Luggage Company

I'm coming home for a friend's wedding next week, so I thought I'd start moving home by bringing a bunch of stuff I don't need back home with me. (I can't believe I'm already starting to move home!) Since I'll be taking the train alone to the airport, I decided to have one of my big bags shipped to the airport from my apartment (a commen and very useful service!) My friend recently had some luggage shipped to the airport, and she gave me the name of an English-speaking luggage service. When I called them this afternoon, there was no one who could speak English. I thought I would have to call back or get a Japanese speaker to make the arrangements, but the women just started asking me questions, so I figured I would try to make the arrangements myself. Although it took 20 minutes and a lot of "I don't understand's" in Japanese, I finally was able to successfully make arrangements (I hope! I'm still not 100% sure!) with the company. Everything went pretty smoothly (context is everything!) except for about five minutes in the middle of our conversation when I just could not understand what the woman I was talking to was talking about. I seriously couldn't understand any of the words she was using, except for "luggage." Finally, putting context into effect, I asked her if she was asking me when was a good time to pick up my bag from my apartment. Bingo. That's was she was talking about, but she was using unfamiliar words to me. I was pretty proud when it was all over, but I felt extremely bad for the woman who had to put up with me! She was so patient and gracious, especially when I kept saying I didn't understand over and over (what else can you say when you really don't understand?!) I just hope I really did understand her :) I guess we'll find out!

The rest of the story

Kyoto was really fun! I love taking the bullet train (just like an airplane but with no air sickness!)! It was sunny in Tokyo, but by the time we got to Kyoto it was drizzling. The rain was perfect for the shrine we went to that afternoon, though. We went to Fushimi Shrine. It was one of the coolest places I've been to in Japan- you walk through thousands of big red toriis (Shinto gates) up a mountain. Walking through the gates and trees in the dusky mist was a perfect introduction to Kyoto! We then went to Gion, the geisha district. We got to see a few geisha walking to appointments, which was pretty cool! We ended up getting dinner at a small ramen shop near the hotel. We then loaded up on Japanese sweets and settled in for the night. Our hotel was really comfortable- tatami floors and foutons- perfect for us. Wednesday we started out early and, after a brief detour on a wrong bus, made our way to the golden pavillion, probably the most famous temple with foreigners. There were too many people there! The month of May is the month of ninth-grade school trips, so there were uniform-clad teenagers EVERYWHERE! The next temple, the silver pavillion, was a lot less crowded, and subsequently more peaceful. In the afternoon we took a break at the former Imperial Palace gardens. It was nice to get out of the crowds and into a quiet park. We ended the day at the Heian shrine. We got a yummy yakisoba dinner near the station and walked around a bit. Everything closed pretty early, though. On Thursday morning we caught an early bullet train for Tokyo. We arrived at 11 and started on perhaps the most extensive 1/2 day tour of Tokyo known to mankind! We dropped our stuff off at the station, and then proceeded to the hot spots of Tokyo: Akihabara (the technology district), Ginza (the high-end shopping district and Sony building), Shibuya (the famous crosswalk and busiest Starbucks- which we sat in and watched people crossing the streets!), Harajuku (the crazy fashion district and Meiji shrine), and, finally, Shinjuku, where we met some friends for a delicious okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza/pancake thing) dinner. My favorite part of traveling is hanging out with people who live in the country, so I was so glad that Joe and Mike could meet some of my Japanese friends! We rode the VERY crowded train (an essential Japanese experience) back to my friend Kana's place (it feels like I live there these days!) where we all stayed. Friday morning the boys took off for Thailand- what a trip!!!

On Friday afternoon I decided to go to Asia University, the school where many exchange students come from to study English at Western Washington University. I went there during lunch break, and could see many students I worked with as a peer advisor in their exchange program. It was really good to see so many faces, but kind of weird at the same time. With many people, after saying, "Wow! Long time no see!" There wasn't really much else to say, and they were really confused why I was at their school! I had been wanting to visit their school, so it was good to finally be able to do so! That afternoon I met my very first Japanese friend (we met almost four years ago!) to spend Friday and Saturday with. We were going to go on more of an adventure, but I was pretty wiped and it was raining, so we just stayed around Tokyo. It was really good to spend time with her, though, and we could eat Indian food (I love it!), Vietnamese food, meet her boyfriend, and stay in her apartment. On Saturday afternoon I went back to Kana's. We were going to go dancing with some friends, but I was still so tired (and dancing in Tokyo means you are out ALL night until the trains start again in the morning!) so we stayed in. I seriously feel like I live at her apartment (I stayed there 7 days out of the past 25!) I picked up groceries at "our" grocery store and we cooked and made chocolates! We have so much fun (with her brother, too!). It was sad to say good-bye on Sunday, but I will be back in less than a month...:) I'm realizing that I'm not going to be able to see my friends in Tokyo that often when I move back to America...now I can say "I'm going up to Tokyo for the weekend," but I won't be able to say that much longer! They are my favorite part of Japan :) After all the traveling and vacation I've had, it feels like I don't really live or work here, but that I'm just here visiting friends :) I'm already thinking about when I'm going come back to visit :) I think I'll be connected to Japan forever...frequent flier miles, here I come!

A little update...

I went to Tokyo for the weekend before going to the airport to pick up Joe and Mike (who are now in my apartment!) For some reason, my friends thought that my birthday was on the 20th, not the 27th. I kind of knew that they thought this, but I didn't really know how to tell them my birthday was on the 27th. I thought it would be a little presumptuous of me, like I assumed they were going to do something for my birthday. We all planned to meet on Saturday for dinner. I met a friend earlier who wasn't able to come to dinner. Somehow our conversation came to the topic of ages, and my friend said, "you're 23, right?" And I said, "almost." "He looked at me and said, "but today's your birthday!" I had earlier thought that if they did celebrate my birthday, I wouldn't tell them that they had the wrong time, but then I realized I should just tell them the truth. He was surprised, and told me that everyone thought my birthday was that day! Anyways, I had almost forgot about the whole birthday thing until after dinner the waitress came to our table with a cake! My birthday cake! And then everyone simultaneously piled presents on the table. My birthday presents! I have great friends...:)

Joe and Mike successfully made it to Japan on Sunday afternoon! They got out of customs really quickly, so we were able to make it to Tateyama (3 hours away from the airport!) around 8:00pm. I was going to cook, but that would have taken too long, so we went to a cheap and fast family restaurant (not exactly high-quality food, but the boys were pretty tired!) After work today I brought them to see my school. They were able to see all the students (there was an all-school assembly in the gym), and have green tea and snacks with my vice-principal (I love him so much!) It was a great trip to my school. At night we went to my friend Junko's restaurant for sushi, tempura, and eel. We were the only ones in the tiny restaurant, so Junko could visit with us for a while. After we finished eating she brought out a cheesecake with candles- my second birthday cake! I was so surprised and happy! (and full! I could barely eat any of the cheesecake!) She is so thoughtful, and an awesome cook! Tomorrow we are off for a few days in Kyoto, then a day in Tokyo before the boys head off to southeast Asia. It's kind of an exhausting schedule, but I'm excited!

Counting with Rimi

I was over at a friend's house for sushi last night. He is an English teacher at a "cram" school and has two daughters, both of whom I teach at elementary and junior high school. Rimi, his youngest daughter, was challenged to count to one hundred in English by another ALT that was visited their house. She bravely took on the challenge (ah...the lack of self-consciousness of children!). She perfectly recited one through ninety-nine (the pace got considerably slower the higher she went!). Here's how the end of her counting went:

Rimi: Ninety-seven, ninety-nine- no- ninety-eight, ninety-nine.......(long pause)........October!!!

How cute : )

All good things must come to an end...

Today I went to city hall to pay my monthly rent. My supervisor told me I had to pay a "neighborhood association fee" of about $40. It's sometimes frustrating to just be told these random fees and not really be able to understand them or ask about them, but I guess that probably happens in the States, too. As one of my ALT friends always says, they're paying us a lot to do a little, so these fees aren't really that bad. While I was with my supervisor, she pointed out new name plates on the six parking spots. I hadn't seen them before she pointed them out (I'm not sure the exact day they were put up). Anyways, I couldn't help but wonder why my name plate was put in a spot other than the one I have been parking in for the last ten months. I immediately thought that the reason for the name plates was because "someone" wasn't happy about where I was parking my car (the closest spot to the road). But the thing that is most confusing is that the spot I have always parked in is unmarked now. Maybe I'm just being sensitive, but I've heard about other indirect ways of communicating in Japan. So, now I have to nagivate into a different parking spot, the one that so eloquently says, "ELIZABETH," in Japanese, on a bright white sign. I wonder what'll happen if I keep parking in the same spot...maybe I'll have to try it...: )

One more thing...

...about the doctor. After I had already taken a seat to wait for me turn, I realized that I hadn't taken off my outdoor shoes and put on the indoor slippers. A few other people didn't seem to have the indoor slippers on, and I had already walked around the clinic a bunch with my outdoor shoes, so I didn't think it would be a big deal. But, after talking to the doctor for a few minutes in his office, he walked me out to the front and showed me where I could put indoor slippers on. I guess being a foreigner didn't excuse me from indoor shoes this time...

Is the Doctor here?

I'm really tired, so this isn't going to be my most eloquent blog- but I want to write it before I forgot all the spectacular details of the story : ) Here goes...after a week of fairly excruciating back pain (and the advice of my parents) I realized I really needed to see a doctor. My trusty bilingual New Zealand buddy told me about a good doctor near my house (turns out he's just around the corner!) So, I bravely went there this afternoon with my limited Japanese, and a few handy phrases in Japanese, such as "sharp pain," "back pain," and "back." When I went up to the front desk I asked the nurse "Is Dr. Tanahe here?" because I'd read that was what you were supposed to say at the front desk of a doctor's office. After I stumbled a bit over some Japanese phrases, she broke into fluent English (it's like a light shines from above when that happens :) She went to check and came back to inform me that I would have to call back after hours. I was really confused because Simon had told me that I didn't need an appointment- that I could just walk in and see the doctor. I finally figured out that if I waited for an hour, until 5:30, I would be able to see the doctor. I figured he was booked until then. So, I told the nurse I would wait or come back, because I really wanted to see the doctor that day, if I could. She asked me to put my name and situation on a small scratch piece of paper so they would remember me when I came back an hour later. I wrote it all out and gave it to her. She then asked me what my situation was and I put my hand on my back to show where I was experiencing pain. At that moment her eyes grew wide- she realized that I didn't want to just meet the doctor, that I actually had a medical problem that I wanted the doctor to examine! She was so embarassed! (She spoke really good English). I told her it was just as much my fault because I had just asked if the doctor was there, and hadn't said anything about my condition. I guess I just assumed that because I was inquiring after a doctor that she would realize I had a problem :) So, it turned out that I could see the doctor earlier, since I was a legitimate patient and not just an adoring fan :) The doctor spoke less English than I thought, but I could figure out most of what he was saying. He wanted me to get an x-ray. I was really surprised that no one asked me if I could be pregnant- I've gotten x-rays in the States and they always ask you if you could be pregnant before they let you take an x-ray. Anyways, I had to change in front of all the nurses in the x-ray room (and wear these ugly, nasty shorts). The nurse who spoke English came with me everywhere, which was such a comfort! While I was on the x-ray table, this really old Japanese woman kept re-positioning me. It was a little awkward because I couldn't understand what she was saying, and she kept touching me and practically laying on top of me to move me around. After the x-rays I found out that my spine is pretty curved (but nothing serious) and the doctor performed a few more tests on me...though I couldn't quite communicate my feelings/problems to him. He was taking on my whole back, while I just wanted something for the recent sharp pains I've been experiencing. Anyways, they brought out this big back brace thing that they told me I was supposed to wear to correct my posture and I was like, umm...can I just get some painkillers or something??? And then I was taken upstairs to the "therapy" room, which I'm supposed to go to three times a week now! I felt like I was joining a gym! They showed me all this equipment and the exercises they want me to do. (Don't get me wrong, I think the therapy is going to help- it's basically heat and some small shocks). The best part was that there were three young boys working in the therapy room that kept staring at me. One of them shocked me by actually saying, "konnichi wa," while his friends looked on. I'm not really sure if they worked there because they looked like high school students. I was certainly an interesting customer to the therapy room! After I was all set up with my membership :) the English-speaking nurse took me next door to the pharmacy. Turns out she's married to an American and is moving to Florida in a few months. She was so nice, and told me she could understand my feelings because she had to go to the doctor when she was stuyding English in the states. We said a long farewell (it was like we'd become friends with all we went through...:) So, I'm back on Thursday for more therapy...hopefully I won't have to go much because hopefully my back will heal up soon! Keep you posted!

On top of the mountain Part II

Today at school my favorite movie-loving secretary had a very interesting present for me. It was a picture of my friend Melissa and I on the top of a mountain we went hiking at a few weeks ago. Apparently the people we met at the top of the mountain (the ones who gave us sweets and who we chatted with for awhile) had developed the picture they took of us and brought two copies to my school! They remembered that I was an English teacher at Sanchuu Junior High School so they brought the pictures there. It's a small world (and small town!) Anyways, Melissa came over to my house today to pick up some things, and when I gave her the picture she suggested we go to eat at the sushi restaurant that this family owns. They had told us about it when we chatted with them on the mountain. So, we decided to be adventurous and go find this sushi restaurant. When we entered, they immediately recognized us (we kind of stand out : ) ). The owner called her brother, the photographer, and Melissa chatted with him on the phone for awhile. We then had a delicious sushi dinner with lots of "service" (complimentary food), such as shrimp gratin, fish patties, soup, and coffee. They even let us special order so we could have exactly what we wanted. I love small restaurants in Japan, especially when you know the owners! We're definately going back to Sasamoto Sushi in the near future to visit our hiking buddies!

The Toothbrush Holder

While I was staying with my friend Kana and her brother Ryo in Tokyo, I left my toothbrush in their toothbrush holder. I know it may sound silly, but I loved sharing the toothbrush holder because it meant that I was living (however briefly) with other people! When I took my toothbrush out of the toothbrush holder for the last time, I was strangely sad. I knew that when I got home, my toothbrush would be the only one in my toothbrush holder (actually, I don't even have a toothbrush holder). I don't think I ever want to live alone again- it's just more fun to have people to live with, tell about your day, eat with, and just hang out with. But I guess there are benefits of living alone...wearing whatever you want to (or don't want to : ) ), being messy, and listening to music as loud as you want to. But I would take having roommates over living alone any day! I can't wait to put my toothbrush in a toothbrush holder with other toothbrushes again : )

Nice to Meet You Part II

I went to Tateno Elementary School for my first school visit today. I was with the third and fifth graders. They were SO cute (and so well-behaved)! They took my lesson very seriously, practicing their pronounciation and inflexion with intensity! We learned, "Hi, my name is __________. Nice to meet you. How are you? I'm fine, thank you. And you?" I think their favorite part is the handshake that accompanies the greeting- it's so foreign to them! I just love practicing the greeting with them individually- they are like little, serious people! I felt really bad because in the fifth grade class one little boy got really stressed out because he didn't understand, and he started crying. The teacher was great, though, and the little boy could eventually enjoy the lesson (and stop crying!) But I felt so bad, like the big scary foreigner! I think he was just really frustrated because he couldn't say the new words we were learning. I hadn't done elementary school lessons for awhile, so it was quite a shock to be back with the little ones. But I do enjoy going to elementary school so much, because the students are so excited to learn English! I gave them each a penny, which will undoubtedly become a prized possession. Ahh...it takes so little to make kids happy!

I love Golden Week!

I just got back from a glorious 5-day vacation in Tokyo. Every year in Japan there are 4 national holidays at the beginning of the May. This year three of the four holidays were on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so I went up to Tokyo for five days. Here is a chronicle of my Golden Week!

Tuesday: I caught the train up to Tokyo after school. I stayed with my friend Nancy in her dorm at Tsuda women's college. We had a delicious Nabe party with some of her dormmates at 11:00pm. I'm getting so used to eating late, in true Japanese style. After eating, we moved the party into the shower. The dorm has a communal shower so you can chat and hang out while showering, another truly Japanese custom!

Wednesday: I met my old roommate, Chihiro, in Ginza to watch kabuki, traditional Japanese theater. It was so cool! It was really crowded because of Golden Week and the recent return of a famous kabuki actor who had been battling luekemia for the past two years. Kabuki is really expensive, but there are some cheap, nose-bleed seats that you can get a half-hour before the show. Since it was so crowded we had to stand, but it was definately worth it. Chihiro brought binoculars, so we could see the details of the actors make-up and costumes, but the theater wasn't too big, so we could see everything well. The make-up was incredible! Kabuki was unlike any theater I had ever seen. Some highlights were the men's voices when they were acting as women, and the personal monologue that some actors delivered in the middle of a scene. It was like there was a time-out of the play, and the actors stopped to thank the audience for coming, and talked about their personal lives. Very interesting... After kabuki Chihiro and I walked around Ginza and later met some friends for Indian food (a new favorite culinary delight!)

Thursday: I met a group of guys that studied English at Western two years ago. We went to Odaiba, a kind-of amusement area (but there isn't much to do there except eat and shop!) We spent the day walking around and chatting/eating at 4 different restaurants! We had lunch at an all-you-can-eat Italian restaurant, coffee at a family restaurant, coffee at Starbucks, and then a late-night dinner at a Japanese restaurant. There really isn't much to do except walk around or go to restaurants, so we spent lots of time at restaurants!

Friday: I went to the famous shopping district of Harajuku. I was determined to dabble in Japanese fashion, but after many failed attempts, I gave up and shopped at The GAP. How boring! But I am just not the size of Japanese women! Even if something fit me, it just didn't look good...once a GAP girl, always a GAP girl...even in Harajuku! There were SO many people in Harajuku, it was kind of stressful! Everywhere was crowded because of Golden Week, but Harajuku was especially crowded! I did see some pretty interesting fashion...sometimes you wonder what people are thinking. Kana, my Harajuku partner-in-crime, escaped the frenzy with a great lunch at a Chinese restaurant. That night I met my friend Masako for a Mexican dinner. It was my first time to eat Mexican food in Japan. I was kind of nervous, but it turned out to be pretty good. I think it is a chain in America, El Torito. There were so many foreigners there! We love our Mexican food! Although it was really good, it still just wasn't the same as Mexican food in America- I think a big reason is the cheese. There wasn't any cheddar cheese in any of the dishes we ordered. I can't wait to get home and eat some good Mexican food!

Saturday: Kana and I went to Mt. Takao, a hiking area in Tokyo. It was great to get out of the city, although there were still so many people there! At the top of the "mountain" were many temples and shops...souvenirs and snacks. We had a nice o-bento lunch at the top where we were seranaded by an English-speaking, harmonica-playing older man. He really wanted to play some American songs that I would know, but all the songs he played were so old and I didn't know any of them! I was so exhausted when we got back to Kana's apartment after hiking (and Golden Week!) We took a long nap and then cooked soba for dinner (Kana is an awesome cook!) and hung out with her older brother (and roommate).

Sunday: We slept in late until I had to meet another friend and then head back to Tateyama. I met a friend who studied English in America last year. I hadn't seen her since we were both in the states, so it was really good to meet her. Then I had a three and a half hour ride back to Tateyama. Monday is going to be a hard day at work after all this vacation!

Apple Pie

Yesterday I was hanging out with a Japanese friend. As we were deciding what to do, she said she had some apple pie that she had brought back from a recent trip to north Japan. I was stoked! I kept telling myself that it probably wouldn't taste nearly as good as my mom's or grandma's apple pie, but that it would still be some good homemade pie! When we got to her house, there were all kinds of treats on the table. I didn't see the pie, and thought it must be in the kitchen. When my friend opened a thin box that was on the table, I was quite shocked. The "apple pie" was some store-bought apple pie pastry things. I don't know why I was was so shocked, but it never occurred to me that the apple pie wouldn't be homemade, or at least in the shape of a pie. Of course we have similar apple pie pastries (like at McDonald's) in America, but people don't call these pastries "apple pie." After I got over my shock, I gladly accepted one and enjoyed it, though not as much as a slice of real, American apple pie :)