"So This is Christmas....

....and what have you done? Another year older, and a new one just begun. And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun. The near and the dear ones, the old and the young. And a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's Hope it's a good one, without any fear."

---name that Christmas carol---

Xmas in Japan

The last few weeks have been packed full with Christmas parties of all shapes and sizes. I've eaten everything from cake to jellyfish. I've sung disney songs, traditional Christmas carols and watched almost naked men dance to "Thriller." Presents have been exchanged (and re-exchanged--shhh!!). I've given Christmas quizes at lunch, played reindeer races and dressed Santa in my elementary lesson. It's been a holiday filled month already. And I'm not even home yet. What's waiting for me back in the US...only a few hours and I'll soon find out! I got tagged by Joe, here is a list of my favorite holiday things .

The first Christmas party I attended this year, was by far the strangest! What makes it that much stranger is that it is a town hall event. This is my third year at this party and the shock value has gone down, but it's still pretty crazy to see what the city employees come up with for a little holiday entertainment! I decided to skip the pictures and go straight to video clips.
The Town Hall Xmas Party--Michael Jackson Dance

A few minutes later--Thriller (must be 18+)

My adult English conversation class went to a Chinese restaurant for our bon enkai, end of the year party. After stuffing our faces, we sang karaoke for two hours!

After our last English class for the year, their mom treated us all to Christmas cake to celebrate the holidays! This family lived in the US for several years. So, even though these two kids are in elementary school, their English is really good!

Every class is doing Xmas lessons. This is my special needs class at one of my elementary schools. It's one of my favorite classes! They are great kids and we always have a great time. For xmas we "dressed" Santa, made cards, and read a xmas book.

Every year the international cooking workshop group hosts a Christmas party. We eat temakizushi, make your own sushi, and pizza. Then we play some games, sing some songs, listen to some music, and do a present exchange. This years songs were especially pathetic. All the ALTs got up on stage and sang three horribly out of tune renditions of "Deck the halls," "Frosty the Snowman," and "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer." And then just cause JP and I are singing in a choir, we had to lead the entire group in "Silent Night" and "White Christmas." That was a sad sight too...both of us are sick and almost have no voices! But the best part of the night, my two favorite girls (the shy looking ones) were there for the third year in a row. Will there be a fourth?

The advanced elective English class at my junior high school made sugar cookies for their end of year Christmas party! Six students came after school the day before and helped make all the dough. Then during class they rolled, cut, baked and decorated about 50 cookies. The only problem was, there were another 300 that needed to be baked. Luckily, I didn't have any other classes in the morning, so I stayed and finished baking them. They all came back at lunch and continued decorating and eating! In all about 20 15 year olds devoured about 300 cookies that day! Some were really small....but they still ate a lot of sugar!! Their parents probably hate me!

After the Beethoven concert, a few of us headed to one of our favorite izikayas, Japanese pub, for some greasy grub. In the door way we found Santa greeting everyone. But the night didn't end there. Then we went to our favorite coffee shop because we heard rumors of an all-you-can-eat cake party. Turns out it was just a big potluck dinner and we only brought drinks. We were already full from the pub food, but we managed to enjoy lots of champagne, Christmas cake and chiropractic adjustments! It was a bit random, but I'll take a chiropractic adjustment wherever I can get one!

Last but not least, Linea's eikaiwa invited to their Christmas potluck dinner for the 3rd year in a row. It is one of the best meals all year. The food is fantastic and they are a funny funny group of ladies (and one man). We sat and ate and drank for over 4 hours. The night didn't end there...actually it never ended, I'm still going strong 24 hours later.

Now it's time to pack up the last few things and get on the night bus to Tokyo. Tomorrow at this time I'll be flying over the Pacific Ocean headed to the Pacific Northwest! I'm looking forward to more Christmas parties with lots of North American treats!

Wherever you are this holiday season, I wish you all a....

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS &

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Pics from Beethoven's 9th Symphony

It was so much fun, even without a voice! Seriously, it was one of the best experiences I've had in Japan. I can't say I walked away with many new friends, although I already knew a lot of people singing in it. But the process of rehearsing for 5 months, and then being conducted by the most amazing conductor ever was worth every complaint I ever made about adding another thing to my schedule! I wanted to get a picture with him, but he was much too busy for the likes of us. Although we did stop him briefly to thank him. I've seen conductors with energy before, but I've never seen a conductor actually in love with the music, the orchestra and the choir. It really felt like that, like he loved every single one of us. When he looked at us, he looked at each one of us. He didn't criticize, he encouraged and inspired and all with this body language, face and eyes. And He controlled the music, and every single one of us. It's so hard to explain unless you see him for yourself. But even all our friends in the audience said the same thing.

This is JP and I with our rehearsal director. He met with the choir every week for 4 months. He wasn't the most energetic or 'genki' of people, but he sure made us work! And let us know if he wasn't happy with us!

Their were 4 amazing soloists, one was even local! They did an outstanding job and received 4 encores!

The orchestra and choir all together! There were about 80 in the choir and probably another 70 in the orchestra!

We didn't get video, but if you want a recording I can get it for you, thanks to rsz! I'm listening to it now, and we do sound pretty damn good, if I am allowed to say so! Thanks to Linea and Cheeks for the pics!

Beethoven's 9th

The day has finally arrived. Last rehearsals will begin in about an hour. Then there is eating, dressing and waiting backstage for our cue. The orchestra will take stage at 2pm, the choir goes on stage at 2:30. And then we stand there and utter a few incomprehensible words in German for an hour. Hopefully there will be a nice round of applause and then we will collect our belongings, say our 'otsukares' and be on our merry way.

Actually, I'm REALLY looking forward to it. I sung in a choir in college, but this is a big step up from that. We have a professional orchestra and the audience is being totally overcharged to attend (3000Y or $25US)! We have had two rehearsals with the guest conductor from Tokyo....WOW! He's amazing. He has more energy and 'genkiness' than any Japanese person I've met. I'd even rank him higher than my elementary school students. Just watching him conduct the entire orchestra and choir is enough to make me wanna sing. It's truly amazing. I've watched conductors from the audience before, but being able to see his expressions, directions, and the way he communicates with his entire body and face is truly an art. I'm excited to see him perform with an audience!

Unfortunately, I have laryngitis, so even though I know (most of) the words, I'll be doing a lot of lip syncing today!! Too bad, cause I'd just really started to feel good about it and find my voice again after years and years of not singing in a choir. Oh well, hopefully there will be a next time.

Pictures and hopefully some video will be posted soon!

がんばってましょう！

A New International Sport

.....what could it be? We already hit, catch and throw balls in a variety of games. We strap boards to our feet, we tie ropes around our waist, we surf down mountains, and we jump from bridges or out of planes. We float around in water-filled tanks or better yet, in shark infested waters and we run in circles making sure to stay in the lines. And that's just the beginning. Every year people spend bazillions of dollars on these sports--watching, participating and buying the necessary equipment. But maybe it's time to take sports to a whole new level. Well, some people think so anyway. It is taking off all around the world! If you search the internet for images, you'll find pictures of people from all over the world participating in this new extreme sport. And the best part is, you don't really need anything you don't already have in your house.

All you need is an iron and an ironing board + the sport of your choice. Extreme Ironing (EI) was started by Phil Shaw in 1997. He's from England (why doesn't that surprise me). EI is "the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt" according to the official website and the entry on Wikipedia.

What a brilliant idea! Except, I've never had a problem walking around with a wrinkled shirt, and can't remember the last time I pulled out my ironing board....but that's just me.

Read more from The Japan Times or from theScreamOnline.com

And this wonderful new fad sport has infiltrated even Japan.....Extreme Ironing Japan

If you're still looking for an interesting gift for that 'special' person in your life that, you can buy Ironing Under The Sky - The Story Of Extreme Ironing from Amazon.com. Maybe it will inspire someone to get off the couch and start ironing...on top of a mountain, or at the bottom of the ocean!

or even better, you can buy your ironing-loving loved-one a really special gift. Here's a video clip from Airkix via YouTube.com

So...who among us is going to be the first to strap an ironing board to their back and a snowboard to their feet this winter?? Any takers??

Going "Home"

The countdown is on: the luggage is out, the shopping is almost done, and the reality of going "home" for the first time in two years is setting in. The list of things to do, people to see, food to eat, etc. grows longer by the day. I hope I can pack it all in. If not, I guess there will always be the next time. Whenever that is.

I have no idea how I'll react to being at "home" or if it will even feel like "home" anymore. Cause really, I've put more time into living in my apartment in rural Japan than anywhere else since I was in middle school. I'm worried that I'll feel like a stranger in my own country. And I'm legitimately worried I won't be able to speak English as quickly as I used to. Or even understand some spoken English.

And I don't know what I'll say when family and friends say, "When are you coming home?" Because really, I find that very annoying. Home is where you make it. Right now my home is in Japan. My family and friends are all over the world, so home can be many places. I just hope I can answer it patiently and without too much sarcasm!

And then when we reach the conclusion that I may or may not be coming "home" anytime soon, I'm afraid there will be nothing left to say. Will they want to hear about Japan? Will I want to talk about it? It's not a wild and crazy adventure anymore, it's just daily living! On the flip side, will I have the patience to listen to them and hear about their lives. I hope so. I truly do! And I'm sure I will slip back into an easy comfort zone with many people, but there will be others that time and distance won't be so easy to bridge over lunch and coffee. I guess that is the hazard of being an expat. Some relationships are solid for life, others come and go, and others dissipate.

Enough of the banter...onto the important stuff. Excluding people cause there's simply to many, here's a list:

Things I WANT to do/Places I WANT to go when I'm back at "home"

(does not include EVERYTHING and is in no particular order )

Norm's
NW Breakfast brunch 2-3x's (umm, so good!)
Unitarian Xmas Service
Make Xmas Cinnamon Rolls/Fudge/Cookies
Snowboard on Mt. Hood
Over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder shopping (desperate!!)

Costco
Eat Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian & Ethiopian Food
Dairy Queen
Bagels & Coffee
Brew Pubs--Movie & Good Beer
Rimsky's Raspberry Fool
Peacock Lane
Old neighborhoods
Chiropractor

watch a movie in the hot tub

watch a movie in the big chair with mom

take Max for a walk or 5

Boot Camp Aerobics

Fargo, ND (visit the fam--NOT THE PLACE)

meals at home (salmon & wild rice and AM eggs)

Grocery List:
Malt-o-meal/Cream of Wheat
Brown Cow Yogurt
Morningstar Chick Patties
brown multigrain bread

avocados
squash/zucchini
Odwalla juice
Shredded frosted mini-wheats
Pepper Jack Cheese

Another 4,000 written, 28,000 to go

Life in the academic lane--a view from my computer! Wow, isn't life exciting in rural Japan!

Well, I wrote and printed (3x) another 4, 317 words (36 pages)! Whew! Glad that's done! Now I only have about 28,000 words to come up with before I check off MA from my life "to do" list!

It's gonna be a long few years!

A Teaser

Here is a little teaser of what's to come on December 17th at 2pm in Colare!!

Have you got your ticket yet?

Beethoven No. 9

Happy Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks in 舟見 (video)!!!!



This is JP's third year cooking up the bird! It gets tastier every year! Thanks dude! I can't wait for next year! ;)

Everyone loved the turkey, even the first timers. The Japanese girls couldn't get enough...they were pulling it apart, trying to get every last piece of meat by the end. Isn't Mai-chan cute?

This table isn't very impressive because we kept all the food in another room. With 28 people sitting around two tables, the traditional 'passing' method doesn't work so well. We stuck to buffet style!

After a few round of turkey and all the fixings we had to get some fresh air. We went for a walk in the woods, around the lake and found ourselves in the playground!

We ran around, played on the monkey bars, went down the slide, played a quick game of ultimate and even....

...hung upside down.

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving with all the fixin's, except the cranberry sauce! Oh well, we had sushi and yakisoba and all sorts of other goodies in addition to the Thanksgiving fare...anything else would have gotten lost in the mix. I'll be eating mashed potatoes and gravy for weeks. And I even have a little corn left to be baked this weekend--hurray!!

After cleaning up the house and packing up all the leftovers, some of us third+ years (and friends) headed to 山の越　for a few drinks and lots of catching up! Where will we all be in a year? What will we be doing? Who will we be sharing Thanksgiving with next year? Lots to be thankful for...choices, opportunities, friends, great food, and family. Thanks for another great Thanksgiving!

Sumo & Swimming

I need to finish my paper, I need to finish my paper, I NEED to finish my paper...but I just can't!

So...in other news the sumo boys are doing it up in Fukuoka right now. If you can't watch them on your TV, I strongly recommend you try the live Video! Of course, if you live in some far away distant land, you'll have to stay up late to watch it...but trust me, it's worth it! I'm however missing most of it 'cause of this stupid paper that needs to get finished.

And in more local news...I swam in another swim meet this weekend. Hurray! Life is always fun in the water. Read about it on my workout blog A Mad Duck.

Now if we could only combine sumo and swimming....that would be an interesting sporting event. What about floating sumo--an island in the middle of the pool that they have to push each other off of? I mean really, a mawashi isn't that much different from a speedo! I think it could work!

Back to the paper.......

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Did you know there is a world RPS society? that there is a USA RPS League? that you can win money at RPS tournaments? I didn't! I just thought it was a game I play with my kids 100's of times a day for pure amusement and to decide who gets the extra dessert. But there is strategy and technique, and the best players have agents! What??

Listen to this interview with former Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion, Master Roshambollah, from Morning Edition on NPR

Tomorrow is the RPS Championship in Toronto! I wonder if they have a subdivision championship for the Japanese version, じゃんけんぽん?

バルトの楽園 & ベートーヴィん No. 9 Op. 125

Last night my neighbors and I went to see the movie バルトの楽園　Baruto no Gakuen. It was the first movie in a movie theater I've seen since Linea and I watched "Pirates of the Caribbean" before we almost missed our ferry from Hokkaido to Honshu. And before that, I can't remember the last movie I've seen on the big screen. Sad but true!

I'll admit it, the movie made me cry! I had tears in my eyes by the end. I'm a sucker for these cross-cultural flicks with happy endings. This movie takes place in a Japanese POW Camps during WWI on the island of Shikoku in Japan. German POWs are being held there, but they have a pub, printing press and bakery on site. They can play soccer in the courtyard. And with permission, they can leave the grounds and walk around the town. They are free to come and go. They even go on field trips to the beach. It's not a prision, it's just a holding area until the war ends.

When the war finally does end the prisoners prepare for their farewell. Unlike saying good-bye to some horride retchid place, they have made friends, established relationships, and will miss this POW camp they called home for several years. To celebrate and say good-bye, they decide to preform Beethoven's 9th Symphony (The Ode to Joy), but with a limited orchestra and a limited choir (only men). It was the first time this symphony was played in Japan, but not the last! It started an 'Ode to Joy' obsession! It's no wonder the soldiers decided the Beethoven's 9th was appropriate when you read the translation of the fourth movement is below.

Without knowing anything about the movie before hand, I left the theater very skeptical that it could be based on a true-story. I didn't think a POW camp in Japan could ever be or ever was so lush! But in fact, it's based on a true story. Camp Banto, as it was called, is now open to the public and can be toured. You can Visit Camp Banto and take a tour of the barricks and German bakery they had on site. This camp was run by General Toyohisa Matsue. He had very unique and humane ideas about how a POW camp should operate. If only all generals were so humane!

Maybe my excitement about the film was just seeing it on a big screen (a rare event these days). Or maybe it's because I could relate to the cross-cultural moments the characters shared. Or maybe it's because I have a hard time believing that prisoners and locals could ever live so cordially together, but apparently they did once upon a time. But regardless of my personal reasons for enjoying it, I recommend watching it. I'm not sure if it'll be released in the US or maybe it already has, but try to see it! It's a feel good kind of movie. Here are links to the Introduction (in English) and the Story (in English) . It's a bilingual movie, both in German and Japanese. Without English subtitles, I know I missed a lot of it. Although it's also the kind of movie that doesn't really need subtitles.

And if all those other websites are too much to get through, spend a few minutes and read this really cute version of the story written by children, The Symphony of Friendship, it's a picture book online.

As for Beethoven's 9th....
Every December, there are literally hundreds of groups performing Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Since WWI it has gained tremendous popularity all over Japan and there is even an annual 5,000 member choir that has been performing it in the Tokyo Sumo Stadium for over 20 years. Beethoven's 9th has become an annual event adopted by Japan, but started in a German POW camp in Shikoku. I'm sure the 9th symphony has reached far beyond Beethoven's wildest dreams!

This December 17th, JP & I will join in the fun. We've become part of the masses of choirs and orchestras performing the 'ode obession' during the holidays. Tickets are on sale!

ベートーヴィん　No. 9　コンサート
コラーレ、　カーターホール
12月17日　日曜日　　　　
１４：００時
３０００円

Text of the fourth movement
(English translation, taken from Wikipedia)
Oh friends, not these tones!
Rather let us sing more
cheerful and more joyful ones.
Joy! Joy!
Joy, thou glorious spark of heaven,
Daughter of Elysium,
We approach fire-drunk,
Heavenly One, your shrine.
Your magic reunites
What custom sternly divides;
All people become brothers
(Schiller's original:
What custom's sword separates;
Beggars become princes' brothers)
Where your gentle wing alights.
Whoever succeeds in the great attempt
To be a friend of a friend,
Whoever has won a lovely woman,
Let him add his jubilation!
Yes, whoever calls even one soul
His own on the earth's globe!
And who never has, let him steal,
Weeping, away from this group.
All creatures drink joy
At the breasts of nature;
All the good, all the evil
Follow her roses' trail.
Kisses gave she us, and wine,
A friend, proven unto death;
Pleasure was to the worm granted,
And the cherub stands before God.
Glad, as his suns fly
Through the Heavens' glorious plan,
Run, brothers, your race,
Joyful, as a hero to victory.
Be embraced, you millions!
This kiss for the whole world!
Brothers, beyond the star-canopy
Must a loving Father dwell.
Do you bow down, you millions?
Do you sense the Creator, world?
Seek Him beyond the star-canopy!
Beyond the stars must He dwell.
Finale repeats the words:
Be embraced, ye millions!
This kiss for the whole world!
Brothers, beyond the star-canopy
Must a loving Father dwell.
Be embraced,
This kiss for the whole world!
Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
Joy, beautiful spark of the gods

Congratulations Democrats

...for stealing back The House and The Senate!! Wow, maybe the last two years with "he who must not be named" won't be so tragic and horrific afterall (maybe).

And Congratulations to my Aunt A for scoring a democratic victory in her hometown! Hooray!

When do we start addressing you as "Your honor the mayor?"

さよなら 秋！ こにちわ 冬！

Good-bye fall! Hello winter!

Last weekened was a sunny, warm, beautiful 3-day holiday. And yesterday, Monday, it turned ugly. It started raining, the wind picked up, and it got dark and grey. There was thunder and lightning last night and today. And it's COLD!

Luckily, I got in a fall leaf "viewing" day before the official start of winter in Japan (today). Last Friday, some friends and I headed to the Tsugaike National Park in Nagano for a light hike in the mountains. Takae and I tried to do this hike in August, but we got stormed out half way up the mountain between the gondola and the ropeway. We were determined to try it again!

This time around, we were really lucky, Asuka was able to join us and we got a beautiful sunny day! It was a lovely day of walking, and admiring the view-mountain tops, leaves of every color, and the mountain wetlands that make up the national park.

And of course, we had a gourmet meal on the mountain. We all brought a little something to share and it was fabulous--onigiri (rice balls), dried fugu (blow fish), pasta salad, tamagoyaki (fried egg roll), vegetables, meatballs, chocolate, oranges, cookies, cakes, hot tea and hot milk tea! After lunch we headed back down the mountain (via the ropeway and gondola) and went to an onsen. We ended up traveling down a road that took us deep into the mountains and further into the beautiful fall colors. The onsen was a very small, very very hot bath coated in inches of rock mineral deposits! It felt fabulous, too bad it wasn't outside with a view of the leaves!

Thanks girls! It was a great day! Let's start planning our next adventure!


Seriously, now I HAVE to get back to work and finish this #%*@ paper!

It's Time to Vote!!

A year ago this week, I accidently deleted my blog! To celebrate one year of blogging (on the current blog), over 10,300 hits, and over 112 posts, I'm posting a POLL!! The future of my blog depends a lot on my future. I won't necessarily base my decision on the results, but I'll take it into consideration!

And for all of you out there who read my blog on a regular basis....and I know you're there because I have a stat counter, please vote, and please feel free to leave comments!

Before you vote below consider these points:

1. I've just started an MA program, if I stay I can continue paying for my course and finish the coursework in Japan (while still saving money & living well).
2. I really want to see more of the world.
3. I really want to work in the Middle East.
4. I'm very comfortable here! I love my apartment, and I enjoy my job (usually).
5. If I stay, I can snowboard for another year.
6. If I stay, that will be more money in my savings account to do more later.
7. If I leave, my finances will be tight, and I'll have to take a leave of absense from my MA program.
8. If I stop my MA, I may not start it up again!
9. If I stay, I can theoretically learn more Japanese.
10. If I leave, I can start learning Arabic or another language.
11. The dating pool here has been drained!
12. Who needs a date, I love living alone!
13. I have a really good online study support group.
14. I love eating school lunch (usually).
15. I hate packing. I mean I HATE packing!

Should Kirsten stay in Japan for a 4th year?

Yes, of course!! No way, get out while you can. Flip a coin, there isn't a bad decision Travel the world for a year, I'll send monetary donations to support you!

Create Free Polls

Peach Girl

Here are the links to the short clips from the English play at my JHS this weekend! They all did a great job!
Peach Girl Scene II

Peach Girl Scene III

Backstage






This photo is missing the bird! The characters included: Grandma, Grandpa, Peach Baby, Peach Girl I & II, 5 narrators, 6 devils, a monkey, a bird, a pig, and a dog!

It was really fun working with all of them! I'm gonna miss this group when they graduate!

Is it Over Yet???

I brought a witch hat and a pumpkin to school (again) today. A teacher came up to me and asked me, "How many times have you taught about Halloween?" Oh, let's see....maybe 32 times this month! And I think it's about over. I have one more left, but it's an adult lesson, and we won't be making pumpkin masks or pinning a nose on the pumpkin! I think we'll tell ghost stories instead!

I'm not bitter about Halloween, I'm just done for the year. It's been a lot of fun and the students LOVE it. But I'll be happy not to see Halloween again for at least 11months.

Halloween Celebrations

Last Saturday my main JHS had its' culture day/school festival. This event happens once every three years and it is a two day event. But teachers and students have been planning these two days since May (5 months). The first day is just for the students. We had a famous science TV producer come and do a show with lots of cool experiments, including getting all the students to hold hands and send an electric shock through the crowd--causing lots of screaming and chaos! And then she threw 15 GIANT ballons into the crowd to play with! The afternoonwas much less exciting, it was full of student presentations in a hot dark gym and I promptly fell asleep with all the other teachers.

Day two was much more exciting, minus electric shocks and giant ballons. We did have lots of Halloween fun though! The International Room was converted into a Halloween game room. We had 6 activities/games: 1) Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin 2) Surprise Boxes full of Eyeballs & Chicken Hearts 3) Mask Making 4) A Costume Photo Corner 5) A Pumpkin Ping-Pong Ball Toss and 6) Guess "how much?" Candy is in the Candy Jar. Plus we had two boys walking around the school in costumes advertising the room and giving away stickers and candy to those who said, "Trick-r-Treat." There were 16 students assigned to volunteer in the room and they were each in charge of a game. It was pretty cute to see these kids take charge and become Halloween masters!

In addition to the Halloween room, the elective 9th grade English class did a play, "Peach Girl" an original play in English based on the Japanese story of "Peach Boy." I'll try to post photos and/or video in a different post.

The volunteers got their pictures taken in the photo corner at the end of the day! They were exahusted! So was I!

This was one of the pumpkins we had on display. We only carved one because they are SO much harder and thicker than American pumpkins. These are locally grown.

Some 9th grade boys coloring pumpking faces for their "Pumpkin Passport" to the Halloween games! Adorable!

Happy Halloween!!

History in the Making

Several weeks ago, a good friend of mine had a party to celebrate finishing his first book! Congratulations!! It's an amazing accomplishment!! The party was small, a few close friends and several bottles of wine. After a few hours of eating, drinking, watching snowboarding videos and listening to itunes the mood changed and we all quieted down, and attentively listened as the author read from his book. The book is called, "The Era of Gone." I won't try to describe it or give a synopsis, because I only heard the last chapter. But what I heard was intriguing and mesmorizing! Even after a few pages I was so involved with the story I had a STRONG dislike for the main male character! And a lot of sympathy for the female character! I wonder if I'd feel the same if I had known them both from the beginning? This part of the book takes place in India. And everyone knows India has a very special place in my heart....so I love hearing his characters' descriptions of India. I only hope he finishes the editing process soon, so we can hear more of the book (from the beginning)! And maybe even read it hardbound one of these days. Enjoy a little glimpse of what you just might be picking up at the bookstore soon!

Read more from the author Prospects, Inquiries and Vibrations

Comedy in the dohyo

The Harlem Globetrotters meet Sumo!

Sumo Live

This is my first attempt at posting to youtube! Let me know what you think!

A Mongolian Day: Sumo, Puppets & Throat Singing

Sumo's Biggest Fan & Me

I got a picture with him in Nagoya too! He's at ALL the sumo tournaments! He usually sits directly in view of the TV camera. Look for him...you'll see him!

Saturday was the big Sumo Tournament in Uozu, just two towns over, just 30 minutes away! I was psyched. Ever since I saw sumo in Nagoya this summer, I've been hooked. And if you read my blog...you might remember this post I have a few favorites, okay, I'll be honest, I have a crush on these three: Asashoryu (Mongolian), Hakuho (Mongolian), and Kotooshu (Bulgarian). All my favorites were there, all the big boys were there, and I was so excited! Seriously, rock stars, movie stars, TV starts, they don't excite me, but these sumo guys....they got me excited!

But I don't get excited about all of them. For example, this guy, Buyzan 武雄山...isn't my type!




This guy isn't my type either! He's one of the biggest I've seen. And he isn't even that good (i.e. he didn't make the official program)! Important rule of Sumo: Big DOES NOT equal good. Some of the best aren't all that big, relatively speaking of course.






Iwakiyama 岩木山 isn't my type either. But he was milling about and the nerdy glasses look did get me. I mean, look, we could almost be related! He is kinda cute!

But this man, Asashoryu, is my kinda guy!! Okay, I know, the picture sucks, but the most important part was that I was standing close enough to take it. And two seconds later as he walked by, I reached out and touched his right tricep. So smooth and so strong!! I was giddy! Unfortunately, Hakuho and Kotooshu were entering from the other side. So I got some pictures of them from a distance, but nothing blog worthy!

Read Sumo Headlines

スーホの白い馬　After sumo, Owen, Linea and I went to dinner in Toyama--Santoshi's, a great little Indian restaurant! I hadn't been there in months! After downing our chai we were off to our next Mongolian adventure, a puppet show based on a Mongolian folk tale accompanied by a musical ensemble from Mongolia. In brief, it was AMAZING! Mongolia just jumped to the top of my travel list (great music and cute sumo guys). The music was phenomenal. This wasn't just any random group. This group has played for the heads of many states all over the world. The singer is a national treasure. And one guy even did some throat singing! I had goose bumps! Unfortunately, we couldn't take any photos. But the puppet show was extraordinary too! And to top it off, a local English teacher, was one of the main puppeteers! I went home and tried to look up the group on the internet to buy their CD, but haven't been able to find anything. So....keep your eyes open....if you see anything by "The Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble." BUY IT! BUY IT FOR ME, PLEASE!

And then today, I got up at an ungodly hour to go to the Toyama Masters Long Course Swim Meet....and now I'm exhausted and I'm going to bed.

My Little Pumpkins

Halloween is two weeks away but I've been wearing a witch hat and carrying pumpkins to class all month because each elementary school class has at least one Halloween themed lesson. And since I haven't posted any pics in awhile...here are some 2nd graders participating in Halloween festivities--making & wearing pumpkin masks & a pumpkin bean bag toss! Another one of my favorites is pin the face on the pumpkin!

Oh, and let's not forget the best Halloween song ever, "10 Little Pumpkins." It's much more politically correct than "10 Little Indians." And I've been singing it so much my voice is hoarse at the end of each day.



And stay tuned for more pics from the upcoming JHS school festival Halloween room. I have 16 students assigned to work in the "Halloween" international room. They will help with 8 games and activities to promote the new international room! It's open to the public, parents, elementary school children, etc. Yikes! Let's hope we can pull it off.





A little Halloween Trivia: This year is the 40th anniversary of the movie "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." It was released in 1966 and was nominated for an Emmy award. It's short and cute and I recommend a re-watch if you haven't seen it in awhile. I'm making some of my JHS kids watch it. And we're showing it at the school festival!

Other than school related Halloween events, I won't be participating in Halloween this year. No costumes or crazy parties for me. I think it's best for everyone if I stay in this year!

Have a Wicked Halloween!!

Goal Driven

I wrote this list last winter before I re-contracted for my 3rd year on JET. I think most of it still applies. In 10 months, I’ve managed to accomplish 3 of my life goals (Fuji & Hakusan, sing in a choir & swim on a masters team). And I’ve started my MA in another country. Not bad….but there are SO many more things on my list.

I’m taking another look at this list and trying to keep it in mind as I ponder, question, consider and weigh the pros and cons of staying a 4th year. Can/Will I accomplish more if I stay, or am I putting my life on hold? I hate making decisions.

This list is by no means a comprehensive list. It can change and it will change. But as of today, this is what I want to do while I grow up:

Live in the Middle East for at least a year
Study Arabic
Speak Spanish
Get an MA degree (or 2), preferably in another country
Go to Vietnam with my Dad (after first MA)
Go to Greece with my Mom
Go to ????? with my sister
Continue visiting and supporting SEED
Own a house (10-20 years down the road)
Climb Mt. Fuji/Hakusan
Travel around Poland & Turkey
Live in another developing country
Work in the Public Health field at some point
Sing in a choir again
Swim on a Masters Team
Hike the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
Enjoy a romantic vacation to the Maldives
Hike to Everest Base Camp
Raft in New Zealand
Snowboard in the Alps
Camp/Road trip in the “Sound of Music” mountains of Austria
Take a Motorcycle Trip
Ride in a Semi
Take the Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia, Mongolia, China)
Backpack around Africa
Live in NYC
Road trip to Alaska
Visit Antarctica
Surf anywhere
Get Scuba certified
Do a multi-day bike trip
Sail around the world
Hike Machu Pichu
Write a book
Publish an article

Is one lifetime enough??

Tokyo Beatniks

I haven't listened to live outdoor music in a LONG while! Tonight I got a little taste of it again, and it was so wonderful. A group of beatnik looking boys from Tokyo, F.I.B Journal, are on tour and played at a mountain bar nearby. There was a bass, a drumer, and a guy speaking poetry, some in Japanese and some in English. There was some dancing under the stars. And requests for encores. Small intimate outdoor venues are the best. I need more non-streaming music in my life (as I listen to classical guitar on the internet).

Check out their tour schedule. F.I.B Journal Tour 2006

Books in my Life (at this moment)

(I'm writing while listening to Garrison Keilor's A Prarie Home Companion)

I have so many books I’m reading right now it’s a bit overwhelming. It’s hard to keep track of them all…but there are some obvious distinctions: academic versus pleasure reading! Ha ha ha, no they aren’t the same thing, at least not yet. I’m not a crazy grad student…yet. Although as I get deeper into classes….I’m enjoying SOME of the reading more and more. It CAN be interesting. But actually, recently I’ve been reading non-fiction before going to bed. I’ve recently been introduced to a really interesting author and I find his subject enthralling! It’s not for everyone, but it’s for me: past life regression! And I want to know more.

I put a list on my blog last year of the books in my life, here is an updated list:

Books by my computer:

• Longman’s Dictionary of Language Teaching & Applied Linguistics by Richards & Schimdt
• Principles of Language Learning and Teaching by Brown
• How Languages are Learned by Lightbown & Spada
• Reasearch Methods for English Language Teachers by McDonough & McDonough
• Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Richards & Rodgers
• English Language Teaching in its Social Context by Candlin & Mercer
• Analysizing English in a Global Context by Burns & Coffin
• Perspectives on Pedagogical Grammar by Odlin
• Psychology for Language Teachers by Williams & Burden
• Basic Kanji Book by Kano, Shimizu, Takenaka & Ishi

Books by my bed:

• Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss*
• Only Love is Real by Brian Weiss
• Through Time Into Healing by Brian Weiss
• The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
• That Takes Ovaries edt by Rivka Solomon
• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
• The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer

And this list doesn’t include all the books and journal articles I’m trying to read and negotiate for my next paper. Paying tuition has it’s advantageous….I have access to 100’s of journals online, I can just download whatever I want! It’s amazing! I might have to start studying other subjects just cause I CAN! Yahoo! I’m enjoying my nerd status!

* Have you’ve ever wondered if you knew someone before? or a place is familiar but you’ve never been there before? or do you have lots of déjà vu moments? You might want to read up on this subject: past life regression. The writing isn’t great, but the stories are fascinating. It might be a stretch, but I’m trying to link the my language studies with past life regression….there is evidence of young children being able to speak and or/write languages they’ve never heard before (i.e. my sister). It’s documented….maybe that can by my dissertation topic. Or maybe not.

Do I Dare Share?

A friend in my MA course suggested I take the Enneagram Personality Test. Try it out!

Main Type	Overall Self

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Enneagram Test Results Type 1 Perfectionism 82% Type 2 Helpfulness 66% Type 3 Image Focus 58% Type 4 Hypersensitivity 18% Type 5 Detachment 26% Type 6 Anxiety 74% Type 7 Adventurousness 58% Type 8 Aggressiveness 62% Type 9 Calmness 50% Your main type is 1 Your variant is social

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Well, I am a bit of a perfectionist, it's true! But I'd like to be more of an adventurous person! And less anxious (thanks a lot mom). And more calm and less aggressive. I think I need past life regression therapy to sort out why I'm the way I am. Oh...for a little past life regression! I'd give anything!

And that's all I have for now. I'm busy trying to perfect some school stuff...don't have time for blogging!

The Last Rice Report of 2006

Monday, August 8th

Wednesday, September 6th

(after a heavy rain)

Friday, September 15th

Monday September 18th

And the rice is gone. The fields are bare and brown now. There will be some regrowth in the coming weeks, just enough green to tease. And then it will get cold, turn brown again and be covered in snow. And then I can go snowboarding again!

Self-portrait with Rice!

I love "my" rice paddies!