The Last Party with Toyama Friends

This overnight party has been in the works for months. We've been talking and planning and thinking about how to say good-bye to our best friends of three years. So, we rented a traditional Japanese house in Nyuzen and set up camp for the night. Yuko, Mihoko and Chika took over the food and cooking responsibilities and we ate REALLY well! There was a lot of lounging, some drinking, watching old home movies, telling "I remember when" stories, co-ed onsening and late night talks. It was a great chill overnight party, a great way to spend time with friends before everyone goes in different directions. Most of us still have another opportunity to say good-bye. But there were a few final good-byes this morning. I wasn't involved in any, but I cried anyway. I hate seeing close friends part. Because it means we are all saying good-bye to a very important chapter of our lives. It means that our paths that have crossed for the last three years are about to fork and head in different directions. And none of us really know if our paths cross again--when or where? We all hope they will, but the reality is uncertain. It's always best to enjoy the moments we have together and not think too much about what may or may not happen in the future. Thanks everyone for making this overnight happen!! It was a great way to spend a chill night with close friends! Adding more memories to the last three years that won't soon be forgotten!

Yuko and Mihoko cooking up Yakisoba and Okonomiyaki

Our Family Dinner

Whoa...kinda busty in this pic!

And looking drunk in this pic!

Our overnight escape

3rd+ Year ALTs Say Good-bye

Our Serious Faces

About a month ago, in very Japanese-style, most of the 3rd+ year ALT in Toyama gathered at the Nepalese restaurant for a sayonara-enkai! Of the many many ALTs that arrive in Toyama in August of 2004, this is all that's left, plus a few 4th year ALTs. We came from all corners of the ken and shared stories of packing, good-bye parties, post-JET plans and funny stories from our three years. Everyone has something exciting planned and it's fun to hear about where people are going and what people will be doing in a few short months. I wonder if we will ever cross paths again. Part of me knows that it isn't likely, but if we do, we will instantly have so much to talk about and will have three years of memories to reminisce and remember. Good luck everyone!

Our English Teacher Faces

In Recent News

The little sleepy town I've lived in for three years doesn't get much press, national or international. But recently two stories have made the news:

A 3-year old was caught stealing DVDs from a local video store for his mother, her sisters and their grandmother. Apparently the family is notorious in town, but this was a bit shocking. Read the full report in the The Mainich Daily News . I also heard a rumor that one of the sisters was seen begging in town recently!

This last weekend a Japanese fishing boat was captured off the coast of Russia. Apparently it was fishing in Russian waters and is reported to have more fish on board than allowed. Read more in the International Herald Tribune,. While the report only mentions Toyama, I've heard that the fishing boat is actually registered to Nyuzen.

I'm hoping to get a full report at my adult eikaiwa tomorrow night!

And that's the update from Nyuzen!

Earthquake Shakes Toyama

A bit of excitement this morning...I was forced out of bed by an earthquake at 9:42 (yep, slept in!). It was the strongest one I've felt. The reports I've seen list the earthquake from 6.7-7.1 in magnitude! Actually, the only other earthquake we've had, I was in bed taking a nap during that one! Seems to be a pattern! This one lasted a good 10-15 seconds I think. It was a bit surprising because Toyama is claimed to be the 'safest' prefecture in Japan. It is protected by the Japanese Alps on one side and the Toyama Bay and Noto Peninsula on the other side. That being said, I think most of the damage was south of here and out on the peninsula because the epicenter was at sea. Just another reminder that earthquakes can happen anywhere at anytime!!

See a Map of the earthquake! And other USGS Details about the earthquake! I'm a nerd...this stuff is so interesting!

Side Note: I've been feeling mini-tremors for a few weeks and have been thinking about an earthquake. I recently added the USGS website to my 'favorites' list because I thought I was feeling little ones all the time. Everytime I checked...nothing! But today, I wasn't making it up!! Everyone felt it!

......and back to the paper. It's just days away from being finished and sent in.