch.... crunch.... crunch....
what tha?
crunch ccrunch.... The leaves next to my first floor window screamed under the pressure of human feet, something that shouldnt have been in the two-foot space between buildings, but they were there, and I almost wet myself.
'Scot? scott?'
i'm sleeping, leave me alone.
'scott! S still has my jacket and she won't let me in!!! can I come in and get it?' whined E, the stuttered breathing making her recent crying evident.
Ugh. Fine. So in walked E, while i, in my underwear stood, staring at E committing one of the two fatal crimes in Japan, wearing her shoes in the house. ON TATAMI no less. I didn't care, I wanted her, and all the commotion out of my house as fast as posible.
Then came the kicker... "scott, can you go with me???? S kicked my friend in the face, then hit me in the face!"....
.....
....
sure. let me put on some pants.
So i walk upstairs behind E to get her jacket from S, then S asks how she got in... she sees me, and then yells at E for waking me up! hmmmm. can you say no responsibility for her own actions? fun times.
i'm going to bed. will be back soon for travel updates!
well, the best was yet to come. Friday night she came home once again at 5 in the morning, this time with her irish friend, we'll call her E, (who had been staying at our place for a month) and E's friend in tow. They rang the doorbell twice because she forgot her key... again. So who had to get up? me. i'm too nice. I open the door to "HEY, THANKS... EVEN THOUGH I'LL NEVER SEE YOU AGAIN'... eh? i was too tired. i went back to bed...
For about three minutes until the huge boom. Seriously i thought the place was coming down, but no. someone had just fallen down the stairs. The boom was soon followed by a loud yell, then a couple more yells, then some screams, and another boom.
I heard E yell something like, 'WHY DID YOU KICK MY FRIEND IN THE FACE? WHAT KIND OF A SICK PERSON KICKS SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FACE?!" ............. "YOUR FLATMATES ARE TOO NICE TO PUT UP WITH YOUR SICK A@@!" ' E, don't go! She wouldn't shut up!" said S. "THAT'S NO REASON TO KICK SOMEONE IN THE FACE! YOU JUST WANTED ME HERE SO YOU COULD SAVE MONEY, YOU'RE SICK, YOU NEED HELP!' E shouted in response to S's reasoning.
Then a suitcase fell down the stairs, crying ensued, and the door slammed. E and her friend were gone into the pre-train silence of the morning....
crunch.... crunch.... crunch....
what tha?
crunch ccrunch.... The leaves next to my first floor window screamed under the pressure of human feet, something that shouldnt have been in the two-foot space between buildings, but they were there, and I almost wet myself.
'Scot? scott?'
i'm sleeping, leave me alone.
'scott! S still has my jacket and she won't let me in!!! can I come in and get it?' whined E, the stuttered breathing making her recent crying evident.
Ugh. Fine. So in walked E, while i, in my underwear stood, staring at E committing one of the two fatal crimes in Japan, wearing her shoes in the house. ON TATAMI no less. I didn't care, I wanted her, and all the commotion out of my house as fast as posible.
Then came the kicker... "scott, can you go with me???? S kicked my friend in the face, then hit me in the face!"....
.....
....
sure. let me put on some pants.
So i walk upstairs behind E to get her jacket from S, then S asks how she got in... she sees me, and then yells at E for waking me up! hmmmm. can you say no responsibility for her own actions? fun times.
i'm going to bed. will be back soon for travel updates!
Monday, January 30, 2006
Columbo Night
yes yes evryone... its that time again... The one time a week where I can relax, kick my feet up and watch a true american in action. Its columbo night in tokyo!
while i watch the italian-american genius outsmart william shatner, i'll let the few of you still checking this thing in on the happenings in my life.
To start... I went to Kusatsu onsen again. This time with my Aussie friend Tier. It was the first time for her to see snow. Also the first time for her to hit an onsen. We had an amazing time bathing in the theraputic waters (ph 2, yes... that's right 2), getting in snowball fights, and meeting the locals. Ironic though... her first time to see snow because the next day, back in tokyo....
It snowed the largest amount in over 5 or 6 years. It was around 6 centimeters. And its been cold enough in the last week to keep it around in some clumps even today. Yukidaruma (snowmen) were everywhere, cars had chains, and my clothes hanging outside turned to boards.
Fast forward to today and my thought process and stress level...
Let's look at all the things on my plate...
- I'm officially coming back to the states for good somewhere around April 16-18. I've gotta check air prices. Hmm... i guess that's pretty big news! (it's a little special info for all you die-hards out there that read this far on the post)
-I'm heading to Bangkok Thailand on March 21st with Kiyoe. It'll be a 6 day trip with an official in bangkok time being about 4 1/2 days.
- I need to go to china. Should be about the first week in april. Problem is... all my friends here are part-timers, meaning they dont have money to go. Could be a solo trip. Anybody want to go to china?
- Columbo is awesome. Shatner's a goner already. whenevr he says, "Just one more question sir...", you know you're in trouble.
- In between thailand and china I need to make another trip to Kyoto. I've been there before, but for only two days. I think it would be a crime to not go for another trip while i'm here. While there i need to check out Nara and Koyasan.
-In between kyoto and china I'm heading to the kanamara festival (see large pink phalus marching shrine from this blog about a year ago)
-after china I'm going to spend a glorious week basking in the glory of the most beautiful time in japan... Hanami. Once again I think it would be an act of stupidity to leave japan just as the cherry blossoms come out. It needs to be experienced by all at least once.
-now... in between planning all this i'm heading skiing, going to hakone, working overtime, planning a huge show for the parents at the kindergarten where i work, hanging out with friends, moving out, sending things home, and trying to appease all that want an email response. Phew!
oh yeah... Then there's the small issue of my personal life with Kiyoe.....
Stay tuned... this could get interesting (if the previous year hasn't been already)
Matta ne!
while i watch the italian-american genius outsmart william shatner, i'll let the few of you still checking this thing in on the happenings in my life.
To start... I went to Kusatsu onsen again. This time with my Aussie friend Tier. It was the first time for her to see snow. Also the first time for her to hit an onsen. We had an amazing time bathing in the theraputic waters (ph 2, yes... that's right 2), getting in snowball fights, and meeting the locals. Ironic though... her first time to see snow because the next day, back in tokyo....
It snowed the largest amount in over 5 or 6 years. It was around 6 centimeters. And its been cold enough in the last week to keep it around in some clumps even today. Yukidaruma (snowmen) were everywhere, cars had chains, and my clothes hanging outside turned to boards.
Fast forward to today and my thought process and stress level...
Let's look at all the things on my plate...
- I'm officially coming back to the states for good somewhere around April 16-18. I've gotta check air prices. Hmm... i guess that's pretty big news! (it's a little special info for all you die-hards out there that read this far on the post)
-I'm heading to Bangkok Thailand on March 21st with Kiyoe. It'll be a 6 day trip with an official in bangkok time being about 4 1/2 days.
- I need to go to china. Should be about the first week in april. Problem is... all my friends here are part-timers, meaning they dont have money to go. Could be a solo trip. Anybody want to go to china?
- Columbo is awesome. Shatner's a goner already. whenevr he says, "Just one more question sir...", you know you're in trouble.
- In between thailand and china I need to make another trip to Kyoto. I've been there before, but for only two days. I think it would be a crime to not go for another trip while i'm here. While there i need to check out Nara and Koyasan.
-In between kyoto and china I'm heading to the kanamara festival (see large pink phalus marching shrine from this blog about a year ago)
-after china I'm going to spend a glorious week basking in the glory of the most beautiful time in japan... Hanami. Once again I think it would be an act of stupidity to leave japan just as the cherry blossoms come out. It needs to be experienced by all at least once.
-now... in between planning all this i'm heading skiing, going to hakone, working overtime, planning a huge show for the parents at the kindergarten where i work, hanging out with friends, moving out, sending things home, and trying to appease all that want an email response. Phew!
oh yeah... Then there's the small issue of my personal life with Kiyoe.....
Stay tuned... this could get interesting (if the previous year hasn't been already)
Matta ne!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
You'll catch Pneumonia!
Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to take a day trip to the town of Kusatsu. This area has been the king of the onsen world in Japan for the last three years. I can see why. the water smells of volcanic activity, heck... the whole town stinks like egg.
Kiyoe and I set off very early for our four hour journey, and arrived a little after 11. the entire train ride I was actually quite disappointed at the lack of snow. I had always envsioned myself doing what I could never do in the states... take a natural hot spring bath in an onsen surrounded by snow, and as i approached kusatsu, I thought it still wouldnt happen.
but, to my surprise after the snowless journey we arrived in kusatsu to see that it was blanketed with snow! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its been too long since i've been able to play around in the stuff. I've got great video of me sliding down a hill on my chest.
I did get to two onsens, and they were everything i thought they could be. snow snow snow everywhere. The best part though had to be walking stark naked outside when it was -4 celcius, and then stepping into the 40 degree water, surrounded by snow. pure bliss. i could have stayed there for hours. And as a little treat, it began snowing as i sat soaking. as it would have been very gross and probably illegal to take photos, I didnt, but i hope you can get an idea. The japanese definitely have mastered relaxation on a cold winter day... but I can still imagine my mother's response to all this, being a nurse... "You'll Catch Pneumonia!!!"
what's next on the menu de scotto?
well... this friday i head back to sumo. next friday... i head back to Kusatsu with my friend Tier who has never seen snow (heh hehe heh). I have two going away parties this next week. one for my friend Jill from chicago and one for Canadian Scott. The 2nd exodus has begun. by June, none of my good friends here, with the exception of kiyoe, will still be in japan, including myself.
oh well.... I better make the most of it until then.
I'm out. need to get ready for work.
Kiyoe and I set off very early for our four hour journey, and arrived a little after 11. the entire train ride I was actually quite disappointed at the lack of snow. I had always envsioned myself doing what I could never do in the states... take a natural hot spring bath in an onsen surrounded by snow, and as i approached kusatsu, I thought it still wouldnt happen.
but, to my surprise after the snowless journey we arrived in kusatsu to see that it was blanketed with snow! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its been too long since i've been able to play around in the stuff. I've got great video of me sliding down a hill on my chest.
I did get to two onsens, and they were everything i thought they could be. snow snow snow everywhere. The best part though had to be walking stark naked outside when it was -4 celcius, and then stepping into the 40 degree water, surrounded by snow. pure bliss. i could have stayed there for hours. And as a little treat, it began snowing as i sat soaking. as it would have been very gross and probably illegal to take photos, I didnt, but i hope you can get an idea. The japanese definitely have mastered relaxation on a cold winter day... but I can still imagine my mother's response to all this, being a nurse... "You'll Catch Pneumonia!!!"
what's next on the menu de scotto?
well... this friday i head back to sumo. next friday... i head back to Kusatsu with my friend Tier who has never seen snow (heh hehe heh). I have two going away parties this next week. one for my friend Jill from chicago and one for Canadian Scott. The 2nd exodus has begun. by June, none of my good friends here, with the exception of kiyoe, will still be in japan, including myself.
oh well.... I better make the most of it until then.
I'm out. need to get ready for work.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Oh My God He's Back Again.... Dun dun da dun dun
Yes I'm back. I spent two weeks back in Bedford for the holidays, visiting some friends and celebrating christmas and new year. all in all I had a good time, i didnt do much except shop, visit the eye doctor, run errands, and meet a few friends. Kiyoe came to visit too. but thats another story. lets just say that she went over well with my family, and I think she really enjoyed herself.
what i want to discuss right now is my airline experiences. first... why is it that on a transcontinental flight, the last perswon that gets on the plane sits next to me? i thought i had it made... a free seat next to me to stretch my legs, but no. some fidgety smelly man decided to sit next to me. next time i need to take business class.
there was another guy though that really made me laugh though. Honest to goodness this is true. there was a middle aged asian man on the plane about 4 rows in front of me. we were a minute and a half from landing, the flight attendants were buckled up and seated ready to land... and the dude gets up and goes to the bathroom. um..... .....
... i was ready for us to pull back up. we were so close to landing. so the toilet actually flushed just after the wheels hit the ground. must have been a rough BM. i don't even want to think of the jolt he got when we touched down.
and last, but maybe the best... after i got my luggage and went through immigration and customs, i walked out to the main concourse to no less than 500 screaming girls. heh. yeah, i'm the man...
ok, ok. it wasnt me. and the real reason for the screaming wasnt a man either. It was the backstreet boys (yes, they are still around) that are performing the next couple days here in japan. they walked out the same door as i did about 10 seconds later. i fell to my knees in worship. i cried. i broke into song. and then i vomited on myself and ran away as fast as possible. i ran to the train ticket counter, bought my ticket for the express train and got out of there, because while i love japan, there are few things on earth more annoying than young Japanese girls screaming and weeping for a bunch of pretty boys.
ugh.
i'm actually stressed. I'm going to take a break. tomorrow's plan is to wake up early and head out to kusatsu onsen. this should be a relxing picturesque trip to an onsen that's outside and hopefully surrounded by snow. this is one of those things i can check off of my too do list before i head back in april.
how bout them horns? congrats. i'm out.
what i want to discuss right now is my airline experiences. first... why is it that on a transcontinental flight, the last perswon that gets on the plane sits next to me? i thought i had it made... a free seat next to me to stretch my legs, but no. some fidgety smelly man decided to sit next to me. next time i need to take business class.
there was another guy though that really made me laugh though. Honest to goodness this is true. there was a middle aged asian man on the plane about 4 rows in front of me. we were a minute and a half from landing, the flight attendants were buckled up and seated ready to land... and the dude gets up and goes to the bathroom. um..... .....
... i was ready for us to pull back up. we were so close to landing. so the toilet actually flushed just after the wheels hit the ground. must have been a rough BM. i don't even want to think of the jolt he got when we touched down.
and last, but maybe the best... after i got my luggage and went through immigration and customs, i walked out to the main concourse to no less than 500 screaming girls. heh. yeah, i'm the man...
ok, ok. it wasnt me. and the real reason for the screaming wasnt a man either. It was the backstreet boys (yes, they are still around) that are performing the next couple days here in japan. they walked out the same door as i did about 10 seconds later. i fell to my knees in worship. i cried. i broke into song. and then i vomited on myself and ran away as fast as possible. i ran to the train ticket counter, bought my ticket for the express train and got out of there, because while i love japan, there are few things on earth more annoying than young Japanese girls screaming and weeping for a bunch of pretty boys.
ugh.
i'm actually stressed. I'm going to take a break. tomorrow's plan is to wake up early and head out to kusatsu onsen. this should be a relxing picturesque trip to an onsen that's outside and hopefully surrounded by snow. this is one of those things i can check off of my too do list before i head back in april.
how bout them horns? congrats. i'm out.
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