Picture Update Pt. 4 - Shimizu S-Pulse Soccer Game

Shimizu has a soccer team called "S-Pulse". I went with some friends to a game and we won! We are not very strong but we have supremely dedicated fans. I am reminded of the HU Bisons basketball games and those who dress in black, painted faces, and tend to sit on the ends under the goals.

Unfortunately, Shimizu S-Pulse colors are Orange and Black. I look AWFUL in orange so I only bought a sweat towel to swing around and hold up proudly as we sang the team song at the end of the match.

Picture Update Pt. 3 - Golden Week with the Noguchi Family

The second half of my Golden Week was spent with the Noguchi Family. Emiko-san (not pictured) was also a student at Harding. My mom tends to take in anyone of Japanese descent which has been a great blessing because now I have so many connections in Japan! Plus, they all remember me as a spoiled brat, so it is good to visit to show that I have grown up (at least a little).
The Noguchi family live in another prefecture to the east of Tokyo called Ibaraki. It was a great contrast to go to the inaka (countryside) for a few days after living in a suburb and visiting Tokyo Metro earlier in the week.

We mostly relaxed at home which was FINE with me and I played with the Noguchi's children, Hannah and Aito.

The main "event" was to visit the daibutsu (Great Buddha) statue. The daibutsu of Kamakura is older and thus more famous than this one in Ibaraki, but the Ibaraki is the tallest statue in the world according to Guiness World Records.

I am not sure if I believe that... I am thinking of the Jesus statue in Rio...




Hannah and Mr. Yoshiya Noguichi.


The Great Buddha statue.



Hannah and Aito in front of the poppies.



My favorite flowers: iris.



Another landscaping picture.

Thank you for a wonderful visit!

Picture Update Pt. 2 - Golden Week with the Imoto Family

Golden Week -- 5 consecutive national holidays that many Japanese use as an opportunity to travel abroad.
Basic Facts:
1) The week usually falls between April 29th to May 5th.
2) Showa Day is to remember the former Emperor during the Showa Era, Emperor Hirohito
3) Constitution Memorial Day is to honor the signing of the 1947 Constitution of Japan.
4) Greenery Day is to honor nature and many people go to view the mountains, parks, and woods.
5) Last is Children's Day, often referred to Boy's Day. Girls have their own day on March 3rd and Boys have their day on May 5th... so 3/3 and 5/5. Easy to remember. Girls celebrate by displaying a traditional collection of dolls in the household. Boys celebrate by flying koi fish shaped kites in front of their house.
6) This year, we were also given a "substitute" holiday. On this day, many families travel home from their adventures and rest before having to return to work.


For my Golden Week, I met with two families that are special to my family. The first family I visited was the Imoto Family. Mrs. Imoto (Miho-san) was my Japanese tutor when I was in first and second grade at the Academy. She taught me to read, write, and speak in hiragana, katakana, and vocabulary. They went to Harding University to study and became friends with my family. After two years, they moved back to Japan with their son, Naoya. I was eager to meet with Miho-san to show her how much I have improved in my Japanese and to see Naoya, who was only a baby when they went back. Now he is almost a high-schooler!

The Imoto Family live in Tokyo, on the outskirts, so we spent a day exploring the Imperial Gardens. The palace is, of course, closed to the public. However, the East Gardens are open to the public. I had read that it was in the Top 10 tourist spots to see and I was anxious to see spring's arrival. So we spent Saturday at the East Gardens.

Here I am at the main entrance.





Beautiful flowers.




Beautiful landscaping. The pool is filled with water lilies, but unfortunately, they were not yet in bloom.




Azalea flowers. They grow much larger than the ones in front of my house in Searcy.





A picture with Miho-san on top of the old watch tower. New Tokyo in the background and Old Tokyo under my feet.

Thank you for a wonderful visit!

Picture Update Pt. 1 - Cherry Blossoms

Dear America,

Please plant more cherry trees. Thank you.

The following pictures were taken at the park near my apartment.

Cherry trees surrounding one of the 2 large ponds.




The usual "Peace" pose.




The most beautiful blossoms: snow white.




Ohanami: The tradition of going to view the cherry blossoms. Often involves a picnic with co-workers and/or friends, alcohol, singing, and lanterns by night.




I am reminded of Anne of Green Gables when she talks about "The Avenue" vs "The White Way of Delight".

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.

Insurance Revisited

As with most culture shock, the shock is only initial. It's kinda like jumping into a cold pool. That first plunge from toes to head (or head to toe if you dive) gives a tingling, rushing sensation that is uncomfortable, but after about 5 minutes, the body adjusts and makes do with its environment. I know there is a biology term for that adjustment, but I can't think of it right now.

So my insurance.

After losing a filling, getting a temporary one, getting a new, permanent, silver filling, having both upper back molars reshaped, took an x-ray, and had a full-scale cleaning, I still only had to pay about $100 in all. So I guess my insurance isn't all that terrible.

I think the most fascination part of the process was during the cleaning when the dental hygienist rubbed my teeth with purple ink and then made me rinse. Afterwards, she handed me a mirror and when I smiled, I was stunned to see purple streaks between and along some teeth. But I had just brushed! So then she took a model set of teeth and larger-than-usual toothbrush and showed me how to improve my technique.

I never knew what my parents paid, or didn't pay due to insurance coverage, for my dental check-ups in the States. However, I am relieved to know that I can get a full cleaning/check-up for under $30 thanks to my insurance. Next appointment is the day before my birthday, which by the way, is September 10th.

I should get my internet back next week. If I could moonwalk, I would. Then again... if I could dance, I would.

Culture Shock; April 2009 Edition

So there are things that I have become quite accustom to, and other that still need adjusting.

For example, insurance.

Granted, I didn't choose my insurance; it's just what is provided by the program. And I really shouldn't complain, because for my first job at age 23, having ANY kind of insurance is a plus.

But get this "logic"...

So dental insurance in Japan DOES NOT cover preventive visits. Translation: I cannot go to the dentist to have a check-up/once-over/cleaning and have my insurance cover it. The insurance company will only cover me if I actually have a problem.

Dear insurance company,
That is the stupidest policy I have ever heard. No wonder people in Japan have such bad teeth. They have to be in PAIN first! a-HEM, if you are in pain, it is too late!

By the way, I lost a filling on Saturday (dentist offices are closed on weekends) and won't be seen until Wednesday. While I am there, that dentist better give me the WORKS: x-ray, cleaning, new filling, etc, etc, etc, etc, and my insurance better cover it ALLLLLLLL.

I have been living off yogurt and soft foods like ramen noodles and chicken noodle soup. I am reminded of my horrific wisdom teeth experience... oi vey.

Otherwise, life is really good. More to come later when I get my internet back.