Pre-Rainy Season

Sports Day

Laura came with me to my last elementary school sports day. Two of the three elementary schools in town have their sports days on the same day. And while I like the other elementary school better, I thought I would share the love and go to this one this year.










And while this photo has nothing to do with sports, it does have to do with the Sports Day. Farewell.

I can taste the Japanese bureaucracy. After I already arranged and paid for a return flight home through Minneapolis and sitting next to Becky Iverson, I just had it denied by the main Shimonoseki BOE because I am not traveling back the exact way I came to Japan. Never mind my office said to make the plan however I wish. Never mind my office said it was fine. Never mind, my supervisor went with me to the ATM and helped me with the furikomi. Never mind most other ALTs just get handed money and can get home however they wish. Never mind the fact that it costs only 300 yen more for a flight to Indianapolis from Minneapolis. Never mind I hate flying and will be happy to sit next to a friend. If they want to be so specific, I traveled to Japan from Chicago to Minneapolis to Tokyo. Never mind anything because the rule is the rule and it cannot be changed, even though this rule was not explained to me from the beginning. And this is one of the things I hate about this country. I think I will go to the restroom and scream now.

"Lately...

...I've had the strangest feeling." Every time I hear the word lately, I think of that old-school Jodeci song called "Lately." I used to love R&B back in the day. Interesting how my musical interests have shifted rather dramatically since then.

It’s been a while since I blogged. And by the look of others’, everyone is taking a break. Many things have happened since my last blog. I have a new life plan, Golden Week came and went, and my head has been consumed with thoughts on religion. For these reasons, I have not had the time or interest to blog.

Where should I even start…I am playing email tag with a travel agent in Tokyo. I hope to fly back on August 1st. There is a Snow Patrol concert in Indianapolis on August 3rd that will be attending with some girlfriends. I am very excited about this.

Speaking of concerts, Anita, Laura, and I are going to Fuji Rock!!! I am especially looking forward to seeing Damien Rice, The Shins, and The Cure. I cannot think of a better way to leave this country than surrounded by music up on a mountain in the middle of bamboo forests, camping, and being a hippie. Needless to say, I am very excited about this event.

So, after Japan plans have changed a bit. I have deferred my IU acceptance for January, 2008. Last week I mailed materials to Seattle University, MEd. TESOL. If I am accepted, I anticipate starting out there in January or summer. The degree from there would enable me to do nearly anything in the field of ESL/EFL in the States and abroad. The price at SU is better than University of Washington. Between coming back and then, I will most likely live with my parents, who will have moved to suburban Indianapolis. Thinking about coming back to Indy and working some crap job for 5-10 months makes me cringe, but it will keep me humble, ne? If I give up on Seattle or am not accepted, I will go to IU. I just need some time to readjust and mentally prepare to start graduate school. Also, I need to be in Indiana at least through October for a wedding I am committed to. But after that, nothing is holding me back. I am very hopeful that this new plan comes to fruition. My family is happy I will be around for a while, but they are also happy I will be following my dreams. Please pray/cross your fingers that I am accepted to Seattle University.

Golden Week was nice. It started out with Becky and Pauline coming to mine for a lovely evening of tacos and conversation. The next day, Becky and I got haircuts in Kokura. The woman studied hair in London for 2 years, so she knows how to cut Western hair. Things turned out well, so I was happy. Nothing drastic, just a 2 inch trim. Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves for our bravery and had Indian food and shopping. It was possibly the best cheese nan I have had in my life. After UniQlo and book shopping, we went to Karato for sushi. It was one of the most perfect days.

Later in the week I went to Becky I’s for a few days. We attended a marvelous orchestra concert performed by her high school. Ginny came down and we went to see Hofu to see the movie Music & Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Ha, we laughed and laughed through it. As is typical every time I do to the movies in Japan, we were the only ones in the whole theatre laughing. It is not the greatest movie in the world, but it was better than I expected and would definitely like to see it again sometime. I had no idea Hugh Grant was musically inclined. And the theme song has been in my head ever since. After the movie we were in a singing mood, so we went to karaoke. Ginny taught us a simple Japanese folk song. Becky and I want to learn something Japanese to surprise our co-workers at our farewell parties.

I am back on South Beach and it’s going very well. I’ve taken a break off of TaeBo due to some knee problems. I am hoping to start back up this week maybe once or twice a week, walking most of the other days.

That is all for now. Elementary school awaits me.