My latest adventure

Ah, the hills Tohoku. To be more specific, the mountains of Yamagata. This week I took a short journey to the north in Honshu island, and visited some cities with ancient pasts, matched with gorgeous landscape. The trip was amazing (and expensive) and worth all the train hopping I had to do in order to get to some of these places. Now most tourists don't visit the Tohoku region because of its remote atmosphere. Also, there isn't much claim to fame in this place. However, one of my favorite poets, Matsuo Basho, traveled to this place and wrote about it in his famed Oku no Hosomichi.

It's always great to read about something in a text and then see it for real in a different text (i.e. the actual historical setting). My journey took me from Basho's birthplace in Iga Ueno, and ended at his burial site in Otsu. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole vacation, and would love to do it again. It almost seemed like a field trip that some literature class would take. Of course I did some extra things like climbing a few mountains. Hey, here's me at the top of Mt. Zao--1841 meters! It was a great feeling to finally get to the top. I met some nice Japanese people, one of whom spoke English quite well. I need to send her some pictures!

Must have vacation!!!

As I sit here on my bed, laptop in my lap, I keep thinking that I need to turn in and get some sleep so I can wake up in 6 hours and do it all again...teaching English. But alas! My day of NOva has arrived. Seriously, the company is making me retarded in so many bad ways. I actually sit at my booth and play with my chapstick (I have severely chapped lips right now; in fact, I look like one of those kids who drinks cherry Kool-aid compulsively). If not playing with the Blistex, I try to rotate my chair with only my body force (look mom, no legs!). Most of my lessons I do everything I can just to stay off camera so the students do not get discouraged looking at my morose posture and grim mug.

Recently I have been ruminating over the idea of leaving and moving on with my plans to be a professional filmmaker. The other day I was sitting in my favorite katsudon place, eating some chicken katsu and reading my copy of Rebel Without a Crew, and I could not believe how easy it seemed for him (Robert Rodriguez). I mean, it wasn't easy, but it just seems like he had more connections to his advantage and I have none at this point. He also made a good point (among many) about getting your foot in the door in that business. He made me realize that, without any practice or hands on experience, I won't amount to much to any film companies or distributors, and they will simply throw me out on my ass. So I cannot screw up that important moment in my life that has yet to come.

Still, I find myself in a quagmire of what to do next. My options are pretty open, but I'm still down to save more money while I'm here. I need to exercise patience and focus as I press on through this horrid nightmare of a job. It's not so bad from an outsider's prospective, but once you are in this job long enough, it becomes painful to smile...even to co-workers. I'm tired of teaching the same shit everyday. The only thing that makes it bearable are the students...at times. The other night I had a student, Natsumi. Natsumi, in her elder wisdom, told me about the things she does in her free time: teaching English to the elderly, holding art therapy classes for people who have frustration in their life. It was wonderful to know that there is someone out there making good use of his/her time. Meanwhile I sit in my booth, continuing to fret about my future and freaking out over a goal I haven't really hammered out yet.

After speaking to Natsumi, and a recent tarot reading I had, I decided my much needed vacation was well warranted. I will be off to the Tohoku region within a week's time, hopefully hiking and basking of the glory of Japan's autumn splendor, and finding my center. I will also be taking my journal with me and a copy of Basho's Narrow Road to the Deep North. Haiku time!

Joyous Japanese cuisine!

I'm finally going to be able to make something other than ramen, udon, and rice! Recently, my fellow Nova colleague Heather and I went to a cooking class in Saidera (Osaka suburb in the northern hills, really cool place!)

After spending 35 minutes on the train, 1 hour waiting for a bus to show up, and 15 minutes riding the bus, we still were not there. We then had to walk 10 minutes through a neighborhood until we got to the place. It was all worth it though.

At the class there were some other students (all women except for me), all coming from different parts of the world. They all spoke English, except for the cooks who were native to Japan. They are learning the language though, so it makes a good exchange for me since I'm and honing my chef boyardee skillz. The first day we made pork rolls, using marinated pork and fresh vegetables such as daikon (Japanese radish--very tasty). Kinoki gohan (rice dish with 4 different types of mushrooms) was also on the menu, as was a soup of which I can't remember the name. Heather took the recipe and was apparently too busy reading her book about valley girls to make me a copy. But I will get it soon, and then will probably try to make one of those dishes. I checked out prices at Super Tamade (24 HOUR SUPA CENTA, and the sponsor of this blog) and the ingredients seemed to be reasonable and inexpensive.

Anyway, even though we only had an hour there since we were late, it was still an enjoyable morning. The discussion we had was great, and I even got to practice my Japanese a little too. I look forward to the next class, on Oct. 14th. Here's a picture of the finished product!

Feel the nano of my pod

That's right boys and girls! It's a 2 Gig! Yay, I'm so happy, as I cradled it in the palm of my hand. It's my new pet, iPod Nano! Holding up to 500 songs and 25,000 photos, this little guy has everything I need...alarm, contact storage, picture storage, and of course music storage. Did I mention that it's got SOLITARE as well?!! It definitely passed the test of coolness at that point. At $200 for the 2 Gig, it's a pretty good deal considering it's tiny and weighs less than 2 ounces, has a battery life of 14 hours (rechargeable) and uses flash memory for storage, so there is no risk of damage that you would have with a hard drive. I'm glad I didn't buy the iPod mini, that thing is so bulky (haha just kidding, but it is bigger than the nano). The iPod really needs a built in dig. camera to be complete, but who's got the time? And where would one stick it, anyway?? Yeah so the pics are down below...sugoi! And you can get more info on it at apple.com.






Next on the agenda...the iMac G5 with Final Cut Pro...*drool* It's a bad ass editing program that professionals use for movies. But I might need to wait a few months for that impulse buy. Bye!

The results are in! KANPAI!

Well, it would seem this snap election was more than a good move for Koizumi, whose numbers were slipping prior to the dissolving of parliament. Ooooh, the power of the PM! What does this mean for me?? Absolutely nothing! I won't live here past next year so the mail system can just...err...be maily! But I would like to see harsher penalties for bike riders who can't drive straight! Oh, wait, that would be everybody. I swear Japanese people walk and ride bikes like tornadoes! If there is one thing I learned from living in Indiana most of my life, it's that AAHHHHH! Tornado coming! Everybody run and hide, or you will die now!

The new company

Here is the title to my entertainment company...in its extreme infancy. I will make it prettier later, but I think this is what I was going for originally.

He's back! Netanyahooooooo!!!

Guess who's back?? Actually, Netanyahu just resigned as Finance Minister in the Knesset. I think he will be running against Sharon in the next election...yay!

You are a drumstick. Absolutely insane. That is how most would describe you. You aren't afraid to take risks, and enjoy putting yourself in strange situations. Most people hang out with you because of your hilarious sense of humour. You light up any bad situation, and can help all of your friends with their problems, except for your own. Because of this, you enjoy being around people like you. Many shut you out for your very weird, random personality, but honestly, you shouldn't care. Most compatible with: Guitar, and another drumstick. Click here -- What Random Object Represents Your Inner Self?