*pictures coming soon*
September 11th:
So today was my jr.high school, Takase’s annual sports day. An Undokai (sports day) is an event set up by most schools in Japan full of competitive sporting events and cheering competitions. The goal is to win some king of trophies or prize, and you tend to receive a trophy for both the athletic and cheering parts of the sporting event. I showed up bright and early at 9am on a Saturday ( >.< ) at the school and found a spot under the tent to watch all the events. I was really excited to see that the two teams had Sengoku Basara banners representing their respective teams. Yukimura represented the red team and Date Masamune represented the white team.
The sports day was much like the ones I saw last year, cept this time I didn't have to juggle two sports days at different schools at once, AND I knew what was going on XD At the end of it I believe the Red team won the overall sports competition while the white team won the cheering contest. Most of the time I assume if one wins the sports competition the other team automatically wins the other trophy as to be fair. At least it seemed that way at the sports days I attended last year. However this year, the division was truly clear between the teams athletic ability and cheering strengths.
Of course even though the reason why I would be bothered to be awake at 9am on a Saturday for school was for the sport competition, this was not the highlight of the day. As usual I was looking forward to the Enkai we would be having later on that evening. I decided to drive there and realized that the place ( Kintaro Onsen) was actually the same Onsen I had my very first Enkai at by the same school. After being escorted to the room where we were to wait for dinner I sat down and watched a little TV. I wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but it had been so long since I watched TV (not TV shows, but TV itself) it kept me interested.
When it was time to eat the staff drew numbers to see where each person would sit, opening remarks were made, and then we were free to eat. I talked with the teachers around me, and served them beer like any other Enaki and karaoke was brought up. I was asked to sing and so I sung two songs. One dedicated to a young female teacher because she was so happy about me singing. She really is the cutest thing and only one year older than I.
Of course this didn’t end the night, after dinner we all jumped on the bus and headed to a karaoke bar near where I live and there we spent another two hours singing and having a good time. Right as we leaving the karaoke bar a group of 10 to 15 Japanese people came in. They looked to be around my age and for some reason I had an unshakeable desire to join them. So I did. I said goodbye my fellow teachers and even convinced one to stay behind and party with me. She agreed and we joined the group. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! And the first time I took it upon myself to mingle with Japanese people that weren’t connected to people I was already with or knew. They talked with me so much and we partied and they bought me shots and one even changed the name in a song he sung to my name. I had a blast! When it was time to leave I had ever intention of walking home. However for some reason the bartender stopped me and asked me to sit down. I thought I was in trouble for something. He asked me to sing another song and then closed the bar down. His wife and him said they wanted to take me home so I let them. It was rather strange how that happened but I was out of the rain and I didn’t have to walk. So nothing but pluses!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
September 3rd: Owara Matsuri
Since I did traveling and all kinds of other things during the summer I didn’t really have the opportunity to go to a Matsuri ( festival) or wear a yukata (not that I look great in them XD). So even though I normally don’t travel that far out, Pa, Julia and I got ready in Uozu before catching the train to Yatsuo for the Owara festival. [The Owara festival is for Locals of Yatsuo-machi in Toyama take time out from work to don traditional costume and celebrate the Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival. Their singing, dancing and lantern-lighting are thought to protect the town from wind damage and encourage a successful autumnal harvest.] Pa and I wore yukata and even though we missed the first two trains there >.> we finally caught one around seven. It was really cramped on the second train and Pa was holding on to me for dear life since she was too short to reach the over head handles. It was kind of cute really. It was like she was my lil wife or something. ^^ Finally we got there (lost Julia right away) but that was ok cause I couldn’t walk that fast in the yukata ( though upon further look I might have actually been wearing kimono) and it was blazing hot. It was funny though because no sooner did we get in line and my shaved ice did some women come up and ask us for out picture. We smiled and let her take our picture, but I think it was simply because we were foreigners dressed up in traditional Japanese attire.
The two of us walked along way down the road until we finally met up with Matt and some other people that were there. We walked around with them for a long while, looking at various things like the Owara dancers and the shops. Met up with all the people from Takaoka and other places as well. It was good to see everyone since a lot of people had I hadn’t seen in a while because of summer break. Then I finally split with Pa and went roaming around with Tiffany and a few others since I was to stay with Tiffany for the night. Met up with Akeem as well who was really good in Japanese which of course he had to be, being a CIR. Before we retired back to Tiffanies place we walked through the part of town that was kept in the olden style with tons of paper lanterns. It was really pretty, and a lot of Japanese people were talking about me in my kimono and how they thought I looked nice. I only know this cause Akeem told me! ^^ Finally it was time to head out (which was good cause I was dying at that point from over-heating), and we rested at Tiffanies placed, talked and laughed for a little while before we all passed out
The two of us walked along way down the road until we finally met up with Matt and some other people that were there. We walked around with them for a long while, looking at various things like the Owara dancers and the shops. Met up with all the people from Takaoka and other places as well. It was good to see everyone since a lot of people had I hadn’t seen in a while because of summer break. Then I finally split with Pa and went roaming around with Tiffany and a few others since I was to stay with Tiffany for the night. Met up with Akeem as well who was really good in Japanese which of course he had to be, being a CIR. Before we retired back to Tiffanies place we walked through the part of town that was kept in the olden style with tons of paper lanterns. It was really pretty, and a lot of Japanese people were talking about me in my kimono and how they thought I looked nice. I only know this cause Akeem told me! ^^ Finally it was time to head out (which was good cause I was dying at that point from over-heating), and we rested at Tiffanies placed, talked and laughed for a little while before we all passed out
Wrap up of August
( *pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs* Can’t believe I’ve managed to fall nearly two months behind in writing. *Cracks knuckles* let’s makes this short and sweet. )
August 23rd to the 27th was a week I simply hung out with the new Uozu Jets. Pa and Julia to be precise. We ate dinner out a few times and had karaoke with some new Namerikawa Jets and old friends. Turns out that Julia is a good singer. This all led up to Friday night’s poker game (in which I earned a nice bounty) and to the crowning moment of the week “Welcome Weekend”.
August 28th-29th:
So deciding that my car would make it I picked up Julia and Pa and we took the 1hr~1 1/2hr drive to Toga. It was a pretty fun drive and we saw a rainbow as well. Once we got there we managed to land bunks because we made it to the site relatively early. Once we did that we kinda lagged around a bit and finally met up with people. We walked down to the area where the actual party was held. It was relatively fun and it was just simple talking and light drinking until later on that night when everyone was there. I happened to wear a “Doug” shirt to the party and I was told that I had the most awesome shirt at the party. It was pretty amazing how many people knew about the nickelodeon show. People from Britain, Australia and other countries told me that they loved that show. I guess that such greatness was indeed and rightfully shared with the world XD.
The Night in general had its up’s and downs. The music wasn’t very good but we danced to what we could. Had a conversation with a friend that was very sad. However I think we are ok now. I’m not sure really. Had a random meeting with an Interac person and that turned into a wild and crazy night. It took me a solid week to get all the grass out of my hair, and at least a solid two weeks for all the mosquito bites to go away. Darn bugs, I was ate ALIVE! I also made a few more bonds with new people that are paying off today. Even got a nickname out of it. It’s was nice.
August 23rd to the 27th was a week I simply hung out with the new Uozu Jets. Pa and Julia to be precise. We ate dinner out a few times and had karaoke with some new Namerikawa Jets and old friends. Turns out that Julia is a good singer. This all led up to Friday night’s poker game (in which I earned a nice bounty) and to the crowning moment of the week “Welcome Weekend”.
August 28th-29th:
So deciding that my car would make it I picked up Julia and Pa and we took the 1hr~1 1/2hr drive to Toga. It was a pretty fun drive and we saw a rainbow as well. Once we got there we managed to land bunks because we made it to the site relatively early. Once we did that we kinda lagged around a bit and finally met up with people. We walked down to the area where the actual party was held. It was relatively fun and it was just simple talking and light drinking until later on that night when everyone was there. I happened to wear a “Doug” shirt to the party and I was told that I had the most awesome shirt at the party. It was pretty amazing how many people knew about the nickelodeon show. People from Britain, Australia and other countries told me that they loved that show. I guess that such greatness was indeed and rightfully shared with the world XD.
The Night in general had its up’s and downs. The music wasn’t very good but we danced to what we could. Had a conversation with a friend that was very sad. However I think we are ok now. I’m not sure really. Had a random meeting with an Interac person and that turned into a wild and crazy night. It took me a solid week to get all the grass out of my hair, and at least a solid two weeks for all the mosquito bites to go away. Darn bugs, I was ate ALIVE! I also made a few more bonds with new people that are paying off today. Even got a nickname out of it. It’s was nice.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tokyo Game Show Specs and Journal:
So the game show was awesome. Got there after a six hour night bus from Toyama Prefecture to Shinjuku, Tokyo. The six of us didn’t waste anytime getting to the game show. We arrived at the convention area where the show was being held around 7:30-8:00 am and waited in line till entry. To give you an idea of what the line looked like look at the picture below. It beat an Otakon line any day.
Once we finally entered the building I lost literally almost everyone I came with and went off on my own looking and wondering about. Below are pictures of the convention and some of the things I saw.
And ofcourse you have your Game Cosplayers. It wouldn't be a Japanese event if you didn't see cosplay somewhere!
So for a little run down of the things being offered in the near future (though I’m sure all you gamers know what’s going on anyway, here goes nothing):
* Release Dates are Japanese only unless specified*
PLAYSTATION 3:
Playstaion 3 HDD 160GB 29,980円
Playstation 3 HDD 320GB 34,980円
Playstaion MOVE : release date: 10/21/2010 at 5,980円
Playstation Portable 2tone RD: 11/18/2010 17,800円
PSP GO 26800円
Playstation Games in 3D (not all):
KIllZONE 3
Summer Memories
Sly Cooper Collection
Me&My Pet
PowerSmash 4
MotorStorm 3
Gran Turismo 5
Persoanl Game interests:
KillZONE 3
Summer Memoris
Playstation Games(not all):
Grand Turismo 5- release date: 11/3/2010
KILLZONE 3- release date: 2011
Final Fantasy XIV ONLINE- release date: March 2011
Little Big Planet 2- release date: 2011
Gundam Musou 3- release date: December 2010
Metal Gear Solid Rising (lightning bolt action)- release date: TBS
Castlevania:lord of shadows- release date: 2010
Arcana Hearts 3- release date: 1/13/2011
Of the End- release date: 2011
MotorStorm3-release date: 2011
SOCOM:U.S. Navy Seals 4-release date: 2011
Tokyo Jungle
Sly Cooper Collection
Front Mission Evolved
Call of Duty Black Ops- release date: 11/18/2010
Dues EX
VANQUISH-release date: 10/21/2010
Tales of Graces-release date: 12/2/2010
Personal Game interests :
Metal Gear Solid Rising (lightning bolt action) Here
Final Fantasy XIV ONLINE Here
Castlevania:lord of shadows Here
Playstation Portable (not all):
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd- release date: 12/1/2010
Dogma Wars-RD:2011
Unrecorded Chronicles 3- release date: 1/27/2011
Patapon 3-RD: TBS
God of War-RD: 11/11/2010
Lord of Arcana-RD: 10/14/2010
Tactics Ogre-RD: 11/11/2010
The 3rd Birthday
Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep-RD:2011
Final Fantasy: DISSIDIA 012-RD:2011
RADIANT MYTHOLOGY 3-RD:2011
Phantasy Star Portable
Shining Hearts-RD:12/16/2010
Personal Game interests :
The 3rd Birthday Here
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd Here
Lord of Arcana Here
Final Fantasy: DISSIDIA 012 Here
Shining Hearts Here
GAMANIA:
(online games I was personally really impressed with)
Core Blaze-release date: 2011
DIVINA
Reign of Assassins- release date: 2010 (along with a movie)
Langrisset Schwartz- release date: TBS (from renowned jp console game Langrisser)
Soul Captor
Warrior of Dragon
Tiara Concerto
Personal Game interests :
Tiara Concerto Here
Warrior of Dragon
Langrisset Schwartz
NINTENDO DS:
Shiren5 Here
XBOX 360:
Dead Rising 2- release date: 9/302010
FABLE 3-release date: 10/28/2010
Halo Reach-release date:
Monster Hunter FRONTIER 9.0-release date: 9/29/2010 JAPAN ONLY
Personal Game interests :
FABLE 3 Here
MY SWAG! YES THIS WAS ALL THE FREE STUFF!!!!
Just a picture is needed for this ridiculousness:
MY SWAG!! BOUGHT AND PAID FOR!
Bought mostly from SQUARE ENIX SHOWCASE:
Why was this shit in the floor!?! I was like WTF Sephiroth!!
A list for you all
Lightening Key Chain: Here
Serah Engagement Pendant: Here
Lightening Perfume: Here
Squall Lionheart Keychain: Here
Tonberry Keychain: Here
Kuroshitsuji Keyring/phone charm: Here
Mirror Kerby Plushie!: Here
XIV Moogle Plushie!: Here
Squall and Tidus drinking mugs: Here
PSP COVER (not psp itself):
PLAYSTATION 3 COVER (not ps3 itself):
Persona 4 bag (used as my PSP carrying case):
Whew! I think that is all for now lol
Once we finally entered the building I lost literally almost everyone I came with and went off on my own looking and wondering about. Below are pictures of the convention and some of the things I saw.
And ofcourse you have your Game Cosplayers. It wouldn't be a Japanese event if you didn't see cosplay somewhere!
So for a little run down of the things being offered in the near future (though I’m sure all you gamers know what’s going on anyway, here goes nothing):
* Release Dates are Japanese only unless specified*
PLAYSTATION 3:
Playstaion 3 HDD 160GB 29,980円
Playstation 3 HDD 320GB 34,980円
Playstaion MOVE : release date: 10/21/2010 at 5,980円
Playstation Portable 2tone RD: 11/18/2010 17,800円
PSP GO 26800円
Playstation Games in 3D (not all):
KIllZONE 3
Summer Memories
Sly Cooper Collection
Me&My Pet
PowerSmash 4
MotorStorm 3
Gran Turismo 5
Persoanl Game interests:
KillZONE 3
Summer Memoris
Playstation Games(not all):
Grand Turismo 5- release date: 11/3/2010
KILLZONE 3- release date: 2011
Final Fantasy XIV ONLINE- release date: March 2011
Little Big Planet 2- release date: 2011
Gundam Musou 3- release date: December 2010
Metal Gear Solid Rising (lightning bolt action)- release date: TBS
Castlevania:lord of shadows- release date: 2010
Arcana Hearts 3- release date: 1/13/2011
Of the End- release date: 2011
MotorStorm3-release date: 2011
SOCOM:U.S. Navy Seals 4-release date: 2011
Tokyo Jungle
Sly Cooper Collection
Front Mission Evolved
Call of Duty Black Ops- release date: 11/18/2010
Dues EX
VANQUISH-release date: 10/21/2010
Tales of Graces-release date: 12/2/2010
Personal Game interests :
Metal Gear Solid Rising (lightning bolt action) Here
Final Fantasy XIV ONLINE Here
Castlevania:lord of shadows Here
Playstation Portable (not all):
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd- release date: 12/1/2010
Dogma Wars-RD:2011
Unrecorded Chronicles 3- release date: 1/27/2011
Patapon 3-RD: TBS
God of War-RD: 11/11/2010
Lord of Arcana-RD: 10/14/2010
Tactics Ogre-RD: 11/11/2010
The 3rd Birthday
Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep-RD:2011
Final Fantasy: DISSIDIA 012-RD:2011
RADIANT MYTHOLOGY 3-RD:2011
Phantasy Star Portable
Shining Hearts-RD:12/16/2010
Personal Game interests :
The 3rd Birthday Here
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd Here
Lord of Arcana Here
Final Fantasy: DISSIDIA 012 Here
Shining Hearts Here
GAMANIA:
(online games I was personally really impressed with)
Core Blaze-release date: 2011
DIVINA
Reign of Assassins- release date: 2010 (along with a movie)
Langrisset Schwartz- release date: TBS (from renowned jp console game Langrisser)
Soul Captor
Warrior of Dragon
Tiara Concerto
Personal Game interests :
Tiara Concerto Here
Warrior of Dragon
Langrisset Schwartz
NINTENDO DS:
Shiren5 Here
XBOX 360:
Dead Rising 2- release date: 9/302010
FABLE 3-release date: 10/28/2010
Halo Reach-release date:
Monster Hunter FRONTIER 9.0-release date: 9/29/2010 JAPAN ONLY
Personal Game interests :
FABLE 3 Here
MY SWAG! YES THIS WAS ALL THE FREE STUFF!!!!
Just a picture is needed for this ridiculousness:
MY SWAG!! BOUGHT AND PAID FOR!
Bought mostly from SQUARE ENIX SHOWCASE:
Why was this shit in the floor!?! I was like WTF Sephiroth!!
A list for you all
Lightening Key Chain: Here
Serah Engagement Pendant: Here
Lightening Perfume: Here
Squall Lionheart Keychain: Here
Tonberry Keychain: Here
Kuroshitsuji Keyring/phone charm: Here
Mirror Kerby Plushie!: Here
XIV Moogle Plushie!: Here
Squall and Tidus drinking mugs: Here
PSP COVER (not psp itself):
PLAYSTATION 3 COVER (not ps3 itself):
Persona 4 bag (used as my PSP carrying case):
Whew! I think that is all for now lol
Friday, September 10, 2010
Anothe Fun Weekend
Izikaya night August 21st-22nd:
No rest for the weary as they say, especially when one has good friends. So out the door I went to Toyama to meet with Hilda and Debbie for drinks at an izakaiya with our Brazilian friends. After eating a quick dinner at Sizeriya and doing and hour of karaoke with Maranna we meet up with the boys (to interrupt their “boys night” out) at the bottom of the CIC building (ironically enough I go to the CIC building quite often and still have no idea what ‘CIC’ actually stands for O.o) At any rate we all had a great time together talking about random things and seeing who could fit a bear bottle the furthest down their own throat O.o We also played “never have I ever” which in truth is a very dangerous game. That game can either reveal too much, cause someone to get severely angry or if you’re with the right crowd; find out funny and rather interesting things about your friends in which you can smile and laugh off later. We were at the bar for quite a long time and truthfully I became a bit listless towards the end. That and one of the boys managed to get himself sick from drinking too much so when we called Nobuki’s wife to pick him up we all went home. Hilda and I however had no way home since the trains had stopped running, so we spent the night at Marianna’s and Wagner’s home.
The following morning instead of going home or to Sukiyaki the four of us ( after Mc Donalds and Ice-cream ^^) headed to HImi beach or one of those beaches in the Takaoka-esque region. It was a very pretty day and the three of them jumped in the water as soon as we got to the beach. Me however had no bathing suit so I sat on the beach and watched them. Not too long after however they told me to walk in up to my knees just so I could chat with them, and after doing so Wangner ended up splashing me. Eventually I just gave up and swam around in my street clothes. What was odd however is that Wagner, Marianna and Hilda managed to get bit or stung by something. I didn’t get stung but that was enough to end the beach excursion. We packed it all in and Hilda and I were dropped off at the station after we took a pit stop at her house and she let me borrow her clothes. Before we went our separate ways Hilda and I ate dinner at Santoshi’s and even landed free mango lassi. Apparently she always gets free lassi when she is with a small number of people. Which to me is a pretty sweet deal. Tired and ready to sleep I hopped the train to Kurobe and went home.
No rest for the weary as they say, especially when one has good friends. So out the door I went to Toyama to meet with Hilda and Debbie for drinks at an izakaiya with our Brazilian friends. After eating a quick dinner at Sizeriya and doing and hour of karaoke with Maranna we meet up with the boys (to interrupt their “boys night” out) at the bottom of the CIC building (ironically enough I go to the CIC building quite often and still have no idea what ‘CIC’ actually stands for O.o) At any rate we all had a great time together talking about random things and seeing who could fit a bear bottle the furthest down their own throat O.o We also played “never have I ever” which in truth is a very dangerous game. That game can either reveal too much, cause someone to get severely angry or if you’re with the right crowd; find out funny and rather interesting things about your friends in which you can smile and laugh off later. We were at the bar for quite a long time and truthfully I became a bit listless towards the end. That and one of the boys managed to get himself sick from drinking too much so when we called Nobuki’s wife to pick him up we all went home. Hilda and I however had no way home since the trains had stopped running, so we spent the night at Marianna’s and Wagner’s home.
The following morning instead of going home or to Sukiyaki the four of us ( after Mc Donalds and Ice-cream ^^) headed to HImi beach or one of those beaches in the Takaoka-esque region. It was a very pretty day and the three of them jumped in the water as soon as we got to the beach. Me however had no bathing suit so I sat on the beach and watched them. Not too long after however they told me to walk in up to my knees just so I could chat with them, and after doing so Wangner ended up splashing me. Eventually I just gave up and swam around in my street clothes. What was odd however is that Wagner, Marianna and Hilda managed to get bit or stung by something. I didn’t get stung but that was enough to end the beach excursion. We packed it all in and Hilda and I were dropped off at the station after we took a pit stop at her house and she let me borrow her clothes. Before we went our separate ways Hilda and I ate dinner at Santoshi’s and even landed free mango lassi. Apparently she always gets free lassi when she is with a small number of people. Which to me is a pretty sweet deal. Tired and ready to sleep I hopped the train to Kurobe and went home.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
English Camp!
English Summer Camp August 18th 20th: English camp rolled around so much faster then I thought it would. I was lazy about my craft I was to prepare for the kids, but thankfully it was simple enough that things couldn’t go TOO wrong. XD So once again I went with Rosa to the game early Wednesday morning and we were the first Jets to arrive. Then David the new Kurobe Jet came. It was the first time I had met him so we talked for a short while as the other ALT’s were making there way in. My group ended up being a nice group of girls and two rowdy boys. We went through the normal ice-breaking, getting into teams, making a team name and flag ( our name was the Amazing Happy Cherry Fighters!) and getting to know each other. The first day went by pretty smooth and even though I organized sports day to be a water sport day it didn’t go as smoothly as I wanted it but apparently most of the kids thought it was fun anyway. My workshop (making paper sun catchers) went well also. The kids patiently made their sun catchers and in the end it turned out to look very pretty. I love it when things turn out well with little to no planning! XD
One day two I was pretty exhausted because the night before we had gathered together to have a “meeting” around ten o’clock with all the ALT’s, JTE’S and other BOE workers that stayed over night. This meeting consisted of eating snacks and drinking (my kind of meeting) and ironically enough the Japanese people talked amongst themselves and all the ALT’s talked to each other. Despite it being kind of a split room we all had a good time.
Despite that day two started bright and early. We had work shops and team time (which is when we made our English skits for last day presentation) we made it to the BBQ. It was interesting cooking all the meat for the kababs and on this day high school students came to assist the each group. They were a nice bunch of kids and typical High schoolers. It’s honestly really weird to note that High School was closing in on seven years ago.
Later on that night we had a campfire and we played games around it and ate smores. Smores are sooo delicious and every time I eat one I think of my girl scout days. Going to have to get back into the girl scouting community when I return to the states. Much like the night before, once the kids were showered and in their rooms we had another meeting and pretty much the shame shenanigans ensued. However Tommy and I met up with two college baseball girls chatting in the hallway as we made our way up to our rooms. We ended up stopping and having a long and fun conversation with them. There was dancing and singing and Tommy coaxed me into singing the one line of “Country Roads” I knew for the girls. I did and one of the girls cried. It was kinda shocking. For some reason that song is like Y.M.C.A for Americans. Everyone loves that country roads song and I have NO idea why! XP
The last day comes and I’m ready to go home. However I had much better sleep this summer camp then last. I came prepared with extra pillows and blankets so I won’t feel like someone punched me in my body all night as I slept. The last day was fairly simple. Breakfast, final workshop and giving our English skit presentations. My group did alright but possibly took on too much. Nevertheless we received a warm applause, and at the very least we all looked rather fancy in our cherry hats made out of construction paper and glue!
One day two I was pretty exhausted because the night before we had gathered together to have a “meeting” around ten o’clock with all the ALT’s, JTE’S and other BOE workers that stayed over night. This meeting consisted of eating snacks and drinking (my kind of meeting) and ironically enough the Japanese people talked amongst themselves and all the ALT’s talked to each other. Despite it being kind of a split room we all had a good time.
Despite that day two started bright and early. We had work shops and team time (which is when we made our English skits for last day presentation) we made it to the BBQ. It was interesting cooking all the meat for the kababs and on this day high school students came to assist the each group. They were a nice bunch of kids and typical High schoolers. It’s honestly really weird to note that High School was closing in on seven years ago.
Later on that night we had a campfire and we played games around it and ate smores. Smores are sooo delicious and every time I eat one I think of my girl scout days. Going to have to get back into the girl scouting community when I return to the states. Much like the night before, once the kids were showered and in their rooms we had another meeting and pretty much the shame shenanigans ensued. However Tommy and I met up with two college baseball girls chatting in the hallway as we made our way up to our rooms. We ended up stopping and having a long and fun conversation with them. There was dancing and singing and Tommy coaxed me into singing the one line of “Country Roads” I knew for the girls. I did and one of the girls cried. It was kinda shocking. For some reason that song is like Y.M.C.A for Americans. Everyone loves that country roads song and I have NO idea why! XP
The last day comes and I’m ready to go home. However I had much better sleep this summer camp then last. I came prepared with extra pillows and blankets so I won’t feel like someone punched me in my body all night as I slept. The last day was fairly simple. Breakfast, final workshop and giving our English skit presentations. My group did alright but possibly took on too much. Nevertheless we received a warm applause, and at the very least we all looked rather fancy in our cherry hats made out of construction paper and glue!
The start of a busy summer in Japan
Return to Japan August 6th: My return to Japan was a bit sad in comparison to the first time I left a year ago. I was sad to leave my family and everyone because I really didn’t get a chance to absorb them in. Time went by so quickly, and I wish I could have stayed the summer. Nevertheless I will continue what I have been doing and stay in touch as much as I can with whatever means I have. Another downside (but an expected one) was the Economy flight back to Japan lol. Though I did get to sit next to a hot Brazilian the whole way. That was fun ^^
Seclusion and Illness: Once I returned to Japan, I experience the worst Jetlag I have ever had. The only thing I did was eat in sleep for what it seemed liked half a week. Then because it’s Japan ( and literally 75% of ppl who have come here on Jet that I know get sick more here than their respective home countries) I ended up feeling ill. Come to find out that I acquired lymphnoiditis ( link ) and was given four different kinds of medicine to treat it. I don’t know if it’s just my logic but that kind of illness seems pretty damn random. Like who gets that kind of sick really O.o Oh Japan you hate my immune system!
Beer Garden & Kanazawa Beach August 14th: So after a little over a week of staying home and doing minimal amounts of work of any kind I decided to go (even though I still felt icky) to Beer Garden to have dinner with the new comers. I had yet to meet any of them and I figured I should get started. So I got dressed in a bunch of my new clothes ( yay America for real clothes sizes!) I got there, met up with a large group of old and new Jets and made my way to the garden. The new group of Jets seem very up for anything. Not quite as BAM as our group but they all seem quite nice, and quite young. ( Look at me trying to sound like a Senpai! Lol ) Nevertheless, got there, hugged and kissed the friends I hadn’t seen in a while, found a place to sit and ate very little. The heat prevented me from really enjoying the food. However I must admit there were some really random yet awesome things that happened at beer garden besides meeting the new comers. I walked over to Adam who was with a small group of Japanese people who were apparently Gospel singers or liked gospel. They asked me if I knew any, and I tried to help them with some words. I ended up being the lead singer and they backed me up for like five minutes while Adam recorded it. It was so embarrassing but awkwardly cool/funny at the same time. I also met a guy named Akeem (new comer) and I believe he is the new CIR or he just happens to have ridiculously good Japanese. He ended up running up to me followed by two Japanese girls. He proceeded to tell me that the college girl was interested in fashion and was admiring my clothes and style from afar and she wanted to tell me that. The mother found it to be just as impressive and eventually they asked to take pictures of me. I obliged and had a conversation with them (through Akeem of course) and it was quite enjoyable. From that point other new Jets insisted on telling me that I was the most snazzy dressed person out of the group and that I should take a shot of sake to celebrate this fact. I also obliged that request as well! XD
FINALLY it was time to leave and despite my better judgment decided to take the trek up to Kanazawa for a night beach party they were having. The walk there was kinda horrible considering I was wearing heels. Tiffany thankfully gave me her flip flops to wear and the walk there was much better though my feet looked kinda worse for wear despite it. Once I got to the beach I kinda just walked around, ran into a circus troop of really attractive Australians, South Africans and Cubans and conversated with them for a while. The night was overall pretty chill, with a bit of dancing. Not as much as I would have liked because the DJ was stupid. However while dancing I ended up speaking with the Brazilian women who got my attention by telling how beautiful she thought my body was O.o Obviously they are very open in Brazil… Nevertheless it was one hell of a conversation starter!! XD! The rest of the night was fairly uneventful after this and I just kinda lounged around on the hammocks provided until the trains started running again in the morning.
Seclusion and Illness: Once I returned to Japan, I experience the worst Jetlag I have ever had. The only thing I did was eat in sleep for what it seemed liked half a week. Then because it’s Japan ( and literally 75% of ppl who have come here on Jet that I know get sick more here than their respective home countries) I ended up feeling ill. Come to find out that I acquired lymphnoiditis ( link ) and was given four different kinds of medicine to treat it. I don’t know if it’s just my logic but that kind of illness seems pretty damn random. Like who gets that kind of sick really O.o Oh Japan you hate my immune system!
Beer Garden & Kanazawa Beach August 14th: So after a little over a week of staying home and doing minimal amounts of work of any kind I decided to go (even though I still felt icky) to Beer Garden to have dinner with the new comers. I had yet to meet any of them and I figured I should get started. So I got dressed in a bunch of my new clothes ( yay America for real clothes sizes!) I got there, met up with a large group of old and new Jets and made my way to the garden. The new group of Jets seem very up for anything. Not quite as BAM as our group but they all seem quite nice, and quite young. ( Look at me trying to sound like a Senpai! Lol ) Nevertheless, got there, hugged and kissed the friends I hadn’t seen in a while, found a place to sit and ate very little. The heat prevented me from really enjoying the food. However I must admit there were some really random yet awesome things that happened at beer garden besides meeting the new comers. I walked over to Adam who was with a small group of Japanese people who were apparently Gospel singers or liked gospel. They asked me if I knew any, and I tried to help them with some words. I ended up being the lead singer and they backed me up for like five minutes while Adam recorded it. It was so embarrassing but awkwardly cool/funny at the same time. I also met a guy named Akeem (new comer) and I believe he is the new CIR or he just happens to have ridiculously good Japanese. He ended up running up to me followed by two Japanese girls. He proceeded to tell me that the college girl was interested in fashion and was admiring my clothes and style from afar and she wanted to tell me that. The mother found it to be just as impressive and eventually they asked to take pictures of me. I obliged and had a conversation with them (through Akeem of course) and it was quite enjoyable. From that point other new Jets insisted on telling me that I was the most snazzy dressed person out of the group and that I should take a shot of sake to celebrate this fact. I also obliged that request as well! XD
FINALLY it was time to leave and despite my better judgment decided to take the trek up to Kanazawa for a night beach party they were having. The walk there was kinda horrible considering I was wearing heels. Tiffany thankfully gave me her flip flops to wear and the walk there was much better though my feet looked kinda worse for wear despite it. Once I got to the beach I kinda just walked around, ran into a circus troop of really attractive Australians, South Africans and Cubans and conversated with them for a while. The night was overall pretty chill, with a bit of dancing. Not as much as I would have liked because the DJ was stupid. However while dancing I ended up speaking with the Brazilian women who got my attention by telling how beautiful she thought my body was O.o Obviously they are very open in Brazil… Nevertheless it was one hell of a conversation starter!! XD! The rest of the night was fairly uneventful after this and I just kinda lounged around on the hammocks provided until the trains started running again in the morning.
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