Off to the Races

The next few days are guaranteed to be an adventure. I'm off to Tokyo for two nights to kick it with my visiting ex-profs/friends/smartest people I know... Suzan and Jim. And then of course, the rest of the motley crew... Phil, Callie and Sherry. Definitely gonna be good times- these are my Seattle folks and the first familiar faces I will have seen in Tokyo. Holler.

Anyway, after that I am off to Seoul, so I'll be on blogger hiatus for a couple of days. But, don't sweat it... I'll be back, don't you worry your pretty little heart. And I'll have tales of killer kimchee eating Koreans to share with you all. Stay tuned...

Spring is in the Air (at long long last)

Spring time has finally hit Japan.

I (along with everyone on this island) have been waiting anxiously to say good bye to winter and hello to spring. It's not unlike the way a pregnant woman can't wait to pop that baby out and finally meet her child. That's just how happy I am.

p.s. AND... it's spring break. Another reason to love spring even more.

The Happiest Place in Tokyo

Sunday I went to Disneyland with a few Jr. High kids which was pure comedy. One of the three, Haruka, spoke awesome English. All day long she tried in English and only when she was really stuck would she switch to the Nihongo. I was really proud of her. The other two boys, Iori and Kento didn't speak a lick of English, so despite all efforts to drag the English out of them, we had to resort to Japanese.

Anyway, all 3 were rad kids- really funny and cute and shy and outgoing all at once. It was a rockin' good time. Check out the pics.



Here we are working the 3D glasses for a flick. The boys almost look like they're being held hostage in Disneyland. I promise, just a second ago they were having fun.



And here's me with, er... a rabbit of some sort. I don't even know who this second rate Disney character is. But, you can't turn down a photo opportunity with any 7 foot animal, can you?! Especially not at Disneyland.

Sweet Music to My Ears

I've got lots and lots to update on lately, my adventures over the weekend proved to be financially a blessing and lots of fun as well. But... there was one thing that occurred this weekend that was sweet music to my ears.

Sunday, I took 3 jr. high kids to Disneyland. I sometimes help teach at their private English school and the teacher paid me well and bought my ticket to go have fun at Disneyland. The kids were hilarious, and one of them, after talking to me for only 5 minutes, said the following...

ええ、ぺらぺらしゃべる！

English translation: Huh?!?! You speak fluently!

I almost cried.

But then... we hung out the rest of the day, so I'm pretty sure he realized I'm certainly not "perapera." (fluent) But, I'll take what I can get these days.

I Got Seoul

My first Asian travel experience is just around the corner! At the end of March our school year officially ends and we will have 2 weeks vacation before the new school year. And, I am taking this opportunity to get off Japanese turf and see some new faces and places... I'm going to a little city called Seoul. I am looking forward to a warm welcoming in the land of kimchee and the word on the street is Seoul is world-famed for its cheap eyewear. Oh, if only I didn't have 20/20 vision.

Anyone with travel recommendations/hot spots/must-sees please send a shout out!

You Know You Have To

Today is White Day in Japan, a day started by chocolate companies to boost their sales once Valentine's Day is over. In Japan, only women give chocolate on Valentine's Day. Chocolates are given to sweethearts but also to coworkers and especially bosses. These chocolates are an intricate part of the Japanese workplace and even have a special name, "giri choco" or "duty chocolate." The chocolate is expected from female coworkers as a duty and women usually spend around $5-$10 on a box of chocolate for bosses and single chocolates or sweets for colleagues. So, this year, for Valentine's Day I wanted to try and play this game, so I bought chocolates for my principal and vice principal, the teachers in my department and my neighbors in my apartment building. (I have only met one of my neighbors but they all got the cocoa goodies on V-day.)

Now, there is a second part to women giving chocolate on Valentine's day. It's White Day, and it's today. On this day, men give chocolate or gifts to their sweethearts and return the gift of chocolates to coworkers. Returning gifts, or giving a gift as a token of thanks is normal and expected in Japan. It's called "kaeshi." Today I got my "giri kaeshi." By giving chocolate on Valentine's Day I obligated my neighbors, coworkers and maybe even bosses to return the favor. I think it's a really funny game to force people into giving me gifts! Sure enough, my coworkers brought me sweets, my vice principal gave me a box of cupcakes, and waiting for me when I got home were two neatly wrapped bags of cookies from two separate neighbors.

Ahhh... Japan.... we must maintain good relations and therefore give gifts, even if insincerely given. I feel so loved!

Obstacle #369: The School Cafeteria

Every day the school cafeteria is an adventure. They always make great, home cooked food.... but it's always a little tricky when the menu is in kanji. (by the way, did I mention I'm still illiterate?!) So, my kitchen staff know I like veggies, steer clear of the fried goods, and despise anything too fishy or seaweedy. They usually do a good job guessing what I would like.

Then there are days like today, when I just didn't get what I was expecting or hoping for. I sat down at the table all alone with the baseball team sitting at the other end and tried to eat what was in front of me. It was actually tasty, just not what I was in the mood for if you know what I mean. I almost cried. I wondered, "Is this PMS or just part of living in a foreign country?"

Awkward Train Moments

Tonight, I attempted to play soccer for the first time in probably a good 5 years. Maybe I kicked a ball around once or twice in college, but I was way too busy pretending to study, leaving no time for giving soccer a go. But, if you're not familiar with the Pablo clan, we are soccer people. The World Cup is hands down my favorite sporting event. I could watch soccer for hours and not grow weary. But... actually put me on a field with two nets, a ball and people who actually know what they're doing and I freeze. I tried tonight but I was running around madly, figuring what I lacked in skill I would make up for with hustle. I felt bad for my team (having the lame girl) on their side, but I did what my poor little legs could.

Anyway, back to the title of this blog, on the way home I rode back with a friend of a friend. We've met once and our last conversation was torturous. The boy just lacks in conversation skills. So, needless to say, I wasn't too excited about the one-on-one train conversation that was about to ensue. Being all tuckered out from the game, I really didn't even feel like talking, but of course I tried to not be rude.

It went something like this.,..(I won't torture you by word for word transcribing the awkwardness)

Awkward Boy: "So, Christy, you live in Sayama-shi, right?"
Me; "Uh, it's Christina and I live in Sayamagaoka."

a few seconds later...

Awkward Boy:"Did you want to stop in Tokorozawa for a beer?"
Me;"Well, I'm actually not much of a drinker and I'm pretty tired."
Awkward Boy: "I'll make you a deal. How about if I buy the train ticket?" (he should have offered to buy the beer!)
Me: "Uh, nah, I'm gonna pass."

[Insert: lots of random comments about Formula One racing, his Japanese girlfriend, and other things I have blocked from my memory.]

Then, in an effort to be nice I offer him a snack...

Me:"Oh, hey, I have a couple bananas in my bag. Would you like one?"
Awkward Boy: "No. I just downloaded the 16th season of the Simpsons."

HUH?!?! I gave up right then and there and pretended to be asleep the ride home.

10 Things I Hate about You (You=Japan)

Here's my top ten list- well the first installment anyway... It hasn't been well thought out. It's whatever enrages me most at this very moment. Be prepared for ranting.

10. THE WEATHER: It seems no matter what season, the weather in Japan is God-awful. Now, I can't say I'm really qualified to make this statement, being that I haven't even lived through the four seasons in Japan as of yet, but so far, it's lame. Winter is freezing. Its only upside is that it's not a wet winter, actually rather dry. But... it's still numbingly cold. Then of course when it's not winter it's summer, and scorchingly hot. The himidity is insufferable and you can barely breathe let alone walk or move or even live. So, what about fall and spring, you ask? Well, autumn's cool weather with a little bit of sunshine lasted but only a few days, pushing a couple of weeks. And as for spring, it has yet to be seen. Spring is supposed to be beautiful with the cherry blossoms but... it's rainy season. Oh joy.

9. HYGIENIC "DIFFERENCES": Japan has a weird cleanliness fetish. They are overly careful about certain things and just don't seem to care about others. (Granted, I'm sure they think Americans have crazy habits, too) For example, dirt and shoes. Shoes must always, always be taken off in homes. This I totally understand. But... I have to take off my shoes and wear slippers at school. And even then in school there are "gym" shoes Taking off heels in a gym I can understand, but taking off your indoor slippers?!? I just don't see it. Why the paranoia about a little dirt?

Okay, so besides the shoe thing, the Japanese also have weird bacterial preconceptions. They wear surgical masks when they are sick, out of consideration for those around them. First of all, this jsut seems bizarre to me. It looks crazy SARS-ish and makes me think they have some highly contagious disease when it's really just a sore throat. But, the real question is if the mask really helps. As far as I know, the mask may stop some air-borne bacteria from getting to others, but it ain't really doin' all that much.

Alright, so far, the Japanese seem rather hyper-hygienic, but there are other areas where ya just think, WHAT?!?! For example, heated toilet seats- really common in Japan. I'll be honest, it's rather pleasant on a cold day to warm up your toosh... but think about the massive amounts of festering bacteria. Ugh...I'd actually rather not think about it. And yes, public nose pickers are completely accepted in this nation. AND... I never see Japanese people wash their hands in the bathroom. I always hope the lady next to me will surprise me and wash her hands, but she just never does. And you know if the ladies aren't doin' it the men certainly aren't.

SO, I will leave my top 10 list to just 2 for today. I'll save the pent up aggression for another day.

p.s. I swear I love my life in Japan, I really do.

A Slow Life and a Rich Gentleman

My sannenseis (third year students) are getting ready to graduate next week, so for our last lesson we discussed future plans. Contrary to popular opinion, not all Japanese students are serious, disciplined workers who all want to be engineers or businessmen raking in the big yen. Especially for the girls in this country, sometimes the best options are just a slow life and a rich gentleman. Check it out.



Ok, this girl is onto something. Foreign countries, living freely, and a slow life. If this is her only ambition it ain't too bad, huh?



This girl seems like she knows what she want, even if it only adds up to a white dress. Happy live every day. Very very happy bride.



Okay... now here's the smartest one of them all... not only does she want to get married... it needs to be a rich gentleman. Trophy wife here she comes! I mean, who doesn't want a sugar daddy?!?

As you can see, I'm working with some ambitious girls here in Japan. Ah, if they only had a brain.