Summary

Everybody likes pictures...ssooo....Here's a select summary of Brandon's visit!

The day after Brandon came we went to Showa no Mori to see the carp (this is not a pic from that day).






Then we went to Makuhari for the day. Here's a shot of Ryan and I as well as a rock/fountain they shipped from Wisconsin (in honor of the Chiba-Wisconsin friendship) and the above street garden walk.








The Next Day we went to Yokohama (West of Tokyo). There's a famous China-town (mm...yummy, duck in the window) in Yokohama as well as a ferris wheel. Since I love ferris wheels we had to ride.








The day after that, the guys took a trip to Kamakura during which I worked. Soon after we took the direct night bus from Tokyo to Kyoto. Ryan was so kind to take this at 6am after a restless night.






We spend 6-8am sitting around being tired. At 8:30 we were allowed to dump our stuff at the Hostel where we stayed. We skipped off to Kiyomizudera. Which has a famous viewing deck (1st picture) and a view of the viewing deck (picture two) as well as a famous waterfall which divides into three small falls. You can drink from only one fall for greater success in love, knowledge and health (I believe). Kiyomizudera means pure water temple.










After that we wandered around town, through Gion where most Geiko (now preferred name for Geisha) and Maiko (Geiko in training) entertain and wander, although you're not likely to see one. We also went to Nijo castle which has gorgeous paintings on the sliding doors which we couldn't get pictures of. It's also famous for its "Nightingale Floors" which squeek rather prettily. They were built that way on purpose to prevent attackers from sneaking in on Tokugawa, the shogun (military leader) in power at the time.




The next day we wandered about in the rain in the morning before we met Renee at 10am. This is a shot of Brandon and I walking down a teensy avenue (alley) which is still famous for restaurants.






After that we met up with Renee who knew Ryan and Brandon in High School. She's currently playing the Bassoon in a Japanese orchestra. We went to another place (I don't remember...heh.) and to Kinkakuji, the Golden Temple, after that. It was raining all day.






After that we went to Rioanji which is famous for its zen rock garden.






That night Renee showed me a cool European store called Zara, where everything I wanted was $150 and everything I didn't care for was $20. That kind of store.


The next day we got up and rode the "romantic train line" along the river. Here's a pic of the crowded platform. During the height of the fall season, the view is supposed to be incredible because of all the flaming red Japanese Maples.






We got off the train one stop early to walk through the famous bamboo forest. This is my favorite pic of me, 'cause it's my back and it's blurry! Keep your eyes peeled for this view the next time you see a trailer for Memoirs of a Geisha, there are shots of this exact walkway in it.






We then took a walk around the area and rode the train back toward central Kyoto. Then we went to Fushimi Inari Shrine. Many Japanese Shinto shrines pay homage to a fox diety (Inari). You can see statues of the Inari on the right and left of the picture below.




Fushimi Inari is famous for the many Tori (the bright orange shrine gates) that create a 2 kilometer walkway through the back hills of Kyoto. We didn't have time for this, plus I hadn't broken in my boots--and they were doing a better job of breaking in my feet 0.o;; => x.x You can also see the main character, Chiyo, as a girl in the trailer for Memoirs of a Geisha running through these (or a mock up) same Gates. There are many lamps hanging from the corners of the gates, I really wanted to go here at night, but we didn't get the chance.






That evening we rode the train to Osaka where we visited the imposing Osaka castle. Of course, it's a rebuilt version as the original was burned down by Tokugawa (the paranoid guy in Nijo castle with the Nightingale floors). Though we can't blame just him since it's been burned down a number of other times as well.





After Osaka castle, we met Shige (a former college roommate of Ryan's) and went out to dinner and dessert with him.



Our last day in Kyoto we spent going to Ginkakuji (the silver temple). It's not coated in silver, however, as the man who built it ran out of funding once he finished. It does have an incredible rock garden and moss garden--the moss shown below. Someday I'd like to have just moss in my own backyard. I could just sleep outside quite comfortably on hot summer nights then.







This is a famous walk called "The Philosopher's Walk" that leads directly from Kinkakuji to Nanzenji. It's just an old road which a student-loved professor in the 1950's in Kyoto used to walk during his lunch breaks. It's a peaceful little walk...






We took the Philosopher's Walk down to Nanzenji, which has an aqueduct patterned after the Roman Aqueduct. It was built during the Meiji period (in the late 1800s). In Nanzenji we were able to take some pictures of painted sliding doors--which is rare. We got there at a lucky time apparently. These seem a bit different in style from the ones in Nijo castle.





Nanzenji also has a huge gate, famous for being the location where Goemon (sort of a Japanese robin-hood type) was finally caught. He then was boiled alive so they say. Ryan tells me some say that he escaped. I love the game Ganbare Goemon so that makes me happy ^_^


Then we went shopping. I got a great pair of jeans and tons of souvenirs which many of you will open for Christmas. At about 10pm we caught the night bus home.


The next day we wandered through Tokyo, to Asakusa (which you can see on Ryan's blog). On the way we saw the aptly nicknamed "Asahi S*** Building." It was designed by a famous French architect...I guess.





Hope you liked 'em.

Since I Arrived in Japan...

I thought it'd be interesting to see how many little changes have occurred to me (and Ryan) since we came to Japan. Mostly this'll be about me though, since Ryan's not with me right now.

Since Coming to Japan I Have

...switched Diet Coke for Tea (Took me a while, but it's official)

...obtained the ability to walk for at least 4 or more miles daily in uncomfortable boots/shoes/sandals etc.

...begun carrying a shopping bag with me at all times, while still carrying my good 'ol purse/backpack
I call it the "shopping look" but many women (usually younger) actually carry a shopping bag with them all the time. Probably because their regular bag alone is insufficient to hold all the outfits and make-up or other things she may need in a day. It's just that many nicer stores put your purchases into this major high quality, cool looking bags. I carry a bag from the Apple store, as it's handy and my sandwich and fruit no longer become squashed or bruised.

...obtained "conductors legs." My personal nickname for the fact that I no longer stumble all over the place when the train makes a sudden stop or start. Although the bus is another story.

...switched my sweet tooth for kusamochi 草もち. A Japanese sweet that has a bright green outside with a texture like chewy bread and maroonish colored sweet red bean past inside. I probably switched for it since it fulfills my sweet tooth but is also more satisfying than the average candy bar--probably since it's healthy.

...become acutely aware of the amount of fiber in my diet. White bread is mostly what's available here, along with white rice of course. The first has inconsequential (to zilch) fiber, the second makes good glue. A year worth of trouble was enough. I now eat nuts, prunes and raisins at an appalling rate and eat All Bran daily.

...become more acutely aware of the greatness and quality of homemade cookies and Wisconsin cheese. Mostly, cookies are sold in stores here, there are no ovens. Cheese is either really greasy, or the texture or cream cheese--or both. Here belongs a special thanks to Moms and Grandmothers--hugs!

...started to brush my hair more than once a week Mostly due to it's longness, but also the girliness of the culture here.

...wear a lot of layered complicated looking clothing. The layer thing I've always done--it's just that now I fit in more with it since it's popular here.

...stopped thinking, "Is there something on my face?" whenever I see someone staring at me. This is because it IS my face they're staring at.

...check and respond to emails more frequently than my previous "once each season" basis. Although I'm still pretty bad about this.

...not used a dryer in 1 year and 3 months. Most people hang out their laundry in Chiba year 'round since it rarely freezes.

...instintively have Ryan walk on the inner side of the side walk when we walk together so I don't get trampled. It's probably the culture, but also because Ryan's big that people will move out of the way for him, but not "notice" me until they ram into me. If the sidewalk is crowded it's a problem because there's usually nowhere for me to go to avoid the oncomers. I love my sidewalk hero. ^_^

...realized that there are even more cruddy (in terms of number) cartoons in Japan than the U.S. Although the increase in number of cartoons has led to many fantastic ones as well.What makes it from Japan to the U.S. goes through the Japan popularity filter first. Making it seem like in general they might be higher quality--but they're not. It's just the same thing for both countries.

...become fluent in katakana English and can understand phrases such as: "Watto du uu sink abauto zatto?" "What do you think about that?" or "Ai uddo raiku tu teru U abauto Parisu Hiruton." "I would like to tell you about Paris Hilton." I actually asked my students at the end of their speech if on "Parisu Hiruton" was Japanese 0.o;; I felt really bad about that one.

...no longer bat an eye at paying $100 once in a while for a couple 'o baskets of groceries. I've learned to shop around, but things are still pretty expensive here. I have to admit, my eye still twitches a little bit, but I'm able to control the near-fainting spells now. Heh.

That's all for now, check back at this post once in a while, I plan on adding to it as things come to me.

Natsukashii

My Mom had (still has) a habit for writing down funny things that those around her say that are--usually--accidentally funny. It's mostly all in a book that we all pull out once in a while to read to eachother.

Things like how my brother started saying things like "When I was a little 'nipper in the old country," at the age of four. (Don't ask me how to spell Knipper/nipper..)

I've inherited about 1/2 that habit so here are some things I recently found while going in my journal--although there are many more I should have written down that I no longer remember.

Melissa Talks With Mom Quotes
Melissa was in a very "matter-of-fact" mood one day in February 2003. Mom was in the mood to discuss feet.

(Melissa enters the room wearing cute moccasin shoes)
Mom: "Aww, look at her little feet! You must be a little Indian"
Melissa: "That's not politically correct."

Mom: "Don't you have any clean socks?"
Melissa: "No. Well, yes. I'm just making good use of them."

Melissa: "Well, you learn something new every day. Did you know I have a hole in my sock?"
Mom: "No."
Melissa: "See you learn something new every day."

Abigail and Laurie just graduated

Abigail: "Lately, When I need something to do. I put on a cd and try to write down all the lyrics and rewind it if I miss them. Then I play the song again ad read the lrics all the way through."
Laurie: "That's wierd Abigail."
Abigail: smiles "I know, but I miss taking notes."

I thought these were cute. Miss you all!

The Irony of Days Off

So today I have the morning off. Of course, I stayed up extremely late last night putzing around. Well, actually I was designing homes and strange bunnies and monkeys and people with wings on my new copy of The Sims 2. I haven't actually played the game terribly much since the design factor is so interesting and challenging.

Well, the ironic part is my morning-off eves I frequently stay up late. But because I have the day off I also get up extra early because I can't waste the free morning.

So after my late night, I got up at 7am (which is disgustingly early considering the bedtime I gave myself) to go running. I normally tend to be prayerfully meditative while running, so this morning it was like I was half dreaming only my brain was trying to push through all the CRAP that I gorged on last night (mostly my main bane Diet Coke). I didn't know my brain and stomach were in the exact same spot in my body, but I really dumped a lot of junk on it. It needs a shower. Anyway...

These circumstances easily caused 2 major panics as I ran this morning. As I ran through the trees a series of large (large) ravens--not crows, ravens, with large hooked beaks, biblical eye-pecking ravens--began to caw behind me. As I'd pass them they'd wait a bit then fly to realight on a limb farther down, still overlooking the path I was on. After this occurred a few times, there were about 6 following me. They cawed and a group of thirty came from the left and right into a clearing on the right side of the path. The clearing was about 50 feet ahead of me at that moment. I thought they were fighting, but they just peacefully sat together, most of them all in three small trees above the clearing.

I didn't panic, but I ran faster to get past the clearing. Just as I passed it, three passed so close to my head I felt the puff of air from their wings near my left ear and the top of my head. About four more separately dived diagonally across in front of me as if to cut me off the path and I thought, (first panic) I'm going to get eaten! Am I harboring some transgression of biblical proportions? I started yelling at the birds (no one was near, but I don't know if I would have cared). Go away!

I got dive bombed a couple more times and they finally left me. I continued through the woods, through a tunnel and into the path the passes a gigantic clearing that is Showa no Mori and realized that I had been running for a LONG time and hadn't seen anyone. Then I had the ridiculous idea that the birds were a warning I was failing to heed. Too many fairy tales for Laurie. Normally in Showa no Mori I can see 4-6 people in one glance over the open fields. It was absolutely quiet, no one was there. I almost left because of the stupid grows, but did a few laps around the fields and finished my run. By the time I left 2 other people had shown up. Still, that coincidence of ravens and no people was creepy.

Ichinomiya's Bunkasai (school festival)
So, if you've been reading, you know what a school festival or culture festival is in a Japanese school.

Ryan and I went to Ichinomiya High School's Festival and had a good time. We met Satosensei (a teacher I work with there) who toured us about. We dripped syrup on crackers and sprinkled sugar to make a message...mine was not so good...










We went to the tea ceremony which was peaceful and beautiful and methodical.







And we saw some of the great calligraphy by students at the school.





I rotated the photo, but I apparently have to redo it...right this time. For now think of me as helping you stretch your neck.


We also at curry rice and yakisoba (fried noodles) that the students had made, it was delicious!


That's all.

Winged Words

Recent Habits
I've been reading through the Oddessy lately (surprisingly enough I can't spell it so I just left it like that). I read it on the train, during lulls at school. I'm having trouble with the meaning of "winged words." Does it mean lofty? It doesn't seem to mean any type of treachery or--hinting or anything like that. I need to think more about this.

Anyway, after quite a few LONG days at work, coaching speeches after school. Reading the Odyssey on the way home often makes me feel that I've been traveling for ages. It makes me feel exhausted when I get home, but I really love being home when I get there. Fun fun.

Computer Circumstances
The schools I've been working at either have no available internet, or are security blocked so I can't post or do anything so sorry for updates lacking.

Status of Creativity Goals etc.

Haven't played guitar or violin in a week and my fingertip callouses are already starting to fall off. I have started writing my somewhat sci-fi fiction book though. Right now I'm establishing characters. It's all written on paper, not typed, and I wonder if that's going to make it better or worse.

Happy Things
Ryan came back from his 3 day camp thingy and today we go to Ichinomiya's Bunkasai (culture festival) where we will buy ridiculous and fun trinkets that students are selling as well as eat in the restaurants they make out of their classrooms (there's a post below about this).

The leaves have started changing here, it's really gorgeous.

Kyoto (two weeks ago) was wonderful despite the fact that I am a truly terrible traveler. I really don't like crowds and other tourists and I now realize that most tourists don't enjoy many parts of touring at the time. I did get a sweet pair of jeans for the slim figure I gained (lost?) in the hospital last May.

How's that for an update? I promise something interesting once we have more internet access.

Has your mind ever been so full that it becomes impossible to empty it out? I've been following the rabbit trail of blog links to people I no longer know well as well as people I've barely met. As a result, my mind is full of images, ideas, thoughts about eternity, sin, balance and lunch. My mind is so full it can't chew and therefore can't swallow. But if I just spit it back out I'd only simply repeat what others have just said, which is not what I want to say.

It's the opposite feeling that nothing new is happening to write about, yet it has the same result.

So here's a recent pre-written thought.

I feel stuck when it comes to music recently because I can't sit with a big loud stereo and play along; nor can I go on the internet to look up music as I would like. It's striking to think that people like Stephane and Django had neither of those things and their creativity was/is overwhelming.

Maybe conveniences today are a reason frequently heard music is getting so repetitive? Maybe I need to use this as an opportunity to test how well I actually do know my guitar and violin. I may see just how well I can create on them and make music without an interfering style pre-playing in my brain.

Something I wrote for Ryan when I realized what an amazing man he is and how a relationship well done only strengthens our ability to reflect God.

Ampersand
You and me as we
Make a better picture of God
Than alone
So long I've worked on my own.


I know it's not that great. But comparing it with many other wordy things I've written which could be considered poetry, this one is my favorite because it captures everything that should be said with much less words than it normally takes me. It also promotes my view of what a relationship should be. Note I didn't write aspire to be--because even at our worst, we're better together than not.

Chibali Hills

Last night we went to dinner at a place in Asumigaoka called Chibali Hills. It's so called (nicknamed, actually) because the Japanese in the area consider it comparable to Beverly Hills.

It may not be quite THAT fancy, but the house and area was definitely a bit more, well... I guess that's it, it was a bit more than any party we've ever been to. The party was outside, they had a chef making sushi and sandwiches and soba (noodles) while a trio of two koto players and a traditional flute player played live music for an hour or so. Ryan and I had a really enjoyable time talking with the musicians and they were pretty excited that we enjoyed their music, possibly because many people think foreigners don't really like traditional Japanese things, music especially. The irony is, of course, that traditional instituions of Japan (as well as a desire to learn the language) are what frequently drive foreigners to Japan. It seems like many people here think we don't like that stuff--when of course we really enjoy it! At least everyone at the party truly enjoyed the music and food.

Another good example of that kind of spirit I'm talking about is this conversation I had with a student:
Ayako: "Tomorrow a student from Australia is coming to my house!"
Laurie: "Oh, are you excited or nervous?
Ayako: "Umm...nervous, I don't speak English."
Laurie: "Well, I'm sure he will want try to speak some Japanese of course!"
Ayako: (in Japanese) "Eh? Probably not."
Laurie: "Of course he will!"

I felt bad for my student because she was putting too much undue pressure on herself poor girl.