On Wednesday (Yesterday), I went with my super, to Asahikawa. We went to G-Park, a place that sells used Subaru cars (the one I mentioned before), to talk about some financial details and have closer inspection of the cars I was interested in. If you remember, there was a buyer interested in the "Ero car" but apparently that deal didn't work out and the dealership contacted us to begin negotiations.
So we started negotiates with another guy. And I did my best to hide my excitement at the possiblity of buying the ero car. We tried to pick out the flaws, in hopes of lowering the price of the car. (To recap it was listed at 470000 JPY total, actually when we got there there was a price sheet listing it as 540000 JPY, which is more than I prefer to pay for it.) There are quite a few dings on it, but its really nothing serious. It's really everything you expect fro a new car.
I got to test out the clutch point (the dealer didn't look too happy when I asked) and inspect inside the hood and the bottom. Everything seemed ok.
Remember when I said that the winter tires weren't included? Well Takahata-san asked and we actually got a set for free. All in all, I will be paying a total of 400000 JPY for it. I think it was mostly due to Takahata-san's talking and bargaining. Anyway I owe him Ramen and a Beer for it.
Afterwards, we went back to Kamikawa, and Takahata-san invited me over to his house for dinner for a celebration. We had Jingiskan (Sheep) Nabe. It's like sukiyaki, in which you have soup and cook food on it. Actually I'm not really sure because I was too busy drinking craploads of beer. Go look it up on wikipedia if you really want to know.
So yah, I was drinking a lot, with Takahata-san, his family was just watching us and enjoying the food. It's kind of wierd how its kinda acceptable for the father and other people to get drunk infront of the family. Actually the kids, were pouring the beer for us some of the time.
Afterwards, we played Mario Party 8 on the Wii and Warioware. It was really fun, and I think we all had a really good time. Being drunk wreaked havoc on my reflexes tho, so Warioware sucked pretty bad.
I got to watch a bit of Takahata-san's wedding ceremony, and the games they play when they get married. There was a sumo parody and some singing. The biggest surprise to me, was seeing the younger versions people I knew from Kamikawa. They had changed so much since the time of the video.
Today, was really busy, it was a full day. Morning was Sounkyo elementary, after that was a meeting at the elementary and then finally kaiwa club at the high school, which went really well thanks to the Berabera book. (It's really hard to explain what this is if you don't know Japanese culture, or SMAP, but its basically an english phrase book made by a celebrity in Japan).
So yah, I'm pretty tired right now so I think I'm gonna call it an early night,I'll blogged to you guys later.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
すすきのがすきの？(Do you like Susukino?)
Note: the title is a play on Japanese language...its pronounced Susukino Ga Suki No?
On Saturday, I woke up at 7:00am and arrived at the BOE at 8:20am, just in time for the departure to Sapporo at 8:30. A lot of people from the BOE went, along with some people from the junior high. It was nice to know a lot of the people for once.
During the bus ride everybody consumed a fair amount of alcohol. I had 2 beers and Japanese Sake. It was a first time for me to consume so much alcohol in the morning. The worst part of the trip was having to pee on a bus that doesn't really have a washroom. (My kidneys and liver go into overdrive mode after consuming alcohol, which means more urine production.) Actually a lot of people had to pee frequently, so we made many stops along the way to Sapporo. The whole trip there ended up taking about 3 hours when we could of got there in about 2 and a half hours.
When we arrived, we went straight to the Sapporo Dome to watch the Nippon-Ham Fighters battle the Seibu Lions. It was more fun this time around, because the Fighter fans tended to be a little more louder this time. Unfortunately it didn't help the outcome, as the Fighters still lost the game. We also couldn't watch it all because we had to get on the base shortly before the game ended. Sucks...
We checked into our hotel (located in Susukino) and then went to the first location to what would turn out to be a long, but entertaining night in Susukino (getting the theme?). It was called Te-chan and it was really neat, because the entire restaurant was decorated with old toys and pages from manga. The walls were covered with old mangas and covers of magazines, the shelves were filled with old toys. On the roof hung old fishing nets which held toys and other nostalgic (nostalgic for those who had grown up in Japan in the 70-80s) things.
We ate our fair share of sashimi, including moving octopus tentacles. This time I wasn't as scared. We drank our fair share of beer.
We then moved to our second location, which was a "entertainment club". I forgot what it was called, but unlike the other clubs in Susukino this one didn't have to do with hostesses or strippers (although it did have a lot of alcohol). It was sort of like a Japanese variety show with dancing, singing and skits. Some of the skits were easy enough to understand, but others required some knowledge of Japanese pop culture, probably from the beginning of my generation. So I had no clue what they were talking about. I still found the whole experience really good though.
Our third location was at another entertainment club (we lost about 3/4ths of the group, it was mostly the younger of the BOE left, including my supervisor and I). The show was a little bit better than the previous one, because I got most of the Japanese pop culture references. They had a DJ Ozma skit, which made me start listening to some of his songs. His dancing is really cheesy and funny if you watch the music videos and the performers mimicked it very well.
After that everybody went back to the Hotel. Ike-chan, Chikka-chan and Ikk B pulled me out of my room for a night of card playing. We played till about 4:00 in the morning before we went to sleep. I got up at about 7:45, Sunday morning, but it seems that other 3 got up at about 6:00 and went to have breakfast.
We checked out of the hotel at 8:50 and then went to the Winter sports museum. There, we saw some ski jumpers do some ski jumping on a nearby ski jump. It as neat because they did it without snow, just on some sort of slippery rubber soaked in water. I guess that's how they train all day for big tournaments in the winter.
After that it was off into the Winter Sports museum, to look at the exhibits and participate in a couple of the simulations. The simulations are really pretty fun, some of the notable ones are a ski jumping simulation, a hockey goalie simulation and the speed skating simulation. I did horrible in the hockey goalie one (good thing I'm not a goalie) stopping 0/5 shots. I swear the sensors are under-sensitive, maybe I'm just making excuses. Ski Jumping I did ok at. Ike-chan challenged me to speed skating and I ended up beating him hands down, though after I almost lost the use of my legs due to fatigue.
After that we boarded the bus again and then went back home, with a stop along the way to the local gift shop to buy Omiyage (souvenirs) for everybody. I bought a fair share for all the schools I go to.
Once arriving back home, I was so tired, I took a 3 hour nap and woke up to find Watanabe-san from the Rotary club calling, to invite me a few events this month and give me some squash. I was pretty groggy then but I accepted and he came over in a few minutes to discuss the details. After that, it was dinner from Seicomart (Convenience store) and then sleep time.
Today was a pretty eventful day. I met the rest of the high school, and they seem really uninterested in English. They're always talking and don't give a crap, which makes me not want to teach them, as it's a waste of my time and theirs. But I guess these things are what make teaching in general, challenging. Anyway I'm sure they're fine as people, so I'll have to find another way to reach them.
We had two incidents of violence today at the high school, one was to a teacher and the other was student to student. The prior, I didn't really have to do anything, though I was a little concerned about the teacher's safety (he was a fellow english teacher). The latter, I had to help intervene because Sasaki-sensei (another teacher that I work with) and I were the only ones there. It was rare to see this sort of thing happen I heard, funny how it happened on the 3rd week since I started to teach. The students don't seem that strong here, so I'm sure I could take a couple of slugs before I lose conscienceness, good thing it didn't come to that. Apparently if I hit a student I could get deported.
I'm sort of glad to have the experience to see and participate in these things, but at the same time I don't really want them to happen. So far, almost all of my students seem pretty friendly or have no ill intent. I'm sure that my students are just as intimidated by me as I am them, probably even more so.
I also happened to mis-place my DS today and thought I had lost it or a student had stole it. Luckily, I only left it on a computer desk in the staff room and a teacher had kept it for me. I went back and forth from the BOE to the school 2 times before someone finally told me the teacher had it in his desk. Oh well, better found then lost, even if it took me two trips.
When I got home today, I broke my house key in two (about 1cm from the hilt) while trying to open one of the locks and had to really take a piss inside my house. I inserted the broken part (that became stuck in the keyhole) and the hilt into the lock and turned to open the lock and take a piss. I later had to fish out the part inside the keyhole and call my supervisor to get a spare set.
Wasn't a great day today, but it could of turned out worse. I'm a little worried about the students I met today, but I don't think they'll be too bad. I really don't have to discipline, them, just embaress them enough or intimidate them enough that they shut up. I think I can get good at it.
Anyway, I'm off to unwind and play some video games. Blog to you guys later.
On Saturday, I woke up at 7:00am and arrived at the BOE at 8:20am, just in time for the departure to Sapporo at 8:30. A lot of people from the BOE went, along with some people from the junior high. It was nice to know a lot of the people for once.
During the bus ride everybody consumed a fair amount of alcohol. I had 2 beers and Japanese Sake. It was a first time for me to consume so much alcohol in the morning. The worst part of the trip was having to pee on a bus that doesn't really have a washroom. (My kidneys and liver go into overdrive mode after consuming alcohol, which means more urine production.) Actually a lot of people had to pee frequently, so we made many stops along the way to Sapporo. The whole trip there ended up taking about 3 hours when we could of got there in about 2 and a half hours.
When we arrived, we went straight to the Sapporo Dome to watch the Nippon-Ham Fighters battle the Seibu Lions. It was more fun this time around, because the Fighter fans tended to be a little more louder this time. Unfortunately it didn't help the outcome, as the Fighters still lost the game. We also couldn't watch it all because we had to get on the base shortly before the game ended. Sucks...
We checked into our hotel (located in Susukino) and then went to the first location to what would turn out to be a long, but entertaining night in Susukino (getting the theme?). It was called Te-chan and it was really neat, because the entire restaurant was decorated with old toys and pages from manga. The walls were covered with old mangas and covers of magazines, the shelves were filled with old toys. On the roof hung old fishing nets which held toys and other nostalgic (nostalgic for those who had grown up in Japan in the 70-80s) things.
We ate our fair share of sashimi, including moving octopus tentacles. This time I wasn't as scared. We drank our fair share of beer.
We then moved to our second location, which was a "entertainment club". I forgot what it was called, but unlike the other clubs in Susukino this one didn't have to do with hostesses or strippers (although it did have a lot of alcohol). It was sort of like a Japanese variety show with dancing, singing and skits. Some of the skits were easy enough to understand, but others required some knowledge of Japanese pop culture, probably from the beginning of my generation. So I had no clue what they were talking about. I still found the whole experience really good though.
Our third location was at another entertainment club (we lost about 3/4ths of the group, it was mostly the younger of the BOE left, including my supervisor and I). The show was a little bit better than the previous one, because I got most of the Japanese pop culture references. They had a DJ Ozma skit, which made me start listening to some of his songs. His dancing is really cheesy and funny if you watch the music videos and the performers mimicked it very well.
After that everybody went back to the Hotel. Ike-chan, Chikka-chan and Ikk B pulled me out of my room for a night of card playing. We played till about 4:00 in the morning before we went to sleep. I got up at about 7:45, Sunday morning, but it seems that other 3 got up at about 6:00 and went to have breakfast.
We checked out of the hotel at 8:50 and then went to the Winter sports museum. There, we saw some ski jumpers do some ski jumping on a nearby ski jump. It as neat because they did it without snow, just on some sort of slippery rubber soaked in water. I guess that's how they train all day for big tournaments in the winter.
After that it was off into the Winter Sports museum, to look at the exhibits and participate in a couple of the simulations. The simulations are really pretty fun, some of the notable ones are a ski jumping simulation, a hockey goalie simulation and the speed skating simulation. I did horrible in the hockey goalie one (good thing I'm not a goalie) stopping 0/5 shots. I swear the sensors are under-sensitive, maybe I'm just making excuses. Ski Jumping I did ok at. Ike-chan challenged me to speed skating and I ended up beating him hands down, though after I almost lost the use of my legs due to fatigue.
After that we boarded the bus again and then went back home, with a stop along the way to the local gift shop to buy Omiyage (souvenirs) for everybody. I bought a fair share for all the schools I go to.
Once arriving back home, I was so tired, I took a 3 hour nap and woke up to find Watanabe-san from the Rotary club calling, to invite me a few events this month and give me some squash. I was pretty groggy then but I accepted and he came over in a few minutes to discuss the details. After that, it was dinner from Seicomart (Convenience store) and then sleep time.
Today was a pretty eventful day. I met the rest of the high school, and they seem really uninterested in English. They're always talking and don't give a crap, which makes me not want to teach them, as it's a waste of my time and theirs. But I guess these things are what make teaching in general, challenging. Anyway I'm sure they're fine as people, so I'll have to find another way to reach them.
We had two incidents of violence today at the high school, one was to a teacher and the other was student to student. The prior, I didn't really have to do anything, though I was a little concerned about the teacher's safety (he was a fellow english teacher). The latter, I had to help intervene because Sasaki-sensei (another teacher that I work with) and I were the only ones there. It was rare to see this sort of thing happen I heard, funny how it happened on the 3rd week since I started to teach. The students don't seem that strong here, so I'm sure I could take a couple of slugs before I lose conscienceness, good thing it didn't come to that. Apparently if I hit a student I could get deported.
I'm sort of glad to have the experience to see and participate in these things, but at the same time I don't really want them to happen. So far, almost all of my students seem pretty friendly or have no ill intent. I'm sure that my students are just as intimidated by me as I am them, probably even more so.
I also happened to mis-place my DS today and thought I had lost it or a student had stole it. Luckily, I only left it on a computer desk in the staff room and a teacher had kept it for me. I went back and forth from the BOE to the school 2 times before someone finally told me the teacher had it in his desk. Oh well, better found then lost, even if it took me two trips.
When I got home today, I broke my house key in two (about 1cm from the hilt) while trying to open one of the locks and had to really take a piss inside my house. I inserted the broken part (that became stuck in the keyhole) and the hilt into the lock and turned to open the lock and take a piss. I later had to fish out the part inside the keyhole and call my supervisor to get a spare set.
Wasn't a great day today, but it could of turned out worse. I'm a little worried about the students I met today, but I don't think they'll be too bad. I really don't have to discipline, them, just embaress them enough or intimidate them enough that they shut up. I think I can get good at it.
Anyway, I'm off to unwind and play some video games. Blog to you guys later.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Car Shopping in Asahikawa and MANZAI!
I was at work till about 5:00pm on Wednesday night, when my supervisor asked me suddenly if I wanted to go to Asahikawa for some car browsing. I, of course, said yes. And off we headed to Asahikawa.
After about a 45 minute drive, and talking about all sorts of things, we arrived in Asahikawa. The first stop was at G-park, which sells used cars all refurbished by Subaru. There were three cars of interest.
The first car, which we saw on the internet, was a Rally Blue Subaru Impreza Wagon with 1500cc engine. It was almost like new, but it was about 690 000 JPY base price. It had no Shakken (manditory yearly or bi-yearly inspection that costs about 100 000 JPY, the time of the inspection depends on how old the car is), so altogether it was estimated at 800 000JPY (I think that includes some taxes and stuff I'm not yet aware of). Which is a little more expensive then I would like.
The second car, was a silver Subaru Legacy 1500cc engine; the only legacy I could find on the web that would use regular gas. It was a ten year old car, but listed at 370 000 JPY it was kind of a bargain I guess (probably with everything it will be about 500 000 JPY). Unfortuately I was a little bit adament about its features (or better yet, lack of features). It's a pretty nice car and I might buy it if the next one doesn't turn out.
The third car was a pale yellow Subaru Impreza station wagon, that was a few years older than the first Impreza. My supervisor calls it the Ero Impreza (sounds like Yellow Impreza), being called ero means your a pervert, and if I buy that car I know hes gonna say something like: "Hey its ero Wing in his ero car". Anyway, it had been upgraded with a Momo steering wheel, and other asthetic features by its previous owner. It had traveled like 50 000km over 7 years, and had a CD player. The total price was listed around 470 000 JPY. There was also one year of Shakken. No winter tires, but even if I buy some, I'm sure it would be cheaper than the legacy.
Anyway, after, we went to a couple of car shops around Asahikawa, but didn't find anything that was suitable. All the cars were either too big (Trucks, SUVs, etc.) or really expensive cars (BMWs, Benzes, New Cars). We then went to Yoshinoya to eat the famous Beef rice bowl, which was pretty good. I added an extra egg to mine, and treated my supervisor to his beef bowl.
We then headed to a nearby supermarket where my supervisor had to go grocery shopping for his family. Apparently his brother had caught a fish and they were gonna smoke it. Unfortunately we couldn't find all the ingredients. He also helped me shop around for a few things, and taught me couple things about eating rice Japanase style. Such as Ocha Awase (puting tea in your rice), puting some special nori in your rice and about famous canned foods in Japan. We also figured out the Furi-kake that I bought in Asahikawa with Peter, was Natto flavored... Yes....Natto flavored. I suppose I should of clued in when it smelled strong. I also should of looked up the Kanji on the bottle. Well....now I know the kanji for Natto....
Your probably all laughing at me. Which is fine, I'm laughing at myself too.
Today was teaching at the child care, which was fun because the kids are soo friendly and are all over you the minute you walk into the child care centre. I basically turned into a human jungle jim. I actually had one kid give me the Naruto, "Thousand years of Pain" move (basically pushing his fingers into my butt). Although the kid didn't do much damage, it did hurt a bit. But other than that it was a pretty fun experience, although somewhat tiring.
I went back to the BOE and told my supervisor that I was interest in buying that yellow impreza. It turns out that the impreza is actually being negtiated with a previous customer and that I might not be able to buy it. We'll see, I guess if I can't buy it it was never meant to be. My supervisor told me to be patient, because if you express that you want it, they may end up charging you higher. He also said that if we manage to get to the negotiation stage, we could potentially negotiate for winter tires :D. I know Canada works like that for new cars, not sure about the used ones, but hearing this really surprised me, and I can only hope that everything turns out ok. I'll just be patient and not rush myself into any dumb purchases. I only hope that hockey doesn't start till later!
I had lunch and studied Japanese until about 3:10, when I headed off to the High School to do conversation class with a group of 2 students and 1 teacher (all female). It's always fun talking to them and explaining things and teasing them to describe difficult things in english. It's always a great time, though I think I need to start going into the club with a definate plan of action, rather than just wing it (excuse the pun).
After that it was back to the BOE there was Rakugo (traditional Japanese stand up comedy, well not really stand up) and Manzai (a two man comedy act) event.
Rakugo was the majority of the event was Rakugo. It's an old Japanese cultural thing dating back to Edo (as I was told by Kamada-san owner of Asahi-ya). It's basically stand up comedy, except that hes sitting on stage, and making Japanese jokes, which require a different type of thinking at times. I think the jokes are set in older times, but I couldn't understand much of it, because it was mostly in Kansai-ben (Kansai-dialect), which is like a totally different language of Japaneseand some Hokkaido-ben (Hokkaido Dialect), which I'm still learning. I did learn a few friends and kind of learn a bit about Kansai-ben which was really nice (Nande ya nen!? --> "What the hell?"). The Manzai act I understood a bit more because they were speaking Kanto-ben, your basic textbook Japanese. All in all, a good experience.
I then went to Kyoshi, a local izakaya, where I was treated to Crab Fried Rice, Yum soo good, and had Horumon and pork. Since he gave me free rice, I figured I should give him an omiyage, so tomorrow I plan to drop by with someting. Anyway, I should head to bed. I just wanted to catch up with some blogging and let everybody know whats happening in my small town.
On the weekend, I'm going to Sapporo to watch baseball, go to Izakayas and a sports museum, while drinking the whole time (this is gonna be such an awesome trip!). No, shopping, but I figure I need to save for a car anyway? aha. Guess I won't be saving much with all the money I'll be spending on CH3CH2OH (Ethanol/Commonly refered to as Alcohol). Anyway probably won't blog till Monday, or Sunday evening at the latest. So...Till then!
EDIT: One more question before I sleep. This is for everybody who reads my notes. Put yourself in my shoes. You're an ALT in Kamikawa. One evening, an ALT calls your cellphone and asks stay over at your house the next evening because hes doing some biking excursion. All you know about this ALT is his name and that he is with the JET program (so he says). Do you let this guy stay over because hes a JET?
What I did? This ALT called me while I was in Asahikawa. Though I try to be nice to JETs as I don't really like causing any animosity between members of JET and myself, I found myself saying no. For one, I have no idea who this person is, or even how this person got my number. He didn't say, and in fact it freaks me out quite a bit. He could be a JET, or he could just as easily be some mass murder, maybe I'm being too paranoid but I hope you understand where I'm coming from. If I had met this person, and then invited him to stay over, like I did with Peter, then it would of been better. Two, this guy asks me one day before hes coming to Kamikawa. Maybe he has his reasons, but to me thats really last minute and kind of rude.
If this action has put me in a bad position with the JET community then I guess so be it. I not too sure why it should, I'm just being paranoid again I think. I realize JETs are suppose to help each other, but there have been JETs who have been tricked by their JET predecessors. And theres also a limit to what one will do for a someone they haven't even seen. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to what you guys have to say.
After about a 45 minute drive, and talking about all sorts of things, we arrived in Asahikawa. The first stop was at G-park, which sells used cars all refurbished by Subaru. There were three cars of interest.
The first car, which we saw on the internet, was a Rally Blue Subaru Impreza Wagon with 1500cc engine. It was almost like new, but it was about 690 000 JPY base price. It had no Shakken (manditory yearly or bi-yearly inspection that costs about 100 000 JPY, the time of the inspection depends on how old the car is), so altogether it was estimated at 800 000JPY (I think that includes some taxes and stuff I'm not yet aware of). Which is a little more expensive then I would like.
The second car, was a silver Subaru Legacy 1500cc engine; the only legacy I could find on the web that would use regular gas. It was a ten year old car, but listed at 370 000 JPY it was kind of a bargain I guess (probably with everything it will be about 500 000 JPY). Unfortuately I was a little bit adament about its features (or better yet, lack of features). It's a pretty nice car and I might buy it if the next one doesn't turn out.
The third car was a pale yellow Subaru Impreza station wagon, that was a few years older than the first Impreza. My supervisor calls it the Ero Impreza (sounds like Yellow Impreza), being called ero means your a pervert, and if I buy that car I know hes gonna say something like: "Hey its ero Wing in his ero car". Anyway, it had been upgraded with a Momo steering wheel, and other asthetic features by its previous owner. It had traveled like 50 000km over 7 years, and had a CD player. The total price was listed around 470 000 JPY. There was also one year of Shakken. No winter tires, but even if I buy some, I'm sure it would be cheaper than the legacy.
Anyway, after, we went to a couple of car shops around Asahikawa, but didn't find anything that was suitable. All the cars were either too big (Trucks, SUVs, etc.) or really expensive cars (BMWs, Benzes, New Cars). We then went to Yoshinoya to eat the famous Beef rice bowl, which was pretty good. I added an extra egg to mine, and treated my supervisor to his beef bowl.
We then headed to a nearby supermarket where my supervisor had to go grocery shopping for his family. Apparently his brother had caught a fish and they were gonna smoke it. Unfortunately we couldn't find all the ingredients. He also helped me shop around for a few things, and taught me couple things about eating rice Japanase style. Such as Ocha Awase (puting tea in your rice), puting some special nori in your rice and about famous canned foods in Japan. We also figured out the Furi-kake that I bought in Asahikawa with Peter, was Natto flavored... Yes....Natto flavored. I suppose I should of clued in when it smelled strong. I also should of looked up the Kanji on the bottle. Well....now I know the kanji for Natto....
Your probably all laughing at me. Which is fine, I'm laughing at myself too.
Today was teaching at the child care, which was fun because the kids are soo friendly and are all over you the minute you walk into the child care centre. I basically turned into a human jungle jim. I actually had one kid give me the Naruto, "Thousand years of Pain" move (basically pushing his fingers into my butt). Although the kid didn't do much damage, it did hurt a bit. But other than that it was a pretty fun experience, although somewhat tiring.
I went back to the BOE and told my supervisor that I was interest in buying that yellow impreza. It turns out that the impreza is actually being negtiated with a previous customer and that I might not be able to buy it. We'll see, I guess if I can't buy it it was never meant to be. My supervisor told me to be patient, because if you express that you want it, they may end up charging you higher. He also said that if we manage to get to the negotiation stage, we could potentially negotiate for winter tires :D. I know Canada works like that for new cars, not sure about the used ones, but hearing this really surprised me, and I can only hope that everything turns out ok. I'll just be patient and not rush myself into any dumb purchases. I only hope that hockey doesn't start till later!
I had lunch and studied Japanese until about 3:10, when I headed off to the High School to do conversation class with a group of 2 students and 1 teacher (all female). It's always fun talking to them and explaining things and teasing them to describe difficult things in english. It's always a great time, though I think I need to start going into the club with a definate plan of action, rather than just wing it (excuse the pun).
After that it was back to the BOE there was Rakugo (traditional Japanese stand up comedy, well not really stand up) and Manzai (a two man comedy act) event.
Rakugo was the majority of the event was Rakugo. It's an old Japanese cultural thing dating back to Edo (as I was told by Kamada-san owner of Asahi-ya). It's basically stand up comedy, except that hes sitting on stage, and making Japanese jokes, which require a different type of thinking at times. I think the jokes are set in older times, but I couldn't understand much of it, because it was mostly in Kansai-ben (Kansai-dialect), which is like a totally different language of Japaneseand some Hokkaido-ben (Hokkaido Dialect), which I'm still learning. I did learn a few friends and kind of learn a bit about Kansai-ben which was really nice (Nande ya nen!? --> "What the hell?"). The Manzai act I understood a bit more because they were speaking Kanto-ben, your basic textbook Japanese. All in all, a good experience.
I then went to Kyoshi, a local izakaya, where I was treated to Crab Fried Rice, Yum soo good, and had Horumon and pork. Since he gave me free rice, I figured I should give him an omiyage, so tomorrow I plan to drop by with someting. Anyway, I should head to bed. I just wanted to catch up with some blogging and let everybody know whats happening in my small town.
On the weekend, I'm going to Sapporo to watch baseball, go to Izakayas and a sports museum, while drinking the whole time (this is gonna be such an awesome trip!). No, shopping, but I figure I need to save for a car anyway? aha. Guess I won't be saving much with all the money I'll be spending on CH3CH2OH (Ethanol/Commonly refered to as Alcohol). Anyway probably won't blog till Monday, or Sunday evening at the latest. So...Till then!
EDIT: One more question before I sleep. This is for everybody who reads my notes. Put yourself in my shoes. You're an ALT in Kamikawa. One evening, an ALT calls your cellphone and asks stay over at your house the next evening because hes doing some biking excursion. All you know about this ALT is his name and that he is with the JET program (so he says). Do you let this guy stay over because hes a JET?
What I did? This ALT called me while I was in Asahikawa. Though I try to be nice to JETs as I don't really like causing any animosity between members of JET and myself, I found myself saying no. For one, I have no idea who this person is, or even how this person got my number. He didn't say, and in fact it freaks me out quite a bit. He could be a JET, or he could just as easily be some mass murder, maybe I'm being too paranoid but I hope you understand where I'm coming from. If I had met this person, and then invited him to stay over, like I did with Peter, then it would of been better. Two, this guy asks me one day before hes coming to Kamikawa. Maybe he has his reasons, but to me thats really last minute and kind of rude.
If this action has put me in a bad position with the JET community then I guess so be it. I not too sure why it should, I'm just being paranoid again I think. I realize JETs are suppose to help each other, but there have been JETs who have been tricked by their JET predecessors. And theres also a limit to what one will do for a someone they haven't even seen. Anyway, I'm really looking forward to what you guys have to say.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
MY FIRST ONSEN!!!
So yah sorry guys,I keep leaving things out of my blog. Guess if I kept up with the blog I really wouldn't have this problem would I?
Anyway heres what I left out of the last blog.
1) I went gambling last wednesday in Asahikawa. We went to a horse race which was kinda cool and exciting at the same time. I've never really been to one, but I believe it works the same way in Japan and Canada, where you pick the horses that you believe will come in first, second and third. And if your choices matches the outcome the you win money.
It was kinda cool because I won the first of my three races. Unfortunately I only bet 100 JPY so I got like 1600 JPY in return. I made about 15 bets over 3 races, all about 100 JPY each, so really I didn't spend that much. I guess it was more fun just having fun with everybody at the town office and my supervisor.
On the bus back, for some reason I suffered an anxiety attack, where I questioned why the hell I was in Japan, while I was on the bus ride back home. I actually think it was more about being away from my home in Edmonton, and then being away from my home in Kamikawa, with the Sapporo orientation and frequent visits to Asahikawa and all. I guess being shipped from place to place has its toll on me and somehow I just wanted to return to a place I could call home. I just closed my eyes and pretended to sleep it off until the panic subsided. My supervisor was pretty worried, I don't think he knew exactly what was going on, as I didn't say anything, but after a while of just listening to my MP3 player I felt a lot better. Upon to returning to Kamikawa I felt great. I think it was just being removed from Kamikawa or soo long. I dunno...
Also on the bus back, Konno-san, drank to much and almost puked on the bus. We had to pull over for him to puke. I guess its a first time for you guys to hear about me not puking somewhere. I did have to go the washroom soo bad that I almost peed my pants on the way to Asahikawa. I had to tell my supervisor, and he told the driver to pull over to the nearest washroom. It was pretty fun and sad, for me, at the same time. Damn you alcohol!!! You make me have old man bladder.
2)I had my first haircut in Japan. I decided to go to a barbershop called Higuchi, ran by a man of the same name. It's fairly close to my apartment and on the way home from work, so I figured why not? I had actually met Higuchi-san on the sunday of the Furusato Matsuri, and he had showed me his beer chugging skills. He managed to finish one pint of beer in about 2.5 seconds. You have to see it to believe it, its mind blowing.
Anyway, for 3300 JPY he'll cut your hair, give you a head massage and give you nice shave the traditional barber way. Now that's service! I never got that kind of treatment in Canada. Not even close! Thats why I love Japan. BTW, all the stores and shops in Japan provide pretty good service.
For example, if you buy something from a clothing store, they'll walk you out and carry the bag for you till you reach the end of their store. Then they'll hand you the bag and say good bye. I actually went to a department store in Sapporo just as it was about to close, and when I finally found something I liked and bought it, the department store had closed. The lady clerk, walked me out of the building and actually showed me where the subway station was. Fracking great, I don't think I will be able to stand he service when I get back to Edmonton.
Anyway, I plan to get another haircut later when my hair is a little longer, I kinda wanna go back to the mullet as its socially acceptable in Japan, and people will actually still hire you if you have one, and girls kinda like it more then short hair I'm sure ;P. Might be fun to have long hair eventually anyway. But the haircuts are more really enjoyable experiences here, I'm only concerned about Higuchi-san being able to style my hair, if I grow it long. I'm sure he will be able.
But anyway, I found out another thing I really enjoy about Japan. ONSEN (Baths)!!!!
I went to one today in Sounkyo with my supervisor and his friend Nobu-chan. They're really nice and relaxing, although a bit draining. I'm sure everybody knows a bit, or has heard a bit about Japanese baths. But I'll explain my experience anyway.
Well first we went into the change room and removed all our clothes and put them in a basket. You have a privacy towel, you use to cover your privates. After that we walked into the bathing area, where we would shower ourselves off, and then finally enter the baths. Its good to enter slowly, as entering too fast hurts pretty badly (the water is really hot). The change rooms are really seperate by sex of course, and so was this bathing area, but I heard from my supervisor that there are baths that don't seperate the bathing areas. I dunno if hes just jerking my chain, but that would cause me to nose bleed continuously, unless it was full of old women, then I'd just be creeped out.
After staying in the bath for about 10 minutes, we went to Otenburo (Outdoor bath) just one floor up (it was just part of the bath, but just one floor up, which is reachable by the stairs). The bath there is a lot cooler, and its really nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors as well as feel the breeze.
We then went to sauna for a good 10 minutes before we cooled down in a pool full of cold water right beside it. That was easily the best part.
Then we warmed up in the otenburo for a bit before showering off and eating lunch at the italian restaurant right beside it.
We all went home, where I took a 2 hour nap. The baths somehow drain the energy away from me, but it made me feel good and refreshed in a way.
Anyway I got some work to do, so i'll talk to you guys later. I started playing FFXII international version in Japanese, so hopefully I'll get to continue some of that tonight once I finish my work.
Talk to you guys later!
Anyway heres what I left out of the last blog.
1) I went gambling last wednesday in Asahikawa. We went to a horse race which was kinda cool and exciting at the same time. I've never really been to one, but I believe it works the same way in Japan and Canada, where you pick the horses that you believe will come in first, second and third. And if your choices matches the outcome the you win money.
It was kinda cool because I won the first of my three races. Unfortunately I only bet 100 JPY so I got like 1600 JPY in return. I made about 15 bets over 3 races, all about 100 JPY each, so really I didn't spend that much. I guess it was more fun just having fun with everybody at the town office and my supervisor.
On the bus back, for some reason I suffered an anxiety attack, where I questioned why the hell I was in Japan, while I was on the bus ride back home. I actually think it was more about being away from my home in Edmonton, and then being away from my home in Kamikawa, with the Sapporo orientation and frequent visits to Asahikawa and all. I guess being shipped from place to place has its toll on me and somehow I just wanted to return to a place I could call home. I just closed my eyes and pretended to sleep it off until the panic subsided. My supervisor was pretty worried, I don't think he knew exactly what was going on, as I didn't say anything, but after a while of just listening to my MP3 player I felt a lot better. Upon to returning to Kamikawa I felt great. I think it was just being removed from Kamikawa or soo long. I dunno...
Also on the bus back, Konno-san, drank to much and almost puked on the bus. We had to pull over for him to puke. I guess its a first time for you guys to hear about me not puking somewhere. I did have to go the washroom soo bad that I almost peed my pants on the way to Asahikawa. I had to tell my supervisor, and he told the driver to pull over to the nearest washroom. It was pretty fun and sad, for me, at the same time. Damn you alcohol!!! You make me have old man bladder.
2)I had my first haircut in Japan. I decided to go to a barbershop called Higuchi, ran by a man of the same name. It's fairly close to my apartment and on the way home from work, so I figured why not? I had actually met Higuchi-san on the sunday of the Furusato Matsuri, and he had showed me his beer chugging skills. He managed to finish one pint of beer in about 2.5 seconds. You have to see it to believe it, its mind blowing.
Anyway, for 3300 JPY he'll cut your hair, give you a head massage and give you nice shave the traditional barber way. Now that's service! I never got that kind of treatment in Canada. Not even close! Thats why I love Japan. BTW, all the stores and shops in Japan provide pretty good service.
For example, if you buy something from a clothing store, they'll walk you out and carry the bag for you till you reach the end of their store. Then they'll hand you the bag and say good bye. I actually went to a department store in Sapporo just as it was about to close, and when I finally found something I liked and bought it, the department store had closed. The lady clerk, walked me out of the building and actually showed me where the subway station was. Fracking great, I don't think I will be able to stand he service when I get back to Edmonton.
Anyway, I plan to get another haircut later when my hair is a little longer, I kinda wanna go back to the mullet as its socially acceptable in Japan, and people will actually still hire you if you have one, and girls kinda like it more then short hair I'm sure ;P. Might be fun to have long hair eventually anyway. But the haircuts are more really enjoyable experiences here, I'm only concerned about Higuchi-san being able to style my hair, if I grow it long. I'm sure he will be able.
But anyway, I found out another thing I really enjoy about Japan. ONSEN (Baths)!!!!
I went to one today in Sounkyo with my supervisor and his friend Nobu-chan. They're really nice and relaxing, although a bit draining. I'm sure everybody knows a bit, or has heard a bit about Japanese baths. But I'll explain my experience anyway.
Well first we went into the change room and removed all our clothes and put them in a basket. You have a privacy towel, you use to cover your privates. After that we walked into the bathing area, where we would shower ourselves off, and then finally enter the baths. Its good to enter slowly, as entering too fast hurts pretty badly (the water is really hot). The change rooms are really seperate by sex of course, and so was this bathing area, but I heard from my supervisor that there are baths that don't seperate the bathing areas. I dunno if hes just jerking my chain, but that would cause me to nose bleed continuously, unless it was full of old women, then I'd just be creeped out.
After staying in the bath for about 10 minutes, we went to Otenburo (Outdoor bath) just one floor up (it was just part of the bath, but just one floor up, which is reachable by the stairs). The bath there is a lot cooler, and its really nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors as well as feel the breeze.
We then went to sauna for a good 10 minutes before we cooled down in a pool full of cold water right beside it. That was easily the best part.
Then we warmed up in the otenburo for a bit before showering off and eating lunch at the italian restaurant right beside it.
We all went home, where I took a 2 hour nap. The baths somehow drain the energy away from me, but it made me feel good and refreshed in a way.
Anyway I got some work to do, so i'll talk to you guys later. I started playing FFXII international version in Japanese, so hopefully I'll get to continue some of that tonight once I finish my work.
Talk to you guys later!
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