Long time, No Blog!

*wipes the dust from her keyboard and screen*

Hisashiburi, y'all! Wow. It has been awhile since I have posted here!

Since Korea, a new school year has kicked off. I have 241 new students and this batch seems a lot more eager and confident to volunteer in class. This makes it a lot easier on me especially since OC is all about communicating!

But the first semester is a bit odd. I can never get into a groove. School starts but I didn't see the first year students for a week. Then two weeks later, we had a week's-worth of holidays so I missed a class here and another one there. Next week, we'll have midterms and 3 weeks after that is our school culture festival. With so many hiccups, it's a bit difficult to settle into a routine. Also, since all my classes are on different lesson plans, I am having difficulty making a midterm that is challenging enough for the students who are ahead without being impossible for the students who are behind.

For general grown-up talk, I finished my taxes last night. HALLEJUAH! I am glad I get a 2 month auto-extension since I live overseas because all those calculations of deductions from yen-dollars was a pain.

In family news, my parents arrive in Japan tomorrow! My dad retired from teaching business/commercial law, international relations, and some economics courses so now both parents have the time for an extended visit. They will be in Japan until late June, but only with me for maybe 2 weeks of the time. This weekend, we will be attending the May Sumo Tournament and next week, we will travel to the Northern Coast of Japan to Kanazawa. Of course, they will stopover at my place for a few nights and meet Kiyomi. We're set to go out to my favorite yakitori shop.

January Photos

For most of the pictures, please check Facebook
The Nagano Ski trip didn't make it to the Facebook album so those will be included here.

Starting off at the Bunny Slope

Brian, my ski-buddy!

Yes. With my short legs, my skiis stuck straight up when I sat on the lift. Fun times... fun times...

FRIENDS!!! Andrew, Brian, and Jaime!

Goings On: Too Much

Perhaps I bit off more than I can chew.

There has been so much on my plate that since arriving back from Christmas vacation, I have had little time to sit down and type out anything unrelated to work, Shizuoka AJET, or sumo.

This past weekend, I thought to take a time out for myself and go skiing in Nagano. It was an eventful trip with many "memory moments" when you have to be optimistic and just chill, reminding yourself "We'll get home, when we get home". After a small accident, lots of snow on the roads, many missed turns and detours, and a dead car battery, I finally got home at 1:30 am this morning.

Recently, I have stepped in as an officer for Shizuoka AJET, an organization that plans events for all the JETs (and any accompanying friends) in Shizuoka. My job has been to finalize all Sapporo Snow Festival payments, rooming, the charter bus, and money. I've already dealt with people who are making changes to their plans, want refunds, drop-outs, a hotel change, charter bus meeting points and leaders and overall BAAAAAAHHHH!!!
On Friday, I am meeting with our travel agent to make the final payment for everything. I am counting on everyone to send in their money to the joint AJET account so that I can pay the travel agent. I hope people do not procrastinate too long. The actual trip is February 5-8.

This Saturday, I am going to the sumo tournament with 4 friends, 3 of whom need to pay me back for the tickets that I bought for everyone. Usually, I am not a stickler on payback times, but as I see these friends rarely, I'd rather get that money back sooner rather than later. And since I hold all the tickets, I hope they show up on time at the designated place so that we do not miss any of the action.

An elementary school sent letters from the students to answer questions about Japan. While there hasn't been a deadline mentioned, I have become stressed that I need to get this done in a timely manner. Preferably, I'd like to wait until March to send my replies, but as a fellow teacher, I know what it is like waiting and depending upon someone else.

Class starts in 10 minutes. Maybe I won't lose my head.

Picture Update Pt. 5 - SUMO

I have been watching sumo ever since I can remember. My Japanese grandfather moved in with us when I was 5 so we asked Japanese friends to tape the tournaments and send them to us. Since I have grown up watching sumo, I am not at all bothered by the "large men in cloth thongs" as my brother-in-law says. ;)

So perhaps for a small young lady such as myself, it would seem out of place for me to be attending the tournament IN PERSON.

The tournament lasts for 15 days, usually starting on the 2nd Sunday of the month. A wrestler will only fight one bout a day. The lower division bouts are done in the earlier part of the afternoon, while the professional makanuichi division takes place starting around 4 pm. The tournament day ends about 6pm.

Last weekend, I went to Tokyo where my host family had managed to get rare tickets for the tournament. The tournament happens 6 times a year, every other month. The tournament is in Tokyo 3 times a year (January, May, and September) and also takes place in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July), and Fukuoka (November). Sumo is so popular that tickets become sold-out very quickly.

I requested for the Sasahiras to get tickets on the NEXT TO LAST day of the tournament, usually the most popular day to attend other than the last day. We sat in the nosebleeds, but I was thrilled just to BE there in person! I am a faithful, dedicated fan that watches the tournament everyday on TV, but like with most sports, there is nothing like being in the live crowd.


This is Baruto. He is from Estonia and is in the 3rd highest rank of sumo wrestler: sekiwake. Maybe you can't tell in this picture, but he is REALLY tall! I would estimate he is 6'3".



This is Asasekiryu. He is Mongolian and is in the upper Maegashira ranks.



We can't see his face, but this is Kotoshogiku, also in the Maegashira ranks.



And lastly, the famous dojo. Fun fact: No females are allowed to enter the dojo. So what will Japan do if they ever get a female Prime Minister, since the Prime Minister presents the Emperor's Cup to the winner of the tournament?

Internet Restored!

Actually, it has been restored for almost a week, but a lot has happened since last Tuesday.

1) Two business trips
2) Mid-Term Exams and essays a mile high to be graded.
3) Sinus Infection. Welcome allergy season.... not.
4) A wonderful weekend in Tokyo with the Sasahiras
5) Going to the sumo tournament on the penultimate day. Very good choice.
6) Going to a famous restaurant with the Sasahiras (Dozeu)
7) Going to church and the bazaar (crafts fair?) afterwards.
8) Enjoying the final day of sumo on TV
9) A bullet train trip home in the misty rain.
10) Playing catch-up on movies via DVD rentals. I finally saw Wall-E. Cute.

And even before the internet was restored, I have been having many adventures which hopefully will be posted during the weekend when I do not have any plans other than grocery shopping, laundry, and CLEANING my apartment.