Sometimes it's cold in Japan, but how cold is it? ....
Saturday, January 27, 2007
BLING BLING FRUIT
Would you be happy to get strawberries for a present? I hope so! Because these puppies are 50 bucks usa.
PIZZA?
Ordered some pizza from Pizza Hut. Wanted to try something new and ordered this lovely creation. Looks like some sort of creature! The crust was filled with nice yummy cheese, and they also provided honey and hot sauce. This thing sure was good! But might have to go back to the old skool crust, looks more legit. PS ordered Dominos in Japan too, and just like in America it sucks too! Well, at least you don't have to tip the driver in Japan, or in fact anywhere.
THE ARTISTS
The other day, Megumi "aka Yankee Judo" and Madoka intercepted me and said by the orders of Kubo sensei that they had to draw me. Of course I agreed, Kubo sensei said it was for class but she wouldn't elaborate more. Anyways it was fun to hang out with M and M, funny girls. Madoka likes to draw and body slam people in judo, how cool is that.
ME?
This is the finished product. Does it look like me? I think this is the first time to be drawn, kinda shy about it, so I made sure to make the kids more nervous than me by peppering them with tons of English questions during the session, haha.
I CAN
"I can play tennis"
"I can speak Japanese"
"I can cook"
But my favorites were ..
"I can conquer the world."
"I can moonwalk." ... but damn the kid didn't do it in class, I wanted to see ..
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM?
markane: So you want to be a preschool teacher?
student: Yes
markane: Do you like children?
student: No, I don't.
class: eeeehhhhh ?????
markane: Oh, wow! One more time, do you like children?
student: No, I don't.
teacher: (in Japanese) Do you like children? 子供が好きですか?
student: No, I don't.
teacher: (in Japanese) Really? ホンマ?
student: Yes
Thursday, January 18, 2007
HANSHIN EARTHQUAKE
January 17th, 1995 marks the date of the Hanshin Earthquake. The earthquake centered around the Hanshin area of Kobe and Nishinomiya (the place I live in now). About 6,300 people died in the quake. The other day in the school gym we had a assembly remembering the earthquake, as well as a moment of silence for those who died. Most of the homes in the area I live in are pretty new, as I am pretty sure all the old homes were taken down after the earthquake. Sometimes hearing about the earthquake puts things into perspective how dangerous earthquakes can be, anywhere you live in the world. Here is a picture of Kobe's "illuminare" event taken around Xmas time remembering the earthquake.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
SEIJINSHIKI 成人式
On the second Monday of January there is a national holiday in Japan to honor boys and girls entry into adulthood. Many of the girls dress up in special kimonos called "furisode" and go to special events with their friends. Age 20 also marks the time when they can legally smoke and drink. ** These girls were checking out their digital camera pics on the local train.