Well, I hope you all approve of the new look here. I was bored with the old one so I used my little knowledge of html and changed it to suit me better.
Quick note: To leave comments now, you click on the number next to the title of the post. Some of you had trouble leaving comments before, but that problem should be eliminated.
Now hurry up and leave me comments praising me for how awesome the new look is...or you can leave comments expressing disapproval, but be warned that if you do disapprove, I may make a post about my disapproval of you. (Sorry-I just wanted to type the word disapproval a lot.)
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Never a dull moment...
Saturday night we went to Brett and Bong's house for Young Life. We always have a good time there, but this time was probably the best ever. There were just so many people there and we had a blast. Brett had given his university students an extra credit assignment to interview a native English speaker. Many of his students came because they wanted the extra credit which would raise their last test grade. It was really fun answering all their questions and trying to communicate with them.
After dinner, we sang a few songs, and then it was time for a game. The games at Young Life are never normal and never boring. Lauren and I were sitting there minding our own business when all of a sudden Brett 'volunteered' both of us to play the game. He said it was because he needed girls, and there are usually not many girls there other than us American girls. So, we get up there having no idea what to expect. He tells us to pick a guy out to be our partner. I picked this guy Manabu, who had interviewed me for his extra credit earlier. Little did I know that minutes later I would be rubbing shaving cream on his chest.
Lauren seemed to be enjoying this part a little too much...haha
After we had properly lathered the guy's chests, they were told to line up and we had to get on our knees about 8 feet from them. We (the girls) were then given a bag of chips that reminded me of cheeto balls. We were told we had one minute to get as many of them as possible to stick to the shaving cream.
In the end, Manabu and I got 2nd place with 16. The winner had over 20.
After all that excitement, we sang a few more songs.
Shinsuke and Daisuke--a.k.a The Suke brothers
Later some of the guys did a skit.
(from l to r) Brett, Daisuke, Shinsuke, and Dave
Here is what happens when you give someone else your camera.
That's Maury and he's a pretty cool surfer dude.
After everything was over we all hung out and talked to some of Brett's students. They all wanted pictures with Lauren, Liz and I. We were quite the celebrities. At one point the 3 of us were standing there for a picture and there were at least 4 cameras on us. Bong was laughing at us.
Later on, Shinsuke was playing guitar so I told him to play the song from "A Walk to Remember". (He had played it for us before and we thought it was funny that he knew it.) He handed me the guitar and told me to play something instead. I told him I would if he would play the walk to remember song for us after that. He reluctantly agreed so I took the guitar to fulfill my part of the bargain. At first I was just messing around not really playing anything, then Lauren got my camera to take pictures as Shinsuke and I pretended to be a band.
Now the reason that picture is really funny is because Shinsuke is pretending to play the flute--but that is not a flute. It's a folded up music stand. Oh, and he's holding it completely wrong. (Lauren showed him later how to hold it correctly since she was a former flute player.)
After dinner, we sang a few songs, and then it was time for a game. The games at Young Life are never normal and never boring. Lauren and I were sitting there minding our own business when all of a sudden Brett 'volunteered' both of us to play the game. He said it was because he needed girls, and there are usually not many girls there other than us American girls. So, we get up there having no idea what to expect. He tells us to pick a guy out to be our partner. I picked this guy Manabu, who had interviewed me for his extra credit earlier. Little did I know that minutes later I would be rubbing shaving cream on his chest.
Lauren seemed to be enjoying this part a little too much...haha
After we had properly lathered the guy's chests, they were told to line up and we had to get on our knees about 8 feet from them. We (the girls) were then given a bag of chips that reminded me of cheeto balls. We were told we had one minute to get as many of them as possible to stick to the shaving cream.
In the end, Manabu and I got 2nd place with 16. The winner had over 20.
After all that excitement, we sang a few more songs.
Shinsuke and Daisuke--a.k.a The Suke brothers
Later some of the guys did a skit.
(from l to r) Brett, Daisuke, Shinsuke, and Dave
Here is what happens when you give someone else your camera.
That's Maury and he's a pretty cool surfer dude.
After everything was over we all hung out and talked to some of Brett's students. They all wanted pictures with Lauren, Liz and I. We were quite the celebrities. At one point the 3 of us were standing there for a picture and there were at least 4 cameras on us. Bong was laughing at us.
Later on, Shinsuke was playing guitar so I told him to play the song from "A Walk to Remember". (He had played it for us before and we thought it was funny that he knew it.) He handed me the guitar and told me to play something instead. I told him I would if he would play the walk to remember song for us after that. He reluctantly agreed so I took the guitar to fulfill my part of the bargain. At first I was just messing around not really playing anything, then Lauren got my camera to take pictures as Shinsuke and I pretended to be a band.
Now the reason that picture is really funny is because Shinsuke is pretending to play the flute--but that is not a flute. It's a folded up music stand. Oh, and he's holding it completely wrong. (Lauren showed him later how to hold it correctly since she was a former flute player.)
Save our movies...
At the beginning of movies in Japan there is a commercial that runs for anti-piracy. It is HILARIOUS. It starts out with a woman crying a black tear.
Then, when the tear drops it becomes a skull.
At the end, there is this skull with a warning about pirating movies.
Lauren and I literally crack up every time we see this. It never gets old and we always laugh--a lot.
Another fun thing about movies in Japan--they put your popcorn bucket in a bag so you won't spill any on the way to your seat. They are so smart!
Then, when the tear drops it becomes a skull.
At the end, there is this skull with a warning about pirating movies.
Lauren and I literally crack up every time we see this. It never gets old and we always laugh--a lot.
Another fun thing about movies in Japan--they put your popcorn bucket in a bag so you won't spill any on the way to your seat. They are so smart!
Random stuff
The Japanese people are way too into their dogs.
There is one vending machine for every 23 people in Japan. Japan has one of the world's highest vending machine densities. We found 33 in a row in Chiba city.
This is a parking garage.
You can see straight through it...why? Well, it takes your car in, then it goes up on an elevator of sorts and stores your car until you come back for it.
Lastly, some of you have asked me about the 'squatty potty'. Well, you can all thank Lauren for taking this picture.
I hate these toilets, but when you gotta go, you gotta go, right?
Oh, and Japan is very kid-friendly. Almost all women's restrooms have little urinals for boys. (Thank you again Lauren for this picture.)
There is one vending machine for every 23 people in Japan. Japan has one of the world's highest vending machine densities. We found 33 in a row in Chiba city.
This is a parking garage.
You can see straight through it...why? Well, it takes your car in, then it goes up on an elevator of sorts and stores your car until you come back for it.
Lastly, some of you have asked me about the 'squatty potty'. Well, you can all thank Lauren for taking this picture.
I hate these toilets, but when you gotta go, you gotta go, right?
Oh, and Japan is very kid-friendly. Almost all women's restrooms have little urinals for boys. (Thank you again Lauren for this picture.)
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Four...
Sorry-I had too much time on my hands tonight.
FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
**Hostess at El Chico
**Nanny/Chauffer for 2 kids (one of whom plays football for UT now...I'm so old.)
**Recreation Intern at FBC
**Area Coordinator for Residential Life--yep yep--my first REAL job
FOUR MOVIES I'D WATCH ON REPEAT:
**Bottlerocket
**Say Anything
**Office Space
**High Fidelity
FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE:
**Arrested Development
**The Daily Show
**Freaks and Geeks
**Scrubs
FOUR VACATION LOCALES I'D LIKE TO HIT:
**Singapore
**Thailand
**Amami Islands
**Fiji
FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY:
**gmail.com
**hyperdia.com (most days)
**msn.com
**mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/
FOUR FOODS I LUST AFTER:
**Peking duck
**Tex Mex
**Chicken curry and naan
**and of course Chick-fil-a chicken
FOUR CHANGES I'D MAKE TO THE HOUSE (OR APARTMENT):
**Insulation--any at all would be nice
**Central heat
**Add on a library
**Pool boy...just kidding
FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
**Hostess at El Chico
**Nanny/Chauffer for 2 kids (one of whom plays football for UT now...I'm so old.)
**Recreation Intern at FBC
**Area Coordinator for Residential Life--yep yep--my first REAL job
FOUR MOVIES I'D WATCH ON REPEAT:
**Bottlerocket
**Say Anything
**Office Space
**High Fidelity
FOUR TV SHOWS I LOVE:
**Arrested Development
**The Daily Show
**Freaks and Geeks
**Scrubs
FOUR VACATION LOCALES I'D LIKE TO HIT:
**Singapore
**Thailand
**Amami Islands
**Fiji
FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY:
**gmail.com
**hyperdia.com (most days)
**msn.com
**mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/
FOUR FOODS I LUST AFTER:
**Peking duck
**Tex Mex
**Chicken curry and naan
**and of course Chick-fil-a chicken
FOUR CHANGES I'D MAKE TO THE HOUSE (OR APARTMENT):
**Insulation--any at all would be nice
**Central heat
**Add on a library
**Pool boy...just kidding
5 Things I...
Like, and Should
1) Derek Webb
2) Japanese packaging
3) Wes Anderson films
4) flip flops
5) traveling
5a) soy milk
Don't Like, and Should
1) cooking
2) running
3) studying Japanese
4) grapefruit
5) practicing guitar
Don't Like, and Shouldn't
1) intolerance
2) Texas pride
3) dirty dishes
4) lima beans
5) non-commitment
Like, but Shouldn't
1) Gilmore Girls/Laguna Beach
2) Josh in Japan podcast
3) The Bell Jar
4) Magnetic poetry
5) fruit from a can
1) Derek Webb
2) Japanese packaging
3) Wes Anderson films
4) flip flops
5) traveling
5a) soy milk
Don't Like, and Should
1) cooking
2) running
3) studying Japanese
4) grapefruit
5) practicing guitar
Don't Like, and Shouldn't
1) intolerance
2) Texas pride
3) dirty dishes
4) lima beans
5) non-commitment
Like, but Shouldn't
1) Gilmore Girls/Laguna Beach
2) Josh in Japan podcast
3) The Bell Jar
4) Magnetic poetry
5) fruit from a can
Snow Fun
On Sunday afternoon, Lauren and I decided to take advantage of all the snow we had gotten the previous day (about 6 inches). We set out to build snowmen.
Now, the Japanese build snowmen, but they only use 2 balls.
Of course we wanted to be very American and build our 3 ball snowmen. So-we got busy. Here is Glen, before he was Glen.
When Lauren was forming Ed's head, she noticed that she could see a face in the snow. It was pretty freaky. Can you see it? Seriously-she didn't do that--it was just there.
Me and Glen
Glen and Ed from inside our courtyard
Ed, Lauren, me, and Glen
We had a blast playing in the snow--and trying to find things to use for their faces. (Twizzlers made great mouths.) We even sacrificed our scarves so they would look SUPER cool. And look mom-I'm getting great use out of my cowboy hat!
Now, the Japanese build snowmen, but they only use 2 balls.
Of course we wanted to be very American and build our 3 ball snowmen. So-we got busy. Here is Glen, before he was Glen.
When Lauren was forming Ed's head, she noticed that she could see a face in the snow. It was pretty freaky. Can you see it? Seriously-she didn't do that--it was just there.
Me and Glen
Glen and Ed from inside our courtyard
Ed, Lauren, me, and Glen
We had a blast playing in the snow--and trying to find things to use for their faces. (Twizzlers made great mouths.) We even sacrificed our scarves so they would look SUPER cool. And look mom-I'm getting great use out of my cowboy hat!
Random snow pictures
Here are just some pictures from my neighborhood the morning it was snowing.
I'm a dork
I'm a dork
Young Life Conference
On Saturday we went to a YL conference at Misaki church. We had to catch the train at 7 that morning, so I was up by 6...on a Saturday...blah. Anyway, Liz IMed me that morning to let me know it was snowing. I looked outside and saw this:
Of course I was super excited, and almost sad that we weren't going to be home all day to enjoy it. I figured it would stop by mid-morning and melt like the last snow a few weeks ago. Well, it ended up snowing all day. It was even snowing at Misaki church, which is about a 2 hour train ride from the apartment.
Random pictures from the conference
Daisuke leading worship
Here is Shinsuke playing the keyboard. When I we first got to the church that morning, Liz said something to me about Shinsuke's hair being long. I looked around and said, "Where is Shinsuke?" Umm yeah--I didn't even recognize him because his hair had gotten so long. I'm a dork.
They were referred to as the 'Suke band'...of course, that's probably not funny to anyone but those of us that were there...oh well.
Joshua and Jerri
We got bored in the afternoon, so we proceeded to put our nametags on Shinsuke's back without him noticing. Then we proceeded to take pictures, all without him noticing.
Joshua looking adorable--as always
Shinsuke eating a twizzler which we forced him to eat. (We haven't met any Japanese people so far that like Twizzlers.)
After the conference we all went to dinner together. So of course I have more pictures...sorry this is mostly a picture post, but many of you have openly admitted you only look at my pictures anyway. (shame on you)
Ayumi and me...she's not sad, she just insist on making sad faces for the camera
Lauren, Ayumi(actually smiling), and me
Ayumi, Yuya, and Shota
Bong--I love her!
Justice trying to avoid Ayumi who was taking his picture
And of course when you give a 6 year old your camera, you're going to end up with pictures like this...
After dinner, Kazu, a guy we met, offered to drive us home instead of us taking the train. We never turn down a car ride so of course we agreed. Well, what is usually about a 1 1/2 hour drive turned into a 5 hour drive because of all the snow and roads being closed. It was crazy. We left at 9 and didn't get home until 2...so, we all decided to sleep instead of getting up for church. We needed a lazy day after our long day and extra long car ride.
Of course I was super excited, and almost sad that we weren't going to be home all day to enjoy it. I figured it would stop by mid-morning and melt like the last snow a few weeks ago. Well, it ended up snowing all day. It was even snowing at Misaki church, which is about a 2 hour train ride from the apartment.
Random pictures from the conference
Daisuke leading worship
Here is Shinsuke playing the keyboard. When I we first got to the church that morning, Liz said something to me about Shinsuke's hair being long. I looked around and said, "Where is Shinsuke?" Umm yeah--I didn't even recognize him because his hair had gotten so long. I'm a dork.
They were referred to as the 'Suke band'...of course, that's probably not funny to anyone but those of us that were there...oh well.
Joshua and Jerri
We got bored in the afternoon, so we proceeded to put our nametags on Shinsuke's back without him noticing. Then we proceeded to take pictures, all without him noticing.
Joshua looking adorable--as always
Shinsuke eating a twizzler which we forced him to eat. (We haven't met any Japanese people so far that like Twizzlers.)
After the conference we all went to dinner together. So of course I have more pictures...sorry this is mostly a picture post, but many of you have openly admitted you only look at my pictures anyway. (shame on you)
Ayumi and me...she's not sad, she just insist on making sad faces for the camera
Lauren, Ayumi(actually smiling), and me
Ayumi, Yuya, and Shota
Bong--I love her!
Justice trying to avoid Ayumi who was taking his picture
And of course when you give a 6 year old your camera, you're going to end up with pictures like this...
After dinner, Kazu, a guy we met, offered to drive us home instead of us taking the train. We never turn down a car ride so of course we agreed. Well, what is usually about a 1 1/2 hour drive turned into a 5 hour drive because of all the snow and roads being closed. It was crazy. We left at 9 and didn't get home until 2...so, we all decided to sleep instead of getting up for church. We needed a lazy day after our long day and extra long car ride.
Grocery store fun in Japan...
So, Lauren and I discovered the 'drinks in a bag' last week. What's that you ask? Well, it's like this. You pick 10 drinks, put them in the marked bag, and then just go check out. They scan the bag and you get 10 tiny drinks** for only 500 yen (about 5 dollars). We were excited because they had sprite, and we can't find sprite many places.
**You can't tell in the picture, but these are actually small cans. They are 160 mL. Regular cans (12 oz) are 355 mL.
**You can't tell in the picture, but these are actually small cans. They are 160 mL. Regular cans (12 oz) are 355 mL.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Japanese snacks are, umm, interesting...
Once a month all the English teachers that work for our city get together for training. Yesterday was the day for this month. I got to see some of the teachers I worked with at my old school, so that was fun. Mrs. Matsuda gave me some snacks with a note that said "Happy New Year"
I took one look at this sack of 'treats' and said "Kore wa nan des ka?" (What's that?) I mean, I'm all for trying new stuff, but these looked DISGUSTING.
Sure enough, when we opened the sack at my apartment, our suspicions were proved true. It looked like poop. Lauren proceeded to place some of them on the floor so we could get the full effect.
Now, they really didn't taste THAT bad, but come on people--why does it have to look so gross?
I took one look at this sack of 'treats' and said "Kore wa nan des ka?" (What's that?) I mean, I'm all for trying new stuff, but these looked DISGUSTING.
Sure enough, when we opened the sack at my apartment, our suspicions were proved true. It looked like poop. Lauren proceeded to place some of them on the floor so we could get the full effect.
Now, they really didn't taste THAT bad, but come on people--why does it have to look so gross?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
