some FIRSTS

Hajamete = the first time.....I have had several firsts in these last couple of days (I wasn't kidding when I said that every day brings new adventures and challenges!)




1. FIRST haircut in japan! this was way fun! as you know, my dad is a barber and my sole barber for the better part of my life up to this point. very very few people have cut my hair, and NEVER has someone cut my hair without speaking a word of english. but that is not the case anymore! my friend mayumi, bless her heart, took me to a really cheap place in hachinohe (nearby town of about 500000 people--and site of all major shopping runs). For 20 us dollars i got a 10 minute shampoo/head massage and a sweet hair cut! she did almost exactly what i wanted her to do..which was go super short! pretty risky, but she managed and i plan on going back in a couple more months!
also--laura highlighted my hair for me! i had brought a box with me from back home (hold the snickers..) and i am thankful i did...finding any color close to light brown (nevermind blonde!) is impossible. so pictured above are the ...during and after shots!

2. FIRST enkai! more information on this event can be found on the previous post. And enkai is a formal party between office workers. They are usually pretty crazy and rowdy and a whole bunch of scary food is served inbetween rounds and rounds of drinks...BUT this enkai was much different. We had a wonderful time, I am not going to repeat myself, so read about it by clicking on the link below.

3. FIRST day of school! this was TODAY! I was ceremoniously paraded in front of our school and into the gymnasium where all students and staff had gathered to welcome me...Taneichi chugakko has about 300 students (7-9th grade). I am SO excited to work with junior high and compare it to my experiences in American classrooms. I was pretty shocked by the loudness of the classes...definitely NOT like the stereotypical quiet, shy and well-behaved students in the movies. so its going to be challenging and pretty impossible to maintain any control/classroom management unless i learn the basic commands in japanese....which is exactly what i am doing now! Get this: I am team teaching with not ONE, but TWO teachers! It is the coolest idea ever...us 3 are going to be able to cover tons of ground! Ms. Sawada-san and Mr. "Tuna" as he likes to be called, seem wonderful and I am very excited to get to know them more!

4. FIRST introduction to taiko: I live nearby the site of the Taiko team's facilities. Most nites, taiko drums can be heard rumbling through the community. I really want to learn how to play, but this team is really good and probably doesn't have much time to teach a foreigner the basics...BUT I showed up for a practice anyway. I practiced the rhythms by clapping and using the sticks on the mats. (I have yet to graduate to the actual drum!) But I will get there..I am very excited to tackle this new project!)

5. FIRST time driving in japan! this wasn't as intimidating as i have done plenty of riding these last few weeks. felt great to have some independence (even if the car is loaned to me from work AND to only be used to and from work). im trying to be super defensive on the road, the rules in this small town are...wait, there are no enforced rules. which in combination with driving on the LEFT side of the street and NOT be able to understand the signs-makes for some interesting roadtrips! keep your fingers crossed--if i get into an accident they will probably deport me!

so many new experiences, so little time to sit around! lovin' life and livin' it up!

BOE ENKAI!

This appeared in our town newspaper...probably revealing all sorts of incriminating information about who we really are...we so have them fooled!

only kidding! it's our self-introduction.

Showered and pampered. They even invited Zach's wife Laura to come up for a memorable photo-op! The Japanese comunity is so self-less and thoughtful! Such a nice change from all that I knew before!

Teachers/Faculty members of Taneichi-machi

My first enkai experience was one to remember! There were about 40 education-related staff members on hand to "formally" welcome us to Taneichi! Everything in Japan has an informal and formal situation. And the formal ceremonies are SUPER FORMAL. The picture at right shows the Taneichi-machi Board of Education. This is the amazing group that has tended to my every need...setting up accounts, fixing up my house and helping me get

acquainted with the town.

I felt like a celebrity as Masato drove us out to this beautiful hotel near the mountains. We were seated in the front table of the largest tatami room I have ever seen! We were the "extinguished guests" ---something that I am actually starting to get used to ;) --- and were literally on stage for the rest of the faculty of the Board of Education and Taneichi school teachers to see.
Many of the teachers I met spoke english and I had the opportunity to chat with my future Japanese English Teachers (JTE) for quite some time. Sowada-san and "Tuna"-san are really dynamic people. Great personalities...can't wait for all 3 of us to team together---yeah, 3 in one room of about 40 kids...how awesome!!! I am so excited to start teaching...TOMORROW!
So Japan is interesting..they knew that I had to teach in the morning, but yet they plan this extravagant affair on a weekday! At an enkai--or work party in which everyone loses the ties and traditional Japanese customs--your drinks are carefully watched. After you have taken at least 5 sips, someone magically appears and fills it up again...it is like a game to them! So, I am feeling pretty fantastic at the moment, although it could just be in my head--as it is hard to know how much I really had when I am getting a refill every 3 minutes.....hmmmmm

So the nite began with several speeches by important people in the community (the mayor and superintendent). Then we were asked to give impromptu speeches (in English--thank you Masato for translating!!!). It went very well and I really feel the community is receptive to me, my personality and what my goals are in being in Japan. Thank goodness! After our speeches ended, we all practiced giving our own versions of the konpai (AKA: toast). The drinking began and one by one teachers stood up to say a few words to each of us in japanglish. It worked though, their appreciation was heartfelt. Then they presented us with a very expensive gift: FLOWERS! "Hana" are outrageously priced here so it was a super nice surprise! We ate well---and to my surprise, they did NOT make us try anything too scary...just the usual tofu-you-name-it and norimaki (california rolls). It is very common to be "gently coerced" into trying all sorts of scary things that most Japanese people don't eat...but I lucked out again!
All in all, the evening was quite memorable...especially when I was asked to get up and sing "Edelweiss" with other Japanese teachers. I think I probably know just as many words to that song in Japanese as I do English! So we did it acapella and it was pretty cool---my karaoke experiences have really improved my choral abilities!

Again, big thanks to the Taneichi Board of Education who has done so much for me. The language barrier has the ultimate challenge, but their willingness to try to communicate adn their genuine concern for me is......uh, remarkable and unusual. I am so thankful for them!They have really made Japan feel like home and Taneichi my home away from home. Domo arigato gozaimas!

My pals in Taneichi

These are my neighbors and it's so comforting to know

they are close by!

Junko and Taira and I..great tour guides!

Here's the clan...love getting together w/ the whole gang!

Junko and Hatsumi---always a great time w/ these 2 firecrackers!

These lovely ladies are a great time! Junko, Taira and Nobuko came to my home with all the ingredients necessary to make my "dream meal"! We had yakitori, tempura shrimp and yakisoba. It was SO delicious! I made the dessert (a jello/pudding/yogurt/fruit pie) and made one of my favorite beverages (raspberry crystal lite, orange and pineapple juice and freshly squeezed lemon..o and a ton of vodka!) The drinks were reminiscent of days spent at our cabin on the beach, and we drank the hot summer nite away! These women are wonderful cooks--and friends! Thank you for visiting! I look forward to our upcoming "cheese party"... you ladies are crazy fun!

...Hunger is a thing of the past in Japan...

This was a "private welcome party" from Hamaya-san and some of his friends and family. I was so flattered to be asked in the manner with which I was...short elaboration: Apparently, Hamaya saw me dancing in the town festival. A couple of days later, I find a letter and photo of me dancing in the parade--- on my desk! Not knowing who this guy was, I was a bit taken aback by his stalker-like tendencies he had exhibted. Persistent as he was, he stopped at the office a second time to ask me to join his family for dinner the following evening--gotta love the long-range planning in Japan! (It is the American in me that has to doubt all intentions....) Anyways, I was their honorary guest and treated to the best barbeque yet! I felt terrible for semi-declining his offer! We dined on tons of "cooked" meats and veggies, quite delicious! The conversation was strictly Japanese, but Hamaya did find a "translator" to accompany us and she did a wonderful job helping me communiate my gratitude and appreciation! Everyone was quickly over their 3 drink max and well, this is the time that the "true internationalization" begins! It is awesome to know that my ignorance with the Japanese language is not detracting members of the community! While my comprehension of Japanese is really improving (I think I even understood a few things I wasn't suppose to!) my speaking abilities, uh....not up to par! I'm sure with a few more dinner parties I will be fluent in no time! HA...rrrrrrrrrright. Why is it whenever I am around new vocabulary...I also have an ice cold beverage in hand!? How is a girl suppose to learn anything!?

SpacE SavErS

This is a Japanese cemetery. Yep, the coziness factor continues even in the after-life! Each family has a "plot" and builds upward.

Typical hotel bathroom...efficiency style. Rooms like these are a form of weight loss in which we are mentally conditioned to think small, stay small...

This was fancy onsen hotel...but no queen beds were to be found. 3 of us smushed together..futon-to-futon-to-futon. Isn't that cozy!

I have mentioned in previous posts that things in Japan are smaller...vehicles (keep 'em pint sized as the roads are really only built for one car), grocery carts (keep 'em small, so people don't overeat), food portions (again, keep 'em teeny so no one will be overweight).... So I have snapped a few pics here and there to demonstrate the "smallness" of this hugely overpopulated country. Even a small town like Taneichi can feel crowded.. with stores stacked upon one another and a zillion hole-in-the-wall salons, cafes and retail shops found within one another...space is a serious concern! Fortunately, my home is more "Westernized" and in keeping with that tradition: I have space!!! It has been a test at times to "think small", but I think the idea of living within your means holds merit--when in Rome be Roman. Errr...I mean Japanese.

aNNe's cOOking CreAtiONs

So this one tasted a LOT better than it looked. I made my rice-cooker debut this evening...worked like a charm! 30 minutes later..restaraunt-style sticky rice!!! The curry and onion sauce was fantastic..and like most Japanese cooking= Easy*

When in doubt...go GREEN! It's safe (AKA: octopus free!) This is a simple salad I made with all of the green stuff in my fridge. Green onions, green pepper, peas, lima beans, cucumbers, lettuce....

oh, and a can of tuna!

For all of you non-believers out there...the proof is in the pie! I really am learning how to cook! 23 years later, I am finally becoming self-sufficient!

This is an interesting yogurtjellopudding pie. Very tasty and the lemon cookie pie crust was a nice touch!

This is my version of yakisoba (fried soba noodles w/ amazing seasoning) and what looks like "pot stickers"...which are filled with pork and chicken and various fish parts. I added some cabbage and onion (thinking of you Dad) and it all worked out to be quite delectable!

This isn't just noodles and sauce..I actually made this with meatballs. (Pause-for the applause) Yep, red-meat-eater that I have apparently become, actually browned hamburger and all. [and it was delicious!] ;)

So not only am I braving all sorts of new foods so graciously prepared for me...but I am learning how to cook for the first time in my life! At times, I am not sure which is more frightening---me in the kitchen or me sitting down to a sushi bar. So this post will be continuously updated with some of my creations...which will likely comprise various international flavors and a mix of rookie recipes and fullblown feasts. I hope my Japanese friends who have been patiently (and persistently) teaching me Japanese cuisine will be proud! Bon Appetit! Check this post frequently!

MORIentation

Russell, Mark, Damian and I @ the Welcoming Reception to kick of the Morioka Orientation Conference. Free drinks, and free fancy appetizers and hors deuvres!

The general theme of the week was to indulge...which included french fries (wow, what a treat--and I can't believe it's really ME saying that!), real authentic italian pizza, huge japanese style breakfast buffets at our hotel each morning and the most amazing piece of pie/cake/heaven--I have yet to taste in Japan! When in the larger cities, I have found myself craving the most random things...Mr. Donut and Starbucks---things I would never want normally, yknow how outta sight outta mind goes. Well, in Morioka-I was tempted by all sorts of tasty establishments, saying NO was such a challenge. In the end, my tummy won out and my cravings were satisfied!

Karaoke anyone? These are the little "hotel room-like" booths that we rent out, while enjoying 'nomihodai' (aka: all you can drink (and sing) for usually $30). The catch is that you only have 2 hours...!!?? The staff at these places are amazingly efficient-despite enduring bossy foreigners who can't verbalize their appreciation when they are sober, much less 'wankered'....new British slang---that's for you Damian.

Sophia and I sang a terrible remake of Meredith Brooks...which also indicates what my blood alcohol level must have been! 3 Fuzzy Navels, 1 cosmo, 1 screwdriver, 1 icecream/alcohol shake...business as usual?!

Below is a picture of a card that I made. We had a brief origami workshop and folded 3 teeny pieces of paper into a super teeny woman dressed in kimono. An easy "art project" for busy people like me! Hope to make and mail several of these back home. Let me know if you would like me to make one for you!

Temple in Morioka. Day and evening shots. Mark and I ventured over to the park, and made a quick stroll through what was probably the equivalent of a funeral home...OOPS! Actually it was a shrine and we totally disrupted this poor woman who was trying to pray. We couldn't read the signs and, well, are ignorant Americans. Must learn Kanji, must learn Kanji! I hate being illiterate!

Nomihodai @ an Irish Pub!? Only in Japan...all the Corona, Lowenbrau, Honeyweiss and Malibu you can handle! The Guiness (which I might detest more than eating octopus) was almost 10 US dollars! As you can see, these guys are only "getting their money's worth"...!

Derlee and I = always putting Minnesota on the map!

Hai, chizu!

website problems

I seem to have temporarily LOST the "Previous Posting" column that is usually immediately to the right of this column.. So for now, you will have to scroll down a little bit to click on old postings. The front page will only have the newest daily posting shown (instead of seeing the whole shebang everytime). It will require additional navigation on your part, but challenges are a good thing, right?!

Also, the archives seem to be appearing on only the front page. So if you want to get back to a July posting...refresh the page/it will bring you back to my homepage and then scroll down to archives on the bottom right hand part of the screen. Thanks!

Pics of Taneichi

Out on a bike ride, 'twas much prettier in person!

Taneichi = where the hills meet the water

This is a view appx 50 feet from my front door...did I luck out or what!

Pretty standard yard of a Japanese home--teeny and extremely well-maintained. Watching a vertically challenged population trim some of these taller trees and bushes is usually good for a laugh or three...

I never tire of views like these. It is while I am on my jogging route that I truly have time to reflect on Japan and what it already means to me.

This is just an average street in Taneichi. As you can see, it is poorly maintained, not very well lit and about enough room for one car and a tricycle to pass by one another. Just not enough space in Japan! Too many people! Even in a small, less populated town like Taneichi, you still feel crowded. The streets are cluttered, hair salons on every corner and a zillion small shops selling everything from ping pong paddles to quilt making materials.

I have never quite seen anything like it!

So this is our teeny bus station...bit of an eye soar actually. Everything in Taneichi (and rural Japan for that matter) is smaller--portions, sizes, space, vehicles. Anything you want or need is here, but in teenier versions!

View of Taneichi's mountainside.

OK, I realize some of these aren't all that aesthetic, but hey--that is Taneichi for you! Small, rural town in the inaka! This is the uni fishery! Yep, most of the money that this town has is from the commercialization of these little spiky sea creatures!

This is just one of the 3 or 4 large "plantations" of uni farming going on. I live just up the hill from this place, but no smells and no noise-so no complaints! Just don't make me eat it again!

This is the cemetery--I realize how sacreligious it is to have even taken the picture! Families buy large memorial like stones and then members of the family are buried pretty much on top of one another. In the end, it looks like one huge sculpture of large and small stones stacked all over each other. Cozy--you might say? Guess the issue of "space" just can't be avoided...even in the afterlife.

Also taken on my running route - the local fisherman are on these piers everyday. Not sure what they are catching, but there is a good chance I will end up eating whatever it is at some point or another.

View from retaining wall #1...

This is the marina in town. Just a short jaunt from my place. Love waking up to that fishy salty sea smell each morning!

This is on my running route. Great exercise boardwalk just seconds from my home. What motivation to exercise!

The Taneichi beach is pretty decent. It is built like a fortress, 3 retaining walls I think? They are in tsunami terrority so these are just a part of the necessary precautions I guess. The water is freezing so our local surfers have to sport the wetsuits.

This is the sole Buddhist temple in town. Have yet to go in, but it is in a really beautiful location, isn't it?! Love the architecture too.