Happy New Year!

Well, we arrived safely in Vienna via overnight train from Venice. As it turns out we did not go to Venice during the day. We ended up going skiing on this peak near Andrew's house in a place called Piancavallo. It was lots of fun although I did not go skiing but rather took pictures from the sidelines. After the fiasco where I was not able to clear the bunny slope once, I thought it would be best for my limbs that I sit this one out. However, I was glad Cristina had a chance to go with the others since I will probably not go with her for quite some time.

Anyway, I guess this new year's eve will definitely not be as happy considering the tsunamis that have devistated India and Indonesia. In this B&B we are staying at in Vienna is the first time that we have been able to really see coverage on it. We are actually fearful of some friends that have visited the area for winter holiday. We have already heard from one of them in Malaysia and he is ok. We have another friend in Sri Lanka that we traveled all the way up to Hong Kong with that we hope is ok as well.

In any case, I hope everything finds you well this new year. Looking forward to hearing from all of you soon. We are on our way to pick up Lukasz (Ashley's boyfriend) from the airport. Bye.

Merrjy Chrjistmas and Happjy New Yjear!

Hey guys, just a quick update to let you know how we are doing... everything is fine. For the past few days we have been having tons of fun in Northeastern Italy where we are staying with Ashley's older brother. We came here after spending a great time in Florence over Christmas. It was great to see the city we lived in and loved decked out in its Christmas best. Surprisingly, Rome nor the Vatican were that decorated for Christmas.

You will never guess where we went yesterday -- SLOVENIA (I even got a stamp on my passport to prove it). Ashley's brother really wanted to go and I thought it sounded exciting, so we went. It was great to be able to cross a new border and see what its like. Obviously, several parts looked like Italy, but it reminded us a bit of Austria as well. The people look surprisingly very Scandinavian and even sound Swedish. We really did not know what to do, so after crossing the border, we went to something like the shops off the toll plaza and got a few pamphlets. We ended up going to some nearby "world famous" caves called the Postjana caves. (I am not too sure where the j goes because there is usually a random j and way to many consonants in every Slovenian word.) Anyway, the cave guided tour began at 4:00 and we arrived there at 3:00, so we stood by the fire and chalet outside to listen to the polka dance complete with kid dancers. It was great. I felt like it was truly a cultural experience.

As for the cave, first we had to board a small train to take us into the heart of the cave. I was surprised they didn't allow pictures so I tried taking some anyway. I soon found out that the reason they don't want you taking pictures is because even though the there are parts of the cave that are only carved out for the train itself and not the loud American tourist waving his head and arms outside of the train with his camera. Lucky for me, my friends were able to scream out watch out before I was decapitated with my camera in hand by a huge overhanging boulder or stalactite.

The cave itself was beautiful and wonderous. We listened to a couple groups of Christmas carolers that were part of the tour that sounded beautifully with the echo of the caves. We also got to see a Christmas show that involved watching the re-enactment of the birth of Christ in the cave while watching an angel dressed in white singing far up in the cave Silent Night.

Tomorrow it is off to Venice and then a night train to Vienna where we will spend New Years and meet up with Lukasz. I'll try to write another update soon.

Love you all. Happy Holidays. Hope your Christmases were merry and your New Year will be happy.

Adventures Could Begin Here

Well, we made it to Italy safely and are already enjoying ourselves in Rome. We also have already been to Hong Kong for 8 hours. It was great and everything is really cheap. You should see all the stuff they had. I was also surprised at all the different types of people that live there. It also surprised to see how crumbly and old lots of parts look. I expected everything to be super new and modern. However, we have still not gone to the core of Hong Kong yet. Rather, we stayed in Kowloon which is across the bay and has all the markets and overlooks the Hong Kong skyline that you have probably seen in pictures. Right now I am waiting for Ashley. She was going to get here on a 1:00 o'clock train, but it turns out she went to the wrong train station in her town so she had to take the one that arrives here at 3:00. Luckily, she had bought or rented a cell phone so we were able to call her and figure out why she had not been on the 1:00 train.

That's pretty much it for now, but stay tuned for some more updates.

Buon Viaggio!

So it may seem that I am neglecting this blog. In reality, I am simply a bit busy with school stuff and preparing to embark on my journey. If you have not been keeping up to date with it, it's tomorrow. Anyway, yesterday was a bit out of the ordinary. It al began about a couple months ago when I was asked to judge a speech contest in Koyama with Kaz. It was in a small rural school (I say that because Koyama actually has a big school). So, yesterday I headed to Kaz's after my lunch break. We had lunch together in her apartment, where we feasted on pumpkin soup and tuna sandwiches. After catching up for a bit and our afternoon tea, we headed to the school.

Kaz and I sat at a table in the back of the school gym waiting to hear the students give the same memorized speech. Kaz had written it, so at least it was a bit interesting. She included some sounds for them to do as well as lots of things that could be accompanied by gestures. Each student went one by one. First the first graders, then the second graders, then the third graders. There were 5 contestants in each category and a clear winner among the first and second graders. With the third graders it was a bit more difficult as three of them were extremely good at one facet of their speech. In the end, it was the girl that did the funny voices for the two characters that won. What can I say, I am a sucker for entertainers. At the end, Kaz and I had to give our concluding remarks. I gave mine in English and Kaz gave hers in Japanese.

Yesterday evening, I prepared most of what will go in my bag during our upcoming adventure. I have to say that I am finally taking my own advice and packing light -- extremely light. As a matter fo fact, I could probably pack even lighter, but don't for fear that Cristina may think I am weird. In any case, I am extremely proud of how light my bag weighs as of now. It is about half empty. It only gets about 3/4 full when I put my day pack in there which I will probably do for the air journey itself.

For those of you who don't know, our schedule is as follows:
(Please note that all times are local times to the visiting country.)

Dec. 17- depart Kagoshima for Fukuoka by means of an overnight bus
18- depart Fukuoka airport 10:35, arrive Hong Kong 15:05, depart HK 23:55
19- arrive in Rome 7:05
20- Rome
21- Rome
22- Siena
23- Firenze
24- Firenze
25- Firenze
26-28- Northern Italian Hill towns
29-30- Venice
31- Jan. 2- Vienna
3- Salzburg
4- Frankfurt
5- depart Frankfurt 14:00
6- arrive Hong Kong 8:00
7- Hong Kong
8- depart Hong Kong 15:15, arrive Fukuoka 20:55, take overnight bus to Kagoshima
9- arrive Kagoshima City 6:00

Wish us good journey. I love you and miss you all. May your Christmas be merry (and non-commmercialized) and your New Year be happy (and debt-free).

Twelve Montano

Another weekend has come and gone as has another adventure. Friday night I cannot remember what we did, only that Cristina was deathly ill and very naggy (just kidding). Saturday brought us some great weather so Cristina and I had decided to do something outdoorsy. At first we were going to go to the Rose park in Kanoya again. Then, we were going to visit the Uchinoura rivers and beaches. Finally, we had decided on going to visit Cape Sata, the Southernmost point of mainland Japan that happens to be a couple hours drive South of us. The drive was absolutely beautiful (like usual). We ran into this center or museum-type place that had several larger than life Buddha, one which was over 33 meters long lying down on top of a building. We also saw three monkeys. Before I could point them out to Cristina, one was beside the car door. The other two were a baby on top of its mother’s back. We continued down and finally made it to the Southern tip. I cannot say that I was that impressed with the hike or the park. However, it was a nice way to spend the day nonetheless. On our way back, we passed a breathtaking sunset over Kinko Bay next to Kaimon-dake (the “Mt. Fuji of Satsuma peninsula”). After taking some pictures of the sunset, I took what I thought was the right road that ended up being an hour detour back to where we were 15 minutes before stopping to see the sunset. Cristina and I were so delusional because of how dark and absolutely lost we were in these mountain roads that we began discussing the possibility of naming our children after numbers. We decided we like the names Twelve (for a boy) and Nine or Eleven (for a girl).

After we finally made it home, it was time to pack up and head to Osaki for Tomo-chan’s Christmas party. He was making Sukiyake which basically entails the cooking of vegetables with beef, thin noodles, soy sauce and water on a frying pan at your table. It was so much fun. There were lots of us and with Tomo-chan there, it promises to be an interesting conversation. I really like hanging out with Tomo-chan. I am looking forward to asking him after we come back from winter holiday if he can take me fishing in Uchinoura some time.

After sukiyaki and lots of beer, we went to Tomo-chan’s friend’s karaoke bar. It just so happens that this bar is a private, small karaoke bar that I guess they open for private parties or only on certain nights of the week. I was impressed by how posh the place looked. Most if not all the seats were covered in red velvet and the rest of the bar was black. Our bar hostess was also very funny. I never heard her speak, but she joined us for some pictures and was extremely funny to watch. This poor newlywed couple also joined us after Laura shoveled them in after they opened the door to see what was going on. They seemed a bit frightened by all the foreigners, but quickly warmed up to us and sang a few songs.

Sunday, we were all extremely hung over. It seemed the only thing that could satisfy our appetites was some greasy burger from McDonald’s. So, after dillydallying around for a couple hours in Laura’s house, we finally mustered the strength to get into the car and head over to Kanoya for a very satisfying Big Mac, large fries and medium Coke.

This brings me to this week when Cristina and I are preparing to leave to Chino-European adventure. Admittedly, it is probably not as exciting as the true eco-adventure Alex and Kaz are having in New Zealand, but we are excited to return to Italy, welcome the New Year in Vienna and explore for the first time Hong Kong.

GREAT Pictures!

As usual, here are some great pictures. There are some of me participating in the mukade relay with the Uchinoura Junior High students on the beach. Following that are the pictures of our Saturday outing to Cape Sata at the bottom of our peninsula. I will tell you more in a more detailed posting. Saturday night, we went to Tomo-chan's for some sukiyake. After, we went for some karaaoke. Enjoy the pictures.

View Album

Cristina and I sing Madonna"s "La Isla Bonita".

Having some great Sukiyake at Tomo-Chan's. In the picture are Heather, a Kanoya ALT, and Yoko, Tomo's wife.

On the way home, we ran into this amazing sunset that casted the most beautiful purple haze over Kinko Bay and Kaimon-Dake.

Cape Sata is the lowest point of mainland Japan. In the background, you can see the lighthouse.

My team representative collecting the certificate. (On the other side of the fence on top of those rocks is the school.)

Here is the last leg of my team falling just 10 feet shy of the finish line.

And they're off. (I'm the big guy in the back not wearing the school PE uniform.)

Uchinoura Junior High all excited before the big relay race.

Are you feeling GENKI?

Whoa, it’s been a while, I know. However, I have been very sick and very “busy”. After I helped my office move on Monday, I became inflicted with a cold that kept my nasal cavity filled at all times which complimented my raspy voice due to the irritation in my throat. However, as usual, I manage to survive and make it through. Now, I feel very “genki”. Genki is the word they use in Japan to describe healthy, lively and energetic. So, instead of asking how you are after greeting someone, they ask you, “Genki des ka?” meaning “Are you feeling genki today?” I wish the same could be said of Cristina. The day I got better, she seemed to have started having what I had had. Now, she has a bad cough. However, with the help of the oranges that it is customary to eat by the dozen every evening in Japan, she will get better.

I have been feeling extremely productive in the office. For the past few days, I have studying Japanese from the book that the JET program sends you every 2 months. I completed this second book and took the test that is due January 28. I figure I might as well complete it now since I will most likely forget or have other things on my mind after we come back from winter holiday.

Speaking of holiday, Cristina and I embark on our Chino-European adventure next Friday. As you might imagine, I am excited but worried that I will not have everything ready in time.

Yesterday at Uchi JH, I partook in the greatest of events. As you may have already known, the school’s backyard is the beach. Every year, schools all over Japan have a relay that symbolizes or re-enacts the delivering of a message over a very long distance by Japanese Post a long time ago. Since one of the kids in 2-2 broke his leg, I was asked to take his spot. I was in the second mukade (I will explain in a second.). The relay begins with a long distance runner that runs almost the length of the beach and back (maybe 500m) who then passes the message (in the form of a sash that you wear) to the next leg which is a mukade (or centipede). A mukade consists of 5 people standing in a line with all their left ankles bound together and all their right ankles bound together. So, you all have to take small steps in unison, but try to be fast at the same time. My team was in the lead until my mukade was near the hand off when we fell and 3-1 took the lead for the remainder of the race. It was tons of fun and I hope I get to participate in it again next year. At the end, everyone stands together and does stretches then faces the ocean and scream. It was quite the moment.

In the evening was my eikawa. The conversation group ran much smoother than last time. Perhaps it was because I had stuff planned. What they were most surprised about was the pronunciation exercise that I had prepared for them since no other ALT had done that with them. I had them say “Red leather, yellow leather.” The Rs, Ls and THs are very difficult for them so it was quite the challenge.

Today, I am at work and stuck with nothing to do. I find myself with so much free time that I have begun to plan my other vacations during the remainder of my time. I am thinking that for next Winter holiday, I want to go to Thailand and Cambodia. We also have some other week-long break periods that we are trying to plan for. If any of you have any ideas of where we should visit while over here, let me know. As of now, I think we are considering the Philippines, Sydney, and other places throughout Japan.

Uchinoura Tatami Funhouse

Here it is; what you all have been waiting for . . . some pictures of my house (and of the Christmas party). I did not get a chance to take some more pictures of my house or of Cristina's because the batteries ran out. Anyway, enjoy.

View Album

Christmas Party 2004 attendees (minus Cristina).

Looks a bit like Christmas at home because of all the wrapping paper all over the place.

How to Torture a Japanese Person

Friday I was victim of the same old, same old. Nothing new and exciting except a few trips to the post office. Saturday on the other hand was completely different story. The day began early with a call to the family at 7 a.m. Following the phone calls, we got ready to go to Uchinoura where we would begin cleaning in preparation for the Christmas party at my house. While driving to my house, it was hard to miss the violent winds and rains. I then remembered how my office had mentioned that there was to be a typhoon passing by that day, a rarity in December. In any case, we did arrive to my house and unloaded the car that was full of Christmas decorations I had borrowed from Laura and other accessories, props for the party. Cristina and I got to cleaning and were barely finishing cleaning and setting up as the first guests were arriving at 12:30. I had also gift wrapped some items for the guests to open and set up a few games. I was also lucky to have found a stash of Christmas decorations hidden away in one of the cabinets in the front room in my house. Therefore, my halls were decked much more than I had expected.

There were 9 junior high school students in attendance, plus my teacher, her 2-year old daughter, Cristina and myself. We began by simply talking, watching some of the Grinch and eating snacks. We made some hot cinnamon apple cider that proved to be delicious (for one girl). The first game we played was a Christmas card toss where we tossed Christmas cards from some distance into a shopping bag. The first person to make 3 Christmas cards received this huge gift bag from an electronic store. However, the box inside the gift bag instructed the winner to give it to the tallest person in the room. Once he opened it, there was another wrapped box that had another instruction. And so on and so on until the box ended in the hands of the 2 year old with a knit-Christmas stocking inside. The next game was one in which everyone had to line up whereupon the first person would have to roll a die. When the first person in line had rolled the number 2 three time, they had to get up, put on a coat, scarf, Santa hat or reindeer antlers, and oven mitts on each hand. After, they would have to try to open a box that they had helped wrap difficultly at the start of the party. While one person was trying to open the present, the next person was rolling the die. The first person to be able to completely open the box would be the first person to pick out their gift in the gift game. The gift game was one in which you were able to steal a gift that someone else had opened but that not too many people were keen on doing. It is not the Japanese way.

The Rice Pudding Incident. Cristina has found the perfect way to torture innocent Japanese people. She makes rice pudding which seems interesting enough to try. Once the people try it, they hate it (because it is sweet rice) but still eat in and say they like even though their facial expressions scream otherwise. In any case, since it is not Japanese to not eat what is given to you, the children looked like they were eating rice pudding at gun point. I told them that they did not have to eat it at all. However, it was not until the teacher said that they did not have to eat it that they stopped. I felt so bad. But then again it was a bit neat to see the tables turn.

After the Christmas party was over, Cristina and I gave the place a thorough cleaning only to have to go to my teacher’s house in Kanoya to have dinner with her father and friends. I was so tired that this was about the last thing that I wanted to do. However, I am extremely glad that I did because I met some really cool people. I would not mind seeing them again.

On Sunday, Cristina and I spent the whole day doing nothing. Well, we did get up, eat lunch, drop the Christmas decorations off at Laura’s and pick up some dessert, but other than that we stayed in the whole time watching movies until 5:00 when we had to get ready for a dinner at Keiko Kato’s house, Yu’s aunt, who I helped with a translation some time ago. Dinner was great and so much fun. Keiko’s English is by far the best I have heard here in Japan (minus the ALTs). She lived a year in Arkansas and some time in Tokyo as well. Even her demeanor is very progressive and Western. I would like to note that I do not think that she is very progressive because she seems very Westernized because I think the two are very independent of each other. Perhaps I find her more progressive because of her experiences in urban centers. Either way, I just wanted to make the point clear. The food was great. The conversation was very interesting. And the time flew. We spent over 5 hours there talking about anything and everything. I definitely want to hang out with her again and hope that she will make time in her busy schedule for us as well.

That brings me to today when my office had neglected to tell me that today was a moving day and I have been lugging around crates of files and papers that have not been opened in year and probably never will be again with my button down shirt, nice pants and jacket. And life goes on.

Photo Op

So here are some old and new pictures that you have not seen. The first album is from the memory card that we had lost but now found. It includes pictures from Yabusame and our hiking trip in Nejime.

View Yabusame/Nejime Album

The second album includes the pictures from this past weekend in Miyazaki, where we visited the Udo Shrine, celebrated Cristina's birthday, etc.

View Miyazaki Album

Believe it or not, that day we were more of an attraction than the Udo Shrine. I don't know why. I find it completely normal that six foreigners were at a Southern Japanese Shrine wearing Santa hats and antlers. However, I think some visitors differed in opinion.

Behind is not the Shrine itself, but the gate leading to it. The shrine is difficult to photograph because its in a dark and damp cave.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from your local Shrine.

Laughing at the priest in the back taking a cigarette break in this holy shrine. I guess since he is crouching, less people noticed (maybe).

It's just not Christmas without a coffeehouse and a Santa hat.

Cristina with her favorite birthday present, Downy. (Notice the pumpkin soup cup at her side.)

Magic Carpet 24/7

Not much happened Monday other than I stayed in Uchinoura and finished watching Season 1 of 24. Let me tell you that 24 is a great show. But since I cannot go into detail about it since people who are reading this blog have not yet seen all the episodes, there is not much to say.

Yesterday, I taught in Uchinoura JH like I usually do every Tuesday. I only had the 1st graders to worry about (which are quite the handful) and then some free time till lunch. So, I crafted my party poster to invite the school to my house on Saturday. I was asked to also think of games since the children will have to be entertained. Fortunately, I found this great Web site that gave me some great Christmas party games that can be adapted to non-native English speakers. I am also thinking of having several funny presents and Christmas cards for everyone.

In the afternoon, all the Uchinoura schools gathered in Ginga Arena (where my office is) to perform what they had prepared in their music classes. I was really amazed by their talent and at how entertained I truly was. It was not boring at all until the professionals came in at the end and bored everyone to sleep with some amateur Japanese operettas of some sort. I was especially proud of the Kishira JH students that performed this percussion ensemble with taiko (Japanese) drums of different size and bamboo sticks/instruments. I think they really wowed the audience and were a hard act to follow. I also thought that the graduating class at Uchinoura JH performed very well. They sang a song titled ‘Tomorrow never knows’ that has that said in English (when the whole song is in Japanese) only one time. Their only flaw was this one boy in the middle of the choir that was singing much louder than everyone else and was simply horrible. I think that without him, it would have sounded near perfect. I feel really bad, because he is a really nice kid. However, the truth is the truth.

Later in the evening, Cristina and I visited Kaz for some wine and conversation. She had just returned from a week-long trip in England for a funeral. Cristina fed her fish while she was away and she brought her back some great Cadbury chocolates. As a side note, the Brits think Americans sound stupid (pretty much all the time, but especially) when we say ‘Cadbury’. Apparently, Cadbury is pronounced cabree.

As a side note, the nights are getting chillier and Cristina and I find ourselves sleeping, resting, eating, talking, watching movies, making crafts, writing and reading on the hot carpet. This is THE miracle heating device in Japan. When we were in Kaz’s, we found ourselves struggling to get off it even for a minute to use the bathroom.

Anyway, I hope that December is finding all of you well and I certainly hope to hear from you all (even if only by email) in light of the upcoming holiday season.