Bucket List

Long time, no see! The last few months have flown by in a flash, with hardly any time to spare. Between work and life I have had my hands full.

I can't believe it's already December! There are two more (busy) weeks until winter break and then 2013 will be upon us. Now that I have decided that I am moving back to Seattle in March my remaining time seems so short. But looking back on how I felt when I came here I feel that I have accomplished most of what I set out to do. After some consideration I have made a short list of the things I still hope to accomplish in my last 3 and a half months (wow!) living in Japan. So here, goes!

• Universal Studios Japan -- Similar to Disney, USJ is a theme park, but instead of Mickey and Co.  USJ is the home of Sesame Street, Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Dreamworks and more. I would love to go during Christmas or Valentine's Day and see the park all decked out. 
• Tokyo Disney Sea -- This summer I went to Tokyo Disney and had a really good time. Although I've been to theme parks in the states, Disney in Japan is somehow still very Japanese. It's quite an experience. I've heard that Disney Sea is more suited for adults so I'd like to try to go. 
• Visit the temples in Kyoto again, especially Arashiyama -- I live so close, why not! I now have a temple book, which I can get stamped and marked with calligraphy at any temple that I visit. I would really like to revisit some of the famous temples and have it signed. 
• Go to Moku Moku (the local hot spring) at least once more. 
• Go to Nagano and see the Monkey Onsen -- I've been meaning to do this one for a long time. Winter seems like the best time to see Monkeys in hot water, so I hope to go soon!
• Go to an Opera -- This one might prove trickier, but I will succeed eventually! If it takes me 20 years, I WILL see an opera in Japan!
• Eat at the two restaurants closest to my apartment -- There are two semi-expensive looking Japanese restaurants within a 10 minute walk of my house. Somehow I have gone two years without visiting either of them once. This is silly. Before I leave, I promise I will go.
• Hokkaido -- I don't know if I will end up fulfilling this one, but I would really like to visit Japan's most northern island, Hokkaido. Climate-wise and culturally it seems very unique. 
• Okinawa -- I also would like to visit Okinawa, the southern island. I am pretty sure this won't happen before April, but someday. I have heard the climate reminds many people of Hawaii. American stores and brands are also more common here. Also, some of the longest living people in history have lived in Okinawa! They must be doing something right. 

That being said, I have a lot of great things planned in the next month or so. I am excited to enjoy a Christmas in Koka and New Year's in Korea!! I will be staying with my friend Belinda in Seoul from December 26 - January 3. I am really looking forward to experiencing Korea and to seeing Belinda. It's going to be very nice to have two weeks off to relax.

If you can think of anything else I should add to my "bucket list" let me know! I am going to take advantage of my time to do as much as possible, so the more the better! 

Winter Pictures - Tamura Shrine Festival

It's February, and on the East Coast of the U.S. this means that there are many weeks of winter weather still ahead. It's still winter in Minakuchi too, but the weather has been getting warmer lately. People complain about the cold here all the time (and I am ashamed to say I have joined them on occasion....), but really. Go to Minnasota. Or Canada. Or Vermont. There usually isn't even snow on the ground here, so it made me smile when this happened:

Snow, wonderful snow! Makes me miss home.

There's just something about a day where you can stay home and watch the snow fall. Read a good book, cuddle in the warmth of the indoors, drink a warm cup of tea. Ahhh...

After staying in all of Saturday, I decided to check out a local festival in Tsuchiyama, a neighboring town. The towns in my area are rural so I wasn't expecting anything fancy. Boy, was I surprised! Traffic was backed up for about 15 minutes just to get parking near the shrine. The slowly falling snow made the experience seem like something out of a fairytale. The shrine was surrounded with warm food stalls and festival games. I saw lots of families lining up to buy arrows for good luck and to make wishes for their fortune. 

Hot sweet potatoes

A tori gate surrounded by food carts.

Summer festivals are fun, but winter festivals are cozy, too!

The snow probably won't last for long, but while it's here it reminds me that winter isn't so bad after all. And sooner or later, it will become spring. Better take advantage of the joys of winter while we can!

Resolutions for the New Year

明けましておめでとうございます。

Happy New Year! 

We made it to 2012!

It's crazy to think that this time last year I was living in Vermont and working at City Market Co-op. I didn't know whether or not I'd have a job come the end of February, and if I did I wasn't sure where it would be. I spent the holidays at home in front of the fire, away from the winter weather. 2011 was a good year. A lot has happened and many things have changed.

• I left an old job and started a new one. 
• I moved to a different country.
• I travelled to places I'd never been before. Spain, China, and Australia.
• I began to live alone for the first time.
• I made amazing friends.
• I had some fantastic adventures.
• I found a new home. 

There were definitely times when I wasn't sure I was making the right choices. Not everything turned out the way I expected it to. There were a few months that I knew virtually no one and drove myself a little nuts. But sitting here and writing this now, I wouldn't want it to have happened any other way.

Thank you, 2011!

I spent this holiday in the best way possible, with my family! I had a phenomenal time in Australia, and I was so sad to say goodbye... I know I will see you soon, guys, but I miss you! Until then, I am rejuvenated and re-inspired to work hard and try to be my best, both as a teacher and as a person. You guys keep me sane. Thank you! :) 

During our trip in Australia we explored all around the downtown Sydney area, as well as spending a few days in Cairns. We saw the Sydney Opera House (and "The Magic Flute"!!), the Aquarium, the Botanical Gardens, THE FIREWORKS, the Harbor Bridge, the Quay.... we saw kangaroos and koalas, we ate crocodile and kangaroo(!)... we swam in the Great Barrier Reef... we saw a movie in 4D!!!!!...

But really, we hung out and were awesome, 'cause that's the way we roll. 

If you don't believe me, check out these photos. Password is "happynewyear".

Cheers!

Christmas is Coming -- クリスマスはもうすぐだよ〜

Christmas is coming! For a mostly non-Christian country, Japan really fosters the Christmas "spirit". Christmas music and decorations permeate the entirety of December. And also most of November. (Ooops, Japan. You forgot Thanksgiving!) Although the Japanese do celebrate Christmas, they have many traditions that are slightly different and some that are completely different.

Because Christmas is such a large part of western culture, I get to dedicate an English class to Christmas vocabulary and U.S. Christmas culture. I got one of my JTE's perspective on Christmas while we were planning our lesson, and I learned some fascinating misconceptions that the Japanese have about how we celebrate in the states.

(Also, check out this good article about foreign families in Japan!)

1. Christmas Cake - When I think of Christmas desserts I picture candy canes and sugar cookies. If you ask a Japanese person what food they eat on Christmas, they are most likely to say Christmas Cake. I never have eaten cake on Christmas, but if I were to associate a cake with Christmas it would be a fruitcake. In Japan, however, Christmas cake is a light, spongy white cake that is eaten on Christmas Eve. Cakes like this are sold virtually everywhere and Japanese fathers will buy them on their way home from work on December 24th.
It seems to me that Christmas cake is something that was imported more from European traditions than American, but the Japanese aren't aware of this. I told a teacher at my Elementary school that we don't eat Christmas cake and she was pretty shocked.

2. KFC - Chicken is a very popular meal choice for Christmas dinner in Japan. Although the traditional western choice is Turkey, the Japanese don't normally own an oven, making cooking a bird hard. Somewhere along the line, Kentucky Fried Chicken ran a highly successful advertising campaign selling fried chicken sets as a substitute for a western style dinner on Christmas Eve. Since this time KFC has become a very popular Christmas food. Every time I pass by the KFC I stop to admire the lovely Christmas pre-order ads and Colonel Sanders dressed up as Santa Claus. At first I thought it was a strange choice, but after some thought I can see how American fast food is a cheap and logical way to substitute this expensive and time consuming meal.

3. Gift giving - Christmas in Japan isn't a giant family affair like it often is in the States. We tend to prepare presents for every member of the family. We go to bed on Christmas Eve and wake up in the morning with many presents underneath the tree and in our stockings. Japanese children go to bed at night and when they wake up in the morning, Santa has come through their window and left a present by their pillow. Because the only presents on Christmas are from Santa, parents don't normal receive Christmas presents. Once a child doesn't believe in Santa anymore there is no reason to keep up the  charade, so even that stops.
Friends and significant others often give each other presents during this time of year. People also give obligatory "year end" presents to those who have helped them throughout the year. These obligatory gifts are meant to show the value you place on your relationship with the person and the care that you have for it's up-keeping. Because they are mainly for politeness, people often buy perishable items that don't take up much space. They can be bought at department stores, making it easy for the recipient to check the price and return an appropriately expensive gift.

Santa climbing up the gutters of an Italian Restaurant in Kyoto. Is there a chimney for him?

Because there are so few Christians in Japan, the religious aspect is pretty much completely lost to commercialism. The Japanese do love flashy lights, decorations, and anything beautiful or cute. In true form, they have taken everything visually eye-popping about the holiday and embraced it whole-heartedly. In big cities like Kobe or Osaka you can see "illuminations" and elaborate Christmas decorations.

Although there are many differences between the ways we celebrate Christmas and the holiday season, Japan and the U.S. also have many similarities. We listen to the same Christmas music (albeit in different languages), watch Christmas movies, and spend time with people we care about. It's not a widely celebrated holiday in Japan, but it's an excuse for people to have a small celebration with those they care about and for businesses to sell festive specialty items.

Starting tomorrow, I'll be teaching "Christmas" lessons until I leave for Australia, so I'll report any further revelations. I have the feeling by the time Christmas actually arrives I will be either VERY Christmas-y or completely Christmas-ed out! Bring it on, Saint Nick!