Yesterday I was pretty much eating non stop. Started with a snack at home, then went out with Ark and grabbed some Thai food, then right after that met up with my uncle and brother and proceeded to eat wonton noodle soup. I was stuffed eating everything within 5 hours. But hey, it was the last chance attitude I was going with. When is the next time I am going to eat good ass wonton soup.
Afterwards got my yearly fill of baseball. My uncle scored some nice seats for the Mariners vs Yankees game! Always a great game and in section 125, row 20, that makes it even better. Even though the Mariners suck this year, it was good to see Ichiro and the gang pull out a win over the Yanks, go M's! Then the clincher was when Ichiro in centerfield ran down a fly ball at full speed backhanded while crashing into the wall. Wow!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
WHAT ALARM CLOCK?
It's tough being on vacation, go to sleep around 2am or 3am, wake up whenever without an alarm clock around 930am or 1100am. Then chill, eat something or just take a walk around the lake. Today hanged out with Ark to get some soup and sandwiches then some fat ice cream and then took some pics of squirrels running around. Tough vacation but I like it.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
HEMPFEST
Saturday started out a bit slow, stopped by the Japanese Consulate's home for a BBQ with the PNW Jet Alum. Didn't really know anyone there, but thought it would be interesting. Good food, good weather, met a couple nice people.
Then proceeded to make my time in Seattle worthwhile. I was feeling lazy and was gonna head home with my Ayumi and Puffy poster, but why not check out Hempfest. I knew for sure it was going to be interesting. So I made the hike from Queen Anne (near Racha) all the way down to the Spaghetti Factory basically where the event entrance was. Usually I wouln't have walked all the way down there, but hey it was a nice day, I had alot of time, walking far in Japan is normal, and well I didn't have a car. So about 30 minutes later I arrived at the mad scene of Hempfest.
Not sure what Hempfest is? Here is a short summary off their website;
"The nation's leading cannabis policy reform event turns fifteen years old this year. Since 1991 Seattle Hempfest has been bringing you the nation's leading experts, activists, and advocates for industrial hemp and marijuana law reform, amid multiple stages of music and hundreds of food, crafts and information vendors. Hempfest is a work-party, so come prepared to learn while you celebrate." http://www.hempfest.org/
Met up with Duc and we headed in. Or at least we tried, there was a super bottle neck at the entrance, so everyone was stuck, people coming in, people going out, it was bad. But it was fun to listen to all the comments such as, "I am with the guy in the staff shirt!", "is the park really closed? you are shittin me!", "Who parked this fuckin car here, great!", "Oh, I can smell that, bring some over here." ... sure was nice to be back in America.
It was the same Hempfest as I went to last year, full of food, shops that sold cool shirts, pipes, and other cool things, 3 stages that had rock, reggae, and also random DJ booths that spitted out techno and DnB. But the best thing I liked about it was people watching. Even though Americans are pretty straight forward and in your face everyone got along at this event. Everyone was out to have a good time, probably one of the safest events you could go to. People who where gangsters, hippies, goth, heavy metal, skaters, everyone was friends. The whole place had a good vibe. It was a nice day at the park.
Then proceeded to make my time in Seattle worthwhile. I was feeling lazy and was gonna head home with my Ayumi and Puffy poster, but why not check out Hempfest. I knew for sure it was going to be interesting. So I made the hike from Queen Anne (near Racha) all the way down to the Spaghetti Factory basically where the event entrance was. Usually I wouln't have walked all the way down there, but hey it was a nice day, I had alot of time, walking far in Japan is normal, and well I didn't have a car. So about 30 minutes later I arrived at the mad scene of Hempfest.
Not sure what Hempfest is? Here is a short summary off their website;
"The nation's leading cannabis policy reform event turns fifteen years old this year. Since 1991 Seattle Hempfest has been bringing you the nation's leading experts, activists, and advocates for industrial hemp and marijuana law reform, amid multiple stages of music and hundreds of food, crafts and information vendors. Hempfest is a work-party, so come prepared to learn while you celebrate." http://www.hempfest.org/
Met up with Duc and we headed in. Or at least we tried, there was a super bottle neck at the entrance, so everyone was stuck, people coming in, people going out, it was bad. But it was fun to listen to all the comments such as, "I am with the guy in the staff shirt!", "is the park really closed? you are shittin me!", "Who parked this fuckin car here, great!", "Oh, I can smell that, bring some over here." ... sure was nice to be back in America.
It was the same Hempfest as I went to last year, full of food, shops that sold cool shirts, pipes, and other cool things, 3 stages that had rock, reggae, and also random DJ booths that spitted out techno and DnB. But the best thing I liked about it was people watching. Even though Americans are pretty straight forward and in your face everyone got along at this event. Everyone was out to have a good time, probably one of the safest events you could go to. People who where gangsters, hippies, goth, heavy metal, skaters, everyone was friends. The whole place had a good vibe. It was a nice day at the park.
MORNING CHILL
Woke up this morning and it was nice and chilly and cloudy. The cloudy weather kinda makes me sleepy. Its about 58 degrees F or 14 C, but I sure prefer it being cooler than sweaty hot. I just put on the sweatshirt and so I am all good.
Monday, August 21, 2006
AIN'T EVEN BREAKING A SWEAT
Just realized how nice it was to run and not really break a sweat! Ran a little bit around Greenlake on a nice sunny 85 degree day, and no ooooodles of sweat dripping down. Not even a drop, it was great! Even had a chance to sit down in some nice shade under a tree on grass. Because I know when I go back to Japan, if I even walked fast sweat would be pouring down, and there would be no nice grass to sit on. Oh my.
FINGER LICKING GOOD
It's sure nice to return to a meal of nice greasy KFC chicken. Nothing like biscuits, chicken, cole slaw, and mashed potatoes. No mashed potatoes and gravy in Japan, what a tragedy, oh well better eat all I can before then.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
A BUNCH OF POSTS ...
Coming right up! ....... lets see, finished my 3rd and final year on the JET Programme, and just flew back home to Seattle!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
GREEN!!!
Time is winding down. Just a couple more days and I am out of Tatsuno. In a mad dash I was looking for a job somewhere! Almost anywhere in Japan! So went out to Osaka for some interviews. I have been to Osaka alot of times, but I guess I start to notice more things when I have lived here awhile.
1. First of all its crazy! Compared to the laid back life of the "inaka" or country side, everyone in Osaka is running around. Running for the train, running in the halls, running through the streets. Why everyone gotta be all stressed and rushed? Makes me feel stressed, I don't remember anyone in Seattle running around all crazy.
2. Running errands takes alot of time! Bigger city, more places, but then everything is far away. Gotta take the train here for the interview, then gotta go back here for the hotel, then gotta go here for immigration. I spent like half the day on the train. Sucks! Back in the "inaka", tax office next door, city hall down the street, gym a 5 minute bike ride, school and food a stone throw away. More time to relax and play video games, thats how life should be. You don't want to spend your life on a stupid train.
3. Green. The reason why I like Seattle is because it's green. It's a city but it's nice, green, got mountains, lakes, ocean, you name it its got it. Then there was the day in Osaka. Osaka got lots of people, running people. Its got alot of concrete and it's flat with no mountains, and most of all there is not a shred of green. It's the classic concrete jungle they all talk about. There is no green and thats not cool. Take note, not to live there.
Anyways life is a bit crazy, Monday figure out the final decision of the VISA thing. Visa kinda expired today, but luckily got it worked out, so I got an extension.... to be continued ...
1. First of all its crazy! Compared to the laid back life of the "inaka" or country side, everyone in Osaka is running around. Running for the train, running in the halls, running through the streets. Why everyone gotta be all stressed and rushed? Makes me feel stressed, I don't remember anyone in Seattle running around all crazy.
2. Running errands takes alot of time! Bigger city, more places, but then everything is far away. Gotta take the train here for the interview, then gotta go back here for the hotel, then gotta go here for immigration. I spent like half the day on the train. Sucks! Back in the "inaka", tax office next door, city hall down the street, gym a 5 minute bike ride, school and food a stone throw away. More time to relax and play video games, thats how life should be. You don't want to spend your life on a stupid train.
3. Green. The reason why I like Seattle is because it's green. It's a city but it's nice, green, got mountains, lakes, ocean, you name it its got it. Then there was the day in Osaka. Osaka got lots of people, running people. Its got alot of concrete and it's flat with no mountains, and most of all there is not a shred of green. It's the classic concrete jungle they all talk about. There is no green and thats not cool. Take note, not to live there.
Anyways life is a bit crazy, Monday figure out the final decision of the VISA thing. Visa kinda expired today, but luckily got it worked out, so I got an extension.... to be continued ...
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
SOME APT PICS
Some last scenes from my apartment. It's in the cleaning stages, but it will be ready when you move in Laurence.
hallway
tatami room
washing machine and bathroom
kitchen
bedroom
Sunday, July 23, 2006
BUSY BUSY BUSY
Been super busy lately with everything, moving, end of school, speeches, meeting people, cleaning, organizing, this is the same feeling I had when I was leaving Seattle, but now it's Japan ... updates coming soon ... in the meanwhile it's "raining cats and dogs", "どしゃぶり, doshaburi", rainiest month I have ever seen, looks like a Seattle winter!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
SAUNA ANYTIME
Just wanted to bitch about the weather again today, well it was sunny, but damn when the air is hot and thick thats not cool. Well is my cool pacific northwest breeze. Here was the weather report from today. I also kindly commented on some key points.
Mostly Cloudy
Feels Like:
106° <-- anything over 3 digits is bad news!!
Barometer:
29.83 in and steady <-- I still don't know what barometer is
Humidity:
59% <-- I think their meter is broken, because after 1 minute you gotta take a shower
Wind:
WSW 8 mph <-- It should read HOT wind blowing at 8 mph
Sunrise:
4:59 am <-- That's right 5am baby, wake up yo early ass
Sunset:
7:15 pm <-- Due to lack of daylight savings, um none ... you can't hang out til 9:30pm, bummer
Mostly Cloudy
Feels Like:
106° <-- anything over 3 digits is bad news!!
Barometer:
29.83 in and steady <-- I still don't know what barometer is
Humidity:
59% <-- I think their meter is broken, because after 1 minute you gotta take a shower
Wind:
WSW 8 mph <-- It should read HOT wind blowing at 8 mph
Sunrise:
4:59 am <-- That's right 5am baby, wake up yo early ass
Sunset:
7:15 pm <-- Due to lack of daylight savings, um none ... you can't hang out til 9:30pm, bummer
Thursday, July 13, 2006
IT'S OFFICIALLY HOT!!!
Came home, my thermometer read 32 celsius, which is like 92 degrees F inside my apartment!!! Then at school I made the mistake of wearing one grey shirt. Before I knew it, it was a sweaty mess front and back. Damn why don't they have fans in the classroom! Lucky I had a spare shirt for the next class. Yes, it's officially hot and sweaty weather time. Think I burned off another 2 pounds today at basketball.
BAILAR
The other day two of the Peruvian/Japanese students asked me to come to their dance on Saturday. Come and watch "bailar" they said. Oh, how cute! Thought it was nice of them to ask me of all people, who doesn't understand much Japanese nor Spanish. Hahaha.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
HOW HUMID?
How humid is it in Japan? Some of my friends didn't think it was that hot and humid. But let me give you some examples of how hot it is.
- Some teachers when they teach, they bring a sweat towel to class, no AC or fans in class.
- When I am using the computer at school, my arms are so damp they stick to the desk.
- My papers at school feel soft and wet from the humidity.
- When I play basketball I am able to sweat through my legs, never had that until I got to Japan. Plus I think I lost 3lbs today after playing 2.5 hours of basketball with my kids today, it was like I jumped in a pool, totally drenched, fingers even felt wrinkly as if I was in that pool too long.
Well those are some examples, please enjoy your Seattle summer folks, I will see you soon to escape this sauna country.
- Some teachers when they teach, they bring a sweat towel to class, no AC or fans in class.
- When I am using the computer at school, my arms are so damp they stick to the desk.
- My papers at school feel soft and wet from the humidity.
- When I play basketball I am able to sweat through my legs, never had that until I got to Japan. Plus I think I lost 3lbs today after playing 2.5 hours of basketball with my kids today, it was like I jumped in a pool, totally drenched, fingers even felt wrinkly as if I was in that pool too long.
Well those are some examples, please enjoy your Seattle summer folks, I will see you soon to escape this sauna country.
3 YEARS LATER : 3 WEEKS TO GO
It's that old saying "time flies", and sure has, it was like yesterday at the Seattle airport saying goodbye to my friends and family in Seattle. But in just 3 weeks I will be saying goodbye to my friends and students in Tatsuno, Japan. Just trying to take it easy. 3 of 4 elementary schools done, 3 junior high classes done, kamae center done, elementary school teacher party done, ticket home done, cleaning and moving and getting a new job coming up... camera has been working overtime lately
THICKET
Its been awhile since seeing some good "engrish" (English spelled with a new flavor). So how about this find of a thank you ticket or maybe its a "thank you thicket". But heck the food was good and we got 10% off, I will take a thank you "thicket" any day.
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