April 2003

Thursday, April 24
Well, Kerry's gone now...:( We huffed and puffed our way with her luggage all
the way to Shin-Osaka station and said our good-byes there before she continued
on to the airport. I'll miss her a lot but look forward to getting to know the 2
new foreign teachers, who arrived on Sunday.

The good news is that I got to spend most of yesterday and today in Kyoto! Despite
wet weather and sore feet, I had a great time - it's definitely my new favorite
city in Japan. I saw Kinkakuji (GOlden Pavillion) this morning, and it was beautiful -
just like the pictures I'd seen in guidebooks. TOns of school and tour groups were
there. I had a couple high school girls take my picture, and then they decided they
wanted a picture with me! LOL

Also went to Nijo Castle, Maruyama Park, a temple whose name escapes me, and the Gion
district, which is chock full of shops, restaurants, hotels, shrines, and streets lined
with red Japanese lanterns. THere is SO much to do in Kyoto - I'm definitely going back
later this spring or summer! But Tokyo and Yokohama are next!

To see pictures of my trip to Kyoto, go here!

Wednesday, April 16
The weather is really starting to warm up here! Today it was about 72 degrees,
and for the first time since I've been here, I ran errands today without taking
a jacket! LOL Unfortunately, though, the slight rise in temperatures has brought
a doubly high rise in temperatures at school already. The school has changed
drastically from freezing-ass cold to break-out-in-a-sweat hot within the last
week. I'm starting to believe the people who've told me I'm going to melt here
this summer....Fortunately, one of the things Kerry is leaving me when she departs
for good next week is a big fan. Think I'll be using it a lot...

I've been to 3 izakayas (Japanese bars/restaurants) in the last week, which has
taken a small dent out of my wallet, but it's been fun. They have a lot of drinks
here that I've never seen or heard of in the US. Last night I was out 'til 1:00
an up 'til almost 2:00...so tired today!!

Two weeks 'til Golden Week vacation...yay!! I'll be heading to Tokyo and Yokohama!

Thursday, April 10
Three cheers for internet at home! My service was turned on yesterday, and it's
SO nice to know I can check my email now any darn time I please!! Hopefully, I
can now update this site more often.

Today was the nicest day weather-wise since I've been here. Sunny, clear blue
skies, and at least 60 degrees - that's what it felt like, anyway. Went to
Okayama this afternoon and had a good skating practice. Came closer than usual
to landing a double salchow, and my laybacks felt better. When I got back to
Kurashiki, I went to the new store, Konan Home Center, that just opened today
three blocks from the apartment. It was packed! It kinda reminds me of a big
Target. It's pretty much got everything, although the clothes and food departments
are tiny. There's a pet center, too, and you have no idea how tempted I was to
buy something! They even had owls and a baby pig! They also had a lot of little
turtles...that might be interesting to get eventually. Anyway, I bought a few
things, including a pretty nice (but cheap) vase and a cool pot of flowers for
my apartment. I'm thinking of getting a big plant or a small indoor tree, too,
to put next to my couch.

Oh, funny thing happened this afternoon at the train station. There was an older
woman who looked a little lost, and she stopped and asked ME of all people, in
Japanese, how to get to the Bikan area of town. WHY in the world she assumed a
blonde foreigner with a big (skating) bag both spoke Japanese and knew where the
Bikan was, I don't know. In any case, I did understand her and was able to give
her directions, so it was pretty cool.

There's a new revolving sushi restaurant at the station, and Naoko and I ate
there on Sunday. It was good, and pretty cheap - only 120 yen ($1) a plate.
(A plate has two pieces of sushi or sashimi.) Tonight, Naoko, Tuuli and I are
going to a yakitori restaurant.

Mata ne!

Thursday, April 3
The new school year started at my school on Tuesday. (It starts at most public
schools next week.) This means that I have many different classes and many
new students. I previously had 50 students, now I have at least 65. Time to
start memorizing names again!! The good news is that I no longer have to teach
2 out of 3 of the students I disliked the most! :)

Kerry leaves Japan on Sunday and it sucks! She, Kumiko, Naoko,and I went out to
karaoke on Sunday to party, and we may have one last get-together this Saturday.
It`s sad, but Kerry`s excited `cause she`s going to Thailand and Hawaii before
returning to the US!

Spring has come to Okayama! It has been much warmer the last week - I`ve actually
slept a couple times now without heavy socks to keep my feet warm! LOL The cherry
blossoms are really blooming now! Everything is becoming so pretty! I think my
winter jacket is officially going into the back of my closet!

HOME